Top Stories October 11th

Fitzgerald to Announce Senate Bid Today

Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald will be officially announcing his bid for US Senate today (Tue). His spokesman John Jagler tells us that the Horicon Republican will be outlining his plans throughout the day with a variety of media outlets. Fitzgerald, a former Beaver Dam alderman, will join us for a brief segment at the beginning of WBEV’s Community Comment at 12:40pm. He filed paperwork with the federal government last week that allows him to raise campaign funds. He is among four Republicans seeking their party’s nomination for the Senate seat to be vacated by the retiring Democrat Herb Kohl next year. So far, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin of Madison is the only Democrat running.

More Republicans Support Allowing Concealed Weapons at Capitol

Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon is the latest Republican who wants to allow concealed weapons in the State Capitol. The state’s concealed carry law takes effect three weeks from today (Tue) – and state-and-local governments have the option of whether to allow hidden weapons in their buildings. Attorney General J-B Van Hollen and Senate G-O-P leader Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau both favor allowing concealed weapons at the Capitol. They say it should be no problem, since law-abiding Wisconsinites will have state permits to carry them. Otherwise, Scott Fitzgerald says the Capitol would need metal detectors at every entrance to make sure that guns stay out. He says those detectors would not be needed if concealed carry is allowed. G-O-P Governor Scott Walker has not said publicly how he feels about the matter. His administration department says it will come up with a policy by November first.

Taxes Likely to Go Up in Columbus School District

Columbus Schools will be dealing with a $192 thousand dollar shortfall in 2012. Figures reflect the decrease in State equalization aid was more than the $420 thousand dollars savings realized by increased employee contributions and wage cap limits. The result is a tax levy increase of 1.65 per cent and a mil rate increase of 3.72 per cent. That’s a mil rate increase of 38 cents per thousand. The District expects to receive numbers for general state aid amounts by Oct. 15th. The Budget will be voted on at the Oct. 24th Annual Meeting in the Columbus High School Library.

Woman Cited for 3rd OWI After Rolling Vehicle

A 24-year-old woman was arrested after rolling her vehicle yesterday morning in the town of Lowell. It happened on South Kohn Road just before 7 a-m. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says the woman lost control of her vehicle and it rolled over. The woman suffered some injuries but the severity is unknown. She was later arrested and cited for her third drunken driving offense.

Addison Woman Facing Heroin Charges

A mother from Addison faces charges of heroin possession after she was discovered unconscious during a school trip with her daughter. Twenty-eight-year-old Stephanie Bailey is charged with possessing four small bags of heroin, and drug paraphernalia. Police say she was with her 7-year-old daughter and other children on a school trip to Pioneer Village. She was serving as a parent chaperon. Bailey says she did not take heroin while on the school trip, but a police complaint says she did admit taking it the day before.

Authorities Seize Large Amounts of Synthetic Marijuana

Washington County authorities have arrested two men on drug charges after they seized more than 14-hundred packets of synthetic marijuana. Investigators say they initially seized about 850 packets of the substance from a gas station in Washington County--and that led to further investigation. The charges name 72-year-old Anwar I. Sehwiel and 43-year-old Luay Anwar Ahmad. Both are charged with possession with intent to sell non-narcotics.

Dems Outline Plans for Recall of Governor Walker

10/11/11 - The push to recall Governor Walker will start on November 15th. State Democratic officials outlined their plans to attempt the recall Monday. They will start circulating petitions on November 15th. Organizers will have until January 13th to collect the 540-thousand signatures needed to force a recall election. Democrats are targeting Walker because of his efforts to restructure the way the state deals with organized labor. Wisconsin Republicans have said they're looking forward to making the case for Walker's reforms when a recall effort begins.

PSC Continuing Wind Farm Regulation Debate

10/11/11 - The Wisconsin Public Service Commission continues to debate wind farm regulation. The Department of Health Services is expected to provide the PSC with a report on the potential health impacts wind farms can have on nearby residents. Noise pollution is also a consideration. Until then no farms are expected to be built, which some say is keeping hundreds of Wisconsin workers out of a job. Five major wind farms have been suspended or canceled since a legislative committee stalled their development in March. Nearly all the state’s 219 wind turbines reside in Fond du Lac, Dodge and Columbia Counties.

“Take Your Legislator to Work Day”

10/11/11 - A group that represents disabled residents in Wisconsin is encouraging workers with disabilities to bring their state legislators into work for a day this month. For the first time, the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is holding a “Take Your Legislator to Work Day” in October. The board wants lawmakers to meet with employers, to dispel myths that disabled workers can be expensive to keep on a payroll. Lisa Pugh of Disability Rights Wisconsin says that if policy makers are more aware, quote, “That will trickle down to employers.” Pugh expects the effort to be a success. It’s happening in October because this is Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Real-Life Case of Law and Order Comes to Community Comment

10/11/11 - It was a real-life case of Law and Order on WBEV’s Community Comment Friday when our regular guest, Beaver Dam Police Lt. John Kreuzinger, was joined by Dodge County District Attorney Kurt Klomberg. Kreuzinger says in order to bring a successful resolution to an arrest or investigation, its crucial that there is a good line of communication between law enforcement and prosecutors. Klomberg says there is a big difference between what it takes to arrest someone and what it takes to convict them in a court of law. The D-A encourages law enforcement to contact him 24-7. He says comparing notes during the investigation is the most effective way to ensure justice is carried out, even if that means calling his cell phone while he’s mowing the lawn.

Horicon PD Participating in National Drug Take-Back Day

10/11/11 - The Horicon Police Department has announced that they will be one of the agencies participating in the National Drug Take-Back Initiative at the end of the month. The effort on Saturday, October 29 is aimed at removing drugs from the streets and promoting the proper disposal of prescription medications. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more Americans abuse prescription drugs than the number using cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin combined. The Horicon Police Department will be collecting pharmaceuticals in the Public Safety Building. The Beaver Dam Police Department is also hosting a drug drop in their new facility but the details have not been ironed out yet. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Medications should be brought in their original containers with personal identification removed. Drug take-back programs are intended to reduce the amount of drugs available for theft, or accidental poisoning but are also helpful in keeping those meds out of the water supply. In April, the Drug Enforcement Agency collected 188 tons of drugs at 5361 sites operated by the DEA’s state and local law enforcement partners…that’s a 55% increase over the previous drug drop in September of 2010.

Town of Beaver Dam Residents Have Chance to Dispose of Bulk Garbage

10/11/11 - There will be an opportunity this weekend for Town of Beaver Dam residents to dispose of their bulk garbage. Dumpsters will be available from 8am until noon on Saturday at the Town Hall on County Road W. No appliances, tree limbs, tires, oil, paints or household chemicals will be accepted. City of Beaver Dam residents will have curbside bulk pick-up during the first collection date of November.