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.