W E D N E S D AY, J A N U A RY 2 , 2 0 0 8 • V O L U M E 7 5 • N O . 1 9 • 8 , 0 0 0 C O P I E S • S E C T I O N A
WEEKEND WATCH: • Congressman Dave Obey @ Amery and Siren • Snowmobile safety course @ Luck • Photo exhibit @ Amery • Silen Messengers @ Siren • Musical auditions @ Siren • See Coming events and stories
INSIDE
Rescue of horses from icy swamp a group effort
Leader INTER-COUNTY
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Serving Northwest Wisconsin
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Revised tax statements out Nissen corrects problem in a week PAGE 3 Semper fi siblings
One horse remains missing PAGE 5
Court enters not guilty pleas Former teachers aide accused of having sex with student stands mute
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Preliminary agreement reached in hangar lease dispute PAGE 8
A citizen’s guide to the caucuses PAGE 3
Obey secures funds for SCFalls PAGE 7
Top 10 local stories of 2007 PAGE 8
Jane and Steve Cooper, rural Frederic, are feeling very proud. Jane’s sons, Sam and Aaron Kackman, have just graduated from the Marine Corps basic training and are off for further training this week after a Christmas at home. The brothers, 21-year-old Sam and 19-year-old Aaron, joined the Marines under the Buddy Program. That program allows recruits to join together, go through training together and often serve together. Sam and Aaron say they both will receive training in aviation mechanics and hope to specialize in helicopter repairs. They will probably head overseas later this year after more schooling, to start their nine years of service in the Marines, including five years of active duty. The brothers say they were inspired to join the Marines by the example of their stepfather, Steve Cooper, who served 20 years in the Corps, retiring as a master sergeant. Their mother, Jane Cooper, is the administrative assistant in the Polk County Human Services Department. Shown above are Aaron and Sam Kackman, their mother, Jane Cooper and stepfather, Steve Cooper. - Photo submitted
New Year brings new tax increases
STATEWIDE - Buying cigarettes, owning a car or holding a driver’s license in Wisconsin became more expensive Jan. 1. Wisconsin’s tobacco tax went up by a full dollar per pack at the start of the new year. That will make the total state tax on a pack of cigarettes $1.77, the 12th- highest tobacco tax in the nation according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Gov. Jim Doyle championed the cigarette tax increase as a way to get smokers to quit, and keep kids from ever starting. It will
CURRENTS FEAURE
also be used to help pay the state’s bills. The tax is expected to bring in more than $150 million in just the first half of this year. Lawmakers and the governor decided not to raise any taxes to pay for roads, but they leaned on several fee increases instead. The annual vehicle registration fee will go up $20, from $55 to $75 and vehicle title fees will go up by nearly $25. The cost of a driver’s license will increase by $10 to cover new costs associated with
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the federal Real ID program. Some of that money will pay for better equipment and security at DMV offices and training for employees. Heavy trucks, those that weigh more than 8,000 pounds, will see 30-percent increases in their annual registration fees. For the largest trucks, that will mean a nearly $600 increase compared to what they’re paying now. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Shawn Johnson)
SPORTS
Rikkola rocks Badger, Eagles soar to best ever finish
2007: A review January through June
Heller looks back
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