County Capsules STEVENS POINT ANNOUNCES ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION: Stevens Point officials will mark Arbor Day with a special tree planting scheduled for Friday, April 30, at 11 a.m. near the intersection of College Avenue and Phillips Street. The public is invited to attend. A fourth grade class from Jefferson Elementary School will assist Mayor Gary Wescott in planting 30 trees along College Avenue from Reserve Street to CenterPoint Drive. The trees are being planted by the city in the city right of way as part of its tree planting program. A mix of skyline locust and patmore green ash will be planted. Urban forestry students from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UW-SP) will also participate in the tree-planting project. Scheduled as part of the event is the presentation of a Tree City U.S.A. and Growth awards to the city of Stevens Point from the National Arbor Day Foundation. This is the 23rd year that the city has been recognized with the Tree City U.S.A. designation and the fifth time Stevens Point has earned the Growth Award. * * * STEVENS POINT NAMED TO TOP 100 PLACES TO LIVE AGAIN: Relocate-America.com, a Web site providing individuals who plan to relocate with facts about communities that best fit their interests, has once again named Stevens Point on its annual Top 100 Places to Live list. The Web site says, "Stevens Point has it all! Stevens Point is a campus of the University of Wisconsin, the National Headquarters of Sentry Insurance Group, Agri-Business (Growing and Packaging), paper making...Diversification!" The Web site continues, "Residents experience four seasons with moderate temperatures and precipitation. Residents are treated to the great outdoors with the Green Circle trail, 22 miles of trees, wildlife, and the shores of rivers to explore. Local programs are available for adults and children alike, providing a variety of activities for the body, mind and spirit. Stevens Point is a great community to sink roots in." Communities are nominated by a current or past resident, or other individuals familiar with the communities' benefits. The winners are determined by popular vote and are not ranked in an order by Relocate-America.com, except for the top 10. This is the sixth annual list sponsored by Relocate-America.com. The only other city in Wisconsin to make the list was Madison, which was No. 10. Stevens Point was previously selected in 2002. * * * AMHERST WATER OPERATOR RECEIVES STATE AWARD: Richard Stuczynski of the Amherst Water Department received the Wisconsin Rural Water Association's (WRWA) 2004 Operator of the Year Award at the recent WRWA annual Technical Conference in Green Bay. This award is presented each year to one individual that demonstrates excellence in the field of waterworks operation. "The role of a water operator has become increasingly difficult as the reauthorized Safe Drinking Water Act of 1996 has imposed tougher standards for water utilities," said Ken M Blomberg, WRWA executive director. "Richard has been recognized by his peers as a well trained and dedicated operator, deserving of WRWA's highest award for a state licensed water operator. Amherst can be proud of Richard's accomplishments." More than 1,300 water system and industry personnel met for four days exchanging ideas and technology through technical sessions and exhibits. * * * HOMEBUYER WORKSHOP SCHEDULED FOR MAY 3: A free workshop on how low- and moderate-income families can buy their first homes is scheduled for Monday, May 3, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The workshop sponsored by CAP Services will be held at Point Title Co., 5424 Highway 10 East, Suite B, Stevens Point. CAP Services assisted 76 families with an average annual income of $26,500 buy their first homes in 2003. A number of these families are now paying less for their mortgage payment than they were paying for rent. Low interest rates, the deductibility of home mortgage interest and property tax payments coupled with CAP's down payment and closing cost assistance combine to make homeownership possible for more people than ever, said Nancy Thiede, CAP Services' asset development manager. Thiede and three local professionals will guide workshop participants through the steps they need to take to become a homeowner. Dave Plaisance, from Wood County National Bank, will show participants how to determine the size of the mortgage for which they qualify, explain what a bank looks for in a loan customer and describe loan costs and down payments. Diane Jahn, a licensed Realtor with Parker Realtors, will cover understanding the technical terms used in buying a home. She will also outline the steps in buying a house. Dan Hewitt, from Complete Home Inspection Services, will explain why an inspection is important, what should be inspected and who pays for it. Thiede will talk about the down payment and closing cost assistance available through CAP's HomeBuyers Assistance and Asset Development programs as well as funds available through the city of Stevens Point's HOORA and Housing Trust accounts. While the workshop is designed for low- and moderate-income households, any first-time homebuyer is welcome to attend. Since seating is limited, advance registration is required.Register by calling 343-7108. Since 1991, CAP has assisted more than 800 families purchase their first homes in Portage, Marquette, Outagamie, Waupaca and Waushara counties. CAP Services is a private, nonprofit corporation that has been helping low-income people attain economic and emotional self-sufficiency since 1966. * * * AMHERST FAIR PREMIUM BOOKS AVAILABLE: Open Class premium books for the Amherst Fair, which runs July 15-18, are now available at several locations in Portage County. Those locations include the University of Wisconsin-Extension Office in the Courthouse Annex in Stevens Point, River Cities Bank in Stevens Point, Farm Credit Services in Stevens Point, Lincoln Center in Stevens Point, Wood County National Bank in Plover, the Portage County Bank in Almond, Community First Bank in Rosholt, F&M Bank in Amherst, the International Bank of Amherst in Amherst, Jensen Center in Amherst and Lettie Jensen Library in Amherst. The book gives the exhibitor the categories and classes from which to choose to exhibit. It also includes an entry form and other important information regarding entering the fair. The book is free. Open class exhibitors can be any resident of Portage County from ages 9 to 99. For further information or to have a book mailed, contact Tim Pederson at 824-5522, extension 503. The deadline for entering is Tuesday, June 1. * * * FEINGOLD ANNOUNCES NEW EDUCATION 'IDEAS FORUM' UNVEILED ON WEB SITE: U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., has unveiled an education "Ideas Forum" as a new part of his interactive Web site. The "Ideas Forum" allows Wisconsinites to offer feedback on a wide range of education issues, from the No Child Left Behind Act to how federal dollars should be spent on public education. The "Ideas Forum" can be found on Feingold's Web site at www.feingold.senate.gov. "As I hold my Listening Sessions around the state, I continually find that public education is one of the top concerns of Wisconsinites," Feingold said. "This Ideas Forum will allow all Wisconsinites a quick and easy way to let me know their concerns about public education issues affecting their families and communities." The forum requests feedback on issues such as the role of the federal government in making decisions about public education, annual testing, federal education funding and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002. The education "Ideas Forum" is the seventh such forum offered by Feingold. Other forum topics include energy issues, foreign policy, Medicare, radio consolidation, Social Security and the USA PATRIOT Act. "Administrators, teachers, parents and community members across the state tell me their concerns with the No Child Left Behind Act, which I voted against," said Feingold. "I will continue to work to ensure that the federal government leave decisions that affect our children's day-to-day classroom experiences to the states and local school districts that bear the responsibility of educating our children." * * * PACELLI HIGH SCHOOL HOSTS BLOOD DRIVE: Pacelli High School will sponsor a blood drive on behalf of The Blood Center on Wednesday, April 28, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The blood drive will be held in the Pacelli High School Gym, 1301 Maria Drive, Stevens Point. "The Blood Center has been collecting and distributing blood for more than 55 years and is driven by a commitment to the people of Wisconsin," said Todd Abner, director of donor recruitment. "We are pleased to be working with Pacelli High School to collect blood that will be used to treat patients at St. Michael's Hospital in Stevens Point." "The Blood Center is the only organization to provide blood to St. Michael's Hospital," Abner said. The Blood Center also provides blood to a total of 51 hospitals in 24 Wisconsin counties, which represents 57 percent of the state's population. Each person who donates blood can save the lives of up to three people. Each person donating makes a difference in the life of another. For an appointment or more information on donating, call The Blood Center toll free at 1-888-310-7555. * * * CONCRETE REPAIRS BEGIN ON CHURCH STREET: Stevens Point began repairing concrete areas on Church Street from Patch Street to Minnesota Avenue this week. Church Street will remain open to traffic during the repair work, but both northbound and southbound traffic will be restricted to one lane in the repair areas. * * * REPORT ON MSTC/UW-SP EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP SHARED: During the Mid-State Technical College (MSTC) Board of Directors meeting Monday, a report on the MSTC and UW-SP Extension partnership with Stora Enso North America (SENA) was presented by Gary Schmitz, MSTC's employee development site coordinator for the partnership. The MSTC/UW-SP Extension partnership was formed in 2001 to help coordinate and meet SENA training needs. During the first two years, partnership activities provided flexible training opportunities to enhance cost effectiveness and to gain efficiencies for SENA. The partnership has evolved with the solicitation of grant dollars from the Department of Commerce. Schmitz said a $678,000 grant falls under the category of Customized Labor Training (CLT) grants. "The CLT program is designed to assist companies that invest in new technologies or manufacturing processes and provide up to 50 percent of the cost of training employees on new technologies," he said. Five CLT grants were written for the SENA mills Wisconsin Rapids Paper, Wisconsin Rapids Pulp, Biron, Kimberly and Stevens Point, he said. A budget development update for Fiscal Year '05 was presented by Nelson Dahl. A special Finance and Audit Committee meeting to review details of the proposed budget will be held on Wednesday, May 5, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Wisconsin Rapids campus. The committee will then present a recommendation to the full Board during the May 17 board meeting, with a public hearing and budget adoption scheduled to take place during the June 21 Board meeting. The next board meeting will be held on Monday, May 17, at the Stevens Point campus. Committee meetings are scheduled to begin at 4:45 p.m., with the regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m. * * * NEW LAW PROTECTS CONSUMERS FROM UNSCRUPULOUS MORTGAGE BROKERS: A bill to protect mortgage borrowers from unscrupulous mortgage brokers, introduced by State Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, was recently signed into law by Gov. James Doyle at the State Capitol. "With the refinancing boom, it's not unusual for people to receive dozens of mortgage solicitations a month from people and firms they've never heard of," Lassa said. "It's a situation that is ripe for abuse. This law will help ensure that only legitimate firms and individuals are doing business in Wisconsin and will protect consumers from unscrupulous lending practices." Senate Bill 279 contains several changes to laws governing mortgage banking and brokering. It establishes a competency exam and continuing education requirements for loan originators, agents who find or negotiate mortgage loans on behalf of a lender. Loan originators must also undergo criminal background checks by the Department of Justice. Persons convicted of felonies that put them at risk of violating mortgage laws can't receive a license. The new law standardizes the language of brokerage agreements to help consumers compare mortgage costs and terms and to clarify the relationship between the broker and the lender. Penalties for violating mortgage banking rules are doubled, up to $2,000 and nine months in prison. "Legitimate mortgage brokers supported this bill, because they also suffer when shady operators rip off consumers," Lassa said. "This new law will help Wisconsin consumers feel more confident when they shop for a mortgage." * * * MOTORCYCLE SHOW FEATURED IN MALL: The annual Honda Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) Chapter K Bike Show will be held in CenterPoint MarketPlace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 25. Honda Gold Wing Motorcycles and Motorcycle Campers will be on display. Admission is free to the public. GWRRA Chapter K members will be present to answer questions and provide information about their bikes.