of Juneau County
The Messenger SEMI OVERTURNS JUST NORTH OF NECEDAH VOL 15, NO. 9
LOOK INSIDE FOR YOUR LOCAL NEWS:
Elroy: Page 6 Mauston: Page 4 Necedah: Page 9
County: Page 3 Wonewoc: Page 14 Hillsboro: Page 12
Classifieds: Page 15 Legals: Pages 16 & 17
THE AWARD WINNING OFFICIAL LEGAL NEWSPAPER OF JUNEAU COUNTY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013
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Federal shutdown felt locally BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD Starting on October 1st, and due to the federal government shutdown, if you phone the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge you will hear the following message, "The visitor center is currently closed due to a lack of appropriations and staff will not be checking messages." They go on to state that once staff return to their jobs messages will then be checked. In Camp Douglas the federal government shutdown is having an effect at Volk Field. According to a report on Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) some members of the Wisconsin National Guard are facing furloughs. Wisconsin National Guard has identified 1,050 federal technicians that will be affected, of which approximately 210 will be kept on to perform essential operations. Those affected are at bases in Milwaukee, Madison, and Volk Field. In a press release on September 27, 2013 the Wisconsin Army National Guard stated: "If the Government shuts down, all personnel who are on military orders, and all full-time federal technician employees of the Guard will report to work for their next scheduled work day. At that time, non-exempt employees will be furloughed. We are working to contact all of our impacted personnel in order to give them and their families an accurate assessment of the situation and how it will affect them. We currently have approximately 1,050 federal technicians that will be impacted. Citizen-soldiers currently attending certain Army schools may be sent home. Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) service members within in the state and deployed traditional service members serving overseas are exempt. All exempted personnel, to include the AGR, will be paid retroactively once the lapse of appropriations ends. Emergency furloughed employees will not be paid retroactively for their furlough time unless a law is enacted providing authority to pay them." Understanding just what agencies and services are impacted during the shutdown can be confusing. According to the federal government's website at www.usa.gov during past shutdowns, the longest of which ran for 21 days from 1995 into 1996, there were delays in issuing Social Security, Medicare, and veterans’ checks, and passport and visa applications could not be processed. All national parks and museums were closed, and cleanup at toxic waste sites stopped. In previous shutdowns, the postal service continued to operate, and government employees who handle national
security continued to work as usual. At the time The Messenger went to press an agreement between Congress and the President had not been reached meaning that the federal shutdown continues. Until an agreement is reached the following is how federal agencies and services are impacted: Federal Government Services During the Shutdown Aviation – The Federal Aviation Administration continues to ensure the safety of air travelers in the United States. Border Security – Border patrol programs and operations as well as ports of entry operations, including cargo security and revenue collections, continue. Citizenship and Immigration Services – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services continues to operate. Applications, forms, wait times, and more remain available online (except for E-Verify). Coast Guard – The U.S. Coast Guard continues to operate, including military functions, port security, search and rescue, and maritime safety. Emergency Management – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will continue to operate disaster relief operations and the national flood insurance program. Energy – The U.S. Department of Energy continues operations with limited personnel. Environment – Limited personnel from the Environmental Protection Agency will remain on duty to respond to emergencies. Federal Courts – The federal court system continues to operate. Federal Reserve – The Federal Reserve remains open with normal staffing. Food Safety – Meat and poultry inspections continue. Food Stamps – The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, continue to operate. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – The Department of Education continues to accept and process FAFSA applications. Health Insurance Marketplace – Consumers can go to HealthCare.gov to find the state marketplace to serve them; and can apply and choose a plan, with coverage beginning as early as January 1, 2014. Home Loan Guarantees – The Federal Housing Administration is not making new home loan guarantees during the shutdown. Immigration Enforcement – Immigration enforcement and removal operations will continue. Jobs – Government jobs will be available and updated on USAJobs.gov. Job applications may not be processed
at advertising agencies until the government reopens. Library of Congress – Facilities are closed to the public. Mail and Postal Services – Mail services continue and post offices remain open. Medicare and Medicaid – Medicare and Medicaid benefits continue, though benefits could be affected in the event of an extended shutdown. Military Personnel and DoD Civilians – Military service members continue to work. Only DoD civilians performing essential activities continue to work. National Institutes of Health (NIH) – NIH's clinical center is not taking new patients or initiating new clinical trials. However, trials that were in process before the government shutdown continue. National Parks and Landmarks – National parks and landmarks are closed to the public. National Zoo – The National Zoo is closed to the public. Operating Status – Visit the U.S. Office of Personnel Management for the most up-to-date operating status of the federal government. Passports – Expedited passports that were already in progress will be processed, but no new passport applications will be accepted during the shutdown. Patents and Trademarks – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office remains operational. Presidential Libraries – All Presidential Libraries are closed to the public. Small Business Loans – The Small Business Administration is not processing applications of business loans during the shutdown. Smithsonian Institution – The Smithsonian Institution is closed to the public. Social Security – Some services will be unavailable, but Social Security payments will continue to go out. Transportation Security – The Transportation Security Administration continues passenger, baggage screening and operation of the Federal Air Marshal Service. Travel Warnings – The State Department continues to issue travel warnings and emergency services for U.S. Citizens abroad. Veterans' Services – Medical services will continue to be provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but benefit programs may be affected. Weather – The National Weather Service continues to issue weather alerts, forecasts, and warnings. Women, Infants, and Children – Federal grants to States for assistance to low-income women, infants, and children continues.
Fischer out on bond after guilty verdict Earlier this month a jury of five men and seven women returned with a guilty verdict convicting 51 year old Douglas Fischer of Necedah with first degree sexual assault of child under 13 years old, incest, and exposing genitals to a child. That conviction came after three days of testimony including hearing from the victim's mother, and Juneau County Detective Tim Andres. Jurors deliberated for just over five hours when they returned with their guilty verdicts. At the time of the conviction the guilty verdict prosecution did not ask the court to revoke bond and Fischer
was not remanded into custody. Fischer has been allowed to remain out on $5,000 cash bond while awaiting his sentencing hearing which is scheduled to take place on December 12th. Since the conviction there have been two hearings - one of which was a motion hearing which granted the now convicted sex offender to leave the state to attend an event in New York welcoming soldiers returning home from Afghanistan. Fischer must check in with the Juneau County Sheriff's Department in person prior to leaving and immediately following his return to Wisconsin.
Last Friday Fischer appeared in court for a status conference on a motion filed by the District Attorney's office. That motion was requested by the Juneau County District Attorney's Office just three days prior requesting that Fischer's guilty judgment be entered and remand Fischer into custody of the Juneau County Sheriff's Department. Judge John Roemer ruled against the motion on the grounds that the defense had not been given a two week statutory notice. Fischer's attorney also filed a motion opposing the entry of the guilty judgement. Judge Roemer scheduled a hearing on the
Douglas Fischer motions for October 10th. At his December sentencing, Fischer is facing a maximum
of over 100 years in prison.