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WJFW News

Making Schools Safer Submitted: 02/04/2013

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MOSINEE - When you think back to Sandy Hook, you probably think of the name Adam Lanza.

He’s the man who gunned down 20 children and six adults at the elementary school in December.

That tragedy has led to a tense gun control debate…and talks about how to deal with mental illness.

It's also made us talk more about school security – but Lanza didn’t just walk through those front doors.

They were locked, but he easily shot through a window and got in.

When Dick Peterson of Mosinee heard that part of the story, he thought he could help.

Peterson's daughter and three granchildren live in Newtown.

"The day of the shooting, my daughter called in the morning, and she said 'Dad turn the TV on, there’s something that’s happened here,'" Peterson said. "It wasn’t quite so bad the first day, but then she found out some of her friends lost their children and kids, when she picked them up. It was tough."

Peterson makes his living putting energy-saving film on glass windows and doors.

But he also installs bomb-blast security film.

"I’ve done 8 ml bomb blast film to protect people like senators, FBI officers, and big credit card companies," Peterson said.

So why not schools? Peterson decided to experiment.

He put bomb blast film on a glass frame, then fit the border with a retention system.

Bullets could still go through, but Peterson's idea is that if the glass doesn't shatter like it did at Sandy Hook, students and teachers would have enough time to evacuate or call police before an attacker broker through.

And unlike bulletproof glass, Peterson can easily retrofit current windows and glass doors with his design.

"It’s just like any of the tinting that I do – it’s the most efficient way of saving energy," he said. "The security film is the most efficient way of protecting yourself."

Peterson went through two rounds of tests, shooting at the glass prototype and beating it with a bat and gun.

His second prototype worked out well enough that he's ready to show it to school officials and law enforcement Wednesday.

Story By: Lex Gray

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 In Other News:
Farmers Alfalfa Crop Deals with Hard Winter Submitted: 05/23/2013

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DEERBROOK - Wisconsin farmers depend on alfalfa crop for feeding dairy cows.

Usually, alfalfa survives winter.

But a long, cold, and difficult winter is making things hard for many farmers.

“That’s rot. The plant is green, and it’s growing but it’s not going to make another cutting,” said farmer Jason Nagel.

This year’s growing season will be a challenge for him.

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Marketplace Day makes entrepreneurs of grade schoolers Submitted: 05/23/2013

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HARSHAW - A marketplace might make you think of a city square or a grocery store.

But what about a grade school?

The Northwoods Community Elementary School hosted Marketplace Day Thursday for friends, family, and community members.

Kindergarteners through fifth graders sold flower pots, lemonade, and artwork.

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Ministry Health Care Thanks Emergency Responders Submitted: 05/23/2013

ARBOR VITAE - Ministry Health Care honored its first responders tonight.

The celebration was part of EMS Appreciation Week.

More than 40 emergency responders went to the celebration in Arbor Vitae.

Dr. Rick Brodhead is the medical director of emergency services at Ministry Howard Young.

He was one of the presenters.

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Walleye Plan Excites Local Fishermen Submitted: 05/23/2013

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EAGLE RIVER - The initiative will help to rebound what's thought of as a suffering walleye population by adding hundreds of thousands of the fish to Wisconsin lakes.

The project could improve fishing for the state's most popular game fish and tourism in the state. George Langely, a local fishing guide at Eagle Sports bait shop in Eagle River, says walleye fishing isn't what it used to be.

"The walleye population has pretty much suffered in the last twenty years and it's really nice to see Madison recognizing that and taking some steps to do something about it. It will take a while but it's a great start."

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One Dollar Price Tag on Historic Building Submitted: 05/23/2013

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MERRILL - An historic Merrill building will only cost you one dollar to buy, but the price tag is set low because there's much bigger cost involved.

The Lincoln House in Merrill is badly damaged and beyond repair.

It needs to be demolished.

The buyer would have to pay for that, plus have a plan to redevelop the site.

The city has been trying to sell the Lincoln House for three years.

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Trig's Sells $293,000 Badger 5 Ticket Submitted: 05/23/2013

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RHINELANDER - A trip to the grocery store made a Rhinelander woman much wealthier today.

The Rhinelander Trig's sold a Badger 5 ticket worth $293,000 yesterday.

The winner came in to verify the ticket this morning.

Customer service clerk Patti Pazera gets $50,000 winners occasionally, but this was a first.

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Knowing the Symptoms Helps Prevent Lyme Disease Submitted: 05/23/2013

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MINOCQUA - “This disease is called the great imitator for a good reason,” says Jeff Waite.

Lyme disease can be good at hiding.

“Lyme disease is a bacterial type infection spread by a spiral keet, which is also considered a parasite. And it can be carried in the spit glands and intestinal track of ticks in this area. Particularly the deer tick," said Dr. Kurt Landauer.

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