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WJFW News

Zarda Will Serve Four Years for Mole Lake Stabbing Submitted: 11/26/2012

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CRANDON - The first Mole Lake stabbing suspect was sentenced Monday. 18-year-old Melvin Zarda is one of six charged in the beating and stabbing of a Wausau Man back in February.

"He has clearly indicated that he is part of the Latin Kings. This whole interaction that is before the court is gang-based," says Forest County District Attorney Chuck Simono.

Facing attempted murder charges, Melvin Zarda took a plea deal with the state. It required him to tell prosecutors what happened the night of an attack in Mole Lake, and specifically who did what.

"Mr. Zarda is incredibly dangerous. Why? Because he doesn't think for himself, he just acts," says Simono.

Simono detailed for the court the role Zarda admitted to playing in the stabbing.

"That's when Mr. Zarda was told to initiate the first strike. According to Mr. Zarda he asked Mr. Craig McGeshick and Preston Krustensterna to do it and they said, 'No, you were ordered to do it'," says Simono.

Defense attorney Stephen Sawyer said while it's not an excuse, Zarda's choice to join the gang wasn't out of a desire for a life of crime.

"To that point it had been a way to hang out with a bunch of guys that he thought cared about him, he thought would watch his back, protect him," says Sawyer.

Simono did note Zarda came forward with information knowing it could put him at risk, without any guarantee of an easy sentence.

"Part of his agreement is he has to testify truthfully at any forthcoming hearing or trial against any of his co-defendants," says Simono.

Judge Leon Stenz sentenced Zarda to nine years: four in prison, with five years extended supervision, for the second degree reckless injury charge. Then he'll also get three years probation for false imprisonment.

"No one has showed up to support Mr. Zarda and that speaks both ways. Number one, maybe they don't believe he deserves to be supported. Number two, maybe he's the way he is because no one has supported him. But to blame everything on the fact that he had alcoholic parents and a rough childhood ignores the fact that he was given opportunities," says Judge Stenz.

Craig McGeshick will be sentenced Wednesday, and Preston Krusensterna December 7th. The other three suspects are scheduled for jury trial in January.

Story By: Lyndsey Stemm

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Kemp Street construction pushed back to July 8 Submitted: 06/18/2013

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RHINELANDER - Independence Day always brings a flood of visitors to the Northwoods.

Closing one of Rhinelander's major streets could create a big headache.

But we learned today that major construction on Kemp Street won't start until after July 4th.

The city and contractors decided today to start the Kemp Street part of their sewer project during the week of July 8th.

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Maahs sentenced to six months in jail Submitted: 06/18/2013

ANTIGO - Former Antigo football coach John Lund went to jail for three months for his involvement in a marijuana ring.

The man who sold the drugs to him will be locked up for at least twice that long.

Bradley Maahs was sentenced to six months in jail today. Maahs will also serve more probation time after his stay in jail.

If his probation is revoked for bad behavior, he would go to prison for a year and a half.

He pleaded no contest to delivering THC.

Maahs has two months to report to Langlade or Shawano County Jail.

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Chrysler recalls nearly three million vehicles Submitted: 06/18/2013

NATIONWIDE - Chrysler is recalling nearly three million vehicles.

The recall covers 1993 through 2004 Grand Cherokees and Libertys from 2002 through 2007.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requested the recalls.

It says fuel tanks in those models are located in a dangerous spot. They could rupture and start on fire in a rear-end crash.

Chrysler insists the SUVs are not defective. At first, the company refused to recall the vehicles.

But now, dealers will inspect the recalled vehicles. If necessary, they can can upgrade the rear structure to better handle low-speed crashes.

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Home sales in Wisconsin continue to rise Submitted: 06/18/2013

MILWAUKEE - Home sales in Wisconsin continue to rise.

The Wisconsin Realtors Association says May sales are up about 18 percent compared to the same month last year.

It's the 23rd consecutive month of growth.

Prices are up as well.

The median price last month was 144-thousand dollars.

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Merrill High School Preserves Mural Paintings Submitted: 06/18/2013

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MERRILL - When students hear the bell ring on the last day of school, they normally don't want to come back until they have to.

But a few students went right back inside to beautify their school.

Honors Art students started painting murals around the high school last week.

The program started nine years ago.

Thirteen students are painting four foot by six foot scaled designs on the brick walls.

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Black bear attacks man in Burnett County Submitted: 06/18/2013

BURNETT COUNTY - A man survived a bear attack in Northwestern Wisconsin yesterday.

He's now recovering at a hospital in the Twin Cities.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says a black bear attacked the man in his yard.

It happened near Shell Lake in Burnett County last night around 9:30 p.m.

DNR carnivore specialist David MacFarland says the man's dog apparently had initiated contact with the bear before the man was attacked.


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Rhinelander Planning Committee makes organizing big events easier Submitted: 06/18/2013

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RHINELANDER - Not many people plan big events.

But in a tourist town like Rhinelander, parades, car shows and festivals are a big part of the economy.

Those big events need a lot of preparation.

That's why Rhinelander's Planning Committee wants to make events easier to organize.

The city's Protection of Persons and Property Committee is working on a new special event packet.

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