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• Legislators want tougher seat belt law; $16 million at stake
• Former Glenwood City coach pleads no contest to entering woman's home
• Motorist airlifted following Thursday afternoon crash

By Brady Bautch, RiverTown staff writer

If a group of bipartisan legislators gets its way law enforcement officers will be able to pull vehicles over solely because the occupants aren't wearing seat belts.

Plus the cost of the fine will be more than double the current penalty.

The state would also benefit because it would be eligible for $16 million in federal funds if the proposal (SB 120) were enacted, according to the bill's primary sponsor, Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, who is also the Senate majority leader.

"The federal government has been encouraging states to adopt the law," said Risser. "This is kind of a carrot and a stick."

Under current law officers can not pull a vehicle over just because of a seat belt infraction, but must have another reason such as speeding. If officers then notice a seat belt violation they can issue a citation.

The measure also calls for the current $10 fine for a seat belt violation to be increased to $25 for a first offense, and increases the penalty for the second offense to not less than $50 and not more than $75.

"We have stiffer penalties for second offenses on a number of laws," said Risser.

Currently there are no additional costs for a second offense.

The bill is co-sponsored by primarily lawmakers from southern and eastern Wisconsin.

The lone exception is Rep. Ann Hraychuck, D-Balsam Lake, who served as Polk County sheriff from 2001-05.

She says that her experience told her the more stringent law is needed as a prevention tool.

"We should do anything we can do to save lives," said Hraychuck. "Sixty percent of people wear seat belts, but the farther north you go the fewer people use them."

She added that the new penalties for second offenses are needed because it makes people more aware.

Risser said that this is the second time the bill is being introduced. It failed two years ago.

"It's just a way to help enforce the law we already have," said Risser.

Brady Bautch is the Internet Publisher for the RiverTown Newspaper Group. He can be contacted at internet@rivertowns.net

By Wheeler News Service

One of the state's winningest boys' high school basketball coaches has pleaded no contest to entering a former student's house while she slept.

Fred Booth,57, Glenwood City, was convicted of trespassing and disorderly conduct. He's scheduled to be sentenced May 4 in St. Croix County Circuit Court.

Booth has been on administrative leave since the incident, which happened Jan. 14.

Authorities said he entered Jessica Quinn's, 22, house and her boyfriend confronted Booth and ordered him to leave, which he did.

Booth was given a two-year restraining order in 2002 not to see the Quinn. She received another restraining order after the incident. She's now a nurse.

Booth led Glenwood City to over 400 victories including the Division 3 state title in 2001.

A two-vehicle accident near New Richmond sent at least one person to the hospital Thursday afternoon.

The accident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 65 and 210th Avenue, near the Prairieview Covenant Church. A mini-van and car were involved in the crash.

One motorist was airlifted by Lifelink Helicopter to a Twin Cities hospital.

No information on her condition, or the condition of the other motorist, was available. Other information on the crash will be reported later and in next week's New Richmond News.

New Richmond Fire Department, New Richmond Ambulance, Star Prairie First Resonders, St. Croix County Sheriff's deputies and the Wisconsin State Patrol responded to the scene