Top Stories January 26th

Mayville Soldier Killed in Afghanistan

1/26/12 - An Army lieutenant from Dodge County has been killed in Afghanistan. W-T-M-J Radio in Milwaukee said 24-year-old First Lieutenant David Johnson of Mayville died in action. But the Pentagon has not released information about the incident -- or when it happened. Johnson headed an infantry platoon based in Fort Lewis Washington.

Walker Delivers State of the State Address

1/26/12 - With non-stop protest chants in the background, Governor Scott Walker told Wisconsinites last night that the state's on the right track for an economic turnaround. The Republican Walker spent much of his second annual State-of-the-State address touting his job creation and budget-balancing efforts. Walker did not mention the recall effort against him, but he asked for civility. And he did not acknowledge the hundreds of screaming protestors gathered in the Capitol Rotunda who were upset about his cuts in spending and public union bargaining. Those gathered in the Assembly chamber for Walker's speech heard them in the background. Five spectators in the gallery interrupted the 35-minute address. One called the governor a "liar" when he said he respected Wisconsinites. Another mentioned vulnerable children when the governor discussed education initiatives. Both were escorted from the chamber, and Capitol Police later said four protestors were arrested. The Rotunda crowd yelled, whistled, and chanted as they drowned out Walker's speech that was piped in to the area. Senate Democratic leader Mark Miller said the protests were not surprising and they illustrate quote, "the sharp divide the governor's policies have created in the state." But G-O-P Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald said Walker and his fellow Republicans did the right thing by trying to get government out of the way, and the letting the private sector boost the economy.

Waupun Prisoner Death Labeled an Overdose

1/26/12 - A convicted killer died from an overdose of methadone while in his state prison cell, and officials are trying to find out how he got the drug. The Dodge County medical examiner's office said yesterday that David Wapp's death was caused by accident. The 31-year-old Wapp was found dead November eighth at the Waupun prison. And the only thing officials knew at the time was that foul play was not involved. Toxicology tests uncovered the overdose. Wapp, of the Mukwonago area, was sentenced in June of 2010 to life in prison with no chance for a supervised release. He stabbed and cut his ex-girlfriend, Samantha Peterson, 37 times while they argued in a car outside the home of Wapp's aunt in Waukesha County. It happened four days after he left prison for another offense.

BD Chamber Honors Award Winners

1/26/12 - The Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce last night held its annual Recognition night at Old Hickory Country Club. Mary Fitzgerald from the American National Bank was named Chamber Member of the Year for her volunteer work for the Chamber. The Beaver Dam Community hospital won the Non-Profit Organization of the year award. Hospital Board Chairman Jim Kirsch stressed the importance of the hospital remaining independent so that it can deliver the best care to local residents. Hospital CEO Kim Miller said the hospital’s non profit status allows it to invest its financial resources back into local health care services. A national organization recently awarded the hospital its Outstanding Patient Experience Award for the 3rd year in a row.

The Richards Insurance Agency is the Chamber’s Business of the Year. The local business began with a staff of four under Don Richards in 1965 and has grown to nearly 70 employees. Half of the company is owned by its employees, the other half by its owner – managers. Retired owner manager John Ralston, well known for his community fund raising efforts said the agency stresses the importance of being an active partner in the community. Current owner-manager Dave Pfister said Richards Agency employees volunteer in almost every worthwhile cause in the community.

Richard Zieman was introduced as the Citizen of the Year by his wife Nancy. The couple founded the internationally known Nancy’s Notions. Mark Killilngsworth who serves with Richard Zieman on several volunteer organizations said Zieman has donated literally thousands of hours and continues to serve in leadership roles for a large number of community causes. Nancy’s Notions has also contributed significant funding and contributions to community projects. Killingsworth said as the company grew so did its commitment to the community.

Honor Flight: Pearl Harbor

1/26/12 - Pearl Harbor survivors are being sought for what’s billed as a “once-in-a-lifetime Honor Flight to Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii.” The Old Glory Honor Flight hub that departs out of Appleton is asking the approximately 40 Pearl Harbor survivors that live in the state of Wisconsin to contact their office immediately. The non-profit chapter is planning a tropical trip to the Aloha State. They define Pearl Harbor survivor as any veteran stationed on the island of Oahu or within three nautical miles at the time of the attack on December 7, 1941. Honor Flight is a nationwide program with regional chapters that has traditionally flown World War II veterans to their memorial in Washington DC at no cost to them. The Appleton hub says they remain committed to that primary mission, but Honor Flight Pearl Harbor is another way to say thank you to veterans for their service and sacrifice. Organizers are hoping Pearl Harbor survivors will contact them by their February 6 application deadline. They are also actively seeking donations to finance the trip for survivors, their caregivers and support staff. Pearl Harbor Survivors can apply by calling 1-888-635-9838. Old Glory Honor Flight is a registered 501(c)3 organization. Make checks payable to “Old Glory Honor Flight” and write "Return To Pearl" in the memo section of the check. Donate via PayPal at: http://www.oldgloryhonorflight.org/return_to_pearl.html

December Jobless Filings Lower Than Last Year

1/26/12 - Most counties in the region saw a moderate decrease in their December unemployment rate, compared to November. That's according to local estimates released Wednesday by state workforce development officials. In Dodge County, the jobless rate was at 6.8% in December, down one-tenth from November and nearly a full-percentage point lower that December of 2010. Columbia and Jefferson counties both dropped a tenth-of-a-point over the two-month period to 6.9%. Fond du Lac County held steady at 6.2% while the jobless rate ticked-up a tenth in Washington County to 6.1%. Dane County has the states lowest rate at 4.4%. Door County has the states highest number of jobless filings at 11.7% and is one of six counties in double-digits. In total, 44 of the states 72 counties saw an increase in the jobless rate over the two-month period, 20 had decreases and there was no change in 8 counties. In comparing December 2011 to December of 2010, there were only two counties that saw increases in unemployment.

Five of Wisconsin's 12 metro areas lost jobs during December. The Eau Claire and Sheboygan areas lost 800 jobs each on a seasonally-adjusted basis. Metro Milwaukee lost 700, and La Crosse and Madison had smaller losses. Janesville had the highest unadjusted jobless rate among the 12 metros at eight-point-three percent. Madison had the lowest at four-point-seven. All but four Wisconsin counties saw their unadjusted rates go down from November. Manitowoc, Menomonee Falls, and West Allis had slight increases in their municipal unemployment rates.

Growmark Fined By OSHA

1/26/12 - Federal officials said a grain-handling facility in Ixonia has committed five workplace safety violations. The Occupational Safety-and-Health Administration is recommending 84-thousand dollars in fines against Growmark. OSHA said the company knowingly failed to protect employees before they entered grain bins -- and they did not provide harnesses or rescue equipment for those working inside the bins. Growmark is based in Bloomington Illinois. It has 15 days to either pay the fines, challenge the violations, or seek a meeting with OSHA. Company spokeswoman Amy Bradford said Growmark is aware of the violations -- but it's not commenting for now. Growmark does business in 30 states and Canada.

Waupun Hoping to Get Bond Funding

1/26/12 - The Waupun School District approved a plan to secure a $2.5-million bond intended for deferred maintenance and technology upgrades. Interim Superintendent Don Childs says the district is eligible because of the number of students living below the poverty line as determined by free and reduced lunch offerings. Childs says the loan will not impact the tax rate and they will be able to pay back the money over a period of 10 to 20 years at zero-percent interest. The district could find out as early as tomorrow if they’ll be getting the Qualified Zone Academy Bond.

Grosenick Has Not Guilty Plea Entered for Him

1/26/12 - An Iron Ridge-area man charged with seventh offense OWI stood mute during an arraignment hearing Wednesday Dodge County court and the judge entered a “not guilty” plea on his behalf. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says a deputy pulled over Dennis Grosenick in November after allegedly observing him cross the center line and almost put his vehicle into the ditch while making a right hand turn. A preliminary breath test indicated that Grosenick’s blood alcohol level was nearly three times legal limit of .08. Grosenick is currently being held at the Dodge County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond. If convicted he faces up to 10-years in prison.

More Time Will Be Given to Verify Signatures

1/26/12 - A judge in Madison is giving state officials more time to determine if there are enough valid signatures to order recall elections. Also Wednesday, Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess gave the Republican recall targets more time to challenge improper signatures. An estimated one-point-nine million signatures were filed eight days ago, demanding recall votes against Governor Scott Walker, Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, and Senators Scott Fitzgerald, Pam Galloway, Terry Moulton, and Van Wanggaard. Under state law, the Government Accountability Board has 31 days to certify recall petitions. But due to the sheer numbers, Niess granted an extra 30 days. He also gave the Walker and Kleefisch campaigns 30 days to challenge signatures once they receive copies of all their petitions. Kleefisch had not received any petitions as of Monday, even though the existing law would have given her until Friday to review them all. The four senators have their petitions, and the judge gave them 20 days to file challenges. Their new deadline is February ninth.

Poll: Obama Favored Over Romney

1/26/12 - A new poll gives President Obama an eight-point lead over Republican Mitt Romney in Wisconsin's presidential race. Just over 700 registered voters were surveyed in the first Marquette Law School poll. 48-percent favored the Democrat Obama for a second term, while 40-percent supported former Massachusetts governor Romney. The poll did not list any other head-to-head matchups involving other G-O-P White House hopefuls. Republicans are trying to get Wisconsin to carry their nominee for the first time since Ronald Reagan's second term in 1984. State voters are split on Obama's job performance. Forty-seven percent approved, and 47-percent disapproved. One-third of the Wisconsinites surveyed thought the economy had gotten worse in the last year, and only 22-percent said it got better. But 36-percent expect an improvement in 2012. Seventy-percent of those polled believe the nation's on the wrong track -- but 50-percent said Wisconsin appears to be on the right track, while 46-percent disagree. The poll had a margin-of-error of plus-or-minus three-point-eight percent.

Poll: 51% Approve of the Job Walker is Doing

1/26/12 - Just over half of Wisconsin voters approve of Governor Scott Walker's job performance. That's according to the first poll released today by the Marquette Law School in Milwaukee. Fifty-one percent of the 701 registered voters polled by phone approve of the job the Republican Walker's doing. Forty-six percent disapprove. The poll was taken from last Thursday through Sunday, just days after recall petitions were filed against the governor. The poll has a three-point-eight percent margin of error. It was released just hours before Walker addresses a split electorate in his annual State-of-the-State message. The Marquette poll also shows that Walker leads four potential Democratic challengers in a recall election. The poll has Walker leading his opponent from 2010, Tom Barrett, 50-to-44 percent. And the governor leads former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk 49-42. Walker would also out-poll Democrats Dave Obey and Tim Cullen. Seventy-four percent agreed that state employees should pay more toward their own pensions and health insurance, but limiting collective bargaining was supported by just 48-to-47 percent, within the margin of error. The Marquette Law School poll was conducted by Charles Franklin, who's on leave from U-W Madison. The school plans to conduct a number of polls in 2012.