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General News

Judge Will Wait to Decide About Trying Teenager as Adult Submitted: 05/23/2013
RHINELANDER - When a child commits a violent crime sometimes it's serious enough to be tried in adult court.

Today Oneida County Judge Patrick O'Melia had special circumstances to consider.

Sixteen-year-old Michael Thimm was arrested last year for stabbing his mother and her boyfriend after a fight over his computer.

He's charged with attempted first degree intentional homicide. That charge means juveniles are automatically put into adult court.

But today his defense tried to get Thimm put back into the juvenile system. The main reason is because he has Aspergers-- a form of Autism.

A psychologist testified Thimm's disorder keeps him from understanding things like when a person is suffering. He also said emotional distress can cause impulsive reactions.

The doctor said if Thimm gets proper treatment he won't be a threat to the public.

"People with Aspergers or Autism Spectrum Disorder, most of the time they show up in the mental health system. They're very, very rare in the criminal justice system. And so the chances that they would even have the resources to address his needs are pretty slim," says Dr. Michael Caldwell.

But officials from the Department of Corrections also testified they do have resources for people like Thimm.

After three and a half hours of testimony, Judge O'Melia decided to wait on a ruling.

Both sides will submit written briefs before he makes a decision. We'll keep you updated as this develops.




Story By: Lyndsey Stemm

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Knowing the Symptoms Helps Prevent Lyme Disease Submitted: 05/23/2013

MINOCQUA - “This disease is called the great imitator for a good reason,” says Jeff Waite.

Lyme disease can be good at hiding.

“Lyme disease is a bacterial type infection spread by a spiral keet, which is also considered a parasite. And it can be carried in the spit glands and intestinal track of ticks in this area. Particularly the deer tick," said Dr. Kurt Landauer.

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Walleye Plan Excites Local Fishermen Submitted: 05/23/2013

EAGLE RIVER - The initiative will help to rebound what's thought of as a suffering walleye population by adding hundreds of thousands of the fish to Wisconsin lakes.

The project could improve fishing for the state's most popular game fish and tourism in the state. George Langely, a local fishing guide at Eagle Sports bait shop in Eagle River, says walleye fishing isn't what it used to be.

"The walleye population has pretty much suffered in the last twenty years and it's really nice to see Madison recognizing that and taking some steps to do something about it. It will take a while but it's a great start."

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Trig's Sells $293,000 Badger 5 Ticket Submitted: 05/23/2013

RHINELANDER - A trip to the grocery store made a Rhinelander woman much wealthier today.

The Rhinelander Trig's sold a Badger 5 ticket worth $293,000 yesterday.

The winner came in to verify the ticket this morning.

Customer service clerk Patti Pazera gets $50,000 winners occasionally, but this was a first.

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Phone App Brings High-Tech to Northwoods Camping Submitted: 05/23/2013

STATEWIDE - Camping in the Northwoods just got a little more high-tech, thanks to a new website and iPhone app. You can download the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest app on your iPhone.

The app lets you see what campsites are available, and reserve your spot online. It also gives information about trails and other activities in the area.

In the “old days” travelers could always call ahead about site availability, but by the time out of town visitors arrive, they might be full.

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 Regional News:
DNR raises bag limits on hundreds of northern Wisconsin lakes Submitted: 05/23/2013

MADISON - Wildlife officials have increased daily walleye bag limits for anglers as Wisconsin Chippewa spearfishing winds down.

The state Department of Natural Resources has raised limits on 423 lakes in the ceded territory, a swath of northern Wisconsin the tribes gave to the government more than a century ago. The rules include a five-walleye limit on 289 lakes, a four-walleye limit on three lakes, and a three-walleye limit on 131 lakes.

Bag limits on 113 lakes remain unchanged.

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Unemployment Down for Most of State Submitted: 05/23/2013

MADISON - Some northwoods counties got left behind as unemployment rates IMPROVED almost everywhere in Wisconsin last month.

The state Department of Workforce Development said yesterday that unemployment got worse in April in Price, Menominee and Calumet counties.

Unemployment stayed the same in Iron and Langlade counties.

Rates improved in the other 67 counties.

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AAA projects Memorial Day traffic down slightly Submitted: 05/23/2013

MADISON - Expect to see plenty of traffic out on the roads this Memorial Day weekend. But if there's a silver lining, traffic may be down slightly.

AAA estimates 627,000 people are expected to travel by road in Wisconsin this weekend. That's down about 1.6 percent from last year. One reason could be gas prices.

Statewide, they're averaging $3.93 a gallon.

That's 33 cents more than a month ago and 21 cents higher than last year. AAA says gas prices are higher here than the national average of $3.65 because several refineries in the Upper Midwest have been closed for maintenance.

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Sen. Baldwin delivers first Senate floor speech Submitted: 05/22/2013

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - We got to see and hear Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin give her first speech on the floor Wednesday morning.

The first-term Senator focused mainly on optimism and bipartisanship during her 11-minute speech.

She spoke on a day when the Senate took up debate on the so-called 2013 Farm Bill.

The bi-partisan effort would help limit the risks many farmers take while saving taxpayers billions. It's the kind of work Baldwin would like to see the Senate do more of.

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