Where can you light “illegal” fireworks off?

I did a GOOD QUESTION earlier this week about the fact most of the fireworks you buy at stores or at roadside stands…are in essence illegal to light off.  Check it out here (scroll down to watch the video).

After my story aired, I got an email from Tom.  He writes:

“While your story was correct regarding the legality of lighting off fireworks with out the proper permits, you failed to mention the options that regular citizens do have to be able to light off fireworks that are typically considered illegal.  At many of the locations that you purchase fireworks at, you are also required to join the Wisconsin Pyrotechnics Safety Association.  With this membership you are given access to at least one location locally where you can legally set off fireworks that are typically considered illegal.”

Tom is absolutely right.  At Cornellier Fireworks, for example, you’re required (for a very small fee) to join the group…which then provides you a place (on certain dates) to light off your fireworks legally.  There, they have all the safety, training, and other staff on hand to make sure families and individuals have a fun, safe experience.

Again, your best bet is to check with your local municipality on laws and regulations where you live.  But also…make sure you check with the retailer you buy fireworks from — usually they’ll have a place for you to light off your booms.

Thanks for the follow-up response, Tom.  And I hope you all have a great 4th!

Fireworks: What are the Rules?

I got a great GOOD QUESTION this week from Terry.  He and his family are big fans of everything related to July4th.  In fact, they have a tradition of having their own mini-fireworks show in their driveway every year.  He’s never thought twice about it — until his neighbor got slapped with a pretty hefty fine two weeks ago.  He had to pay about $200 for lighting off illegal fireworks.

So Terry called me up and wanted to know what was legal, and what wasn’t.  It’s a good question — considering there aren’t too many fireworks that you can legally set off in Madison.  You’re limited to sparklers, snakes, caps, snaps, and party poppers.  That’s it.

The problem is…surrounding municipalities have very different laws.  Like the local smoking bans, it’s created a patchwork of regulation that can be very hard for people to understand.

Your best bet:  check with your local municipality.  I’ve also done some research for you…below, you’ll find links area fireworks laws that I could find online (if you don’t see your community listed, I couldn’t find information online…just check with your clerk or administrator).

Have a safe and happy 4th!!

Belleville

http://www.bellevillewi.org/site_uploads/pdfs/TITLE%207-6.pdf

Town of Burke

http://www.townofburke.com/files/Fireworks%20Ordinance(1).pdf

Village of Cottage Grove

http://www.ecode360.com/?custId=CO1851&guid=9761554&j=23

Deerfield (scroll to section 4)

http://www.deerfieldwi.com/index.php/pages/op/chapter_18_police_regulation_ordinances/

DeForest (follows state laws)

http://www.vi.deforest.wi.us/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={060568AE-E3A9-4DB1-BA48-29026FB09B08}&DE={6B8A4C1D-0AA5-4016-BE9D-AC9BA609D527}

Edgerton (section 16.34 – follows state laws)

http://cityofedgerton.com/vertical/Sites/{D353C5BF-1B01-42F6-B521-77224F262902}/uploads/{45A64F34-07AA-48C1-ABF2-E9798D16A0CB}.PDF

Fitchburg (scroll to page 18)

http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/city_clerk/documents/Chapter14Offensesagainstpublic.pdf

City of Madison

http://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/prevention/community_education/Safety_Information/fireworks_safety.htm

Marshall

http://www.marshall-wi.com/vertical/Sites/{498F1B85-D11A-471F-B2FD-985DC8706117}/uploads/{7DBA6BD3-2B47-4A5E-992D-D7610CDFA188}.PDF

McFarland

http://www.mcfarland.wi.us/Police/LawoftheMonth/tabid/732/Default.aspx

City of Middleton (scroll to 16.03 section 4)

http://www.ci.middleton.wi.us/City/Departments/Clerk/ordinances/middch16.pdf

Monona (page 139)

http://www.monona.wi.us/vertical/Sites/{4EF64B30-DEE6-486B-A007-DF1B9404319B}/uploads/{D0F3D655-BF00-4A4C-B84C-38764C180F28}.PDF

Mount Horeb (chapter 9 – follows state laws)

http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=12560&sid=49

Stoughton (section 50-3 – follows state laws)

http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?pid=13831&sid=49

City of Sun Prairie (section 8.16.010)

http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=13968&sid=49

City of Verona (section 7-6-1)

http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=13721&sid=49

Villageof Waunakee (section 38-126)

http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?pid=13069&sid=49

What’s that in the sky?

First off — I’m back…and I’m sorry.  It’s been a few weeks since my last blog entry.  This is the time of year when work schedules and personal schedules tend to get really, really busy — and my schedules are no exception!  But…I promise to have a few blog entries for you this week…and more on a regular basis.

So this time — I’m turning the tables on GOOD QUESTION.  Normally, as most of you loyal readers know (all 5 of you — 6 if you count my mom), I look to you guys for questions, and I find you answers.  Today, I’m going to pose a question to you — because, quite frankly, I don’t have an answer for you.  Take a look at a few emails I’ve gotten over the last few weeks:

Teresa from DeForest writes:

“I just happened to be driving on I-90/94 at around 4:00 a.m. this past Sunday, May 31st. There were three very unique objects in the sky and I am just wondering if anyone else has mentioned this…The objects appeared to be very low in the sky, similar to a small plane or helicopter.

 

Object on the left:  This was a crescent-shaped object, like a slight smile, brightly lit like the moon.

 

Object on the right:  This was a circular-shaped object, brightly lit like a cluster of stars.

 

Object in the center:  This was almost frightening. There was a blinking red light in the center, with a white light on either side. The object was hovering–not moving noticeably–but ever so slightly moved past my car to the west.”

Interesting.  Then, Susan writes:

<div“Frequently there are small planes flying overhead in Madison skies at night, but they are not airliners or jets.What is their purpose?”

Honestly…I normally would brush off questions like these.  Come on…UFO’s in Madison?  Sure…the topic could be a GOOD QUESTION in itself…but would I ever be able to find an answer?  No.

However — I was in the same area as Teresa…at the same time…a week earlier…and I noticed these same strange lights.  I even followed them…and watched this object (or lights) cross right in front of me as I came over a hill on Hoepker Road, just south of Windsor.  For lack of better words…it freaked me out.

Thanks to Teresa and Susan for verifying my sanity.  But I wanted to know from you:  has anyone else noticed these lights in the sky at night?  I know there’s been a lot of crop dusting and gypsy moth spraying in the area — but at 2 a.m.?  I don’t think so.

While I try to get to the bottom of this, please get in touch to let me know if you’ve noticed any of these strange objects in the sky recently.  And if you have a good UFO story to share, I’ll take that too.  Get in touch — goodquestion@channel3000.com

There — can you answer that one??

Swine Flu: Probable vs. Possible vs. Confirmed vs. WHAT?!

We’ve done a lot of coverage over the last few weeks about the H1N1 flu virus…formerly known as Swine Flu.  How Prince-like…

Let me start off by saying I’m sick of Swine Flu.  I think it needs to be added to the list with Brett Favre — stories I’m sick of that we should retire.  But I’ll rant about that another time.

Every day — right around 4pm – the Wisconsin Department of Health Services gives us an update on where we stand for cases in the state.  As of 6pm on Monday night, we have 414 confirmed cases, 35 probable cases, and an unknown number of possible cases.  Usually the “possible” cases come from the city/county level.  All of this terminology led to a great question from Mary in Lake Mills — she asked:

The reports in the media keep referring to cases of the swine flu as “probable” cases, when in reality only a small portion of them “probably” are the real swine flu.  Why then, do they not say , they are “possible” cases of the swine flu?   To me probably means; likely to become or in all likelihood, which in most cases is not happening.  If they would just say they are possible cases, it means they may possibly turn into a case of the swine flu.  This way it does not sound as imminent… does it?  What do you think?

I’m not going to lie — the terminology is very confusing.  But here’s how it’s explained to us, from our friends at the state:

• A possible case a person who has the symptoms of H1N1 — and a doctor has sent samples to a lab for testing
• A probable case indicates that the initial tests have come back positive.  But they need to make sure with more more final test.  The state says it’s very rare that a probable case comes back negative
• A confirmed case is one that has undergone ALL the testing…and the person does indeed have H1N1 — or Swine Flu.

Here’s a fun flow-chart showing how the lab results are determined.

Hope that helps answer your question, Mary.

As always — we’re looking for your GOOD QUESTIONS!  Please get in touch:  goodquestion@channel3000.com.  You can also check out my fan page: CLICK HERE!

Swine Flu = Mass Panic?

We’ve done a lot in the last 24 hours about swine flu, and it’s spread into the United States.  In fact, one of my colleagues, Jessica Arp, was just telling me about a news report indicating Swine Flu has made it’s way now to Indiana…it’s getting close to home.

In interviewed Dr. Dennis Maki about the flu yesterday.  In case you’re not familiar with Dr. Maki, he’s “the man” when it comes to infectious diseases.  He’s respected worldwide for his knowledge and research…and when something like this happens, he’s on the front lines.

Dr. Maki told me how this particular strain and outbreak could rival the flu pandemic of 1918.  Back then, mortality rates were two- to three-percent.  If the data out of Mexico is correct, Dr. Maki says this particular flu’s mortality rate is around eight-percent.

This is scary stuff if you think about it.  So…are you concerned?  Should we be?  Let me know your thoughts, and I’ll tackle the issue in tonight’s GOOD QUESTION.

See you then!

Democracy in Action?

Good Question took a break this week…so I could work on a story about fluoride and a debate in the Village of Poynette.  I extensively covered this issue last month in an In Depth Report … check it out here.

There’s lots of emotion surrounding fluoride…both for and against.  But the village board ultimately decided to take the issue to a non-binding referendum.  That means, board members will be able to gauge how residents feel…but they’ll be making the final decision.  In this case, they were deciding whether or not to add fluoride back into the drinking water.  It was taken out in July.  Two board members, Kevin Marquardt and Steve Tomlinson, told me they would vote along the same lines of the voters.

So…Last Tuesday, Poynette residents headed to the polls…and in a 278 to 128 vote, residents said they wanted to add fluoride back to the drinking water.

Last night, the Poynette village board, to put it lightly, completely ignored the referendum.  Marquardt (remember…he said would vote along the same line as voters) and two other board members voted to keep fluoride out, two board members voted to return the fluoride to the water, and one board member abstained.  Check out my follow-up story today…I got kind of tough on village trustee Dave Branish.  But, as journalists, we need to question those in charge.  I felt I did a fair job trying to get some answers.

So here’s the Good Question I want to pose to you:  what do you think about this?  I’m not talking about the debate about fluoride…whether it’s a good or bad thing.   Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about this…so let’s not get into this here.  I want to know how you feel about what Poynette’s village board did…basically ignoring the results of a referendum.  Legally, they could…because it was non-binding.  But was it the right thing to do?

What do you think?

Are we making this mess worse?

Almost every day, we report on the economy…and how it’s affecting you.

Almost every day, I hear from someone…”why do you always focus on the bad?  Where’s the good news?!”

So we’re going to piggy-back off that in this week’s GOOD QUESTION — we’re asking some professionals if we, the media, are making our economic situation worse?

What do you think?

Tune in Tuesday at 6…and I’ll tell you what I find out!

Blue Bars (on TV, not sad taverns)

I’ve gotten a few questions over the last couple of weeks from viewers who are watching our digital broadcasts.  “A Talented Lady” from Wisconsin Dells asked:

Why on digital  broadcasts does the size and configuration keep changing?  I just bought several new  digital tv sets , one large one and half the time I’m watching a small picture in the middle of the screen, which keeps switching back and forth to full screen viewing.  Half of the commercials are small and  half are full screen. How long are we going to put up with this? I just hate it!!!  It is so distracting and really makes trying to watch a show stressful!!  What is going on?

And Bob from Madison sent this:

“…I also have been noticing News 3 at 6 HD has begun this practice with its use a more subtle, narrow, one-sided vertical blue border.  At a time when broadcasters are forcing analog customers to go digital and digital customers to go HD, do broadcasters denigrate their HD customers viewing experience by stealing their viewing screen for their own use?”

For many of you who don’t watch us in HD, here’s what these viewers are talking about…

<------------ see the blue side panels? ------------>

See those blue borders on the left and right of the screen?  We call those “side panels.”  We use these because slowly and surely, the industry standard for picture size is changing…we’re following TV manufacturers who have moved from producing square TV screens to rectangular TV screens.  Because of that, broadcasters, like us, are moving towards shooting and airing video in a 16:9 ratio (or wide-screen, like a movie theatre screen).  In the past, our screens have only been a 4:3 ration.  The TV’s below help illustrate this.

A traditional television, with a 4:3 aspect ratio (or, viewing area).

Newer TV with a 16:9 aspect ratio (or, viewing area).

So you can see — the image size is very different.  In the past, we shot all of our video, and our newscasts, in 4:3.  Now, we’re shooting everything, including our newscasts, in 16:9.  Occasionally we have to use file video or network video for our stories…and much of that is in 4:3.  So we place those blue side panels on each side of the screen to make up for the lack of video that’s there.  Otherwise, you’d just see black on the sides.

So no, it’s not subliminal advertising…no, we’re not stealing your viewing space…and we’re sorry it’s annoying!  But it’s going to get better.   As more and more of our video is shot in 16:9, we won’t have to use those side panels any more.

Hope that helps answer your questions!

What Won’t Wisconsin Weather Do?

It’s February 26, 2009 … and not only did we get thunder and lightning…but we also got hail.  Great.

Here’s a question…why do we live in this state?  I’m kidding, of course…but this weather is crazy!

Think Spring!

Lots o Pens!

I’ve gotten a couple “Good Questions” lately about a long-running practice that many governors and presidents practice when signing bills in law — they use a heck of a lot of pens!

Gov. Doyle using a lot of pens to sign legislation.

As you can see in the picture above, the governor used a lot of pens to sign this particular legislation.  It’s hard to count…but I would guess there’s 15 pens here.  That leads to the questions I’ve gotten over the last few weeks…

Just last week we saw on Channel 3, the Governor signing a bill. In this time of bad economy, why such wastefulness using a dozen different pens to sign the legislation? One pen works for most of us for six months or longer. And it is not a good advertisement for Parker Pens if it takes a dozen pens to put out enough ink to sign Mr. Doyle’s name a couple times.

——————

My husband was watching the news and saw President Obama, Governor Doyle, just to name a few, use so many pens when they sign something.  Why is that?  I feel that in a time of budget restraints, they should only have to use one pen to save the tax payers some money.

——————

Why does the governor and president use a dozen pens to sign one paper/bill?  Are they auctioned off and the money goes to charity or what?  I’ve been wondering this for years.

I got in touch with Gov. Doyle’s office today for the answer.  Carla Vigue tells me sometimes the governor uses one pen…and sometimes he uses as many as 20 pens — it all depends on how many people helped pass the legislation.  The pens are then given to those people as a little “thank you” gift from the governor for all their work.

By the way, the pens are made by Sanford in Janesville.  They cost $2.94 each.