LOCAL NEWS
Obama picks up 5 superdelegates, union endorsement
By JOAN LOWY | 5/9
Barack Obama all but erased Hillary Rodham Clinton's once-imposing lead among national convention superdelegates on Friday and won fresh labor backing as elements of the Democratic Party began coalescing around the Illinois senator for the fall campaign.
Foster families needed in Rock County
Rock County is trying to recruit more foster families
Shelter offers GIFTS to homeless men and community in its first season
The number of men reporting to the GIFTS Men’s Shelter started to dwindle toward spring. But that didn’t upset organizers. It meant homeless men were starting to get their lives back on track.
'Word is catching on' about Women’s Fund
Word is spreading about an endowment fund in Janesville for projects that help women and girls.
Rock County to assess land donation
The Rock County Board voted unanimously Thursday to move forward with negotiations over a parcel of property that could be donated to the county.
Effort to decertify union is driving a wedge into Janesville-based business
Dozens of Woodman’s workers rally in Janesville in support of keeping the union at the grocery stores where they work.
City wants Wal-Mart to fix drainage problem
The city of Janesville pushes Wal-Mart to correct a drainage problem to the southeast of the store.
Fifth person sentenced for robbery
By KEVIN MURPHY/SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE | 5/9
A Rockford, Ill., man convicted in a Footville bank robbery received a shortest prison sentence so far among those convicted in the case.
Fallen police officers to be honored today
Ceremonies in Madison and Beloit will commemorate police officers who have died in the line of duty and serve as a reminder of the daily dangers faced by law enforcement..
Janesville farmers market opens Saturday
The first day of the market will feature people in Renaissance costumes.
Janesville plan commission discusses future residential development
Farmland preservation is a top consideration for the commission.
Woodman's union workers rally
Employees, union leaders, and legislators rallied in Janesville's Palmer Park Thursday.
Milton School District to change the way employees handle cash
The policy change is in response to thefts from a former employee.
Overlooked in the global food crisis: A problem with dirt
By SETH BORENSTEIN | 5/8
Science has provided the souped-up seeds to feed the world, through biotechnology and old-fashioned crossbreeding. Now the problem is the dirt they’re planted in.
Rock County law officers represented at Madison ceremony
Rock County Law Officers participate in the 18th Annual Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony
Bike tunnel on hold
The total cost of a planned tunnel for the bike trail under Milwaukee Street increases to more than $700,000, and City Manager Steve Sheiffer says hold on.
COUNTRY NEWS
Jerry Wallace Dies Of Heart Failure
May 9, 2008 — Jerry Wallace, nicknamed "Mr. Smooth" before he scored a No. 1 country hit in 1972, died Monday of congestive heart failure, the Associated Press reports.
Trisha Yearwood's Grit-ty Cooking
May 9, 2008 — Trisha Yearwood recently made a splash on the "New York Times" best-sellers list with her cookbook "Georgia Cooking In An Oklahoma Kitchen." Given that both are below the Mason-Dixon line, it would be easy to assume the two places have fairly similar culinary tastes, but that’s not entirely true: There is a difference.
Trace Adkins' Hollywood Romance Continues
May 9, 2008 — Thanks in great part to his participation in "The Celebrity Apprentice," Trace Adkins has garnered plenty of interest in film and TV. The latest development, according to the Associated Press, finds him performing the theme song to "Black Gold," a series that will debut on truTV June 18.
Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes Head ACM Additions
May 9, 2008 — The list of performers for the 43rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards continues to grow. Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes and Kellie Pickler have been added to the roster for the Las Vegas production, along with Kenny Chesney and George Strait, who’ll perform "Shiftwork" live for the first time.
Vince, Dierks Applaud Carrie's Opry Induction
May 9, 2008 — Carrie Underwood becomes the newest addition to the Grand Ole Opry when she appears on the venerable show tomorrow night. You can bet that she's thrilled about that development, but she's not alone. Opry members Vince Gill and Dierks Bentley both think she'll have a positive effect on the institution.
Watch Jewel on "Top 20"
May 9, 2008 — Jewel is 25 days from the release of her first country album, and she'll stop by to talk about the project tonight with guest host Suzanne Alexander on GAC's "Top 20 Country Countdown."
Marie Osmond Disses Billy Ray Cyrus
May 9, 2008 — Miley Cyrus’ recent cover photo for "Vanity Fair" generated plenty of heat in the media, with the 15-year-old Disney star apologizing to fans for the partially bare-back portrait that emanated from the session. Among the dissenters is Marie Osmond, who knows something about teen stardom. She was 13 years old when she recorded her first country hit, "Paper Roses," and was starring in a network TV variety show before the age of 20. Marie was not disappointed in Miley, but she felt her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, was negligent in leaving before the photo shoot was finished.
Hall Of Famer Eddy Arnold Dies
May 8, 2008 — Eddy Arnold, whose graceful style as a balladeer made him one of the most successful artists in country music history, died this morning at a Nashville-area care facility, according to the Associated Press. Nicknamed the Tennessee Plowboy in his earliest national incarnation, Eddy reshaped his career during the 1950s and ‘60s by donning tuxedos for his live performances and recording his songs with a string section, while dropping the genre’s traditional steel guitar and fiddle.
Mel Tillis Home on the Kitchen Range
May 8, 2008 — Country Music Hall of Famer Mel Tillis is the first artist to sign up for the Country Music Association’s Fiesta Celebrity Grilling Challenge, a country version of the "Iron Chef" being introduced during the CMA Music Festival in June. Six celebrities will be teamed with professional chefs during the competition, with each of the participants receiving a Fiesta Blue Ember Grill. Each team is required to create an appetizer, a main course and a dessert using a "mystery box" of ingredients.
Trisha Yearwood Tackles Difficult Parenting Subjects
May 8, 2008 — When Trisha Yearwood decided to marry Garth Brooks, she recognized that one of the added dimensions to the relationship meant becoming a parental figure to his three daughters: Taylor, August and Allie. The girls range in age from 11-15, a period that frightens lots of fathers. Garth apparently does a pretty good job in handling their issues, but they’ve also run into a fair share of problems for which he has no perspective.
Oaks, Brenda Lee Lead ACM Off-Camera Awards
May 8, 2008 — The Oak Ridge Boys, Brenda Lee, Porter Wagoner and Conway Twitty have been tapped for the Academy of Country Music’s Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, one of numerous "off-camera" trophies the Los Angeles-based organization plans to hand out in conjunction with its 43rd annual awards show.
Phil Vassar: "Common Man" In Uncommon Place
May 8, 2008 — Phil Vassar took a seat at a piano on the lawn at the White House on Tuesday as President George W. Bush presented six military spouses with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Phil sang the national anthem at the ceremony, attended by 1,100 on Military Spouse Day. He also served up three of his own songs: "Love Is A Beautiful Thing"; "I’m Alright," a hit he wrote for Jo Dee Messina; and the venue-appropriate "American Child."
