Top Stories July 30th

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Forbes

7/30/11 - A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Curtis Forbes by the husband and son of Marilyn McIntyre. The suit was filed in Columbia County where Forbes was convicted last year of killing McIntyre at her home in Columbus in 1980. The lawsuit claims that Forbes and his wife Debbie are responsible for causing pain and suffering, loss of companionship and society, and emotional distress. Court documents say the conduct of the Forbes were “extreme and outrageous” and caused “extreme and disabling” emotional distress to Marilyn’s husband Lane and their son Christopher McIntyre. The lawsuit does not list any damage amounts. Forbes has until late next month to respond to the suit.

Sale of Land to ETS Now Official

7/30/11 - The city of Beaver Dam officially closed on the sale of land in the Lakeside Business Park yesterday (Fr). Engineered Treatment Systems purchased 4.4 acres of land at a cost of $20,000 per acre. ETS is owned by Chuck Neuman, who has an option to purchase an additional 5.3 acres. The business provides ultraviolet technology for improving water quality. The construction value of the 29,000 square foot facility is estimated at around $2 million. ETS currently has 14 employees and the new facility could add another half dozen jobs. Construction is anticipated to begin as early as next month.

Probation Revoked for Randolph Man

7/30/11 - A Randolph man on probation for burglarizing a church will be heading back to jail for a year after having his probation revoked. Perry Regazzi broke into the Randolph Evangelical Free Church in December of 2006 and stole a laptop computer and a checkbook. The 53-year-old Regazzi had been at the church prior to the burglary and was given a check to purchase food from a grocery store. Regazzi was originally sentenced to two weeks in jail back in 2007 and was also placed on 5 years probation. He won’t spend a fell year behind bars this time though as he was given 200 days of presentencing credit.

Dahmer Escapee Charged in Homeless Man’s Death

7/30/11 - Twenty years ago Tracy Edwards escaped from a serial killer, then lead police back to Jeffrey Dahmer. Now, Edwards is one of two men charged with throwing a homeless man off a Milwaukee bridge. Johnny Jordan drowned. Edwards and 44 year old Timothy Carr are charged with recklessly endangering safety in Jordan's death. In July 1991, Edwards managed to get away from Dahmer with a handcuff still attached to his wrist. He then led police back to the notorious killer's apartment.

Recall Ads Drawing Big Money

7/30/11 - Television ads are popping up against Republican state Senator Luther Olsen. Groups like the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Democracy for America say they spent 100 thousand dollars last week on that TV ad, and they plan to spend another 150 thousand dollars to air an ad against Republican state Senator Alberta Darling. The Olsen ad will be extended. The two groups have called an estimated 115 thousand people and they say they plan to knock on 50 thousand doors -- all as a part of the recall elections scheduled for a week from next Tuesday, August 9. Another campaign run by a coalition of unions maintains it has already contacted a million voters through calls and door-knocking.

Monitoring Efforts to Increase on Lake Michigan

7/30/11 - Federal crews will increase monitoring efforts on waterways near Lake Michigan next week. The stepped up routine comes after genetic material from the invasive carp was found in a third consecutive round of testing. Those crews will use electricity to stun fish, sweep the waterways will long nets, then take additional samples in Lake Calumet and the Calumet River. Four days of testing starts Monday. Some scientists say, if the carp establish a foothold in the Great Lakes, they could destroy the multi-billion dollars fishing industry. If a carp is found during next week's testing, the efforts will be ramped up even more. If several are found, a toxin could be used to kill the carp.

Emerald Ash Borer Found in Racine

7/30/11 - For the first time the invasive and destructive emerald ash borer has been found in Racine County. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture confirms eight beetles were found in traps in the northern part of the county last Tuesday. Tests confirmed the tiny green beetles were emerald ash borers. The insects have killed millions of ash trees in a dozen states and two Canadian provinces. They've been found in eight Wisconsin counties since August 2008.

McNeer Found Not Competent

7/30/11 - He's not competent now, but a Washington County judge says he expects retired chairman and CEO Charles McNeer with eventually being competent to stand trial on charges he tried to kill his wife. McNeer has been diagnosed as an 85 year old man with a treatable mental illness, major depression, with some psychotic episodes. McNeer has been treated at the Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison since last month. The judge says his mental health is improving and he will eventually be able to go on trial. Prosecutors say McNeer hit his wife on the head with a hammer. At one time McNeer ran Wisconsin Energy Corporation.

Waupun Inmate Convicted in 1973 Murder

7/30/11 - An Arizona jury has convicted a man from Madison in a murder almost 40 years old. Prosecutors say 57 year old William Floyd Zamastil faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced next October. Right now he is serving a prison sentence at the Waupun Correctional Institution. The prosecutors argued successfully that Zamastil abducted Leesa Jo Shaner from Tucson International Airport in May 1973. He raped a murdered hur, leaving her body in a shallow grave. Zamastil has been convicted fof four other murders.