Top Stories August 13th

Flynn: State Fair Attacks Not Organized

8/13/11 - Milwaukee police chief Edward Flynn says the violent mob attacks on the opening night of the Wisconsin State Fair were no pre-planned and weren't organized using social media. Flynn says "flash mobs" are getting a lot of attention, but that wasn't what happened in West Allis. Flynn says his officers made good on the promise to make Milwaukee the safest place in Wisconsin the weekend after the State Fair attacks. There were no reports of robberies or assaults the next few nights. In the long run, Flynn said the police department can't solve the underlying problems of race. He says that would have to be a part of a larger community conversation. Flynn acknowledges the assault victims were mostly white, targeted by black assailants because of their race. But, he said he's disturbed by the tone of the conversation following the incidents on talk radio and Internet blogs.

Man Charged with Threatening Fair Communication Director

8/13/11 - A Berlin man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he committed a hate crime by writing threatening emails to Wisconsin State Fair Communications Director Patrice Harris. Harris says she received emails from Paul Captain claiming he would bring guns to the fair and shoot African-Americans. The emails were allegedly in response to racially motivated attacks that happened on the opening night of the fair. The criminal complaint against Captain says he referred to himself as "Jared Loughner the second." Loughner is the man behind a mass shooting in Arizona earlier this year.

DC Sheriff’s Deputies Use Taser to Subdue Subject

8/13/11 - Authorities had to use a taser to take an intoxicated 50-year-old man into custody this week. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says deputies were called to residence on Hickory Point Road in the Town of Westford for a report of a domestic incident just before 7:30 p-m Thursday. However, once on scene they determined it was disturbance among a couple of intoxicated people. Deputies learned that the 50-year-old man was on a no drink order and when they attempted to arrest him he resisted. It was then that they deployed their taser and took the man into custody. A 52-year-old woman was also detained for a short time before being released. Nehls says the use of the taser was justified in his mind. The man in custody faces a number of charges, including felony bail jumping, and resisting arrest.

Man Arrested After Hit and Run Accident

8/13/11 - A man was arrested early this morning near Iron Ridge for drunken driving. It happened around 12:30 a-m just east of Highway 67 near the intersection of Neda and Ore Roads. According to witnesses, a vehicle driven by Michael F. Gorski went airborne, struck an address sign, hit a culvert and was driving the wrong way with its lights off. Gorski was taken into custody for OWI, Hit and Run Failure to Notify of an Accident, and Refusing to Take a Breathalyzer. Authorities say he was taken to jail on a 12-hour hold.

Church Leaders Will Have to Answer Questions

8/13/11 - A judge in federal bankruptcy court rules retired Milwaukee archbishop Rembert Weakland and other church officials will have to answer questions under oath about the way the Catholic Church handled its sex abuse scandal. Former Bishop Richard Sklba and defrocked priest Daniel Budzynski will have to submit to a deposition also. Judge susan Kelley ruled the depositions will be taken in October, but they will be sealed from the public. Victims of abuse by priests have wanted to depose Sklba for a long time. They believe he has extensive knowledge of the history of sex abuse in the archdiocese and played a direct role in reassinging abusers.

Process to Remove Mayor Begins

8/13/11 - Aldermen in Sheboygan vote to start the process to get rid of Mayor Bob Ryan, after he was accused of lewd behavior and public drunkenness. The vote was 12-to-2 to hire up to two outside attorneys and proceed with the removal process. City attorney Steve McLean told council members two of five citizen complaints met the legal standards needed to move on the matter. Ryan was in the audience when the vote was taken, but he made no comment. He has been asked to resign, but he has refused, saying he has never come to work drunk and has never attended a city function while intoxicated.

Police Make Arrest in Shooting Death of Pregnant Woman

8/13/11 - Milwaukee police arrest three teenage suspects in the shooting death of a pregnant woman. Sharon Staples was gunned down in front of her 13 year old son last Sunday morning. Staples was four months pregnant at the time. Police Chief Edward Flynn says two of the suspects have a history of gun crimes and he says he blames what he calls a broken juvenile system for not dealing with violent young people effectively. Staples refused to surrender her purse during the robbery and was killed. In addition to the 13 year old who witnessed her killing, she is survived by six other children aged four to 13.

Fox Valley Man Arrest for Solicitation

8/13/11 - A Green Bay man is arrested for solicitation of prostitution and conspiracy to cmmit pandering after an undercover officer infiltrated his operation. A female Appleton police officer contacted 29 year old Shane Costello on August 1, responding to an ad for a business called "Personal Encounters." Costello explained his business and the undercover officer said she had previously had sex for money. On August 9, male officers called the same business while posing as customers. After that, the female officer received calls arranging meeting. Costello was arrested when the female officer called him, telling him to come to Appleton to get his cut of the money. Costello could be sentenced to more than 28 years in prison if he is convicted on both counts. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Monday in Outagamie County court.

Housing Market Sees Some Good News

8/13/11 - The housing market appears to be rebounding in Milwaukee. The Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors reports sales of existing homes in the Milwaukee metro area is close to 50-percent higher than it was at this time last year. Realtors in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties sold almost 400 more properties in July 2011 than in July 2010. Analysts say steadily low mortgage rates and home prices have brought new investors and first time buyers into the market.

BDAAA Summer Exhibit Wraps Up

8/13/11 - The Beaver Dam Area Arts Association’s Summer exhibit wraps up this weekend. Those who attend the Works of Jerry Baskfield Exhibit this afternoon have the opportunity to meet the artist. Baskfield will be at the Seippel Arts Center Saturday from noon until 1 pm. The exhibit ends tomorrow (Sun). You can also stop by Beaver Dam Area Arts Association booth at the Beaver Dam Downtown River Market this morning (Sat) from 8 am until noon in the Tower parking lot to browse a variety of artwork for sale by local artists.