Top Stories, November 8th

Arrest Made In Horicon Legion Break-In

11/8/10 - Authorities initiated a traffic stop yesterday and may have foiled a crime in the process. The Dodge County Sheriffs Department assisted in the stop just before midnight on Main Street in Horicon. A 30-year-old Horicon man allegedly fled on foot. Justin T. McCarthy was apprehended a short time later and said to be in possession of a large amount of money in addition to several receipts from the American Legion. A check of the Legion building in Horicon found that the door had been pried open and the ATM and a poker machine had been broken into. The Horicon Police Department is investigating.

Menards Construction Site Vandalized

11/8/10 - The Dodge County Sheriffs Department is investigating vandalism at the construction site for the new Menards concrete block manufacturing facility in the Town of Hubbard. Authorities received reports Saturday that a construction trailer on County Highway S was spray-painted and there was an attempt made to set it on fire. There were also several hoses that were cut on the property and some port-a-potties were tipped over. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dodge County Sheriffs Department or the anonymous We-Tip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME.

Five Injured in Waupun Wreck

11/8/10 - Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s officials say five people were injured when a 20-year-old Waterloo woman and crossed over the centerline on State Highway 26 in the Town of Waupun Saturday afternoon. Kendra Rudolph woke up overcorrecting, which caused her car to spin into the path of another vehicle driven by 36-year-old Joshua Tarrell of Highland. Rudolph, Tarrell, his 6-year-old daughter, and a passenger; 24-year-old Danielle of Kratcha of Dodgeville were taken to Waupun Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Tarell’s 36-year-old wife Jennifer was more seriously injured. She was flown to Theda Clark Regional Medical Center where she is in fair condition.

Minor Injuries In Car Vs. Tractor

11/8/10 - A Fairwater man was cited following a car vs. farm tractor accident Saturday afternoon in the Town of Chester. According to the Dodge County Sheriffs Department, the accident occurred on County Highway M and Cortes Road just before 5pm. The driver of the car, 45-year-old Kevin Kupczyk, and a passenger were transported to Waupun Hospital with minor injuries. He was given a citation for Failure To Yield To Vehicle Making Left Turn.

OWI Issued Following Rollover

11/8/10 - A Waterloo man was cited after rolling his car early yesterday (Sun) in the Town of Portland. According to the Dodge County Sheriffs Department, the single vehicle accident occurred just after 2am on County Highway IT and Schulz Road. 23-year-old Luke J. Strika was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was treated and released from Columbus Community Hospital. He is charged with Operating While Intoxicated, first offense.

Iron Ridge Man Cited For OWI

11/8/10 - An Iron Ridge man was transported to Hartford Hospital following a one-vehicle wreck early this morning. Dodge County authorities say the accident occurred just before 1pm on County Highway S in the Town of Hubbard. 41-year-old Brian A. Moldenhauer was transported to the hospital by Juneau EMS and was cited for his third OWI.

Man Hits Tree, Avoids Cat

11/8/10 - No injuries were reported after a Beaver Dam man swerved to avoid hitting a cat Saturday morning and drove into a tree. It happened just before 10am on County Highway K in the Town of Lowell. The 24-year-old braked when he saw the cat and lost control of his vehicle before hitting the tree. His car was towed from the scene.

Movie Shot In Mayville Wins ‘Best Film’

11/8/10 - A movie shot in Mayville was recently named “Best Film” at the San Antonio Christian Film Festival. Associate producer and star Dan Bell says “The Penny” was filmed at the white limestone quarry, EMS building, a local chiropractic office and even in his own house. It also features actors from Milwaukee, Madison, Janesville and Beaver Dam. Producer Nathan Webster of Waupun also shot “Heartwood Dagger” on Beaver Dam Lake, becoming a finalist at the same film festival in 2006. “The Penny” will be broadcast on Christian television. DVD’s are available at www.filmweavers.com.

Columbus Budget Public Hearing Tuesday

11/8/10 - Columbus will be holding their Public Hearing on the 2011 City budget Tuesday night. The proposed $3.6 million dollar municipal budget has many cutbacks resulting in a tax levy $43 thousand dollars less than last year. Administrator Boyd Kraemer is recommending a wage freeze for all City employees and a 2 per cent cap on fringe benefits. The preliminary budget calls for reductions in the Police, Fire, Public Works and Recreation Departments. The 6:00 pm Public Hearing is scheduled in the renovated City Hall chambers.

BDACT – WBEV Xmas Radio Show Auditions Begin

11/8/10 - Auditions for the Beaver Dam Area Community Theater Christmas Radio Play will be held tonight and tomorrow. This year, the theater is doing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” The theater is looking for adults and children ages eight and up who have enthusiasm and the ability to read well. Auditions are from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the community theater building at 219 North Spring Street. Copies of the script are available at the Beaver Dam Community Library. The date of the performance is Friday, December 17 at 7pm and the show will be broadcast live on WBEV.

Another Plea In Fond du Lac MIS Scandal

11/8/10 - A third suspect involved in the Fond du Lac MIS scandal has pleaded no contest to charges for his role in the false-billing embezzlement scheme. Former Management Information Systems employee Jon Lippert was in Fond du Lac County Court Friday for a plea and sentencing hearing. The plea agreement calls for four-and-a-half years in prison, five years of extended supervision and restitution of up to $100,000 to the City of Fond du Lac. Lippert’s lawyer, Rebecca Castonia, says her client is sorry for what he did. She says they will explain at the sentencing how he got involved. Another former MIS worker and a Milwaukee vendor have already been sentenced or pled guilty to charges. District Attorney Dan Kaminsky says the important thing is that the City of Fond du Lac be reimbursed for the thefts. To date just over $85,000 in restitution has been paid back to the city. Charges will be coming against two other former MIS employees.

Aurora To Cut Jobs

11/8/10 - Aurora Health Care plans to cut 175 jobs by the end of the year. C-E-O Nick Turkal blames the economy, fewer hospital admissions, and higher employee pension costs. Aurora – which has around 30 thousand employees – also plans on moving 40 workers from its hospital in Waukesha County to other facilities. It opened a new hospital last week in Grafton and also has medical centers and clinics in Mayville, Lomira, Hustisford and Watertown. Last year at this time, Aurora cut 90 jobs and left 220 posts vacant. They were mainly administrative positions from the Metro Milwaukee area.

Walker Meeting With GOP Members

11/8/10 - Wisconsin’s new governor meets with members of his own Republican Party today at the State Capitol. Scott Walker is governor-elect and will be sworn-in next January. He’s meeting with Assembly members, including the 25 new GOP members elected last week.

Changes Anticipated At WDNR

11/8/10 - Big changes are expected at the Department of Natural Resources by environmentalists and conservationists. With Republican governor-elect Scott Walker taking over after saying on the campaign trail the DNR is "out of control," several groups say they are keeping a close eye on developments. Most say they expect change, but they don't know if that's a good or bad thing. Walker's campaign website promised to make sure the DNR treats state residents "as customers, not criminals." Much of the controversy over the DNR centers on its rules concerning deer.

Bush To Talk To Teens

11/8/10 - Former President George Bush visits Wisconsin this week. He speaks to a Christian group that helps people deal with substance abuse problems this coming Wednesday. Bush has had his own problems with alcohol. The Milwaukee event is sponsored by Teen Challenge, and costs 100 dollars a plate.

Leaf Pick-Up Coming To An End

11/8/10 - Beaver Dam residents have until the end of the week to get their leaves to the curbside for pick-up by the Department of Public Works. Director of Facilities David Stoiser says leaves -- along with lawn grass rakings resulting from leaf gathering, garden vines and stalks – may be placed in the terrace areas of the street edge in loose piles no later than this coming Sunday. Stoiser says yard waste cannot be placed in the street or gutter, or in any containers. Leaves, rakings and garden debris cannot be mixed with other forms of waste like brush or shrubbery cuttings. Stoiser says fruits, nuts and vegetables are not acceptable and should be disposed of as garbage. City crews will make one more round -- beginning next Monday -- in no particular order.