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WJFW News

Making Schools Safer Submitted: 02/04/2013

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:
Antigo looks to Langlade Hospital to take over ambulance service Submitted: 06/18/2013

ANTIGO - The city of Antigo doesn't want to run an ambulance service anymore. It's just too expensive. Instead, the city's new hospital may take over.

"We have a great ambulance service now and that's our biggest concern here is being able to maintain that... As with a lot of people our problem is financial," said City of Antigo’s Mayor, Bill Brandt.

Each year it costs around 2 million dollars to run the ambulance service for Antigo and 10 surrounding townships.

About half of that is paid by the city and county through taxes... The other half is paid by the user fees.

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Merrill High School Preserves Mural Paintings Submitted: 06/18/2013

MERRILL - When students hear the bell ring on the last day of school, they normally don't want to come back until they have to.

But a few students went right back inside to beautify their school.

Honors Art students started painting murals around the high school last week.

The program started nine years ago.

Thirteen students are painting four foot by six foot scaled designs on the brick walls.

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Rhinelander Planning Committee makes organizing big events easier Submitted: 06/18/2013

RHINELANDER - Not many people plan big events.

But in a tourist town like Rhinelander, parades, car shows and festivals are a big part of the economy.

Those big events need a lot of preparation.

That's why Rhinelander's Planning Committee wants to make events easier to organize.

The city's Protection of Persons and Property Committee is working on a new special event packet.

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Home sales in Wisconsin continue to rise Submitted: 06/18/2013

MILWAUKEE - Home sales in Wisconsin continue to rise.

The Wisconsin Realtors Association says May sales are up about 18 percent compared to the same month last year.

It's the 23rd consecutive month of growth.

Prices are up as well.

The median price last month was 144-thousand dollars.

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Republicans want to limit access to proposed mine site Submitted: 06/18/2013

MADISON - Wisconsin Republicans are looking to curtail public access to an iron mine site in far northwestern Wisconsin in hopes of stopping protesters from interfering with the project.

Representative Mark Honadel is trying to persuade Republican leaders to make changes in the state budget limiting access.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, a Juneau Republican, acknowledged the discussions on Monday.

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New study raises concerns about Wisconsin economy Submitted: 06/18/2013

MILWAUKEE - A new study raises concerns about Wisconsin's long-term economy.

Part of the problem is the state's larger industries sell older technologies that are being overtaken by newer advances.

Three of the state's five largest sectors have to do with paper and printing.

That could be a concern as the nation shifts its demand toward digital media.

The study also says Wisconsin's main industries aren't as globally minded as are manufacturers elsewhere.

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Lincoln Co. Sheriff's Office seeks eyewitnesses to fire near Bucki's home Submitted: 06/17/2013

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LINCOLN COUNTY - The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office needs your help.

Investigators want to talk to anyone who was near Anita Bucki's home between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. on April 26.

That's the day she went missing. Her husband, Mark Bucki, has been charged in her murder.

Lieutenant Tim Fischer says he specifically wants to talk to anyone who may have seen a large fire that morning.

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