— Circuit Court Judge Michael Rosborough ruled Monday that the founder of Belle’s Lunchbox, which offers raw milk products, must give a deposition to an attorney for the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Max Kane Farley, who goes by Max Kane, said after the ruling that he will appeal the decision. Kane represented himself at the hearing on Monday. In making his ruling, Rosborough denied a motion by Kane that the DATCP deposition be dismissed because it violates the constitutional rights of him and his family. Rosborough advised Kane to hire an attorney and go through the deposition. The judge praised Kane for how he conducted himself in court, but said he knowledge of the law was “primitive” and representing himself put him at a “tremendous disadvantage” in a courtroom. The case has drawn the attention of raw milk advocates from around the country. More than 100 people braved 20 degree temperatures at a rally on the Courthouse steps before the hearing on Monday morning. Many of them also packed the courtroom. Mark McAfee, founder of Organic Pastures Dairy in California, said that 65,000 people a week buy raw milk in 400 stores and through other outlets in that state. More than 20 states allow the sale of such milk. “We’re talking about linking the farmer with the consumer here, rather than paying a middleman.” McAfee said. “There is ample evidence out there that raw milk is healthier for people.” See more on the case and the rally: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=180277 — A state business group is concerned about a recent employment report that shows government employing more people in Wisconsin than state manufacturers. November’s state jobs report showed 435,800 workers involved in manufacturing, compared to 438,200 employed by government. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce says that ratio is a first since records have been kept and a sign of economic crisis. See the WMC release: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=180345 — Meanwhile the state is giving a plastics company nearly $300,000 in tax credits for a project that will create dozens of manufacturing jobs. Waukesha County’s Dickten Masch Plastics is installing a new production line at a cost of $2.8 million, including $293,000 in Economic Development Tax Credits. The project is due to create 75 jobs and retain 160 existing jobs. See details: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=180355 — BizOpinion columnist Tom Still says he has a leaked copy of Santa’s perks list for Wisconsin politicians and newsmakers. Read his newest column to see what they’ll have in their stockings: http://blogs.wisbusiness.com/bizopinion/2009/12/holiday-perks-list-includes-naughty-and.html TOP STORIES TreeHouse to buy Manawa’s Sturm for $660M: Pickle, soup and condiment maker TreeHouse Foods Inc. said Monday it has agreed to acquire Sturm Foods Inc. in Manawa in a transaction valued at $660 million. Trading of Koss Corp. stock halted: Koss Corp. requested Monday that Nasdaq immediately halt trading of its securities after discovering information regarding certain unauthorized transactions. Telkonet relocating HQ to Wauwatosa: Telkonet Inc., a Germantown, Md., developer of energy management and SmartGrid networking technology, said Monday that it will relocate its headquarters offices to the Wauwatosa location of EthoStream LLC, a high-speed wireless Internet and technology provider that Telkonet acquired in 2007. NewPage to slash retiree benefits: Starting next year, Wisconsin Rapids’ largest employer will begin to phase out company subsidies to its retiree benefits program. West Business Services of Appleton has 90 sales job openings: Representatives for West Business Services said Monday that growing demand from some of its clients is behind the need to fill 90 new sales and service positions in Appleton.
************************************************************ See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors Jennifer Sereno, Kevin McKinley, Tom Burzinski, Gregg Hoffmann, Tom Still and Steve Jagler: ************************************************************ TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
MANUFACTURING (back to top) – Dickten Masch receives state support for expansion – BAE says jobs at risk if Oshkosh keeps Army contract – New dealership agreement allows Generac to expand in Southwest
LABOR (back to top) – UW-Whitewater to close Dec. 23 for furlough
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AGRIBUSINESS (back to top) – Wisconsin Corn Grower Wins National Yield Contest
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RETAIL (back to top) – Bates City Barbque opens in Suamico
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