'I don't think you really can' make the election safe: Wisconsin gears up for next primary amid coronavirus

Wisconsin, one of the pivotal midwestern states for the 2020 general election, is also currently set to be the first state to restart the primary process next week amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

With more than a dozen states backloading the election calendar due to the novel coronavirus, the Badger State stands as an outlier, instead determined to forge ahead with their presidential nominating contest on April 7.

"Nothing has changed from my vantage point. We have several lawsuits occurring right now and so it's part of state law," Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said on Monday at a press conference on the outbreak, referring to five major lawsuits filed over the election across the state according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "It's in state law. The date is set and we're encouraging lots of people to vote absentee and online...and people are responding to that."

The decision to stay put is in part because more than just the presidential candidates are on the ballot for the upcoming spring election, which is a primary only at the presidential level and a general election for the state Supreme Court races and other local elections.

The upcoming contest also injects some sense of normalcy back into a primary season that was ground to a halt by the coronavirus.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/make-election-safe-wisconsin-gears-primary-amid-coronavirus/story?id=69879453

NASA Mars Helicopter Technology Demonstration

Why one expert says healthy people should wear DIY face masks

The Hubble Space Telescope 360° Tour

Amazon fires warehouse worker who led Staten Island strike for more coronavirus protection

Man taken into custody in Racine County for OWI, loaded gun found in car

From CBS 58:

TOWN OF BURLINGTON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Lake Geneva man was taken into custody on Monday, March 30 after failing a field sobriety test.

The Racine Sheriff's Department says deputies were called to the area near Fish Hatchery Road and Clarance Street in the Town of Burlington around 11:20 p.m. Authorities say a person called 911 complaining of a man in her backyard. The man told the person he was looking for his friend's house.

Authorities later found a car connected to the suspicious person and talked to the man. The sheriff's department said the man appeared to be impaired and then failed a field sobriety test. While searching his car, drug paraphernalia and a loaded handgun were found.

The man was taken to jail on several charges including OWI 1st offense and armed while impaired. 

From: https://www.cbs58.com/news/man-taken-into-custody-in-racine-county-for-owi-loaded-gun-found-in-car

Ford, GE plan to produce 50,000 ventilators in 100 days

Jimmy Kimmel’s Quarantine Monologue – Trump Ratings & The Lion Tiger King

New York governor begs for help as coronavirus death toll climbs

Nonessential Milwaukee businesses staying open despite emergency closure should have their power shut off, alderman says

From JSOnline:

Alison Dirr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Khalif Rainey (Photo: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Ald. Khalif Rainey on Monday called on the city’s health commissioner to order that water and power be shut off to nonessential businesses that violate emergency orders requiring that they close because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Rainey asked Milwaukee Health Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik to add the directive to her stay-at-home order and that she create a process to warn nonessential businesses before power and water are shut off. Under his proposal, businesses that don’t comply would lose power and water indefinitely.

“I find it incredibly selfish and reckless for any nonessential business to continue to operate during the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency,” Rainey said in a statement in which he noted that the city’s north side and his district are “at the epicenter.” 

Read more: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2020/03/30/milwaukee-alderman-nonessential-businesses-should-have-power-shut-off/5091269002/

Nuke Entire Site From Orbit

Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (Audio)

Open Blog - Tuesday

Yum.

It's a Mediaopoly

Day 24 of the Quarantine

Vincent van Gogh painting stolen from Dutch Singer Laren Museum in overnight heist

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A Dutch museum says that a painting by Vincent van Gogh was stolen in a raid overnight.

The Singer Laren museum east of Amsterdam says “Spring Garden” by the Dutch master was stolen in the early hours of Monday.

Police are investigating a break-in at a Dutch art museum that is currently closed because of restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus, the museum and police said Monday.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether any other paintings or other artworks were stolen in the heist. The museum did not release any details. It scheduled a news conference for Monday afternoon.

Before the closure, the museum was hosting an exhibition titled “Mirror of the Soul” with works by artists ranging from Toorop to Mondrian, in cooperation with Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum.

The museum houses the collection of American couple William and Anna Singer, with a focus on modernism such as neo-impressionism, pointillism, expressionism and cubism.

From: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2020/03/30/vincent-van-gogh-painting-stolen-dutch-museum-closed-covid-19/5086315002/

Talking Racine Episode 166 Former Mayor John Dickert Road-Raging

Racine County Jail inmate volunteers to make face masks to protect fellow inmates

From TMJ4:

RACINE — Inmate volunteers at the Racine County Jail have begun to make face masks to help protect their fellow inmates.

The black face masks are being sewn within the jail and are being given to other inmates.

Laundry workers at the jail now wear jail masks and gloves when washing and cleaning personal protective equipment before it is bagged.

According to a post from the Racine County Sheriff's Office, the jail is doing everything they can to protect the inmates and those working at the jail.

From: https://www.tmj4.com/news/coronavirus/racine-county-jail-inmate-volunteers-make-face-masks-to-protect-fellow-inmates

New Yorkers who break social distancing rules will now face fines up to $500

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaking at the city's Emergency Management Warehouse on March 24 | Mark Lennihan/AP Photo

New York City residents who break social distancing rules will be subject to fines up to $500, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday.

As New York battles the spread of coronavirus, the state has ordered nonessential businesses to shut down, banned gatherings of any size and mandated that people stay six feet away from each other. Not everyone has listened.

Fines will be a last resort, but de Blasio has authorized police officers to give them out to people who are ordered to disperse but fail to do so.

There were 32,308 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the city on Sunday, and the death toll climbed to 678.

De Blasio said fines of $250 to $500 would begin for people found congregating in public spaces who fail to disperse when ordered, or return after officers have told them to move along.

“You’ve been warned and warned and warned again,” the mayor said during a Sunday press conference.

“They’re going to give people every chance to listen, and if anyone doesn’t listen, then they deserve a fine at this point,” de Blasio said. “I don’t want to fine people when so many folks are going through economic distress, but if they haven’t gotten the message by now, and they don’t get the message when an enforcement officer’s staring them in the face ... that person then deserves the fine, so we’re going to proceed with that.”

In another sign of how hard the city has been hit by the pandemic, a field hospital is being erected in the heart of Central Park to help cope with the influx of patients

Mount Sinai Hospital and the relief organization Samaritan’s Purse are erecting the hospital in tents in the famed park’s East Meadow, de Blasio said Sunday. It will hold 68 beds, and is expected to be up and running by Tuesday.

Read more" https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2020/03/29/new-yorkers-who-break-social-distancing-rules-will-now-face-fines-up-to-500-1269545

Infant from Illinois Becomes Youngest Person in the U.S. to Die From Coronavirus

An infant in Illinois who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) has died, the state’s Department of Public Health said in a statement on Saturday.

“There has never before been a death associated with COVID-19 in an infant,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “A full investigation is underway to determine the cause of death.”

Along with the infant, who was from Cook County, there were 13 new coronavirus-related deaths in the state as of Saturday.

The seven other deaths in Cook County included two males in their 60s, two males in their 70s, one female in her 70s, one female in her 80s and one male in his 80s.

McHenry County, Kane County, Lake County and Will County were home to the remaining five new deaths in the state.

Overall, there are 3,491 cases, including 47 deaths, in 43 counties in Illinois as of Saturday, the IDPH said.

RELATED VIDEO: All 94 Residents of New Jersey Nursing Home Presumed to Have Coronavirus, Officials Say

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also announced the latest deaths in a press conference on Saturday.

“I know how difficult this news can be, especially about this very young child,” Pritzker, 55, said, according to The Chicago Tribune.

“Upon hearing it, I admit that I was immediately shaken,” he continued. “It’s appropriate for any of us to grieve today. It’s especially sorrowful for the family of this very small child for the years stolen from this infant. We should grieve for a sense of normalcy we left behind just a few short weeks ago.”

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker

 

TED SCHURTER/THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER/AP

Pritzker also said the death toll should serve as a warning to those who do not obey his stay-at-home directive, which many governors across the country have enacted to stop the spread of COVID-19.

“The vast, vast majority of people in Illinois are doing precisely what we asked them to do,” Pritzker said. “But it’s the others, the people who aren’t obeying the stay-at-home rule, who are putting everyone in danger. It doesn’t take that many people, frankly, to break the rules and cause danger to others.”

As of March 29, there are at least 125,093 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S. and at least 2,149 deaths, according to the New York Times database.

As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments and visit our coronavirus hub.

• By Eric Todisco@etodisco15
• 
  
• From: https://people.com/health/illinois-infant-dies-from-coronavirus/

Trump berates reporter for 'threatening' question during briefing

During a coronavirus task force briefing, President Trump interrupts PBS reporter Yamiche Alcindor after she asks about his previous claim that governors don't need all of the equipment they are requesting to fight the pandemic.

From: https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/03/29/trump-yamiche-alcindor-hospital-equipment-coronavirus-task-force-briefing-sot-vpx.cnn

Bill Gates: State-by-state shutdown won't work

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-founder Bill Gates says that the US should shutdown the entire country for a short period of time to control the spread of the coronavirus and predicts that the number of cases will peak in late April.

From: https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2020/03/27/bill-gates-coronavirus-town-hall-shutdown-april-peak-sot-vpx.cnn/video/playlists/stories-worth-watching/

Trump describes grim scenes from Elmhurst Hospital in Queens

The exterior of Elmhurst Hospital in Queens on Sunday, March 29. Mary Altaffer/AP

President Donald Trump described a grim scene of Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, including body bags and refrigerated trucks to take away bodies.

"I've been watching them bringing in trailer trucks. Freezer trucks. Freezer trucks, because they can’t handle the bodies because there are so many of them," Trump said.

 Trump added that he has never seen anything like this in this country.

This is in my community in Queens, New York. I have seen things that I’ve never seen before. I mean I've seen them, but I’ve seen them on television and faraway lands, never in my country," Trump said. "When I see the trucks pull up to take out bodies, and these are trucks that are as long as the Rose Garden. And they're pulling up to take out bodies and you look inside, and you see the black body bags and you say what is in there? (It's) Elmhurst Hospital, must be supplies. It is not supplies, it is people. I have never seen anything like it."

Trump also described body bags in hospital hallways, but CNN has seen no evidence that there are body bags in the hallways of the hospital. There are refrigerated trucks where hospital personnel have been putting bodies to alleviate the capacity of the regular morgue.

From: https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-03-29-20-intl-hnk/index.html

Open Blog - Monday

Yay.

Jimmy and The Roots Cover "Stuck in the Middle with You" from their Homes

Graham Nash Performs CSNY Hit 'Our House' From Home in New York City | In My Room

What Retailers Like Amazon Do With Unsold Inventory

1950s INTERSTATE HIGHWAY PROMO FILM BY AMERICAN ROAD BUILDINGS ASSOCIATION 78014 MD

What Happened to SPAM?

Space Force launches first mission

Coronavirus stimulus check scams are out to swindle you out of $1,200: What you need to know

Do not give out your PayPal account information, Social Security number, bank account number or anything else if someone claims such information is essential to sign you up for a stimulus check relating to the coronavirus pandemic. 

It's not. It's a scam. 

It's time to warn consumers once again that we need to practice some social distancing from the scammers. 

The FBI, state attorneys general and other agencies are alerting Americans that phone calls, texts or emails asking for personal or financial information to get the $1,200 federal payment are not legit.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Thursday issued what she called "an urgent consumer alert" relating to scammers who play up federal stimulus checks. In other states, the Better Business Bureau has reported that the level of "stimulus scams" has gone through the roof. 

The real stimulus cash is likely to hit bank accounts within the next three weeks or later, but taxpayers don't have to sign up to get the money. Checks are expected to take longer. And yes, some people could experience delays. 

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/03/28/coronavirus-covid-19-stimulus-checks-scams/2934056001/

They Live (1988) - Here to Chew Bubble Gum and Kick Ass Scene (4/10) | Movieclips

I Used to work there!

U.S. military command teams in charge of protecting homeland security are being isolated in the infamous Cheyenne mountain bunker where they will remain 'sealed off' until the coronavirus pandemic passes

*WOW* I was assigned there for nearly 3 years - you could take a Bus
through the entrance tunnel - to the blast doors - or walk on the
sidewalk - I usually walked. My Bunk was at Peterson AFB - on the
Plains.

I remember all these sights - and more. I see that the Command Post
has been seriously updated - gone are the green tinged Rayethon
screens. I was even on a SAS Team - and had responsibility for nuclear
weapon launch codes, Emergency Broadcast System, reporting on daily
maintenance logs and producing daily briefings for Generals.

Read and see more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8162937/Coronavirus-drives-army-command-teams-infamous-Cheyenne-mountain-bunker.html

RUSD Must Have Money To Burn

I keep receiving flyers in the mail from RUSD pimping their billion dollar referendum.  It's worth noting that these flyers are glossy stock printed on light cardboard.  It's not cheap to produce these things, especially when you consider that RUSD sends them out to every residence in Racine.  These facts alone prove that RUSD is a spendthrift, pissing away our tax dollars in an effort to secure more.  RUSD is like a large cancer on the city of Racine, sucking out our life blood as it grows unchecked.  RUSD musrt be disbanded if Racine is to survive.  Vote NO on RUSD's billion dollar referendum.  If the referendum passes, RUSD will continue to throw away our money like a drunken sailor.  Stop the madness.  Vote NO!

Open Blog - Weekend

Kinda looks like the coronavirus.

DASHCAM: 100+ MPH HIGH-SPEED CHASE IN KENOSHA AND RACINE COUNTIES IN WISCONSIN MAY 2, 2015

Hot damn!

1960s CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER TRAINING FILM "ROUTINE STOPS" DODGE POLARA 64634

Thousands line up at food banks as unemployment claims rise

Four for Fridays!

Good morning everyone I am really sorry for missing last weeks questions. I have been so busy getting Drew and my daughter to work. Here are your questions!

1) Are you tired of seeing everything online about the Coronavirus?

2) Have you been tested for the Coronavirus?

3) I you have not been tested are you going to go and get tested for the Coronavirus?

4) Are you staying away from people like we are asked too?

Have a great weekend!

Open Blog - Friday

All of that coronavirus crap wears on you.

The Rise And Fall Of Hummer

The Psychology Behind Panic Buying

Former Racine Mayor John Dickert reportedly involved in road rage incident, parking lot fight

From The Journal Times.com:

• Alyssa Mauk

MOUNT PLEASANT — Charges are pending against former Racine Mayor John Dickert after he was reportedly involved in a fight in a local grocery's store parking lot after an alleged road rage incident.

At 4:06 p.m. Sunday, the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to Piggly Wiggly, 5201 Washington Ave., after receiving 911 calls about a fight in the grocery store parking lot. Witnesses reported seeing two people punching each other.

The two suspects involved in the fight were identified as former Racine Mayor John Dickert, 57, and 18-year-old Christian Reynoso, both of Racine, the Mount Pleasant Police Department confirmed.

Dickert was elected as Racine's mayor in 2009 in a special election, and re-elected in 2011 and 2015. He resigned in 2017.

Investigation into the incident revealed that Dickert and Reynoso had reportedly been driving in separate vehicles on Highway 20/Washington Avenue. After a road rage incident between the two, both of the vehicles pulled into the Piggly Wiggly parking lot.

Shortly after, Dickert and Reynoso reportedly got out of their vehicles and started fighting each another. 

Both Dickert and Reynoso were injured in the fight. The South Shore Fire Department responded to provide treatment; however, no one was transported to the hospital. 

Charges of battery and disorderly conduct have been referred to the Racine County District Attorney's Office for both Dickert and Reynoso.

“There is a referral to the District Attorney for both Dickert and Reynoso. At the time point, the District Attorney has not made a charging decision," said attorney Patrick Cafferty, who is representing Dickert. "On Mr. Dickert’s behalf, I have been in touch with the Racine County District Attorney. We are in the process of exchanging information and we ask that the public withhold judgment until all the facts are available.”

After Dickert resigned in 2017, he became president and CEO of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative. He currently works as Division Administrator for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/former-racine-mayor-john-dickert-reportedly-involved-in-road-rage/article_42e2d70d-8c47-53a2-833f-184de10f32a2.html#tracking-source=home-breaking

ggodmuls Mar 26, 2020 11:07am

Since John Dickert was arrested - would you please post his mug-shot?

In the incident involving former Racine County Republican DA Rich Chiapette and his wife Jennifer - who lied to the Racine Police and attempted a cover-up - you did great reporting, brought forward the truth - and informed the Community about the implied abuses of power occurring in the DA's office.

John Dickert - being older and "wiser" had a choice - and he chose to carry on the altercation. His other choice was to have gone his way - and gone home. Was Tony Ever's Administrator of state and local finance driving a taxpayer funded vehicle - or claiming mileage?

John Dickert's lack of insight and discretion in this matter only PROVES that he is unqualified for any position in Government - but this has not been Dickert's failure for the first time. John Dickert has a record of failure - and a record of being rewarded by questionably competent Superiors for his brown - nosing ways.

JT - Thank you for the great reporting.

Supermarket grocers and employees, including these at Fox Brothers Piggly Wiggly in Hartford, are now front-line workers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

From JSOnline:


From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2020/03/25/coronavirus-milwaukee-grocery-workers-front-lines/2902713001/

Lying John's "tremendous ass whooping"

Submitted by legal stranger:

Former City of Racine Mayor John Dickert Arrested for Road Rage

From Racine WI - Sin City:

Mark Belling Reports:

The entire Press Release is available at the following link: http://www.belling.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/finalrage.pdf

“EXCLUSIVE: Road Rage Incident Leads To Arrest Of Former Racine Mayor John Dickert, Now A Top Official In State Revenue Department

By Mark Belling, WISN-AM

Former Racine Mayor John Dickert was arrested Sunday afternoon in the Village of Mount Pleasant In Racine County following a reported road rage incident.

Dickert is currently the administrator of state and local finance in the Evers Administration Department of Revenue.Mount Pleasant Village Police Captain Brian Smith tells me police were called around4 pm this past Sunday (March 22) after a confrontation between two motorists in the 5200 block of West Washington Avenue (Highway 20). That’s a bit west of the Racine city limits and a major thoroughfare. Smith could not give specifics of the incident saying all reports have been turned over the Racine County District Attorney. He did say the two motorists got into an argument about some driving issue and that Village Police were called. That’s when Dickert was arrested and cited.

As mentioned, the case has been referred to the Racine County District Attorney for possible criminal charges. Dickert has been cited but hast not yet been charged”.

The long abused Residents from City of Racine will have to wait and see if Teflon John Dickert can once again weasel his way out of trouble.

From: https://arrestrecordsofracinewipublicofficials.wordpress.com/2020/03/26/former-city-of-racine-mayor-john-dickert-arrested-for-road-rage/

Tears For Fears - Sowing The Seeds Of Love

10 Weirdest States in the US

Open Blog - Thursday

Tomorrow is tomorrow.  Live in the day.

Legal cannabis industry sees record sales as customers facing coronavirus crisis stock up

An employee holds a jar of marijuana on sale after it became legal in the state to sell recreational marijuana to customers over 21 years old in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Illinois begins the legal sale of marijuana on Jan 1, 2020.

Matthew Hatcher | Reuters

Steven DeAngelo has seen it all. As the so-called “father of the legal cannabis industry,” he co-founded one of the largest vertically integrated licensed cannabis businesses in California, called Harborside, with four stores and $60 million in annual revenues.

But what’s happened in the last month is something new. “We had our largest sales day ever,” he said. “Sales are up 20-25% at all locations.”

Across the country, sales are sky high in states where legal cannabis has been declared “essential medicine” during state shutdowns, allowing stores to stay open.

Customers appear to be stocking up, and many stores are shifting to delivery. It’s also possible the industry is reaching new customers who, until now, have bought their pot illegally, but want to now take advantage of regulated product delivered to their doorstep.

 Here are some data points from industry players:

• Average store revenue is up 52% to 130% compared with January at more than 1,300 stores using cannabis e-commerce platform Jane Technologies.
• Jane also reports the number of new users ordering online has increased 142% over the last month.
• Beverages and edibles are seeing significant sales lifts in California, according to cannabis analytics firm Headset.
• Wholesale seller LeafLink reported a 48% spike in orders Monday versus a week ago.
• “Cannabis demand has surged in Florida,” writes MKM Partners Research, which says operators saw an average jump in THC product of 36% for the week ending March 19.

As demand flourishes, long-suffering publicly traded cannabis companies have seen their shares start to rebound. Canopy Growth is down 70% in the last year, but over the last week shares are up 25%. Tilray has lost 90% of its value in the last year, but over the last week shares rose nearly 40%.

DeAngelo said Harborside is hiring drivers as delivery ramps up. Even though California calls cannabis essential medicine, he said customers do not need a medical card to buy. Anyone over 21 can make a legal purchase.

“Fortuitously — we didn’t know the pandemic was coming — a few months ago we opened our Desert Hot Springs location,” DeAngelo said. “We have one of two drive-through windows in the entire state of California, so it’s a very popular place to buy cannabis in the Coachella Valley right now.”

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/25/legal-cannabis-industry-sees-record-sales-in-coronavirus-crisis.html

Coronavirus: Prince Charles tests positive but 'remains in good health' - BBC News

"He's been working from home."  What the hell kind of "work" does he do?  Hopefully, he'll give COVID-19  to the queen.

Jimmy Kimmel’s Quarantine Minilogue – Trump Defies Experts, Quarantime Killers & Dave Matthews

Man who said he had coronavirus coughed on Wegmans worker, charged with making terroristic threat

NEPTUNE, N.J. – A man is facing charges after allegedly coughing on a Wegmans employee in New Jersey and claiming he had the coronavirus, authorities said.

George Falcone, 50, of Freehold Township was charged with making terroristic threats, harassment and obstruction after officials said he refused to identify himself or provide identification to township police for more than 40 minutes, according to a news release from the state Attorney General's Office.

Gov. Phil Murphy, who mentioned the incident at a news conference Tuesday, said police responded to a call after a man was in a confrontation with a female employee of the supermarket chain and then "coughed on the woman and told her after doing so that he had the coronavirus."

The employee told Falcone, who was shopping at the Wegmans in Manalapan around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, that he was standing too close to her and an open display of prepared foods, according to the news release. The woman asked him to step back as she covered the food.

That request prompted Falcone to step forward to within three feet of her, lean over and "purposefully" cough. He then allegedly laughed and said he was infected with the coronavirus, according to the Attorney General's Office.

A Manalapan police detective, who was working a security detail at the store, approached Falcone after the incident. He allegedly refused to cooperate or provide his name or driver’s license for 40 minutes. He eventually identified himself and was allowed to leave the store, authorities said.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/03/25/new-jersey-man-coughs-wegmans-employee-said-he-had-coronavirus/5076707002/