Caught red-handed: Another bald-faced lie from Randy Hopper

Caught red-handed: Another bald-faced lie from Randy Hopper

New emails between Hopper and his lobbyist mistress prove he advised her on applying for state job

OSHKOSH – Another day, another lie from Randy Hopper exposed. Freshly disclosed email correspondence between Hopper and his lobbyist mistressreveals that Hopper helped coach her while she was applying for a job in the Walker administration. The emails explicitly show him giving her tips on how to reach out to Walker’s chief of staff.

This new evidence directly contradicts Hopper’s earlier claims about playing absolutely no role in his mistress acquiring a cushy state job in the Walker administration. When asked by the media earlier this spring, Hopper unequivocally said that he had “no involvement” in her hiring.  

Hopper’s deception about his role in his girlfriend’s career moves is only the latest in a series of lies he’s been caught perpetrating. Last week, Hopper was called out by PolitiFact for running an ad falsely smearing opponent Jessica King. The ad was such a bald-faced lie it earned a “Pants on Fire” rating for accuracy. In addition, Hopper continues to mislead voters about his record of raising taxes on working families in the latest budget. Again, the nonpartisan PolitiFact reviewed the claim and determined that the state budget, which Hopper helped write, does in fact raise taxes.

“Whether it’s his record of raising taxes, his false smears against his opponent or providing help for his lobbyist mistress looking for a cushy state job with a huge pay increase, Randy Hopper has repeatedly demonstrated that he has no respect for the truth, as he shamelessly lies to the voters of his district,” said Kelly Steele, spokesman for We Are Wisconsin.  

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Paid for by We Are Wisconsin PAC, Phil Neuenfeldt, Treasurer.  Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.

Randy Hopper raised taxes on working families

Randy Hopper raised taxes on working families

Despite his misleading spin and no matter how many times he falsely claims otherwise, Randy Hopper did in fact raise taxes this year

OSHKOSH – As part of a stunt to attack his opponent and highlight his record of pushing an extreme agenda that hurt middle class families, the Hopper campaign kicked off their “18 ways in 18 days” effort this week with a completely false and misleading claim.

In his release, Hopper is quoted saying, “Lowering our tax burden for our taxpayers continues to be one of my top priorities…I will continue to support and author legislation that allows you to keep more of your hard earned dollars.”

Except this is false. As a member of the Joint Finance Committee, Hopper was one of the authors of the state budget that raises taxes by nearly $70 million on seniors and working families. By slashing the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Homestead Credit, which many Wisconsin seniors rely on, Hopper’s budget raises taxes on these individuals and families.

These tax hikes are confirmed by both the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau and independent fact-checking body PolitiFact. Randy Hopper’s state budget contains multi-million dollar tax increases on seniors and working families. It is fact.

"Randy Hopper's flailing campaign has announced he will close the final days before the election with a daily smear of his opponent. Currently trailing in all public polls, Hopper's desperation has earned him sharp criticism from the non-partisan PolitiFact for his latest smear TV ad. Why is Hopper so desperate to fire relentless lies into the public domain hoping something will stick?” said Kelly Steele, spokesman for We Are Wisconsin.

To be fair, there are some taxes Hopper is committed to lowering, the ones he and his friends qualify for. He has been a strong advocate of offering massive tax giveaways to corporations and wealthy investors like himself.

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Paid for by We Are Wisconsin PAC, Phil Neuenfeldt, Treasurer.  Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.

Wisconsin state lawmaker wants to relax puppy mill law

According to this story from LaCrosse, http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_89042dfe-b8ce-11e0-8d83-001cc4c03286.html, a state lawmaker from Hartford wants to "relax" Wisconsin's puppy mill law that only was signed into law in 2009. This is a bad idea and only will cause harm to more animals. If you care about animals and the harm his proposal would bring to them, please write, call, or email him as soon as possible and tell him to leave the law alone and NOT put helpless animals back in harm's way or subject them to cruel and inhumane conditions.

Madison Office:

Room 318 North

State Capitol

PO Box 8953

Madison, WI 53708

Voting Address:

2277 Highway K

Hartford, WI 53027

Telephone: (608) 267-2367

Fax: (608) 282-3699

Email: Rep.Pridemore@legis.wisconsin.gov

Political ads supporting Walker's budget blatent lies

The last two evenings I've seen political ads on TV featuring a middle-aged woman essentially singing the praises of what Scott Walker and his Republican cronies have done with our budget. The print at the bottom was pretty hard to make out in the ads I saw because it's white print on a light-colored surface in the shot itself - I'm sure done deliberately so we can't easily see who's paying for the ads. But is certainly appeared that it was saying the ads were paid for by the WMC Foundation, which - by their own web site - WMC stands for Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. Being that the WMC is very political, are they one and the same?

The ads themselves are rather laughable, but the one I saw tonight is nothing more than an outright lie, like some others we've seen come out of the Republican and other similarly-minded camps. The woman in the ad claimed this is the first time in years that Wisconsin has had a balanced budget. Someone really ought to ask the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board or whoever else oversees such political ads to yank this piece of crap ad off the air. And media outlets should reject such junk when it is delivered to them, no matter how much per spot or column inch they're being paid. Oh yes, and since the Republicans are so concerned about voter fraud, I wonder why they're not equally concerned about blatant lies like this which could be considered a type of fraud, too. But back to the main point...

FOR THE RECORD: THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS THAT WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET. As a matter of fact, the Wisconsin Constitution requires that the state pass a balanced budget, where estimated revenues are equal to or greater than estimated spending. By this definition, the state's biennium budget is in balance now, and has been ever since this law was passed. To WMC Foundation, I say, "Liar, liar, pants on fire." I would encourage these folks to produce a Wisconsin state budget that was passed that wasn't balanced since this part of the Constitution became law.

And guess what? Even with a balanced budget, and for all the union-busting and jacking around with the middle and low-income households in our state while giving more and more tax breaks to the rich and corproate entities, all under the guise of "We're broke and we need to do this," (which was another bunch of Scott Walker/Republican b.s.), our structural deficit still exists and there is dispute over whether it has improved at all. I guess it depends on how you look at it and I'm not here to debate that issue. I am merely saying the statement in the ad is an outright lie and has no business being on TV, radio, in print, or anywhere else, deliberately misleading people.

I know politicians always spin things, no matter the side of the fence they're on. But there is no spinning this. The budget is either balanced, or it isn't, and under Wisconsin law it must be, and is. Period. The WMC Foundation gets a thumbs down from me for false advertising. 

Randy Hopper: Liar, liar, pants on fire

The ad referenced in this story from Politifact just goes to show how how the Hopper campaign lies to put forth their own agenda. I guess that's because maybe they feel he can't win on his own merits.

HOPPER MUST GO; CASPER MUST EXPLAIN

HOPPER MUST GO And CASPER MUST EXPLAIN

The August 9, 2011 recall election in Senate District 18 is itching closer and closer. The District includes three counties, Dodge, Fond du Lac and Winnebago. The election is between Republican incumbent Randy Hopper and Democratic challenger Jessica King.

There are approximately 13,500 public employees working in Winnebago county. They comprise about 1/8 of the county's entire work force. The Walker budget repair bill which became law was fully endorsed by Senator Hopper. The law will steal or strip $27 million in take home pay per year from the pockets of public employees of Winnebago County. That's $27 million not $27 thousand. You don't have to be an economist to understand that the lack of this spending power will first affect the workers and their families, and then all the small business that these Winnebago County workers shop at, eat at and drink at.

How come the Oshkosh business community stayed silence on this economic damage? Where was the voice of newly-elected mayor Burk Tower? Above all where was the pen of John Casper, the president and CEO of the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce? He is the Allen Greenspan of Oshkosh who regularly opines in the Sunday Oshkosh Northwestern about economic growth.

Why was he silent on the loss of $27 million to the Oshkosh business community. There could be at least two reasons.

First, he does not know. He does not follow public sector employment. He's a private business type of guy. He has little to do with the public sector except when he shows up at the Oshkosh Common Council urging TIF money for Oshkosh Corporation.

There is a second reason and the one that is probably more accurate. He doesn't give a damn! Why? Because Casper wears more than one hat. He sits on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. This is the most powerful private enterprise organization in Wisconsin. They bleed Governor Scott Walker's programs and Senator Hopper's full endorsement of all of them. They detest public unions and teachers with a passion. They spent over $1 million to re-elect David Prosser to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The economic pain of this attack on public employees will be felt more in the months and years ahead. For many, the loss of take home pay has not been felt as of yet. But it will be.

The political payback can start on August 9, however, by electing Jessica King to replace Senator Randy Hopper.  

It also can be made by urging John Casper to resign from the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and pay attention to the plight of public employees in Oshkosh and Winnebago County.

Dan Rylance
For Eye on Oshkosh

Travel Smarter and Safer this Summer with Tips from FEMA

Summer is here, which often means vacations and more time on the road visiting the beach, national parks, amusement parks or camp grounds. While checking off items on your packing list, such as sun screen, shorts, towels, and gear, don’t forget a few tips to be safe and prepared while you’re on the go.

1. Pack your smartphone with safety info – Keep tabs on your latest local forecast at mobile.weather.gov, and visit m.fema.gov for safety and preparedness information on your phone. And if you’re flying to your destination, you can check airport status, travel tips, and even the security waiting times at www.tsa.gov/mobile.

2. If you’re driving, add an emergency kit to your vehicle - When you’re on the road, your vehicle is an extension of your home, so having an emergency kit can prove vital to keeping your family safe if an emergency occurs. Adding items such as a blanket, protein bars, bandages, and a solar powered cell phone charger are great to add to your vehicle’s kit.

3. If you’re flying, check out the Transportation Security Administration’s summer travel checklist – The TSA checklist is a great guide for air travel, with tips on what you can bring on the plane, the best ways to pack your bag, and more.

Make sure to plan for your pets, too - whether they’re making the trip with you, staying home, or spending time at a boarding facility. And as temperatures rise in the summer months, remember you can take steps to get prepared at http://www.ready.gov/. 

WEA Trust Responds to Misinformation Produced by the Republican Party of Wisconsin

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 18, 2011

WEA Trust Responds to Misinformation Produced by the Republican Party of Wisconsin

Madison, WI… The Republican Party of Wisconsin recently published an article by Katie McCallum entitled, “School Districts Escape the Grasp of WEAC with the Help of Collective Bargaining Reforms.” The article claims, “School districts around Wisconsin are realizing serious cost savings now that they may search for health insurance providers outside the WEA Trust.” However, the article made several erroneous claims and omitted key information.

The most glaring of these is that the article claims the School District of Marshfield will save approximately $850,000 by leaving the WEA Trust, when in fact Marshfield expects to see that savings because they recently decided to choose the WEA Trust over other insurance carriers. According to the Appleton Post Crescent article from June 30, 2011, Marshfield expects to save $850,000 by switching to the WEA Trust. Ms. MacCallum’s error in the article directly contradicts their claim that schools are saving money by leaving the WEA Trust.

“The School District of Marshfield chose the WEA Trust’s group health insurance coverage because of the Trust’s competitive pricing, business model, and our unparalleled products and services,” said Kathryne McGowan, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development.

Furthermore, the article made no mention of Kenosha Unified School District, which recently chose the WEA Trust as their group health insurance provider. Kenosha expects to save approximately $3 million by choosing the WEA Trust.

“School districts in Kenosha—along with Marshfield, Cedarburg, Marinette, and La Crosse—are just some of the dozens of school districts who have chosen to renew or switch to the WEA Trust group health insurance,” said McGowan.

We encourage the Republican Party of Wisconsin to fact check their information in the future. Their misinformation is both erroneous and disparaging.

The WEA Trust is a Wisconsin created, not-for-profit company that employs approximately 500 Wisconsin residents who pay taxes, contribute to their communities and to the State of Wisconsin, and work to serve our members each day.

No telephone service at Oshkosh Public Library morning of July 19

July 15, 2011 – The Oshkosh Public Library will be without telephone service for several hours on the morning of Tuesday, July 19, while the City of Oshkosh works on wiring related to upcoming Church Avenue road construction.

According to the city, work will begin at 4:30 a.m. on July 19 and should conclude around noon. The library will be without telephone service during that time. The public may still access the library catalog and other online resources via www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

A Portion of High Ave. to Close Starting July 18th

(Oshkosh, WI.) The city of Oshkosh would like to notify residents that High Avenue from Congress Avenue to Wisconsin Street will be closed to through traffic beginning July 18th, 2011. Access to local businesses and residents will be maintained and a detour route will be posted.

The detour is Congress Avenue to Algoma Boulevard to Murdock Avenue to Jackson Street to Irving Avenue to Wisconsin Street back to High Avenue. High Avenue will have one lane open for the week of EAA’s AirVenture.

The proposed work includes spot repairs to sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water main, sidewalk, and curb and gutter. The existing asphalt surface will be milled off and a new asphalt surface will be placed. Work is scheduled to be completed by the middle of September.

For more information on the project please contact Assistant Director of Public Works Steve Gohde at (920) 236-5065.

Oshkosh Public Library plans events to celebrate Harry Potter

July 15, 2011 - As fans around the world are once again spellbound by the phenomenon that is Harry Potter, the Oshkosh Public Library presents two special events to mark the release of the final film based on the
popular books about the boy wizard who triumphs over the forces of evil.

The Magic of Owls
Wed., July 20
6:30 p.m.
Under the dome
Live owls visit the library for this event, which offers a fascinating glimpse at the lives and habits of these intriguing feathered creatures. Rebekah Weiss, a certified and licensed wildlife rehabilitator from the Aves Wildlife Alliance will talk about owls' adaptations for flight and hunting and show items from her traveling trunk of feathers, wings and other artifacts. A Harry Potter fan herself, Weiss will throw in some trivia for those who love Hedwig, Pigwidgeon and the other owls of the wizarding world. Sitting in the historic dome area of the library, families can imagine they're in the Owlery at Hogwarts Castle!

Family Movie: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
"Spell"ing Bee
Tues., July 26
2 p.m.
Lower level meeting room
Enjoy a special showing of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the movie that brought Harry and friends to the big screen. There will be a special intermission event: The "Spell"ing Bee. A few "chosen ones" in
the audience will face off in this mini trivia contest designed to measure your Potter I.Q.  Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Oshkosh Public Library also joins the Oshkosh Public Museum for its month long PotterFest event. The library has worked a bit of magic, transforming a seemingly ordinary space at the museum into the
Gryffindor Common Room. PotterFest continues through July 31. Visit the Gryffindor Common Room and pick up a copy of the Potter-themed Impossibly Difficult Crossword and the Slytherin Sudoku.  Complete the puzzles individually or as a family by July 30 and return them to the library for a chance to win prizes including Harry Potter books, movie poster books and books on CD.

Events at the library are free and open to the public. There is a charge for the museum's PotterFest event. For more information, visit http://www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org/ or call 236-5205.

Candidate Forum Between Hopper and King Scheduled for July 18th

(Oshkosh, WI.) The League of Women Voters of Winnebago County and Oshkosh Community Media Services (OCMS) will present a candidate forum on Monday, July 18th. State Senator Randy Hopper (Republican) and challenger Jessica King (Democrat) will meet in the 18th district state senate recall election forum.

The candidate forum is open to the public and will be held at City Hall (215 Church Ave.) in room 404 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Questions for the candidates may be submitted in advance to league@lwvwinnebago.org or by telephone at (920) 231-4770.

The forum will be carried live on OCMS CitiCable 10, live on WOCT 101.9 FM, and video streamed live on the internet at http://www.oshkoshcommunitymedia.org/. Replay times for the forum will be posted on http://www.oshkoshcommunitymedia.org/.

Something to squawk about

Washington has many lazy habits, and one of the worst is a reflexive tendency to see equivalence where none exists. Hence the nonsense, being peddled by politicians and commentators who should know better, that “both sides” are equally at fault in the deadlocked talks over the debt ceiling. In this piece columnist Eugene Robinson sheds light on both sides of the debt-ceiling fight, and points out the truth about how the Democrats have made it clear they are open to a compromise deal on budget cuts and revenue increases, while the Republicans have made it equally clear they are not.

The GOP’s Sick Priorities

Many threatened programs are not government handouts to a privileged class, like defense contractors and bailed-out bankers, who do feel eminently entitled to pig out at the federal trough. In this piece Robert Scheer talks about how the GOP is putting Medicare and Social Security on the Chopping Block.

27 days: Final countdown of Randy Hopper’s political career starts today

27 days: Final countdown of Randy Hopper’s political career starts today

With distraction of fake primary over, voters can now focus on Hopper’s record of attacking Wisconsin families

OSHKOSH – Now that the repugnant, cynical “fake primary” that unnecessarily cost taxpayers $500,000 is over, voters can finally focus their attention on the original reason nearly 23,000 residents of the 18th District signed recall petitions earlier this spring: to repeal Randy Hopper’s radical, job-killing agenda and his relentless attacks on Wisconsin’s middle class working families.

“Despite their sleazy efforts to delay, distract and even defeat Jessica King in a fake primary, Randy Hopper and his right-wing friends will not succeed in stopping the voters of Wisconsin from having the final say,” said Mike McDowell of Fond du Lac. “In his three years in office, Randy Hopper has turned his back on working families, seniors and our children so he can reward the super-rich and out-of-state corporations. Hopper’s constituents know his record is filled with decisions that are wrong for Wisconsin’s families and they will ultimately hold him accountable on August 9th.”

As a member of the powerful Joint Finance Committee, Randy Hopper has demonstrated time and again how out of step he is with Wisconsin’s values. His budget slashes public education funding by $800 million, cuts critical services for our most needy and vulnerable while giving millions away in tax breaks to wealthy investors and out of state corporations.

What’s worse, Hopper hasn’t even been able to honestly talk about his terrible decisions. He’s been disingenuously glossing over how it is filled with broken promises he’s made to voters in the 18th Senate District, specifically about how much his budget will cost the public.

He publicly promised to “balance a budget that maintains essential services without increasing taxes and raising fees.”

Yet his budget does in fact, raises BOTH taxes and fees.

Analysis from the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau and independent fact-checking body PolitiFact reveals that Hopper’s budget does in fact raises taxes. By slashing the Earned Income Tax Credit for working families and the Homestead Credit, which many Wisconsin seniors rely on, Hopper’s budget raises taxes on these individuals and families by nearly $70 million.

His budget raises fees totaling $133 million. These fees range from hiking college tuition to charging car owners more to fees on beer wholesalers. The increased fees represent a broken promise and will hurt middle-class families the most. Again, this is confirmed by Politifact, whofound that despite republican claims and Randy Hopper’s promise to the contrary, their final budget increases fees statewide.

In another example of how Randy Hopper’s agenda is taking Wisconsin in the wrong direction, unemployment rose across Wisconsin last month and specifically rose to 7.1 in Fond du Lac and 6.7 in Oshkosh. With the budget that Hopper wrote, the economy will likely continue to get worse now that the job-killing policies in the budget have become law and go into effect. Cuts to public education, especially to technical colleges, tax hikes on working families and the dramatic rollback of healthcare access for low income families will only continue to hurt the economy, hurting the recovery for middle-class families across the state for years.

“Randy Hopper’s record of broken promises is disappointing for an elected official, and with the general election under way, they willcatch up to him,” said Perry Graves from Black Wolf. “Now that he has rammed through his radical agenda, the public can now see how damaging his decisions to raise taxes on working families while making unprecedented cuts to our schools and wasting millions on tax giveaways to wealthy investors like himself are– and they will vote accordingly on August 9th.”

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Paid for by We Are Wisconsin PAC, Phil Neuenfeldt, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.

Homestead Solutions, Inc. Awarded Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program Funds to Provide Mortgage Assistance to Wisconsin Homeowners

CONTACT: Romi Norton
Homestead Solutions
920-230-3324
Romi@HomesteadSolutions.org
Homestead Solutions, Inc. Awarded Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program Funds to Provide Mortgage Assistance to Wisconsin Homeowners Program is Designed to Help Wisconsin Homeowners Who Are at Risk of Foreclosure
Homestead Solutions, Inc. of Oshkosh has announced that it has been selected by NeighborWorks America in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help promote the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP) in the state of Wisconsin.

Congress provided $1 billion dollars to HUD, as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, to implement EHLP. The program will assist homeowners who have experienced a reduction in income and are at risk of foreclosure due to involuntary unemployment or underemployment, due to economic conditions or a medical condition.

Under EHLP guidelines eligible homeowners can qualify for an interest free loan which pays a portion of their monthly mortgage for up to two years, or up to $50,000, whichever comes first.

"The Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program will make it possible for struggling Wisconsin homeowners to receive some much needed assistance in paying their mortgages," stated Romi Norton.

The EHLP program will pay a portion of a successful applicant’s monthly mortgage and homeowners can use the money for missed mortgage payments or past due charges including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. EHLP is expected to aid as many as 30,000 distressed borrowers in the US.

"NeighborWorks America is very pleased to partner with Homestead Solutions to raise awareness of the EHLP program among Wisconsin and help those that qualify receive mortgage assistance," stated Eileen M. Fitzgerald, of NeighborWorks America.

The EHLP funding is a complement to the Hardest Hit Fund which makes available $7.6 billion to 18 states and the District of Columbia that were hardest hit by the housing crisis. The EHLP funds will be offered in the following states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming and Puerto Rico. Five states operating substantially similar programs are administering EHLP funds through their existing programs: Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

With the launch of this program, mortgage assistance is now available for unemployed and underemployed homeowners in every state.

Contact information for participating agencies, the Pre-Applicant Screening Worksheet and more information on the EHLP assistance and its eligibility requirements can be found at www.FindEHLP.org or by calling toll free at 855-FIND-EHLP (346-3345).
About NeighborWorks® America NeighborWorks® America creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. Since 1991, we have assisted nearly 1.2 million low- to moderate-income families with their housing needs. Much of our success is achieved through our support of the NeighborWorks network ― more than 235 community development organizations working in more than 4,400 urban, suburban and rural communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $15 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.
About Homestead Solutions, Inc. Homestead Solutions, Inc. is a Non-Profit HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency located in Oshkosh. We work with homeowners that are at risk of, or are already having difficulties keeping up with their mortgage payments. We help the homeowner take any necessary action to avoid the foreclosure. As a HUD-Certified Agency, homeowners can feel confident that they are not getting involved in a scam. There are no up-front fees and the Homestead Solutions counselors are truly here to help. We are funded by a grant through the US Government, so in most cases there is no fee to the homeowners for our services.

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Justice for Caylee

For all those like me, who are feeling a range of emotions - from disappointment and shock to anger and downright disgust - following last week's verdict in the Casey Anthony murder trial, I hope this message, originally posted by Justice for Caylee Anthony, will help. It is a message in which I totally believe. So whether you are a God-loving, God-fearing person; believe in some other higher power; or just believe in karma or subscribe to the theory that what goes around, comes around, I hope you will take comfort in the knowledge, as I do, that there will be justice for Caylee at some point in time.   

Does Randy Hopper or his staff actually read his email

I realize that as a current sitting Senator, especially one as embattled as he is, Randy Hopper must get a lot of correspondence from constituents and non-constituents alike. I also realize it is a daunting task handling all that correspondence. However, one would think between he and his staff, they could at least get it right when it comes to reading the things his office receives. (Although it is nice to see people being responded to in some way.)

Case in point: I have been contacted recently by some of Randy’s own constituents in the 18th Senate District who have contacted him with a petition which proposes a new law be put on the books, making it a felony for a parent , legal guardian, or caretaker to not notify law enforcement of the disappearance of a child within 24 hours.  

Hopper’s response? He knows of no pending legislation but if any gets introduced, he’ll keep those people’s thoughts in mind. It’s no surprise he knows of no pending legislation; none exists as yet. Why in the hell does he think these folks contacted him in the first place? Perhaps he should can the “canned” responses and actually try reading, then responding in a more thoughtful, meaningful way to people’s concerns. Then how about setting forth to create some legislation that actually protects people, in this case, children? Aren't these things what he’s being paid to do, after all? It’s just a thought.

P.S. I posted the original email to him and his response posted below for your convenience.  Certain things such as the time the emails were sent, and by whom, have been removed to protect the identity of those constituents.

(letter from constituents)

Sen. Randy Hopper

State Capitol, Room 310 South

2 East Main Street

Madison WI 53702

Greetings,

On July 5, 2011, at 1:15 pm CST, Casey Anthony was found not guilty of first degree murder in the death of her daughter Caylee Anthony. The only charges she now faces are four counts of falsifying police reports, each of which only carries a 1 year prison term. Since she has been in jail since August 2008, she will be out of jail ENTIRELY too soon.

I'm writing to propose that a new law be put into effect making it a felony for a parent, legal guardian, or caretaker to not notify law enforcement of the disappearance of a child within 24 hours, so proper steps can be taken to find that child before it's too late. This way there will be no more cases like Casey Anthony's in the courts, and no more innocent children will have to go without justice.

Also, make it a felony for a parent, legal guardian, or caretaker to not notify law enforcement of the death of their child, accidental or otherwise, within 1 hour of said death being discovered.

The case of Caylee Anthony was tragic, and there is no reason for another case like this one to hit the courts. Let's do what is necessary to prevent another case like this from happening.

Sincerely,

(response from Sen. Hopper)

Subject: RE: Create Caylee's Law, Not Reporting Child's Death Should Be a Felony

Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2011

From: Sen.Hopper@legis.wisconsin.gov

To:  

Dear

Thank you for emailing me in support of Caylee's Law. I appreciate you taking the time to contact me on this issue. At this time, I am not aware of any pending legislation that would address this issue. Should legislation be introduced, please know that I will keep your thoughts in mind as I review the provisions of the bill.

Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Randy Hopper

Time forAnswers: Is Hopper attacking middle class families on his own or under threat of political retribution

Time forAnswers: Is Hopper attacking middle class families on his own or under threat of political retribution
With news of Walker successfully threatening one Republican senator over extreme budget repair bill, the question remains, what about Hopper?

OSHKOSH – Late last night, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the Walker administration threatened a Republican Senator with retribution in the form of a Tea Party challenger if the Senator did not blindly support Walker’s extreme agenda attacking workers’ rights and Wisconsin’s middle class.

The account by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel presents a shocking depiction of the extreme measures Scott Walker and his allies are willing to use to ram through their radical agenda, and their willingness to use any political tactic at their disposal – no matter how sleazy or despicable – to extend or consolidate absolute power over the entire apparatus of Wisconsinstate government. 

According to the report, a prominent Green Bay-area businessman was told directly by Sen. Rob Cowles that: “…the governor's office told us if we didn't give them our support, they would run a tea party candidate against us.”

“News of Scott Walker using vicious threats against any Senator who might stand up to his extreme agenda isn’t the most disturbing thing here,” said Steve Lord of Oshkosh. “What’s worse is that it appears to have worked – begging the question that Randy Hopper’s constituents deserve an answer to: Did Scott Walker threaten him to get his support, or does Hopper personally believe in an agenda thatattacks working families, raises taxes on seniors and the poor, and makes crippling cuts to public education?”

For months, Hopper has been on record praising Walker’s radical agenda, calling it “desperately needed.”

“In light of the news of Gov. Walker’s dirty tactics, Randy Hopper has a responsibility to clear the air and state, on the record, was he threatened by Walker or does he take personal ownership for his support of this terrible, job-killing budget,” said Lord.

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Paid for by We Are Wisconsin PAC, Phil Neuenfeldt, Treasurer.  Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.

HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS GEORGE LUCAS, HARRISON FORD AMONG NOTABLES APPEARING AT EAA AIRVENTURE 2011

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (July 11, 2011) - Hollywood legends George Lucas and Harrison Ford are just two of the many notable names scheduled to participate in activities surrounding EAA AirVenture 2011, which will be held July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

Lucas and Ford headline a marquee list of presenters scheduled to appear at EAA's Fly-In Theater, which features nightly movies free of charge with an AirVenture admission. The EAA Fly-In Theater is presented
by Ford Motor Company and supported by Hamilton Watches.

Lucas, director of the "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" franchises, will make his AirVenture debut on Friday, July 29, when he introduces a preview of his upcoming feature film, "Red Tails." This movie, set for release in 2012, tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American pilots to fly in a combat squadron during World War II.

Later that evening, astronauts Gene Cernan, EAA member and "the last man on the moon" during Apollo 17, and Dick Gordon, command module pilot of the second manned mission to land on the moon, Apollo 12, will introduce the evening's feature film, "Apollo 13."

Ford, an avid pilot and former EAA Young Eagles chairman, will introduce his 1993 hit, "Clear and Present Danger," on Wednesday, July 27. Additional featured presenters include actor and private pilot Robert Hays introducing the 1980 comedy classic "Airplane!," in which he played the traumatized "Ted Striker," on Thursday, July 28, and executive producer, pilot, and EAA member David Ellison speaking prior
to the showing of his film, "True Grit," on Tuesday, July 26.

"Top Gun" will be shown on Monday, July 26, in honor of the film's 25th anniversary and the Centennial of Naval Aviation, which is being celebrated all week at EAA AirVenture.

Baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr. and Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas return for the second straight year to the EAA Young Eagles Celebrity Golf Classic, which will be held Wednesday, July 27, at
Oshkosh Country Club. Among many others, they will be joined by Hays and actor Chris McDonald, who is well-known for his role as "Shooter McGavin" in the 1996 comedy hit "Happy Gilmore."

Registration is still open for the Young Eagles Celebrity Golf Classic, which supports EAA youth initiatives, at www.airventure.org/golfclassic.

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAA's yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at http://www.airventure.org/. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit http://www.eaa.org/. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAAupdate.

US 41 Project updates

Greetings from the US 41 Project Team,
See below for the latest traffic updates for the US 41 Project. Visit our website to view current Brown and Winnebago County closures: http://www.us41wisconsin.gov/closures/closures. 

Brown County
US 41 temporary lanes
Schedule: June to November 2011
Location: Orange Lane – Larson Road
Description: Roadway work includes the excavation and widening of US 41 for future use during the ultimate reconstruction of US 41. Both the inside and outside shoulders will be expanded in the northbound and southbound lanes of US 41 throughout the life of this project. The bridge carrying US 41 southbound traffic over Ninth Street will be widened to accommodate future lanes of traffic and future work on US 41. Temporary crossovers will be constructed for the work at the Ninth Street location in the median of US 41. Work operations will include excavation, base aggregate placement and asphalt paving. Other areas will be milled and resurfaced with asphalt pavement. Other work will include the relocation of signs and the construction of the LED Dynamic Message Sign west of County J on WIS 29.
July 4 – July 10: Crews will be working during night time hours at two locations this week on US 41. One crew will be excavating and placing base course south of Scheuring Road on the outside shoulder in the southbound lanes of US 41. The second crew will be also excavating and placing base course between Lombardi Avenue and Mason Street in the northbound lanes of US 41. Milling of the shoulder in required areas in the southbound and northbound lanes in these same two areas will be done this week as well.
July 11 to July 17: Crews will continue working during night time hours on the outside shoulders on US 41 southbound from Scheuring Road south to Orange Lane. They will also continue working in the northbound lanes of US 41 on the outside shoulder between Lombardi Avenue and Mason Street. Once the excavation and placement of base aggregate is completed in these areas, they will be paved with asphalt pavement. Then the contractor will switch later to the inside shoulder in the same two areas the outside shoulders were completed in and complete the same type of work.
Traffic impacts: Traffic impacts as a result of the implemented traffic control plan include the following:
Single lane closure south of Scheuring Road in the southbound lanes of US 41 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday nights.  
There will be a single lane closure from Lombardi Avenue to Mason Street in the northbound lanes of US 41 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday thought Friday nights.
WIS 29 – Shawano Ave./Taylor St. Intersection
Schedule: May 2011 to October 16, 2011
Location: Intersection of Shawano Avenue and Taylor Street in the city of Green Bay.
Description: The project will replace the existing signalized intersection at Shawano Avenue and Taylor Street with a dual-lane roundabout and re-route Old Shawano Avenue. Work items include storm sewer, curb and gutter, sidewalk, concrete pavement, four overhead sign structures, retaining wall construction, landscaping, and incidental construction.
July 5 to July 8: The Shawano/Taylor intersection closed to traffic on July 6. Crews began stage 2 work including pavement removal and storm sewer construction along the west leg of Shawano Avenue and south leg of Taylor Street.
July 11 to July 15: Crews will continue pavement removal and storm sewer construction. Grading will begin along the west leg of Shawano Avenue and south leg of Taylor Street. Pavement recycling operations will also begin on the project.
Traffic Impacts: Shawano Avenue is closed to through traffic from US 41 to Fellows Drive. Taylor Street is closed to traffic between Dousman and Badger Streets. A signed detour route for WIS 29 (Shawano Avenue) is US 41 to I-43 to US 141. Local traffic is being maintained on a temporary bypass road that connects Shawano Avenue to Taylor Street at the Badger Street intersection. Access will be maintained to all residences and businesses during construction. The Shawano/Taylor intersection is scheduled to reopen to traffic by October 1.
US 41-Scheuring Rd
Schedule: July 2010 to October 2011
Location: Lawrence Dr/PDQ Dr, city of De Pere
Description: Roadway improvements for this project include the construction of roundabouts at the intersections of Scheuring Road and Lawrence Drive and Scheuring Road and PDQ Drive. Roundabouts will also be constructed at the interchange service ramp terminals intersecting Scheuring Road. Structural improvements for this project include the removal and replacement of the bridge over US 41 at Scheuring Road and the removal and replacement bridges over Ashwaubenon Creek at both the northwest and southeast service ramps. Structural improvements also include the construction of retaining walls. Additional improvements include storm sewer, culverts, asphaltic paving, concrete paving, concrete curb and gutter, signing, landscaping, and lighting.
July 4 to July 10: Crews completed concrete flat work on the west side of structure. Crew will continued concrete flat work on the east side of structure, working on retaining walls, grading shoulders, placing signs, pavement marking, and begin placing concrete girders for the structure over US 41.
July 11 to July 17: Crews will continue concrete flat work on the east side of structure. Crew will continue working on the retaining walls, grading shoulders, placing signs, and pavement marking. Crews will complete setting girders for the structure over US 41.
Traffic impacts: Traffic impacts as a result of the implemented traffic control plan include the following: (1) The ramps at Scheuring Road will be closed until mid July. (2) The bridge over US 41 will be closed for the duration of the project. This will close west bound traffic at Lawrence Drive and east bound traffic at Mid Valley Road. (3) Various lane closures after 7 p.m. on US 41 southbound and northbound lanes
Please note: On July 6, 7, 8 and 9, US 41 will be having full closures with traffic detoured from aprox 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
US 41/WIS 29 Wick Drains
Schedule: April 25 to July 27, 2011
Location: US 41/WIS 29 Interchange
Description: Work involved consists of grading, asphalt pavement, strip drains, erosion control and all incidental items.
June 4 to July 8: Wick drain installation is continuing on the south side of WIS 29. Pre-bore drilling and wick drain installation operations are continuing on the north side of WIS 29. A third wick installation rig is mobilizing in on the north side of WIS 29 this week. Dousman Street work within the median is continuing this week.
July 11 to July 15: Wick drains will continue to be installed on both the north and south sides of WIS 29. Dousman Street work within the median is to continue followed by traffic shift and excavation and grading then starting on the right lane of southbound Dousman.
Traffic Impacts: Dousman Street northbound and southbound left lanes will be closed between Hummingbird Drive and US 41 for approximately two weeks starting Tuesday, July 28.
US 41 – Lambeau Street
Schedule: June 2011 to August 5, 2011
Location: The project extends from the east end of the West Mason Street/North Frontage Road to approximately 500 feet north of Starr Court in the city of Green Bay.
Description: The project will reconstruct a portion of Lambeau Street in preparation for future US 41 improvements. Work items include grading, storm sewer, concrete pavement, erosion control, and incidental construction.
July 5 to July 8: The contractor prepped and placed concrete pavement along the northbound roadway.
July 11 to July 15: Crews will begin landscaping and finishing work. The contractor will place topsoil and complete restoration operations along the northbound roadway.
Traffic Impacts: Bi-directional traffic will be maintained along the southbound roadway. Lanes are reduced to 10-foot width. Local access to businesses and residences will be maintained during construction. However, motorists are advised to use alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.
US 41/WIS 29 County RK (South Frontage Road) East
Schedule: May 2011 to October 2011
Location: WIS 29 South Frontage Road, Duck Creek to County EB (Packerland Drive)
Description: Work consists of constructing an urban roadway (County RK) with sidewalk along the south side of the roadway, street lighting, and plantings; constructing a new bridge over Duck Creek with aesthetic details; reconstructing the multi-use path under the new bridge and installing under deck lighting; reconstructing the entrance into Pamperin Park with an electronic gate, aesthetic details, and decorative luminaries; realigning Parkside Court to a future S. Memorial Drive connection; constructing a noise wall along the south side of County RK; and constructing detention ponds.
July 5 to July 8: Contractor started to drive piles for the east Duck Creek Abutment; paved the temporary Pamperin Park Access Road; continued to install storm sewer along County RK, and started to layout the south temporary shoring along Pamperin Park Access Road.
July 11 to July 15: Contractor will form and pour the east Duck Creek Abutment and build the causeway into Duck Creek; continue to install storm sewer along County RK; begin excavation for the detention ponds, and begin to construct the south temporary shoring along Pamperin Park Access Road.
Traffic Impacts: Traffic along Parkside Court will be reduced to one lane during portions of the project. Access in and out of Pamperin Park will be maintained at all times, but will be reduced to 10 foot lanes in each direction along a temporary access roadway. The recreational trail along Duck Creek from Shawano Avenue to the park is now closed. Pedestrians and bicyclists should to use the Pamperin Park Access Road to enter and exit the park.
US 41/WIS 29 County J Structures and County RK (South Frontage Road) West
Schedule: June 2011 to May 2012
Location: WIS 29/County J and WIS 29 South Frontage Road, County J to Duck Creek
Description: Work consists of building new structures along WIS 29 at County J with aesthetic details and under deck lighting; reconstructing County J from Berkshire Drive to Shawano Avenue to go under WIS 29 with street lighting, sidewalks, and plantings; constructing a single lane roundabout at the intersection of County J and new County RK (South Frontage Road); and constructing a new urban roadway (County RK) with sidewalk along the south side of the roadway, street lighting, and plantings.
July 5 to July 8: Contractor constructed the south bridge staging area and drove the steel piling; poured the temporary abutments; continued to build the grade for County RK and County J; placed the curb and gutter along the Labonte Driveway; continued to construct the WIS 29 median crossovers; and started the shoulder widening along WIS 29.
July 11 to July 15: Contractor will place the concrete girders on the temporary abutments on the south bridge staging area; pave the Labonte Driveway; continue to build the grade along County RK and County J; finish constructing and pave the median crossovers; and continue with the shoulder widening along WIS 29.
Traffic Impacts: County J is close from just south of WIS 29 to just north of WIS 29, traffic no longer is able to access WIS 29 from County J. Lane closures along WIS 29 will continue during non-peak travel times for the next four weeks.
Winnebago County
US 41 – Mainline (US 45 to Breezewood Lane)
Schedule: March 2011 to June 2013
Location: US 41 - US 45 Interchange to Breezewood Lane
Description: This project involves the reconstruction and widening of USH 41. The work includes construction of multiple structures including: bridges, box culverts, and sign bridges along with concrete and asphalt pavements, concrete barrier wall, and pavement marking. .
July 4 to July 11: Concrete barrier will be placed along Green Valley Road from Nee-Vin Road to County G. Slope paving work under the US 41 bridges at WIS 76 will continue. Construction of the storm water detention pond at County G and US 41 will be completed this week. Work on the south box culvert will continue this week. Grading and storm sewer work will continue north of County G. Formwork for the bridge deck at the US 41 bridge over the railroad spur will begin this week. Asphalt base and concrete pavement are scheduled between County Y and WIS 76.
July 11 to July 17: Concrete paving will continue between County Y and WIS 76. Construction of the new box culvert South of County Y will continue this week. Storm sewer will continue between the railroad spur bridge and the north project limits near WIS 114. Grading and base aggregate will continue between County GG and County G. Asphalt paving and concrete paving will follow the base aggregate construction between WIS 76 and County GG. Slope paving work under the US 41 bridge over WIS 76 will continue this week.
Traffic impacts: The US 41/Breezewood Lane interchange is closed to all traffic. Bell Street is closed from Harrison Street east to Industrial Drive. Harrison Street is closed from Jewelers Park Road to Bell Street. Breezewood Lane is closed from the Bergstrom Road/Gillingham Road intersection to the east. These closures will remain in effect until October. The intersection of Bergstrom Road and Gillingham Road remains open to the north, south, and west.
US 41 - South mainline paving, WIS 26 to WIS 44, WIS 26 bridge staining
Schedule: August 2010 to November 2011
Location: US 41 mainline from approximately one mile south of the US 44 overpass to approximately one mile south of the WIS 26 overpass.
Description: In 2011, 2.7 miles of mainline US 41 northbound and southbound will be widened to three lanes in each direction and concrete median barrier installed. The WIS 26 Bridge over US 41 will be architecturally treated to match the US 41 corridor theme.
July 4 to July 8: During the week, northbound US 41 traffic will continue operating in the newly constructed northbound lanes. Temporary precast barrier wall will be set to separate the northbound traffic from the US 41 median work zone. Southbound traffic will remain in its current configuration. Work performed this week in the northbound median will include pavement removal, milling and the installation of the storm sewer drainage (vane drain) system.
July 11 to July 15: Work performed this week in the northbound median will include pavement removal, grading, the installation of the storm sewer drainage system and the installation of lighting conduit.
Traffic Impacts: During the week, northbound US 41 traffic will continue operating in the newly constructed northbound lanes. Northbound US 41 traffic will be separated from the US 41 median work zone by temporary barrier block. Southbound US 41 traffic will remain in its current configuration separated from the northbound median work zone by temporary barrier block.
Work on the US 41 northbound median will take place behind temporary concrete barrier wall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily Monday through Friday, some night work activities may also occur throughout the period. A permanent right lane closure on westbound WIS 26 will be maintained to facilitate construction vehicles accessing the stockpiles and waste site located in the on and off ramp gore areas.
US 41 – northbound mainline widening and Bell Street/Breezewood Lane interchange
Schedule: June 2010 to October 2011
Location: US 41 Northbound from Snell Road to Bell Street/Breezewood Lane and Bell Street/Breezewood Lane from west of Bergstrom/Gillingham Road to east of Harrison Street.
Description: The project involves widening the existing northbound lanes of US 41 including the structures over WIS 76 and the CN railroad spur. The project also includes the complete reconstruction of the Bell Street/Breezewood Lane interchange including the structures over US 41 and the CN railroad line, several retaining walls, grading, storm sewer, pavement, signing, lighting, pavement marking, and ITS systems.
July 4 to July 8: Construction of retaining walls continued. The concrete deck of the Bell Street structure was placed. Construction of the Breezewood structure abutments, installation of electrical conduits, and landscaping continued.
July 11 to July 15: Construction of the Bell Street structure; the Breezewood Lane structure; and retaining walls will continue. Placement of concrete sidewalk is scheduled to begin on the west half of the interchange. Miscellaneous grading operations will continue.
Traffic impacts: The US 41/Breezewood Lane interchange is closed to all traffic. Bell Street is closed from Harrison Street east to Industrial Drive. Harrison Street is closed from Jewelers Park Road to Bell Street. Breezewood Lane is closed from the Bergstrom Road/Gillingham Road intersection to the east. These closures will remain in effect until October. Bergstrom Road is scheduled to close from Breezewood Lane to 1000 feet south of the intersection beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 8 and reopening at 5 a.m. on Monday, July 11. Gillingham Road is scheduled to close from Breezewood Lane to 1000 feet north of the intersection beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 8 and reopening at 5 a.m. on Monday, July 11. Breezewood Lane is scheduled to close from the Bergstrom Road/Gillingham Road intersection to 400 feet west of the intersection beginning on July 8 and reopening in October.
US 41 – US 45 Interchange
Schedule: August 2010 to September 2012
Location: US 41/USH 45 interchange.
Description: This project involves construction of multiple structures including: bridges, box culverts, retaining walls, and sign bridges along with grading, base aggregate, concrete & asphalt pavements, concrete curb & gutter, and pavement marking.
July 4 - July 8: The contractor will continue excavation soil from the project. Storm sewer and culvert pipe will continue to be placed. Aggregates will be placed throughout the project. Work on the retaining walls will continue. Work will continue on the US 45 bridge. Work will also continue on the north abutment and some of the piers for the flyover bridge. Asphalt paving, electrical, and sign structures work will begin.
July 11 – July 15: The contractor will continue excavation soil from the project. Storm sewer and culvert pipe will continue to be placed. Aggregates will be placed throughout the project. Work on the retaining walls, on the US 45 bridge, on the north abutment and some of the piers for the flyover bridge, asphalt paving, electrical, and sign structures work will all continue. The contractor will also start repairing the concrete on US 45.
Traffic impacts: US 45 is closed from the US45/Fernau Avenue roundabout to County T/Ryf Road. The off ramps from US 41 to US 45 are closed. The on ramps from US 45 to US 41 are closed. The posted detour route for northbound US 45 will be WIS 76 northbound to US 10 westbound. The route is reversed for southbound US 45 ending at Murdock Avenue.
9th Avenue Interchange, north US 41 Mainline Paving, US 44 bridge painting
Schedule: August 2010 to November 2011
Location: 9th Avenue Interchange, US 41 Mainline from 1500 feet north of Witzel Avenue, to one mile south of the WIS 44 overpass.
Description: This project involves temporary widening of the southbound US 41 lanes during the fall of 2010 to provide a staged construction zone in which 3.2 miles of US 41 will be reconstructed. There will be an additional turn lane added on WIS 21. In 2011, the 9th Avenue bridge over US 41 will be demolished and rebuilt as a decorative bridge. Two retaining walls will be built in front of the abutments. The 9th Avenue interchange and the ramp terminal intersections will be reconstructed, and four roundabouts will be installed.
Traffic was moved to a new alignment to allow for phased construction at the Washburn/9th Avenue and Koeller/9th Avenue intersections the week of March 3rd. Please use caution in this area.
July 5 to July 8: Placement of overhead sign structures and the placement of topsoil and landscaping activity will finish at 9th Avenue as areas become ready. Paving the concrete at the roundabouts will finish. Punch list concrete repair items will complete. Placement of the brick in the splitter islands will continue. The 9th Avenue Bridge work will be completed to be open to traffic. Pavement markings are being placed. The 9th Avenue intersection is scheduled to open up to traffic late Thursday night July 7. Both northbound US 41 ramps at 9th Avenue will be open to traffic, but both southbound ramps will not be open to traffic. The fencing contract will be placing fence along the east side of US 41.
July 11 to July 15: Punch list work will continue around the 9th Avenue intersection. Brick paver work will finish up. On US 41, grading and base placement operations will continue. Storm sewer work is being completed. The fencing contract will be placing fence along the east side of US 41.
Traffic impacts: Southbound US 41 traffic is restricted to two 11-foot lanes between WIS 21 and WIS 26. The southbound US 41 ramps at 9th Avenue will remain closed. Though traffic is now on the new ramps at WIS 26 and WIS 44, the new ramps will be affected by shoulder closures on each side where the ramps cross the new northbound pavement.  There will be a northbound lane closure at 9th Avenue to allow the contractor to open the ramps to traffic on Thursday night, July 7. The 9th Avenue intersection is scheduled to open up to traffic late Thursday night, July 7. Both northbound US 41 ramps at 9th Avenue will be open to traffic, however both southbound US 41 ramps will not be open to traffic at 9th Avenue at this time.
WisDOT and the US 41 Project Team
http://www.us41wisconsin.gov/
Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WisconsinUS41
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/wisconsinus41

"Oceans" films a winning bet at Oshkosh Public Library

July 8, 2011 – Where can you find the glamour of a Vegas casino, double-dealing high rollers and the star power of a Hollywood blockbuster? For a few days next week, it’s all at the Oshkosh Public Library.

Get ready to make the big score when the library screens all three films in the Oceans series. The first movie will be shown July 11, the sequel on July 12 and the third film in the series on July 13. Movies start at 2 p.m. each day in the library’s lower level meeting room. The movies, which are rated PG-13, are free and open to adults. Refreshments will be provided. For more information call 236-5205.

It’s a veritable royal flush of A-list stars when a cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Julia Roberts takes Vegas by storm. As the brash and dashing ex-con Danny Ocean, Clooney assembles a team of talented rogues, each of whom brings his own special skills to the most daring heist the Vegas strip has ever seen. While the lure of a $160 million score might be enough to bring most players to the table, Ocean’s true aim is to steal his ex (Julia Roberts) away from casino owner Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia).

Never one to settle for an easy mark, Ocean doubles down against formidable opponents in two more movies. In the sequel, he takes on the Night Fox, a legendary rival thief, while the final film finds him butting heads with ruthless casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino). A slick and stylish series, these films take double-crossing, thievery and the thrill of the big heist to new a whole new level.

Bring your game downtown to the Oshkosh Public Library for a trio of mid-afternoon capers you won’t want to miss.

Are you in?

Becket's Celebrity Chefs for THE ARC

[Received this from the Oshkosh Parks Department and am happy to pass it on to you...]

Hi All: 

Don’t know if you saw this morning’s article in the Oshkosh Northwestern, so here it is:

Oshkosh Parks Director Ray Maurer and Trish Wendorf of the Oshkosh Parks Department will be the Celebrity Chefs at Becket's Restaurant on July 19 from 5-10pm. $10 from every three-course meal will benefit the Arc-Winnebago County Disability Association. Call Becket's now to make your reservation, 230-3333!

Ray and Trish will be serving a delicious three course meal that will get you excited about having your taste buds overwhelmed with a plethora of flavors that will cause you to deliriously contribute to Arc.

On Ray and Trish's menu for the evening is....

-Mixed greens with fresh fruit and a strawberry balsamic vinaigrette

-Stout braised short ribs with seasonal vegetable, garlic herb mashed potatoes and pan jus

-Grilled pineapple with vanilla ice cream, chocolate rum sauce, and toasted coconut

All for $30

The Arc works to ensure education, self-sufficiency and advocacy for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc is located at 115 Washington Avenue . For more info, call Bob Poeschl, 236-9230 or email

bob@arcwinnebago.com

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE !!!  Should be a great time !!!

Weekly construction update from the DOT

For more information, contact:

Kim Rudat, Regional Communications Manager

Kim.Rudat@dot.wi.gov, (920) 492-5743

For US 41 Expansion Project information, contact:

Kris Schuller, US 41 Project Communications Manager

Kris.Schuller@dot.wi.gov, (920) 492-4109

(Green Bay) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) NE Regional Office in Green Bay is providing a weekly update on region construction, which includes the counties of Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, Sheboygan, and Winnebago.

Weekly construction update

                      

Motorists are advised to use caution and remain alert when driving through any work zone.

Drivers are also encouraged to seek information about work zones and detours in the following ways:

• For statewide, recorded road construction information, 24 hours a day, call 511.

·         For statewide road construction on the World Wide Web, visit www.511wi.gov

Please note:  All work is weather dependent.

 

Brown County

Velp Avenue, village of Howard Schedule: April to mid-September 2011
Length: One mile
Cost: $3.2 million
Location: Military Avenue to US 41
Description: Construction of a dual-lane roundabout at the intersection of Velp Avenue and Military Avenue, storm sewer, concrete paving, concrete curb and gutter, sidewalk, signing, decorative landscaping, and lighting. July 4 to July 8: Rough grading for pavement on the north side of Velp Avenue east of Military Avenue and on the west side of Military Avenue north of Velp Avenue was completed. Driveways and sidewalk were poured west of Military Avenue on the south side of Velp Avenue. Melody Drive was paved with asphalt. Landscapers placed topsoil, seed, fertilizer and erosion mat.

July 11 to July 15: Crews will place mainline concrete pavement on the north side of Velp Avenue east of Military Avenue and on the west side of Military Avenue north of Velp Avenue. Asphalt driveways will be paved on the south side of Velp Avenue west of Military Avenue.

Traffic impacts: Velp Avenue traffic is shifted to the north side of the roadway and reduced to a single lane in each direction from Military Avenue to Memorial Drive. Velp Avenue east of Military Avenue is shifted to the south side of the roadway and reduced to a single lane in each direction. Military Avenue north of Velp Avenue is restricted to northbound traffic only. Melody Drive and South Frontage Road are closed to through traffic at the Velp Avenue intersection until approximately July 15. Velp Avenue traffic west of Military Avenue will be switched to the south side of the roadway approximately July 15.

US 41 traffic management plan -  US 41 major

Schedule: June to November 2011

Length: 8.0 miles

Cost: $7.2 million

Location: Orange Lane – Larson Road

Description: Roadway work includes the excavation and widening of US 41 for future use during the ultimate reconstruction of US 41.  Both the inside and outside shoulders will be expanded in the northbound and southbound lanes of US 41 throughout the life of this project.  The bridge carrying US 41 southbound traffic over Ninth Street will be widened to accommodate future lanes of traffic and future work on US 41.  Temporary crossovers will be constructed for the work at the Ninth Street location in the median of US 41.  Work operations will include excavation, base aggregate placement and asphalt paving.  Other areas will be milled and resurfaced with asphalt pavement.  Other work will include the relocation of signs and the construction of the LED Dynamic Message Sign west of County J on WIS 29.

July 4 – July 10: Crews will be working during night time hours at two locations this week on US 41. One crew will be excavating and placing base course south of Scheuring Road on the outside shoulder in the southbound lanes of US 41.  The second crew will be also excavating and placing base course between Lombardi Avenue and Mason Street in the northbound lanes of US 41.  Milling of the shoulder in required areas in the southbound and northbound lanes in these same two areas will be done this week as well.

July 11 to July 17: Crews will continue working during night time hours on the outside shoulders on US 41 southbound from Scheuring Road south to Orange Lane. They will also continue working in the northbound lanes of US 41 on the outside shoulder between Lombardi Avenue and Mason Street.  Once the excavation and placement of base aggregate is completed in these areas, they will be paved with asphalt pavement.  Then the contractor will switch later to the inside shoulder in the same two areas the outside shoulders were completed in and complete the same type of work.

Traffic impacts: Traffic impacts as a result of the implemented traffic control plan include the following:

• Single lane closure south of Scheuring Road in the southbound lanes of US 41 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday nights.  
• There will be a single lane closure from Lombardi Avenue to Mason Street in the northbound lanes of US 41 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday thought Friday nights. 

WIS 29 – Shawano Ave./Taylor St. Intersection – US 41 major

Schedule: May 2011 to October 16, 2011

Cost: $3.3 million

Location: Intersection of Shawano Avenue and Taylor Street in the city of Green Bay.

Description: The project will replace the existing signalized intersection at Shawano Avenue and Taylor Street with a dual-lane roundabout and re-route Old Shawano Avenue. Work items include storm sewer, curb and gutter, sidewalk, concrete pavement, four overhead sign structures, retaining wall construction, landscaping, and incidental construction.

July 5 to July 8:  The Shawano/Taylor intersection closed to traffic on July 6.  Crews began stage 2 work including pavement removal and storm sewer construction along the west leg of Shawano Avenue and south leg of Taylor Street. 

July 11 to July 15:  Crews will continue pavement removal and storm sewer construction.  Grading will begin along the west leg of Shawano Avenue and south leg of Taylor Street.  Pavement recycling operations will also begin on the project.

Traffic Impacts: Shawano Avenue is closed to through traffic from US 41 to Fellows Drive. Taylor Street is closed to traffic between Dousman and Badger Streets. A signed detour route for WIS 29 (Shawano Avenue) is US 41 to I-43 to US 141.  Local traffic is being maintained on a temporary bypass road that connects Shawano Avenue to Taylor Street at the Badger Street intersection.  Access will be maintained to all residences and businesses during construction.  The Shawano/Taylor intersection is scheduled to reopen to traffic by October 1. 

WIS 32 and County B Intersection, village of Pulaski Schedule: June 27,  2011 to September 2, 2011
Cost: $1.0 million
Location: Intersection of WIS 32 and County B in the village of Pulaski
Description: Construction of a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of WIS 32 and County B, storm sewer, asphalt paving, concrete curb and gutter, signing, landscaping, and lighting.
July 4 to July 8: Crews removing pavement, installing storm sewer and grading operations on east and west County B.

July 11 to July 15: Crews will finish grading east and west County B and start of curb and gutter installation.

Traffic impacts: County B is closed to thru traffic. Mountain Bay Drive will be closed to all traffic; access to the plaza will be on the temporary driveway located on WIS 32 south of County B.  East County B will allow traffic to local business from the east and from Corporate Drive. There is a possibility of daytime flagging operations on WIS 32. The week of July 11, a temporary driveway will be open for northbound vehicles on WIS 32 south of County B to access businesses in the southeast quadrant of the intersection.

WIS 172 over Ashland Avenue Bridge Painting

Schedule: June 6 to September 30, 2011

Length: 400 feet

Cost: $650,000

Location: Ashwaubenon

Description:  Work includes removal, collection and containment of existing paint material and priming/recoating of the existing steel girders with a new epoxy paint system on bridge structures.

Description:  Work includes removal, collection and containment of existing paint material and priming/recoating of the existing steel girders with a new epoxy paint system on bridge structures.

July 4 to July 8: Contractor will complete the painting on span 4 on both structures and remove the containment.  At the end of the week the contractor will close the right lane on south bound WIS 32 (Ashland Avenue) to construct the containment for span 1 and the west side of span 2.

July 11 to July 15: Contractor will construct containment, blast clean, and begin the painting of span 1 and the west half of span 2 on both bridges.

Traffic impacts: All WIS 172 lanes and ramps will remain open, but shoulders may be closed for short durations. WIS 32 will be reduced at times to one lane in each direction.  All nearby driveways and side roads will be kept open.

WIS 172

Schedule: April 2011 to mid-September 2011

Length: 0.9 miles

Cost: $2.2 Million

Location: Ashwaubenon/Hobart

Airport and Casino entrance and the WIS 54 intersection

Description: Roadway improvements for this project include the construction of roundabouts at the intersection of WIS 172 and the Airport and Casino entrance and the intersection of WIS172 and WIS 54. Additional improvements include storm sewer, culverts, asphaltic paving, concrete paving, concrete curb and gutter, signing, decorative landscaping, and lighting.

July 4 to July 8: Work will begin on the WIS 172/WIS 54 intersection on July 5.  The contractor will be installing traffic control signs and erosion control items; strip top soil and removals; begin grading operations; remove traffic signals; and begin storm sewer operations. 

July 11 to July 15:   All work is taking place at the WIS 172/ WIS 54 roundabout.  The contractor will continue grading operations, bringing in borrow to fill; continue installing storm sewer; and continue removals.  All erosion control items and traffic control items will be maintained and additional items placed as needed. 

Traffic impacts: WIS172 will be closed from the WIS 172/WIS 54 Intersection to one mile west of the WIS 172/ County GE Intersection.  Eastbound WIS 172 traffic will be detoured from the intersection with WIS 54 eastbound to County GE, and southbound to WIS 172 eastbound.  WIS 172 westbound will be detoured at the intersection with County GE, northbound on County GE to WIS 54. 

US 41-Scheuring Rd

Schedule: July 2010 to October 2011

Length: 0.9 miles

Cost: $14.7 million

Location: Lawrence Dr/PDQ Dr, city of De Pere

Description: Roadway improvements for this project include the construction of roundabouts at the intersections of Scheuring Road and Lawrence Drive and Scheuring Road and PDQ Drive.  Roundabouts will also be constructed at the interchange service ramp terminals intersecting Scheuring Road.  Structural improvements for this project include the removal and replacement of the bridge over US 41 at Scheuring Road and the removal and replacement bridges over Ashwaubenon Creek at both the northwest and southeast service ramps. Structural improvements also include the construction of retaining walls. Additional improvements include storm sewer, culverts, asphaltic paving, concrete paving, concrete curb and gutter, signing, landscaping, and lighting.

July 4 to July 10: Crews completed concrete flat work on the west side of structure. Crew will continued concrete flat work on the east side of structure, working on retaining walls, grading shoulders, placing signs, pavement marking, and  begin placing concrete girders for the structure over US 41.

July 11 to July 17: Crews will continue concrete flat work on the east side of structure. Crew will continue working on the retaining walls, grading shoulders, placing signs, and pavement marking. Crews will complete setting girders for the structure over US 41.

Traffic impacts: Traffic impacts as a result of the implemented traffic control plan include the following: (1) The ramps at Scheuring Road will be closed until mid July. (2)  The bridge over US 41 will be closed for the duration of the project. This will close west bound traffic at Lawrence Drive and east bound traffic at Mid Valley Road. (3) Various lane closures after 7 p.m. on US 41 southbound and northbound lanes

Please note:  On July  6, 7, 8 and 9, US 41 will be having full closures with traffic detoured from aprox 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

US 41/WIS 29 Wick Drains – US 41 major

Schedule: April 25 to July 27, 2011

Length:  0 Miles

Cost:  $1.4 million

Location:  US 41/WIS 29 Interchange

Description:  Work involved consists of grading, asphalt pavement, strip drains, erosion control and all incidental items.

June 4 to July 8: Wick drain installation is continuing on the south side of WIS 29.  Pre-bore drilling and wick drain installation operations are continuing on the north side of WIS 29.  A third wick installation rig is mobilizing in on the north side of WIS 29 this week.  Dousman Street work within the median is continuing this week.

July 11 to July 15: Wick drains will continue to be installed on both the north and south sides of WIS 29.  Dousman Street work within the median is to continue followed by traffic shift and excavation and grading then starting on the right lane of southbound Dousman.

Traffic Impacts:  Dousman Street northbound and southbound left lanes will be closed between Hummingbird Drive and US 41 for approximately two weeks starting Tuesday, July 28.

 

US 41 – Lambeau Street

Schedule: June 2011 to August 5, 2011

Cost: $450,000

Location: The project extends from the east end of the West Mason Street/North Frontage Road to approximately 500 feet north of Starr Court in the city of Green Bay.

Description: The project will reconstruct a portion of Lambeau Street in preparation for future US 41 improvements.  Work items include grading, storm sewer, concrete pavement, erosion control, and incidental construction.

July 5 to July 8: The contractor prepped and placed concrete pavement along the northbound roadway.

July 11 to July 15: Crews will begin landscaping and finishing work.  The contractor will place topsoil and complete restoration operations along the northbound roadway. 

Traffic Impacts: Bi-directional traffic will be maintained along the southbound roadway.  Lanes are reduced to 10-foot width. Local access to businesses and residences will be maintained during construction. However, motorists are advised to use alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

US 41/WIS 29 County RK (South Frontage Road) East – US 41 major

Schedule: May 2011 to October 2011

Length:  0.7 Miles

Cost:  $3.6 million

Location:  WIS 29 South Frontage Road, Duck Creek to County EB (Packerland Drive)

Description:  Work consists of constructing an urban roadway (County RK) with sidewalk along the south side of the roadway, street lighting, and plantings; constructing a new bridge over Duck Creek with aesthetic details; reconstructing the multi-use path under the new bridge and installing under deck lighting; reconstructing the entrance into Pamperin Park with an electronic gate, aesthetic details, and decorative luminaries; realigning Parkside Court to a future S. Memorial Drive connection; constructing a noise wall along the south side of County RK; and constructing detention ponds.

July 5 to July 8: Contractor started to drive piles for the east Duck Creek Abutment;  paved the temporary Pamperin Park Access Road; continued to install storm sewer along County RK, and started to layout the south temporary shoring along Pamperin Park Access Road.

July 11 to July 15: Contractor will form and pour the east Duck Creek Abutment and build the causeway into Duck Creek; continue to install storm sewer along County RK; begin excavation for the detention ponds, and begin to construct the south temporary shoring along Pamperin Park Access Road.

Traffic Impacts: Traffic along Parkside Court will be reduced to one lane during portions of the project.  Access in and out of Pamperin Park will be maintained at all times, but will be reduced to 10 foot lanes in each direction along a temporary access roadway.  The recreational trail along Duck Creek from Shawano Avenue to the park is now closed. Pedestrians and bicyclists should to use the Pamperin Park Access Road to enter and exit the park.

US 41/WIS 29 County J Structures and County RK (South Frontage Road) West – US 41 major

Schedule: June 2011 to May 2012

Length:  1.1 Miles

Cost:  $10 million

Location:  WIS 29/County J and WIS 29 South Frontage Road, County J to Duck Creek

Description:  Work consists of building new structures along WIS 29 at County J with aesthetic details and under deck lighting; reconstructing County J from Berkshire Drive to Shawano Avenue to go under WIS 29 with street lighting, sidewalks, and plantings; constructing a single lane roundabout at the intersection of County J and new County RK (South Frontage Road); and constructing a new urban roadway (County RK) with sidewalk along the south side of the roadway, street lighting, and plantings.

July 5 to July 8: Contractor constructed the south bridge staging area and drove the steel piling; poured the temporary abutments; continued to build the grade for County RK and County J; placed the curb and gutter along the Labonte Driveway; continued to construct the WIS 29 median crossovers; and started the shoulder widening along WIS 29.

July 11 to July 15: Contractor will place the concrete girders on the temporary abutments on the south bridge staging area; pave the Labonte Driveway; continue to build the grade along County RK and County J; finish constructing and pave the median crossovers; and continue with the shoulder widening along WIS 29.

Traffic Impacts:  County J is close from just south of WIS 29 to just north of WIS 29, traffic no longer is able to access WIS 29 from County J.  Lane closures along WIS 29 will continue during non-peak travel times for the next four weeks.

 

Calumet County

 

WIS 114

Schedule: June to October

Length: 0.5 miles

Cost: $1.3 million

Location: WIS 114 at County N

Description: The project will reconstruct the intersection of WIS 114 and County N into a roundabout.

July 11 to July 15: Traffic controls, setup detour route, start pavement removals.

Traffic impacts: The project will be completely closed off to all traffic beginning Monday, July 11. A detour route will be in place, the route follows US 10 and WIS 55.

Fond du Lac County

US 41 Bridge Painting

Location: County OOO and Town Line Road bridges over US 41

Schedule: May 9 to July 2011

Length of project: 0.0 miles

Cost: $327,000

Description of work: The County OOO and Town Line Road bridges over US 41 will have the structural steel repainted.

June 27 to July 1: On Monday’ June 27 the crew will dismantle the containment of the structural steel of the Town Line Road Bridge from the middle of the northbound US 41 highway to the east abutment. The right northbound lane should be opened by Monday evening. On Tuesday the crew will build a containment of the structural steel of the Town Line Road Bridge from the middle of the northbound US 41 highway to the center of the median, the left lane. The crew will then remove the old paint and replace it with a new three-coat paint system. Afterwards the containment will be removed and the lane they were working over will be opened up to traffic.

July 4 to 8: The crew will build a containment of the structural steel of the Town Line Road Bridge from the center of the median to the middle of the southbound US 41 highway. The crew will then remove the old paint and replace it with a new three-coat paint system. Containment will then be removed and the lane below will be opened up to traffic.

July 11 to 15: The crew will build a containment of the structural steel of the Town Line Road Bridge from the middle of the southbound US 41 highway to the west abutment. The crew will then remove the old paint and replace it with a new three-coat paint system. Afterwards the containment will be removed and the lane they were working over will be opened up to traffic.

Traffic impacts: The right, outside lane of southbound US 41 will be closed underneath the Town Line Road Bridge on Monday morning July 11. A reduction of the posted regulatory speed limit from 65 mph to 55 mph will take place during the lane closure. The lane is expected to be open by the end of Friday, July 15. The Town Line Road Bridge over US 41 is closed and. will reopen after this week’s work is completed.

 US 45 (North Main Street, city of Fond du Lac)

Location: Johnson Street (WIS 23) to Scott Street

Schedule: March 30 to October 2011

Length of project: 0.6 miles

Cost: $2.6 million

Description of work: This section of North Main Street is being reconstructed including new concrete pavement, concrete curb and gutter, concrete sidewalk, storm sewer, sanitary sewer and laterals, water services, street lighting, pavement marking, permanent signing, and new signals at the Scott Street Intersection. As a part of this project, WisDOT is also upgrading the signals at the intersection of Scott Street and Lakeshore Drive.  The roadway will be closed to through traffic for the duration of construction. The intersections of Arndt Street and McWilliams Street will remain open for cross traffic for the majority of the construction duration, except during necessary grading and paving operations. Pedestrian access along the project, including crossings at Arndt Street and McWilliams Street, will be maintained throughout construction to the extent practical.  The intersection of Johnson Street (WIS 23) will be open throughout construction.  

July 4 to July 10:  Crews will close the Arndt Street intersection from Tuesday, July 5 through Saturday, July 9 to grade and pave the intersection. Sidewalk crews will continue pouring sidewalk throughout the project. 

July 11 to July 17: Sidewalk crews will continue pouring sidewalk and driveway approaches throughout the project. Landscape crews will begin grading and placement of topsoil in the terrace areas.  Grading crews will start preparing side roads for asphalt pavement.  Electric crews may start installing wire and light poles throughout the project.

Traffic impacts: US 45/North Main Street will be closed to through traffic from Johnson Street to Scott Street beginning on Wednesday, March 30 and will remain closed for the duration of the project. The marked detour route will be via Johnson Street (WIS 23) and Brooke Street. Arndt Street intersection will be closed for a five day period from Tuesday, July 5 through Saturday, July 9. 

Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties

WIS 42

Schedule: May 2011 to October 2011

Cost: $7.0 million

Location: Howards Grove in Sheboygan County to US 151 in Manitowoc County

Description: The project includes grading, base aggregate, asphaltic surface milling, asphaltic overlay, two bridge replacements, culvert pipe replacements, intersection upgrades, curb and gutter, storm sewer, landscaping, erosion control, and traffic control.

July 4 to July 8: The contractor removed cattle passes and completed grading in fill areas between English Lake Road and Victoria Drive.  Culvert pipe replacements and extensions were completed in various locations from County Line Road to County XX. The wing walls were placed on the bridge just south of Pioneer Road and backfilling behind the abutments was completed. The abutments were removed and pile driving started at the bridge between North and South Pine River Road. The west end of the box culvert extension was completed just south of Carstens Road. The first layer of asphalt paving was completed in cattle pass areas from CTH F to Union Road.  Paving was also started at Newton Road, South Pine River Road, Brunner Road, and Union Road.  Landscaping was completed in multiple areas from Newton Road to Union Road.

July 11 to July 15: Grading will be completed in Osman.  Curb and gutter will be started from Carstens Lake Road to English Lake Road as well as in Osman.  Cross pipes will be completed in remaining locations along Wis 42.  Grading will continue at North Newtonburg Road, Gass Lake Road, Victoria Drive, and areas where guardrail is being removed.  Cattle pass removals will continue at multiple locations south of County X.  The contractor will continue pile driving for the abutments at the bridge between North Pine River Road and South Pine River Road. Seeding and mulching will continue in various locations where grading and curb and gutter have been completed. 

Traffic Impacts: The project will be detoured beginning May 23 - local traffic only. The detour route is WIS 42 in Sheboygan to I-43 to WIS 42 in Manitowoc. WIS 42 will be completely closed in some spots due to bridge demolition and reconstruction.

 

Marinette County

US 141 bridge replacement
Schedule: September 20, 2010 to December 9, 2011.
Location: US 141 over the Menominee River at the Michigan/Wisconsin
border
Length:  0.3 miles
Cost: $5.4 million
Description: Bridge replacement, pathway and approaches. This project will begin in September 2010 with the construction of contractor haul roads, detour route signing and pavement marking placement. The majority of the road and bridge work will be completed between January and December 2011.
Traffic Impacts:  This work will require a detour of US 141 traffic which will be in effect from January 2011 through November 2011.

US 141

Schedule:  April 25 to September 13

Length:   4.5 miles

Cost:  $4.3 million  

Location:  US 8 to the Menominee River

Description:  This project involves the mill and overlay of 1.5 miles of US 141 south of Niagara, including the addition of a southbound climbing lane, intersection improvements, and culvert replacements. This project also involves the reconstruction of 1.4 miles of US  141 from County N to the Menominee River, including the storm sewer replacements and a retaining wall.

July 4 to July 8: The contractor continued grading, placing gravel, and work on the retaining wall at County N on the urban project.  The contractor continued work on the rural project south of Niagara. This work involved spreading topsoil and pulverizing the existing asphalt shoulders.

July 11 to July 15: Work will continue on the retaining wall at County N. The contractor will continue grading and placing gravel on the urban project. The contractor will continue grading and start placing gravel on the rural project.

Traffic impacts:  US 141 will be closed from a block south of County N to the Menominee River, however access for local residents and businesses will be maintained.  Thru traffic shall use the detour route of US 8 and US 2.

Outagamie County

WIS 96 (Wisconsin Avenue, City of Appleton)

Location: Richmond Street to Ballard Road

Schedule: March 28 to November 2011

Length of project: 2 miles

Cost: $5.7 million

Description of work: Two miles of Wisconsin Avenue are being reconstructed, including new concrete pavement, concrete curb and gutter, storm sewer, picture frame concrete sidewalk, stamped and colored concrete terraces, decorative street lighting, traffic signals, pavement marking and signing.  Stage 1 work will be from Erb Street to Morrison Street and also from Viola Street to Leona Street.  During Stage 1 work, Wisconsin Avenue will be open to traffic from Morrison Street to Viola Street. 

July 4 to July 10: The contractor finished concrete sidewalk work from State Street to Morrison Street and continued sidewalk work from Rankin Street to Leona Street.  Asphalt placement continued on driveways and parking lots on both the east and west ends of the project.  Pavement marking was completed from State Street to Morrison Street and also started from Rankin Street to Leona Street.  Work also continued on signing and landscaping.  Work on the modular block retaining wall was completed.

July 11 to July 17: The contractor will finish the concrete sidewalk work from Wayne Street to Leona Street.  Asphalt placement for driveways and parking lots will be finished from Rankin Street to Ballard Road.  Pavement marking will also be finished from Richmond Street to State Street and from Rankin Street to Leona Street.  Work will continue on signing and landscaping.

Please note:  The city of Appleton’s website at www.appleton.org has detailed map of the construction area and side road access/closures.  Questions can be emailed to Wisconsinaveappl@dot.wi.gov.

Sheboygan County

I-43

Schedule:  September 20, 2010 to August 24, 2012

Length:  24 miles

Cost:  $14.5 million  

Location:  Ozaukee – Sheboygan County Line to WIS 42

Description:  This project involves asphaltic paving, 8 new bridges, 3 bridge overlays, 2 deck replacements, beam guard, concrete base patching, ramp closure gates, law enforcement pad

July 4 to July 8: The contractor is performing the following work:  Smies Road, southbound I-43 structure (town of Holland): curing deck; Dewitt Road, southbound I-43 structure (town of Holland): placing false work.

July 11 to July 15:  The contractor plans on the following work:  Smies Road, southbound I-43 structure (town of Holland): removing falsework for deck; Dewitt Road, southbound I-43 structure (town of Holland): placing rebar and pouring deck.

Traffic impacts:  Motorists should be aware that; Smies Road (Town of Holland) is open, but with restrictions; Dewitt Road (Town of Holland) is closed, County O and County J (Town of Sheboygan) is closed. Bi-directional traffic still exists on the I-43 northbound lanes between Smies Road and Dewitt Road.

Winnebago County

US 41 – Mainline (US 45 to Breezewood Lane)

Schedule: March 2011 to June 2013

Length: 8.0 Miles

Cost: $45 Million

Location: US 41 - US 45 Interchange to Breezewood Lane

Description: This project involves the reconstruction and widening of USH 41. The work includes construction of multiple structures including: bridges, box culverts, and sign bridges along with concrete and asphalt pavements, concrete barrier wall, and pavement marking. .

July 4 to July 11: Concrete barrier will be placed along Green Valley Road from Nee-Vin Road to County G.  Slope paving work under the US 41 bridges at WIS 76 will continue. Construction of the storm water detention pond at County G and US 41 will be completed this week. Work on the south box culvert will continue this week.  Grading and storm sewer work will continue north of County G.  Formwork for the bridge deck at the US 41 bridge over the railroad spur will begin this week. Asphalt base and concrete pavement are scheduled between County Y and WIS 76.

July 11 to July 17: Concrete paving will continue between County Y and WIS 76.  Construction of the new box culvert South of County Y will continue this week.  Storm sewer will continue between the railroad spur bridge and the north project limits near WIS 114.  Grading and base aggregate will continue between  County GG and County G.  Asphalt paving and concrete paving will follow the base aggregate construction between WIS 76 and County GG.  Form work for the railroad bridge will continue for the bridge deck. Slope paving work under the US 41 bridge over WIS 76 will continue this week.

Traffic impacts: The US 41/Breezewood Lane interchange is closed to all traffic. Bell Street is closed from Harrison Street east to Industrial Drive. Harrison Street is closed from Jewelers Park Road to Bell Street. Breezewood Lane is closed from the Bergstrom Road/Gillingham Road intersection to the east. These closures will remain in effect until October. The intersection of Bergstrom Road and Gillingham Road remains open to the north, south, and west. 

US 41 - South mainline paving, WIS 26 to WIS 44, WIS 26 bridge staining - US 41 major

Schedule: August 2010 to November 2011

Length: 2.7 miles

Cost: $19 million

Location: US 41 mainline from approximately one mile south of the US 44 overpass to approximately one mile south of the WIS 26 overpass.

Description:  In 2011, 2.7 miles of mainline US 41 northbound and southbound will be widened to three lanes in each direction and concrete median barrier installed. The WIS 26 Bridge over US 41 will be architecturally treated to match the US 41 corridor theme.

July 4 to July 8: During the week, northbound US 41 traffic will continue operating in the newly constructed northbound lanes. Temporary precast barrier wall will be set to separate the northbound traffic from the US 41 median work zone. Southbound traffic will remain in its current configuration. Work performed this week in the northbound median will include pavement removal, milling and the installation of the storm sewer drainage (vane drain) system.

July 11 to July 15: Work performed this week in the northbound median will include pavement removal, grading, the installation of the storm sewer drainage system and the installation of lighting conduit.

Traffic Impacts:

During the week, northbound US 41 traffic will continue operating in the newly constructed northbound lanes. Northbound US 41 traffic will be separated from the US 41 median work zone by temporary barrier block. Southbound US 41 traffic will remain in its current configuration separated from the northbound median work zone by temporary barrier block.

Work on the US 41 northbound median will take place behind temporary concrete barrier wall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily Monday through Friday, some night work activities may also occur throughout the period. A permanent right lane closure on westbound WIS 26 will be maintained to facilitate construction vehicles accessing the stockpiles and waste site located in the on and off ramp gore areas.

US 41 – northbound mainline widening and Bell Street/Breezewood Lane interchange - US 41 major

Schedule: June 2010 to October 2011

Length: 8 miles

Cost: $27.5 million

Location: US 41 Northbound from Snell Road to Bell Street/Breezewood Lane and Bell Street/Breezewood Lane from west of Bergstrom/Gillingham Road to east of Harrison Street.

Description: The project involves widening the existing northbound lanes of US 41 including the structures over WIS 76 and the CN railroad spur. The project also includes the complete reconstruction of the Bell Street/Breezewood Lane interchange including the structures over US 41 and the CN railroad line, several retaining walls, grading, storm sewer, pavement, signing, lighting, pavement marking, and ITS systems.

July 4 to July 8: Construction of retaining walls continued. The concrete deck of the Bell Street structure was placed. Construction of the Breezewood structure abutments, installation of electrical conduits, and landscaping continued.

July 11 to July 15:  Construction of the Bell Street structure;the Breezewood Lane structure; and retaining walls will continue. Placement of concrete sidewalk is scheduled to begin on the west half of the interchange.  Miscellaneous grading operations will continue.

Traffic impacts: The US 41/Breezewood Lane interchange is closed to all traffic.  Bell Street is closed from Harrison Street east to Industrial Drive.  Harrison Street is closed from Jewelers Park Road to Bell Street.  Breezewood Lane is closed from the Bergstrom Road/Gillingham Road intersection to the east.  These closures will remain in effect until October.  Bergstrom Road is scheduled to close from Breezewood Lane to 1000 feet south of the intersection beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 8 and reopening at 5 a.m. on Monday, July 11.  Gillingham Road is scheduled to close from Breezewood Lane to 1000 feet north of the intersection beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 8 and reopening at 5 a.m. on Monday, July 11.  Breezewood Lane is scheduled to close from the Bergstrom Road/Gillingham Road intersection to 400 feet west of the intersection beginning on July 8 and reopening in October.

US 41 – US 45 Interchange

Schedule: August 2010 to September 2012

Length: 1.5 Miles

Cost: $31 million

Location: US 41/USH 45 interchange.

Description: This project involves construction of multiple structures including: bridges, box culverts, retaining walls, and sign bridges along with grading, base aggregate, concrete & asphalt pavements, concrete curb & gutter, and pavement marking.

July 4 - July 8: The contractor will continue excavation soil from the project. Storm sewer and culvert pipe will continue to be placed.  Aggregates will be placed throughout the project.  Work on the retaining walls will continue.  Work will continue on the US 45 bridge. Work will also continue on the north abutment and some of the piers for the flyover bridge.  Asphalt paving, electrical, and sign structures work will begin.

July 11 – July 15:  The contractor will continue excavation soil from the project. Storm sewer and culvert pipe will continue to be placed. Aggregates will be placed throughout the project.  Work on the retaining walls, on the US 45 bridge, on the north abutment and some of the piers for the flyover bridge, asphalt paving, electrical, and sign structures work will all continue.  The contractor will also start repairing the concrete on US 45.

Traffic impacts:  US 45 is closed from the US45/Fernau Avenue roundabout to County T/Ryf Road. The off ramps from US 41 to US 45 are closed. The on ramps from US 45 to US 41 are closed. The posted detour route for northbound US 45 will be WIS 76 northbound to US 10 westbound. The route is reversed for southbound US 45 ending at Murdock Avenue. 

9^th Avenue Interchange, north US 41 Mainline Paving, US 44 bridge painting - US 41 major

Schedule: August 2010 to November 2011

Length: 3.6 miles

Cost: $34.3 million

Location: 9^th Avenue Interchange, US 41 Mainline from 1500 feet north of Witzel Avenue, to one mile south of the WIS 44 overpass.

Description: This project involves temporary widening of the southbound US 41 lanes during the fall of 2010 to provide a staged construction zone in which 3.2 miles of US 41 will be reconstructed. There will be an additional turn lane added on WIS 21.  In 2011, the 9^th Avenue bridge over US 41 will be demolished and rebuilt as a decorative bridge. Two retaining walls will be built in front of the abutments. The 9^th Avenue interchange and the ramp terminal intersections will be reconstructed, and four roundabouts will be installed.

Traffic was be moved to a new alignment to allow for phased construction at the Washburn/9^th Avenue and Koeller/9^th Avenue intersections the week of March 3^rd.  Please use caution in this area.

July 5 to July 8:  Placement of overhead sign structures and the placement of topsoil and landscaping activity will finish at 9^th Avenue as areas become ready. Paving the concrete at the roundabouts will finish. Punch list concrete repair items will complete.  Placement of the brick in the splitter islands will continue. The 9^th Avenue Bridge work will be completed to be open to traffic.  Pavement markings are being placed. The 9^th Avenue intersection is scheduled to open up to traffic late Thursday night July 7.  Both northbound US 41 ramps at 9^th Avenue will be open to traffic, but both southbound ramps will not be open to traffic.  The fencing contract will be placing fence along the east side of US 41.

July 11 to July 15:  Punch list work will continue around the 9^th Avenue intersection.  Brick paver work will finish up. On US 41, grading and base placement operations will continue. Storm sewer work is being completed.  The fencing contract will be placing fence along the east side of US 41.

Traffic impacts:

Southbound US 41 traffic is restricted to two 11-foot lanes between WIS 21 and WIS 26. The southbound US 41 ramps at 9^th Avenue will remain closed. Though traffic is now on the new ramps at WIS 26 and WIS 44, the new ramps will be affected by shoulder closures on each side where the ramps cross the new northbound pavement.   There will be a northbound lane closure at 9^th Avenue to allow the contractor to open the ramps to traffic on Thursday night, July 7. The 9^th Avenue intersection is scheduled to open up to traffic late Thursday night, July 7.  Both northbound US 41 ramps at 9^th Avenue will be open to traffic, however both southbound US 41 ramps will not be open to traffic at 9^th Avenue at this time. 

US 45 frontage roads

Schedule: June 2010 to September 2012

Length: 5 miles

Cost: $13.2 million

Location: US 45; County G – County II, Winnebago County

Description: The project involves constructing frontage roads along both sides of US 45 and constructing bridges for the three local roads between County G and County II (Woodland/Breezewood, Lakeview/Oakridge, Grandview) to overpass US 45.  Direct access to US 45 for these three local roads will be removed as part of the project. 

July 4 to July 8: Woodland/Breezewood & Grandview Roads were closed at US 45. Concrete barrier was installed along US 45 at the above locations.  Erosion control installation continued.  Stripping of topsoil and clearing and grubbing along the new frontage road alignments began. 

July 11 to July 15:  Fill will be placed for the bridge abutment on Breezewood.  Clearing and grubbing will continue.  Excavation for the bridge piers at Grandview and Breezewood/Woodland will be completed.

Traffic impacts: Access to US 45 from Woodland/Breezewood and Grandview Roads has been eliminated.  Lane closures along US 45 will take place as necessary to complete work adjacent to US 45.