Arrest Made in Jefferson County Cold Case
7/31/09 - A man has been arrested for the murders of two high school sweethearts in Jefferson County 29 years ago. Edward W. Edwards was arrested late last night in Louisville Kentucky for the 1980 slayings of Tim Hack and Kelly Drew. Detectives re-submitted evidence to the State Crime Lab a couple years ago for review. Hack and Drew were both 19 when they left a wedding reception in Sullivan on August ninth of 1980, and were never seen alive after that. Authorities found their clothes spread in ditches. And hunters found their badly decomposed bodies east of Watertown, just over two months after the disappearances. Officials could never determine how the pair died. No weapons were found, and no suspects were ever identified. Hack’s mother told the A-P in 2000 that more than one person probably killed her son and Drew – and at least one of them knew the area pretty well.
Henry Bound Over For Domestic Murder
7/31/09 - A Waupun police officer testified in gruesome detail Thursday about the murder of Tammy Henry. Judge Steven Bauer found probable cause to bind her husband, Larry Henry, over for trial on a charge of First Degree Intentional Homicide. Detective Brian O’Donovan said that 42-year-old Tammy Henry was found on a mattress that was so soaked with blood that it seeped into the carpet underneath the mattress. O’Donovan testified that he met Larry Henry (pictured right) at the Waupun Police Station the day of the murder and the 44-year-old told him that he had “taken his wife’s life.” The detective described Henry’s demeanor as “calm and normal” when he told investigators that he hit his wife in the head with a metal pipe and then placed plastic over her face. Henry is being held on a quarter million dollar cash bond. He faces a life prison sentence, if convicted. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for September 9.
MEC Expanding in BD
7/31/09 - Well over a hundred jobs will be coming to Beaver Dam in the next year as the Mayville Engineering Company plans to expand. The Beaver Dam Common Council last night approved a developer’s agreement with MEC to bring a new 313,000 square foot facility to the Beaver Dam Industrial Park. Trent Campbell, Vice President of the Area Development Corp, says the city is offering both land and cash incentives. The deal involves a 20-acre site valued at $30,000 an acre, which MEC will pay the city in full if the project has not been substantially completed by the end of next year. The cost is $1. The city will also provide a $935,000 cash incentive, which will be paid back through TIF District with the roughly $175,000 in annual property taxes generated. Rick Torn, MEC’s Director of Operations Support, says the company plans to add another paint line. The salary range for the jobs would be roughly $14 to $17 an hour for skilled positions. Ground could be broken as early as next month with production is expected to start in June of 2010.
BDPD Conducts Alcohol Compliance Checks
7/31/09 - Bartenders at half of the licensed taverns in Beaver Dam were given warnings Wednesday night for selling alcohol to underage patrons. According to Police Chief Dale Boldt, the compliance sweep was funded with a recently-awarded Card Check Grant. The eight taverns that were given warnings were: Applebee’s, Best Western, Cocktails, Doc’s Pub, Dos Gringos, The Fountain Inn, Moonlights and Moonshiners. On Tuesday, a check of grocery and convenience stores resulted in one warning for Save-A-Lot. Boldt says every business that holds a liquor license in the city was checked and those that were in compliance will be sent a letter commending them for not selling to minors. An underage volunteer was used in the sweep and Boldt says that individual used their own license, not a fake ID. He says this was the first time they used the grant but it won’t be the last. Warnings were issued this time but Boldt says next time violators will be given citations.
South Center Street Opens To Traffic
7/31/09 - The 100 block of South Center Street in Beaver Dam will be open to traffic today. That’s according to Mayor Tom Kennedy who says that because the downtown redevelopment project is ahead of schedule, traffic on the one block segment can resume. It has been closed since May to accommodate construction activity related to Phase One of the downtown project, which included the razing of ten buildings and removal of the Tower Parking lot culverts. Public sidewalks along Front and Center Streets that had been fenced off will also be opened for pedestrian use. The west portion of the Tower Parking lot will remain closed for the next couple weeks for cleanup, installation of signage and parking stall striping.
Local FFA Finalists
7/31/09 - The nation’s agricultural education group has named 16 finalists for four national awards – and three of them are from the same F-F-A chapter in Wisconsin. Alex Zimmerman of the Randolph-Cambria-Friesland F-F-A is one of four nominees for the American Star Farmer award. His partner Ben Alsum is up for the Star-in-Agribusiness honor. And the third member, Tony Crescio, is a finalist for the Star-in-Agricultural Placement. The awards recognize students who’ve developed outstanding ag and management skills, and have met various F-F-A requirements. The four winners will be announced at the National F-F-A Convention in October in Indianapolis. The Randolph-Cambria-Friesland chapter is the largest in Wisconsin with 341 members. It has had individual American Star finalists in the past two years.
New Stop Sign in Rubicon
7/31/09 - Authorities are giving residents a heads up about a new stop sign at one of the busier intersections in Dodge County. Officials say the Wisconsin DOT this week changed the intersection of Highways 60 and County Trunk P in the Town of Rubicon into a four-way stop. It had previously been only a two-way stop for those traveling on Highway P. Authorities are hoping the addition of the stop sign will cut back on the accidents that have plagued the area.
Hassett Plans AG Run
7/31/09 - A former secretary of the state Department of Natural Resources is one step closer to running for attorney general. Scott Hassett has filed a candidacy declaration which lets him start raising money. Insiders have known for some time that Hassett plans to run as a Democrat next year against Attorney General J-B Van Hollen, who’s the state’s only Republican constitutional officer. Governor Jim Doyle appointed Hassett in 2003 to run the D-N-R. He resigned that post four years later.
Property Taxes Due
7/31/09 - The second installment of property taxes must be paid by close of business today. Payments should be made at your local treasurer’s office. The second payments cannot be made at your local municipality. In Dodge County, the treasurer is located in the Administration Building at 127 East Oak Street in Juneau. Online bill pay is also available, for a fee, at www.officialpayments.com. Taxpayers mailing after today’s deadline are subject to interest and a penalty of ten point five percent (10.5%).
Kennedy on Community Comment
7/31/09 - On Community Comment today we’ll be sitting down with Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy. This month, among other things, we’ll talk about the types of complaints the city receives and which department is right one to contact for problems with things like dilapidated structures, dead animals in the road and downed trees. We’ll also ask the mayor about the future of the former YMCA property on Park Avenue; the city closed on the parcel yesterday. And we always welcome questions and comments from our listeners. Community Comment airs weekdays on WBEV 1430AM at 12:35pm.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Top Stories July 30th
Stuff The Bus in Beaver Dam Next Week
7/30/09 - The number of Beaver Dam School District students from low-income families has more than doubled in the past five years. That’s according to Superintendent Don Childs who says many of those students are unable to afford the basic school supplies needed to get a good education. To help address the problem, the school district -- in conjunction with Clothes for Kids and American Family Insurance -- has teamed up for a “Stuff the Bus” school supplies fundraiser. It kicks off next Tuesday at the National Night Out at Swan Park and later in the week will be at American Family Insurance, The Summit Credit Union and Bassett Furniture parking lots. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in the school districts free and reduced lunch program.
PAVE Comments on Henry Murder
7/30/09 - Domestic violence advocates are speaking out about this month’s murder of a Waupun woman. 42-year-old Tammy Henry was killed at her home on July 13. Her husband, Larry Randall Henry, is charged with First Degree Intentional Homicide in connection with her death. Jamie Kratz-Gullickson, the Executive Director of People Against Violent Environments, says its a tragic story that is all too common but she hopes the incident will serve as an opportunity for the community to talk about domestic abuse. Kratz-Gullickson told us on WBEV’s Community Comment yesterday most domestic violence homicides involve relationships with dangerous power and control issues. She says if you know someone who is a victim of domestic violence, the most important thing to do is be supportive, and wait for the victim to make the decision to leave on their own. This was the second domestic homicide in Dodge County in the past three years. The last one occurred in 2007, a year that saw 39 domestic homicides statewide. Since that time, the Dodge County non-profit has seen a 200% increase in nights of shelter and a 300% increase in the number of clients served. PAVE provides a variety of services from shelter to support groups for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Dodge County.
Statements Admissible in Leichtman Murder Trial
7/30/09 - Fond du Lac County Judge Dale English Wednesday morning ruled the statements made by the ex-wife of an Ashwaubenon man suspected in a 33-year-old murder case can be heard by a jury. Fifty-three-year-old Thomas Niesen is suspected of the stabbing death of 19-year-old Kathleen Leichtman in July of 1976. Attorney Timothy Geary was trying to get the statements made by Niesen's ex-wife Ja Cee P. Crull suppressed. Geary contended Crull's statements to detectives and during a preliminary hearing were "inherently incredible." He also felt that marital privilege should apply when Niesen allegedly told Crull back in 1986 that something had gone horribly wrong the last time he had visited The Other Place strip club in Fond du Lac and that a young woman had ended up dead. However Judge English ruled that Crull's statements shouldn't be withheld from a jury. He also noted that Crull seemed relatively certain that Niesen made the statements while he was renting an apartment in Appleton, which was before the two were married. District Attorney Dan Kaminsky was also expected to make a motion to delay next month's jury trial for 30 days to allow for testing of more evidence. (KFIZ)
Big Fish Found in Fond du Lac
7/30/09 - Some Fond du Lac County residents stumbled across what would have been a sturgeon spearer’s dream fish last weekend along the shores of Lake Winnebago. The female sturgeon washed up on shore just south of Pipe. DNR Sturgeon Management Supervisor Ron Bruch says it was 81.5 inches long and weighed about 140 pounds. He says the fish had been shot by an arrow; likely from a bow fisherman out shooting carp. The fish had been dead about a week, but Bruch says judging from the decomposition of the insides had died a slow painful death. He says when it was carrying eggs it probably weighed in the neighborhood of 200 pounds. He notes the largest fish ever speared on Lake Winnebago was a 188-pounder in 2004. DNR records indicate the fish was tagged at the Shawano Dam in the spring of 2004. Bruch says at the time it was 76 inches long. He estimates it was between 70 to 100 years old. (KFIZ)
Cambria Park Days Parade on Saturday
7/30/09 - Cambria Park Days will be held this weekend and organizers say parade entries will be accepted until the last minute. Activities kicked off last night with their five-day softball tournament at Tarrant Park. Tomorrow (Fr) is Fiesta Night, which features authentic Mexican food and music. Saturday morning begins with a breakfast at the First Presbyterian Church a meet and greet for Cambria-Friesland Alumni in the community room. The Park Days Parade begins at 10:30am Saturday at the corner of Mary and West Florence. Events at Tarrant Park continue throughout the day and include carriage rides, a chicken barbeque, bingo, pool games, free face painting, a pie and ice cream social and music by the Friesland Band.
Favre Retirement Hurts Scalpers
7/30/09 - Brett Favre has put at least a small dent in Green Bay’s economy. His decision to stay retired means he won’t come back to Lambeau Field in a Minnesota Vikings’ uniform on November first. And that means ticket brokers won’t get the 300-dollars-a-seat they were talking about earlier. Dennis Garrity of Event U-S-A in Green Bay said it would have been a monster game. He said lots of people have been looking forward to it with quote, “either great excitement or great trepidation.” Even Favre’s family was looking forward to the spectacle, as it reportedly reserved a sizable number of hotel rooms in Green Bay that weekend. Now, John Anderson of Ticket King says the Packer-Viking game will probably sell for about the same price as the home game against the Chicago Bears – about 175-dollars. But like many people, Anderson says he’s still not sure the three-time Packers’ M-V-P is really through.
Lottery Sales Down
7/30/09 - Wisconsin Lottery officials report a four percent decline in ticket sales last year because of the economy. Spokesman Andrew Bohage says revenues slipped by 21 million dollars. The fiscal year ended last month. He says some states saw sales climb as the economy slid. Bohage says Powerball sales fell by eight million dollars alone, largely because there were few big jackpots. He says some of the higher-priced instant games also had smaller revenues. Megabucks and Wisconsin’s daily lotto games either saw their sales remain flat or increase.
7/30/09 - The number of Beaver Dam School District students from low-income families has more than doubled in the past five years. That’s according to Superintendent Don Childs who says many of those students are unable to afford the basic school supplies needed to get a good education. To help address the problem, the school district -- in conjunction with Clothes for Kids and American Family Insurance -- has teamed up for a “Stuff the Bus” school supplies fundraiser. It kicks off next Tuesday at the National Night Out at Swan Park and later in the week will be at American Family Insurance, The Summit Credit Union and Bassett Furniture parking lots. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in the school districts free and reduced lunch program.
PAVE Comments on Henry Murder
7/30/09 - Domestic violence advocates are speaking out about this month’s murder of a Waupun woman. 42-year-old Tammy Henry was killed at her home on July 13. Her husband, Larry Randall Henry, is charged with First Degree Intentional Homicide in connection with her death. Jamie Kratz-Gullickson, the Executive Director of People Against Violent Environments, says its a tragic story that is all too common but she hopes the incident will serve as an opportunity for the community to talk about domestic abuse. Kratz-Gullickson told us on WBEV’s Community Comment yesterday most domestic violence homicides involve relationships with dangerous power and control issues. She says if you know someone who is a victim of domestic violence, the most important thing to do is be supportive, and wait for the victim to make the decision to leave on their own. This was the second domestic homicide in Dodge County in the past three years. The last one occurred in 2007, a year that saw 39 domestic homicides statewide. Since that time, the Dodge County non-profit has seen a 200% increase in nights of shelter and a 300% increase in the number of clients served. PAVE provides a variety of services from shelter to support groups for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Dodge County.
Statements Admissible in Leichtman Murder Trial
7/30/09 - Fond du Lac County Judge Dale English Wednesday morning ruled the statements made by the ex-wife of an Ashwaubenon man suspected in a 33-year-old murder case can be heard by a jury. Fifty-three-year-old Thomas Niesen is suspected of the stabbing death of 19-year-old Kathleen Leichtman in July of 1976. Attorney Timothy Geary was trying to get the statements made by Niesen's ex-wife Ja Cee P. Crull suppressed. Geary contended Crull's statements to detectives and during a preliminary hearing were "inherently incredible." He also felt that marital privilege should apply when Niesen allegedly told Crull back in 1986 that something had gone horribly wrong the last time he had visited The Other Place strip club in Fond du Lac and that a young woman had ended up dead. However Judge English ruled that Crull's statements shouldn't be withheld from a jury. He also noted that Crull seemed relatively certain that Niesen made the statements while he was renting an apartment in Appleton, which was before the two were married. District Attorney Dan Kaminsky was also expected to make a motion to delay next month's jury trial for 30 days to allow for testing of more evidence. (KFIZ)
Big Fish Found in Fond du Lac
7/30/09 - Some Fond du Lac County residents stumbled across what would have been a sturgeon spearer’s dream fish last weekend along the shores of Lake Winnebago. The female sturgeon washed up on shore just south of Pipe. DNR Sturgeon Management Supervisor Ron Bruch says it was 81.5 inches long and weighed about 140 pounds. He says the fish had been shot by an arrow; likely from a bow fisherman out shooting carp. The fish had been dead about a week, but Bruch says judging from the decomposition of the insides had died a slow painful death. He says when it was carrying eggs it probably weighed in the neighborhood of 200 pounds. He notes the largest fish ever speared on Lake Winnebago was a 188-pounder in 2004. DNR records indicate the fish was tagged at the Shawano Dam in the spring of 2004. Bruch says at the time it was 76 inches long. He estimates it was between 70 to 100 years old. (KFIZ)
Cambria Park Days Parade on Saturday
7/30/09 - Cambria Park Days will be held this weekend and organizers say parade entries will be accepted until the last minute. Activities kicked off last night with their five-day softball tournament at Tarrant Park. Tomorrow (Fr) is Fiesta Night, which features authentic Mexican food and music. Saturday morning begins with a breakfast at the First Presbyterian Church a meet and greet for Cambria-Friesland Alumni in the community room. The Park Days Parade begins at 10:30am Saturday at the corner of Mary and West Florence. Events at Tarrant Park continue throughout the day and include carriage rides, a chicken barbeque, bingo, pool games, free face painting, a pie and ice cream social and music by the Friesland Band.
Favre Retirement Hurts Scalpers
7/30/09 - Brett Favre has put at least a small dent in Green Bay’s economy. His decision to stay retired means he won’t come back to Lambeau Field in a Minnesota Vikings’ uniform on November first. And that means ticket brokers won’t get the 300-dollars-a-seat they were talking about earlier. Dennis Garrity of Event U-S-A in Green Bay said it would have been a monster game. He said lots of people have been looking forward to it with quote, “either great excitement or great trepidation.” Even Favre’s family was looking forward to the spectacle, as it reportedly reserved a sizable number of hotel rooms in Green Bay that weekend. Now, John Anderson of Ticket King says the Packer-Viking game will probably sell for about the same price as the home game against the Chicago Bears – about 175-dollars. But like many people, Anderson says he’s still not sure the three-time Packers’ M-V-P is really through.
Lottery Sales Down
7/30/09 - Wisconsin Lottery officials report a four percent decline in ticket sales last year because of the economy. Spokesman Andrew Bohage says revenues slipped by 21 million dollars. The fiscal year ended last month. He says some states saw sales climb as the economy slid. Bohage says Powerball sales fell by eight million dollars alone, largely because there were few big jackpots. He says some of the higher-priced instant games also had smaller revenues. Megabucks and Wisconsin’s daily lotto games either saw their sales remain flat or increase.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Top Stories July 29th
Favre Tells Vikings He’s Staying Retired
7/29/09 - Brett Favre calls it the hardest decision he ever made. The former Packers’ quarterback told Minnesota Vikings’ coach Brad Childress yesterday he will not come out of retirement for a second time. Favre – who turns 40 in October – told E-S-P-N he did not believe he could play at a physically-acceptable level. And he had to be careful not to commit for quote, “the wrong reasons.” Favre had surgery on his throwing arm in May, and he said the Vikings kept telling him quote, “You went through all this, and you’ve got to finish it off.” But Favre said he had legitimate reasons for his decision and quote, “I’m 39 with a lot of sacks to my name.” E-S-P-N said Favre had pain in his ankles and left knee during his recent workouts at his home in Mississippi – and the pain got worse, which led Favre to doubt whether he could play for a full season. But the speculation continues as to whether Favre is retired for good. His former quarterback coach, Steve Mariucci, is among those questioning whether his latest decision is final. Favre could be available if a contending team needs a quarterback later in the season. He has played 18 N-F-L seasons – including 16 in Green Bay before he was traded a year ago to the New York Jets.
Eauslin gets 16 Years for Molestation
7/29/09 - A Lowell man will spend 16 years in prison for molesting a preteen girl. Wayne Eauslin was convicted of assaulting the child while she slept last August. The 36-year-old was a guest at the family’s home. Eauslin was found not guilty of assaulting an even younger girl during that same stay. Eauslin still faces a three other felony child sexual assault charges in two separate cases for allegedly molesting three different girls. In the other case, Eauslin assaulted two girls in a bathroom in the summer of 2007. In the third case, Eauslin is accused of the repeated sexual assault of a girl in 2001. District Attorney Bill Bedker says that he has (quote) “never heard testimony as gut wrenching as what he saw from that little girl.” Bedker said his heart was in his throat and his eyes welled up as she broke down in tears repeatedly while recounting what he did to her. At sentencing, Eauslin’s public defender asked for probation with “super-stringent” sex offender rules, arguing that the defendant had a good work ethic and no serious criminal history before this incident. Judge Brian Pfitzinger rejected the recommendation for probation saying, (quote) “this court sees you as someone the children of this county and this state need protection from” and not imposing a lengthy prison term would depreciate the seriousness of the offense. In addition to 16 years in prison, Eauslin was ordered to serve 10 years of extended supervision and register as a sex offender.
Mercury Marine Talks Continue
7/29/09 - Time may be of the essence as Mercury Marine decides whether to stay in Fond du Lac, but employees' union officials are going to need more of it to review proposed changes to their contract with the company. Union representatives met for about 3 and a half hours yesterday to go over proposed changes. They emerged from the meeting needing more time to review documents. They'll hold another meeting next Monday. Mercury officials have made no secret of the fact that what is worked out with the union will influence their decision on whether to consolidate operations in Fond du Lac or at the company's Stillwater, Oklahoma facility.
City To Close on YMCA Property Thursday
7/29/09 - The city of Beaver Dam will close on the purchase of the former YMCA property Thursday. That’s according to Mayor Tom Kennedy who says city officials will be immediately getting to work on plans to convert the parcel into a new police station. The city is planning to add the YMCA to its recently completed “Space Needs Study” of city-owned property. Once MSA Professional Services completes the assessment, Kennedy says city officials will have a better understanding of what to do with the existing structure, in terms of renovation or demolition.
Phase One of Highway 33 Project Close to Completion
7/29/09 - The downtown business district in Horicon will get a huge boost in the next two weeks as the DOT completes Phase One of the Highway 33 reconstruction project. This means Lake Street, which is home to a large number of businesses, will be open to traffic for the first time in months. Mayor Jim Grigg says while the reopening can’t bring back the money lost during the closure he feels businesses will be able to recover. Grigg says to his knowledge none of the business along the construction route have been forced to close up shop. The entire project is expected to be completed by November. Business leaders are also planning a ribbon cutting and street dance for the 15th of August to celebrate the reopening. For updates visit the Horicon Chamber of Commerce website.
Horicon Common Council Approves Purchase of Land for New Well
7/29/09 - The Horicon Common Council approved the purchase of a parcel of land at the high school last night for a place to build a new well. The new well will replace two others that are about 90-years-old. Mayor Jim Grigg says they decided to replace the older wells after maintenance workers noticed some corrosion of the wells castings. Though they have seen no evidence of surface water contamination the DNR suggested they shut those wells down and build another. The school district sold the land for just $1 on the condition the city would put bathrooms into the building. The total cost of the building is expected to be $25,000 and the city has applied for a grant to help for the total project cost of $1.25-million dollars. The city is now in the bidding process to have someone come in a do testing on the site.
Waupun Police Use Taser After Foot Chase with Beaver Dam Man
7/29/09 - Waupun police had to use a taser several times to apprehend a 43-year-old Beaver Dam man who led them on a foot chase. Police say an officer was patrolling one evening when he the officer spotted a car driving without head lights. A records check determined the vehicle had a revoked license. When the car was stopped the driver got out and fled on foot. During a foot chase the first deployment of the taser was unsuccessful. However police used it a second and third time, this time successfully as the man continued to try and run. He's being held in the County Jail on drunken driving and operating after revocation charges. (KFIZ)
NWS Confirms 3 Tornadoes Touched Down Monday
7/29/09 - Three tornadoes touched down in southern Wisconsin on Monday night. The National Weather Service confirmed those twisters yesterday in Marquette, Crawford, and Lafayette counties. The strongest one landed just after 5:45 Monday afternoon about three miles southwest of Montello. It had winds of about 95-miles-an-hour, was 100 yards wide, and ran for nine miles, causing tree damage. The Crawford County tornado was the first there since 1987. It touched just after 5:15 Monday about a mile east of Fairview. It destroyed several out-buildings on a farm, plus numerous trees. It ran for four miles with winds primarily at 65-to-85 miles an hour. Monday’s third tornado landed about 8:10 p-m two miles northeast of Gratiot in Lafayette County. It was only on the ground for a tenth of a mile, with winds of around 80 miles-an-hour. The storm caused minor roof damage to a couple of farm-houses, and smashed three vehicles. It was Lafayette County’s third tornado in four days. Two twisters last Friday caused heavy crop damage.
Popp Hoping for Plea Deal in Patrick Cudahy Meat Plant Fire
7/29/09 - A plea deal is being sought for at least one of two brothers accused of firing the military flare that started the massive fire at the Patrick Cudahy meat plant. Kurtis and Joshua Popp waived their preliminary hearings yesterday in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. And they were ordered to stand trial on felony charges of second-degree reckless endangerment. The attorney for 23-year-old Joshua Popp says he hopes negotiations for a plea bargain can be wrapped up by August 24th – when the Popps are scheduled to enter pleas. Prosecutors said Joshua took the military flare while he served in the Marines, and he let his 25-year-old brother Kurtis fire it the night of July fifth. Their mother said they were at a family barbeque at the time. The flare landed on the roof of the Patrick Cudahy plant, and it sparked a blaze that caused over 50-million dollars in damage.
Wood Wants Evidence Dismissed
7/29/09 - A judge in Portage says he’ll decide in December if marijuana found in a state legislator’s car can be used as evidence against him. Assembly Independent Jeff Wood of Bloomer says two bags of pot and drug paraphernalia should be tossed out as evidence – because the state trooper who arrested him did not have a search warrant. Wood’s lawyer says a recent U-S Supreme Court decision put new limits on when police can search vehicles without a warrant. Columbia County Circuit Judge Daniel George told Wood and prosecutors to file legal briefs before he makes his ruling. It will come about a year after Wood allegedly crashed into a highway sign on Interstate 39-90-94 near Portage. The arresting trooper claimed to find the lawmaker urinating on the side of the road before searching his car.
Badgers State Great Place To raise Kids
7/29/09 - Wisconsin is the 10th best state for a child to live. That’s according to the annual Kids Count report, released Tuesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The state’s overall ranking is two places higher than the previous two years, when Wisconsin was ranked 12th. The report shows how well each state performs in 10 indicators of children’s health and well-being. They include infant mortality, teen birth rates, and the percentage of teens not going to school or working. Wisconsin has improved in six of the 10 indicators that were tracked between 2000 and 2007. The survey said Wisconsin did worse in its rankings for kids in single-parent homes, children living in poverty, kids in families where no parent works full-time, and babies with low birth-weights.
Change in Election Process in the Works
7/29/09 - A five-year plan to update Wisconsin’s election process could include voting by mail, or on the Internet. And it could also move the September primaries earlier, so there’s more time for the winners to campaign before the November general elections. Yesterday, local and state officials and citizens’ groups got together to discuss the five-year plan – which would put the Badger State in compliance with federal election laws. It also explores new things like voting by mail, which is now done only in Oregon and in Washington State outside the Seattle area. Some residents at the meeting were concerned such measures would invite voter fraud. But director Kevin Kennedy of the Government Accountability Board said security is paramount – and while the plan’s short on details now, he says the board would use all the tools it has to fight fraud. Madison Alderman Bryon Eagon, a U-W student, wanted to see on-line voter registration. He said it would especially be of help to young people. Rick Stadleman of the Wisconsin Towns Association said he’s not sure all the ideas are possible or necessary. It would cost 17-million dollars to make all the changes. Federal funds would cover about four-million, and Kennedy says his agency’s budget could handle some of the costs. Also, the Legislature would have to approve some items in the plan – like mail or Internet voting.
Groups Support Bill to Remove Politics from DNR
7/29/09 - Environmentalists, sportsmen, and D-N-R employees lined up yesterday to support a bill to get politics out of the state’s natural resources agency. Most of the 173 speakers at a legislative hearing supported the idea of having the Natural Resources Board appoint the D-N-R secretary, and not the governor. That’s the way it was before 1995. Since then, former board chairman Herb Behnke said resource policies have been influenced too much by the governor’s office. Former D-N-R attorney Linda Meyer said that in some cases, top officials have weakened rules and interfered in enforcement cases. Retired D-N-R water specialist Douglas Risch said the agency recently bowed to political pressure, and let those with flooding problems on small lakes pump water into the Wisconsin River. And Risch says the D-N-R’s morale is as low as ever. Susan Miller, head of a wardens’ union, said they’ve dealt with inexperienced management. And other conservation officers said they have not been allowed to speak about cases. But the state’s largest business group agreed with Governor Jim Doyle that he keep his current power. We Energies, the state’s largest electric utility, feared that a change might make the D-N-R put less emphasis on air-and-water issues.
7/29/09 - Brett Favre calls it the hardest decision he ever made. The former Packers’ quarterback told Minnesota Vikings’ coach Brad Childress yesterday he will not come out of retirement for a second time. Favre – who turns 40 in October – told E-S-P-N he did not believe he could play at a physically-acceptable level. And he had to be careful not to commit for quote, “the wrong reasons.” Favre had surgery on his throwing arm in May, and he said the Vikings kept telling him quote, “You went through all this, and you’ve got to finish it off.” But Favre said he had legitimate reasons for his decision and quote, “I’m 39 with a lot of sacks to my name.” E-S-P-N said Favre had pain in his ankles and left knee during his recent workouts at his home in Mississippi – and the pain got worse, which led Favre to doubt whether he could play for a full season. But the speculation continues as to whether Favre is retired for good. His former quarterback coach, Steve Mariucci, is among those questioning whether his latest decision is final. Favre could be available if a contending team needs a quarterback later in the season. He has played 18 N-F-L seasons – including 16 in Green Bay before he was traded a year ago to the New York Jets.
Eauslin gets 16 Years for Molestation
7/29/09 - A Lowell man will spend 16 years in prison for molesting a preteen girl. Wayne Eauslin was convicted of assaulting the child while she slept last August. The 36-year-old was a guest at the family’s home. Eauslin was found not guilty of assaulting an even younger girl during that same stay. Eauslin still faces a three other felony child sexual assault charges in two separate cases for allegedly molesting three different girls. In the other case, Eauslin assaulted two girls in a bathroom in the summer of 2007. In the third case, Eauslin is accused of the repeated sexual assault of a girl in 2001. District Attorney Bill Bedker says that he has (quote) “never heard testimony as gut wrenching as what he saw from that little girl.” Bedker said his heart was in his throat and his eyes welled up as she broke down in tears repeatedly while recounting what he did to her. At sentencing, Eauslin’s public defender asked for probation with “super-stringent” sex offender rules, arguing that the defendant had a good work ethic and no serious criminal history before this incident. Judge Brian Pfitzinger rejected the recommendation for probation saying, (quote) “this court sees you as someone the children of this county and this state need protection from” and not imposing a lengthy prison term would depreciate the seriousness of the offense. In addition to 16 years in prison, Eauslin was ordered to serve 10 years of extended supervision and register as a sex offender.
Mercury Marine Talks Continue
7/29/09 - Time may be of the essence as Mercury Marine decides whether to stay in Fond du Lac, but employees' union officials are going to need more of it to review proposed changes to their contract with the company. Union representatives met for about 3 and a half hours yesterday to go over proposed changes. They emerged from the meeting needing more time to review documents. They'll hold another meeting next Monday. Mercury officials have made no secret of the fact that what is worked out with the union will influence their decision on whether to consolidate operations in Fond du Lac or at the company's Stillwater, Oklahoma facility.
City To Close on YMCA Property Thursday
7/29/09 - The city of Beaver Dam will close on the purchase of the former YMCA property Thursday. That’s according to Mayor Tom Kennedy who says city officials will be immediately getting to work on plans to convert the parcel into a new police station. The city is planning to add the YMCA to its recently completed “Space Needs Study” of city-owned property. Once MSA Professional Services completes the assessment, Kennedy says city officials will have a better understanding of what to do with the existing structure, in terms of renovation or demolition.
Phase One of Highway 33 Project Close to Completion
7/29/09 - The downtown business district in Horicon will get a huge boost in the next two weeks as the DOT completes Phase One of the Highway 33 reconstruction project. This means Lake Street, which is home to a large number of businesses, will be open to traffic for the first time in months. Mayor Jim Grigg says while the reopening can’t bring back the money lost during the closure he feels businesses will be able to recover. Grigg says to his knowledge none of the business along the construction route have been forced to close up shop. The entire project is expected to be completed by November. Business leaders are also planning a ribbon cutting and street dance for the 15th of August to celebrate the reopening. For updates visit the Horicon Chamber of Commerce website.
Horicon Common Council Approves Purchase of Land for New Well
7/29/09 - The Horicon Common Council approved the purchase of a parcel of land at the high school last night for a place to build a new well. The new well will replace two others that are about 90-years-old. Mayor Jim Grigg says they decided to replace the older wells after maintenance workers noticed some corrosion of the wells castings. Though they have seen no evidence of surface water contamination the DNR suggested they shut those wells down and build another. The school district sold the land for just $1 on the condition the city would put bathrooms into the building. The total cost of the building is expected to be $25,000 and the city has applied for a grant to help for the total project cost of $1.25-million dollars. The city is now in the bidding process to have someone come in a do testing on the site.
Waupun Police Use Taser After Foot Chase with Beaver Dam Man
7/29/09 - Waupun police had to use a taser several times to apprehend a 43-year-old Beaver Dam man who led them on a foot chase. Police say an officer was patrolling one evening when he the officer spotted a car driving without head lights. A records check determined the vehicle had a revoked license. When the car was stopped the driver got out and fled on foot. During a foot chase the first deployment of the taser was unsuccessful. However police used it a second and third time, this time successfully as the man continued to try and run. He's being held in the County Jail on drunken driving and operating after revocation charges. (KFIZ)
NWS Confirms 3 Tornadoes Touched Down Monday
7/29/09 - Three tornadoes touched down in southern Wisconsin on Monday night. The National Weather Service confirmed those twisters yesterday in Marquette, Crawford, and Lafayette counties. The strongest one landed just after 5:45 Monday afternoon about three miles southwest of Montello. It had winds of about 95-miles-an-hour, was 100 yards wide, and ran for nine miles, causing tree damage. The Crawford County tornado was the first there since 1987. It touched just after 5:15 Monday about a mile east of Fairview. It destroyed several out-buildings on a farm, plus numerous trees. It ran for four miles with winds primarily at 65-to-85 miles an hour. Monday’s third tornado landed about 8:10 p-m two miles northeast of Gratiot in Lafayette County. It was only on the ground for a tenth of a mile, with winds of around 80 miles-an-hour. The storm caused minor roof damage to a couple of farm-houses, and smashed three vehicles. It was Lafayette County’s third tornado in four days. Two twisters last Friday caused heavy crop damage.
Popp Hoping for Plea Deal in Patrick Cudahy Meat Plant Fire
7/29/09 - A plea deal is being sought for at least one of two brothers accused of firing the military flare that started the massive fire at the Patrick Cudahy meat plant. Kurtis and Joshua Popp waived their preliminary hearings yesterday in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. And they were ordered to stand trial on felony charges of second-degree reckless endangerment. The attorney for 23-year-old Joshua Popp says he hopes negotiations for a plea bargain can be wrapped up by August 24th – when the Popps are scheduled to enter pleas. Prosecutors said Joshua took the military flare while he served in the Marines, and he let his 25-year-old brother Kurtis fire it the night of July fifth. Their mother said they were at a family barbeque at the time. The flare landed on the roof of the Patrick Cudahy plant, and it sparked a blaze that caused over 50-million dollars in damage.
Wood Wants Evidence Dismissed
7/29/09 - A judge in Portage says he’ll decide in December if marijuana found in a state legislator’s car can be used as evidence against him. Assembly Independent Jeff Wood of Bloomer says two bags of pot and drug paraphernalia should be tossed out as evidence – because the state trooper who arrested him did not have a search warrant. Wood’s lawyer says a recent U-S Supreme Court decision put new limits on when police can search vehicles without a warrant. Columbia County Circuit Judge Daniel George told Wood and prosecutors to file legal briefs before he makes his ruling. It will come about a year after Wood allegedly crashed into a highway sign on Interstate 39-90-94 near Portage. The arresting trooper claimed to find the lawmaker urinating on the side of the road before searching his car.
Badgers State Great Place To raise Kids
7/29/09 - Wisconsin is the 10th best state for a child to live. That’s according to the annual Kids Count report, released Tuesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The state’s overall ranking is two places higher than the previous two years, when Wisconsin was ranked 12th. The report shows how well each state performs in 10 indicators of children’s health and well-being. They include infant mortality, teen birth rates, and the percentage of teens not going to school or working. Wisconsin has improved in six of the 10 indicators that were tracked between 2000 and 2007. The survey said Wisconsin did worse in its rankings for kids in single-parent homes, children living in poverty, kids in families where no parent works full-time, and babies with low birth-weights.
Change in Election Process in the Works
7/29/09 - A five-year plan to update Wisconsin’s election process could include voting by mail, or on the Internet. And it could also move the September primaries earlier, so there’s more time for the winners to campaign before the November general elections. Yesterday, local and state officials and citizens’ groups got together to discuss the five-year plan – which would put the Badger State in compliance with federal election laws. It also explores new things like voting by mail, which is now done only in Oregon and in Washington State outside the Seattle area. Some residents at the meeting were concerned such measures would invite voter fraud. But director Kevin Kennedy of the Government Accountability Board said security is paramount – and while the plan’s short on details now, he says the board would use all the tools it has to fight fraud. Madison Alderman Bryon Eagon, a U-W student, wanted to see on-line voter registration. He said it would especially be of help to young people. Rick Stadleman of the Wisconsin Towns Association said he’s not sure all the ideas are possible or necessary. It would cost 17-million dollars to make all the changes. Federal funds would cover about four-million, and Kennedy says his agency’s budget could handle some of the costs. Also, the Legislature would have to approve some items in the plan – like mail or Internet voting.
Groups Support Bill to Remove Politics from DNR
7/29/09 - Environmentalists, sportsmen, and D-N-R employees lined up yesterday to support a bill to get politics out of the state’s natural resources agency. Most of the 173 speakers at a legislative hearing supported the idea of having the Natural Resources Board appoint the D-N-R secretary, and not the governor. That’s the way it was before 1995. Since then, former board chairman Herb Behnke said resource policies have been influenced too much by the governor’s office. Former D-N-R attorney Linda Meyer said that in some cases, top officials have weakened rules and interfered in enforcement cases. Retired D-N-R water specialist Douglas Risch said the agency recently bowed to political pressure, and let those with flooding problems on small lakes pump water into the Wisconsin River. And Risch says the D-N-R’s morale is as low as ever. Susan Miller, head of a wardens’ union, said they’ve dealt with inexperienced management. And other conservation officers said they have not been allowed to speak about cases. But the state’s largest business group agreed with Governor Jim Doyle that he keep his current power. We Energies, the state’s largest electric utility, feared that a change might make the D-N-R put less emphasis on air-and-water issues.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Top Stories July 28th
Severe Weather Hits Wisconsin
7/28/09 - Despite tornado warnings in Dodge, Columbia, Fond du Lac, and Washington Counties last evening very little damage was seen in our area. Emergency management officials reported quarter-sized hail and winds in the 40-mph range west of Randolph while Columbia County officials reported some trees were down in the Cambria area. A trained weather spotter reported a funnel cloud around Dalton in the Green Lake area but there were no confirmed touchdowns. Fond du Lac County Communications and Emergency Management Director Erin Gerred says there was an unconfirmed report of some rotation in clouds aloft over Lomira, but no confirmed touchdowns. The area was hit by heavy downpours, hail and high winds. A couple of possible tornadoes did touch down late yesterday in Crawford County in southwest Wisconsin. Authorities said an apparent twister near Mount Sterling knocked down some old barns and trees. Marquette County had winds of 60-miles-an-hour near Montello. Trees and power lines were down in that area and several others. Several homes in Monroe County had trees on their roofs, and debris closed a couple highways. Dodgeville had two-and-a-half inches of rain, with two-feet of water on some streets. Heavy rains in Richland County caused mudslides that forced some roads to close.
Multi-County Burglary Suspect Apprehended
7/28/09 - Fond du Lac County officials think they have the person in custody that may be responsible for a number of daytime burglaries in the multi-county area. Sheriff's detective Cameron McGee says a 36-year-old Waupun man was arrested Sunday night during a high-risk traffic stop when Deputy Jim Pfeiffer spotted an older red Suburban. It's believed the vehicle was used in a string of burglaries in and around the Waupun area and Dodge County since July 14th. McGee says the man was with his wife and kids when he was pulled over. Authorities obtained search warrants and found a number of stolen radios, televisions, jewelry and other items at a residence belonging to the man's wife. Detective McGee says they are working with multiple jurisdictions including the Dodge County Sheriffs Department in sorting out what burglaries the suspect may be connected with. Meanwhile, the man is being held in the Fond du Lac County Jail on a probation hold.
Frandy in Court
7/28/09 - The Rio man involved in a fatal head-on collision early Friday morning will not face a homicide charge. 69-year-old Jack Frandy was in Columbia County court yesterday after being charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated 2nd offense and obstructing an officer. Both are misdemeanors and carry a maximum sentence of 18-months in jail though more charges are possible after the investigation is complete. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says 21-year-old Ben VanderVenter crossed the centerline of Highway C in the Town of Hampden and collided head-on with a vehicle driven by Frandy just after midnight last Friday. VanderVenter was pronounced dead at the scene while Frandy suffered minor injuries. Authorities say alcohol was a factor for both drivers and they found empty beer cans in VanderVenter’s vehicle. Frandy’s wife, Pamela, called the accident in claiming she was driving. However, an investigation later showed that she had not even been in the car at the time of the accident.
Chemical Spill at Didion Ethanol
7/28/09 - Authorities near Cambria were called in early Sunday morning to cleanup a chemical spill at the Didion Ethanol Facility. Officials say the liquid that spilled was overwhelmingly water but did contain 3-percent sodium hydroxide. Didion Vice-president Dale Drachenberg say 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of the dilute solution spilled from a 5,000 gallon tank and more than 90-percent was contained on the facility grounds though some of the spill was released into a storm drain that empties into Duck Creek. The cleanup process was completed by yesterday afternoon. A gasket failure was to blame for the spill.
Operations Committee Discusses Flood Fringe, Flood Wall
7/28/09 - The Beaver Dam Operations Committee last night discussed in greater detail Phase 2 plans related to the downtown renovation project. Mayor Tom Kennedy told the committee that it is important for the city move forward with plans to amend FEMA flood elevation maps. With the recent removal of ten buildings that had been constructed over the Beaver Dam River, the flood elevation of the river is significantly lower along the 100 and 200 blocks of Front Street. Many of the remaining buildings are still listed as being in the “flood fringe” and such a designation limits those property owners in the amount of money they can spend on improvements. With the maps being redrawn, Kennedy says many of those buildings will be spared the “flood fringe” designation. Kennedy says the city has grant funding to pay for a flood wall that would remove even more buildings from the flood fringe. He hopes the affected property owners will consider working making front and back end façade improvements as trade for removing them from the flood fringe designation. City officials will seek design bids on the flood wall after the committee signs off on the wording of the “Request For Proposals” next week. The committee last night also approved bid plans for the resurfacing of three exterior walls left exposed following the demolition project, at 141 and 215 Front Street and 108 South Center. The Fountain Inn Tavern is not included. When questioned about it, Kennedy said, “Why would the city spend money on a building that will eventually be demolished.”
Beaver Dam Braces for Third Round of Stimulus Dollars
7/28/09 - The city of Beaver Dam is getting its ducks in a row for the third round of stimulus funds. Engineering Coordinator Ritchie Piltz told the Operations Committee last night that the city learned last week that there were no projects from Dodge County selected as part of the second round of Obama bucks. However, Piltz says the city learned that they would be in a good position for the next round because Dodge County was recently one of 31 counties listed as “economically distressed,” a designation that puts them in a better position to be eligible for federal stimulus dollars. The state DOT is looking for projects that will be ready to bid by December, and Piltz says simple resurfacing projects are favored over a complete reconstruction because the state could move quicker in the approval process. As a result, Piltz moved the resurfacing of Madison Street from Rowell to Curie Streets to the top of the list. There are eleven other full reconstruction projects, including South Spring Street to Parallel, Gould Street to Parallel and South University Avenue to West Davis Street.
DCHS Scales Back Hours
7/28/09 - Tough economic times are taking their toll on the Dodge County Humane Society. Shelter Director Kim Waugus says the non-profit is scaling back their hours of operation from five days a week to four days. In addition to being closed on Monday and Wednesday, the shelter will also be closed on Tuesday’s. However, visits can be scheduled in advance on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Waugus says until their financial situation improves they will also be relying more heavily on their team of volunteers to care for animals and maintain their facility.
Merc Officials to Meet Today
7/28/09 - Mercury Marine company officials and representatives of its employees union meet today to discuss negotiations. Mercury spokesman Steve Fleming says the first thing they have to agree on is that they are negotiating. He says it was apparent from remarks made following a union meeting at the Fond du Lac High School Sunday that union members don't believe their contract is being renegotiated. As the company charts its course for the future it is considering consolidation at its Fond du Lac or Stillwater, Oklahoma facilities. (KFIZ)
It’s Only a Drill
7/28/09 - If you see a lot of fire trucks, and police vehicles around Waupun Memorial Hospital today not to worry it's only an exercise. Agnesian HealthCare officials say the Hospital and Department of Corrections will be testing their fire emergency response within the six-bed secured unit on the hospital's third floor. Police and fire officials are also participating in the exercise. It's the first time the city and Department of Corrections will be collaborating at the hospital with hospital personnel on such a test. (KFIZ)
Space Launcher Makes Appearance at EAA
7/28/09 - An airplane designed to launch a space-ship from 50-thousand-feet made its public debut yesterday in Oshkosh. The White-Knight-Two circled the runway several times before it landed, wowing thousands of on-lookers at the E-A-A’s Air-Venture Show. Virgin Galactic made the twin-fuselage craft to launch commercial space travel. The company plans to lift a pressurized space-ship from a base in New Mexico. It would release the ship at 50-thousand feet. The six passengers inside would feel weightless for about five minutes as they enjoy a glimpse of earth. And the ship would then return similar to a space shuttle. The whole process could take around two-and-a-half hours. Virgin Galactic does not have a launch date yet. But about 300 people have made reservations for those kinds of flights. It’s not cheap. Each ride costs around 200-thousand dollars.
Governors Meet to Discuss High Speed Rail
7/28/09 - Officials from Wisconsin, seven other states, and Chicago have signed an agreement to pursue a high-speed passenger rail network. And the proposed line from Milwaukee-to-Madison will be one of three top priorities. Wisconsin’s Jim Doyle joined four other governors and rail executives at a summit in Chicago yesterday. The officials signed a memorandum-of-understanding that three other governors signed earlier. They vowed to seek three-and-a-half billion dollars in federal stimulus money – which would be the lion’s share of eight-billion available for high-speed rail projects nationally. In Wisconsin, the rail would go from Kenosha to Milwaukee to Madison and then to Minnesota’s Twin Cities. A northern spur is included from Milwaukee to Green Bay. The governors agreed on three segments as top priorities, including the Milwaukee to Madison line that would cost 519-million dollars. Their goal is to have it built in 3-to-5 years. The other top lines are from Detroit to Pontiac Michigan, and Chicago-to-Saint Louis.
UW-Madison #8 Party School
7/28/09 - After a two-year absence, U-W Madison is back on the list of the nation’s Top-20 party schools. It’s number-eight in the annual survey announced yesterday by the Princeton Review. The rankings are part of annual guide to the nation’s 371 best colleges. 122-thousand students rate the schools on a host of factors. Madison traditionally ranked near the top of the party-school category for years – and it was number-one in 2005. But that was before the university cracked down on some of Madison’s biggest drinking traditions – including drink specials at campus bars, and the annual Halloween bash on State Street that got violent until admission was charged and live music was added a couple years ago. Penn State is this year’s number-one party school, after Florida held the title a year ago. Penn State spokeswoman Annemarie Mountz says it’s nothing more than a popularity contest. She said groups on Facebook urged members to vote for Penn
Man Already Serving Life has 20-Years Added to Sentence
7/28/09 - A man who’s serving life in prison for the murder of his wife is getting another 20-year term for an attempt to kill a companion. 45-year-old Anthony Riach was sent to Waupun in 1992 for the beating-and-stabbing death of Cheryl Riach in Waukesha County. Yesterday, he pleaded guilty to an attempted murder charge for an attack on Lance Terry in 1990 outside a Waukesha restaurant. Authorities said Riach used a concrete block to pummel Terry in a fight that followed a night of drinking. Riach said he admitted to the beating to quote, “clean the skeletons out of his closet.” The judge made his sentence concurrent to the earlier life term for his murder conviction.
7/28/09 - Despite tornado warnings in Dodge, Columbia, Fond du Lac, and Washington Counties last evening very little damage was seen in our area. Emergency management officials reported quarter-sized hail and winds in the 40-mph range west of Randolph while Columbia County officials reported some trees were down in the Cambria area. A trained weather spotter reported a funnel cloud around Dalton in the Green Lake area but there were no confirmed touchdowns. Fond du Lac County Communications and Emergency Management Director Erin Gerred says there was an unconfirmed report of some rotation in clouds aloft over Lomira, but no confirmed touchdowns. The area was hit by heavy downpours, hail and high winds. A couple of possible tornadoes did touch down late yesterday in Crawford County in southwest Wisconsin. Authorities said an apparent twister near Mount Sterling knocked down some old barns and trees. Marquette County had winds of 60-miles-an-hour near Montello. Trees and power lines were down in that area and several others. Several homes in Monroe County had trees on their roofs, and debris closed a couple highways. Dodgeville had two-and-a-half inches of rain, with two-feet of water on some streets. Heavy rains in Richland County caused mudslides that forced some roads to close.
Multi-County Burglary Suspect Apprehended
7/28/09 - Fond du Lac County officials think they have the person in custody that may be responsible for a number of daytime burglaries in the multi-county area. Sheriff's detective Cameron McGee says a 36-year-old Waupun man was arrested Sunday night during a high-risk traffic stop when Deputy Jim Pfeiffer spotted an older red Suburban. It's believed the vehicle was used in a string of burglaries in and around the Waupun area and Dodge County since July 14th. McGee says the man was with his wife and kids when he was pulled over. Authorities obtained search warrants and found a number of stolen radios, televisions, jewelry and other items at a residence belonging to the man's wife. Detective McGee says they are working with multiple jurisdictions including the Dodge County Sheriffs Department in sorting out what burglaries the suspect may be connected with. Meanwhile, the man is being held in the Fond du Lac County Jail on a probation hold.
Frandy in Court
7/28/09 - The Rio man involved in a fatal head-on collision early Friday morning will not face a homicide charge. 69-year-old Jack Frandy was in Columbia County court yesterday after being charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated 2nd offense and obstructing an officer. Both are misdemeanors and carry a maximum sentence of 18-months in jail though more charges are possible after the investigation is complete. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says 21-year-old Ben VanderVenter crossed the centerline of Highway C in the Town of Hampden and collided head-on with a vehicle driven by Frandy just after midnight last Friday. VanderVenter was pronounced dead at the scene while Frandy suffered minor injuries. Authorities say alcohol was a factor for both drivers and they found empty beer cans in VanderVenter’s vehicle. Frandy’s wife, Pamela, called the accident in claiming she was driving. However, an investigation later showed that she had not even been in the car at the time of the accident.
Chemical Spill at Didion Ethanol
7/28/09 - Authorities near Cambria were called in early Sunday morning to cleanup a chemical spill at the Didion Ethanol Facility. Officials say the liquid that spilled was overwhelmingly water but did contain 3-percent sodium hydroxide. Didion Vice-president Dale Drachenberg say 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of the dilute solution spilled from a 5,000 gallon tank and more than 90-percent was contained on the facility grounds though some of the spill was released into a storm drain that empties into Duck Creek. The cleanup process was completed by yesterday afternoon. A gasket failure was to blame for the spill.
Operations Committee Discusses Flood Fringe, Flood Wall
7/28/09 - The Beaver Dam Operations Committee last night discussed in greater detail Phase 2 plans related to the downtown renovation project. Mayor Tom Kennedy told the committee that it is important for the city move forward with plans to amend FEMA flood elevation maps. With the recent removal of ten buildings that had been constructed over the Beaver Dam River, the flood elevation of the river is significantly lower along the 100 and 200 blocks of Front Street. Many of the remaining buildings are still listed as being in the “flood fringe” and such a designation limits those property owners in the amount of money they can spend on improvements. With the maps being redrawn, Kennedy says many of those buildings will be spared the “flood fringe” designation. Kennedy says the city has grant funding to pay for a flood wall that would remove even more buildings from the flood fringe. He hopes the affected property owners will consider working making front and back end façade improvements as trade for removing them from the flood fringe designation. City officials will seek design bids on the flood wall after the committee signs off on the wording of the “Request For Proposals” next week. The committee last night also approved bid plans for the resurfacing of three exterior walls left exposed following the demolition project, at 141 and 215 Front Street and 108 South Center. The Fountain Inn Tavern is not included. When questioned about it, Kennedy said, “Why would the city spend money on a building that will eventually be demolished.”
Beaver Dam Braces for Third Round of Stimulus Dollars
7/28/09 - The city of Beaver Dam is getting its ducks in a row for the third round of stimulus funds. Engineering Coordinator Ritchie Piltz told the Operations Committee last night that the city learned last week that there were no projects from Dodge County selected as part of the second round of Obama bucks. However, Piltz says the city learned that they would be in a good position for the next round because Dodge County was recently one of 31 counties listed as “economically distressed,” a designation that puts them in a better position to be eligible for federal stimulus dollars. The state DOT is looking for projects that will be ready to bid by December, and Piltz says simple resurfacing projects are favored over a complete reconstruction because the state could move quicker in the approval process. As a result, Piltz moved the resurfacing of Madison Street from Rowell to Curie Streets to the top of the list. There are eleven other full reconstruction projects, including South Spring Street to Parallel, Gould Street to Parallel and South University Avenue to West Davis Street.
DCHS Scales Back Hours
7/28/09 - Tough economic times are taking their toll on the Dodge County Humane Society. Shelter Director Kim Waugus says the non-profit is scaling back their hours of operation from five days a week to four days. In addition to being closed on Monday and Wednesday, the shelter will also be closed on Tuesday’s. However, visits can be scheduled in advance on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Waugus says until their financial situation improves they will also be relying more heavily on their team of volunteers to care for animals and maintain their facility.
Merc Officials to Meet Today
7/28/09 - Mercury Marine company officials and representatives of its employees union meet today to discuss negotiations. Mercury spokesman Steve Fleming says the first thing they have to agree on is that they are negotiating. He says it was apparent from remarks made following a union meeting at the Fond du Lac High School Sunday that union members don't believe their contract is being renegotiated. As the company charts its course for the future it is considering consolidation at its Fond du Lac or Stillwater, Oklahoma facilities. (KFIZ)
It’s Only a Drill
7/28/09 - If you see a lot of fire trucks, and police vehicles around Waupun Memorial Hospital today not to worry it's only an exercise. Agnesian HealthCare officials say the Hospital and Department of Corrections will be testing their fire emergency response within the six-bed secured unit on the hospital's third floor. Police and fire officials are also participating in the exercise. It's the first time the city and Department of Corrections will be collaborating at the hospital with hospital personnel on such a test. (KFIZ)
Space Launcher Makes Appearance at EAA
7/28/09 - An airplane designed to launch a space-ship from 50-thousand-feet made its public debut yesterday in Oshkosh. The White-Knight-Two circled the runway several times before it landed, wowing thousands of on-lookers at the E-A-A’s Air-Venture Show. Virgin Galactic made the twin-fuselage craft to launch commercial space travel. The company plans to lift a pressurized space-ship from a base in New Mexico. It would release the ship at 50-thousand feet. The six passengers inside would feel weightless for about five minutes as they enjoy a glimpse of earth. And the ship would then return similar to a space shuttle. The whole process could take around two-and-a-half hours. Virgin Galactic does not have a launch date yet. But about 300 people have made reservations for those kinds of flights. It’s not cheap. Each ride costs around 200-thousand dollars.
Governors Meet to Discuss High Speed Rail
7/28/09 - Officials from Wisconsin, seven other states, and Chicago have signed an agreement to pursue a high-speed passenger rail network. And the proposed line from Milwaukee-to-Madison will be one of three top priorities. Wisconsin’s Jim Doyle joined four other governors and rail executives at a summit in Chicago yesterday. The officials signed a memorandum-of-understanding that three other governors signed earlier. They vowed to seek three-and-a-half billion dollars in federal stimulus money – which would be the lion’s share of eight-billion available for high-speed rail projects nationally. In Wisconsin, the rail would go from Kenosha to Milwaukee to Madison and then to Minnesota’s Twin Cities. A northern spur is included from Milwaukee to Green Bay. The governors agreed on three segments as top priorities, including the Milwaukee to Madison line that would cost 519-million dollars. Their goal is to have it built in 3-to-5 years. The other top lines are from Detroit to Pontiac Michigan, and Chicago-to-Saint Louis.
UW-Madison #8 Party School
7/28/09 - After a two-year absence, U-W Madison is back on the list of the nation’s Top-20 party schools. It’s number-eight in the annual survey announced yesterday by the Princeton Review. The rankings are part of annual guide to the nation’s 371 best colleges. 122-thousand students rate the schools on a host of factors. Madison traditionally ranked near the top of the party-school category for years – and it was number-one in 2005. But that was before the university cracked down on some of Madison’s biggest drinking traditions – including drink specials at campus bars, and the annual Halloween bash on State Street that got violent until admission was charged and live music was added a couple years ago. Penn State is this year’s number-one party school, after Florida held the title a year ago. Penn State spokeswoman Annemarie Mountz says it’s nothing more than a popularity contest. She said groups on Facebook urged members to vote for Penn
Man Already Serving Life has 20-Years Added to Sentence
7/28/09 - A man who’s serving life in prison for the murder of his wife is getting another 20-year term for an attempt to kill a companion. 45-year-old Anthony Riach was sent to Waupun in 1992 for the beating-and-stabbing death of Cheryl Riach in Waukesha County. Yesterday, he pleaded guilty to an attempted murder charge for an attack on Lance Terry in 1990 outside a Waukesha restaurant. Authorities said Riach used a concrete block to pummel Terry in a fight that followed a night of drinking. Riach said he admitted to the beating to quote, “clean the skeletons out of his closet.” The judge made his sentence concurrent to the earlier life term for his murder conviction.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Top Storeis July 27th
Lawton Wants to Restore Film Tax Credit
7/27/09 - Wisconsin’s Lieutenant Governor doesn’t expect Johnny Depp to come back to Beaver Dam any time soon. The state budget that took effect at the beginning of the month scaled back film tax incentives, much to the chagrin of Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton. The original incentives were open-ended and subsidized Michael Mann's film about Depression-era gangster John Dillinger to the tune of $4.6 million. The state says filmmakers spent just $5 million while filming in Wisconsin, tough supporters of the incentives said that figure was under-reported. Lawton says there won’t be much film activity in the next year, but her office is determined to bring the incentives back because the state needs to build its creative economy, in addition to its traditional manufacturing economy. Lawton made the comments when she was in Beaver Dam last week touting changes in loan options for small businesses. Doyle signed the state budget the day before the movie “Public Enemies” premiered in Wisconsin.
Two Dead in Friday Fatal Wrecks
7/27/09 - A husband and wife are both expected to face charges following an accident early Friday morning that took the life of 21-year-old Ben VanderVenter. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says VanderVenter crossed the centerline of Highway C in the Town of Hampden and collided head-on with a vehicle driven by 69-year-old Jack Frandy of Rio head-on. VanderVenter was pronounced dead at the scene while Frandy suffered minor injuries. Authorities say alcohol was a factor for both drivers and they found empty beer cans in VanderVenter’s vehicle. Frandy’s wife, Pamela, called the accident in claiming she was driving. However, an investigation later showed that she had not even been in the car at the time of the accident. Jack Frandy was arrested on a number of tentative charges including negligent homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle. Charges against Pamela Frandy are pending.
Just before noon Friday, 48-year-old John Shattuck of Randolph was killed after failing to negotiate a curve in the Town of Westford. Alcohol and speed were not a factor in the crash and Shattuck was wearing his seatbelt.
Car Pulled from Beaver Dam River
7/27/09 - A car that was mostly submerged was pulled from the Beaver Dam River just before 8 a.m. yesterday morning. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says a car driven by Cory Coran ran off northbound Highway 151 near Center Road in the town of Beaver Dam and into the river. Coran was uninjured but was cited for operating after revocation. The Beaver Dam Fire Departments Dive Team assisted the towing company in hooking up the car to remove it.
Authorities Investigating B&E in Lomira
7/27/09 - Authorities are investigating a Breaking and Entering at a home for sale in the Town of Lomira. The real estate agent for a home on Oak Lane Road reported that someone had gained entry to the home sometime over the past few days. Law enforcement collected evidence from the scene for further investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact authorities.
Supreme Court Sides With Campbellsport Man
7/27/09 - The Wisconsin Supreme Court has sided with a Campbellsport man in saying doctors must tell patients about all available forms of treatment. The ruling came Friday in the case of Richard Bubb, who went to the emergency room after falling out of a chair. The E-R doctor told Bubb he suffered a temporary loss of oxygen in his brain and sent him home after consulting with a specialist. Two days later, Bubb had a stroke – and tests found that his carotid artery was 90-percent blocked. Bubb later sued, saying the doctor should have spelled out his treatment options when he went to the emergency room. The Supreme Court agreed, saying it what’s state law requires.
DCSO Warns of Blacktop Scam
7/27/09 - The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department is warning the public about a driveway blacktop scam. Several area residents have reported solicitations from an out-of-state company indicating they have excess blacktop from another job, and offer to pave or repave a driveway. They say it’s a good deal, but it’s often twice the going rate offered by local area paving companies. Workmanship has also been called into question. While is does not appear there is anything criminal taking place, law enforcement is reminding residents to be cautious.
The Tortoise and the Heat Lamp
7/27/09 - A fire at a home in Fond du Lac Friday night is being blamed on a tortoise. Officials say the tortoise knocked over a heat lamp that started the fire in a basement. There was smoke damage to the home but no one was injured. In the process of responding firefighters found the 40 pound tortoise and a double digit number of snakes including pythons and boa constrictors. The animals were removed from the home.
Bond Reduced for Mother Accused of Helping Son Move Corpse
7/27/09 - Bond has been reduced to $150,000 cash for a 53-year-old Fond du Lac woman accused of helping her son move a woman's corpse. Nancy Pinno allegedly aided her son 36-year-old son Brandon Mueller after he strangled Renee Redmer in Pinno's apartment last January. Pinno's bond was reduced from $250,000. District Attorney Dan Kaminsky says he went along with the bond reduction request after learning Pinno had confessed her role in Redmer's death to investigators. (KFIZ)
BD Stays Alive in American Legion Tournament
7/27/09 - Playing in their third elimination game in as many days White Construction/Beaver Dam American Legion Post 146 came out swinging yesterday beating Waupun 12-11. The win sets up a rematch with Deforest, which beat the Golden Beaver’s in the opening round of the double elimination tournament. You can catch the game on 1430 WBEV beginning with the pre-game at 5:15. If Beaver Dam wins, they’ll play Waupun tonight in the championship game for the right to go to the state tournament. That game will also be broadcasted on 1430 WBEV.
BDUSD Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
7/27/09 - The Beaver Dam High School Athletic Hall of Fame committee has chosen the inductees for the class of 2009. Evan Gagnon is a long time football and track coach who also taught history for 34 years at the high school. Jason Gonnion, an athlete at BDHS from 1986-1989, who was a three sport athlete excelling in football. After graduation, Gonnion played quarterback at UW-LaCrosse and helped lead them to the NCAA Division III National Championship in 1992. Dania Douglas, an athlete at the high school from 1990-1994, was a three sport athlete who lettered four times in track and field and qualified for state three times. All three will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of Beaver Dam Homecoming activities on Friday, September 25.
Busy Horicon Intersection Closed
7/27/09 - Horicon’s busiest intersection will be closed today as part of the Highway 33 reconstruction project. The intersection of Lake and Vine Streets will close around noon for continuing work. The detour will be the same as it was last month when it was closed. From Horicon’s west side: take Clinton Street to Horicon Street, cross over Main Street to Chandler Street until it meets Valley Street. Then turn right onto South Vine Street, go over the bridge, and turn right onto Mill Street. The Lake/Vine intersection will reopen as soon as all the work has been completed.
Hundreds Rally to Support Health Care Reform
7/27/09 - Hundreds of people attended a Milwaukee rally yesterday to urge Congress to pass health care reform. House Democrat Gwen Moore told the crowd that 14-thousand Americans are losing their jobs every day. And that’s boosting the number of people losing access to health coverage or the ability to pay for it. One woman said her sister died from lupus after she left a hospital against her doctor’s wishes, because her insurer wouldn’t pay for extra days. The rally was sponsored by “Organizing for America,” a spin-off group from President Obama’s election campaign. Moore said private insurers are against competing with the proposed government plan because their profits would drop. But Janesville House Republican Paul Ryan has said the government plan would put private insurers out of business. Thirty-one business groups have opposed the payroll tax in the House version of the bill.
Powerball Back Above $100M
7/27/09 - The Powerball jackpot is above 100-million-dollars for the first time since May 27th. Nobody won the top prize of 88-million on Saturday, so it goes up to 102-million for Wednesday night's drawing. This is the fifth time this year the top prize reached at least 100-million. The biggest jackpot winner of the year was also the last one -- 232-million-dollars in South Dakota on May 27th. Wednesday night's cash option is just over 50-million. That goes to a single winner who chooses not to take the top prize in 30 yearly installments.
7/27/09 - Wisconsin’s Lieutenant Governor doesn’t expect Johnny Depp to come back to Beaver Dam any time soon. The state budget that took effect at the beginning of the month scaled back film tax incentives, much to the chagrin of Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton. The original incentives were open-ended and subsidized Michael Mann's film about Depression-era gangster John Dillinger to the tune of $4.6 million. The state says filmmakers spent just $5 million while filming in Wisconsin, tough supporters of the incentives said that figure was under-reported. Lawton says there won’t be much film activity in the next year, but her office is determined to bring the incentives back because the state needs to build its creative economy, in addition to its traditional manufacturing economy. Lawton made the comments when she was in Beaver Dam last week touting changes in loan options for small businesses. Doyle signed the state budget the day before the movie “Public Enemies” premiered in Wisconsin.
Two Dead in Friday Fatal Wrecks
7/27/09 - A husband and wife are both expected to face charges following an accident early Friday morning that took the life of 21-year-old Ben VanderVenter. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says VanderVenter crossed the centerline of Highway C in the Town of Hampden and collided head-on with a vehicle driven by 69-year-old Jack Frandy of Rio head-on. VanderVenter was pronounced dead at the scene while Frandy suffered minor injuries. Authorities say alcohol was a factor for both drivers and they found empty beer cans in VanderVenter’s vehicle. Frandy’s wife, Pamela, called the accident in claiming she was driving. However, an investigation later showed that she had not even been in the car at the time of the accident. Jack Frandy was arrested on a number of tentative charges including negligent homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle. Charges against Pamela Frandy are pending.
Just before noon Friday, 48-year-old John Shattuck of Randolph was killed after failing to negotiate a curve in the Town of Westford. Alcohol and speed were not a factor in the crash and Shattuck was wearing his seatbelt.
Car Pulled from Beaver Dam River
7/27/09 - A car that was mostly submerged was pulled from the Beaver Dam River just before 8 a.m. yesterday morning. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says a car driven by Cory Coran ran off northbound Highway 151 near Center Road in the town of Beaver Dam and into the river. Coran was uninjured but was cited for operating after revocation. The Beaver Dam Fire Departments Dive Team assisted the towing company in hooking up the car to remove it.
Authorities Investigating B&E in Lomira
7/27/09 - Authorities are investigating a Breaking and Entering at a home for sale in the Town of Lomira. The real estate agent for a home on Oak Lane Road reported that someone had gained entry to the home sometime over the past few days. Law enforcement collected evidence from the scene for further investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact authorities.
Supreme Court Sides With Campbellsport Man
7/27/09 - The Wisconsin Supreme Court has sided with a Campbellsport man in saying doctors must tell patients about all available forms of treatment. The ruling came Friday in the case of Richard Bubb, who went to the emergency room after falling out of a chair. The E-R doctor told Bubb he suffered a temporary loss of oxygen in his brain and sent him home after consulting with a specialist. Two days later, Bubb had a stroke – and tests found that his carotid artery was 90-percent blocked. Bubb later sued, saying the doctor should have spelled out his treatment options when he went to the emergency room. The Supreme Court agreed, saying it what’s state law requires.
DCSO Warns of Blacktop Scam
7/27/09 - The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department is warning the public about a driveway blacktop scam. Several area residents have reported solicitations from an out-of-state company indicating they have excess blacktop from another job, and offer to pave or repave a driveway. They say it’s a good deal, but it’s often twice the going rate offered by local area paving companies. Workmanship has also been called into question. While is does not appear there is anything criminal taking place, law enforcement is reminding residents to be cautious.
The Tortoise and the Heat Lamp
7/27/09 - A fire at a home in Fond du Lac Friday night is being blamed on a tortoise. Officials say the tortoise knocked over a heat lamp that started the fire in a basement. There was smoke damage to the home but no one was injured. In the process of responding firefighters found the 40 pound tortoise and a double digit number of snakes including pythons and boa constrictors. The animals were removed from the home.
Bond Reduced for Mother Accused of Helping Son Move Corpse
7/27/09 - Bond has been reduced to $150,000 cash for a 53-year-old Fond du Lac woman accused of helping her son move a woman's corpse. Nancy Pinno allegedly aided her son 36-year-old son Brandon Mueller after he strangled Renee Redmer in Pinno's apartment last January. Pinno's bond was reduced from $250,000. District Attorney Dan Kaminsky says he went along with the bond reduction request after learning Pinno had confessed her role in Redmer's death to investigators. (KFIZ)
BD Stays Alive in American Legion Tournament
7/27/09 - Playing in their third elimination game in as many days White Construction/Beaver Dam American Legion Post 146 came out swinging yesterday beating Waupun 12-11. The win sets up a rematch with Deforest, which beat the Golden Beaver’s in the opening round of the double elimination tournament. You can catch the game on 1430 WBEV beginning with the pre-game at 5:15. If Beaver Dam wins, they’ll play Waupun tonight in the championship game for the right to go to the state tournament. That game will also be broadcasted on 1430 WBEV.
BDUSD Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
7/27/09 - The Beaver Dam High School Athletic Hall of Fame committee has chosen the inductees for the class of 2009. Evan Gagnon is a long time football and track coach who also taught history for 34 years at the high school. Jason Gonnion, an athlete at BDHS from 1986-1989, who was a three sport athlete excelling in football. After graduation, Gonnion played quarterback at UW-LaCrosse and helped lead them to the NCAA Division III National Championship in 1992. Dania Douglas, an athlete at the high school from 1990-1994, was a three sport athlete who lettered four times in track and field and qualified for state three times. All three will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of Beaver Dam Homecoming activities on Friday, September 25.
Busy Horicon Intersection Closed
7/27/09 - Horicon’s busiest intersection will be closed today as part of the Highway 33 reconstruction project. The intersection of Lake and Vine Streets will close around noon for continuing work. The detour will be the same as it was last month when it was closed. From Horicon’s west side: take Clinton Street to Horicon Street, cross over Main Street to Chandler Street until it meets Valley Street. Then turn right onto South Vine Street, go over the bridge, and turn right onto Mill Street. The Lake/Vine intersection will reopen as soon as all the work has been completed.
Hundreds Rally to Support Health Care Reform
7/27/09 - Hundreds of people attended a Milwaukee rally yesterday to urge Congress to pass health care reform. House Democrat Gwen Moore told the crowd that 14-thousand Americans are losing their jobs every day. And that’s boosting the number of people losing access to health coverage or the ability to pay for it. One woman said her sister died from lupus after she left a hospital against her doctor’s wishes, because her insurer wouldn’t pay for extra days. The rally was sponsored by “Organizing for America,” a spin-off group from President Obama’s election campaign. Moore said private insurers are against competing with the proposed government plan because their profits would drop. But Janesville House Republican Paul Ryan has said the government plan would put private insurers out of business. Thirty-one business groups have opposed the payroll tax in the House version of the bill.
Powerball Back Above $100M
7/27/09 - The Powerball jackpot is above 100-million-dollars for the first time since May 27th. Nobody won the top prize of 88-million on Saturday, so it goes up to 102-million for Wednesday night's drawing. This is the fifth time this year the top prize reached at least 100-million. The biggest jackpot winner of the year was also the last one -- 232-million-dollars in South Dakota on May 27th. Wednesday night's cash option is just over 50-million. That goes to a single winner who chooses not to take the top prize in 30 yearly installments.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Top Stories, July 26th
Randolph Man in Town of Westford Wreck IDed
7/26/09 - The name of a Randolph man killed in a one-vehicle accident Friday morning has been released. According to the Dodge County Sheriffs Department, John Shattuck was pronounced dead at the scene of the Town of Westford wreck. The 48-year-old failed to negotiate a curve on County Truck G, rolled the car into a ditch and down a steep embankment before coming to rest on its roof. Alcohol and speed were not a factor in the crash and Shattuck was wearing his seatbelt.
Couple in Burning SUV Video Moving to Wisconsin
7/26/09 - The Harper family wants to live with the people who helped them so selflessly. James Harper says he and his family are moving to Milwaukee, permanently. Harper's four year old son was saved from a burning sport utility vehicle a week ago today. Harper says he is grateful to the off-duty firefighters and others who rescued his family. The SUV caught on fire after a wreck. People have been donating clothes and money. The Ronald McDonald House is giving the family food and a place to stay while four year old David Harper faces months of burn treatments. The Harpers are from Tennessee. James Harper calls the people who have been donating clothes and money, quoting here, "angels."
Man Breaks Leg in ATV OWI
7/26/09 - It is against the law to drink and drive an All Terrain Vehicle. A 34-year-old Dodge County man learned that lesson the hard way after he called authorities while lying in the roadway with a broken leg. Brian Schuman crashed his ATV just after midnight this morning in the Town of Hustisford. He called 9-1-1 while lying in the middle of Pieper Road and EMS officials transported him to Watertown Hospital. Schuman was later cited for failure to register his ATV and Operating While Intoxicated.
Gas Up
7/26/09 - After weeks of steady decline there has been an increase at the gas pumps. The price of a gallon of regular unleaded in Beaver Dam is up a nickel from yesterday morning to $2.43, four cents below the statewide average. According to wisconsingasprices.com, Mayville, Watertown and Johnson Creek are also $2.43. Fond du Lac is as high as $2.47. Oshkosh and Sheboygan are averaging $2.45. The high price in the state is $2.65 in Pleasant Prairie. The low price is $2.28 in Appleton. The national average is on penny above the statewide average at $2.48, which is about a dollar fifty higher than the fuel costs one year ago.
Federal Stimulus Dollars Used For Dodge County Airport Project
7/26/09 - A project to replace runway lighting at the Dodge County Airport in Juneau will be completed with the help of over $94,000 in federal stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. According to Eric Johnson, Airport Development Engineer with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the $568,000 project will utilize $11,800 in state funds and another $11,800 in local matching dollars with the remaining coming directly from the FAA. Johnson says the existing lighting system is experiencing some failures and requires numerous repairs due to age and lightning strikes. The project includes replacement of the precision approach path indicators and runway end identifier lights along the Dodge County airports two paved runways. The project should be completed by September.
New Stop Signs in Rubicon
7/26/09 - There will be a new four-way stop sign in the Town of Rubicon this week. According to the state Department of Transportation, stop signs are scheduled for installation on July 29 on Highway 60 at the County Highway P intersection. The intersection is currently served by stop signs on County P only. Message boards have been placed in the area to notify motorists of the change.
Hurd Workers Relocated Not Laid-Off
7/26/09 - Workers at the Hurd Windows and Doors plant in Merrill aren't necessarily losing their jobs, but those jobs are moving. Hurd says 90 employees will have to drive to the Medford plant by the end of the year. The company says it is getting ready for future expansion. The Medford plant is 35 miles away. Hurd says there will be no layoffs in connection with these changes -- and the company might even begin hiring again. Hurd leadership calls this a buyer's market, saying now is the time to expand while prices are low. The company makes custom windows and doors for high-end homes and commercial properties. Merrill city leaders say they don't know what Hurd's specific plans are. They plan to meet with company officials tomorrow.
Kind in the Middle of Health Care Reform
7/26/09 - Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind is one of the moderate Democrats on Capitol Hill right in the middle of the growing debate over health care reform. Kind was part of a Friday news conference announcing a deal had been reached with congressional leaders on containing Medicare costs. Most of the moderate and conservative Democrats are worried about the trillion dollar cost of health care legislation. Kind and others say its important to emphasize "value over volume" when it comes to paying doctors and hospitals for their work. He says the quality of the care should be a factor in compensation rates -- not the number of patients treated.
$200 Annual Jump in Milwaukee-Area Water Rates Proposed
7/26/09 - Milwaukee wants to soak its water service customers for another 200 dollars a year for residential service. Higher water rates could be on the way for people living in Milwaukee, some of its suburbs and other cities which rely on Milwaukee for water supplies. A committee has recommended the city ask the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to approve a hike in those water bills. Places like Menomonee Falls, New Berline and Wauwatosa -- which buy their water from Milwaukee -- would be hit with higher rates as well. Water officials say they need the additional funds to cover rising pension costs, falling property values and stagnant levels of aid from the state.
Property Taxes Due Friday
7/26/09 - Dodge County Treasurer Patti Hilker is reminding taxpayers who postponed the second installment of their property taxes that the balance must be paid on or before the end of the week. Online bill pay is available, for a fee, at www.officialpayments.com. Or payments will be accepted at the treasurer’s office, 127 East Oak Street in Juneau. The second payments cannot be made at your local municipality. Taxpayers mailing after this Friday’s July 31 deadline are subject to interest and a penalty of ten point five percent (10.5%).
7/26/09 - The name of a Randolph man killed in a one-vehicle accident Friday morning has been released. According to the Dodge County Sheriffs Department, John Shattuck was pronounced dead at the scene of the Town of Westford wreck. The 48-year-old failed to negotiate a curve on County Truck G, rolled the car into a ditch and down a steep embankment before coming to rest on its roof. Alcohol and speed were not a factor in the crash and Shattuck was wearing his seatbelt.
Couple in Burning SUV Video Moving to Wisconsin
7/26/09 - The Harper family wants to live with the people who helped them so selflessly. James Harper says he and his family are moving to Milwaukee, permanently. Harper's four year old son was saved from a burning sport utility vehicle a week ago today. Harper says he is grateful to the off-duty firefighters and others who rescued his family. The SUV caught on fire after a wreck. People have been donating clothes and money. The Ronald McDonald House is giving the family food and a place to stay while four year old David Harper faces months of burn treatments. The Harpers are from Tennessee. James Harper calls the people who have been donating clothes and money, quoting here, "angels."
Man Breaks Leg in ATV OWI
7/26/09 - It is against the law to drink and drive an All Terrain Vehicle. A 34-year-old Dodge County man learned that lesson the hard way after he called authorities while lying in the roadway with a broken leg. Brian Schuman crashed his ATV just after midnight this morning in the Town of Hustisford. He called 9-1-1 while lying in the middle of Pieper Road and EMS officials transported him to Watertown Hospital. Schuman was later cited for failure to register his ATV and Operating While Intoxicated.
Gas Up
7/26/09 - After weeks of steady decline there has been an increase at the gas pumps. The price of a gallon of regular unleaded in Beaver Dam is up a nickel from yesterday morning to $2.43, four cents below the statewide average. According to wisconsingasprices.com, Mayville, Watertown and Johnson Creek are also $2.43. Fond du Lac is as high as $2.47. Oshkosh and Sheboygan are averaging $2.45. The high price in the state is $2.65 in Pleasant Prairie. The low price is $2.28 in Appleton. The national average is on penny above the statewide average at $2.48, which is about a dollar fifty higher than the fuel costs one year ago.
Federal Stimulus Dollars Used For Dodge County Airport Project
7/26/09 - A project to replace runway lighting at the Dodge County Airport in Juneau will be completed with the help of over $94,000 in federal stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. According to Eric Johnson, Airport Development Engineer with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the $568,000 project will utilize $11,800 in state funds and another $11,800 in local matching dollars with the remaining coming directly from the FAA. Johnson says the existing lighting system is experiencing some failures and requires numerous repairs due to age and lightning strikes. The project includes replacement of the precision approach path indicators and runway end identifier lights along the Dodge County airports two paved runways. The project should be completed by September.
New Stop Signs in Rubicon
7/26/09 - There will be a new four-way stop sign in the Town of Rubicon this week. According to the state Department of Transportation, stop signs are scheduled for installation on July 29 on Highway 60 at the County Highway P intersection. The intersection is currently served by stop signs on County P only. Message boards have been placed in the area to notify motorists of the change.
Hurd Workers Relocated Not Laid-Off
7/26/09 - Workers at the Hurd Windows and Doors plant in Merrill aren't necessarily losing their jobs, but those jobs are moving. Hurd says 90 employees will have to drive to the Medford plant by the end of the year. The company says it is getting ready for future expansion. The Medford plant is 35 miles away. Hurd says there will be no layoffs in connection with these changes -- and the company might even begin hiring again. Hurd leadership calls this a buyer's market, saying now is the time to expand while prices are low. The company makes custom windows and doors for high-end homes and commercial properties. Merrill city leaders say they don't know what Hurd's specific plans are. They plan to meet with company officials tomorrow.
Kind in the Middle of Health Care Reform
7/26/09 - Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind is one of the moderate Democrats on Capitol Hill right in the middle of the growing debate over health care reform. Kind was part of a Friday news conference announcing a deal had been reached with congressional leaders on containing Medicare costs. Most of the moderate and conservative Democrats are worried about the trillion dollar cost of health care legislation. Kind and others say its important to emphasize "value over volume" when it comes to paying doctors and hospitals for their work. He says the quality of the care should be a factor in compensation rates -- not the number of patients treated.
$200 Annual Jump in Milwaukee-Area Water Rates Proposed
7/26/09 - Milwaukee wants to soak its water service customers for another 200 dollars a year for residential service. Higher water rates could be on the way for people living in Milwaukee, some of its suburbs and other cities which rely on Milwaukee for water supplies. A committee has recommended the city ask the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to approve a hike in those water bills. Places like Menomonee Falls, New Berline and Wauwatosa -- which buy their water from Milwaukee -- would be hit with higher rates as well. Water officials say they need the additional funds to cover rising pension costs, falling property values and stagnant levels of aid from the state.
Property Taxes Due Friday
7/26/09 - Dodge County Treasurer Patti Hilker is reminding taxpayers who postponed the second installment of their property taxes that the balance must be paid on or before the end of the week. Online bill pay is available, for a fee, at www.officialpayments.com. Or payments will be accepted at the treasurer’s office, 127 East Oak Street in Juneau. The second payments cannot be made at your local municipality. Taxpayers mailing after this Friday’s July 31 deadline are subject to interest and a penalty of ten point five percent (10.5%).
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Top Stories July 25th
Columbus Man Killed in Columbia County Accident
7/25/09 - Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in a two-vehicle accident that took the life a 21-year-old rural Columbus man early yesterday morning. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says Ben VanderVenter was traveling south on Highway C near Hall Road around midnight when he crossed the centerline and struck a vehicle driven by 69-year-old Jack Frandy of Rio head-on. VanderVenter was pronounced dead at the scene while Frandy suffered minor injuries. Authorities say alcohol was a factor for both drivers and they found empty beer cans in VanderVenter’s vehicle. Frandy’s wife, Pamela, called the accident in claiming she had been driving. However, an investigation later showed that she had not even been in the car at the time of the accident. Phone records show that Jack Frandy actually made several calls to his wife before she called in the accident and authorities determined she was at home at the time of the incident. Jack Frandy was later arrested on tentative charges of negligent homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, obstructing, and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, 2nd offense. Charges against Pamela Frandy are pending.
48-Year-old Randolph Man Killed in Accident
7/25/09 - A Randolph man was killed in a one-vehicle accident yesterday morning in the Town of Westford. According to the Dodge County Sheriffs Department, the accident occurred around 11am on County Trunk G when the driver failed to negotiate a curve, rolled the car into a ditch and down a steep embankment before coming to rest on its roof. The 48-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The name is being withheld pending notification of the family. Alcohol and speed were not a factor in the crash and the driver was wearing his seatbelt.
DC Sheriff’s Department Cautioning Residents About Possible Fraud
7/25/09 - During the last few days members of the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department have received information concerning possible fraud involving blacktop paved driveways. Residents have reported being approached by personnel from out of state indicating they have excess blacktop from another job, and offer to pave/repave their driveway. The price is represented as a deal, but in checking with other local area paving companies, it appears the price may be as much as double the going rate. Workmanship also has been called into question. While is does not appear there is anything criminal taking place, law enforcement would like to remind folks to be cautious. If it appears to be too good to be true is probably is. Do not be pressured into purchasing services without checking with other providers for comparison quotes. If the public has any questions they may call the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department at 920-386-3726.
FTD Were a Success but Not Just By the Numbers
7/25/09 - Strictly by the numbers the 2009 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days at the Crave Brothers Farm near Waterloo was a success. But Executive Secretary Matt Hanson says it was a success in others ways as well saying their goal was not necessarily high numbers, instead concentrating on making exhibitors happy and educating people as to where their food comes from. Co-Chair of the Executive Committee, Bill Nass said it was very gratifying to hear comments from exhibitors and visitors about how pleased they were with the show. Numbers are still coming in but one thing was for sure. More visitors had an opportunity to tour the farm than at any other show. Over the three days, more than 30,000 people took tram rides or bus tours through the farm. Organizers believe around 80,000 people passed through the gates during the three day event. Next years show will be held in Pierce County.
Supreme Court Rules Doctors Must Disclose All Treatment Options
7/25/09 - The Wisconsin Supreme Court says doctors must tell patients about all available forms of treatment. The ruling came yesterday in a case that involved Richard Bubb of Campbellsport. He fell out of his chair while eating dinner in 2001, and he then went to the emergency room at Saint Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac. That’s where E-R doctor William Brusky found that Bubb suffered a temporary loss of oxygen in his brain. Brusky sent the patient home after consulting with a specialist. But two days later, Bubb had a stroke – and tests found that his carotid artery was 90-percent blocked. Bubb later sued Brusky, saying the doctor should have spelled out his treatment options when he went to the emergency room. The Supreme Court agreed, saying it what’s state law requires.
Kewaskum Couple to Stand Trial on Adoption Placement
7/25/09 - A couple in Washington County has been ordered to stand trial, for allegedly selling their baby girl to a Missouri woman for six-thousand dollars. 38-year-old David Schmidt and 33-year-old Angela Schmidt of Kewaskum are scheduled to enter pleas August 12th to felony charges of unauthorized adoption placements. Prosecutors said Angela Schmidt claimed to be a surrogate mother – but she was impregnated by her own husband and not by the father who wants the baby. The Schmidts’ attorney had previously said the Missouri woman misled the couple by claiming the baby-sale was legal. It took place in 2004.
Storms Wreak Havoc on Southwest Wisconsin
7/25/09 - Powerful storms knocked down barns in southwestern Wisconsin, washing out roads and interrupting electrical service for some customers. Heavy rain and hail the size of baseballs was reported in Lafayette County, with more than three inches of rain falling in Grant County. Winds reportedly topped 60 miles per hour. A mudslide in Crawford County closed Highway 35. No injuries were reported, but the State Emergency Operations Center was partially activated so the storms could be monitored.
2nd Neumann Trial to Get Underway
7/25/09 - Opening arguments will be given today in a Marathon County courtroom for the father from Weston facing second-degree reckless homicide charges in his daughter's death. Dale Neumann is accused of praying for 11 year old Madeline, instead of seeking medical help. She died from undiagnosed diabetes. The jury was picked yesterday in Wausau. The girl's mother was convicted of the same charge last May. Prosecutors say the parents were reckless and responsible for the girl's death because they ignored obvious symptoms of her deteriorating health. Both parents say they believed God would heal their daughter.
Man’s Prison Sentence Reduced from Life to 8-Years
7/25/09 - A Racine man gets eight years in prison for shooting and killing a car vandal. Adrial White has originally been given a life sentence, but he won his appeal. Rather than go back to court, he pleaded guilty to reduced charges. White was convicted three years ago when prosecutors convinced a jury he had shot and killed one man and injured another. The two were trying to steal a speaker from a bar that belonged to a woman White was about to marry. White's defense attorney has recommended a sentence of seven years. She says her client is satisfied with the outcome and won't appeal again.
Doyle: Domestic Partnership Law Not “Sneaky”
7/25/09 - Governor Jim Doyle says the creation of a domestic partnership law through the state budget process was not "sneaky." That was the word used by the executive director of Wisconsin Family Action to describe the partnerships for unmarried couples. Julaine Appling filed a lawsuit seeking immediate action by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to overturn the law, citing a 2006 voter-approved constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. Speaking in Hudson yesterday, Governor Doyle was confident the law will be upheld. Doyle indicated that he thinks Appling and the others filing the lawsuits have themselves been deceptive in their public comments.
Doyle and Pawlenty Meet to Discuss State Partnership
7/25/09 - Governors Pawlenty and Doyle took a boat ride and talked about the many ways Minnesota and Wisconsin can work together to save some money. The two governors of the neighboring states discussed how to clean up the scenic St. Croix River. Reducing soil runoff from construction sites and farms is one approach. The states are also working together to protect the St. Louis River near Duluth-Superior. Pawlenty says the two states are building their already-close relationship, whether its saving the fish -- or offering a job to semi-retired quarterbacks. Governor Tim Pawlenty was referring to the NFL Vikings and the possibility former Packer quarterback Brett Favre might suit up for the team some day soon.
Air and Water Show Gets Going Today in Milwaukee
7/25/09 - The Milwaukee Air and Water Show draws thousands of people to the lakefront today and tomorrow. The Air Force Thunderbirds dominate the skies with their performance both afternoons at 3:30. The big show also includes the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team, aerobatic teams and air shows. Aviation fans will get to see a Navy FA-18 Hornet and an Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle. The evening air show will dominate the skies above German Fest.
Man Able to Watch Birth of Daughter from Iraq
7/25/09 - 7/25/09 - From thousands of miles away, it was almost like he was there. Marine Sergeant Gus Hazelton got to witness the birth of his daughter in Aurora West Allis Medical Center -- even though he is on assignment in Iraq. The video feed was made possible by the group "Freedom Calls," which relies on private donations to pay for the service. Mom Melissa Hazelton and little Liliana are said to be doing fine.
7/25/09 - Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in a two-vehicle accident that took the life a 21-year-old rural Columbus man early yesterday morning. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says Ben VanderVenter was traveling south on Highway C near Hall Road around midnight when he crossed the centerline and struck a vehicle driven by 69-year-old Jack Frandy of Rio head-on. VanderVenter was pronounced dead at the scene while Frandy suffered minor injuries. Authorities say alcohol was a factor for both drivers and they found empty beer cans in VanderVenter’s vehicle. Frandy’s wife, Pamela, called the accident in claiming she had been driving. However, an investigation later showed that she had not even been in the car at the time of the accident. Phone records show that Jack Frandy actually made several calls to his wife before she called in the accident and authorities determined she was at home at the time of the incident. Jack Frandy was later arrested on tentative charges of negligent homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, obstructing, and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, 2nd offense. Charges against Pamela Frandy are pending.
48-Year-old Randolph Man Killed in Accident
7/25/09 - A Randolph man was killed in a one-vehicle accident yesterday morning in the Town of Westford. According to the Dodge County Sheriffs Department, the accident occurred around 11am on County Trunk G when the driver failed to negotiate a curve, rolled the car into a ditch and down a steep embankment before coming to rest on its roof. The 48-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The name is being withheld pending notification of the family. Alcohol and speed were not a factor in the crash and the driver was wearing his seatbelt.
DC Sheriff’s Department Cautioning Residents About Possible Fraud
7/25/09 - During the last few days members of the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department have received information concerning possible fraud involving blacktop paved driveways. Residents have reported being approached by personnel from out of state indicating they have excess blacktop from another job, and offer to pave/repave their driveway. The price is represented as a deal, but in checking with other local area paving companies, it appears the price may be as much as double the going rate. Workmanship also has been called into question. While is does not appear there is anything criminal taking place, law enforcement would like to remind folks to be cautious. If it appears to be too good to be true is probably is. Do not be pressured into purchasing services without checking with other providers for comparison quotes. If the public has any questions they may call the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department at 920-386-3726.
FTD Were a Success but Not Just By the Numbers
7/25/09 - Strictly by the numbers the 2009 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days at the Crave Brothers Farm near Waterloo was a success. But Executive Secretary Matt Hanson says it was a success in others ways as well saying their goal was not necessarily high numbers, instead concentrating on making exhibitors happy and educating people as to where their food comes from. Co-Chair of the Executive Committee, Bill Nass said it was very gratifying to hear comments from exhibitors and visitors about how pleased they were with the show. Numbers are still coming in but one thing was for sure. More visitors had an opportunity to tour the farm than at any other show. Over the three days, more than 30,000 people took tram rides or bus tours through the farm. Organizers believe around 80,000 people passed through the gates during the three day event. Next years show will be held in Pierce County.
Supreme Court Rules Doctors Must Disclose All Treatment Options
7/25/09 - The Wisconsin Supreme Court says doctors must tell patients about all available forms of treatment. The ruling came yesterday in a case that involved Richard Bubb of Campbellsport. He fell out of his chair while eating dinner in 2001, and he then went to the emergency room at Saint Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac. That’s where E-R doctor William Brusky found that Bubb suffered a temporary loss of oxygen in his brain. Brusky sent the patient home after consulting with a specialist. But two days later, Bubb had a stroke – and tests found that his carotid artery was 90-percent blocked. Bubb later sued Brusky, saying the doctor should have spelled out his treatment options when he went to the emergency room. The Supreme Court agreed, saying it what’s state law requires.
Kewaskum Couple to Stand Trial on Adoption Placement
7/25/09 - A couple in Washington County has been ordered to stand trial, for allegedly selling their baby girl to a Missouri woman for six-thousand dollars. 38-year-old David Schmidt and 33-year-old Angela Schmidt of Kewaskum are scheduled to enter pleas August 12th to felony charges of unauthorized adoption placements. Prosecutors said Angela Schmidt claimed to be a surrogate mother – but she was impregnated by her own husband and not by the father who wants the baby. The Schmidts’ attorney had previously said the Missouri woman misled the couple by claiming the baby-sale was legal. It took place in 2004.
Storms Wreak Havoc on Southwest Wisconsin
7/25/09 - Powerful storms knocked down barns in southwestern Wisconsin, washing out roads and interrupting electrical service for some customers. Heavy rain and hail the size of baseballs was reported in Lafayette County, with more than three inches of rain falling in Grant County. Winds reportedly topped 60 miles per hour. A mudslide in Crawford County closed Highway 35. No injuries were reported, but the State Emergency Operations Center was partially activated so the storms could be monitored.
2nd Neumann Trial to Get Underway
7/25/09 - Opening arguments will be given today in a Marathon County courtroom for the father from Weston facing second-degree reckless homicide charges in his daughter's death. Dale Neumann is accused of praying for 11 year old Madeline, instead of seeking medical help. She died from undiagnosed diabetes. The jury was picked yesterday in Wausau. The girl's mother was convicted of the same charge last May. Prosecutors say the parents were reckless and responsible for the girl's death because they ignored obvious symptoms of her deteriorating health. Both parents say they believed God would heal their daughter.
Man’s Prison Sentence Reduced from Life to 8-Years
7/25/09 - A Racine man gets eight years in prison for shooting and killing a car vandal. Adrial White has originally been given a life sentence, but he won his appeal. Rather than go back to court, he pleaded guilty to reduced charges. White was convicted three years ago when prosecutors convinced a jury he had shot and killed one man and injured another. The two were trying to steal a speaker from a bar that belonged to a woman White was about to marry. White's defense attorney has recommended a sentence of seven years. She says her client is satisfied with the outcome and won't appeal again.
Doyle: Domestic Partnership Law Not “Sneaky”
7/25/09 - Governor Jim Doyle says the creation of a domestic partnership law through the state budget process was not "sneaky." That was the word used by the executive director of Wisconsin Family Action to describe the partnerships for unmarried couples. Julaine Appling filed a lawsuit seeking immediate action by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to overturn the law, citing a 2006 voter-approved constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. Speaking in Hudson yesterday, Governor Doyle was confident the law will be upheld. Doyle indicated that he thinks Appling and the others filing the lawsuits have themselves been deceptive in their public comments.
Doyle and Pawlenty Meet to Discuss State Partnership
7/25/09 - Governors Pawlenty and Doyle took a boat ride and talked about the many ways Minnesota and Wisconsin can work together to save some money. The two governors of the neighboring states discussed how to clean up the scenic St. Croix River. Reducing soil runoff from construction sites and farms is one approach. The states are also working together to protect the St. Louis River near Duluth-Superior. Pawlenty says the two states are building their already-close relationship, whether its saving the fish -- or offering a job to semi-retired quarterbacks. Governor Tim Pawlenty was referring to the NFL Vikings and the possibility former Packer quarterback Brett Favre might suit up for the team some day soon.
Air and Water Show Gets Going Today in Milwaukee
7/25/09 - The Milwaukee Air and Water Show draws thousands of people to the lakefront today and tomorrow. The Air Force Thunderbirds dominate the skies with their performance both afternoons at 3:30. The big show also includes the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team, aerobatic teams and air shows. Aviation fans will get to see a Navy FA-18 Hornet and an Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle. The evening air show will dominate the skies above German Fest.
Man Able to Watch Birth of Daughter from Iraq
7/25/09 - 7/25/09 - From thousands of miles away, it was almost like he was there. Marine Sergeant Gus Hazelton got to witness the birth of his daughter in Aurora West Allis Medical Center -- even though he is on assignment in Iraq. The video feed was made possible by the group "Freedom Calls," which relies on private donations to pay for the service. Mom Melissa Hazelton and little Liliana are said to be doing fine.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Top Stories July 24th
Farm Tech Attendance Estimated at 80K
7/24/09 - It was a successful year for the 2009 Farm Technology Days. Dodge County Farm Tech Executive Committee Chair Dave Frohling says the early numbers indicate there were around 80,000 people through the gates during the three-day event. Last year, Brown County’s Farm Tech Days was cancelled halfway through because of severe weather. While rain did cause some headaches for organizers this year, Frohling says it could have been much worse. Farm tech Days 2010 will be held in Pierce County. The 2011 show will be held in Marathon County.
Lawton Touts SBA Loan Changes in Beaver Dam
7/24/09 - State officials are urging small business owners to take advantage of new options for borrowing money. Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton (left) was at Northwoods Paper Converting in Beaver Dam yesterday to discuss expanded Small Business Association programs that help company’s access capital immediately and at cheaper rates. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes the new appropriations to enhance existing SBA loan offerings. Changes include temporarily eliminating up-front fees on working capital loans; expanding funding for the SBA micro-loan program through September 2010; and increasing the surety bond guarantee program for large construction projects from a maximum of $2 million to $5 million. The ARC loans, which will be distributed directly by commercial lenders, are 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA and have no fees. Northwoods Paper Converting Chad Abel received a $987,000 SBA loan to expand his building operations, and $20,780 in fees was waived. Abel says they are hoping to add 10-30 new employees. Business Stabilization Loans are also available for financially-vulnerable businesses in need of temporary relief to keep their doors open. This temporary SBA program will provide deferred-payment, interest-free loans of up to $35,000 to viable small businesses that need help making payments on an existing loan for up to six months.
Minimum Wage Increases Today
7/24/09 - Wisconsin’s minimum wage is going up 75-cents-an-hour today. The federal wage is also going up – and they’ll both be at 7.25-an-hour. Until now, Wisconsin was among six states with a minimum wage below the national figure. The state was at 6.50, while the national wage was at 6.55. The U-S Labor Department says the average Wisconsinite who makes the minimum wage will get an extra 112-dollars-a-month. The Economic Policy Institute says about 100-thousand employees in the state will have their wages rise to the new minimum. And 96-thousand others who make close to the minimum will also get raises, as companies re-adjust their pay scales. But state business leaders say they expect at least some layoffs as companies must increase their payrolls. The government said just over two-million U-S hourly workers were paid the minimum wage last year, out of a total of 75-million. Seven-of-every-10 workers who get the minimum are in service jobs – mostly in food serving and preparation.
Brothers Free on Bond in Patrick Cudahy Fire Case
7/24/09 - Two brothers are free on signature bonds after appearing in court yesterday on charges connected with the July fifth blaze at the Patrick Cudahy meat plant. 25-year-old Kurtis Popp of Milwaukee and 23-year-old Joshua Popp of Twenty-nine Palms California are both charged with second-degree felony reckless endangerment. Authorities said a military-grade flare caused the blaze that took three days to put out. According to prosecutors, Joshua Popp took the military-grade flare while serving in the Marines a couple years ago. Kurtis Popp told investigators he thought the flare might have caused the blaze, but he didn’t want to believe it. And even after the cause was revealed, the brothers didn’t immediately come forward because they were afraid. Attorneys for both said they’re extremely sorry and remorseful.
Group Challenges Domestic Partner Registry
7/24/09 - An attorney for those hoping to strike down Wisconsin’s new legal protections for domestic partners says he hopes the Supreme Court will decide their request in a matter of weeks. But by then, gay couples will have already started registering at county courthouses for the benefits. Those sign-ups begin a week from Monday. Three members of the Wisconsin Family Action group asked the Supreme Court yesterday to declare the domestic partner registry unconstitutional. They say it violates the constitutional amendment against gay marriage and civil unions which group members helped pass in 2006. But a spokesman for Governor Jim Doyle – who included the registry in the new state budget – says it’s just a set of basic protections, and it has nothing to do with promoting gay marriage.
UW-Hospital Warns Patients Over Possible Contamination
7/24/09 - Fifty-three patients at U-W Hospital in Madison had surgery with instruments that might have been contaminated. That’s after a woman who had a brain operation June 11th was later found to have Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The woman died Tuesday. And U-W Hospital has told the 53 patients they have an extremely low risk of getting the rare-but-fatal brain disorder. Those patients had surgery after the woman did, but before she was diagnosed 40 days later with Creutzfeldt-Jakob. Those instruments went through a normal sterilization process after each operation – and the hospital plans to use them again once they undergo a more stringent cleaning process. The U-W says it will free consultations and counseling to the 53 patients. Other hospitals have had similar incidents, with no one else getting sick.
Life Expectancy for New Babies Just over 79-Years
7/24/09 - Wisconsin babies born from 2005-to-‘07 can expect to live until five months after their 79th birthdays. That’s according to new data from the state Department of Health Services. The state’s life expectancy of 79-point-four was the same as the last report a year ago – and it’s two years longer than what the state reported for newborns from 1989-through-’91. Women can expect to live longer than men. Female life expectancy is around 82 years, as opposed to 77 for males.
Home Sales Rise in Midwest
7/24/09 - Home sales in the Midwest rose by almost three-percent for the year ending in June. The National Association of Realtors says it’s the first year-to-year increase since last September. Median home prices fell nine-percent in the past year in the 12 Midwest states. The average price is now 157-thousand dollars. Experts say sellers have gotten more realistic about the current market, and home shoppers have been looking for bargains in the thousands of foreclosed homes. The A-P-Remax monthly survey showed that Milwaukee home sales rose eight-percent since last June, while the average price dropped 11-percent to 174-thosuand dollars. Waukesha real estate agent Sue Derby said about two-thirds of her clients are first-time home buyers taking advantage of a new federal tax credit.
Minor Injures in 2-Vehicle Wreck
7/24/09 - Four people suffered minor injuries in a two-car accident Thursday night in the Town of Theresa. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says a vehicle driven by 27-year-old James Narr had stopped at the two-way stop sign at the intersection of County Road TW and AY. When he attempted to cross the intersection his vehicle was struck by a southbound vehicle. That car was driven by a 16-year-old boy. Three people in Narr’s vehicle were taken to the hospital as was the 16-year-old driver, though none of their injuries were considered serious. Authorities were expected to issue a number of citations to Narr, including Failure to Yield.
Waupun Looking into Counterfeit Bills
7/24/09 - Authorities in Waupun are investigating a report of a counterfeit bill that was discovered at the Fox Valley Savings and Loan Bank earlier this week. Waupun Police say officials at the bank reported the $10 bill after a local woman had deposited it. The woman told authorities she was unsure where she got the fake bill. Officials say the bill was missing the watermark and security thread. A number of counterfeit bills had been found in Fon du Lac County over the past two weeks but police are unsure if this bill came from the same group.
Immigrants Facing Deportation After Arrests
7/24/09 - Eleven Mexican immigrants in Waukesha face deportation, after being arrested for their connections to violent street gangs. The state Justice Department said it was part of national program called Operation Community Shield, which deals with safety threats caused by trans-national gangs. Federal, state, and local officers conducted the Waukesha investigation and made the arrests. All subjects were men. Officials said 10 gang members were in the U-S illegally, and one was a permanent resident whose criminal record allows him to be deported. All eleven had criminal records that included burglaries, aggravated batteries, drug possession, and theft. Among those arrested were members of the Latin Kings, La Raza, and three other gangs.
Bypass Won’t Cost Watertown Very Much
7/24/09 - The Highway 26 bypass around Watertown is not expected to cost the city very much. The common council approved a resolution earlier this week breaking down the costs of the project. More than $55 million in state and federal funding is available for the project. The city will be responsible for maintenance and electricity for about 18 lights along the business portion of Highway 26. If it accepts the responsibility of the lights at the interchange it will not have to pay the installation cost of $57,000. The total yearly cost for the city to take care of the lights would be $1,300. No cost participation will be required by the city for the construction of the Watertown section of the bypass and the project is 100 percent eligible for federal and state funding.
Columbus to Celebrate Public Enemies
7/24/09 - The movie stars may not be there, but the memories linger on. The “Public Enemies” Celebration in Columbus is slated for tomorrow (Saturday.) Planners have scheduled a whole day of events to commemorate the movie filming last year. The Cities population could swell to twice its size for the one-day event.
Hayrides with tours of Historic Columbus Sites will held throughout the day and a Jazz Band is scheduled between 3:30 and 6:30 in the afternoon.
Over 90 teams will be participating in the all-day-long “Xplosion” Softball Tournament at various diamonds throughout the City.
At 11 am there will be a special “picture car” parade. Visitors will also find Maxwell Street specials at outside locations in the downtown area, and there will be Children’s Games on Dickason Blvd. next to the City Hall from noon until 2 pm.
A Fireman’s motorcycle ride will be traveling through Columbus with about 500 cycles expected. That’s around 2:30 pm. Many Local taverns will be part of the celebration inviting folks to take a step back in time by taking part in the “Public Enemies” 1930s Costume Contest.
There are some other area events going on this weekend as well. In Fox Lake, the 8th annual Fox Lake Firefighters Classic Car Show and Swap Meet will be held at Fireman’s Park. If you pre-register it costs only $6-per entry while on the day of the show it’s $10. Gates open up at 8am and the event runs until 6pm. Tomorrow in Beaver Dam the Area Arts Association will lead a Secret Gardens Tour. The tour begins at 10 a.m. and you’ll be able to visit six to eight gardens around Beaver Dam. The price is $10 per person in advance and $12 at the door.
7/24/09 - It was a successful year for the 2009 Farm Technology Days. Dodge County Farm Tech Executive Committee Chair Dave Frohling says the early numbers indicate there were around 80,000 people through the gates during the three-day event. Last year, Brown County’s Farm Tech Days was cancelled halfway through because of severe weather. While rain did cause some headaches for organizers this year, Frohling says it could have been much worse. Farm tech Days 2010 will be held in Pierce County. The 2011 show will be held in Marathon County.
Lawton Touts SBA Loan Changes in Beaver Dam
7/24/09 - State officials are urging small business owners to take advantage of new options for borrowing money. Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton (left) was at Northwoods Paper Converting in Beaver Dam yesterday to discuss expanded Small Business Association programs that help company’s access capital immediately and at cheaper rates. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes the new appropriations to enhance existing SBA loan offerings. Changes include temporarily eliminating up-front fees on working capital loans; expanding funding for the SBA micro-loan program through September 2010; and increasing the surety bond guarantee program for large construction projects from a maximum of $2 million to $5 million. The ARC loans, which will be distributed directly by commercial lenders, are 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA and have no fees. Northwoods Paper Converting Chad Abel received a $987,000 SBA loan to expand his building operations, and $20,780 in fees was waived. Abel says they are hoping to add 10-30 new employees. Business Stabilization Loans are also available for financially-vulnerable businesses in need of temporary relief to keep their doors open. This temporary SBA program will provide deferred-payment, interest-free loans of up to $35,000 to viable small businesses that need help making payments on an existing loan for up to six months.
Minimum Wage Increases Today
7/24/09 - Wisconsin’s minimum wage is going up 75-cents-an-hour today. The federal wage is also going up – and they’ll both be at 7.25-an-hour. Until now, Wisconsin was among six states with a minimum wage below the national figure. The state was at 6.50, while the national wage was at 6.55. The U-S Labor Department says the average Wisconsinite who makes the minimum wage will get an extra 112-dollars-a-month. The Economic Policy Institute says about 100-thousand employees in the state will have their wages rise to the new minimum. And 96-thousand others who make close to the minimum will also get raises, as companies re-adjust their pay scales. But state business leaders say they expect at least some layoffs as companies must increase their payrolls. The government said just over two-million U-S hourly workers were paid the minimum wage last year, out of a total of 75-million. Seven-of-every-10 workers who get the minimum are in service jobs – mostly in food serving and preparation.
Brothers Free on Bond in Patrick Cudahy Fire Case
7/24/09 - Two brothers are free on signature bonds after appearing in court yesterday on charges connected with the July fifth blaze at the Patrick Cudahy meat plant. 25-year-old Kurtis Popp of Milwaukee and 23-year-old Joshua Popp of Twenty-nine Palms California are both charged with second-degree felony reckless endangerment. Authorities said a military-grade flare caused the blaze that took three days to put out. According to prosecutors, Joshua Popp took the military-grade flare while serving in the Marines a couple years ago. Kurtis Popp told investigators he thought the flare might have caused the blaze, but he didn’t want to believe it. And even after the cause was revealed, the brothers didn’t immediately come forward because they were afraid. Attorneys for both said they’re extremely sorry and remorseful.
Group Challenges Domestic Partner Registry
7/24/09 - An attorney for those hoping to strike down Wisconsin’s new legal protections for domestic partners says he hopes the Supreme Court will decide their request in a matter of weeks. But by then, gay couples will have already started registering at county courthouses for the benefits. Those sign-ups begin a week from Monday. Three members of the Wisconsin Family Action group asked the Supreme Court yesterday to declare the domestic partner registry unconstitutional. They say it violates the constitutional amendment against gay marriage and civil unions which group members helped pass in 2006. But a spokesman for Governor Jim Doyle – who included the registry in the new state budget – says it’s just a set of basic protections, and it has nothing to do with promoting gay marriage.
UW-Hospital Warns Patients Over Possible Contamination
7/24/09 - Fifty-three patients at U-W Hospital in Madison had surgery with instruments that might have been contaminated. That’s after a woman who had a brain operation June 11th was later found to have Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The woman died Tuesday. And U-W Hospital has told the 53 patients they have an extremely low risk of getting the rare-but-fatal brain disorder. Those patients had surgery after the woman did, but before she was diagnosed 40 days later with Creutzfeldt-Jakob. Those instruments went through a normal sterilization process after each operation – and the hospital plans to use them again once they undergo a more stringent cleaning process. The U-W says it will free consultations and counseling to the 53 patients. Other hospitals have had similar incidents, with no one else getting sick.
Life Expectancy for New Babies Just over 79-Years
7/24/09 - Wisconsin babies born from 2005-to-‘07 can expect to live until five months after their 79th birthdays. That’s according to new data from the state Department of Health Services. The state’s life expectancy of 79-point-four was the same as the last report a year ago – and it’s two years longer than what the state reported for newborns from 1989-through-’91. Women can expect to live longer than men. Female life expectancy is around 82 years, as opposed to 77 for males.
Home Sales Rise in Midwest
7/24/09 - Home sales in the Midwest rose by almost three-percent for the year ending in June. The National Association of Realtors says it’s the first year-to-year increase since last September. Median home prices fell nine-percent in the past year in the 12 Midwest states. The average price is now 157-thousand dollars. Experts say sellers have gotten more realistic about the current market, and home shoppers have been looking for bargains in the thousands of foreclosed homes. The A-P-Remax monthly survey showed that Milwaukee home sales rose eight-percent since last June, while the average price dropped 11-percent to 174-thosuand dollars. Waukesha real estate agent Sue Derby said about two-thirds of her clients are first-time home buyers taking advantage of a new federal tax credit.
Minor Injures in 2-Vehicle Wreck
7/24/09 - Four people suffered minor injuries in a two-car accident Thursday night in the Town of Theresa. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says a vehicle driven by 27-year-old James Narr had stopped at the two-way stop sign at the intersection of County Road TW and AY. When he attempted to cross the intersection his vehicle was struck by a southbound vehicle. That car was driven by a 16-year-old boy. Three people in Narr’s vehicle were taken to the hospital as was the 16-year-old driver, though none of their injuries were considered serious. Authorities were expected to issue a number of citations to Narr, including Failure to Yield.
Waupun Looking into Counterfeit Bills
7/24/09 - Authorities in Waupun are investigating a report of a counterfeit bill that was discovered at the Fox Valley Savings and Loan Bank earlier this week. Waupun Police say officials at the bank reported the $10 bill after a local woman had deposited it. The woman told authorities she was unsure where she got the fake bill. Officials say the bill was missing the watermark and security thread. A number of counterfeit bills had been found in Fon du Lac County over the past two weeks but police are unsure if this bill came from the same group.
Immigrants Facing Deportation After Arrests
7/24/09 - Eleven Mexican immigrants in Waukesha face deportation, after being arrested for their connections to violent street gangs. The state Justice Department said it was part of national program called Operation Community Shield, which deals with safety threats caused by trans-national gangs. Federal, state, and local officers conducted the Waukesha investigation and made the arrests. All subjects were men. Officials said 10 gang members were in the U-S illegally, and one was a permanent resident whose criminal record allows him to be deported. All eleven had criminal records that included burglaries, aggravated batteries, drug possession, and theft. Among those arrested were members of the Latin Kings, La Raza, and three other gangs.
Bypass Won’t Cost Watertown Very Much
7/24/09 - The Highway 26 bypass around Watertown is not expected to cost the city very much. The common council approved a resolution earlier this week breaking down the costs of the project. More than $55 million in state and federal funding is available for the project. The city will be responsible for maintenance and electricity for about 18 lights along the business portion of Highway 26. If it accepts the responsibility of the lights at the interchange it will not have to pay the installation cost of $57,000. The total yearly cost for the city to take care of the lights would be $1,300. No cost participation will be required by the city for the construction of the Watertown section of the bypass and the project is 100 percent eligible for federal and state funding.
Columbus to Celebrate Public Enemies
7/24/09 - The movie stars may not be there, but the memories linger on. The “Public Enemies” Celebration in Columbus is slated for tomorrow (Saturday.) Planners have scheduled a whole day of events to commemorate the movie filming last year. The Cities population could swell to twice its size for the one-day event.
Hayrides with tours of Historic Columbus Sites will held throughout the day and a Jazz Band is scheduled between 3:30 and 6:30 in the afternoon.
Over 90 teams will be participating in the all-day-long “Xplosion” Softball Tournament at various diamonds throughout the City.
At 11 am there will be a special “picture car” parade. Visitors will also find Maxwell Street specials at outside locations in the downtown area, and there will be Children’s Games on Dickason Blvd. next to the City Hall from noon until 2 pm.
A Fireman’s motorcycle ride will be traveling through Columbus with about 500 cycles expected. That’s around 2:30 pm. Many Local taverns will be part of the celebration inviting folks to take a step back in time by taking part in the “Public Enemies” 1930s Costume Contest.
There are some other area events going on this weekend as well. In Fox Lake, the 8th annual Fox Lake Firefighters Classic Car Show and Swap Meet will be held at Fireman’s Park. If you pre-register it costs only $6-per entry while on the day of the show it’s $10. Gates open up at 8am and the event runs until 6pm. Tomorrow in Beaver Dam the Area Arts Association will lead a Secret Gardens Tour. The tour begins at 10 a.m. and you’ll be able to visit six to eight gardens around Beaver Dam. The price is $10 per person in advance and $12 at the door.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Top Stories July 23rd
FTD Attendance Up In Spite of Rain
7/23/09 - In spite of the rain, the turnout for Farm Tech Days has been better than expected. Farm Tech Days Executive Committee Chairman Dave Frohling says while it’s too early for exact figures, the early numbers look good. Based on the parking numbers alone, Frohling told us yesterday they had more people for Day Two than Day One. Frohling also commended volunteers, saying that every committee member became a Grounds Committee member yesterday in drying out the grounds. By yesterday afternoon, attendees couldn’t even tell that the start of the event had been delayed by two hours. Field demonstrations were cancelled yesterday but Frohling says they will be available today.
The Poop on Farm Tech
7/23/09 - Hundreds of people have been cramming on the Farm Tech Days Tram Tour of the Crave Brothers Farm to get a closer look at their manure digester, which turns cow waste into renewable energy. On Day One, tickets were gone by 10am. Dan DeBuhr co-founded Clear Horizons, the company that the Crave Brothers partnered with in funding the multi-million dollar manure digester. While manure digesters don’t sell as quickly as some agricultural products at the farm show, DeBuhr says there has been about a dozen realistic opportunities for viable, potential clients. After taking the tram tour, Dick Dvorak, a dairy farmer from Manitowoc County, said the manure digester was the future for dairy farmers, allowing producers to get a better handle on odors and their nutrient management plan. Because the byproduct can be used as pathogen-free bedding for cows, Dvorak says the cows will even be more comfortable.
Unemployment in Dodge County Hits Double Digits
7/23/09 - Dodge County’s unemployment rate has hit double digits. The county’s unadjusted rate for June was 10.1%, up from 9.5% in May and more than double from a year ago. Washington County is also at 10.1% up nearly a full point over May. Columbia County saw an increase of three-tenths (.3%) of a percent to 8.1%, while Jefferson jumped from 9.1% to 9.8%. An increase of six-tenths (.6%) of a percent was seen in Fond du Lac County as their unemployment rate is now at 9.5%. Overall, the unemployment rate increased in 57 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. Dane County still has the lowest rate at 6.3% but that’s still nearly double from its rate of 3.6% a year ago. The highest rate in the state was in Menominee County where nearly 16% of the population is unemployed. Wisconsin’s unemployment rate for June was 9.2%, while the national rate was 9.7%.
Downtown Redevelopment Ahead of Schedule
7/23/09 - Beaver Dam’s downtown redevelopment project is running ahead of schedule. That’s according to Mayor Tom Kennedy who says South Center Street should be open to traffic sometime between July 31 and August 7, weather permitting. In the next two weeks, city crews will also begin to re-set streetlights and traffic signals that were removed and install posts and signage along the river in the Tower Parking lot. Demolition Contractor Brandenburg Industries pulled out of town last Friday but will be back to install sidewalks. Damaged sidewalks, curbs and approaches will be repaired by the end of next week. Fences will also be reconfigured by next week to allow for a narrow sidewalk on both sides of the South Center Street bridge.
FDL Authorities Searching for Sex Offender
7/23/09 - Fond du Lac police were only minutes behind a 42-year-old sex offender who skipped out of the area early Tuesday morning. Police Captain Steve Klein says Carl King cut his electronic monitoring bracelet off with a steak knife. King was living at 457 Thomas Street and another sex offender who lives there said he's seen King about 15 minutes before they arrived. King has a girlfriend who lives in Chicago. On June 23rd he was released from prison after serving 3 years for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl. (KFIZ)
BD Looking for Subjects Who Allegedly Vandalized Vehicles
7/23/09 - The Beaver Dam Police Department fielded several complaints Tuesday from city residents whose vehicles were targeted by vandals. The vandals slathered at least four automobiles with mustard. In one instance, the condiment stained the paint. The reports came from Pleasant Street, Bogert and Lake Shore Drive. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department or the anonymous We-Tip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME.
FDL Working With Waupun Firm on Brownfield Assessment Grants
7/23/09 - Fond du Lac County officials have entered an agreement with a Waupun firm to apply for two brownfield assessment grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. County supervisors approved the agreement Tuesday night. Each grant is for up to $200,000. They could be used to assess properties that have potential petroleum or hazardous substance contamination. County Planning and Parks Director Sam Tobias says projects targeted for economic development such as the Lakeshore in North Fond du Lac and areas of Waupun could benefit from the environmental assessments. (KFIZ)
Public Hearing Held on Do-Not-Call List
7/23/09 - The lawmaker who first proposed Wisconsin’s do-not-call list says the 100-dollar fine for violators is nothing to a large telemarketing firm. And that’s why Senate Democrat Jon Erpenbach of Waunakee wants to raise the penalty to at least a-thousand-dollars – and up to 10-thousand for the worst violators. A Senate committee held a public hearing on his bill yesterday. Erpenbach said it would send a message that violators would have a “pretty stiff price to pay.” But Senate Republican Mary Lazich of New Berlin said it’s like moving from a slap-on-the-wrist to a sledge-hammer. And she wanted judges to be able to give small fines to quote, “a small business doing a minimum offense.” The bill would give the state’s consumer protection agency discretion in seeking punishment.
New Phone Fee Goes into Effect in September
7/23/09 - September is when Wisconsinites will start paying the new 75-cent monthly phone fee that’s part of the new state budget. Some customers may not get charged until later if their phone companies aren’t ready to add the fee – and they could be back-billed for what they didn’t pay in September. Also, there’s a chance you might not see the fee on your monthly bill. Chris LaRowe of the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association says most phone companies will itemize it for their customers. But he said the governor and Legislature set up the law so that the fee can simply be molded into your local service rate. The fee is designed to help local communities maintain police-and-fire protection, as a way to help them make up for losses in state aid and keep property taxes from going up even more in December.
Bill Would Require Calls to Police After Hitting Wild Animals
7/23/09 - Wisconsinites would have to call the police if they hit a wild animal with an off-road vehicle. That’s part of a new bill aimed at stopping “thrill killings” like those alleged in Waupaca County, where three men are accused of slaying a half-dozen deer with their snowmobiles in January. Assembly Republican Andy Jorgensen of Fort Atkinson proposed the measure a few weeks ago, and he held a news conference yesterday to highlight more of the details. He said his bill was in response to the killings of 62 ducks on the Rock River in Fort Atkinson in late January. That happened after snowmobilers killed 57 ducks near Fond du Lac on January 13th – four days after the Waupaca County incident. Jorgenson said accidents happen, but it’s disingenuous for someone to claim they had an accident without notifying police or the D-N-R. His bill would give the same penalties to “thrill killings” as those for animal cruelty.
Major Lettuce Recall
7/23/09 - A major lettuce company is recalling 22-thousand cartons of romaine lettuce sold in Wisconsin and 27 other states. Tanimura-and-Antle says the product might have been tainted with salmonella bacteria. No one has gotten sick from it yet, as far as we know. Tanimura, which is based in Salinas California, announced the voluntary recall for cartons of bulk-and-wrapped romaine lettuce harvested from June 25th-through-July 2nd. Here’s the lot code number – 5-3-1-3-8-0. The company says it has technicians reviewing its food safety procedures.
Lanphear Sentenced to 50 Years
7/23/09 - The Wisconsin Rapids paper-mill worker who kidnapped two young men, put them in chains at his home, and sexually-assaulted them will spend 50 years in prison. 47-year-old Edward Lanphear was sentenced yesterday. Wood County Circuit Judge Greg Potter called Lanphear “every person’s worst nightmare,” and said he deserves a virtual life term. Lanphear pretended to be a police officer when he picked up a 23-year-old man on the street last July, and he took a 21-year-old from his car who was sleeping off a night of drinking. He molested both at his rural Wisconsin Rapids home until he went out for an errand, and one of the captives broke free.
House Passes Modified “Pay as You Go” Law
7/23/09 - All but two of Wisconsin’s eight U-S House members supported an effort to put the brakes on a growing federal deficit. The House voted yesterday to bring back a modified “pay as you go” law. It would require new programs and tax cuts to be paid for with the same amounts of spending cuts or tax increases elsewhere. Republicans were upset that the rule would not apply to massive appropriation bills which are part of the federal budget. Tom Petri of Fond du Lac was the only Republican to vote in favor of the measure, and he joined the state’s five Democrats in voting yes. It’s aimed at slowing the growth of a federal deficit that’s now one-point-eight trillion dollars this year.
Horicon PD Gets We-Tip Award
7/23/09 - The Horicon Police Department has received a 2009 WeTip Community Awareness Award. Each year, WeTip acknowledges specific municipalities throughout the nation who have led the fight against crime by providing WeTip as a crime reporting resource in their community. The program was started in Horicon three years ago by Officer Steve Williams and former Sergeant Joel McNabb. WeTip is a resource that allows citizens to anonymously report crime, fraud, property loss, drug trafficking and other crime tips with awards of up to $1000 possible. The number is 800-78-CRIME.
7/23/09 - In spite of the rain, the turnout for Farm Tech Days has been better than expected. Farm Tech Days Executive Committee Chairman Dave Frohling says while it’s too early for exact figures, the early numbers look good. Based on the parking numbers alone, Frohling told us yesterday they had more people for Day Two than Day One. Frohling also commended volunteers, saying that every committee member became a Grounds Committee member yesterday in drying out the grounds. By yesterday afternoon, attendees couldn’t even tell that the start of the event had been delayed by two hours. Field demonstrations were cancelled yesterday but Frohling says they will be available today.
The Poop on Farm Tech
7/23/09 - Hundreds of people have been cramming on the Farm Tech Days Tram Tour of the Crave Brothers Farm to get a closer look at their manure digester, which turns cow waste into renewable energy. On Day One, tickets were gone by 10am. Dan DeBuhr co-founded Clear Horizons, the company that the Crave Brothers partnered with in funding the multi-million dollar manure digester. While manure digesters don’t sell as quickly as some agricultural products at the farm show, DeBuhr says there has been about a dozen realistic opportunities for viable, potential clients. After taking the tram tour, Dick Dvorak, a dairy farmer from Manitowoc County, said the manure digester was the future for dairy farmers, allowing producers to get a better handle on odors and their nutrient management plan. Because the byproduct can be used as pathogen-free bedding for cows, Dvorak says the cows will even be more comfortable.
Unemployment in Dodge County Hits Double Digits
7/23/09 - Dodge County’s unemployment rate has hit double digits. The county’s unadjusted rate for June was 10.1%, up from 9.5% in May and more than double from a year ago. Washington County is also at 10.1% up nearly a full point over May. Columbia County saw an increase of three-tenths (.3%) of a percent to 8.1%, while Jefferson jumped from 9.1% to 9.8%. An increase of six-tenths (.6%) of a percent was seen in Fond du Lac County as their unemployment rate is now at 9.5%. Overall, the unemployment rate increased in 57 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. Dane County still has the lowest rate at 6.3% but that’s still nearly double from its rate of 3.6% a year ago. The highest rate in the state was in Menominee County where nearly 16% of the population is unemployed. Wisconsin’s unemployment rate for June was 9.2%, while the national rate was 9.7%.
Downtown Redevelopment Ahead of Schedule
7/23/09 - Beaver Dam’s downtown redevelopment project is running ahead of schedule. That’s according to Mayor Tom Kennedy who says South Center Street should be open to traffic sometime between July 31 and August 7, weather permitting. In the next two weeks, city crews will also begin to re-set streetlights and traffic signals that were removed and install posts and signage along the river in the Tower Parking lot. Demolition Contractor Brandenburg Industries pulled out of town last Friday but will be back to install sidewalks. Damaged sidewalks, curbs and approaches will be repaired by the end of next week. Fences will also be reconfigured by next week to allow for a narrow sidewalk on both sides of the South Center Street bridge.
FDL Authorities Searching for Sex Offender
7/23/09 - Fond du Lac police were only minutes behind a 42-year-old sex offender who skipped out of the area early Tuesday morning. Police Captain Steve Klein says Carl King cut his electronic monitoring bracelet off with a steak knife. King was living at 457 Thomas Street and another sex offender who lives there said he's seen King about 15 minutes before they arrived. King has a girlfriend who lives in Chicago. On June 23rd he was released from prison after serving 3 years for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl. (KFIZ)
BD Looking for Subjects Who Allegedly Vandalized Vehicles
7/23/09 - The Beaver Dam Police Department fielded several complaints Tuesday from city residents whose vehicles were targeted by vandals. The vandals slathered at least four automobiles with mustard. In one instance, the condiment stained the paint. The reports came from Pleasant Street, Bogert and Lake Shore Drive. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department or the anonymous We-Tip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME.
FDL Working With Waupun Firm on Brownfield Assessment Grants
7/23/09 - Fond du Lac County officials have entered an agreement with a Waupun firm to apply for two brownfield assessment grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. County supervisors approved the agreement Tuesday night. Each grant is for up to $200,000. They could be used to assess properties that have potential petroleum or hazardous substance contamination. County Planning and Parks Director Sam Tobias says projects targeted for economic development such as the Lakeshore in North Fond du Lac and areas of Waupun could benefit from the environmental assessments. (KFIZ)
Public Hearing Held on Do-Not-Call List
7/23/09 - The lawmaker who first proposed Wisconsin’s do-not-call list says the 100-dollar fine for violators is nothing to a large telemarketing firm. And that’s why Senate Democrat Jon Erpenbach of Waunakee wants to raise the penalty to at least a-thousand-dollars – and up to 10-thousand for the worst violators. A Senate committee held a public hearing on his bill yesterday. Erpenbach said it would send a message that violators would have a “pretty stiff price to pay.” But Senate Republican Mary Lazich of New Berlin said it’s like moving from a slap-on-the-wrist to a sledge-hammer. And she wanted judges to be able to give small fines to quote, “a small business doing a minimum offense.” The bill would give the state’s consumer protection agency discretion in seeking punishment.
New Phone Fee Goes into Effect in September
7/23/09 - September is when Wisconsinites will start paying the new 75-cent monthly phone fee that’s part of the new state budget. Some customers may not get charged until later if their phone companies aren’t ready to add the fee – and they could be back-billed for what they didn’t pay in September. Also, there’s a chance you might not see the fee on your monthly bill. Chris LaRowe of the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association says most phone companies will itemize it for their customers. But he said the governor and Legislature set up the law so that the fee can simply be molded into your local service rate. The fee is designed to help local communities maintain police-and-fire protection, as a way to help them make up for losses in state aid and keep property taxes from going up even more in December.
Bill Would Require Calls to Police After Hitting Wild Animals
7/23/09 - Wisconsinites would have to call the police if they hit a wild animal with an off-road vehicle. That’s part of a new bill aimed at stopping “thrill killings” like those alleged in Waupaca County, where three men are accused of slaying a half-dozen deer with their snowmobiles in January. Assembly Republican Andy Jorgensen of Fort Atkinson proposed the measure a few weeks ago, and he held a news conference yesterday to highlight more of the details. He said his bill was in response to the killings of 62 ducks on the Rock River in Fort Atkinson in late January. That happened after snowmobilers killed 57 ducks near Fond du Lac on January 13th – four days after the Waupaca County incident. Jorgenson said accidents happen, but it’s disingenuous for someone to claim they had an accident without notifying police or the D-N-R. His bill would give the same penalties to “thrill killings” as those for animal cruelty.
Major Lettuce Recall
7/23/09 - A major lettuce company is recalling 22-thousand cartons of romaine lettuce sold in Wisconsin and 27 other states. Tanimura-and-Antle says the product might have been tainted with salmonella bacteria. No one has gotten sick from it yet, as far as we know. Tanimura, which is based in Salinas California, announced the voluntary recall for cartons of bulk-and-wrapped romaine lettuce harvested from June 25th-through-July 2nd. Here’s the lot code number – 5-3-1-3-8-0. The company says it has technicians reviewing its food safety procedures.
Lanphear Sentenced to 50 Years
7/23/09 - The Wisconsin Rapids paper-mill worker who kidnapped two young men, put them in chains at his home, and sexually-assaulted them will spend 50 years in prison. 47-year-old Edward Lanphear was sentenced yesterday. Wood County Circuit Judge Greg Potter called Lanphear “every person’s worst nightmare,” and said he deserves a virtual life term. Lanphear pretended to be a police officer when he picked up a 23-year-old man on the street last July, and he took a 21-year-old from his car who was sleeping off a night of drinking. He molested both at his rural Wisconsin Rapids home until he went out for an errand, and one of the captives broke free.
House Passes Modified “Pay as You Go” Law
7/23/09 - All but two of Wisconsin’s eight U-S House members supported an effort to put the brakes on a growing federal deficit. The House voted yesterday to bring back a modified “pay as you go” law. It would require new programs and tax cuts to be paid for with the same amounts of spending cuts or tax increases elsewhere. Republicans were upset that the rule would not apply to massive appropriation bills which are part of the federal budget. Tom Petri of Fond du Lac was the only Republican to vote in favor of the measure, and he joined the state’s five Democrats in voting yes. It’s aimed at slowing the growth of a federal deficit that’s now one-point-eight trillion dollars this year.
Horicon PD Gets We-Tip Award
7/23/09 - The Horicon Police Department has received a 2009 WeTip Community Awareness Award. Each year, WeTip acknowledges specific municipalities throughout the nation who have led the fight against crime by providing WeTip as a crime reporting resource in their community. The program was started in Horicon three years ago by Officer Steve Williams and former Sergeant Joel McNabb. WeTip is a resource that allows citizens to anonymously report crime, fraud, property loss, drug trafficking and other crime tips with awards of up to $1000 possible. The number is 800-78-CRIME.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Top Stories July 22nd
Farm Tech Days Delayed by 2-Hours
The rain this morning has caused officials with Farm Technology Days to delay the start of today’s events by two-hours. Instead of the scheduled 9 a.m. start time the gates will open at 11 a.m.
Record Setting Attendance For Farm Tech
It could be a record-setting first day in terms of attendance for the first day ofthe 2009 Farm Technology Days. That’s according to Dodge County Farm Tech Days Executive Committee Chair Dave Frohling who says the light afternoon showers were not enough to dampen the spirits of attendees. Frohling says the off-site parking lots and shuttle service from the Watertown and Waterloo High School’s have been very popular and were an important addition to this years event.
Doyle Takes in Farm Technology Days
7/22/09 - Farm Tech Days got started yesterday morning with its opening ceremonies, which included the University of Wisconsin Marching Band. Another highlight on the first day was Governor Jim Doyle speaking about the huge roll farming plays in Wisconsin’s economy, the resiliency of the state in its goal to remain America’s Dairyland and on the manure digester at the Crave Farm and his plans to expand on their model throughout the state to help with energy needs. Highlights for Day 2 of the event include Tram Tours of the farm as well as tours of the farms manure management systems, including the manure digester. The event runs through tomorrow.
Funeral for Oshkosh Soldier on Friday
Funeral services are set for Friday in Oshkosh for an Army soldier who was murdered at an outdoor party at Fort Hood Texas. 30-year-old Specialist Ryan Schlack of Oshkosh died at a hospital the day after the incident on Friday night. Army specialist Armando Baca was arrested Saturday morning and is being held at a county jail on charges of first-degree murder. Schlack had served two tours of duty in Iraq. His father told the Oshkosh Northwestern that his fellow soldiers from Iraq were at the Fort Hood party when an argument broke out. Baca had apparently left the party and came back with a gun – and Schlack was shot in the hip when he stepped in to get things settled down. He graduated from Oshkosh West High School, and joined the Army in 2004 as a repairman for computer detection systems. His father said he was considering a third tour in Iraq – but instead, he was going to return to the Fox Valley Technical College to complete a degree in electronics. He was then planning to attend U-W Oshkosh to major in electrical engineering.
Man Cited for OWI after Accident
7/22/09 - A 58-year-old man was cited for allegedly being drunk when he was involved in an accident that resulted in him and another man being hospitalized yesterday afternoon. Mark Klingele of Muscoda was allegedly intoxicated when attempted to make a left turn at the intersection of Highway P and O in the town of Ashippun and struck a northbound vehicle driven by 23-year-old Michael Cadena. Both men were taken to the Oconomowoc Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Klingele was cited for operating while intoxicated causing injury. The crash remains under investigation.
Columbus and Fall River Looking at Regionalization for Sewer and Water
7/22/09 - At last night’s Council session Columbus City Administrator Boyd Kraemer said that the next two Council meetings would be dealing with Waste Water Treatment and the possibility of regional system. The City of Columbus and Village of Fall River have been studying ways to bring their aging Waste Water systems up to current standards for the past two years. Both communities have received engineering recommendations that included the “regionalization” of waste water collection and treatment facilities.
Pellett Gets Probation
A Stoughton woman was placed on probation yesterday for breaking into a pair of Beaver Dam businesses last October. Tabatha Pellett pleaded “no contest” to a reduce charge of Obstructing an Officer for her role in the break-ins at Kelm Painting and Beaver Plumbing. Two other suspects: 27-year-old Trevor Waller and 24-year-old Kurtis Billings, both of whom have lived in Beaver Dam, have cases working their way through the Dodge County court system.
Minor Damage in BD Fire
The Beaver Dam Fire Department responded to a small residential fire Tuesday morning. Deputy Chief Matt Christian says crews were called out to 907 North Center Street just after 7am. The fire started on an outdoor balcony after a makeshift ashtray burnt through the platform and ignited siding on the outside of the house. The blaze was called in by a passer-by and was nearly extinguished when firefighters arrived. There were no injuries. The structure sustained minor damage and crews were on the scene for less than a half hour.
Bankruptcy Filings Jump
The number of Wisconsinites filing for bankruptcy rose by 30-percent in the first half of the year. Just over 13-thousand-800 bankruptcy petitions were filed in court from January-through-June. That’s up from almost 10-thousand-600 in the first half of 2008. Most petitions were from individuals who sought relief from things like credit card bills and medical expenses. It’s no secret as to why. Bankruptcy lawyers blame unemployment and under-employment as more people fail to keep up with their monthly bills. Bankruptcy Court trustee Claire Ann Resop of Madison says middle-aged people and those close to retirement have either lost their jobs, or had big pay cuts due to lost commissions or a lack of overtime pay. She said those people are not able to replace their incomes with other jobs.
7/22/09 - The driver of a van that drove through the window of a Sheboygan convenience store and killed the attendant has been arrested. Police said yesterday that they booked a 32-year-old man on a possible charge of homicide by negligent driving. The incident occurred July 11th at the Pig Stop in Sheboygan. Police said Jeremy Pfister had just filled his gas tank, and was backing up to get his wife, when the van broke through a window and into the west side of the building. The 18-year-old attendant, Emily Hughes, died a short time later.
Motorcycle Fatalities Up this Year
7/22/09 - Fifty motorcyclists have died in Wisconsin this year, including three this month. The state D-O-T said the number of biker deaths from January-through-June was the highest in six years, and the second-highest in the last 15 years. They’re also up 67-percent from 2008, at a time when auto-and-truck deaths are at their lowest in decades. The D-O-T’s Dennis Hughes says his agency cannot pinpoint exact reasons for the big spike in motorcycle deaths. If they could, he said officials would do better in preventing them. Experts say there are more bikers on the road – including baby boomers and those stung by last year’s record-high gas prices. But Tom Lane of the ABATE Wisconsin advocacy group says about a-third of the state’s riders don’t have the required motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s licenses. That means lots of bikers are not properly trained – and they’re riding poorly and illegally. Also, experts say inattentive car drivers are seeing bikers less often – especially those distracted by cell phones and G-P-S units. Alcohol was a factor in half of Wisconsin’s recent motorcycle deaths. And 80-percent of bikers killed in the state last year were not wearing helmets.
Endowment Funds Can Now Be Spent
7/22/09 - Wisconsin universities and other non-profit groups can now spend more of their endowment funds. Governor Jim Doyle signed a bill this week that lets charitable groups tap into the original amounts of money donated for things like scholarships. Until now, only interest and dividends count be spent from those accounts. But the recession has cut many of Wisconsin’s private and community endowment funds by up to 40-percent in the last year – while the needs which are met by those funds have not gone down. U-W students are among those who have had to settle for less because of the funding drop. In fact, the U-W System’s trust funds had to suspend all their payments in February because the university foundation’s endowment had dropped so low. Marquette said its endowment was close to his original amount in February, but it has since recovered. Still, school officials say the new law will give them more flexibility in future downturns. Forty-one other states have made similar changes in the last three years – and others are considering it.
WI Shoppers Won’t Get Wal-Mart Back-to-School Deal
7/22/09 - Wisconsin shoppers won’t get those nine-dollar back-to-school deals announced by Walmart yesterday. That’s because the Badger State is one of four that prohibits stores from selling items for less than what they paid for them. Earlier this year, a federal judge struck down Wisconsin’s minimum mark-up law for gasoline. And while that decision is being appealed, the case has nothing to do with the state law that prohibits selling merchandise below-cost. That’s still in effect – and there have been no rumblings in Madison about changing it. It’s designed to keep the big stores from pricing mom-and-pop shops out of business. But Lisa Nelson of Walmart says the law hurts the consumers’ ability to take advantage of low prices at a time when they could really use them. The state’s consumer protection agency says it enforces the law when complaints are made. Jeremy McPherson says they get very few complaints about back-to-school sales – and it’s not like bureaucrats are digging through ad-fliers looking for violations. National retailing groups say back-to-school marketing is more aggressive this year, because shoppers plan to spend up to eight-and-a-half percent less due to the recession.
Wizard of Oz Anniversary Special in Oconomowoc
7/22/09 - Folks in Oconomowoc were among the first to see “The Wizard of Oz” – and the community will celebrate that feat next month. The producers of the 1939 classic chose Oconomowoc to see how an audience would respond, before it released the film to the rest of the world. The screening took place August 12th of 1939, and it’s been touted through the years as the possible unofficial world premiere. Historian John Fricke said M-G-M arranged a few advance test screenings. And he believes the first showings were in actually in Kenosha and Cape Cod Massachusetts a day before the Oconomowoc event. Still, Fricke says Oconomowoc has a lot to celebrate, as one of the first places in the world to see Dorothy and the scarecrow. Community leaders in Oconomowoc are planning an outdoor showing of “The Wizard of Oz” on August 13th. It will be seen on a 40-foot screen – and a historical marker will be unveiled near the former theater where it was originally shown.
Woman Suing Fraternity in Madison
7/22/09 - A 21-year-old woman is suing a U-W Madison fraternity, claiming she was drugged and gang-raped numerous times at the group’s house last fall. The Milwaukee area woman said Sigma Chi had an obligation to make the house safe for its guests. Her Milwaukee County court complaint also cites multiple violations of alcohol and criminal laws. She’s seeking damages for pain and distress from the assault. Madison Police are still investigating it, and they’ve made no arrests. The lawsuit said the woman was a guest at a party at the Madison Sigma Chi house last October. And she went to a Badger football game and a couple bars before returning to the house. The next morning, she said she woke up battered, bleeding, and partially clothed – and she claimed she was drugged the night before. The student who invited the woman to the party has since graduated, and is not a suspect in the attack. A campus newspaper had reported the incident in March, and the fraternity was suspended April second for alcohol violations. It’s still a valid organization, but it cannot hold certain social events. Sigma Chi’s parent group is also a defendant in the woman’s lawsuit, along with an alumni group that owns the frat-house.
The rain this morning has caused officials with Farm Technology Days to delay the start of today’s events by two-hours. Instead of the scheduled 9 a.m. start time the gates will open at 11 a.m.
Record Setting Attendance For Farm Tech
It could be a record-setting first day in terms of attendance for the first day ofthe 2009 Farm Technology Days. That’s according to Dodge County Farm Tech Days Executive Committee Chair Dave Frohling who says the light afternoon showers were not enough to dampen the spirits of attendees. Frohling says the off-site parking lots and shuttle service from the Watertown and Waterloo High School’s have been very popular and were an important addition to this years event.
Doyle Takes in Farm Technology Days
7/22/09 - Farm Tech Days got started yesterday morning with its opening ceremonies, which included the University of Wisconsin Marching Band. Another highlight on the first day was Governor Jim Doyle speaking about the huge roll farming plays in Wisconsin’s economy, the resiliency of the state in its goal to remain America’s Dairyland and on the manure digester at the Crave Farm and his plans to expand on their model throughout the state to help with energy needs. Highlights for Day 2 of the event include Tram Tours of the farm as well as tours of the farms manure management systems, including the manure digester. The event runs through tomorrow.
Funeral for Oshkosh Soldier on Friday
Funeral services are set for Friday in Oshkosh for an Army soldier who was murdered at an outdoor party at Fort Hood Texas. 30-year-old Specialist Ryan Schlack of Oshkosh died at a hospital the day after the incident on Friday night. Army specialist Armando Baca was arrested Saturday morning and is being held at a county jail on charges of first-degree murder. Schlack had served two tours of duty in Iraq. His father told the Oshkosh Northwestern that his fellow soldiers from Iraq were at the Fort Hood party when an argument broke out. Baca had apparently left the party and came back with a gun – and Schlack was shot in the hip when he stepped in to get things settled down. He graduated from Oshkosh West High School, and joined the Army in 2004 as a repairman for computer detection systems. His father said he was considering a third tour in Iraq – but instead, he was going to return to the Fox Valley Technical College to complete a degree in electronics. He was then planning to attend U-W Oshkosh to major in electrical engineering.
Man Cited for OWI after Accident
7/22/09 - A 58-year-old man was cited for allegedly being drunk when he was involved in an accident that resulted in him and another man being hospitalized yesterday afternoon. Mark Klingele of Muscoda was allegedly intoxicated when attempted to make a left turn at the intersection of Highway P and O in the town of Ashippun and struck a northbound vehicle driven by 23-year-old Michael Cadena. Both men were taken to the Oconomowoc Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Klingele was cited for operating while intoxicated causing injury. The crash remains under investigation.
Columbus and Fall River Looking at Regionalization for Sewer and Water
7/22/09 - At last night’s Council session Columbus City Administrator Boyd Kraemer said that the next two Council meetings would be dealing with Waste Water Treatment and the possibility of regional system. The City of Columbus and Village of Fall River have been studying ways to bring their aging Waste Water systems up to current standards for the past two years. Both communities have received engineering recommendations that included the “regionalization” of waste water collection and treatment facilities.
Pellett Gets Probation
A Stoughton woman was placed on probation yesterday for breaking into a pair of Beaver Dam businesses last October. Tabatha Pellett pleaded “no contest” to a reduce charge of Obstructing an Officer for her role in the break-ins at Kelm Painting and Beaver Plumbing. Two other suspects: 27-year-old Trevor Waller and 24-year-old Kurtis Billings, both of whom have lived in Beaver Dam, have cases working their way through the Dodge County court system.
Minor Damage in BD Fire
The Beaver Dam Fire Department responded to a small residential fire Tuesday morning. Deputy Chief Matt Christian says crews were called out to 907 North Center Street just after 7am. The fire started on an outdoor balcony after a makeshift ashtray burnt through the platform and ignited siding on the outside of the house. The blaze was called in by a passer-by and was nearly extinguished when firefighters arrived. There were no injuries. The structure sustained minor damage and crews were on the scene for less than a half hour.
Bankruptcy Filings Jump
The number of Wisconsinites filing for bankruptcy rose by 30-percent in the first half of the year. Just over 13-thousand-800 bankruptcy petitions were filed in court from January-through-June. That’s up from almost 10-thousand-600 in the first half of 2008. Most petitions were from individuals who sought relief from things like credit card bills and medical expenses. It’s no secret as to why. Bankruptcy lawyers blame unemployment and under-employment as more people fail to keep up with their monthly bills. Bankruptcy Court trustee Claire Ann Resop of Madison says middle-aged people and those close to retirement have either lost their jobs, or had big pay cuts due to lost commissions or a lack of overtime pay. She said those people are not able to replace their incomes with other jobs.
7/22/09 - The driver of a van that drove through the window of a Sheboygan convenience store and killed the attendant has been arrested. Police said yesterday that they booked a 32-year-old man on a possible charge of homicide by negligent driving. The incident occurred July 11th at the Pig Stop in Sheboygan. Police said Jeremy Pfister had just filled his gas tank, and was backing up to get his wife, when the van broke through a window and into the west side of the building. The 18-year-old attendant, Emily Hughes, died a short time later.
Motorcycle Fatalities Up this Year
7/22/09 - Fifty motorcyclists have died in Wisconsin this year, including three this month. The state D-O-T said the number of biker deaths from January-through-June was the highest in six years, and the second-highest in the last 15 years. They’re also up 67-percent from 2008, at a time when auto-and-truck deaths are at their lowest in decades. The D-O-T’s Dennis Hughes says his agency cannot pinpoint exact reasons for the big spike in motorcycle deaths. If they could, he said officials would do better in preventing them. Experts say there are more bikers on the road – including baby boomers and those stung by last year’s record-high gas prices. But Tom Lane of the ABATE Wisconsin advocacy group says about a-third of the state’s riders don’t have the required motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s licenses. That means lots of bikers are not properly trained – and they’re riding poorly and illegally. Also, experts say inattentive car drivers are seeing bikers less often – especially those distracted by cell phones and G-P-S units. Alcohol was a factor in half of Wisconsin’s recent motorcycle deaths. And 80-percent of bikers killed in the state last year were not wearing helmets.
Endowment Funds Can Now Be Spent
7/22/09 - Wisconsin universities and other non-profit groups can now spend more of their endowment funds. Governor Jim Doyle signed a bill this week that lets charitable groups tap into the original amounts of money donated for things like scholarships. Until now, only interest and dividends count be spent from those accounts. But the recession has cut many of Wisconsin’s private and community endowment funds by up to 40-percent in the last year – while the needs which are met by those funds have not gone down. U-W students are among those who have had to settle for less because of the funding drop. In fact, the U-W System’s trust funds had to suspend all their payments in February because the university foundation’s endowment had dropped so low. Marquette said its endowment was close to his original amount in February, but it has since recovered. Still, school officials say the new law will give them more flexibility in future downturns. Forty-one other states have made similar changes in the last three years – and others are considering it.
WI Shoppers Won’t Get Wal-Mart Back-to-School Deal
7/22/09 - Wisconsin shoppers won’t get those nine-dollar back-to-school deals announced by Walmart yesterday. That’s because the Badger State is one of four that prohibits stores from selling items for less than what they paid for them. Earlier this year, a federal judge struck down Wisconsin’s minimum mark-up law for gasoline. And while that decision is being appealed, the case has nothing to do with the state law that prohibits selling merchandise below-cost. That’s still in effect – and there have been no rumblings in Madison about changing it. It’s designed to keep the big stores from pricing mom-and-pop shops out of business. But Lisa Nelson of Walmart says the law hurts the consumers’ ability to take advantage of low prices at a time when they could really use them. The state’s consumer protection agency says it enforces the law when complaints are made. Jeremy McPherson says they get very few complaints about back-to-school sales – and it’s not like bureaucrats are digging through ad-fliers looking for violations. National retailing groups say back-to-school marketing is more aggressive this year, because shoppers plan to spend up to eight-and-a-half percent less due to the recession.
Wizard of Oz Anniversary Special in Oconomowoc
7/22/09 - Folks in Oconomowoc were among the first to see “The Wizard of Oz” – and the community will celebrate that feat next month. The producers of the 1939 classic chose Oconomowoc to see how an audience would respond, before it released the film to the rest of the world. The screening took place August 12th of 1939, and it’s been touted through the years as the possible unofficial world premiere. Historian John Fricke said M-G-M arranged a few advance test screenings. And he believes the first showings were in actually in Kenosha and Cape Cod Massachusetts a day before the Oconomowoc event. Still, Fricke says Oconomowoc has a lot to celebrate, as one of the first places in the world to see Dorothy and the scarecrow. Community leaders in Oconomowoc are planning an outdoor showing of “The Wizard of Oz” on August 13th. It will be seen on a 40-foot screen – and a historical marker will be unveiled near the former theater where it was originally shown.
Woman Suing Fraternity in Madison
7/22/09 - A 21-year-old woman is suing a U-W Madison fraternity, claiming she was drugged and gang-raped numerous times at the group’s house last fall. The Milwaukee area woman said Sigma Chi had an obligation to make the house safe for its guests. Her Milwaukee County court complaint also cites multiple violations of alcohol and criminal laws. She’s seeking damages for pain and distress from the assault. Madison Police are still investigating it, and they’ve made no arrests. The lawsuit said the woman was a guest at a party at the Madison Sigma Chi house last October. And she went to a Badger football game and a couple bars before returning to the house. The next morning, she said she woke up battered, bleeding, and partially clothed – and she claimed she was drugged the night before. The student who invited the woman to the party has since graduated, and is not a suspect in the attack. A campus newspaper had reported the incident in March, and the fraternity was suspended April second for alcohol violations. It’s still a valid organization, but it cannot hold certain social events. Sigma Chi’s parent group is also a defendant in the woman’s lawsuit, along with an alumni group that owns the frat-house.
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