Leader-Telegram from Eau Claire, Wisconsin • 11

City Editor Doug Mell Regional Editor Gary Johnson 833-9Z11 (800) 236-7077 CityRegion Change in confidentiality rules backed Plan would inform police of mental commitments rules shielding his confidentiality, police had released him. Zehms' proposal is aimed at preventing that from happening again. Carlton later committed suicide in a Madison mental hospital. Zehms filed a petition asking the register of probate and clerk of juvenile court to provide a current list of individuals under mental commitments. Dispatchers would notify officers of an individual's mental commitment status when officers respond to service calls.

Carlton they couldn't do anything. Warren Carlton was committed to an Eau Claire hospital but was released within two weeks. "We feel two lives would have been saved if there would have been availability" of information, Losey said told Barland. Sally Anderson's friend, Jean Lambrecht, came close to tears as she addressed the court. "Somehow (Anderson's) rights were taken away because of the laws," Lambrecht said.

"I agree with Warren's family also. They should have been listened to." Helen Harry of the Alliance for the Mentally 111 objected to Zehms proposal. She said police would be better off contacting crisis intervention workers to report incidents. "If they call the crisis intervention team, the people on the team will know who's come under their care," she said. "It would seem to me it would be more appropriate, faster, if a member of the intervention team be notified immediately." Barland said he will respond to the petition in 30 to 45 days.

Don Anderson, the widower of Sally Anderson, supported the proposal in Eau Claire Circuit Judge Thomas Barland's courtroom. "Warren Carlton destroyed one of the most wonderful lives that had ever lived," Anderson said. "If God can forgive Mr. Carlton, certainly I can. But I'm confused." Before Anderson's death, Warren Carlton's brother, Reggie Carlton of Spooner.

had alerted authorities in Eau Claire after Warren left Spooner in an agitated state. But authorities told Reggie Zehms followed the murder earlier this year of an Augusta woman in Eau Claire. The woman, Sally Anderson, was killed at random by Warren Carlton one day after he had been arrested by Eau Claire police for making threats. Unaware of Carlton's mental commitment status because of the mK3 By Lynne Miller Leader-Telegram staff During what was at tides an emotional hearing, a majority of the people testifying Monday supported a proposal to ease the rules that keep mental commitments confidential. The proposal from Eau Claire County Corporation Counsel Keith New local newscast has kinks to work out By Rod Stetzer Leader-Telegram staff Just a bit of advice to WQOW reporters: Pump up the volume.

Small technical glitches, such as background noise drowning out reporters' narration, popped up during Channel 18's inaugural 6 p.m. newscast Monday. It was the Eau Claire station's first local newscast in six years. In time, the glitches can be worked out. WQOW's competitor, WEAU-TV (Channel 13), has been doing local newscasts since 1953.

Still, the Eau Harsdorf, Kind clash on crime Effectiveness of federal programs a source of debate Editor's note: This is the second of five stories detailing the stands of 3rd Congressional District candidates on the top issues as identified in a recent We the PeopleWisconsin survey of likely district voters. Today 's story focuses on crime. By Eric Undqulst Leader-Telegram staff The stands of the two 3rd Congressional District candidates on fighting crime reflect their competing views about the role of federal government. While Republican Jim Harsdorf says the responsibility for law enforcement Claire-La Analysis Crosse market leader had its share of boo-boos during its 6 p.m. newscast.

Both stations led with j-4he triple-v murder story involving defendant Gregg S. Pate. Both newscasts had four local news stories, one local sports story and lasted fust over 29 minutes. WE AU lammed In 16 ads and promos while WQOW had 14. fW 0 should remain almost entirely with local authorities, Democrat Ron Kind argues the federal government can play a limited but important role in crime control.

Harsdorf, 45, a dairy farmer and former legislator from Beldenville, supports the federal government providing block grants to communities, allowing local leaders to determine how those funds would be used most effectively in fighting crime. Thus, he opposes President Clinton's Jim Harsdorf and Ron Kind will debate at 7 C.m. Friday In La Crosse i an event sponsored by the Leader-Telegram, WQOW (Channel 18) and We the PeopleWisconsin. Call (800) 871-7176 to register for the debate. Thehourlong debate will be broadcast live on WQOW and on WHWC-FM (88.3).

Dave Obey and Scott West will face off In a 7th District debate Wednesday. Page 3B. Staff photos by Steve Klnderman Shopping on a shoestring Above: Kay Moua, intern program coordinator with the city of Eau Claire, counts his pennies while shopping Monday at Ron's Castle Foods during the Nutrition Challenge. Moua was one of six shoppers who participated in the challenge Monday. Each shopper had to buy food for a day's worth of meals and snacks for a family of four on a budget equivalent to the typical dairy food stamp allowance, $12.84, or for a family of three on a $10.13 budget.

EHery Jordahl, an Eau Claire County board supervisor, was the only shopper to meet the budget and nutritional constraints. The supermarket donated all the food to area food pantries. Right: Carolyn Maves, a checker at Ron's, scans State Rep. Rob Kreibich's groceries. Council wants police to move into new Dunn County center described the defendant and the murder victims in informative graphics, and noted the city's last mutiple homicide was in 1968.

But the taped portion of reporter Mary Lahammer's story failed to start on time and did not identify defense attorney Harry Hertel when he was interviewed. "Please forgive us if we seem like proud new parents," co-anchor Mike Rindo said introducing a segment the station did on its own first newscast. WEAU made a strange decision to air reporter Charish Balsley's feature story on a mail carrier and the 100th anniversary of free mail delivery. After all, Monday was Columbus Day, a federal holiday when there is no residential mail delivery. WEAU also introduced a story about the Milwaukee Brewers stadium with a graphic showing Brewers owner Bud Selig and Gov.

Tommy Thompson. But neither man was mentioned in the story nor identified on the screen. WQOW began its late newscast after the Monday night football game with this introduction: "This is the News 18 6 p.m. Report." The top story, about the economic impact of Green Bay Packer games, included a segment where reporter Tony Burbeck's narration could be barely heard over the background clatter of Chippewa Falls bar patrons. But the report was fine and it was something new from the station's 6 p.m.

newscast. And that will be WQOW's greatest asset: Offering viewers a choice of newscasts. Utenomonie Community Oriented Policing Services program because it only pays for adding police officers. "We must give greater flexibility, support and resources to the local level because local law enforcement officials and community leaders better know local needs than bureaucrats in Washington," he said. However, Harsdorf said he supports continued federal funding of Head Start and Title 1 programs he believes have proven effective at steering at-risk children away from crime.

He also advocates tougher sentencing and prison-building programs. Kind, 33, a prosecutor from La Crosse, agreed crime is a state and local issue but cited several examples of positive federal involvement. Kind supported the Brady bill, the assault weapons ban and COPS, which has put more than 60 additional police officers on 3rd District streets. Kind advocates spending less money on building new prisons and devoting more resources to the root causes of crime such as drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, child abuse and juvenile delinquency. Early intervention efforts such as Head Start and nutrition programs are an effective strategy for steering children away from crime and should be fully funded, he added.

"If we start turning our back on kids at an early age, there will be a much higher price to pay down the road in prosecuting and incarcerating those who have turned to a life of crime," Kind said. Kind also has proposed that the federal government could help police by promoting better communication among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Next: Health care. chief. Alderman Dennis Kropp said the county was trying to work with the city.

"I think it's a rare opportunity," Kropp said. "With the judicial center going up now, I think it's time to act. Crime is becoming pervasive, and we need to do what we can to help our Police Department." The Dunn County Board is to meet Wednesday to decide whether to proceed with final construction plans for the proposed judicial center and to advertise for bids. The County Board is scheduled to act on a resolution to approve borrowing $6.5 million to pay for half of the proposed project. The center is to be at U.S.

12 and Parkway Road. By Pamela Powers Menomonie News Bureau MENOMONIE The planned new Dunn County Judicial Center will house the Menomonie Police Department. The Menomonie City Council Monday night voted 8-1 to sign a letter of intent to have the Police Department occupy about 9,980 square feet in the building. Some of the space would be unfinished for future expansion. The financial terms are to be determined later.

The city has the option of borrowing money and paying for the space or renting it from the county. Council member Bruce Myers voted against the proposal because he said he wanted to see statistics about the benefits city residents would see for spending an additional $80,000 a year. If the City Council decides to rent space in the planned judicial center, it would cost the, city an estimated $114,269 per year. Currently the city pays the county just over $35,400 annually for Police Department space. Purchasing the space could cost about $606,769.

"I'm representing the taxpayers in Menomonie and the people in my ward," Myers said. "I can't do that unless I see some justification of cost" Council member Sue Beety abstained from file vote. Beety 's husband is the police said. Information led police to the motel Monday. A small amount of narcotics was recovered from the room, Beffa said.

Stewart enters pleas A 19-year-old Pepin resident entered pleas Monday to six charges he faces after a three-county chase in August in which he allegedly shot at police officers. Cory J. Stewart pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to the charges during an arraignment in Pepin County Circuit Court. Stewart is charged in Pepin County with recklessly endangering another's safety and several other charges. Stewart is charged in Pierce County with five counts, including two counts of attempted homicide for allegedly shooting at police.

Stewart is accused of stealing a truck near Durand arid leading police on a 70-mile chase through, Pepin, Pierce and Buffalo counties. From staff reports Hospital costs ranked Eau Claire's two hospitals ranked in the middle of the pack in a survey of hospital charges. The survey done by Meridian Resource Corp. of Madison indicated Sacred Heart Hospital had a ranking of 95.4 percent of the average charges for all Wisconsin hospitals for inpatient charges. Luther Hospital's ranking was 100.3 percent.

St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls had a ranking of 95.4 percent. For outpatient costs Luther Hospital ranked 83.5 percent of the average charges in the state, Sacred Heart had 85.2 percent, and St. Joseph's Hospital was at 105.7 percent. Perot official to speak Ralph Perkins, a senior coordinator for Ross Perot's presidential campaign, will be in Eau Claire Saturday to discuss how the questions.

The pre-payment program was signed into law this summer by Gov. Tommy Thompson. The program was introduced into the state Legislature by state Rep. Rob Kreibich, R-Eau Claire. The program allows parents and grandparents to buy tuition units at today's prices for future college enrollment.

Drug suspect arrested RICE LAKE Rice Lake police arrested a federal fugitive without incident Monday evening after evacuating several rooms of a local motel. Police Chief Brad Beffa said rooms in the Americlnn motel next to the one occupied by Michael A. Lavacot and two local females were evacuated as officers worked to take Lavacot into custody. Lavacot was being sought on a federal drug warrant out of Arlington, for allegedly selling methamphetamines, Beffa two major political parties have blocked Perot's candidacy. Perkins Will be at the L.E.

Phillips Memorial Public library from 1 to 4 p.m. His presentation is open to the public. Perot is the Reform Party's presidential candidate. Perkins will speak on what he sees as the monopoly the two major parties have over new parties. He will seek audience participation on how the American political process can get back in control of the voters.

Tuition meetings set Two informational meetings on Wisconsin's new college tuition pre-payment program will be held Wednesday in Eau Claire and Altoona. The meetings will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at London Square Mall and from 8 to 9 p.m. at the Altoona City Hall council chamber. Marty Olle, the state's administrator of the tuition pre-payment program, will attend the meetings to explain the program and answer Updates on the following stories will be provided on LeaderLlne after publication of today's Leader-Telegram.

The reports will be available as soon as possible after the events are completed. You can call In news tips to LeaderUne by pressing Selection 1001. Chippewa Falls City Council meets tonight. Selection 1012. Plea agreement is expected to be reached this afternoon in Rusk County Court in case involving Mary A.

Sheffield, who is accused of being an accomplice in the beating death of a Sheldon salvage dealer. Selection 1013..