Top Stories May 10th

Man Arrested for 7th OWI

5/10/09 - A man who served prison time earlier this decade for an assortment of drunk driving convictions was picked up for his 7th OWI Saturday night. The Dodge County Sheriffs Department says a caller reported an erratic driver just after 7pm in the Beaver Dam area. Deputies located the car at 112 West Maple Street in Beaver Dam and arrested 40-year-old Martin Bushke on suspicion of drunk driving. Authorities say Bushke has also been cited for operating on a revoked license. Court records show Bushke was sentenced to 28 months in prison in 2004 on charges stemming from his 6th OWI.

On-Star Leads to OWI

5/10/09 - A 35-year-old drunk driver was done in by a safety feature of his vehicle early this morning. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says they were able to respond to a one-vehicle rollover after the car safety device, On-Star, reported the accident. On-Star operators informed the Sheriffs Department the vehicle had been driven off a ramp on Highway 41 in the Town of Lomira and had rolled. However, by the time deputies arrived the driver, Bradley Zook, had left the scene. Deputies were able to track Zook to his home where they arrested. A breathalyzer showed Zook with a blood alcohol content of .192, more than double the legal limit.
One-Vehicle Rollover in Lowell

5/10/09 - A 24-year-old man was injured in a one-vehicle rollover Saturday morning. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says Dustin Bartsch rolled his vehicle on Highway Y near its intersection with Highway AY in the Town of Lowell around 9:45am. Bartsch was taken to St. Agnes Hospital. He was later cited for operating on a revoked license, driving too fast for conditions, and operating left of the centerline.

Funeral for “Baby Theresa” Tomorrow

5/10/09 - The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says the public is encouraged to come and pay their respects at a funeral for a baby girl who was found dead in a garbage bag late last month. Sheriff Todd Nehls says “Baby Theresa” laid to rest tomorrow in the Lowell Cemetery at 1 pm. Last week the Sheriff praised the public for their generosity in donating baby clothes for the funeral as well as a plot and coffin. Authorities are still looking for the mother of “Baby Theresa”.

DOC Honors Employees

5/10/09 - A number of local residents earned the praise of the Department of Corrections recently. Each year a number of employees are honored with SALUTE Awards, which according to Secretary Rick Raemisch, recognizes the tremendous work of department of corrections employees. The winners include Fox Lake Correctional Officer Perry Krebs and Industries Specialist Dave Jesko, who were honored with the SALUTE Award for Excellence for their actions in November of last year when an inmate used a claw hammer to attack other staff members. The SALUTE Award for Teamwork was awarded to the Dodge Correctional hospice team. Seven other local correctional officers were honored with the “Life Saving Award.”

Legislature Looking at Tough Cuts and Possible Tax Increases

5/10/09 - The choices aren't very pleasant -- and Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature will have to make most of them. With the state's budget deficit now estimated at as much as six and a half billion dollars, talk of service cuts, state worker layoffs and furloughs and pay reductions may not be enough. Tax increases may be the next approach, the politicians will have to wait for the voter backlash. Members of the Joint Finance Committee are calling these "unprecedented times."

Credit Card Reform Looking Probable

5/10/09 - Credit card reform looks like a done deal. Wisconsin congressman Dave Obey is confident that this time credit card reform is going to get done. The Wausau Democrat says consumers are fed up the status quo -- adding that in 2008 credit card companies imposed 19 billion dollars in penalty fees, much of which came from what Obey calls "shady practices." The House easily passed a measure last week requiring card issuers to give consumers 45 days notice of interest rate increases and ban double-cycle billing, in which cardholders are charged interest on balances paid the previous month. An even tougher version of the reforms is up consideration in the Senate.

Feingold Upset with Chrysler and Obama Administration

5/10/09 - Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold says Chrysler may not deserve taxpayer support. Feingold made a statement on the Senate floor. He said he has been assured by the Obama administration that domestic jobs would take priority in any restructuring of the industry. That hasn't happened here in Wisconsin where the Janesville GM plant has already closed, and the Kenosha Chrysler engine plant is scheduled to close. Feingold said people in Kenosha and Wisconsin were angered to learn through the media last week that the Chrysler engine plant would be closing, rather than hearing it directly from the automaker.

UW-Madison Research Effect of Farm Practices on Cows

5/10/09 - The University of Wisconsin-Madison works with two other universities to see how different farm practices affect the health of cows. Researchers in the million-dollar study will produce a series of recommendations on how to keep cows healthy without giving up milk quality or dairy farm profits. The study will focus on organic and conventional farming practices. Three hundred dairy farms in Wisconsin, New York and Oregon will be observed. The University of Wisconsin is working with Cornell University in New York and Oregon State University on the four-year program.