Posted: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 -- 6:41 a.m.
Latest Wisconsin news, sports, business and entertainment
KENTUCKY CRASHES
Company in Ky. crash had 17 tickets in 2 years
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- A Michigan trucking company involved in a crash that left six people dead on Interstate 65 in central Kentucky over the weekend had a satisfactory rating from the federal agency that oversees long-haul carriers.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration based its ranking of Highway Star Inc. on a 24-month span in which the company fell below the national average of vehicle problems.
Still, the agency advised states to closely inspect the company's vehicles after it accumulated 17 traffic violations in the two-year period.
A tractor-trailer driven by 47-year-old Ibrahim Fetic of Troy, Mich., hit an SUV carrying a family back to Wisconsin from a vacation in Florida on Saturday.
Killed were 62-year-old driver James Gollnow and his wife, 62-year-old Barbara Gollnow; their 92-year-old friend, Marion Chapnoise; 18-year-old Sareena Gollnow, whose relationship to the couple wasn't immediately clear; and the couple's foster children, 10-year-old Gabriel Zumig and 8-year-old Soledad Smith.
WOLF HUNT
Democrat wants block dogs in Wis. wolf hunt
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A Democratic state senator is circulating a bill that would prohibit wolf hunters from using dogs.
Sen. Fred Risser of Madison sent an email to his fellow lawmakers on Monday asking for co-sponsors. He notes in the email that humane societies oppose the use of dogs in the wolf hunt.
A group of humane societies filed a lawsuit in August alleging state wildlife officials failed to impose any restrictions on using and training dogs on wolves. A Dane County judge issued a temporary injunction that blocked the use of dogs during the wolf season. In January the judge approved dog use during the hunt but barred training them on wolves.
Risser's bill has little chance of passing. Republicans control both the Senate and Assembly.
WINTER STORM-WISCONSIN
Another round of snow to move into Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Much of Wisconsin will be under a winter storm warning or winter weather advisory as a strong storm heads for the state.
Six to 12 inches of snow is expected across most of western and southern Wisconsin Tuesday, along with blowing and drifting snow.
Even before a flake of snow has dropped, the city of Beloit has issued a snow emergency for Tuesday through Wednesday morning. The declaration activates parking restrictions.
State emergency managers urged Wisconsinites to be ready for the storm with a winter survival kit in your vehicle, a check of road conditions by calling 511 and logging on to ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov.
SATANIC SLAYING-SENTENCE
Wis. man gets life for killing 93-year-old woman
(Information in the following story is from: Duluth News Tribune, http://www.duluthsuperior.com )
HAYWARD, Wis. (AP) -- A Wisconsin man will serve a life sentence without parole after being convicted of killing a 93-year-old woman in Sawyer County.
A jury found 30-year-old Christopher Roalson of Radisson guilty last September in the May 2009 killing of Irena Roszak.
Judge Kenneth Kutz also ruled Monday that Roalson and his accomplice, 18-year-old Austin Davis, must pay restitution to Roszak's family with what they earn working in prison.
The life sentence was mandatory under Wisconsin law. The Duluth News Tribune reports the only question at Roalson's sentencing was about parole.
Prosecutors say Roalson shouted satanic references as he stabbed Roszak and she begged for her life.
Davis received a sentence of eight years in prison for his role in Roszak's death. Davis testified as a prosecution witness at Roalson's trial.
WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY-98TH
Neylon's narrow victory in Assembly race to stand
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A recount will not be requested in the state Assembly Republican primary race narrowly won by Pewaukee window cleaning business owner Adam Neylon last month.
Neylon finished with 29 votes more than his closest challenger, Village of Pewaukee Police Chief Ed Baumann in the Feb. 19 election. Monday is the deadline for Baumann to request a recount. Baumann says he won't seek one because he doesn't believe the results will change.
That means Neylon will represent the 98th Assembly District barring an unforeseen write-in campaign. No Democrat ran for the seat.
Neylon's name will be the only one on the April 2 ballot.
Final results of the primary were to be certified on Tuesday by the Government Accountability Board.
FORMER MAYOR ARRESTED
Ex-mayor arrested on suspicion of drunken driving
(Information in the following story is from: The Sheboygan Press, http://www.sheboygan-press.com )
KIEL, Wis. (AP) -- The former mayor of Sheboygan who has publicly battled problems with alcohol has been arrested on suspicion of driving drunk.
Kiel (KEEL) police say Bob Ryan was pulled over shortly before midnight Sunday and was taken to a Manitowoc hospital for a blood draw and then to the Manitowoc County Jail. The Sheboygan Press says he was ticketed for first offense operating while intoxicated.
Ryan is an admitted alcoholic who says he continues to work on his sobriety. The former mayor was recently fined $770 for misdemeanor disorderly conduct stemming from a 2011 incident at an Elkhart Lake bar in which he was accused of groping a woman.
A call to Ryan for comment was not immediately returned.
WIS GOVERNOR-DAHMER TWEETS
Democratic Party spokesman removed over tweets
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin's Democratic Party spokesman has been removed from his position after comparing Republican Gov. Scott Walker with serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.
Graeme Zielinski made the comments in three tweets after prosecutors announced Friday they closed an investigation involving Walker's former aides and associates.
Zielinski apologized over Twitter both to Walker and to Dahmer's victims.
Party spokesman Melissa Baldauff said Monday that Zielinski has been removed as spokesman, docked a week's pay worth about $1,000, and will no longer be permitted to post on Twitter. He will continue working for the Democratic Party as an adviser.
Walker was asked about Zielinski's tweets on Friday. He called Zielinski "pretty insignificant."
SPEEDSKATING-SEXUAL ABUSE
Gabel resigns from committees after abuse claims
Andy Gabel has stepped down from International Skating Union and U.S. Speedskating committees after being accused of a sexual relationship with an underage skater in the 1990s.
ISU president Ottavio Cinquanta said Monday that Gabel stepped down as head of the short track committee. U.S. speedskating spokeswoman Tamara Castellano said Gabel also resigned from the Hall of Fame committee.
Gabel competed in four Olympics as a short track skater, including 1988 as a demonstration sport. He was part of a silver medal-winning relay team at the 1994 Lillehammer Games.
Gabel issued a statement to media outlets in Chicago and Milwaukee saying he "displayed poor judgment in a brief and inappropriate relationship with a female teammate." Bridie Farrell says she was 15 and Gabel 33 when their relationship began in 1997.
Copyright Associated Press 2013
