Saturday, July 31, 2021
Speaker Robin Vos expands 2020 election investigation
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The highest ranking Republican in the Wisconsin Assembly says he is expanding a probe into the 2020 presidential election, saying it will take more investigators and time than originally planned.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos signed contracts in June with two retired police detectives and a former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice to handle the investigation.
But Vos said Friday those investigators quit earlier this month.
Vos announced the expanded investigation amid growing calls from former President Donald Trump and other Wisconsin Republicans for a broader audit.
Vos says he hopes to have it completed this fall, around the same time as an independent review by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau.
From: https://www.cbs58.com/news/speaker-robin-vos-expands-2020-election-investigation
Stolen car 'vigilante' arrested, accused in road rage shooting
MILWAUKEE —
A Milwaukee man who tracks down stolen cars is accused of shooting two people.
Police said the shooting was the result of road rage, and now a man once praised for his work to recover stolen cars could face criminal charges.
With Milwaukee's stolen car rate through the roof, Jerod Brumfield, also known as "Ace Smith" stepped in to help.
In May, he told WISN 12 News about his stolen car recovery business.
"At the end of the day, I don't want the police job. I'm just trying to get out here and help the police get it under control," he said.
A week after that interview, he was shot at.
Now, the 35-year-old vigilante is in trouble, accused of shooting back.
Tuesday night, police arrested Brumfield, accused in a road rage shooting, near 24th and Locust streets that injured a 19-year-old man and 17-year-old girl.
"She is one of the state champions, and she is fighting," said the mother of the girl, Dede Rogers.
Rogers didn't want to name her daughter but said she's a rising basketball star. She was shot in the back and remains in the hospital.
"Nobody has the right to take matters into their own hands. There was a system built. Let the system do their job," Rogers said.
Police told WISN 12 News the car Brumfield allegedly shot at, was not stolen, but details of what led up to the road rage remain unclear,
For now, Brumfield is being held on $100,000 bail, as the district attorney's office reviews the case.
"Justice for my daughter begins now," Rogers said. "Anybody who loves her and knows her, I need ya'll strength. She needs you. She needs you all in these streets to stop," Rogers said.
Brumfield has not yet been charged.
The district attorney's office said the case was just given to them Friday morning, so a timeline for criminal charges is unknown right now.
Woman shot, Burlington man charged
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| Salvador Sanchez |
BURLINGTON, Wis. - Salvador Sanchez, 43, of Burlington, is charged with three counts after prosecutors allege he shot a woman in the leg on Tuesday, July 27.
Authorities were dispatched to a home near Ridge and Mormon roads for a report of shots fired on Tuesday night. Dispatch stated the caller, Sanchez, said he had accidentally shot a woman and that she had already gone to the hospital. According to a criminal complaint, Sanchez said he got a new gun that day, one of the bullets jammed, and it went off – striking the victim in the leg.
At the hospital, doctors "were confident" a hole in the woman's leg was from a bullet, but there was no exit wound and no bullet or fragments were found. While there, the complaint states, a detective overheard the victim say, "I didn't think this was an accident," while answering a doctor's question.
In an interview with detectives, the victim said she was on the phone when she heard a loud bang and "instantly felt extreme pain in her left leg," the complaint states. She knew Sanchez had a gun at the time. She also said she was not threatened and did not fear for her safety until that evening.
The victim said another person came into the room and said Sanchez was not tending to the victim, according to the complaint. She limped out of the room, into the driveway and sat in her car planning to drive herself, but called a family member instead. During this time, the victim said, according to the complaint, that Sanchez was following her around, said he wanted to help and that the gun "misfired."
Sanchez is charged with injury by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon, second-degree recklessly endangering safety and negligent handling of a dangerous weapon.
A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Aug. 12.
From: https://www.fox6now.com/news/burlington-woman-shot-salvador-sanchez
Friday, July 30, 2021
Daily Dose of Interbet
A great site with interesting clips from around the world: https://www.youtube.com/c/DailyDoseOfInternet
Ex-Cardinal McCarrick charged with sexually assaulting teen
There are no swine like the Catholic swine. This monster should have been put down decades ago, but he's been protected by the "church."
Packers GM says they added Cobb because Rodgers wanted him
GREEN BAY — Randall Cobb can thank MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers for triggering the veteran receiver’s return to Green Bay.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst was straightforward in saying that the team acquired Cobb from the Houston Texans for an undisclosed draft pick because Rodgers wanted him.
The Packers have added both Cobb and offensive tackle Dennis Kelly since opening training camp Wednesday. Gutekunst added that the move probably wouldn’t have been possible “without Aaron adjusting his contract and kicking some money out.”
Racine County COVID care packages distributed
MOUNT PLEASANT, Wis. - In partnership with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and Giving to the Nations, Racine County held its third COVID-19 Care Package Giveaway to support Racine County residents negatively impacted by the pandemic.
"COVID 19 hit our community hard and especially those who are vulnerable were hit pretty hard," said County Executive Jonathan Delagrave. "That also means we have a lot of work to do in the community. We hope to do this every year, but we also hope the line gets shorter each time."
More than 500 residents received food staples and household items such as multipurpose cleaner, laundry detergent, sanitizer wipes, toiletries, informational resources, and more. In addition to the county’s supporting partners, 18 local youth participating in the Racine County Summer Youth Jobs initiative were on-site to assemble and deliver care packages.
Summer Youth at Work
"Our local youth really stepped up for this event," Delagrave said, "They worked hard, alongside our volunteers, to serve our community."
Supervisor Spencer and Summer Youth
From: https://www.fox6now.com/news/racine-county-giving-covid-19-care-packages
COVID pandemic anxiety returns
MILWAUKEE - Many people thought that the coronavirus pandemic was on the way out until the delta variant showed up. Now that the CDC has reinstated, to a point, the mask mandate, many are finding pandemic anxiety returning.
A psychologist at UW Health said we’ve been through this before, and we can do it again.
"Many people felt like COVID was over," said Dr. Shilagh Mirgain. "We have the vaccine. Vaccinated people don’t have to wear masks indoors."
This was supposed to be a full return to normal.
"Only to find that there’s the new delta variant that, as of May 13, was only 1% of cases and has gone up to now accounting for 83% of cases," said Mirgain.
The coronavirus delta variant changed things.
"But then research shows that after that honeymoon phase, we actually go into a disillusionment phase that can last up to a year, and that’s where we’re at," said Mirgain. "The CDC coming out this week with new recommendations that vaccinated people in places of high transmission are encouraged to wear masks, so we realize that the pandemic is far from over."
Mirgain said if this is causing you to have pandemic anxiety again, you are not alone.
"Figuring out, how do I cope with this in terms of my mental health, my physical health, my overall well-being so I don’t feel like I’m losing another year and a half of my life to the pandemic," said Mirgain.
Fortunately, she said we’ve been through the worst of this.
"Is to develop this tolerance for uncertainty," said Mirgain. "Each month it feels like a new normal, a new change because science is evolving. This is a new virus."
If you’ve done it once, you can do it again.
"We’re heading into the colder months here in Wisconsin," said Mirgain. "It’s so important to continue to prioritize our well-being, our physical and emotional well-being."
From: https://www.fox6now.com/news/covid-pandemic-anxiety-returns
Masks indoors at Wisconsin State Fair per CDC recommendations
WEST ALLIS, Wis. - The Wisconsin State Fair opens Aug. 5, and organizers of the massive operation are working to keep up with the changing CDC guidelines. If you are heading out to the fair, bring a mask if you want to go into any of the buildings.
Fair representatives said they will continue to change policies to match CDC recommendations.
One week out from the start of the 2021 Wisconsin State Fair, John Derynda was busy preparing for his favorite time of the year.
"It is Christmas. We love it," he said.
This will mark the Derynda family's 67th year working State Fair Park. It was John's first job and that of many others.
"It’s just working with people, most people, for their first job ever," said Derynda. "It is just a delight to see those people with their first job and just everything magic about State Fair. It’s magic."
There will be many other firsts this year at the fair. Canceled in 2020 due to COVID, there will be changes in 2021.
"We are constantly adapting, and this is a rapidly evolving situation and it has been for several months for us, coming up on 16 months for us,I believe," said Tess Kerksen, State Fair Park PR manager.
The park's mask policy is being updated to fit the new CDC guidelines.
"We are following the recommendations of the CDC to wear masks indoors," said Kerksen. "We actually will provide people with masks if they forget them in our indoor buildings, but you have to remember, most of our buildings are outdoors or open-air."
At Adeline's, they will have an employee dedicated to cleaning and sanitizing high-traffic areas; attention to detail Derynda is used to.
"My mother just grounded it into us," said Derynda. "She always said, ‘If you have time to lean, you have time to clean.’"
The fair is also planning to have hundreds of hand sanitizing stations set up. Also, bring your credit card, as parking and admissions is now cashless to limit contact.
From: https://www.fox6now.com/news/masks-indoors-at-wisconsin-state-fair-per-cdc-recommendations
Milwaukee mask advisory, health department recommends indoors
MILWAUKEE - City of Milwaukee leaders are advising residents to mask up indoors even if they're vaccinated against the coronavirus. This, on the heels of new CDC guidance with the dominant presence of the delta variant causing an increase in positive COVID-19 cases.
According to officials in Milwaukee, in the past month, the burden rate has gone from the "low transmission" category into the "substantial transmission" category, and the CDC’s updated masking recommendations are for those in areas of substantial or high transmission.
The Milwaukee Health Department strongly advises everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask when indoors with people outside of their household.
Breakthrough COVID-19 infections are rare but possible for those who are fully vaccinated. While the vaccine effectively protects individuals from severe symptoms, hospitalization and death, preliminary evidence shows fully vaccinated people who become infected can still spread the virus to others.
"We are calling on our community to step up and mask up to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe," said Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson. "The most effective way to combat this surge in positive cases is through vaccination, but until vaccination rates improve, we must be willing to take simple steps such as wearing a mask to protect our community and the most vulnerable."
This is not a mask mandate, but rather, city leaders are urging people in Milwaukee to put a mask on when they are inside.
"We open up little by little, little by little," said Raul Varela.
It's been a rough year for Varela at Fiesta Salon and Spa.
"When we first opened, we didn’t know if we were going to have customers or not," said Varela.
The business owner has been navigating changes throughout the pandemic, from a temporary closure to a mask mandate. More than a year later, the salon is operating with fewer staff and customers, leaving masks optional for patrons while employees are still masking up.
"Me as a business owner, I could only do so much," said Varela.
While this isn't a mandate in Milwaukee, that's not out of the question as cases rise.
"I don’t think anybody wants to go back to masks. I think that’s clear, but obviously, I think it’s going to be necessary if the numbers keep going in this direction," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
Varela said he's used to making changes, staying optimistic cases will decline and business can get back on track.
"We’re still trying to respect the situation," he said.
In addition to masking, the Milwaukee Health Department strongly advises anyone, regardless of vaccination status, who experiences symptoms or has come in contact with someone who has COVID-19, get tested and quarantine until a negative COVID-19 test is received. More information on free testing locations and hours can be found at milwaukee.gov/COVIDtesting.
If you or someone you know is looking for options to get vaccinated, hours and locations for walk-up clinics and a schedule of mobile clinics can be found at milwaukee.gov/COVIDvax.
From: https://www.fox6now.com/news/milwaukee-mask-advisory-health-department-recommends-indoors
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Packers fans from southeast Wisconsin flock to first day of team practice in Green Bay
GREEN BAY — Day one of Packers training camp is done and Aaron Rodgers is back in Green Bay. After the drama over the past few months, how did fans react?
“Rodgers has drawn the whole fandom, the whole base, into his drama,” said one fan from Pewaukee who traveled to watch the team’s first practice Wednesday. “I’m sick of it. Hopefully he’ll only be here one more year, and we can move on in a more positive direction. It’s kind of like getting in a fight with your brother. Sure, we’ll get on with things and this season will be fine, but I just want to ask him if all that was really necessary.”
A lot of fans are likening the Rodgers situation to “family” drama, which proves just how personal Wisconsin takes the Packers.
“There are plenty of people annoyed with him, but you know, we still love him and always will,” said Yvette Arce, who drove with her family from Milwaukee to experience the first day of Packers training camp. “He’s our guy. No one wants to see him leave. I don’t want to see him on another team.”
Overall, Rodgers is still the main attraction at Lambeau. There were a ton of #12 jerseys in the crowd.
“I got some good pictures of Aaron Rodgers at his first practice back with the team, so it’s been awesome,” said Anthony Buckhalter from Milwaukee.
Brothers Ricky and Danny Pompa drove to Green Bay from Franklin.
“It’s water under the bridge,” Ricky said. “They’re here, and it’s time to get to work.”
“It felt really good to see him walk on the field,” Danny said. “He looks good. I’m hoping for a Super Bowl.”
Fans at training camp are already making some big predictions.
“The Bucks just won it all, now we’re waiting on these Packers to do it too,” Arce said.