Thursday, April 30, 2009

Newborn Found Dead in Garbage Bag

4/30/09 - A newborn infant was found dead last night in a garbage bag just a few miles south of Theresa. Sheriff Todd Nehls says a man cutting wood in the area came across the bag around 5pm and called it in. Authorities believe the infant was born within the last 24 to 48 hours and abandoned at the location soon after its birth. Nehls says they are looking for information from people that are familiar with others who were pregnant and close to delivery. An autopsy is expected to be performed this morning to determine cause of death. The Sheriff’s Department is asking that anyone with information call their office or the anonymous WeTip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.

Suspected Outhouse Bombers IDed

4/30/09 - The names of three men suspected in a pair of mailbox and outhouse explosions last week have been released. 18-year-old Robert Hanson and 20-year-old Kyle Livingston, both of Beaver Dam, along with 19-year-old Stephen Peterson of Fitchburg, are being held in the Dodge County Detention Facility in connection with the pipe bombing incidents. The three were identified with the use of in-store video surveillance after allegedly purchasing the explosive components at a Beaver Dam retailer. Authorities say charges are likely but may not come until early next week. The men are accused of blowing up a mailbox in Burnett and a port-a-potty at Lost Lake Park. Investigators say they used a pipe bomb and, in the case of the outhouse, also used liquefied gas. The Dodge County Sheriffs Department, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the US Postal Service and the FBI are investigating.

Inmate Death Under Investigation

4/30/09 - Authorities are investigating the unexpected death of an inmate at the Waupun Correctional Institution. The Dodge County Sheriffs Department and Medical Examiners Office is working with the Department of Corrections. The death was reported Tuesday morning around 6:30am. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

Swine Flu Hits Wisconsin

4/30/09 - Wisconsin now has three probable cases of swine flu – two in Milwaukee and one in Adams County. Four Milwaukee schools have been closed indefinitely, after one adult and one child got sick. The two are not related, and officials could not say if they had contact with each other. Milwaukee health commissioner Bevan Baker said at least one of them had contact with children in the schools that were closed – which include one high school, Riverside. A number of those kids are reportedly getting symptoms of swine flu, but Milwaukee school spokeswoman Rosanne Saint Aubin said there was not a high number of absences at the four schools. A man was infected in the Adams County case. Media reports said he was exposed while on a trip to San Diego. As of yesterday, the state had arranged tests for 144 suspected cases of swine flu. Besides the probable cases, 41 turned up negative, and 100 cases were still pending.

Sewing Expo Starts Today

4/30/09 - The city of Beaver Dam is starting to experience an influx of people for the Nancy’s Notions Sewing Weekend Expo. The three-day event begins today but by yesterday hotel rooms were filled, gas stations were busier and restaurants more crowded. Nancy’s Notions president and founder Nancy Zieman says 300 people turned out in 1985 when she held the grand opening of her first official warehouse in Beaver Dam. Around 4000 people are expected this year. Zieman says there’ll be more creative people in Beaver Dam this weekend than any other place in the country.

YMCA Evacuated

4/30/09 - A minor chemical reaction forced the evacuation of the YMCA of Dodge County last night. The Beaver Dam Fire Department responded shortly after fire alarms rang at 7:46pm. Captain Lee Smith says the cleaning crew was using a disinfectant fogger in the child care area and the gas mixed with floor cleaning agents creating a “hazy chemical smoke.” Smith says that type of combination could have resulted in eye and throat irritation. There were no injuries. The Y closed early and the building was ventilated but people were allowed back inside to collect their belongings. Emergency responders were on scene for about a half hour.

The Other Side of the Fence

4/30/09 - A Beaver Dam-area woman has a new, free horse today because the previous owner just couldn’t keep a handle on it anymore. The Dodge County Sheriffs Department responded to a report of an animal on the loose yesterday morning just before 9am along Highway 151 in the Town of Calamus. Sgt. Steve Allermann says he and the owner tried for a couple hours to corral “Jack,” but the stallion must have enjoyed his taste of freedom too much to cooperate. The owner was ready to call the rendering plant. Allermann asked the woman who reported the inciden if she wanted the horse and both parties signed-off on the exchange. It took some time for the woman and her family yesterday to capture Jack, but he is finding out today if the grass really is greener.

Unemployment Benefits Way Up in ‘09

4/30/09 - New claims for Wisconsin’s unemployment benefits are up 76-percent so far this year. Over 417-thousand initial applications were filed from January first through last week. That’s 180-thousand more than the same period a year ago. About 24-hundred new claims were filed last week alone in Milwaukee County. In Rock County – where the closing of the General Motors plant spurred the state’s highest jobless rate – 400 new claims were filed last week. Unemployment in the Janesville area is now 13-and-a-half percent. Just over three-million benefit claims have been continued statewide this year. Four-and-half million claims were continued for all of last year.

Milwaukee’s Gokey into Final Four of American Idol

4/30/09 - Wisconsin’s first “American Idol” finalist has made the Top-Four. Danny Gokey of Milwaukee was the first to be told he was safe during last night’s results show on Fox. He sang the Frank Sinatra classic “Come Rain or Come Shine” on Tuesday night’s show, which featured songs from the Rat Pack era. Viewers cast 47-milion votes, and Gokey was one of the top-two for the week. Adam Lambert, considered the favorite by many, was in the bottom-two this time. Michigan native Matt Giraud got voted off. Gokey celebrated his 29th birthday this past week.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Top Stories April 28th

State Keeping Close Eye on Swine Flu Virus

4/28/09 - More possible cases will be checked today, to see if anybody from Wisconsin has come down with the swine flu yet. About 10 Wisconsinites who had flu-like symptoms tested negative after returning from Mexico – where almost 150 people have died from the latest outbreak. Milwaukee area hospitals say they’ve treated three people who were suspected of having swine flu. The state has doubled its reserves of anti-viral medications. And Governor Jim Doyle has urged everyone to stay calm, have clean hands, and stay home and contact a doctor if they get flu-like symptoms.

The swine flu contains genes from pigs, poultry, and humans. And state veterinarian Robert Ehlenfeldt has urged swine-and-poultry farmers to be more vigilant, and make sure the virus does not enter or leave their facilities. He says farms already have strong bio-security measures in place. You may have heard of the swine flu before, but it has never been as prevalent as it is now. U-W Madison researcher Christopher Olsen said only 50 human cases were reported throughout the world from 1958-through-2005. A pregnant 32-year-old Wisconsin woman died from the disease, after having contact with pigs at a fair in the southeast part of the state in 1988.

New Administrator in Dodgeland

4/28/09 - Annette Thompson is the new District Administrator in the Dodgeland School District. The school board unanimously approved her contract at last nights meeting. Thompson has been with the district for 22 years, most recently serving as the school psychologist and the gifted and the talented Coordinator. Thompson is scheduled to begin the new job on July 1st.

Underage and Binge Drinking Discussed in Columbus

4/28/09 - The Columbus School Board heard sobering news about kids and drinking at last night’s meeting. Former School Board President Trish O’Neil told the Board recent statistics and survey results indicate Wisconsin has the highest rates of underage drinkers and binge drinkers in the nation. O’Neil says the problems are prevalent in Columbus as well, citing a survey in which 38-percent of 8th grade students that had previously consumed alcohol said they were involved in binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined has having more than four drinks in one sitting. O’Neil says a major problem is that some parents laugh about it when a teen is allowed to drink to excess without considering the damage that could be done to a developing mind and body. From now until graduation billboards for the campaign against underage drinking will be seen throughout the Columbus and Fall River areas.

Inmate Accused of Assisted Suicide In Court

4/28/09 - A state prisoner, charged with helping a convicted killer commit suicide, made his initial appearance yesterday in Dodge County court. Joshua Walters allegedly talked 20-year-old Adam Peterson into hanging himself on January 10 inside the cell they shared for less than one month at the Dodge Correctional Institution. According to the criminal complaint, the 20-year-old allegedly talked Peterson into the suicide, even after Peterson expressed hesitation because his family would be visiting soon. Walters reportedly talked Peterson into writing a suicide note, in addition to helping him tie the noose and checking to make sure it would hold his weight. Worried that he was making too much noise, Walters is even said to have moved a chair out of the way because Peterson was kicking it while he flailed at the end of the noose. Walters maintains he was asleep during the suicide and woke up to Peterson hanging from the bunk at which point he called officers to the cell. If convicted of the assisting charge, Walters could have as much as 10-years added to his current sentence. He’ll be back in court June 11. Peterson was convicted of killing Joel Marino in Madison last year and had previously attempted suicide at the Dane County jail.

WCI Prisoner Appears on Attempted Homicide Charges

4/28/09 - An inmate at the Waupun Correctional Institution could have 133 years added to his life-sentence for attempting to murder a fellow prisoner over a handball game. Alfredo Vega is charged with three felony counts of Attempted Homicide, Reckless Injury and Aggravated Battery. Tensions had been brewing between the two following a disagreement as to whether a ball was in or out-of-bounds. It continued to escalate, with the victim reportedly taunting his attacker over a period of months saying things like “I own the court.” On February 9, Vega allegedly stabbed the 43-year-old inmate in the abdomen with a pair of scissors. The victim – apparently unaware of the stab wound - pulled his attackers sweater over his head and repeatedly punched Vega in the face until he was bloody and disoriented. Vega reportedly said, “I got him, he’s been threatening me for two months and I finally got him.” He later denied having a pair of scissors. Vega will be back in court on May 14.

Bond Set at $20K For Accused BD Child Rapist

4/28/09 - A Beaver Dam man accused of raping two young girls had cash bail set at $20,000 during an initial appearance yesterday in Dodge County court. Robert Contreras is charged with five felony counts of sexual assault and child enticement and two misdemeanors counts of Sex With A Child. The 36-year-old is accused of raping a preteen girl in March of 2008 and a teenage girl on several occasions beginning in May of 2006. The assaults reportedly stopped when Contreras was sent to prison in March of 2008 for his 5th OWI offense. If convicted, he faces a combined total of over 226 years in prison. Contreras will be back in court May 7.

BD High On List For Stimulus Funds

4/28/09 - The city of Beaver Dam is high on the list to receive federal stimulus dollars to upgrade their outdated sewer treatment plant. Utility Director Don Quarford continued to detail the $16.9 million dollar green project in committee last night. Because the plan would covert municipal and commercial waste into electricity-producing biogas, state officials are telling Beaver Dam they are “seventh” on the list to receive Clean Water stimulus funds. The plan would allow the city to pre-treat waste from Kraft Foods and convert it to biogas which will be used to generate electricity, saving the city about a quarter million dollars a year in electricity costs. In addition, Alliant Energy will buy surplus electricity from the city, estimated at another quarter million dollars annually.

Stimulus funds would cover up to half the costs of the upgrade. The remaining money would come from low-interest loans. A 2007 facilities plan to upgrade the sewer treatment plant would have increased sewer bills to $50. This new green approach would allow the city to keep bills below $40. The city needs to act fast, though. The council will be asked to approve the funding for designs specifications next Monday. The application deadline in June 30 and the project needs to be shovel-ready by August.

Authorities Looking for a Cause of a Fatal Accident in Winnebago Co.

4/28/09 - Investigators say it might take a few weeks to figure out why seven vehicles collided on the Highway 41 freeway in the Fox Valley. 42-year-old Mathew Yost of Germantown was killed, and three others were hurt. It happened during yesterday morning’s rush hour on the freeway near Little Chute. A 37-year-old Greenville woman was in critical condition at last word at a Neenah hospital. Authorities said a minor accident happened first, causing a traffic backup. The major crash happened when a semi-truck hit the back of the final car that was stopped. That caused a chain reaction, and six other vehicles were damaged. The semi was owned by Marathon Cheese Transport of Marathon. The crash happened near a 12-mile construction zone on Highway 41. But state transportation officials said there was no work taking place at the time, and it did not appear that the project played a role in the mishap.

Walker Expected to Announce Candidacy for Governor

4/28/09 - The campaign for Wisconsin governor begins today, more than 18 months before voters make their choice. Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker will make five appearances around the state, as he becomes the first of at least three major candidates. Former Racine area congressman Mark Neumann is expected to run against Walker in a Republican primary. And most indications are that Democratic Governor Jim Doyle will go for a third four-year term in 2010. The 41-year-old Walker has run Milwaukee County’s government for seven years, and was in the state Assembly for nine years before that. Walker has said he’ll focus on Doyle and his state budget – which Walker calls a “sell-out to liberal special interests, turning back the clock to the same kind of hopelessness Wisconsin had in the early ‘80’s under Tony Earl.” Walker also said he’d be a champion of “limited government, economic growth, and personal freedom.”

Farmers Loving the Rain

4/28/09 - The rains have been a blessing for Wisconsin farm fields. Officials said almost two-thirds of the state had adequate soil moisture as of Sunday. Madison’s rainfall was almost four-and-a-half inches above normal since the start of the year. But even with all the downpours, the year’s precipitation is still below normal in Eau Claire and La Crosse. And much of northeast Wisconsin is still hurting for rain. Officials said almost a quarter of the state’s farm fields remain very short of moisture – while 18-percent have surpluses. Farmers in Jefferson, Washington, Sauk, Oconto, and Barron counties report some losses in their winter wheat crops. Oconto and Sauk counties also had winter-kill in their alfalfa, and some other counties say it’s too early to assess the winter damage. About 58-percent of the Wisconsin oat crop is planted, 10-percent above normal for this time of year. Corn planting is also underway, with six-percent in the ground – most of it in southwest Wisconsin. But soils are still too cold in much of the state to handle the corn yet.

Woman Goes for Banana’s, Wins $5.6M

4/28/09 - A woman from Arlington is Wisconsin’s newest millionaire. Priscilla Hollis cashed in her winning Megabucks Lottery ticket yesterday. She won five-point-six million dollars by matching all six numbers in last Saturday night’s drawing. Lottery officials said Hollis drove to the Kwik Trip in Windsor to buy gas and bananas, and she picked up a two-dollar ticket in which the computer picked her numbers. She must still decide if she’ll get the entire prize in 25 annual installments, or choose a smaller lump sum. If she wants it all now, she’ll get two-point-four million dollars after taxes.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Top Stories, April 26

Sheriff Urges Responsible Actions Following Open Carry Opinion

4/26/09 - Local authorities say it’s just a matter of time before gun-owners start testing the limits of the state’s open carry laws. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says he thinks there will be someone in the next few weeks that will be testing the system. It is against state law to carry concealed weapons, but the law is silent on “open carry.” Attorney General J-B Van Hollen said Monday that officers have a right to question those carrying weapons, and check if they’re linked to any crimes. But he said prosecutors can no longer charge people with disorderly conduct if they’re carrying guns and doing nothing wrong. Van Hollen made it clear that open carry has limits. Guns cannot be taken into bars, schools, and government buildings. They must be encased when in vehicles. And it’s still against the law to brandish or wave a gun in public. Nehls says he sent out a memo this past week telling his deputies to question anyone who decides to openly carry firearms. He says the gun carrier will have to explain why they feel it is necessary to pack a six-shooter when walking around the streets of Beaver Dam or Lowell. The bottom line, the sheriff says, is professionalism and acting in a responsible manner when openly carrying a loaded handgun. Van Hollen’s legal opinion came two months after a judge threw out a disorderly conduct charge against Brad Krause, who had a gun in a holster while doing yard work in West Allis.

Packers Plug Holes in New 3-4 Defense

4/26/09 - The Green Bay defense took a lot of the blame for last year's 6-10 record. General manager Ted Thompson tried to address those needs by picking defensive tackle B.J. Raji and USC linebacker Clay Matthews the third in yesterday's first two rounds of the 2009 NFL draft. Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree was still available when the Packers picked Raji. Crabtree was considered the best player on the board by many scouts, but Thompson decided the Pack couldn't pass on the huge Boston College tackle. Raji is 6-foot-1 and 337 pounds. Thompson says he is a rare combination of size, power and quickness. In picking Matthews, Thompson did something he hasn't done before -- trading up to get the player he wanted. The Packers swapped a second round pick and two third round picks, for the New England Patriots' 26th pick in the first round. That's where Green Bay took Matthews. The Pack also got a fifth round pick from the Patriots in the deal.

Walker Announced Gubernatorial Run…On Twitter

4/26/09 - It's politics in the modern technology age -- Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker announcing his run for governor, as expected. He "tweeted" it. Walker posted a statement on his personal Twitter site Friday night saying he was going to run. The Republican has scheduled a formal announcement for Tuesday -- as he makes a series of campaign stops across Wisconsin. Walker was expected to run in 2010. Former Republican congressman Mark Neumann has already said he wants to run. Current Governor Jim Doyle, a Democrat, hasn't made his intention known yet.

Becker Seeks Evidence Suppression

4/26/09 - The attorney for former Racine mayor Gary Becker argues the court should suppress some of the evidence gathered against his client. Becker was caught in an Internet sex sting. A state agent was posing as a 14 year old girl online. Becker's attorney says the police didn't have a legal right to seize Becker's computer hard drive because they didn't have a warrant. That seizure was based on a tip -- and it let to the sting operation and the arrest. A judge may rule on that filing at a motion hearing schedule in late June.

Drunk Driver Flees; Causes Fatal Wreck

4/26/09 - Bad trouble gets worse for a suspected drunk driver. The Kenosha County Sheriff's department says a deputy tried to pull the 21 year old Kenosha man over early Saturday morning. He sped away and was going an estimated 70 miles an hour when he slammed into another car. The man inside that car was killed. The fleeing suspect was on probation and his drivers license had been suspended. Authorities say their suspect ran from the scene, but they found him hiding in his home. He has been hospitalized with serious injuries from the fatal crash.

Mother of OWI Victim: ‘It’s Not Long Enough’

4/26/09 - When David Jacobson of Osseo is sentenced tomorrow, he is expected to get a year behind bars. Jacobson pleaded guilty to two felony counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle. The teenager was drunk when he was driving a car as fast as 100 miles per hour last summer -- just before he lost control and slammed into some trees. Two passengers in his car died in the crash. The mother of one of his victims says a one-year sentence isn't tough enough. Jacobson also was charged with jumping bail when the sister of one of the victims told cops she saw him drinking at a party. That charge was dismissed.

Global Warming Will Hurt State’s Corn Crop

4/26/09 - A new report says global warming could impact Wisconsin's corn crop to the tune of some 41 million dollars a year. The report -- Hotter Fields, Lower Yields -- examined the impact rising temperatures will have on the nation's number one crop. Dan Kohler with Wisconsin Environment says corn, America's largest crop, is particularly vulnerable to productivity losses from higher temperatures. Kohler says global warming will mean lower yields. The report analyzes expected future impacts on the state's corn crop using a 2008 study by the federal government.

Prison Time For Casino Scheme

4/26/09 - The next step is to set the date for two Wisconsin men to report to prison. An appeals court in Chicago refused to toss out the convictions for Darwin Moore and Bruce Knutson. Both men have been sentenced to 10 months in prison for conspiring to steal money from a casino. Moore and Knutson were found guilty of making counterfeit forms to enter their names thousands of times in a giveaway contest at Ho-Chunk Casino in Baraboo. Knutson won 10 thousand dollars. Prosecutors say the two men had some many entries, they made up more than 60 percent of the 15 thousand entries to the contest.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Top Stories April 25th

Two Developments Approved for Tax Credits

4/25/09 - Two downtown Beaver Dam developments have secured the tax-credits needed to move forward. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority has awarded Wisconsin Redevelopment LLC $667,000 per year for 10 years in low-income tax-credits. The funding will help with plans to convert the former Weyco Shoe Factory into a 33-unit, loft-style housing complex. Silverstone Partners Inc has been awarded $616,000 a year in WHEDA tax-credits to construct a 62-unit, two-story senior apartment complex on the former Thomas Chevrolet property. Securing the tax-credits was vital in both projects moving forward, but the developers must now sell the credits to investment companies. Wisconsin Redevelopment has until May 31 to exercise on option to buy the city-owned Weyco property. If it the projects move forward, ground could be broken this year with a completion date targeted as early as the fall of 2010.

Middle School Students Facing Drug Charges in Horicon

4/25/09 - A group of students at the Van Brunt Middle School in Horicon face charges for taking prescription drugs. Police Chief Joe Adamson says his department interviewed several students last Friday after staff reported a student who appeared to be under the influence of drugs. After speaking with students, teachers and staff officers detained several students who admitted possessing, consuming or distributing the muscle relaxant Clonazepam. Adamson says his officers were able to identify the student who distributed the illegal drugs, as well as all the students who received or took the drugs. The children were briefly detained by Horicon Police and released to their parents. Referrals have been made to Dodge County Juvenile Services for charges ranging from possession of a controlled substance to distribution of a controlled substance. One student was taken to Beaver Dam Community Hospital as a precaution after taking three pills and complaining of side effects. Adamson says the same types of illegal pills were confiscated from a group of juveniles earlier this month at Discher Park.

Arbor Day in Beaver Dam

4/25/09 - For the 18th straight year Beaver Dam has been named a Tree City USA. Jeff Roe presented the award to Mayor Tom Kennedy and Parks and Forestry Supervisor John Neuman at yesterday’s Arbor Day celebration. The event in included the planning of a non-fruit bearing Cleveland Pear Tree. Roe says trees are a vital component to a city as they can give a community its identity. There were four trees planted yesterday in a lot next to the MVP Sports Bar and Grill on Front Street.

Tax Collections Down

4/25/09 - It's another sign of the stagnant economy. Wisconsin's state tax collections are reportedly down four percent from last year. The latest figures were reported by the Department of Revenue yesterday. All taxes except the excise tax were down. The one dollar increase in the cigarette tax, which went into effect in January, boosted excise tax collections by 39 percent. Corporate taxes are off by 30 percent. Those dropping tax collections are a major reason the state's budget shortfall has been projected to be up to five billion dollars by the middle of 20-11.

Churches Still Waiting to See if IRS takes Action Against Them

4/25/09 - Nearly seven months after "Pulpit Freedom Sunday," 33 churches still wait to see whether the IRS is going to take action against them. Last September 28 pastors in those churches urged their congregants to vote according to conservative views on abortion and gay marriage. IRS code says churches can lose their tax-exempt status if they endorse a political candidate. Luke Emrich is pastor at New Life Church in West Bend. He says he is disappointed the IRS has not responded. Emrich and other pastors had planned a legal challenge had the IRS taken any action. Now, some experts say the Internal Revenue Service may do nothing.

Authorities in Madison Looking for Coyotes

4/25/09 - The US Department of Agriculature's wildlife services division has set up motion detector cameras on Madison's west side. They are trying to track coyotes after a small dog was attacked and killed last winter. The feds say the motion detectors are usually used to track wolves. Two cameras were set up in Madison's Highlands neighborhood. No one saw a coyote attack the poodle last February and the wildlife experts say its possible the dog was killed by a stray. The cameras haven't spotted a coyote in the area yet. They've been operating since March.

Parent’s Want Limits on Restraints and “Time-Out” Rooms

4/25/09 - Parents want lawmakers to put limits on the use of physical restraints and time-out rooms in schools and treatment centers in Wisconsin. One parent says his son suffered a broken elbow nine years ago when a school worker put him in a Marine hold. Several witnesses spoke at the Capitol this week, detailing student injuries from inappropriate restraints. One girl died at a Rice Lake residential treatment facility three years ago. Some reportedly suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety problems after being held in seclusion.

Company Looking to Collect Rent from Man Killed in Fight

4/25/09 - Danielle Eckert says she doesn't know how her son could have sent in a termination notice -- since he didn't know he was about to die. Colin Byars was fatally punched outside a bar in Kenosha last February. Eckert is his mother. She's pretty angry that a Brookfield company is demanding rent on her son's apartment after he died. CCRT Properties wants to months rent, late fees and an extra 660 dollars for early termination of his lease. The rental company sent a letter to Byars' estate and to Robert Macedo, his former roommate. Macedo says he's been told, if Byars leaves, he has to leave. Byars left ... by dying.

20 Cat Skeletons Found in Appleton Apartment

4/25/09 - Appleton police say Lorie Kuehl told them she took in stray cats. The 41 year old woman has been charged with mistreating animals after the skeletons of about 20 cats were found in the apartment she apparently abandoned. Kuehl says she left the apartment when the cats living with her became aggressive. She evidently stopped by occasionally to feed the cats, but later stopped doing that. Kuehl's landlord called authorities after he found dead cats in a plastic garbage bag.

Waukesha Co. Deputy Facing Sex Crime Charges

4/25/09 - A retired sheriff's deputy from Waukesha County faces charges in alleged sex crimes involving two children. Terrence Greenwald was arrested Friday afternoon. He faces 19 felony charges of crimes against children aged 13-to-18. The criminal complaint accused Greenwald of committing sexual acts with a boy and girl starting in 1997 when they were young children. Greenwald retired from the sheriff's department in 2007 after nearly 13 years on the job.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Top Stories April 24th

UPDATE: Three Suspected Outhouse Bombers Apprehended

4/24/09 - All three suspected outhouse bombers have been apprehended. Federal, state and local authorities had been looking for the men responsible for blowing up a mailbox in Burnett and a port-a-potty at Lost Lake Park this week. Authorities say they used a pipe bomb and, in the case of the outhouse, also used liquefied gas. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says two of the suspects were taken into custody Wednesday and the third was apprehended in Dane County Thursday afternoon. There was a reward totaling $15,000 being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects, but there is no word yet on whether tips led to the arrests. Nehls did thank the public, though, for the phone calls, tips and leads that came in after surveillance footage of the suspects was released.

Sparacio Charged With Molestation

4/24/09 - A Fox Lake man is accused of molesting a preteen girl. Jonathan Sparacio is charged with one felony count of Child Enticement for a series of offenses that allegedly occurred in 2004. The mother of the victim legally recorded two conversations with Sparacio in which he admitted guilt but blamed the girl. The 62-year-old is being held in the Dodge County Jail on a $50,000 cash bond. Sparacio has a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 21.

Allen Gets 7 Months

4/24/09 - A Beaver Dam man who forced himself on a young woman at her apartment last December was sentenced yesterday to seven months in jail. David A. Allen was charged with one felony count of Third Degree Sexual Assault but pleaded “no contest” to an amended charge of False Imprisonment. The 43-year-old forced himself on an adult woman in September after she rebuked his advances. Allen was also placed on probation for three years and had a three year prison sentence imposed and stayed.

Billings Waives Prelim

4/24/09 - One of the three suspects arrested in connection with the series business burglaries that occurred in the area late last year waived his right to a preliminary hearing yesterday. 24-year-old Kurtis W. Billings of Wisconsin Dells, is charged with a felony count of Burglary. Billings was arrested along with 21-year-old Tabatha E. Pellett and 28-year-old Trevor P. Waller last fall for allegedly trying to break into Kelm Painting and Beaver Plumbing. Authorities have indicated that the trio may also be connected to several other business burglaries that occurred last year in and around Dodge County. All three have court activity on the calendar next month.

Second-To-Last Watertown Cocaine Sentencing

4/24/09 - Another sentence was handed down yesterday in connection with a two-county cocaine ring. Federal Judge Barbara Crabb sentenced Juan Pineda-Pineda to 12 months in prison. The 31-year-old Mexican national was one of about a dozen people arrested last June for selling cocaine in the Watertown area. The Department of Justice conducted wiretaps between July of 2006 and last June, monitoring hundreds of calls detailing drug transactions in Dodge and Jefferson Counties. On June 19, authorities executed eleven search warrants and seized over $100,000 in cash, multiple kilograms of cocaine and several automobiles. Eleven people have already been sent to prison and one last defendant is scheduled to be sentenced next month. The Department of Justice says all the subjects will be deported after their sentences are completed.

Accused Snowmobile Club Embezzler Waives Prelim

4/24/09 - A Beaver Dam woman, accused of embezzling from the Fox Lake Snowmobile Club, has waived her right to a preliminary hearing. Jennifer Hoefs is charged with a felony count of Theft in a Business Setting for allegedly stealing nearly $13,000 over an 18-month period when she worked as treasurer for the organization. According to the criminal complaint, the 35-year-old wrote checks out to herself and cashed them to pay bills as she was going through a divorce. Hoefs faces up to 10 years in prison, if convicted. An arraignment hearing is set for next Wednesday.

Medication Take Back At CHS

4/24/09 - The Columbus Police Department, Community Hospital and High School have teamed up in an effort to get unused prescription drugs out of the hands of local youth. A Medication Take Back Program will be held at the high school this afternoon. The program is aimed at reducing the number of unused pharmaceuticals available for diversion, theft or accidental poisoning. Experts say prescription drugs should no longer be flushed down the drain because it pollutes the water supply. Organizers say the public should bring unused or expired medications to the high school main entrance between noon and 3pm. They ask that all personal identification be removed from the containers. A “drive-up and drop-off” option will also be available.

Cochlear Implant Requirement Advances

4/24/09 - Wisconsin senators voted Thursday to make health insurers cover cochlear implants for kids who have trouble hearing. The bill makes private insurance firms cover implants, hearing aids, and related treatments for children under 18. Supporters of the bill say many families with deaf children cannot afford cochlear implants, which can cost over 50-thousand dollars. Parents say it deprives their kids of an education, while school districts say it’s a drain on resources to provide a special education teacher as required under the No Child Left Behind. If it becomes law, Wisconsin would become the first state in the nation to require insurance for cochlear implants.

BDFD Transition: Koehn – Mannel on Community Comment

4/24/09 - We’ll sit down with the incoming and outgoing Beaver Dam fire chief’s on WBEV’s Community Comment this afternoon. Chief Randy Koehn will be retiring from his decades-long service to the city on May 1. Chief Alan Mannel says the information he has gotten from Koehn since he started at the beginning of the month has been invaluable. We’ll sit down with both men, and Mayor Tom Kennedy, beginning at 12:35pm today.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Top Stories April 21st & 22nd

Authorities Looking for IED Bombers

4/23/09 - Federal, state and local authorities are looking for three men responsible for blowing up a mailbox and a port-a-potty. Sheriff Todd Nehls says an explosive device was detonated in the mailbox on Prospect Road in the Town of Burnett early Monday morning. The second incident occurred Wednesday night at the Lost Lake Park in the Town of Calamus. Nehls says the suspects used containers of liquefied gas to destroy the portable latrine. Authorities have released surveillance photographs of three young men shopping in a Beaver Dam store making a purchase of pipe similar to that used in these two explosions. They can be viewed here. There is a reward being offered of $5,000.00 ech, that's $15,000.00 total, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of these suspects.

Anyone who may be able to identify these subjects or provide information are asked to call the Sheriff's Department at 920-386-3740 and ask for Lt. Joanne Swyers or Det. Robert Neuman, or to remain anonymous contact the WeTip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or 1-888-ATF-BOMB.
City Councils Hold Organizational Meetings

4/22/09 - There were new some faces seated at council meetings throughout Dodge County yesterday as most cities held their organizational meetings.

Two new alderpersons were among seven sworn-in at last night’s organizational meeting of the Beaver Dam Common Council. Donna Fuhrman was named to the Operations Committee and Senior Center Steering Committee. Lisa Davidson will sit on the Administrative Committee and the Community Development Committee. Also named to the CDC as a citizen representative: former mayor Steve Sabatke. John Litscher was elected council president by a 10-4 vote over Don Neuert.

In Mayville, newcomer E. Jay Gering joined incumbents Dottie Hoy and Alan Voss in taking the oath.

In Horicon, write-in candidate Nathan Anfinson was seated in District Three. A vacancy remains in the First District where Doug Psenicka did not seek reelection and no one else ran.

In Waupun, newcomers Dale Schmidt and Matthew Hickman were sworn in to represent district’s one and three, respectively.

In Juneau, John Schuster and JoAnne Link, who were both re-elected to another term, joined new alderman Jason Buske in taking the oath.

Columbus Welcomes New Mayor

4/22/09 - With two new members and five returning Members the Columbus Common Council met in their first post-election session last night. Newly appointed Mayor Bob Link wasted no time in appointing himself and the six Council Members to serve as liaisons to the City’s 21 volunteer Boards, Committees and Commissions. Ed Parpart was re-elected as Council President and the Council went on to approve all three recommendations relating to the selection of an EMS Service for the Columbus Area for the next two years.

BD Looks To Turn Waste Green

4/22/09 - The city of Beaver Dam may be seeing green in more ways than one if plans to expand their outdated wastewater treatment plant are approved. Jim Smith with consulting firm Applied Technologies says the plan would allow the city to pre-treat waste from Kraft Foods and convert it to biogas which will be used to generate electricity, saving the city about a quarter million dollars a year in electricity costs. In addition, Alliant Energy will buy surplus electricity from the city, estimated at another quarter million dollars annually. The total project cost is projected at $16.9 million dollars, but Smith says the city is very high on the priority list to receive federal stimulus funds and low interest loans. At $37 a quarter, Beaver Dam sewer bills are among the lowest in the state; the average is $93. A 2007 facilities plan to upgrade the sewer treatment plant would have increased sewer bills to $50. This new green approach would allow the city to keep bills below $40. The city does need to have designs drawn up to submit to the state by June 30, at a cost of $778,000. The plan will be considered at the council’s next meeting in May.

Supervisors Approve Prayer Before Meetings

4/22/09 - There will be prayer before Dodge County Board meetings. That’s the result of a 33 to 2 vote by the board Tuesday. In the past the board would have a prayer at the beginning of their meeting but after a complaint about the prayers content by a supervisor, the county’s corporation counsel went about putting together a resolution that would abide by the law and allow prayer to continue. As a result, the resolution passed yesterday will allow for a group of rotating clergy to come and lead a prayer before the monthly meeting is brought to order. The clergy will be selected on a first come first serve basis as they respond to a mass letter to be sent out to all religious leaders in the county. Fuller was one of the two people to vote against the resolution; he says the selection process could be tainted because not all religions will be represented. However, that resolution wasn’t the only one on the agenda. Supervisor Eugene Wurtz submitted a resolution for last month’s meeting that would keep the prayer at the beginning of the meeting. That resolution was tabled but Wurtz brought it back again this month and it appeared on the agenda after the first prayer resolution. It failed but had seven votes of support.

New Ambulance Service in Columbus

4/22/09 - An Ambulance Service change for Columbus was approved last night. The Council approved a move to “Paramedic level of Service,” asked the City Attorney to begin work on a contract with LifeStar Ambulance and approved a Town of Fountain Prairie request to be included in the Columbus EMS area. During proposal discussions some providers warned the City that LIfestar cost estimates were to low. Meanwhile, Fall River and two townships have decided to retain their current Fire District EMS service. The next steps are drafting a contract between Lifestar and the City, and beginning talks between the seven townships and the city on how to form a new EMS “District.”

Thompson Offered Contract at Dodgeland

4/22/09 - The Dodgeland School District may soon have a new Superintendent. Interim District Administrator Al Rosenthal says the board offered a contract to Annette VanHook Thompson following a closed session meeting Monday night. Thompson has been with the district for 22 years, most recently serving as the school psychologist and the gifted and the talented Coordinator. Action on the contract offer will be taken at the board’s regular meeting on Monday.

Hady Sentenced for Horicon Business Burglaries

4/22/09 - A teenager who burglarized two Horicon businesses will spend a year in jail. John Hady of Horicon pleaded “guilty” to two counts of felony Burglary. The 19-year-old broke into Marshland Pharmacy late last year and stole 7300 narcotic pills. He also broke into the Tan Down Under Salon and took their cash register. Hady overdosed later that same day; investigators found a medication bottle from the pharmacy at the scene. He initially told authorities he purchased the pills from the burglar and told them they were hidden in a wooded area. Officers staked out the wooded area and caught Hady retrieving the pills. He then identified a person he said stole the pills but upon investigation authorities learned the person in question was recovering from surgery at the time of the burglary. It was only then that Hady confessed to the burglaries. He was placed on probation for ten years and ordered to pay restitution to each of the businesses.

Benson Asks to have Charge Dismissed

4/22/09 - Former surgeon Mark Benson is trying for a second time to drop a charge that he was driving on a revoked license in a crash that killed three people. The 56-year-old Benson was convicted of drunk driving two days before the crash that killed Oconomowoc educator Jennifer Bukosky and two children last April. Benson’s license was revoked because of his O-W-I conviction. Waukesha County Circuit Judge Mac Davis has said the revocation took effect immediately upon that conviction – but defense lawyer Richard Coad said that’s not true. Benson is scheduled to go on trial July 13th for the fatal crash. And Coad says the jury would be unfairly influenced if it was told about Benson’s license revocation – because it would also let prosecutors discuss Benson’s third O-W-I conviction. Coad does not want the jury to hear about any of Benson’s convictions – or about the fact that Benson was recently charged with bail jumping, for allegedly violating the terms of his bond. He’s now back in jail under a million dollar bond.

Gehl Given Chance to Re-Negotiate Financing

4/22/09 - The Gehl Company won’t be filing for bankruptcy just yet. The West Bend farm equipment maker has been given 75 days to re-negotiate its financing. Manitou of France bought Gehl last fall for 450-million-dollars. But the company got into a financial jam last month, when the lenders who financed the sale called in part of the debt. At the time, Manitou said Gehl might be forced into Chapter-11 bankruptcy protection if the financing could not be re-arranged. But Gehl has now reached an agreement to extend a 117-million-dollar re-payment. It wants to convert its debt from revolving credit to a long-term secured arrangement.

Open Carry could be Challenged

4/22/09 - At least one Democrat is drafting a bill to take away Wisconsin’s newly-affirmed right to openly carry weapons. Milwaukee Representative Leon Young says he’s against adding more guns in a place where too many people get shot-and-killed. But Jim Fendry of the Wisconsin Pro-Gun Movement says Young’s measure would be challenged – saying it goes against the state’s 1998 constitutional change on the right to keep-and-bear arms. Governor Jim Doyle says communities should have the power to ban open carry. But that would go against a 1995 law which prohibited local gun measures that are tougher than the state’s – and Doyle says he won’t ask lawmakers to touch that. Wisconsin and Illinois are the only states that ban concealed weapons.

Residents Could See Increase in Phone Bills

4/22/09 - It appears that Wisconsinites will pay an extra 75-cents-a-month on their phone bills to pay for 9-1-1 emergency call centers. And they won’t get back what they overpaid on a similar fee in the past. The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee approved both those measures yesterday as part of the new state budget. And it looks like they’ll become law, since Governor Jim Doyle proposed both changes – and his Democratic party now controls both houses. The new surcharge would apply both land lines and cell phones. It replaces a previous fee that expired last July with a 20-million-dollar surplus. A previous law would have given that money back – about five-dollars per customer. But Doyle’s proposal gives that money to cash-strapped local governments instead – something one Republican recently called legalized theft. The new fee was approved 9-to-6. Democrats Cory Mason and John Lehman, both of Racine, joined the panel’s four Republicans in voting no.

Finance Committee Approves Extension of Expunge Age

4/22/09 - The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee voted 9-6 to expand the number of young offenders who can have their criminal records expunged once they do their time. Right now, those under 21 who commit misdemeanors can get a second chance. The budget extends that to those under 25 who commit non-violent felonies.

Earth Day

4/22/009 – It Earth Day – and its late Wisconsin founder saw a connection between the environment and the economy long before companies created so-called “green jobs.” Former Governor and U-S Senator Gaylord Nelson is regarded as one of the pioneers of the environmental movement. And his daughter Tia Nelson said her father always knew that our economic well-being depends on the quality of our natural resources. She also said Gaylord Nelson would be pleased at how the environmental movement continues to grow, especially during today’s efforts to move the economy out of its recession. Bracken Hendricks of the Center for American Progress says Wisconsin has good policies dealing with energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy. He says the Badger State is in a good position to capitalize on an economic recovery plan that includes environmental improvements. Sarah White, who explored the topic for the U-W Madison Center on Wisconsin Strategy, says the state is in an excellent position to take advantage of money for “green jobs” from the federal economic stimulus package. She says the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership and the state’s technical colleges could become national models in training workers for jobs that bolster the environment.

A Change Is Coming To Beaver Dam

Last night’s Beaver Dam Common Council meeting was the last one for Aldermen Clancy Knaup their years of service to the community. Donna Fuhrman replaces Knaup in Ward One. Lisa Davidson, who ran unopposed, will be seated in Ward Nine. The new alderpersons will be sworn in Tuesday evening at a 7pm Organizational Meeting at City Hall.

4/21/09 - Demolition of nine buildings in downtown Beaver Dam could begin on June 1. That’s according to Mayor Tom Kennedy who updated the council last night on the downtown renovation project. Kennedy says general contractor WDS Construction of Beaver Dam will have their subcontractors in place by next week. A preconstruction meeting will be held with the contractors, city officials and the DNR on May 1 and a timeline will be finalized. Kennedy says the city is tentatively looking at remediation work to begin May 4. The first structure to be demolished will be the Julie R Danceware building on South Center and then crews will move easterly along the 100 block of Front Street before staring work on the 200 block of Front Street. The culverts will likely be removed starting sometime between July 8 and July 15. Kennedy also announced that the city received court approval in a property default hearing to tear down the structure believed abandoned at 151 Front Street. The county is also proceeding with foreclosure efforts on that property following years of unpaid taxes. City and county officials say the property owner failed to respond to repeated attempts to establish contact. The city recently acquired nine of eleven buildings located over the Beaver Dam River, which is a violation of state statute. While no order has been made, the DNR could have mandated their removal at any time. The city is hoping to secure grant funding to cover all or some of the costs of the $2.6 million dollar project. Kennedy is confident that Beaver Dam will see at least some of that money.

YMCA of Dodge County Talks Partnership with City of BD

4/21/09 - The city of Beaver Dam may have another option in their search for a new Community or Senior Center. The YMCA of Dodge County received the go ahead in committee last night to move forward with the preparation of a one-page feasibility study that would identify shared resources between the Y and the city and the potential benefits of collaboration. YMCA Executive Director Jen Kruel (right) says her organization will pick up the costs of hiring a professional fundraising and consulting firm to conduct the study and also work with the city in writing the document, which should be complete this summer.

Horicon to Lay-Off Teachers to Cut Budget

4/21/09 - Horicon Superintendent Gary Berger told a packed room of district residents last night that the community would have to come together to solve their long-term budget issues. That comes in the wake of a $300,000 referendum failing earlier this month that would have covered a deficit for the 2009-2010 school year. The buildup to that referendum caused a lot of angst in the community and Berger says they need to fix that before moving forward. As a result of the failed referendum, the school board authorized Berger to issue three-teacher lay off notices in an effort to close the deficit. Being cut are one 2nd grade position, a 5th grade position, and a 6th grade position. The cuts add up to $220,000 but Berger says they have some ideas on how to cut the other $80,000.

Waupun Schools Get New Names

4/21/09 - The lone elementary school and middle school in Waupun have new names. The school board voted last night to change Washington Elementary to Meadowview Primary School which will house Kindergarten through 2nd grade. The school that will house grades three through six will be called Rock River Intermediate School. Grades seven through 12 will be at the high school which will now be called Waupun Area Junior/Senior High School. The name changes comes as a result of the district closing three elementary schools after a referendum failed in February and the subsequent re-configuring of the districts students.

DC Board to Vote on Prayer Resolutions

4/21/09 - The Dodge County Board of Supervisors is expected to take action on two resolutions that would keep prayer as part of their monthly meetings this morning. The main difference between the two is one would direct the prayer to be completed before the meeting is brought to order while the other would keep the prayer as part of the agenda and be said at the beginning of the meeting. The issue of prayer at the County Board meetings came to light earlier this year when a supervisor filed a complaint with the Freedom from Religion Foundation regarding the prayers concentration on one religion.

BD School Board Approves Hiring of Counselors

4/21/09 - The Beaver Dam School Board last night addressed a need for more counselors in the elementary schools. The Board approved staffing changes for next school year that will result in two additional elementary school counselors. The addition will give the school district a total of three counselors for around 1,500 elementary school students. One of the new positions is being funded by a net reduction of close to one and a half positions in other areas, while the second position will be funded by Federal stimulus money for up to two years. Vessey said the district will have to come up with a plan for paying for the position after the stimulus money is no longer available. Board member Kimberly Darst said the counselor positions fill an area that was lacking and are vital for the health, safety and education of the students.

No Action Taken on Food Prices

4/21/09 - The Board did not take action last night on proposed increases in breakfast, lunch and milk prices for next school year. School officials are proposing a five cent increase for milk and the full-priced breakfast, and a ten cent increase for the full-priced lunch at all schools. The Board is expected to consider the increases next month.

Columbus PFC to begin Fire Chief Interviews

4/21/09 - Nine fire chief applications were presented to the Columbus Police and Fire Commission at last night’s meeting. In an effort to help the commission in the interviews of those applicants the PFC will have La Crosse Fire Chief Gregg Cleveland and Town of Madison Fire Chief David Bloom sit in on those interviews.. The Commission is setting dates when the application reviews and applicant interviews can be scheduled. The City’s Fire Department has been operating under an “Acting Chief” ever since 2007.

AG Van Hollen: It’s Legal to Carry a Gun in Most Public Places

4/21/09 - Wisconsin’s attorney general says it’s legal to carry a gun in most public places – and he told prosecutors yesterday to stop charging people just for that. J-B Van Hollen says it’s still okay for police to question those who carry weapons, and see if they could be linked to crimes. Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn says it would be irresponsible for his officers not to do that. Van Hollen’s legal opinion comes two months after a judge threw out a disorderly conduct charge against Brad Krause, who had a gun in a holster while doing yard work in West Allis. It’s against state law to carry concealed weapons, but the law is silent on “open carry.” Van Hollen made it clear that open carry has limits. Guns cannot be taken into bars, schools, and government buildings. They must be encased when in vehicles. And it’s still against the law to brandish or wave a gun in public.

Madison Man Recovering after Highway 151 Accident

4/21/09 - The 26-year-old Madison man hurt when the car he was a passenger in flipped over on Highway 151 in the Town of Waupun is improving at a Milwaukee hospital. A Froedtert Hospital spokeswoman says Juan Gonzalez has been upgraded from critical to satisfactory condition. The driver and another passenger hurt in that Saturday morning accident were both treated at Waupun Memorial Hospital and released. Alcohol and the use of a cell phone both contributed to the mishap. (KFIZ)

Wisconsin Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week

4/21/09 - It’s Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin. Dodge County Emergency Management Director Joe Meagher is urging the public to invest in a NOAA Weather Radio. He says you should make sure it has a SAME feature, which stands for Specific Area Message Encoder, and allows you to program the radio to a specific county or counties. Tornado sirens will be blaring statewide this Thursday as part of a statewide drill. Local media will also be interrupted. Meagher urges members of the public to take advantage of Thursday’s drill to review or implement an evacuation plan and prepare or update an emergency survival kit. The test in Dodge County will be at 1:20pm.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Top Stories April 20th

Wisconsin Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week

4/20/09 - It’s Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin. Dodge County Emergency Management Director Joe Meagher is urging the public to invest in a NOAA Weather Radio. He says you should make sure it has a SAME feature, which stands for Specific Area Message Encoder, and allows you to program the radio to a specific county or counties. Tornado sirens will be blaring statewide this Thursday as part of a statewide drill. Local media will also be interrupted. Meagher urges members of the public to take advantage of Thursday’s drill to review or implement an evacuation plan and prepare or update an emergency survival kit. The test in Dodge County will be at 1:20pm.

Rubicon Barn Destroyed After Fire Gets out of Control

4/20/09 - A fire that destroyed a barn in the Town of Rubicon started as a result of a controlled burn getting out of control. A call reported the fire at the Brian Behnke farm on South Goodland Road around 4pm Friday. When firefighters arrived, the barn was already fully engulfed in flames and burned to the ground despite extensive efforts by five fire departments. According to the Hartford Fire Department, the owners were doing some burning the previous night and it reignited the next day near a wood pile by the barn. There was no word on how much monetary damage was done.

Petri Gave Aides Big Bonuses in ‘08

4/20/09 - Some of Wisconsin’s federal lawmakers gave their staff’s big bonuses, with money from taxpayers who’ve had their own pay frozen or cut. A Milwaukee paper says four House members each raised their staff payrolls by at least 20-percent in the final three months of last year, including Republican Tom Petri, who represents much of our area. Petri gave one of his aides a bonus of almost 15-thousand dollars, and another got 13-thousand. The money comes from the members’ annual office accounts – and if they don’t use it, they lose it. Petri spokesman Niel Wright said Washington is expensive, and his boss wants his staff to be able to afford to live there.

WASD to Vote on Re-Naming of Schools

4/20/09 - The Waupun School Board is expected to vote tonight on the re-naming of two schools in the district. That comes after the board voted to close three elementary schools effective at the end of this school year. Those closings leave Washington Elementary to house kindergarten through 2nd grade and the middle school to serve grades 3 through 6. Principal of the intermediate building Steve Buss initiated a contest among students moving into the buildings to come up with new names. He says they got a variety of suggestions but have forwarded a number of names to the school. The board is also expected to vote on the schools new start times. The meeting will be held in the Washington Elementary cafeteria beginning at 7pm.

Film Group Says Loss of Tax Credits Hurts WI Business

4/20/09 - The head of a group that encourages movie producers to film in Wisconsin says the state is losing tens-of-millions-of-dollars in business. That’s after Governor Jim Doyle proposed to end the unlimited film tax credits, and instead give a half-million-dollars a year in incentives. Some lawmakers are trying to restore the tax break. But Scott Robbe of Film Wisconsin says the damage has already been done. A movie and a CBS pilot have decided to go elsewhere. However, Deputy Commerce Secretary Aaron Oliver says the state remains interested in helping producers. He says a couple smaller productions have applied for incentives, and a decision on those is expected soon. The governor proposed the reduction after the Johnny Depp movie “Public Enemies” got four-point-six-million-dollars in tax credits last year – just short of the five-million it spent here. But the Film Wisconsin group said there are a lot more success stories from the tax credits that began in 2008. It said eight movies have been shot here since then, along with 16 T-V shows, three national commercials, and two video games.

Columbine Tragedy Led to Security Makeover

4/20/09 - It was 10 years ago today when Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold opened fire at Columbine High School near Denver, killing 12 classmates and a teacher. Since then, Wisconsin schools both large and small have locked their side doors and controlled visitors – created elaborate security plans – and worked a lot more closely with police. Peter Pochowski of Milwaukee, head of the National Association of School Safety Officers, says all the efforts have paid off. Before Columbine, up to 34 youngsters died in U-S schools each year. Since then, student deaths have averaged around 12-to-14 a year. Those security efforts keep being refined. Elmbrook Superintendent Matt Gibson says his district’s emergency response plans are revised each year. And school psychologists meet with social workers and principals to identify troubled kids and avoid potential crises.

Inspections Coming for Waupun Homeowners

4/20/09 - Home owners in Waupun should expect a knock on their front door sometime soon as Waupun Utilities is beginning to inspect homes for illegal sump pump connections. In a press release, the utility company said the inspections will alleviate significant sanitary sewer system overflows, a necessary precaution to avoid flooding similar to that of last June. Normally, an illegal sump pump connection is one that discharges into a basement floor drain. Waupun Utilities says as part of the Sewer User Ordinance they are going to require a permanent, exterior sump pump discharge. Most of the homes to be inspected are in the area where last summers sewer flooding was most prevalent. Home owners will be contacted before the inspection.

EAA to have Airbus

4/20/09 - The world's largest passenger airliner is coming to Oshkosh's annual air show this summer. The Airbus A380 has a wingspan that's nearly the length of a football field, and can seat 525 people on two large decks. Only 13 of the planes have been made. One will be on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, which is run by the Experimental Aircraft Association. EAA spokesman David Berkley says attendees will get to walk up to the plane and look around, as well as watch several flight demonstrations. He says it'll be an unusual experience to feel dwarfed next to such an enormous aircraft. The plane is used mainly for long flights, such as from Australia to Los Angeles. EAA AirVenture runs from July 27 to Aug. 2.

Doyle Reacts to Approval Rating

4/20/09 - Governor Jim Doyle says he's not bothered by a new survey showing his approval rating has slipped, with just 45 percent of respondents giving him positive numbers. He says he understands that it's a very tough time with the current economic conditions, and he knows people are not very happy. He toured four northern cities with Congressman Dave Obey to announce new government projects. Doyle worked closely with Obey and other Democratic governors and members of Congress on the economic stimulus plan that included billions of dollars to help Wisconsin deal with a record-high budget shortfall. Doyle says the St. Norbert College Survey Center Poll sponsored by Wisconsin Public Radio released may show his numbers are down somewhat, but it also shows many of the moves he's advocating are just what people want.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Top Stories April 19th

Three Injured in Highway 151 Crash

4/19/09 - Two passengers were injured early yesterday morning when a driver lost control of a vehicle in Waupun just after talking on a cell phone. Fond du Lac County authorities say 26-year-old Matthew Ortegon was driving on Highway 151 just north of Highway 26 when he lost control of the vehicle, went into the median and rolled over. 26-year-old Juan Gonzalez was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was flown by Flight for Life to Froedert Hospital in Milwaukee where he was listed in critical condition yesterday afternoon. Another passenger in the vehicle, 22-year-old Hector Gonzalez of Waupun, was taken to Waupun Memorial Hospital as was Ortegon. Both were treated and released. An initial investigation into the accident showed Ortegon had been talking on his cell phone right before the accident occurred and authorities say alcohol and inattentive driving were factor in the crash.

Police Investigating Shooting in Appleton Area

4/19/09 - Grand Chute police say an off-duty Appleton fire lieutenant shot and killed his estranged wife, and wounded his mother-in-law, in a double shooting Friday. Town interim police chief Greg Peterson said the incident stemmed from a domestic dispute in the driveway. He said 39-year-old Kelly Schmidt was killed, and 66-year-old Barbara Wing is receiving treatment for a gunshot wound. Peterson said an Appleton police officer arrested 38-year-old Scott Schmidt after the officer was the first to arrive at the home. He said Schmidt dropped the weapon and was arrested. Peterson said the shooting happened in the driveway and two children were inside the home at the time, in a bedroom. They were not hurt. The house is across the street from Fox Valley Lutheran high school. The school was not locked down because police told administrators that the students were not in any danger.

Authorities Looking into Claims of Favoritism by Judge

4/19/09 - Is an Outagamie County judge's son getting a pass from the justice system? That's what some law enforcement officials and alleged victims would like to know. 34-year-old Michael Froehlich, the son of Circuit Court Judge Harold Froehlich, is accused of numerous violent crimes in the past four years, which officers have referred to the Outagamie County district attorney's office for prosecution. Criminal charges have yet to be filed in any of the cases. The allegations, which date back to 2005, contain serious violent felonies, such as substanial battery and false imprisonment. Hortonville police chief Michael Sullivan doesn't understand why these very serious allegations have been left to linger for years. Sullivan the fact that no charges have been filed has stymied his ability to protect and reassure Froehlich's victims. Some of the allegations are misdemeanor counts, which carry a three-year statute of limitations.

New Methods to Help Kids Pay Attention in School

4/19/09 - More than a decade ago as a teacher Lisa Witt began having her kids sit on stability balls, not for physical education but in a standard classroom setting. She founded WittFitt five years ago selling modified Swiss balls. It comes at a time when students nationwide are seeing P.E classes cut and recesses scaled back. WittFitt claims their modified Swiss balls provide movement, encourage posture and enhance attention. Witt says teachers are usually on board with the proposal but may be apprehensive picturing a classroom of two dozen kids chaotically bouncing balls. However, the Hudson, Wisconsin based company provides proper training for teachers. The children must also "earn their ball" by signing a contract and following rules. Witt has also arranged for grant money to schools across the country who cannot afford the balls.

Recount Gives Win to 22 Year Old in Manitowoc

4/19/09 - Now that a recount has confirmed his win, 22 year-old Justin Nickels is ready to take office as mayor of Manitowoc. A recount this week gave Nickels a seventeen vote win over fellow city council member Dave Soeldner. He'll be sworn in Tuesday.

Janesville Area Continues to Struggle in Wake of GM Plant Closing

4/19/09 - A growing number of out-of-work families in Janesville is sparking an effort help those facing poverty. A Janesville City Council member wants to organize several non-profit groups into an anti-poverty coaltion. The most recent numbers available from the Department of Workforce Development show Janesville has the highest unemployment rate in the state, at 13-percent. Councilwoman Kathy Voskuil says poverty concerns are being addressed by a variety of agencies in Janesville. She's currently working with non-profit agencies and the city's neighborhood services department to help form a solution.

Crash Kills Driver, Pedestrian and Dog

4/19/09 - A crash in Milwaukee County has killed a pedestrian and his dog -- along with the driver of the car that hit them. The accident happened when 72-year-old Robert Litzow of River Hills ran his car into 47-year-old Doctor Michael Richter. Richter was walking his dog, which was also killed by the car. Police say they don't know what caused the wreck.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Top Stories Saturday, April 18, 2009

Statewide Burning Ban Possible

4/18/09 - The Department of Natural Resources says the danger of wildfire remains very high due to abnormally dry conditions. Burning permits have been canceled and a total ban is possible, unless conditions change in the next week. The DNR reports it has investigated 471 wildfires this spring, which have burned over 15 hundred acres. A year ago at this time the DNR had investigated 84 wildfires. The state says all Wisconsin residents should avoid outdoor burning right now. A determination on emergency burning restrictions is expected to be made next week. Dodge County remains under a Fire Danger Advisory. Authorities tell us there has been an average of six grass fires a day for the past couple weeks.

Waupun Death Ruled Accidental

4/18/09 - The death of a Waupun man found following a fire at his residence has been ruled accidental. The deceased has been identified as 49-year-old Wayne E. Sonkin. The Dodge County Medical Examiner says the death was the result of carbon monoxide intoxication. Waupun Police Chief Dale Herringa says charcoal was being burned in several cooking pots around the bathtub area, where his body was found. Waupun Utility had disconnected the power to the home 45 minutes before the fire; the gas was still connected but Herringa says the death occurred before the power was even cut. Sonkin officially died as the result of “inhalation of combustible materials.” Authorities were called to the residence at 210 Walker Street around 11:30 Thursday morning after a passer-by saw smoke coming from the eaves of the two-story house.

Rubicon Barn Destroyed by Fire

4/18/09 - Fire destroyed a barn in the Town of Rubicon. The call was reported around 4pm yesterday to N4009 South Goodland Road. When firefighters arrived, the barn was already fully engulfed. Crews from the Hartford, Woodland and Neosho Fire Departments responded. No word yet on the cause.

More Layoffs At Kirsh

4/18/09 - Kirsh Foundry in Beaver Dam has announced another round of layoffs, their third since the economic downturn. Chairman Jim Kirsh says 60 of their 120 are on temporary layoff. The iron-castings foundry had previously consolidated their two shifts down to one and moved the first shift into the evening hours to save on electric costs. Kirsh says they hope to bring people back as the economy picks up, but says it could be a while because his industry would be the last to see the benefits of an upswing in the economy.

Third BD Drug Dealer Nabbed

4/18/09 - Dodge County authorities have announced another arrest of a suspected Beaver Dam cocaine dealer. 42-year-old Jeffrey Neuman was taken into custody at work on April 10 and is charged with three felony counts of Delivery of Cocaine. Dodge County Sheriff Todd says the Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force has several ongoing investigations and additional arrests are imminent. Neuman is currently free on a $5000 cash bond and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for next Thursday.

100% Tobacco Compliance in Columbus

4/18/09 - The Columbus Police Department this week conducted tobacco compliance checks at 12 businesses and Acting Police Chief Dennis Weiner says none of the businesses sold to the underage customer. Weiner says a trained and supervised underage person was sent into all 12 retail establishments in Columbus that are licenses to sell cigarettes and attempted to make a purchase. The compliance checks have been done sporadically during the last few years. In the beginning, the compliance rate was at about 60%. The 100% compliance is very rare and Weiner commended the retailers for following the law and doing their part to responsibly sell cigarettes to those who are of legal age.

Prescription Drug Thief Tracked Down, Literally

4/18/09 - A woman who believed someone was stealing her medication from her Burlington motel room set a trap for the suspected thief. Nineteen year old Kelly Lund has been charged with one count of burglary. According to the criminal complaint, the victim dusted a bath towel with talcum powder and left it on the bathroom floor of her room at the motel where she'd been living. She also cleaned the container she kept her meds in before she put it back in the drawer -- so if anyone touched it they would leave their fingerprints behind. Instead of her pills she left a note that said "you are busted." When the woman returned to her room she found powder footprints on the carpeting which city of Burlington police were able to match to shoes owned by Lund. Lund was working at the front desk at the time and had a master key. He faces more than 12 years in prison if convicted of the crime.

Cowles: ‘Break Down Budget’

4/18/09 - One state lawmaker continues his effort to remove policy items from the state budget and consider them as separate legislation. Green Bay Republican Rob Cowles says throwing all "this stuff" in the two-year budget plan is a slap in the face of Wisconsin citizens. He says the policy needs to be scrutinized and discussed separately. He says each one should be voted yes or no, separately. Cowles says he criticized the approach when fellow Republican Tommy Thompson was governor – and he’s criticizing it now with Democrat Jim Doyle calling the shots. Cowles says the governor "doesn't respect the legislature," and wants to pass everything with one vote rather than work with the people item by item.

Lawmaker Wants To Relax OWI Law

4/18/09 - A state lawmaker wants to give some convicted drunk drivers a break, if they keep their record clean. Wisconsin Rapids Democrat Marlin Schneider is the author of a bill that would wipe out an OWI conviction after 10 years, as long as the driver stays clean. Currently it's on their record for a lifetime, which Schneider says is unfair to those who make just one mistake and then have it follow them around forever. He says he doubts the bill will get much traction in the legislature this session. Schneider says legislators are hell bent on passing even tougher drunk driving laws, and are unlikely to support easing some restrictions.

Ducks Return To Lake Delton

4/18/09 - The "Original Wisconsin Ducks" are again splashing into Lake Delton. That’s another sign that the lake is back, 10 months after a shoreline breach during heavy rains drained its water. General Manager Dan Gavinski says the first trip was Thursday afternoon. The driver and the people riding on the vehicle were said to be "excited to be the first ones to go onto the lake." Gavinski has been gauging the water level for the past few days and claims the depth right now is about two feet shy of its normal summertime level. Lake Delton should be completely refilled by the end of next month. However, he says almost all the activities can already take place on the lake.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Top Stories April 17th

Fatal Fire in Waupun

4/17/09 - A structure fire in Waupun Thursday claimed one life. Firefighters responded to the residence on the 200 block of Walker Street just after 11am this morning. Waupun Fire Chief Jeff Berry says the death appears to be fire-related, but they are awaiting word from the State Fire Marshall’s Office and Dodge County Coroner before making that determination. The victim is reported to be a man in his 40’s and was found dead in the bathroom of the home. Waupun Utility crews had been to the two-story house to disconnect power, just 20 minutes before the fire was reported. Berry says they knocked on the door and no one answered leading him to believe that the fire was not electrical in nature. The last fatal fire in Waupun was 15 years ago.

Fire Danger Advisory In Effect

4/17/09 - Saying the number of grass and field fires has reached unacceptable levels, authorities have issued a Fire Danger Advisory in Dodge County. Dispatchers have been taking an average of six calls a day for the last two weeks and the numbers continue to increase. Director of Emergency Management, Joe Meagher says with the dry conditions, no open flame in the outdoors is safe and he says no one should be conducting controlled burns unless they are directly supervised by a local fire department. Meagher says property owners can be charged for expenses incurred while fighting a fire. Or worse, he says if some one is injured in the fire an investigation and criminal charges could be sought against individual who started the fire. Pictured: Just hours after the Fire Danger Advisory was issued in Dodge County, the Beaver Dam Fire Department responded to a grass fire in the township. This one was on County Highway E, and was reported at 3:45pm. Crews were on the scene for about a half hour.

Internal Hire Likely For Dodgeland Supt

4/17/09 - A front-runner has emerged in the search for a new Superintendent in the Dodgeland School District. School Board president Jeff Caine says the board conducted six interviews this week and Annette VanHook Thompson has been selected by the board as the top finalist for the position. Thompson has been with the district for 22 years and is currently the Dodgeland school psychologist and the Gifted and the Talented Coordinator. A second interview with her is scheduled for April 20, after which time a final decision will be announced. Caine says four interview teams took part in the interview process, which was facilitated by Fox River Consultants. The teams were comprised of administrators, teachers, District Office staff, support staff, parents and community members.

Teen Gets 3 Months for High Speed Chase

4/17/09 - A Horicon teen who lead authorities on a high speed chase in a borrowed car will spend 90 days in the Dodge County jail. Jonathan Wehner pleaded “no contest” to a felony count of Fleeing an Officer and had a misdemeanor charge dismissed. Authorities attempted to pullover a speeding Dodge Interceptor on North Spring Street last November but the 18-year-old fled, leading authorities on a chase that reached speeds of 120mph on Highway 151. The pursuit was called off on Highway 73 as he entered the city of Columbus. Two hours later, officers in Horicon located the vehicle, but a 16-year-old female was driving. They learned she was a passenger during the chase and Wehner, her boyfriend, had been driving.

Accused Dealers Waive Prelim

4/17/09 - Two accused Beaver Dam drug-dealers waived their rights to a preliminary hearing yesterday. Janice Scheurer was arrested following a traffic stop on her birthday earlier this month. The 43-year-old was reportedly in possession of 15 grams of cocaine and faces four felony distribution and possession charges. John Butske was arrested around the same time following the execution of a search warrant at his residence. Authorities allegedly recovered a large quantity of cocaine and the 38-year-old Butske faces five felony drug distribution and possession charges. Authorities say the arrests were the result of two separate investigations and the two cases are “not necessarily related.” They also say more high-profile Beaver Dam drug arrests can be expected. If convicted of all the charges Scheurer is facing more than 52-years in prison while Butske could see a combined 92-year’s behind bars.

Knaup Bound Over For Pointing Gun At Cops

4/17/09 - A Beaver Dam man was bound over for trial yesterday on charges that he pointed a gun at police officers who responded to a domestic abuse report at his home. Timothy Knaup is charged with a felony count of False Imprisonment – Domestic Abuse and a handful of misdemeanors related to last weeks incident. Officers first removed a child to safety and then located the 45-year-old in the basement, with a beer in one hand and a loaded 22-caliber handgun in the other. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday.

Hartford Man Arrested for Driving 60mph Over Limit

4/17/09 - A Hartford man was arrested Wednesday afternoon after being pulled over for going 60-miles-per-hour over the speed limit. Dodge County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Moreli cited Paul Droese, for going 115-miles-per-hour in a 55-zone on Highway P in the Town of Rubicon. The deputy says as soon as the 32-year-old saw the squad car spin around to pursue him he pull over to the side of the road and knew he had been caught. Droese is not new to traffic offense as his record show he has three convictions for OWI as well as a March 2009 conviction for speeding. Droese faces a fine of more than $500, six demerit points on his license, and mandatory loss of driving privileges.

State Unemployment at 9.4%

4/17/09 - Wisconsin’s unemployment rate rose to nine-point-four percent last month. That’s up six-tenths-of-a-point from February. It’s above the national average. And it’s almost double the five-percent figure from a year ago. Workforce development said 112-thousand non-farm jobs were lost during the year ending in March – 87-hundred since February alone. Meanwhile, the state Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee has voted to spend over 38-million dollars in federal stimulus money on programs to help the unemployed get the skills they need to find jobs. Those services include tutoring, help in searching for jobs, referrals to support agencies, and training for work skills. Most of the funding must be distributed to local job centers by Saturday. About seven-million dollars will be used to hire about 50 staffers to help with job placements, and helping people file for unemployment benefits.

Primary Seatbelt Enforcement Advances

4/17/09 - A state committee has voted to let police officers stop drivers just for not wearing their seat-belts. The Legislature’s Joint Finance panel voted to include the measure in the new state budget, as Governor Jim Doyle had requested. Some lawmakers have tried for years to pass the so-called “primary enforcement,” but Milwaukee area politicians fought them off. They were afraid minorities would be stopped for virtually no reason – what’s known as racial profiling. To appease them, Doyle’s budget included a tracking system on who gets stopped so the state can prevent racial profiling if necessary. Also, Wisconsin can get more federal transportation funds by making the change. They’ll get an extra 15-million dollars if they stop making police find another offense before giving a seat-belt citation. Doyle also wanted to jack up the fine for not buckling up from 10-dollars-to-25. But the finance panel kept the penalty at 10.

Top Stories April 16th

Authorities Investigating a Death in Waupun

4/16/09 - A man was found dead this morning as firefighters battled a blaze at home in Waupun. The fire department responded to the scene at 210 Walker Street after a passerby reported the home on fire around 11:30am. Fire Chief Jeff Berry says as they were fighting the blaze they found the body and an investigation into the cause of the death began immediately. The police department is also assisting in an attempt to identify the man and locate the owners of the nearly 90-year-old home. The Dodge County coroners office and state fire marshal were also called out to the property.

DC Files Lawsuit for $60,000 Cleanup Bill

4/16/09 - Dodge County is suing a Milwaukee trucking company over an unpaid bill from an accident on Highway 41 last year that needed to be cleaned up by HazMat teams. Emergency Management Director Joe Meagher says they’ve filed a lawsuit against Vitran Express of Milwaukee after they refused to pay the $60,000 cleanup bill. The accident happened last May when a semi-driven by Vitran driver Robert Beck hit another semi from behind near Lomira before careening into the median and bursting into flames. Meagher says when they contacted the trucking company they told him Beck was hauling paint related materials and possibly potassium cyanide as well. That information led Meagher to call in Veolia Emergency Environmental HazMat Cleanup services and Dodge County Level B Hazmat Team to cleanup the scene. It was later learned the truck was actually only carrying the paint related material which would not have required HAZMAT teams. Meagher says the company sent an adjuster to investigate the county’s insurance claim and decided bill was 75-percent higher than it should have been. The county’s corporation counsel filed the lawsuit earlier this month.

Consolidation a No Go in Fox Lake

4/16/09 - Officials in Fox Lake say they are not interested in consolidating their police department with two other local municipalities. A poll of the council last night revealed all six alderpersons were not in favor of pursuing a joint police force with the Town of Fox Lake and the village of Randolph. The idea came as a suggestion from Sheriff Todd Nehls who said the consolidation would save taxpayers money and give the area around the clock coverage. However, Council President Tom Bednarek says after speaking with his constituents he couldn’t support the idea though he is willing to look at some of the redundancies in the three departments to see where they could possible make some cuts to save money.

Beaver Dam Firefighters Graduate From Paramedic School

4/16/09 - The city of Beaver Dam has cleared the biggest hurdles in their efforts to upgrade their EMS service to paramedic level. Fire Chief Alan Mannel says the state EMS Department signed-off on the upgrade yesterday. And last week, four Beaver Dam firefighters graduated from Paramedic School at the UW Hospital Emergency Education Center. There are still some equipment orders to finalize but Mannel says by all accounts the department is ready to meet its June 1 start date for paramedic service. Mannel says they have money in their budget to send two more firefighters to paramedic school this year. The department’s goal is to eventually have nine, full-time firefighters on staff. The department’s goal is to eventually have nine, full-time firefighters on staff. The new Beaver Dam Paramedics pictures from left to right are: Paul Hartl; Charlie Bau; Don Smith; and Russell Johnson.

Chief Critical of Anti-Drug Meeting Turnout

4/16/09 - Columbus officials heard from Police Chief Dennis Weiner this week on some
dangerous trends in school age children. Weiner reported to the City Council that the ages of children involved with drugs are going down and the instances of use and dealing are going up. Weiner said he was scared and disappointed that there has been an absence of public response to recent reports on children using drugs and alcohol. When a recent invitation was sent to Columbus and Fall River School parents to attend a program with recent statistics and information on drug and alcohol related problems there was zero response from the public. Weiner said he was disappointed that none of the parents responded to the invitation to the “Columbus Connects” Town Hall meeting. In his report the Columbus Chief called for more community involvement in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse.

Firefighter Treated Following Grass Fire

4/16/09 - A Columbus firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion after battling an out-of-control burn. Incident Commander Jared Fox with the Columbus Fire Department says the firefighter was transported to Columbus Community Hospital by Heartline Medix and is said to be “doing well.” The fire started this morning around 9:45am and crews were on the scene for about five-and-a-half hours. Eight departments and 48 firefighters responded to the blaze between Bethel Road and County Road S. Fox says the fire started as a controlled burn along a property line, and wound up scorching both properties. A DNR flyover determined that 15 to 20 acres were burned. Fox urges the public to refrain from burning of any kind.

Thank A Dispatcher

4/16/09 - They work 24-7-365 and have one of the most stressful jobs in the county. This week is “National Public Safety 911 Telecommunicators Week” and Dodge County Director of Communications Pat Ninmann says her dispatch staff deserve credit for the hard work they do everyday. While Ninmann doesn’t want anyone calling 9-1-1 to say “thank you,” she says it wouldn’t hurt to drop a note in the mail thanking dispatchers for all they do.

Doyle Reacts to “Tea Party” Rally at Capitol

4/16/09 - Governor Jim Doyle says those at yesterday’s Tea Party rally at the State Capitol were protesting quote, “the biggest middle class tax breaks we have seen in decades in this country.” Organizers estimated the crowd at five-thousand. State officials said police were prepared to handle five-thousand, but they wouldn’t give an official estimate. State Democratic Party director Joe Wineke derided the claim that the Madison rally and others like it stemmed from a grass movement. The conservative Freedom-Works group promoted the nationwide protests, and the Americans for Prosperity sponsored the Madison rally with the help of state Republicans. Janesville congressman Paul Ryan, the leading Republican on the House Budget Committee, told the rally that Democrats just want you to quote, “pay up and shut up.” Doyle’s proposed state budget includes one-point-seven billion dollars in tax-and-fee increases, on top of another one-point-two billion in tax hikes approved in February. It will also result in local tax hikes averaging 91-dollars for homeowners next December. But unless you make 300-thousand dollars a year, Doyle says quote, “You’re not going to face any kind of a tax increase.” The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee will start considering Doyle’s budget today.

Bankruptcy Up 35% in First Quarter of ‘09

4/16/09 - Wisconsin bankruptcy attorneys say they’ve never been busier – and they expect no let-up in cases for at least the rest of the year. Bankruptcy filings in the Badger State rose 35-percent in the first quarter of 2009, compared to the previous year. And it’s not just the newly-unemployed who are trying to dig out of their credit card, utility, and medical debts. Milwaukee bankruptcy attorney James Miller says reductions in work hours have left many without the ability to pay their monthly bills. He says many folks have had their credit card interest rates doubled-or-tripled, and can no longer afford the monthly minimums. Almost 62-hundred Wisconsinites filed for bankruptcy from January through March. Four-of-every-five cases involved personal debts.

School Districts across State Making Massive Cuts

4/16/09 - Two-thirds of Wisconsin school districts say they’ve cut teachers, offered fewer courses, and increased class sizes in the last school year. And three-fourths of schools spent less on curriculum materials, new technology, building improvements, and staff development. The groups that represent teachers and school administrators did the annual statewide survey – and they blamed state-mandated revenue limits and declining enrollments. Meanwhile, some administrators say things could get even worse under Governor Jim Doyle’s proposed state budget. It would eliminate the so-called Q-E-O, which avoids a costly arbitration process if boards offer teachers at least a three-point-eight percent annual hike in salaries-and-benefits. The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee will start re-writing the budget today, and its co-chairmen want to keep the Q-E-O repeal in the package.

Recount Upholds Win in Ashippun Town Chairman Race

4/16/09 - A recount for the Town Chairman seat in Ashippun came back with the same results as election night. Incumbent Jim Schoenike received three less votes than challenger Steven Panozzo in the April 7th election and county clerk Karen Gibson says a recount performed Tuesday morning showed the exact same results. Panozzo received 355 votes to Schoenike’s 352. With Schoenike’s loss the entire town board will now be made up entirely of new members.

FDL Woman Beaten with Hammer

4/16/09 - Fond du Lac police say a 26-year-old woman crawled out of her apartment to flag down a passing motorist after a former boyfriend beat her with a hammer early yesterday morning. Police Captain Steve Klein says the man broke into her residence in the 300 block of West Johnson Street. When officers spoke with her at St. Agnes Hospital she was being treated for a laceration to the head, broken right forearm, and lacerations to both shins. A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the battery. (KFIZ)

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Top Stories April 15th

Waupun Moves Forward on Two Land Development Projects

4/15/09 - Nearly every chair was filled last night for the Waupun City Council meeting that saw the board pass two significant land development projects. The council approved an option to purchase a more than 280 acre parcel of land owned by the state Department of Corrections for 2.08-million-dollars. City Administrator Gary Rodgers says the option to buy allows the city to have the price locked in on the property for the next three years until they can find a developer at which point they’ll finalize the sale with the state. The property is east of Highway 151 and will be made up of commercial and residential zones. The other project approved was a Developers Agreement with New Haven Development for a mixed-use development with commercial and retail opportunities near the high school property. The total expected price tag on the 45-acre parcel is right around $1.9-million dollars and will be funded by the recently created TIF district #5. The states building commission is expected to approve the sale of the corrections land next month and developers with New Haven hope to break ground on their property by August 1st.

Multiple Fires Reported in Dodge County

4/15/09 - With the dry weather our area is experiencing small fires continue to be an issue for area fire departments. There were five more fires reported yesterday throughout the county after more than 10 last week. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says an uncontrolled burn in the Town of Theresa early yesterday afternoon resulted in three fire departments responding to the scene to put it out. About an hour later another fire call came in, this time for a machine shed on fire on Sunny View Road in the Town of Lomira. No word on how extensive the damage was. Authorities also responded to a grass fire in the Town of Elba on Highway 60 just after 8:30. About an hour and half later the Iron Ridge Fire Department was sent out to deal with a ditch fire on Highway AY in the Town of Herman. An AT&T box was damaged in that fire. The fifth fire occurred in the Town of Lebanon late last night. The Sheriff’s Department says a caller reported a portion of a neighbor’s farm field on Highway MM had caught on fire just before midnight. When authorities arrived it was found the fire was actually in the ditch and made up of what the Sheriff’s Department described as a “large quantity of tires.” Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze quickly. However, officials say smoke may continue for a while this morning.

Juneau City Audit: Clean Opinion

4/15/09 - The City of Juneau received a clean opinion in their audit for fiscal year 2008. Don Rahn with Virchow Krause presented the financial statement to the common council last night, saying the clean opinion is the highest amount of assurance an auditor can give a municipality. The city spent around $1.8 million last year, which turned out to be about $4000 more than what was budgeted. With the overage at less than one percent though, Rahn says the city basically broke even. He also says the fund balance is holding steady at $935,000, down $5000 from the previous year. Juneau has the just over $6 million is borrowing power. Of that, they currently owe $3.6 million in general obligation debt, so the city is at about 60% of its borrowing capacity, which Rahn says is normal for Wisconsin. In 2007, the city was at 52% of its borrowing capacity.

Juneau Utility Warns of Moratoriums End

4/15/09 - The Juneau Utility Commission is reporting that their electric customers have accumulated $62,000 worth of delinquent accounts over the winter months. After tomorrow, a six-month winter moratorium on residential power disconnections will be lifted and utilities statewide may begin to disconnect service to customers with outstanding bills. Juneau Utility Commission President Dan Wegener says the power will be cut tomorrow to those customers who do not make arrangements to pay their bill. If bills are not paid after three days of a power disconnect, the city will shut-off the delinquent customers water. Wegener says they will work with customers in setting up payment plans.

Last Day to File Tax Returns

4/15/09 - Wisconsin accountants will breathe a sigh of relief once the clock strikes midnight. That’s because more folks needed professional help to complete their income tax returns which are due today. Christopher Miller of the I-R-S says Internet filings in Wisconsin are up six-and-a-half percent from last year. But only 19-percent of those returns were sent from personal computers. The tax pros filed the rest. Many new customers are nervous about the economy, and they wanted to make sure they got every penny possible in their refunds. Some people want to write off big stock market losses. But they can only claim three-thousand-dollars a year, and bigger losses must be spread over subsequent years. Greenfield accountant Jon Neal says some of his clients will be spreading their investment losses over the next 10-to-20 years. Other people had questions about the education tax credits for flood victims. Those credits are doubled in the 30 counties which were declared federal disaster areas a year ago.

Milwaukee Alderman Facing Child Abuse Charges

4/15/09 - A Milwaukee alderman is accused of hitting his six-year-old daughter at least eight times with a coat hanger. Prosecutors released a felony child abuse complaint Monday against 35-year-old Ashanti Hamilton. The incident happened about three weeks ago when Hamilton had custody of the four children he shares with his ex-wife. Hamilton told a Milwaukee TV station he hit the child because she misbehaved, but he denied committing child abuse. If convicted, Hamilton could get up to six years in prison and he'd lose his Common Council seat.

Hunters Unhappy With Alternate Plan for State Deer Herd

4/15/09 - Wisconsin hunters are not happy about an alternative plan to keep the state’s deer herd in check. At the annual conservation hearings in Horicon, they voted overwhelmingly against a proposed season to shoot only antlerless deer. Gun hunters could take bucks on their opening weekend, while bow-and-arrow hunters could shoot bucks for two weeks prior to that. The plan was suggested as an alternative to the controversial earn-a-buck policy. But it was voted down 55-hundred to 11-hundred at the Conservation Congress hearings held in all 72 counties on Monday night. Hunters favored dumping earn-a-buck altogether 55-hundred to 13-hundred. And by the same margin, they favored allowing earn-a-buck for only two straight years in each management zone. Last week, the agency suggested a one-year moratorium on earn-a-buck, except where chronic wasting disease has been found. This week’s votes are advisory. D-N-R policy-makers may consider them later this year.

Not So National?

4/15/09 - Wisconsin governors could challenge orders to federalize the state's National Guard, under legislation being introduced at the Capitol. The proposal from state Representative Spencer Black would require the governor to review any order to put National Guard troops on federal active duty. If a governor found the orders were questionable and not justified, they could challenge them in federal court. The Madison Democrat says the legislation is in response to concerns that the federal government no longer has the authority to call Wisconsin National Guard troops to serve in Iraq. He says questions have been raised about whether that authority has expired, and the federal government shouldn't be able to take authority over those troops. If approved, Black says the measure would not impact Wisconsin National Guard members currently called to active duty.

Smoke-Free Cities Enjoying the Fresh Air

4/15/09 - New surveys find growing support for smoking bans in Wisconsin cities. Polls by the Mellman group were done in three cities that have already adopted smoke-free ordinances. They checked the outlook of people in Appleton, Eau Claire and Marshfield. They found that after those communities snuffed out the smokes, public support increased from a two-to-one to a three-to-one margin. Maureen Busalacchi of Smoke-Free Wisconsin says she's not surprised. She says in their experience more people enjoy being able to go to smoke-free establishments, including some smokers. Busalacchi says it should send a message to lawmakers to pass a statewide smoking ban.

“Tea Party” Gatherings in Madison and Wausau Today

4/15/09 - Up to four-thousand people are expected in Madison today, for a protest against high federal-and-state spending. Mark Block of the Americans for Prosperity tells Wis-Politics-Dot-Com that government must tighten its belts just like every family is doing right now. And while other rallies throughout the country attack President Obama’s deficits for the economic stimulus package, the Wisconsin rally will also slam the higher taxes-and-spending in Governor Jim Doyle’s proposed state budget. Block says about 50 buses will bring conservative protestors from throughout the state. House Republican Paul Ryan of Janesville and national G-O-P leader Reince Priebus will be among the speakers at the State Capitol rally – which is planned over the lunch hour. Smaller rallies are planned in Milwaukee, Wausau, Appleton, and several other Wisconsin cities. The last time the Americans for Prosperity held an anti-tax rally in Madison, more counter-protestors from union showed up than the actual number of rally participants. Block says he knows of no large-scale counter demonstrations this time.