Music Festival is Tribute To Brave Warriors
9/10/10 - The headliner of Saturday’s American Hero’s Music Festival in Beaver Dam was inspired to write a song after attending the funeral of a fallen Beaver Dam Marine. Joe Cantafio wrote “Brave Warrior” for his cousin Ryan Cantafio, who was killed in Iraq on Thanksgiving in 2004. He says he was moved by the faces of the people lining the streets of Beaver Dam during Ryan’s funeral, many of them holding American flags with tears streaming down their cheeks. Cantafio told Ryan’s father that he would make sure no one ever forgets his son. Cantafio says the first time he played “Brave Warrior” for Ryan’s dad, it was clear that Ryan was listening. He says the power to the festival grounds in St. Germaine went out just as he began singing the first words. Ryan’s dad laughed, pointed up to the sky and said, “Ryan hated publicity.” Cantafio will be singing “Brave Warrior” at the festival, which is billed as a celebration of our troops, veterans, first responders and Gold Star families. Cantafio says it’s also a tribute Ryan’s friend, Marine Sergeant Kirk Straseskie of Beaver Dam, who died in Iraq in May of 2003.
Two of the bands performing in event have family connections to Ryan. “Joe Cantafio and the 101st Rock Division Band” is headlining. The rock band “Alexis” is also performing, featuring Sandy Hautamaki on lead vocals. She is Ryan's mother. The two bands are expected to collaborate again this year after getting together last year for a show-stopping performance of Pink Floyds “Comfortably Numb,” one of Ryan’s favorite songs. Nashville recording artist Joey Glenn and local favorites Crystal Waters will also be performing. The daylong festival is free and will be held Saturday – September 11 – at Swan City Park in Beaver Dam from 12:30pm to when the park closes at 10:30pm. Food and beverages will also be available all day from the Exchange Club of Beaver Dam. Proceeds from concessions and T-shirt sales will be diretced to a scholarship in the names of Ryan Cantafio and Kirk Straseskie. The day kick-offs off with a parade from downtown to the Swan Park beginning at 10am.
Reopening of Fox Lake Elementary a Possibility
9/10/10 - It appears the reopening of Fox Lake Elementary is a definite possibility. That was the feeling following a meeting last night that included Waupun School Board members, district administrators, and residents. The school was closed at the end of the 2008-2009 school year as a budget cutting measure. But last night talk of reopening the building as a green charter school dominated the conversation. Superintendent Don Childs says going in that direction would allow the school to be exempt from the normal laws and statutes that govern most school operations. There were no concrete cost figures thrown out last night, but Childs says there would be some additional outlay of money that would increase the current 1.5-million deficit the district is facing in this budget year. However, he’s confident the charter school would eventually pay for itself. The school board Ad-Hoc Committee, and at least 14 residents, will now begin the vetting process to determine if the charter school is a viable option. They expect to present their findings to the full board in December. If the board chooses to go ahead with the project it’s possible that it could be opened by September of 2011.
Deal Reached for Sending of Overseas Ballots
9/10/10 - Wisconsin has reached an agreement with the federal government on how the state will comply with a new law to deliver November ballots earlier to overseas voters. The state’s Government Accountability Board and the U-S Justice Department are expected to file a consent decree today. And board spokesman Reid Magney won’t give details until the decree is filed. The law requires troops and other U-S residents overseas to receive November ballots at least 45 days before the election. That means the ballots have to be sent out next Saturday – while Wisconsin and some other states are still finalizing the results from the primaries to be held on Tuesday. Wisconsin asked for a waiver from the new law, but the government said no. In the past, the state’s final November ballot has been available to overseas voters up to 39 days before the election.
Barrett Ad Talks About Beating at State Fair
9/10/10 - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett is no longer downplaying the beating he took outside the State Fair last August. Yesterday, the campaign started airing a one-minute ad which showed news footage about the Milwaukee mayor’s effort to break up a domestic fight – and how his face and hand got severely beaten by a man who went to prison for it. Barrett’s wife described what happened, praised her husband’s character, and said he would stand up for Wisconsin if he’s elected. The ad comes just days before Tuesday’s primary, in which Barrett faces nominal primary opposition from Tim John. Most of the attention in the governor’s race has been on the Republican primary battle between Scott Walker and Mark Neumann. The G-O-P is taking the high road in commenting on Barrett’s ad. The state party and Walker’s campaign refused comment. Neumann said he believes Barrett quote, “deserves praise for that selfless act.” Phil Walzak of Barrett’s campaign said they decided to run the ad now because the voters’ interest in the race is starting to pick up, and it shows a part of who Barrett is. In the end, Walzak said voters will decide what role the beating should play.
Flags At Half Staff on Saturday
Two of the bands performing in event have family connections to Ryan. “Joe Cantafio and the 101st Rock Division Band” is headlining. The rock band “Alexis” is also performing, featuring Sandy Hautamaki on lead vocals. She is Ryan's mother. The two bands are expected to collaborate again this year after getting together last year for a show-stopping performance of Pink Floyds “Comfortably Numb,” one of Ryan’s favorite songs. Nashville recording artist Joey Glenn and local favorites Crystal Waters will also be performing. The daylong festival is free and will be held Saturday – September 11 – at Swan City Park in Beaver Dam from 12:30pm to when the park closes at 10:30pm. Food and beverages will also be available all day from the Exchange Club of Beaver Dam. Proceeds from concessions and T-shirt sales will be diretced to a scholarship in the names of Ryan Cantafio and Kirk Straseskie. The day kick-offs off with a parade from downtown to the Swan Park beginning at 10am.
Reopening of Fox Lake Elementary a Possibility
9/10/10 - It appears the reopening of Fox Lake Elementary is a definite possibility. That was the feeling following a meeting last night that included Waupun School Board members, district administrators, and residents. The school was closed at the end of the 2008-2009 school year as a budget cutting measure. But last night talk of reopening the building as a green charter school dominated the conversation. Superintendent Don Childs says going in that direction would allow the school to be exempt from the normal laws and statutes that govern most school operations. There were no concrete cost figures thrown out last night, but Childs says there would be some additional outlay of money that would increase the current 1.5-million deficit the district is facing in this budget year. However, he’s confident the charter school would eventually pay for itself. The school board Ad-Hoc Committee, and at least 14 residents, will now begin the vetting process to determine if the charter school is a viable option. They expect to present their findings to the full board in December. If the board chooses to go ahead with the project it’s possible that it could be opened by September of 2011.
Deal Reached for Sending of Overseas Ballots
9/10/10 - Wisconsin has reached an agreement with the federal government on how the state will comply with a new law to deliver November ballots earlier to overseas voters. The state’s Government Accountability Board and the U-S Justice Department are expected to file a consent decree today. And board spokesman Reid Magney won’t give details until the decree is filed. The law requires troops and other U-S residents overseas to receive November ballots at least 45 days before the election. That means the ballots have to be sent out next Saturday – while Wisconsin and some other states are still finalizing the results from the primaries to be held on Tuesday. Wisconsin asked for a waiver from the new law, but the government said no. In the past, the state’s final November ballot has been available to overseas voters up to 39 days before the election.
Barrett Ad Talks About Beating at State Fair
9/10/10 - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett is no longer downplaying the beating he took outside the State Fair last August. Yesterday, the campaign started airing a one-minute ad which showed news footage about the Milwaukee mayor’s effort to break up a domestic fight – and how his face and hand got severely beaten by a man who went to prison for it. Barrett’s wife described what happened, praised her husband’s character, and said he would stand up for Wisconsin if he’s elected. The ad comes just days before Tuesday’s primary, in which Barrett faces nominal primary opposition from Tim John. Most of the attention in the governor’s race has been on the Republican primary battle between Scott Walker and Mark Neumann. The G-O-P is taking the high road in commenting on Barrett’s ad. The state party and Walker’s campaign refused comment. Neumann said he believes Barrett quote, “deserves praise for that selfless act.” Phil Walzak of Barrett’s campaign said they decided to run the ad now because the voters’ interest in the race is starting to pick up, and it shows a part of who Barrett is. In the end, Walzak said voters will decide what role the beating should play.
Flags At Half Staff on Saturday
Walker In Beaver Dam
9/10/10 - Gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker made an appearance in Beaver Dam Thursday afternoon. The stop at the Dodge County Historical Society was part of the Republican candidates Brown Bag Bus Tour. Walker used the stop to emphasize his campaign promise to stop a planned $810 million dollar high speed rail project that has a stop planned in Dodge County. He says that money would be better spent on roads and bridges and not on a “boondoggle.”
Huf Schuenke Sentenced In Chase
9/10/10 - A Mayville woman will spend six months in jail for leading police on an 18-mile chase through Dodge County. Sherry Huf Schuenke was arrested at gun point on April 22 in Waupun. Mayville Police alerted the Dodge County Sheriffs Department earlier that evening that the 47-year-old was believed to be suicidal when she left her home. A deputy spotted the vehicle in Juneau later in the evening and Huf Schuenke sped away and sparked a chase that at times reached speeds of 100mph. Deputies used spike strips to stop her car in Waupun, where she was taken into custody. Huf Schuenke pleaded “no contest” to a felony county of Fleeing an Officer. In addition to six months in jail she was placed on probation for three years and ordered to perform 60 hours of community service.
Record Setting Summer Weather
9/10/10 - Wisconsin just completed its wettest summer on record. The state’s climatology office said an average of 18-and-two-thirds inches of rain fell statewide from June through August. Most counties had at least one-and-a-half times more rain than normal. And the hot-and-humid conditions spurred a heavy amount of down-pours, thunderstorms, and tornadoes. The climatology office reported 40 twisters in the three-month-period – almost twice the state’s average of 21 tornadoes for an entire year. Many Wisconsin cities reported record rainfalls for the so-called “meteorological summer.” The National Weather Service in Sullivan said it had a record 25-point-six inches of rain in June, July, and August.
One Year After Cash For Clunkers
9/10/10 - It’s been over a year since the federal “Cash for Clunkers” program gave a boost to new car sales. But now, some are blaming the program for a shortage of high-quality used cars. “Cash for Clunkers” offered up to 45-hundred-dollars toward the purchase of a new energy-efficient vehicle, in exchange a for lower-mileage vehicles from 2003 and earlier. Those older engines had to be destroyed. And Patrick Rogalla, the sales manager for a large used car outlet in Middleton, said it pained him to see so many quality used cars waiting to be destroyed outside dealer showrooms. He said it would have been better to sell those vehicles to those with even older, less efficient cars that are still on the road. Edmunds-Dot-Com says the average price of a used car rose by over 10-percent in the last year. Another Madison dealer blames fewer trade-ins, as people hold onto their cars longer due to the economy. Dealers say used car sales are up, as cash-strapped buyers choose them for over new cars. Also, industry leaders say S-U-V sales are up as gas prices have dropped since their record highs in 2008.
Obama Coming Back To Badger State
9/10/10 - President Obama will return to Wisconsin on September 28th. The Democratic National Committee said today that Obama will appear in Madison to rally younger voters, and talk about issues which affect them. The D-N-C did not provide other details. It will be the president’s fourth visit to southern Wisconsin this year – and his sixth overall during his almost 19 months in the White House. The Madison rally will be one of at least four Obama plans to hold to push for Democratic votes in November. Wisconsin has some tight races this fall, and Democrats have a lot at stake in their efforts to keep the governor’s office, a U-S Senate seat, five House seats, and majorities in both the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate. Obama spoke at a labor rally in Milwaukee on Monday.
Bucky-s Head Located
9/10/10 - Bucky’s head has been returned. One of the students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who performs as the team mascot had been hosting a party earlier this month when he woke up and realized Bucky Badger’s head was missing. The student reported the incident to Madison police, but he said he’d dropped the charges if the head was just returned. The student says he would up finding Bucky’s head outside his apartment a few days later, undamaged. The person responsible has not been identified.
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