Top Stories November 6th

Another Counterfeit Bill Found in Beaver Dam


11/6/10 - More fake money was found in Beaver Dam yesterday (Fr). A manager at the Park Avenue McDonalds informed police that they had received a phony $20 bill. This most recent incident is at least the ninth time since last weekend that a business in the city reported counterfeit cash being used. Beaver Dam Deputy Chief Dan Schubert advises the public to be cautious and asks that you contact the police if you detect any paper that does not feel right to the touch. He also recommends using a counterfeit detector pen. If a suspicious bill is discovered, Schubert recommends stalling the customer until police arrive or getting a good description of the suspect and the vehicle.

Tax Rate in Horicon Going Up

11/6/10 - City of Horicon residents are looking at a 20-cent increase to their mill rate for 2011. As proposed, the total budget is $3.4-million, which is an increase of about 3-percent over the current year. The total tax levy is up 3.2-percent to $1.8-million, which makes the mill rate $9.74 per thousand before the TIF districts are factored in. The council is expected to approve the budget at a meeting on November 30th.

No Guarantees from Train Manufacturer

11/6/10 - A train manufacturer says it cannot guarantee it will stay in Milwaukee if the proposed high-speed passenger line from Milwaukee-to-Madison is scrapped. Talgo Incorporated says it has enough other work that runs into early 2012. But after that, the company’s Nora Friend says the future is uncertain. Governor-elect Scott Walker has long opposed the Wisconsin train, saying it would cost taxpayers too much to operate, and it’s cheaper-and-faster to drive. And this week, the D-O-T told eight contractors to halt their work on the project for a few days, so officials can determine the effects if the project is shut down permanently. Talgo is from Spain. It was recruited to Wisconsin as part of the high-speed rail project. Milwaukee spent three-million-dollars to convert an old industrial site for the train maker – and Talgo said it would provide up to 125 jobs. Friend says the plant will have 40 workers by the end of the month, but it’s making no employment predictions beyond that. Meanwhile, Milwaukee House Democrat Gwen Moore says it’s critical that the train project continue. She says it’s needed to create jobs, and give low-income people a way to travel to find employment. A Walker spokeswoman says the governor-elect is encouraging Talgo to stay in Milwaukee. But if other states end up getting Wisconsin’s federal funding for the train, Friend says there will be pressure for Talgo to move to those places.

Pre-Election Polls Hit the Mark

11/6/10 - Polls did pretty well in predicting the outcomes of this election, says a UW political scientist. While the campaigns of Democrats Russ Feingold and Tom Barrett argued right up to election day that polls weren’t giving an accurate picture of the electorate, UW political scientist Charles Franklin said that proved to not be the case. Franklin said polling appears to have been a pretty accurate indicator of outcomes in other races across the country.

Walker Seeking UW System’s Help in Balancing the Budget

11/6/10 - Wisconsin’s new chief executive is not wasting any time seeking allies. Governor-elect Scott Walker is asking the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents to help balance the state budget. With a deficit of nearly $3 billion, the Republican told University officials Thursday he and the incoming legislature face a quote “formidable task,” and a serious challenge ahead. Walker told UW policymakers he needs their help, and wants U-W leaders involved when his commerce department negotiates to bring new companies to the state. Walker says the UW is a great asset to help fulfill his goal of creating 250,000 new jobs.

Kleefisch to Begin Chemotherapy

11/6/10 - Lieutenant Governor-elect Rebecca Kleefisch will begin chemotherapy to make sure a cancerous colon tumor doesn't come back. It was removed by doctors in early September. Kleefisch says she's cancer-free, but decided to go through chemotherapy after a consultation with her doctor.

Daylight Savings Time

11/6/10 - ‘Fall back’ and take steps to keep your family safe. When you set your household’s clocks back an hour this weekend, Tod Pritchard with Wisconsin Emergency Management hopes you’ll keep a couple other items in mind: check the batteries in your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. And if you don’t have the latter, consider getting one. The need for CO2 detectors was driven home by the death of a couple in their Walworth County home, of apparent carbon monoxide. You can learn more about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on-line at readywisconsin.wi.dot.gov.

Record Buck for Bowhunter?

11/6/10 - A bowhunter from Wautoma has killed a buck that may be a state record. The 12-point buck killed by Brian Inda scored 198-and-a-quarter inches, which would make it a new state record. The buck must go through a 60-day drying period for an official measurement, to be certified for the record.

Local Film Wins Awards

11/6/10 - A movie filmed in Dodge County was a big winner at the San Antonio Christian Film Festival. Dan Bell of Mayville was the Associate Producer and star of “The Penny,” which took the top honor in the “Best Film” category last weekend. The movie features actors from Beaver Dam, Mayville, Janesville, Madison and Milwaukee. It was shot on location in Mayville. The EMS building acted as a police station, Dr. Barns Chiropractic office was a medical center. They also used the White Limestone Quarry and even Bell’s own house. The story is about “fate, luck, chance, destiny, accident and coincidence” and follows a penny through the lives of six unrelated people who come together in the end as the result of faith and destiny. Producer Nathan Webster of Waupun is with “Filmweavers,” the same company that produced “Heartwood Dagger” which was also filmed in Dodge County and was a finalist in 2006 at the same film festival. “The Penny” is expected to be broadcast on Christian television networks. DVD’s are available at www.filmweavers.com.