Top Stories, March 7th

Unleaded Flirting With $4 Mark

4/7/12 - Wisconsin gas prices are still teetering near the four-dollar mark for Easter weekend. Wisconsin Gas Prices.com says the average price of unleaded regular was 3.93-a-gallon around the state today. That’s just over a penny less than yesterday, and its six-cents lower than a week ago. Prices for mid-grade and premium fuel are well above four dollars. The price of unleaded regular in Beaver Dam is between $3.79 and $3.88 cents per gallon.

Easter Travel Could Be Affected By Early Construction

4/7/12 - The warm winter and early arrival of spring has started road construction season early. It’s now in full operation all over the state of Wisconsin. Many asphalt plants are said to be up and running far earlier than normal. The state of Wisconsin has an estimated 450 road improvement projects for the spring and summer. Some are the continuation of major projects already underway for some time, including lane restrictions on Highway 151 through Dodge County in the Beaver Dam-area. Travel could be impacted noticeably by some of the bigger projects like work on the Wisconsin River Bridge in Columbia County and I-94 work in Kenosha, Milwaukee and Eau Claire counties.

Waupun Woman Injured In Rollover

4/7/12 - One person was injured in a rollover accident Friday afternoon in the Town of Westford. According to the Dodge County Sheriffs Department, the accident occurred on County Trunk C at 12:45pm. Molly Buiter was transported to Waupun Hospital. The accident is under investigation.

Fire Danger ‘High’ To ‘Very High’

4/7/12 - Fire officials say the danger of fire is high to very high right now. It’s expected to stay like that throughout the Easter holiday weekend. National Weather Service meteorologists predict a high pressure system will keep the humidity low and gusty winds will be accompanied by little or no precipitation. Emergency burning restrictions for parts of northwestern Wisconsin have been expanded to four more counties. All burn permits have been suspended.

Kwik Trip Recalling Glazer Donuts

4/7/12 - Wisconsin is among three states where Kwik Trip, Incorporated, is recalling some doughnuts because they contain undeclared traces of egg. The recall applies to all Glazers Donuts. Any one allergic to eggs could be at risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they eat the product. The La Crosse-based chain of convenience stores says it ordered the recall after it found out one of its suppliers had added the egg to a key ingredient. The corporation says the problem has been fixed and there have been no reports of illness, serious or otherwise. Consumers who bought the doughnuts and are allergic to eggs should return them for a refund.

Jefferson County Ethanol Producer Paying $17K

4/7/12 - The state Justice Department has settled an action with Jefferson County ethanol production Valero Renewable Fuels. The state's complaint alleges Valero violated Wisconsin's air pollution laws between February 2010 and June 2010 when it operated the facility in violation of its air pollution permit and Wisconsin law. When Valero acquired the Jefferson County plant in early February 2010 from the bankrupt company Renew Energy, the plant already had significant compliance issues and was operating in violation of its permit. The company has agreed to pay $17,000 in forfeitures and statutory surcharges. The stipulated settlement and order for judgment was approved by a Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge on Wednesday.

Waupun Deputy Police Chief Retiring

4/7/12 - After 33-years on the job, Mindy Hendricks is walking away. The Waupun Deputy Police Chief plans to retire in the middle of May. Hendricks was the first female officer on the force when she started in 1979. The question now is how the department plans to replace her, or if they will at all. During the mayoral campaign challengers Jay Graff and Todd Snow suggested doing away with the position and restructuring the administrative side of the department. Mayor Jodi Steger, who earned a fifth two-year term in Tuesday’s election, says the topic will be broached with city leaders and Police Chief Dale Heeringa. She cautioned, though, that their first priority would be the safety of the community.

Agnesian Managing Christian Home and Rehab Center

4/7/12 - The Christian Home and Rehabilitation Center in Waupun is under new day-to-day management. Agnesian HealthCare recently signed a management and services agreement that’s designed to increase the impact of the center’s programs and services in the city. The center will continue to be run by its board of directors but will see Agnesian HealthCare act as an independent contractor. Officials with Agnesian say they’ll utilize the experience they’ve gained at their St. Francis Home to help out in Waupun.

Bob Uecker’s Son Dies From Fungal Disease

4/7/12 - The 52-year-old son of Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Uecker has died. Steve Uecker passed away yesterday in Milwaukee’s Froedtert Hospital from complications related to San Joaquin Valley fever. The disease is caused by a fungus which can enter the body through the lungs. Uecker is survived by his mother, a brother and a sister and several nieces. Bob Uecker issued a statement, calling it “a very difficult time” for the family, thanking the Brewers and their fans for their support.

Democrat’s Criticize Walker Bills

4/7/12 - Pro-Life Wisconsin is praising Governor Scott Walker for signing what it calls “common sense bills that protect children, women and taxpayers.” A bill to ban abortion coverage through policies obtained through a health insurance exchange would include exceptions only in cases of rape, incest or medical necessity. The bills Walker signed Friday numbered more than 50, including one which requires doctors to consult privately with women seeking an abortion and another mandating sex education teachers stress abstinence. Many Democrats call the bills an attack on women, saying Walker signed the legislation behind closed doors last Thursday and Friday. Though he started signing the Republican-sponsored legislation on Thursday, no announcement was made until Friday.

Recall Organizer Charged With Election Fraud

4/7/12 - A Racine man, accused of signing phony signatures on recall petitions aimed at state Senator Van Wanggard has pleaded not guilty. Mark Demet allegedly signed the names of others onto petitions he circulated. He’s been charged with two counts of election fraud and seven counts of identity theft. The 59-year-old was offered a deal that included dropping the ID theft charges in a return for a plea to election fraud, but he rejected that. He will return to Racine County Circuit Court the middle of next month. Demet is also under investigation in Kenosha County, accused of doing the same thing. One of the names in that case was that of his dead father. No charges have yet been filed there.

Sheboygan Former Mayor Charged In Assault

4/7/12 - More troubles for former Sheboygan mayor Bob Ryan are coming out of the same drinking binge last July which eventually cost him his job. This time Ryan faces legal charges of misdemeanor sexual assault from that evening. Ryan was charged Thursday. He has an initial court appearance scheduled for April 23rd. Ryan’s time as Sheboygan’s mayor was sullied by a lawsuit for sexual harassment and several allegations of drunk and unpleasant behavior. The July incident in Elhart Lake included the mayor’s involvement in a scuffle and pictures of him passed out on a bar which were subsequently posted on the Internet. Afterward the mayor admitted he was an alcoholic, but insisted he did nothing illegal that night. It still led to him losing his job in city government last February.

Brew Crew Drops Season Opener

4/7/12 - The home opener for the Milwaukee Brewers started on a high note with two runs in the first. If the game could have ended there the 2012 season could have started off better. Instead, the St. Louis Cardinals pounded four home runs off Brewer starter Yovani Gallardo in an 11-5 victory. Gallardo couldn’t find the plate with five walks in less than four innings. When he did, the ball left the park. He’s now 1-7 in his career against the World Champion Cardinals. World Series hero David Freese, catcher Yadier Molina, and outfielders Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday all hit homers. Jaime Garcia went six innings to get the win. The middle of the Brewers’ lineup was disappointingly silent, with Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez going a combined 0h-for-nine. George Kottarus hit a home run for the home team, but the game had long been decided before that.