Month: July 2015

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The plan for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena now shifts to the local level. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett expects the Common Council to vote on its portion of the funding plan by early September. The city is asked to contribute $47 million by providing a parking structure and tax incremental financing.  Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele has been criticized by some county supervisors for his plan […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Media advocates are arguing that Wisconsin's open records law doesn't need a substantial rewrite to address police body camera videos.  A panel addressed the issue during a state Department of Justice summit examining whether the law needs to be updated to reflect changes in technology. Attorney General Brad Schimel began the discussion by asking whether images containing nudity, sensitive statements, interrogations and gruesome shots of bodies […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A former leader of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says the agency's new reorganization plan won't fix its problems.  On Tuesday, the agency launched a reorganization to divide protection for water quality between two divisions and leave other environmental protection programs in a "business support" division.  George Meyer is the agency's former secretary and now directs the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. He says the agency needs […]

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (AP) — The state won't investigate the failure of a ride at a Wisconsin Dells theme park.  Earlier this month, a large cable snapped on the Catapult ride just seconds before it was supposed to launch two people into the air at Mount Olympus Water and Theme Park.  The state Department of Safety and Professional Services will not investigate the failure, saying it only looks into accidents […]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Animal control workers in Milwaukee have set non-lethal traps baited with human food in the hopes of capturing a lion-like animal that several people have reported seeing.  The traps were placed in the area of the last confirmed sighting of the animal.  Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission executive director Karen Sparapani says it's likely the animal is an escaped or released exotic pet and that it […]

Matthew J. Pflum Birthday: December 26, 1968 Race: White Height: 5’ 6” Weight: 219 Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue   The Fond du Lac Police Department has been notified of a change of address for Matthew J. Pflum. Pflum was released from custody on October 8, 2012 after serving prison time for possession of Child Pornography. In addition, Pflum was convicted in the State of Colorado for Child Enticement. He has […]

OCONTO, Wis. (AP) — A tree from northeast Wisconsin will take center stage at the White House for the 2016 holiday season.  Whispering Pines Tree Farm in Oconto says it has won the National Christmas Tree Association's competition. That means a tree from Whispering Pines will be on display in the Blue Room of the White House next year.   White House staff members get final say on which tree […]

A nearly one thousand page report of the shootout that claimed the life of a state patrol trooper and bank robbery suspect in Fond du Lac has been released by the state Department of Justice.  Trooper Trevor Casper and bank robbery suspect Steven Snyder were shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire.  "Shots fired, shots fired, shots fired,"  came the call from one of the first officers who had […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker says the bill passed by the Wisconsin Assembly committing $250 million in taxpayer money toward paying for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena is a "good deal all the way around."  Walker made his comments Tuesday while speaking with reporters at Pat's King of Steaks, one of two Philadelphia cheesesteak institutions he was visiting.  Walker says he is ready to sign the bill, which […]