Demolition Progresses in Downtown Beaver Dam
5/31/09 - It will be the end of next week before demolition crews remove the five buildings on the 200 block of Front Street in downtown Beaver Dam. Three buildings have been removed so far, beginning with the former Julie R Danceware building on South Center Street last Thursday and, most recently, two of four buildings on the 100 block of Front Street. However, instead of removing Doc’s Corner first and moving east, as originally planned, crews removed 145 and 149 Front Street. That leaves Doc’s currently standing on the corner and the building at 151 Front Street an island surrounded by rubble. Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy says the reason for the change in plans was because Doc’s and 151 have concrete floor sand will be used as a landing zone for the rubble. Kennedy toured the site on Friday and says Brandenburg Industries has got their work cut out for them. The building at 203 Front Street, the Fountain Inn, will not be demolished as the owner never made an offer to sell his building to the city. The culvert removal in the Tower Parking lot will begin at mid-month.
Wisconsin Tops Swine Flu List
5/31/09 - The state of Wisconsin tops the list of swine flu cases nationwide with more than 14 hundred confirmed cases. Wisconsin health officials say the number simply shows that the Badger State is efficient at testing suspected cases. Nearly nine thousand confirmed cases have been reported nationwide. A spokesperson for the Department of Health Services says almost all the cases here have been relatively mild. Illinois is ranked third in the number of confirmed cases at a little over a thousand. Meanwhile, officials at Columbus High School say the possibility of school closure is not being considered. That’s after two students at the high school were kept at home Friday with flu-like symptoms. According to the updated district website, medical personnel are involved and the H1N1 virus has neither been confirmed nor ruled out and school closure would only be considered if a large number of students were to be absent.
One Dead/ Five Injured in Madison Crash
5/31/09 - A car crash in Madison killed a 14-year-old girl and put five teens in the hospital. A second 15-year-old girl is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. A 15-year-old boy driving the car Friday night lost control and hit an SUV going the opposite direction. The driver of that SUV was arrested for drunken driving and tossed in jail.
Teen Injured in Fond du Lac Wreck
5/31/09 - A Fond du Lac teen was injured in a rollover accident last night in the Village of Oakfield. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, the wreck occurred on County Highway B, a half-mile south of County Highway D. Allison Montsma and was traveling northbound on County B and was reportedly reaching for her cell phone while negotiating a curve when she lost control of the vehicle, entered the east ditch and rolled. Her vehicle came to rest on its roof. The 18-year-old was the lone occupant in the vehicle and she was transported to St. Agnes Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. She was wearing her seatbelt. Wisconsin State Patrol is investigating the crash and was assisted at the scene by Oakfield Fire Department and Brooks Ambulance.
Pot Plant Moving Violation
5/31/09 - A Milwaukee man faces felony drug cultivation charges after being arrested at a Dodge County wayside with two, four-foot marijuana plants in his vehicle. The Dodge County Sheriffs Department arrested Ronald A. Koschnik in the Town of Theresa last night around 9pm after acting on a tip from a citizen who was following the suspect’s vehicle on Highway 41. The 42-year-old Koschnik was booked into the Dodge County Jail on felony drug possession charges.
Duncan in Wisconsin This Week
5/31/09 - An Obama cabinet member will be in Wisconsin later this week. Education Secretary Arne Duncan makes visits to Milwaukee Area Technical College and Bay View High School Thursday morning. At MATC Duncan will tell students in the school's automotive program about recovery efforts aimed at people who depend on the auto industry for work. At Bay View he will spend a few minutes taking questions from members of the senior class. The trip to Milwaukee is not being billed as a part of Duncan's nationwide listening tour.
Burglars Nab Cop Guns in Break-Ins
5/31/09 - Burglars may have taken more than they expected during a series of break-ins in Grand Chute. They hit an unmarked police car at the home of an off-duty officer. The burglars got away with a semiautomatic rifle and ammunition which was being stored in the car's trunk. Police are asking for the public's help in finding the stolen weapon. The rifle was in a black nylon case. Two fully-loaded 30-round magazines for the gun were also taken.
Lake Superior Testing Begins
5/31/09 - Researchers will set up eight testing stations in Lake Superior starting next week. A million dollar grant from the National Science Foundation is paying for scientists from the University of Minnesota-Duluth to collect data. They will be trying to determine if the lake is changing. A similar study two years ago found surface temperatures had risen more than four degrees since 1979. The team will hit the water Tuesday on the start of a seven-day trip.
State Park Open House
5/31/09 - If you want to get closer to nature at a Wisconsin state park -- today's the day. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is holding a state park open house. You can get in free to all state parks, forests and trails today. Admission stickers for vehicles and trail passes for hikers, bicycle riders and horseback riders aren't necessary. It's also Free Fishing Weekend. No fishing licenses are needed to dip a line in a state lake or river until sunset today.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Top Stories May 30th
Columbus School Investigate Flu-Like Symptoms
5/30/09 - The Columbus School District is taking precautionary measures yesterday after being notified that two students were kept at home due to “flu like symptoms.” School Superintendent Mark Jansen said that students and parents were notified with letters sent home with students and by information on the School Districts web site that the possibility of school closures is being considered.
The letter to the parents and students reads in part… The Columbus School District has been notified by the families of two students, one high school and one elementary, that these young people are being kept home today, May 29th, because of flu-like symptoms. Medical personnel are involved in both cases, but H1N1 Swine Flu has neither been confirmed nor ruled out. School closure is not being considered at this time. Closure will be considered if a large number of students or staff are absent and their absence affects the District’s ability to function.
The Superintendent is alerting all Columbus District students and parents to follow all the precautionary steps listed in the letter.
Anonymous Caller Helps Authorities
5/30/09 - A Beaver Dam man with a warrant for his arrest was taken into custody early this morning at the Leipsic Tavern. The Sheriff’s Department received an anonymous call that 39-year-old Keith Schmitt was in the bar stating he missed court and had a warrant out for his arrest as a result. Authorities booked Schmitt into jail on a bail jumping charge, but he also faces a number of others as well. Schmitt had been scheduled to appear in court in late April on two misdemeanor motor vehicle charges but did not show.
Three Down, Seven to Go
5/30/09 - Three of ten buildings have now fallen in downtown Beaver Dam. The most recent are two of the four buildings on the 100 block of Front Street that have been completely removed. Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy says the other two buildings will be cleared by next Thursday at which time work will begin on the five Front Street structures west of Center Street.
Budget Package Forwarded to Assembly
5/30/09 - What's in the budget package approved basically behind closed doors early Friday morning? Tax increases. Reductions in state aid and programs. And, pork barrel projects worth millions of dollars in Democrat-controlled districts. Democratic Governor Jim Doyle says he doesn't expect to use his veto power very much on a spending plan he seems to like. Taxes go up on oil companies and cigarettes. State funding is cut for local governments and schools. The Assembly expects to take up the budget as soon as a week from next Tuesday. After approval there it heads to the Senate. Governor Doyle has said he wants to sign it before the new budget year starts July 1st.
Public Hearing on Tougher Drunk Driving Laws Set for Tuesday
5/30/09 - A public hearing on plans to make the state's drunken driving laws tougher will be held in West Allis next Tuesday. The Assembly Public Safety Committee will hear your comments on a bill that was introduced last week. The new law would require engine locks on vehicles used by repeat offenders -- and by first-time offenders who recorded a high blood alcohol level. The new law would also make the fourth offense of operating while intoxicated a felony charge. Right now, that takes five offenses.
Emu Forces Closure of Highway 41
5/30/09 - A large bird was on the loose on Highway 41 between Oshkosh and Fond du Lac yesterday. Sergeant Mark Abrahamson of the state patrol says an emu was wandering in the median close to the southbound lanes. He says they had no choice but to close the highway and euthanize the bird. Abrahamson says they're trying to find out where the emu came from. He says there is a nearby farm that raises similar birds, but this particular one doesn't belong to that farmer. Abrahamson says 9-1-1 calls started coming in a little before 9:30. He says if a vehicle would've hit the large bird it could've caused a lot of damage -- and potentially some injuries.
Wild Turkey Lives Up to its Name
5/30/09 - It was an unusual case of breaking and entering Thursday morning in the Village of Mishicot. Heidi Herrera says she and her five year old daughter Kasandra were sitting in the living room watching The Price is Right when they heard a loud smashing noise in the bedroom. Seconds later, a wild turkey charged through the living room. After putting her daughter and the family dog in a bedroom, Herrera knew she had to take action to get the bird out of her house. With the turkey standing in the kitchen, she managed to get the home's patio and front doors open. The bird left by the front door, leaving behind a trail of blood and feathers but little damage, other than a broken window. Aaron Buchholz, a DNR wildlife biologist, says while wild turkeys have been reported in urban areas, it's uncommon to hear of them getting into homes.
Bump Named to Head PD in Adamson’s Absence
5/30/09 - The Horicon Police and Fire Commission named an interim police chief Thursday night to fill the void left by current chief Joe Adamson, who will be on military leave for up to three years. Horicon Police Lt. Adrian Bump will be in command during the interim. Lt. Bump has 10 years of law enforcement experience and Adamson says he has “the ability and demonstrated pattern of success” for the position. Adamson will serve as Provost Marshall for the Wisconsin National Guard, managing security at the state’s 70 National Guard locations. Adamson begins his new job on July 1.
FFRF Gets Good News
5/30/09 - Madison’s Freedom-from-Religion-Foundation won a court battle this week. The group is trying to abolish the annual National Day of Prayer, saying it’s unconstitutional. And Federal Judge Barbara Crabb of Madison ruled that the Obama White House and the event’s task force were premature in filing a request to drop the foundation’s lawsuit. Federal law designates the first Thursday in May as a day when the president urges Americans to pray. Former President Bush used to hold public events that day. Obama did not hold any such events this month – but it still urged the courts to uphold the authority to have them. Judge Crabb said the foundation faces a heavy burden in proving that the prayer day violates the separation of church-and-state – but the group should have the opportunity to pursue the case.
Murder Victims to be Displayed on Playing Cards in State Prisons
5/30/09 - State prisoners will see more than hearts-and-clubs when they play cards. They’ll also see pictures of victims in unsolved murder cases. The Wisconsin Association of Homicide Investigators hopes those pictures will jog somebody’s memory, and provide some hot leads for cases that have long been cold. The group is now putting together the photos of victims they’ll feature on the playing cards. They hope to have a deck ready in about six months. Fond du Lac County sheriff’s lieutenant William Flood says his department will offer photos of a five-year-old boy in a murder case from the early 1980’s. And they’ll provide a picture of “Baby Theresa” the infant tossed in the woods near Theresa by an unidentified mother a few weeks ago.
Archeological Dig at Nitschke Mounds This Weekend
5/30/09 - A team of archeologists and students from UW- Milwaukee will be conducting an archeological dig at Nitschke Mounds this weekend. Dodge County Parks Manager Bill Ehlenbeck says the excavations will be focused on a potential encampment or habitation sites where ground penetrating radar have identified potential hotspots. Ehlenbeck says a special presentation will be available for the public by Dr. Kira Kaufmann of Florida International University at 1pm Saturday.
5/30/09 - The Columbus School District is taking precautionary measures yesterday after being notified that two students were kept at home due to “flu like symptoms.” School Superintendent Mark Jansen said that students and parents were notified with letters sent home with students and by information on the School Districts web site that the possibility of school closures is being considered.
The letter to the parents and students reads in part… The Columbus School District has been notified by the families of two students, one high school and one elementary, that these young people are being kept home today, May 29th, because of flu-like symptoms. Medical personnel are involved in both cases, but H1N1 Swine Flu has neither been confirmed nor ruled out. School closure is not being considered at this time. Closure will be considered if a large number of students or staff are absent and their absence affects the District’s ability to function.
The Superintendent is alerting all Columbus District students and parents to follow all the precautionary steps listed in the letter.
Anonymous Caller Helps Authorities
5/30/09 - A Beaver Dam man with a warrant for his arrest was taken into custody early this morning at the Leipsic Tavern. The Sheriff’s Department received an anonymous call that 39-year-old Keith Schmitt was in the bar stating he missed court and had a warrant out for his arrest as a result. Authorities booked Schmitt into jail on a bail jumping charge, but he also faces a number of others as well. Schmitt had been scheduled to appear in court in late April on two misdemeanor motor vehicle charges but did not show.
Three Down, Seven to Go
5/30/09 - Three of ten buildings have now fallen in downtown Beaver Dam. The most recent are two of the four buildings on the 100 block of Front Street that have been completely removed. Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy says the other two buildings will be cleared by next Thursday at which time work will begin on the five Front Street structures west of Center Street.
Budget Package Forwarded to Assembly
5/30/09 - What's in the budget package approved basically behind closed doors early Friday morning? Tax increases. Reductions in state aid and programs. And, pork barrel projects worth millions of dollars in Democrat-controlled districts. Democratic Governor Jim Doyle says he doesn't expect to use his veto power very much on a spending plan he seems to like. Taxes go up on oil companies and cigarettes. State funding is cut for local governments and schools. The Assembly expects to take up the budget as soon as a week from next Tuesday. After approval there it heads to the Senate. Governor Doyle has said he wants to sign it before the new budget year starts July 1st.
Public Hearing on Tougher Drunk Driving Laws Set for Tuesday
5/30/09 - A public hearing on plans to make the state's drunken driving laws tougher will be held in West Allis next Tuesday. The Assembly Public Safety Committee will hear your comments on a bill that was introduced last week. The new law would require engine locks on vehicles used by repeat offenders -- and by first-time offenders who recorded a high blood alcohol level. The new law would also make the fourth offense of operating while intoxicated a felony charge. Right now, that takes five offenses.
Emu Forces Closure of Highway 41
5/30/09 - A large bird was on the loose on Highway 41 between Oshkosh and Fond du Lac yesterday. Sergeant Mark Abrahamson of the state patrol says an emu was wandering in the median close to the southbound lanes. He says they had no choice but to close the highway and euthanize the bird. Abrahamson says they're trying to find out where the emu came from. He says there is a nearby farm that raises similar birds, but this particular one doesn't belong to that farmer. Abrahamson says 9-1-1 calls started coming in a little before 9:30. He says if a vehicle would've hit the large bird it could've caused a lot of damage -- and potentially some injuries.
Wild Turkey Lives Up to its Name
5/30/09 - It was an unusual case of breaking and entering Thursday morning in the Village of Mishicot. Heidi Herrera says she and her five year old daughter Kasandra were sitting in the living room watching The Price is Right when they heard a loud smashing noise in the bedroom. Seconds later, a wild turkey charged through the living room. After putting her daughter and the family dog in a bedroom, Herrera knew she had to take action to get the bird out of her house. With the turkey standing in the kitchen, she managed to get the home's patio and front doors open. The bird left by the front door, leaving behind a trail of blood and feathers but little damage, other than a broken window. Aaron Buchholz, a DNR wildlife biologist, says while wild turkeys have been reported in urban areas, it's uncommon to hear of them getting into homes.
Bump Named to Head PD in Adamson’s Absence
5/30/09 - The Horicon Police and Fire Commission named an interim police chief Thursday night to fill the void left by current chief Joe Adamson, who will be on military leave for up to three years. Horicon Police Lt. Adrian Bump will be in command during the interim. Lt. Bump has 10 years of law enforcement experience and Adamson says he has “the ability and demonstrated pattern of success” for the position. Adamson will serve as Provost Marshall for the Wisconsin National Guard, managing security at the state’s 70 National Guard locations. Adamson begins his new job on July 1.
FFRF Gets Good News
5/30/09 - Madison’s Freedom-from-Religion-Foundation won a court battle this week. The group is trying to abolish the annual National Day of Prayer, saying it’s unconstitutional. And Federal Judge Barbara Crabb of Madison ruled that the Obama White House and the event’s task force were premature in filing a request to drop the foundation’s lawsuit. Federal law designates the first Thursday in May as a day when the president urges Americans to pray. Former President Bush used to hold public events that day. Obama did not hold any such events this month – but it still urged the courts to uphold the authority to have them. Judge Crabb said the foundation faces a heavy burden in proving that the prayer day violates the separation of church-and-state – but the group should have the opportunity to pursue the case.
Murder Victims to be Displayed on Playing Cards in State Prisons
5/30/09 - State prisoners will see more than hearts-and-clubs when they play cards. They’ll also see pictures of victims in unsolved murder cases. The Wisconsin Association of Homicide Investigators hopes those pictures will jog somebody’s memory, and provide some hot leads for cases that have long been cold. The group is now putting together the photos of victims they’ll feature on the playing cards. They hope to have a deck ready in about six months. Fond du Lac County sheriff’s lieutenant William Flood says his department will offer photos of a five-year-old boy in a murder case from the early 1980’s. And they’ll provide a picture of “Baby Theresa” the infant tossed in the woods near Theresa by an unidentified mother a few weeks ago.
Archeological Dig at Nitschke Mounds This Weekend
5/30/09 - A team of archeologists and students from UW- Milwaukee will be conducting an archeological dig at Nitschke Mounds this weekend. Dodge County Parks Manager Bill Ehlenbeck says the excavations will be focused on a potential encampment or habitation sites where ground penetrating radar have identified potential hotspots. Ehlenbeck says a special presentation will be available for the public by Dr. Kira Kaufmann of Florida International University at 1pm Saturday.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Top Stories May 29th
Accident Claims Life of Dodge County Man
5/29/09 - A 37-year-old Beaver Dam man was killed in an early morning traffic accident on Highway 151 just north of Columbus. Authorities say around 3 a.m. Cornelio Rodriguez was driving southbound on 151 when he lost control of his pickup truck and it rolled before coming to rest on the driver’s side. After an undetermined amount of time the truck was struck by a southbound semi-trailer and pushed into the northbound lanes. Sheriff Todd Nehls says an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death though he believes alcohol was not a factor. The accident occurred about a mile south of Highway S, which forced authorities to close both southbound lanes and one northbound lane around Columbus for about three hours. Nehls redited all first responders, including the Columbus Fire Department who worked for over two hours to get Rodriguez out of the vehicle.
First Façade Falls on Front
5/29/09 - An update on Beaver Dam’s downtown demolition: the first façade fell on Front Street yesterday. Contractor Brandenburg Industries gutted the top floor of 143 Front Street after spending a day and a half knocking down the back portion. Demolition efforts continue today on those four buildings located on the 100 block of Front. After that crews will move down the street to the 200 block of Front Street. The dam is all but closed and the river has been reduced to a trickle to allow for the demolition work to take place.
MVP’s on Community Comment
5/29/09 - The general manager of MVP’s was our guest on WBEV’s Community Comment yesterday. The establishment will find out Monday night if the Beaver Dam Common Council will revoke their liquor license. Chief Dale Boldt says there has been too many violent fights and to many calls for service at the downtown bar. James LeBeau admits there have been problems but he says he is not being treated fairly by the city and has not been given options for compromise like with other business. He says he wasn’t even given equal time to present his case during this months committee-level license revocation hearing. The city had approximately 80 minutes to state their case and LeBeau had just over 45 minutes because a city council meeting was scheduled.
LeBeau says he has made changes in his business to address safety concerns, including the installation of video cameras, the implementation of a dress code and cover charge and additional bouncers. He says he also wanted to hire local, off-duty police officers but the request was denied by both the police chief and sheriff. The vote on the liquor license revocation will be held during Monday night’s Common Council meeting, which begins at 8pm in City Hall.
There were 18 callers to yesterday’s program and of those callers 12 indicated that license revocation was extreme. There were six callers who were critical of MVP’s though not all those callers said their license should be revoked. Several callers said LeBeau was “not getting a fair shake” with one saying “just because he’s an out-of-towner it doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be treated fairly in this community.” Several other callers said it’s not fair to the taxpayers to have the police force tied up at one establishment.
Neuert Says MVP’s Is A Public Safety Issue
5/29/09 - The liquor license revocation for MVP’s was approved in committee by a 5 to nothing
vote earlier this month. Administrative Committee chair Don Neuert tells us that he believes the city should take a proactive approach with this issue because it is a public safety matter. Neuert says that having a liquor license is a privilege and it is the responsibility of municipal government to decide ‘what is appropriate behavior’ and who should have a license. He also says it is important for city leaders to measure the frequency of police calls and offenses at this establishment against other license holders in the city. As far as his vote on Monday is concerned, Neuert says to not do something would be inappropriate and unless MVP’s is held accountable in some way he would not be serving his constituents.
Gas Up 50 Cents in One Month
5/29/09 - Gas in Beaver Dam is now 50 cents higher than it was at the beginning of the month. The price of regular unleaded at most stations in the city jumped a nickel yesterday to $2.59. That’s two cents higher than the statewide average and 14 cents higher than the national average of $2.45. The low price in the state is $2.47 in Reedsburg; the high price is in Sisters Bay where gas costs $2.74. Last month at this time, the statewide average was $2.07; last year it was at $4 even.
Kennedy Looks Back on First Year in Office
5/29/09 - On Community Comment this afternoon we’ll talk to Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy about his first year in office. From floods to films and demolition to revitalization we’ll ask to the first term mayor his thoughts on where we’ve been, where we’re at and where we’re going. Community Comment airs weekdays on WBEV 1430AM beginning at 12:35pm.
Home Mortgage Foreclosures Up/ Actively Delinquent Mortgages Down
5/29/09 - Home mortgage foreclosures are still going up in Wisconsin – but there are fewer active mortgages which are delinquent. That’s according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. It said five-and-three-quarter percent of mortgage loans were delinquent in the Badger State as of March 31st, down from six-point-four percent in the final quarter of last year. Still, the percentage of mortgages in foreclosure rose from two-point-eight percent to three-point-one. The group says it’s not that unusual for the delinquency rate to drop in the first quarter of a year. The report also said Wisconsin has lower rates than both the Midwest and the nation for delinquencies and foreclosures. Nationally, the mortgage bankers reported a one-point-three-seven percent increase in the foreclosure rate in the last quarter – a record. The group’s chief economist, Jay Brinkmann, calls it sobering but not unexpected.
5/29/09 - A 37-year-old Beaver Dam man was killed in an early morning traffic accident on Highway 151 just north of Columbus. Authorities say around 3 a.m. Cornelio Rodriguez was driving southbound on 151 when he lost control of his pickup truck and it rolled before coming to rest on the driver’s side. After an undetermined amount of time the truck was struck by a southbound semi-trailer and pushed into the northbound lanes. Sheriff Todd Nehls says an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death though he believes alcohol was not a factor. The accident occurred about a mile south of Highway S, which forced authorities to close both southbound lanes and one northbound lane around Columbus for about three hours. Nehls redited all first responders, including the Columbus Fire Department who worked for over two hours to get Rodriguez out of the vehicle.
First Façade Falls on Front
5/29/09 - An update on Beaver Dam’s downtown demolition: the first façade fell on Front Street yesterday. Contractor Brandenburg Industries gutted the top floor of 143 Front Street after spending a day and a half knocking down the back portion. Demolition efforts continue today on those four buildings located on the 100 block of Front. After that crews will move down the street to the 200 block of Front Street. The dam is all but closed and the river has been reduced to a trickle to allow for the demolition work to take place.
MVP’s on Community Comment
5/29/09 - The general manager of MVP’s was our guest on WBEV’s Community Comment yesterday. The establishment will find out Monday night if the Beaver Dam Common Council will revoke their liquor license. Chief Dale Boldt says there has been too many violent fights and to many calls for service at the downtown bar. James LeBeau admits there have been problems but he says he is not being treated fairly by the city and has not been given options for compromise like with other business. He says he wasn’t even given equal time to present his case during this months committee-level license revocation hearing. The city had approximately 80 minutes to state their case and LeBeau had just over 45 minutes because a city council meeting was scheduled.
LeBeau says he has made changes in his business to address safety concerns, including the installation of video cameras, the implementation of a dress code and cover charge and additional bouncers. He says he also wanted to hire local, off-duty police officers but the request was denied by both the police chief and sheriff. The vote on the liquor license revocation will be held during Monday night’s Common Council meeting, which begins at 8pm in City Hall.
There were 18 callers to yesterday’s program and of those callers 12 indicated that license revocation was extreme. There were six callers who were critical of MVP’s though not all those callers said their license should be revoked. Several callers said LeBeau was “not getting a fair shake” with one saying “just because he’s an out-of-towner it doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be treated fairly in this community.” Several other callers said it’s not fair to the taxpayers to have the police force tied up at one establishment.
Neuert Says MVP’s Is A Public Safety Issue
5/29/09 - The liquor license revocation for MVP’s was approved in committee by a 5 to nothing
vote earlier this month. Administrative Committee chair Don Neuert tells us that he believes the city should take a proactive approach with this issue because it is a public safety matter. Neuert says that having a liquor license is a privilege and it is the responsibility of municipal government to decide ‘what is appropriate behavior’ and who should have a license. He also says it is important for city leaders to measure the frequency of police calls and offenses at this establishment against other license holders in the city. As far as his vote on Monday is concerned, Neuert says to not do something would be inappropriate and unless MVP’s is held accountable in some way he would not be serving his constituents.
Gas Up 50 Cents in One Month
5/29/09 - Gas in Beaver Dam is now 50 cents higher than it was at the beginning of the month. The price of regular unleaded at most stations in the city jumped a nickel yesterday to $2.59. That’s two cents higher than the statewide average and 14 cents higher than the national average of $2.45. The low price in the state is $2.47 in Reedsburg; the high price is in Sisters Bay where gas costs $2.74. Last month at this time, the statewide average was $2.07; last year it was at $4 even.
Kennedy Looks Back on First Year in Office
5/29/09 - On Community Comment this afternoon we’ll talk to Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy about his first year in office. From floods to films and demolition to revitalization we’ll ask to the first term mayor his thoughts on where we’ve been, where we’re at and where we’re going. Community Comment airs weekdays on WBEV 1430AM beginning at 12:35pm.
Home Mortgage Foreclosures Up/ Actively Delinquent Mortgages Down
5/29/09 - Home mortgage foreclosures are still going up in Wisconsin – but there are fewer active mortgages which are delinquent. That’s according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. It said five-and-three-quarter percent of mortgage loans were delinquent in the Badger State as of March 31st, down from six-point-four percent in the final quarter of last year. Still, the percentage of mortgages in foreclosure rose from two-point-eight percent to three-point-one. The group says it’s not that unusual for the delinquency rate to drop in the first quarter of a year. The report also said Wisconsin has lower rates than both the Midwest and the nation for delinquencies and foreclosures. Nationally, the mortgage bankers reported a one-point-three-seven percent increase in the foreclosure rate in the last quarter – a record. The group’s chief economist, Jay Brinkmann, calls it sobering but not unexpected.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Top Stories May 27th
Demolition Begins
5/27/09 - The former Julie R Danceware building in downtown Beaver Dam has been demolished. Crews began demolition work yesterday on the ten buildings that have been targeted for demolition in downtown Beaver Dam. The buildings violated state statute because they were constructed over the Beaver Dam River and last summers flooding spurred efforts to move forward on the project. Contractor Brandenburg Industries continues demolition today with structures on the 100 block of Front Street before moving onto the 200 block. Demolition is expected to take up to two weeks.
Columbus EMS Talks Resume Thursday
5/27/09 - Talks changing EMS District lines in the City of Columbus and eight surrounding Townships resume Thursday night. The Township of Fountain Prairie has decided to leave the Fall River Fire District EMS and join Columbus in their contract negotiations with LifeStar Ambulance of West Bend. The new EMS District includes areas in Columbia, Dane and Dodge counties. Fountain Prairie will join with the City and the towns of Calamus, Columbus, Elba, Hampden, Portland and York in formation of the new EMS District. City Council member Bill Bruns was chosen to chair the Committee of City and township representatives at their series of monthly meetings. The Committee is discussing a set of bylaws and municipal representation plan for the Ambulance Service District. The Village of Fall River and the Towns of Otsego and Courtland will be retaining their current municipal EMS service. The reduction of the area covered by the Fall River EMS will call for the approval of a new contract when the Fire District meets in July. The Columbus contract between LifeStar Ambulance and the district being formed is being negotiated.
No Injuries In City Rollover
5/27/09 - No injuries were reported after an SUV flipped over during a two-car accident in the city of Beaver Dam Tuesday afternoon. Deputy Police Chief Dan Schubert says the in-town, rollover accident occurred at 3:11pm. An 85-year-old Beaver Dam was traveling eastbound on Third Street when his SUV was hit by a vehicle going northbound on Spring Street. The impact caused the SUV to roll. The driver of the SUV was cited for Failure To Yield.
Waller Charged With Church Break-In
5/27/09 - A Beaver Dam man has been charged in connection with a church break-in last fall. Trevor Waller is accused of breaking into the First Lutheran Church of Beaver Dam on October 20 and ransacking the offices. Authorities heard about the burglary while they were down the street at the United Methodist Church investigating a similar break-in. There have been no charges filed yet in connection with that incident. Authorities found blood and fingerprint evidence at the First Lutheran Church and connected it to Waller, who is also charged in connection with a pair of business burglaries. The 28-year-old Waller is charged along with two others in connection with break-ins at Kelm Painting and Beaver Plumbing around the same time. He has jury trials scheduled in August for the business break-ins and a preliminary hearing on the church break-in July 9. Waller faces over 40 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Schuett Charged With Residential Break-In
5/27/09 - A Juneau man faces over 15 years in prison for a residential burglary last October. Christopher Schuett is charged with a felony count of Burglary as a repeater and Criminal Damage to Property. The 20-year-old is accused of breaking into a residence and stealing cash, checkbooks and an iPod. Authorities found blood and fingerprints at the scene and tied it to Schuett, who will be back in court for a preliminary hearing next month.
Suspected Parking Lot Flasher in Court
5/27/09 - A Madison man, who was arrested after witnesses say he performed a lewd act inside his car, had a signature bond set at $500 during an initial hearing Tuesday in Dodge County court. The Beaver Dam Police Department responded the Kohl’s Department Store parking lot on the afternoon of May 13 after a woman reported the incident. The suspect left the scene but the witness followed him onto Highway 151. A short time later, the Columbus Police Department arrested Kevin C. Johnson. The 42-year-old is charged with Lewd and Lascivious Behavior, which carries a maximum nine-month prison sentence upon conviction.
Waupun Consolidation Moving Forward
5/27/09 - Waupun District Administrator Randy Refsland says moving plans for the three elementary schools to be closed at the end of the school year are coming along. With the district cutting its number of buildings from six to three Refsland says there is a lot of work to do but he feels comfortable with the timeline so far and says he expects everything to be ready by the time kids come back in the fall. One big issue for many in the move has been placing 7th grade kids in the same building as 12th graders as part of the high school. Refsland says they’ve gone to great lengths to separate the two including placing most of the middle school classes on the 2nd floor. But he says they are also many positives to have the two groups together, including being able to have the older students tutor the younger ones. The moving comes after the district was forced to make drastic cuts to deal with a $1.2-million-dollar deficit for the coming school year.
Fee for Handguns to Increase
5/27/09 - Owning a handgun will be more expensive in Wisconsin. The state Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee endorsed a budget measure last night to raise the fee for buying a handgun from eight-dollars to 13. The Justice Department said the five-dollar increase would cover the cost of performing the necessary background checks on handgun buyers. But Governor Jim Doyle wanted to jack up the fee to 30-dollars, and use the extra revenue for other law enforcement programs. The finance panel scrapped that idea. The committee also said no to a new fee on the slaughtering of farm animals, to help pay for more state meat inspectors.
Officers to Note Race During Traffic Stops
5/27/09 - If you’re stopped for a traffic violation, the officer will take note of your race and send that data to Madison starting in 2011. The state Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee endorsed that move last night, to determine if officers are hassling minorities. Governor Jim Doyle’s proposed budget would have only collected the racial data in the state’s 11 largest counties – but the finance panel voted 12-to-4 to collect the data statewide. All four Republicans voted no, saying officers have better things to do – especially in smaller towns – and they should use their limited resources to fight crime. But Assembly Democrat Cory Mason of Racine says that if drivers are targeted by their race, it erodes trust in the legal system.
Vehicle Sales Down Sharply
5/27/09 - Sales of new cars and trucks in Wisconsin went down 30-percent last month, compared to the same time a year ago. But the Badger State is apparently not as bad off as the nation as a whole. The market analysis firm of Cross-Sell said U-S vehicle sales dropped 37-percent in April – seven-percent more than in Wisconsin. The firm said almost 15-thousand new cars and trucks were sold in the state last month, down from about 21-thousand in 2008. Cross-Sell said the declines were similar to those in March.
Majority of Credit Unions Lose Money in 1st Quarter
5/27/09 - Eight of Wisconsin’s 10 largest credit unions lost money in the first quarter of the year. But those losses will be only temporary, as the result of recent congressional action. Credit unions were recently hit with large payments to replenish their industry’s insurance system for deposits – and Congress recently agreed to lend up to six-billion dollars to help the industry get back on its feet. As a result, credit unions will be able to spread their payments for deposit insurance over seven-to-eight-years, instead of having to pay the larger premiums all at one time. And that’ll make a huge difference in the credit unions’ bottom lines.
5/27/09 - The former Julie R Danceware building in downtown Beaver Dam has been demolished. Crews began demolition work yesterday on the ten buildings that have been targeted for demolition in downtown Beaver Dam. The buildings violated state statute because they were constructed over the Beaver Dam River and last summers flooding spurred efforts to move forward on the project. Contractor Brandenburg Industries continues demolition today with structures on the 100 block of Front Street before moving onto the 200 block. Demolition is expected to take up to two weeks.
Columbus EMS Talks Resume Thursday
5/27/09 - Talks changing EMS District lines in the City of Columbus and eight surrounding Townships resume Thursday night. The Township of Fountain Prairie has decided to leave the Fall River Fire District EMS and join Columbus in their contract negotiations with LifeStar Ambulance of West Bend. The new EMS District includes areas in Columbia, Dane and Dodge counties. Fountain Prairie will join with the City and the towns of Calamus, Columbus, Elba, Hampden, Portland and York in formation of the new EMS District. City Council member Bill Bruns was chosen to chair the Committee of City and township representatives at their series of monthly meetings. The Committee is discussing a set of bylaws and municipal representation plan for the Ambulance Service District. The Village of Fall River and the Towns of Otsego and Courtland will be retaining their current municipal EMS service. The reduction of the area covered by the Fall River EMS will call for the approval of a new contract when the Fire District meets in July. The Columbus contract between LifeStar Ambulance and the district being formed is being negotiated.
No Injuries In City Rollover
5/27/09 - No injuries were reported after an SUV flipped over during a two-car accident in the city of Beaver Dam Tuesday afternoon. Deputy Police Chief Dan Schubert says the in-town, rollover accident occurred at 3:11pm. An 85-year-old Beaver Dam was traveling eastbound on Third Street when his SUV was hit by a vehicle going northbound on Spring Street. The impact caused the SUV to roll. The driver of the SUV was cited for Failure To Yield.
Waller Charged With Church Break-In
5/27/09 - A Beaver Dam man has been charged in connection with a church break-in last fall. Trevor Waller is accused of breaking into the First Lutheran Church of Beaver Dam on October 20 and ransacking the offices. Authorities heard about the burglary while they were down the street at the United Methodist Church investigating a similar break-in. There have been no charges filed yet in connection with that incident. Authorities found blood and fingerprint evidence at the First Lutheran Church and connected it to Waller, who is also charged in connection with a pair of business burglaries. The 28-year-old Waller is charged along with two others in connection with break-ins at Kelm Painting and Beaver Plumbing around the same time. He has jury trials scheduled in August for the business break-ins and a preliminary hearing on the church break-in July 9. Waller faces over 40 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Schuett Charged With Residential Break-In
5/27/09 - A Juneau man faces over 15 years in prison for a residential burglary last October. Christopher Schuett is charged with a felony count of Burglary as a repeater and Criminal Damage to Property. The 20-year-old is accused of breaking into a residence and stealing cash, checkbooks and an iPod. Authorities found blood and fingerprints at the scene and tied it to Schuett, who will be back in court for a preliminary hearing next month.
Suspected Parking Lot Flasher in Court
5/27/09 - A Madison man, who was arrested after witnesses say he performed a lewd act inside his car, had a signature bond set at $500 during an initial hearing Tuesday in Dodge County court. The Beaver Dam Police Department responded the Kohl’s Department Store parking lot on the afternoon of May 13 after a woman reported the incident. The suspect left the scene but the witness followed him onto Highway 151. A short time later, the Columbus Police Department arrested Kevin C. Johnson. The 42-year-old is charged with Lewd and Lascivious Behavior, which carries a maximum nine-month prison sentence upon conviction.
Waupun Consolidation Moving Forward
5/27/09 - Waupun District Administrator Randy Refsland says moving plans for the three elementary schools to be closed at the end of the school year are coming along. With the district cutting its number of buildings from six to three Refsland says there is a lot of work to do but he feels comfortable with the timeline so far and says he expects everything to be ready by the time kids come back in the fall. One big issue for many in the move has been placing 7th grade kids in the same building as 12th graders as part of the high school. Refsland says they’ve gone to great lengths to separate the two including placing most of the middle school classes on the 2nd floor. But he says they are also many positives to have the two groups together, including being able to have the older students tutor the younger ones. The moving comes after the district was forced to make drastic cuts to deal with a $1.2-million-dollar deficit for the coming school year.
Fee for Handguns to Increase
5/27/09 - Owning a handgun will be more expensive in Wisconsin. The state Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee endorsed a budget measure last night to raise the fee for buying a handgun from eight-dollars to 13. The Justice Department said the five-dollar increase would cover the cost of performing the necessary background checks on handgun buyers. But Governor Jim Doyle wanted to jack up the fee to 30-dollars, and use the extra revenue for other law enforcement programs. The finance panel scrapped that idea. The committee also said no to a new fee on the slaughtering of farm animals, to help pay for more state meat inspectors.
Officers to Note Race During Traffic Stops
5/27/09 - If you’re stopped for a traffic violation, the officer will take note of your race and send that data to Madison starting in 2011. The state Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee endorsed that move last night, to determine if officers are hassling minorities. Governor Jim Doyle’s proposed budget would have only collected the racial data in the state’s 11 largest counties – but the finance panel voted 12-to-4 to collect the data statewide. All four Republicans voted no, saying officers have better things to do – especially in smaller towns – and they should use their limited resources to fight crime. But Assembly Democrat Cory Mason of Racine says that if drivers are targeted by their race, it erodes trust in the legal system.
Vehicle Sales Down Sharply
5/27/09 - Sales of new cars and trucks in Wisconsin went down 30-percent last month, compared to the same time a year ago. But the Badger State is apparently not as bad off as the nation as a whole. The market analysis firm of Cross-Sell said U-S vehicle sales dropped 37-percent in April – seven-percent more than in Wisconsin. The firm said almost 15-thousand new cars and trucks were sold in the state last month, down from about 21-thousand in 2008. Cross-Sell said the declines were similar to those in March.
Majority of Credit Unions Lose Money in 1st Quarter
5/27/09 - Eight of Wisconsin’s 10 largest credit unions lost money in the first quarter of the year. But those losses will be only temporary, as the result of recent congressional action. Credit unions were recently hit with large payments to replenish their industry’s insurance system for deposits – and Congress recently agreed to lend up to six-billion dollars to help the industry get back on its feet. As a result, credit unions will be able to spread their payments for deposit insurance over seven-to-eight-years, instead of having to pay the larger premiums all at one time. And that’ll make a huge difference in the credit unions’ bottom lines.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Top Stories May 26th
Memorial Day Observed
5/26/09 - Beaver Dam joined communities around the state and around the county in observing Memorial Day with a special tribute to our fallen veterans. The morning began with a wreath laying ceremony at the Center Street Bridge to honor those servicemen and women who were lost at sea. The Memorial Day Parade followed with floats, marching bands and all military braches and veterans’ service organizations represented. The morning concluded with a well-attended ceremony at Oakwood Cemetery. The special guest speaker was Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson. Abrahamson says she found the ceremony very moving and called Oakwood Cemetery a wonderful Memorial Park.
Doyle Says Cuts in Aid Won’t Result in Property Tax Increases
5/26/09 - Governor Jim Doyle says school districts won’t be able to rely on increased property taxes to make up for declining state aid. Last Thursday, the governor’s office announced that aid to schools in the next budget will be cut by 2.5%. School officials told us that the issue is not so much the cut but whether or not the legislature will suspend the 2% revenue limit for districts so they can collect enough money to cover the shortfall. Doyle says he has been working with the Obama administration and with the funding districts will receive under the Recovery Act they will get more money over the next two years than they get now. The governor says though (quote) “there will have to be some cap adjustments so that it doesn’t just go onto the property taxes.” Doyle says schools will have to be more creative and stretch resources.
BDFD Fights Back To Back Fires
5/26/09 - The Beaver Dam Fire Department responded to back-to-back fires yesterday, both of which were started by burning embers stoked by high winds. The first call came in just after 10am to W9566 County Trunk D in the Town of Beaver Dam. The resident was burning refuse and the high winds sparked a nearby woodpile. Three cords of wood were scorched. Firefighters returned to the station at 11:07am. At 11:08am, they were called out to W8188 Redwood Road in the Town of Trenton. Once again high winds carried a burning ember from the controlled burn, this time igniting bales of corn stalk used as bedding for cattle. Twenty-five bales ignited and Beaver Dam called in mutual assistance from four other departments. One Beaver Dam firefighter sustained a minor eye injury and was treated and released from the Beaver Dam Community Hospital.
Oakfield Fire Scorches 100 Acres
5/26/09 - Fire destroyed a barn and about 100 acres of corn stubble on Thill Road in the Town of Oakfield yesterday afternoon. Seven fire departments battled the blaze that caused the closing of Highway 151 for about an hour due to the embers and smoke. Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Sergeant Ryan Waldschmidt says the barn fire was likely caused by smoldering logs that were burnt near it earlier in the week. The barn fire in turn ignited the corn stubble fire. No one was hurt fighting either blaze. (1450 KFIZ)
2 Die in Weekend Motorcycle Accidents
5/26/09 - Two women riding on the back of motorcycles were killed in a pair of accidents in Fond du Lac County Sunday evening. The first died after the bike she was on swerved to try and avoid a vehicle coming around a curve on Highway S that was pulling a boat. A little later a 31-year-old West Allis woman died after the 32-year-old Campbellsport man driving the motorcycle she was on failed to negotiate a curve. Alcohol was a factor in that accident on Highway 67. (1450 KFIZ)
2 Hurt After Train Strikes Stalled Vehicle in Elm Grove
5/26/09 - Two people are hospitalized after a freight train hit a mini-van that was stuck in traffic while heading to a Memorial Day parade in the Milwaukee suburb of Elm Grove. 47-year-old Scott Partenfelder of West Allis was in critical condition at last word while 41-year-old Elm Grove police officer John Krahn was satisfactory. According to witnesses, the mini-van driven by Partenfelder’s wife Monica got stuck as it tried to speed off the tracks as the train approached. Krahn and Scott Partenfelder – who was driving his own vehicle – both ran to save the two in the mini-van. Krahn freed the woman just before the crash, but Partenfelder had trouble freeing his two-year-old son from a child safety seat. The train hurled the mini-van to a spot where it got crushed. The child amazingly escaped injury. But Krahn and Scott Partenfelder needed surgery. The parade was supposed to start an hour later, but it was canceled.
Large Drinking Party Leads to Charges
5/26/09 - A Wisconsin Dells man has been charged with organizing a large underage drinking party in Lake Delton, following a high school prom in nearby Portage. Authorities said about 50 students attended the April 25th party, but none of them are being cited. 19-year-old Ryan Field was charged last week with three Sauk County citations for selling alcohol to minors without a license, and allowing underage consumption. He’s due in court June 22nd, and he faces just over 16-hundred dollars in fines. Portage High School officials contacted police after seeing photos of a party on a school digital camera. Police said Field rented a house and bought the beer. The school said it punished the students under its co-curricular rules and athletic code. Reports quoted school and police officials as saying it would be extreme and counter-productive to add judicial punishment – and that’s why the drinkers were not cited.
No Call List Reminder
5/26/09 - If you want a little more peace and quiet, you have until Sunday to put your phone number on Wisconsin’s do-not-call list for telemarketers. The list is updated four times a year. And to stay on it, you must renew your registration at least once every two years. Those who sign up by Sunday will have their names added to the new list on July first. The list won’t be updated again until October. Glen Loyd of the state’s consumer protection agency says folks should not wait until the last minute. He says up to 100-thousand registrations a day are made just before each deadline – and that bogs the system down. Wisconsin has had a no-call list since 2003. Cell phones were added a few months ago. You can register on-line at NoCall-Dot-Wisconsin-Dot-Gov.
BadgerCare Plus to Accept New Applications
5/26/09 - The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says it will begin accepting applications for the expanded BadgerCare Plus Core Plan next month. That program covers primary and preventive care, along with generic drugs, for low-income adults without children. The application period opens June 15. That's two weeks later than previously expected because of the state's uncertain budget picture. The earliest benefits could be used would be July 15 now.
5/26/09 - Beaver Dam joined communities around the state and around the county in observing Memorial Day with a special tribute to our fallen veterans. The morning began with a wreath laying ceremony at the Center Street Bridge to honor those servicemen and women who were lost at sea. The Memorial Day Parade followed with floats, marching bands and all military braches and veterans’ service organizations represented. The morning concluded with a well-attended ceremony at Oakwood Cemetery. The special guest speaker was Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson. Abrahamson says she found the ceremony very moving and called Oakwood Cemetery a wonderful Memorial Park.
Doyle Says Cuts in Aid Won’t Result in Property Tax Increases
5/26/09 - Governor Jim Doyle says school districts won’t be able to rely on increased property taxes to make up for declining state aid. Last Thursday, the governor’s office announced that aid to schools in the next budget will be cut by 2.5%. School officials told us that the issue is not so much the cut but whether or not the legislature will suspend the 2% revenue limit for districts so they can collect enough money to cover the shortfall. Doyle says he has been working with the Obama administration and with the funding districts will receive under the Recovery Act they will get more money over the next two years than they get now. The governor says though (quote) “there will have to be some cap adjustments so that it doesn’t just go onto the property taxes.” Doyle says schools will have to be more creative and stretch resources.
BDFD Fights Back To Back Fires
5/26/09 - The Beaver Dam Fire Department responded to back-to-back fires yesterday, both of which were started by burning embers stoked by high winds. The first call came in just after 10am to W9566 County Trunk D in the Town of Beaver Dam. The resident was burning refuse and the high winds sparked a nearby woodpile. Three cords of wood were scorched. Firefighters returned to the station at 11:07am. At 11:08am, they were called out to W8188 Redwood Road in the Town of Trenton. Once again high winds carried a burning ember from the controlled burn, this time igniting bales of corn stalk used as bedding for cattle. Twenty-five bales ignited and Beaver Dam called in mutual assistance from four other departments. One Beaver Dam firefighter sustained a minor eye injury and was treated and released from the Beaver Dam Community Hospital.
Oakfield Fire Scorches 100 Acres
5/26/09 - Fire destroyed a barn and about 100 acres of corn stubble on Thill Road in the Town of Oakfield yesterday afternoon. Seven fire departments battled the blaze that caused the closing of Highway 151 for about an hour due to the embers and smoke. Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Sergeant Ryan Waldschmidt says the barn fire was likely caused by smoldering logs that were burnt near it earlier in the week. The barn fire in turn ignited the corn stubble fire. No one was hurt fighting either blaze. (1450 KFIZ)
2 Die in Weekend Motorcycle Accidents
5/26/09 - Two women riding on the back of motorcycles were killed in a pair of accidents in Fond du Lac County Sunday evening. The first died after the bike she was on swerved to try and avoid a vehicle coming around a curve on Highway S that was pulling a boat. A little later a 31-year-old West Allis woman died after the 32-year-old Campbellsport man driving the motorcycle she was on failed to negotiate a curve. Alcohol was a factor in that accident on Highway 67. (1450 KFIZ)
2 Hurt After Train Strikes Stalled Vehicle in Elm Grove
5/26/09 - Two people are hospitalized after a freight train hit a mini-van that was stuck in traffic while heading to a Memorial Day parade in the Milwaukee suburb of Elm Grove. 47-year-old Scott Partenfelder of West Allis was in critical condition at last word while 41-year-old Elm Grove police officer John Krahn was satisfactory. According to witnesses, the mini-van driven by Partenfelder’s wife Monica got stuck as it tried to speed off the tracks as the train approached. Krahn and Scott Partenfelder – who was driving his own vehicle – both ran to save the two in the mini-van. Krahn freed the woman just before the crash, but Partenfelder had trouble freeing his two-year-old son from a child safety seat. The train hurled the mini-van to a spot where it got crushed. The child amazingly escaped injury. But Krahn and Scott Partenfelder needed surgery. The parade was supposed to start an hour later, but it was canceled.
Large Drinking Party Leads to Charges
5/26/09 - A Wisconsin Dells man has been charged with organizing a large underage drinking party in Lake Delton, following a high school prom in nearby Portage. Authorities said about 50 students attended the April 25th party, but none of them are being cited. 19-year-old Ryan Field was charged last week with three Sauk County citations for selling alcohol to minors without a license, and allowing underage consumption. He’s due in court June 22nd, and he faces just over 16-hundred dollars in fines. Portage High School officials contacted police after seeing photos of a party on a school digital camera. Police said Field rented a house and bought the beer. The school said it punished the students under its co-curricular rules and athletic code. Reports quoted school and police officials as saying it would be extreme and counter-productive to add judicial punishment – and that’s why the drinkers were not cited.
No Call List Reminder
5/26/09 - If you want a little more peace and quiet, you have until Sunday to put your phone number on Wisconsin’s do-not-call list for telemarketers. The list is updated four times a year. And to stay on it, you must renew your registration at least once every two years. Those who sign up by Sunday will have their names added to the new list on July first. The list won’t be updated again until October. Glen Loyd of the state’s consumer protection agency says folks should not wait until the last minute. He says up to 100-thousand registrations a day are made just before each deadline – and that bogs the system down. Wisconsin has had a no-call list since 2003. Cell phones were added a few months ago. You can register on-line at NoCall-Dot-Wisconsin-Dot-Gov.
BadgerCare Plus to Accept New Applications
5/26/09 - The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says it will begin accepting applications for the expanded BadgerCare Plus Core Plan next month. That program covers primary and preventive care, along with generic drugs, for low-income adults without children. The application period opens June 15. That's two weeks later than previously expected because of the state's uncertain budget picture. The earliest benefits could be used would be July 15 now.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Top Stories May 25th
The Eagle Has Landed
5/25/09 - A bronze eagle stolen from the Veterans Memorial in the Randolph Cemetery was tracked down by detectives with the Dodge County Sheriffs Department. Sheriff Todd Nehls says the information that lead to the break in the case came from some of the suspects wanted in connection with a recent series of pipe bombings in the Dodge County area. Nehls says the suspects have been in the Dodge County Detention facility for several weeks and his officers have heard “rumblings” about an eagle, but until recent media reports his department was unaware of the missing statue. The sheriff says the incident highlights a need for better communication between law enforcement agencies in the area, like a computer sharing network or a joint records system. He credits the hard work of Detective Bob Neumann for the find. The eagle, valued at $3,000, was first reported missing on May 19 but authorities now say it was stolen months ago. Nehls says the statue was returned to its rightful place in the Randolph Cemetery by Saturday evening, well in advance of this morning’s parade in Randolph, which begins at 9:15am at Randolph Elementary and concludes with a ceremony at the cemetery.
5/25/09 - A bronze eagle stolen from the Veterans Memorial in the Randolph Cemetery was tracked down by detectives with the Dodge County Sheriffs Department. Sheriff Todd Nehls says the information that lead to the break in the case came from some of the suspects wanted in connection with a recent series of pipe bombings in the Dodge County area. Nehls says the suspects have been in the Dodge County Detention facility for several weeks and his officers have heard “rumblings” about an eagle, but until recent media reports his department was unaware of the missing statue. The sheriff says the incident highlights a need for better communication between law enforcement agencies in the area, like a computer sharing network or a joint records system. He credits the hard work of Detective Bob Neumann for the find. The eagle, valued at $3,000, was first reported missing on May 19 but authorities now say it was stolen months ago. Nehls says the statue was returned to its rightful place in the Randolph Cemetery by Saturday evening, well in advance of this morning’s parade in Randolph, which begins at 9:15am at Randolph Elementary and concludes with a ceremony at the cemetery.
Good Weather for Memorial Day Parades
5/25/09 - There is good weather in the forecast for the Beaver Dam Memorial Day 2009 Parade and Ceremony. Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson will be the special guest speaker. Abrahamson was appointed to the Supreme Court by Governor Patrick Lucey in 1976, becoming the first woman to serve on the Court. The theme will be “Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave.” Organizer Lois Levenhagen says the theme was chosen to honor veterans and soldiers past and present, who have served or are serving to preserve our country’s freedom. Before the parade starts, at 8:45am, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Center Street Bridge, where a wreath will be tossed into the water honoring servicemen and women lost to sea. The parade itself follows, starting at 9:15am, with participants meeting in the Tower Parking lot before proceeding down Front Street/ Park Avenue to Oakwood Cemetery on Highway 33, where the event will conclude with the memorial ceremony. The ceremony begins at 10:15am will be broadcast live on WBEV.
Racine Soldier Killed in Iraq
5/25/09 - It was the second tour of duty for a soldier from Racine. For Sergeant 1st Class Brian Naseman, it will be his last. Naseman died Friday in the city of Taji. The Department of Defense says it is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death because it was non-combat related. Naseman had been deployed to Kuwait for a year, returning in November 2006. Naseman is a native of Ohio. He lived in Racine with his wife and children. He was a member of the Wisconsin National Guard.
Doyle Addresses Wayland Grad’s
5/25/09 - Governor Jim Doyle yesterday delivered the Commencement Address for the 154th graduating class at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam. This year’s class had 52 graduates representing five states and four countries. It was not the first time Doyle has given a commencement speech at Wayland. He also delivered the speech in 2000 when he was the state’s attorney general. His son was a 1997 graduate of the academy.
State Moves To Help Chrysler/ GM Dealerships
5/25/09 - The state of Wisconsin is speeding efforts to help new car dealerships who have lost their Chrysler or General Motors franchises. The state Division of Motor Vehicles hopes to have a solution within 30 days. State law says a dealership can't sell new cars if it doesn't have a franchise agreement in place. Chrysler is ending its agreement with 18 dealers. No specific numbers of GM dealers losing their deals has been announced. The way the law reads, Wisconsin dealers would have to hold their new cars until the next model year -- then sell them as used cars.
Good Time for Car Purchases
5/25/09 - Dealers won't just give you the car you want. Nonetheless, the experts say this may be one of the best times in history for buyers to get a good price. Memorial Day weekend sales figures will be critical for the car industry. On average, new car sales are coming at a loss for the sellers. One Wisconsin dealer says she's not in business to lose money on cars. She's losing her Chrysler dealership, but plans to continue selling other models. In 2007, more than 16 million cars were sold in the United States. Last year that fell to a little over 13 million -- and this year's forecast is 10 million.
Teen Killed in Farming Accident
5/25/09 - Statistics have made it obvious for years -- farming can be one of the most dangerous professions. Two people died in Wisconsin farm accidents over the weekend. Last Friday night a 17 year old man near Neillsville was killed while working on his family's farm. Jonathan High was reportedly working on a silo unloader when a cable snapped. He fell 80 feet to his death. Then, on Saturday, 64 year old Roger Hampton was trying to drive his tractor up a steep hill in Dunn County. The tractor overturned, trapping him underneath. Both victims were dead at the scene.
Prevailing Wage Approved in Budget Committee
5/25/09 - Supporters say a plan approved by the Legislature's budget writing committee will mean more workers, making more money -- boosting the economy and paying more in local taxes. The Joint Finance Committee took steps to force construction companies doing government projects to pay the prevailing wage to keep the contract. Opponents say that just means builders will charge local governments more for those projects. Thirty-two states have similar laws in place. The definition of a prevailing wage is the rate of pay for work done in a specific trade -- in the area under that government's control.
Victims Comp Fund Bolstered
5/25/09 - Wisconsin budget writers move more money into the state's victims' compensation fund. The Joint Finance Committee Saturday approved putting an additional 811 thousand dollars into that fund over the next two years. The money would be used to reimburse victims of crime for lost wages, medical expenses and other losses. Claims have been so high that the fund is facing a deficit of more than two million dollars right now. Other than what the state is kicking in, most of the money in that fund comes from surcharges that judges impose when they sentence defendants or put them on probation.
Conservation Congress To Define Guns
5/25/09 - The state of Wisconsin considers new rules about what types of guns hunters can use. The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board is taking up the question at a Wednesday meeting in Baraboo. As it stands now, hunters are allowed to use firearms including air guns, hand guns and guns fired from the shoulder -- like rifles. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress says that definition might let hunters use new, untested technology. They're talking about electromagnetic weapons. The rule would eliminate them.
5/25/09 - There is good weather in the forecast for the Beaver Dam Memorial Day 2009 Parade and Ceremony. Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson will be the special guest speaker. Abrahamson was appointed to the Supreme Court by Governor Patrick Lucey in 1976, becoming the first woman to serve on the Court. The theme will be “Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave.” Organizer Lois Levenhagen says the theme was chosen to honor veterans and soldiers past and present, who have served or are serving to preserve our country’s freedom. Before the parade starts, at 8:45am, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Center Street Bridge, where a wreath will be tossed into the water honoring servicemen and women lost to sea. The parade itself follows, starting at 9:15am, with participants meeting in the Tower Parking lot before proceeding down Front Street/ Park Avenue to Oakwood Cemetery on Highway 33, where the event will conclude with the memorial ceremony. The ceremony begins at 10:15am will be broadcast live on WBEV.
Racine Soldier Killed in Iraq
5/25/09 - It was the second tour of duty for a soldier from Racine. For Sergeant 1st Class Brian Naseman, it will be his last. Naseman died Friday in the city of Taji. The Department of Defense says it is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death because it was non-combat related. Naseman had been deployed to Kuwait for a year, returning in November 2006. Naseman is a native of Ohio. He lived in Racine with his wife and children. He was a member of the Wisconsin National Guard.
Doyle Addresses Wayland Grad’s
5/25/09 - Governor Jim Doyle yesterday delivered the Commencement Address for the 154th graduating class at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam. This year’s class had 52 graduates representing five states and four countries. It was not the first time Doyle has given a commencement speech at Wayland. He also delivered the speech in 2000 when he was the state’s attorney general. His son was a 1997 graduate of the academy.
State Moves To Help Chrysler/ GM Dealerships
5/25/09 - The state of Wisconsin is speeding efforts to help new car dealerships who have lost their Chrysler or General Motors franchises. The state Division of Motor Vehicles hopes to have a solution within 30 days. State law says a dealership can't sell new cars if it doesn't have a franchise agreement in place. Chrysler is ending its agreement with 18 dealers. No specific numbers of GM dealers losing their deals has been announced. The way the law reads, Wisconsin dealers would have to hold their new cars until the next model year -- then sell them as used cars.
Good Time for Car Purchases
5/25/09 - Dealers won't just give you the car you want. Nonetheless, the experts say this may be one of the best times in history for buyers to get a good price. Memorial Day weekend sales figures will be critical for the car industry. On average, new car sales are coming at a loss for the sellers. One Wisconsin dealer says she's not in business to lose money on cars. She's losing her Chrysler dealership, but plans to continue selling other models. In 2007, more than 16 million cars were sold in the United States. Last year that fell to a little over 13 million -- and this year's forecast is 10 million.
Teen Killed in Farming Accident
5/25/09 - Statistics have made it obvious for years -- farming can be one of the most dangerous professions. Two people died in Wisconsin farm accidents over the weekend. Last Friday night a 17 year old man near Neillsville was killed while working on his family's farm. Jonathan High was reportedly working on a silo unloader when a cable snapped. He fell 80 feet to his death. Then, on Saturday, 64 year old Roger Hampton was trying to drive his tractor up a steep hill in Dunn County. The tractor overturned, trapping him underneath. Both victims were dead at the scene.
Prevailing Wage Approved in Budget Committee
5/25/09 - Supporters say a plan approved by the Legislature's budget writing committee will mean more workers, making more money -- boosting the economy and paying more in local taxes. The Joint Finance Committee took steps to force construction companies doing government projects to pay the prevailing wage to keep the contract. Opponents say that just means builders will charge local governments more for those projects. Thirty-two states have similar laws in place. The definition of a prevailing wage is the rate of pay for work done in a specific trade -- in the area under that government's control.
Victims Comp Fund Bolstered
5/25/09 - Wisconsin budget writers move more money into the state's victims' compensation fund. The Joint Finance Committee Saturday approved putting an additional 811 thousand dollars into that fund over the next two years. The money would be used to reimburse victims of crime for lost wages, medical expenses and other losses. Claims have been so high that the fund is facing a deficit of more than two million dollars right now. Other than what the state is kicking in, most of the money in that fund comes from surcharges that judges impose when they sentence defendants or put them on probation.
Conservation Congress To Define Guns
5/25/09 - The state of Wisconsin considers new rules about what types of guns hunters can use. The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board is taking up the question at a Wednesday meeting in Baraboo. As it stands now, hunters are allowed to use firearms including air guns, hand guns and guns fired from the shoulder -- like rifles. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress says that definition might let hunters use new, untested technology. They're talking about electromagnetic weapons. The rule would eliminate them.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Top Stories May 24
Insurance Companies Get To Work At CCI
5/24/09 - Insurance company investigators now try to find out what caused the explosions and fire at the Columbus Chemical Industries plant earlier this month. A company official says it won't have control of the burned buildings for several weeks, although the production facility and offices are back online. Many of the 55 workers at the plant are back on the job. Inventory that wasn't damaged in the fire is being recovered and restocked. The buildings are being cleaned and demolition work on the burned structure is under way. The business is open and is filling some orders.
Andy’s Roofing Owner Convicted
5/24/09 - Sentencing will be June 22 for a Juneau man who operated Andy’s Roofing Company. Robert Linendoll this past week pleaded “no contest” to twelve felony counts of Theft in a Business Setting. The 48-year-old failed to honor work for a series of contracts he entered into between September of 2006 and August of last year for work in Beaver Dam, Hustisford, Emmet, Burnett, Randolph and Juneau. Linendoll faces over 55 years in prison when he is sentenced June 22. Judge John Stork ordered a pre-sentencing investigation and also ordered that uncharged offenses be read into the record.
Columbus Man Sentenced on Drug Charges
5/24/09 - Nine months in prison for a Columbus man who sold cocaine to a undercover officer. 35-year-old Daryl R. Smith pleaded “no contest” this past week to a felony charge of delivery of cocaine.
Neumann To Appeal
5/24/09 - Her lawyer and Leilani Neumann's family say there will be an appeal. Neumann was convicted of second-degree reckless homicide in the death of her daughter in a Marathon County courtroom. She was accused of praying instead of seeking medical help. Prosecutors called her a religious zealot. Neumann's family says the case is not over. Her stepfather, Brian Gordon, says they are not extremists, that they believe in the bible and in God -- and that the Constitution protects their right to worship God as they see fit. Neumann's husband will face the same charges this summer.
Officials Hope The Eagle Returns
5/24/09 - Veterans and law enforcement authorities in Columbia County hope a stolen, bronze eagle is recovered by tomorrow. The eagle is the centerpiece for annual Memorial Day services in Randolph. Someone noticed it was missing from the Randolph Cemetery last Tuesday night. An official with the local VFW says it looks like a truck was used to pull the eagle out of the monument. The eagle is valued at three thousand dollars. It was dedicated 16 years ago to honor veterans and their service. The Columbia County sheriff is hoping someone will offer information leading to its recovery.
DNR Cuts Affect State Park Summer Staffing
5/24/09 - It's something of a "perfect storm" at Wisconsin state parks. As the uncertain economy keeps people closer to home to save money, they often choose to spend vacation time at a state park. At the same time, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reports it has 230 fewer seasonal park workers this year. About 14 million people visit Wisconsin's 104 state parks each year. Reservations are said to be higher than in the past. With budget cuts on the way, the size of the staffing at those parks could shrink even more.
Firewood Prohibited in National Parks
5/24/09 - It's something that could slip your mind, but the U.S. Forest Service is taking the firewood ban seriously. You're not allowed to bring firewood into northern Wisconsin's Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest. This ban is a part of the effort to keep the emerald ash borer from spreading. The invasive species has destroyed millions of ash trees in the upper Midwest. The ban prohibits firewood from outside the state and any cut south of state Highway 29. Federal authorities think one way the pest is spreading is through people transporting firewood.
SS Badger Begins Ferry Service
5/24/09 - The mayor of Manitowoc says it means summer is on the way when the SS Badger is in operation. The first trip for the passenger car ferry was Friday. The SS Badger runs from Manitowoc to Ludington, Michigan, and back each day, letting travelers avoid the long drive around the southern end of Lake Michigan. Mayor Justin Nickels calls the ferry an "asset" for Manitowoc. Its season runs from now until about mid-October.
Sensenbrenner Joins Pelosi in China
5/24/09 - Wisconsin Congressman James Sensenbrenner is the only Republican joining House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on a trip to China. The group left Alaska yesterday. The focus of the trip is on creating clean, sustainable energy policies. The China trip is expected to last about a week. The six members of Congress all have seats on the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Members met with Native Americans in Alaska Friday, hearing that the changing climate is having a dramatic impact on their lives.
Wisconsinite Climbs Everest
5/24/09 - Wisconsin mountain climber Lori Schneider has reached the summit of Mount Everest. Schneider is from Bayfield. A report from Alpine Ascents International says she was one of the first team members to reach the top of the world's highest peak at about 7:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time Friday. Schneider has reached the summit of the tallest mountain on all seven continents -- a remarkable achievement for anyone, but especially since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 10 years ago. Schneider trained for the ascent on Mount Ashwabay near Bayfield. That mountain rises less than 13 hundred feet about sea level.
5/24/09 - Insurance company investigators now try to find out what caused the explosions and fire at the Columbus Chemical Industries plant earlier this month. A company official says it won't have control of the burned buildings for several weeks, although the production facility and offices are back online. Many of the 55 workers at the plant are back on the job. Inventory that wasn't damaged in the fire is being recovered and restocked. The buildings are being cleaned and demolition work on the burned structure is under way. The business is open and is filling some orders.
Andy’s Roofing Owner Convicted
5/24/09 - Sentencing will be June 22 for a Juneau man who operated Andy’s Roofing Company. Robert Linendoll this past week pleaded “no contest” to twelve felony counts of Theft in a Business Setting. The 48-year-old failed to honor work for a series of contracts he entered into between September of 2006 and August of last year for work in Beaver Dam, Hustisford, Emmet, Burnett, Randolph and Juneau. Linendoll faces over 55 years in prison when he is sentenced June 22. Judge John Stork ordered a pre-sentencing investigation and also ordered that uncharged offenses be read into the record.
Columbus Man Sentenced on Drug Charges
5/24/09 - Nine months in prison for a Columbus man who sold cocaine to a undercover officer. 35-year-old Daryl R. Smith pleaded “no contest” this past week to a felony charge of delivery of cocaine.
Neumann To Appeal
5/24/09 - Her lawyer and Leilani Neumann's family say there will be an appeal. Neumann was convicted of second-degree reckless homicide in the death of her daughter in a Marathon County courtroom. She was accused of praying instead of seeking medical help. Prosecutors called her a religious zealot. Neumann's family says the case is not over. Her stepfather, Brian Gordon, says they are not extremists, that they believe in the bible and in God -- and that the Constitution protects their right to worship God as they see fit. Neumann's husband will face the same charges this summer.
Officials Hope The Eagle Returns
5/24/09 - Veterans and law enforcement authorities in Columbia County hope a stolen, bronze eagle is recovered by tomorrow. The eagle is the centerpiece for annual Memorial Day services in Randolph. Someone noticed it was missing from the Randolph Cemetery last Tuesday night. An official with the local VFW says it looks like a truck was used to pull the eagle out of the monument. The eagle is valued at three thousand dollars. It was dedicated 16 years ago to honor veterans and their service. The Columbia County sheriff is hoping someone will offer information leading to its recovery.
DNR Cuts Affect State Park Summer Staffing
5/24/09 - It's something of a "perfect storm" at Wisconsin state parks. As the uncertain economy keeps people closer to home to save money, they often choose to spend vacation time at a state park. At the same time, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reports it has 230 fewer seasonal park workers this year. About 14 million people visit Wisconsin's 104 state parks each year. Reservations are said to be higher than in the past. With budget cuts on the way, the size of the staffing at those parks could shrink even more.
Firewood Prohibited in National Parks
5/24/09 - It's something that could slip your mind, but the U.S. Forest Service is taking the firewood ban seriously. You're not allowed to bring firewood into northern Wisconsin's Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest. This ban is a part of the effort to keep the emerald ash borer from spreading. The invasive species has destroyed millions of ash trees in the upper Midwest. The ban prohibits firewood from outside the state and any cut south of state Highway 29. Federal authorities think one way the pest is spreading is through people transporting firewood.
SS Badger Begins Ferry Service
5/24/09 - The mayor of Manitowoc says it means summer is on the way when the SS Badger is in operation. The first trip for the passenger car ferry was Friday. The SS Badger runs from Manitowoc to Ludington, Michigan, and back each day, letting travelers avoid the long drive around the southern end of Lake Michigan. Mayor Justin Nickels calls the ferry an "asset" for Manitowoc. Its season runs from now until about mid-October.
Sensenbrenner Joins Pelosi in China
5/24/09 - Wisconsin Congressman James Sensenbrenner is the only Republican joining House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on a trip to China. The group left Alaska yesterday. The focus of the trip is on creating clean, sustainable energy policies. The China trip is expected to last about a week. The six members of Congress all have seats on the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Members met with Native Americans in Alaska Friday, hearing that the changing climate is having a dramatic impact on their lives.
Wisconsinite Climbs Everest
5/24/09 - Wisconsin mountain climber Lori Schneider has reached the summit of Mount Everest. Schneider is from Bayfield. A report from Alpine Ascents International says she was one of the first team members to reach the top of the world's highest peak at about 7:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time Friday. Schneider has reached the summit of the tallest mountain on all seven continents -- a remarkable achievement for anyone, but especially since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 10 years ago. Schneider trained for the ascent on Mount Ashwabay near Bayfield. That mountain rises less than 13 hundred feet about sea level.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Top Stories May 23rd
Crash Claims Beaver Dam Man
5/23/09 - A 51-year-old Beaver Dam man was killed in an early evening crash yesterday in the Town of Burnett. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says while the man was making a right turn from Highway I onto westbound Highway E his classic Ford Mustang was hit from the side by a westbound pickup truck. The man and the 83-year-old driver of the truck were taken to the Beaver Dam hospital where the man was pronounced dead. The crash was reported just after 5 p.m. and authorities say it remains under investigation. The man is Dodge County’s fourth motor vehicle related death in 2009.
Razing The Bar
5/23/09 - Well they didn’t exactly break ground but Beaver Dam city leaders and state officials did take a sledgehammer to the century-old bricks of the now-shuttered tavern Doc’s Corner during an opening ceremony yesterday for the downtown redevelopment project. In coming weeks, ten structures will be demolished, including the Celestial building and the legendary Doc’s Corner, which of course gives new meaning to the term, ‘razing the bar.’ Mayor Tom Kennedy says the revitalization efforts will soon evolve into a viable downtown with mixed uses for housing developments, open spaces, parks and business activity. Crews with Brandenburg Industries began to dismantle the buildings by hand earlier this week. The actual mechanized demolition of the structures will begin this Tuesday, with the former Julie R Danceware building being the first to fall.
Bronze Eagle Stolen from Veterans Memorial in Randolph
5/23/09 - Authorities in Columbia County are looking for a bronze eagle stolen from the Veterans Memorial in the Randolph Cemetery. Sheriff Dennis Richards says the eagle, valued at $3,000, was first reported missing on May 19th, but they are unsure when the eagle was actually taken. Officials say the initial complaint led them to look for a vehicle suspected to be a part of the theft but so far nothing has turned up. They believe the statue was taken from the monument by truck. Anyone with information is asked to call the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department. Despite the missing eagle, Memorial Day ceremonies will be held at the Randolph Veterans Memorial on Monday. Click here for a list of all the local events on Monday.
Neumann Found Guilty
5/23/09 - It took a jury in Marathon County three and a half hours to convict Leilani Neumann of second-degree reckless homicide. Neumann was accused of failing to get medical attention for her 11 year old daughter as she was dying from complications due to diabetes. No date has been set for her sentencing. Madeline Neumann died March 23rd of last year as she was circled by people praying for her. A call was finally made to 9-1-1 when she quit breathing. Prosecutors told the jury a reasonable person would have know something was wrong with the girl. They described her as a religious zealot. Neumann could get up to 25 years in prison. Her husband, Dale, goes on trial in July.
Refsland: “Cut in School Aid Was Expected”
5/23/09 - The announcement by Governor Jim Doyle on Thursday that aid to schools and local government in the next budget would be cut by 2.5% didn’t come as a surprise to school administrators. Waupun’s Randy Refsland says the cut was actually smaller than the 5% they were expecting. Refsland says more importantly than the cut is whether or not the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee and Doyle will suspend the 2% revenue limit for districts so they can collect enough money to plug the cut in aid. If they don’t, Waupun would be forced to cut an additional $360,000. The Joint Finance Committee says it hopes to finish up their work on the budget by the end of the month and Refsland says he’ll have more exact numbers when they do.
Empty Buildings to be Sold
5/23/09 - All three buildings being closed in the Waupun School District at the end of this semester will be on the market soon after. Administrators say they are in the process of having the Fox Lake, Alto, and Jefferson Elementary Schools appraised, and when that’s completed, the buildings will be put up for sale. The three schools were part of a drastic budget cut in an attempt to close a deficit of more than $1.2-million-dollars for this coming school year. In response to the closing of the school in Fox Lake a citizen’s group called CARE has started a petition to allow the city and town to detach from the Waupun district and latch onto the Randolph School District. Right after the vote to close the buildings took place members of CARE said they would file an injunction to keep the Fox Lake Elementary from being sold until the possible detachment process was complete. The petition was officially launched earlier this week and by state statute, the group must secure signatures from a majority of the people eligible to vote in the city and town of Fox Lake by July 1st.
Doyle to Speak at Wayland Commencement
5/23/09 - Wayland Academy will have a special guest at their graduation ceremony Sunday. Governor Jim Doyle will deliver the Commencement Address for the 154th graduating class in the Lindsay Auditorium. It’s not the first time Doyle has given the commencement speech. He also delivered the speech in 2000 when he was the state’s attorney general. This year’s class has 52 graduates representing five states and four countries.
Death had “Satanic Overtones”
5/23/09 - Sawyer County investigators say the killing of Irena Roszak had satanic overtones. Christopher Roalson was charged with homicide in her fatal stabbing yesterday. A 15 year old boy from Exeland is charged with being a party to the crimes. The 93 year old woman was stabbed 15 times in the attack earlier this month. In an interview Roalson reportedly told authorities he is the "son of Satan." Both suspects are being held on one million dollars bond and both have a court appearance scheduled for next month.
No Call List Deadline Approaching
5/23/09 - Lots of people are making the call -- so they don't get called. Wisconsin residents who want to put their phone number on the state's no-call list have until June 1 to do it. That would keep telemarketers from called their number after July 1. The state says it has a little over one and a half million phone numbers on its list, but everyone has to renew after two years. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says you can register both your cell phone and land line, if you wish. There is no charge. If you don't meet the deadline, you'll have to wait six months to have your number placed off-limits.
More Layoffs for Rusk County
5/23/09 - There’s more bad economic news for the county with the state's highest unemployment rate. Hundreds of layoffs are moving from temporary to permanent at Jeld-Wen Windows in Rusk County. Jeld-Wen has notified the state that 247 people will lose their jobs. The plant in Hawkins has been temporarily laying off workers since the start of the year, and it now says the slumping economy is forcing it to make the layoffs permanent -- since the workers can't be brought back within six months. The layoffs hit hard in Rusk County where the unemployment rate of over 16 percent is the highest among Wisconsin's 72 counties.
Gokey to Perform in Milwaukee
5/23/09 - Milwaukee welcomes home-town singer Danny Gokey next Tuesday night. The man who made it to the top-three in Fox's "American Idol" will make an appearance at the Riverside Theater. Gokey will speak about Sophia's Heart Foundation after his wife died last summer during heart surgery. He and another "Idol" contestant, Jamar Rogers, will sing for the crowd. Admission is free and the doors open at 6:30 p.m.
5/23/09 - A 51-year-old Beaver Dam man was killed in an early evening crash yesterday in the Town of Burnett. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says while the man was making a right turn from Highway I onto westbound Highway E his classic Ford Mustang was hit from the side by a westbound pickup truck. The man and the 83-year-old driver of the truck were taken to the Beaver Dam hospital where the man was pronounced dead. The crash was reported just after 5 p.m. and authorities say it remains under investigation. The man is Dodge County’s fourth motor vehicle related death in 2009.
Razing The Bar
5/23/09 - Well they didn’t exactly break ground but Beaver Dam city leaders and state officials did take a sledgehammer to the century-old bricks of the now-shuttered tavern Doc’s Corner during an opening ceremony yesterday for the downtown redevelopment project. In coming weeks, ten structures will be demolished, including the Celestial building and the legendary Doc’s Corner, which of course gives new meaning to the term, ‘razing the bar.’ Mayor Tom Kennedy says the revitalization efforts will soon evolve into a viable downtown with mixed uses for housing developments, open spaces, parks and business activity. Crews with Brandenburg Industries began to dismantle the buildings by hand earlier this week. The actual mechanized demolition of the structures will begin this Tuesday, with the former Julie R Danceware building being the first to fall.
Bronze Eagle Stolen from Veterans Memorial in Randolph
5/23/09 - Authorities in Columbia County are looking for a bronze eagle stolen from the Veterans Memorial in the Randolph Cemetery. Sheriff Dennis Richards says the eagle, valued at $3,000, was first reported missing on May 19th, but they are unsure when the eagle was actually taken. Officials say the initial complaint led them to look for a vehicle suspected to be a part of the theft but so far nothing has turned up. They believe the statue was taken from the monument by truck. Anyone with information is asked to call the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department. Despite the missing eagle, Memorial Day ceremonies will be held at the Randolph Veterans Memorial on Monday. Click here for a list of all the local events on Monday.
Neumann Found Guilty
5/23/09 - It took a jury in Marathon County three and a half hours to convict Leilani Neumann of second-degree reckless homicide. Neumann was accused of failing to get medical attention for her 11 year old daughter as she was dying from complications due to diabetes. No date has been set for her sentencing. Madeline Neumann died March 23rd of last year as she was circled by people praying for her. A call was finally made to 9-1-1 when she quit breathing. Prosecutors told the jury a reasonable person would have know something was wrong with the girl. They described her as a religious zealot. Neumann could get up to 25 years in prison. Her husband, Dale, goes on trial in July.
Refsland: “Cut in School Aid Was Expected”
5/23/09 - The announcement by Governor Jim Doyle on Thursday that aid to schools and local government in the next budget would be cut by 2.5% didn’t come as a surprise to school administrators. Waupun’s Randy Refsland says the cut was actually smaller than the 5% they were expecting. Refsland says more importantly than the cut is whether or not the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee and Doyle will suspend the 2% revenue limit for districts so they can collect enough money to plug the cut in aid. If they don’t, Waupun would be forced to cut an additional $360,000. The Joint Finance Committee says it hopes to finish up their work on the budget by the end of the month and Refsland says he’ll have more exact numbers when they do.
Empty Buildings to be Sold
5/23/09 - All three buildings being closed in the Waupun School District at the end of this semester will be on the market soon after. Administrators say they are in the process of having the Fox Lake, Alto, and Jefferson Elementary Schools appraised, and when that’s completed, the buildings will be put up for sale. The three schools were part of a drastic budget cut in an attempt to close a deficit of more than $1.2-million-dollars for this coming school year. In response to the closing of the school in Fox Lake a citizen’s group called CARE has started a petition to allow the city and town to detach from the Waupun district and latch onto the Randolph School District. Right after the vote to close the buildings took place members of CARE said they would file an injunction to keep the Fox Lake Elementary from being sold until the possible detachment process was complete. The petition was officially launched earlier this week and by state statute, the group must secure signatures from a majority of the people eligible to vote in the city and town of Fox Lake by July 1st.
Doyle to Speak at Wayland Commencement
5/23/09 - Wayland Academy will have a special guest at their graduation ceremony Sunday. Governor Jim Doyle will deliver the Commencement Address for the 154th graduating class in the Lindsay Auditorium. It’s not the first time Doyle has given the commencement speech. He also delivered the speech in 2000 when he was the state’s attorney general. This year’s class has 52 graduates representing five states and four countries.
Death had “Satanic Overtones”
5/23/09 - Sawyer County investigators say the killing of Irena Roszak had satanic overtones. Christopher Roalson was charged with homicide in her fatal stabbing yesterday. A 15 year old boy from Exeland is charged with being a party to the crimes. The 93 year old woman was stabbed 15 times in the attack earlier this month. In an interview Roalson reportedly told authorities he is the "son of Satan." Both suspects are being held on one million dollars bond and both have a court appearance scheduled for next month.
No Call List Deadline Approaching
5/23/09 - Lots of people are making the call -- so they don't get called. Wisconsin residents who want to put their phone number on the state's no-call list have until June 1 to do it. That would keep telemarketers from called their number after July 1. The state says it has a little over one and a half million phone numbers on its list, but everyone has to renew after two years. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says you can register both your cell phone and land line, if you wish. There is no charge. If you don't meet the deadline, you'll have to wait six months to have your number placed off-limits.
More Layoffs for Rusk County
5/23/09 - There’s more bad economic news for the county with the state's highest unemployment rate. Hundreds of layoffs are moving from temporary to permanent at Jeld-Wen Windows in Rusk County. Jeld-Wen has notified the state that 247 people will lose their jobs. The plant in Hawkins has been temporarily laying off workers since the start of the year, and it now says the slumping economy is forcing it to make the layoffs permanent -- since the workers can't be brought back within six months. The layoffs hit hard in Rusk County where the unemployment rate of over 16 percent is the highest among Wisconsin's 72 counties.
Gokey to Perform in Milwaukee
5/23/09 - Milwaukee welcomes home-town singer Danny Gokey next Tuesday night. The man who made it to the top-three in Fox's "American Idol" will make an appearance at the Riverside Theater. Gokey will speak about Sophia's Heart Foundation after his wife died last summer during heart surgery. He and another "Idol" contestant, Jamar Rogers, will sing for the crowd. Admission is free and the doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Top Stories May 21st
City Administrator Leaving Waupun
5/21/09 - Gary Rodgers time in Waupun has come to an end. The City Administrator recently accepted a similar position in Hiawatha, Iowa after serving the past seven years in Waupun. According to the minutes of the May 6th Hiawatha City Council Meeting, the employment agreement hiring Rodgers was approved unanimously. Rodgers has been in the middle of an attempt by a group calling themselves the Citizens of Waupun for Leadership Change to recall Mayor Jodi Steger because they believe she failed in her duties to remove Rodgers. No word on when Rodgers is expected to leave his post in Waupun as he was unavailable for immediate comment.
Knaup Avoids Trial
5/21/09 - Former Beaver Dam Alderman Clancy Knaup has avoided a trial in a case in which he was accused of entering a tenant’s apartment and unlawfully removing weapons. The 33-year-old had was charged last year with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct after he entered a tenants apartment and removed a shotgun as well as ammunition, bolt cutters, knives and body armor from the teenage tenant. At the time of the incident, Knaup told us his other tenants were scared by the “gun-wielding” teens and he was acting in their best interest when he took possession of the weapons. In court yesterday, Judge John Stork agreed to allow the state to dismiss the criminal trespass charge and Knaup entered into a deferred prosecution agreement on the disorderly conduct charge. The settlement comes after Stork decided last Friday that Knaup’s attorney would be allowed to introduce new evidence relating to the alleged victims role in recent criminal activity in Dodge County. 19-year-old Stephen Peterson, who claims Knaup trespassed when he entered his apartment, is one of three suspects in the recent bombings of a mailbox in Burnett and a port-a-potty at Lost Lake Park. If Knaup completes his alcohol assessment the disorderly conduct charge will be stricken from his record.
Two Hurt in High-Speed Chase
5/21/09 - A high-speed pursuit ended with the two suspects in a Madison hospital. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says the chase began on Highway 33 near County Road A before ending after the vehicle crashed on Highway 151 near Hemlock Road. Both suspects were taken to the UW-Hospital in Madison. The Sheriff’s Department and the Beaver Dam police department were involved in the pursuit. The subjects both face numerous citations and other charges. The chase started just after midnight.
Man Hit with 6th OWI
5/21/09 - A 48-year-old man picked up his 6th OWI last night after hitting a garage and driving off. Kevin P. Kabrich allegedly hit a garage on Lithostone Drive in Lomira and drove away. A caller alerted the authorities and Kabrich was arrested for the OWI just before 8 p.m.
Columbus Discusses Emergency Management
5/21/09 - The Columbus City Council approved a resolution creating an “Interim” Emergency Government Director by a narrow 3 to 2 vote this week. Debate over hiring Gerald Sallmann as Director and Bob Zapotockny as Assistant Director led to opposing Common Council views on the City’s need to have an Emergency Director. Only the Sallmann resolution was passed. The resolution that was approved will give Columbus an Interim Director for the next three months while the Council discusses the future of the City’s Emergency Government plans.
Lodi Schools Closed over Flu Concerns
5/21/09 - A Columbia County high school will again close its doors because of swine flu concerns. The decision was made to close Lodi High School today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) because of the increased incidents of influenza-like illness affecting students throughout the school day yesterday. Columbia County Health Officer Susan Lorenz consulted with the state Public Health Department and Lodi District Administrator Mike Shimshak in making the decision. The Primary and Elementary Schools have been closed since Tuesday. The High School was also closed Tuesday, but was back in session today. All primary, elementary, middle and high school co-curricular activities are cancelled in conjunction with the school closures. Officials plan to reopen all Lodi public schools next Tuesday following the Memorial Day holiday. As of today, Columbia County has 25 confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus.
Fox Lake Looks at Police Chief Job Description
5/21/09 - The Fox Lake common council discussed qualifications for its permanent police chief position last night. Interim Chief Randy Martin presented the first draft of the job description to the council. Qualifications include a two or four year degree; or a combination of education and work experience, three years of service in a supervisory role for a police agency, and the ability to meet certain requirements established for police officers. The council is expected to vote on the description during their June meeting and post the position soon after. The person hired will replace Pat Lynch who retired from the position earlier this year.
State Officials Pledge Not to Raise Taxes Further to Cover Budget Deficit
5/21/09 - Two top state officials say they will not raise taxes to cover the state’s latest revenue shortfall. Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan told mayors and local leaders in Madison yesterday that people are quote, “struggling enough now.” And Administration Secretary Michael Morgan re-affirmed Governor Jim Doyle’s promise from last week not to raise state taxes to replace one-point-six billion dollars in lower tax revenues caused by the recession. That’s on the top of the five-billion-dollar shortfall the state had earlier – part of which would be covered by one-point-seven billion in higher taxes and fees. The mayors came to Madison to see how much their state aid would be cut in the next budget. The governor proposed a one-percent cut in February. Morgan said the new cut would be five-percent and maybe six. There’s been talk of new state-imposed levy limits, to make sure communities don’t jack up local property taxes to cover all the lost revenues. But there’s been nothing official about that.
Credit Card Reform Passes U.S. Legislature
5/21/09 - Republican Paul Ryan of Janesville was the only Wisconsin House member to vote against the credit card reforms sent to President Obama yesterday. All seven other Wisconsin members voted in favor of the bill, which passed 361-to-64. Wausau Democrat David Obey says it will stop the practice of raising a card’s interest rate for behavior not related to that card – or using fine print to hide fees and other major conditions. Obama plans to sign the bill tomorrow, and the changes will take effect in nine months. Among other things, card-holders would have to be more than 60 days behind on their payments before interest goes up on their existing balances. Card companies would have to let customers block purchases which exceed their credit limits, instead of just imposing large over-the-limit fees. And young people under 21 cannot get new credit cards unless they have the means to repay their debts – or if their parents co-sign for them. The banking industry opposed the changes, saying it will be harder to get credit. But Obey says the rules are needed to quote, “keep the big boys honest and playing fair.”
Neumann Trial Continues
5/21/09 - The Wausau area woman who’s on trial for praying instead of getting help for her dying daughter is expected to testify in her own defense today. Leilani Neumann’s jury heard a videotaped interview yesterday, in which she told a police detective she thought 11-year-old Kara Neumann was having a spiritual attack. And she never considered taking her to a doctor – even though she looked pale, tired, and extremely thin. The jury heard Neumann tell an Everest Metro police detective she thought the Lord would heal Kara, and she never thought the girl was close to death. The mother called it a test of her faith – and she never went through anything like it in her life. Kara Neumann died last March from complications of diabetes. Both her parents are charged with second-degree reckless homicide for not seeking medical help. Kara’s 16-year-old sister Elizabeth testified the girl was so weak the day before she died, she had to be helped to the bathroom – and her speech was extremely mumbled.
Powerball Up to $192M
5/21/09 - Nobody won the Powerball jackpot last night, so it goes up to 192-million-dollars for the next drawing on Saturday. Just over 38-thousand Wisconsin players were winners last evening – but nobody got more than 200-dollars. Eighteen tickets either matched four regular numbers, or three plus the Powerball – and they all had the Power Play multiplier of two. Just over 20-thousand people won three-bucks just by matching the Powerball. The numbers were 23, 30, 31, 35, and 42. The Powerball was six. Saturday’s jackpot is the highest so far this year. The cash option is 99-point-eight million.
Union Won’t Give Back 2% Raise
5/21/09 - A major state employee union has rejected Governor Jim Doyle’s request to pass up a two-percent pay raise scheduled for next month. A-F-T Wisconsin says it’s won’t give back to the pay hike until the state stops giving additional work to outside contractors. Doyle plans to lay off 700 non-union workers, and make others to take 16 days off without pay, to help reduce the state’s six-point-six billion dollar budget deficit. The governor wants unionized workers to pass up next month’s raise as well – and if they don’t, he’ll try to lay off 400 union positions. The A-F-T union has about 10-thousand state employees who work as university teaching assistants, public defenders, and computer staffers. Union president Bryan Kennedy says it’s cheaper to have state employees do a lot of the work instead of out-sourcing. And as recently as this month, A-F-T said state agencies without enough employees were arranging new contracts for computer work – even though state workers would be cheaper. Administration spokeswoman Linda Barth says agencies are looking at cuts in contracting. And she re-affirmed the governor’s intention to lay off union workers if they don’t agree to a pay freeze.
5/21/09 - Gary Rodgers time in Waupun has come to an end. The City Administrator recently accepted a similar position in Hiawatha, Iowa after serving the past seven years in Waupun. According to the minutes of the May 6th Hiawatha City Council Meeting, the employment agreement hiring Rodgers was approved unanimously. Rodgers has been in the middle of an attempt by a group calling themselves the Citizens of Waupun for Leadership Change to recall Mayor Jodi Steger because they believe she failed in her duties to remove Rodgers. No word on when Rodgers is expected to leave his post in Waupun as he was unavailable for immediate comment.
Knaup Avoids Trial
5/21/09 - Former Beaver Dam Alderman Clancy Knaup has avoided a trial in a case in which he was accused of entering a tenant’s apartment and unlawfully removing weapons. The 33-year-old had was charged last year with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct after he entered a tenants apartment and removed a shotgun as well as ammunition, bolt cutters, knives and body armor from the teenage tenant. At the time of the incident, Knaup told us his other tenants were scared by the “gun-wielding” teens and he was acting in their best interest when he took possession of the weapons. In court yesterday, Judge John Stork agreed to allow the state to dismiss the criminal trespass charge and Knaup entered into a deferred prosecution agreement on the disorderly conduct charge. The settlement comes after Stork decided last Friday that Knaup’s attorney would be allowed to introduce new evidence relating to the alleged victims role in recent criminal activity in Dodge County. 19-year-old Stephen Peterson, who claims Knaup trespassed when he entered his apartment, is one of three suspects in the recent bombings of a mailbox in Burnett and a port-a-potty at Lost Lake Park. If Knaup completes his alcohol assessment the disorderly conduct charge will be stricken from his record.
Two Hurt in High-Speed Chase
5/21/09 - A high-speed pursuit ended with the two suspects in a Madison hospital. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says the chase began on Highway 33 near County Road A before ending after the vehicle crashed on Highway 151 near Hemlock Road. Both suspects were taken to the UW-Hospital in Madison. The Sheriff’s Department and the Beaver Dam police department were involved in the pursuit. The subjects both face numerous citations and other charges. The chase started just after midnight.
Man Hit with 6th OWI
5/21/09 - A 48-year-old man picked up his 6th OWI last night after hitting a garage and driving off. Kevin P. Kabrich allegedly hit a garage on Lithostone Drive in Lomira and drove away. A caller alerted the authorities and Kabrich was arrested for the OWI just before 8 p.m.
Columbus Discusses Emergency Management
5/21/09 - The Columbus City Council approved a resolution creating an “Interim” Emergency Government Director by a narrow 3 to 2 vote this week. Debate over hiring Gerald Sallmann as Director and Bob Zapotockny as Assistant Director led to opposing Common Council views on the City’s need to have an Emergency Director. Only the Sallmann resolution was passed. The resolution that was approved will give Columbus an Interim Director for the next three months while the Council discusses the future of the City’s Emergency Government plans.
Lodi Schools Closed over Flu Concerns
5/21/09 - A Columbia County high school will again close its doors because of swine flu concerns. The decision was made to close Lodi High School today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) because of the increased incidents of influenza-like illness affecting students throughout the school day yesterday. Columbia County Health Officer Susan Lorenz consulted with the state Public Health Department and Lodi District Administrator Mike Shimshak in making the decision. The Primary and Elementary Schools have been closed since Tuesday. The High School was also closed Tuesday, but was back in session today. All primary, elementary, middle and high school co-curricular activities are cancelled in conjunction with the school closures. Officials plan to reopen all Lodi public schools next Tuesday following the Memorial Day holiday. As of today, Columbia County has 25 confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus.
Fox Lake Looks at Police Chief Job Description
5/21/09 - The Fox Lake common council discussed qualifications for its permanent police chief position last night. Interim Chief Randy Martin presented the first draft of the job description to the council. Qualifications include a two or four year degree; or a combination of education and work experience, three years of service in a supervisory role for a police agency, and the ability to meet certain requirements established for police officers. The council is expected to vote on the description during their June meeting and post the position soon after. The person hired will replace Pat Lynch who retired from the position earlier this year.
State Officials Pledge Not to Raise Taxes Further to Cover Budget Deficit
5/21/09 - Two top state officials say they will not raise taxes to cover the state’s latest revenue shortfall. Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan told mayors and local leaders in Madison yesterday that people are quote, “struggling enough now.” And Administration Secretary Michael Morgan re-affirmed Governor Jim Doyle’s promise from last week not to raise state taxes to replace one-point-six billion dollars in lower tax revenues caused by the recession. That’s on the top of the five-billion-dollar shortfall the state had earlier – part of which would be covered by one-point-seven billion in higher taxes and fees. The mayors came to Madison to see how much their state aid would be cut in the next budget. The governor proposed a one-percent cut in February. Morgan said the new cut would be five-percent and maybe six. There’s been talk of new state-imposed levy limits, to make sure communities don’t jack up local property taxes to cover all the lost revenues. But there’s been nothing official about that.
Credit Card Reform Passes U.S. Legislature
5/21/09 - Republican Paul Ryan of Janesville was the only Wisconsin House member to vote against the credit card reforms sent to President Obama yesterday. All seven other Wisconsin members voted in favor of the bill, which passed 361-to-64. Wausau Democrat David Obey says it will stop the practice of raising a card’s interest rate for behavior not related to that card – or using fine print to hide fees and other major conditions. Obama plans to sign the bill tomorrow, and the changes will take effect in nine months. Among other things, card-holders would have to be more than 60 days behind on their payments before interest goes up on their existing balances. Card companies would have to let customers block purchases which exceed their credit limits, instead of just imposing large over-the-limit fees. And young people under 21 cannot get new credit cards unless they have the means to repay their debts – or if their parents co-sign for them. The banking industry opposed the changes, saying it will be harder to get credit. But Obey says the rules are needed to quote, “keep the big boys honest and playing fair.”
Neumann Trial Continues
5/21/09 - The Wausau area woman who’s on trial for praying instead of getting help for her dying daughter is expected to testify in her own defense today. Leilani Neumann’s jury heard a videotaped interview yesterday, in which she told a police detective she thought 11-year-old Kara Neumann was having a spiritual attack. And she never considered taking her to a doctor – even though she looked pale, tired, and extremely thin. The jury heard Neumann tell an Everest Metro police detective she thought the Lord would heal Kara, and she never thought the girl was close to death. The mother called it a test of her faith – and she never went through anything like it in her life. Kara Neumann died last March from complications of diabetes. Both her parents are charged with second-degree reckless homicide for not seeking medical help. Kara’s 16-year-old sister Elizabeth testified the girl was so weak the day before she died, she had to be helped to the bathroom – and her speech was extremely mumbled.
Powerball Up to $192M
5/21/09 - Nobody won the Powerball jackpot last night, so it goes up to 192-million-dollars for the next drawing on Saturday. Just over 38-thousand Wisconsin players were winners last evening – but nobody got more than 200-dollars. Eighteen tickets either matched four regular numbers, or three plus the Powerball – and they all had the Power Play multiplier of two. Just over 20-thousand people won three-bucks just by matching the Powerball. The numbers were 23, 30, 31, 35, and 42. The Powerball was six. Saturday’s jackpot is the highest so far this year. The cash option is 99-point-eight million.
Union Won’t Give Back 2% Raise
5/21/09 - A major state employee union has rejected Governor Jim Doyle’s request to pass up a two-percent pay raise scheduled for next month. A-F-T Wisconsin says it’s won’t give back to the pay hike until the state stops giving additional work to outside contractors. Doyle plans to lay off 700 non-union workers, and make others to take 16 days off without pay, to help reduce the state’s six-point-six billion dollar budget deficit. The governor wants unionized workers to pass up next month’s raise as well – and if they don’t, he’ll try to lay off 400 union positions. The A-F-T union has about 10-thousand state employees who work as university teaching assistants, public defenders, and computer staffers. Union president Bryan Kennedy says it’s cheaper to have state employees do a lot of the work instead of out-sourcing. And as recently as this month, A-F-T said state agencies without enough employees were arranging new contracts for computer work – even though state workers would be cheaper. Administration spokeswoman Linda Barth says agencies are looking at cuts in contracting. And she re-affirmed the governor’s intention to lay off union workers if they don’t agree to a pay freeze.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Top Stories May 20th
Search is on for Man Involved in Domestic Issue this Morning
5/20/09 - Authorities are looking for a man involved in a domestic disturbance early this morning. The dodge County Sheriff’s Department says they are attempting to locate 23-year-old Bryant D. Williams of Sun Prairie who is believed to be with a 22-year-old woman though authorities are not sure whether or not she is with him willingly. Records show an altercation took place at a home on Hidden Valley Road between Williams and the 22-year-old woman. Another woman was at the residence but left to contact authorities. By the time they arrived Williams and the 22-year-old woman were gone. If anyone has information about Williams’s whereabouts they are asked to call the Sheriff’s Department or the anonymous We-Tip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME
Highway Department Forced to Cut Back Service on State Highways
5/20/09 - The Dodge County Highway Department has been told to cut back of their level of service for the county’s state highways. That’s according to Highway Commissioner Brian Field who says the DOT has called for the slash in service in response to the major budget deficit facing the state. Currently the county is repaid for all the routine maintenance done on the state highways but because the last few winters have been so expensive the DOT is telling the county to cut back on mowing, litter pick up, and crack filling operations. Field says answers to how long the cut back will last have been non-existent and he’s unsure if this could last into the winter when a drop in service level will be easily identified. State Highways are identified with a number. As for other county roads, Field says a normal level of service will continue.
Home Foreclosure Bill Passes
5/20/09 - Republican Jim Sensenbrenner was the only Wisconsin House member to vote against a compromise bill aimed at avoiding home foreclosures. The bill was sent to President Obama yesterday. It would expand a current program that encourages lenders to reduce a homeowner’s mortgage if the owner agrees to pay an insurance premium. In exchange, a typically-high variable interest rate would be replaced with a 30-year-old fixed loan with government backing. Janesville Republican Paul Ryan did not vote on the package. Fond du Lac Republican Tom Petri and all the state’s Democrats voted yes – as did the state’s two U-S senators. The bill did not include a mandate for cutting monthly payments for homeowners in bankruptcy. The financial industry was able to get that out of the package.
Legislature Looking Make Consequences More Severe for Drunk Drivers
5/20/09 - A state legislative committee took its first vote yesterday on one of many long-promised crackdowns on drunk driving in Wisconsin. The Assembly’s Public Safety panel voted unanimously to make certain offenders blow into tubes before they can start their vehicles, to make sure they’re alcohol-free. The ignition inter-locks would be required for one year for all repeat O-W-I offenders, and first-timers with blood alcohol levels of point-15 or higher. The drunk drivers would have to buy and maintain the devices, and pay a 50-dollar surcharge. Meanwhile, senators say they’re still working on a more comprehensive package of drunk driving reforms that include ignition interlocks, and making three-time O-W-I a felony.
Beaver Dam Family Featured on Oprah Today
5/20/09 - A Beaver Dam family will be featured on Oprah this afternoon. Michelle Ladwig and her family were chosen to be part of “Oprah’s Challenge” and were asked to live without electronics for one week AND they had to give up ten other items each day. Gone were the cell phones, I-pods, and TV’s. In its place were nightly family dinners and camera’s following their every move. Ladwig says it was a priceless experience. Oprah airs at 4pm.
Alleged Child Molester Charged
5/20/09 - A Beaver Dam man accused of molesting three young girls had a signature bond set at $50,000 during an initial appearance yesterday in Dodge County court. Howard Ohlemiller is charged with two felony counts of 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child Under the Age of 13 and one count of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a Child for offenses that allegedly occurred over a two-year period ending last month. The 79-year-old is accused of assaulting a young teenager and two pre-teens on a weekly basis before he would pay them for house cleaning services. According to the criminal complaint, Ohlemiller admitted to the incidents to authorities, saying that the girls were at fault for initiating the activity. He faces a maximum 160 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Campbell Convicted for Sexual Assault
5/20/09 - Five years in prison for a Beaver Dam man who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl he met on the internet. Matthew D. Campbell was found guilty in February of Second Degree Sexual Assault of a Child, Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime and Exposing a Child to Sexual Activity. Authorities say the victim invited Campbell to her Waupun home to watch television. That’s when 34-year-old Campbell stripped naked and began to touch her inappropriately. The assault was interrupted by the mother’s boyfriend, who came to check on the girl when he saw a suspicious truck in the driveway. The boyfriend told authorities that Campbell said he was a 21-year-old named Jim who was at the house to fix the girls computer. Campbell fled the scene, but not before backing into the boyfriend’s vehicle and getting stuck in a snow bank. Authorities tracked Campbell down through his license plate. During yesterday’s sentencing hearing, Campbell was also sentenced to ten years of extended supervision.
High Risk Arrest in Waupun
5/20/09 - Five people from out-of-state were taken into custody at gunpoint in Waupun Monday night for a robbery that occurred in Fond du Lac. Fond du Lac Police Captain Mat Mueller (MULE-lur) says three of them were jailed. He terms the five "travelers," who move around the country "taking what they want and can before leaving an area." Captain Mueller says when money was grabbed at a Wal-Mart in Fond du Lac they knew what they were doing. During a high-risk traffic stop Waupun Police and a Fond du Lac County Sheriff's deputy took the five into custody. Their van was also seized. Mueller says a 74-year-old man who was in the group complained about having chest pains and claimed he was having a heart attack.
Suspected Pip Bombers Charged
5/20/09 - Three men suspected in a pair of mailbox and outhouse explosions last month have been formally charged. 19-year-old’s Stephen Peterson and Kyle Livingston along with 20-year-old Michael Peters all face a variety of felony charges including Possession of Explosives and Damage to Property in connection with the pipe bombings. A fourth man, 18-year-old Robert Hanson, is also in custody but has not been charged. Arrests were made after some of the suspects returned to the scene of the Lost Lake bombing to survey the damage. In-store video surveillance was also used after they allegedly purchasing the explosive components at a Beaver Dam retailer. The suspects 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.
Leroy Meats Burglary
5/20/09 - The Horicon Police Department is investigating a burglary at Leroy Meats over the weekend. Authorities say they responded to the location in the early morning hours Monday after employees found damaged locks and a missing safe. They believe the burglary occurred sometime after 8pm Sunday night. Officials say the safe from the building was taken, which contained cash, customer checks and some credit car transaction receipts. The police department has no suspects but Lieutenant Adrian Bump says “evidence found at the scene leads investigators to believe that those responsible for the crime were experienced.” Anyone with information is asked to call the police department or the anonymous WeTip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME.
Caregiver Charged with Exploiting Roommate
5/20/09 - A Hartford man is charged with ten felony counts of Theft for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars from his disabled roommate. Michael Beckwith is accused of using the elderly man’s checks and ATM card without his consent to pay bills, go on vacation, make charitable donations and purchase a car. The 56-year-old was hired by the victim to be his caregiver. The offenses span a period of less than one year beginning in May of 2008 and total nearly $40,000. Beckwith faces up to 64 years in prison if convicted on all counts. He had a signature bond set at $1000 and a preliminary hearing scheduled for next month.
Emergency Officials on Code Red: Register Cell Phones
5/20/09 - In the wake of last weeks explosions and resulting fires in Columbus emergency management officials are asking residents to register there cell phones with the county so as to receive “Code Red” calls even if you lose power. Director Joe Meagher says only about half of the residents called near Columbus Chemical Industries received the emergency notice for a variety of reasons, including the fact they were forced to cut power around the area. Meagher says in an effort to avoid a similar situation in the future he’s asking residents to register their cell phones and address with the county. Code Red is a reverse 911 system recently put in place by Dodge County to alert residents of emergency situations. For more information or to register your cell phone number, visit the county’s website at www.co.dodge.wi.us.
Beer Tax Stalls
5/20/09 - It appears that Wisconsin's beer tax, the nation's third lowest, will remain where it's been for the past forty years. While this legislative battle appears to be over without a bill ever being debated or given a committee hearing, Tavern League president Rob Swearingen (swear-engine) is not letting his guard down yet. He says he’s still worried about another increase. Swearingen has Governor Jim Doyle in his corner. Doyle opposes an increase in the state's beer tax, a big disappointment for the bill's principal author, state Representative Terese Berceau (bur-so). She says the reasons cited for the governor’s stance don't sound particularly enlightened. Berceau would raise the tax on beer by just under three cents a bottle. Money from the tax would be used to pay for law enforcement and alcohol abuse treatment programs.
Swine Flue Testing Encouraged
5/20/09 - Influenza A maybe getting a lot of press but it may be a good idea to get tested for another virus according to a health expert. The incidence of viral hepatitis is higher worldwide than HIV or any cancer with an estimated one in 12 infected. Dr. Raymond Koff says in latest year fully researched, 2006, there were more than 24 hundred cases reported in Wisconsin. Koff warns that is the "tip of the iceberg," and that 75 percent of those infected may be unaware they have the virus because it does not show symptoms.
5/20/09 - Authorities are looking for a man involved in a domestic disturbance early this morning. The dodge County Sheriff’s Department says they are attempting to locate 23-year-old Bryant D. Williams of Sun Prairie who is believed to be with a 22-year-old woman though authorities are not sure whether or not she is with him willingly. Records show an altercation took place at a home on Hidden Valley Road between Williams and the 22-year-old woman. Another woman was at the residence but left to contact authorities. By the time they arrived Williams and the 22-year-old woman were gone. If anyone has information about Williams’s whereabouts they are asked to call the Sheriff’s Department or the anonymous We-Tip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME
Highway Department Forced to Cut Back Service on State Highways
5/20/09 - The Dodge County Highway Department has been told to cut back of their level of service for the county’s state highways. That’s according to Highway Commissioner Brian Field who says the DOT has called for the slash in service in response to the major budget deficit facing the state. Currently the county is repaid for all the routine maintenance done on the state highways but because the last few winters have been so expensive the DOT is telling the county to cut back on mowing, litter pick up, and crack filling operations. Field says answers to how long the cut back will last have been non-existent and he’s unsure if this could last into the winter when a drop in service level will be easily identified. State Highways are identified with a number. As for other county roads, Field says a normal level of service will continue.
Home Foreclosure Bill Passes
5/20/09 - Republican Jim Sensenbrenner was the only Wisconsin House member to vote against a compromise bill aimed at avoiding home foreclosures. The bill was sent to President Obama yesterday. It would expand a current program that encourages lenders to reduce a homeowner’s mortgage if the owner agrees to pay an insurance premium. In exchange, a typically-high variable interest rate would be replaced with a 30-year-old fixed loan with government backing. Janesville Republican Paul Ryan did not vote on the package. Fond du Lac Republican Tom Petri and all the state’s Democrats voted yes – as did the state’s two U-S senators. The bill did not include a mandate for cutting monthly payments for homeowners in bankruptcy. The financial industry was able to get that out of the package.
Legislature Looking Make Consequences More Severe for Drunk Drivers
5/20/09 - A state legislative committee took its first vote yesterday on one of many long-promised crackdowns on drunk driving in Wisconsin. The Assembly’s Public Safety panel voted unanimously to make certain offenders blow into tubes before they can start their vehicles, to make sure they’re alcohol-free. The ignition inter-locks would be required for one year for all repeat O-W-I offenders, and first-timers with blood alcohol levels of point-15 or higher. The drunk drivers would have to buy and maintain the devices, and pay a 50-dollar surcharge. Meanwhile, senators say they’re still working on a more comprehensive package of drunk driving reforms that include ignition interlocks, and making three-time O-W-I a felony.
Beaver Dam Family Featured on Oprah Today
5/20/09 - A Beaver Dam family will be featured on Oprah this afternoon. Michelle Ladwig and her family were chosen to be part of “Oprah’s Challenge” and were asked to live without electronics for one week AND they had to give up ten other items each day. Gone were the cell phones, I-pods, and TV’s. In its place were nightly family dinners and camera’s following their every move. Ladwig says it was a priceless experience. Oprah airs at 4pm.
Alleged Child Molester Charged
5/20/09 - A Beaver Dam man accused of molesting three young girls had a signature bond set at $50,000 during an initial appearance yesterday in Dodge County court. Howard Ohlemiller is charged with two felony counts of 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child Under the Age of 13 and one count of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a Child for offenses that allegedly occurred over a two-year period ending last month. The 79-year-old is accused of assaulting a young teenager and two pre-teens on a weekly basis before he would pay them for house cleaning services. According to the criminal complaint, Ohlemiller admitted to the incidents to authorities, saying that the girls were at fault for initiating the activity. He faces a maximum 160 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Campbell Convicted for Sexual Assault
5/20/09 - Five years in prison for a Beaver Dam man who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl he met on the internet. Matthew D. Campbell was found guilty in February of Second Degree Sexual Assault of a Child, Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime and Exposing a Child to Sexual Activity. Authorities say the victim invited Campbell to her Waupun home to watch television. That’s when 34-year-old Campbell stripped naked and began to touch her inappropriately. The assault was interrupted by the mother’s boyfriend, who came to check on the girl when he saw a suspicious truck in the driveway. The boyfriend told authorities that Campbell said he was a 21-year-old named Jim who was at the house to fix the girls computer. Campbell fled the scene, but not before backing into the boyfriend’s vehicle and getting stuck in a snow bank. Authorities tracked Campbell down through his license plate. During yesterday’s sentencing hearing, Campbell was also sentenced to ten years of extended supervision.
High Risk Arrest in Waupun
5/20/09 - Five people from out-of-state were taken into custody at gunpoint in Waupun Monday night for a robbery that occurred in Fond du Lac. Fond du Lac Police Captain Mat Mueller (MULE-lur) says three of them were jailed. He terms the five "travelers," who move around the country "taking what they want and can before leaving an area." Captain Mueller says when money was grabbed at a Wal-Mart in Fond du Lac they knew what they were doing. During a high-risk traffic stop Waupun Police and a Fond du Lac County Sheriff's deputy took the five into custody. Their van was also seized. Mueller says a 74-year-old man who was in the group complained about having chest pains and claimed he was having a heart attack.
Suspected Pip Bombers Charged
5/20/09 - Three men suspected in a pair of mailbox and outhouse explosions last month have been formally charged. 19-year-old’s Stephen Peterson and Kyle Livingston along with 20-year-old Michael Peters all face a variety of felony charges including Possession of Explosives and Damage to Property in connection with the pipe bombings. A fourth man, 18-year-old Robert Hanson, is also in custody but has not been charged. Arrests were made after some of the suspects returned to the scene of the Lost Lake bombing to survey the damage. In-store video surveillance was also used after they allegedly purchasing the explosive components at a Beaver Dam retailer. The suspects 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.
Leroy Meats Burglary
5/20/09 - The Horicon Police Department is investigating a burglary at Leroy Meats over the weekend. Authorities say they responded to the location in the early morning hours Monday after employees found damaged locks and a missing safe. They believe the burglary occurred sometime after 8pm Sunday night. Officials say the safe from the building was taken, which contained cash, customer checks and some credit car transaction receipts. The police department has no suspects but Lieutenant Adrian Bump says “evidence found at the scene leads investigators to believe that those responsible for the crime were experienced.” Anyone with information is asked to call the police department or the anonymous WeTip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME.
Caregiver Charged with Exploiting Roommate
5/20/09 - A Hartford man is charged with ten felony counts of Theft for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars from his disabled roommate. Michael Beckwith is accused of using the elderly man’s checks and ATM card without his consent to pay bills, go on vacation, make charitable donations and purchase a car. The 56-year-old was hired by the victim to be his caregiver. The offenses span a period of less than one year beginning in May of 2008 and total nearly $40,000. Beckwith faces up to 64 years in prison if convicted on all counts. He had a signature bond set at $1000 and a preliminary hearing scheduled for next month.
Emergency Officials on Code Red: Register Cell Phones
5/20/09 - In the wake of last weeks explosions and resulting fires in Columbus emergency management officials are asking residents to register there cell phones with the county so as to receive “Code Red” calls even if you lose power. Director Joe Meagher says only about half of the residents called near Columbus Chemical Industries received the emergency notice for a variety of reasons, including the fact they were forced to cut power around the area. Meagher says in an effort to avoid a similar situation in the future he’s asking residents to register their cell phones and address with the county. Code Red is a reverse 911 system recently put in place by Dodge County to alert residents of emergency situations. For more information or to register your cell phone number, visit the county’s website at www.co.dodge.wi.us.
Beer Tax Stalls
5/20/09 - It appears that Wisconsin's beer tax, the nation's third lowest, will remain where it's been for the past forty years. While this legislative battle appears to be over without a bill ever being debated or given a committee hearing, Tavern League president Rob Swearingen (swear-engine) is not letting his guard down yet. He says he’s still worried about another increase. Swearingen has Governor Jim Doyle in his corner. Doyle opposes an increase in the state's beer tax, a big disappointment for the bill's principal author, state Representative Terese Berceau (bur-so). She says the reasons cited for the governor’s stance don't sound particularly enlightened. Berceau would raise the tax on beer by just under three cents a bottle. Money from the tax would be used to pay for law enforcement and alcohol abuse treatment programs.
Swine Flue Testing Encouraged
5/20/09 - Influenza A maybe getting a lot of press but it may be a good idea to get tested for another virus according to a health expert. The incidence of viral hepatitis is higher worldwide than HIV or any cancer with an estimated one in 12 infected. Dr. Raymond Koff says in latest year fully researched, 2006, there were more than 24 hundred cases reported in Wisconsin. Koff warns that is the "tip of the iceberg," and that 75 percent of those infected may be unaware they have the virus because it does not show symptoms.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Top Stories May 19th
Committee Forwards MVP Liquor License Revocation
5/19/09 - The Beaver Dam Administration Committee last night held a license revocation hearing for MVP’s Sports Bar. During the two-and-a-half hour hearing, the city heard testimony from the Chief of Police, the overnight shift commander and two people involved in a fight earlier this month. The city’s attorney said the tavern’s management was reluctant to get police involved. Jonathan Gaspero testified that bouncers refused to call the police after one of his friends sustained a broken nose and the other a fractured cheekbone and skull cap. Attorneys for MVP’s said the punishment does not fit the crime and pointed out that the recent fight was the first time the bar was ever cited for anything. MVP General Manager James Lebeau said his bouncers followed procedure by separating both parties involved in the fight, asking them if they need medical treatment and escorting them to their car. The committee unanimously approved a motion to forward a report to the full council that details support for a liquor license revocation. The report could be considered as early as the council’s June meetings.
Demerit Point System Doesn’t Get the Votes
5/19/09 - The Beaver Dam Common Council last night voted down a demerit point system for local taverns. The vote was 4 to 7. Under the plan, demerits would have been given to bars for such violations as serving minors, excessive noise or failing to notify the police of a fight.. Taverns in violation could have had their license suspended or revoked. Several local tavern owners voiced their opposition to the plan prior to the vote.
Suspects Arrested in Waupun after Robbery in FDL Co.
5/19/09 - We should learn more today about four people who were arrested at gunpoint by Waupun Police and Fond du Lac County Sheriff's deputies last night. The quartet is suspected of a robbery that occurred in Fond du Lac. They were arrested during a high-risk traffic stop and jailed in the Fond du Lac County Jail. The traffic stop occurred just before 7 p.m. (KFIZ)
H1N1 Flu Virus Shuts Down Lodi School District
5/19/09 - Wisconsin schools continue to struggle with the latest flu virus. In Lodi, the primary and elementary schools are closed for the rest of the week. And Lodi’s middle school and high school are closed today, while officials decide if they should also be shut down for the week. Columbia County health officer Susan Lorenz says school closings are not advised unless large numbers of students and staff members are absent, thus making the schools hard to function. Lodi Superintendent Michael Shimshak said the elementary school had a 26-percent absentee rate yesterday. And the primary school had a 12-and-a-half percent absentee rate. Almost 750 youngsters attend those two schools. The Lodi School District had seven confirmed swine flu cases at last word. Wisconsin reports 765 confirmed cases at the moment. About two-thirds are in Milwaukee County.
BD School Board Approves the Hiring of Middle School Principal
5/19/09 - The Beaver Dam School Board approved the hiring of Ben Jones as the new middle school principal last night. From the Baraboo School District, Jones will be replacing Rich Brouillard who’s retiring in mid-July after four years on the job. Superintendent Don Childs says Brouillard will assist Jones in getting acclimated with the district and the middle school. Jones is slated to start July 1st.
Childs against Merit Pay for Teachers
5/19/09 - Beaver Dam Superintendent Don Childs disagrees with a research institute calling for merit pay for teachers. As part of proposals calling for major changes in the way public schools give and evaluate achievement tests the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute also says educators should pay teachers based on their student’s performance. Childs says its unrealistic to think it could work in the public sector considering all the issues that surface when it’s implemented in the private sector. Teacher unions oppose the idea, and there’s a state law against it. But the studies’ authors say it works in two private schools and two charter schools – and they say the law against teacher merit pay should be repealed. However, Childs says he hasn’t seen anything to make him think it could work and thinks educators need to find another option to help increase students test scores.
Authorities Looking for Serial Killer in Milwaukee
5/19/09 - At least five prostitutes in Milwaukee were killed by the same person in the last 21 years. That’s what authorities said yesterday, when they announced a new task force to find the murderer. The prospect of a serial killer first came up in January, when new D-N-A evidence cleared Chaunte Ott in the 1995 slaying of teenage runaway Jessica Payne. Ott was freed from prison after police learned that somebody else’s D-N-A was also found on Payne and two other murder victims. Police believe the serial killer had sex with Payne, but somebody else murdered her. Police Chief Ed Flynn and District Attorney John Chisholm say new D-N-A technology has linked three other victims to the serial killer. And the State Crime Lab is testing D-N-A from about two dozen other murdered prostitutes to see if there are any more matches. Authorities do not know who the suspect is. Flynn and Chisholm say the person is not listed in the state’s D-N-A data-base. Since 1996, all convicted felons in Wisconsin have been required to leave samples for the data-base. Chisholm says the members of the public may later be asked to voluntarily leave D-N-A samples. He says new technology can identify relatives through their D-N-A. So far, Flynn says the same D-N-A has been found on one woman killed in 2007, one in 1997, two in ’95, and two in ’86. Five were African-American street prostitutes, and Payne was a white drug user. All the slayings took place on Milwaukee’s north side.
Neumann Trial Continues
5/19/09 - The prosecution will keep making its case today at the Wausau trial of Leilani Neumann, the woman accused of praying instead of getting help for her dying daughter. Yesterday, Everest Metro police officer Scott Marten said he saw a house in chaos last March when he went to see if 11-year-old Kara Neumann was all right. He said Kara appeared malnourished, skinny, and frail – and her father was pushing on her chest to get her to breathe. Once at the hospital, Marten said relatives walked in circles around her bed and prayed for some time. Earlier yesterday, the defendant’s sister-in-law said Leilani Neumann knew Kara was gravely ill the day before she died. The 41-year-old Neumann said she didn’t know her daughter had diabetes.
Armstrong Supports Smoking Ban in WI
5/19/09 - Lance Armstrong is among those congratulating Wisconsin for becoming more smoke-free. The former world cycling champion came to the Badger State last year to campaign for the statewide public indoor smoking ban which Doyle signed into law yesterday. The governor said Armstrong called his office to give his best wishes. The final opposition was removed when the state’s Tavern League agreed to a compromise which delays the start of the ban until July fifth of next year. With limited exceptions, the law still allows smoking outdoors. But it will no longer be allowed inside restaurants, bars, and other indoor workplaces. At bill-signing ceremonies in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay, Doyle assured doubters that smoke-free businesses can thrive. Over three-dozen communities will still enforce their local smoking bans until the statewide one takes effect.
5/19/09 - We should learn more today about four people who were arrested at gunpoint by Waupun Police and Fond du Lac County Sheriff's deputies last night. The quartet is suspected of a robbery that occurred in Fond du Lac. They were arrested during a high-risk traffic stop and jailed in the Fond du Lac County Jail. The traffic stop occurred just before 7 p.m. (KFIZ)
H1N1 Flu Virus Shuts Down Lodi School District
5/19/09 - Wisconsin schools continue to struggle with the latest flu virus. In Lodi, the primary and elementary schools are closed for the rest of the week. And Lodi’s middle school and high school are closed today, while officials decide if they should also be shut down for the week. Columbia County health officer Susan Lorenz says school closings are not advised unless large numbers of students and staff members are absent, thus making the schools hard to function. Lodi Superintendent Michael Shimshak said the elementary school had a 26-percent absentee rate yesterday. And the primary school had a 12-and-a-half percent absentee rate. Almost 750 youngsters attend those two schools. The Lodi School District had seven confirmed swine flu cases at last word. Wisconsin reports 765 confirmed cases at the moment. About two-thirds are in Milwaukee County.
BD School Board Approves the Hiring of Middle School Principal
5/19/09 - The Beaver Dam School Board approved the hiring of Ben Jones as the new middle school principal last night. From the Baraboo School District, Jones will be replacing Rich Brouillard who’s retiring in mid-July after four years on the job. Superintendent Don Childs says Brouillard will assist Jones in getting acclimated with the district and the middle school. Jones is slated to start July 1st.
Childs against Merit Pay for Teachers
5/19/09 - Beaver Dam Superintendent Don Childs disagrees with a research institute calling for merit pay for teachers. As part of proposals calling for major changes in the way public schools give and evaluate achievement tests the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute also says educators should pay teachers based on their student’s performance. Childs says its unrealistic to think it could work in the public sector considering all the issues that surface when it’s implemented in the private sector. Teacher unions oppose the idea, and there’s a state law against it. But the studies’ authors say it works in two private schools and two charter schools – and they say the law against teacher merit pay should be repealed. However, Childs says he hasn’t seen anything to make him think it could work and thinks educators need to find another option to help increase students test scores.
Authorities Looking for Serial Killer in Milwaukee
5/19/09 - At least five prostitutes in Milwaukee were killed by the same person in the last 21 years. That’s what authorities said yesterday, when they announced a new task force to find the murderer. The prospect of a serial killer first came up in January, when new D-N-A evidence cleared Chaunte Ott in the 1995 slaying of teenage runaway Jessica Payne. Ott was freed from prison after police learned that somebody else’s D-N-A was also found on Payne and two other murder victims. Police believe the serial killer had sex with Payne, but somebody else murdered her. Police Chief Ed Flynn and District Attorney John Chisholm say new D-N-A technology has linked three other victims to the serial killer. And the State Crime Lab is testing D-N-A from about two dozen other murdered prostitutes to see if there are any more matches. Authorities do not know who the suspect is. Flynn and Chisholm say the person is not listed in the state’s D-N-A data-base. Since 1996, all convicted felons in Wisconsin have been required to leave samples for the data-base. Chisholm says the members of the public may later be asked to voluntarily leave D-N-A samples. He says new technology can identify relatives through their D-N-A. So far, Flynn says the same D-N-A has been found on one woman killed in 2007, one in 1997, two in ’95, and two in ’86. Five were African-American street prostitutes, and Payne was a white drug user. All the slayings took place on Milwaukee’s north side.
Neumann Trial Continues
5/19/09 - The prosecution will keep making its case today at the Wausau trial of Leilani Neumann, the woman accused of praying instead of getting help for her dying daughter. Yesterday, Everest Metro police officer Scott Marten said he saw a house in chaos last March when he went to see if 11-year-old Kara Neumann was all right. He said Kara appeared malnourished, skinny, and frail – and her father was pushing on her chest to get her to breathe. Once at the hospital, Marten said relatives walked in circles around her bed and prayed for some time. Earlier yesterday, the defendant’s sister-in-law said Leilani Neumann knew Kara was gravely ill the day before she died. The 41-year-old Neumann said she didn’t know her daughter had diabetes.
Armstrong Supports Smoking Ban in WI
5/19/09 - Lance Armstrong is among those congratulating Wisconsin for becoming more smoke-free. The former world cycling champion came to the Badger State last year to campaign for the statewide public indoor smoking ban which Doyle signed into law yesterday. The governor said Armstrong called his office to give his best wishes. The final opposition was removed when the state’s Tavern League agreed to a compromise which delays the start of the ban until July fifth of next year. With limited exceptions, the law still allows smoking outdoors. But it will no longer be allowed inside restaurants, bars, and other indoor workplaces. At bill-signing ceremonies in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay, Doyle assured doubters that smoke-free businesses can thrive. Over three-dozen communities will still enforce their local smoking bans until the statewide one takes effect.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Top Stories May 18th
Court Will Allow New Evidence in Knaup Trial
5/18/09 - Some new evidence will be allowed during a trial scheduled to start later this week for former Beaver Dam Alderman Clancy Knaup who’s been accused of stealing guns from one of his tenants last year. A judge ruled last Friday that Knaup’s attorney will be allowed to introduce new evidence relating to the alleged victims role in recent criminal activity in Dodge County. 19-year-old Stephen Peterson, who claims Knaup trespassed when he entered his apartment, is one of three suspects in the recent bombings of a mailbox in Burnett and a port-a-potty at Lost Lake Park. Investigators say they used pipe bombs and, in the case of the outhouse, also used liquefied gas. On top of the gun theft charges, Knaup is accused of stealing ammunition, bolt cutters, knives and body armor from the teenage tenant. At the time of the incident, Knaup told us his other tenants were scared by the “gun-wielding” teens and he was acting in their best interest when he took possession of the weapons. The trial is set to start this Thursday.
Milwaukee Man Killed in Columbia Co. Accident
5/18/09 - A 51-year-old Milwaukee man was killed in a one-car accident Saturday afternoon in Columbia County. James A. Nowak was taken to Columbus Community Hospital around 3pm where he was pronounced dead. The accident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Department and Medical Examiners office.
Man Leads Authorities on 45 Mile Chase
5/18/09 - Authorities think a 29 year old driver was trying to get away because he had an outstanding arrest warrant -- and may have been drunk. The man from Langlade County led police on a high speed chase through four counties Friday night, including Fond du Lac and Dodge, before finally being stopped after 45 miles. The guy was in a pickup. He reached speeds approaching 95 miles an hour, but was going much slower after three tires were blown out by stop spikes. He finally came to a stop in a muddy field in Ozaukee County.
Downtown Demolition Begins Today
5/18/09 - The demolition of 10 downtown Beaver Dam buildings begins this morning with the Celestial Building at 201 Front Street. It’s all part of the downtown revitalization project. Remediation work started last week and the second building to be taken down will be the former Julie R. Danceware. All of the demolition work is scheduled to be completed by July 31st.
Government Looking to Take Over College Loans Completely
5/18/09 - The House Education Committee will hold a hearing Thursday on the student loan reforms that Fond du Lac Congressman Tom Petri (pee-try) has been seeking for years. Petri wants to do away with the federally-funded student loans given out by financial institutions – and instead, have the government loan all the money directly. It’s being done both ways right now. But President Obama’s budget calls for an end to the privately-administered loans. The Congressional Budget Office says it would save 94-billion-dollars over the next 10 years. Petri says it shows how much financial institutions were getting to be in the program, and why they’ve been fighting to keep the status quo. Obama says he wants to use the savings to increase Pell Grants for low-income college students.
Merit Pay for Teachers?
5/18/09 - The Wisconsin Policy Research Institute is calling for major changes in the way public schools give and evaluate achievement tests. State school officials are already working on some of those proposals. But the institute, a conservative think tank, has one idea that’s sure to be controversial – merit pay for teachers based on their students’ performance. Teacher unions oppose the idea, and there’s a state law against it. But the studies’ authors say it works in two private schools and two charter schools – and they say the law against teacher merit pay should be repealed. The current standardized tests for third-through-10th are expected to change in the fall of 2010 to reflect new educational standards which are now being developed.
Powerball Hits $170M
5/18/09 - The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday night is the second-highest of the year. It stands at 170-million-dollars, after nobody won the top prize in the last drawing on Saturday. The current jackpot is the highest since February 27th, when two tickets sold in Delaware and Pennsylvania shared just under 175-million-dollars. Wednesday night’s cash option is 88-million.
5/18/09 - Some new evidence will be allowed during a trial scheduled to start later this week for former Beaver Dam Alderman Clancy Knaup who’s been accused of stealing guns from one of his tenants last year. A judge ruled last Friday that Knaup’s attorney will be allowed to introduce new evidence relating to the alleged victims role in recent criminal activity in Dodge County. 19-year-old Stephen Peterson, who claims Knaup trespassed when he entered his apartment, is one of three suspects in the recent bombings of a mailbox in Burnett and a port-a-potty at Lost Lake Park. Investigators say they used pipe bombs and, in the case of the outhouse, also used liquefied gas. On top of the gun theft charges, Knaup is accused of stealing ammunition, bolt cutters, knives and body armor from the teenage tenant. At the time of the incident, Knaup told us his other tenants were scared by the “gun-wielding” teens and he was acting in their best interest when he took possession of the weapons. The trial is set to start this Thursday.
Milwaukee Man Killed in Columbia Co. Accident
5/18/09 - A 51-year-old Milwaukee man was killed in a one-car accident Saturday afternoon in Columbia County. James A. Nowak was taken to Columbus Community Hospital around 3pm where he was pronounced dead. The accident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Department and Medical Examiners office.
Man Leads Authorities on 45 Mile Chase
5/18/09 - Authorities think a 29 year old driver was trying to get away because he had an outstanding arrest warrant -- and may have been drunk. The man from Langlade County led police on a high speed chase through four counties Friday night, including Fond du Lac and Dodge, before finally being stopped after 45 miles. The guy was in a pickup. He reached speeds approaching 95 miles an hour, but was going much slower after three tires were blown out by stop spikes. He finally came to a stop in a muddy field in Ozaukee County.
Downtown Demolition Begins Today
5/18/09 - The demolition of 10 downtown Beaver Dam buildings begins this morning with the Celestial Building at 201 Front Street. It’s all part of the downtown revitalization project. Remediation work started last week and the second building to be taken down will be the former Julie R. Danceware. All of the demolition work is scheduled to be completed by July 31st.
Government Looking to Take Over College Loans Completely
5/18/09 - The House Education Committee will hold a hearing Thursday on the student loan reforms that Fond du Lac Congressman Tom Petri (pee-try) has been seeking for years. Petri wants to do away with the federally-funded student loans given out by financial institutions – and instead, have the government loan all the money directly. It’s being done both ways right now. But President Obama’s budget calls for an end to the privately-administered loans. The Congressional Budget Office says it would save 94-billion-dollars over the next 10 years. Petri says it shows how much financial institutions were getting to be in the program, and why they’ve been fighting to keep the status quo. Obama says he wants to use the savings to increase Pell Grants for low-income college students.
Merit Pay for Teachers?
5/18/09 - The Wisconsin Policy Research Institute is calling for major changes in the way public schools give and evaluate achievement tests. State school officials are already working on some of those proposals. But the institute, a conservative think tank, has one idea that’s sure to be controversial – merit pay for teachers based on their students’ performance. Teacher unions oppose the idea, and there’s a state law against it. But the studies’ authors say it works in two private schools and two charter schools – and they say the law against teacher merit pay should be repealed. The current standardized tests for third-through-10th are expected to change in the fall of 2010 to reflect new educational standards which are now being developed.
Powerball Hits $170M
5/18/09 - The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday night is the second-highest of the year. It stands at 170-million-dollars, after nobody won the top prize in the last drawing on Saturday. The current jackpot is the highest since February 27th, when two tickets sold in Delaware and Pennsylvania shared just under 175-million-dollars. Wednesday night’s cash option is 88-million.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Top Stories, May 17th
Columbus PFC Appointee
5/17/09 - The Columbus Police and Fire Commission will be swearing in a new Commissioner at Monday night’s meeting. The five-person volunteer Commission has one new member appointed by the Mayor each year. At the last Council session Mayor Bob Link appointed Joe Roche of rural Columbus as a new PFC member replacing current Vice President Larry Haseman. Roche was recommended by members of the Rural Fire Group to take the place of Haseman whose term expires this year. Council Member Dave Bomkamp was the lone vote against Roche’s 5 to 1 approval asking the council to retain Haseman for a second term. While his position has been filled, Haseman has agreed to continue to serve the PFC as a consultant in personnel issues and job descriptions. The Commission will also be discussing the status of the current candidates being considered for permanent Fire Chief Position.
Microburst Blamed for Storm Damage
5/17/09 - Officials with the National Weather Service say a microburst is to blame for this past week’s storm damage in the Town of Leroy. The Weather Services Rusty Kapela says the small downburst last Wednesday between 9:45pm and 9:55pm targeted a two-mile swath from just southwest of Farmersville to the Knowles area. Based on a preliminary storm survey by weather service meteorologists, the maximum wind gusts ranged from 75 to 100mph with the damage 50 to 75 yards in width. One hundred to 150 trees were damaged or pushed over and some road signs were damaged, mostly in the Farmersville Road and Highway V area. Two pole barns were destroyed which contained approximately 100 head of cattle. No one was injured in the storm though several head of cattle were killed when the pole barns collapsed. Kapela says the survey team did not see damage patterns that would support theories that a tornado occurred.
Gas Continues Its Upward Climb
5/17/09 - The cost of gas has gone up about a quarter since the beginning of the month. The price of a gallon of regular unleaded in Beaver Dam is $2.32, eight cents below the state average but three cents above the national average. We started out the month of May with gas averaging $2.09. Fond du Lac and Oshkosh are also at $2.32. Watertown and Johnson Creek are at $2.29. Oconomowoc is $2.49. Last year at this time, the statewide average was $3.87. The low price in the state today is $2.23 in Reedsburg. The high price is in the north Milwaukee-area at $2.69.
Mayville Man Gets 30 Months in Prison for 7th OWI
5/17/09 - Two-and-a-half years in prison for a Mayville man who was convicted of his seventh drunk driving offense. David Kuhn was arrested in December for driving eleven miles over the speed limit. A preliminary breath-test indicated that the 45-year-old had a blood-alcohol level of point-zero-eight (.08), the minimum level for intoxication. Because of previous conviction, Kuhn was prohibited from driving with a BAC above point-zero-two. (.02). In addition to prison time, Kuhn had his license revoked for three years followed by three years with an ignition interlock on his vehicle.
Classmates of Student Killed By Drunken Driver Petition Legislators
5/17/09 - Former classmates of a student killed by a drunk driver get involved. Lacey Meinel died at the age of 14. Her classmates from D.C. Everest Junior High School in Weston have delivered 38 hundred signatures on petitions asking lawmakers to take a tougher approach to fighting drunken driving. The girl's mother said the fight won't end until the law change. Copies of the petition were given to the governor and leaders in the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate. Lacey Meinel was being driven home last January when a suspect drunk driver slammed into the family's vehicle. Felony charges are pending against the 23 year old driver. Lawmakers expect to hold a hearing soon on a package of new reforms of the state's drunken driving laws.
Statewide Smoking Ban To Be Signed Monday
5/17/09 - Governor Jim Doyle promises to sign a statewide smoking ban into law tomorrow. He has scheduled three ceremonial signings in Milwaukee, Green Bay and Madison. The ban would prohibit smoking in almost all workplace, including bars and restaurants. I takes effect in July 2010. It wouldn't apply to tribal casinos, existing cigar bars or existing tobacco shops. Violators could be fined up to 250 dollars.
Gay-Lesbian Rights Could Be Expanded
5/17/09 - Plans by the governor to give gay and lesbian couples more than 40 new rights don't violate Wisconsin's ban on gay marriage. That legal opinion was offered yesterday, but court challenges are expected. Same-sex couples who register their partnerships would get the right to visit each other in the hospital, make end-of-life decisions and inherit assets. The Wisconsin Family Council contends the plan is still unconstitutional.
Paramedics Called For Praying Parent
5/17/09 - Paramedics are called to a Wausau courtroom when the defendant has a medical emergency. Leilani Neumann is on trial for praying instead of getting her daughter medical attention. The daughter died. Saturday morning, as the prosecution was giving its opening statement, Neumann's attorneys asked for a recess to get her some help. Her attorney later today the judge she was having a physical and emotional breakdown, and saying she had lost feeling in her arms and legs. She was taken to another room in the courthouse, but returned less than an hour later.
Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week
5/17/09 - Today marks the start of Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in Wisconsin. Residents are being urged to learn more about the invasive species that is devastating the state's ash trees. Millions of trees have been destroyed. Wisconsin residents are being asked to help slow the spread of the beetle. Fifteen states are joining Wisconsin in the effort. The emerald ash borer has been found in southeastern and southwestern parts of the state.
Fox Valley Com Center Costs $45 Million
5/17/09 - The cost of a new communications system for three counties in the Fox River Valley will be about 45 million dollars. Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago counties work together, sharing information and dispatching personnel. A recent review showed the current system is slow, taking three times as long as dial-up to transmit data. FoxComm has applied for more than 50 million dollars in grants, but the three counties have to agree to pay for anything the grants won't cover. Emergency personnel say delays of up to five minutes are not unusual when they try to communicate.
Milwaukee Expands Veterans Housing
5/17/09 - The Center for Veterans Issues hopes to begin construction on a 52-unit apartment building next fall. Milwaukee County has been asked to provide 465 thousand dollars in federal stimulus money to finance the project which is aimed at helping low-income military veterans. The center has already received more than a million dollars in federal affordable housing tax credits. Another, similar project, was already being planned for Milwaukee.
Entries Still Being Accepted for BD Memorial Day Ceremony
5/17/09 - The Beaver Dam Memorial Day 2009 Parade and Ceremony is just over one week away and organizers are encouraging the public participation. The parade committee is asking service organizations, bands, schools, churches, and others to enter and float or other entry in the May 25th parade. The theme this year will be “Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave.” Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson will be the special guest speaker. Abrahamson was recently elected to her fifth consecutive term. The ceremony, which follows the parade, will be broadcast live on WBEV.
5/17/09 - The Columbus Police and Fire Commission will be swearing in a new Commissioner at Monday night’s meeting. The five-person volunteer Commission has one new member appointed by the Mayor each year. At the last Council session Mayor Bob Link appointed Joe Roche of rural Columbus as a new PFC member replacing current Vice President Larry Haseman. Roche was recommended by members of the Rural Fire Group to take the place of Haseman whose term expires this year. Council Member Dave Bomkamp was the lone vote against Roche’s 5 to 1 approval asking the council to retain Haseman for a second term. While his position has been filled, Haseman has agreed to continue to serve the PFC as a consultant in personnel issues and job descriptions. The Commission will also be discussing the status of the current candidates being considered for permanent Fire Chief Position.
Microburst Blamed for Storm Damage
5/17/09 - Officials with the National Weather Service say a microburst is to blame for this past week’s storm damage in the Town of Leroy. The Weather Services Rusty Kapela says the small downburst last Wednesday between 9:45pm and 9:55pm targeted a two-mile swath from just southwest of Farmersville to the Knowles area. Based on a preliminary storm survey by weather service meteorologists, the maximum wind gusts ranged from 75 to 100mph with the damage 50 to 75 yards in width. One hundred to 150 trees were damaged or pushed over and some road signs were damaged, mostly in the Farmersville Road and Highway V area. Two pole barns were destroyed which contained approximately 100 head of cattle. No one was injured in the storm though several head of cattle were killed when the pole barns collapsed. Kapela says the survey team did not see damage patterns that would support theories that a tornado occurred.
Gas Continues Its Upward Climb
5/17/09 - The cost of gas has gone up about a quarter since the beginning of the month. The price of a gallon of regular unleaded in Beaver Dam is $2.32, eight cents below the state average but three cents above the national average. We started out the month of May with gas averaging $2.09. Fond du Lac and Oshkosh are also at $2.32. Watertown and Johnson Creek are at $2.29. Oconomowoc is $2.49. Last year at this time, the statewide average was $3.87. The low price in the state today is $2.23 in Reedsburg. The high price is in the north Milwaukee-area at $2.69.
Mayville Man Gets 30 Months in Prison for 7th OWI
5/17/09 - Two-and-a-half years in prison for a Mayville man who was convicted of his seventh drunk driving offense. David Kuhn was arrested in December for driving eleven miles over the speed limit. A preliminary breath-test indicated that the 45-year-old had a blood-alcohol level of point-zero-eight (.08), the minimum level for intoxication. Because of previous conviction, Kuhn was prohibited from driving with a BAC above point-zero-two. (.02). In addition to prison time, Kuhn had his license revoked for three years followed by three years with an ignition interlock on his vehicle.
Classmates of Student Killed By Drunken Driver Petition Legislators
5/17/09 - Former classmates of a student killed by a drunk driver get involved. Lacey Meinel died at the age of 14. Her classmates from D.C. Everest Junior High School in Weston have delivered 38 hundred signatures on petitions asking lawmakers to take a tougher approach to fighting drunken driving. The girl's mother said the fight won't end until the law change. Copies of the petition were given to the governor and leaders in the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate. Lacey Meinel was being driven home last January when a suspect drunk driver slammed into the family's vehicle. Felony charges are pending against the 23 year old driver. Lawmakers expect to hold a hearing soon on a package of new reforms of the state's drunken driving laws.
Statewide Smoking Ban To Be Signed Monday
5/17/09 - Governor Jim Doyle promises to sign a statewide smoking ban into law tomorrow. He has scheduled three ceremonial signings in Milwaukee, Green Bay and Madison. The ban would prohibit smoking in almost all workplace, including bars and restaurants. I takes effect in July 2010. It wouldn't apply to tribal casinos, existing cigar bars or existing tobacco shops. Violators could be fined up to 250 dollars.
Gay-Lesbian Rights Could Be Expanded
5/17/09 - Plans by the governor to give gay and lesbian couples more than 40 new rights don't violate Wisconsin's ban on gay marriage. That legal opinion was offered yesterday, but court challenges are expected. Same-sex couples who register their partnerships would get the right to visit each other in the hospital, make end-of-life decisions and inherit assets. The Wisconsin Family Council contends the plan is still unconstitutional.
Paramedics Called For Praying Parent
5/17/09 - Paramedics are called to a Wausau courtroom when the defendant has a medical emergency. Leilani Neumann is on trial for praying instead of getting her daughter medical attention. The daughter died. Saturday morning, as the prosecution was giving its opening statement, Neumann's attorneys asked for a recess to get her some help. Her attorney later today the judge she was having a physical and emotional breakdown, and saying she had lost feeling in her arms and legs. She was taken to another room in the courthouse, but returned less than an hour later.
Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week
5/17/09 - Today marks the start of Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in Wisconsin. Residents are being urged to learn more about the invasive species that is devastating the state's ash trees. Millions of trees have been destroyed. Wisconsin residents are being asked to help slow the spread of the beetle. Fifteen states are joining Wisconsin in the effort. The emerald ash borer has been found in southeastern and southwestern parts of the state.
Fox Valley Com Center Costs $45 Million
5/17/09 - The cost of a new communications system for three counties in the Fox River Valley will be about 45 million dollars. Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago counties work together, sharing information and dispatching personnel. A recent review showed the current system is slow, taking three times as long as dial-up to transmit data. FoxComm has applied for more than 50 million dollars in grants, but the three counties have to agree to pay for anything the grants won't cover. Emergency personnel say delays of up to five minutes are not unusual when they try to communicate.
Milwaukee Expands Veterans Housing
5/17/09 - The Center for Veterans Issues hopes to begin construction on a 52-unit apartment building next fall. Milwaukee County has been asked to provide 465 thousand dollars in federal stimulus money to finance the project which is aimed at helping low-income military veterans. The center has already received more than a million dollars in federal affordable housing tax credits. Another, similar project, was already being planned for Milwaukee.
Entries Still Being Accepted for BD Memorial Day Ceremony
5/17/09 - The Beaver Dam Memorial Day 2009 Parade and Ceremony is just over one week away and organizers are encouraging the public participation. The parade committee is asking service organizations, bands, schools, churches, and others to enter and float or other entry in the May 25th parade. The theme this year will be “Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave.” Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson will be the special guest speaker. Abrahamson was recently elected to her fifth consecutive term. The ceremony, which follows the parade, will be broadcast live on WBEV.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Top Stories May 15th
Tailgate Tour Hits Beaver Dam
5/15/09 - More than 350 people were in attendance last night as the Green Bay Packers Tailgate Tour made its final stop at the Beaver Dam High School. Team President and CEO Mark Murphy was joined by Nick Collins, Brady Poppinga, and Jordy Nelson at the event that started with a tailgate in the football stadium and was followed by a question and answer session. A number of topics were broached during the Q&A, including the new 3-4 defense, skyrocketing rookie contracts, and of course, Brett Favre. The night concluded with an autograph session. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Beaver Dam Scholarship Foundation.
Click Here to see a Beaver Dam football player race Nick Collins during the Q&A portion of the Tailgate Tour stop.
Future Uncertain For BD Sports Bar
5/15/09 - The MVP Sports Bar and Grill in downtown Beaver Dam could have its liquor license revoked next week. The Administrative Committee held an emergency meeting this week to hear a complaint from Beaver Dam Police Chief Dale Boldt about a recent fight. Boldt said the fight earlier this month involved dozens of patrons and resulted in one person getting a skull fracture. The Administrative Committee approved the issuance of a summons to the licensed owner, James Schroud, to attend a license revocation hearing this coming Monday.
Eauslin Convicted On Molestation Charges
5/15/09 - It took a jury just over two hours to convict a Lowell man on child molestation charges. Wayne Eauslin was convicted of assaulting a preteen while she slept last August. The 36-year-old was a guest at the family’s home. Eauslin was found not guilty of assaulting an even younger girl during that same stay. Eauslin still faces a three other felony child sexual assault charges in two separate cases for allegedly molesting three different girls. In the other case, Eauslin allegedly assaulted an 8 and 10-year-old girl in a bathroom in the summer of 2007. In the third case, Eauslin is accused of the repeated sexual assault of a girl in 2001. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered following Wednesday’s conviction. The Dodge County DA’s office says they will await the outcome of the sentencing before making a decision on how to proceed on the other charges.
Man Arrested for Indecent Behavior in Department Store Parking Lot
5/15/09 - Authorities arrested a man Wednesday afternoon after witnesses say he performed a lewd act inside his car. The Beaver Dam Police Department responded the Kohl’s Department Store parking lot around 1:30pm after a woman reported the incident. The suspect left the scene but the witness followed him onto Highway 151. A short time later, the Columbus Police Department arrested Kevin C. Johnson. The 42-year-old was transported back to Beaver Dam and charged with Lewd and Lascivious Behavior.
Budget Woes Worsen
5/15/09 - New numbers released today by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau tack on another 50 million dollars to the state's projected budget shortfall. The growing number now is put at 6-point-6 billion dollars in spending that will have to be cut -- or, in taxes that will have to be raised. The bureau projects 34 million dollars less in tax revenue and a 16 million dollar drop in the money from tribal gambling. The Joint Finance Committee gets back to work on the problem next week. Governor Doyle has offered several ideas to balance the budget, including layoffs for up to 11 hundred state workers.
Guns and Butter
5/15/09 - A LaCrosse County man is hosting a picnic which invites people to openly carry guns. Several weeks ago the state Attorney General JB Van Hollen released a legal opinion solidifying Wisconsinites right be openly armed. However organizer Hubert Hoffman says he planned the event prior to the AG's memo. He cites past statements by the state supreme court chief justice and a previous attorney general saying Wisconsin has long had an open carry right. Hoffman says those without guns are encouraged to come as well, especially those who might be a little apprehensive about seeing armed civilians. He emphasizes those who practice open carry are "not a threat." The picnic will be held Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Marvin Gardens Park in Onalaska.
Bunny 101
5/15/09 - The Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee kicks off this afternoon in Fox Lake. The Fox Lake-native eould have turned 101-year-old this year, and organizers say they’ve got another fantastic line-up this year. The 3-day event begins with a free concert today from 4 to 6pm at Mullins Drive-In. Tickets are still available for the remaining events which continue all three days at the Community Center and the American Legion.
5/15/09 - More than 350 people were in attendance last night as the Green Bay Packers Tailgate Tour made its final stop at the Beaver Dam High School. Team President and CEO Mark Murphy was joined by Nick Collins, Brady Poppinga, and Jordy Nelson at the event that started with a tailgate in the football stadium and was followed by a question and answer session. A number of topics were broached during the Q&A, including the new 3-4 defense, skyrocketing rookie contracts, and of course, Brett Favre. The night concluded with an autograph session. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Beaver Dam Scholarship Foundation.
Click Here to see a Beaver Dam football player race Nick Collins during the Q&A portion of the Tailgate Tour stop.
Future Uncertain For BD Sports Bar
5/15/09 - The MVP Sports Bar and Grill in downtown Beaver Dam could have its liquor license revoked next week. The Administrative Committee held an emergency meeting this week to hear a complaint from Beaver Dam Police Chief Dale Boldt about a recent fight. Boldt said the fight earlier this month involved dozens of patrons and resulted in one person getting a skull fracture. The Administrative Committee approved the issuance of a summons to the licensed owner, James Schroud, to attend a license revocation hearing this coming Monday.
Eauslin Convicted On Molestation Charges
5/15/09 - It took a jury just over two hours to convict a Lowell man on child molestation charges. Wayne Eauslin was convicted of assaulting a preteen while she slept last August. The 36-year-old was a guest at the family’s home. Eauslin was found not guilty of assaulting an even younger girl during that same stay. Eauslin still faces a three other felony child sexual assault charges in two separate cases for allegedly molesting three different girls. In the other case, Eauslin allegedly assaulted an 8 and 10-year-old girl in a bathroom in the summer of 2007. In the third case, Eauslin is accused of the repeated sexual assault of a girl in 2001. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered following Wednesday’s conviction. The Dodge County DA’s office says they will await the outcome of the sentencing before making a decision on how to proceed on the other charges.
Man Arrested for Indecent Behavior in Department Store Parking Lot
5/15/09 - Authorities arrested a man Wednesday afternoon after witnesses say he performed a lewd act inside his car. The Beaver Dam Police Department responded the Kohl’s Department Store parking lot around 1:30pm after a woman reported the incident. The suspect left the scene but the witness followed him onto Highway 151. A short time later, the Columbus Police Department arrested Kevin C. Johnson. The 42-year-old was transported back to Beaver Dam and charged with Lewd and Lascivious Behavior.
Budget Woes Worsen
5/15/09 - New numbers released today by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau tack on another 50 million dollars to the state's projected budget shortfall. The growing number now is put at 6-point-6 billion dollars in spending that will have to be cut -- or, in taxes that will have to be raised. The bureau projects 34 million dollars less in tax revenue and a 16 million dollar drop in the money from tribal gambling. The Joint Finance Committee gets back to work on the problem next week. Governor Doyle has offered several ideas to balance the budget, including layoffs for up to 11 hundred state workers.
Guns and Butter
5/15/09 - A LaCrosse County man is hosting a picnic which invites people to openly carry guns. Several weeks ago the state Attorney General JB Van Hollen released a legal opinion solidifying Wisconsinites right be openly armed. However organizer Hubert Hoffman says he planned the event prior to the AG's memo. He cites past statements by the state supreme court chief justice and a previous attorney general saying Wisconsin has long had an open carry right. Hoffman says those without guns are encouraged to come as well, especially those who might be a little apprehensive about seeing armed civilians. He emphasizes those who practice open carry are "not a threat." The picnic will be held Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Marvin Gardens Park in Onalaska.
Bunny 101
5/15/09 - The Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee kicks off this afternoon in Fox Lake. The Fox Lake-native eould have turned 101-year-old this year, and organizers say they’ve got another fantastic line-up this year. The 3-day event begins with a free concert today from 4 to 6pm at Mullins Drive-In. Tickets are still available for the remaining events which continue all three days at the Community Center and the American Legion.
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