Top Stories, February 23rd

Body Found Along Highway 151 Off Ramp

2/23/11 - Authorities are on the scene of where a body was found this morning in the town of Beaver Dam.  Sheriff Todd Nehls says a passerby noticed the body on the side of the road as they took the County Road G off-ramp from Highway 151 southbound.  He could not say whether the death was suspicious or a case of hit and run and they are working to identify the person. The southbound off-ramp is closed at this time and will be for most of the morning.  

Semi Strikes Railroad Bridge

2/23/11 - No one was injured after a semi struck a railroad bridge this morning in the town of Hubbard.  It happened just before 6 am at intersection of Highways 33 and 67.  Authorities say when the truck hit the bridge it lost its load and they were in the process of cleaning up this morning.

Watertown Priest Sentenced

2/23/11 - A former Catholic priest in Watertown has been sentenced to nine months in jail and seven years on probation for stealing thousands of dollars for an investment scheme. 66-year-old Reverend Thomas Marr was the pastor at Saint Bernard’s Catholic Church for 24 years. He pleaded guilty last December to two counts of felony theft. Authorities said he stole church funds and defrauded parishioners of as much as 613-thousand dollars. And he gave it all to a friend who said he was waiting for a big payday from a business venture in Nigeria. The friend reportedly promised a million-dollar donation to Marr’s church in exchange for his involvement. At his sentencing yesterday, Marr apologized and said he hurt people “terribly though totally unintentionally.” Some said Marr was duped, while others said he wasn’t so innocent. Marr’s lawyer said his client had no intention of committing a crime, and he had planned to pay everyone back. The judge ordered restitution of 134-thousand-dollars to 17 families who asked to be re-paid. Marr must also pay back the church. An amount is expected to be determined next month.

AFSCME Votes To Prepare for General Strike

2/23/11 - The Federation of Labor in south central Wisconsin has voted to prepare for a general strike if Governor Scott Walker gets his way on limiting public union powers. Carl Aniel of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees tells the Wisconsin State Journal that both union and non-union employees would have to stop working in governments, schools, and private businesses. But he said it does not mean that everyone would be out at a particular time. Some services could be shut down, but Aniel said critical life-and-death services would not be affected. Public employee strikes have been illegal in Wisconsin since the 1970’s, after a long and emotional walkout by school teachers in Hortonville.

Assembly Resolution Praises Police At Protests

2/23/11 - The state Assembly passed a resolution Tuesday praising law enforcement for keeping the peace during the eight days of protests on the budget repair bill. Lawmakers from both parties praised the Capitol Police, the State Patrol, and other agencies for maintaining a quote, “orderly and secure” environment for those working in the Capitol – while letting protestors have their rights. There were nine arrests as of last Friday, but officials said there have been no major incidents. Legislators said they were impressed by the professionalism of the police officers, sheriff’s deputies, state troopers, D-N-R wardens, and others who’ve worked the security detail.

Dems Cry Foul In Web Site Block

2/23/11 - Democrats howled after a pro-union Web site was shut down for a half-hour by state officials for what the governor’s office called a routine technical review. The site is DefendWisconsin-Dot-Com. It was started by U-W teaching assistants to provide information about the protests to the governor’s proposed limits on public union bargaining powers. Governor’s spokesman Cullen Werwie said the Web site is run through the Capitol’s system – and all new sites there are blocked until they’re run through a technical software approval program run by the Administration Department. But Democratic Party spokesman Graeme Zielinski took issue with that explanation. He said the pro-union site was up for a few days before it was blocked – and it was only unblocked after a reporter asked about it. He also said Werwie was not accurate in explaining how new sites are checked. Democrats also complained after the Legislature’s toll-free hotline was temporarily shut down due to a flood of calls. Werwie says the governor has repeatedly said that protestors have a right to be heard – and a debate is good for the state.

Forbes Sentencing Today

2/23/11 - The man convicted of killing 18-year-old Marilyn McIntyre more than 30-years ago will be sentenced Wednesday in Columbia County. 53-year-old Curtis Forbes of Randolph was found guilty in November of First Degree Murder and faces life in prison at sentencing. Authorities say McIntyre was beaten, stabbed, and strangled in March of 1980 at her apartment in Columbus. Her husband Lane was at work at the time and their three-month-old son was in his crib. Forbes was a friend of the couple, dating back to their high school years. Authorities exhumed the victim’s body in 2008 to look for new evidence. And they arrested Forbes in March of ’09, saying that blood from both the killer and the victim were found in a sink at the apartment.

Council Grants Two New Liquor Licenses

2/23/11 - Some Beaver Dam city officials voted against granting a liquor license in committee this week to apparently send a message to applicants to get more involved in the process. Alderman Glen Link said he voted against a license request for the Park Avenue Sports Café at 709 Park Avenue because the applicant did not find it necessary to attend Monday night’s Administrative Committee meeting. Link also said the owners “put the cart before the horse” in renovating the structure before obtaining a license. Alderman Jon Litscher disagreed saying a business that works to eliminate blight should get cooperation from the city. Alderwoman Lisa Davidson also voted against the license and expressed concerns that someone from outside of Beaver Dam, or in this case from Dane County, would be operating a tavern here. Litscher noted that plenty of applicants from Beaver Dam have attended committee meetings and lied to his face. The liquor license was eventually granted on the council floor without opposition.

The council this week also approved a liquor license for Brewski’s Ale Haus at 825 Madison Street, formerly known as Moonshiners. In voting against the license, Davidson cited an OWI pending against the applicant. Owner Josh Christian was present at this weeks meeting as were neighbors who voiced concerns about possible noise and trespassing issues. Christian said Brewski’s will be a bar and grill with more of a focus on food than live music. Litscher praised the dialogue as constructive. Litscher did, however, vote against the issuance of a Tavern Dance License for Brewski’s…but only because he thinks it’s a pointless license.

No Increase In Boat Launch Fees

2/23/11 - Boat launch fees in Beaver Dam will not be increased this year. That was the recommendation of the Lake Improvement Association and city officials this week signed-off on maintaining the $5 charge. The fee was increased last year by two dollars.

Cancer Walk Kick-Off Tonight

2/23/11 - The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Beaver Dam committee is holding their kick-off meetings Wednesday. Co-Chair Melissa DeVries says kickoff will cover everything new and returning teams need to know to prepare for this years event. The meeting will be held in the Beaver Dam Community Hospital first floor conference room. Returning teams will meet at 6pm while new teams and volunteers will meet at 7pm. The cancer walk will be at the high school track on June 24th and 25th. Last years Relay drew 30 teams and raised over $118,000.

Applebee’s Patrons Donate To Honor Flight Today

2/23/11 - If you eat at an Applebee’s restaurant today, a portion of your bill could be donated to Honor Flight, the nationwide program that fly’s World War II veterans to their memorial in Washington DC at no charge to them. Jim Bublitz, with the Dodge County wing of the Madison-based Honor Flight hub, says you have to bring a Honor Flight flyer with you to the restaurant. The flyer can be found at badgerhonorflight.org. Donations can be made to PO Box 258066 Madison, WI 53725.