6” to 12” of Snow Expected
12/18/08 - Our area is bracing for another snow storm lasting tonight through tomorrow morning. Predictions have snow totals ranging from 6 to 12-inches around here. Milwaukee expects 9-to-10 inches – Madison 7-to-9 inches. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for tonight and tomorrow morning. And those who don’t get snow will get brutal cold temperatures instead. It was 20-below in Land O’Lakes at five this morning. Wind-chills in Bayfield today could get down to minus-35, and minus-30 in Superior. The weather service says the snow will arrive when a low-pressure system from the Rocky Mountains moves into northern Missouri tonight. A break is expected tomorrow night and Saturday – but forecasters say another major storm could hit the Badger State on Sunday.
Boy Uninjured in Rollover
12/18/08 - A 16-year-old boy was involved in a rollover accident yesterday afternoon. The Dodge County Sheriffs Department tells us the boy was driving on Oakwood Road just after 3 near the roads intersection with Highway 151 when he lost control of the car and rolled it. He was uninjured and was cited for failure to have control of his vehicle.
Suspected Arsonist Deemed Competent to Stand Trial
12/18/08 - The 33-year-old Burnett woman suspected of setting an apartment fire in Horicon last month has been found competent to stand trial. A competency hearing was held for Jamie Allen in Dodge County court yesterday. Judge Steven Bauer found Allen competent enough to stand trial on an arson charge. She is suspected of setting a fire in her apartment unit while she lived in Horicon. According to the criminal complaint, Allen admitted to using a lighter to ignite a curtain in the doorway of her bedroom and clothes in her closet. She then left the apartment locking the door behind her. No one was hurt in the incident, but the blaze caused about $14,000 in damage. (KFIZ)
Major Highway Back Open in Fox Lake
12/18/08 - Highway P in Fox Lake is finally back open to the public. That’s according to Fox Lake City Administrator Bill Petracek, who says the orange barrels were removed Monday afternoon. The road has been closed since the middle of June after flood waters washed out the culvert near the highways intersection with Highway 33. The total bill for the project was just less than $600,000 with the cost being split between the city and township. Its completion was about two weeks late. Petracek says he was told about a month ago that the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA would not be funding the project so he’s currently in contact with the Federal Highway Administration in an attempt to get financial help for the construction.
Garbage Overhaul Coming to Fox Lake
12/18/08 - The city of Fox Lake is planning to overhaul its garbage pick up system. The current system makes residents buy $1 dollar stickers and place them on every bag they want picked up but City Administrator Bill Petracek says it’s an inefficient system that’s way overdue to be replaced. The plan is to present the council with an ordinance that would add a garbage fee to a resident’s monthly utility bill. Though the plan is only in its infancy the monthly fee is expected to be less than $10.
Columbus Mayoral Race Filling Up
12/18/08 - It looks like there’ll be some familiar faces in city of Columbus politics running for mayor. Former Columbus Mayor Art Westergaard Jr., who resigned amid controversy in 2006, is running for his old seat. Columbus officials tell us that Westergaard has submitted his Declaration of Candidacy papers and is currently collecting signatures. Another former mayor, Peter Kaland has also submitted his candidacy papers and is circulating signatures. Former Columbus alderman and school board member Bob Link has filed candidacy papers and signatures. The same goes for Incumbent Mayor Nancy Osterhaus, who is seeking a second term.
Horicon Council Will Change
12/18/08 - There will be at least one new alderperson in Horicon after April’s election. That’s because current 1st Ward Alderman Doug Psenicka has filed his Non-Candidacy Papers. Third Ward Alderman Ted Pyrek, who joined the board after Don Butler resigned, has submitted his Declaration of Candidacy papers. Two other alderpersons, Jack Flouro and John Forester, are up for re-election but have not filed anything as of yet. Candidates have until December 26th to declare their non-candidacy. Anyone wishing to run must have their Declaration of Candidacy papers in by January 6th.
Sisk Denied Plea Change
12/18/08 - The purported ring-leader in the Portage “House-of-Horrors” case cannot back out of a plea deal. That’s what a Columbia County judge said yesterday. The judge found that 26-year-old Michael Sisk knew what he was doing when he struck a plea deal on 10 charges, including second-degree reckless homicide. Sisk thought he would be spared of a life sentence – but he later realized he could still spend the rest of his life behind bars. In court yesterday, Sisk said he was just tired of dealing with the case – and his potential total sentence didn’t register with him until a few days after he pleaded. Sisk won’t know what his actual sentence will be until December 30th. Authorities said he was part of a group of traveling identity thieves who turned on each other after they moved to a house in Portage almost two years ago. A police officer was checking on a toddler’s welfare in June of 2007 when he found Tammie Garlin buried in the back yard, and Garlin’s son burned-and-battered. He was 11 at the time.
Gaugert Going To Jail
12/18/08 - A 47-year-old Juneau man was sentenced to eight months in jail for fleeing from authorities while drunk. Sheriffs Deputies attempted to pull over Dean Gaugert last July but he didn’t stop, and instead fled down a long gravel driveway and around the back of some farm buildings before the deputy was able to take him into custody. The 47-year-old Gaugert, who has not had a valid driver’s license since 1997, was also placed on probation for two years and ordered to maintain absolute sobriety.
GAB Ruled Against Zeigler
12/18/08 - The Government Accountability Board rules Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler has to dissolve her blind trusts and reveal family assets to the public. State regulators say the way Ziegler set up the trust violates federal rules. One of her trustees is a relative. Ziegler has been reprimanded in the past for violating ethics rules when she had served as a circuit court judge on a case involving a bank where her husband was a paid director. In a letter, Ziegler said a former Ethics Board director had commended her for her plan to create the trusts.
Tobacco Quit Line Sets Record
12/18/08 - A record 39-thousand smokers called the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line this year, to get help in kicking-the-habit. That’s almost a third of the 122-thousand people who’ve gotten help in the eight years the hotline has existed. Health services secretary Karen Timberlake cites the $1 per pack cigarette tax increase and the growing number of public places that have gone smoke-free this year. The Quit Line has expanded its services to include free, two-week starter kits of medications designed to help kick nicotine addiction. The federal government reports that the percentage of Wisconsin adults who smoke dropped below 20-percent this year for the first time. The Quit Line is available every day from 7am until 11pm at 800-QUIT-NOW.
Deer Donations Up
12/18/08 - Wisconsin hunters have donated over 65-hundred deer to a program that helps feed the hungry. D-N-R secretary Matt Frank says the venison puts high-quality protein on the table. Frank says there’s still a big need to be met – and he encourages those hunting in the late deer seasons through January fourth to consider donating their meat to local food pantries. The donations are made through meat processors. 123 of them are participating this year, from 55 of the state’s 72 counties. All deer from the zones with chronic wasting disease are tested for the condition before processing. In the last nine years, the D-N-R says over 68-thousand deer have been donated – and over three-million pounds of venison have gone to the needy.
Jobless Claims Higher
12/18/08 - New claims for unemployment benefits for 2008 in Wisconsin are 15-percent higher than a year ago. According to the state’s preliminary figures, about 40-thousand more people have filed initial benefit claims in the first 50 weeks of the year, than in the same period in 2007. When the last five weeks are considered separately, new claims were up 41-percent.
12/18/08 - Our area is bracing for another snow storm lasting tonight through tomorrow morning. Predictions have snow totals ranging from 6 to 12-inches around here. Milwaukee expects 9-to-10 inches – Madison 7-to-9 inches. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for tonight and tomorrow morning. And those who don’t get snow will get brutal cold temperatures instead. It was 20-below in Land O’Lakes at five this morning. Wind-chills in Bayfield today could get down to minus-35, and minus-30 in Superior. The weather service says the snow will arrive when a low-pressure system from the Rocky Mountains moves into northern Missouri tonight. A break is expected tomorrow night and Saturday – but forecasters say another major storm could hit the Badger State on Sunday.
Boy Uninjured in Rollover
12/18/08 - A 16-year-old boy was involved in a rollover accident yesterday afternoon. The Dodge County Sheriffs Department tells us the boy was driving on Oakwood Road just after 3 near the roads intersection with Highway 151 when he lost control of the car and rolled it. He was uninjured and was cited for failure to have control of his vehicle.
Suspected Arsonist Deemed Competent to Stand Trial
12/18/08 - The 33-year-old Burnett woman suspected of setting an apartment fire in Horicon last month has been found competent to stand trial. A competency hearing was held for Jamie Allen in Dodge County court yesterday. Judge Steven Bauer found Allen competent enough to stand trial on an arson charge. She is suspected of setting a fire in her apartment unit while she lived in Horicon. According to the criminal complaint, Allen admitted to using a lighter to ignite a curtain in the doorway of her bedroom and clothes in her closet. She then left the apartment locking the door behind her. No one was hurt in the incident, but the blaze caused about $14,000 in damage. (KFIZ)
Major Highway Back Open in Fox Lake
12/18/08 - Highway P in Fox Lake is finally back open to the public. That’s according to Fox Lake City Administrator Bill Petracek, who says the orange barrels were removed Monday afternoon. The road has been closed since the middle of June after flood waters washed out the culvert near the highways intersection with Highway 33. The total bill for the project was just less than $600,000 with the cost being split between the city and township. Its completion was about two weeks late. Petracek says he was told about a month ago that the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA would not be funding the project so he’s currently in contact with the Federal Highway Administration in an attempt to get financial help for the construction.
Garbage Overhaul Coming to Fox Lake
12/18/08 - The city of Fox Lake is planning to overhaul its garbage pick up system. The current system makes residents buy $1 dollar stickers and place them on every bag they want picked up but City Administrator Bill Petracek says it’s an inefficient system that’s way overdue to be replaced. The plan is to present the council with an ordinance that would add a garbage fee to a resident’s monthly utility bill. Though the plan is only in its infancy the monthly fee is expected to be less than $10.
Columbus Mayoral Race Filling Up
12/18/08 - It looks like there’ll be some familiar faces in city of Columbus politics running for mayor. Former Columbus Mayor Art Westergaard Jr., who resigned amid controversy in 2006, is running for his old seat. Columbus officials tell us that Westergaard has submitted his Declaration of Candidacy papers and is currently collecting signatures. Another former mayor, Peter Kaland has also submitted his candidacy papers and is circulating signatures. Former Columbus alderman and school board member Bob Link has filed candidacy papers and signatures. The same goes for Incumbent Mayor Nancy Osterhaus, who is seeking a second term.
Horicon Council Will Change
12/18/08 - There will be at least one new alderperson in Horicon after April’s election. That’s because current 1st Ward Alderman Doug Psenicka has filed his Non-Candidacy Papers. Third Ward Alderman Ted Pyrek, who joined the board after Don Butler resigned, has submitted his Declaration of Candidacy papers. Two other alderpersons, Jack Flouro and John Forester, are up for re-election but have not filed anything as of yet. Candidates have until December 26th to declare their non-candidacy. Anyone wishing to run must have their Declaration of Candidacy papers in by January 6th.
Sisk Denied Plea Change
12/18/08 - The purported ring-leader in the Portage “House-of-Horrors” case cannot back out of a plea deal. That’s what a Columbia County judge said yesterday. The judge found that 26-year-old Michael Sisk knew what he was doing when he struck a plea deal on 10 charges, including second-degree reckless homicide. Sisk thought he would be spared of a life sentence – but he later realized he could still spend the rest of his life behind bars. In court yesterday, Sisk said he was just tired of dealing with the case – and his potential total sentence didn’t register with him until a few days after he pleaded. Sisk won’t know what his actual sentence will be until December 30th. Authorities said he was part of a group of traveling identity thieves who turned on each other after they moved to a house in Portage almost two years ago. A police officer was checking on a toddler’s welfare in June of 2007 when he found Tammie Garlin buried in the back yard, and Garlin’s son burned-and-battered. He was 11 at the time.
Gaugert Going To Jail
12/18/08 - A 47-year-old Juneau man was sentenced to eight months in jail for fleeing from authorities while drunk. Sheriffs Deputies attempted to pull over Dean Gaugert last July but he didn’t stop, and instead fled down a long gravel driveway and around the back of some farm buildings before the deputy was able to take him into custody. The 47-year-old Gaugert, who has not had a valid driver’s license since 1997, was also placed on probation for two years and ordered to maintain absolute sobriety.
GAB Ruled Against Zeigler
12/18/08 - The Government Accountability Board rules Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler has to dissolve her blind trusts and reveal family assets to the public. State regulators say the way Ziegler set up the trust violates federal rules. One of her trustees is a relative. Ziegler has been reprimanded in the past for violating ethics rules when she had served as a circuit court judge on a case involving a bank where her husband was a paid director. In a letter, Ziegler said a former Ethics Board director had commended her for her plan to create the trusts.
Tobacco Quit Line Sets Record
12/18/08 - A record 39-thousand smokers called the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line this year, to get help in kicking-the-habit. That’s almost a third of the 122-thousand people who’ve gotten help in the eight years the hotline has existed. Health services secretary Karen Timberlake cites the $1 per pack cigarette tax increase and the growing number of public places that have gone smoke-free this year. The Quit Line has expanded its services to include free, two-week starter kits of medications designed to help kick nicotine addiction. The federal government reports that the percentage of Wisconsin adults who smoke dropped below 20-percent this year for the first time. The Quit Line is available every day from 7am until 11pm at 800-QUIT-NOW.
Deer Donations Up
12/18/08 - Wisconsin hunters have donated over 65-hundred deer to a program that helps feed the hungry. D-N-R secretary Matt Frank says the venison puts high-quality protein on the table. Frank says there’s still a big need to be met – and he encourages those hunting in the late deer seasons through January fourth to consider donating their meat to local food pantries. The donations are made through meat processors. 123 of them are participating this year, from 55 of the state’s 72 counties. All deer from the zones with chronic wasting disease are tested for the condition before processing. In the last nine years, the D-N-R says over 68-thousand deer have been donated – and over three-million pounds of venison have gone to the needy.
Jobless Claims Higher
12/18/08 - New claims for unemployment benefits for 2008 in Wisconsin are 15-percent higher than a year ago. According to the state’s preliminary figures, about 40-thousand more people have filed initial benefit claims in the first 50 weeks of the year, than in the same period in 2007. When the last five weeks are considered separately, new claims were up 41-percent.
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