Connect with us

Wisconsin

99-year-old Wisconsin veteran says he’d re-enlist if Trump were president

Published

on

99-year-old Wisconsin veteran says he’d re-enlist if Trump were president


play

Sgt. William “Bill” Pekrul, a Milwaukee native and World War II veteran, told the RNC crowd that “America is still worth fighting for” during his Wednesday night speech in downtown Milwaukee.

The hometown hero’s entrance on stage drew a thunderous applause and chants yelling “U.S.A.” And it didn’t end there − almost every line he delivered garnered the same applause and patriotic chants.

Advertisement

The highlight of the speech for RNC delegates came when Pekrul, 99, said if former President Donald Trump became president again “I would go back to re-enlist today.”

“I would storm whatever beach … my country needs me to.”

The theme for the third night of the convention was “Make America Strong Once Again.”

A self-proclaimed proud Wisconsinite, Pekrul signed up for the U.S. Army at Boys Tech High School (now Bradley Tech), according to an interview with the War Memorial Center that he gave as part of the Wisconsin Veterans Story Project.

Advertisement

Pekrul fought with the 29th Infantry in the second wave of troops during the Normandy Invasion on D-Day. He was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Silver Star for his service in WWII.

He received additional recognition locally since, including in 2019 when he served as Grand Marshall of Milwaukee’s Veterans Day Parade.

During Wednesday evening’s remarks he said he was honored to be a part of America’s “greatest generation,” a term used to describe those born from 1900 through the 1920s, because “America is the greatest nation in the history of the world.”

Part of Pekrul’s speech also appeared briefly on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” Wednesday. Pekrul described the end of World War II, saying “the Nazis were defeated.”

Advertisement

“For a while, Bill. For a while,” Colbert quipped, hinting that the current Republican party might bear some resemblance to Nazi Germany.



Source link

Wisconsin

Couple asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear Brewers 50-50 raffle prize dispute

Published

on

Couple asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear Brewers 50-50 raffle prize dispute


(WLUK) – A couple challenging the decision not to award them a 50-50 raffle prize at a Milwaukee Brewers game asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to take the case, calling it one of “statewide importance.”

Matthew and Annette Flynn purchased ten raffle tickets at the July 7, 2023, game, and held the winning number which was originally selected for $13,000. According to court records, the raffle rules in effect at the time required the winning ticket holder to claim the prize at a designated 50-50 table by the end of the top of the seventh inning. Flynn said she did not see the winning number displayed or hear it announced and was directed by stadium personnel to another location before making her way to the claim table. Officials determined she did not arrive before the deadline and selected a new winning ticket.

The Flynns sued, but the circuit and appeals courts ruled the raffle’s rules gave the foundation sole discretion to determine the official winner and that the rules clearly stated a participant who failed to claim the prize within the specified time would be disqualified.

In a petition to the Wisconsin Supreme Court filed Wednesday, the Flynn’s asked the high court to take the case, saying the decision “affects not only the parties to this action but potentially every Wisconsin resident who participates in charitable raffles and similar gaming activities.”

Advertisement

“This case presents significant questions concerning contractual discretion, discovery, judicial review of charitable gaming decisions, and the treatment of digital evidence within Wisconsin’s appellate system. For these reasons, Petitioners respectfully request that this Court grant review of the decision of the Court of Appeals,” the petition states.

The high court does not have to take the case. At some point, it will vote on if to take it. If it does, a months-long process to review the issues will begin. If it does not, the appeals court ruling would stand.

According to the rules posted on the Milwaukee Brewers’ website, the deadline to claim the prize is no longer during the game the tickets were purchased.

Comment with Bubbles

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

Advertisement

“The Participant in possession of the Raffle ticket with the potential winning number may claim the Prize at the 50/50 Table located on the Loge (2nd) level concourse behind Sections 216/217 until such time as the Ballpark officially closes to fans after the end of the game. If the Participant in possession of the Raffle ticket with the potential winning number does not claim the Prize by the time the Ballpark closes to fans after the end of the game, that Participant may still claim the Prize within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the Raffle Period for the respective baseball game by contacting the Raffle hotline (414-902-4334). A Prize that is not claimed within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the Raffle Period will be awarded in compliance with applicable regulations,” the site states.



Source link

Continue Reading

Wisconsin

Wisconsin DOJ probes fatal shooting by Oneida County officer

Published

on

Wisconsin DOJ probes fatal shooting by Oneida County officer


ONEIDA COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) — The Wisconsin DOJ is investigating an officer-involved death that occurred on the morning of June 17 in the town of Lake Tomahawk.

According to a press release, around 10:30 a.m., two Oneida officers arrived at Lumen Lake Drive to arrest a subject in a felony investigation.

Upon contact with the officers, the subject brandished and shot a firearm. One officer shot the subject in return.

EMS pronounced the subject dead on the scene. No members of law enforcement or the public were injured.

Advertisement

Both officers will be placed on administrative assignment, per the agency’s policy.

WFRV will update this story as needed.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Wisconsin

Body cam shows Wisconsin officer shooting at stray dogs 16 times. What to know

Published

on

Body cam shows Wisconsin officer shooting at stray dogs 16 times. What to know


play

A Thiensville officer fired 16 shots at two stray dogs, killing one, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has been tracking the fallout.

The officer, Richard C. McCormick, resigned during an internal investigation. The shooting is now under review by the Ozaukee County District Attorney’s Office.

Advertisement

Here’s what to know about the case and what to do if you encounter a stray or lost dog:

What brought the Thiensville officer to the Mequon intersection?

On April 23, 2026, Mequon police responded to a call shortly after 1 a.m. for two loose dogs at Highland and Cedarburg Roads. The Mequon officers decided to return in the morning, when they could seek help from the humane society. 

About two hours later, McCormick saw the dogs at the same intersection, outside his jurisdiction. McCormick stopped and tried to capture them. He was not responding to a new 911 call or other request for help. He was aware of the earlier call about the dogs.

What happened during the shooting?

Body camera footage obtained by the Journal Sentinel showed the dogs bounding toward McCormick after he opened a rear door of his squad.

Advertisement

The officer fired at least two shots near the ground, in what he later said was an attempt to scare the dogs. Video showed the dogs running away and McCormick continuing to fire across the road, even after one of the dogs collapsed on the ground and howled.

Six minutes later, McCormick fired a final shot from close range to euthanize the dog on the ground. The other dog escaped into the woods.

A national expert on police-dog encounters told the Journal Sentinel there were “valid concerns” about the shooting, noting that McCormick continued firing even as the dogs ran away from him.

What happened to the second dog?

The shooting came to light after three women tracked and safely trapped the second dog that had been wounded.

Advertisement

The dog, whom they named Ranger, had a bullet in his hip.

Ranger underwent surgery and was still receiving care at the Wisconsin Humane Society Ozaukee Campus as of June 17.

The rescue volunteers – Danielle Dietz, Alicia Hegedus and Karen Bohlmann – pieced together what happened to Ranger and the other dog, whom they nicknamed BD, using public records requests.

They learned that Ranger had been out for 17 days since he had been shot.

Advertisement

What should you do if you encounter a lost or stray dog?

Angela Speed, a spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Humane Society, offered the following suggestions:

  • Be cautious. Fearful, injured or ill animals can be reactive when confronted.
  • Watch the dog’s body language carefully.
  • If the dog is obviously friendly and approachable, check for a collar with information. If an owner cannot be located, take the dog to a local animal shelter.
  • If you have safety concerns, call a local non-emergency police or sheriff’s office line.

The volunteers who rescued Ranger have years of experience tracking and safely capturing stray or missing dogs, on their own and with local rescue groups. They offered additional suggestions:

  • Note the location where you saw the dog and take a photo, if possible.
  • Share that information in local neighborhood groups online, which can include Facebook, NextDoor or Ring.
  • Look up nearby lost dog and recovery organizations online and contact those groups for help.
  • Never chase a dog.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending