Top Stories October 27th

Fire Damages Allenton Business

10/27/08 - An early morning fire at a business in Allenton is estimated to have caused more than $200,000 worth of damage. According to a press release from the Allenton Fire Department, the blaze at Aidan O’Reilley’s Pub and Grill on Main St began around 3:30 this morning. When firefighters arrived they noticed smoke coming from the rear of the building. Firefighters from four departments fought the fire and were able to keep it from spreading to the attic and roof area. The fire was under control within a ½ hour of firefighter’s arrival and it was completely extinguished before 6:30. The business on the main floor and the three apartments on the second floor suffered damage but none of the occupants were injured as a result of the blaze. The Red Cross was called in to assist those people with housing and clothing needs. Highway 33 was closed for about 3 hours but the road is now back open to traffic.

Two Fires in Beaver Dam

10/27/08 - Beaver Dam firefighters were called out on two fire calls this weekend. The first occurred Saturday morning at Danly Die on Industrial Drive. Workers were cutting material when a spark ignited something within in a dust collector. Firefighters were able to contain the damage to the dust collector and were on the scene for about an hour. The second call came in just after 2pm yesterday for a chimney fire on Stone Ledge Rd. The fire was out before firefighters arrived and there was no damage.

Gas Prices at 18-Month Low

10/27/08 - Gas is at its cheapest price since March of last year. That’s according to WisconsinGasprices.com, which says the state average is $2.61 this morning. That’s 3-cents cheaper than the national average. In Beaver Dam a gallon of regular unleaded is 2.54. In Waupun its 2.59 while in Oconomowoc is 2.65. Fond du Lac and Watertown are both at 2.69. The high price in the state is 2.82 in Wisconsin Dells. Low price is 2.38 in Hudson.

Columbus Alcohol Compliance Check Nets 1 Violator

10/27/08 - Only one of the 11 businesses visited by Columbia County authorities sold alcohol to an underage person. That’s according to a press release from interim Columbus Chief of Police Dennis Weiner. In conjunction with the Columbia County Alcohol and Tobacco coalition, Weiner’s department visited the businesses that are licensed to serve or sell alcohol on Saturday. The lone business in violation was not named, but it did have a history of selling to underage customers in previous compliance checks. Weiner states the owner will be issued a citation and may face further sanctions against their liquor license due to being a repeat violator.

Law Says Employees Can Get of Work to Vote

10/27/08 - Election Day is a week from tomorrow – and Wisconsinites who cannot vote before or after their jobs are entitled to up to three hours off. Employers don’t have to pay for it, and they can choose the hours. But they must provide the time off to any employee who asks in advance. The little-known law has been on the books since 1945, and it’s one of the most generous in the nation. According to the National Federation of Independent Business, 20 states do not require employers to let their people vote during the work-day. Fourteen others allow just one-or-two hours. Neighboring Iowa allows three hours, just like Wisconsin. Kentucky is the only state that offers more, with four. Neighboring Minnesota requires a break for voting, but the time is not specified.

Madison Area Man Suspected in Terrorist Threat at RNC

10/27/08 - A Madison area man is the prime suspect in what’s being called a terrorist threat at last month’s Republican National Convention in Saint Paul. Dane County sheriff’s deputies searched the family home of 22-year-old David Clerkin last week in the town of Blooming Grove – and nothing was seized. Sheriff’s deputies in Saint Paul said Clerkin was one of two hooded men who were spotted dropping two large sandbags off a freeway overpass in Saint Paul on September first. One of them hit a bus taking delegates to the convention. No one was hurt. Clerkin told the Wisconsin State Journal he took part in protests at the convention because of a quote, “general disgust with what’s been going on in the country.” He also admitted being tied to a group that was thought to be planning violent disruptions at the convention. But Clerkin denied throwing the sandbag – which was holding a highway sign in place. Ramsey County sheriff’s officials in Saint Paul say they don’t have enough evidence to charge Clerkin, but they’re still investigating.