Timber Sales On The Rise For Fifth Consecutive YearTimber sales on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest have gone up for the fifth year in a row. The growth in sales isn’t only benefiting loggers, but forest conservation projects. The national forest is on track to sell more than 123 million board feet of timber this year, which is the most the agency has been able to sell since the mid-1990s. Through the 2014 Farm Bill, the Forest Service says they’ve been able to partner with state and local governments, as well as nonprofit groups, to speed up harvests on the national forest. They say some of the money from those timber cuts will go toward maintaining the health of the forest.
Posted by Ryan Quinn
Confidential Informant KilledA Bruce man has been charged in connection with a death in Rusk County last December, where the body of a police informant was found in a burned down building. Sean Grosskreutz, of Bruce, is charged with first degree recklessly endangering safety. The body of Jeffrey Putbrese was found inside the burned building on December 7, 2016. Officials said Putbrese was working as a confidential informant for the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office. Grosskreutz makes his initial appearance in October. If convicted, the maximum sentence is 12 1/2 years in prison.
Posted Sep 21, 2017, 5:43 AM by Ryan Quinn
Wisconsin Homes Picked Up Last MonthHome sales picked up a bit across Wisconsin last month.The Wisconsin Realtors Association reports its members sold 8,512 homes in August, an increase of just sixth-tenths of a percent compared to a year ago. In July, home sales dropped year-over-year by five percent. Officials say sales would’ve been stronger this summer if more homes were available, with the tight inventory also placing pressure on prices. The median price of a home sold in Wisconsin last month was $182,000 – a more than seven-percent increase compared to August 2016.
Posted Sep 20, 2017, 6:13 AM by Ryan Quinn
Chasing Coral in SpoonerThe effects of climate change on the environment and the world’s oceans is the subject of an award-winning documentary being shown in Spooner. Chasing Coral contains stunning underwater footage showing the beauty and demise of coral reefs, which are critical underwater ecosystems. But efforts are underway to reduce the damage, and a discussion of climate change and how to save these nurseries of the oceans will be discussed after the showing of Chasing Coral at the Spooner Library on Wednesday (Sept. 27) at 6pm. The free movie showing is being cosponsored by Tice Technologies and the Birchwood/Rice Lake Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
Posted Sep 20, 2017, 6:12 AM by Ryan Quinn
WisDOT To Begin Maintenance Project along US 8The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) will begin a maintenance project along US 8 between the Village of Almena and Barron in Barron County; between County Highway P and County Highway TT. The project includes repairs of several deteriorated areas of pavement in both the east and westbound lanes. The repairs will consist of milling degraded areas of pavement, and resurfacing these areas with Hot Mix Asphalt. Work is scheduled to start the week of October 2 and should be completed by the end of the week. Motorists can expect moving lane closures with a flagging operation. Speeds will be reduced. Message Boards will be visible at affected areas.
Posted Sep 20, 2017, 6:12 AM by Ryan Quinn
