Government

Governor Scott Walker says the controversy surrounding his top aides while he was Milwaukee County Executive isn't applicable now because...he says....they aren't around anymore.

Walker says the current administrative team is effective....

"...a handful of people who no longer work with me who are out of the way of state government right now. Instead, the people I have around me are helping us to provide the largest sector job growth we've had in April through December last year...."

If you think it can't happen to you, talk to Pete Cody of Rhinelander. He's a victim of identity theft and it's taken a lot of time to repair his finances. He spoke with Ken Krall about it.

Cody says he also had to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission, all his banking institutions and he says he's holding his breath hoping nothing else bad happens.

A fire near Sayner destroyed two structures and one vehicle Wednesday.  The Vilas County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call just before 11 am…reporting a garage fire at 8616 Camp Highland Road in the township of Plum Lake.  The blaze fully engulfed the garage and the vehicle inside.  The fire also spread to an adjoining mobile home.  Both structures were destroyed. 

The Vilas County Sheriff’s office responded to the fire along with crews from Plum Lake Fire, Saint Germain Fire, Boulder Junction Fire, Westside RIT and Wisconsin Public Service.

The Oneida County Sheriff's Department says a convicted sex offender has been released to the community and they are providing public information on his new residence.

Steven A. Kunze was convicted in 2001 and 2006 of felony sex offenses, including second degree sexual assault and exposing genitals to a child. Kunze was placed on parole in 2013 and was living in Rhinelander. Kunze recently relocated to 3441 County Highway Q in the town of Enterprise, Oneida county.

A town chairman says they will sit down as a board soon and discuss the state's construction options for U.S.51.

Tuesday evening, the Department of Transportation held a public information session on a proposed road upgrade between 3rd Street and state Highway 70 in the towns of Woodruff and Arbor Vitae. The state presented a series of options.. Minocqua had its portion redone this year. Hazelhurst in Oneida county also is in the construction cue.

Woodruff Chairman Michael Timmons says the board will meet soon...

The convicted killer that escaped custody in Oneida County was back in court Tuesday.

54-year-old Todd Brecht walked away from the Camp McNaughton State Prison October 1st, and wasn’t located until three days later. Brecht had ridden buses and taxi cabs until he was arrested on a bus in Orlando, Florida.

Brecht appeared for a pre-trial conference with Judge Michael Bloom, where he entered a guilty plea. He will remain in the Oneida county jail awaiting an April 29th sentencing hearing.

Jane Trotter is a spokesperson for the  League of Women Voters of the Northwoods. The League has launched a new on-line voter tool called VOTE 411 and she describes how it works.

Rhinelander could be the next community banning the use of cell phones while driving.

A committee Tuesday agreed to look into the ban over the next 30 days.

Alderman GeorgeKirby brought the request forward, saying he's concerned about safety...

"....we've(all) seen somebody not driving properly, not paying attention while driving...on the way here I kept track and there (were) 12 people on cellphones between my house and city hall...."

"...What I’ve been able to accomplish with the tribe really is a history thing for Vilas County…"

That's Vilas County District Attorney Al Moustakis, addressing Tuesday’s meeting of the Vilas county board of Supervisors about an agreement reached with the Lac du Flambeau tribe to pay for a full time secretary in the DA’s office…

" ...For the tribe to stand up and say we’re going to take ownership of what is happening in our county and try to reduce what’s happening is a really big thing."

Two suspects have been bound over for trial in two separate Northwoods attempted first-degree homicide trials.

In Forest county, 30 year old Brandon Brunette was bound over for trial and entered not guilty pleas to three other felony and misdemeanor charges including child abuse. Brunette is charged with allegedly tossing a one-year-old child hard enough to cause a brain injury last October. He denies the allegations.

The child was transported to a Marshfield hospital for his injuries. Brunette has a pre-trial set for May.