plus 1, PolitiFact: state Senate hopeful Leah Vukmir on jobs and taxes - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

PolitiFact: state Senate hopeful Leah Vukmir on jobs and taxes - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Posted: 11 Oct 2010 07:10 AM PDT

- selected newswatch item -

Oct. 11, 2010 9:10 a.m. | New today from PolitiFact Wisconsin:

Two job-related claims from state Rep. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) in her state Senate bid - on manufacturing vs. government jobs, and the size of tax increases passed last year by the state Legislature.

Sunday's Toll

Player	Injury
Aaron Rodgers	Concussion
Jermichael Finley	Hamstring
Clay Matthews	Hamstring
Ryan Pickett	Ankle
Derrick Martin	Ankle
Donald Lee	Shoulder
Frank Zombo	Knee

Oct. 10, 2010 | Landover, Md. — It's gotten to the point where a player as important to the Green Bay Packers' offense as Jermichael Finley is wondering whether he made a mistake attempting to tackle a Washington defender after a fumble.

The way things are going with the injury-riddled Packers, any wrong move could cost you a season.

"Donald (Lee) had fumbled, and I was going after that tackle," Finley said, recalling the second play of the game. "When I was going (after it), I was thinking, 'Should I really tackle that guy?' There's something crazy about that episode. In the back of my mind, I was like, 'I shouldn't do this.'

"I went out there and the back of my leg popped."

Now the Packers, like Finley, are going to be holding their breath that a scheduled MRI doesn't show a torn right hamstring. »Read Full Article

Election Coverage

Complete coverage of state and local races in April and November 2010.

Oct. 10, 2010 | Before the votes have been counted, the Wisconsin governor's race already has made U.S. history.

Within Wisconsin, the contest between Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has drawn notice as the first time in 70 years that two Milwaukee County residents have competed for the governor's office.

But it also appears to be the first time anywhere in the country that the mayor of a state's largest city has faced the elected chief executive of that city's county in a gubernatorial election, according to a Journal Sentinel survey of historians and librarians nationwide.

It's a distinction rooted in the structure of local governments, the political divisions between cities and rural areas and the career paths of local officials, Milwaukee scholars say.

And the outcome of this election might transform future races for two major local offices that until now have been seen more as capstones than steppingstones in political careers, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professor says. »Read Full Article

Oct. 10, 2010 | Hartland - A direct legislation petition submitted by a citizens group that seeks to limit where crematoriums can be located in the village is invalid, Hartland's clerk has determined.

Concerned about the potential for toxic chemicals in the air and groundwater, Hartland Residents Speak submitted a petition Sept. 21 calling for the Village Board to adopt an ordinance requiring that cremation facilities be located 1,000 feet from any residential property and/or public gathering place.

If the board declined to adopt such an ordinance, the direct legislation petition required village officials to schedule a referendum to let voters decide.

But after consulting with village attorneys, Clerk Connie Casper determined the petition is not valid because the ordinance it proposes would circumvent procedures required under state law for enacting or amending zoning ordinances.

Before a proposed zoning ordinance can be enacted, it must be referred first to a Plan Commission and have hearings. »Read Full Article

By Jon M. Gilbertson, Special to the Journal Sentinel

Oct. 10, 2010 | "Always leave them wanting more" was a piece of advice experienced entertainers regularly used to give up-and-comers.

Apparently, no old hand has passed along that wisdom to Jason Derülo, whose show Saturday at the Rave was short, but also too long.

Derülo ought to have known better: Although the young R&B artist turned 21 less than a month ago, he's already penned songs for the likes of Lil Wayne and Diddy.

Furthermore, his self-titled debut album, which came out earlier this year, lasts little more than half an hour.

Nevertheless, Derülo seemed to feel the need to put on a bigger, lengthier show, as if he were preparing for the larger venues and costlier ticket prices that will come should he vault to Usher's (or even Trey Songz's) heights. »Read Full Article

By Associated Press

Oct. 10, 2010 | Landover, Md. — Quarterback Aaron Rodgers got a concussion late in Green Bay's 16-13 overtime loss to the Washington Redskins, one of several injuries for the Packers on Sunday.

Rodgers was not made available to the media after the game. He did not miss any action but was slow to get up off the field after Green Bay's last offensive play, when he was intercepted by LaRon Landry.

Asked on which hit Rodgers sustained the concussion, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said: "I think it was the one at the end of the game."

Rodgers was 27 for 46 for 293 yards with one touchdown pass and the one interception. The Packers' last seven possessions resulted in four punts, two missed field goals and the turnover.

Rodgers was one of a handful of Packers players who were hurt Sunday: linebacker Clay Matthews strained his left hamstring; tight end Donald Lee hurt his shoulder; tight end Jermichael Finley was carted off the field with a bad knee after Green Bay's second offensive play and will have medical tests Monday; defensive lineman Ryan Pickett left two plays later with a sprained ankle; and safety Derrick Martin sprained a knee. »Read Full Article

Ryan Fieck

Oct. 10, 2010 | Milwaukee police are investigating how a popular 23-year-old University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student fell to his death early Sunday on Milwaukee's east side.

A stranger found Ryan Fieck face down on the running path along the 1900 block of N. Commerce St. beneath a concrete wall with a 10- to 12-foot drop. Fieck had been out with friends earlier at a pub crawl, according to a Milwaukee County medical examiner's report.

Credit cards and nearly $50 in cash were found in his pockets, along with his cell phone, according to the report.

Officials are still investigating the cause of death.

His parents, Mark and Lana Fieck of Appleton, told police that their son was excited about graduating in December and had a few job interviews lined up. »Read Full Article

Oct. 10, 2010 | Here are the details of Monday night's debate between U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Republican Ron Johnson.

The debate will be held at 7 p.m. on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Marathon County in Wausau.

The debate will open and close with 60-second statements from the candidates. Questions will then be asked by a panel of journalists.

The debate will be aired live on Wisconsin Public Radio statewide Ideas Network. The debate will be live streamed by the Wausau Daily Herald, WAOW-TV and WSAW-TV.

Oct. 10, 2010 | The great "summer" of 2010 continues Sunday as temperatures are expected to climb back to the low 80s in the western part of the Milwaukee area.

Even those along Lake Michigan will bask in unseasonably high 70s, according to WTMJ-TV (Channel 4) meteorologist Michael Fish.

Madison set a record high Saturday of 85, fully 23 degrees higher than normal for this time of year.

Clear skies should continue tonight with lows dipping to the mid-50s, Fish said.

Monday should be partly cloudy with a chance of a sprinkle or two, Fish said, with highs of 70 at the lakefront to 75 inland. Tuesday should be mostly sunny with highs of 66 at the lake to 70 in Waukesha.

Oct. 10, 2010 | Madison - As expected, Wisconsin crept up in both national football polls released Sunday.

The Badgers (5-1, 1-1 Big Ten Conference) moved up three spots to No. 16 in the USA Today coaches' poll and two spots to No. 18 in The Associated Press media poll.

The bigger news for UW fans is that the Badgers' next opponent, Ohio State, moved up one spot to No. 1 in both polls.

Coach Bret Bielema is 0-3 against the Buckeyes (6-0, 2-0) but gets another shot at 6 p.m. Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.

UW's last victory over Ohio State came in 2004 in Columbus, Bielema's first season as defensive coordinator. »Read Full Blog Post

St. Paul Pioneer Press

Chris Stevens of New Richmond, Wis., celebrates his win for biggest pumpkin in the world Saturday after his pumpkin weighed in at 1,810.5 pounds at Stillwater Harvest Fest in Minnesota.

Oct. 10, 2010 | Chris Stevens said things didn't look so good in his pumpkin patch this year.

There was too much rain and too much heat, making his plants susceptible to disease. Two of his best prize pumpkin prospects grew so fast they split, and on Sept. 25 - when he was away at a wedding and couldn't protect his plants - a freeze hit his garden in New Richmond, in western Wisconsin.

But as in many championship seasons, the adversity only made Stevens' remaining pumpkins better, and over the weekend he set a world record when his latest effort weighed in at 1,810.5 pounds, topping the previous record by 85 pounds. The record was noted immediately at a website for the pastime's governing body, Great Pumpkin Commonwealth.

"It's very rewarding to get things on the scale after all the work," Stevens said Sunday, after getting some much-needed sleep following Saturday's competition, celebration and other festivities at Minnesota's Stillwater Harvest Fest, where the second-place pumpkin came all the way from South Dakota.

Besides the honor, Stevens won a $2,000 prize, plus $1,000 more for setting a Wisconsin state record. »Read Full Article

Oct. 10, 2010 | New today from PolitiFact Wisconsin:

In a replay of an attack from the 2006 gubernatorial race, Democratic nominee Tom Barrett says Republican Scott Walker wants to ban stem cell research. Is Barrett on the mark?

Oct. 10, 2010 | Milwaukee police are investigating a shooting Saturday night in which a 31-year-old Chicago man was killed and three others were injured.

The shootings happened about 11:20 p.m. in front of a house in the 1400 block of N. 28th St. The three others, ages 20, 22 and 26, suffered non-life-threatening injuries to their legs.

Police also are investigating an earlier incident in which a 17-year-old Milwaukee man was shot on the sidewalk in the 2600 block of W. Lisbon Ave. The shooting occurred about 9:25 p.m. Saturday.

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Job Front: Workshops have career aid for green jobs - Sacramento Bee

Posted: 11 Oct 2010 12:00 AM PDT

Sacramento-area business and civic leaders continue to look to green and clean technology firms to grow the regional economy and get the region's work force back on the job.

For workers and job seekers trying to break into the emerging sector, charting a path to a new green job opportunity can be a mystery.

But a series of free green career workshops in Sacramento, sponsored by the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency on Wednesday and again Oct. 20, point the way.

The two-hour evening seminars provide resources to find green jobs and training programs, while helping job seekers and workers determine how their skills can translate into the new green field.

Wednesday's workshop is 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pannell Meadowview Community Center, 2450 Meadowview Road. On Oct. 20, the scene shifts to Valley Hi-North Laguna Library, 7400 Imagination Parkway, in Sacramento for a 5:30 p.m. workshop.

SETA introduced the workshops in March to supplement similar daytime courses offered at Sacramento Works One-Stop Career Centers across Sacramento and plans new workshops every quarter.

"We'd been doing the workshops at our career centers, but there's a need for those who can't make daytime sessions," said SETA's Terri Carpenter. "It's a precursor to see if people want to learn more" about green careers.

From the sessions, participants can go to local career centers for a career assessment to find if they are a fit for green jobs training, Carpenter said.

"There's a built-in economy – a lot of companies are siting here," Carpenter said. She pointed to a study by Palo Alto-based nonprofit Next 10 and Collaborative Economics Inc. of Mountain View that showed a 19.1 percent gain in green manufacturing jobs in Sacramento and the Sacramento Valley between 1995 and 2008.

"There's a lot of push from the mayor and from (U.S. Rep. Doris) Matsui for green jobs. That's what we're responding to," Carpenter said. "There's no way that we don't see jobs coming."

For more information and reservations, call Sacramento Works at (916) 263-4621.

CSUS center aids job hunt

Looking for work is a tough slog. The job search can be a blur of résumés and career fairs, interviews, networking and lead-chasing.

At California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J St., a counseling center is opening its doors to help job seekers.

The university's Center for Counseling and Diagnostic Services is offering free career and vocational rehabilitation counseling during the fall term. Graduate student counselors work one-on-one with clients under the eye of center professors, said Leo Gutierrez, the center's manager.

"I hope we can be of service to some of those who are experiencing difficulties finding a job, redirecting their careers or experiencing difficulty due to a disability or work-related injury," he said.

Hours are 6 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. Tuesdays; and 4:30 p.m. to 5:20 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. Thursdays.

For appointments and information, call the center at (916) 278-6252.

Military job fair on tap

Military personnel returning from active duty are the focus of a job fair Oct. 21 in Sacramento.

The "Honor a Hero, Hire a Vet" Job and Resource Fair is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 21 at Lions Gate Garden Pavilion, 5640 Dudley Blvd., at McClellan Park.

Sponsored by the state's Employment Development Department, fair visitors can meet with employers, find out about job opportunities, and receive career, benefits and training information as well as financing and other assistance.

For more information, call the EDD's Randy Hadley or Carol Katalbasat at (916) 227-0301.

Let us hear from you

Is your company hiring? Is your organization hosting a career fair? Is your campus rolling out a job skills program? Contact Job Front at dvsmith@sacbee.com.

Call The Bee's Darrell Smith, (916) 321-1040.

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