Let it Snow
12/17/08 - The Dodge County Highway Department is reporting roads are in good condition this morning all things considered. Supervisor Ken Stock says the light snow and little to no wind is making their job easier. Though the roads are in ok condition this morning it doesn’t mean they aren’t slippery and officials remind you to take it slow when you head out this morning.
Meanwhile, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says there were numerous runoffs overnight as a result of the weather. There were also a number of accidents, including a two-vehicle accident in Horicon that resulted in minor injuries to both parties.
Yesterday’s snow storm dumped varying amounts of snow in our area. Juneau is reporting 4-inches of snow as of 10 last night while Watertown was also right around 4-inches as of midnight. Trained weather spotters in Fond du Lac relayed amounts of about 3-inches. The biggest amounts reported came from Dane County where Sun Prairie picked up 5.5-inches and Madison had 4.2. All of these numbers pale in comparison to what forecasters say we could receive tomorrow night into Friday morning as estimates have totals between 6 to 12-inches.
Wage Increases for some DC Employees Lower than Expected
12/17/08 - Despite a budget that set aside money for a 3-percent increase, the Dodge County Board of Supervisors passed an amended resolution last night that will give the county’s non-union and management employees a raise of around 2.25-percent. When the Human Resources Committee met to discuss the wage increases they felt an across the board raise of 3% was too high and settled on two 1-percent increases for ‘09. However, an amendment by Supervisor Harold Johnson pushed the increase up to 1.5-percent, which was passed overwhelmingly. The reduction of the wage increase affects about 175 people, most notably in the Sheriff’s Department. In the past, the employees affected received the same increase as union members and Sheriff Todd Nehls calls it bad business to not continue that trend. He says it means some union positions are being paid better than supervisory spots and without disparity between management and union positions, the motivation to strive for greater things isn’t there. County Administrator Jim Mielke says making management positions attractive is something the HR committee will need to look at before beginning the 2010 budget process.
12/17/08 - The Dodge County Highway Department is reporting roads are in good condition this morning all things considered. Supervisor Ken Stock says the light snow and little to no wind is making their job easier. Though the roads are in ok condition this morning it doesn’t mean they aren’t slippery and officials remind you to take it slow when you head out this morning.
Meanwhile, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says there were numerous runoffs overnight as a result of the weather. There were also a number of accidents, including a two-vehicle accident in Horicon that resulted in minor injuries to both parties.
Yesterday’s snow storm dumped varying amounts of snow in our area. Juneau is reporting 4-inches of snow as of 10 last night while Watertown was also right around 4-inches as of midnight. Trained weather spotters in Fond du Lac relayed amounts of about 3-inches. The biggest amounts reported came from Dane County where Sun Prairie picked up 5.5-inches and Madison had 4.2. All of these numbers pale in comparison to what forecasters say we could receive tomorrow night into Friday morning as estimates have totals between 6 to 12-inches.
Wage Increases for some DC Employees Lower than Expected
12/17/08 - Despite a budget that set aside money for a 3-percent increase, the Dodge County Board of Supervisors passed an amended resolution last night that will give the county’s non-union and management employees a raise of around 2.25-percent. When the Human Resources Committee met to discuss the wage increases they felt an across the board raise of 3% was too high and settled on two 1-percent increases for ‘09. However, an amendment by Supervisor Harold Johnson pushed the increase up to 1.5-percent, which was passed overwhelmingly. The reduction of the wage increase affects about 175 people, most notably in the Sheriff’s Department. In the past, the employees affected received the same increase as union members and Sheriff Todd Nehls calls it bad business to not continue that trend. He says it means some union positions are being paid better than supervisory spots and without disparity between management and union positions, the motivation to strive for greater things isn’t there. County Administrator Jim Mielke says making management positions attractive is something the HR committee will need to look at before beginning the 2010 budget process.
Incumbents/ Newcomer Submit Papers
12/17/08 - Beaver Dam Alderman John Litscher will be seeking another term on the Common Council. The longtime Ward 11 alderman has submitted his Declaration of Candidacy papers with the appropriate signatures to the City Clerks Office. Ward 13 Alderman Laine Meyer has also submitted his papers, but has not yet submitted the required signatures. Incumbent Ward 5 Alderman Aaron Onsrud picked up both Declaration of Candidacy and Non-Candidacy papers. If Onsrud decides to run, he could face opposition yet again from former Alderman Mic Fischer, who lost to Onsrud by seven votes in the Spring 2007 election. Fischer submitted his Declaration of Candidacy papers but has not submitted the signatures. Newcomer Kenneth Anderson has filed Declaration of Candidacy papers for Ward 3. The deadline to file declaration of candidacy and nomination papers is Tuesday, January 6. Incumbents have until Friday, December 26 to file non-candidacy papers. The election will be held April 7, 2009, with a primary date of Tuesday, February 17, if needed.
Born Not Seeking Another Term (Yet)
12/17/08 - Beaver Dam Alderman Mark Born will not be seeking reelection in April. The 9th Ward Alderman filed his non-candidacy papers yesterday morning. Born, who will be getting married next May, says it has been “an honor to serve (his constituents) for the past four years.” Born ran unsuccessfully for mayor this past spring and told us on Community Comment yesterday that he is not ruling out any future possibilities of running for municipal office.
Sisk Seeks Plea Change
12/17/08 - One of the convicted ring-leaders in the “Portage House-of-Horrors” case now says he was mentally exhausted when he admitted to some of the crimes – and he wants to plead innocent. A Columbia County judge is expected to decide Wednesday whether 26-year-old Michael Sisk can withdraw his earlier pleas to 10 charges. He struck a plea deal in August for the killing of Tammie Garlin and the torturing of her 12-year-old son. They occurred at a house in Portage where Sisk, Garlin, and others had lived for a few months before the crimes were discovered in June of 2007. According to court records, Sisk thought his pleas would spare him from life in prison – but he now knows he could serve what amounts to be a life term. And he said he was pressured into accepting it. Sisk entered an Alford plea to reckless homicide, and guilty to hiding a corpse, false imprisonment, and mayhem among other things. Sisk is still scheduled to be sentenced on those charges December 30th.
Wondra Sentenced
12/17/08 - A Mayville man, who broke his infant son’s ribs in a fit of anger, will spend two and a half years in prison. Jonathan Wondra pleaded “no contest” to a felony count of child abuse and had a second charge dismissed. Authorities say the 21-year-old was alone with two of his young children when he abused his three-month-old boy – and didn’t seek medical help until the next day. Doctors at U-W Hospital in Madison called police after an examination found the boy had broken ribs, liver damage, and heavy bruises – apparently from being shaken or squeezed. At first, Wondra told police the baby’s two-year-old brother caused the injuries. But officials say he later admitted the abuse. In addition to prison time, Wondra was sentenced to two years of extended supervision.
Wood Facing Third OWI
12/17/08 - State Representative Jeff Wood’s drunk driving arrest was widely reported to be his first. But the independent from Bloomer admits being caught before – and a new report said he was nabbed twice in Eau Claire County in 1990-and-’91. Even though it was so long ago, Columbia County District Attorney Jane Kohlwey says she’ll have no choice but to charge Wood with third-offense O-W-I – which carries a one-year jail term and a fine of up to two-thousand-dollars. Kohlwey says she’s still reviewing the State Patrol’s arrest report from last Friday’s incident. And she expects to charge the 39-year-old Wood with marijuana possession. Troopers said they found four-point-nine grams of pot in his vehicle. Wood is due in court January 26th and says he won’t fight the charges.
Powerball Will Be Tougher to Win after January 1st
12/17/08 - It will be tougher to win the Wisconsin Lottery’s Powerball jackpot in the New Year. But it will be easier to win at least something. Four white regular numbers will be added starting January fourth, for a total of 59. And three red Powerball numbers will be removed, for a total of 39. That will toughen the odds of winning the jackpot from one-in-146-million to one-in-195 million. The idea is to create larger-and-faster-growing jackpots. But the odds of winning any prize will drop from 1-in-37 to 1-in-35. Officials say it will create about three-million more winners. And there should be more millionaires – because the Power Play multiplier will automatically be five for those who match all five regular numbers but not the Powerball.
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