Former professional boxer Andrea Nelson will be the first to tell you: boxing is a male-dominated sport. That’s OK with her -- she doesn’t consider herself particularly feminine.

“I’m just a physical person,” said Nelson. “I just need that push. I need to always be pushing my boundaries.”

When Nelson first showed up to Ford’s Gym to learn boxing basics in the late 1990s, Bob Lynch -- who later became her coach -- thought she was a man. Nelson, now 46, showed up at the east side gym with her hair tucked back, bearing tattoos and muscular arms. She had already established herself as a champion in Okinawan martial arts.

Residents, nonresidents invited to try winter-time fishing without a license    

The state Department of Natural Resources announced Wisconsin’s first winter free fishing weekend, which is scheduled to take place Jan. 19-20.

Bob Manwell, DNR spokesman in Fitchburg, said residents and nonresidents are invited to fish Wisconsin waters without first purchasing a license.

Wisconsin has had a similar free fishing weekend in June for many years but Manwell said the mid-January free fish event offers the chance to  try "hardwater" fishing.

Manwell also said loaner tackle is available at some sites.