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WJFW News

New Cell Phone Law Submitted: 11/01/2012

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WISCONSIN - Teens in Wisconsin now have one more reason to put down the cell phone when they get behind the wheel.

The law is written to stop drivers with an instruction permit or probationary license from using their phone, unless it's an emergency.

Sergeant Rich Reichenberger of the State Patrol, says, "Basically it's new drivers. Anyone, if you get your license at the age of 16, it extends out at least until you're 19-years-old. That also effects new drivers to the state who have been on a probationary license in another state. Also, drivers from another country as well."

You can still use the phone if you pull over to the side of the road and turn on your flashers, but the goal is to keep drivers focused on the task at hand, the road, Reichenberger says, "Basically the law is in effect because, as being a new driver, there's a lot of things going on that you have to get used to. Your attention is divided anyway, watching other vehicles and things like that. Adding that cell phone and talking on the cell phone, you get kind of caught up in your conversation."

As a reminder no one of any age or with any license is allowed to text and drive.

Wisconsin ranks among the highest in the nation for fatal accidents involving young people and police hope this will drive us towards zero deaths in Wisconsin.

Story By: Michael Crusan

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Gogebic Taconite submits sampling plans Submitted: 06/19/2013

MADISON - Gogebic Taconite wants to move quickly to dig an iron mine in Ashland and Iron Counties.

This week, they submitted plans for the next step in the state's process.

The company is asking the DNR for permission to sample hundreds of thousands of tons of earth, part of a bulk sampling plan.

Gogebic Taconite also officially told the DNR it will seek a mining permit.

The DNR will tell Gogebic within two weeks whether it can go forward with the sampling.

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Merrill City Council plans to at Tomahawk to Municipal Court cases Submitted: 06/19/2013

MERRILL - We want our city officials to save money and resources where they can.

In Merrill, the city council is trying to do that with their municipal court.

The new plan means if you get a speeding ticket or citation for disorderly conduct in tomahawk, you'd have to go to court in Merrill.

The timetable is quicker for getting in and out of the municipal court than getting through Lincoln County Circuit Court.

The discussion came up when Merrill's city staff members decided they need to make a decision whether to continue funding the court.

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Woman killed when ATV goes over cliff Submitted: 06/19/2013

SAXON - A woman died when an ATV sailed over a cliff in Iron county.

Deputies got the call around seven last night about the ATV crash near Harbor Drive in Saxon.

The ATV did not make it around a corner on Harbor drive and traveled over the cliff, coming to rest on the beach.

A 42 year old woman who was a passenger on the ATV was dead at the scene.

Her 44 year old husband had been driving, and suffered severe injuries.

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Medford man searches for photo of every Vietnam death from Wisconsin Submitted: 06/19/2013

MEDFORD - “Our goal is to find them all," says Bryce Kelley.

Kelley, a Medford resident, wants to find a picture of every Wisconsin soldier killed in Vietnam.

“I know that I will continue to work, and I have enlisted the help of many others that will continue to work until we find them all," he says.

Nearly 1,200 Wisconsinites’ names are etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington.

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Mapping and controlling Yellow Iris in wetlands Submitted: 06/19/2013

MINOCQUA - These plants may look pretty but they're taking over our rivers and lakes. Michele Sadauskas is Oneida County's Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator. She is working to map and control the yellow iris, the plant you see here. She and two other conservation workers spent the day weeding Stacks Bay.

"They invade our wetlands. They're a really robust, aggressive plant. What they do is they crowd out our native species and make actually the wetland a lot less diverse," says Michele Sadauskas, Oneida County AIS Coordinator.

Removing yellow iris is a slow process. It takes three hours of work just to properly map and control 20 feet of shoreline.

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Newman High Schools received new solar panels Submitted: 06/19/2013

WAUSAU - A Wausau high school will go green to save money and teach students about energy conservation.

New solar panels will sit on top of the roof.

It will save Newman High School approximately $400 a year.

The W-P-S foundation donated the system as part of the SolarWise for school program.

It's an educational experience for the kids as well.

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Man dies when a train hits his van Submitted: 06/19/2013

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TOWN OF UNITY, WI - An elderly man from central Wisconsin killed in a terrifying crash when a train crashes into his van.

Charles Podbelsek, 81, was driving on a Clark County Road Tuesday morning.

When he approached the railroad crossing he did not stop at the stop sign and hit a Canadian National train.

His Caravan was thrown from the crossing, landed on its roof, and Podbelsek was thrown from the van.

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