WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 9:23 p.m.
By Charles F. Gardner
Bucks rout Heat, 121-95
The Milwaukee Bucks won their fifth straight home game, using a second-half outburst to defeat the Miami Heat, 121-95, on Wednesday night before a crowd of 17,136 at the Bradley Center.
Guards Michael Redd and Mo Williams led the Bucks (11-14), who outscored the Heat, 30-15, in the third quarter and 68-39 in the second half to erase a three-point halftime deficit. Redd finished with 28 points, while Williams picked up his first career triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Former Marquette University star Dwyane Wade led the Heat (11-14) with 27 points and eight assists while playing 39 minutes.
"I think defensively we turned it up a little bit," said Bucks guard Charlie Bell, who took a defensive turn against Wade, along with Ruben Patterson and Redd. "Coach (Terry Stotts) talked about putting a little more pressure on Wade because we knew he was going to have the ball. We did a great job of shutting him down and making other guys have to create."
Bucks center Andrew Bogut contributed 17 points, six rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes. Reserves Bell and Charlie Villanueva each scored 16 points as Milwaukee established a season-high for points (121) and scored a season-best 47 points off the bench.
Williams was one assist shy of his triple-double when Stotts pulled the rest of the starters with the Bucks leading, 111-81, and 3 minutes 47 seconds left. Williams got the assist on a three-pointer by Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova with 2:53 remaining, and the Bucks guard happily raised his arm while the crowd saluted him as he exited the court.
"I knew coach wasn't going to give me too many more trips to get it," Williams said. "I'm glad it happened really quick. Ersan off the bench, that's a tough shot. He made it for me, and I'm glad he did."
The Bucks hit 14 of 22 three-point attempts (63.6%) and sank 43 of 82 overall (52.4%).
"We kind of shot our way out of it," Wade said. "We shot quick shots in the third quarter, and they were able to get out in transition. They've got guys running to the three-point line and hitting. By the time you look up, man, with a team like this, it's a 20-point game."
Dorell Wright added 14 points and Antoine Walker 13 for Miami.
"We had random posssessions in transition (in the third quarter)," Heat coach Pat Riley said. "Then Bogut went to work on us. And in the fourth quarter, it was lights out."
The Bucks sank 14 of 19 shots in the final period, including 7 of 8 from three-point distance. Bell hit 3 of 3 three-pointers and Villanueva was 2 of 2 from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter.
"They were great," Riley said. "They had a lot to do with us not playing well."
Box | Photos
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 5:29 p.m.
Tosa teachers voting on new contract
Wauwatosa - After being unable to reach agreement on a new contract for nearly two years, teachers and the School Board appear close to an agreement.
Wauwatosa teachers are voting through tomorrow on the board's latest contract proposal, which calls for a 4.5% raise in this school year and in 2005-'06. The union is recommending that teachers accept the proposal.
Visit WauwatosaNOW.com for more on this story.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 5:11 p.m.
By Scott Williams
Vrakas riles sex offender study group
Members of an advisory group studying sex offenders in Waukesha County objected today after County Executive Dan Vrakas announced his opposition to a housing idea that the group was considering.
Vrakas' announcement came as the task force was holding its final meeting to decide whether to recommend a halfway house concept inside a former county nursing home.
After receiving the county executive's announcement in mid-meeting that the former nursing home was "not an option," some members complained and one left the meeting early.
"It's just garbage," said Hartland Police Chief Robert Rosch, a panel member who left early after saying the county should not form advisory groups if their ideas are not going to get full consideration.
Another task force member, former Waukesha Mayor Carol Lombardi, agreed, saying, "It makes us question why we've been here."
Several residents and community leaders have voiced opposition to the idea of transforming the former nursing home on Northview Road into a transitional living facility for sex offenders who are released from prison. Without voting on the idea, the nearly two-year-old task force today agreed to include the concept in its final report without any recommendation.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 5:10 p.m.
By Greg J. Borowski
Milwaukee sues AT&T; over video service
The city of Milwaukee filed a federal lawsuit today against AT&T; that aims to require the company to negotiate a cable franchise agreement for its soon-to-be-offered Internet protocol video service.
Such an agreement would force the phone company to make an annual payment to the city, something that Time Warner Cable already does under its longstanding franchise agreement with the city.
AT&T; argues that its new system, which is already under construction, does not meet the definition of cable television.
The lawsuit would put the decision in the hands of a judge. But many believe such a determination will ultimately come from the state which could decide - as others have - how the new systems should be treated.
In the meantime, AT&T; faces the prospect of similar lawsuits from other communities, especially where Time Warner or another cable provider already has an agreement in place.
Milwaukee City Attorney Grant Langley would not comment on the lawsuit.
He said, however, that the city is in talks with AT&T; on an interim agreement that would allow the company to "continue to build and operate" its system, which is to provide a 200-plus channel service dubbed "U-Verse."
A&T; recently launched the service in San Antonio and Houston and argues it is a boon for consumers, by creating more competition to cable monopolies.
In theory, an interim agreement would require a payment be made to the city and cover various regulatory matters.
Langley said he is "taking into account the agreement we have with Time Warner when we're negotiating the points of an agreement with AT&T.;"
AT&T; spokesman Jeff Bentoff said the company has "made very significant commitments to share revenue and transmit the public channels - a binding commitment."
He said, however, that the company does not believe its system is a cable system, as defined under federal law.
Said Bentoff: "We want to see the city continue to have revenue sharing when a cable customer shifts to our product."
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 5:07 p.m.
By Rick Barrett
Biodiesel plant planned for Butler
Plans have been announced for the Milwaukee area's first biodiesel refinery as interest heats up for renewable energy.
The refinery, planned for the Village of Butler, also could result in the area's first fueling station specializing in home-grown fuels, such as E85 ethanol.
Construction of the $4.4 million refinery is scheduled to begin in February with completion in July. The plant will be built on about three acres previously owned by the village.
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that can be made from soybeans, vegetable oil or restaurant grease. It can run in most diesel engines and can help reduce dependence on foreign oil.
The plant is being built by a group of five local investors that includes an environmental engineer. Production is expected to begin next summer at the rate of about 5 million gallons a year.
Initially, the plant will employ 10 people.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 4:54 p.m.
By Joel Dresang
Report gives state economy a 'C' for women
Wisconsin scored an average grade of "C" in a biennial report on the Best and Worst State Economies for Women.
Using various federal data, the Institute for Women's Policy Research ranked Wisconsin 25th best (tied with Ohio) among the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Wisconsin rated 5th in percentage of women in the labor force (66.6%) and 46th in percentage of working women in managerial or professional occupations.
The District of Columbia got the only "A" (A-minus, to be exact) from the Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group. Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, and West Virginia received "Fs."
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 4:19 p.m.
By Stanley A. Miller II
Node coffee shop closing
Node Coffee Shop, 1504 E. North Ave., is closing Friday. According to an assistant manager today, the 24-hour coffee shop is ending operations because business is slow.
Employees were told at a meeting Saturday that the nearly 4-year-old shop might close. The east side coffee spot employs about 12 people.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 3:57 p.m.
By Jacqueline Seibel
UPDATE: Details about dead man and fire
Vernon - Neighbors described Joseph Cervenansky today as a military veteran who collected guns, a man who kept to himself.
The 69-year-old was found dead with a single gunshot wound to his chest outside of his burning home this morning. Firefighters were called to the residence in the S7600 block of Alma Lane at 1:24 a.m. when a neighbor heard an explosion and then saw the house on fire.
"I heard a bang but didn't think anything of it," said Greg Benning, who lives across the street from Cervenansky. Another neighbor called him to tell him about the fire. Then Benning went across the street to wake up Mark Lubecke who lives adjacent to Cervenansky. "You don't expect something like this to happen in our quiet neighborhood," Lubecke said.
Lubecke, who lived in his home for 25 years, said Cervenansky was hard to get to know because he kept to himself.
He believed Cervenansky was a carpenter and served in the military. Cervenansky had been married at one time, he said.
Cervenansky, who lived alone, was found dead by deputies searching the perimeter of the home. Waukesha County Sheriff's Capt. Karen Ruff said authorities believe Cervenansky shot himself in the chest.
Big Bend/Vernon Fire Chief Phil Buchholtz said the house was fully engulfed in flame and the roof was collapsing when the department arrived.
Firefighters were not able to approach the house immediately because of a series of "pops" which were believed to be rounds of ammunition, he said.
It was too dangerous initially for firefighters to approach the home, he said.
The dwelling, assessed at $208,800, was a total loss.
Authorities do not yet know what caused the fire but do not believe it was an explosion since the windows were not blown out. The State Fire Marshal and the Sheriff's Department are investigating the cause of the blaze.
Fire departments from Tess Corners, Muskego, Mukwonago and the Town of Waukesha assisted Big Bend/Vernon in fighting the blaze.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 3:56 p.m.
By Dan Benson
Life in prison for milking parlor killing
West Bend - A 35-year-old Town of Farmington dairy farm worker was sentenced to life in prison today for killing a co-worker at a dairy farm in 2005.
Anselmo Gonzalez-Castillo had pleaded guilty in September to first-degree intentional homicide in the bludgeoning death of Roman Sanchez, 35.
Sanchez was struck in the head with a pipe in a darkened milking parlor at a farm on county Highway H on Dec. 12, 2005. He later died from the injuries suffered in the beating.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 3:09 p.m.
By Greg J. Borowski
UPDATE: McGee recall hearing to be Jan. 2
The city Election Commission will hold a hearing Jan. 2 to determine whether a recall election will be held for Milwaukee Ald. Michael McGee, officials said today.
The hearing will be a chance for both sides to state their case, said Sue Edman, executive director of the commission. She said neither side will be allowed to bring up new allegations that have not already been included in recent filings.
Earlier this month, McGee filed a challenge to the recall effort, claiming fraud on the part of recall organizers. Recall backers have denied the charge and say they will prevail at any hearing.
Jan. 3 is the deadline for the commission to decide whether recall leader ViAnna Jordan has collected enough valid signatures - 1,620 are needed - for the election to proceed.
Milwaukee police this week used a search warrant to take the original copies of the recall signatures, based on a referral to the Milwaukee County district attorney's office by Edman. She cited an affidavit by Joan Hollingsworth, who originally was paid to help recall organizers but later said she had misled signers about the purpose of the petition.
The Election Commission hearing is to begin at 9 a.m. in Room 102 of the Zeidler Municipal Building, which is adjacent to City Hall.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 2:40 p.m.
BC names Jagodzinski as new coach
Boston College today officially announced that Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski will be their new head coach.
Jagodzinski will be introduced at a press conference at 7 tonight Eastern time on the Boston College campus.
Here's the news release from Boston College.
Also see the Journal Sentinel story from earlier this week.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 2:29 p.m.
By Greg J. Borowski
Police are inspecting McGee recall papers
The Milwaukee Police Department has used a search warrant to take the original copies of recall petitions filed against Milwaukee Ald. Michael McGee based on allegations by McGee of fraud on the part of his opponents.
A search warrant on file at the Milwaukee County Courthouse shows that a police officer took the documents on Monday. It is unclear what the investigation may involve, though McGee and his attorney, Michael Maistelman, have alleged that circulators misled recall signers as to the purpose of the petition.
In addition, the city Election Commission asked the district attorney's office to investigate Joan Hollingsworth, who collected about 100 signatures while being paid by recall organizers but who has since filed an affidavit in support of McGee's claims. Hollingsworth pleaded no contest to a cocaine possession charge last week.
Sue Edman, executive director of the Election Commission, said her understanding is that the search warrant is a result of the letter she sent regarding Hollingsworth.
ViAnna Jordan, who organized the recall, has said the signatures were all collected properly.
She filed about 2,850 signatures late last month. The Election Commission this week said it had tossed out about 800 signatures, primarily because signers lived outside McGee's north side district.
Only 1,620 valid signatures are needed, which would give Jordan a cushion of about 400 signatures.
McGee has asked the Election Commission to toss out the effort. A decision must be made by Jan. 3. If the recall proceeds, it would be held in conjunction with the spring elections.
The allegations by McGee of fraud and impropriety do not involve forgeries, but issues with what was said to signers or claims that children circulated some of the petitions. As a result, it remains unclear what authorities may be looking at on the original petitions themselves.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 2:25 p.m.
By Meg Jones
Woman walking on 41 struck and killed
An 82-year-old Kaukauna woman was killed late last night when she stepped in front of traffic in Outagamie County.
You Lor was walking on southbound Highway 41 near County Highway N at 9:45 p.m. when she was struck by a vehicle heading south, according to the State Patrol.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 1:47 p.m.
By Greg J. Borowski
City committee to probe billing foul-up
A Milwaukee Common Council committee will hold a special meeting next week to look into why an internal mix-up resulted in tax bills being sent out that were short $9.1 million for the school district.
Ald. Michael Murphy, chairman of the committee, sent a letter today to City Clerk Ron Leonhardt asking for a written explanation of what went wrong as well as asking him to appear at a committee meeting on Dec. 27. The meeting is to begin at 10 a.m.
The city is wrestling with what to do now to resolve the problem. Part of the problem is a letter from the Milwaukee Public Schools that was sent to the city clerk's office, but not forwarded to the comptroller or treasurer for use in calculating bills.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 1:42 p.m.
By The Associated Press
2 UW-Stout players arrested in drug bust
Menomonie - Two University of Wisconsin-Stout football players were among four men arrested at two homes in which police recovered cocaine, marijuana and several thousand dollars in cash, authorities said today.
One of the football players arrested, senior linebacker Luke Steffen, 22, of Greenwood, told investigators that steroids also were bought, sold and used at his home, Police Chief Dennis Beety said.
Police also arrested junior reserve linebacker Nicholas OrRico, 21, of Lodi.
The arrests and search of the homes last Friday followed a month-long investigation by the West Central Drug Task Force, Assistant Police Chief Christopher Langlois said. An informant made drug buys for police as part of that operation, he said.
Langlois said the two homes searched were "connected through athletics at UW-Stout."
The other men arrested - two brothers ages 25 and 21 - were not students at UW-Stout, but one was a former student and football player, university spokesman Doug Mell said.
"At this time, this is an isolated incident," Mell said. "Everyone at UW-Stout understands the concerns it raises. We are determined to review this issue thoroughly and to take any steps necessary."
No criminal charges had been filed as of today against any of the men, according to the Wisconsin Court System Web site. Dunn County District Attorney Jim Peterson did not immediately return a telephone message.
UW-Stout finished its football season Nov. 11 with a 3-7 record. Steffen was named a first-team, all-conference defensive player, Mell said.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 12:51 p.m.
By Thomas Content
Ratepayer group opposes Point Beach sale
The Citizens' Utility Board will oppose the sale of the Point Beach nuclear plant, the group's leader said today.
"We're concerned that it's going to raise rates for consumers," said Charlie Higley, executive director of CUB.
We Energies said today it plans to sell the Point Beach nuclear plant to FPL Energy in a deal valued at nearly $1 billion. Under the deal, the Milwaukee-based utility would continue to buy electricity from Point Beach "for the expected remaining life of each unit at the plant," the company said.
The ratepayer group is concerned that profits from selling electricity that We Energies doesn't need for its own customers wouldn't flow back to state ratepayers, as they do today, he said.
CUB was among several groups that mobilized to oppose the sale of Wisconsin's other nuclear plant, Kewaunee, in proceedings before the state Public Service Commission several years ago.
David Benforado, executive director of the Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin, which also opposed the Kewaunee sale, said he didn't know yet what position his group would take on the sale of Point Beach.
"We are absolutely interested in learning more about it," he said.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 12:17 p.m.
Feds: Doral Dental paid Tennessee pol
Former Tennessee Sen. John Ford was indicted in Nashville this week on charges that he took $400,000 in payments from Doral Dental for helping the Mequon company secure a lucrative state contract.
Spivak & Bice have more on their weblog.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 11:42 a.m.
By Paul Gores
Red Cap campaign raises research money
The Green Bay Packers and American Family Insurance "red cap" campaign in support of research on heart disease and defects has raised $54,000 for the Herma Heart Center at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, the hospital said today.
The joint fund-raising campaign offered red baseball-style caps featuring the Packers "G" on the front. The hats sold for $15 each, with $5 of every sale going to charity.
Paul Ross of the Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation and 7-year-old Patrick Atwell of De Pere, who underwent multiple surgeries at Children's to correct a severe heart defect, will accept the donation on behalf of the hospital in a ceremony before Thursday's Packers game at Lambeau Field.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 11:06 a.m.
By Tom Daykin
Convention center makes marketing push
The agency that operates the Midwest Airlines Center wants to better market that convention facility's consumer-oriented shows to people living outside the Milwaukee area.
More out-state marketing for the annual auto show and other consumer events could bring more weekend visitors to Milwaukee, Wisconsin Center District board chairman Frank Gimbel said today.
The auto show, home-builders show and other consumer shows have not traditionally been viewed as big business generators for downtown hotels. That's because most of the attendees, unlike people who come to conventions, typically live in the Milwaukee area.
However, Gimbel and other board members said there is great potential to increase overnight visits to Milwaukee by marketing those shows in connection with other local attactions, such as Discovery World and the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Documenting the impact of out-of-town consumer show attendees on downtown hotels and other businesses could help strengthen the case for expanding the convention center, Gimbel said at a Wisconsin Center District board meeting.
Gimbel said local leaders should consider reviving a proposal to expand the convention center.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 10:30 a.m.
By Patrick Marley
ID measure will cost state $21 million
Madison - The head of the state Transportation Department warned members of Congress that unless fixed, a new federal law requiring more secure IDs will cost Wisconsin motorists almost $21 million over two years and create longer lines at driver license stations.
The DOT is recommending the state raise driver license fees $10 - from $24 to $34 - to cover the increased costs. Gov. Jim Doyle and lawmakers would have to sign off on such a hike for obtaining and renewing licenses, which are good for eight years.
"The new Congress must fix the problem the last Congress created," Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi wrote to the state's congressional delegation. "Unless they do, motorists will be in for a rude awakening in 2008 as they face new fees, fewer (Division of Motor Vehicle) locations, longer lines, less convenience and more frustration with no real guarantee that their troubles will actually be worthwhile in the form of added security."
Raising the driver license fee would generate more than $22 million over two years, more than covering the $20.7 million the department says it would need to comply with the new federal law during that period.
But the department's cost projections are only rough estimates because the federal Department of Homeland Security has yet to spell out what the states must do under the law. If it requires tougher standards than what the state expects, costs would run higher.
Doyle spokesman Matt Canter said unless Congress provided aid to the states, Wisconsin would have to raise revenue to cover the increased costs.
"The fee increase sought by the DOT is the leading option, but no budget decisions have been made," Canter said.
Doyle will present his budget to the Legislature early next year.
Separately, the department is requesting the state raise the fee to register vehicles by $25 a year, taking it from $55 to $80. That new money help pay for road projects and maintenance. Doyle has said he wants to see an increase closer to $10.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 9:59 a.m.
By Joel Dresang
MATC awarded Bader Foundation grant
Milwaukee Area Technical College said today it has received a two-year $120,000 grant from the Helen Bader Foundation to hire a manager of economic development.
The manager will establish partnerships among MATC's Office of Corporate Learning, work force development agencies, area employers and adult basic education providers.
The work will be guided by a committee representing MATC, the City of Milwaukee, the Greater Milwaukee Committee, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and the Helen Bader Foundation.
MATC said the objective is to integrate short-term training to help bridge the gap between low skill levels among job applicants and the high skill levels demanded by employers. After training and placing workers, MATC plans to work with employers to provide continued education to the trainees.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 9:51 a.m.
By Rick Barrett
Modine wins contract from China's SANY
Modine Manufacturing Co. (MOD) of Racine is taking another step into China with a contract to build air-conditioning systems for Chinese construction equipment.
The contract is valued at $4.1 million over five years.
The equipment will be built at a Modine plant in China beginning in February. It will be for small excavators made by SANY Heavy Industry Holding Co., in Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 9:43 a.m.
By Joel Dresang
R.R. Donnelly to buy Waterloo printer
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. (RRD), the world's largest printing company, said this morning it will buy privately owned Perry Judd's Holdings Inc., in Waterloo, for $176 million in cash.
Chicago-based Donnelley said about $47 million of the purchase price is for Perry Judd's common stock and the rest is for the company's preferred stock and the assumption of debt.
Perry Judd's prints magazines and catalogs at plants in Baraboo; Spencer, Iowa; and Strasburg, Va. Donnelley expects to close the deal in the first quarter of 2007.
Monday, Donnelley received regulatory approval for its $1.3 billion cash buyout of Menasha-based Banta Corp. (BN), a printing and supply-chain management company. Banta shareholders are scheduled to vote on the $36.50 per share sale next month.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 9:33 a.m.
By Jacqueline Seibel
House explodes in suspected suicide
A 69-year-old Vernon man was found dead of a gunshot wound outside his exploded home this morning.
Waukesha County Sheriff's Capt. Karen Ruff said authorities believe Joseph Cervenansky shot himself in the chest.
Authorities do not yet know what caused the house explosion.
Neighbors called the Sheriff's Department after hearing an explosion about 1:25 a.m.
When deputies arrived the house was fully engulfed and the roof had collapsed.
Deputies searched the area and found Cervenansky in a wooded area of the lot, at W224-S7665 Alma Lane.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 9:29 a.m.
By Tom Daykin
Budweiser introduces gluten-free beer
Anheuser-Busch Cos. (BUD) is launching a new beer that will be targeted to people with celiac disease, a genetic disorder that makes it difficult to digest many grain-based products, including beer.
The new beer, Redbridge, is brewed with sorghum. It will compete with other gluten-free beers, including New Grist, a beer launched a year ago by Milwaukee's Lakefront Brewery Inc. New Grist has been a big hit for Lakefront, which expects its sales volume to grow by over 40% this year because of that brand's growth.
Anheuser-Busch, the nation's largest brewer, acknowledged this summer it was test marketing a gluten-free beer. People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and oats. Nearly all beers are made with malted barley, making them off limits for people who have the disease. Sorghum has emerged as an acceptable alternative for making beer.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 9:08 a.m.
By Thomas Content
FPL to buy Point Beach for $998 million
We Energies said today it plans to sell Point Beach nuclear plant to FPL Energy in a deal valued at nearly $1 billion.
Under the deal, the Milwaukee-based utility would continue to buy electricity from Point Beach "for the expected remaining life of each unit at the plant," the company said.
The deal is valued at $783 million for the plant itself and $215 million for nuclear fuel and inventories, FPL said. We Energies is the main subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corp. (WEC). FPL is a subsidiary of FPL Group (FPL), an $11 billion company based in Juno Beach, Fla.
The announcement comes after We Energies conducted a nearly yearlong review of options for the future ownership and management of the two-reactor nuclear plant, the state's largest nuclear plant. Located in Two Creeks in Manitowoc County, Point Beach opened in 1970 and 1973 and has an operating license that runs through the early 2030s.
"We had no pre-determined outcome when we began the review of our options for Point Beach," said Gale Klappa, chairman, president and chief executive of Wisconsin Energy Corp. "Our goal was to identify the best outcome for our customers and stockholders and to protect a valuable energy resource for Wisconsin. I believe we have achieved that goal."
The sale would add Point Beach to a growing list of nuclear plants that have been sold in recent years to companies that are building up fleets of nuclear plants across the country. The Kewaunee nuclear plant was sold by two Wisconsin utilities last year, and FP&L; bought the Duane Arnold nuclear plant in Iowa in January.
"Point Beach provides us with another low-cost, emission-free, baseload generation source in the Midwest and complements our existing nuclear and wind assets in the region," said Jim Robo, president and chief operating officer of FPL Group. The Kewaunee deal was opposed by several customer groups in Wisconsin that were concerned that it would lose of state oversight and that profits from the plant's sale would move out of state. Kewaunee is now owned and operated by Dominion Resources Inc. (D)of Richmond, Va.
The sale of Point Beach needs approval from state regulators as well as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. The deal is expected to close in August 2007.
Under the agreement, We Energies projects that the cost per kilowatt-hour for customers is below the projected cost of power had We Energies continued to own and operate the plant.
Point Beach has about 660 full-time employees. FPL Energy said it has agreed to retain non-bargaining unit employees at Point Beach at comparable wages and benefits for 18 months following the close of the sale. In addition, FPL Energy will honor all labor agreements for bargaining unit employees.
In a separate agreement with FPL, also announced today, FPL has provided We Energies with an option permitting FPL Energy to build the Blue Sky Green Field wind power project in Fond du Lac County. FPL also allows We Energies to buy a site under development for a wind farm in central Wisconsin.
FPL is the largest wind energy producer in the United States, with 47 projects around the country, including Wisconsin's largest wind farm, the Montfort Wind Energy Center near Dodgeville.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 8:01 a.m.
By John Diedrich
2 dead, 1 injured in overnight violence
Two people were killed, a third was shot but survived and police officers exchanged gunfire with robbers in a spasm of violence on Milwaukee's streets overnight, police said.
At 9 p.m., police found a 17-year-old male dead with a wound to the head in 2900 block of N. 22nd St. Police aren't sure if he was shot, stabbed or beaten. Police are looking for suspects.
Just after midnight, a man, 21, was found shot to death in the 2700 block of N. 54th St. Police were not releasing any information on a motive or suspect.
At 8 p.m., a 42-year-old man was shot in the buttocks in the 6300 block of W. Kaul Ave. He is expected to survive. Police are looking for a known suspect.
At 7:30 p.m., officers were near W. Capitol and N. Teutonia avenues investigating a sandwich store robbery when another robbery occurred at a nearby Walgreens, police said.
The officers spotted the robber and there was an exchange of gunfire with one officer and the robber firing, police said. Apparently, no one was hit. The robber escaped.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 6:19 a.m.
PODCAST: This morning's JS delivered
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WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2006, 6:11 a.m.
By Meg Jones
FirstWatch: What's ahead in the news today
Yo Adrian - please put an end to Rocky movies.
The sixth installment of Sylvester Stallone's punch-drunk fighter who likes to beat up defenseless sides of beef opens in theaters today.
In "Rocky Balboa," the writer-director-actor is taking the story back to its roots; read Journal Sentinel film critic Duane Dudek's review here.
Today's the last day to drop empty popcorn boxes on the floor at the Rivoli Theater in Cedarburg. The 70-year-old single-screen downtown theater is showing its last movie - "Open Season" at 7 p.m. - before closing its doors. Marcus Theatres Corp. announced in June that it was shutting down the old-fashioned movie house.
In other soon-to-be news, a Mukwonago woman is scheduled to be sentenced in Waukesha today for killing her brother in an alcohol-related motorcycle crash in Vernon in 2005. Tamara P. Hurzeler, 42, was convicted of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle in the death of Timothy E. McGeshick, 42.
Milwaukee residents living in Police District 2 are invited to the monthly crime trend meeting at 6 p.m. at the Kosciuszko Community Center, 2201 S. 7th St. The meetings focus on crime reduction strategies and sharing information with the community.
The Admirals hit the road tonight to take on the Omaha Knights at 7 p.m.
Sports Illustrated's Athlete of the Year breezes in to the Bradley Center this evening. Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat battle the Bucks. Tipoff's at 7.
And the two left lanes of westbound I-94 at 26th Street close down from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday.
