Top Stories June 7th

Records Temps Likely Again

6/7/11 - It’s likely we’re going to see records temperatures again today. In Juneau yesterday it got to 91 degrees, breaking the record of 90 degrees set back in 1988. And today could be even hotter. The record temp for today is 92 and forecasters say we should hit the mid-90’s with heat indexes near 100. Milwaukee and Madison both had record highs of 94 yesterday. Milwaukee broke a record set in 1925. Madison tied a mark set in 1952. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for our area until 8pm today. Most of the southern half of Wisconsin had hailstorms yesterday morning. A four-inch ball of ice was picked up a mile south of Reedsburg. The hail damaged vehicles in a number of communities, including in Burnett here in Dodge County. Hail an inch and a quarter in diameter was reported in Hartford. A strong cold front is due in tomorrow, and more severe storms are possible then. It’s supposed to get much cooler and less humid on Thursday and we could see highs only in the upper 60’s.

Court Hears Arguments on Union Bargaining Restrictions

6/7/11 - After hearing five-and-a-half hours of arguments yesterday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court did not say when, or even if it would decide whether to put the state’s public union bargaining restrictions into effect. The attorney general’s office asked the justices to rule that the law has been in place since March 26th. The department also wants the court to nullify Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi’s ruling that a legislative committee broke the Open Meeting Law when it passed the union restrictions on March ninth. The justices said they were skeptical about Sumi’s ability to prevent a legislative measure from becoming law. Justice Michael Gableman wondered if a court could prevent a senator from introducing a bill. In his words, “Where does it stop?” Justice Pat Roggensack said she did not believe the Open Meeting Law applies to the state Legislature. But an attorney for Senate Democratic leader Mark Miller called that a “radical” position. And a lawyer for Assembly Democratic leader Peter Barca said the justices should clarify that the public has a right to watch its legislators in action – especially in controversial matters.

Meanwhile, the conservative Wisconsin Club-for-Growth filed a complaint with the state’s Judicial Commission yesterday, accusing Judge Sumi of not being impartial in her rulings on the union bill. A state justice lawyer said the same thing in a recent legal brief.

And five people were arrested at the Capitol during the Supreme Court’s arguments – but none were near the court’s chamber. Four people were arrested for disorderly conduct for trying to ignore metal detectors and police clearance at the main doors. A fifth person was arrested for propping open a locked entrance so others could later enter the building and avoid officers. Two were cited for disorderly conduct, and three for obstructing a roadway.

GOP Senators May Get Extra Month to Campaign

6/7/11 - All six Republican state senators who are up for recall elections this summer might get an extra month to prepare. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Dan Bice says the G-O-P is lining up loyal Republicans to run as Democrats in primaries for all six contests. That way, the real Democrats will be busy in the primaries while the Republican lawmakers get an extra month to put their campaigns in order. Yesterday, we learned that fake Democrats were planning to force primaries for the opponents of G-O-P senators Luther Olsen of Ripon and Randy Hopper of Fond du Lac. There was also talk that a spoiler Democrat would run for Republican Dan Kapanke’s seat in La Crosse. Senate Democratic Leader Mark Miller calls it “dirty tricks” to “deny democracy.” But state G-O-P director Stephan Thompson says it’s only fair, because Republican senators are busy acting on a state budget while their Democratic opponents have already hit the campaign trail. Bice says there’s no indication that Democrats are doing the same to give their own party’s senators a leg up. Three Democrats face possible recalls. The senators are being targeted for their actions connected with the bill to limit collective bargaining by most public employee unions.


Beaver Dam Now Has Landmark Commission

6/7/11 - The Beaver Dam Common Council last night approved the creation of a Landmark Commission that will oversee future renovation to downtown buildings. The commission will not be able to require existing property owners make changes but will regulate signage, façade and other improvements to make sure the alterations are in compliance with a historic, turn-of-the-century century theme. The commission will be comprised of five members and two alternates who have a background in history, preservation, architecture, real estate law, local government or a related area. The city mayor, building inspector and city attorney will also serve as advisory members.

Council Accepts Donation For New BD Senior Center

6/7/11 - Beaver Dam is one step closer to having a new Community and Community Center after unanimous acceptance of a free building by the Common Council last night. The donation from Charles and Gail Fakes was praised by city officials who say the location on 209 South Center Street will help continue their efforts toward downtown revitalization. City tax dollars will not be used for renovation. Community Activities and Services Coordinator Evonne Koeppen, who oversees the Senior Center, says they are determined to raise the money on their own and have plans in place move into the facility in phases as the money becomes available. Koeppen estimates it will cost $2.5 million to renovate the new building. A recent feasibility study determined that between $500,000 and $750,000 could be raised from private donations. The Senior Center currently has around $300,000 in an endowment fund.

Beaver Dam May Expand Business Park

6/7/11 - The Beaver Dam Common Council last night unanimously approved an offer to purchase land that would allow for the expansion of TIF 4. That’s the Tax Incremental Finance district on the north side of town where the Lakeside and Beaver Dam Business Parks are located, which include facilities like Northwoods Paper, Mayville Engineering Company and the new Animart facility, among others. The purchase would involve 83 acres currently owned by Donald and Sandra Snyder at a cost of $973,000 and 111 acres currently owned by Rich and Nancy Zieman of Zieman Properties at a cost of $1.2 million. The land is bordered by the North Hills Mobile Home Park, Highway W, Hemlock Road and Highway 151. While there are still smaller parcels available, Beaver Dam’s industrial parks are quickly running out of space. The city’s economic development commission warned officials they may have to turn away a large company. Initial costs for the land, road improvements and basic utility infrastructure is $4.5 million, though another $3.3 million is anticipated for future project costs, things like additional public utilities, streets, grading and storm pond construction. Economic development official’s say TIF 4 is currently performing very well and generates enough positive tax increment to support borrowing for the expansion.

Kachelski Memorial Ceremony Tuesday Morning

6/7/11 - A memorial dedication ceremony will be held Tuesday morning for the city’s first full-time mayor. Robert Kachelski passed away last September and the common council unanimously approved a resolution in October that called for a memorial plaque and tree planting. The Kachelski Memorial will be located between the Chamber offices on South Spring Street and the Historical Society on Park Avenue. Mayor Tom Kennedy, a friend of the late mayor, says that location is excellent since Kachelski was in office when the museum moved from the old depot building to its current location in the former Williams Free Library. The ceremony will be held at 11am.

Schedule Changes Coming to WASD

6/7/11 - A big schedule change is coming for students in the Waupun School District this fall. On 32 Wednesday’s during the school year classes will start 90-minutes later than normal so as to allow the teaching staff an opportunity to get together to develop strategies to deal with not only kids struggling to learn, but also those that are excelling in the classroom. Interim Superintendent Don Childs says parent’s schedules won’t be affected because the busses will still run as normal and the schools will offer activities for kids until the classes start. He did add that parents will have a choice whether they send their kids early or not. The late starts will replace the six early release days that the district had during this past school year.

Third Person Implicated In Tavern Burglary Spree

6/7/11 - A third person has been charged in connection with a series of Dodge County tavern break-ins. 44-year-old Thomas Dahlgren of Mauston is charged with three felony counts of Burglary and three misdemeanor counts of Theft. Dahlgren and two others are accused of breaking into the Dockside Pub and Grille in the Town of Westford in January, Jumpers Bar in the Town of Beaver Dam in February and Chances Bar in the Town of Burnett in March. Thousands of dollars was stolen from poker machines, ATM’s and safes. 32-year-old Nicholas J. Etter of West Salem and 32-year-old Michelle L. Novak of Mayville were the first to be charged in the case. According to the criminal complaint, Novak reportedly admitted to being the getaway driver and lookout; she has since waived her right to a preliminary hearing and has court activity on the calendar next month. Etter admitted that he was involved but blamed someone else for orchestrating the break-ins. Etter has a plea and sentencing hearing scheduled for this afternoon. Meanwhile, Dahlgren – who was on probation for Attempted Homicide at the time of his arrest and is currently incarcerated at the Waupun Correctional Institution – had a signature bond set at $1000 yesterday and has a preliminary hearing scheduled later this month.

BD Man Accused of Sparking High Speed Chase

6/7/11 - A Beaver Dam man faces felony charges for allegedly running from authorities at a high rate of speed before crashing his vehicle. Anthony Sanders was arrested on Saturday in the town of Herman after authorities say they clocked him driving 30 miles over the speed limit on Highway 67. The subsequent pursuit allegedly reached speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour down Highway 67 before Sanders lost control on Madison Road and put the car in a ditch. If convicted, the charge carries a maximum prison sentence of three-and-a-half years in prison. Sanders had a signature bond set at $2500 yesterday and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for next month.

Fondy DA Mulling Charges In Cop Shooting

6/7/11 - The chief prosecutor in Fond du Lac says he hopes to decide within two months whether any charges will be filed in the shooting death of a police officer. Authorities said 30-year-old James Cruckson shot-and-killed city officer Craig Birkholz on March 20th, as he and other officers were responding to a sexual assault complaint. Officer Ryan Williams and his K-9 partner were wounded – and Cruckson turned the gun himself later in the morning as he got into a stand-off with police. The state Justice Department said it reviewed hundreds of reports and dozens of audio files, before submitting the information to Fond du Lac County District Attorney Dan Kaminsky. He’ll be the one to decide on possible charges. Meanwhile, 29-year-old Hlee Cruckson has been charged with threatening James Cruckson’s girlfriend. Hlee is James Cruckson’s aunt. Prosecutors said she pointed a gun at a relative of the girlfriend, while blaming her for the police standoff. Hlee Cruckson is charged with reckless endangerment and pointing a firearm. She’s free on bond, and is due back in court June 20th.

Sex Offender Info Meeting Planned in Iron Ridge

6/7/11 - The Iron Ridge Police Department is holding a Sex Offender Notification Meeting on Wednesday for 30-year-old man who has recently been released from prison. Joshua Thur was sentenced on charges of Third Degree Sexual Assault and Lewd and Lascivious Behavior for having inappropriate contact with a minor in Winnebago County in 2004. State statute requires offenders with his criminal history to be classified as having the potential to re-offend. Authorities remind the public that Thur has served his sentence, is not wanted by law enforcement and any attempts to threaten, intimidate or harass him will not be tolerated. The informational meeting will be held at the Iron Ridge Community Center on Wednesday at 7pm.