Top Stories, June 11th

Walker Signs Enterprise Zone Expansion Law At Quad

6/11/11 - Governor Scott Walker signed a bill into law Friday at the Quad Graphics plant in Lomira. The legislation increases the number of enterprise zones the Department of Commerce may designate from 12 to 20. Enterprise zones are used to attract and retain businesses by offering tax incentives to firms that locate within the zones. In addition to creating eight more enterprise zones, the law requires that at least three zones be in rural areas with populations fewer than 5,000 people, and at least two zones must be in areas with populations greater than 5,000 but no more than 30,000 people. Walker calls it another important step in the process of allowing the private sector to create a quarter million jobs by 2015. He says by nearly doubling the amount of enterprise zones in Wisconsin we will make our state more attractive to potential employers who are looking to relocate to a more pro-business, pro-jobs environment.

Thompson Senate Decision Coming After Recall Elections

6/11/11 - Former Governor Tommy Thompson says he will wait until after the series of summer recall elections before making up his mind about a run for the US Senate seat. Thompson has been considering a campaign for the position being vacated by the retiring U.S. Senator Herb Kohl. The Republican is leaving open the possibility he might run for office again, but he is making no official announcements for the next two months. Thompson has hired a consulting firm, Persuasion Partners, Incorporated, which released the statement about his plans for another run for office.

Budget Could Impact Library Internet Costs

6/11/11 - The state’s library systems could be paying a lot more for Internet access if proposed cuts to a nonprofit cooperative run by the UW System are included in the final budget. Gus Falkenberg, technology coordinator for the Indianhead Federated Library System in Eau Claire, said WiscNet provides an affordable Internet portal and being forced to go with a private ISP would be a significant cost increase, from around $9,000 to as much as $60,000. State schools Superintendent Tony Evers has also raised concerns over cuts to WiscNet. State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau has said the issue may get another look before the budget is finalized.

Civil War Re-Enactment in Beaver Dam

6/11/11 - A Civil War re-enactment is being held in Beaver Dam’s Edgewater Park this weekend. The free, family-friendly event is sponsored by the Beaver Dam Exchange Club and Tenth Tennessee Company D. Organizer Robert Krist says the re-enactment features authentic civilian and soldier encampments, with participants dressed in period-specific uniforms and firing historically-accurate muskets and canons. Krist says there is a general blueprint for the battles that is based on historical fact. While it may not be shot-for-shot, the fight re-enacted will be the Battle of Bull Run, or as the Confederacy called it, First Manassas. The Civil War Re-enactment is free to attend and will be held Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sunday from 9am to 4pm, with battles each day at 2pm. Food and refreshments will be available. Edgewater Park is located off Highway 33 on Beaver Dam’s north side.

Revolutionary War Vet Gets New Grave Stone

6/11/11 - Forty veterans of the Revolutionary War are buried in Wisconsin cemeteries – and one of them will get some long overdue recognition on Sunday. The Sons of the American Revolution will dedicate a new grave marker for Andrew Howard, who’s buried in the Oak Center Cemetery in Fond du Lac County. He served with a Massachusetts Regiment in a Hudson River defense unit until the early 1780’s. He moved to Wisconsin in 1847 to live with relatives, and he died two years later. At a service Sunday afternoon, Howard’s story will be told – and a color guard will give a solemn salute. He was among many who moved West after the Revolutionary War and helped build the Wisconsin territory.

Fitchburg Woman Arrested For Capitol Bomb Threats

6/11/11 - Capitol Police arrest a Fitchburg woman in connection with bomb threats last week at a pair of state office buildings. 24-year-old Antoinette Jackson has been charged with two counts of causing a bomb scare following two threats made at downtown Madison state government office buildings. Police say the written threats were discovered by cleaning crews in the GEF-2 and GEF-3 buildings, which were evacuated and searched by law enforcement. Jackson herself was working for a contract cleaning company. The case has been turned over to the Dane County District Attorney’s office.

BD Man Sentenced In Memorial Statue Theft

6/11/11 - A Beaver Dam man has been ordered to pay restitution for his role in stealing a bronze eagle from the Veterans Memorial in the Randolph Community Cemetery. Robert Hansen pleaded “no contest” in Columbia County court to a felony charge of Theft as a Party to a Crime. The 20-year-old was placed on probation for three years and ordered to split $4580 in restitution with his accomplice. 21-year-old Stephen Peterson of Beaver Dam was previously sentenced to one-and-a-half years in prison and ordered to pay his share of the restitution. Peterson will begin serving that sentence after he serves a Dodge County prison sentence for a series of pipe bomb incidents. The eagle, valued at $3,000, was first reported missing in May of 2009 but was returned before Memorial Day Ceremonies were held. Peterson told authorities he took the eagle that April; it was later found at Edgewater Park in Beaver Dam.

Waupun Woman Arraigned On Sexual Assault Charges

6/11/11 - A Waupun woman entered a “not guilty” plea at arraignment this week to charges that she had a relationship with a 15-year-old boy. Carol Coonfield is being held on four counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault of a Child. The 20-year-old is also charged with Bail Jumping because her alleged actions violated a condition of bond in a Fond du Lac County case where she’s facing two more counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault of a Child for different alleged relationship. Coonfield has court activity on the calendar next month.

Oconomowoc Man Charged With Dealing Heroin

6/11/11 - A 28-year-old Oconomowoc man could spend over 60-years in prison for allegedly selling around $100 worth of heroin. Jason Ross was in Dodge County Court for his initial hearing this week after being charged with five counts of manufacturing or delivering heroin. The criminal complaint states that Ross sold $50 worth of heroin on two occasions to informants with the Dodge County Drug Taskforce. The offenses are said to have occurred between September and November of 2010. Ross is due in court again for a preliminary hearing next month.

One Injured in Single Vehicle Rollover

6/11/11 - One injury was reported following a single vehicle rollover Friday night. According to the Dodge County Sheriffs Department, the accident happened just before 7:30pm on Pond Road in the Town of Rubicon. 21-year-old Joshua Brezovar-Corbeil of Oak Grove was transported to Hartford Hospital.

Counterfeit Bill Discovered At A Beaver Dam Bank

6/11/11 - A counterfeit $20 bill was found at a Beaver Dam bank on Thursday. The Beaver Dam Police Department received a report of the phony cash from the Horicon Bank branch on Industrial Drive. The money will be turned over the Secret Service for investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department.

Barrett Concerned With Milwaukee Infant Mortality Rate

6/11/11 - Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says the city’s infant mortality rate remains a major problem, especially when looking at racial breakdowns. While speaking to the UW-System Board of Regents, he pointed to a disparity between Caucasian and African-American babies. The mortality rate is two and a half times worse among African-Americans. The mayor says in some Milwaukee neighborhoods, the rate of infants who die surpasses third world countries. However, Barrett had some positive news. There has been progress in reducing the city’s teen pregnancy rate. Barrett also plugs the city’s partnership with the UW-Milwaukee School of Public Health. He says the joint effort will be essential in tackling the city’s high rates of infant mortality, STDs, diabetes and asthma.

Milwaukee Man Sentenced To Life In Murders

6/11/11 - A Milwaukee man is given four life terms in prison with no chance for parole. Desmond Dejuan Laster was convicted last March in the killings of two boys, their mother and an accomplice in the crime. Laster was found guilty of being party to first-degree intentional homicide. A co-conspirator, Anthony Barnes, will be sentenced next month. Laster and Barnes were accused of helping Brittney Robertson confront and stab Rachel Thompson in February of last year. Robertson was jealous of Thompson. She then helped Laster suffocate Thompson's three and four year old sons. They set Thompson's apartment on fire before leaving with her six week old son. Barnes killed Robertson when Laster told him to do it.