LaCrosse Trash/Recycling Rules, Changes Next Year, by Ellen Barrett

Entering the 2013-2014 school year, it is important to stay updated on La Crosse’s waste management policies.

For those who live off campus: Bagged trash must be placed in a plastic/metal container weighing no more than 50 pounds. Cardboard must be broken down and placed next to the garbage receptacle (no pizza boxes.) Large items are picked up every two weeks on the area’s designated collection day. (Limit is 4 large items, each under 200 pounds.) To view an area's collection dates, visit www.cityoflacrosse.org

A designated, green recycling bin should also be issued to tenants. If lost, bins are available for $8 at the City Hall Public Works office. La Crosse incorporates dual recycling. This means newspaper must be separated from the other recyclables in the bin with a cotton tie or placed into a paper bag. Other acceptable materials include glass jars and bottles (lids must be removed,) empty steel cans, aluminum cans, and plastic #1 and #2. All food residue must be removed prior to recycling.

For those who live on campus there are more recycling opportunities: Garbage and recycling receptacles are located outside of dormitories and inside the main buildings. Acceptable materials within the co-mingled receptacle include empty aerosol cans, aluminum containers, glass bottles and jars, plastic #1 through #7, and tin or bimetal cans. Acceptable materials within the paper receptacle include books, cardboard, magazines, newspaper, notebooks, and much more. The remaining trash may be placed in the garbage receptacle. For the complete list of acceptable recyclables on campus, visit www.uwlax.edu/fpm/recycling/resources.htm.

Note: La Crosse is currently in the process of changing the recycling standards for the 2014 year.

New Security in Oak Grove after Vandalism, by Shelby Phillips

Cameras have been installed and are currently in operation at Oak Grove Cemetery after it was vandalized.  On the night of August 10^th around 60 headstones were knocked down from their pedestals. 

 

“The cameras are up and functioning,” says Gene Phillips, secretary of the Board of Trustees at Oak Grove Cemetery.  He says they are scattered all around the cemetery and have already detected an early-morning trespasser.

It seems necessary to remind the public—and especially the college students across the street—that trespassing on cemetery grounds after hours is a finable offence.  Standard cemetery hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with special daylight hours from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.

Though Oak Grove has insurance it does not cover the cost of the felled markers.  These stones are owned by the families of the deceased and considered personal property.  After the crime family members were contacted.  It is expected that each family’s homeowner’s insurance will possibly cover part, if not all, of the damages.

It took a crew of six around sixty hours of labor to put the monuments back in place. 

The monuments weigh anywhere from 500-1,000 pounds.  This draws officials to believe that a group of individuals is responsible for the distinct line of downed headstones.    

Oak Grove Cemetery is located on La Crosse Street, across from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Campus.  The grounds act as a popular place to walk and jog for students in the area. 

There is a $1,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the vandalism.  Contact Crimestoppers (608)784-TIPS with any further information.

Cost for Off-Campus Living, by Carly Vail

Students off-campus are trading in meal plans for cable bills and resident assistants for landlords.

Off campus, students have to pay rent, cable/internet bills, electricity bills, and any additional services that are not provided by their landlord, such as garbage, every month. According to FindTheData.com, the average rent in La Crosse is $608 per month. The site doesn’t specify if that is per person or per household though. The cost of rent usually increases if a student decides to live in a house rather than an apartment or decides to live alone as well.

According to the UWL website, the cost of living on campus ranges from $1,750 to $2,675 a year, depending on which hall the student chooses to live in and how many roommates they have.

With the exception of Reuter, it is required that every student has a meal plan while living on campus. Depending on the meal plan a student has, it can cost between $620 and $1346 a year. Students pay room and board every semester, not every month, which could be a convenience factor for some.

Although some students decide to opt out of an off campus meal plan, they are still spending money on groceries or are going out to eat. According to College Confidential, the price range is about $60-$200 a month on food per person.

 If a student can budget  money well and find a cheap place to live, living off campus could be cheaper. But, it is not really the cost of living students are concerned about when they move off campus. Many students just want the freedom and experience on living on their own.

Literacy Volunteers Needed in LaCrosse

Three groups in LaCrosse are aiding the Wisconsin Literacy campaign, by asking for and training volunteer tutors to work with adults. The "1200 Tutors in 12 Weeks" campaign is underway, beginning Sunday, Sept. 8, Interational Literacy Day, running to Dec. 1.

In LaCrosse, the Clara Fields Multicultural Literacy Program, the Hope Academy, a program of the Family & Children's Center, and the Coulee Region Literary Council are participating. In all, there are 65 agencies assisting Wisconsin Literacy, Inc. The 1200 new tutors goal includes reading and math instruction.

According to the 2010 Census, 384,463 adults over 25 in Wisconsin had not completed high school, and another 173,568 report speaking English less than "very well."

Less than 10% qualifying for literary services actually receive them, according to Wisconsin Literacy. Most tutors volunteer just one-to-three hours per week.

Contact information for LaCrosse groups, and a full list of agencies participating, is available at wisconsinliterary.org.

September Is National Preparedness Month

The end of Summer means back to school, raking leaves, and starting to plan for Winter weather emergencies.

September is "National Preparedness Month," according to Wisconsin Emergency Management. University students in new apartments should add this to getting settled.

One important step, according to WEM, is to be informed about specific, possible emergencies, and the landlord or other tenants could be a useful source.

People "need to be self-reliant and prepared for days without utilities such as electricity, water and phone service," says WEM. Renters particularly need to know whether to call a landlord first, or utility company or contractor for repairs. This may affect their own cost or return of security deposit.

Gas stations, supermarkets, and other sources of supplies should be planned in advance. The Ready Wisconsin website, readywisconsin.wi.gov, has information for creating emergency plans and a supply kit.

The City of LaCrosse may announce snow removal periods and prohibit on-street parking even in areas exempt from the alternate side parking rule. Check cityoflacrosse.org.

Healthcare Info Sessions

 

Wisconsin insurance officials are explaining the new federal healthcare law Tuesday, Sept. 3, in Eau Claire and LaCrosse.  The Eau Claire meeting is 10 to 11:30a.m., and the LaCrosse meeting is 3-4:30p.m., at the Public Library.  Everyone can attend, and the agenda will be determined by questions.

 Staff from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance will also “highlight the most important issues people should be aware of,” according to a statement from O.C.I.

O.C.I. says it intends to “provide a forum for citizens to gather unbiased information.”  Commonly called “Obamacare,” the law is actually entitled the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or A.C.A. for short.  The law is effective next Jan 1, and individuals without health insurance can begin signing up on Oct. 1 this year.

 “As with any new law, there is always a certain level of confusion. While this is a federal law, it is OCI's role to protect and educate consumers about their responsibilities and how they may be impacted,” according to the O.C.I. statement.