County Capsules DIOCESE RELEASES ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE: The Diocese of La Crosse has released the results of a study into the clergy sex abuse scandal compiled by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The statistics indicate that out of 705 clergy who served in the diocese between 1950 and 2002 there were 10 individuals, including one who was not a priest of the diocese, with substantiated allegations against them. That represents 1.4 percent of the total clergy population during that period. There were a total of 58 allegations against 28 clerics, with 31 of the allegations substantiated. Another 24 allegations turned out to be unsubstantiated and three allegations were either withdrawn or the accused was completely exonerated. The diocese reported paying $15,907 for counseling to alleged victims of abuse but has not entered into any financial settlements or confidentiality agreements. The diocese reported that even one instance of abuse of a child is too many and pledged to do everything in its power to keep children safe, to restore trust and to ensure that churches, schools and institutions are safe and sacred places for children and young people. * * * CHARTER WILL HIKE CABLE RATES: Charter Communications has informed customers in the Stevens Point area that it will adjust the expanded basic service on April 1 by increasing the cost from $43.95 to $45.99. In raising the rate, Charter offers expanded basic customers a special promotional package for $49.99 that includes HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, The Movie Channel and The Starz Superpak. That package also offers more than 30 music channels, an interactive guide and access to Pay Per View movies and events. The promotional package rate is guaranteed through January 2005. * * * COCAINE AND MARIJUANA TRAFFICKING RING BUSTED: Narcotics investigators conducted a series of arrests and search warrants during the week of Feb. 17, which yielded three pounds of marijuana, 7.3 ounces of cocaine and $13,890 in U.S. currency, a Stevens Point Police Department report said. The action included the activation of the Stevens Point Police Department's Emergency Services Squad and the cooperation of at least 10 different central Wisconsin law enforcement agencies, including the Portage County Sheriff's Department and Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force. Three search warrants were executed in Stevens Point, two in Waushara County and one in Neenah, the report said. A 24-year-old Stevens Point man was booked into the Portage County jail on a probation hold and faces charges of being party to the crime of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, drug paraphernalia possession and conspiracy to deliver cocaine and marijuana. A 46-year-old Plainfield man was booked into the Portage County jail on a probation hold and faces charges of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and conspiracy to deliver cocaine and marijuana. A 50-year-old Red Granite man was booked into the Portage County jail on a charge of conspiracy to deliver cocaine and marijuana. The arrests concluded a two-week investigation into trafficking large quantities of cocaine and marijuana in central Wisconsin, the report said. * * * BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS BOWL FOR KIDS WILL BE HELD SATURDAY: The 24th Annual Bowl for Kids' Sake to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Portage County will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, at Five Star Lanes, 1960 Post Road, Plover. The event is one of two major fund-raisers for the agency. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a United Way-funded agency, however, the two fund-raisers bring in about 40 percent of its annual budget. Participants at Bowl for Kids' Sake raise pledges in advance, then bowl two games with their families or friends. Throughout the day, bowlers and their guests enjoy music, prizes and food. Both pledgers and bowlers have chances to win prizes, including airline tickets to anywhere in the U.S. Funds raised at Bowl for Kids' Sake help enroll and support children in Portage County who are matched with adult friends. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Portage County, call 341-0661 or visit its Web site at www.bigimpact.org. * * * EAU PLEINE RESERVOIR AERATOR STARTED, UNSAFE ICE AND OPEN WATER WARNING ISSUED: Marathon County Park Department personnel were scheduled to begin operation of an aerator in the Eau Pleine Reservoir on Wednesday, Feb. 25, according to Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company (WVIC), Wausau. The Eau Pleine is a 7,000-acre storage reservoir located in southwest Marathon County. The aerator is located in a narrow stretch of the reservoir adjacent to the Big Eau Pleine County Park. With the start of the aerator comes public notice to fishermen, snowmobilers and others traveling on the ice that aerator operation creates unsafe ice conditions and open water. Park Department personnel have installed rope barriers set off with flags and reflective signs across the entrances to the area to warn of the danger. Warnings have also been posted at the boat landings. Aerators maintain oxygen levels. The aerator is put into operation to help maintain adequate oxygen levels in the water for the fishery. The start of aerator operation is timed to take advantage of favorable dissolved oxygen (DO) levels and to help maintain them. WVIC monitoring shows an area of water with a high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) moving slowly downstream toward the aerator location. By starting the aerator at this time, air will be pumped into the water as it moves over the aerator location. Oxygen from aeration will help consume the BOD and decrease the risk to the fishery. The level of the water in the Eau Pleine on Friday, Feb. 20, was 16 feet below maximum. The water level will continue to decrease until snowmelt occurs and runoff begins to refill the reservoir. * * * WOOD COUNTY COMMUNITY ASSET SURVEY TO BE RELEASED: A comprehensive survey of quality of life factors in Wood County will be officially released on Thursday, March 4. The survey contains information on 81 different factors that describe resident's quality of life in Wood County. More than 100 people were involved in gathering data for the report. The information is presented in a usable and understandable format. Three different formats of the report are available: A 97-page report, titled "Life in Wood County 2003." Supplies of this large report are limited. The entire report is available on the Internet at woodcountyassetsurvey.com. The entire report or portions of the report may be printed. A six-page summary report, titled "Snapshot," emphasizes positive aspects of the report and can also be used as a promotional piece for the area. The Wood County Asset Survey is a four-step process to encourage residents to improve the quality of life in Wood County. The first two steps have been completed. The Wood County Community Asset Survey has 10 different topic areas or chapters. The topic areas include work, leisure, school, health, environment, children and families, seniors, housing, public safety, and civics and diversity. Those wishing additional information can visit the Web site, www.woodcountyassetsurvey.com; or call the Heart of Wisconsin Business and Economic Alliance, (715) 423-1830 or the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (715) 384-3454. * * * CENTRAL WISCONSIN AQUARIUM SOCIETY'S SPRING AUCTION SET FOR MARCH 21: The Central Wisconsin Aquarium Society will hold its spring auction on Sunday, March 21, at the CenterPoint MarketPlace, Stevens Point. The auction is open to the public and offers a selection of fish and equipment from the rare and unusual to the common. Registration starts at 9 a.m. Viewing starts at 11 a.m. The auction starts at noon. For more information, contact Bill Wolfe, (715) 675-2838, Wausau; Bryan Tackes, (715) 355-4282, Mosinee; Jerry Podolak, 341-0357, Plover; Brian Aschebrook (715) 384-2658, Auburndale; and Eric Niffenegger 341-0007, Stevens Point. * * * TRAFFIC CRASH DEATHS BEGIN TO MODERATE: After the deadliest January on the roads in nearly 40 years, Wisconsin motorists appear to have paid heed to the alarming headlines and slowed the pace of traffic fatalities in February, officials said. According to preliminary figures from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), 102 people have died in crashes on the state's roadways between the first of the year and Wednesday, Feb. 25. Of that total, 74 traffic fatalities occurred in January, the highest January total since 1966, when 77 people died. As evidence of a slowing pace, the 2004 year-to-date figure of 102 is four fewer fatalities than as of Feb. 25 in 2003, a year ending with 840 traffic deaths, a 22-year high. Law enforcement agencies are dedicated to stepping up patrols in the coming months, focusing on speeders (including those who drive too fast for conditions), impaired drivers and those who fail to wear their seat belts, WisDOT officials said. * * * PLOVER BUILDING PERMITS: The village of Plover issued building permits for one duplex and four single-family residences in February. The duplex at 1041-43 Fred's Court is valued at $250,000. The single-family residences are valued at $295,000 at 2331 Magnolia Drive, $200,000 at 1831 Norway Pine Drive, $139,000 at 3021 Pendleton Place and $98,000 at 1941 Red Oak Drive.