Top Stories March 21st

FDL Officer Killed


3/21/11 - Almost two dozen state Justice agents are investigating the murder of a Fond du Lac police officer and the wounding of another by a man who later killed himself. It happened yesterday morning when 30-year-old James Cruckson sprayed bullets from his home as police were responding to a report of a sexual assault. 28-year-old officer Craig Birkholz was shot in the chest and died at the scene. He’s an Army veteran who survived two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But after two years on the Fond du Lac police force, he couldn’t survive Cruckson – whom according to a Journal Sentinel report, told people at a tavern he was going to shoot somebody because he was having troubles with his girlfriend. But authorities have not said anything about a motive. 33-year-old Ryan Williams, the Fond du Lac Police K-9 officer, was shot twice and was in critical condition at last word. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery. His K-9 Grendel was also shot and wounded. Another officer, Zachary Schultz, had minor injuries while falling down a flight of stairs at the scene. He was treated at a hospital and later released. Officials said Cruckson shot himself during a six-hour standoff which ended around noon.

Officers removed Cruckson’s sister while firing an undisclosed number of shots into the house. There was also a report of a six-year-old girl in the house – but she was later found safe at a nearby home. SWAT team members later sprayed tear gas in the house about 45 minutes before they went in. During the early spate of gunfire, seven squad cars and two ambulances were hit – and some of those vehicles were occupied. Fond du Lac Police Chief Tony Barthuly said Birkholz and Williams were wearing bullet-proof vests – and Williams would have also died had he not been wearing his. The chief said Schultz was one of the heroes at the scene, and there were certainly others. He says they’ll all be honored once the investigation is complete. Governor Scott Walker said officer Birkholz made the ultimate sacrifice, and his state and community are quote, “eternally grateful for his heroic service.”

Rain and Melting Snow Causing Flooding

3/21/11 - Parts of six rivers in Wisconsin are under flood warnings, as the result of weekend rains and melting snow. The Fox River in Kenosha County was the only one that was over its banks overnight. Minor flooding was predicted at New Munster. The Kickapoo River at Gays Mills was at its flood stage at four this morning, and it’s expected to crest tonight at just over a half-foot above its banks. The Baraboo River was also inching closer to its banks at Baraboo and Rock Springs. Madison had one-point-four inches of rain yesterday, breaking a 125-year-old record for the date. Milwaukee also had record rainfall at just over an inch. One-inch hail fell at Waupun last night, and other parts of southeast Wisconsin had smaller hail. Meanwhile, the northern third of the state is gearing up for a big snow storm tomorrow night and Wednesday. Up to 16-inches are predicted for parts of northeast Wisconsin.

GOP Leaders Not Happy With Walker’s Recycling Plan

3/21/11 - Some of Scott Walker’s own Republicans are speaking out against the governor’s plan to end mandatory recycling for communities – and the state aid that goes with it. Senate President Mike Ellis of Neenah and fellow Senate Republican Rob Cowles of Green Bay both call it a big mistake and quote, “We had no idea it was coming.” They said the funding cut would not reduce the state’s budget deficit, because the money would go into a new economic development fund instead. Ellis and Cowles said 400-thousand tons of recyclables have been kept out of landfills since 1994. Assembly Republican finance chair Robin Vos says he’d like to see the recycling subsidies continue, but they might have to be reduced. And Assembly Republican John Nygren of Marinette says local officials in his district believe Walker’s going too far. Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie says the governor will work with legislative Republicans on possible changes to his budget as long as quote, “fiscal discipline” remains intact.

Milk Production Up

3/21/11 - Wisconsin farmers made more milk in February than a year ago -- but not as much as the national average. Milk production in the Badger State totaled just over two-billion pounds last month, a one-half-percent jump than the same time last year. The national increase was two-percent. And California -- the nation's top producer -- had a two-point-four percent hike in its milk output. Wisconsin's production per cow was unchanged from a year ago, at almost 16-hundred pounds. The state also added about six-thousand cows, to just over one-and-a-quarter million. New York and Idaho -- the nation's third-and-fourth-highest milk producers -- each had production jumps of over three-percent from a year ago.