Winter Returns
12/29/08 - Winter returns to all of Wisconsin today, after a spike of warmth during the weekend. Places that were over 50-degrees on Saturday will have highs today in the upper-30s. And that’s before the mercury begins to plunge in the afternoon. You can thank a cold front for that. The National Weather Service says it will also bring snow to northern Wisconsin later today. The northwest could see some more flakes tonight. And then tomorrow, northern and central areas could get another 2-to-5 inches. Occasional light snow in our area could accumulate up to one inch in the afternoon and evening tomorrow. Saturday’s mild weather brought lots of fog, as well as flooding in some places. The Highway 41 expressway in Fond du Lac was closed Saturday, where melting snow created up to one-and-a-half feet of water at a construction site on 41 at Hickory Street. The road re-opened yesterday, just in time for Packer fans to get to Green Bay to watch the team’s win over Detroit.
Salt Consortium Suggested
12/29/08 - Wisconsin has more than its share of precious road salt among Midwest states. That’s according to officials in Ohio, which is recommending that the Midwest work together in managing the commodity. Ohio says states should cooperate, and not compete in having good winter roads. And Wisconsin agrees. David Vieth of the state D-O-T says there are lots of opportunities to work together, and he’s considering Ohio’s idea of a purchasing alliance. It’s a touchy subject, after record December snow-falls in much of the region. Ohio said its access to road salt was hampered when Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa jacked up their purchases after last year’s snows, which also set new records. Vieth said his agency took action when prices went back down to normal – around 40-dollars a ton. The Badger State bought one-point-three million tons for this winter – a half-million more than a year ago.
At the height of last winter, Wisconsin was paying up to 134-dollars a ton. That was enough for Ohio and Illinois to investigate whether salt suppliers were taking unfair advantage. Illinois’ probe is continuing. Ohio Governor Ted Strickland says he’s still reviewing his report and has not decided whether to pursue a Midwest purchasing alliance.
Meanwhile, Dodge County plans to sign-on to the statewide salt contract next year. The county used to profit from operating outside the state system, but not any more, having to pay 150-dollars-a-ton – three times what some neighboring counties paid. Highway Commissioner Brian Field says he’s only got enough salt to make it halfway through a typical winter. Instead, they are adding sand and deicers to stretch their supply this year.
Sisk Sentencing Tuesday
12/29/08 - The book is about to be closed on one of Wisconsin’s most horrific crimes of recent years. 27-year-old Michael Sisk is scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow in Columbia County. He’s the last of a group of drifters to be punished in what’s become known as the Portage “House of Horrors” case. It all started in June of last year, when Portage Police were asked to check on a woman’s two-year-old daughter. What they found was Tammie Garlin buried in the backyard, and her then 11-year-old son beaten, burned, and locked in a closet. Subsequent investigations showed that the two-year-old’s mother improperly took the girl from a foster care facility in Florida. And the group committed identity thefts around the country before settling in at Portage in early 2007. Earlier this month, Sisk tried to withdraw his no contest pleas to a host of criminal charges – saying he didn’t realize he’d face more than life in prison. But the judge refused. And Sisk now faces a total of 136 years on his convictions.
Warrant Issued in Fatal OWI Crash
12/29/08 - Washington County authorities have issued a warrant for a 34-year-old Lomira man suspected of driving drunk and causing the death of another man last month. The District Attorney’s office last Friday filed charges against Jason Jacobs stemming from the November 14th two-car crash that resulted in the death of 25-year-old Timothy McKee of Farmington. Jacobs allegedly went through a stop sign causing the accident. McKee died at the scene. (Bob Nelson, KFIZ)
Jury May Hear Statements From Deceased Neenah Man
12/29/08 - A prosecutor wants to let a jury hear statements made by a Neenah man before his son allegedly killed him. 17-year-old Zach Reid is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the strangulation death of 53-year-old Brett Reid in early October. The U-S and Wisconsin Supreme Courts have made conflicting rulings on whether to allow testimony from deceased witnesses who cannot be cross-examined. Winnebago County District Attorney Christian Gossett wants to admit statements from Brett Reid that he was afraid of his son. Gossett says it means a lot to the case, and it’s something the jury should know. Defense lawyer Kevin Musolf has filed requests to not allow various statements into evidence, including what the defendant told police. The next hearing in the case is set for January 20th. In June, the U-S Supreme Court said statements made before victims’ deaths cannot be used as evidence unless a crime was committed to prevent such testimony. Last year, the State Supreme Court said such evidence was allowed with certain conditions.
Authorities Called to Fight at MVP Sports Bar and Grill
12/29/08 - Authorities were called out for a large fight at a Beaver Dam sports bar early Sunday morning. According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department, they were called twice to assist Beaver Dam Police with a fight at MVP’s Sports Bar and Grill at 208 Front Street. The first call came in around 1:45 and the second about a half-hour later. No word on what caused the fight or possible arrests.
Former Watertown Students Gets Class Ring Back
12/29/08 - A former Watertown High School student has his senior class ring once again. Adam Jay Paulsen can thank a police property room clerk who went above and beyond her duty. The ring was confiscated during the domestic battery arrest of a 64-year-old suspect two years ago. Police knew it wasn't his. It sat in the property room until Renee Supple spotted it last September. She contacted guidance counselors at Watertown High School. Using the engraved "AJP" initials on the ring, they pointed her toward Paulsen. Supple e-mailed him -- and the University of Wisconsin-Madison student picked it up earlier this month.
Chimney Fires in Fond du Lac and Washington Counties
12/29/08 - Chimney fires that spread to other portions of two homes displaced homeowners in both Fond du Lac and Washington Counties over Christmas. Fire significantly damage a home on County Highway V in the Town of Byron Christmas afternoon. Jeff Lallier had left his residence about a half hour before the fire. A passerby and firemen rescued his two dogs. Early that morning a chimney fire also caused substantial damage to a home on Fairview Drive in Washington County’s Town of Wayne. No one was hurt in either fire. In both fires wood-burning stoves had been used. (Bob Nelson, KFIZ)
Smoking At Record Lows in Wisconsin
12/29/08 - A one-dollar increase in Wisconsin’s cigarette tax has gotten at least some people to quit, but not as many as anti-smoking advocates had hoped. Cigarette tax collections have gone up 87-percent through November of the current fiscal year. They totaled around 200-million dollars, compared to 107-million at same time in 2007. Maureen Busalacchi of Smoke-Free Wisconsin says lots of folks are still smoking, but they’re doing it less. She said many cigarette-makers cut their prices this year, and it negated some of the effects of the tax increase. State officials say the percentage of adults who still smoke – around 20-percent – is the lowest in Wisconsin history. Wisconsin’s Tobacco Quit Line took a record 39-thousand calls this year from those wanting to quit.
The Future of State Property Taxes in Question
12/29/08 - The Wisconsin Assembly’s new Democratic leaders promise to hold local property taxes down, in a spite of a five-point-four billion dollar state deficit. A few years ago, lawmakers partially cut their deficits by pushing state programs onto local budgets. And the state’s current taxing limits on local governments have now expired. Rich Eggleston of the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities says Governor Jim Doyle has hinted at continuing those limits, even though municipal leaders say they’re being squeezed too much. Those limits – plus two state credits – helped limit the increase in the average tax bill by just four-dollars this year. Madison Assembly Democrat Mark Pocan, who will co-chair the Joint Finance Committee, says he’d like the new First Dollar Credit raised – thus giving low-and-middle income homeowners a break. A Doyle spokesman says the governor will do his best to keep property taxes in check. But lawmakers will have to find some way to make up for billions in lost revenues this year – and they’ve already said they’d try to avoid raising the sales and income taxes. Doyle has vowed to lower spending as much as possible, to keep the damage to people’s wallets to a minimum.
Slinger HS Band To Appear on Good Morning America
12/29/08 - Band members with the Slinger High School Marching Band have arrived in London, England. That’s according to the schools Logistics Director, Ron Naab, who says the 121 members of the band along with 18 chaperones and directors will be appearing on Good Morning America tomorrow. Naab says today they will be site-seeing in the greater London area and then doing a practice session to warm up their "chops." Tonight the band will travel to the theater district to see "The Buddy Holly Story.” For tomorrow’s televised performance, the band will travel to Trafalgar Square to perform along with the Cedarburg Band on Good Morning America. Later that night they will have a performance at the Sta. John Smith's Concert Hall.
12/29/08 - Winter returns to all of Wisconsin today, after a spike of warmth during the weekend. Places that were over 50-degrees on Saturday will have highs today in the upper-30s. And that’s before the mercury begins to plunge in the afternoon. You can thank a cold front for that. The National Weather Service says it will also bring snow to northern Wisconsin later today. The northwest could see some more flakes tonight. And then tomorrow, northern and central areas could get another 2-to-5 inches. Occasional light snow in our area could accumulate up to one inch in the afternoon and evening tomorrow. Saturday’s mild weather brought lots of fog, as well as flooding in some places. The Highway 41 expressway in Fond du Lac was closed Saturday, where melting snow created up to one-and-a-half feet of water at a construction site on 41 at Hickory Street. The road re-opened yesterday, just in time for Packer fans to get to Green Bay to watch the team’s win over Detroit.
Salt Consortium Suggested
12/29/08 - Wisconsin has more than its share of precious road salt among Midwest states. That’s according to officials in Ohio, which is recommending that the Midwest work together in managing the commodity. Ohio says states should cooperate, and not compete in having good winter roads. And Wisconsin agrees. David Vieth of the state D-O-T says there are lots of opportunities to work together, and he’s considering Ohio’s idea of a purchasing alliance. It’s a touchy subject, after record December snow-falls in much of the region. Ohio said its access to road salt was hampered when Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa jacked up their purchases after last year’s snows, which also set new records. Vieth said his agency took action when prices went back down to normal – around 40-dollars a ton. The Badger State bought one-point-three million tons for this winter – a half-million more than a year ago.
At the height of last winter, Wisconsin was paying up to 134-dollars a ton. That was enough for Ohio and Illinois to investigate whether salt suppliers were taking unfair advantage. Illinois’ probe is continuing. Ohio Governor Ted Strickland says he’s still reviewing his report and has not decided whether to pursue a Midwest purchasing alliance.
Meanwhile, Dodge County plans to sign-on to the statewide salt contract next year. The county used to profit from operating outside the state system, but not any more, having to pay 150-dollars-a-ton – three times what some neighboring counties paid. Highway Commissioner Brian Field says he’s only got enough salt to make it halfway through a typical winter. Instead, they are adding sand and deicers to stretch their supply this year.
Sisk Sentencing Tuesday
12/29/08 - The book is about to be closed on one of Wisconsin’s most horrific crimes of recent years. 27-year-old Michael Sisk is scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow in Columbia County. He’s the last of a group of drifters to be punished in what’s become known as the Portage “House of Horrors” case. It all started in June of last year, when Portage Police were asked to check on a woman’s two-year-old daughter. What they found was Tammie Garlin buried in the backyard, and her then 11-year-old son beaten, burned, and locked in a closet. Subsequent investigations showed that the two-year-old’s mother improperly took the girl from a foster care facility in Florida. And the group committed identity thefts around the country before settling in at Portage in early 2007. Earlier this month, Sisk tried to withdraw his no contest pleas to a host of criminal charges – saying he didn’t realize he’d face more than life in prison. But the judge refused. And Sisk now faces a total of 136 years on his convictions.
Warrant Issued in Fatal OWI Crash
12/29/08 - Washington County authorities have issued a warrant for a 34-year-old Lomira man suspected of driving drunk and causing the death of another man last month. The District Attorney’s office last Friday filed charges against Jason Jacobs stemming from the November 14th two-car crash that resulted in the death of 25-year-old Timothy McKee of Farmington. Jacobs allegedly went through a stop sign causing the accident. McKee died at the scene. (Bob Nelson, KFIZ)
Jury May Hear Statements From Deceased Neenah Man
12/29/08 - A prosecutor wants to let a jury hear statements made by a Neenah man before his son allegedly killed him. 17-year-old Zach Reid is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the strangulation death of 53-year-old Brett Reid in early October. The U-S and Wisconsin Supreme Courts have made conflicting rulings on whether to allow testimony from deceased witnesses who cannot be cross-examined. Winnebago County District Attorney Christian Gossett wants to admit statements from Brett Reid that he was afraid of his son. Gossett says it means a lot to the case, and it’s something the jury should know. Defense lawyer Kevin Musolf has filed requests to not allow various statements into evidence, including what the defendant told police. The next hearing in the case is set for January 20th. In June, the U-S Supreme Court said statements made before victims’ deaths cannot be used as evidence unless a crime was committed to prevent such testimony. Last year, the State Supreme Court said such evidence was allowed with certain conditions.
Authorities Called to Fight at MVP Sports Bar and Grill
12/29/08 - Authorities were called out for a large fight at a Beaver Dam sports bar early Sunday morning. According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department, they were called twice to assist Beaver Dam Police with a fight at MVP’s Sports Bar and Grill at 208 Front Street. The first call came in around 1:45 and the second about a half-hour later. No word on what caused the fight or possible arrests.
Former Watertown Students Gets Class Ring Back
12/29/08 - A former Watertown High School student has his senior class ring once again. Adam Jay Paulsen can thank a police property room clerk who went above and beyond her duty. The ring was confiscated during the domestic battery arrest of a 64-year-old suspect two years ago. Police knew it wasn't his. It sat in the property room until Renee Supple spotted it last September. She contacted guidance counselors at Watertown High School. Using the engraved "AJP" initials on the ring, they pointed her toward Paulsen. Supple e-mailed him -- and the University of Wisconsin-Madison student picked it up earlier this month.
Chimney Fires in Fond du Lac and Washington Counties
12/29/08 - Chimney fires that spread to other portions of two homes displaced homeowners in both Fond du Lac and Washington Counties over Christmas. Fire significantly damage a home on County Highway V in the Town of Byron Christmas afternoon. Jeff Lallier had left his residence about a half hour before the fire. A passerby and firemen rescued his two dogs. Early that morning a chimney fire also caused substantial damage to a home on Fairview Drive in Washington County’s Town of Wayne. No one was hurt in either fire. In both fires wood-burning stoves had been used. (Bob Nelson, KFIZ)
Smoking At Record Lows in Wisconsin
12/29/08 - A one-dollar increase in Wisconsin’s cigarette tax has gotten at least some people to quit, but not as many as anti-smoking advocates had hoped. Cigarette tax collections have gone up 87-percent through November of the current fiscal year. They totaled around 200-million dollars, compared to 107-million at same time in 2007. Maureen Busalacchi of Smoke-Free Wisconsin says lots of folks are still smoking, but they’re doing it less. She said many cigarette-makers cut their prices this year, and it negated some of the effects of the tax increase. State officials say the percentage of adults who still smoke – around 20-percent – is the lowest in Wisconsin history. Wisconsin’s Tobacco Quit Line took a record 39-thousand calls this year from those wanting to quit.
The Future of State Property Taxes in Question
12/29/08 - The Wisconsin Assembly’s new Democratic leaders promise to hold local property taxes down, in a spite of a five-point-four billion dollar state deficit. A few years ago, lawmakers partially cut their deficits by pushing state programs onto local budgets. And the state’s current taxing limits on local governments have now expired. Rich Eggleston of the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities says Governor Jim Doyle has hinted at continuing those limits, even though municipal leaders say they’re being squeezed too much. Those limits – plus two state credits – helped limit the increase in the average tax bill by just four-dollars this year. Madison Assembly Democrat Mark Pocan, who will co-chair the Joint Finance Committee, says he’d like the new First Dollar Credit raised – thus giving low-and-middle income homeowners a break. A Doyle spokesman says the governor will do his best to keep property taxes in check. But lawmakers will have to find some way to make up for billions in lost revenues this year – and they’ve already said they’d try to avoid raising the sales and income taxes. Doyle has vowed to lower spending as much as possible, to keep the damage to people’s wallets to a minimum.
Slinger HS Band To Appear on Good Morning America
12/29/08 - Band members with the Slinger High School Marching Band have arrived in London, England. That’s according to the schools Logistics Director, Ron Naab, who says the 121 members of the band along with 18 chaperones and directors will be appearing on Good Morning America tomorrow. Naab says today they will be site-seeing in the greater London area and then doing a practice session to warm up their "chops." Tonight the band will travel to the theater district to see "The Buddy Holly Story.” For tomorrow’s televised performance, the band will travel to Trafalgar Square to perform along with the Cedarburg Band on Good Morning America. Later that night they will have a performance at the Sta. John Smith's Concert Hall.
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