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General News

Case Against Alleged Computer Sex Predator Will Move Forward Submitted: 05/20/2013
RHINELANDER - In March, Benjamin Lahti posted on Craigslist he wanted sex.

A girl claiming to be 15 years old responded to the 24-year-old Ironwood man.

They planned to meet in Minocqua.

That's when Lahti was arrested as part of a statewide internet sex predator sting.

"I asked if he knew why I wanted to talk to him. He stated because of the 15-year-old girl he was supposed to meet," testified Minocqua Police Sgt. Jason Benbenek.

Lahti was actually messaging an undercover sheriff's deputy.

On Monday court, Lahti's defense lawyer tried to say he may not have known the girl was underage.

Oneida County Judge Michael Bloom threw out that claim.

He also wondered what might have happened in a different situation.

"Instead of Officer Benbenek being there, there was a vehicle with a female, physically mature, 15 years old - who knows what would have happened, under those circumstances?" said Bloom.

Judge Bloom found enough evidence to move forward with a felony sex crime charge.

Lahti will return to court on June 10th.

Story By: Ben Meyer

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 Local News:
State Approves Armory Renovations Submitted: 05/20/2013

MERRILL - Women serve alongside men in the National Guard.

Since the 1970s, women serving in Merrill also had to share everything with men - right down to the bathroom.

But that will change soon.

The state's building commission approved renovations to 15 armory buildings, including the National Guard post in Merrill.

Captain Joy Staab said the renovations will include showers and toilets for women.

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Antigo Store Sells Powerball Ticket Worth $1 Million Submitted: 05/20/2013

ANTIGO - Somebody in Antigo won $1 million this weekend.

A cashier at Krist Food Mart sold a winning powerball ticket.

But so far, no one has claimed the big prize.

The winning ticket was announced Sunday.

Since then, Krist customers have been asking who won it.

Manager Linda Hemingson said she was surprised to hear the ticket came from her store.

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Late Spring Shouldn't Affect Potato Crop Submitted: 05/20/2013

ANTIGO - Most of us waited eagerly for spring so we could start our summer hobbies.

But farmers wait for spring so they can get to work.

John Schroeder runs a potato farm in Antigo.

He says the late spring could mean a bad harvest for crops like alfalfa, but potatoes should be just fine.

"It generally started a little wet and cold, he said. "We were probably three or four days behind planting right now, but we had a good week last week, so we're catching up."

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Obama, Walker Approved at Identical Rate in Wisconsin Submitted: 05/20/2013

WISCONSIN - President Obama and Governor Scott Walker couldn't be much further apart on the political spectrum.

But Wisconsinites seem to like them about the same -- in fact, at exactly the same rate.

The Marquette University Law School came out with a new poll taken earlier this month.

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 Regional News:
Boy Killed in Skid Loader Accident Submitted: 05/18/2013

BLANCHARDVILLE - The Lafayette County sheriff's office has identified the 8-year-old boy run over by a skid steer loader.

The sheriff's department says Melvin Jarrett, Jr., was killed when he was accidentally struck by a skid loader being operated by Melvin Jarrett Sr.

Authorities say Jarrett Sr. was backing up when the boy was struck at about 4:40 p.m. Friday. Sheriff's officials say the machine was being used to help develop a small campground.

The boy is from Blanchardville and the man is from Mineral Point.

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Twelve County Burglary Bust Submitted: 05/18/2013

MADISON - Burglars accused of hitting 12 Wisconsin counties will answer for their crimes. Two men are charged after an investigation that took years to complete.

Twenty eight-year-old Robert Miles and 37-year-old Daniel Frausto are formally charged in three of those counties, including Oconto and Outagamie.

Frausto also faces burglary, robbery and false imprisonment charges in Waupaca County.

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said some of the other counties the ring operated in are Shawano, Portage, and Oneida counties.

Charges are expected to be filed in some of those other counties as well.

Van Hollen says they'll also charge other suspects.

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Deadline for No-Call List Nears Again Submitted: 05/18/2013

MADISON - The quarterly deadline to place a telephone number on Wisconsin's no-call list is approaching.

The deadline to be added to the list is May 31. Any number put on the list then will be protected from unwanted phone solicitations and text messages starting July 1.

Registrations are good for two years, and people can re-register their numbers at any time.

The list is updated four times a year.

Anyone who misses the May 31 deadline won't be able to get their number added to the list until Oct. 1.

Numbers can be added to the list at http://nocall.wisconsin.gov or by calling 1-866-966-2255.

Political calls, calls from nonprofit organizations and calls made in response to a written or verbal request or permission are not covered.

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WI Not Likely to Go the Way of Other States on Gay Marriage Submitted: 05/18/2013

MADISON - Wisconsin's neighbor Minnesota may have become the 12th state in the country to legalize same-sex unions on Tuesday.

But gay marriage is not on the legislative agenda in Wisconsin, and that's not expected to change in the near future.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse political scientist Joe Heim tells Post-Crescent Media national public opinion seems to lean toward gay marriage but he doesn't see Wisconsin joining that group soon.

Wisconsin's constitution, unlike Minnesota's, bans same-sex marriage.

In November 2006, nearly 60 percent of Wisconsin voters supported an amendment banning gay marriage.

Before Wisconsin lawmakers could consider a bill to allow gay marriage, voters would have to pass an amendment undoing the 2006 amendment language. But before that the Legislature would have to pass the amendment in two consecutive sessions.

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