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• Early season coss country ski training at Willow River
• Rhoades named co-chair of powerful state budget committee
• Spandex man gets life sentence

Serious cross country skiers begin to prepare for skiing even before there is snow on the ground.

A small group meets each week at the Willow River State Park Nature Center near Hudson to tone up for the upcoming ski season.

This group will be engaging in "dryland" training until in snows, and the trails are groomed for skiing, according to Willow River park officials.

They do ski specific strength work, stretching, and hill climbing. They also work on balance, poling technique, and timing exercises, that will prepare their bodies for the ski season.

Park officials say sturdy trail shoes, ski gloves, ski poles, nutrition and headlights are the essential gear needed.

Later in the winter, on snow training will prepare the group for classic and skate skiing.

The workout group will participate in ski sessions that may include hill climbing repeats on the hilly park trails, and speed work drills around the campground loop.

Park officials say that night skiing is one of the very best ways to enjoy a cold winter evening.

The group meets each Wednesday from 5:30 -7:00 pm. at the Willow River State Park Nature Center, from October through February.

The public is invited to join, some experience helpful, but not necessary. Program participants must provide their own ski equipment, clothing, headlights, and nutrition.

A. Park sticker required.

For information or to sign up call the Willow River State Park office at 715-386-5931 or email nancy.stewart@wi.gov.

Western Wisconsin will now have a strong voice when it comes to the state budget.

Rep. Kitty Rhoades, R-Hudson, was named Tuesday morning by state Assembly leader Rep. Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, to be the co-chair of the powerful Joint Finance Committee.

Rhoades has been a member of the committee since the 2003 session. She now becomes the first Assembly Republican woman to chair the powerful budget writing committee.

"I think this is a really incredible exciting opportunity," Rhoades said.

The JFC is responsible for reviewing all state appropriations and revenue actions.

Rhoades' Democratic co-chair will be Sen. Russ Decker, D-Weston.

"Senator Decker and I have worked together in the past and both of our staffs understand that the people expect us to work together to balance the budget and not raise taxes," Rhoades said.

In addition to Rhoades, Huebsch named Rep. Dan Meyer, R-Eagle River, as vice chair.

Other Republicans named to the committee are Rep. Jeff Stone, Greendale; Rep. Steve Kestell, Elkhart Lake; Rep. Scott Suder, Abbotsford; and Rep. Robin Vos, Caledonia.

Democrats named to the committee include Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay; Sen. Bob Jauch, Poplar; Sen. Mark Miller, Monona; Sen. Lena Taylor, Milwaukee; and Sen.-elect John Lehman, Racine.

In making his announcement Huebsch says the finance committee's top priority will be fixing the state's $1.6 billion deficit without raising taxes.

A man who demonstrated a pattern of sexually intimidating women while wearing spandex pants has been sentenced to life in prison plus six years.

Michael Scott Long, 37, Brooklyn Park, Minn., was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole last Wednesday on conviction of one count of second-degree sexual assault by use of force.

Judge Edward F. Vlack also handed down a six year sentence on one count of false imprisonment during the Nov. 22 hearing.