STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAU) -- A new program formed to help protect police dogs is helping Portage County’s newest K9. Portage County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Daniel Kontos says their recently-acquired four legged crime fighter names Lady is getting a bullet and stab proof protective dog vest.  “An organization called Vested Interest in K9’s has a grant, and they were providing these vests for K9’s across the country. There were about 350 of them that were offered up, and we applied, and we were accepted.”

Portage County deputies currently have two Belgian Malinois K9 officers named Lady and Baco.

Kontos says their good fortune began as another community experienced a tragedy, and people stepped up with donations.  “This organization did it in memory of a K9 that was killed in Pittsburgh in January of this year, so it’s a relatively new program, and we’re hoping when an opportunity like this comes along again, we may be able to get Baco one of those as well.”

Lady is a dual purpose patrol/narcotics detection dog who goes everywhere with her handler, Deputy John White. She is specially trained in, tracking and apprehending suspects, searching for lost persons, handler protection, conducting searches of large areas for articles, as well as searching buildings, vehicles, and other areas for illegal substances, such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, as well as their derivatives.

So far, Vested Interest in K9’s has received over $335,000 nationwide this year alone.  Through private and corporate sponsorships, they have provided over 1,100 law enforcement dogs in 39 states with protective vests since 2009. There are an estimated 30,000 police dogs throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc is a 501c (3) organization, and is still accepting tax deductible donations through their website.

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAU) -- A summer-long investigation into an officer-involved shooting death is over, and no charges will be filed.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice and Portage County District Attorney Louis Molepske Jr. have concluded that Detective Anthony Gischia acted reasonably when he shot Charles W. Jameson, who had entered Gischia’s home wearing a mask, but was caught inside.  “Well, after lengthy investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation through the Department of Justice, over two months of review by them, and lengthy review by me with over one thousand pages of documents, determined that Detective Gischia acted reasonably under the privilege of self defense when he found an intruder in a ski mask dressed in black in his home.”

Molepske says the masked Jameson attacked Gischia, and failed to stop when warned.  “That intruder brandished a dangerous weapon, hit the detective with this weapon, and the detective then used self defense by firing two rounds at him, causing Charles Jameson’s death.”

The weapon was a frying pan.

After Jameson was shot, investigators discovered even more evidence showing Jameson intended to harm Gischia and fiancee Brittany Fasching.  “His car was searched. In the car, there was multiple loaded firearms, a meat cleaver, handcuffs, a change of clothes, and other things that would lead me and the common bystander reviewing this entire case to determine that Mr. Jameson entered that residence of Detective Gischia and Miss. Fasching with the intention to do them harm.

Jameson’s autopsy showed there was also a high level of medications used for treating anxiety, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, and seizures, along with antipsychotics and medications for pain.

The Plover home was damaged extensively by several gallons of diesel fuel Jameson had splashed throughout the house preparing to set it on fire.

Molepske confirms that both Detective Gischia and Fasching have resumed normal activities after their dangerous experience in May.

MOSINEE, Wis. (WSAU) -- Governor Walker was in Mosinee yesterday for the groundbreaking of a new expansion at Arow Global.

Walker said at a press conference that the state is offering up $500,000 in tax credits and loans to help the company with the expansion and that this was more proof that his administration is helping to create jobs across the state. The 22,000 square foot addition to the window manufacturing plant will add two lines to construction and improve workflow inside the facility. Arow says the plans will add 63 jobs and retain 143 jobs over the next three years.

Governor Walker is expected to return to the Wausau Area this afternoon with a trip to Hsu's Ginseng.

MADISON, Wis. (WSAU) -- Several Wisconsin Democrats are pushing for longer service hours at the state’s Division of Motor Vehicle offices. It’s not to shorten the line for renewing your license plates.

Thirty-five Democratic Legislators want the extended service hours. They say this will provide more opportunities for citizens to get their voter ID cards before the November 4th election. One of them is Stevens Point Representative Katrina Shankland, who claims nearly 300-thousand registered voters do not have a valid form of identification to vote. Based on that estimate, Shankland says it would take 25-thousand extra man hours to make the cards if each person needed only five minutes at the DMV office.

Shankland says several DMV offices such as Wittenberg are not open every day. She also wants the DMV to start a new mobile office for making voter ID cards. Shankland says it’s imperative to do this quickly so people can exercise their right to vote one month from tomorrow.

The Democrat’s proposal doesn’t address how the DMV hours or mobile center would be funded.

Driver’s licenses are accepted to vote, even if they are expired or revoked. More guidelines for having the proper ID can be found at the Government Accountability Board website, bringit.wi.gov.

­­­­­­­UNDATED (WXPR) -- An advocate working with victims says call for help if you feelthreatened in a domestic situation. The group End Domestic Violence Wisconsin said there were 55 deaths related to domestic violence last year.

Braden Bayne-­Allison from Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault headquartered in Rhinelander says 16 of those deaths were from murder-­suicides, with the rest from domestic violence.  "We choose to honor the 39 people who survived in a very scary and dangerous household until, unfortunately, they weren't capable of surviving through that anymore."

Bayne-­Alllison says domestic violence situations often continue to get worse over time. He says advocates are always concerned about safety and getting people help in potentially lethal situations. He says warning signs are people who try to exert power and control over others.  "Be that isolating them from their friends, their families, their support networks. Trying to control what they do, where they go, controlling finances and using tactics that mean to intimidate people."

Bayne-­Allison says laws were past this past legislative session enabling the removal of firearms from homes where domestic abuse occurs. He says if a person is uncomfortable, trust your instincts. He says call the police or 9­1­1 or Tri­-County Council for help.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- Several homes in Wisconsin will be getting new furnaces Saturday, and they will all be free of charge. It’s called the Heat U.P. Wisconsin program, which started five years ago when the state’s Lennox dealers were looking for a way to help their communities.

Kathy DiPalma is with Gilray Heating & Cooling in Wausau. She says the dealers started taking nominations for households that needed a new furnace, but their present situation made it difficult to get the job done.  “You know, normally, they’d be able to do everything for themselves, but sometimes they just need a helping hand, and we wanted to know how to do it, and we kind of asked the people at Lennox if they would help us do it, and together it got figured out. Lennox would donate some furnaces if the dealers would do the work.”

DePalma says that first year’s event on a Saturday in October was busy.  “We did over 70, I want to say, the first year. Pretty much, one for nearly every county, that we did. It was either an individual or a family, and pretty much every dealer had something to do.”

The success of Heat U.P. Wisconsin has prompted dealers in some other states to copy the Wisconsin model.  “Several years ago, Minnesota joined us in starting their own program, and this year, we’ve been joined by New York State, Iowa, Washington State.”

Heat U.P. Wisconsin has a website with information, and a place to nominate potential recipients.  You can also call your local dealers to nominate someone.  DiPalma says when the Lennox dealers get together, they sort out that year’s nominations.  “They go through them all, divide them up by counties, and by dealers, and pass them out, and the dealers check them over and figure out which one is the best one for their area who needs the help the most.”

Christina Sessions of Wausau is a past recipient of a new furnace. She says the program had a huge impact on their family.  “The difference for us was I had an emergency brain surgery earlier in that year, and with our medical debt and a new furnace being needed, without this, we would have lost our home.”

Sessions and some of the other past recipients stay involved in the program, often helping Gilray Heating & Cooling at the recipient’s home with things like serving lunch or helping with the landscaping or preparations. Sessions also promotes the program year around, and encourages people to nominate themselves or someone that could benefit from a new furnace.  “It’s a nomination program. You don’t have to be low income. You don’t have to be high income. You don’t have to be military. You don’t have to be anything at all other than you basically have an old furnace, or you know somebody that has an old furnace that might be down on their luck or just aren’t in the financial ability to make that huge investment.”

Lennox dealers around the state will be doing the installs this Saturday. The furnaces are all brand new and fully-warrantied gas forced air units donated by Lennox.

(You can hear our interviews with Kathy DiPalma and Christina Sessions on our website, here.)

NEKOOSA, Wis (WSAU) -- The annual Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest returns this weekend for some great harvest time fun at the Nekoosa Business Park.

Organizer Ginny Johnson says there's something for everyone. "Free games and entertainment, we have contests and a carnival. And then of course for the adults there's shopping and a car show and a tractor show, and everyone loves the giant pumpkin weigh off." There's also the annual pumpkin pie eating contest, the annual pumpkin roll and more.

Johnson says they'll be capping off each night with the Giant Pumpkin Drop, where giant pumpkins will be dropped from a crane. "We've got a local grower, he's from Rudolph: Josiah Brant. He's grew two pumpkins especially for us to drop at this event. We know one of them weighs 1300 pounds, and the second one will be weighed here at this event, and that one's expected to be 1500 pounds, so that will be exciting."

Tickets to the show are $3 and kids under 10 get in free. The fest runs Saturday from 9pm to 5pm and Sunday from 9am to 4pm.

ON THE WEB:

http://nekoosagiantpumpkinfest.com/

EAGLE RIVER, Wis. (WXPR) -- If you missed Cranberry Fest in Warrens last weekend, don’t worry. There’s plenty of cranberries and activities a little further north this weekend.

Visitors are pouring into Eagle River for their Cranberry Fest. This weekend’s event is expected to draw 40-thousand people to the area.

Chamber of Commerce Director Kim Emerson says planning the huge event takes all year.   “So when it’s over I start over on the next year. And you’re getting all of the things lined up – the cranberries, the craisins, the marsh winery tours. All of the different integral parts that help make the festival so special.”

It’s the 35th year of Eagle River's Cranberry Fest.  Emerson says setup for the festival is well underway, with large tents going up to house more than 300 vendors.  “And then from there everybody starts moving in. All the different cranberry foods, beers and wines, the world’s largest cranberry cheesecake. Everybody starts coming onto the grounds, the crafters all start setting up in preparation for the big day which is opening at 9 am on Saturday morning.”

Emerson says it takes over 400 volunteers to run Cranberry Fest.

The event happens at the Vilas County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, with cranberry marsh tours happening daily now through the weekend.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- A business expansion celebration had an international flair Friday in Wausau. Hsu Ginseng Enterprises celebrated their 40th anniversary and the opening of a new 40,000 square foot processing building at their site north of Wausau. Several dignitaries took part in the in the ribbon cutting, as attendants sampled ginseng cuisine from top chefs, while traditional Asian drummers played as a yellow dragon entertained the crowd.

Governor Scott Walker says ginseng is a highly sought after crop in China, Taiwan, and Korea. It’s part of Wisconsin’s booming agricultural economy.  “We just had some new, updated numbers in terms of the impact of agriculture on the state’s economy. It’s over 88-billion dollars, second only to manufacturing in the State of Wisconsin. 88-billion dollar impact on an annual basis.”

During a trade mission to China this past spring, Walker was able to see just how popular Wisconsin ginseng is in a region where the root is prized for its medicinal values.  “One of the most interesting things about that trip to China last spring was to see the reaction, and I love seeing the packaging on the way through to see the red, white, and blue in the stores we went into, and to see how people reacted, not just to American ginseng, but to seeing it was authentic, Wisconsin grown American ginseng.”

The Governor says agricultural tourism is a growing business in Wisconsin, and people are coming from around the world to see what’s here.  “We’ve got a tremendous tourism opportunity, because we’re seeing it all around the world. The people want to see where the food that they purchase comes from. They want to see and they want to know, and they want to feel the whole impact on that.”

Paul Hsu founded the company while he was working as a social worker for the state back in the early 1970’s. He started after sending two pounds of Wisconsin ginseng to his mother, who told him how good it was and how she felt better after eating it.  “Both of us worked two jobs. The business grew, and I had to quit the state’s service in 1975, the week before my son Will was born, and the move to Wausau to start the ginseng business.”

Hsu says the success of the company is thanks to the many full and part time workers.  “Every one of my 135 employees, full time employees, at both Hsu Ginseng Enterprises and Hsu Ginseng Farms for their dedication and hard work, as well as hundreds of part-time Hmong and Mexican contract workers.”

The expansion project was aided by tax credits and loans worth $500,000. Hsu’s operation will be adding more employees, too.

Ginseng is big news overseas. Hsu Ginseng Enterprises focuses on exporting to southeast Asia, and well over a dozen journalists and photographers from Taiwan, China, and nearby countries were in Wausau to cover the event.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- Marathon County deputies say they've been getting reports of suspicious people claiming to be with political parties canvassing neighborhoods.

Patrol Lieutenant Bill Millhausen says the people either claim to be taking a survey and ask for personal information, or are asking for entry into the house to talk with the residents. That's a sign they may not be there for legitimate reasons. "They may be casing your house for later criminal involvement, to see one, if any one is even home and number two, to if you do allow them in, to see what property or contents you may have that would be of interest of them to come back later."

If they come up to your door asking to do a survey and you're worried about who they are, Millhausen says you should ask for their identification. "If it's a legitimate entity, those people would be happy to provide that information for you. If not, certainly elevate your awareness and probably terminate your conversation with them."

If you have safety concerns contact the Marathon County Sheriff's Office at (715)261-1200 or call 911 if you think it's an emergency.

MARSHFIELD, Wis. (WSAU) -- The pit bull that was shot by a police officer in Marshfield last month is having surgery today. 

The six-year-old dog’s name is Carley, and she was wounded by a bullet September 20th when she threatened Marshfield and Wood County Sheriff’s Department officers. The dog’s owner, Ashley Seidel, was walking the dog early that morning when she passed out from her medications.

The bullet went into the dog’s mouth and shoulder, and the operation to remove the bullet will happen at All Care Animal Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids. Over 130 donors from around the country have contributed over $3,600 for the operation through a crowdfunding website.

Wood County Sheriff’s Department officials say the pit bull was growling and baring teeth as it approached them tending to Seidel, who was unconscious on a South Cedar Avenue sidewalk.

UNDATED (WSAU) -- More road work is scheduled for this week in central Wisconsin.

Starting today, Highway 29 near Edgar will have lane closures between Hilldale Road and Fairview Drive for pavement repair. These projects are scheduled to be completed by October 17th.

Be watching for highway sign replacements on 29 and 51 in Marathon County for the next several days. Some of these projects will require reduced speeds and lane closures.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, expect delays from single-lane closures on Wausau’s Thomas Street bridge for minor maintenance work.

Elsewhere in the region, Highway 10 in Waupaca County will have some pavement repairs done between Fremont and Waupaca. Expect several different single lane closures between now and Thursday afternoon, October 9th. Next week, I-39 will be reduced to single lane traffic and reduced speeds at Stevens Point, as work begins on the 5.4 million dollar replacement of bridge decks over Reserve Street, which is on the city’s north side next to Sentry Insurance and SentryWorld. This project starts Monday October 13th.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- Workplace issues among Wausau city employees have prompted criticism from the public and city council members, and have prompted Mayor Jim Tipple to evaluate how issues get handled. The most publicized issues surround Finance Director Maryanne Groat, who faces a 10 day suspension sometime this year for workplace harassment and former Public Works Director Brad Marquardt for violation of laws related to the Stewart Avenue decorative birds project.

Tipple says he issued two memos Thursday concerning employee relations inside city hall.  “I issued two memos to City Council and department heads indicating the direction we wanted to go, with reports and interaction with the council, getting feedback from them.”

WSAU has not seen the memos. The mayor described them in very general terms.  “I put together the goals and objectives for the senior staff. Those are outlined out there so everybody can see the things we’re working on the goals we’re working on to obtain, and it’s just another step in the process of building a strong team and moving forward.”

The Mayor says it is not unusual to make changes to these guidelines. Tipple says personnel policies need review and updates from time to time.  “Personnel issues, personnel policies are a moving target. They’re always opportunities to improve upon them and we have in the past, and we’ll continue to do that in the future.”

Tipple says the Thursday memos went to city staff and council members who may wish to offer their feedback. The Mayor says his memos from Thursday should help city staff understand how to better interact with each other.  “Yes, you know, and it outlines, you know, the interaction between the staff. Everybody knows what each other’s goals are, and again, it’s an effort to build a strong team, and I know we’re moving in the right direction. I think people will realize that once they’ve looked at the memos and start working with them, and getting the feedback we’re looking for.”

Tipple says he hopes the guidelines help resolve any possible problems early so they don’t become large problems later.  “If there’s something that they would like changed, or a little different in maybe either the reporting or whatever, that gives them an opportunity to give feedback to me, so if anything needs to be corrected, it can be corrected when it’s happening and not sometime in the future when it’s long gone unresolved.”

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- Friends and family gathered in Wausau on Saturday to pay their respects to Stephanie Low, six days before the fourth anniversary of her disappearance.

Services were held on Saturday at Peterson/Kraemer funeral home to lay Stephanie Low to rest. Police recovered her body last month after she had been missing for nearly four years.

This Friday is the anniversary of Stephanie Low’s disappearance and apparent death. A candlelight vigil and balloon release will be held at Oak Island Park that day. Organizers will be releasing 400 balloons with seeds inside to mark the event.

State justice officials have filed first degree homicide charges against Kristopher Torgerson in the death of Low. Torgerson lead police to Low's body last month after officials were readying charges against him based on evidence collected from interviews.

Torgerson will be back in court on October 15th for an initial appearance before Judge Jill Fallstad.

UNDATED (WRN)  The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal in a case challenging Wisconsin’s gay marriage ban, clearing the way for same sex couples in the state to once again wed.

The court turned down a request to hear arguments on an appeals court decision from last month, which upheld a previous court ruling from August that overturned the 2006 state constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage. The court also rejected similar appeals from Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, and Virginia.

Justices offered no comment on their decision, but the order immediately ends stays on court decisions in those states that have kept same sex marriages on hold.

Messages seeking comment from the state Department of Justice and ACLU, which filed the original challenge to Wisconsin’s ban, were not immediately returned.

SCHOFIELD, Wis. (WSAU) -- An off-duty Rothschild police officer face charges after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman last week.

22-year-old Corey A. Yolitz is facing charges of second degree sexual assault and burglary. The 21-year-old victim had received a ride home from a bar from Yolitz early in the morning on Friday. He later returned and allegedly had sex with the woman, who awakened to find it was not her boyfriend. Yolitz was identified by the victim as he ran towards his car.

The woman was treated at Wausau Aspirus Hospital, where Everest Metro Police officers were called to begin their investigation.

Yolitz was off-duty at the time of the incident. Rothschild police chief Jeremy Hunt says Yolitz was removed from active duty when the allegations were reported, and Yolitz resigned as of Saturday. He was hired less than four months ago.

Yolitz is free on a $2,500 cash bond.

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAU) -- A Manawa man has plead not guilty to first-degree attempted intentional homicide in Portage County.

33-year-old Brett Lieberman was arraigned in Portage County Court Monday by Commisioner David Worzalla after being accused of attacking Officer Andrew Hopfensperger during a traffic stop in Plover. Hopfensperger shot Lieberman several times to subdue him during the attack in August.

A pre-trial conference has been scheduled for November 10th. Lieberman remains in custody on a $100,000 cash bond.

MADISON, Wis (WRN)  The first lady of the United States is in Wisconsin today.Michelle Obama is in Madison lending her support to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke for another “grassroots campaign event.”

Mrs. Obama was in Milwaukee just last week urging eligible voters to commit to getting to the polls in November to cast their ballot in what continues to be a close race to the governor’s office. The first lady told supporters in Wisconsin’s largest city the importance of being “passionate” and “hungry” to win the election.

This is Mrs. Obama’s first public appearance to Wisconsin’s capital city since the 2008 presidential election, but her eighth to the state.

UNDATED (WRN)  Governor Scott Walker concedes the fight against gay marriage in Wisconsin is over. The U.S. Supreme Court refuses to consider an appeal of the same-sex marriage ban in Wisconsin — and four other states.

As for the hundreds of couples who had tied the knot in June, Walker says it’s up to the courts to decide whether those unions will be legally recognized. “We’re going to follow the law according to the court of appeals. We’ll have to leave that up to the attorney general office as to the proper way to do that.” He says the federal courts have been pretty clear and he’ll abide by their decisions.

Majority voters in 2006 approved a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Wisconsin, but that decision went through a series of appeals. Walker’s gubernatorial challenger, Mary Burke, hailed the high court’s decision, saying those who have stood in the way of same-sex marriage are “squarely on the wrong side of history.”

Walker says he was merely adhering to the law, and will continue to do so. “The simple answer is we are following the law as defined by the U.S. Court of Appeals and ultimately because of the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court.” 

Walker says he didn’t create the law, but he did vote for the constitutional change, he says, “like the majority of voters in the state of Wisconsin.” As governor, he says, he’s obligated to support the constitution.

MOSINEE, Wis. (WSAU) -- The last Honor Flight from Central Wisconsin for this year has flown. 

Mission # 18 is complete. Another planeload of veterans from central and northern Wisconsin made the trip from Central Wisconsin Airport Monday to see the memorials built in their honor. Several Korean conflict veterans were on this flight.

Now, the Honor Flight organizers will spend the winter preparing for the first two flights of 2015, which includes fundraising. It takes about $500 to fly each veteran to Washington D.C., and the veterans are taken to the memorials at no cost to them.

The spring flights resume April 27th and May 11th. Vets that want to go should sign up at the Never Forgotten Honor Flight website, or contact them at 715- 573-9496.