ALL OF WISCONSIN HAS A FIRE RATING TODAY OF HIGH OR VERY HIGH AFTER WARM AND DRY CONDITIONS. A LARGE WILD FIRE ERUPTED LAST NIGHT IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN.  DNR SPECIALIST CATHERINE KOELE SAYS THE FIRE IS MOSTLY UNDER CONTROL BUT THEY HAVE TO BE ON TOP OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. COLUMBIA, SAUK, AND MARQUETTE COUNTIES ARE RATED AS HIGH, WHILE ADAMS AND JUNEAU ARE IN THE VERY HIGH AREA. KOELE SAYS IT IS NOT A GOOD DAY TO BE BURNING ANYWHERE IN THAT STATE.

THE WISCONSIN DELLS PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVED MEASURES THAT WOULD ALLOW A 140 FOOT CELL TOWER TO BE BUILT NEAR THE RIVER AND DOWNTOWN. ISSUES WERE RAISED AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ABOUT THE VISIBILITY OF THE TOWER FROM THE RIVER. PLANNING ADMINISTRATOR CHRIS TOLLAKSEN SAYS THE ZONING IS STILL APPROVED BUT THE CITY WILL BE DOING MORE TO LOOK INTO HOW VISIBLE IT MAY BE. THE ISSUES WERE RAISED IN CONCERN OF AFFECTING THE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE OF THE RIVER.

THE SAUK COUNTY BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE HIRING OF A CONTRACTOR TO STUDY THE COUNTIES WORKER PAY. THE STUDY WOULD INCLUDE LOOKING AT ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES EXCEPT THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT UNION WHICH IS EXEMPT UNDER NEW STATE LAW. WHEN THE STUDY IS COMPLETED, AN ADJUSTMENT MODEL WOULD BE PROVIDED TO MAINTAIN FAIR WAGES FOR THE NEXT 25 YEARS.

THE WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY APPROVES A BILL WHICH WOULD LET BARS OR LIQUOR STORE OWNERS FILE SUIT AGAINST UNDERAGE DRINKERS WHO TRICK THEM INTO SELLING THEM ALCOHOL. THE LEGISLATION MOVES TO THE STATE SENATE NEXT. IT IS MEANT TO OFFER RECOURSE FOR TAVERN OR LIQUOR STORE OWNERS WHO OFTEN HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN FINES AND THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF THEIR LIQUOR LICENSES WHEN THEY SELL TO PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 21. ALASKA HAS HAD A SIMILAR LAW ONT HE BOOKS FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS.

MINNESOTA HAS BECOME THE 12TH STATE TO RECOGNIZE SAME-SEX MARRIAGES, BUT GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER SAYS PEOPLE SHOULD NOT EXPECT WISCOSNIN TO FOLLOW THEIR LEAD ANY TIME SOON. WISCONSIN VOTERS APPROVED A CONSTITUTIONAL BAN ON GAY MARRIAGE IN 2006.