The Journal Times from Racine, Wisconsin • 6

CityCounty 6 A the Journal Times, Thursday, September 13, 1990 Racine, Wis. Oct. islation Hearing set for on pesticide leg I -It 1 must now follow certain steps to protect the water supply. Farmers who mix and load pesticides within 100 feet of a well, lake, river, stream or wetland are required to build a concrete or asphalt pad to prevent chemical spills from soaking into the soil, Weiss said. Weiss, who inspects farms in Racine, Kenosha, Walworth and parts of Milwaukee counties, said it will be easier and less costly to simply move the mixing and loading site to more than 100 feet away from the water source for most farmers.

Farmers will also need a mixing and loading pad if they use more than 1,500 pounds of pesticides a year at one site, he said. "I'll be out there enforcing this. It's the law. We're tightening it up. We have to," he said.

There is one exemption: sites that are in or next to the field where the pesticide is to be applied do not need a pad, he said. Department of Agriculture, said a special hearing considering the new legislation on atrazine and other potentially harmful pesticides will be Oct. 9 at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He encouraged farmers to attend the hearings so that "not all are eliminated from the list of allowable products. "It would behoove you all to attend, "Weiss told a crowd of about 35 farmers gathered at Wilfred Meier's farm in Bristol Wednesday.

Weiss also talked about new legislation the state Legislature adopted May 1 which applies to many farming operations in Racine and Kenosha counties. The new rules were adopted to protect state lakes, streamswetlands and underground water supplies from being polluted by farm chemicals. Weiss told farmers if they mix and load farm pesticides into sprayers or spreaders for application on their farm, they By Jane Rider Burlington Bureau BRISTOL Concern about groundwater contamination throughout the state has prompted new legislation that will force some farmers to modify the way they use pesticides, state agriculture officials said Wednesday. And a pending proposal on the grass killer atrazine may put some heavy restrictions on the pesticide's application and possibly ban its use in some parts of the state. State officials say because atrazine has been found in many sites throughout the state in varying levels, proposed restrictions on the pesticide would prohibit all non-crop uses of it.

Farmers also would not be able to apply it through an irrigation system, according to the proposed law. Lenny Weiss, agricultural inspector for the state Paul RobertsJournal Times Kitchen to go Slmone Sargent hustles Inside with a pizza baked in a portable kitchen at Pizza Hut, 5000 Washington Ave. The traveling kitchen did duty In the parking lot this week while the restaurant's kitchen was closed for renovations, said manager Jennifer Dorman. ta ft La ivX Bristol farmer's cornfield coming under the scrutiny of science xr By Jane Rider Burlington Bureau BRISTOL For the next few years, agronomists and state researchers will be watching a 61 just hate to spend money. I'd rather make it.

I don't believe in spending money, if I don't have to. -Wilfred Meier on low-chemical experiment Charles S. ValloneJournal Times Topsy-turvy A Humane Society Animal Shelter truck flipped over at the corner of Green Bay Road and West Regency Drive Wednesday morning. No people were injured, nor were any animals the truck was empty. Other details abouf the mishap were unavailable.

Judge upholds feds' confiscation of cash tIerit award semifinalists announced Nine high school students in Racine, plus two each in Waterford and Burlington, one in Oak Creek and four in Kenosha, have been chosen as semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. They are among 15,000 semifinalists nationwide in the 1991 competition, which is based in part on students' scores on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test. Semifinalists are eligible to compete for some 6,000 Merit Scholarships, worth about $25 million, to be awarded next spring. Racine semifinalists include Stephen Smittle of Case High School Christopher Wiemer of Hor-lick High School; Jennifer Addison, Joanne Ramos and Benjamin Sil-berglitt of The Prairie School; and John Chang, Bryan Ganaway, Jason Hager and Carl Mauer of Park High School. Semifinalists from Burlington High School are Kenneth Myszke-wicz and Michelle Wiersgalla, and those from Waterford are Rachel Monsen and Elisabeth Tilleros.

More than one million students in more than 19.000 U.S. high schools entered the 1991 program. Other area semifinalists include Parag Batavia of Oak Creek High School, and four students from Kenosha Deron Andre and Jon Bundy of Bradford High School; Christina Williams of St. Joseph High School, and Michael Lusignan of Tremper High School. Racine County OICs deal on disabled kids Besides receiving students from Walworth County, Racine County's handicapped school system will get $400,000 over the next 10 years, under an agreement approved Wednesday.

Racine County Board members 20- acre plot of corn and soybeans on Wilfred Meier's farm. Meier and 24 other farmers across the state are participating in a long-term study of pesticide control and crop management. "The 20-acre demonstration plot was set up to help farmers understand and adapt new technology and new research results to their own farm. It is part of an overall effort to prevent pesticides and fertilizers from contaminating groundwater," explained Ruth Hilfiker, soils and crop agent for Racine and Kenosha counties UW-Extension. This is the first of a three-to five-year study about the effects of using fewer pesticides to protect the water quality and yet retain profitability.

Meier said he decided to participate in the study to keep abreast of new agriculture technology and research, to learn more ways to run his farm more efficiently and to respond to public concern about the environment and water quality. Economics is another reason, he said. The study has already turned over a savings for Meier. Instead of spraying a whole field with herbicide, Meier reduced the amount he used and applied herbicide to a limited 7-inch area on each side of his rows of corn. It cut his costs in half, he said.

Instead of spending $5,200, he spent on one application, he said. "I just hate to spend money. I'd rather make it," he said, chuckling. "I don't believe in spending money, if I don't have to." Meier also shares the environmental concerns recently brought to his attention by the Lake George water rehabilitation and management district. The group works to maintain high quality of lake water.

"They are very interested in everything I do." Meier said. In another area of study through the university, Meier applied a new soil test that was introduced this year and is recommended by the University of Wisconsin. The test measures the amount of phospherous and potassium present in soils. Hilfiker encouraged farmers to test their soils to possibly help them determine whether they need to reduce the amount of surface water contaminants. She also endorsed Wisconsin's preplant soil profile nitrate test, another new test available to state farmers.

State research has shown that in years of average or below- average rainfall, significant amounts of nitrate can remain in the soil to be used by crops in the following growing season, Hilfiker said by accurately measuring residual nitrate, a farmer can fine-tune his nitrate fertilizer recommendations to match the specific conditions extisting in his fields. Economically, residual nitrate can save a farmer money by reducing his fertilizer costs. Meier took such a test before planting this year and learned he did not need to fertilize as much as he had in the past. It saved him money and possibly prevented nitrate contamination of groundwater, she said. MADISON (AP) Federal authorities can keep $20,000 in cash they found in a safe at the home of a Janesville man during a raid on a suspected gambling operation.

Federal Judge Barbara Crabb ruled Wednesday. Authorities seized the money Dec. 3, 1989, after a lengthy investigation into what an Internal Revenue Service agent called a "sophisticated sports gambling operation." The IRS agent testified Monday during a trial to determine what, if any, assets in the case would be forfeited to the federal government. At issue were a duplex, a 1984 Cadillac Eldorado and about $27,000 that belonged to Michael Wade, the reputed leader of the gambling operation. Crabb ruled that the car, $3,460 in Wade's checking account and $1,035 in cash found in a kitchen cupboard also be forfeited.

The assets were taken under a federal law that allows authorities to confiscate property impounded in criminal operations. The judge had not yet ruled on the fate of the duplex and another $7,000 in cash. The trial was expected to end by Thursday. WO DAY SALE FRIDAY, SEPT. 14TH SATURDAY, SEPT.

15TH ONLY! i yi-m-; 4-1 25-40 OFF ALL LIVING ROOMS ALL DINING ROOMS ALL BEDROOMS ALL ACCENT FURNITURE $60-400 OFF ALL BEDDING SETS FROMSEALY AND BASSETT .1 nUuV rri- ratified the settlement Wednesday night, ending a dispute that once included a threat to expel Walworth County children from the school system. The Walworth County board also has approved the settlement. "We're very happy to have come to agreement with Walworth County." Racine County Board Chairwoman Jean Jacobson said. Under the agreement, Walworth County will pay the $400,000 over 10 years at $40,000 per year. The money will go directly into the handicapped school system, which serves 11 school districts west of Interstate 94.

The dispute began in August 1989, when a committee discovered about 40 Walworth County children were being taught each year without payment from Walworth County. The kids were in the system because their homes were within the Burlington School District. Norway to form committee on recycling NORWAY Town residents interested in working on a local recycling committee may contact Town Clerk Jeanne Branzolewski at the town hall, 6419 Heg Park Road.or by calling 896-6335. The town board this -week discussed forming a municipal committee that would allocate a $6,700 Wisconsin grant for a variety of recycling projects, Branzolewski said. Prospective committee members should be concerned with all recycling projects, including composting and seeking out markets for recyclable materials.

The board has not determined how many residents will be needed for the committee and hasn't set a date for the group to start, she said. i Hagutar ortcaa appaarlno. (n tnia ad Bra mada at raoutar onry Sataa may or may not hm bwi on regular pitMft. PntnttQM Off fVQtO01t prtoaa. Savtnga off raaular pricaa nday.

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