Saturday, December 7, 2024
CEO killing surfaces anger aimed at health insurance industry
Friday, December 6, 2024
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is stopping in these Wisconsin cities this weekend
David ClareyClaire Reid
The holiday spirit is chugging into towns throughout Wisconsin this weekend.
The 2024 Canadian Pacific Kansas City's Holiday Train is passing through our state Saturday through Monday as it makes its monthlong journey across the U.S. and Canada. The train is a brightly colored, moving holiday lights display, and professional musicians play free concerts from the locomotive's festive stage.
The Lone Bellow and Tiera Kennedy are scheduled to perform at the train's Wisconsin stops. The Lone Bellow are a Nashville-based trio that started in 2013, according to CPKC's website. The group plays folk-pop and Americana music and has performed in Milwaukee before, including a 2021 concert at Shank Hall. Tiera Kennedy is a country singer-songwriter from Alabama.
The Holiday Train's annual journeys began in 1999 with the mission to raise "money, food and awareness" to support food banks. CPKC donates to a local food bank at each train stop and encourages attendees to bring a monetary or food donation.
Here's where to catch the train in Wisconsin this weekend:
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train 2024 Wisconsin schedule
The train will make more than a dozen stops in Wisconsin, here's where you can expect to see it:
- Sturtevant: 9900 E. Exploration Court — Saturday, between 7 and 7:30 p.m.
- Caledonia: Country G and 5½ Mile Road — Saturday, between 8:15 and 8:35 p.m.
- Wauwatosa: Harwood Avenue — Sunday, between 4:15 and 4:45 p.m.
- Hartland: Cottonwood Avenue — Sunday, between 5:45 and 6:15 p.m.
- Oconomowoc: South Silver Lake Street — Sunday, between 6:45 and 7:15 p.m.
- Watertown: Brandt Quirk Park — Sunday, between 8 and 8:30 p.m.
- Columbus: 395 N. Ludington St. — Sunday, between 9:15 and 9:45 p.m.
- Portage: Averbeck Street — Monday, between 1:15 and 1:45 p.m.
- Wisconsin Dells: 100 La Crosse St. — Monday, between 2:45 and 3:15 p.m.
- Mauston: Division Street — Monday, between 4:15 and 4:40 p.m.
- Tomah: 205 N. Superior Ave. — Monday, between 5:30 and 6 p.m.
- Sparta: South Water Street and Milwaukee Street — Monday, between 6:50 and 7:20 p.m.
- La Crosse: 601 Saint Andrew St. — Monday, between 8:30 and 9 p.m.
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Anthem will stop paying for anesthesia if it exceeds a certain time limit
Owner of Meinhardt mansion pleads not guilty in connection to fire
Annie Pulley
RACINE — Robert Staton, who was charged in the aftermath of a fire that destroyed the historic Meinhardt mansion in Burlington, pleaded not guilty Thursday during an arraignment in Racine County Circuit Court.
Staton, who has owned the mansion at 201 S. Kane St. since July, was charged with one misdemeanor count of negligent handling of burning materials and two felony bail jumping charges.
He was arrested about four hours after police found the home engulfed in flames at about 3:20 a.m. Nov. 22.
Staton posted a $15,000 cash bond Dec. 3 and is scheduled to appear for a status conference Feb. 3.
According to the criminal complaint, the iconic, 142-year-old mansion is now "uninhabitable." The structure suffered significant fire damage; the second story "is virtually gone" and the home's tower is now unstable.
 |
The Meinhardt mansion at 201 S. Kane St. in Burlington. |
Allegations
An officer with the Burlington Police Department reportedly arrived at Kane Street about 3:20 a.m. and found the mansion in flames and Staton sitting in a vehicle nearby.
The police report notes that the home was in a state of demolition and remodeling before the fire.
Staton reportedly said that he did not know what happened and told the officer to "arrest whoever is in there," adding that he was unsure who was in the house.
According to the complaint, Staton said someone was "trashing" the house, although he could not name anyone and officers found no one else at the scene.
After giving multiple statements to officers, Staton allegedly admitted that he started fires in four fireplaces in the home using cardboard and wood to "keep the workers warm" when they arrived the next day.
Staton reportedly said that after he lit the fires he went to sleep, and when he woke up he saw smoke and ran from the house.
Police also spoke with a home inspector, who reported that two of the house's fireplaces had been "blocked off" and would have to have been breached in order for fires to be started, the complaint said.
The report also stated that the house's fireplaces were designed for coal and were not suitable for wood fires because of the shallow depth of the firebox, the complaint said.
Additionally, according to the complaint, detectives learned that on Nov. 21, Staton reportedly approached a Burlington fire inspector at a fast-food restaurant drive-thru, thanked him for his service and allegedly gave him a $100 bill.
According to the complaint, the inspector tried to give the money back but Staton allegedly thew it into the inspector's vehicle. The complaint said the inspector was unsure what to do, so he used the money to pay for Staton's $40 food order and left.
When the inspector was stopped a a nearby traffic light, he reportedly rolled down his window and thanked Staton.
According to the complaint, Staton allegedly said: "No problem, if my house at 201 Kane Street ever catches fire, just let it burn!"
Staton denied making the statement, according to the complaint.
Missouri senator-elect criticized for bounty on migrants
How much illegal immigration is costing the U.S. | NewsNation Now
DOJ launched probe into UnitedHealthcare before CEO shooting | Banfield
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Council approves placing $1.5 million RFD referendum on spring ballot
Holly Gilvary
RACINE — The Common Council on Tuesday approved placing a referendum on the April 1, 2025, ballot asking for a $1.5 million increase of the city's tax levy for the City of Racine Fire Department.
Council members also approved an amendment proposed by Alder Terry McCarthy that clarifies language in the referendum specifying that the funds would be used to maintain RFD positions, as well as adding language to the resolution the money will be designated for RFD.
Additionally, alders approved an agreement with Kenosha Community Health Center Inc. to operate a Federal Qualified Health Clinic in the new Lincoln King Community Center and Clinic building, which is scheduled to open in 2026.
Despite some alders expressing concerns with KCHC's past performance at the Racine Community Health Center at Julian Thomas Elementary School, the motion passed 12-1, with Alder Melissa Kaprelian casting the dissenting vote.
Also at the meeting, Robert Mozol, the city's dangerous animal hearing examiner, announced his immediate resignation during the public comment period.
Mozol cited "harassment, stress and retaliation caused by (City Public Health Administrator) Dottie-Kay Bowersox" as the reason for his decision and said he plans to file a formal complaint.
In other business, the council:
- Approved an amended list, proposed by Alder Sandy Weidner, of 2025 Common Council meeting dates, adding Jan. 7, Feb. 19, April 2, June 18, July 1, Aug. 5, Nov. 4 and Dec. 16 so that the council will meet twice per month.
- Approved the list of alternate early absentee voting locations for 2025, with an amendment that removed the Shoop Park Golf Course at 4510 Lighthouse Drive in Wind Point, and the 26 privately owned locations that were on the list.
- Granted permission to the Racine police chief to apply for and accept the $121,434 2025 Beat Control Grant.
- Approved the adoption of an ordinance related to ambulance billing and lift assists cost recovery, ensuring that RFD is reimbursed for all costs related to non-emergency "lift assists," or requests to physically lift a person who does not require emergency medical attention.
- Authorized the issuance and sale of up to $10,450,921 in Taxable Wastewater Revenue Bonds Series 2024, which will be used for the design, construction and construction management of a 1.67 million gallon wastewater storage basin on Chicory Road.
- Authorized the acceptance of $62,213 from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness programs.
- Authorized acceptance of $222,700 from DHS for the Infant Mortality program, which will go to the Racine Healthy Beginnings program for serving the needs of low-income and Medicaid-eligible individuals.
- Authorized acceptance of $27,800 from DHS for the Cities Readiness Initiative Program.
- Authorized acceptance of $100,975 from DHS for COVID-19 immunization programs.
- Granted permission to the police chief to purchase bullet proof vets for the SWAT program.
- Disallowed the claim of Sedgqick Claims Management Services Inc. on behalf of Cintas Corporation.
- Authorized the mayor and city clerk to enter into an interagency agreement with the finance department to continue the Financial Empowerment Center oversight and administration using city director Federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for 2025-26.
- Authorized the acceptance of and signing for the $91,663 FY 2024 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grant from Wisconsin Emergency Management for equipment and training.
- Approved the 2025 Finance and Personnel Committee meeting calendar.
- Granted permission to the Human Resources Benefits Manager to present and propose a Restricted Duty Policy for approval.
- Approved assessment rates established for the 2025 public hearings for 2026 construction of Portland Cement Concrete paving, curb and gutter.
- Waived formal bidding procedures for the purchase of materials for the Johnson Controls Metasys System.
- Waived formal bidding procedures for the purchase of Neenah Foundry products to be approved.
- Waived formal bidding procedures for the purchase of a Case Tractor Loader.
- Waived formal bidding procedures for 2025 brush removal and wood chipping services from Mobile Reduction.
- Amended parking regulations to reflect the following: no parking any time on both sides of Chicago Street from Spring Street to 100 feet south, on the west side of Meacham Road from Maryland Avenue to 95 feet north, on both sides of Eaton Lane from 25 feet south of the cul-de-sac to the north; and on both sides of Knoll Place from Maryland Avenue to Rosalind Avenue.
- Waived formal bidding for the replacement and maintenance of Dock items.
- Approved the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Lateral Repair Fixed Prices submitted by the city engineer.
- Approved a change order to the contract for a sump pump installation program with PM Plumbing & Mechanical.
- Approved submission of final payment for the sump pump installation program to PM Plumbing & Mechanical.
- Accepted the $225,000 Wisconsin Targeted Runoff Management Grant.
- Accepted the $150,000 Wisconsin Urban Nonprofit Source Pollution Abatement & Stormwater Management Program Construction Grant Agreement funds.
- Approved a change order to the contract for 2024 sanitary sewer repairs with Genesis Excavators Inc.
- Approved the 2025 Storm Sewer Repair Fixed Prices submitted by the city engineer.
- Approved submission of final payment to Bukacek Construction for the Racine Public Works Transfer Station contract.
- Approved a change order to the contract with LaLonde Contractors Inc. for Island Parking parking lot improvements.
- Awarded the contract for Racine Fuel Depot Upgrades to M&M Mid-Valley Supply for $669,502.
- Approved a change order to the Assessable Streets and Alleys contract with Milwaukee General Construction.
- Approved a change order to the contract for Michigan Pathway Drainage Upgrade with A.W. Oakes & Son Inc.
- Approved a change order to the contract for the Racine Public Works Transfer Station with Bukacek Construction.
- Approved submission of final payment to Payne & Dolan Inc. for the Mound Cemetery Road Paving contract.
- Approved a change order to the contract with Payne & Dolan Inc. for Mound Cemetery Road Paving.
- Approved the 2025 Public Works and Services Committee meeting calendars.
- Amended the Chronic Nuisance Premises Ordinance to include an annual review of chronic nuisance premises for the year at the last meeting of the Public Safety and Licensing Committee.
- Approved an ordinance creating a process and procedure to appeal the health officer's administrative determinations to the Due Process Board.
- Approved an ordinance allowing any police officer to impound any vehicle involved in the commission of a reckless driving violation, as long as certain statutory requirements are met, consistent with state law.
- Amended the Chronic Nuisance Premises Ordinance so that it applies equally to both permanent and mobile commercial business establishments.
- Approved the appointment of two City of Racine humane officers.
- Approved the 2025 Public Safety and Licensing Committee meeting calendars.
- Approved the Racine County Hazard Mitigation Plan update for 2023-28.
- Approved the rezoning of the property at 1650 Russet St. from R3 Limited General Residence District to O-I Office/Institutional District, in order to open a group daycare.
- Granted permission to the Transit & Mobility director to apply for the 2025 Public Transit Assistance Program Grant through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
- Authorized agreement to purchase three paratransit vehicles for about $470,000.
- Approved the appointment of James Wells to the Board of Ethics for a term ending April 30, 2028.
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Monday, December 2, 2024
CBS News tracks cups dropped in Starbucks recycling bins, many end up not recycled
Electric vehicle drivers in Wisconsin to pay new charging fee starting Jan. 1
MITCHELL SCHMIDT
Beginning after the first of the year, electric vehicle owners in Wisconsin will have to pay a new tax when filling up at a charging station.
The new 3-cent per-kilowatt-hour tax was approved in legislation passed earlier this year with the hopes of bolstering the state’s electric vehicle infrastructure and securing federal funds for additional charging stations along major highways and interstates.
The new tax represents “a crucial source of revenue for maintaining Wisconsin’s roadways and infrastructure,” David Casey, secretary of the state Department of Revenue, said in a statement. “It will help ensure continued funding for road repairs and construction as Wisconsin drivers increasingly make the switch to electric vehicles, while creating a more equitable system in which all drivers contribute to road maintenance costs,” Casey continued.
What is the new tax?
Previously, businesses that wanted to operate EV charging stations had to be regulated as a utility.
The new law exempts private businesses from the rule but requires that they sell electricity by the kilowatt-hour — that is, by the amount used — rather than by the length of time it takes to charge a vehicle.
 |
A new electric vehicle tax in Wisconsin is intended to help the state raise money to build more EV charging stations along state highways and interstates. |
Business owners must also pay a 3-cent per-kilowatt-hour excise tax on electricity sold through an EV charging station. That tax is applied to the total kilowatt-hours delivered regardless of whether the owner charges the consumer for the electricity.
Under the new law, any new charging stations built on or after March 22, 2024, as well as all current and future Level 3 chargers in the state, must charge for power by the kilowatt-hour and collect the excise tax. Residential chargers are exempt from the tax.
EV charging stations are characterized as Level 1, 2 or 3, with the third level being the fastest in terms of how long it takes to charge a vehicle.
Anyone who owns or operates an electric charging station must register with the state. Registration can be done online at the Department of Revenue’s online business tax registration website, tap.revenue.wi.gov/btr.
New revenue?
There were nearly 12,000 electric passenger vehicles and more than 15,000 electric trucks registered in the state as of September, according to the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles. That doesn’t include electric cycles or autocycles.
The state Department of Revenue estimates the excise tax will generate about $3.35 million in revenue next year and about $3.85 million in revenue the following year. However, that number could be lower depending on how many EV drivers charge up at home. The state Department of Transportation previously estimated the tax to generate up to $314,000 in fiscal year 2025.
State officials say funds generated by the excise tax would go into Wisconsin’s transportation fund, which is used to fund infrastructure projects like roads and bridges.
How did we get here?
The new tax is tied to legislation passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Tony Evers in March.
The law was passed shortly before the deadline for Wisconsin to tap into more than $78 million in federal funds — first approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2022 — aimed at boosting the number of EV charging stations along state highways and interstates.
The state can also apply for another $2.5 billion in competitive funding if it meets program requirements, including that stations charge by the kilowatt-hour.
The DOT plans to use that money to help develop dozens of new charging stations.
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Man accused of child sex assault and possessing child porn pleads not guilty
RACINE — A 44-year-old Caledonia man pleaded not guilty Nov. 21 in connection to the alleged assault of a 10-year-old girl.
According to online court records, Patrick Hagen was charged Oct. 1 with one count of the repeated sexual assault of the same child and three counts of possessing child pornography.
Each charge is a felony.
If convicted of the assault, Hagen could spend at least 25 years in prison. Each child pornography charge carries a possible $100,000 fine, a prison sentence up to 25 years, or both. The court can also impose a $500 surcharge for each image or copy of an image recovered.
Hagen is scheduled to appear for a status conference Jan. 21.
Allegations
According to previous reporting, a girl accused Hagen of inappropriately touching her on multiple occasions.
When the police searched Hagen’s residence, they reportedly found images depicting child pornography.
Posts
