Madison, WI – Safety belt use in Wisconsin has reached an all-time high in2010 with 79 percent of drivers and passengers buckling up, according to a recently completed observational survey by the State Patrol Bureau of Transportation Safety. Last year, the annual statewide survey showed safety belt use was approximately 73 percent in Wisconsin.

“A 6 percent increase in safety belt use from last year certainly is encouraging. But Wisconsin still lags behind the 84 percent national average for safety belt use.” says State Patrol Major Dan Lonsdorf, director of the Bureau of Transportation Safety. “Wisconsin also is far behind neighboring states. Michigan reports a 98 percent safety belt use rate, the highest in the nation. Iowa is at 93 percent, Illinois is at 91 percent, and Minnesota is at 90 percent.”

Lonsdorf credits the enactment of a primary safety belt enforcement law in July 2009 as a major contributor to Wisconsin’s increase. Primary enforcement allows an officer to stop and ticket unbuckled drivers and passengers even if the officer did not observe another violation. He also says that local and statewide law enforcement mobilizations, like Click It or Ticket, that focus on safety belt enforcement and education are motivating more motorists to buckle up.

However, Lonsdorf points out that several areas need to be improved. “The survey results show that safety belt use is at about 69 percent for young drivers, ages 16 to 25. They are the age group least likely to buckle up,” he says. “We are concerned about the dangerous lack of safety belt use among young drivers because they are only about 15 percent of all licensed drivers in the state, yet they accounted for more than 26 percent of drivers involved in crashes in 2009.”

Wisconsin also has a significant gender gap in safety belt use. Nearly 80 percent of females buckle up while only 72 percent of males fasten their safety belts.

Different areas of the state are showing significant variations in safety belt use. Only 71 percent of motorists in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties wear safety belts. All other areas of the state show safety belt use rates ranging between approximately 76 percent and 86 percent.

“Although nearly four out five motorists in Wisconsin currently buckle up, we still must convince the other 20 percent of drivers and passengers of the dangerous consequences of their decision not to use their safety belts,” Lonsdorf says. “By simply buckling up, they can avoid the risk of getting stopped by the police and ticketed. And even more importantly, they can protect themselves for being ejected from their vehicle or bounced around violently inside it in case of a crash.”

Posted @ 8:00 p.m.

“Pat has done a tremendous job as my deputy and has been an invaluable leader within the agency and in Governor Doyle’s administration. I thank him for his tremendous service to the people of Wisconsin,” said Frank.

Henderson had a central role in achieving Governor Doyle’s major environmental and conservation priorities, including the 10 year reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson stewardship fund, passage of the Great Lakes Compact, enacting the mercury/multi-pollutant rule which will reduce mercury emissions by 90%, and making major progress in cleaning up the Fox River. He helped advance the Governor’s regulatory reform and economic growth and green job initiatives. His last day with the agency is July 30.

Shea, a 30-year veteran of natural resources government service, has served as Administrator of the agency’s Air and Waste Division since 2003. Under his leadership, Air and Waste programs launched Smart regulation, a regulatory improvement effort focused on maintaining environmental standards, protecting public health and improving customer service; eliminated an air permit backlog and streamlined the permitting process; designed and advanced the mercury/multi-pollutant rule which represents one of the most innovative and significant improvements in Wisconsin air quality in several decades; and advanced energy efficiency and climate change initiatives. Al is an avid bow hunter and walleye angler, noting he is proud of his two Pope and Young bucks and his 47-inch northern. He is also an accomplished amateur ornithologist, past president of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology and past member of the Madison Audubon Board of Directors. He holds a Masters of Science in Water Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Al currently lives in Sun Prairie.

Frank also announced Thursday that 30-year DNR veteran Sue Bangert will succeed Shea as the agency’s Air and Waste Administrator.

Bangert has served as the deputy administrator for the Air and Waste Division since July, 2007, and is the former Director of Waste and Materials Management, leading that program to increased beneficial reuse of waste material, improved residential recycling, and timely review of waste plans while maintaining high standards of environmental and human health protection for solid and hazardous waste management in Wisconsin. Sue has also served as the assistant director for the Watershed Bureau and as a supervisor of the industrial wastewater program and the Superfund program. She is a recipient of the John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement. She holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Iowa, with an emphasis on environmental pollution issues. She and her husband, Mike, have two sons in college.

Frank said, “Al Shea and Sue Bangert are great professionals whose talent and dedication will serve the DNR well. I look forward to working with them in their new roles on our management team” Shea and Bangert assume their new positions starting Monday, August 2. Salaries have not yet been finalized.

Posted @ 6:14 p.m.

Rep. Gwen Moore

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed bipartisan legislation that reduces the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses.

Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) said, “In the 1980s, Congress passed a drug enforcement law that focused on the particular type of substance, not the action itself. That was misguided and created a 100 to one sentencing disparity that disproportionately impacted African American communities across the country. This disparity is unjust and unjustified. I’m glad that Congress acted in a bipartisan way to fix it.”

The 1986 law triggered five year minimum sentences for possession of five grams of crack cocaine and 500 grams for powder cocaine. The House-passed bill reduces that disparity, requiring a five year minimum sentence for 28 grams of crack cocaine.

Last year about 1,500 people were convicted for crack cocaine possession of somewhere between five and 25 grams, and near 80 percent of those convicted are black.

The legislation, which now goes to President Obama for his signature, also strengthens penalties for major offenses such as drug trafficking and targeting children.

The legislation is supported by many law enforcement and civil rights organizations, including: National District Attorneys Association, National Association of Police Organizations, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the American Bar Association, NAACP and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.

Posted @ 7:00 p.m.

Sen. Russ Feingold

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is continuing his effort to make it easier for residents living in northern and western Wisconsin to receive Wisconsin-related television programming, including in-state news, weather, sports and entertainment.

In a letter to the FCC, Feingold is urging the Commission to use its technical expertise and influence in the industry to find a solution.

Wisconsin has 13 counties that are part of Minnesota or Michigan television markets, leaving many of the 157,210 Wisconsin households in those counties with programming that is not tailored to Wisconsin.

“When I hold listening sessions in northern and western Wisconsin counties, people want to know why they are unable to receive Wisconsin news, weather and sports on their televisions,” Feingold said.

“Satellite providers, broadcasters, networks and sport leagues all seem to agree that a solution is possible, but Wisconsinites are still waiting. I am calling on the FCC to use its expertise and influence to do what it can to help. And as another season of Green Bay Packers football gets set to kick off, it is long past time to ensure Wisconsinites are able to watch the programming that matters to them.”

Feingold has fought for several years to help northern and western Wisconsin to receive Wisconsin-related television programming. During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on February 25, 2009, Feingold raised these concerns and questioned TV executives about a solution. Later in the year, Feingold teamed up with Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl in offering an amendment to the Satellite Television Modernization Act of 2009. Although the amendment did not get a vote, Feingold remains committed to pursuing all options to help those affected Wisconsinites receive Wisconsin-based coverage.

Posted @ 6:32 p.m.

Enacted this spring, 2009 Wisconsin Act 250 allows a school district resident who objects to the use of a race-based nickname, logo, mascot, or team name by the school board of that school district to file a complaint with the state superintendent. The legislation requires immediate review of the complaint to determine whether the use of the nickname or team name, alone or in connection with a logo or mascot, is ambiguous or unambiguous in being race-based.

The emergency and proposed permanent rules specify that the use of certain nicknames or team names are unambiguously race-based and presumed to promote discrimination, pupil harassment or stereotyping unless the school district produces clear and convincing evidence refuting this presumption. The proposed rules establish procedures for a school district resident to submit a complaint about a race-based nickname or team name; information a school district must provide when there is a complaint and if the nickname or team name is found to be ambiguous; and depending on the result of the complaint review, the timeframe for the state superintendent to notify the parties or schedule a contested case hearing.

The hearing site is fully accessible to people with disabilities. A copy of the administrative rules and fiscal estimate are available at http://dpi.wi.gov/pb/rulespg.html. Copies of these materials also are available by sending an e-mail request to lori.slauson@dpi.wi.gov or by writing to Lori Slauson, budget analyst and administrative rules coordinator, DPI, 125 South Webster Street, P.O. Box 7841, Madison, WI 53707-7841. Written comments on the proposed rules may be submitted via U.S. mail or e-mail to the addresses above no later than Aug. 4 and will receive the same consideration as testimony presented at the hearings.

Posted @ 3:49 p.m.

Governor Jim Doyle signed 2009 Wisconsin Act 35, designating July 27 of each year as “Korean War Armistice Day” in observance of the date of the military armistice agreement that ended the Korean War, and requiring the governor to issue a proclamation for the observation of that day, asking the public to contemplate the sacrifices that members of the U.S. armed forces made during the Korean War.

About 132,000 service members from Wisconsin served during the Korean War, with 729 losing their lives. There are over 50,000 Korean War veterans living in Wisconsin today.

The Wisconsin Korean War Veterans Memorial is located in Plover, to pay tribute to those Wisconsinites who fought, died and those who are still listed as Missing in Action as a result of the Korean War. To learn more about it, visit www.koreanmemorial.org/.

To read the Governor’s proclamation, go to the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs website, at www.WisVets.com/KWArmisticeDay.

Posted @ 8:13 p.m.

J.B.Van Hollen

Milwaukee, WI – Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that two individuals charged with election fraud arising out of the November 4, 2008, Presidential Election made their initial appearances before Milwaukee County Court Commissioner Grace Flynn this afternoon. David Lewis and Ramon Martinez were both charged by the Election Fraud Task Force, a collaborative effort between the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the Milwaukee District Attorney’s Office and the Milwaukee Police Department.

Both Lewis and Martinez are charged with one count of Voting by a Disqualified Person. Lewis is also charged with one count of Providing False Information to Election Officials.

Both of these crimes are felonies. The complaint against Lewis alleges that he registered to vote at the polls on November 4, 2008, thereby certifying that he was a qualified elector. It also alleges that he then cast a ballot. At that time, Lewis was on an active period of probation for felony convictions in Milwaukee County. A separate complaint alleges that Martinez cast a
ballot at the polls on November 4, 2008. At that time, Martinez was also on an active period of probation for felony convictions in Milwaukee County.

A felon on an active period of supervision for a felony offense is prohibited by state law from voting in any election.

Each individual charge carries a potential penalty of imprisonment up to 3 ½ years and a $10,000 fine. Preliminary hearings in both cases have been scheduled for August 2, 2010, at 8:30 a.m.

Prior to the November 2008 election, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm announced the creation of the Election Fraud Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional action team that evaluates, investigates and prosecutes complaints of electoral fraud. The Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Milwaukee County District

Attorney’s Office work cooperatively with local law enforcement and the Milwaukee Police Department as needed when investigation is required.

Copies of the criminal complaints can be accessed at:
http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/files/Complaint-Lewis.pdf
http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/files/Complaint-Martinez.pdf

A criminal complaint is a document accusing a person of a violation of criminal law. Adefendant enjoys a presumption of innocence. The prosecution must prove its allegations at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.

Assistant Attorney General David W. Maas is representing the State.

Posted @ 5:02 p.m.

“Today’s ruling reaffirms my charge that my opponent, Senator John Lehman, has been reckless with the state’s budget. Senator Lehman voted to raid the ‘Injured Patients Fund’ in 2007, even while level-headed legislators warned that the raid was improper and possibly unconstitutional.

“This is yet another example of my opponent’s irresponsible stewardship of Racine County citizens’ tax dollars.

“Using accounting gimmicks to balance the budget is bad enough. But when the quality of our state’s health care suffers because of these gimmicks, it takes on a whole new level of seriousness.

“Senator Lehman should be up front with Racine voters and explain why he voted to raid the fund even though there was little hope of the maneuver holding up in court. He should also explain why he voted to increase spending in the state budget by $3.6 billion while leaving the state with a multi-billion dollar deficit.

“Senator Lehman’s track record of fiscal mismanagement is well established, and today, the highest court in the state shined a spotlight on it.”

Posted @ 8:00 a.m.

Flooding Health & Safety Tips
http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/DisasterHealthSafety/flooding.htm

Water Safety
http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/DisasterHealthSafety/WellDisinfection.htm

Disinfecting the Well and Water System
http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/DisasterHealthSafety/WellDisinfection.htm#Disinfecting

Reentering your home after utility service interruption
http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/DisasterHealthSafety/Reenteringhome.htm

Mold
http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/DisasterHealthSafety/flooding.htm#Future

General Disaster Health and Safety Tips (Which includes Links to FEMA, Wisconsin Emergency Management, and National Weather Service):
http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/Disasterhealthsafety/index.htm

Recovering from the Emotional Aftermath of a Disaster
http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/mh_bcmh/Disaster.htm

Local Public Health Department listing:
http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/localhealth/index.htm

Posted @ 4:19 p.m.

Gov. Jim Doyle

Madison, WI  – Governor Jim Doyle today declared a state of emergency in Milwaukee County following severe storms and flash flooding throughout the county. The storms forced people from their homes, damaged many roadways and other structures, and caused extensive power outages.

“I am declaring a state of emergency for Milwaukee County,” Governor Doyle said. “Yesterday, Milwaukee saw what may be record rainfall. Mayor Barrett called to update me on the damage this morning and I assured him that the state will do everything we can to help people in Milwaukee.”

The state of emergency directs state agencies to assist local governments in recovering from this natural disaster. Wisconsin Emergency Management is working with local officials to begin assessing the damage and determining what resources would be needed to help speed response and recovery
efforts. Local and state officials are continuing to work to get an accurate assessment of the damage and the resources needed to help speed recovery efforts.

To view the Executive Order, visit: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=19970

Posted @ 3:30 p.m.

Roberta Gassman

Madison,l WI – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman today thanked President Obama for signing into law an extension of federal Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. The extension, which President Obama signed into law this afternoon, provides a critical lifeline to unemployed Wisconsin workers.

“For Wisconsinites who are out of work through no fault of their own and receiving Unemployment Insurance, the signing of this legislation is excellent news,” Secretary Gassman said. “We thank the members of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation who supported this legislation, as well as President Obama, for their leadership in supporting workers in Wisconsin and across the country as they get back on their feet during this challenging time for our nation’s economy.”

Secretary Gassman also released details on the processing of unemployment insurance benefits that are available retroactively to June 2, 2010, for more than 66,000 Wisconsin claimants.

Secretary Gassman said the agency’s UI Division will begin processing extension payments tonight in order to ensure that eligible claimants receive their benefits as soon as possible. In order to continue distributing regular UI benefits while also distributing retroactive “catch-up” payments, DWD will process payments using the timetable below. The order of processing of catch-up payments is designed to provide the quickest help to those who have received the fewest payments.

- Regular UI beneficiaries who had exhausted benefits: Thursday July 22 and Friday July 23

- Tier 1 payments: Friday July 23 and Saturday July 24

- Weekly payments (non catch-up): Sunday July 25

- Extended Benefit payments: Monday July 26

- Tiers 2 and 3 payments: Tuesday July 27, Wednesday July 28, and Thursday July 29

- Tier 4 payments: Friday July 30

In order to process the additional “catch-up” extension payments, DWD will redirect staff capacity from its UI call centers on Saturday, July 24, and Saturday, July 31, and the centers will be unable to receive calls during these two days. Claimants can continue to file claims online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at www.ucclaim-wi.org.

Claimants should expect to receive payment within 1 to 3 business days after DWD processes their checks. As early as the morning after the dates listed above, claimants can confirm their payments have been made by using the claims inquiry system at www.ucclaim-wi.org or 1-800-494-4944. Claimants can see which program (or “tier”) they are in by reviewing their most recent UI benefits statement.

About the Extension
Here are some important points about the new extension and associated payments:

- If claimants have been UI claims regularly and are still eligible for UI benefits, their benefits will be processed according to the timetable above. Those who have not been filing weekly claims but believe they are eligible for UI benefits are encouraged to file an application immediately by going to the UI website at http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/default.htm or by calling 1-800-UC CLAIM.

- The $25 extra payment is no longer available for those who established a new regular UI claim for benefits after May 30, due to the provisions of the new federal extension legislation. The payment remains available for individuals who established their claims before May 30, 2010.

- Claimants who are eligible for UI “catch-up” payments may receive more than one check in the next few days. That is because separate checks are required for several reasons, including a requirement that benefits from different programs (Tiers 1-4, Extended Benefits or High Extended Benefits) be paid separately.

Posted @ 10:31 p.m.

We Energies ratings improved by 8 points as compared with 2009. The Midwest average rating for large utilities increased by 15 points over the past year, and the national average increased by 12 points.

The study measures customer satisfaction with electric utility companies by examining six key factors: power quality and reliability; price; billing and payment; corporate citizenship; communications; and customer service. The 2010 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study is based on responses from more than 85,000 online interviews conducted from July 2009 through May 2010 among residential customers of the 121 largest electric utility brands across the United States, which collectively represent more than 93 million households.

Posted @ 10:24 p.m.

Rep. Robin Vos

Madison, WI – Governor Doyle and his administration will create an even bigger fiscal mess and further intrude into the lives of private citizens if they implement a new10-year 250- page public health plan known as Healthiest Wisconsin 2020, said state Representative Robin Vos (R-Caledonia) today.

“This plan will not only reach deeper into the pocket books of Wisconsin families and further deteriorate the state’s fiscal situation,” said Vos. “But it will also take away our freedoms by imposing even more government intervention in our everyday lives.”

The ten year state health plan was released this week by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) after collaboration with public health system partners around the state. DHS is required by statute to develop a public health agenda at least once every 10 years.

Vos said some of the most egregious parts of the plan include:

- Placing community health centers that may provide sexual and reproductive services in middle schools

- Creating universally-mandated early childhood education for children as young as 3 years of age

- Raising the alcohol tax

- Implementing dram shop laws to place liability on tavern owners and workers, rather than those who commit alcohol-related offenses

- Restricting alcohol consumption at public events like Summerfest or the State Fair

- Reducing the number of businesses that sell alcohol including, bars, liquor stores and grocery stores

“You can be sure that a plan that suggests reducing the temperature of tap water as a measure of injury prevention is only designed to make sure that government is involved in every facet of your life from the cradle to the grave,” said Vos.

“Addressing problems like dental access, obesity, and chronic disease is acceptable,” Vos continued. “But perhaps DHS should focus on the problem at hand instead of setting such lofty goals to erode our personal freedoms and further expand the size of government.”

Vos explained that the Medicaid program currently has a $600 million deficit due to years of program and eligibility expansions implemented by Doyle. That deficit grew further this week when the Supreme Court ruled that the state must replace $200 million in raided Patient Compensation Fund money. Media interviews with certain members of the administration indicate they may try to alleviate this problem by cutting provider rates
to pay for existing programs.

“Public health would best be served if we could afford the programs we already have,” said Vos. “This administration should get back to work fixing the current deficit, instead of wasting time creating an even larger one under the auspices of public health.”

Posted @ 6:40 p.m.

Roberta Gassman

Menasha, WI – Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman said today Governor Doyle’s investments in Wisconsin’s clean energy future are showing gains in manufacturing, job opportunities, a cleaner environment, and a more energy independent Wisconsin.

“Under Governor Doyle’s leadership, Wisconsin is harnessing the wind to power economic growth, creating clean energy jobs,” Secretary Gassman said. “As the economy improves from a deep national recession, the steps Wisconsin has taken to encourage efficiency and renewable energy will continue to pay dividends in the long term.”

Secretary Gassman highlighted Governor Doyle’s successful clean energy efforts during a visit to SCA Tissue. At SCA’s Service Excellence Center in the Town of Menasha, she joined the global manufacturer of tissue and paper products in dedicating four wind turbines, the first commercial units built by Renewegy, LLC. The Renewegy turbines will generate 100 to 125 megawatt-hours per year to help power SCA Tissue’s operations. The turbine-generated electricity will complement other energy-saving steps at the company, including heat recovery systems, energy-saving light bulbs, auto lighting systems and low-energy computer screens.

In operation for two years, Renewegy received a $525,000 grant from Governor Doyle last December to purchase manufacturing equipment and create 40 new jobs. The grant was funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Renewegy is one of more than 300 companies in Wisconsin that provide products and services to the wind industry, employing thousands of people.

In addition to his clean energy investments, Governor Doyle signed legislation in May to authorize the Green to Gold Fund, a $100 million revolving loan fund providing low interest loans to help manufacturers reduce energy costs, improve their bottom line and create jobs. Moreover, $1.75 million is being invested in the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Project to help small and mid-sized manufacturers use sustainable practices to gain a competitive edge.

Secretary Gassman also noted investments DWD has made in worker training, awarding $2.8 million in clean energy grants since July 2008 to train more than 1,900 workers and help ensure skilled workers for the growing clean energy sector.

Posted @ 9:07 p.m.

Sen. Russ Feingold

Washington, D.C. – “Tens of thousands of Wisconsin families are facing an economic emergency as they deal with the loss of these benefits.  Without these benefits, these families would have continued to suffer and thousands more would likely find themselves in the same situation.  I would have preferred that the legislation funding these benefits be fully offset.  I supported earlier efforts to help offset the cost of these benefits, and will continue to support efforts to offset the cost of these desperately needed benefits.  But this is a true emergency.  The Unemployment Trust Fund, into which employers pay on behalf of their workers, was never designed to meet what we are experiencing now, namely the worst recession since the Great Depression.  These benefits allow struggling families to afford basic necessities such as food, shelter and medicine.  Extending these benefits is the right thing to do as our nation continues to gradually recover.”

This afternoon, the Senate voted 60-40 to overcome a procedural hurdle and move toward a final vote on extending the long-term unemployment benefits.

Posted @ 10:10 p.m.

Children and families enrolled in BadgerCare Plus Standard or Benchmak plans living in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties will be asked to select an HMO as part of an initiative to help improve the quality of care.

“We expect the highest quality health care for children and families enrolled in the BadgerCare Plus
Standard and Benchmark Plans,” said Secretary Karen Timberlake. “We have new contracts in place with four HMOs in southeastern Wisconsin for providing services to our BadgerCare Plus members. As part of the new contracts, HMOs must meet certain quality standards, with the goal of improving care for our members. We encourage members to choose the HMO that will work best for them after looking at the materials they receive from us in the mail.”

The Department of Health Services has contracted with CommunityConnect HealthPlan, UnitedHealthcare, Abri Health Plan, and Children’s Community Health Plan. After they receive their enrollment packet, members can select an HMO online at access.wi.gov, by calling 1-800-291-2002, or by completing and returning the HMO Enrollment Choice form they will receive with their enrollment packet.

The Department of Health Services will mail enrollment materials to BadgerCare Plus Benchmark and Standard Plan members based on where they live beginning on the following dates:

- July 19 – Milwaukee County North

- August 19 – Milwaukee County South

- September 18 – Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties

Members should wait until their designated enrollment period or after they have received their enrollment materials to select an HMO.

The change does NOT affect members who are enrolled in SSI Medicaid, Medicaid for the Elderly Blind or Disabled (EBD) or members enrolled in the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan. HMOs currently serving those members will not change.

For more information about the BadgerCare Plus HMO changes for Southeast Wisconsin, please visit www.badgercareplus.org or call 1-800-291-2002.

Posted @ 6:58 p.m.

“We were quite pleased by it,” Helen Petrich of Columbus said of the court’s decision. “Justice was served.” Petrich was one of five Columbus Pioneer News subscribers in the courtroom on Friday. She tells the Bureau of Consumer Protection all five were happy with the outcome.

Morey established his weekly newspaper in Columbus in January, 2009. He charged consumers between $32 and $74 for subscriptions. Morey also promoted subscription sales through a prize drawing – said to be worth $500. However, the prize was never awarded, and the Columbus Pioneer News went out of business after just six publications. According to court records, Morey promised to give out refunds – which he never did.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection began investigating the case in May, 2009. It was later referred to the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Morey was accused of untrue and deceptive business practices under Wisconsin’s consumer protection rules.

“This is what we are here for,” said Janet Jenkins, Administrator of the Trade and Consumer Protection Division. “We are delighted when we can put money back in the pockets of Wisconsin consumers.”

Under the court order, each of the 88 subscribers listed as plaintiffs will receive a full subscription refund. The remaining $13,000 includes the civil forfeiture and court-related fees. Morey is set to begin making payments August 1, 2010.

“This wasn’t so much about the money,” added Petrich. “We just don’t want this to happen to other people.”

The case was prosecuted by Columbia County Assistant District Attorney Brenda Yaskal.

Posted @ 6:54 p.m.

The task force will visit commercial motor vehicle companies in Wisconsin and conduct comprehensive compliance reviews of their drug and alcohol testing programs, drivers’ hours of service, drivers’ qualifications, and a host of other mandatory safety regulations for intrastate transportation of hazardous materials.

“The objective of compliance reviews is to have a company, which is ultimately responsible for its drivers and equipment, strictly adhere to all safety regulations before its vehicles hit the road,” says Bernard Coxhead, manager of the Wisconsin State Patrol Motor Carrier Enforcement Investigation Unit.  “Previous task force compliance reviews have targeted school bus and dump truck safety. This year’s task force will send a clear message about our commitment to ensuring the safe transportation of hazardous materials within the state.”

Posted @ 10:00 a.m.

While the battalion continues its route clearance mission in Iraq, the Soldiers who voluntarily returned early – 23 from Wisconsin, five from Pennsylvania and two from Puerto Rico – now serve as a “test run” for the demobilization process for when the rest of the unit returns.

“So far, the demobilization process has been going smoothly for this group,” said 1st Lt. Jared Seidl, a personnel officer in the 724th rear detachment.

Brig. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, and Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson, Wisconsin Army National Guard commander, stressed the importance of the reintegration and demobilization process to Soldiers during a July 14 visit to Fort McCoy.

“Take your time reintegrating,” Anderson said. “Make sure you get your questions answered and take advantage of all the resources available to you and your families.”

“You have skills the average person your age doesn’t have and the public gives you great respect for putting on the uniform you wear,” Dunbar said. He added it was great to have the Soldiers back home, and encouraged them to speak up if they have any questions regarding educational benefits and health or employment issues.

More than 500 Soldiers – the majority from Wisconsin, the rest from Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico – deployed to Iraq in late April and are scheduled to return early next year.

Posted @ 8:00 a.m.

Sen. Russ Feingold

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold has heard from thousands of Wisconsinites at his listening sessions this year. One of the top issues at Feingold’s 2010 listening sessions has been foreign policy and national security, particularly concern about the continuing U.S. presence in Afghanistan. Those concerns have helped to shape Feingold’s work on Afghanistan, including his bill requiring the President to set a flexible timetable to draw down troops so the U.S. can focus more resources on the global threat of al Qaeda.

At Feingold’s Jackson County listening session on January 16, 2010 a Wisconsinite said “Afghanistan is an incredible quagmire. As I look at it, I don’t see any way we can get out of it. I’d like to hear your views, what is a way to get out of this? It is a mess.”

A constituent told Feingold at his Wood County listening session on January 26, 2010, “We were able to defeat both the Nazis and the Japanese in less time than we’ve been in Iraq and Afghanistan. We seem to be staying for who know[s] how long.”

A constituent told Feingold in Polk County on April 8, 2010, “As a former army ranger and special ops officer, I maintain contact with active duty friends at the Pentagon and the CIA. Not one I speak with has anything positive to say about the outcome about our present military strategy in Afghanistan and for that matter Iraq…. This relative so-called buildup in Afghanistan, which you opposed, is one of the actions I quite admire and it took a lot of courage to do that. I’d like to know what your thoughts are and if there are any possible initiatives relative to refocusing the administration’s attention on the real source of international terrorism versus national building and the related distractions and to accomplish in some way by looking beyond pandering to the generals and looking to those who are actually engaged in combat.”

After hearing these and other concerns from Wisconsinites, Feingold introduced legislation requiring the president to develop a flexible timetable to draw down U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Feingold’s legislation would enhance our national security and reduce the burden on our Armed Forces and on taxpayers. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation will help our country shift focus and resources to a more sustainable counterterrorism strategy for the region and the world.

“At my listening sessions, Wisconsinites across the political spectrum have made clear they want to know when our military operation in Afghanistan will end,” Feingold said. “Their input is a great example of how what I hear at listening sessions helps inform my work in the Senate, and why listening sessions are so valuable as I represent our state.”

At listening sessions this year, Feingold met face-to-face with more than 7,500 Wisconsin residents. Feingold has now held 1,296 listening sessions during his time in the U.S. Senate. Over the course of his listening sessions, Feingold has met face-to-face with more than 69,000 Wisconsinites. At his listening sessions, Feingold makes brief remarks to begin the meeting but then turns the floor over to those in attendance to bring up and speak on any topic they choose. The meetings are open to the public and Feingold listens, takes notes and responds to each person who speaks.

“I learn more at these town meetings than I learn anywhere else and not only is it the most important part of my job, it’s also my favorite part of my job,” Feingold said. “It is always interesting to hear directly from the people I represent and they deserve every opportunity to let me know what they think about any issue they want. This is democracy in action and I am grateful to all those who took time out of their busy schedules to come to my meetings and let me know what’s on their minds. The feedback I receive is essential to my job as a U.S. Senator.”

This release is one in a series of releases highlighting the issues Senator Feingold is hearing most about in Wisconsin this year.

Posted @ 5:32 p.m.

Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee, Ministry Saint Clare’s Hospital in Weston, Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital in Prairie du Sac, ThedaCare in Appleton, the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison, and the UWHP Watertown Regional Medical Center in Watertown were all among the 100 honored.

Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau was also named to the list of 25 “Most Improved” hospitals, Sauk Prairie Memorial was among the 25 “Most Wireless,” and Door County Memorial Hospital in Sturgeon Bay was one of the 25 “Most Wired” in the Small and Rural category.

“Making sure our state’s hospitals have access to the best technologies available is a key component in providing the best possible care to Wisconsin residents in an efficient and cost-effective way,” said Thad Nation, Executive Director of Wired Wisconsin. “To have so many state facilities on this list means we’re on the right track towards ensuring quality health care is available for residents across the state.”

The “Most Wired” list was based on surveys completed by hospitals across the country. Organizations were ranked based on their implementation and use of technology in four areas: Infrastructure, Business and Administrative Management, Clinical Quality and Safety, and Care Continuum.

For more information, and to see a complete list of honorees, please visit www.hhnmostwired.com.

Posted @ 5:25 p.m.

The National Guard has used the agribusiness development team concept successfully in Central America for the past two decades, drawing on the rich farming experience of many Guard members. The Guard brought the concept to Afghanistan in 2007. The initiative capitalizes on the skills of its Citizen Soldiers, employing them in a way that will allow a developing democracy a safer and more productive way of feeding its people. The concept also stays true to the image of the Concord Minuteman, with one hand on a musket and the other on a plow.

The teams consist of approximately 60 Soldiers and Airmen, some of whom will perform a security mission to allow the team to operate without relying on assistance from other military units in the area. The agricultural experts will focus on animal husbandry, water and soil conservation, horticulture, irrigation, storage, and distribution and agribusiness education. The team will also assess local farming practices and environments to determine the best strategies to assist Afghan farmers.

Col. Darrel Feucht, commander of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 64th Troop Command, will lead up the team, which is expected to deploy to Afghanistan within the next 18 to 30 months. Wisconsin Guard members with farming backgrounds have already been identified, and he will begin selecting volunteers to build his team.

In addition, Feucht plans to use the time before the deployment to establish a working partnership with universities, professional farming organizations, perhaps even the Future Farmers of America – what the military refers to as “reach-back” resources – in order to tap into that academic expertise as needed.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the state, being one of the top agriculture states in the country,” said Feucht, who earned an agricultural sciences degree in 1985. “It’s something the people of Wisconsin can understand and appreciate – I think they will embrace this.”

“Wisconsin is perfectly positioned, with our rich farming history, to provide the expertise and practical know-how to the farmers in Afghanistan that will help them succeed and make their nation prosperous and secure,” Doyle said. “I know that our Wisconsin National Guard members and our academic agricultural experts can make a real difference.”

More than 80 percent of Afghans work in agriculture, which accounts for about 45 percent of Afghanistan’s gross domestic product. However, since 1978 wars have cost the nation 40 percent of its irrigated farmland as well as a generation of farmers. Farming techniques are primitive by American standards, and the lack of refrigeration or pesticides limits the size and storage of harvests. To help counter this, other agricultural development teams have worked to include farming classes in Afghanistan schools.

Gen. Craig R. McKinley, National Guard Bureau chief, said agribusiness development teams are playing a significant, nonkinetic, soft-power role in Afghanistan. These teams that draw on the civilian-acquired skills of National Guard members to help Afghan farmers improve agricultural practices came out of an initiative from Missouri and now involve multiple states. “What [started] out to be an experiment now has turned into 12 teams,” McKinley said. “The land grant universities from all over the Midwest are now eager to put these … teams out into the remote areas of Afghanistan to help … Just something as small as trellising a crop, getting it up off the ground, has produced crop loads in excess of anything they’ve ever seen before.”

By helping transform farming into a successful livelihood in Afghanistan, military leaders hope that insurgent groups such as the Taliban will have less success recruiting new members. Improving the success of food crops may also diminish the appeal of growing opium.

Agribusiness development teams are one part of a broad agriculture strategy being implemented by the U.S. and Afghanistan governments as well as non-governmental organizations. The initiative will unite military, civilian and academia to bring the best farming and agricultural practices to a region of Afghanistan that could one day be considered the bread basket of that corner of the globe. To date, more than 1,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have deployed in 18 agribusiness development team rotations.

The agribusiness development teams are similar in many aspects to the State Partnership Program, which has partnered state National Guard organizations with foreign militaries to exchange best practices and cultivate relationships. Wisconsin has such a relationship with Nicaragua. Even though the United States is still prosecuting a war in Afghanistan, the key to success for an agribusiness development team is to grow relationships with Afghan farmers. This means the Wisconsin team will train to bridge cultural differences in order to successfully interact with Afghan farmers. The goal is to help Afghan farmers identify local solutions to local agricultural problems.

Feucht said he hoped to maintain relationships with Afghan farmers after his team returns to Wisconsin. “This would plant a seed for follow-on programs,” he explained.

Posted @ 10:11 p.m.

Madison, WI – Satisfaction levels among members served by Family Care and Family Care Partnership and PACE Programs increased, a 2009 survey shows, with a large majority reporting they were “always satisfied” with their care.

“It is very gratifying to see that the individuals receiving services through Family Care report that they are very happy with that care,” said Karen Timberlake, Department of Health Services Secretary.

Started in 1998, the program provides cost-effective, comprehensive and flexible long-term care that fosters independence and quality of life for people with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities and frail elders.

More than 10,000 member satisfaction surveys were distributed by the program’s 11 managed care organizations (MCOs), with a 40% return rate. Satisfaction levels increased for nine of the 10 core questions, with statistically significant increases for six questions. The surveys were conducted during a year of significant expansion for the MCOs and increased provider participation in the program.

Questions covered members’ satisfaction with their care team, participation in planning and decisionmaking about services, and communication quality.

In responding to the surveys, members often added personal comments about their favorite aspects of the program. One member noted, “…the excellent care, the ability to live in my own apartment…knowing I don’t have to give up my dog or not be able to care for her and myself. If it was not for Family Care helping me I would not be able to take the medications I need and would not be able to stay in my apartment.”

One member’s daughter wrote, “My mom’s quality of life is significantly richer! They treat us like family. The equipment they purchased, like alarms and her high-low bed, gave us the security we needed!”

The survey was first developed in 2008 by Department of Health Services and MCO staff. Participants were randomly selected Family Care members.

Family Care currently serves nearly 32,000 people in 53 counties, or 68% of the state. Remaining counties are currently in the planning stages to meet the Department’s goal of providing services statewide by the end of the 2011-2013 biennium.

Family care also supports Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) that provide a single location for information and assistance. There are now ADRCs in 57 of 72 counties.

Posted @ 10:05p.m.

Tyrone W. Butterfield Sr. was arrested and was charged with Possession With Intent to Deliver Marijuana as a Repeat Drug Offender and Keeper of a Drug Dwelling. Also arrested was Elmer “Donny” Saari who was charged with Manufacturing and Possession With Intent to Deliver Marijuana and Keeper of a Drug Dwelling.

Officers seized the following:
2 handguns, 11 long guns (4 were military style semiautomatic rifles), 19+ pounds of processed marijuana and 31 marijuana plants, and $6,178 in cash.

The investigation was brought to a successful conclusion because of the cooperative effort between the police agencies involved in this case. Those agencies were the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation, Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office, Northern Area Crime Unit (consisting of Sawyer, Washburn and Burnett County deputies along with Superior, Spooner and Ashland Police Department officers), Wisconsin State Patrol,

NADGI Task Force (consisting of St. Croix, Lac du Flambeau, and Oneida Tribal Police Department officers), and US Border Patrol agents. This investigation is an excellent example of the successful partnership that has been established through the Native American Drug & Gang Initiative (NADGI).

“NADGI is a very important partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Justice and Wisconsin’s Tribal Nations to fight crime on reservations,” said Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. “I congratulate all of the participating agencies for the success of this operation.”

Questions concerning this case should be directed towards the Bayfield County District Attorney’s Office.

A defendant enjoys the presumption of innocence. The prosecution must prove its allegations at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.

Posted @ 5:15 p.m.

Rep. Roger Roth

Madison, WI – Recent discussions in Washington D.C. have prompted Representative Roger Roth (R-Appleton) to release the following statement on the potential impact that granting amnesty to illegal immigrants would have.

“I have been watching the recent activities in Washington and have become concerned that the current administration might push forward with the idea to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants. During this last legislative period a bill was introduced and given a public hearing that would have assigned Wisconsin’s electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. The potential long term impact of that type of legislation coupled with as many as 10.8 million new voters as a result of the amnesty plan would be devastating to our election process.”

“If you go back 20 years and look at the results of the Presidential elections you will see the winning margins ranged between 8.5 million votes to just under 500,000 votes. What would the impact be by adding 10.8 million new voters to the mix? It is not clear if my colleagues here in Madison or representatives out in Washington have thought this idea out. It is fortunate that we were able to stop the National Popular Vote in Committee this
last session. We will need to remain vigilant in order to prevent this misguided policy from destroying our election process.”

Representative Roth led the fight to prevent the National Popular Vote from moving out of Committee this last session. The figures that he cites on the number of illegal immigrants are the numbers that were released by the Department of Homeland Security back in February. Representative Roth has also been at the forefront of efforts in the legislature to toughen Wisconsin’s laws dealing with illegal immigrants.

Posted @ 5:45 p.m.

“Fresh salsa and guacamole, especially those served in retail food establishments, may be important vehicles of foodborne infection,” says Magdalena Kendall, an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) researcher who collaborated on the CDC study. “Salsa and guacamole often contain diced raw produce including hot peppers, tomatoes and cilantro, each of which has been implicated in past outbreaks.”

To better assess the role of these popular foods in outbreaks, Kendall and her colleagues searched all foodborne outbreaks reported to the CDC for those with salsa, guacamole or pico de gallo as a confirmed or suspected food vehicle and analyzed trends in the proportion of all outbreaks with identified food sources.

CDC began conducting surveillance for foodborne disease outbreaks began in 1973, yet no salsa- or guacamole-associated (SGA) outbreaks were reported before 1984. Restaurants and delis were the settings for 84 percent of the 136 SGA outbreaks. SGA outbreaks accounted for 1.5 percent of all food establishment outbreaks from 1984 to 1997. This figure more than doubled to 3.9 percent during the ten-year period from 1998 to 2008.

Inappropriate storage times or temperatures were reported in 30 percent of the SGA outbreaks in restaurants or delis and may have contributed to the outbreaks. Food workers were reported as the source of contamination in 20 percent of the restaurant outbreaks.

“Possible reasons salsa and guacamole can pose a risk for foodborne illness is that they may not be refrigerated appropriately and are often made in large batches so even a small amount of contamination can affect many customers,” Kendall says. “Awareness that salsa and guacamole can transmit foodborne illness, particularly in restaurants, is key to preventing future outbreaks.”

Risk can be lowered by following guidelines for safe preparation and storage of fresh salsa and guacamole to reduce contamination or pathogen growth.

“We want restaurants and anyone preparing fresh salsa and guacamole at home to be aware that these foods containing raw ingredients should be carefully prepared and refrigerated to help prevent illness,” says Kendall.

Posted @ 5:00 p.m.

Traffic fatalities in June were eight fewer than in June 2009 and six fewer than the five-year average for the month of June.

As of June 30, a total of 252 people have died in Wisconsin traffic crashes during 2010, including 42 motorcycle drivers, three motorcycle passengers, 21 pedestrians and three bicyclists. Traffic deaths through June were one more than during the same period in 2009 and 51 fewer than the five-year average.

“In early June, we concluded a successful Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement mobilization in Wisconsin with a record number of participating law enforcement agencies that helped reduce fatalities,” says Dennis Hughes, chief of safety programs for the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety.  “Since Wisconsin’s primary safety belt enforcement law became effective on June 30 of last year, officers all over the state are putting the ‘ticket’ in Click It or Ticket when they stop unbuckled drivers and passengers. We hope that motorists will voluntarily comply with Wisconsin’s mandatory safety belt law every time they drive or ride in a vehicle. But if they refuse to buckle up, they are likely—now more than ever—to be stopped and ticketed.”

Posted @ 8:00 a.m.

“Bogus job advertisements are showing up in newspapers and on computers across the country,” said Janet Jenkins, Administrator of the Trade and Consumer Protection Division. “Given the current economy, scammers know jobseekers – especially young people – are vulnerable to appealing offers.”

Some scams promise you work once you pay for training or certifications. Regardless of how severe the situation – and how much you want to believe the promises – no legitimate company makes guarantees about placing anyone in a job.

Other scams ask you for your personal information and/or money as part of the application process. A credible employer does not need your bank account information or credit card numbers to interview or hire you. Scam artists use this information to commit identity theft.

“There are also scam artists posing as BP hiring officials,” added Jenkins. “When in doubt, contact a company’s human resources department to verify the legitimacy of a job posting.”

If you are looking for paid or volunteer opportunities in the Gulf Coast region, the Federal Trade Commission recommends calling the Deepwater Horizon Response toll-free number at 1-866-448-5816.

For more consumer information, or to file a consumer complaint, contact the Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection on the web at www.datcp.state.wi.us; via e-mail at DATCPHotline@wi.gov; or call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-422-7128.

Posted @ 9:12 p.m.

Attorney General J.B.Van Hollen

Milwaukee, WI – Thanks to a generous gift from the Milwaukee Brewers Community Foundation, youth and adult participants of the Badges for Baseball program will enjoy a major league experience at today’s Milwaukee Brewers game. Participants will be joined by Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, who will throw out the first pitch during the pregame ceremonies.

Badges for Baseball is a crime prevention program designed to pair law enforcement professionals as mentors and coaches with youth. Public safety partners include staff from the Milwaukee Police Association, Milwaukee Professional Fire Fighter’s Association, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation. The program serves as a positive outlet for youth during out-of-school hours when they are most likely to commit or become victims of crime. Participating youth will learn the basics of baseball/softball while participating in the Foundation’s character development program, Healthy Choices, Healthy Children.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice, headed by Van Hollen, awarded the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation $100,000 to support the Milwaukee Badges for Baseball program last year. In addition, the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation provided matching equipment and support to invest more than $200,000 to help Milwaukee’s young people most in need. After last year’s resounding success, the program has expanded to include the young people most in need in the Fox Valley area.

This summer, kids at community based organizations in the Milwaukee and Appleton areas are learning the basics of the Ripken philosophy, baseball and softball “The Ripken Way,” and the Foundation’s character education curriculum Healthy Choices, Healthy Children which integrates lessons such as teamwork, leadership, and respect into situations both on and off the ball field.

About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation helps build character and teach critical life lessons to disadvantaged youth through baseball and softball themed programs. Founded in 2001 by members of the Ripken family in memory of their patriarch Cal, Sr., the Foundation works to create programs that positively impact disadvantaged youth through active community partnerships with America’s most successful youth service organizations.

www.ripkenfoundation.org

About the Wisconsin Department of Justice

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen is the head of the Wisconsin Department of Justice. The Department of Justice (DOJ) provides legal advice and representation, criminal investigations, and various law enforcement services for the state. The Department consists of four divisions and one office: The Division of Criminal Investigation, Division of Law Enforcement Services, Division of Legal Services, Division of Management Services and the Office of Crime Victim Services.

http://www.doj.state.wi.us/

Posted  @ 5:35 p.m.

Approximately 360 law enforcement agencies, including the Wisconsin State Patrol, county sheriffs’ departments, and local police departments, mobilized for Click It or Ticket 2010 making it the largest coordinated traffic enforcement effort in Wisconsin history. While intensifying their safety belt enforcement, officers also issued citations and made arrests for the following during the Click It or Ticket mobilization:

• 8,441 speeding violations
• 2,755 operating after revocation or suspension violations
• 1,048 operating while intoxicated (OWI) arrests
• 282 felony arrests

“This was the first statewide Click It or Ticket mobilization that officers could use primary safety belt enforcement to stop and ticket unbuckled motorists. Primary enforcement, which became effective on June 30 of last year, was a major reason why the number of citations for safety belt violations in this year’s mobilization was more than double the 2009 Click It or Ticket figure,” said Dennis Hughes, chief of safety programs for the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety. “ However, the goal is not to increase the number of safety belt tickets but to get people to buckle up voluntarily whenever they drive or ride in a vehicle so we can reduce the number of preventable traffic deaths to zero in Wisconsin.”

Posted @ 3:36 p.m.