Top Stories, March 4th

Deadly Shooting In Slinger

3/4/12 - Slinger police are investigating a fatal shooting. It happened Saturday morning near a house on the 100 block of North Kettle Moraine Drive that officers had responded to following reports of loud music and a possible underage drinking party. According to a press release, officers arrived around 12:50am but were not able to reach anyone at the house. They spoke to a neighboring homeowner by phone who said she was at work. She contacted her husband after police left the scene and learned he was asleep. Around 2am, the husband called police to report that he had shot an intruder. When officers arrived, they found 20-year-old Bo. A. Morrison on the porch, dead from a bullet wound to the chest. Slinger police say the husband is cooperating with investigators.

Columbus Business Owner Charged With Theft

3/4/12 - Charges of Theft in a Business Setting have been referred to the Columbia County District Attorney for a Watertown computer specialist accused of overcharging customers or charging for work that was never performed. Bradley Frye of Diversified Utility and Communications has been formally charged with misdemeanor Theft in a Business Setting - Under $2,500 and misdemeanor Theft-Movable Property. Columbus police says they started to receive complaints in December about his business practices. In one instance, Frye is accused of taking $1800 from a customer for a new computer and then failing to return the money when they decided against the purchase and asked for a refund. Authorities say other complaints are civil in nature and should be directed to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Dahmer Tour Draws Protestors

3/4/12 - The guides for the walking tour of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer’s Milwaukee neighborhood are just as evil as Dahmer. That’s according to a woman whose brother was one of Dahmer's victims. Janie Hagen was one of about 20 protesters who trailed the inaugural tour Saturday in Milwaukee. Her brother was Richard Guerrero, one of the first five of Dahmer's 17 victims. She and the others chanted, "Stop the tour," and one protester held a sign that said, "You may not care but we do." Four customers participated in the tour, walking and listening as tour guide Nicholas Vollmann pointed out buildings that used to house some of the gay bars Dahmer frequented. Vollmann tells the Associated Press that he feels sympathy for the protesters but expects the tours to continue.

DOT Urging Seatbelt Usage

3/4/12 - State law enforcement officials say several people killed in Wisconsin traffic crashes this year would likely still be alive today if they had simply clicked on their safety belt. Wisconsin State Patrol Major Sandy Huxtable says police strictly enforce the state’s mandatory safety belt law — not to write more tickets — but to motivate people to make the potentially life-saving decision to buckle-up. "If you’re traveling unbuckled in a motor vehicle, you run the risk of being stopped and fined by a police officer. If you’re unbuckled and involved in a crash, you run the risk of being ejected from the vehicle, injured or killed. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling across the street or across the state — buckle up so we can reduce the number of preventable traffic deaths to Zero in Wisconsin.” Huxtable says under state law, drivers can be ticketed for any unbelted passengers in their vehicle. "Along with our mandatory safety belt law — another law enacted about six years ago means drivers can be ticketed for any unbelted passengers in their vehicle. Teenagers and young adults are among the age group least likely to buckle up. We strictly enforce Wisconsin’s safety belt laws — not to write more tickets — but to motivate people to stay buckled up, and ultimately, to save lives." About 79 percent of Wisconsin drivers and passengers buckle-up — that’s well below the national average of 84 percent.

Vehicle Emissions Centers Expanding

3/4/12 - Starting in July, drivers in southeast Wisconsin will have more places to get their annual required vehicle emission tests. Nine current testing centers and two technical assistance facilities will close – and the free emission tests will instead be provided at up to 200 car dealerships, repair shops, and similar facilities. Sys-Tech International of Utah is administering the new arrangement for almost two-point-six million dollars. State officials say that’s cheaper than three-point-two million paid to Enviro-test, which ran the program for 28 years. Enviro-test checked out 626-thousand vehicles last year in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Racine, Kenosha, and Sheboygan counties. State lawmakers decided two years ago to let repair shops and car dealers conduct the emission tests, and Sys-Tech won a five-year contract for the work. But Enviro-test objected, saying mechanics in the repair shops could suggest repair work that’s not needed and possibly gouge consumers. But lawmakers said budget cuts had forced some drivers to go 20-miles or more just to get their mandated emission tests – and they had to create a more convenient system.

Wetlands Ruling Not Affecting Federal Construction

3/4/12 - The Army Corps of Engineers says federal construction requirements will not change because of Wisconsin’s newly-relaxed limits for building on wetlands. This aspect has been mentioned a couple times – but it has not been highlighted in the debate over the new state law. The Army Corps regulates about three-fourths of Wisconsin’s wetlands along with the state D-N-R. In a statement, the Corps said the new law changes nothing in federal actions – and developers could still need permits from the Army Corps in order to build on wetlands. Governor Scott Walker signed the new law this past week after a contentious debate in the Legislature. It requires builders of specialized projects to enter into mitigation agreements in which they’d either have to create new wetlands to replace what they build on – or simply pay for wetland development and the D-N-R’s effort to encourage it. Supporters said the measure will boost the economy and provide jobs. Opponents fear it cause a large reduction in Wisconsin’s wetlands – which provide flood control and habitat for wildlife.

Noah’s Ark Under New Ownership

3/4/12 - It’s billed as “America’s Largest Water-park. Noah’s Ark in Wisconsin Dells has been sold to Palace Entertainment of Newport Beach California. Turk and Jack Waterman created Noah’s Ark in 1979, and Tim and Dan Gantz bought it in 1994. It’s been expanded a number of times. And it now includes 51 water rides, other games, and two hotels. Tim Gantz said Palace was looking a Midwest property when sales talks began a year-and-a-half ago. A preliminary agreement was reached last fall. Tim said he and his brother decided to sell Noah’s Ark to Palace Entertainment only after being assured the firm would treat the employees well and re-invest in the water park. Palace said it understands how important the park is in the Wisconsin Dells community -- and they’re dedicated to quote, “enhancing the Noah’s Ark brand.”

Discover Dodge Breakfast with Klett Tix Available

3/4/12 - Tickets are available for the inaugural fundraising event for a new organization promoting tourism in Dodge County. Discover Dodge was formed last fall to fill the void left by last year’s disbanding of the Dodge County Tourism Association. Board member Phil Fritsche with the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce says the eleven member board is comprised of representatives from all the local cities along with villages and towns from all four corners of the county. A new visitor’s guide is being printed and a new website will be launched at mid-month. Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett will be the keynote speaker at the group’s First Annual Breakfast, which is scheduled for Friday, March 23 from 7:30am to 9am at the Iron Ridge Inn Restaurant. Fritsche says tickets can be purchased throughout the county, including at the offices of the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce.

Kennedy Holds Listening Session Tuesday

3/4/12 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy has listening sessions scheduled on Tuesday. Kennedy says city residents are invited to meet with him, one-on-one, without appointment on the first and third Tuesday of every month. He says it is important that constituents have the opportunity to speak with him the day after each regular meeting of the common council. The sessions are held in Room 109 on the first floor of City Hall from 10am until noon and again from 5pm to 6pm. Kennedy also makes himself available for private meetings by appointment by contacting the mayor office.