STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) -  Portage County having one emergency services dispatch center instead of two is still possible, but there’s still work to do. That’s according to Stevens Point Police and Fire Commission President David Schleihs.

He says the Commission spent about 2 1/2 hours discussing the proposal offered by Portage County during closed session Tuesday night. “I think we’re certainly optimistic that we can come to some kind of agreement that would satisfy both the county, the city, and I think public safety organizations throughout Portage County as well. There’s certainly some issues related to governance, finance, and quality assurance that we want to try and iron out.”

Schleihs says some of those details will be discussed shortly. “Public safety leaders as well as the Mayor, the City Attorney, and Commissioner (Gary) Wescott representing the Commission are going to work through some of the documents and the concerns, and some of the wording and hopefully be able to sit down and have another face-to-face meeting with county officials in the next week or so.”

Portage County is already in the process of expanding it’s dispatch center and preparing for a major equipment upgrade which includes enhanced 9-1-1 features. The county has issued a deadline for later this month so they know if they are going to work together or separately in the future.

MARSHFIELD, WI (WSAU) -  A very young cancer patient is going to get a bone marrow transplant as early as Wednesday. 

Travis and Cassie Kurtzweil’s son Treyden suffers from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Their baby boy has already endured chemotherapy, and his doctors at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield say it’s time to transfer to a facility that does bone marrow transplants on very young patients.

That means going to Madison.

The problem: The Kurtzweil’s insurance didn’t cover the out-of-network facility, until the company made an exception late Tuesday. The parents posted the good news on their “Saving Treyden” Facebook page, and are planning to make the trip Wednesday.

Insurance will cover the transplant, but Cassie and Travis have to pay out of pocket for a lot of Treyden's medical expenses. There will be a benefit at Dale's Weston Lanes Saturday, March 9 from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.with music, food and raffle prizes. All of the money raised will go toward Treyden’s expenses.

There’s more ways to help on the Saving Treyden Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SavingTreyden?ref=stream

Treyden will be nine months old this Sunday.

SCHOFIELD, WI (WSAU) -  An area manufacturing firm has won statewide recognition... again. Greenheck Fan Corporation has been named Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year for 2012, which they also won back in 2004.

Spokesman Jim McIntyre is proud of the company’s accomplishments.  "We are once again honored to receive the Manufacturer of the Year Award for the Mega category.  That's just another affirmation of the strong values of the Greenheck group.”

Greenheck Fan won the award in the Mega category for manufacturers with over 750 employees.

McIntyre believes their success during a less-than-perfect economy has been with developing new product lines and markets.  "We continue to be a progressive company in terms of product launches and innovations and again, that is a lot in part due to Bob Greenheck.”

He says the award recognizes businesses for their products and services, and also for what they give back to the community.  "Many, many of our employees are involved in schools, and Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, and many other non-profit and school associated ventures.”

Greenheck Fan Corporation employs about 2,500 people overall, with nearly 1,700 of those employees in Wisconsin. Most of them are at the Schofield facilities.

The accounting and advisory firm of Baker Tilly, the law firm of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, and the business association Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce sponsor the MOTY awards program.

The 2012 Awards List:

Grand AwardsGreenheck Fan Corporation, Schofield - Mega CategoryWalker Forge, Inc., Clintonville - Large CategoryWeldall Mfg., Inc., Waukesha - Medium CategoryPower Test, Inc., Sussex - Small CategoryOEM Fabricators, Inc., Woodville - Workforce Development CategorySpecial AwardsAlliance Laundry Systems, LLC, Ripon – Market Leadership AwardHUSCO Automotive Holdings, LLC, Whitewater –Technology Innovation & Impact AwardNekoosa Coated Products, LLC, Nekoosa – Operational Excellence Award

MOSINEE, Wisc (WSAU) The superintendent of the Mosinee School District will retire at the end of the school year.

Jerry Rosso has led the Mosinee schools since 2002. He's been in education for 36-years. He says now, at age 60, he'd like more time to go fishing and travel with his wife.

Rosso's last day will be June 30th. The Mosinee Board of Education expects to have a new superintendent hired before the next school year begins in the fall.

UNDATED (WSAU) Police have received more than 50 tips about the Kira Steger Trevino case in Minnesota, but none have led to her body. A Minneapolis TV station says one of those tips was that a body may have been dumped in a wooded area. They investigated a series of footprints but determined that they belonged to a hunter, not to her husband Jeffrey.

Kira was last seen 13 days ago. Her husband is being held in the Ramsey County jail on $500,000 bond, charged with second-degree murder. Prosecutors say Kira is presumed dead, based on blood that was found in the family's basement and the trunk of their car. Police say its possible the body was dumped in a remote area.

Police are asking anyone with information about the case to call 651-560-3227.

Kira grew up in Central Wisconsin, and was a 2001 graduate of D.C. Everest High School.

STRATFORD, Wisc (WSAU)   A lottery ticket worth $90,000 was sold at a gas station in Stratford.

The winning ticket is from Monday's Badger Five game. It matched all five of the numbers correctly: 1, 6, 12, 16 and 18.

The ticket was sold at the Cenex Gas Station downtown. The winner hasn't come forward yet. They have 180-days to claim their prize.

TOMAHAWK, WI (WSAU) -  An injured worker from the Packaging Corporation of America mill in Tomahawk is still in critical condition. 53-year-old Mike Slesicki was flown to the University of Wisconsin Hospital’s Burn Center late Tuesday morning.

PCA spokesman Dave Blank says Slesicki is an experienced worker who’s been with them nine years. He was reigniting a coal and bark fired boiler that was down for maintenance. Blank says Slesicki was using standard operating procedures when the boiler flared back at him.

Federal officials are also investigating the incident. Occupational Safety and Health Administration spokesman Scott Allen says the investigation could take up to six months.

The PCA Tomahawk plant has a history of injuries and death. Two Michigan contractors suffered fatal burns at the plant last July. An explosion from a a storage tank killed three people in 2008.

Packaging Corporation of America produces containerboard and corrugated packaging materials.

COLBY, WI (WSAU) -  In February, Colby Schools Superintendent Dr. Steven Kolden confirmed that a male teacher was placed on administrative leave while investigators checked out allegations of inappropriately touching a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old on two different occasions. Wednesday night, that teacher was reinstated by the school board.

The district had little to say publicly then, and little to say now. The school board reinstated the teacher on Superintendent Kolden’s recommendation.  Board member Eric Elmhorst confirmed that action.  "He is now reinstated.  There isn't anything else that I would like to add at this time."

The teacher was not charged with an offense, so his name has been withheld.

Marshfield Police investigators said last month the matter involved an offense which occurred outside of Wisconsin with a 17-year-old. School officials are satisfied with the results of the investigation. The alleged incident with an 18-year-old male three years ago was not under investigation.

ROTHSCHILD, WI (WSAU) -  If you’re passing through Rothschild Thursday and wondering what to do for lunch, you have a new option. Checkers opens on Business 51 next to Shopko at 10:00 a.m.

The General Manager for the new Checkers is Andy Dercks.  He says the crew has been busy preparing for today’s opening day.  "It's been a lot of time just getting familiar with the restaurant, getting familiar with the staff, but we do have some phenominal trainers that are up now from all parts of the country.  They've been doing their jobs.  They've opened up a lot of stores before, so they're just helping us get this one open as well."

Most Checkers locations are drive through only, but the Rothschild location is one of eleven nationwide with a dining room... and it’s the biggest one in the chain.  "It used to be an old Hardees building, and it was gutted from the inside out and it's completely redone.  It's beautiful inside, and everyone that's been in here so far really likes it."

Dercks says they will be ready starting with today’s lunch crowd.  "If you guys are hungry today, pop on down.  Doors open at 10:00 a.m.  We're open until 1:00 a.m. in the morning."

Checkers is known for a variety of big burgers, and their “loaded fries” which are tasty but a little messy with a lot of chili and cheese.

KRONENWETTER, WI (WSAU) -  The Village of Kronenwetter has narrowed down the list of applicants for their open Public Works Director position. The Village Board spent a lot of time Wednesday night interviewing the three finalists.

Village Administrator Richard Downey says the candidates interviewed with the Public Works staff and also with the board.  He says the board is holding off on making a selection until everyone’s information is checked out.  "The Board would really like to get a lot of background information on people, so after about an hour of discussion, they directed me to continue the hiring process which means go out and do a lot of reference checking and bring back all of that information to them."

There are three finalists for the job, and Downey says two of them are from other municipalities in central Wisconsin.  "The three candidates that were interviewed tonight, and are basically the finalists are Mr. Duane Gow from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Mark Ptak out of Stevens Point, and Drey Brown, and he is out of Nekoosa."

The Administrator is confident the Board will make a choice soon, but agrees they shouldn’t jump into a decision too quickly.  

Downey says the new Public Works Director should be selected in about a month.

THREE LAKES, WI (WSAU) -  The campaign to end texting and driving now has the support of the fastest text message sender in the nation. About 200 Three Lakes High School students will be encouraged to sign the “It can wait” pledge Friday morning.

One of their own classmates will be supporting the campaign. He’s LG U.S. National Texting Champion Austin Wierschke.  He says he learned about the texting championships from a television ad, and tried out... and he did extremely well.  "I did the preliminary rounds and I ended up advancing, and I became a finalist and made it to the New York City rounds where I battled it out against ten other people and won the title two years in a row."

It’s hard for most of us to imaging pushing so many buttons in a short period of time.  "6.5 characters per second, so 6.5 buttons pushed in a second.  I was really, really focused and in the zone, so it was crazy.  I couldn't believe it."

Wierschke says it may only take a few seconds to send a text message, but encourages his fellow students you just can’t drive and text.  He says he occasionally has to ask his friends not to text and drive.  "You're risking your life, you're risking the other driver's lives.  You need to put a stop to it."  He says he usually just offers to send the text on behalf of his driving friends.

The Three Lakes Senior is working with the Department of Transportation and the State Patrol among other sponsors to discourage texting and driving.  "I filmed a commercial that will be coming up next month, and that is also about the dangers of texting while driving.  I'm just very excited to be spreading the word on something so important nowadays."

Texting and driving has been illegal in Wisconsin for two years now. The fines and penalties are stiff, especially if someone is injured or killed in a crash caused by a distracted driver who was texting.

The 10:00 a.m. program at Three Lakes will include several participants including State Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst), State Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander), Major Sandra Huxtable of the Wisconsin State Patrol, AT&T Wisconsin Director of External Affairs Robyn Gruner, and AAA Wisconsin Public Affairs Director Roy Hinz. There will also be a video presentation and the use of a distracted driving simulator.

MARSHFIELD, WI (WSAU)  -  The controversial mining bill to permit iron ore mining in northern Wisconsin is going before the State Assembly for what is expected to be a final vote on Thursday.

That’s according to 86th District Representative John Spiros, who says even with a Republican majority, “I believe that it’s going to be a long day. That’s why we’re starting our day at 9:00 am. I’m expecting a 12 hour plus day for Thursday, and I think all the other representatives are expecting the same.” As of Monday, Spiros said that there were 11 amendments set for possible discussion and more could be added by Thursday.

The first term Assemblyman from Marshfield said he’d be voting for the bill because he believes it protects the environment while creating jobs around the entire state. According to Spiros, “I think it’s environmentally sound, and I think from the standpoint of economics it will definitely help this area.”

Many Assembly Democrats oppose the bill saying it goes too far with relaxing environmental standards; but if passed, the bill clears the way for Gogebic Taconite to open a new iron ore mining operation in Ashland and Iron Counties.

MOSINEE, WI  (WSAU)  -   The Wausau Paper Board of Directors will have a slightly different structure.  The Mosinee based company announced Wednesday that an agreement has been reached with the investment firm that owns just under 15% of the Wausau Paper stock.  

Starboard Value LP has recommended two new board members.  When the 2013 Annual Meeting takes place, the board will go from eight members to nine.  There will be seven independent directors, Thomas Howatt as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, and Henry Newell who is the President and Chief Executive Officer.

Board member Dennis Kuester will be leaving the board during the next reorganization, as he has reached a mandatory retirement age.  

New board members agreed to by the involved parties will be John Kvocka and George Murphy.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) - Wausau Community Theatre takes the stage tonight with their production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Business manager Janet Koss says this show always ranks highly in surveys presented to patrons. "It continues to be one of the top responses we get." It's also the 40th anniversary of the release of the move, and Koss says it is a good time to bring it back.

The show portrays the rise and fall of Jesus Christ in the last seven days of his life, presented in a rock opera on stage. Koss says they've recruited some excellent cast this year and the show will be very strong. "We've got a live pit orchestra, and we're ready to rock you out with music and singing."

The show runs tonight through Sunday at the Grand in Wausau. Tickets are available at the door or by calling the WCT business office at (715) 359-3972.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) - Marathon County health officials are working to remove mercury from your home by getting rid of old thermometers.

The county has set up a number of trade in sites to exchange old, mercury thermometers for newer digital versions. Environmental health and safety director Dale Grosskurth says it's an effort that many county and municipal departments are working towards. "The solid waste department's hazardous waste facility allows us to take these products to be disposed of properly." The effort is also backed by the Wausau and Rib Mountain water departments.

Grosskurth says the county is working to prevent the leakage of mercury into homes and the environment. "It doesn't take a lot to contaminate a car or a home, and it can be very involved to remove mercury." But it's not just thermometers that they're working to collect. The department is also working with dentists, manufacturers and contractors to try and reduce mercury waste.

You can find a list of locations from the health department's website.

MARSHFIELD, Wisc (WSAU)   We'd told you yesterday about 8-month-old Treyden Kurtzweil - the baby with a rare type of leukemia.

He and his family had just gotten insurance approval for a bone marrow transplant, and were hopeful that the procedure would happen yesterday. They were on their way to UW Childrens Hospital in Madison.

The transplant did not happen. There's been a delay because additional testing is needed.

The family is posting updates on their Facebook page and on the savingtreyden.com web site.

A benefit to help the family cover medical expenses is planned this Saturday from 9am to 4pm at Dales Weston Lanes.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI  (WSAU)  -  The former Wood County man accused of shooting and killing his friend while intoxicated has been found guilty. 22-year-old Tyler Enkro pled no contest in the December 2011 death of 31-year-old Nick Hoffmann of Wisconsin Rapids. Members of the Enkro and Hoffmann families were in court to support him during the plea hearing.

Court documents show Enkro called 9-1-1 reporting he had accidentally shot his friend and thought he was dead. Enkro’s blood alcohol level was .17 at the time.

The shooting happened at a Grand Rapids residence December 18th, 2011.

Judge Greg Potter ordered a presentence investigation. Enkro will be sentenced May 13th.

WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -  Several individuals and a company were honored Thursday night by the American Red Cross. The 2013 Red Cross Real Heroes Awards were handed out at the Howard Johnson Conference Center in Wausau to people who take life saving actions and people who get involved in their communities.

The event recognized people in the Lincoln, Marathon, and Portage County areas. Red Cross Regional Director of Development Wendy Savage says there are people around us helping friends and neighbors in need.  "We had two very extraordinary young people in our community who have decided to commit themselves to two very needed causes, and they received awards.  We have law enforcement that had extraordinary acts of bravery and courage to save people.  We also have an ordinary citizen who was at work and saw a home on fire and went into the home and saved a small child and two adults."

The American Red Cross recognizes ordinary heroes from our area every March.  "This is our sixth year.  These awards ceremonies go on throughout the country because March is Red Cross Month, so we choose this time to honor ordinary people who do extraordinary things."

Proceeds from the awards program benefit the American Red Cross disaster response services and community preparedness programming.

Overall, ten individuals and one company were honored during the program. 

Individuals receiving 2013 Real Heroes awards include:

2013 Youth Heroes:Kolten Kraft, Kronenwetter, WIFor the past three-years, Kolten has turned his annual birthday golf outing into a fundraiser to support Ministry Saint Clare’s compassionate care fund for patients in need. Kolten’ s yearly efforts include creating his own marketing posters, gathering donations and maintaining a Facebook page to encourage others to help him in his efforts. The funds raised are vital, but anyone who has seen Kolten at his event knows that it is important to him and his family. The Youth Hero Award is sponsored by B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation.

Peyton Medick, Weston, WIPeyton is the founder and inspiration of what has become Peyton’s Promise, a program for collecting and distributing food to help fight hunger. Founded in 2007, 60 tons of food and more than $20,000 have been collected for food pantries nationwide. About 5,000 families are recipients of food each month from pantries supplied by Peyton’s Promise. The Youth Hero Award is sponsored by B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation.

2013 Community Hero: Barb Jacob, Stevens Point, WIBarb Jacob, owner of Hunchies Road House, founded the South Side Veterans Memorial Park Playground Restoration fund drive with the hope of raising enough money to put some new playground equipment in the park. Jacob wanted families to be able to use the park but only a rusty swing and static train was there to play on. A merry-go-round, a slide and a monkey bar set are expected to be installed this spring. The Community Hero award is sponsored by Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

2013 Good Samaritan Hero: Greg Congdon, Plover, WIIn November 2012, while on a utility pole performing his job duties for AT&T Telecommunications, Greg Congdon saw large plumes of smoke spewing out of the eaves and front door of a residence. He dialed 911 and then checked the residence to see if there was anybody inside. When he heard a young girl crying through the smoke, he made his way to the girl by sound and carried her to safety. Two other occupants also emerged. After making sure the occupants made it to safety, Congdon provided them with jackets to keep them warm until emergency services could respond. The Good Samaritan Hero award is sponsored by Ministry Health Care.

2013 Law Enforcement Heroes: Lieutenant Mark Wagers – Marathon County Sheriff & Officer Jacob Albee – Wausau Police DepartmentIn September 2012, Lt. Wagers and Officer Albee saved the life of a citizen in distress, who would have perished if not for their lifesaving actions. A motorist mistakenly drove their vehicle off a boat landing into the Wisconsin River. The vehicle steadily filled with water and began to float downstream while the driver directed emergency services to his location. After Lt. Wagers and Officer Albee entered the water, they found the interior compartment completely submerged. Wagers broke the rear passenger window and pulled the driver from the vehicle. The driver was not conscious and not breathing. While holding the driver at the water surface, Lt. Wagers used his lifesaving skills to help the driver start to breath. Officer Albee removed his personal flotation device and wrapped it around the driver, then both swam the driver back to shore for assistance by paramedics.

2013 Health Care Heroes: David Keefe, Brian Mach, Pat Peckham, Dr. Fernando RiveronThese four community members came to know and lend a hand to “Homeless Ken”. They took him to appointments, arranged life-saving cardio-vascular surgery, kept tabs on his medications and helped with little dilemmas that turn into crises for people who have nothing and nowhere to turn. Their work demonstrates compassion through dedication to improving the lives of others and treating others with care and respect. The Health Care Hero award is sponsored by Delta Dental.

2013 Corporate Hero: RMM Solutions – Wausau, WIEmergencies like power outages, water main breaks and medical emergencies can disrupt an organization’s daily operations. Disasters have the potential to cause workplaces to fold and schools to close. Up to 40% of businesses fail after a natural or man-made disaster. RMM solutions and American Red Cross share a common goal of motivating people and organizations to take preparedness actions – to build resilience. We are pleased to name RMM Solutions as our Corporate Hero.

MADISON, WI (WXPR) -  While the boys basketball tournament is getting the headlines, another tournament is going on in Madison this weekend, one that Rhinelander high school students have dominated in the competition's three-decade history.

Rhinelander is one of 12 teams competing at the 30th annual Mock Trial competition Sunday at the Dane County Courthouse. Mock Trial provides high schoolers a chance to be attorneys and witnesses in a simulated court case developed by State Bar of Wisconsin members. This year's question centers on a fictional case where two students don't get along and there's a shooting. One student says it's the other student, and the suspect says it's a case of mistaken identity. Teams argue the case before a panel of legal veterans.

Long-time Rhinelander coach Kathy Vick-Martini says Rhinelander's team is experienced.  "I have seven people on the varsity team, and five of them are seniors and two are juniors.  The least amount of experience that anyone has is three years."

Vick-Martini says defending state champ Appleton Xavier returns but thinks D.C. Everest has a strong team.  Rhinelander does have a history of success.  "In the past 29 years of competition, we have won the State Tournament 15 times and we've come in second 5 times.  In those 26 years previous to this year, we were in the finals 20 of the 26 years."

Rhinelander won the national title in 1989 and finished second in 2004. Other Rhinelander coaches are attorney Jim Jacobi(jah-coh-bee) and Oneida County Circuit Judge Michael Bloom.

The preliminary competition is Sunday. The top two teams will compete before the State Supreme Co

WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -  Several middle school and junior high students will be applying their math and science skills in a manufacturing program at Northcentral Technical College Saturday. It’s called the S.M.A.R.T. Program, which stands for Science & Math Activities using Real-world Thinking.

The Wausau and Phillips campuses will host the students and an adult helper as they learn about new technology used for manufacturing, and show them how important math and science classes are for their futures.

Darren Ackley from NTC coordinates the program.  He says the participating students and their adult helpers will have a choice of projects to build.  "They'll be machining a hammer, or they will be working in our welding lab creating some different pieces of art, or they'll be working in our electromechanical lab building some little robotic and light-flashing circuit board-type stuff."

The S.M.A.R.T. program is designed to show middle school and junior high students that manufacturing jobs can be exciting and enjoyable careers that can also pay well.

Saturday’s program is filled to capacity, but NTC is considering expanding the S.M.A.R.T. program if they can get the funding.

Students will be able to make either an electronic device that beats to music in the Electromechanical Department, welded art in the Welding Department or use their math and engineering skills to design and construct a project in the Machine Tool Department.

Each of the options emphasizes science, technology, engineering and math skills while having fun. Ackley says the program will help them to start thinking about where their interests and aptitudes can take them after they finish school.