Dead steers not result of apocalypse; moldy potatoes the culprit

Stevens Point–According to the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Madison, the death of approximately 200 steers in the town of Stockton was not a sign of the apocalypse, rather the result of moldy potatoes ingested by the herd.

A report written by Terry Devitt at the University of Wisconsin-Madison says the cows were poisoned by a toxin found in moldy sweet potatoes, which “apparently were mixed in with potato waste fed to the animals. Tests on feed samples revealed the presence of ipomeanol, a mycotoxin found in moldy sweet potatoes, says Peter Vanderloo, associate director of the lab.”

The report goes on to say sweet potato waste was a major component of the animals’ diet at the time of the Jan. 14 incident, he notes. It is a common practice in agriculture to feed animals food that cannot be used for human consumption. In this case, the potatoes were never in the human food supply chain, Vanderloo explains, and there is no risk to human heath.

Officials had originally suspected that the steers might have died from a virus or, more recently, pneumonia.

Trombone Shorty show a mix of rock, jazz, funk

Stevens Point–A Grammy Award-nominated artist who describes his signature sound as “supafunkrock” will perform in Stevens Point on Thursday, February 3, as part of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Performing Arts Series.

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Theater@1800 at Sentry Headquarters, 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens Point. The high energy show is an unprecedented mix of rock, funk, jazz, hip-hop and soul, with Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews on the trumpet, trombone and other instruments as well as his band, Orleans Avenue.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $6 for youth. UWSP students with ID may buy tickets in advance for $4.50 or be admitted free the day of the show if seats remain. Tickets may be purchased through the University Information and Tickets Office in the Dreyfus University Center, 715-346-4100 or 800-838-3378, or by going online to http://www.uwsp.edu/centers/uit/ordering.asp. Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted.

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue’s 2010 CD release, “Backatown,” recently was number one on Billboard Magazine’s Contemporary Jazz CD charts and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. The CD’s title refers to the area of New Orleans where Trombone Shorty grew up, which was also the home of jazz great Louis Armstrong. Shorty has been performing with some of the members of his band, including Dwayne “Big D” Williams (percussion), Mike Ballard (bass), Joey Peebles (drums), Pete Murano (guitar) and Dan Oestreicher (baritone saxophone), since childhood.

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue have been featured on Jimmy Kimmel, David Letterman, The Tonight Show, HBO, Good Morning America and ESPN SportsCenter in recent months and Trombone Shorty has been selected as one of 11 artists to watch in 2011 by Elmore Magazine.

In 2006, he joined with Green Day and U2 for a performance for the reopening of the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. He has also toured as a member of Lenny Kravitz’s band and has performed with Harry Connick Jr., Kermit Ruffins and Branford Marsalis, among others.

UWSP Student Government issues statement opposing voting reforms

Stevens Point— Students from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point are weighing in on a proposal by Republicans in the Wisconsin state legislature to repeal same-day voter registration.  The UWSP student government issued a release yesterday stating that the 9,500 students who attend UWSP “find the ongoing attempts of legislators in Madison to disenfranchise student voters unacceptable.”

Republicans in the state legislature are pushing voter reforms that would require anyone voting to show photo identification at the polls.  The attempt to repeal same-day registration, along with the voter ID proposal, are two prongs in the Republicans’ legislative attempts to limit voter fraud.  However, Democrats argue that there is no substantive proof that voter fraud is occurring at all and that the Republicans’ proposals would discourage voters from turning out at the polls.

According to a report from the Milwaukee journal Sentinel, Wisconsin is one of nine states that allow voters to register at the polls, which observers credit with boosting voter turnout.

Statement from the UWSP Student Government Association:

“The 9,500 students of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point find the ongoing attempts of legislators in Madison to disenfranchise student voters unacceptable. The attempted repeal of same-day voter registration constitutes a direct assault against the voting rights of citizens statewide. We strongly urge all legislators to vote against this bill that will inevitably deny thousands of citizens across the state from exercising their constitutional rights to participate in elections.”

Health officials remind of carbon monoxide threat in winter

New law requires carbon monoxide detectors in dwellings

Madison – With the return of below zero temperatures and an upcoming state law requiring carbon monoxide detectors in residences, health officials today reminded everyone to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO). Earlier this week, a malfunctioning furnace caused several people in Rock County to be rushed to the hospital with potentially dangerous levels of CO exposure.

“The presence of carbon monoxide in homes is more common than people realize, especially during the cold weather months,” said Dr. Henry Anderson, Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health Services. “The easiest way to protect yourself and your family is with a carbon monoxide detector.”

On February 1, 2011, a new law requiring carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to be installed in all one- and two-family dwellings takes effect. Newly constructed homes will require CO detectors that are directly wired to the home’s electrical service and existing homes may use battery-powered, stand-alone detectors. State law currently includes a similar requirement for multi-family dwellings.

Detectors work like smoke alarms to alert you to dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide. Battery powered portable CO detectors are also available for use away from home. Health officials recommend installing CO detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.

CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can be emitted from poorly functioning or unvented furnaces or other gas powered home appliances. Outdoor appliances such as portable generators, heaters, and stoves, can also create dangerous levels of CO in cabins, campers, tents, and hunting and fishing shacks.

Symptoms of CO poisoning are flu-like and include headache, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea and mental confusion. High levels of exposure may lead to more serious health problems, including loss of consciousness and death.

Wiza receives endorsement from public employee federation

Editor’s note: this article was updated 1/28

Stevens Point–City Alderman and County Board Supervisor Mike Wiza announced that he has received the endorsement of AFSCME PEOPLE, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. Wiza received the notice from Scott Smriga, Project organizer for the group.

Wiza is opposing current Stevens Point Mayor Andrew Halverson.

The announcement of Wiza’s latest endorsement came after interviews with mayoral candidates by the steering committee.

“It is an honor to be selected for this endorsement. To be chosen based on the merits of my actions over the past 7 years on City Council and County Board is a reflection of my ability to lead in an open and fair manner, and to achieve real results in the best interest of the city,” Wiza said.

The Wisconsin PEOPLE Conference is the political action committee of AFSCME Council 40, representing about 32,000 local government and private sector employees throughout the state locally more than 500 households. “It is because of your commitment to our members’ issues and concerns that we have endorsed your candidacy.” Wrote Douglas Burnett, the AFSCME WI Political and Legislative Director. “We are proud to extend this endorsement to your campaign.”

“I look forward to continuing the successful relationship I’ve established not only with Stevens Point employees, but also surrounding municipalities, and businesses in Central Wisconsin.

We’re all on the same team and have the same goals to help make Central Wisconsin the best place to work, live and raise a family. Everyone should have a say in that.”

UWSP music students honored

Stevens Point–Two senior music students at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point who were honored for exceptional musicianship will now advance to national competition.

Michael Fowler of Stevens Point was chosen as the East Central Division Winner in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Young Artist Voice Competition. He was honored after performing a full recital at the division competition at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., on January 8, competing with students from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Fowler will now travel to Milwaukee as a finalist for the March 28 national MTNA competition and conference. The national winner will receive a cash prize and sing in a Winners Concert during the conference. Fowler, a tenor, has been studying voice for six years and is currently a student of Dennis Willhoit, assistant music professor. Fowler is a graduate of Stevens Point Area Senior High School.

Danielle Kinderman of Appleton was recently chosen to be one of eight undergraduate students in the country to compete in a national undergraduate choral conducting competition. This competition, organized by the American Choral Directors Association, will be held during the ACDA national conference in Chicago on March 10-11. She will conduct a choir of 80 college and university singers from around the country assembled specifically for the competition.

A graduate of Xavier High School, Kinderman won this honor by submitting a video recording of her conducting the UWSP Choral Union and by maintaining a high academic record. The American Choral Directors Association membership consists of over 7,000 choral directors who represent more than one million singers across the United States.

AFSCME People endorse Mike Wiza for Mayor

Stevens Point–City Alderman and County Board Supervisor Mike Wiza announced that he has received the endorsement of AFSCME PEOPLE, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. Wiza received the notice from Scott Smriga, Project organizer for the group.

The announcement came after interviews with Mayoral candidates by the steering committee.

“It is an honor to be selected for this endorsement. To be chosen based on the merits of my actions over the past 7 years on City Council and County Board is a reflection of my ability to lead in an open and fair manner, and to achieve real results in the best interest of the city,” Wiza said.

The Wisconsin PEOPLE Conference is the political action committee of AFSCME Council 40, representing about 32,000 local government and private sector employees throughout the state locally more than 500 households. “It is because of your commitment to our members’ issues and concerns that we have endorsed your candidacy.” Wrote Douglas Burnett, the AFSCME WI Political and Legislative Director. “We are proud to extend this endorsement to your campaign.”

“I look forward to continuing the successful relationship I’ve established not only with Stevens Point employees, but also surrounding municipalities, and businesses in Central Wisconsin.

We’re all on the same team and have the same goals to help make Central Wisconsin the best place to work, live and raise a family. Everyone should have a say in that.”

Central Wisconsin lakes management project a model for Wisconsin

Stevens Point–After nearly three years of development at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, collaboration has produced 18 management plans for lakes in Portage County. The county sought and received support for this collaboration between UWSP’s Center for Watershed Science and Education, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and more than 175 community members. Eighteen lakes in Portage County are now ready to implement their water quality plans in 2011, according to Nancy Turyk, water resource scientist at UWSP.

Other counties have noticed this collaborative effort to protect the water quality and native flora and fauna of our lakes. According to Turyk, lake residents in Marathon (11 lakes) and Waushara counties (33 lakes) are seeking to replicate the success of Portage County to engage community members in protecting the recreational and economic values of our area lakes.

The lake plans cover a variety of topics; most include the fishery, water quality, recreation, aquatic plants, and land use management. Many indicate that this year the citizens are interested in forming lake stewardship groups, developing strategies to communicate with one another, learning about land protection options using conservation easements, and understanding the new state shoreland rules and how they might play a role in lake protection. Some groups are working to restore shoreland vegetation to help improve water quality and habitat. Nearly all of the plans indicate that citizens would like to learn how to monitor improvement or degradation of water quality in their favorite lakes. A number of these eager lake stewardship groups are newly formed and could benefit from the support of Portage County and UWSP staff members to help them accomplish their goals.

Portage County was successful in obtaining a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to help fund the projects listed above and cover some of the associated staffing costs. Partners that have become involved to assist citizens include UW-Extension Lakes who are helping with the formation of groups and Golden Sands RC&D who help with aquatic invasive plant species.

The genesis for this lake protection model began in 2001 when representatives of the county, UWSP and the state set out to study the lakes and involve citizens in stewardship efforts. The lake study reports and plans can be found in the Planning and Zoning Department section on the Portage County website at http://www.co.portage.wi.us/planningzoning.

Senator Johnson wagers on Super Bowl with Pat Toomey

Washington, D.C. – Packers vs. Steelers. Wisconsin cheese vs. Primanti Bros. sandwiches.

In honor of the Feb. 6 Super Bowl featuring the Green Bay Packers versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, U.S. Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) have made a tasty wager on the winner of the big game.

Should the Steelers prevail, Sen. Johnson will provide Sen. Toomey with a savory assortment of Wisconsin cheese, bratwurst and beer. But should the Packers emerge victorious, Sen. Toomey will ship Sen. Johnson a delivery of Pittsburgh’s world-famous Primanti Bros. sandwiches, topped with signature French fries, Cole slaw and tomatoes.

“Being frugal and a fiscal conservative, my first thought was to simply re-gift the Chicago-style pizza and Illinois beer that the Packers helped us win from Sen. Kirk, but that wouldn’t highlight the fine products made in Wisconsin. So I have decided to offer Sen. Toomey’s office a generous basket of Wisconsin cheese, brats and beer in the unlikely event that the Steelers prevail over America’s team, the Green Bay Packers,” Sen. Johnson said.

“I’m sure Sen. Johnson would enjoy some of Pittsburgh’s best sandwiches, which taste just as good as the upcoming Steelers’ victory,” Sen. Toomey said.

Absentee Ballots Available

Stevens Point–According to the city of Stevens Point, ballots are available for City of Stevens Point residents who wish to vote early for the February 15 spring primary.

“Voters have two options for voting absentee,” said Clerk Moe. “The first option is to vote at the City Clerk’s office in City Hall, 1515 Strongs Avenue, now through February 14. The second option is to submit a written request/application to receive an absentee ballot through the mail.”

Requests to receive an absentee ballot by mail must be received by the Clerk’s office no later than 5:00 p.m. Thursday, February 10. The completed ballot must be received by the Clerk’s office no later than Election Day so that it can be delivered to the proper polling location by 8:00 p.m.

Clerk Moe reminded individuals who have not already registered to vote or those who have either moved or changed their name will need to re-register before they will be allowed to vote. Applications for absentee ballots and voter registration are available at the Clerk’s office and on the City’s web site.

Please note that there are exceptions for military voters and indefinitely confined electors. Please contact the Clerk’s office at 346-1569 for more information.