KingPrawn

Jean Segura reaches base, steals second base.

Cubs intentionally walk Braun.

Segura takes off early to steal third and is caught in a rundown.

During the rundown he returns to second, where Braun is already standing.

Braun is out by rule, but Segura thinks he is the one out so gets up and continues to first base, where he reaches safely.

So two out now, Segura on first. Segura attempts to steal second and is thrown out.

The Klement's Racing Italian Sausage went barhopping in Cedarburg recently, delighting patrons and posing for photos. The only problem: No one can say who was wearing the $3,000 costume, which had just been stolen from the city's Winter Festival.

The 7-foot-long weenie was lying unused in a backroom at the Milwaukee Curling Club's new Cedarburg location during a fundraiser on Feb. 16 with beer-tasting and curling, and a witness saw the sausage walk out of the south door about 7:45 p.m., Cedarburg police Detective Jeff Vahsholtz said Wednesday. The Italian walked into TJ Ryan's in Cedarburg an hour later and also made an appearance around midnight at The Roadhouse Bar and Grill.

Vahsholtz said police were still interviewing bar patrons and looking for the costume, which is owned by the Milwaukee-based sausage company Klement's.

"We thought it was funny at the time," Vahsholtz said. "Now we're just hoping someone returns it."

Vahsholtz said he couldn't say whether there would be charges for what seems to be an elaborate prank.

The Racing Sausages, including the Bratwurst, the Polish Sausage, the Hot Dog and the Chorizo, are a popular sight at Brewer's games and recently appeared at spring training. The costumes are available for rent.

A spokesperson from Klement's didn't immediately return a phone call.

Mustard Girl All American Mustards has offered a year's supply of mustard to anyone who returns the Italian Sausage costume.

Jennifer Connor, president of the Pleasant Prairie-based company, said the links can't race without the Italian Sausage.

"I'm a super big fan, and I like to give them big squeezes all the time," Connor said. "We have to keep our Sausage Racers whole."

Whoever finds the costume will receive a case of mustard a month. A case has 12 bottles. The mustards are all-natural and gluten-free and come in five different flavors: Sweet 'n' Fancy Yellow, Stone Ground Deli, Zesty Horseradish, Sweet 'n' Spicy Honey, and American Dijon.

Sheriff's radio ad says 911 not best option, urges residents to take firearms classes

Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. set off alarm bells Friday with a radio spot some view as a call for citizens to arm themselves.

In the radio ad, Clarke tells residents personal safety isn't a spectator sport anymore, and that "I need you in the game."

"With officers laid off and furloughed, simply calling 911 and waiting is no longer your best option," Clarke intones.

"You could beg for mercy from a violent criminal, hide under the bed, or you can fight back."

Clarke urges listeners to take a firearm safety course and handle a firearm "so you can defend yourself until we get there."

"You have a duty to protect yourself and your family. We're partners now. Can I count on you?"

The spot aired at least once - during the last hour of the Mark Belling show on WISN-AM (1130) on Thursday. Clarke spokeswoman Fran McLaughlin posted it to the department website on Friday. She said she did not know where else or how often the spot would be broadcast, or how much the department spent to air it.

Clarke has served as lightning rod before, most recently when he called for schools to arm teachers after the Newtown, Conn., massacre of 20 children and six adults at an elementary school. News of the sheriff's gun ad quickly generated feedback.

Jodie Tabak, Mayor Tom Barrett's spokeswoman, released this statement:

"Apparently, Sheriff David Clarke is auditioning for the next Dirty Harry movie."

"Dirty Harry" was one in a series of films in the 1970s and '80s starring actor Clint Eastwood as Detective Harry Callahan of the San Francisco Police Department.

The Greenfield Police Department issued advice on its Facebook page, saying none of its officers was laid off or furloughed, that violent crime is down and the department's response time to violent crime is less than two minutes.

"The decision to arm yourself with a firearm is a very personal and private decision that should not be driven by fear that our officers will not respond to your calls for help," the department said.

Jeri Bonavia, executive director of Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort, said she hears "over and over" from most law enforcement officials that the community should work to "take more guns off the streets, not add more."

"What (Clarke's) talking about is this amped up version of vigilantism," Bonavia said. "I don't know what his motivations are for doing this. But I do know what he's calling for is dangerous and irresponsible and he should be out there saying this is a mistake."

Asked about Clarke's assessment of 911, James Fendry, director of the Wisconsin Pro Gun Movement, said, "It's never been a great option (calling 911). Unless you can take care of yourself, you're kind of SOL."

Fendry, a former police officer, said that he tells citizens, "You're not armed to be law enforcement. You're armed to protect your own life and the lives of your family until law enforcement arrives. Do not go on search and destroy missions in your home."

County Executive Chris Abele said Clarke is sending the wrong message.

"I think it's irresponsible and it doesn't help public safety to tell the public there's some kind of imminent danger that they need to go buy guns," Abele said. "Essentially, you've got a (public service announcement) that's recommending people need to go buy guns because they can't rely on the response they'll get from 911. I'm here to tell you, we have phenomenal police departments."

Roy Felber, president of the Milwaukee Deputy Sheriffs' Association, said the ad sounded to him like a call to vigilantism.

"That doesn't sound smart," Felber said. "That's why society has police officers."

Instead of promoting vigilantism, Felber said, money should be found to hire more police officers and deputies.

County Supervisor Mark Borkowski, chairman of the County Board panel on public safety, said Clarke was "preaching to the choir" on gun ownership. Most people who want guns already have them, Borkowski said.

McLaughlin, Clarke's spokeswoman, said the announcement does not encourage gun ownership.

"His message says to consider taking a certified course. His message says to fight back to protect yourself. People need to decide for themselves if they want to own a firearm," she wrote in an email.

She said the Department of Homeland Security advises that in an active shooter environment, victims should run, hide, or, if those options don't exist, they should fight - aggressively.

Clarke did not respond to an interview request.

Asked to comment on Clarke's remarks, a spokeswoman for state Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said that Van Hollen "believes strongly in both the 1st and 2nd amendments" to the Constitution on free speech and gun rights.

Police want to question Britt about stabbing



Police in New Jersey want to talk to Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt about an incident that resulted in his brother being stabbed Saturday night.

Britt dropped off his brother at Jersey City Medical Center early Sunday morning, but was uncooperative with officers when asked what happened, police said.

“We are looking to speak to Mr. Britt in reference to the incident,’’ Jersey City Police Capt. Edgar Martinez said on Sunday. “We are currently in the process of trying to do that.”

Police believe Britt was at the scene of an altercation leading up to the stabbing.

Police declined to give the victim’s name, but said his parents confirmed he was Britt’s brother. The brother also refused to cooperate with police, Martinez said.

Britt’s brother was treated for a non-life threatening stab wound to the left side of his back behind his arm.

Police were called to birthday party in Jersey City at 3:28 a.m. on the report of a stabbing during a fight involving a large group of people. Police said they found no trouble at the party, however.

Police were then informed a 23-year-old man who had been stabbed had walked into Jersey City Medical Center with Britt, who grew up in Bayonne and played at Rutgers. Police said Britt was uncooperative and left the hospital.

Later, a gunshot rang out at a home near where the stabbing occurred. Police said the shot was fired just after Britt picked up a friend at the house where the stabbing took place.

“They were all involved in an altercation. So they all knew each other and what was going on,’’ Martinez said. “That’s why we want to talk to him. He was involved in the incident, both incidents. He was there during that time period. So we are looking to speak to him.

“This is an ongoing investigation, and when the detectives speak to him then we’ll know more. Right now, we have a lot of unanswered questions so we are looking for him to come in and answer some questions for us.”

Agent Bill Johnson, who represents Britt, said he was unaware of the incident.

Titans coach Mike Munchak could not be reached for comment.