Top Stories February 12th

Fond du Lac PO Convicted

2/12/09 - Former Fond du Lac police officer Rich Woodruff has been found guilty of two counts of misdemeanor theft for using two Cops for Kids gift cards for his personal use. A Fond du Lac County jury arrived at that decision after two days of testimony and about 6 ½ hours of deliberation. After dismissing the jury Judge Richard Nuss preceded right to sentencing. He gave the 45-year-old Fond du Lac man 60 days of conditional jail time, 2 years of probation, and 40 hours of community service for each of those 2 years. Judge Nuss told Woodruff your character is not even in question. However he added that, “you made a very, very bad decision.”

Fitzgerald Critical of Doyle Plan

2/12/09 - Governor Jim Doyle called a news conference yesterday to discuss ways the state will try to deal with its nearly six billion dollar budget shortfall. Doyle said general sales or income tax increases are not part of the solution. The plan would shrink state government by $125 million dollars. It also includes plans to spend nearly $300 million dollars in federal stimulus money on road projects, worker training and improving tax credits which benefit start-up companies and dairy farms. Republicans are not happy with the plan. Assembly Minority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald says the package neither solves the budget hole for 2009 nor stimulates the economy. The Republican from Horicon says the package will be passed by Democrats for one reason only – put $572 million in tax increases in place. Fitzgerald says families are struggling with this slowing economy and the Democrats’ only answer to stimulate the economy is to raise taxes on businesses and families. Lawmakers could act on the package as early as next week.

Another Smoke Tax Increase Discussed

2/12/09 - Wisconsin smokers could be paying more to help balance the state budget. Governor Doyle hasn't ruled out another increase in the cigarette tax, despite a dollar a pack hike that was included in the last budget cycle. Eric Schutt, with the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Cancer Society, says his organization would welcome another increase. Schutt says the added revenue helps, and such increases also help to encourage more smokers to quit. Governor Doyle will submit his budget to lawmakers next week. Wisconsin's cigarette tax is currently a dollar-77 a pack.

Columbus Sees Business Openings

2/12/09 - The City’s receipt of a $50 thousand dollar “Energy Independence” grant from the State was on the top of the Columbus Economic Development achievements list this week.While news headlines are full of business “closings,” the Economic Development and Energy Sustainability report cited local business “openings” in downtown Columbus. Director Steve Sobiek told the Council that four businesses had opened and two other businesses are expanding or relocating in the City. Sobiek also said his office has been actively recruiting a grocery store, pet food factory and a manufacturing facility.

Theresa Man Disconnects Wire from Electrical Pole

2/12/09 - A Theresa man avoided injury and criminal charges after he disconnected electrical wires from a power pole. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says Alliant Energy reported that someone had shot wires off one of their poles on County Trunk TK. Authorities made contact with the man who admitted to disconnecting the wires. He said he was trying to trouble shoot electrical issues at his home. Alliant Energy won’t press charges but they did advise the man not to tamper with the wires again.

Breaking and Entering in Kekoskee

2/12/09 - Authorities are investigating a breaking and entering at a vacant building in Kekoskee. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says a bartender from Roxy’s reported three girls breaking into a building at 30 Main Street around 5:15 last evening. Upon arrival, officials confirmed that entry into the building had been gained but none of the suspects were still around. The Sheriff’s Department says their investigation is ongoing and there is no word what, if anything, was taken.

Foreclosures Continue in WI

2/12/09 - Over two-and-a-half percent of Wisconsin mortgages are in foreclosure. And the state’s top housing official says that number will keep rising. Antonio Riley of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority updated lawmakers on the situation yesterday. His agency, known as WHEDA, stopped giving loans to low-and-middle-income home buyers last fall, because the credit markets dried up. Riley said it also stopped his agency from making low-interest loans to help struggling home-owners re-finance their mortgages. The state budget repair bill announced by Democrats yesterday would let WHEDA grant loans to replace sub-prime mortgages from 2002-through-’07. If that’s approved, the agency would seek additional investments from Wisconsin banks.

U.S. Looking at Special Elections to Replace Senators

2/12/09 - Two of Wisconsin’s most colorful and politically-opposite figures in Washington actually agree on something. Jim Sensenbrenner – one of the most conservative members of the House – has joined Russ Feingold – one of the most liberal members of the Senate – in sponsoring a constitutional amendment to require special elections for vacant Senate seats. By spring, five people will have been appointed this year to fill Senate vacancies. The most controversial was the one made by former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. He was indicted for allegedly trying to sell President Obama’s old Senate seat to raise campaign cash. Feingold introduced the amendment for special elections a few weeks ago. But we haven’t heard much about it until yesterday, when Sensenbrenner introduced the same measure in the House. He said Wisconsin has never appointed a U-S senator – and the nation should do the right thing by letting the people choose who will represent them.

Crave Brothers Expand Cheese Production

2/12/09 - Crave Brothers’ Farmstead Cheese has doubled the size of its plant in Waterloo. Company president George Crave said it meets a growing demand for its current varieties of cheese – and it plans new varieties for food service and retail markets. The Farmstead plant has expanded from 10-thousand square feet to about 20-thousand. The firm says all areas of its operation are now bigger-and-better. New cheese-making equipment is being installed – and more workers will be needed on top of the nearly 40 who are there now. The original Crave Brothers plant was built in 2001.

Van Hollen Targets Pedophiles

2/12/09 - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen sends a plea to county officials to take pedophiles off the streets. Van Hollen says a study tracing internet protocol addresses from January to October 2008 shows 22 thousand of them in Wisconsin were downloading child porn. Of those, the majority of the victims were prepubescent; more than half were younger than five years old. The AG says his office is cracking down on the crimes and has successfully recruited local authorities during his law enforcement round table tour. Although 71 municipalities have volunteered so far, he asked county officials to urge their law enforcement agencies get involved.
Fertilizer Phosphorus Ban Endorsed In Committee

2/12/09 - Phosphorus would be banned from lawn fertilizers in Wisconsin, under a bill endorsed by the state Assembly’s Natural Resources Committee. The vote was 15-to-nothing Wednesday to pass the measure on to the full Assembly. The bill’s supporters say the chemical creates algae when fertilizers run off in lakes and ponds. The bill would make it illegal to use phosphorus when fertilizing lawns, golf courses, and other grass that’s mowed. It could still be used on first-year lawns, and poorer soils.

AG Urges Prescription Drug Vigilance

2/12/09 - Wisconsin’s attorney general says adults can help fight prescription drug abuse by teens. At a news conference Wednesday, J-B Van Hollen said more teens are abusing painkillers like oxycodone – and they’re getting it from places like purses, house tables, and medicine cabinets. He’s launching a public service campaign urging adults to monitor their prescription medicines, and keep them in secure locations. Van Hollen said those who don’t keep drugs out of their children’s hands unintentionally become their quote, “pushers.” This will be the subject of a radio-and-T-V campaign through February 22nd. It will cost just over 36-thousand dollars, and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association is providing a reduced rate for the messages. Authorities in the Fox Valley recently called prescription drugs the fastest-growing form of abuse by young people. In western Wisconsin, about three dozen arrests were made a few weeks ago to halt a ring that sold pain-killers like Oxycontin.