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In this North Woods arson-romance, authorities say a trio of friends teamed up to burn a woman's home and bar for the insurance money. The accused torch didn't even get a share; he supposedly just wanted to help out his buddy and his girlfriend.
The fires destroyed a house in Stephenson in 2011 and an Oconto County tavern in 2012, just two of a rash of arson fires that plagued northeastern Wisconsin in recent years.
Now the owner of both places, Jessica A. Miller, 37, of Crivitz, her friend Donald A. Halbur, 32, also of Crivitz, and Drew S. Christensen, 28, of Suring, face felony arson charges in both state and, now, federal court. »Read Full Blog Post
Monta Ellis' thrilling buzzer-beater helps Bucks go 2-0 in Texas
Houston - Monta Ellis never doubted it for a second.
And the Milwaukee Bucks guard had less than a second remaining when he tossed up an off-balance 27-foot shot that twirled around and nearly bounced out before settling back in the net, beating the buzzer and the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.
Ellis' walk-off winner was just that, although he actually ran off the floor and into the locker room after giving the Bucks a 110-107 victory at the Toyota Center. »Read Full Article(15)
Racing sausage found, no longer a missing link
Guido, the Klement's racing Italian sausage costume last seen a couple weeks ago adorning a bar hopper in Cedarburg, was returned Wednesday night after a day of media focus.
The hot sausage reportedly was dropped off at TJ Ryan's bar in Cedarburg.
Two men - one wearing a hoodie pulled tight over his face - lugged the larger-than-life link into the bar just before 8 p.m. Wednesday, plopped him on a bar stool and warned staff, "You did not see anything," said bartender Jen Mohney. »Read Full Article(147)
Senate approves mine bill, sends it to Assembly
Madison - The state Senate narrowly approved a bill Wednesday to ease iron mining regulations, sending the measure to an Assembly that is expected to pass it by a wider margin next week.
The 17-16 vote means Gov. Scott Walker and his fellow Republicans will likely achieve a goal that eluded them last year, when a similar bill failed in the Senate by one vote. Republicans are advancing the bill in hopes of drawing a massive open-pit iron ore mine to northern Wisconsin - and hundreds of jobs along with it.
The Assembly, which is also controlled by Republicans, is expected to approve the bill next week and send it to Walker. »Read Full Article(751)
MATC board approves new faculty contract early
Milwaukee Area Technical College faculty preserved their early retirement health benefits through a one-year contract approved by the technical college's board of directors Tuesday - a contract critics say may violate the state's collective bargaining law for public employees.
While current faculty would benefit from the contract, it effectively ends early retirement health benefits for employees hired after Feb. 16, 2014. They would need 20 years of full-time continuous service and to work until age 60 to qualify for retiree health care, while current employees may retire at 55 with retiree health benefits.
The new contract that covers 1,500 faculty, counselors and professional staff runs from next Feb. 16 through Feb. 15, 2015, a few months after the next gubernatorial election. »Read Full Article(31)
West Allis man charged with possessing child porn
A West Allis man has been charged with five felonies after authorities found 20,000 images and movies of child pornography on his computer, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday.
Eric P. Theurich, 43, has been charged with five counts of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison on each count.
When interviewed by police, Theurich admitted downloading child pornography from the Internet and said it brought back memories of his own victimization when he was a child, the complaint says. Theurich told police he was not responsible for 20,000 images, however. He believed he only had between 200 and 1,000 pictures and movies, the complaint says.
Wet, heavy snow continues to bury southeastern Wisconsin
Southeastern Wisconsin caught the northern edge of a fatal storm that blasted much of the Midwest, dumping up to 17 inches of snow, causing hundreds of spinouts and accidents, and contributing to the death of a Milwaukee man who collapsed while operating his snowblower.
Snow snarled commuter traffic as it fell wet and heavy, weighing down tree branches and knocking out power for a couple thousand customers in the Milwaukee area. Winds gusted up to 35 mph.
The Milwaukee County medical examiner's office reported the death of a 71-year-old Milwaukee man who collapsed about 1:10 p.m. Wednesday after using a snowblower. At least three people lost fingers and suffered hand injuries while trying to clear clogged snow from snowblowers, according to Milwaukee County Emergency Medical Services. »Read Full Article(116)
Wisconsin mortgage loan relief tops $140 million estimate
Wisconsin residents have received more than $143.6 million in loan-related relief from a national settlement with mortgage servicers, topping the original $140 million estimate, state Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said Wednesday.
Relief has gone to 3,065 Wisconsin borrowers under the settlement announced a year ago by attorneys general from 49 states. The average savings to the Wisconsin borrowers from the settlement is $46,861, the attorney general's office said.
The $25 billion national mortgage settlement with Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Residential Capital and Wells Fargo & Co. stems from alleged abusive foreclosure practices by the banks. »Read Full Article(8)
Flynn talks tough on guns' toll
Washington, D.C. - Invoking both the Newtown school massacre and chronic gun violence in American cities, Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn urged Congress Wednesday to ban sales of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines to civilians.
"I've wondered frequently in the past decade how many people have to get murdered in a mass murder for it to be enough," Flynn said. "Is 20 babies enough to say these implements should not be so easily distributed?"
Flynn was one of several witnesses at an emotional Senate Judiciary hearing on the "Assault Weapons Ban of 2013," a bill introduced in the aftermath of the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., in December. »Read Full Article(445)
UW-Madison celebrates conservationist Aldo Leopold
Madison - The University of Wisconsin-Madison is celebrating conservationist Aldo Leopold this weekend.
The UW-Madison Arboretum will host a daylong public reading from Leopold's "A Sand County Almanac" on Saturday. A mix of people will read essays about Leopold's conservation philosophy and his observations of plant and animal life cycles, including his granddaughter Madelyn Leopold.
Leopold archive materials and artifacts will be on display in the reading room. »Read Full Article(2)
Response chilly for cutting bus fares
County transit officials are throwing cold water on the idea of eliminating paper transfers and cutting fares as an interim step before new high-tech fareboxes are installed on buses sometime next year.
Bus drivers are pushing to get rid of paper transfers, saying disputes over attempts to use expired or bogus transfers sometimes lead to assaults on drivers. Some county supervisors have suggested lowering fares, getting rid of paper transfers and instituting a new day bus pass could boost ridership and might raise more revenue.
But a new report says such a move would be costly to implement, confusing and more expensive for many riders. »Read Full Article(5)
NFL commissioner reinstates Packers DL Johnny Jolly
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has informed Packers DT Johnny Jolly that he will be reinstated from suspension as of Monday, according to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello.
Word of Jolly's reinstatement started popping up on Twitter and Aiello confirmed that it was true a short while later.
The Packers still have the rights to Jolly, who was suspended indefinitely in early 2010 for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. At the time, the Packers had tendered Jolly, a restricted free agent, with a one-year $2.521 million offer. »Read Full Blog Post(84)
Defendant in Aldi robbery foiled by armed customer sentenced
A man who was part of an armed robbery at a crowded grocery store that was thwarted by a customer newly armed under Wisconsin's concealed weapon law last year was sentenced this week to time served and probation.
The customer, Nazir Al- Mujaahid, made national news as the first Wisconsin resident with the state's new concealed carry permit to fire his weapon while intervening in a crime. He said he fired at Dierre Cotton when he turned his gun toward Mujaahid and his wife.
Cotton had entered the Aldi store at 7601 W. Fond du Lac Ave. on Jan. 30, 2012. Cotton was threatening a cashier with a sawed-off rifle or shotgun before he was shot. Cotton was hit in the leg and grazed on the head by shots from Al-Mujaahid. He fled the store and met up with co-defendant Edyon Hibbler, who was waiting outside. The pair were later arrested and charged in the Aldi robbery attempt and two other robberies, at a Radio Shack in Wauwatosa and a CVS in Milwaukee earlier that month. »Read Full Blog Post(34)
Official canvass confirms narrow GOP Assembly primary win for Neylon
Waukesha - Adam Neylon, a Village of Pewaukee window cleaning business owner, has won the Republican partisan primary for the 98th Assembly District by a slim margin of 29 votes.
Waukesha County Clerk Kathleen Novack announced that Wednesday at the conclusion of an official canvass of all votes cast in the election.
The outcome of the Feb. 19 primary was uncertain until municipal clerks waited to count all absentee ballots returned by a Feb. 22 deadline. Those counts were delivered to the county clerk for this week's canvass, but the wait did not change the outcome of the race. »Read Full Article(3)
Brown Deer looking for developers to take on Lowe's site
Brown Deer - Village officials continue to brainstorm and court developers with the intent of gaining an occupant in the still-vacant Lowe's building.
The Lowe's building sits on an 11 acre site on the 6300 block of Brown Deer Road, with 118,000 square feet of high-ceilinged floor space, a 30,000 square foot garden center, and approximately 500 parking spots. The Brown Deer location was one of 20 stores closed nationwide in Oct. 2011, and has remained empty since.
Accompanying the development's imposing presence on Brown Deer Road is a large presence in the village's and Lowe's balance sheets. The village invested $2.4 million in the site in 2006 through one of its tax incremental financing districts. The development agreement struck between Lowe's and the village guaranteed the value of the property at $15 million upon completion of the project, with a provision that the value increase by at least 1.75 percent annually. »Read Full Article(4)
National Wildlife Federation questions Waukesha water request
The City of Waukesha has not fully justified its need for Lake Michigan water beginning in 2018, according to a National Wildlife Federation analysis of the city's precedent-setting request to divert Great Lakes water inland.
The city's projected demand for up to 10.9 million gallons a day by 2050 appears to be based, in part, on higher per-person water use in the future than today, even though Waukesha's conservation measures already have reduced residential demand, says a report released Wednesday.
Waukesha's application also does not provide sufficient evidence to support its rejection of local sources of water to meet future needs, according to the analysis by Jim Nicholas, retired director of the U.S. Geological Survey's Michigan Water Science Center. Nicholas provided the report for the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes regional office in Ann Arbor, Mich. »Read Full Article(18)
More complain of fraudulent tax filings in their name, state officials say
It is still early in the tax season, but Wisconsin consumers are already complaining loudly about potential tax fraud.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is seeing an increase in the number of consumer calls about fraudulent filings, and Wisconsin residents working with a tax preparation service are reminded to reach out to DATCP if they believe that there are questionable practices taking place at the business.
"Consumers are filing their tax returns, only to be told by the IRS that a return has already been filed in their name," said Sandy Chalmers, Division Administrator of Trade and Consumer Protection. "If you believe you are the victim of identity theft or if you suspect that someone filed your taxes without your authorization, let us know." »Read Full Blog Post(6)
Milwaukee man dies after snowblowing
The Milwaukee County medical examiner's office is investigating the death of a 71-year-old Milwaukee man who collapsed about 1:10 p.m. Wednesday, shortly after snow blowing in the 7600 block of N. Delta Place.
No additional information was immediately available.
'I've run out of things to say. It's snowing. And it sucks' - WITI reporter
TV reporters may get the big bucks - or not - but don't envy them unless your dream job makes you get up in the middle of the night and stand in the cold saying the same thing over and over again.
It's enough to drive reporters a little batty.
This morning, WDJT-TV (Channel 58) meteorologist Michael Schlesinger threw a snowball at his cameraman, and climbed a mountain of snow like a kid playing king of the hill. »Read Full Blog Post(25)
Concern raised on fees for records
Madison - Government agencies could once again attempt to charge sizable fees as part of the release of public records on subjects such as police and crime, under a bill that came before an Assembly committee Wednesday.
Republicans as well as one Democrat on the Assembly Committee on Government Operations expressed concern about the legislation, which would allow government agencies to charge new fees for blacking out private information from records before they are released. Some government officials say they need the added fees to deal with large requests and not pass the costs on to taxpayers.
Rep. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) said he personally had been involved in cases in which he believed government agencies had inflated charges for open records requests in an attempt to prevent the records from becoming public. Nass said he was concerned the proposal went too far and he wanted to find a balance between protecting taxpayers from excessive costs but also protecting the public's right to know. »Read Full Article(10)
Racing Sausage reward: A year's supply of mustard
In a plea to bring the Racing Sausages back together, Mustard Girl All American Mustards is offering a year's supply of mustard to anyone who returns the Italian Sausage costume last seen bar-hopping in Cedarburg.
Jennifer Connor, owner of the Pleasant Prairie-based company, said the links can't race without the Italian Sausage and must be reunited.
"I'm a super big fan, and I like to give them big squeezes all the time," Connor said. "We have to keep our Sausage Racers whole."
Whoever finds the costume will receive a case of mustard a month. A case has 12 bottles. The mustards are all-natural and gluten-free and come in five different flavors: Sweet 'n' Fancy Yellow, Stone Ground Deli, Zesty Horseradish, Sweet 'n' Spicy Honey, and American Dijon. (2)
In-game chatter: Brewers vs. Royals
Check in on our in-game blog as Journal Sentinel Brewers beat writers Tom Haudricourt and Todd Rosiak provide real-time analysis and color from the press box.
Today, Brewers pitcher Chris Narveson returns to the mound for his first game since April 15, when he tore his rotator cuff and later underwent season-ending surgery. The Brewers travel to Surprise, Ariz., to face the Kansas City Royals at 2:05 p.m. CST.
"There will be a lot of juices flowing, lot of energy," Narveson said yesterday of his return to action. (3)
155 remain without power after thousands in dark overnight
About 155 We Energies customers remained without power Wednesday afternoon - down from a few thousand overnight - as heavy snow and gusting winds downed power lines and stressed equipment.
The bulk of the outages as of 12:55 p.m. were in the Port Washington and Sheboygan County areas - where restoration has proved challenging because of the heavy snow drifts - with the balance scattered around the coverage area.
ABB gains Wauwatosa committee's approval
The ABB project came closer to reality on a busy night of committee meetings that saw the creation of a separate legal parcel for the site so ownership can be transferred and a full update on the financials of the taxing district that will repay the city for building roads and other infrastructure.
The Community Development Committee on Tuesday approved a land division by certified survey map in the business planned development district at 1425 Discovery Parkway, and approved an amendment to the business planned development to allow ABB to construct a building at Innovation Campus.
To kick off the proceedings, attorney Bruce Block, representing the UWM Real Estate Foundation, which owns the campus, gave a clear rendition of the history of the development, as he has done before. But this time the story, full of reversals, plan modifications and the diminishment of developable land at the site, seemed to bring him near to exasperation. »Read Full Article(4)
County officials: three cases of lost fingers, injured hands from snowblower incidents
Milwaukee County Emergency Medical Services reported Wednesday three accidents in which people operating snowblowers lost fingers or suffered other hand injuries, which can happen when people are attempting to unclog the machine's exit chute.
No further details of the accidents were immediately available, said Tonya Simpson, a spokesman for the county's Department of Health and Human Services.
Snowblowers should always be turned off for at least five seconds before attempting to unclog it, according to advice from the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. A stick or broom handle - not your hand - should be used to clear clogged snow from a snowblower, according to the society. (3)
Council approves Ann Wilson to Fire and Police Commission
Members of the Common Council on Wednesday approved Mayor Tom Barrett's appointment of community activist Ann Wilson to a seat on the Fire and Police Commission.
The vote was 11-2, with Common Council President Willie Hines abstaining and Ald. Bob Donovan absent.
Voting no were Aldermen Joe Dudzik and Bob Bauman. »Read Full Blog Post(5)
Tow truck driver arrested for Oak Creek car theft
Oak Creek - When your vehicle gets towed, it never ends well. But for one alert truck owner, a clandestine tow ended with the arrest of the tow truck driver.
According to the Oak Creek police report:
A man called police after he saw a tow truck, with no lights on, tow his truck away from the former Black Diamond grounds, 124 E. Rawson Ave., about 8:45 p.m. Feb. 21. When the tow truck left the lot, the caller followed it to the Mobil station at 13th Street and Rawson Avenue. »Read Full Article(21)
Pharma gifts to medical students still common
Over the last several years many medical schools have tightened policies to limit the amount of interaction and gift-giving by pharmaceutical companies and medical students.
But a new paper suggests that such practices still are common.
One-third of first-year medical students and about 55% of fourth-year students and residents said they had received a gift from a drug company representative, according to a study by researchers with Harvard Medical School. »Read Full Blog Post
I-43 ramp at Highway 60 reopens
The Southbound I-43 on ramp from state Highway 60 in Grafton has reopened after crews removed a vehicle from the ditch.
Drunken, wrong-way driver gets 18 months in prison
A recent college graduate who was driving drunk the wrong way on I-94 last fall when she struck and injured an off-duty police officer was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months in prison, followed by two years of extended supervision.
Circuit Judge Michael Goulee said he believed Erin Salmon, 24, was sorry and unlikely to reoffend, but said the seriousness of the crash, and its consequences demanded prison time, a message he hopes will warn other young people about the dangers of binge drinking.
"Whether it's received or not doesn't mean its not worth sending," Goulee said, calling the persistence of drunken driving an epidemic in the state. »Read Full Article(25)
Nicolet cutting costs after governor's budget comes in at zero
Glendale - Like many districts around the state, Nicolet was hoping for Gov. Scott Walker's 2013-15 budget proposal to include an increase in the revenue limit which controls how much districts can take in via local tax levy and state aid.
State Superintendent Tony Evers had petitioned Madison for a revenue limit increase to the tune of about $200-250 per student, which would help ease the belt-tightening around the state after the 2011-13 state budget first cut the overall revenue limit by 5.5 percent in the 2011-12 school year and included a modest increase for the current year. To Nicolet, that meant a decrease in its per pupil revenue limit by $847 per student in the 2011-12 year and a $50 increase in the 2012-13 year.
Walker's recent 2013-15 budget proposal, to the dismay of Nicolet administrators and the School Board, holds the revenue limit flat over the next two years. »Read Full Article(50)
Bicyclist cited for vandalism after road rage incident in Oak Creek
Oak Creek - A 29-year-old Milwaukee man was arrested for breaking the mirror on another driver's car during a road rage incident Feb. 20.
According to the Oak Creek police report:
A driver called police after she unintentionally cut off a bicyclist while he was riding in the right lane of traffic in the 2000 block of West Ryan Road about 4:15 p.m. Feb. 20. The bicyclist followed the driver into the lot of Shell Gas, 2170 W. Ryan Road, where he confronted the woman about her driving. An argument ensued, and the bicyclist smashed the mirror on her car with his hand. »Read Full Article(64)
Wind tower supplier wins contract, forecasts sales growth
Broadwind Energy Corp. is forecasting sales growth in 2013, in part because orders of wind towers made in Manitowoc are picking up after Congress renewed an investment tax credit.
Sales of towers and weldments, including those made in Manitowoc, fell in the fourth quarter as wind development stalled ahead of the expiration of the tax credit.
Congress then renewed the credit on Jan. 1 as part of the "fiscal cliff" legislation. »Read Full Blog Post(7)
ATC: Bill on fast track would help it develop power lines around the U.S.
A bill introduced last week and on a fast track in the state Senate would allow a Pewaukee power transmission company to ramp up its out-of-state expansion, but critics question why the bill is being rushed.
The bill would allow a subsidiary of American Transmission Co. to have ownership stake in the capacity of electricity along power lines. Current law allows ATC to own transmission lines themselves but not the rights to certain amounts of power.
Utilities around the country are jockeying to build power lines tto take advantage of federal incentives and help power companies deliver renewable energy and low-cost power to population centers. »Read Full Blog Post(12)
Milwaukee County parks offer snow day alternatives
Looking for a snow day activity today?
The folks at Milwaukee County Parks offered a few suggestions.
Red Arrow Park's "Slice of Ice" rink is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Skating is free for those who bring their own skates, or you can rent a pair. That costs $8 for adults, $7 for those under 18. Even if the temperatures hit the mid-30s, the refrigerated ice at Red Arrow remains just fine. For more information, call (414) 289-8791. »Read Full Article
Hop It Market burglars thwarted in Waukesha
Burglers at the Hop It Market in Waukesha were thwarted early Wednesday when the owner caught them on a live camera feed and called police around 4 a.m.
Waukesha officers set up a perimeter around the store at 1610 Lincoln Ave., with the help of the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department and its $265,000 armored vehicle known as the Bearcat. They arrested two men -- a 29-year-old from Brookfield and 25-year-old from Colgate - as they left the store around 5:35 a.m. The men were not identified pending formal charges. (4)
Elmbrook School District braces for new state budget, potential $2.3 million deficit
Elmbrook School District officials began preparing for the worst at Tuesday's board meeting after Gov. Scott Walker unveiled his two-year budget plan last week in Madison.
Assistant Superintendent for Finance Keith Brightman said the revenue limits in the proposal could have the district facing a $2.3 million deficit next year.
"From my perspective, I see potential collective bargaining impacts," he said.
Board president Thomas Gehl called the past two years "watershed times" because of how many changes to public education have occurred.
"Regardless of what one's views are on the political spectrum, I think it's fair to say that public education has had to adjust significantly across the state," he said.
Walker's $68 billion budget proposal provides only a slight increase to K-12 public schools, while increasing tax dollars to expand publicly funded private voucher schools to at least nine new cities.
Walker's proposed increase in general aid for public schools would be about $129 million statewide.
For traditional districts like Elmbrook, per pupil spending would see no increase over the next two years.
The governor's proposal offers a $64 million incentive for the state's best-performing schools. Brightman said he would expect Elmbrook to qualify, but exactly how much money the district would get remains unclear, if not uncertain.
Actually, a lot remains unclear. It will be several more weeks until the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau — a nonpartisan agency of the state Legislature — provides its analysis.
The governor's budget proposal still must pass the Legislature and be signed into law. Before ending back on Walker's desk for approval, the budget likely will be modified.
Elmbrook Schools officials hope changes could mean an increase in per pupil spending. Board members announced at Tuesday's meeting that they have planned a lobbying effort to sway state lawmakers.
The district will host two superintendent chats next month to help engage the public.
Get involved
WHAT: superintendent chat
WHEN: 9 to 10 a.m. March 7 »Read Full Article(33)
Man killed in Walworth County crash ID'd
The man killed in a collision with a semi-truck on Tuesday in Walworth County was identified today as Carlos R. Cantu, 44, of Lake Geneva.
Cantu died on impact after he lost control of his pickup truck on snow-covered Highway 11 in the Town of Darien, slid into the westbound lane and side-swiped a semi hauling milk around 11:20 a.m., according to the Walworth County Sheriff's Department.
Cantu was wearing a seatbelt, as was the 31-year-old semi driver, who was not injured.
The crash was being investigated by the sheriff's department and the Wisconsin State Patrol. The truck driver is not expected at this time to be cited, authorities said.
Art museum, Betty Brinn among today's closings
Wednesday's snowmageddon has led to closings at a number of Milwaukee-area arts and cultural venues.
Among the places affected by the snowstorm:
Milwaukee Art Museum: The art museum is closed Wednesday, according to the museum's website. »Read Full Article
Cheesecake Factory settles mahi mahi food poisoning case
Ghassan Batanyeh got sick within two minutes of finishing his mahi mahi filet at the Cheesecake Factory at Bayshore Town Center back in 2009.
He had suffered an acute attack of Scombroid poisoning, which occurs when someone eats certain types of fish that have not been properly refrigerated. Bacteria begins to break down fish flesh releasing histamines, and, unlike many other food-borne disease, toxins the bacteria produce survive heat from the cooking process.
Batayneh sued, and last week the California-based restaurant company settled the case on the eve of trial with a payment of $14,000 plus another $1,500 in costs, according to plaintiff's attorney Mike Hanrahan and court records. »Read Full Blog Post(10)
Chippewa Valley could lose air traffic control towers in federal cuts
Air traffic control towers at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport could be a casualty of federal cuts if sequestration is implemented, the Chippewa Herald reports. (2)
Former Racine mayor released from prison
Former Racine Mayor Gary Becker has been released from prison after serving three years for child sexual assault and child enticement, the Journal Times reports. He will be under GPS monitoring at his new home in Racine County, according to the state Department of Corrections. (1)
S.S. Badger to begin season May 6
The Manitowoc based S.S. Badger Lake Michigan car ferry will begin the 2013 sailing season on May 6, two weeks earlier than previously announced, according to the Fond du Lac Reporter. (2)
Janesville 3rd grader wins Newtown essay contest
A third-grader from Janesville has won a Newtown-inspired essay contest, the Janesville Gazette reports.
Notorious Sheboygan landlord found dead in her home
A landlord in Sheboygan notorious for racking up $1 million in building code fines has been found dead in her home, the Sheboygan Press reports.
Stephanie Barenz named next Pfister artist
Stephanie Barenz's work is sometimes about the in betweenness of travel and the things we carry with us always.
As she applied for the Pfister Hotel's artist in residence program, she was working on a painting based on her husband's stories about travel in India. Rich imagery, colors and architecture of a distant place and the familiar touchstones of home combined and seemed to float up and out of a suitcase in the work.
It's an approach to making work – gathering stories of travel and home – that seemed a perfect fit and attracted the expert judges of the Pfister program, who named Barenz the next artist in residence Wednesday. »Read Full Blog Post
Discovery World closed for storm
Discovery World museum on the Milwaukee lakefront is closed today due to the storm, according to Mario Ortiz, director of special events. (1)
Franklin police make arrest in 2010 robbery, assault of elderly man
Franklin - An elderly Franklin man who was assaulted and robbed in his driveway on Christmas Eve, 2010, will have his day in court after a two-year investigation by the Franklin Police Department culminated an arrest this month.
Police arrested a 27-year-old former Greendale resident, Jake Breitzman, Feb. 8. He was charged with robbery by use of force in Milwaukee County Circuit Court on Feb. 13 and is in custody awaiting trial.
According to the Franklin police report: »Read Full Article(8)
Is Big Brother watching? Federal census questions leave some wondering
Questions on a survey conducted by the US Census Bureau have some residents concerned about privacy and harassment by census employees.
"I felt a bit creeped out," Lawrence Seybold, a Brookfield business owner said after reading questions on the American Community Survey.
A monthly survey randomly sent to 3 million people nationwide annually, the American Community Survey is meant to replace the traditional Decennial Survey the Census Bureau conducts. »Read Full Article(18)
Snow totals: 14.5 in Sheboygan, 9 in Ozaukee
Snow blanketed southeastern Wisconsin overnight with Sheboygan County taking the biggest hit with 14.5 inches, the National Weather Service said this morning.
Elsewhere, preliminary reports show snowfall totals ranged from 5 to 8 inches in Milwaukee County to about 11 in some parts of Kenosha County. Ozaukee County saw almost 9 inches and Racine 6.5.Parts of Milwaukee County received 8 inches.
Up to 2 more inches are forecast for Wednesday - though bands may be heavier in some places - with highs in the low to mid-30s.
"It'll be light stuff today," said meteorologist Rudy Schaar. "There may be a brief period of heavier bands, but that'll move through." (1)
Joy Global 1Q earnings flat, but beat analysts' estimates
Joy Global Inc. on Wednesday posted a fiscal first-quarter profit higher than what analysts expected but said its mining equipment orders fell as coal mines curtailed production in a weak market.
The Milwaukee company said net income fell slightly to $142.1 million, or $1.33 a share, from $142.5 million, or $1.33, a year earlier.
Sales for the period ended Jan. 25 rose 1% to $1.15 billion, but equipment orders were down 29% from a year ago. »Read Full Article(1)
Other areas of Midwest hit harder
Wisconsin didn't see the worst of this storm.
A slow-moving storm that has paralyzed parts of the nation's midsection for days with heavy, wet snow that strained power lines, clogged roadways and delayed hundreds of flights, dumped at least 6 inches of snow on western Michigan early Wednesday as it churned eastward.
The storm that made travel perilous from the Oklahoma Panhandle to the Great Lakes on Tuesday was expected to linger for another day over Chicago and parts of the Midwest. Up to a foot of snow was forecast for northern New England on Wednesday evening. »Read Full Article
Your snow photos: It's back and it's beautiful
With another round of snow Tuesday, people across Southeastern Wisconsin snapped photos of the messy drives and the serene surroundings.
Here are some of the best photos that people shared on social media. (17)
Readers respond to the residency rule
Last week, I asked readers if they would be willing to share their feelings about Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to end residency rules statewide.
I received lots of emails, confirming my suspicions that people had strong opinions both for and against the residency rule in Milwaukee.
Many of the emails came from people who did not want their name used. In some cases they felt they would get into trouble at their workplace if they expressed an opinion. Others had no trouble identifying themselves. »Read Full Blog Post(80)
Whitnall Park clubhouse and Red Arrow rink open early today
To celebrate the new snow, Milwaukee County Parks officials will open the Whitnall Park Warming House, 6751 S. 92nd St., Franklin, early today for sledding and cross-country ski rentals from noon to 6 p.m.
Red Arrow Park's skating rink will also open early, with skate rentals available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Mitchell Interchange ramp reopens
The Mitchell Interchange ramp from eastbound I-894/I-43 to southbound I-94/US41 has reopened after being closed all morning for a semi crash.
Ice cream shop planned for West Allis' Six Points area
A new ice cream shop has been proposed for the Six Points area on the east side of West Allis.
Spoons Ice Cream would lease 1,500 square feet at 6501-6525 W. Greenfield Ave., an apartment building with street-level commercial space developed by Toldt Development Inc. That building is part of Toldt's Six Points Neighborhood apartment community.
The Plan Commission will review the proposal at its Wednesday night meeting. (3)
West Allis man arrested on 12th drunken driving charge
A 50-year-old West Allis man was arrested early this morning on his 12th drunken driving charge, according to the Wisconsin State Patrol.
A trooper pulled the man over about 12:30 a.m. on westbound I-94 east of Moorland Road after it appeared he had been in an accident. The man was taken first to the state police headquarters in Waukesha for a field sobriety test and then to Waukesha Memorial for a legal blood draw, according to the department. (21)
Kohl's to provide field-trip grants for schools
Metro-Milwaukee area teachers may get help funding school field trips next year thanks to a new grant program announced by Kohl's Department Stores Wednesday.
The company's philanthropic program, Kohl's Cares, intends to make $750,000 available in field trip grants for the 2013-'14 school year, available to teachers in amounts valued between $1,000 and $2,500.
The move echoes that of major retailer Target, which launched a field trip grant program about five or six years ago and reportedly funded $3 million worth of school field trips last year, in increments of $700.
Milwaukee-area educators can apply for grants between March 1 and May 24, according to Kohl's. (1)
Pair of GOP lawmakers propose sales tax holidays
Republican lawmakers are proposing a pair of sales tax holidays in Wisconsin in August and November.
Rep. Chad Weininger of Green Bay and Sen. Rick Gudex of Fond du Lac circulated a bill this week seeking co-sponsors of the measure that would waive sales taxes two weekends of the year.
The August sales tax holiday would apply to certain school-related items including clothing up to $75, a computer up to $2,000, school computer supplies up to $250, school instructional materials and various other school supplies. »Read Full Article(17)
State to ramp up gypsy moth spraying
Wisconsin will take its fight against the gypsy moth to much of the western portion of the state later this year, with aerial insecticide spraying in about one-third of the state's counties.
The spray may start in late spring or early summer depending on the weather, and will last about a month. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection plans to start from the south and work northward.
The gypsy moth's appetite for trees and shrubs makes it harmful to the state's timber and paper industries.
Residents can learn about the spraying program at open house meetings from March 12-14 in Madison, Black River Falls and Superior.
Wisconsin man arrested for shooting at motorists in Michigan
Michigan police say they arrested a 28-year-old Wisconsin man for reportedly shooting at motorists.
Police in Washtenaw County's Pittsfield Township say they responded early Wednesday to a wooded area near U.S. Highway 23 and Michigan Avenue after a 911 caller reported a man dressed in a black trench coat standing near a bridge and shooting at traffic.
Police say they spotted the suspect walking in the area and took him into custody. They tracked his footprints in the snow and found a sawed-off shotgun. »Read Full Article(1)
MPS, other districts closed due to storm
Milwaukee Public Schools and many other districts in the area are closed today due to the winter storm. Check out updates on closings here.
On Tap Today: Smart alecky chat to art talk
If you need a good diversion over the lunch hour, consider tuning in to the half-hour talk radio show The Disclaimer on WMSE 91.7 FM for smart-alecky chitchat about all things Milwaukee.
Christopher Castellani, the son of Italian immigrants, introduces us to the Grasso family and a year that will change their lives in his novel "All This Talk of Love." He will be at Boswell Books at 7 tonight.
Eric Johnson and his "Cliffs of Dover" are coming to Turner tonight, too. Get information and tickets here.
Artist Cynthia Lawson Jaramillo will be at Inova/Arts Center at 7 tonight and give a talk titled "Slowness and the Everyday." Her work addresses our sense of time and existence through digital photographs, layered light boxes and video.
And look for a nice announcement at Art City around 9 a.m.
Weather slows Journal Sentinel delivery
Due to the snow storm and slow driving conditions, Journal Sentinel delivery is delayed in all areas. The counties along lake Michigan with the heaviest snowfall totals will experience the longest delays. Every effort is being made to complete delivery as soon as possible. In some cases where driving conditions remain unsafe, delivery will be completed tomorrow morning.
View the e-edition of the paper here.
Milwaukee's 4-inch parking rule in effect starting at 5 a.m.
The City of Milwaukee's four-inch parking rule goes into effect at 5 a.m. Some city streets restrict parking on either side when snow total reach 4 inches to allow crews to clear snow. Click here to see if your street is affected.
Also, the city's Department of Public Works says no garbage or recycling pick up today except for guaranteed and automated truck routes.
Travel discouraged in Sheboygan County
The DOT advises avoiding any kind of driving in Sheboygan County due to snow and blowing. All highways are deemed hazardous for travel.


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Amber Alert cancelled after jogging teen found safe
By Dana Thompson : April 8, 2014 : Updated: April 9, 2014 6:27am
UPDATE: A 16-year-old girl who vanished while jogging Tuesday afternoon in Cleveland has been found safe.
Officials cancelled the Amber Alert early Wednesday for Tera Schubert. No information about where she was found or where she had been was released.
Schubert vanished between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday when she went for a run off County Road 2257. She was last seen wearing a bright yellow tank top, black shorts and pink running shoes.
Staff reporter Dale Lezon contributed to this story.

subset: commoncrawl


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A detailed look at how to create a professional-level DVD with menus and scene selections.
All the tools needed to use iDVD to turn movies and photos from other iLife applications into professional DVDs.
A comprehensive look at Apple's video editing software, from concept to final distribution.
"I don't know how many times I've come back to review a topic or to watch a video as supplementary training to a class I'm taking, but you guys have helped me stay ahead of the curve." —Derek M.
more from our members »


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HansenCrafts LLC
710 East Park Ave
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 747-7746
email us!
The standard miniSpinners are made of cherry or maple.
Cherry is by far the most popular.
We also make a variety of premium or
exotic wood miniSpinners, depending upon what's available at our
hardwood supplier.
All of the premium wood models are beautiful, plus
when we encounter truly exceptional planks, they become Premium
Select miniSpinners which are a cut above the
A bunch of specialty wood ends in the process of
becoming miniSpinners. Purpleheart, bloodwood, lacewood, and
walnut are shown here.
Site updated: January 16, 2015
© 2005-2015 HansenCrafts LLC, all
rights reserved


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Shawn Drover
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A few shots from the Shawn Drover, Megadeath, drum clinic tonight at Seminole Music and Sound. I only stayed an hour but the dude can play. Notice the tall 16 inch floor tom. Cocktail drum inspired
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Current version: 1.01
SiS6326 FB is a FrameBuffer driver for Linux that supports SiS6326-based graphic cards (and compatible).
The version 1.01 fixs a mistake in the package (in version 1.0 there was a simlink instead the driver itself. Sorry).
Download section
There's a different file for each kernel. Please, take in mind your kernel version to download the driver.
©1996-2014 Sergio Costas Rodríguez, Vigo. All rights reserved.


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Thursday5 days after
Wednesday4 days after
Racer X Redux: Perfection ExceptionsIn a season marred by injuries, the 250s produce record consistency. Observations: Steel CityMatthes on the track, silly season rumors and more. Sign of
the Lap Times: Steel CityLap time analysis from Pennsylvania. Racer X Films: Steel City, RemasteredAn in-depth look at round 11 of the championship. Between the Motos: Tucker HibbertSnocross champion Tucker Hibbert talks about his return to moto.
Tuesday3 days after
BTOSports Racer X Podcast: Steel CityMatthes, Weege and JT$ wrap up Steel City. 450 Words: Steel CityMike Alessi makes it to every race, and that in itself is a victory. The Moment: Steel CityGrant stays up while others go down. Racer X Notebook: Steel CityDeep in the trenches Unsung Hero: Phil NicolettiThe privateer ends his season on a high note. Steel City WallpapersBig shots from Steel City by @Cudby
Monday2 days after
Steel City GalleryImages from PA by @Cudby Monday
Conversation: Eli TomacClosing in 250 Words: Steel CityIf I'm Blake Baggett, I'm staying off the computer this week. And I'm not checking my email or Twitter accounts. And forget about watching Steel City on the DVR. Open Mic: Interviews from Steel CityDungey, Alessi, Roczen, Barcia, Mitch Payton and more Insight: Josh GrantJG scores his first outdoor podium of the year. Is he back?
Sunday1 day after
SaturdayRace Day
Racer X
Race Report: Steel CitySo you are telling me there is a chance. Steel City 250 Moto 1 ReportFireworks continue in the 250 Class. Steel City 450 Moto 1 ReportAction is underway at Steel City. Steel City Practice ReportAlessi, Tomac set the pace early Steel City Practice GalleryImages from this morning by Simon Cudby First Look: Steel CityCarl Stone provides a first look of Steel City
Race Report: Steel CitySo you are telling me there is a chance. Steel City 250 Moto 1 ReportFireworks continue in the 250 Class. Steel City 450 Moto 1 ReportAction is underway at Steel City. Steel City Practice ReportAlessi, Tomac set the pace early Steel City Practice GalleryImages from this morning by Simon Cudby First Look: Steel CityCarl Stone provides a first look of Steel City
- Steel City 250 Overall6:45pm
- Steel City 450 Overall6:25pm
- Steel City Qualifying Results11:40am
- Tune-In Alert: Steel City5:00am
On TV
|450/250 Classes Moto 1
|450/250 Classes Moto 2
Friday1 day before
Racerhead #35Welcome to Racerhead, coming to you from inside the press box at the FMF Steel City National in Delmont, Pennsylvania. How to
Watch: Steel CityAll the viewing and scoring information needed for Steel City. Bench Racing Ammo: Silly Season UpdateAn early look at who's going where for 2013. Insight: Broc TickleA profile on Broc Tickle's 2012 season. 10 Things To Watch: Steel CityLarsen returns, Eleven10 Mods Homecoming and more. Injury Report: Steel CityUp to the minute news on all the latest injuries. The Breakdown: Ruts at UnadillaBefore Steel City, Travis Preston analyzes the previous race. Ask Ping!Ping takes your questions.
Thursday2 days before
The Week in Yamaha History: Steel City 2007Langston powers through Rapid Reaxtion: Roczen and Musquin Re-Sign with KTMHere is what we think. What about you? Rev Up: Steel CityBowyer on the dynamics of the off cambers. The Vault: History from Steel CityThe best championship showdowns ever. Open Mic: Nick WeyFormer factory rider, long time privateer and fan favorite Nick Wey was competing in a selected few rounds of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship when he crashed out at Millville. The List: Late BloomersWinning on big bikes without winning on small ones.
Wednesday3 days before
BTOSports Racer X PodcastMatthes and Weege are joined by DMXS' David Izer. Rewind with John DowdLegendary Tales from the Junkyard Dog. Privateer
Profile: Vann MartinIt's been a long, strange journey for Vann Martin since entering the pro ranks. Between the Motos: Chip MunnBig plans on the horizon for Munn/Ankle Savers KTM.
Tuesday4 days before
Monday5 days before
Vote:Racer X Poll
Conversation: Dean WilsonDean talks about his recovery, and reveals who he is riding for in 2013.
Who will score the most points (250 Class) at the final two rounds?%poll_35424%Reader Responses Rapid Reaxtion: Wilson to JWRHere is what we think. What about you? Monday


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The 24-member board was created by Congress in 1952.
Acting through the assistant secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, the board serves as the principal policy advisor to the secretary of Defense on military reserve force matters.
Members include the assistant secretary responsible for reserve affairs from each of the military departments, and active and reserve component general and flag officers representing all Services, including the Coast Guard.
Sirois currently serves as the director of Reserve and Training, U.S. Coast Guard. His recent military experience includes service as staff director of the Interagency Task Force on the Roles and Missions of the U.S. Coast Guard.


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Swedish S-Cut trauma shear: A Cut Above the Rest
The Swedish S-Cut trauma shear is so smooth it will make you want to cut the clothes off of every minor trauma patient. But is it worth the hefty price tag?
This month's review may not have the tech sparkle of the iPad or a new fiberoptic device, but it's an important improvement on our current standard. We all use trauma sheers in the emergency department, and we're well aware of their shortcomings. The first is mechanical advantage – performing a repetitive squeezing motion to cut a tough material like leather can quickly tire your hand. Secondly, with repeated use, trauma shears get dull and the hinge often loosens, making them increasingly difficult to use. This month we are looking at the S-Cut Emergency Cutting Tool, a product that takes a new look at this old problem.
The device is modeled after industrial fabric shears. The S-Cut comes in three models, the 7-701 with a razor, the 6-601 without a razor (for creating an opening) and the 06-501, which is a 6-601 with a larger handle to facilitate field use with heavy gloves. The design is beautiful in its simplicity. It consists of a machined aluminum handle that houses a fixed circular razor blade. The blade is protected by a plastic guard over an aluminum tip. This guard keeps all but the smallest parts from being sliced by a careless operator. The blade is extremely sharp so care must be taken when using the tool. As the blade dulls you simply loosen the nut holding it in place and rotate it. Numbered markings on the blade allow you to keep track of how much of the blade remains fresh and when to replace it. Unlike traditional trauma shears, when the S-Cut gets dull the only thing that you replace is the blade. The smaller S-Cut also comes with the option of an additional "slitting tool" that resembles the blade on a carpenter's knife. This blade allows you to create a slit to start a cut if you cannot find an open area of fabric. This blade is spring-loaded and potentially dangerous if care is not taken during its use. As a safety measure, you can lock the blade down with a knurled nut preventing accidental use of the razor sharp blade. No tools are needed to lock the slitting tool or replace the circular cutting blade. The S-Cut is heat resistant to 212 degrees allowing it to be autoclaved for sterilization.
Pros: The S-Cut is a fantastically fast and easy cutting tools. Hands down, THE best trauma shear on the market.
Use of the tool itself is quite simple; find an open end to the patient's clothing and pull. With a quick and easy pull, the razor sharp blade of the S-Cut slices right through pretty much any fabric be it leather, heavy nylon, or simply cotton. The only difficulty you may run into with the S-Cut is that you need some resistance to pull against so occasionally towards the end of a cut you need someone to hold the ends of the fabric taught while you cut. It is not an exaggeration to say that you can cut through a trauma patient's shirt and pants in under 20 seconds with minimal effort. Unlike traditional trauma shears this takes almost no effort on the part of the user.
It's rare that such a simple device can offer such a significant improvement on a tool we use on a daily basis. But it is also rare that we get such benefit with no extra cost. So where is the rub? In a word, money. I can buy a pair of trauma shears on Amazon.com right now for $6. What would I pay for the S-Cut super shears? $9.99? $29.99? How about $179. That's right, the 601 model (smaller handle with slitting blade) retails for $195, the 501 (large version) for $249, and the 701 (smaller handle with NO slitting function) for $179.
In the end, I'm really mixed on the S-Cut line. I absolutely love them, as do ALL of the ED staff whom I let use them. Many of them couldn't resist shredding towels, sheets, and any other fabric they could get their hands on. It took all of my willpower to not cut the clothes off of every minor trauma patient that I came across. So if you're looking to be the coolest kid in the ED, and cost is no object then the S-Cut line is for you. If you're lucky to keep a pair of trauma shears for more than a week without them growing legs and walking away then maybe you should stick to the $6.00 online specials.
# benchmade rescue hook — 2010-07-06 15:25
this is what i use. $30. works fine after 6 months.
# Nice — 2011-03-24 13:04
I like it. The depth of the razor helps protect you from accidental cuts on the S cut and there's also the rotating replaceable blade but this is a great cheaper option.
We make another alternative to trauma shears, here in the US, that costs under $12. It's called the TRECK, and it was selected as one of the most innovative new products by JEMS.
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A time-release chemical delivery system in which a bioactive compound is attached to a polymeric biodegradable carrier by a hydrolyzable bond is disclosed. The bioactive compound can either be bound directly to the polymer or be attached to the polymer via a spacer group. The composition of the system is particularly effective for delivering medication systemically to a host animal over a prolonged period of time after being surgically implanted or injected subcutaneously. Biodegradable condensation polymers having reactive pendant groups, for example, poly-L-(glutamic acid), or derivatized poly-L-(glutamic acid) are effective as polymeric carriers.
1. A time release chemical delivery system for implantation in animal host comprising:
a polymeric, water-insoluble, biodegradable polymer which biodegrades into fragments tolerable by the host; and
a bioactive compound chemically attached to said carrier by a hydrolyzable bond, said bioactive compound containing a group which reacts with a group on the biodegradable polymer to form a hydrolyzable bond and being effective in small dosages to produce a biological effect within said host upon release into the host by hydrolysis of the hydrolyzable bond.
2. The chemical delivery system of claim 1 wherein said polymer is a condensation polymer having reactive pendant groups.
3. The chemical delivery system of claim 1 wherein said polymer has a molecular weight of about 5,000 to about 1,000,000.
4. The chemical delivery system of claim 1 wherein said polymer is a polymer or copolymer of glutamic acid or aspartic acid.
5. The chemical delivery system of claim 2 wherein at least one percent (1%) of said reactive pendant sites are coupled to a reactive compound.
6. The chemical delivery system of claim 1 wherein said bioactive compound is indirectly coupled to said carrier by a hydrolyzable bond to a spacer compound.
7. The chemical delivery system of claim 6 wherein said spacer is substantially a linear compound.
8. The chemical delivery system of claim 7 wherein said spacer compound is coupled to said bioactive compound by a hydrolyzable bond.
9. The chemical delivery system of claim 2 wherein the carrier is a polyester, polyamide or polyurethane polymer.
10. The time release chemical delivery system of claim 1 wherein said hydrolyzable bond is an ester, amide or urethane bond.
The invention was made under a Department of Health, Education and Welfare grant.
1. Field
The invention relates to a time release system for releasing a bioactive agent over a prolonged period of time.
2. Prior Art
As indicated in "Controlled Release Polymeric Formulations" by D. R. Paul and W. F. Harris, ACS Symposium Series 33, The American Chemical Society (1976), an active interest has existed in controlled release polymeric formulations since the 1960's. Various systems have been utilized in the past, such as erodable devices wherein a drug or other chemically active agent absorbed into a chemical matrix is released as the matrix is eroded or dissolved.
Other systems involve encapsulation wherein the medicant or active agent is enclosed or encapsulated by a polymeric shell through which the agent diffuses. The diffusion rate through the shell controls the rate of release. A system of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,577,512.
Naloxone has been chemically attached to a polyhydrazine ficoll polymer according to Pasternak et al, Life Sciences, Vol. 18, pp. 977-982 in an article entitled "Micromolecular Naloxone: A Novel Long-Acting Polymer-Bound Drug". The macromolecular naloxone is injected into its host as a narcotic antagonist.
Allan et al, Chemtech, March 1973, page 177 et.seq., "Pesticides, Pollution and Polymers", describes the attachment of pesticides to water soluble and insoluble polymers, both directly and through the use of a spacer moiety.
An object of the instant invention is to control the rate of drug release by the application of polymeric systems with varying degrees of hydrophilicity and varying degrees of drug loading.
It is an object of the instant invention to provide a drug delivery system which itself and its degradation products are compatible with the human body.
Another object of the instant invention is to provide a backbone polymer or carrier which is hydrolyzable, i.e. biodegradable.
Another object of the instant invention is to provide a bioactive compound via covalent bonding to a polymeric backbone so that upon hydrolysis of said covalent bond said bioactive compound is released in active, unmodified form.
A time-release chemical delivery system for delivering bioactive agents from an implant site within an animal has been invented. The system comprises a polymeric biodegradable carrier and a bioactive compound attached to the carrier by a hydrolyzable bond. The carrier may be a homo-polymer or copolymer and is preferably a polymer such as a polyester, polycarbonate, polyamide or polyurethane which slowly degrades within its host without producing extremely toxic degradation products. The bioactive compound may be any compound which can be attached covalently, that is, by a hydrolyzable bond, to the carrier polymer, either directly or indirectly through a chemical space unit.
The delivery system is usually implanted subcutaneously by injection or incision in an animal, including the human body. A hydrolyzable carrier, such as high molecular weight polymers, is desirable since they are not easily dissolved or absorbed by the body and remain at the implantation site until the bioactive compound has been substantially released. However, the carrier polymer of this invention ultimately hydrolyzes to degrade into smaller chemical compounds which are easily absorbed and ultimately substantially completely dissipate from the implantation site. Also, in very high molecular weight polymers, hydrolysis of the polymer backbone may be a factor in the time release of the bioactive chemical. Generally, however, the rate of hydrolysis of the bioactive compound covalent bond to the polymer will be greater than the rate of hydrolysis of the polymer.
As indicated heretofore, the carrier is biodegradable and produces degradation products which are biologically compatible with the host. The time-release chemical delivery systems of this invention are intended for implantation, either surgically or by injection in animals, including humans. A polymeric carrier which does not degrade are much less desirable for use in implants since the implanted device should be later surgically removed. Also, polymers which degrade into toxic substances are not desirable for this purpose. Also, highly water soluble polymers are generally not desired inasmuch as immediate absorption into the host may create toxicity problems and the absorption rate may become the controlling factor in the release of the bioactive compound. The carrier polymer of this invention preferably remains at the implantation site until a substantial quantity of the bioactive compound has been released.
The polymeric biodegradable carriers of this invention are ones which have hydrolyzable bonds, for example, an ester, amide or urethane bond, such as those found in condensation polymers. A further requirement of the polymeric carriers are that they contain a pendant group to which a reactive compound may be directly attached by a hydrolyzable bond or to which a spacer unit may be attached with the reactive compound attached to the spacer unit by a hydrolyzable bond. Typically, the space unit will also be attached to the polymeric carrier by a hydrolyzable bond.
Typical polymeric carriers are polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes and other condensation polymers having a molecular weight between about 5,000 and 1,000,000. The molecular weight may be utilized to influence the rate of release of the reactive compound, for example, higher molecular weight polymeric carriers may present more resistance to hydrolysis and thus retard the release of bioactive agents while a very low molecular weight carrier would be more easily hydrolyzed and increase the release of bioactive agents. In some instances, it may be desirable to admix time release delivery systems made with high molecular weight carriers with those made from low molecular weight carriers to alter the effective rate of release of materials.
A preferred condensation polymer has been prepared for the above purpose from -L-glutamic acid, a naturally occurring amino acid. The resulting polymer is hydrophilic and biodegradable. L-glutamic acid is reacted according to the following diagram with benzyl alcohol to form gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate. Gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate is then reacted with phosgene to form the N-carboxyanhydride which is then reacted in the presence of triethyl amine in an inert solvent, for instance, benzene and dichloromethane to form poly (gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate). ##STR1##
The poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) is then reacted in the presence of a mixture of hydrogen bromide and hydrogen chloride to form poly(L-glutamic acid). The poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) can also be reacted with an hydroyalkyl amine to form poly(hydroxyalkyl glutamines). ##STR2##
Poly(L-glutamic acid), poly(hydroxyalkyl-l-glutamines) and poly(-L-aspartic acid), and poly(hydroxyalkyl-L-aspartic acid) have pendant reactive groups. In the case of poly(-L-glutamic acid), the reactive group is a carboxylic group while in the case of poly(hydroxyalkyl glutamines) the reactive group is a hydroxyl group. In viewing the large number of reactive sites present on these polymers, it is apparent that it may not be possible to react each pendant reactive group with a bioactive compound especially if the bioactive compound is a bulky molecule which causes steric hindrance to reaction at adjacent pendant groups. Thus, it may be desirable to introduce spacer groups on the polymer chain which diminish the steric hindrance and allow the increase of the percentage of drug loading.
The use of a spacer group may also provide desirable changes in drug release rate by allowing ease of hydrolysis of the drug. If the drug is further removed from the main chain it would be less influenced sterically by the polymeric backbone.
Depending upon the aqueous solubility of the bioactive agent, the polymeric carrier must be altered to achieve an optimum release rate. For example, for delivery of hydrophilic drugs, the polymeric backbone must be made hydrophobic. Of course, the opposite is also true. That is, for hydrophilic drugs, the polymeric backbone might be made hydrophilic in order to achieve an optimum rate of drug release. The polymer can be diminished in hydrophilicity or even made hydrophobic by the incorporation of amino acids, such as L-alanine, L-leucine and L-valine, into the polymer backbone yielding a variety of copolymeric systems. Since these hydrophobic L-amino acids have no side chain carboxyl or hydroxyl group, the hydrophilicity of the polymer is reduced. The reaction of L-glutamic acid with L-valine is illustrated in the following diagram. ##STR3##
Other condensation polymers which may be utilized for implantation purposes as a carrier in a time-release system for delivering a reactive compound systemically to an animal include homopolymers and copolymers having amide, ester, carbonate and urethane linkages.
The number of polymers in the class called condensation polymers is very large. In theory, all of these polymers plus other polymers that have a pendant group for drug attachment and shown an appreciable note of biodegradation within an animal host can be used as the drug carrier. The only limitations for the polymeric drug carrier is that it must be biodegradable in a finite period of time, say five years or less, and that the degradation products must be biologically compatible with the host at their release concentration. Most polymers in the above class which contain a pendant group cannot be prepared directly, but must be prepared (1) by protection of the pendant group (called masking) during polymerization, after which the group is deprotected or chemically modified to yield the reactive pendant group, or (2) by post-polymer reaction to chemically yield the reactive site. Examples of both type reactions are listed on the following page.
Preferred condensation polymers are those prepared from naturally occurring dicarboxylic -L-amino acids. Since such naturally occurring amino acids are not foreign to an animal host, the least possible toxicity should be encountered.
The preferred naturally occurring L-amino acids are ##STR6## each of which have the pendant carboxyl group close to reactive amino group. Polymers formed from L-aspartic acid and L-glutamic acid thus have the pendant --COOH group close, no more than two linear carbon atoms spacing, to the polymer backbone. Since the proximity of the reactive carboxyl group to the polymer backbone may interfere with the addition of a bioactive compound, especially a large molecule, and with the subsequent hydrolysis of a covalent bond formed by such condensation reaction, the use of a spacer group, preferably linear in nature, may be preferred in this invention.
To be effective as hydrolyzable carriers the polymers of this invention must have pendant reactive sites to which a bioactive compound may be attached. The term bioactive compound has the connotation that it is active for some purpose in the host in which the time release delivery system is implanted. Preferred pendant reactive sites in this invention are carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, sulphate, and phosphate groups. These functional groups may react with functional groups of the bioactive compound to form a hydrolyzable bond. The hydrolyzable bond may be direct between the pendant group of the polymer and the reactive compound or it may be first reacted with a spacer unit which contains a similar reactive functional group.
The reactivity and density of reactive sites may be affected by incorporating monomeric units into the polymer chain which have no pendant reactive sites.
The reactivity of the reactive sites is also affected by the distance of the reactive site from the backbone of the polymer. In poly(L-glutamic acid) the reactive carboxyl site is spaced by two carbon groups from the polymer backbone. The use of poly(hydroxyethyl-L-glutamines) places the reactive group six carbons from the polymer backbone. Thus, a synthetic amino acid having a longer chain between the amine group and the carboxyl group could be utilized in place of an intermediate spacer group. These have generally not been preferred inasmuch as such dicarboxylic L-amino acids are not found in nature.
Spacer groups may be utilized in the practice of the instant invention to provide a hydrolyzable unit which spaces the reactive compound further from the carrier backbone. As indicated hereinabove, the polymeric units may contain long pendant chains which place the reactive site on the pendant group further away from the carrier backbone. However, when the carrier backbone hydrolyzes, the monomeric unit can have a rather substantial size and thus must be compatible with the host. Smaller monomeric units such as glutamic acid and aspartic acid should be more easily handled by biological systems. Particular spacer units which have been used in this invention are hydroxyalkyl amines, i.e., alkanolamines, such as ethanolamine and propanolamine. These low molecular weight hydroxyalkyl amines, when hydrolyzed, are released into the animal system and are compatible therewith. Also, these type spacers provide a reactive site, namely a hydroxyl group, for attachment by the reactive compound.
Bioactive compounds useful in this invention are those which contain a group which may react to form a bond with a pendant group or a spacer group. The bond is preferably hydrolyzable and in particular are esters, including sulfates or phosphate esters, amides, carbonates and urethane bonds. A class of bioactive compounds particularly useful in this invention are progestins. The time release chemical delivery system is thus useful in animals, including humans, as a contraceptive delivery system. One particular progestin useful in norethindrone which has the following formula. ##STR7##
The reactive hydroxyl group of norethindrone may be reacted with phosgene. A phosgene treatment converts the 17B-hydroxyl group to a chloroformate ##STR8## group, which is then reacted with the hydroxyl group of the polymer to form a carbonate linkage between the polymer and the norethindrone.
The reactive compound which is released over a period of time in the instant invention may be one which has a pharamacological affect upon the host, for example, a contraceptive drug in an animal. During drug release the polymer degrades into small fragments which are easily handled systemically by the host. Thus, shortly after the last of the drug has been released into the animal's system the polymeric residue also degrades to leave no residue at the implantation site.
Factors which affect the release rate and the rate of absorption into the body of the host include the size of the particles, the total molecular weight of the polymer, the composition of the polymer backbone, the length and character of the spacer groups and the character of the pendant groups and the degree of loading, that is, the percentage of available pendant reactive sites from the polymer which are reacted with the bioactive agent. The drug or other biologically active agent which is carried by the polymer may be hydrophobic in nature while the polymer is hydrophilic. When the drug is very hydrophilic, the hydrophilicity of the polymer spacer system must be adjusted to prevent dissolution of the drug delivery system. The spacing of the bulky drug or chemically reacted compound from the polymer also affects the rate of release.
Poly-gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate was prepared by the polymerization of N-carboxy-gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate anhydride1,2 in dioxane using triethylamine as initiator. The degree of polymerization was determined from viscosity measurements in trifluoroacetic acid.
The resulting polymer was dissolved in dioxane (2 g/ml) and an excess of 3-amino-1-propanol was added (8 ml/g of polymer). Stirring continued at 60� C. for 20-40 hours until a clear solution was obtained and a sample of the reaction mixture gave no precipitate in water. The polymer was precipitated in 5 volumes of chloroform and dried. The polymer was dissolved in water and dialyzed to remove low molecular weight material. The water was removed under vacuum to give the glassy polymer in approximately 90% yield.
To a solution containing 200 mg norethindrone, 15 ml freshly distilled methylene chloride, and 0.120 ml pyridine was added 14 mls of a 20% phosgene in benzene solution. After 11/2 hours, a good yield of norethindrone-17 beta-chloroformate results. If tritiated norethindrone is used in the reaction, 91% of the activity on thin layer chromatography (TLC) corresponds to the chloroformate (Rf. 0.09 for norethindrone, Rf. 0.32 for norethindrone-17 beta-chloroformate using Quantagram Q5F TLC plates developed in 1% ethanol in chloroform. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure.
During the above procedure, 120 mg of dry poly(hydroxypropyl glutamine) was dissolved in 3 ml of anhydrous dimethyl formamide and 1 ml of anhydrous pyridine. This solution was added to the norethindrone-17 beta-chloroformate reaction vessel and allowed to react for four hours at room temperature. The reaction product was isolated by precipitating into 100 ml ethyl acetate. The precipitate was redissolved in 2 ml of dimethyl formamide and reprecipitated into 100 ml ethyl acetate. The product was dried in vacuum to yield approximately 0.165 mg of norethindrone coupled polymer. When tritiated norethindrone was used in reaction, liquid scintillation counting techniques reveals that up to 64% of the available hydroxyl groups of the polymer are coupled with norethindrone.
In the following example compound XXb is frequently referenced. Compound XXb has the following formula: ##STR9## The polymer is poly(hydroxylpropyl-L-glutamine) having an average molecular weight of 53,000 as determined by viscosity and 33% to 55% of the available pendant hydroxyl groups reacted with norethindrone.
Infrared spectrum of the product, XXb, shows peaks at 1760 cm-1 (carbonate), 1660 cm-1 and 1550 cm-1 (amide) and 3300 cm-1 (hydroxyl). The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of the product shows that the 18-methyl group of norethindrone is shifted to 0.97 delta, typical of the norethindrone carbonate. The degree of substitution as determined using tritiated norethindrone and scintillation counting techniques ranges from 33% to 55% in various batches.
Two batches of the polymer 3 H-XXb (Batch No. A and B) were administered to rats in order to determine the in vivo releasing rate of norethindrone from the polymer. The general procedure for the in vivo kinetic study is as follows.
The polymer-Batch No. A (5 mg XXb/1.75 mg norethindrone/7.4�106 dpm or 10 mg XXb/3.9 mg norethindrone/1.5�107 dpm) or Batch No. B (10 mg XXb/4.9 mg norethindrone/2.92�107 dpm) was accurately weighed and placed in normal saline (5 ml) overnight. The next morning, the supernatent was decanted off leaving only the wetted polymer.
A mature female Spraque-Dawley rat weighing 220-260 g. was anesthetized with ether. An incision about 2 cm. in length was made on the dorsal side of the neck and upper thorax to expose the area just below the skin in the subcutaneous tissue. The polymer containing tritiated norethindrone (XXb) was placed into the subcutaneous area and the incision was closed. Care was taken so that no hemorrhage occurred at the site of implantation. The incision area was kept as sterile as possible during the whole procedure of implantation. The rat with implanted polymer was plaed into a metabolism unit and the feces and urine was collected on a daily basis for at least 10 days following the administration of the compound. Thereafter, the biological samples were collected on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
The total volume of urine was measured and 1 ml. aliquot of urine was sampled. To the urine sample 12 ml. of NEN Formula 950 A Scintillation Cocktail was added and the sample counted for radioactivity. The total amount of fecal matter for each collection period was pooled, weighed, and put in an oven at 60� C. for about 12 hours until dry. The dry mass was then pulverized to a homogenous mixture of fine powders in a blender. Aliquots of the dried fecal matter (0.2-0.3 g) was placed in a glass scintillation vial and 0.2 ml. 70% perchloric acid and 0.4 ml. hydrogen peroxide were added. The mixture was incubated for 8-12 hours at 60� C. in a shaking water bath for 4 to 8 hours until all the fecal matter was completely dissolved. After the digestion, the vials were cooled for 30 minutes at room temperature before adding 12 ml. of NEN Biofluor Scintillation Cocktail. The vials were then kept in a dark place for at least 24 hours before counting in a Beckman 9000 Scintillation Counter.
The total amounts of radioactivity excreted in the urine and feces, as well as the sum of these two, which represents in a steady state the in vivo releasing rate of radioactivity from the polymer, were determined for each rat. The present procedure yields counting efficiency ranging from 15-25% for fecal samples.
The in vivo releasing rate of 3 H-norethindrone from Batch No. A preparation was determined after the subcutaneous administration of the preparation in two female rats. The first rat was injected with 4.9 mg XXb/1.0 mg norethindrone/7.4�106 DPM while the second rat was injected with 10 mg XXb/3.9 mg NE/1.5�107 DPM. The rats were continuously monitored throughout this period and the total radioactivity excreted in the urine and feces was measured. Both rats were found to excrete a rather constant amount of radioactivity per day all throughout this period of 268 and 341 days. During the first 20 days the amount of norethindrone released gradually increased to an amount of 25 micrograms per day. Thereafter, it gradually dropped to an amount of about 2.5 micrograms per day at the fiftieth day. The amount of norethindrone released gradually dropped to about 1.2 micrograms per day at the 160th day. The amount of norethindrone released by the second rat was larger per day than for the first rat with an average release of about 3 micrograms per day between the 70th and 140th day. It is estimated that the releasing rate of norethindrone from Batch No. A in vivo is about 0.5 microgram norethindrone/mg XXb/day.
A result similar to the one obtained with Batch No. A was observed with Batch No. B in five rats. The average releasing rate of this particular batch was about 0.65 micrograms norethindrone/mg polymer/day up to 35 day post implantation. A gradual decline was thereafter noted through day 136. A minor spur in the release of radioactivity was found with this preparation immediately following the administration. The release rate, however, quickly reached a trough at day five and then gradually attained the plateau value around day 11.
The in vivo results obtained with Batch No. A and B are most encouraging. These data demonstrate that a rather sustained zero-order releasing rate of norethindrone can be achieved with compound XXb.
Patent Citations
Referenced by
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Video:How to Make Nut-Free No-Bake Sesame Cookieswith Ilyse Schapiro
Nut-free no-bake sesame cookies, made with tahini, are a delicious sweet treat for those with nut allergies. Watch this About.com video for an easy recipe for nut-free no-bake sesame cookies.See Transcript
Transcript:How to Make Nut-Free No-Bake Sesame Cookies
Hi, I'm Ilyse Schapiro, pediatric dietitian and nutritionist, here for About.com to show you how to make the great sesame seed butter cookies. They're peanut-free, filled with cocoa that you're kids are gonna love, oats for great texture and sesame seed butter, which is rich in B vitamins.
Ingredients for Nut-Free No-Bake Sesame Cookies
So to make the no-bake sesame seed butter cookies, first you need:
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa
- 1/4 cup margarine or butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sesame seed butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup oatmeal
Make the Batter for Nut-Free No-Bake Sesame Cookies
So in a medium sauce pan, you're gonna combine the milk, the butter, the sugar and the cocoa over medium heat, you're going to let this boil for about a minute and continue to stir as it boils. You're going to remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Next, you're going to add the oats and the sesame seed butter and give this a little mix. Once the batter is well-mixed you're going to want to put it in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to cool down, so it can harden.
Finish the Nut-Free No-Bake Sesame Cookies
Then you're going to drop it either by the teaspoon or tablespoon full, depending on how big you like your cookies, on a cookie sheet, topped with wax paper. So, there you have it, these great peanut-free, sesame seed butter cookies -- peanut-free, absolutely delicious, and packed with B vitamins. For more information on peanut-free sweets for kids, please visit About.com.


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2013: Indoor & Outdoor - Did not compete for the Bulldogs.
2012: Outdoor - Finished seventh in the pole vault (15 feet, 3 inches) at the Spec Towns Invite.
2012: Indoor - Reached 15 feet, 9 inches to take seventh in the pole vault at the VT Elite meet.
Clemson 2011: Outdoor - Finished fifth at the ACC Championships after clearing 16 feet, 2 ¾ inches...Qualified for the NCAA East Regionals...Posted a season-best effort of 16-4.75 to win the Miami Hurricane Invitational...Had a mark of 16-3 to take third at the Spec Towns Invitational...Named to the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team. Indoor - Was seventh at the ACC Championships, reaching a top height of 16-5.25...Won the Tiger Paw Invitational after clearing a personal-best 16-6...Was the runner-up at the JRF Combined Events Invitational with a mark of 15-9...Won the an early season showdown at the Clemson Invitational.
High School: Earned All-America honors after finishing sixth at the 2010 New Balance Outdoor Nationals after cruising over the bar at 16-0.25...Won the 2009 USATF Junior Olympic national Championships as a junior...Two-time GHSA AAAAA state champion and back-to-back Atlanta Track Club Pole Vault Man of the Year...Holds three class records (freshman-10-6, sophomore-14 feet and senior) for the pole vault at Mill Creek...Also played football at Mill Creek.
Personal: Born August 7 , 1991...Son of John and Robin Kopanski...Intending to major in Sport Management.


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Broncos talk it out for solid start
By David Hinojosa : December 17, 2013
Photo By Marvin Pfeiffer / Northwest WeeklyBrandeis' Morgan Williams, second from right, fights for a rebound with Warren's Adrienne Lightfoot, left, Lauryn Elliot and Victoria Hall during the first half of their Dec. 4 game.
The girls basketball players from Brandeis attribute their solid start to one thing: Communication.
"In practice, we focus on communication a lot, just talking to each other," junior post Morgan Williams said. "When you are talking, it makes everything click a little bit better."
It's worked so far. The Broncos were 15-5 overall and 2-2 in District 27-5A play entering Tuesday's game against Clark.
After graduating seven seniors and returning just two starters from last season, the ability to communicate is key as the players try to get to know each other's tendencies.
"The skill level will come," junior post Treasure Riven said. "But, when we communicate, it all gels together and flows a lot easier and you don't have to think about the play. You just do it, and it comes naturally to a lot of us."
Williams and senior guard Hannah Thompson were returning starters from last year's team that finished 25-10 and lost to Steele in the bi-district playoff round.
Knowing they would have to replace about half their varsity team, the Broncos made a full commitment to the offseason and Williams believes it is paying off so far.
"We worked so hard, like crazy," Williams said. "I feel we are full prepared."
The Broncos have been boosted by the emergence of Riven and freshman point guard Gabby Connally. Connally and Riven are the team's top two scorers with 13.4- and 11.0-point averages.
After playing mostly a reserve role last season, Riven has become a consistent scorer and top rebounder to the Broncos.
"It's really different from just watching one season to actually being in it," Riven said.
Connally is not only the Broncos' leading scorer, she runs the team's offense. Connally is the only freshman on Brandeis' varsity. Coach Jennifer Brewer said Connally has been accepted as the team's floor leader and that has been key to the team's fast start.
"She's very selfless," Brewer said of Connally. "She works well with all the kids. The way they have meshed has been really amazing."