Top Stories, New Years Eve 2011

Dan Thiel Encourages Responsible NYE Revelry

12/31/11 - Dan Thiel is encouraging New Years Eve revelers to celebrate responsibly this weekend. The Beaver Dam man lost his wife in a drunken driving accident ten years ago and his daughter, Danni Jo, died in May from injuries sustained in the wreck. While it’s been over a decade since that fateful night outside Horicon when a three-time drunk driver crossed the center line and struck his family’s vehicle head-on, Thiel says he is reminded about the profound impact of the accident on a regular basis. The most recent reminder came this fall, when the house next door sold and he met the new neighbors. Before Thiel could introduce himself, his new neighbor cut him off, said that he already knows his name. The man called his wife over and told Thiel they were the first ones to arrive on scene at the August of 2001 accident and they were the ones who phoned it in. For the first time, Thiel met the man who held his dying wife until he was able to get there. Thiel says it just goes to show what a small world it is. His hope is that people take to heart how their actions can affect others and Thiel encourages the public to avoid drinking and driving at all costs into the New Year and beyond.

Milwaukee Ranked America’s Drunkest City

12/31/11 - People living in Milwaukee will be celebrating with champagne and hot toddies tonight, ringing in 2012 – just like folks living in other cities around the country. The difference is, they will continue drinking more than the average American. Milwaukee is ranked first on the list of America’s Drunkest Cities. The Daily Best reports more than 10 percent of adults are described as heavy drinkers. Fargo, North Dakota, and San Francisco are ranked second and third on the list compiled by the web site.

Strong Armed Robbery In Burnett A False Report

12/31/11 - The strong armed robbery reported in the Village of Burnett on Tuesday turned about to be a false report to police. Sheriff Todd Nehls says the alleged victim of the purse snatching recanted her story to investigators. The robbery happened the same day that a breaking and entering was reported at a Main Street apartment unit. Nehls says the Department of Criminal Investigation continues to investigate several incidents in the Burnett area to determine which ones are accurate and which ones are false. The sheriff says the false robbery report generated a lot of conversation and he felt it was important to advise the public that it was not true.

Fire Damages Woodland Business

12/31/11 - Fire damaged a vintage snowmobile showroom and warehouse in Woodland yesterday. The fire at Rooster Hahn Motorsports on County WS was called in just before 1pm by Iron Ridge Fire Chief Jason Boeck who was driving past the scene. Woodland Fire Chief Bill Lackas says smoke and flames were visible when firefighters arrived on scene. The fire extended into the metal walls and into a loft area of a showroom and storage area. At one point, up to14 fire departments responded with men and equipment. There were no injuries and Lackas says some of the equipment in the showroom may be salvageable.

Minnesota Officer Shot by Wisconsin Man Dies

12/31/11 - A Minnesota police officer has died, eleven days after he was shot answering a domestic disturbance call. Shawn Schneider was a nine-year veteran of the Lake City Police Department. Schneider was shot in the head December 19th by Alan Sylte Junior of Hager City, Wisconsin. Sylte took his own life after shooting the officer. A 17 year old girl who escaped from the house originating the disturbance call said she had broken up with Sylte when he became violent. Sylte was a veteran of the Iraq war who was being processed for discharge after failing to report for duty.

Four Stabbed in Janesville Bar Fight

12/31/11 - An early morning fight at a Janesville bar leaves four men with stab wounds. Police say they found 15 people fighting when they arrived a little before 2am Friday. Investigators say they have received several stories about just what happened. They say pursuing the case is complicated by the fact most of the witnesses were drinking. At least one of the four stabbing victims said they never saw a knife. Three of the four were treated and released at the hospital. The fourth remained in the intensive care unit, but is expected to survive.

Dane County DA Seeks To Vacate Union Decision

12/31/11 - Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne has asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to reopen his lawsuit challenging the governor’s collective bargaining law. Ozanne contends a justice who voted to dismiss the suit earlier this year had received free legal help from the firm which was defending Governor Scott Walker’s law. Ozanne argued the decision should be vacated because Justice Michael Gableman failed to disclose his relationship with the Michael Best and Friedrich law firm in Madison. The original lawsuit, filed in March, said Republican lawmakers violated the state’s open meetings laws when they called a committee meeting to revise the collective bargaining law without giving proper public notice.

Groups Rally To End Fighting At Mayfair Mall

12/31/11 - Parents, mall officials, police and even rappers are working together to slow down the fighting problem which has plagued Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa. A rapper known as Big Mike contacted the head of the group Peace for Change Alliance. He and Tracey Dent had been seeing Facebook updates from young people earlier this week about fighting at the mall. Big Mike posted a video on YouTube urging kids not to fight there. The mall pushed up its curfew and security officials questioned unaccompanied young people. Wauwatosa police sent a sergeant and eight officers to question youths at mall bus stops – all parts of the effort to keep the suburban mall safe.

Madison Man Avoids ATM Robbery

12/31/11 - A Madison man tells police he avoided what looked like it might be a robbery by driving away from an ATM. He says one of two men who approached his car while he was using the drive-through machine was carrying a gun. The attempted robbery was reported Thursday evening at UW Credit Union on Commercial Avenue. Responding officers searched the area around the credit union and found two persons of interest. A stolen gun was recovered from one of them. No shots were fired during the incident and no injuries reported.

Superior In The Running For Airplane Manufacturer

12/31/11 - Local officials say the city of Superior is in the running to be home to an airplane manufacturing facility. If it makes its home there, it could mean 300 permanent jobs at first and up to 600 jobs by the year 2016. Kestrel Aircraft Company has been negotiating with Superior and the state of Wisconsin since last summer. A public hearing on a possible development agreement will be held January 16th. Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen says a formal announcement could come in the next couple of weeks. The company will likely make its decision after it considers a proposal offered by the state of Wisconsin last Thursday.

Indiana Man Accused of Brandishing Gun on I-94

12/31/11 - A man from Columbus, Indiana, has been arrested for using a gun to threaten a truck driver on Interstate 94 in Milwaukee. Mark Manning is licensed to carry a gun. A criminal complaint says a Kia driven by Manning cut off a semi-trailer last Tuesday on I-94 near College Avenue. When the truck driver flashed his lights, the man in the car pointed a handgun at him. The truck driver called 9-1-1 and gave authorities the car’s license number. When Milwaukee County sheriff’s deputies pulled Manning over, they found two guns in the car with him. He told the deputy he was acting in self-defense because the other driver was using the truck as a weapon.

Top Stories, December 30th

Oconomowoc Man Killed In Train Versus Truck Wreck

12/30/11 - An Oconomowoc man was killed yesterday when his pick-up truck was struck by a train near Ixonia. According to the Jefferson County Sheriffs Department, 44-year-old Michael J. Dragan drove down a private driveway off Highway 16 when he crossed railroad tracks and was struck by a westbound Amtrak passenger train. Dragan was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jefferson County Coroner. Nobody on the train was injured. The accident occurred at 4:42pm and the tracks were closed for just under four hours. The Ixonia Fire Department and EMS assisted at the scene and the accident remains under investigation by the Jefferson County Crash Investigating Team.

Search Resumes For Missing Man Near Jefferson

12/30/11 - Recovery operations resume today in Jefferson County for a man who stopped to help a motorist early Thursday morning and fell off a bridge into the Rock River. Deputies responded to reports of a vehicle crash on the State Highway 26 Bridge north of Jefferson just before 5am. Upon arrival, deputies learned that 33-year-old Tyler Prichard stopped to assist the driver and fell off the bridge into the river. Sheriff Paul Milbrath says Pritchard and the car driver had moved to the side of the road to avoid other traffic – and he swung one of his legs over the side of the bridge and fell. Officials said he might not have realized he was over a current of open water. Rescuers searched almost 12 hours before suspending the effort for the day. They plan to expand their search down-river.

Fire Damages Trenton Town Hall

12/30/11 - Fire caused minor damage at the Trenton Town Hall Thursday morning. Waupun Fire Chief Jeff Berry says town employees tried to open a garage door in the shop area just before 11am, noticed it was not working and then discovered smoke when they investigated the malfunction. Berry says firefighters cut out a section of the metal roof above a furnace pipe to extinguish the flames, which were contained to a ten-foot area and did not spread into the roof of the structure. The cause is believed to be related to the heating unit. Damage is estimated at around $10,000. There were no injuries. Waupun received mutual aid from Fox Lake and Burnett. Crews were on scene for about two-and-a-half hours.

Jalapeño Peppers Not an Effective Deicing Agent

12/30/11 - If sand and salt don’t cut through the ice, maybe jalapeño peppers? A semi rolled over on Highway 151 near Columbus just after 5am yesterday, spilling its spicy cargo all over the icy highway: 30-thousand pounds of jalapeño peppers in total. Nehls says if the towing company that is contracted to recover the vehicle didn’t have enough labor to clear the peppers, he would have offered inmate labor to clean-up said-jalapeño’s for a fee. If it came to that, Nehls said they would have been serving jalapeño’s in the county jail for years to come.

Beaver Dam Man Sentenced For Sixth OWI

12/30/11 - A Beaver Dam man will spend 28 months in prison for his sixth drunken driving offense. Timothy Thibault entered a “no contest” plea to felony Operating While Intoxicated and had a second felony dismissed. Thibault crossed the center line on North Spring Street in August, almost striking a squad car near Winn Terrace and forcing the officer to swerve out of the way. The 53-year-old told the officer that he dropped his lighter and was reaching down to retrieve it. His breath test was over the legal limit for driving at point-one-one. In addition to 28 months behind bars, Thibault will spend three years on extended supervision without a driver’s license.

Suspected Owl Thief Pleads Innocent

12/30/11 - An 18-year-old man has pleaded innocent to stealing a popular owl from a wildlife rehab center in Oconomowoc last month. Dilan White of Dousman entered his pleas in Waukesha County Thursday to charges of felony burglary and misdemeanor criminal damage. White and 18-year-old Matthew Kuhlemeyer of Dousman allegedly broke into a cage at the Wildlife-in-Need Center on November 12th and took Dakota, a grey-horned owl. Officials said Dakota flew away from the teens, and lost 30-percent of his body weight while he was missing for almost a month. Kuhlemeyer asked that his case be dropped. Attorney Dan Fay said a cage does not fit the legal definition of burglary, because it's not a building or dwelling as the law describes. But the state argues that a cage is indeed a structure. A hearing on the issue was set for today. But it's been delayed until January 13th so the defense can review the state's response. White's attorney says his client will not ask that his charges be dropped because of that issue. White is due back in court February 13th.

Five Longtime Sheriffs Department Employees Retire

12/30/11 - Five longtime members of the Dodge County Sheriffs Department are retiring with the New Year, taking with them a combined 151 years of service. Lieutenant Douglas Ninmann started at the department in 1984 and served his 27-year career within the Patrol Division. Captain Molly Soblewski is retiring as head of the Patrol Division after starting in the Communications Center and working her way up; she also served as Dodge County Emergency Manager and Jail Administrator. Debbie Werner-Lindert served 23 years in the Patrol Division as the Administrative Assistant. Detective Robert Neuman served the county for over 32 years. He started as a patrolman and will retire as the most senior of the department’s investigators. Corrections Corporal Mike Harmsen is retiring after serving for over 41 years. Sheriff Todd Nehls says he has been developing a deep bench for this day and he hopes to promote from within. The department is currently going thru the process of exams, interviews and promotions to fill the voids created by the retirements.

Beaver Dam Red Kettle Campaign Sets New Record

12/30/11 - The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign in Beaver Dam had a record-setting year. Organizer Karl Nienhuis with the Beaver Dam Noon Kiwanis Club says the campaign brought in $40,460 - the highest total since the service club has coordinated the effort. That’s nearly $2000 more than last year. Just over $3800 was collected through the annual "Kettle Concert.” Nienhuis says it's not too late to participate in this year's campaign. Checks can be made to Salvation Army - Dodge County and bring it or mail it to American National Bank on Front Street in Beaver Dam c/o Jamie Henning, 115 Front St., Beaver Dam, WI 53916.

Two Sears, Kmart Stores in Wisconsin To Close

12/30/11 - Wisconsin fared better than many other states when Sears and K-Mart announced a preliminary list of 79 stores they plan to close. The list includes a K-Mart in Rice Lake and a Sears store in West Baraboo. But Wisconsin’s two closings are a lot fewer than the 11 that were on the list from Florida. Michigan, Ohio, and Georgia each have six closures. Minnesota, North Carolina, and Tennessee have four each. Sears and K-Mart merged in 2005, and they’ve gained about 60 additional stores since then for a total of 35-hundred-60 nationwide. A spokeswoman for the Sears Holding Company says each of the stores to be closed have about 40-to-80 employees. The firm said Tuesday it would shut down up to 125 stores nationwide to generate cash.

Dems Ask Feds To Halt Wisconsin & Southern Sale

12/30/11 - Five state Assembly Democrats have asked the federal government to wait for two months before approving a sale of the Wisconsin-and-Southern Railroad. Watco Transportation Services of Kansas was expected to take over the railroad this week. But the five Democrats say they want to know if service to shippers would be reduced in southern Wisconsin. And they want an investigation to determine if the sale was a political payback to railroad president William Gardner, who got two years' probation in July for exceeding campaign donation limits to Governor Scott Walker and other Wisconsin political figures. Watco recently denied any political motivation behind the sale. The U-S Surface Transportation Board was asked to hold up the Wisconsin-and-Southern sale by Assembly Democrats Brett Hulsey, Terese Berceau, and Kelda Helen Roys of Madison, Fred Clark of Baraboo, and Lou Molepske of Stevens Point.

Walker Clarifies Family Care Cap Lifting

12/30/11 - The governor's office says Scott Walker and the federal government were not talking about the same things, when they mentioned a lifting of the enrollment cap for Family Care. Walker said Wednesday he would ask lawmakers to end the limit on Family-Care enrollment, after providers showed him how to make it more efficient. But a letter from the federal government later surfaced, which ordered Wisconsin to drop its enrollment cap back on December 13th. Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie said the governor was talking about a temporary cap which he always intended to end -- while the federal government's letter referred to a permanent cap. And Werwie said the letter was the result of an "ongoing discussion" between state officials and Washington. Family Care helps seniors and the disabled stay out of nursing homes, with the goal of saving public health care dollars in the long run. Democrats have accused Walker of misrepresenting the matter -- and after the federal order surfaced, they called his news conference yesterday a sham.

Bi-Partisan Support For Unemployment Bill

12/30/11 - Governor Scott Walker says he'll support a bill to give unemployment benefits to those put out of work because of a strike that's beyond their control. The Republican governor asked the state's Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council to approve the change. The bill was introduced last month, after 156 employees at Manitowoc Cranes were laid off four days after 200 union machinists in the same plant went on strike. In a statement, Walker said it's "unacceptable" that people are denied jobless benefits through no fault of their own, because another part of their plant goes on strike. Walker said the company has indicated its support for the bill. Assembly Democrat Mark Pocan and Senate Democrat Bob Wirch introduced the measure on December 20th. Lawmakers of both parties are co-sponsoring the change.

Packers Jersey Shortage

12/30/11 - If you're looking for a Packers' jersey for the playoffs, you might want to act quickly. Retailers say their supplies are dwindling for the most popular numbers like Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews. That's because Reebok will stop selling them next year, when Nike takes over in April. Also, store owners said Reebok provided fewer jerseys this year due to the N-F-L lockout. And Green Bay's popularity has something to do with the shortage. Brian Swallow of the on-line store Fanatics says sales of Packer merchandise are up 170-percent from last year -- just before the Pack won the Super Bowl. Also, Nike jerseys will be more expensive than the ones from Reebok. Mike Walters of the Jersey Store in Ashwaubenon says the cheapest Nike uniform top will cost 100-dollars, up from the current 75-dollars. And authentic jerseys will run for 250-dollars -- up to 75-dollars more than Reebok's authentic line.

Top Stories, December 29th

New K9 Team Uncovers 40 Pounds of Pot

12/29/11 - The Dodge County Sheriffs Department says it has taken their new K9 unit two months to hit the “mother load.” Sheriff Todd Nehls says a deputy on routine patrol stopped an eastbound RV with a broken traffic light on Highway 33 in the Town of Herman Monday evening just after 8:30pm. Nehls says the deputy became suspicious when 30-year-old Elizabeth Lapple of California was questioned and her answers did not make sense. Deputy Chad Enright was called to the scene along with his K9 partner Paige. The two have been on the beat since October and are one of two new K9 teams in Dodge County. A search was conducted and authorities allegedly found 40 pounds of high grade marijuana inside the RV under a bed. Lapple was placed under arrest for Possession with Intent to Deliver and is currently being held in the Dodge County Detention Facility under $100,000 cash bond. Nehls called it the largest marijuana seizure as a result of a traffic stop in Dodge County. The 40 pounds has a reported street value of $120 to $160,000.

Lodi Pizzeria Owner Arrested For Arson

12/29/11 - The owner of a Columbia County pizzeria is suspected of burning it down. 46-year-old Thomas Matje of DeForest was arrested yesterday, after a fire caused about 200-thousand-dollars damage at Fat Boys Pizza in Lodi on Tuesday. One person was treated for smoke inhalation. State and federal agents helped Lodi Police investigate. The State Justice Department said they found evidence that the fire was set on purpose. There were flames in the kitchen area when units first arrived. The building also had two apartments. Matje is in the Columbia County Jail. State officials said charges of Arson and Attempted Arson are being sought, along with four counts of Reckless Endangerment.

Beaver Dam Man Gets Probation For Burglary

12/29/11 - A Beaver Dam man has entered into a deferred prosecution agreement to charges that he burglarized a shuttered Dodge County business. Jonathon Schultz pleaded “no contest” and the judge withheld a finding of guilt to charges of felony Burglary and found the 22-year-old guilty of misdemeanor Theft. Schultz and Robert Hanson of Beaver Dam were arrested in Washington County last May with spools of copper wire. Authorities there contacted Dodge County investigators who discovered more spools of copper wire in the back of Hansen’s pick-up. That wire had printed on it the name of a Town of Emmet business that had been closed for over four years. Investigators then found the business had recently been broken into and the family says the cooper wire with the name of the business on it had never been sold to anyone else. Hansen initially denied the charges and implicated Schultz before confessing. Hansen was sentenced in Dodge County to seven months in jail and ordered to pay $3000 in restitution, plus another month behind bars for the Washington County offense. Schultz was placed on probation in both counties and will avoid a felony record if he stays out of trouble for the next year. He must also perform 20 hours of community service.

Change Is Underway at BD Chamber

12/29/11 - Officials with the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce have made a number of changes since taking ownership of the city-owned building where its offices are located, and there are more plans in the works. The Chamber had been leasing the depot for 25 years but the Chamber Board and its membership purchased the century-old building from the city earlier this year in advance of their 100th anniversary in July of 2013. Executive Director Phil Fritsche says the Chamber is focusing on needed repairs, including tuck-pointing, heating and cooling system upgrades, the addition of energy-efficient windows, refinishing the floors and installing a handicap accessible restroom. Fritsche says the Master Gardeners of Dodge County have created a draft Landscape Plan for the property surrounding the depot. It includes the planting of additional trees, shrubs and perennial plants. The landscape plan will be implemented in the spring and summer of 2012 and a public planting is in the works. The Chamber is located in the former train depot on South Spring Street, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Once a stop on the rail line between Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, it was closed in the years following World War II and was acquired by the city about ten years later. For years it served as the Dodge County Historical Society Museum before they moved next door to the former Williams Free Library and the Chamber set up shop in 1986. The chamber’s Centennial Committee is currently raising funds and soliciting for in-kind contributions to complete the different phases of the Depot Project. For more information, contact the chamber at 887-8879 or go to the chamber website, www.beaverdamchamber.com.

Fall River Referendum Detailed

12/29/11 - Fall River Schools will have two referendum questions on the April ballot. The first referendum will ask District voters to approve borrowing $2.5 million dollars for four areas. Among them: $1.65 million would be used for replacement and upgrades to building heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; $285 thousand would go to plumbing, electrical, playground and parking area repairs; $270 thousand would be earmarked for educational technology and security upgrades; and $250 thousand would be used for land acquisition. The second question would ask to borrow $1.4 million dollars to build a new outdoor athletic facility. Public informational meetings on the $3.8 million dollar referenda questions have been set up for January 12th and 25th in the School Library and on February 16th in the District board room.

Rubicon Teacher Gets Financial Literacy Award

12/29/11 - A second grade teacher in the Rubicon School District was among this year’s Wisconsin Financial Literacy Award winners. The Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy recently announced the awards. Jennifer Guenther of the Rubicon Joint 6 School District was honored for creating a unique currency system for her Second Grade classroom. From her ideas she also created workshops for other teachers and parents.

Clyman Fire Commission Approves Promotions

12/29/11 - The Clyman Fire Commission promoted three firefighters at their December meeting. Dave Decono and Dave Blank were appointed as Captains, and Dan Finger was elevated to Lieutenant. The recommendations were made to the Fire Commission by Fire Chief Eric Howlett. Decono was appointed to fill the Captains position vacated by Howlett who took over as Fire Chief in July. Decono is also a First Responder and will be involved with coordinating the departments Fire Prevention Program. Blank has been with the department since 1993, had previously served as Lieutenant and is also an Emergency Medical Technician. He will fill the newly-created captain’s position within the Department. Blank will also work with current EMS Coordinator Gary Shipshock to oversee the day-to-day operations for First Responders. Finger has been with the Department for 32 years and will fill the position vacated by Blank. Finger previously served as Assistant Chief in the mid 1980's and is also a First Responder. All three individuals garnered unanimous approval from the commission.

Fitzgerald Aide Gives Deposition On Redistricting

12/29/11 - Three people involved in drawing Wisconsin's new legislative districts have denied in sworn testimony that they tried to get more Republicans elected. But Adam Foltz, an aide to Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon, said copies of the maps were given to the Republican National Committee for their review. A three-judge federal court panel had ordered Foltz, legislative aide Tad Ottman, and consultant Joe Handrick to give depositions explaining how they drafted the new district lines. The testimony was part of a lawsuit by Democrats to try and get the maps declared unconstitutional. Handrick and Ottman said in their depositions that the partisan makeup of their maps was evaluated, but Ottman said it was quote, "not a decision item." Foltz said the lines were drawn using election data from the last decade -- but it was not an effort to increase the G-O-P's advantage in elections over the next decade. They said they tried to keep quiet about how the maps were drafted because they knew that a lawsuit would be inevitable. All three said they were told by their lawyers not to answer many of the questions in the depositions, the texts of which were filed in court this week. Democrats had no say in how the district lines were drafted. And not a single Democrat endorsed the new maps when lawmakers and Governor Scott Walker approved them earlier this year.

Feds Mandate Lifting Family Care Enrollment Cap

12/29/11 - Governor Scott Walker said yesterday he would seek to lift the enrollment limit he imposed this summer on Wisconsin's Family Care program. But what he didn't say was that the federal government ordered two weeks ago that the cap be lifted. Family Care provides long-term assistance to keep seniors and the disabled out of nursing homes. The Republican Walker held a news conference yesterday morning to say that Family Care providers have told him how to make the program more efficient. A few hours later, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel obtained a December 13th letter from the federal Medicaid division, which ordered state Medicaid director Brett Davis to immediately lift the state's cap -- and to identify and enroll those eligible for the program. The federal government covers about 60-percent of the cost of Family Care. Deputy health secretary Kitty Rhoades said the federal order was a "moot" point because Walker has said since June that he hoped to drop the enrollment limit. But State Assembly Democrat Jon Richards of Milwaukee blasted the governor for quote, "taking credit for something he was forced to do."

Top Stories, December 28th

Local Elected Officials File Non-Candidacy Papers

12/28/11 - Tuesday was the last day for elected officials, planning not to run for office again, to turn in their declaration of non-candidacy forms to local clerk’s office. In Horicon, Mayor Jim Grigg – who is running for a seat in the state assembly – and Third District Alderman Ted Pyrek will not be running again. In Columbus, District One Alderman Tyler Walker filed his non-candidacy papers. All incumbent candidates in Beaver Dam, Fox Lake, Juneau, Mayville and Waupun will be seeking re-election. Meanwhile, of the three members of the Beaver Dam School Board up for reelection, only Dan Feuling filed non-candidacy papers. The Columbus School Board will also see one its members, Pam Larson, not run again. All the incumbents on the Waupun, Horicon and Fall River school boards plan to run for another term. On the Dodge County Board there were five members who filed non-candidacy papers. That includes Dean Fuller, Joe Ready, Dean Becker, Ken Neumann and Ed Qualmann. For those planning to run, all paper work must be filed by January 3.

Burglary, Robbery in the Village of Burnett

12/28/11 - The Dodge County Sheriffs Department is investigating a breaking and entering – and a purse snatching – in the Village of Burnett. According to authorities, detectives are looking into a break-in at a Main Street apartment that was reported yesterday afternoon. While on scene, a woman approached deputies to report that a man stepped out of a vehicle, struck her and stole her purse. The robbery occurred near Jakes Repair at Front and Depot. The suspect was driving a red four-door vehicle with three other men inside. Anyone with information should contact the Dodge County Sheriffs Department.

Marshfield Man Killed in Afghanistan

12/28/11 - The tenth Wisconsinite to die in Afghanistan this year is expected to return to the U-S today. Army medic and Staff Sergeant Joseph Altmann of Marshfield was killed on Christmas Day when insurgents attacked his unit in a mountainous part of northeast Afghanistan. He's the 29th Wisconsin resident to die in that country since the latest military operation began. His father said the 27-year-old Altmann was planning to start a family after a four-year deployment for which he recently re-enlisted. He previously served twice in Iraq, and he married his wife Nikki in February. Altmann graduated from Marshfield Columbus High School in 2003. He went to college for one year before he joined the Army. Altmann was a member of the 27th Infantry Regiment based in Hawaii. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Dodge County Officials Enjoying Lack Of Snow

12/28/11 - While there is some disappointment among Wisconsin residents and businesses about a lack of snow so far this season there is a group that is quite happy: county officials. The lack of snow has saved already strapped county budgets because highway departments haven’t had to pay as much for plowing and salting roads. Some counties, including Dodge County, are still struggling from the expenses associated with big storms last January in February. No snow in December is helping them recover and the new year will bring new money. Dodge County Highway Commissioner Brian Field says the big storms last year came on weekends which led to overtime for drivers and the drain of money forced them to cancel some planned maintenance projects.

Snowmobile Association Encourages Training

12/28/11 - With more snowmobile riders out on the trails, the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs is urging them to take safety classes before heading out. The association reports the number of registered snowmobiles has increased by five percent over the last year, with the number of miles ridden up by 10 percent. Officials say the increases mean there is potential for more accidents. The association teaches a basic class on safety, ethics, laws and mechanics. (NOTE: You can get more information online at dnr.wi.gov)

BDUSD Among Schools Open Next Monday

Some Wisconsin schools will be open next Monday -- even though it's a government holiday, and many businesses will be closed. Schools in the area that will resume classes on the 2nd include Beaver Dam and Waupun. According to Beaver Dam Superintendent Steve Vessey, the calendar is set two years in advance so parents can play ahead and they try not to deviate from their established calendars for that reason. However, Beaver Dam doesn’t have the same problem as another school in the state. January 2 is also when the major New Year's Day bowl events will take place. And the Pulaski High School marching band will be in the Tournament of Roses Parade next Monday morning in Pasadena, while their classmates are in school. Superintendent Mel Lightner said the calendar was set a number of years ago. And while it's a great honor for the Pulaski band to be in the Rose Parade, he said they won't call off school because of it. He says many parents will most likely work -- and they could have problems getting child care if school's called off. Lightner says teachers might show the parade to their classes on T-V, but it will be up to them. Green Bay schools are also open next Monday. But at least they should be done by the time the Wisconsin football team plays in the Rose Bowl, around four o'clock.

MPTC Clarifies Campus Concealed Carry

12/28/11 - Students and staff at Moraine Park Technical College expressed some concerns when the state’s new concealed carry law went into effect at the beginning of November. Bonnie Baerwald is the Vice President of Finance and Facilities at MPTC. She says the carrying of concealed weapons isn’t allowed inside their buildings and facilities. She says she got quite a few emails from concerned students and staff when the law first went into effect asking that concealed carry not be allowed in their facilities. The carrying of concealed weapons is still allowed on the college’s grounds and inside cars.

No More Instant IDs in Wisconsin

12/28/11 - Starting early next year, Wisconsinites who go to the D-M-V offices to renew their driver's licenses will no longer get their new cards before they leave. Instead, they'll get their old licenses back -- plus a sheet of paper they'll have to carry until their new cards arrive in the mail in about two weeks. Federal law requires future licenses to have hidden elements which prevent fraud and counterfeiting. And state officials say they cannot make the cards themselves, so they're contracting with a California firm called L-One Identity Solutions. The new licenses were supposed to be rolled out in August, but officials say they've been working out bugs. Kristina Boardman of the state D-O-T says it will cost an extra one-point-three million dollars a year. But it won't cost drivers extra, because fees were raised in 2009 in anticipation of the fortified licenses. They're required under the Real I-D law passed by Congress in 2005. It was proposed by Wisconsin House Republican Jim Sensenbrenner in the wake of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, to make it harder for illegal immigrants to get licenses. Some Democratic state lawmakers urged Wisconsin to just ignore the Real I-D law. But former Governor Jim Doyle said the state had to go along -- or else Wisconsinites would not have the type of license they'll need to board an airplane or enter a federal building.

Regional Charities Doing Slightly Better

12/28/11 - Charities in southeast Wisconsin are starting to see hope for their futures. But many are still worse off than before the recession hit in 2008. That's according to an annual survey of almost 100 non-profit groups by Milwaukee's Public Policy Forum. Rob Henken, the forum's president, says the main message is that "the bleeding has stopped." Most charities still believe the economy is causing people to hold back on donations -- but the number of groups which feel that way dropped in each of the last two years. Henken says human service groups feel the brunt of the pressure, and they're not out of the woods by any means. Two-thirds of the non-profits report higher demands for their services, but 85-percent are confident they could meet them. 11-percent of charities reported financial difficulty. Forty-five percent said they're okay for now, but could be vulnerable in the future. About a-third of the charities said they have operating deficits in their current fiscal years. Many groups have stepped up their fund-raising, because they expect drops in government and foundation grants.

Wisconsin Objects To Federal Employment Data

12/28/11 - Wisconsin is not the only state complaining that its monthly employment data from the federal government is wrong. Nelse Grundvig of Wisconsin’s Bureau of Workforce Training says about two dozen other states have also voiced concerns. And the Madison Capital Times says they’re at least somewhat justified. That’s because the U-S Bureau of Labor Statistics started gathering its own job data for each state this year, instead of contracting with the states to provide the information themselves. It saved Washington around five-million-dollars. But Grundvig said it also resulted in a loss of knowledge of what’s going on in the Badger State. Grundvig said the federal officials tend to “smooth out” large monthly increases or decreases in the partial surveys of employers each month – while a state official would know whether a factory opened or closed that month, in which case the variation would be incorrectly omitted by Washington. Grundvig said a lot of institutional knowledge was lost in determining the preliminary monthly job figures, which get the most publicity – and have made Wisconsin look bad this year. For two straight months, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said the Badger State has lost the most private sector jobs in the country. But in October, state officials said the actual job loss was 73-hundred less than the preliminary data. Ken Robertson of the federal agency says they’ve gathered the data the same as always – and they stand by their numbers.

Top Stories December 27th

Short Standoff Ends With Man in Custody

12/27/11 - Authorities in Fox Lake were able to take a 24-year-old man into custody early Monday morning after he had barricaded himself in his home. It happened at a residence in the 100 block of Makenick Street around 12:45. Sheriff Todd Nehls says the man called his father and said he had a gun and was suicidal after not being able to spend time with his kids during the holiday weekend. Police were able to make contact with the man but were unable to make him come out. After more than an hour they made entry into the home and took him into custody. This is the 2nd incident in the last few weeks in which a man has barricaded himself inside a home in Fox Lake leading to a standoff with authorities. Nehls says the difference between this incident, and the one three weeks ago in which authorities backed off without incident after a 5-hour standoff, was the risk to law enforcement personnel. Police in Fox Lake have not charged the man involved in the standoff a few weeks ago.

Two Injured in Early Morning Accident

12/27/11 - A pair of accidents early Monday morning sent two people to the hospital. The first happened on County Trunk D-J in the town of Oak Grove. Dodge County authorities say a 16-year-old boy drifted off to sleep and rolled his vehicle just before 1 a-m. He was taken to Beaver Dam Community Hospital with minor injuries and later cited for inattentive driving. An hour and half later deputies responded to another rollover, this one on Highway 28 outside of Mayville. 46-year-old Donald Wallendal was partially ejected from his vehicle and was also taken to BDCH. Authorities say Wallendahl was later cited for his first OWI.

Cost of Snow Removal

12/27/11 - It cost more than ever to remove snow from state highways in Wisconsin last winter -- and not just because it snowed twice as much as normal. The state D-O-T paid more counties to equip its plows with sensors and satellite tracking. They provide a host of speed-and-salting data, to help county highway departments use their limited salt and plowing time more efficiently. About 45 counties now have the equipment -- and that's partially why the D-O-T spent a record 91-million dollars on snow removal costs last winter. But even without the equipment, the total plowing costs still would have been high. Wisconsin had an average snowfall of around 100-inches last winter, twice the average of 52-inches. The state pays counties to plow state roads, and it's why the D-O-T is paying for the satellite-and-sensor equipment for their plows. The D-O-T's Michael Sproul cannot say yet that the new technology means safer roads. He says the goal at this point is to give people acceptable levels of service at less cost. Most counties which have the equipment are in southern Wisconsin. Dan Fedderly of the County Highway Association says the system is harder to use in the north. That's because cell phones are needed to transmit data, and he says cell signals in much of the north are not available or reliable. Fedderly also says it will take another winter to see if the new tracking technology can help counties throughout the state.

Bauer Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

12/27/11 - A Beaver Dam teen entered a “not guilty” plea during an arraignment hearing to charges that he sparked a high speed chase with authorities. Brady Bauer was arrested in October after officers attempted a traffic stop for excessive window tinting but the suspect reportedly fled into the county. An eight-mile chase ensued down County Highway E that at times reached speeds in excess of 90mph. Brady was tracked down at an apartment complex in Burnett. The 18-year-old is charged with one felony count of Fleeing and Eluding an Officer and misdemeanor charges of Obstructing an Officer, Possession of an Illegally Obtained Prescription and Theft of Movable Property. Also found in the vehicle, a stolen county road sign for County Trunk BB which Bauer reportedly admitted to taking because it matched his initials. he is convicted, Bauer faces a maximum sentence of five-and-a-half years in prison. Court activity is on the calendar next month.

Benning in Court

12/27/11 - An Oconomowoc woman, accused of stealing over $5000 from the gas station where she worked, entered a “not guilty” plea at arraignment. Jessica Benning is charged with felony Theft for allegedly taking cash, cigarettes and other items from the Ashippun BP over a nine-month period ending in September. Management was tipped-off to the theft from an anonymous tip. The 21-year-old reportedly admitted the thefts to investigators and said she learned a trick with the cash register to cover her tracks from a former employee. The charge carries a maximum six-year prison sentence upon conviction. Benning has an arraignment hearing on the calendar next month.

Not Guilty Plea Entered by Lomira Woman

12/27/11 - A Lomira woman entered a “not guilty” plea at arraignment to charges that she stole money from the gas station where she had worked. 45-year-old Lisa Ann Anderson is accused of using her work keys to enter a locked office and steal $230 in cash. Authorities reviewed video surveillance footage and management noted that the subject was similar to Anderson in clothing and mannerisms. They then reviewed footage of Anderson during a recent work shift and say she was wearing the same clothes. If convicted, the charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 12-and-a-half years. A plea and sentencing hearing is on the calendar in February.

Autopsy Expected for Glass Worker

An autopsy will be performed this morning on a glass worker in Portage who died in a Christmas morning accident. Officials said 55-year-old Tom Roche left the Cardinal Glass factory to recycle large pieces of glass -- and part of the glass sheets apparently got loose and knocked him back. No one witnessed the incident. A co-worker called police about three a-m Sunday, after Roche had not returned to the main building. Police say there's no evidence of foul play, but they're still investigating.

Stores Busy the Day After Christmas

12/27/11 - With many people off work, stores were busy throughout Wisconsin on the day after Christmas. Manager Steve Smith at Milwaukee's Mayfair Mall said more people were looking for bargains than returning unwanted gifts. Smith said a number of his stores had 40-to-50-percent-off sales, and the parking lots were full by early afternoon. Many shoppers used gift cards they received. Appliance stores in southeast Wisconsin drew more business than normal by offering larger discounts. American T-V of Madison said it was encouraged by the numbers of shoppers at its 12 Midwest stores. Colder's Furniture of Milwaukee said its five stores saw a lot of pent-up demand, as shoppers focused on gifts before Christmas instead of the bigger things they needed at home.

Walker Named “Governor of the Year”

12/27/11 - The Governors Journal has named Wisconsin Republican Scott Walker as its Governor-of-the-Year. New York Democrat Andrew Cuomo is the first runner-up, and Connecticut Democrat Dannel Malloy had an honorable mention. The Governors Journal is a one-year-old online publication from Pagani Public Affairs of Washington. It said Walker was quote, "the embodiment of the state-by-state battle to balance budgets, and the best symbol of the struggle between the two political parties about how best to meet those fiscal challenges." The publication said Walker was cited by both Democrats and Republicans as quote, "the best example of what is wrong, or what is right with a conservative approach to government." It also said many Democratic governors are different from Walker quote, "only in a matter of degrees." If Walker wins an expected recall election next year, the Governors Journal says he'll be a "right wing political star." And if he loses, Walker will be quote, "a political martyr, but still a star."

Mega Millions at $206M

12/27/11 - Somebody could end 2011 in grand style tonight. That's the because the Mega Millions' jackpot is at 206-million-dollars, the third-highest of the year. One ticket sold in Wisconsin won the quarter-million-dollar second prize last Friday night, by matching all five regular numbers but not the Mega Ball. Lottery officials have not said where the ticket was sold. In Powerball, the jackpot is back at 20-million-dollars for tomorrow night. A ticket sold in Maryland won almost 129-million dollars on Christmas Eve.

Top Stories December 25th

Merry Christmas…Where’s the Snow?

12/25/11 - We’ve still got snow on the ground this morning but it’s unclear if we can call it a White Christmas. The National Weather Service says there must be at least an inch of snow on the ground to qualify as a White Christmas. Either way its clear there has been a lack of snow so far this winter and weather experts are blaming that on La Nina. They say it’s pushed the jet stream farther north and that’s one of the reasons snowfall has been far below normal through the fall and early winter for an area of the U.S. from New England to the Dakotas. In Minneapolis, golf courses were open this week. Many ski resorts are having to make snow to do their business. Snow totals in New England are running four to 14 inches below normal, while Montana’s mountain snow pack is about 30 percent below its average. In Beaver Dam, we’ve only had two or three “snow events” none of which has left more than a couple inches. And it looks like there is nothing in the near future that will change that.

Search Firm Will Seek Community Input

12/25/11 - The search firm hired by the Waupun School District to find a new superintendent has been instructed to solicit input from the community. SCF Educational Consultants is expected to bring a list of personal and professional characteristics back to the board that are important to the position of superintendent. According to district officials, the search firm will be holding two public forums on January 4th. The first will be at 3:45pm at Rock River Intermediate School followed by a 7pm session at the Junior/Senior High School. Those organizing the forums are asking that parents, staff and community members come and share their feelings on what is important to them in finding a new superintendent. The district hopes to have the new superintendent in place by July 1st. Interim Superintendent Don Childs has been in Waupun since July of last year after serving for several years in the Beaver Dam School District.

Walker Stops Planning for National Health Care Law

12/25/11 - Governor Scott Walker has ordered Wisconsin to stop planning for the national health care reform law until the Supreme Court decides whether the law will be dropped. The Republican Walker has opposed President Obama’s health package all along – but he’s just now halting the state’s plan to create its own exchange, where individuals and small businesses can select from a menu of insurance plans. States which don’t have their own plans in place by the start 2013 will get a uniform federal plan to follow starting in 2014. But the Supreme Court is expected to rule next summer on whether the Obama health plan is constitutional. And if it’s not struck down, Walker says the state will still have time to create its own exchange by the 2013 deadline. But Jon Peacock of the Wisconsin Council on Children-and-Families disagrees. He says lawmakers wouldn’t have time – and the state would be quote, “ill-prepared” if the court keeps the Obama health law in place. Assembly Democrat Sandy Pasch of Whitefish Bay also criticized Walker’s decision, and says the governor is quote, “playing chicken with people’s health.” Senate Republican Frank Lasee of De Pere praised the governor’s action – but he says the state would have to give back a 38-million-dollar federal grant to help create the exchange. Lasee says the money has strings attached, and Walker has to give it back. Walker’s office says it’s looking into that matter.

WI Legislators Back Extended Payroll Tax Cut

12/25/11 - Wisconsin’s working people will not pay higher Social Security taxes come January. The U-S House and Senate both voted this week to extend the current payroll tax cut by two months, to buy more time for a long-term agreement. Both houses passed the measure on voice votes, despite some grumbling from Tea Party Republicans. Milwaukee House Democrat Gwen Moore tweeted that she was pleased 160-million Americans won’t see a tax hike, and over two-million people will not lose their unemployment benefits. Without the agreement, officials said the average employee would have had to pay an extra 20-dollars a week in Social Security taxes after the holidays – and jobless benefits would have been phased out for those out of work longer than six months. The extension came after G-O-P House leaders were the last to agree to it. Some Republicans demanded a full-year solution. Wausau area Republican Sean Duffy said he still favored a one-year payroll tax holiday – but for now, he said Wisconsin families should not pay more just because of what he called the “dysfunction in Washington D-C.” Sherwood House Republican Reid Ribble said he was tired of the partisan bickering over the issue. And he said some lawmakers lost sight of what’s important – keeping more money in people’s pockets.

Governor Staying Neutral on Effort to Get Rid of GAB

12/25/11 - Governor Walker says he’ll stay neutral on a proposal to get rid of Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board. The Republican Walker told the A-P there’s no perfect system for running elections and enforcing ethics laws – but he says improvements can always be made in how the agency functions. Last week, G-O-P Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald suggested going back to the old Elections Board, with political party leaders serving as members – and an ethics board that critics said was too ineffective. Fitzgerald was reacting to the accountability board’s policy of not automatically striking fraudulent and duplicate recall signatures, leaving that job to those who challenge the petitions. Six retired judges serve on the accountability board. Its director says those members have much more experience in making impartial decisions than the old elections board members ever did. Lawmakers created the accountability board four years ago, after five legislators were charged with using their tax-funded offices as campaign machines to try and keep their parties in power.

Officer Cleared in Shooting

12/25/11 - Rock County’s district attorney said a police officer did not do anything wrong when he shot-and-killed a man last month near Beloit. Town of Beloit Sergeant Richard Felger shot 26-year-old Darryl Cooper during a gun battle outside Rex Lanes. Authorities said Felger was on patrol about 1:45 a-m on November sixth, when he heard gunshots from the parking lot. According to District Attorney David O’Leary, Cooper had shot-and-injured somebody in an earlier fight – and he later ran away from Sergeant Felger and fired shots at him. Felger shot Cooper as he returned the fire. Felger was treated for a gunshot wound to the leg, while Cooper died at a hospital. O’Leary said the officer was doing his duty – and he praised Felger for quote, “preventing further loss of life.”

Charges Not Expected in Eau Claire Accident

12/25/11 - The Eau Claire County sheriff said criminal charges are not expected against a 16-year-old girl who let a 14-year-old boy drive her family’s car in a fatal crash on Tuesday night. But Ron Cramer said it’s possible that the girl could get a couple of non-criminal citations. Three teens from the Eleva-Strum area were killed in the crash – McKenna Johnson, Marco Perez, and driver Austin Gable. Two other passengers were hurt. The 16-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy remain hospitalized. And Cramer says his deputies are waiting for clearance from medical personnel before they interview the two. The sheriff said the 16-year-old girl’s family gave her permission to drive the car – and Cramer says she might have broken state laws by letting an unlicensed person drive the car, and having more than one passenger in violation of the graduated driver licensing law for teens. He said those are the only two things investigators are looking at. The sheriff says he expects most of the legal activity to come from civil lawsuits. Meanwhile, the town of Washington Fire Department held stress de-briefing last night for emergency personnel who responded to the crash. It happened on a hilly road where drivers have been known to make cars airborne by speeding over hillcrests. Cramer says that if “hill jumping” was a cause of the crash, he and the sheriff in neighboring Trempealeau County will start a campaign to warn students and parents about the dangers of that behavior.

No Layoffs for MKE Sheriff’s…Yet

12/25/11 - A judge has blocked layoffs planned to start at the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department December 31st. A temporary injunction will delay those layoffs for at least a month, until state and county hearings can be held. The sheriff’s office is dealing with deep budget cuts for next year. Some deputies retired, but about 40 were to be laid off. The deputies’ union sued, saying mistakes were made in singling out those to lose their jobs. Sheriff David Clark Junior has said the county budget is a train wreck.

Criminal Caught After Leaving Cell Phone at the Scene

12/25/11 - Here's a memo to criminals. If you don't want to get caught, don't leave your cell phone at the crime scene -- like a 21-year-old man did in Madison recently. Police said Lamar Crump Junior broke into an S-U-V December 11th at a Madison shopping mall, and he stole two guns and stereo speakers. As the owner checked the vehicle with a police officer, he found a cell-phone with a photo of his I-D card and some pictures of himself. Crump was arrested four days later at the same mall. Police said the stolen stereo equipment was hooked up in his van -- and the missing guns were found in his apartment. Crump is charged three counts of theft, two of them as felonies. He's in jail under a 900-dollar bond.

Top Stories December 24th

White Christmas Unlikely

12/24/11 - Northern Wisconsin is likely to have a White Christmas after all. Up to an inch of snow was expected in the region yesterday and it could stay around through Christmas, because temperatures are not expected to get above freezing. But it’s a different story in southern Wisconsin, where highs are supposed to get close to 40 both today and tomorrow. Another storm system could bring a little more snow to the north on Christmas. But the south is supposed to stay dry-and-brown. The National Weather Service defines a White Christmas as having at least an inch of snow on the ground that day. Due to the temperatures expected in our area today it’s unlikely we’ll have any snow on the ground tomorrow. Milwaukee has had a White Christmas 48-percent of the time in the last 118 years, but it won’t have one this year. Madison does not get protected by Lake Michigan, and therefore it snows more often – at least on Christmas. The Weather Service said Wisconsin’s capital has had a White Christmas 69-percent of the time – but not this time. The farther north you go, the more likely a Christmas will be white. Wausau has only had five Brown Christmases since 1931.

Elks Lodge Food Basket Program Hits 60th Year

12/24/11 - The Beaver Dam Elks Lodge is gearing up for their annual Christmas Food Basket Program. For 60 years, the service organization has been helping families throughout Dodge County put a little extra food on the table over the holiday. Organizer Rob Radig says over 520 baskets will be packed-up by an all-volunteer assembly line and sent out by all-volunteer drivers. Packing of the food baskets will begin around 8am SATURDAY morning with assistance from the Beaver Dam High School Wrestling team and local Boy Scouts. It’s too late to receive a basket but Radig says the public is encouraged to line-up at Beaver Dam Ford on North Spring Street around 9am to help deliver baskets. Radig says the delivery process should take a couple hours. After the workshop is closed and the sleighs are empty, volunteers are invited over to the Beaver Dam Elks Lodge at 126 South Spring Street for a free lunch. For more information visit: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1952620785298

St. Katharine Drexel Warns of Overcrowding

12/24/11 - Officials at St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Beaver Dam are asking members to be aware of the different opportunities to observe mass over the next two days for Christmas. Judy Johnson says the closure of St. Patrick’s Church has them concerned about possible overcrowding at the more popular times for mass. Beaver Dam fire codes say the church capacity is 812 people and Johnson says once the church is filled people will be turned away. Times for mass: December 24th 4pm, 5:30pm, 7pm, 11pm. December 25th 9:30am.

Randolph Church Serving Christmas Dinner

12/24/11 - The First Reformed Church of Randolph is hosting a Christmas dinner on Sunday for anyone in need of a meal. Organizer Rita Hookstead says this the 3rd year they’ll be doing the event and last year they served more than 50-meals. The meals will be served from 11a-3p tomorrow in the church basement. However, Hookstead says if you can’t make it to the church they can deliver it to you. If you want it delivered Hookstead asks that you call her at (920) 344-0573.

Local Woman Plays Large Role in Decorating Tree in the Governor’s Mansion

12/24/11 - A Randolph-area woman played a large role in decorating a tree in the Governor’s Mansion in Madison. Linda Hughes provided nearly 200 of the ornaments on the Soldier’s Tree in the governor’s mansion. One-hundred and seventy ornaments on the Blue Spruce represent the servicemen and women who died while fighting in the Middle East and five represent the soldiers who died on American soil as a result of injuries sustained overseas. The ornaments will be sent to the Gold Star families bearing their loved ones name after the holiday. Hughes cousin was killed overseas in 2005. Because she has been an advocate for troops over the years, she was contacted by Governor Jim Doyle’s office to contribute seven years ago, and each year her contribution has gotten bigger. Hughes tells us that she’s already had a vision for next year’s Soldier’s Tree at the Governor’s Mansion.

WEAC Hoping Barrett Doesn’t Run for Governor

12/24/11 - Leaders of the state’s largest teachers’ union met this week with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, and urged him not to run in a possible recall election against Governor Scott Walker. Barrett has not given an indication that he would run anyway, saying he’s focusing on his re-election bid for mayor. But the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said WEAC union leaders do not believe they convinced Barrett to definitely stay on the sidelines. The Democrat Barrett lost to the Republican Walker 52-to-47 percent in last year’s gubernatorial contest. Milwaukee’s City Hall was closed today, and Barrett was not immediately available for comment. The Journal Sentinel also said WEAC is trying to clear the way for former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk to run against Walker. The paper cited a union memo stating that Falk and former U-S House Democrat David Obey of Wausau have as good of a chance as Barrett of unseating the governor.

Tax Collections Up in MKE Baseball District

12/24/11 - There’s another sign today of how much wider Wisconsinites are opening their wallets. Sales tax receipts for the Milwaukee baseball stadium district went up seven-point-eight percent in 2011, compared to a year ago. People in Milwaukee and four surrounding counties pay a one-tenth of one-percent sales tax for the financing of Miller Park. And the stadium district received 26-million-dollars in sales tax contributions – one-point-two percent more than the Stadium Board had budgeted. The contributions reflect sales taxes paid by consumers through October. Depending on how the economy goes, the district expects the sales tax to end between 2016 and 2018 when all the bonding is paid off.

Woman Gets Prison Time for Defrauding State Program

12/24/11 - A woman from Elkhorn will spend two and a half years in prison for defrauding the Wisconsin Shares program. Angela Stott will be on probation for five years after she gets out. Stott held the license for Little Angel Academy. It was one of dozens of day care centers suspended from the subsidy program, for receiving payments for children who rarely attended – or never showed up at all. Stott was convicted last month on two counts of theft by false representation. She has to repay 355 thousand dollars to the state.

Cuts Coming for State Agencies

12/24/11 - Wisconsin state agencies have been ordered to make 123 million dollars in spending reductions without layoffs, if at all possible. Taking another direct hit is the University of Wisconsin System, which has been told to trim another 46 million dollars over six months. That’s on top of a previously announced quarter-billion dollar reduction over the two-year budget cycle. Governor Scott Walker’s Department of Administration released specifics of the plan yesterday. The Legislature budget committee is expected to hold a hearing next month to make sure core state services are not affected. Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca says the cuts disproportionately target higher education.

Suspects Sought in Oxy Robbery Spree

12/24/11 - Milwaukee County authorities are looking for two teenagers wanted in connection with an oxycodone robbery spree. Two more teens are already in custody. Police say the four started last Wednesday night by robbing a Walgreens. They told the pharmacist on duty they were armed and they made off with an unknown quantity of the drug. They then tried to rob four more Walgreens stores, but a security confronted them at the location at 27th and Layton. One boy was arrested there, with the second taken into custody yesterday morning. Two are still at large.

Top Stories December 23rd

Unemployment Rates Mostly Down

12/23/11 - The jobless rate the region was down last month for the most part. According to figures released this week by the Department of Workforce Development, the unemployment rate in Dodge County was 6.9% in November, down from 7.2% in October and six-tenths of a percent lower than November of last year. Fond du Lac County was down two-tenths to 6.2% over the two-month period. Washington County was at 6% last month while Jefferson County was at 7.0%, both down two-tenths of a percent from October. Green Lake County held steady at 7% even. Columbia County was up one-tenth to 7%. The lowest rate in the state was 4.4% in Dane County. Menominee County had the highest rate at 13.6%. The statewide jobless rate in November was down four-tenths of a percent to 7.3%, while the national rate was 8.6%. In total, 70 of the state’s 72 counties had lower unemployment rates or no change over the two month period.

BD Man Arrested For Sixth OWI After Chase

12/23/11 - A Beaver Dam man was arrested Wednesday for sixth-offense drunk driving after Columbia County authorities say he sparked a high speed chase. It started just before 3:30pm when deputies responded to reports of an intoxicated driver in the city of Portage. The responding deputy reportedly observed the suspect traveling east on Highway 33 near Cambria. The vehicle then turned down some town roads at a high rate of speed, sparking a seven mile pursuit that reached close to 80mph. Road spikes were deployed on Vaughn Road at State Highway 44, just north of Pardeeville. Jonathan L. Gorr was taken into custody without further incident. The 33-year-old Gorr is charged with Sixth Offense Operating While Intoxicated, Possession of THC and drug paraphernalia and a variety of traffic violations.

Sensenbrenner Apologizes For Remark at Hartford Church

12/23/11 - Wisconsin House Republican Jim Sensenbrenner wrote a formal apology letter Thursday to First Lady Michelle Obama. The Menomonee Falls lawmaker drew national attention after using some rather choice words to criticize the First Lady’s national campaign to fight obesity. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said Sensenbrenner – who’s been in Congress over three decades – told a Christmas bazaar at a Hartford church that Michelle Obama had a quote, “big butt.” Later, Sensenbrenner was overheard on a cell phone at a Washington airport saying Michelle Obama quote, “lectures us on eating right while she has a large posterior herself.” Amanda Infield, a spokeswoman for Sensenbrenner, said her boss doesn’t think the government should tell Americans what to eat. But she said he would apologize, even if he doesn’t agree with her initiatives. The Journal Sentinel said people who heard his comments at the Saint Aiden’s church bazaar thought the apology was weak. Micki Hoffmann said Sensenbrenner can attack a person’s politics all he wants – but not body image. And she said the congressman should also apologize to her church.

McNeer Convicted In Attempted Murder of Wife

12/23/11 - A retired head of the We Energies utility was convicted Thursday of Reckless Injury for trying to kill his wife in June. 85-year-old Charles McNeer of Hartford struck a plea deal with prosecutors, and was found Innocent by Reason of Insanity. Washington County Circuit Judge Todd Martens decided not to subject McNeer to a possible 20-year prison term. Instead, the judge will announce on February 28th whether McNeer will go to a mental institution, or be released under certain conditions. Prosecutors said he struck his wife Ann in the head with a hammer in late June. He told authorities his health was failing -- and he tried to kill his wife because he didn't think she could live without him. The couple has been married for over 60 years.

Local Gas Prices Fall

12/23/11 - Local gas prices are some of the lowest in the state right now. According to wisconsingasprices.com, the average price of a gallon of unleaded regular is $3.24 this morning, up five-cents from a week ago. But gas in Beaver Dam can be had for $3.10, while it’s going for $3.11 in Juneau and Horicon. It’s $3.13 in Hustisford and $3.16 in Waupun and Columbus. The national average today is $3.23. That’s 22-cents higher than a year ago.

Patrick Cudahy Suing Navy Over Destructive Flare

12/23/11 - Patrick Cudahy is suing the U-S Navy for 326-million dollars, because a Marine stole a Navy flare that was used to set the Cudahy meat plant on fire in 2009. The plant, its owner Smithfield Foods, and their insurance companies filed their lawsuit in federal court in Milwaukee. It accused the Navy of being negligent in not controlling its supply of flares at Camp Wilson in California, where Joshua Popp stole one. His brother set it off at a family Fourth-of-July gathering south of Milwaukee in 2009 -- and the flare landed on top of the neighboring Cudahy meat plant and caused a massive fire. The Navy rejected a claim from the plaintiffs. It said the government waives immunity from legal action only when an employee commits wrongdoing within the scope of the person's job -- and that was not the case with Joshua Popp. The two brothers pleaded to reckless endangerment, and were put on probation for three years.

Couple Avoids Jail Time

12/23/11 - A rural Beaver Dam couple has entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors for selling items that were being used as collateral on a bank loan. Steven and Cheryl Schmitt plead to reduced misdemeanor charges of Transfer of an Encumbered Property and each had seven other felon counts dismissed. According to the criminal complaint, the Schmitt’s sold over $77,000 worth of cattle and farm equipment in 2007 and 2008. The money was put into an account to cover bills in their other business, SJS Trucking. A loan agreement with the bank prohibited the sale of any items listed as collateral without prior approval. The couple was looking at over 50 years in prison. They’ve already paid restitution in full and as part of the plea agreement, they will avoid jail time, probation and a felony record.

BDPD Investigating Counterfeit Bill

12/23/11 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is investigating a counterfeit bill that was found at a local gas station. Employees with the Horicon Bank contacted authorities Wednesday morning to report that a fake $20 bill was found in a deposit from the Shell Travel Mart. Counterfeit bills are turned over to the Secret Service and those responsible could face state and federal charges. Anyone with information should contact the Beaver Dam Police Department.

Dane County DA May Reconsider Union Challenge

12/23/11 - The Dane County D-A says he might ask the State Supreme Court to reconsider his challenge to Wisconsin's collective bargaining limits -- this time, without input from Justice Michael Gableman. Ismael Ozanne said he's taking a hard look at asking Gableman to recuse himself, after reports that the justice took free legal services from a law firm in defending an earlier ethics case. The law firm is the same one that helped Governor Scott Walker's office develop the union law. And Gableman voted in June to uphold that law. The State Judicial Commission was asked this week to investigate whether Gableman broke the judicial ethics code by voting on cases in which he had a direct financial interest with one of the parties -- namely, the law firm of Michael Best and Friedrich. Ozanne says he does not have all the facts yet in deciding whether to seek a re-opening of the collective bargaining case. But he said the facts he had are quote, "concerning." But even if Gableman withdraws, another justice would have to change his-or-her vote -- or else there would be a 3-3 deadlock, and the court would not consider the case. Gableman voted with a 4-3 majority in June against Ozanne's allegation that Republican legislators broke the state Open Meetings Law when it passed the union bargaining limits in March. A recent court hearing said the court cannot force a member to withdraw from a case -- which means Gableman would have to do it voluntarily if the D-A asks.

Advisory Referendum on Collective Bargaining

12/23/11 - The home county of Wisconsin's state government will hold an advisory referendum next spring on whether to bring back public union bargaining privileges. Dane County Executive Joe Parisi signed a County Board resolution yesterday (Th) that calls for an April third vote on the union bargaining ilmits adopted this year. Supervisor Dianne Hesselbein of Middleton proposed the referendum. She said it would give Dane County residents a chance to enter the debate and show support for quote, "working families in Dane County and across the state." Parisi, a former state Assembly Democrat, said union bargaining has been essential to the prosperity of Wisconsin families for decades and quote, "They deserve a seat at the table once more."

Green Bay Salvation Army Gets Gold Coin

12/23/11 - The Salvation Army in Green Bay said it could not believe the donation it received yesterday. Somebody dropped a gold coin in one of the Red Kettles at Festival Foods in Green Bay. And Captain Ken Shiels said his staff was thrilled to learn that it was worth 16-hundred-dollars. An anonymous donor dropped the one-ounce gold American Eagle coin in the kettle. Shiels said he wants to think the gift resulted from the donor's confidence in the Salvation Army and what it does for the community. The Brown County chapter is trying to raise just over one-point-one million dollars by January 27th -- and they're two-thirds of the way there.

Local Teacher Honored

12/23/11 - Fourteen teachers, including one from Rubicon, have won this year’s Wisconsin Financial Literacy Awards. Governor Scott Walker’s Council on Financial Literacy announced the recipients yesterday. That included Jennifer Guenther of Rubicon. The awards recognize efforts to help people learn more about handling their personal finances. The winning projects are geared toward helping school students become more financially literate along with workers, prisoners, and community residents in general. The winners were chosen from 45 nominations. Eight organizations were also honored.

Top Stories December 22nd

OWI Victim Urges Responsible Holiday Celebrations

12/22/11 - Dan Thiel says he has been dealing with the holiday grief over the loss of a loved one since a drunk driver killed his wife ten years ago but this year will be especially difficult. His daughter was left bedridden and succumbed to her injuries in May. In October he learned that state law at the time of the wreck prohibits additional prosecution against the three-time drunk driver who will be released from prison this coming May, avoiding any penalty in Danni Jo’s death. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls called into the show to commend for spending the past few months speaking to OWI offenders in prison and at Victim Impact Panels. Nehls says while he can’t put specific numbers to the lives saved from Thiel’s outreach, the sheriff says he “knows that [his] efforts as an individual using [his] experience to tell a story has saved lives in Dodge County.” Thiel asked our listeners to avoid driving if you’ve been drinking and to stop serving those who have had too much to drink, but his message went beyond that. Thiel says it’s up everyone in the community to stop drunk drivers from ever getting behind the wheel. He says you might watch someone stumble out of a bar only to drive a few blocks and kill someone, maybe your own daughter. Turing that blind eye, Thiel says, would be something that will haunt you for the rest of your life. While it may have been a rough year, Thiel is keeping busy. In addition to speaking with offenders, he is using his decade-long experience as a caregiver for Danni Jo to work for Angels on Earth as an in-home caregiver.

Man Sexually Assault Boy as a Form of Punishment

Authorities in Columbia County have charged a Columbus man with sexually assaulting a 6-year-old boy as a form of punishment. 27-year-old Brian Frazier is charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 12 and physical abuse of a child intentionally causing bodily harm. Officials with the Columbus Police Department say their investigation revealed Frazier allegedly sexually assaulted the boy sometime between May 2010 and November of this year while he was watching him. Police say the boy told them that Frazier also slapped him one time last month for taking a piece of pizza without permission. When he was questioned by police Frazier admitted to the assault and to slapping the child. He also later admitted he hated children. Frazier is due back in court next week.

DC Health Officials Encourage Vaccination Against Pertussis

12/22/11 - The Dodge County Health Department is warning the public about an increase in the reported cases of the contagious bacterial disease Pertussis (per-tuss-iss), better known as whooping cough. Health Officer Jody Langfeldt there has been seven reported cases this year, twice as many as in a normal year. Langfeldt says they are on alert because of the spike in whooping cough cases in Milwaukee County. She says the symptoms are similar to the common cold. Langfeldt urges the public to get vaccinated, especially those who work with children as Pertussis can be more serious in the very young. Additional information is on the health department’s website.
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/dph_bcd/communicable/factsheets/pertussus.htm

Police Warn of Phone Scam

12/22/11 - Authorities in Fox Lake are warning residents about a phone call scam. Police say the scam targets older people in which the caller says their grandchild is in trouble and needs $2,400. Two people reported the calls and officials believe there are others that didn’t report them. So far, nobody has fallen prey to the scam. If you receive a call like this police say you shouldn’t call them back and instead report the call to local law enforcement.

Wisconsin Again Leads Nation in Job Losses

12/22/11 - For the second month in a row, Wisconsin leads the nation in the numbers of jobs it lost in November. The U-S Bureau of Labor Statistics said the Badger State lost a seasonally-adjusted 14-thousand-600 jobs last month, on top of the 97-hundred lost jobs the government reported in October. The initial monthly job loss figures are preliminary, and state Workforce Development Secretary Reggie Newson said the final numbers for October showed much fewer job losses. But Newson has not said that Washington's numbers treat Wisconsin more harshly than other states -- so if the proportions are the same, the state's ranking compared to others would not change. Newson insists that things are getting better in Wisconsin, with a dropping jobless rate and fewer claims for unemployment benefits. He also points to a recent Manpower Incorporated survey which shows that Wisconsin employers will add jobs in the first three months of next year. Newson also says the pro-business bills passed by the G-O-P Legislature should lead to job growth in 2012. Democrats say the employment figures prove that Wisconsin's policies are not working. They say the state has lost jobs in every month since the new state budget took effect in July.

Feds Delist Wolves

12/22/11 - The federal government removed Wisconsin’s grey wolves from the national endangered species list Wednesday. It’s been done several times before, only to be reversed in lawsuits from environmentalists. But this time, the Obama administration tried to ward off legal action by showing that Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan more than met its goals for re-instating wolf populations. And therefore, the Interior Department said federal protections are no longer needed there. Today’s move gives Wisconsin the right to revive its own management plan for grey wolves. That includes a plan for killing animals if they damage farm crops or livestock. But officials have made it clear that hunting or trapping seasons for wolves are at least several years away. Governor Scott Walker ordered the D-N-R to get the plan going again by February first. And Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder said he other lawmakers from the north would introduce a bill give the D-N-R the tools for keeping the state’s growing wolf population under control. The state’s management plan has been in effect every time that Washington had de-listed the wolves. Meanwhile, D-N-R Secretary Cathy Stepp said she was pleased that Wisconsin’s wolves will be considered a single species, for now at least. Federal officials earlier considered separate protections for a different species of wolves in 29 Eastern states, but that move remains on hold. Stepp said it would have been a nightmare for Wisconsin to deal with, since many wolves are a mix of both species. Wisconsin has almost 800 total grey wolves, more than twice the original goal of 350 when the state re-introduced the animals several decades ago.

Beaver Dam To Collect Xmas Trees

12/22/11 - Beaver Dam residents who receive contracted solid waste collection services will be able to place Christmas trees and boughs street-side for collection by city crews after the New Year. Director of Facilities David Stoiser says the special collection does not include other brush and shrubbery cuttings. Trees and boughs must be free of ornaments, lights and stands so they can be chipped. Crews will pick-up the trees starting on Tuesday, January 3 and continue through Friday, January 27. Wreaths and boughs containing roping or wire may also be placed in the Veolia non-recyclable cart for collection as garbage. City residents can also dispose of Christmas trees and boughs at the Public Works Garage Yard Waste Drop off Site on South Center Street, Monday through Friday. No waste of any kind is accepted from outside of the City or from any contractors.

Wisconsin Population Growth Lagging

12/22/11 - Wisconsin’s population grew by less than half the national average since last year’s Census was taken – and the national growth rate was the lowest since the 1940’s. The Census Bureau said today that the Badger State added almost 25-thousand residents from April of last year to July of this year. That’s a growth rate of four-tenths-of-one-percent – not even half the national rate of 92-hundredths of a percent. Wisconsin’s new population is five-million-711-thousand-767. The U-S now has almost 312-million people. Texas gained the most residents since last April, with 529-thousand. Washington D-C had the fastest growth rate at two-point-seven percent. And California remains the nation’s most populous state, with almost 38 million people.

Baggage Scales Weighed At Wisconsin Airports

12/22/11 - If you're flying from a Wisconsin airport this holiday, you probably will not be hit with a surprise overweight baggage fee. State-and-local inspectors checked 60 baggage scales at eight Wisconsin airports this year. Over 98-percent of them were accurate -- and the ones that weren't have been fixed. Sandy Chalmers of the state's consumer protection division says an overweight bag can cost fliers anywhere from 39-to-400-dollars -- so they wanted people to know that the scales are accurate. Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport was among the places where the scales were checked, along with airports at Madison, Green Bay, La Crosse, Appleton, Mosinee, Eau Claire, and Rhinelander.