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Crime, University

GazetteXtra: Threat closes UWW’s Williams Center

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WHITEWATER – UW-Whitewater has closed the campus’ main athletics building after a written threat was found in a men’s restroom. A spokesman said there has been no explosion or injury. Here’s the text of a notice on the university’s website:

“Williams Center will be closed for the remainder of today, Tuesday, April 19 and all day Wednesday, April 20. A message was found in one of the men’s restrooms stating that a device would go off in the building. As a precautionary measure, the building will be evacuated and closed until 6 a.m. Thursday, April 21. This means that there will be no classes or intramural sports and all offices in Williams Center will be closed. Events not held in Williams Center will continue as scheduled.

“UW-Whitewater Police are working with area law enforcement agencies to ensure that the facility is safe. It is a criminal offense to make a bomb threat. Anyone found to be engaging in such activity will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Anyone with tips can call the Walworth County Crimestoppers line at 262-723-2677.”

Via “Threat closes UWW’s Williams Center” by Latest News — GazetteXtra.

Prompt, prudent, and poised.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread for 4.19.11

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Good morning.

Today’s forecast calls for a day of rain, snow, and sleet, with a high temperature of thirty-seven.

In Whitewater today, there will be a meeting of the Urban Foresty Commission at 4.15pm.  The meeting agenda is available online.  Later, at 6:30 p.m., there will be a meeting of the Common Council. That agenda is also available online.

In Wisconsin History, a sad and unusual story about a former governor, as the Wisconsin Historical Society tells it:

1862 – Governor Harvey Drowns in the Tennessee River

On this date Governor Louis Harvey died while leading an expedition to relieve Wisconsin troops after the battle of Shiloh. The expedition was bringing doctors, nurses, and much-needed medical supplies to soldiers when Harvey, crossing from one steamboat to another, slipped, fell into the swift currents of the Tennessee River, and never re-surfaced. His body was recovered ten days later, nearly sixty miles downstream. When news reached Madison, Lieutenant Governor Edward Salomon was sworn in as Wisconsin’s first German-American governor. [Source: Wisconsin in the Civil War, by Frank L. Klement]

Beautiful Whitewater, City, Economy

Whitewater’s Ongoing Success Story

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I’ve written before about the Whitewater Aquatic Center, and its impressive financial turnaround. See, A Whitewater Success Story: The Whitewater Aquatic Center. That positive news continues, and a story at Walworth County Today notes that the WAC has successfully erased past deficits —

The aquatic center opened in 2001 and was operated by Mercy Health System for more than five years. The board of directors assumed control in 2009 and has since steadily restructured spending to chip away at the deficit.

In 2008, the center was losing about $250,000 annually. Shortly after management changed hands, that decreased to $100,000.

Last year’s deficit was a far-smaller $10,000, with better news expected for this year.

It’s hard to over-estimate this accomplishment: local control has brought an astonishing turnaround. Even more impressive, all this was accomplished during the most difficult economic and financial conditions America’s faced in generations.

Whitewater’s had her share of successes, surely, but this one stands out as particularly impressive.

This is a good story, and I think it’s impossible to hear of it without smiling.

See, President: Whitewater Aquatic Center costs have dramatically decreased.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread for 4.18.11

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Good morning.

We’ve a dusting of snow, and we’re on our way to a high temperature of forty-three.

In our schools, there’s summer school registration this afternoon and evening.  Registration is also available online.

The Wisconsin Historical Society remembers a time when Wisconsin was part of Michigan:

1818 – Wisconsin Becomes Part of Michigan Territory

On this date land encompassing current day Wisconsin was made part of the Michigan Territory, representing one step in Wisconsin’s path to statehood. It had been part of the Northwest Territory from July 13, 1787 to May 11, 1800; of Indiana Territory from May, 1800 to Feb. 3, 1809; and of Illinois Territory from Feb. 3, 1809 to April 18, 1818. The Territory of Wisconsin was formed July 4, 1836.

Press Release

Downtown Whitewater, Inc. Presents “Tour d’ Triangle,” Saturday, May 7th

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Downtown Whitewater, Inc. Presents “Tour d’ Triangle”

WHITEWATER, Wis. (April 12, 2011) – “The Triangle” as it is becoming known, will host their inaugural “Tour d’ Triangle” on Saturday May 7, 2011 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm beginning at Cravath Lake Front Park.  Downtown Whitewater, Inc. is partnering with W3 ~ Working for Whitewater’s Wellness to promote the new art inspired bike racks and cycling for exercise through a good old-fashion fun filled friends & family event.

Last year Downtown Whitewater hosted the Whitewater Gone Wild Safari featuring Jungle Jack Hanna to raise funds to purchase additional bike racks for the downtown area.  With an emphasis on functionality, public art and shopping local, fourteen new bike racks will soon be installed.

Look for the Comedy & Tragedy Theater Mask near the Young Auditorium, the Library Books promoting READ at the public Library, a Blue Fish and Bicycle at Cravath Lake Front Park, a Coffee Cup at the Sweet Spot Coffee Shoppe, a Pizza Slice at Toppers Pizza, a TREK Bike and several Shopping Bags promoting the communities shop local program, Think Whitewater, art inspired bike racks.

W3 ~ Working for Whitewater’s Wellness is a community coalition that promotes healthy lifestyles.  W3 encourages you to take part in the Triangle Bike Tour for a little bit of exercise, a little bit of history and a whole lot of fun.

Start your morning at Cravath Lake Front Park at the first Bike Rack Tour stop, answer a history question about Whitewater’s rich history, for example, “When was the Grist Mill Dam built” and perform a physical exercise such as “10 jumping jacks” and then bike to the next rack you choose on the tour for more fun.  Each time you stop at one of the rack tour stops get your passport punched.  Bring your passport back to Cravath Lake Front Park for the last tour stop with at least 10 out of 14 punches and receive your prize and join in more fun.  Healthy snacks and water will be available to purchase and a map of the event with a recommended route will be available to print as the tour draws closer.

The Bike Federation will be on hand to talk about their Share and Be Aware program and will give a presentation at 12:30 pm.  Dave Saalsaa, owner of Quiet Hut Sports along with TREK will be on hand introducing new bikes and will have disc golf set up for you to play.  John & Liz Sotherland, owners of BicycleWise & Sport Fitness will also be on hand promoting Sotherland Custom Bicycles; their new line of bikes designed & built by John Sutherland.

Both sporting goods businesses will also show you basic care and maintenance for your bike such as, when should you oil your chain, correct height of your seat or how much air should be in your tires for the optimal performance.  The Whitewater Police Department will be handing out Rules of the Road for bikes and available for any questions.  W3 will offer maps of the Whitewater area bike trails and have information about their organization and will be promoting biking, running, and other activities to stay healthy.

Activities at the park such as, an obstacle course, maze, twister and more, plus safety information will be going on until 2 pm.  Please bring your family and friends and join Downtown Whitewater, Inc. and W3 ~ Working for Whitewater’s Wellness for a great afternoon filled with fun and history as they encourage a healthy lifestyle through biking and exercise and promote the new bike racks and their locations.

Downtown Whitewater was formed in 2006 and is working to preserve, improve and promote Whitewater’s quality of life by strengthening our historic downtown as the heartbeat of the community.

The Triangle

Eat * Shop * Enjoy


Government Spending, Libertarians, Press Release

Libertarian Party Blasts Federal Spending Deal

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What do libertarians think about the latest spending deal in Washington? We think it’s a bad deal for America.

Here’s a press release from the national LP:

Libertarians call spending compromise “travesty”

WASHINGTON – Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict issued the following statement today:

Just in time for Tax Day, the Republicans and Democrats in Congress have joined hands to clobber American taxpayers.

According to the Associated Press, the 2011 spending compromise will ‘cut federal outlays from non-war accounts by just $352 million through Sept. 30….When war funding is factored in the legislation would actually increase total federal outlays by $3.3 billion relative to current levels.’

This is happening at a time when federal spending and deficits are at unprecedented high levels. Federal spending this year is expected to be about 5 percent higher than last year. This is a travesty.

In 2000 under Bill Clinton, federal spending was $1.79 trillion. This year it’s expected to be at least $3.63 trillion.

Neither Democrats nor Republicans have made any serious proposals to change the course of the federal government. In particular, both President Obama’s and Congressman Ryan’s 2012 budget proposals are absurd. I fear that America will soon be overtaken by events. Inflation, high interest rates, high unemployment, and probably other unforeseen problems will start to force everyone’s hand. One way or another, people aren’t going to get what they have been led to expect….

The Cato Institute has produced a short video about the bill, “Obama/Boehner’s Phony Spending Cuts.”

….The LP is America’s third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets, civil liberties, and peace. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party at our website.

Comment Forum

Comment Forum: Should Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus Resign?

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Here’s the Friday open comments post.

Kathy Nickolaus, Waukesha County’s clerk, has made a name for herself – as either one of Wisconsin’s biggest fraudsters or as one of our biggest incompetents. Her announcement of a supposed error in the April election isn’t the first mistake she’s made. Nickolaus is now the subject of a state investigation into her work over the last five years:

Additional questions surfaced after Nickolaus posted a note to the clerk’s website this week explaining discrepancies between the total ballots cast in several elections and the votes for particular offices. In many cases, the number of votes totaled more than the number of ballots cast.

See, State investigating vote irregularities in Waukesha County going back 5 years.

So – regardless of what an investigation finds – should Nickolaus resign now based on what happened in April?



Should she stay or should she go now?

The predictable and nearly inevitable Clash video –



The use of pseudonyms and anonymous postings is, of course, fine. Although the comments template has a space for a name, email address, and website, those who want to leave a field blank can do so. Comments will be moderated, against profanity or trolls. Otherwise, have at it.

Update – Today is a day of glitches with comments, including one pesky troll who slipped past my attention for a bit. He’s now been dispatched. All is well again, I think. Readers can vote in the poll, comment, or both.

I’ll keep the post open through Sunday afternoon. more >>

Daily Bread

Daily Bread for 4.15.11

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Good morning.

It’s a rainy day ahead for Whitewater, with a high temperature in the upper forties.

The Wisconsin Historical Society recalls that

On this date Spencer Tracy was born in Milwaukee. He attended the Northwestern Military Academy in Lake Geneva and Ripon College. He won Academy Awards for Best Actor in Captain Courageous and Boys Town. [Source: Wisconsin Film Office]

Here’s a clip featuring Spencer Tracy in the excellent Bad Day at Black Rock —



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