Top Stories, November 22nd

Fall River Schools Target Bullying

11/22/10 - The Fall River School District has joined in the national and statewide movement to eliminate a climate of student “Bullying.” Hazing practices and cyber bullying have caught the attention of School Administrators around the state. Principal Dan Dowden has already enlisted a number of school and community members to serve on a Bullying “Task Force.” Dowden is looking for additional members to bring fresh ideas to the next meeting of the task force on Monday, December 6.

Columbus LED Bids Received

11/22/10 - After nearly two years of planning and evaluation, Columbus will soon be selecting one of six bidders hoping to supply over 500 new LED street lights. Water & Light Dept. officials say most of the lights could be converted by next July. Columbus received a DOC grant that will pay for a lion’s share of the conversion. The Water and Light Department will be monitoring energy usage once the LED’s are installed to determine how much money will be saved by converting to the new technology.

BDPD October Crime Stats

11/22/10 - The Beaver Dam Police Department has released crime statistics for the month of October. According to the activity report, there was one residential burglary reported last month; it did not involve forced entry. There were 28 general thefts reported. That resulted in a total of $20,106 in stolen property, of which $9570 was recovered. Beaver Dam police officers issued six citations for Operating While Intoxicated, and issued four citations for liquor law violations. There were 15 citations for Disorderly Conduct and 13 domestic incidents. Three reports of fraud were filed. One sex offense is being investigated. There were 83 adults arrested in October and 40 minors taken into custody. There were 49 traffic accidents last month resulting in 14 injuries.

Westphal Sentenced For Countywide Thefts

11/22/10 - A Beaver Dam man will spend one month in jail for a series of vehicle and garage break-ins. Joseph Westphal stole loose change, sunglasses, flashlights, fishing tackle and car stereo equipment from Horicon, Mayville and Beaver Dam in late January and early February. The 18-year-old also broke motion sensing lights at some of the houses. Judge Steven Bauer withheld a finding of guilt on two felony Burglary charges and Westphal was placed on Deferred Prosecution and found guilty of a handful of misdemeanor Theft counts. In addition to 30 days in jail with Huber privileges, Westphal will spend two years on probation, serve 80 hours of community service and pay restitution to all victims.

Fatal Shooting Investigation Continues

11/22/10 - The state Justice Department has released the names of the Columbia County deputies involved in a fatal shooting last week. 51-year-old Kelly Bishell of rural Cambridge was wanted on a pair of warrants from Jefferson County when a deputy and a lieutenant went to a house near Pardeeville last Sunday. They found Bishell in a stairwell – and officials said he shot at the officers before they returned fire and killed the suspect. Deputy Leda Wagner, who was superficially wounded, has seven years of experience with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Douglas Jarzynski –a 24-year department veteran – had a bullet pass through his uniform shirt. The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating at the request of Columbia County Sheriff Dennis Richards.

Fond du Lac Police Investigate Excessive Force Complaint

11/22/10 - Fond du Lac police investigate an excessive use of force complaint against one of its officers. Video from the Fond du Lac County Jail shows Officer Joel Gudex slamming a handcuffed John Lund down on a table during an October 29th booking. Lund suffered a cut to the head, which had to be treated at St. Agnes Hospital. Deputy Police Chief Kevin Lemke says they investigate all allegations of excessive force. Sheriff Mick Fink says his department made sure deputies on-duty at the jail at the time of the incident were available to investigators. Fink says he sat down with his Chief Deputy Mark Strand, and Lemke, and they agreed an investigation was warranted. Officer Gudex continues to patrol the streets of Fond du Lac while the investigation continues.

Childs Critical of Teacher Furloughs

11/22/10 - State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald told us on WBEV’s Community Comment last week that teacher furloughs are “something that may have to be done to balance the budget.” That idea is not sitting well with Waupun School Superintendent Don Childs, who says the furloughs are “short-sided.” Childs says he (quote) “reads that as wanting to beat-up teachers and not educate kids.” Childs, a former Beaver Dam Superintendent, compares teacher furloughs to cuts in higher education, which he says makes the university system less competitive and leads to “brain drain” with 40% of the states graduates going to other states to work.

Wisconsin Association of School Boards’ Executive Director John Ashley told Channel3000 Friday that it is (quote) “something…to look at for flexibility as school boards" as a way to “improve student achievement.” Meanwhile, Fitzgerald says teacher furloughs would not mean less school days for the kids but he says “maybe for the teachers.” The Juneau Republican told us, (quote) “what you are going to see is that there are going to be some discussions about how the school day might be structured.” Students in the state are required to be in school 180 days per year, but teachers work for 185 days under many district contracts.