Top Stories May 4th

Columbus Man Bound Over For Chase In BD

5/4/12 - A Columbus man will proceed to trial on charges that he led police on a high speed chase in two stolen cars before fleeing on foot. During a preliminary hearing yesterday, a Dodge County judge found probable cause for Michael Lasiewicz to be bound over on felony charges of Fleeing an Officer. The 30-year-old’s former girlfriend called police in March to report Lasiewicz as an unwanted person at a South Spring Street apartment.  When authorities approached the unit, he fled in a vehicle registered to his ex, sparking a chase down South Center Street that reached speeds in excess of 100mph. Lasiewicz allegedly weaved through the yards of homes South Center and McIntosh Drive before crashing a mile south of Highway 151. He then fled on foot across a river and managed to elude a K9 unit even though police say he was in noticeable pain. Around 1:45am, Lasiewicz was said to be at a home on Canary Road. By the time authorities got on scene he was gone again, in another stolen vehicle. Ninety minutes later, he returned again to the South Spring Street apartment and was taken into custody. Lasiewicz is no stranger to local authorities. He escaped from a squad car last June and managed to elude police for almost two weeks before sparking a chase in Dodge County that ended with him in jail for seven months. And he is actively facing dozens of felony and misdemeanor charges for a variety of offenses in Columbia County. Lasiewicz is being held on a $50,000 cash bond; arraignment on the newest charge is scheduled later this month.

Weiss Appears on 6^th OWI Charge

5/4/12 - A Neosho man had cash bond set at $15,000 after being arrested for his sixth Operating While Intoxicated offense on Monday.  Authorities responded to reports of a car in a ditch on Pond Road in Rubicon at 5:30am. Corey Weiss was said to be the driver and lone occupant. Deputies approached the vehicle had noticed it struck several trees and had extensive front end damage. Also, Weiss was not wearing pants. The 42-year-old reportedly told authorities it was bladder related. His blood alcohol level was over the legal limit for driving at point-zero-nine-nine (.09). When asked how much he had to drink, Weiss allegedly told deputies (quote) “enough.” Sixth Offense OWI carries a maximum six year prison sentence, upon conviction. Weiss has a preliminary hearing on the calendar next week.

4^th Safest April on Wisconsin Highways

5/4/12 - Last month was tied for the fourth-safest April on Wisconsin highways since the end of World War Two in the 1940’s. Forty-one people were killed in crashes throughout the state last month. That was three more than the previous April, but seven fewer the average for the past five years. The D-O-T said 152 people lost their lives on Wisconsin roads in the first four months of this year. That’s 24 more than a year ago, but one fewer than the five-year average. Thirteen motorcyclists and nine pedestrians have been included in the 2012 death toll so far. Three people have been killed on Dodge County roadways to date. State Patrol Major Sandra Huxtable, who heads the D-O-T’s Bureau of Transportation Safety, said this year’s increase in deaths is due in large part to motorists not buckling up. She said drivers and passengers have been ejected, or tossed around violently within their vehicles. Huxtable says the D-O-T will again take part in the annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign around Memorial Day. Officers will make a larger effort to ticket those not wearing seat belts.

Judge Pushes for Settlement

5/4/12 - A bankruptcy judge ordered the Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese Thursday to begin what she called “meaningful settlement negotiations” with the church’s creditors. And depending how those talks go, Judge Susan Kelley said she might bring in a mediator to hammer out agreements as early as June. Kelley ordered the talks during a status conference into the Chapter-Seven bankruptcy case the Milwaukee Archdiocese filed more than a year ago. On another issue, Kelley said she would consider a public release of at least some of the depositions given by former Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert Weakland and retired Auxiliary Bishop Richard Sklba. Attorneys for abuse victims say the public release would disclose the extent of the priest sex abuse that took place over the last half-century. Kelley said the depositions would have names blacked out so victims are not identified. Suspected abusers who have not been previously identified would not have their names come out, either. The Milwaukee Archdiocese is comprised of ten southeastern Wisconsin counties, including Dodge County.

2^nd Annual Derby Day Fundraiser Tomorrow

5/4/12 - There will be a “Run For The Roses” in Beaver Dam tomorrow (Sat) as a Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser is planned to help fund an important women’s health program. The Beaver Dam Community Hospital is hosting their Second Annual Derby Day fundraising gala. Organizers say Derby Day is a re-creation of the Kentucky Derby that allows participants to witness a premier viewing of the first jewel in the Triple Crown, with all the festivities that come with it.  Connie Knight with the hospital’s Breast Health Program, says the funds raised tomorrow will be used for a Stereotactic Breast Biopsy System. Knight says the technology allows women to undergo the minimally invasive procedure without traveling to Madison. Only local anesthesia is used and results of the biopsy are available in a timely manner.  Tickets are $60 and include dinner and hors d’oeuvres, with all the proceeds going toward the Breast Health Program. The event also includes a raffle, live and silent auction and even a “Derby Hat” auction. Tickets will be available at the Old Hickory Golf Club. The bugle sounds at 3:30pm.

Nancy’s Notions Day Two

5/4/12 - Nancy’s Notions President and founder Nancy Zieman says her annual Sewing Expo has been a great way for her stay in contact with her customers and find new inspiration. Over 3000 sewing enthusiasts are expected throughout the course of the three-day expo, which is got underway Thursday. Zieman says 300 people turned out in 1985 when she held the grand opening of her first official warehouse in Beaver Dam. She says there’ll be more creative people in Beaver Dam this weekend than any other place in the country. She also expressed her thanks to local residents for their kindness and courtesy in helping out-of-towners find their way around the city and “rolling out the welcome mat.”

Heavy Traffic Expected This Weekend

5/4/12 - One of Wisconsin’s busiest roads could have some traffic tie-ups this weekend, when the fishing season begins. The D-O-T says drivers should allow extra time if they use the Wisconsin River bridge on Interstate 39-90-94 south of Portage. There’s construction work in the bridge area – and while the road is open, only two lanes are being used for traffic in each direction instead of the normal three. Officials also remind drivers they can get up-to-the-minute road reports by calling 5-1-1 or going online to 511WI-Dot-Gov.

BD Conservation Club Is Club of the Year

5/4/12 - The Beaver Dam Conservation Club has been named Conservation Club of the Year.  The local organization located on County Highway G was established in 1933. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress will recognize the Club at their Annual Convention next Friday in Manitowoc. Beaver Dam Conservationists President Dan McDermott says the recognition is quite an honor.  McDermott says one of his proudest accomplishments of the organization is the trap team assembled at the Beaver Dam High School last year. McDermott says the high school club attended its first tournament of the year this past weekend and placed third out of 118 teams. That earned the club $6500 for their endowment fund.

The following is a summary of the first tournament of the year for the high school trap team: The Beaver Dam #1 team finished in 3rd place out of 118 teams. The #1 Team members are Kraig Semple, Tyler Lepple, Colton Anderson, Hunter Hiley and Dave Mannel. The trophy will be at the gun club this week for all to see. Colton Anderson won third place in Varsity Boys with his 96 and Nolan Weinberger won 2nd place in Class AA with his 82. This was out of a total of 525 shooters. In the High Over, all top five trap scores combined with our top 3 wobble scores earned 4th place and $2500.00 to our endowment fund. The top 5 trap scores were Colton Anderson 96, Tyler Lepple 93, Kraig Semple 92, Hunter Hiley 88, and Justin Zuhlke 88. The top 3 wobble scores were Andre Kuzniewicz 12, Colton Anderson 10, and Bailey Buschke 8. Bailey Buschke was in 8th place in Intermediate boys and Stacy Rauscher was in 10th place in Varsity girls. All total the team earned $6500.00 for our endowment fund.