Tax Rate Could Be Lower in Dodge County in 2009
10/22/08 - Dodge County’s tax rate is expected to be lower in 2009 than it was this year. That’s according to County Board of Supervisors Chairman Russ Kottke who presented the proposed budget at the board’s monthly meeting last night. The proposed tax rate for 2009 is $5.08 per $1,000 of assessed value, down from 5.20 in ’08. That means a person whose property is valued at $100,000 would pay a little more than $500 in taxes. The 2% cap on property tax levy increases means the county was able to raise their total levy by around $583,000 for a total of $31-million. Kottke calls the budget a good one that we can live with. The budget will now go before the finance committee for review before being brought in front of the full board for approval on November 12th.
Nehls: “More Than One Group Of Burglars”
10/22/08 - Sheriff Todd Nehls says there is likely more than one group responsible for the rash of recentburglaries in the Dodge County area. Nehls says one group targets businesses during the overnight hours and the other targets businesses and residences during the day. We started the week off with two church burglaries a block apart from each other on North Center Street/ Highway 33 in Beaver Dam. In both of those incidents, a window was broken to gain access and a small amount of cash was taken. Mane Stage Hair Salon on South Spring Street was also burglarized. There were four residential burglaries reported in Dodge County this week. Four guns were stolen from a house on East Main Street in Beaver Dam. Two others occurred on Highway 33 in the Town of Hubbard; money was taken in one burglary, a big screen TV was stolen in the other. There was also a breaking and entering report in the Village of Reeseville on South Main Street; an iPod and money were taken. In most cases, a window was broken to gain access. Nehls cautions that daytime burglars are the most dangerous and the most brazen. He says if someone breaks into your home, call 911 immediately and leave the phone line open as long as possible. Nehls says even if you’re unable to speak, authorities will know where you are.
Fox Lake Child Stalker Enters Into Plea Agreement
10/22/08 - A Fox Lake man entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors yesterday to charges that he attempted to abduct two girls. Daniel Stranc pleaded “no contest” to two felony counts of Child Enticement and had charges of Drug Possession and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor dismissed but read into the record. The 37-year-old made contact twice with two juveniles during an 18-hour period last May in the Town of Fox Lake. According to the criminal complaint, he repeatedly drove by a young juvenile girl on Spring Road asking if she needed a ride. After turning around, he tried to grab her and put her in his van. Stranc also offered preteen girls marijuana at a birthday party before he was asked to leave. Stranc withdrew a “not guilty by reason of insanity” plea. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered and a Sentencing Hearing will be held at a later date.
Soda Machine Ringleader Gets Five Years
10/22/08 - In Dodge County court yesterday, the ringleader in a series of soda machine break-ins was sentenced to five years in prison. Andrew “Chubbs” Poad is said to have worked with as many as a dozen accomplices in soda machine break-ins that spanned five counties, causing $30,000 worth of damage to 80 soda machines. According to the criminal complaint, the 23-year-old Poad says he “came up with the idea because he needed money” and “admitted he was uncomfortable with anyone doing work” except him. In all instances, a crowbar was used to pry open the front panel and gain entry to the coin box. Poad pleaded “no contest” to two felony charges of Criminal Damage and had two other felonies and 44 misdemeanor counts of Entry Into Locked Coin Box dismissed but read into the record. Poad was the only member of the group to be charged with a felony. His accomplices range in age from 18 to 20-years-old and acted primarily as drivers or lookouts. Five of them have already been sentenced to between two and five months, and sixth is awaiting sentencing. The remaining cases are still making their way through the court system. All those convicted will be responsible for splitting nearly $30,000 in restitution costs.
Two Dodge County Prisons Go Electric
10/22/08 - Two Dodge County prisons are among13 beefing-up security with electrified stun-fences. The State Building Commission allocated four-million-dollars for the project in 2005 with the goal of preventing inmates from escaping. The Dodge Correctional Institution and the Fox Lake Correctional Institution are both slated to “go electric” along with Taycheedah Correctional Institution in Fond du Lac. Construction began in August on the beefed-up fence at the Oshkosh prison – and it’s expected to be completed in the next month. Warden Judy Smith says it will not change her prison’s security practices. Watch-towers will still be manned. Corrections’ spokesman John Dipko says the fences will put out a non-lethal current to knock down an inmate or an intruder before they can get to the fences’ razor-wiring. He says it should prevent inmates who do try to escape from being harmed.
Heating Costs Not as Bad as Originally Predicted
10/22/08 - The price of gasoline is not the only thing plunging these days. Natural gas is down, too. And Steve Schultz with Alliant Energy says he expects customers to pay just 8 to 12% more this winter, down from the 50-percent increase they projected in July. Schultz says the average customer’s bill last year was around $920 for the winter heating season that runs October through March. That means a customer would pay around $90 more dollars if the increase this year is 10-percent. Schultz says the weather will be the determining factor.
Vigil to Honor Murdered UW-M Student
10/22/08 - A vigil will be held tonight at U-W Milwaukee to remember a student who was recently murdered. Haroon Kahn was killed October first by a man who obsessed over Kahn’s rare expensive sports car. The accused killer, Travis Zoellick of Watertown, killed himself two days later. His girlfriend of two weeks – Tammi LaFave of Delafield – has been charged with helping him carry out the murder. She told authorities that if she didn’t, Zoellick might have broken up with her. The U-W-M Student Association says tonight’s vigil will serve as a reminder that the university community is united against violence and hate.
Poll: Double Digit Lead for Obama in Wisconsin
10/22/08 - Another poll gives Democrat Barack Obama a double-digit lead for Wisconsin’s 10 presidential electoral votes. Saint Norbert College of De Pere has Obama up 51-to-38 percent over Republican John McCain. The college interviewed 400 Wisconsin adults from October ninth through last Friday. Sixty-one percent said the economy is the top issue – and 55-percent say Obama is more able to handle it.
Incumbent Congressman Faces Opposition
10/22/08 - Longtime incumbent Republican Tom Petri (left) is facing opposition this year for his Sixth Congressional District seat. Democrat Roger Kittelson (right) of Lomira has an educational background in Political Science and Agricultural Economics and previously served two internships in the state capitol and one in Washington. Kittelson says he is against the war in Iraq, believes all Americans should have affordable health care and says “No Child Left Behind” legislation should be repealed.
Petri, who sits on the House Education Committee, says there are problems with “No Child Left Behind” but they are workable. The Republican from Fond du Lac suggests implementing “interactive testing” a new form of test taking that actively customizes each exam to the skill level of the student. Petri says the “interactive tests” would level the playing field, closing the gaps between students with learning disabilities and advanced skills.
Petri and Kittelson were both against the $700 billion dollar financial bailout plan approved this month. In fact, Kittelson urged Petri to vote against the bill on the same day president Bush called on Petri to support the measure. Petri says he agreed more with Kittelson.
Local Banking Panel on Community Comment
10/22/08 - “What is the financial health of our local banks and credit unions? What has been the impact of bad housing loans on local institutions?” and “Are my savings safe?” We’ll seek to answer these questions and more on WBEV’s Community Comment this afternoon. We’ve assembled a panel of local bankers from National Exchange, American National, Farmers and Merchants, Horicon Bank and Dodge Central Credit Union to offer their insight into our current financial situation. Community Comment airs weekdays immediately following the WBEV noon news.
10/22/08 - Dodge County’s tax rate is expected to be lower in 2009 than it was this year. That’s according to County Board of Supervisors Chairman Russ Kottke who presented the proposed budget at the board’s monthly meeting last night. The proposed tax rate for 2009 is $5.08 per $1,000 of assessed value, down from 5.20 in ’08. That means a person whose property is valued at $100,000 would pay a little more than $500 in taxes. The 2% cap on property tax levy increases means the county was able to raise their total levy by around $583,000 for a total of $31-million. Kottke calls the budget a good one that we can live with. The budget will now go before the finance committee for review before being brought in front of the full board for approval on November 12th.
Nehls: “More Than One Group Of Burglars”
10/22/08 - Sheriff Todd Nehls says there is likely more than one group responsible for the rash of recentburglaries in the Dodge County area. Nehls says one group targets businesses during the overnight hours and the other targets businesses and residences during the day. We started the week off with two church burglaries a block apart from each other on North Center Street/ Highway 33 in Beaver Dam. In both of those incidents, a window was broken to gain access and a small amount of cash was taken. Mane Stage Hair Salon on South Spring Street was also burglarized. There were four residential burglaries reported in Dodge County this week. Four guns were stolen from a house on East Main Street in Beaver Dam. Two others occurred on Highway 33 in the Town of Hubbard; money was taken in one burglary, a big screen TV was stolen in the other. There was also a breaking and entering report in the Village of Reeseville on South Main Street; an iPod and money were taken. In most cases, a window was broken to gain access. Nehls cautions that daytime burglars are the most dangerous and the most brazen. He says if someone breaks into your home, call 911 immediately and leave the phone line open as long as possible. Nehls says even if you’re unable to speak, authorities will know where you are.
Fox Lake Child Stalker Enters Into Plea Agreement
10/22/08 - A Fox Lake man entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors yesterday to charges that he attempted to abduct two girls. Daniel Stranc pleaded “no contest” to two felony counts of Child Enticement and had charges of Drug Possession and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor dismissed but read into the record. The 37-year-old made contact twice with two juveniles during an 18-hour period last May in the Town of Fox Lake. According to the criminal complaint, he repeatedly drove by a young juvenile girl on Spring Road asking if she needed a ride. After turning around, he tried to grab her and put her in his van. Stranc also offered preteen girls marijuana at a birthday party before he was asked to leave. Stranc withdrew a “not guilty by reason of insanity” plea. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered and a Sentencing Hearing will be held at a later date.
Soda Machine Ringleader Gets Five Years
10/22/08 - In Dodge County court yesterday, the ringleader in a series of soda machine break-ins was sentenced to five years in prison. Andrew “Chubbs” Poad is said to have worked with as many as a dozen accomplices in soda machine break-ins that spanned five counties, causing $30,000 worth of damage to 80 soda machines. According to the criminal complaint, the 23-year-old Poad says he “came up with the idea because he needed money” and “admitted he was uncomfortable with anyone doing work” except him. In all instances, a crowbar was used to pry open the front panel and gain entry to the coin box. Poad pleaded “no contest” to two felony charges of Criminal Damage and had two other felonies and 44 misdemeanor counts of Entry Into Locked Coin Box dismissed but read into the record. Poad was the only member of the group to be charged with a felony. His accomplices range in age from 18 to 20-years-old and acted primarily as drivers or lookouts. Five of them have already been sentenced to between two and five months, and sixth is awaiting sentencing. The remaining cases are still making their way through the court system. All those convicted will be responsible for splitting nearly $30,000 in restitution costs.
Two Dodge County Prisons Go Electric
10/22/08 - Two Dodge County prisons are among13 beefing-up security with electrified stun-fences. The State Building Commission allocated four-million-dollars for the project in 2005 with the goal of preventing inmates from escaping. The Dodge Correctional Institution and the Fox Lake Correctional Institution are both slated to “go electric” along with Taycheedah Correctional Institution in Fond du Lac. Construction began in August on the beefed-up fence at the Oshkosh prison – and it’s expected to be completed in the next month. Warden Judy Smith says it will not change her prison’s security practices. Watch-towers will still be manned. Corrections’ spokesman John Dipko says the fences will put out a non-lethal current to knock down an inmate or an intruder before they can get to the fences’ razor-wiring. He says it should prevent inmates who do try to escape from being harmed.
Heating Costs Not as Bad as Originally Predicted
10/22/08 - The price of gasoline is not the only thing plunging these days. Natural gas is down, too. And Steve Schultz with Alliant Energy says he expects customers to pay just 8 to 12% more this winter, down from the 50-percent increase they projected in July. Schultz says the average customer’s bill last year was around $920 for the winter heating season that runs October through March. That means a customer would pay around $90 more dollars if the increase this year is 10-percent. Schultz says the weather will be the determining factor.
Vigil to Honor Murdered UW-M Student
10/22/08 - A vigil will be held tonight at U-W Milwaukee to remember a student who was recently murdered. Haroon Kahn was killed October first by a man who obsessed over Kahn’s rare expensive sports car. The accused killer, Travis Zoellick of Watertown, killed himself two days later. His girlfriend of two weeks – Tammi LaFave of Delafield – has been charged with helping him carry out the murder. She told authorities that if she didn’t, Zoellick might have broken up with her. The U-W-M Student Association says tonight’s vigil will serve as a reminder that the university community is united against violence and hate.
Poll: Double Digit Lead for Obama in Wisconsin
10/22/08 - Another poll gives Democrat Barack Obama a double-digit lead for Wisconsin’s 10 presidential electoral votes. Saint Norbert College of De Pere has Obama up 51-to-38 percent over Republican John McCain. The college interviewed 400 Wisconsin adults from October ninth through last Friday. Sixty-one percent said the economy is the top issue – and 55-percent say Obama is more able to handle it.
Incumbent Congressman Faces Opposition
10/22/08 - Longtime incumbent Republican Tom Petri (left) is facing opposition this year for his Sixth Congressional District seat. Democrat Roger Kittelson (right) of Lomira has an educational background in Political Science and Agricultural Economics and previously served two internships in the state capitol and one in Washington. Kittelson says he is against the war in Iraq, believes all Americans should have affordable health care and says “No Child Left Behind” legislation should be repealed.
Petri, who sits on the House Education Committee, says there are problems with “No Child Left Behind” but they are workable. The Republican from Fond du Lac suggests implementing “interactive testing” a new form of test taking that actively customizes each exam to the skill level of the student. Petri says the “interactive tests” would level the playing field, closing the gaps between students with learning disabilities and advanced skills.
Petri and Kittelson were both against the $700 billion dollar financial bailout plan approved this month. In fact, Kittelson urged Petri to vote against the bill on the same day president Bush called on Petri to support the measure. Petri says he agreed more with Kittelson.
Local Banking Panel on Community Comment
10/22/08 - “What is the financial health of our local banks and credit unions? What has been the impact of bad housing loans on local institutions?” and “Are my savings safe?” We’ll seek to answer these questions and more on WBEV’s Community Comment this afternoon. We’ve assembled a panel of local bankers from National Exchange, American National, Farmers and Merchants, Horicon Bank and Dodge Central Credit Union to offer their insight into our current financial situation. Community Comment airs weekdays immediately following the WBEV noon news.
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