Morning News Brief - Fire destroys two buildings in Pulaski

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It’s a slow process, but folks in Pulaski are trying to move on after a fire destroyed two buildings and damaged three others in the downtown area December second. The fire started in or above a restroom at the Wood Lanes bowling center, but the blaze was so massive that authorities could not determine how it started. Now, building owners are getting cost estimates for tearing down their damaged structures. And depending on how much they have left over, they’ll decide whether to rebuild. Most want to, including the owner of the bowling center that provided fun and recreation since 1936. Co-owner Bart Wood said he basically grew up in Pulaski, and would like to give the community its bowling center back. But he said it depends on where they stand financially after the old site is removed. Insurance agent Doug Prentice says he’s still waiting to find out if he’ll have to pay for specialized lead and asbestos removals as part of razing costs. He plans to rebuild as soon as he can get the proper permits. Prentice hopes the razing work can begin next month. Pulaski Village President Reed Woodward says the downtown will get a newly rebuilt Highway 160 next year. And by then, he hopes officials can help make it feasible for businesses to rebuild at the site of the fire.

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An autopsy was scheduled yesterday on a man who died in a shooting incident with police in Superior. Officials said 34 year old Luke Anderson of Duluth was shot Friday by both his own gun and those of two veteran Superior police officers, Sergeant William Lear and patrolman Todd Carlson. Both are on administrative leave while the case is being investigated. Among other things, the autopsy was expected to determine which shots caused Anderson’s death. The Duluth News Tribune quoted relatives as saying that Anderson’s brother Jason was killed in similar circumstances in Homer Alaska in 2006, where he was hiding while being wanted on federal drug charges in Minnesota. Family members said Luke Anderson was in prison on drug convictions when his brother died. But he was trying to turn his life around, was a student in an auto mechanics program, and was making efforts to get to know Jason’s children. They also said Luke had three kids of his own by three different mothers, and he was frustrated that he couldn’t see them. One relative said Anderson didn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel and a man is dangerous when he has nothing to lose. Superior Police said Luke Anderson drove to a drug store where he tried to steal a woman’s car but it wouldn’t start, so he fled in his own vehicle. Police chased him until he fled on foot. Officers caught up, and both they and Anderson fired shots which hit the man. Superior Police Chief Charles LaGesse said no officers or by standers were hurt.

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Mercury Marine of Fond du Lac says industries will have to grow their own engineers to avoid a massive talent shortage in the future. So the company is helping start up a charter school this fall. About 100 third through fifth graders will attend what’s called the “Fond du Lac STEM Academy.” Kevin Anderson of Mercury Marine says the youngsters will learn a variety of science experiments in the company’s lab facilities, with the help of Mercury’s engineers. The school will be based in a former elementary building. It has received a $200,0000 federal grant, plus start up assistance from the Fond du Lac School District. Anderson says the company wants to reach kids when their curiosity is at their highest about science and how things work. Mercury says girls especially need this kind of schooling to join an engineering field that’s been dominated by men. A Wisconsin group called “Project Lead the Way” says America is not nearly producing enough engineering talent that will be needed in the future. It says only 4 percent of ninth graders are on pace to get bachelor’s degrees in math, science, engineering, and technology, while thousands of Baby Boomers will leave those fields in the near future.

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Two people were killed, and three others were injured in a two vehicle crash in southeast Wisconsin. Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies said a car pulled from a stop sign into the path of pick up truck on Highway 16 near Ixonia just after 5:30 last evening. Both of those killed were in the auto. A man died at the scene, and a woman died later at an Oconomowoc hospital. Two others in the car were taken to Milwaukee’s Froedtert Hospital, where they were in serious condition at last word. The driver of the pick up truck was treated at an Oconomowoc hospital and later released.

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