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WJFW News

Stevens Point Workers Speak Out Against Joerns Outsourcing Submitted: 07/02/2012

STEVENS POINT - Workers, politicians and activists spoke out against Joerns Healthcare layoffs in Stevens Point Monday.

The company is closing their Stevens Point plant and moving all 160 jobs overseas.

The rally was also to drum up support for the United States Senate's "Bring Jobs Home Act," which would give tax incentives to companies that bring jobs back to the US. Companies that outsource would have tax benefits pulled.

"Nothing's going to save us," said George Peretz, a welder for Joerns since 1985. "But we need to get the message out there about what's happening and get the bill passed to keep jobs here in the United States, because when we ship jobs overseas, we ship our wealth overseas."

Former Joerns CEO Raymond Nass says the company wasn't in financial danger and the decision was motivated by greed. Joerns was offered at least $1 million in incentives to keep the company in Stevens Point.

"We couldn't even get the information out of the company to come in and make a proposal," Nass said. "They just weren't interested. The die was cast, the decision had been made."

The company will continue laying off workers at least through August.

The Bring Jobs Home Act was introduced to the Senate in May. It moves to the finance committee, where members will decide whether it moves forward to the Senate.

Story By: Lex Gray

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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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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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Man Accused of Lac du Flambeau Stabbing in Custody Submitted: 05/21/2013

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LAC DU FLAMBEAU - James Peterson, 30, will be charged with stabbing a man in Lac du Flambeau over the weekend.

Peterson is accused of stabbing a 19-year-old man early Sunday morning.

It happened on Longs Point Lane in Lac du Flambeau.

The victim had been stabbed in the leg with a knife.

Peterson was also injured.

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Help Stop Emerald Ash Borer Spread when Camping Submitted: 05/21/2013

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RHINELANDER - The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest's 52 campgrounds will be a big draw this Memorial Day weekend.

But campers bringing in outside firewood hurts efforts to stop Emerald Ash Borer in the Northwoods.

The disease hasn't been found in the forest yet.

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Northwoods Schools Struggle to Fill School Boards Submitted: 05/21/2013

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LAONA, CRANDON - Voters choose from lots of candidates in both presidential primaries and general elections.

Most state offices even have several candidates on the ballot.

But what if nobody wants to do the job?

What if nobody is on the ballot?

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