SEX OFFENDER RELEASED 3/1/13 LEE

STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) - A convicted sex offender has served jail time, and will soon be released in Stevens Point.

34-year-old Curtis Rieben is from Stevens Point, and he left the Racine Correctional Institution February 12th. He will be released with electronic monitoring soon.

Rieben is under orders not to have contact with minors, enter taverns or bars, or to consume alcohol at any time.

He was convicted in April of 2004 for repeated sexual assault of the same child and for second degree sexual assault. The Department of Corrections assessment says Rieben is at risk to reoffend.

Stevens Point police officials say Rieben isn’t wanted by the police at this time and has served his prison sentence. They also warn people not to harass, intimidate, or threaten Rieben since he has done his time.

Rieben's exact release date has not been announced.

STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) -  School district superintendents have an opportunity to discuss the state’s recent decision to choose Infinite Campus as the sole provider for student information school software in the state. 

Stevens Point Superintendent Attila Weninger invited other administrators to discuss the process used by the state and the merits of a single- vendor system.  Weninger says the group can participate in a Q&A, and to determine what steps, if any, the group may consider if the state’s current decision stands.

Weninger is a strong supporter of Stevens Point based Skyward, which lost the bid a month ago. He says the Stevens Point Board of Education has concerns over the process, and why a single vendor system is necessary. Weninger adds the state’s estimated conversion costs are very far off and would severely impact local districts.

The meeting starts at 1:00 p.m. Friday at Sentry World in Stevens Point.

WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) - Northcentral Technical College announced the President’s List for outstanding academic achievement for the fall 2012 semester. The following students enrolled in a post-secondary program earned a 3.75 grade point average or above for the semester.

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Abbotsford: Tabitha Graun, Michael Knetter, Mark Koepke, Christopher Lueddecke, Manuel Meraz, Sarah Rankl, Jessica Resler

Aniwa:Heather Bessert, Todd Evers, Jessica Perry, Ted Wierzba

Antigo: Teri Adams, Lisa Antoniewicz, Elise Augustyn, Barbara Baginski, Rhonda Becerra, James Broeske, Trevor Burns, Kathryn Buss, Krista Carley, Alyssa Clark, Ryan Clay, Austin Cossette, Brenda Debroux, Jordin Devine, Ellen Doucette, Jennifer Egging, Scott Eschmann, Annie Fassbender, Lisa Gilbert, Dustin Hable, Corey Kaiser, Daniel Kegler, Michael Kolpack, Jeremy Koszarek, Tammy Kuhr, Randy Mahan, Kyle Mattmiller, Tiffany Myers, Morgan Pavek, Tamila Paycer, Julie Rasmussen, Heidi Rauhut, Genevieve Rindfuss, Riley Rowe, Miranda Royce, Ryan Rusch, Rebecca Schmidt, David St.John, Kelly Steger, Shellane Stoddard, Diann Taunton, Karri Ungethum, Cynthia Vaughan, Melanie West, Christopher Wild, Angela Wildman

Athens: Rick Anderson, Alyssa Aschbrenner, Ethan Aschbrenner, Duane Felzkowski, Kira Kalepp, Donna Lotzer, Kyla Luther, Megan Neuman, Roy Osness, Robert Rogaczewski, Zachary Schreiner, Sandra Seliger, Kimberly Venzke, Malinda Zielke

Battle Creek, MI: Keith Miller

Birnamwood: Loryn Becker, Nicole Bowes, Amber Brandt, Joseph Brown, Jeffrey Gutowski, Tabbitha Jensen, Jenni Kessen, Shawn Kosky, Juli Mikul, Denton Mortenson, Erica Olson, Mitchell Resch, Katherine Unverzagt, Amanda Walkush, Samuel Wellhoefer

Bonduel: Steve Schmidt

Bowler: Janice Doxtator

Bryant: Heather Federman, Aaron Kakes, Ashley Kolpack, Anthony Muraski, Amanda Rettinger, Beth Tueffel

Butternut: Michael Goethlich, Paul Heyden, Joseph Lillie, Sara Schultz

Cable: David Bjork

Catawba: Jeremiah Cather

Chili: Chase Friedemann

Chippewa Falls: Natasha Stumpner

Colby: Zachary Circa, Hillary Jones

Curtiss: LeAnn Ryba, Carmen Stiglich

Custer: Anna Gliszinski, Harley Heinrichs

Deerbrook: Mary Meverden, Harold Ullman

Dorchester: Donna Broeske, Lynsie Edblom, Jennifer Krug, Alexander Pinter

Eau Claire: Ashley Kraegenbrink

Edgar: Justin Alger, Alysha Barnett, Jamie Bruner, Mika Brusky, Raven Cutrano, Nancy Dittman, Troy Elliott, Daena Fleischhacker, Austin Hannemann, Dana Hoffman, Amanda Karlen, Jacob Kavajecz, Nicole Lamberg, Mitch Miller, Daniel Murkowski, Bettina Peters, Ashley Schneeberger, Michael Sommer, Kim Woller, Meghan Wunsch, James Zimmerman

Eland: Sande Decorah-Roth, Jeffrey Linke, Tetyana Linke

Elton: Stephanie Ourada, Jason Winkel

Fifield: John Balzar, Deena Sturm

Gillett: Faith Laatsch

Gleason: Kristy Allen, Lynn Barrett, Jessica Krueger, Debra Peck

Glidden: Mary Petroski

Hatley: Jordan Albright, Ray Jagler, Sally Pagryzinski, Linda Race, Jacob Reitz, Kay Schroedel, Kevin Wilkowski

Hawkins: William Vanark

Hewitt: Brian Mortvedt

Holcombe: Corrine Brenner

Iola: Lisa Wanserski

Irma: Joseph Aldrich

Junction City: Daniel Blenker, Megan Crawford, Alice Stransky-Elvers, Phia Yang

Kennan: Miranda Jones, Nicole Jones

Kronenwetter: Andrew Anderson, Daniel Dillon, Lori Hart, Molly King, Nicholas Leszczynski, Jacob Seever, Anthony Stange, Greg Tesch, Kristen Wallis

La Crosse: Charly Wichalacz

Little Chute: Katherine Welk

Loyal: Lindsey Bauer, Caleb Kauer, Winifred Lucht

Lublin: Elizabeth Mollan

Marathon: Jordan Artus, Kurt Dreikosen, Patricia Higgins, Terrance Hornung, Amy Kopetzky, Jonathan Marr, Helen Mohr, Teresa Rihn, Justine Wanish

Marshfield: Tammy Baker, Samuel Cattanach, Anthony Gamez, Andrea Kaiser, Kayla Ladwig, Emelia Mason, Brittany Parkman, Emily Penning, Sara Sikora, Daniel Vandenberg

Mauston: Emily Bauer

Medford: Marissa Becker, Xiomara Borden, Sara Dassow, Nicole Duvall, Heidi Eckert, Alaina Frohling, Joshua Grabau, Timi Hickerson, Ryan Hillebrand, Sharon Hommel, Makayla Jalowitz, Kris Kirkeeng, Elizabeth Lentz, Linda Lynch, Angela Madison, Kristen Raasch, Dan Scheithauer, Courtney Scholl, Tanya Sincere, Travis Smith, Darin Spencer, Todd Stahlbusch, Suzi Strebig, Cindy Williams

Merrill: Andrew Ament, Julia Behrendt, Jeannine Blakeslee, Gustav Blemke, Jesse Boyd, David Breaman, Rebecca Brown, Zeb Burkam, Justin Carstensen, Taylor Chapman, Terra Erickson, Marilyn Evenson, Susan Franson, Heidi Golisch, Ross Grenfell, Quintin Gruetzmacher, Susan Guenther, Christine Gundry, Calli Hintz, Tonia Hoffman, Joyce Hommerding, Jason Humphrey, Tina Kiefer, Terez Kinnick, Jodene Kretschmer, Kerri Kretschmer, Brad Krueger, Natalie Lechmaier, Kati Lee, Gerald Marrier, Andrew Marvin, Elizabeth Mathis, Christopher McElhatton, Kathy Orlikowski, Dawn Peterson, William Peterson, John Pintens, Beth Plautz, Jennifer Podeweltz, Rebecca Renken, Jessica Reynolds, Sharon Rezin, Robin Rudie, Jeffrey Saal, Timothy Saeger, Cynthia Schmidt, Jeremy Smith, Jared Sobiesczyk, Timothy Stevenson, Laurel Stine, Candace Sturgal, Andrew Turner, Devyn Van Camp, Jennifer Van Der Nest, Shawn VanDeWeerd, Kimberly Walker, Katie Wendland, Todd Wendt, Tracy Wendt, Juli Winter, Eric Woller, John Zuelsdorff

Mosinee: Bryanna Anderson, Patrick Baur, Christopher Bender, Kristy Bialek, Hannah Boehm, Heidi Breitenfeldt, Jennifer Christiansen, Timothy Dulak, Wendy Feirn, Kyle Felber, Amanda Firkus, Barbara Fry, Danyelle Gee, Jody Giese, Donna Hammond, Lynn Hanson, Alyssa Heinrich, Tiffany Hladovcak, Amanda Hornik, Robert Hotchkiss, Susan Kamenick, Samantha Komosa, Lynn Koshalek, Amanda Kunkel, Gregory Kusiak, Corine Laub, Ashlee Liedtke, Jason Londerville, Jennifer Lynch, Joshua Maltbey, Kayla Matis, Cheri Meis, Brian Modrzejewski, Amanda Reynolds, Sirena Rindt, Rosemberg Rojas Ruiz, Dee Schlei, Richard Struble, Gerald Taylor, Dominick Teske, Racheal Vanish

Neenah: Bradley Raddant

Ogema: Sean Govan, Brandon Houston Brown, Beth Lukes

Owen: Gina Burbey, Nicholas Neumann, Shawn Rindt, Stephanie Weidman

Park Falls: Bethany Behrens, Callie Boettcher, Tara Buck, Carol Duzell, Melissa Heizler, Wendy McCanna, Allison Myers, Shelly Stueber, Melinda WeaverPearson: Teresa Vahl

Phelps: Michael Jones

Phillips: Daniel Bocock, Taylor Grech, Leslie Hauschild, Christina Hollinger, Sarah Jackson, Tim Lenz, Nick Mareno, Kelsie Meyer, Sally Miller, Norbert Miller, Jr., Michael Purpura, Nancy Purpura, Leslie Revak, Bradley Roush, Samuel Schwie, Stephen Shimkets, Aaron Shovick, Savannah Sutton, Krista Svoboda, Matt Thomas

Phlox: Tadd Hackbarth

Pickerel: Shannon Jackson, Charles Kemp

Plover: Jacob Heagle

Polar: Todd Miller

Prentice: Beth Klepac, Christina Knihtila, Zach Kurtzbach, Dale Wiles

Pulaski: Clint DeRuyter, Stacey Jones

Rhinelander: Elisha WIlliams

Rib Lake: Calvin Probst, Phillip Schupp, Stephanie Wigstadt

Ringle: Lynda Fust, Joseph Juedes, Samantha Knoble, Travis Knoblock, Richard Remien, Michael Ritter

Rosholt: John Kosmalski, Nicholas Larson, Keith Rasmussen

Rothschild: Joseph Adamsk, Kelli Anderson, Wendy Bauer, Derek Brodzeller, Steven Cronin, Tony Lee, Tara Madsen, Adam Matsche, Catherine Mortenson, Sue Nelson, Amy Rasmussen, Christina Ribera, Christopher Thiele, Jesse Tiffany, Susan Tillman-Blaine, Julie Weidman, Rodney Westphal, Jacob Wierzba, Theresa Wolff, Carolyn Xiong

Schofield: Erica Anderson, Deborah Bemowski, Tammy Bryant, Alfred Buch, Jamie Bushman, Amanda Cyr, Isaac Fischer, Jeffery Frank, Seana Gorski, Samantha Hanson, Darlene Jacobson, Jacob Jennerman, Nicole Knight, Benjamin Krombholz, Cassandra Kruse, Keely Larson, Doua Lee, Robin Letarski, Scott Luczaj, Roxanne MacDonald, Amelia Marthaler, Rochelle McCarthy, Joni McEwen, Annika Olson, Tanya Riehle, Jesse Rozmarynowski, Kendy Rudesill, Cody Salyers, Sharissa Sherwood, Sheng Vang, Rebecca Whitmore, Kou Xiong

Shawano: Courtney Carlton, Lisa Karpinski Sheldon: Sheila Jones

Spencer: Tyler Hoffman, Stacey Vollrath, Marcia Wesle

Stanley: Lyn Kluck

Stetsonville: Stacey Brandner, Kristine Bunkelman, Blake Dums, Ashley Linsmeyer, Nicole Todd, Jacob Vircks

Stevens Point: Tracy Ackley, Richard Fochs, Jennifer Mrozek, Justine Pawelski

Stratford: Samantha Bastman, Laurel Carey, Lori Daniels, Johathan Galster, Mary Jackson, Cynthia Podolski-Werner, Carmen Schmitt, Heather Schulte

Summit Lake: Diane Haas

Thorp: Tiffany Johnson, Stacey Williams

Tigerton: Curtis Redford, Brittany Suehring, Kearstin VanAlstine

Tomahawk: Michael Biever, Ann Brigham, Jenna Koth, Michelle Mielke, Sara Piller, Shannon Seymour, Michael Swan, Fred Wenszell

Townsend: Jason Niggeling

Tripoli: Joshua Jones

Two Rivers: Gina Wondrash

Unity: JoAnne Kenne, Kayla Weinzatl

Waupaca: Lucille Borntrager, Rae Johnson

Wausau: Charles Abitz, Daniel Acker, Maria Aguilar Mejia, Elizabeth Arends, Melqui Arias Lopez, Fredy Baca Vasquez, Theresa Bauer, Fabian Beil, Vickie Benes, Jose Benitez Aguila, Laura Benitez Aleman, Eric Berger, Patricia Block, Brian Bloshenko, Courtney Boerst, Timothy Borchardt, Walter Braenne, Elda Ana Brito Santiago, Nancy Brown, Scott Brubaker, Julia Brzezinski, Mark Burclaff, Kaela Burmeister, Nicole Burns, Christopher Bushman, Kenia Carachure Mojica, John Case, Kong Chang, Lia Chang, Erick Clements, Jason Coffey, Joe Conrad, Jason Cooper, Ruth Cunningham, Latisha DeBroux, Marie Decora, Theodore Deibert, Whitney Deicher, Joselyn Deras Velasquez, Daniel Desnoyer, Christina Diels, Kendall Digman, Joshua Dirks, Tyler Dolezal, Linda Domino, David Doyle, Stephanie Duberstein, Adam Ducommun, Amy Ehlert, Travis Eiden, Carlos Etchepareborda, Brent Fitzgerald, Katherine Fochs, Brandie Fox, Katherine Frederick, Stephanie Fredrick, Reggie Fritcher, Carlos Garcia Aparicio, Yeny Garcia Bueso, Leo Gau, Ted Gee, Sandra Geiger, Amy Gerber, Caitlynn Gestner, Adrian Giese, Kenneth Gillespie, Edgar Gomez Oviedo, Teresa Gonzalez Escalante, Trisha Gospodarek, Keshia Gray, Angela Greenfield, James Guenthner, Gulshat Gurbanova, Stephanie Guzman Aquino, Kaylee Hanke, Tonya Hardie, Rebecca Heath, Kayla Hegna, Erika Heinen, Wilfredo Hernandez Contreras, Maria Hernandez, Carly Herrick, Ryan Herrick, Adam Hitz, Shane Hitz, Betty Hoffmann, Chih-yu Hsu, Lian Hsu, Daurbek Isaev, Steven Jacobson, Lisa Jaeger, Pierre Jn Baptiste, Debra Jonas, Lyle Kainz, Gordon Kaufman, Matthew Keller, Susan Kempf-Nemec, Kristie Kioski, Sallie Kitzrow, Lauren Klasinski, Melissa Kluck, Brittany Knox, Tracy Koo, Morgan Kostroski, Cheryal Kraay, Jonathon Kraft, Kim Kramer, Jeremy Krautkramer, Cindy Kroening, Patrick Kroening, Danielle Kroggel, Jerod Kulpinski, Matthew Langdon, Lacey Lashua, Eric Lavake, Alicia Lecher, Bao Lee, Mai Choua Lee, Benjamin Lehman, Nicholas Leininger, Rita Lokemoen, Mario Lopez, Erick Lopez Carpio, James Lor, Dieubon Louima, Jenna Lubecke, Sherley Marceau, Steven Marek, Neale Marquardt, Jennifer Marzu, Joshua Matysik, Jeffrey McCuen, Barbara McCullough, Timothy Mecikalski, Blanca Medina-Morales, Carlos Menjivar Navarro, Jacquelin Meremable, Angela Mess, Michelle Michels, Scott Mijal, Giorgi Mikava, Kari Miller, Scott Morgan, William Mueller, Todd Mumford, Salina Munson, Heidi Naber, Arkadiusz Nadolski, Steve Nelson, Tracy Norris, Darla Norton, Brett Olig, Jennifer Olson, Lauri Olson, Luke Olson, William Olson, Jeff Onson, Juana Ortiz Camacho, Adelio Ortiz Hernandez, Amy Pauls, Ike Pavick, Monica Perdomo, Sugeiry Pimentel Paez, Ligia Pineda, Kathryn Plamann, Tamara Plisch, Andrew Pockat, Rachel Podolski, James Porter, Mayra Preza Ventura, Dylan Pries, Michael Ramthun, Phillip Reynolds, Brianne Rhyner, Massiel Rijo Nunez, Kimberly Rivera Cerrato, Mariana Rivera Zavala, Kimberly Rodriguez, Ellen Romberg, Mery Rosa Paulino, Sheila Roth, Tomas Ruiz Enriquez, Karen Rusch, Sergio Santiago Santos, Morgan Sather, Carrie Scheller, Adam Schlei, Sara Schmeiser, Jakob Schmelling, Jonathan Schmunk, Michael Schneppenheim, George Schoessow, Rebecca Schuelke, Teena Schwartz, Michael Schwede, Eric Schwister, Nikki Shaw, Daniel Shine, Brooke Shnowske, Nancy Silverio Melendez, Thomas Sladek, Gnana Sooda, Brooke Sperry, Terry Spialek, Amy Stanchik, Dominique Stange, Steven Stankowski, Timothy Stelzel, Alexzandra Stieber, Holly Stoeger, Diane Strow, Sara Stuplich, Christopher Swenson, Patricia Taylor, Katelyn Teal, April Tejada, Erikson Tellez Lopez, Tiffany Tetting, Tonglou Thao, Devin Thomson, Emily Tierney, Michele Toivonen, Triet Tran, Matthew Tullberg, Mariela Valdez Martinez, Baug Vang, Beth Ann VanOrder, Jose Vasquez Argueta, Fidel Vasquez Castillo, Leyla Vasquez Castillo, Gabriela Vasquez Monge, Juana Vieyra Rodgrguez, Tammy Vogel, Lori Wachsmuth, Samantha Waschick, Naomi Webb, Jenna Wesenick, Kacy Wickersheim, Chad Will, Jennifer Wilson, Celia Winters, Samantha Wischmeyer, Michael Witberler, Chandra Witter, Hoyt Wurz, Hue Xiong, Kia Xiong, Sheng Xiong, Bee Yang, Kevin Yang, Nancy Yang, Lorraine Zamzow, Shawn Ziebell, Amanda Zipp

Wauzeka: Jeffrey Haines

Westboro: Samantha Gehrke, Gary Johnson, Victoria Peterson

Weston: Todd Bacon, Jessica Bartaszewicz, Daniel Belter, Jody Butterfield, Charee Camarato, Kelly Cummings, Heidi Dampier, Kimberle Dennee, Trevor Dunwoody, Kelly Engen, Peter Gorski, Amber Harvey, Sarah Hoover, Daniela Kerkes, Thomas Knowles, Ronald Koehler, Ryan Koehler, Michael Kressel, Jeremy Larsen, Matthew Loveless, Hli Moua, Leah Novak, Kyle Nowitzke, Meagan Ortiz, Beth Patterson, Lisa Rechek, Tyler Schultz, Aharon Storry, Kristina Timmer, Dria Vang, Rick Via, Jeffery Witter, Mark Wyro, Megan Zarda

White Lake: Kaitlin Ellis, Brittany Holbrook

Whitehall: Leanna Larson

Winter: Brian Fink

Wisconsin Rapids: Lauren Klesmith, Tonya Manning, Ted Suskey

Withee: Dorothy Anderson, Vada Heath, Jesus Ibarra, Amber Olson-Bevins, Sandra Weber

Wittenberg: Melissa Anderson, Michelle Ganski, Michael Glover, Margaret Jensen, Raphy Kizewski, Sandra Lang, Gloria Lorge, Chelsey Mayer, Sharla Philipp, David Rice, Hilary Rondeau, LauraAnne Schmidt, Colton Stark, Amy Stennett

Woodruff: Chad Skinner

STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) -  Emergency communications in Portage County are undergoing two major changes, and there may be a third soon.

First, the informal Dispatch Advisory Group is now a formallized as a permanent Communications Advisory Board. The bylaws were approved Wednesday, and the new Board will meet for the first time March 27th. Chief Deputy Sheriff Daniel Kontos says all of the stakeholders will be involved to help tackle issues and projects related to emergency services communications and dispatching.

Kontos says the county’s communications center is being expanded right now, but they are preparing for several upgrades to their aging equipment. “Not only is our dispatch center being remodelled, we are looking at replacing the aging 9-1-1 system with the next generation 9-1-1. We are looking at redoing the county’s entire radio communications system as far as public safety goes sometime in 2014 or 2015, and we are looking at possibly bringing the city (of Stevens Point) into a unified communications center with the county.”

The Chief Deputy says dispatching has changed a lot from when he used to do it. Now, Kontos says you need a professional telecommunicator. That’s why they hired Denise Schultz to run the operation.

Several projects have been on hold, but Kontos expects many will see progress real soon. “We’ve been holding off on the projects until we finished up with creating this Communications Board, and we get the final word from the city whether or not they would like to come and join us in our communications center. Once we get those two issues straightened out, we can really move forward on some of these projects.”

The Emergency Management Office was moved to allow for the communications center to double in size. Kontos says the construction work is proceeding well. “They’re in there today doing some electrical work and doing some painting . We’re hoping to have the dispatchers move back up into their newly-remodelled center within a month and a half or so.”

Discussions are set for Friday with Portage County and City of Stevens Point officials to consider merging their two dispatch operations to improve coordination and save money. A decision on this possible merger could happen before spring.

MARSHFIELD, WI (WSAU) March 1st is your final chance to register for this year’s Police Academy in Marshfield.

The academy is open to the general public, but especially useful for those considering careers in law enforcement, persons such as mail carriers who need to deal safely with the public, and anyone else who just wants to experience what it’s like to be a police officer.

Alderman Gordie Earll attended the academy in 2011, and says it provides a realistic and educational experience, including tazer, K-9 unit, and firing range demonstrations.

The program runs 6:00 to 9:00 pm for eight consecutive weeks, March 13th through May 1st, and is free of charge.

To register you’ll need to call Peggy Lindner at the Marshfield Police Department at 715-384-0800 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. The deadline for registration is Friday, March 1st.

MEDFORD, Wis (WSAU) Criminal charges have been filed against a 17-year-old student at Medford High School in connection with a school threat from last month.

Six days ago police were called to the school because of a threat of violence made in the girls bathroom.

Police now say the suspect, Denarah Kitzman, is being charged with obstructing an officer and bail jumping. Both charges are misdemeanors, but Taylor County prosecutors say she'll be tried as an adult and could face up to 18-months in jail.

After the threat was reported last Thursday police security was increased around the school the following day. More than 3 out of every 4 students at Medford High School stayed home the morning after the threat was revealed.

ADAMS, Wis. (WSAU) - A 28 year old Adams man has been arrested in the fatal shotgun shooting of his girlfriend early yesterday morning.

Coleman Dybul told authorities he fired a shotgun he kept near his bed after she startled him while he was sleeping. Twenty-seven year of Toni Voss was pronounced dead at the scene. Dybul was arrested by the Adams County Sheriff’s Department on suspicion of first-degree reckless homicide. He’s in jail awaiting formal charges to be filed.

A young child who was in the house when the shooting occurred just before 2 a.m. was unharmed and is said to be staying with a family member.

TOWN OF PINE GROVE, Wis. (WSAU) - An early Sunday morning fire has damaged a farm building in Pine Grove.

Portage County dispatch got a call about the fire at around 1am on Sunday from a driver on I-39. When authorities arrived on scene at the Paramount Farms property, they found a metal shed housing tractor trailers fully engulfed in flames.

Fire Departments from Bancroft, Almond, Plover, Town of Hull, Town of Stockton, Amherst, Rosholt, Hancock, Wild Rose and Grand Rapids assisted at the scene.

Investigators are on scene trying to determine the cause of the fire.

ABBOTSFORD, WI (WSAU) - Travelers on highway 29 just east of Abbotsford can expect some construction starting Tuesday morning.

Road crews will be closing one of the eastbound lanes during daylight hours to remove contaminated soil from the median. This is necessary after a recent diesel fuel spill.

Weather permitting, the work will be done by the end of the day Tuesday, March 5.

Motorists are reminded to drive with caution in the work zone and be alert for slow moving vehicles.

WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -  The worst of winter may be over, but many families still need help staying warm. That’s where energy assistance comes in.

The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) is a federally-funded program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their home heating costs. The amount of heating assistance benefit depends on the household's size, income and heating costs.

Shannon Crowell is with Energy Assistance Incorporated, which services Marathon County residents. She says there are some basic guidelines households need to meet to get help.  "A family of four's gross income shouldn't exceed $3,800 per month.  They have to be living in Marathon county, and citizens."

There are several types of heating help the program can help with.  "Fuel oil, propane, natural gas, electric, and if heat and electric is included with the rent, we can help with that as well.  We also have an emergency furnace program, so if they own the home and there's a furnace issue, it's possible we can help with the repair or replacement."

Crowell says their office is very busy, as people seek help before spring when disconnections to service pick up.  "There's a lull in February, and in March it starts to pick back up and by April, we're taking many, many appointments."

The phone number for Energy Assistance Incorporated is 715-842-3111.  You can also find contacts in surrounding counties at this website:  

http://www.wisconsinpublicservice.com/home/wi_assistance.aspx

WAUSAU, Wisc (WSAU)   An 11- year-old boy was rescued from the Wisconsin River last night in Wausau.

The incident happened around 630pm. The boy was trying to cross the river when he broke through ice near River Drive. Someone on land hear him calling out for help and dialed 9-1-1.

The boy managed to get out of the waste-deep water and was clinging to a rock when help arrived. The Wausau Fire Department was able to get him out of the river. He was taken by ambulance to Wausau Aspirus Hospital. His name has not been released.

STEVENS POINT, Wis (WSAU)   Stevens Point police are investigating an attempted assault against a jogger. It happened Sunday afternoon around 3pm.

Police investigators say a juvenile female was jogging along Reserve Street near Maria Drive. The jogger was approached by a man asking for directions who tried to pull her into a car.

Police say similar incidents were reported last October in Iverson Park and last December on Prentice Street. Police say joggers from those incidents gave similar descriptions of the suspect and the car.

Police are looking for a white male in his 50s, about 200-pounds, stocky build, with a grey beard. His car is light blue or grey with a red emblem on the hood.

Anyone with information should call Stevens Point police at 715-346-1518.

ABBOTSFORD, WI (WSAU) - It’s been a year since Colby volunteer firefighter and Marathon County Sheriff’s deputy Jamison Kampmeyer died in the Abby Theatre fire. An area Boy Scout is getting closer to his goal of raising enough money to build a memorial in his honor.

Colby freshman Jacob Miller started his Eagle Scout project early last fall. “ I figured that I should create something to honor him, and I was all ready to start doing my Eagle Scout stuff, so I started with this project.” Miller says there’s a lot of work behind the scenes that needs to be done to reach this goal. “A lot of planning, a lot of different other things, fundraising, finding people to do this and that.”

Miller’s has stayed busy with the project, but still needs to raise more money. He would also appreciate any donations for brick and masonry work, since that would lower the total cost of the project.

Miller’s goal is to raise $10,000 so construction can begin this spring. So far, he’s raised about $7,000.

If you would like to donate, the phone number, email address, and Facebook page are listed here:

Call Miller at (715) 654-5240 email him at boomiahs_bro@yahoo.com. http://www.jamisonkampmeyermemorialwall.org/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jamison-Kampmeyer-Memorial-Wall/129643540505460?fref=ts

You can also make donations to the Jamison Kampmeyer Memorial Wall at Mid Wisconsin Bank.

UNDATED (WSAU)  -  The snowstorm that is affecting much of southern and southeastern Wisconsin has prompted some municipalities to issue Snow Emergency declarations.  Communities have their own specific ordinances, but all require no parking on any municipal street and many parking lots until the snow is cleared.

Here is a list of Snow Emergency declarations we have so far.  The list will be updated as necessary.

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City of Adams Snow Emergency

The City of Adams has declared a SNOW EMERGENCY beginning 12:00 am Tuesday, March 5,2013 through 6:00 PM Wednesday March 6, 2013.During a Snow Emergency there is no parking on any city streets until the end of the emergency. Your vehicle may be towed at your expense if it is on the street during this time.

WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -  The Governor’s proposed state budget will mean lower taxes, more accountability, and perhaps selling off some state properties as well. That’s according to Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch.

During a stop in Wausau Monday, Huebsch commented on the first income tax cut the state has seen in a long time. “For the first time in, I think it’s fifteen years, you’re seeing an income tax rate cut. That’s what the Governor has introduced. We are actually going to cut the tax rate for mainly lower and middle income families throughout the state so they can invest in their families, their communities, and local businesses.”

The Governor’s planned expansion of school vouchers is getting some resistance. Huebsch says Scott Walker and State Superintendent Tony Evers developed the school report card to show which schools are doing a good job of teaching our kids. He says parents need the options available with an expanded voucher system. “As with us in class back when we were getting report cards, it’s not just enough to get those report cards, you now need to act upon those. You need to figure out what you’re going to do about that. What the Governor has done is, he has tied more money that’s going into the schools into performance base. Basically, it’s not just enough to continue a failing system in some areas. We need to measure and then reward or assist those areas that need it.” The Secretary added, “In those school districts where there are two or more failing schools, he’s going to say that those students and those families should have the option to figure out how they’re going to get their children educated.”

Huebsch says the Governor also wants to seriously explore selling certain state properties that he believes are not necessary to keep. There are lands owned by the Department of Corrections and the Department of Transportation that can go back to the public sector. Huebsch says the Governor would also like to see the state get out of the power plant business. “We have several power plants throughout the state that provide power into our facilities. Corrections, University of Wisconsin facilities, and even in Madison the state office buildings. The question has been for better than 20 years, why does the state have its own power plants when we have utilities and other companies that do this for a living.”

The Secretary was in Wausau for a speaking engagement at the University of Wisconsin Marathon County Monday evening.

 SHAWANO, WI  (WSAU)  -  A weekend stabbing incident in Shawano County left one person injured and another arrested. 

A 25-year-old man is in custody, and investigators expect to forward their recommendation for charges to the District Attorney today. Sergeant Gordon Kowaleski says two men were arguing at a Town of Hutchins residence at about 11:00 p.m. Sunday evening. A third man was stabbed in the hand when he tried to intervene.

Deputies haven’t said what the men were arguing about. The injured man was treated and released at the hospital. The attacker’s name is being withheld until formal charges are filed.

RHINELANDER, Wis (WSAU) One of three suspects in a series of cabin break-ins in the northwoods entered a 'not guilty' plea yesterday in Oneida County court.

17-year-old Jeffrey Stefonik is charged with seven counts of burglary and vandalism. He was caught in January breaking into a vacation home in Monico.

Also charged in the case is 17-year-old Anthony Briggs. He'll enter a plea to similar charges on April 8th. The third suspect is a 15-year-old who will be charged as a juvenile.

VESPER, Wisc (WSAU) A 21-year-old man is being charged with child abuse for allegedly biting a 4-year-old child on the face.

The incident happened last November. The child's babysitter asked about the bite mark. The suspect, Anthony Hansen of Vesper, initially claimed the family dog did it. But later the child said Vesper did it, and the babysitter filed a child abuse report. The child said it happened because he wasn't potty-trained.

When interviewed by police, Hansen initially claimed the child was hurt in a fall. He's been charged with one count of child abuse. Hansen entered a 'not guilty' plea and is now free on $5,000 signature bond. He'll be back in court for a preliminary hearing on April 26th. If convicted at trial, he could get 3-years in prison.

TOMAHAWK, WI (WSAU) -  A Tomahawk man is at the University of Wisconsin Hospital Burn Center for treatment after a plant accident Tuesday morning at the PCA Tomahawk Mill. PCA’s spokesman Dave Blank says 53-year-old Mike Slesicki was reigniting a coal and bark boiler using standard operating procedures when it flared back and burned him.

Blank says the boiler was down for routine maintenance, and was being put back into service when the accident happened at 9:40 a.m. PCA is conducting an investigation of the boiler and circumstances around the relighting accident.

Slesicki was flown to Madison for treatment. Blank says his family is with him.

University of Wisconsin Hospital was unable to report Slesicki’s condition late Tuesday.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) -  The search for Wood County’s missing K9 Toro had a happy ending yesterday morning, as he was found alive and well about half a mile from where he disappeared Sunday night. That is not only good for the german shepherd, it is good for the Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff Tom Reichert says the time and effort spent recovering the K9 was worth it. “We have a lot invested in Toro in terms of his cost, in terms of his training, in terms of the training the deputy his handler takes so we are certainly going to do everything that we possible could to get him back, and we’re happy that it worked out that way.”

Reichert says Wood County received funding from an insurance company to purchase Toro, and there’s the additional cost related to training the dog and his handler, Deputy Joe Zurfluh.

When asked about possibly using a GPS tracking collar on police dogs in the future, the Sheriff says they have already begun looking into some options. “My guess is that we will probably take a long, hard look at that, manned up with some sort of tracking mechanism that we would be able to use should this ever happen again.”

Trained K9 police dogs cost between $10,000 and $15,000 to acquire and train, and generally serve their departments for about 6 to 10 years. Toro is 4 right now.  He's been serving the department since December of 2010.