MADISON - A federal judge has ruled that Flambeau Mining Company violated federal clean water laws at its former copper mine near Ladysmith.
But the judge also ruled the amount of pollution was minimal and the company's environmental practices were great.
Environmentalists had argued the mine violated the Clean Water Act when copper and zinc from the mine entered a small stream that fed the Flambeau River.
The judge said evidence showed the mine was the source of the pollution. But the discharges were slight. The judge ordered the company to pay $275 for the discharges, and denied a request to have Flambeau pay the plaintiffs' legal expenses.
BOULDER JUNCTION - The New Auburn woman hospitalized from a crash earlier this week has died from her injuries.
It happened around 1 o'clock Tuesday on Hwy 51 at County Highway H in Manitowish Waters.
Fifty five-year-old Patty Hanson crashed her SUV into a gas tanker. The SUV flipped upside down in a marshy roadside ditch.
The semi truck driver was treated at the hospital and released shortly after. He told sheriff's deputies he was hauling 5-thousand gallons of gasoline. The Vilas County Sheriff's and Coroner's Offices and the State Patrol are still investigating.
WAUSAU - Wisconsin State Patrol Wausau Post arrested a Reedsville man for his fifth OWI.
Fifty five-year-old Gerald J Bellin Jr. was stopped for speeding on Highway T and 22 in Waupaca.
It happened Saturday evening. Bellin Jr. was taken to Riverside Medical in Waupaca for a blood draw. Troopers then took him to the Waupaca county jail.
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.
RHINELANDER - Students around the Northwoods graduated today. One local graduate made history at Nicolet College.
"As a Nicolet Grad, not only will your education enhance you as an individual, but you will enhance the greater good of the Northwoods community as an educated citizen of our democracy," says Nicolet College President Elizabeth Burmaster.
Hundreds of Nicolet College students walked across the stage after accomplishing their goal… earning a college degree. But one student was challenged in a way no other Nicolet graduate has experienced. Jeff Hedberg is legally blind.
"Other people can follow in my foot steps and do exactly what I did. They just need to put one foot in front of the other and believe that there are people out there that will give them a chance and opportunity," says Hedberg.
Jeff's wife Sylvia Hedberg Thomas says it all started a couple of years ago when her husband decided to go back to school. The director of disability service reached out to him to help build a plan that would ensure Jeff reached his goals.
"When Bob told Jeff everything that he would be able to do, Jeff's like 'You really think I can do that?' And I was sitting there going, 'Well yea. Of course you can," says Hedberg Thomas.
Everybody either has or will have a disability to some extent within their lifetime. Technology can and will help most of them get through the challenge of their situation," says Hedberg.
Even though Jeff's tutor Charmaine Jacques helped him out, she says she learned from him as well.
"I learned a little bit of brail from Jeff and I learned a lot about his software that he uses," says Jacques.
This isn't the last stop for Jeff. He plans to get his masters at Stout University.
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