1410 WIZM

Wisconsin’s prison population has dropped for the second year in a row. The state Corrections Department said the average daily prisoner count was just over 20-thousand last year – down 14-percent from 2009.

Former Governor Jim Doyle’s early release program did not play a big role. Only 391 prisoners have been released before their terms expired. Republican Governor Scott Walker plans to end that program. Walker supports efforts to divert offenders before they go prison, in part by giving judges and prosecutors more leeway in sentences. Something Lacrosse County Judge Scott Horne agrees with.

 

Wisconsin’s prison population rose by almost four times from 1990-to-2008, due in part to the truth-in-sentencing law in which most prisoners must serve their full terms

Wisconsin environmental officials are reminding people they can't throw oil filters and oil absorbents into landfills any more.

Randy Nederlo of the Lacrosse County Solid Waste Department says a new law banning disposal of used automotive oil filters and oil absorbent materials in landfills took effect on January 1st.

The ban includes everyone in the state, from homeowners and farmers to businesses and industrial operations. Violators will face fines ranging from $50 to $2,000.

A 4th candidate has surfaced for the open 94th Assembly District seat.

According to the Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, Lacrosse County Board supervisor, Ray Ebert, of West Salem is the latest to announce his intention to run. Candidates must register with the state to run for public office.

Ebert joins fellow republicans Lynetta Kopp and Jake Speed and Democrat Steve Doyle in the growing list of candidates seeking the position previously held by Mike Huebsch, who held the seat for 16 years.

Governor Scott Walker is expected to order a special election for Huebsch’s seat, with a primary to coincide with the April 5th municipal and judicial election. The general election likely will be in May — possibly May 3rd.

When you fund raise for a project, just hitting your monetary goal is sometimes hard enough. But hitting two of them?

 

Pete Peterson is the Co-Chair of the Tomah Veterans Memorial campaign, one that reached its extended goal of $150 thousand. The original goal of $125 thousand was increased in November because the cost of granite went up. He said then the checks came flying in....including a $7500 gift from the Ho-Chunk Nation.

Peterson said residents will start seeing a lot of changes in Butts Park when the snow melts. That’s when the ground will be re-leveled and the concrete will be set for the project. One problem Peterson says they are having is trying to find enough space now as they have already outgrown the memorial's original plans. And it's not even built yet. A great problem to have, says Peterson.