1410 WIZM

In part, the idea with new recommendations on garbage collection for the cities of La Crosse and Onalaska is to make the process more efficient and cost effective.   To that end, the idea about doing automated collection with big 96 gallon carts might not be the best way to go about things, says Gary Harter, who has the collection contracts for both cities.  He says automated pick-up isn't the cheapest process

With the lowest current garbage collection costs in the state, Harter figures any changes in garbage collection in La Crosse and Onalaska will only be more expensive. 

It was supposed to be the second attempt by the City of La Crosse Parks and Recreation Department to get it off the ground. And for the second year.....they have cancelled the Snowshoe Scamper 5K/10K Race and Family Fun planned for this Saturday at Forest Hills Golf Course. Why? You guessed it.....the warm weather expected for this week, lack of snow and unsafe trail conditions. People that have already registered for the Snowshoe Scamper will be receiving a full refund of the entry fee. The La Crosse Parks and Recreation Department plan on hosting the event again in 2013.

(AP) A state fraud hotline received 79 reports in 2011, consistent with the number of calls placed the two prior years. The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau operates the line and reported Wednesday on calls it received. Of the 79 calls last year, only 58 were state-related and within the scope of what the Audit Bureau could investigate. Of those calls, 18 were related to people getting benefits they may not be eligible to receive, 17 were about agency mismanagement and 15 had to do with waste and inefficiency. Five dealt with employee misconduct. Since the hotline began in April 2008, 107 of the calls were found to be unfounded and 108 were resolved. Thirty two remain under review. The hotline number is 1-877-FRAUD-17. Reports can also be made online at www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lab.

(AP) The University of Wisconsin-Madison and its exclusive athletics sponsor will mediate a dispute over the treatment of Adidas factory workers in Indonesia. Interim Chancellor David Ward had indicated earlier that the university might terminate its $2.5 million contract with Adidas if it failed to address concerns over severance payment to the overseas workers. A subcontractor which made collegiate apparel for Adidas abandoned the factory and left 2,800 workers without about $3 million in severance pay. Adidas says it's not responsible for the subcontractor's actions. The mediation period could last up to 60 days.