Top Stories October 17th

DOJ Plans Meeting On Carol’s Tours

10/17/11 - The State Attorney Generals Office has announced that a meeting will be held at the end of the month on the investigation into fraud complaints surrounding the closure of a defunct Beaver Dam travel agency. Carol’s Tours closed its doors in January of 2008. In the months that followed, over 100 complaints were reported from customers who deposited money for trips they claim were never fulfilled. The meeting is for those who may have suffered loss due to the closing of Carol’s Tours and allows prosecutors a chance to gather evidence and information that may be relevant to the investigation. It’s also an opportunity to meet with Assistant Attorney General Richard Dufour, who will outline the status of the investigation and answer questions about the case. Even if you have not yet reported a loss suffered as a result of the Carol’s Tours closing, Dufour says you can still report your loss to investigators. Victims will have the opportunity to provide input as it relates to charging decisions and ultimate disposition on the case. Also at the meeting: special agents with the Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, a victim services specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of Crime Victim Services and local investigators. The Department of Justice meeting on Carol’s Tours is scheduled for Monday, October 31 at 7pm and will be held in the Beaver Dam Middle School Auditorium.

Sex Offender Returning To Randolph

10/17/11 - The Randolph Police Department has announced that a registered sex-offender is being released from prison Tuesday and will be returning back to the community. Andrea Yurowski was convicted of First Degree Sexual Assault of a Child in 2006. The 32-year-old had engaged in relationship with a 12-year-old neighbor boy on multiple occasions. Court records indicate that she professed her love for the child. After serving a two year sentence, Yurowski was released in 2008, one year later her extended supervision was revoked and she was ordered to serve another two years behind bars. Following her release from prison tomorrow, Yurowski is expected to reside on the 500 block of North High Street in Randolph. Authorities remind the public that she has served her sentence, is not wanted by law enforcement and any attempts to threaten, intimidate or harass him will not be tolerated.

Ballots Mailed Out Next Month For FSA Elections

10/17/11 - The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will be mailing out ballots on November 4 for the 2011 FSA county committee elections. County FSA Executive Director Susan Blachowiak says the County Committee makes decisions about the local administration of federal farm programs, like disaster and conservation payments, establishment of allotments and yields, producer appeals and other local agricultural issues. Blachowiak is urging all eligible farmers and ranchers, especially minorities and women, to get involved. To be an eligible voter, farmers and ranchers must participate or cooperate in FSA programs. Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot can obtain one at the USDA Service Center. In Dodge County, producers being elected come from the townships of Fox Lake, Trenton, Chester, Westford, Burnett, Calamus, Beaver Dam and Oak Grove. Agricultural producers in each county submitted candidate names during the nomination period held last summer. This year’s candidates are: Dale Macheel, Laura Helmer and Glen Berndt. The deadline for eligible voters to return ballots to their local FSA office is December 5. Newly elected committee members and alternates take office January 1.

Dale Macheel resides in the town of Randolph. He has enjoyed being the county committee representative for the past 3-years. He has produced corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, peas, sweet corn, and snap beans for over 36-years. Dale and his wife have hosted the Dodge County Dairy Breakfast on their farm. Early in their career, they were selected as Dodge County Farm Bureau’s Outstanding Young Farmer. Dale is a member of Farm Bureau, United Co-op, and was nominated for the board of Landmark Services Co-op. Dale is a UW Madison alumnus, graduating with a BS in Biological Systems Engineering from the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences.

Laura Helmer resides in the town of Fox Lake. Laura and her husband live on a cash grain farm in north western Dodge County. Laura is employed with the State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections located in Waupun. She grew up on a farm in Marquette County where they produced corn, hay and raised a flock of 100 ewes. During Laura’s spare time she enjoys raising calves. Laura is a University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point alumnus.

Glen Berndt resides in the town of Horicon. He has produced cash crop corn, soybeans, and wheat for 11-years and raised beef, hogs, and produced cash grain for 12-years. For 20-years Glen was a co-owner on a dairy farm.

For more information about FSA county committees and FSA programs, visit: http://www.fsa.usda.gov. In Dodge County the FSA office is located at 451 W. North Street, Juneau or can be contacted at 920-386-9999.

Oshkosh Corp Union Ratifies Contract

10/17/11 - On the third try the union membership at Oshkosh Corporation has ratified a five-year contract with the company. The president of United Auto Workers Local 578 reports about 77 percent of the members voted for the deal. The critical change bringing on approval was the company’s agreement to drop a provision which would have allowed it to hire temporary workers. The first two tries at ratification where rejected by wide margins. The company says the agreement is good for everyone, a fair contract which will allow Oshkosh Corporation to compete for future military contracts because it now has a competitive cost structure.

Assembly To Discuss Minority Population At UW

10/17/11 - Members of the Wisconsin Assembly will hold a meeting Monday to discuss a report showing the University of Wisconsin favored minority students over whites. The research indicated white students with better test scores were bypassed. The research was done by a conservative group based in Virginia. The university has said its approach was flawed. State Representative Steve Nass of Whitewater called for the hearing. He’s the Republican chairman of the higher education committee in the Assembly and is a frequent critic of the University of Wisconsin system.

Large Turnout for Occupy Milwaukee

10/17/11 - Several hundred protesters filled the streets of downtown Milwaukee Saturday, carrying signs and shouting slogans against corporate greed, while demanding U.S. banks face stronger regulation. Occupy Milwaukee was inspired by the Occupy Wall Street protests that started in New York City. Marchers were chanting, “We are 99 percent,” referring to the world’s richest one percent who control billions of dollars in assets while many in the rest of the world struggle with finances. Police looking on, but there were no showdowns reported in Wisconsin’s largest city.

State Education Spending Below National Average

10/17/11 - Traditionally, Wisconsin spends more than most states on public education, but that trend is turning. The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance reports this state spends 1-point-6 percent less on education than the average for all 50 states. Public school teachers’ salaries ranked 21st in the most recent numbers. Last month, another study showed Wisconsin has reduced the amount of money it spends on its students the most among states where that information is available. And, last week the Wisconsin Department of Revenue released figures showing 411 of the state’s 424 districts are getting less state aid this year than they did the year before. The median decrease was put at about 10 percent. Some say the decreasing support of education may keep young college graduates from pursuing a teaching career.