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WJFW News

Highway 51 Construction Has Minocqua Community Upset Submitted: 02/25/2013

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MINOCQUA - Plans for a new highway in Minocqua have been in affect for a while now.

The Department of transportation is hoping that highway 51 will have some new changes that will affect the community in a positive way.

"When we’re done we’ll have all new pavement. A lot safer. We’ll have bicycles facilities on the road and bicycle facilities off the road," said DOT Project Development Supevisor, Robin Stafford.

"We’ve put sidewalks on both sides so pedestrians will be easier getting up and down the highway. There will be a lot of benefits to the new project."



But Minocqua business owners don’t see it that way.

"Being as if there’s really only one main artery from south going through the Northwoods in this area and it’s right out here in our front door, it’s really going to have a negative impact." said Kurts Island Sports Shop Owner, Kurt Justice.

In fact some owners think the process and the finished product will take away some of their profits.

But the DOT seems to be locked in.

"Unfortunately with such a big project like this you can’t really appease to everyone," Stafford said.

"And so there is some people up there who aren’t happy, but again overall I think the community and the traveling public will be very happy with the product when it’s done."

Even though it has been set in stone for Minocqua, residents are hoping DOT will take their opinions into consideration.

"The Minocqua project is scheduled to start this spring and we’re hoping that the DOT still has room for modification and changes based on some of the discussions that we had at town hall last Friday." said 34th District Assembly Representative Rob Swearingen.

Now projects in other towns such as Arbor Vitae, Hazelhurst and Woodruff have not been finalized.

Swearingen suggests that if you want to voice your opinions on the project, you should contact your town board and chairman.


Story By: Shardaa Gray

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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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Community Celebrates Longtime Business By Planting Liberty Elm Trees Submitted: 05/18/2013

RHINELANDER - Trees can be found just about everywhere in the northwoods.

But there's one tree that hasn't been in Rhinelander for a while.

Carlson Funeral Service celebrated its 100 year anniversary as part of the Rhinelander community.

Today more than 100 people joined them in planting 100 young Liberty Elm Trees.

After planting the tree, they put a white wrap around them to prevent animals from getting to them.

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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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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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Weather Conditions Create High Fire Risk Across Northern Wisconsin Submitted: 05/17/2013

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ACROSS THE NORTHWOODS - A week with little to no rain pushed fire risks dangerously high across northern Wisconsin. A fire in Bayfield spanning 9-thousand acres destroyed 17 homes. Fire crews want everyone to be smart about burning this time of year.

A small burn got out of control on Loop Heights Road in Pine Lake today. Fire Chief, Brian Gehrig, says the weather conditions make it easy for fires to get out of control.

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CSA Helps Connect Farms and Families Submitted: 05/17/2013

RHINELANDER - You might support a local grocery store by shopping right in your town.

But look at a few labels and you realize, that the oranges come from Mexico, the bananas come from Chile, and the fish from as far away as China.

But it is possible to support local farmers.

A farm in the Northwoods provides fresh and local food for hundreds of families.

EverGood Farm is nestled on 10 acres of land in Rhinelander.

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