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WJFW News

Tension Between Residents, DOT Over Highway 51 Construction Submitted: 06/19/2012

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HAZELHURST - It's been a tense relationship for a long time, and things were no different Tuesday night at a meeting between the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Northwoods business and home owners.

Big changes along Highway 51 mean that some will go out of business and others will lose property.

But the stretch of road hasn't been updated since 1938, and the DOT said it's time to think about safety.

"There's still a lot of issues that need to be solved. Obviously we can't do everything everyone wants," said Forrest Van Asten, a civil engineer working on the project. "We have to balance the needs of the traveling public with the needs of the people who live in the local area, and at the end of the day, the main concern is safety for the traveling public."

Since the last Hazelhurst public meeting in December, the DOT made changes to their original design based on public feedback.

They kept access open to Mill Road, decreased the amount of right-of-way land they'll buy, and added a median for better access to businesses.

"They did listen a little bit to my concerns about that and with this new drawing that they have, they did give me access from Highway 51," said Joel Bayer, who owns a restaurant on Highway 51 in Hazelhurst. "I just hope they listen to people's concerns and complaints and are willing to work with them."

Others in the audience tonight questioned whether the DOT is really listening or just trying to appear that way.

"It was like, 'We'll listen to you, but in the end we're going to do what we'd like to do,'" said Carol Hahn, a Yawkey Lake property owner. "I hope that's not the case, but that was my impression and I think a lot of the people had that impression. That's why we had such a huge turnout today."

DOT engineers on this project said they're glad to take more input from citizens.

Construction on this part of Highway 51 starts in 2013 and will stretch through the next decade.

Twenty percent of the project is state-funded, the remaining 80 from the federal government.

Story By: Lex Gray

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 In Other News:
National Geography Bee Finalist Submitted: 05/22/2013

WASHINGTON - Local geography whiz Asha Jain made the final round of the National Geography Bee in Washington today. But fell just short of the title.

Jain from Minocqua passed the preliminary round of 54 contestants on Monday. The final round of 10 was this morning.

The contestants are competing for a 25-thousand dollar scholarship and trip to the Galapagos Islands. Jain finished in the top six.

The title clinching question: "Because the earth bulges at the equator, which mountain peak on the earth is farthest from the earth’s center?"

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White Takes Second Place in TrigStar Exam Submitted: 05/22/2013

RHINELANDER - Taking a math test paid off literally for a Rhinelander high school student.

Shane White placed second in the state in the Trig-Star exam.

The Trig-Star is a 60 minute exam.

It has three, multi stage questions.

Students answer questions as though they're land surveyors.

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Tougher Requirements Wanted for Recalls Submitted: 05/22/2013

MADISON - A group of Wisconsin town officials want the state to raise requirements for recalling local officials.

Voters can now launch a recall effort for any reason related to the person's official responsibilities.

A bill has been introduced by Republican Representative Alvin Ott of Forest Junction.

It would require that the official be charged with committing a crime or committing an ethics violation before a recall could happen.

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Gov. Walker calls for nearly $13 million to boost walleye production Submitted: 05/22/2013

MADISON - Gov. Scott Walker has announced a nearly $13 million effort to boost walleye production.

The plan calls for $8.2 million in borrowing authority to expand hatcheries, $1.8 million for operating expenses over the next two fiscal years and $2 million for grants for private organizations to expand walleye production.

The plan also includes money for the University of Wisconsin Extension to continue aquaculture work, acquiring walleye fingerlings from organizations and expanding a program that gives tribal youth the chance to work on natural resources-related projects.

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UPDATE: Names released in deadly Shawano County Crash Submitted: 05/21/2013

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SHAWANO COUNTY - We now know the name of the man killed in a one-car crash this week. 75-year-old Leon Felix Wychesit of Gillet died Monday.

He was apparently the passenger in a car driven by Tina Wychesit.

Their car crashed into a tree on North First Street in Bonduel. Responders took both to the hospital.

The 75-year-old man was pronounced dead at the Shawano Medical Center.

There's no word yet if alcohol or speed played roles in the crash.

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A crash in Shawano County killed a man.

Bonduel police were called to a wreck on north First street shortly after noon yesterday.

A car had slammed into a tree.

A 75 year old man riding in the car was pronounced dead at the Shawano Medical Center.

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Plan Looked at Marathon County Jail Troubles Submitted: 05/21/2013

WAUSAU - Plans that could have made Marathon County Jail safer, were never put in place.

Marathon County officials told a citizens committee about the unused plan during their review of an attack on two officers in March.

Marathon County Administrator Brad Karger said they made the plan after 2010 survey showed widespread unease with jail employees.

The plan would have come up with solutions for specific problems shown by the survey.

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New Printpack facility progressing nicely Submitted: 05/21/2013

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RHINELANDER - Work on the new Printpack facility in Rhinelander seems to be going smoothly.

The new building is located on Highway 17, a little south of Lincoln Street.

Printpack Human Resources Director Jeremy VanCamp tells us the structure should be done by mid July. But it will take some time to get everything up and running inside.

Equipment will start going in by the end of summer. That will happen in various stages through March 2014.

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