Top Stories, September 1st

Beaver Dam Business Park Expansion Nears Completion

9/1/09 - The city of Beaver Dam has nearly completed the infrastructure work in a 100-acre expansion of its business park. That’s according to Mike Laue with MSA Professional Services, who says sewer and water lines have been installed and site grading has been completed. Laue told the city’s Operations Committee last night that the final piece of infrastructure, street lighting along Commercial Drive – the main access point from Highway 33 – will be completed by the end of this month. The 100 acres is an expansion of the existing business park that already houses such company’s as Richelieu Foods, WMFB and Apache Stainless Steel. It is bordered by Industrial Drive and Highway 33 and is where Mayville Engineering Company is building their new expansion, which is the first, and so far only, business in the new portion of the business park. Approximately 70 acres remain. Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy told aldermen last night that the next step will be to work with the state Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit on Highway 33, along the northern edge of the business park, from 45mph to 35mph.

Weyker Convicted on Molestation Charges

9/1/09 - A rural Watertown man has been convicted on a variety sexual assault charges. Peter Weyker molested a teenage girl in July of last year on his farm near Watertown. The victim reported that the incident was the latest in a long line of sexual assaults dating back to 2006. The State Crime Lab connected a trace of DNA on the victim to Weyker. When police executed a search warrant at the residence, they discovered two camera’s in the bathroom that contained video of his victim and other teenage children. After a five-day jury trial, Weyker was convicted Friday on charges of Making A Visual Representation of Nudity for the camera’s, and also convicted of Sexual Assault of a Child Under the Age of 16. Dodge County District Attorney Bill Bedker says “the public expects (his office) to go after dangerous sex predators with all of its prosecutorial might.” Bedker credits the hard work of law enforcement, the jury and the brave kids who came forward to testify for bringing justice to the innocent child victims. The 43-year-old Weyker faces over 57 years in prison when he is sentenced, and another 38 years of extended supervision. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered and a hearing is expected to be held in the next 60 to 75 days.

Cigarette Burns Lead To Charges Against Waupun Man

9/1/09 – A Waupun man is accused of disciplining a 7-year-old child with a lit cigarette. 33-year-old Daniel Bryan is charged with a felony count of Child Abuse – Intentionally Causing Harm for holding the cigarette to the child’s elbow for about five seconds after the kid accidentally kicked him in the genitals. Bryan’s girlfriend reportedly knocked the cigarette out of his hand when she saw what was happening. The 33-year-old denies the incident but according to the criminal complaint, he later apologized to the child. He faces a maximum penalty of six years in prison if convicted. Bryan had a signature bond set at $1000 yesterday and will be back in court for a preliminary hearing on October 15.

One Injury Reported in Town of Trenton Wreck

9/1/09 - A 21-year-old man was injured after his vehicle jumped the median on Highway 151 and was struck by an oncoming car. The accident occurred Monday morning in the Town of Trenton. Dodge County Sheriff’s Department Patrol Captain Molly Soblewski says the vehicle was traveling southbound, just south of Highway C, when the driver lost control, entered the median ditch, and drove directly into the path of a car in northbound lanes. The southbound car flipped and the driver was taken to the Beaver Dam Community Hospital. He faces possible charges of failure to yield, operating on a suspended license, and failure to wear a seatbelt. The driver of the northbound vehicle was not injured.

Stolen Car Damaged in Joy Ride

9/1/09 - A car stolen from a Beaver Dam residence Saturday night was found broken down on the high school campus early Sunday morning. Authorities say the keys of the 1991 Ford Ranger were left on the dashboard when it was parked on the 300 block of Prospect. The suspect or suspects drove the vehicle to the campus where authorities say there was evidence of fishtailing and donuts in the gravel and soft grass. When the perpetrators hit the blacktop in a tail spin, they cracked the axel in half and abandoned the vehicle. Authorities are following up on a few leads but no arrests have been made as of yet.

BDPD Investigates B&E’s

9/1/09 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is investigating a breaking and entering that was reported on Friday. A resident on the 100 block of Heller reported that his garage was broken into during the overnight hours and several tools were taken. Earlier that same day, a resident in an apartment on the 100 block of Washington reported that entry was made to the unit but nothing was reported missing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department or the anonymous We-Tip hotline at 800-78-CRIME.

Boil Water Notice In Horicon

9/1/09 - The City of Horicon Water Utility has issued a boil water notice for residents. Utility Director Dave Magnussensays samples taken on August 24 and 26 indicate the presence of bacteria in the water system. Magnussen says the samples have NOT tested positive for Fecal Coliform but an “indicator organism” has been found. Water can still be used for cleaning and bathing but should be boiled for three minutes if it will be used for drinking and cooking. Magnussen says the utility is taking action to eliminate the problems by raising disinfection levels and flushing the entire water system. The boil water order will be in effect until at least Wednesday.

Payday Lenders Oppose Rate Cap

9/1/09 - Payday lenders say a proposed rate cap would put them out of business in Wisconsin. Legislation at the Capitol would cap interest rates on short-term borrowing at 36 percent. Jamie Fulmer with Advance America, a payday lending company, says that would make it impossible for them to stay open. He says it would only allow them to charge about a dollar-38 for every 100 dollars borrowed on a two week loan. Currently, he says most lenders charge about 20 for that service, which helps them cover their overhead and remain profitable. Supporters of the bill say the cap is needed to keep customers from getting locked into a cycle of debt, where they have to keep borrowing money to pay off the growing interest. Fulmer says those circumstances are very rare and the overwhelming majority of their customers borrow responsibly. He says the proposed cap is nothing more than an effort to shut down the industry.

Support Grows to Change DNR Secretary Appointment Process

9/1/09 - A proposal to strip the governor of his power to appoint the DNR Secretary gains some key support. Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan says it’s an important issue that deserves action from lawmakers. He says he plans to bring the bill to the floor this legislative session. The legislation would take away the governor’s ability to appoint the DNR Secretary, returning it to the Natural Resources Board. Supporters say the move is needed to keep politics from influencing natural resources policies in the state. Governor Doyle has indicated he will veto the bill if it passes. However, Sheridan says there are at least 68 co-sponsors of the measure so far, making it possible for the bill to pass with a veto proof majority.

Sensenbrenner Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer

9/1/09 - Wisconsin’s longest-serving Republican in the U-S House has prostate cancer. Jim Sensenbrenner of Menomonee Falls said he’s in the early-stages of the disease – but it was caught in time, and the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate. The 66-year-old Sensenbrenner said he got his first indication of the disease during a routine check-up in July – and more tests confirmed the cancer. He said he would undergo treatments over the next few months that include radiation therapy. Sensenbrenner said he would maintain an active schedule both in Wisconsin and the nation’s capital – and he’ll still hold all of his town hall meetings which are planned. He said the cancer would have a “minimal effect” on his duties. Sensenbrenner served a decade in the state Legislature before being elected to Congress in 1978. He’s been re-elected every two years since then. Sensenbrenner held one of the top positions in Congress during the Bush years, as the chair of House Judiciary Committee. Now that the Democrats are in charge, he’s still a minority member of that panel. He’s also on the House Science-and-Technology Committee, and the select panel on energy independence.

Labor Day Travel Expected To Be Lower Than Normal

9/1/09 - You’ll see less traffic and smaller crowds if you plan to travel this Labor Day weekend. In Wisconsin, the Triple-“A” expects 867-thousand people – or about 15-percent of residents – to go at least 50-miles one way. That’s down almost 15-percent from last year, while the Triple-“A” nationally predicts a drop of 13-percent in holiday travelers. The big reason is the late date for the Labor Day. It’s on September seventh, when most youngsters will have been in school for a few days. Classes start today in most parts of the Badger State. Triple-“A” regional president Tom Frymark says lower gas prices, late summer discounts, and the economy will have people exploring places closer-to-home during the Labor Day weekend. Gas prices are about a dollar-a-gallon cheaper than a year ago. Nationally, air fares average 17-percent less, and hotel rates are about 12-percent cheaper.

Some State Offices Closed This Friday

9/1/09 - The state government’s workforce development offices will be closed on Friday. And that means people trying to get unemployment benefits will not get a live voice that day. That’s because of the state’s furloughs, in which all state employees must take 16 unpaid days off during the next two years to help balance the state budget. Unemployment claims can still be filed on-line, or by using an automated telephone service. More information is available at the workforce development Web site, with a link at Wisconsin-Dot-Gov. Generally, officials recommend those filing for new or updated benefits are urged to do it Tuesdays and Wednesdays on-line. Those wanting a live voice during the weekend can get it on Saturday from 7:30-to-noon. All services will resume next Tuesday, the day after Labor Day.

Top Stories August 31st

Union Members Still Voting, FDL Officials Looking at Sales Tax Incentive

8/31/09 - Union employees at Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac will keep voting today – even though the company says it will not recognize their second vote on contract concessions. Company spokesman Steve Fleming said the union had all of last week to re-consider its earlier rejection of the concessions – and the union should not have waited until two hours before its deadline to start the vote. But it took all week for the national union’s leadership in Chicago to agree to a second vote, without its normal requirement for major changes in the company’s proposal. Employees had petitioned for the re-vote. Mercury said the union had until midnight Saturday to accept the concessions, or else the plant would start a three-year move to a non-union facility in Stillwater Oklahoma. Early yesterday, company president Mark Schwabero thanked the community for its support, and plans for the move would begin as soon as possible. Some Fond du Lac area leaders held out hope that it’s not over yet – and County Executive Alan Buechel said he would ask the County Board to approve a half-percent sales tax to give Mercury incentives for staying. Even if the plant and its 850 workers leave, leaders hope to keep Mercury’s corporate headquarters in Fond du Lac. Those headquarters employ another 900 people.

Petri Expresses Disappointment in Failed Negotiations

8/31/09 - U.S. Congressman Tom Petri, which represents Fond du Lac and much of our area, issued a statement in which he conveyed his disappointment that an agreement could not be reached between Mercury Marine and its employees union but said the focus must now be on keeping Mercury’s corporate headquarters in the city. Petri said he’s hopeful that the company will strongly consider the headquarters incentive package that was recently developed by state and local leaders.

Niesen Trail Could Go to Jury Tomorrow

8/31/09 - The murder trial for a 53-year-old Ashwaubenon man could wrap up in Fond du Lac County Court early this week. Thomas Niesen is suspected of killing 19-year-old dancer Kathleen Leichtman in July of 1976 when the young Milwaukee woman came to Fond du Lac to dance at The Other Place Strip Club. Her body was found along Rolling Meadows Drive on July 15th of that year. Today the prosecution will call the lead investigator in the case, Fond du Lac Police Detective Steve Kaufman. Originally scheduled to run through this Friday, the jury could begin their deliberations tomorrow. (KFIZ)

First Day of Classes in Revamped Waupun School District

8/31/09 - It’s the start of a new school year for most kids this morning but it’s even more than that for students in the Waupun School District. Today will be the first day of classes since the district consolidated its six schools into three last spring in an effort to cover a budget deficit of $1-million dollars. Closed were the elementary schools in Fox Lake and Alto, as well as Jefferson in Waupun. In the wake of the closures district officials renamed the remaining schools. The former Washington Elementary is now Meadow View Primary and houses grades K through 2. The Middle School is now Rock River Intermediate and has grades 3 through 6 and the high school is now Waupun Area Junior/Senior High with grades 7 through 12.

Large Fight at Town of Lebanon Business

8/31/09 - Suspects in an alleged fight took off on a school bus after authorities arrived at the scene early Sunday morning according to a briefing from the Dodge County Sheriffs Department. Sheriff’s deputies were called to a business in the Town of Lebanon on Highway R to investigate a report of a large fight taking place. Authorities said suspects fled in a school bus before officers arrived. The bus was located along with one of the suspects. A 40 year old man was arrested on suspicion of substantial battery and theft. Authorities said a 33 year old man was taken to the Watertown hospital. The investigation continues.

Two Injured in Columbia County Crash

8/31/09 - Two people were injured in a single vehicle accident on Highway 39 near Portage early Sunday. The State Patrol reported that a trooper was trying to stop a car for traffic violations when the driver of the car accelerated, lost control and crashed. The driver, 25 year old Jason Davis of Portage, was taken by Med Flight to UW Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. A passenger in the car, 23 year old Bret Thome of Portage, was treated and released. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.

Cold Temps Throughout State this Morning

8/31/09 - The calendar still says August – but it’s below freezing in far northern Wisconsin. Land O’Lakes in Vilas County had 29 degrees at five o’clock. And it was only 30 in Tomahawk, 31 in Eagle River, and 32 in Merrill. In Beaver Dam, it was 41 degrees as of 6 o’clock this morning. The National Weather Service said a cold ridge of high pressure moved into Wisconsin overnight from Canada. A frost advisory remains in effect until seven this morning for the north.

Erpenbach Won’t Run for Governor

8/31/09 - State Senator Jon Erpenbach says he will not run for governor next year. The Waunakee Democrat considered throwing his hat in the ring, after Jim Doyle said he wouldn’t run again. But Erpenbach says he could not fully commit to the governor’s race, because he wants to spend at least some time with his teenaged children. He says the race will get a lot of national attention, and the nominees must be extremely focused with no other issues to deal with. The 48-year-old Erpenbach has been in the Senate for 11 years, and was the Democratic minority leader in 2003. He says he’ll run for his current seat again next year. Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton is the only Democrat to say she’ll run for the top job. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and La Crosse Congressman Ron Kind are considering it. On the Republican side, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and former Congressman Mark Neumann are the major candidates.

WI Barber Who Cut Kennedy Brothers Hair to Retire

8/31/09 - A barber from Superior who once cut Ted Kennedy’s hair is hanging up his clippers for good today. Bud Wigchers is retiring after 54 years. He says it’s been a satisfying career – and he’s had a few famous heads in his chair. Wigchers said Kennedy was pretty quiet while getting his haircut – and he had a hard time staying awake. Back then, the late Massachusetts senator was tired because he was campaigning non-stop for his brother John during the 1960 presidential race. Wigchers eventually the cut the hair of John, Ted, and Bobby Kennedy, because J-F-K’s campaign headquarters was just a couple blocks away from his barber shop. Ted Kennedy died last week. His funeral was on Saturday.

Top Stories August 30th

Locater Alert: Missing Child Victoria Lynn Rode

Merc Says Revote Came Too Late

8/30/09 - Mercury Marine officials say a decision by the employees union to vote again on a contract it rejected last week has come too late. Late last night union officials announced there would be a revote and voting was supposed to continue until 6 p.m. tonight. However, the contract proposal from Mercury expired at midnight and therefore company officials say any ballots cast after then would not be counted. A statement from the company read in part, "The IAM conducted a last-minute vote on the original proposal terms and conditions but did not complete the process to a definitive conclusion prior to the expiration of the proposal."

Union officials say any votes cast before midnight will likely be voided. With no new deal in place it's expected Mercury will begin the consolidation process and take about 850 manufacturing jobs to its non-union plant in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The current contract with Fond du Lac workers expires in 2012, which the company will honor. Discussions on keeping Mercury's Corporate Headquarters in Fond du Lac continue.

A week ago today workers turned down a deal from Mercury that would have frozen wages, cut pay by 30-percent for new hires, increased the cost of health coverage, but also resulted in the recall of workers who had been laid off. The initial vote was reported as a lopsided rejection of the offer.

WCI Inmate Charged in 1973 Murder of AZ Woman

8/30/09 - Federal authorities have indicted a man serving time at a Waupun prison in the 1973 murder of an Arizona woman. William Floyd Zamastil entered a not guilty plea to a charge of First Degree Murder Friday afternoon in Tucson, Arizona. The 57-year-old is accused of killing 22-year-old Leesa Jo Shaner in Fort Huachuca, Arizona on or about May 29, 1973. She was last seen on the way to the airport to pick up her husband but never made it. Zamastil was serving a life sentence at WCI for the kidnapping, rape and murder of a woman in Sauk County in 1978 when he told a fellow inmate about killing Shaner. According to published reports, Shaner's father, an FBI agent, made it his life's work to find her killer. He passed a way a few years ago but another former agent kept the case alive. amastil will stay in federal custody until his trial, which could begin in October.

Patriotic Music Festival Planned for Beaver Dam

8/30/09 - A music festival to celebrate our men and women of the Armed Forces will be held next month in Beaver Dam. Organizer Dawn Klockow with the Exchange Club of Beaver Dam says the "American Hero’s Music Festival" will be held on Saturday, September 12 at the Swan City Park. Klockow says the purpose of the event is to celebrate our troops, local law enforcement and fire-rescue personnel and to honor Gold Star families, who have lost a loved one in the service. The festival begins with an opening ceremony with color guards representing all branches of the military. Entertainers include country singer Jamie Buckley, Lem Genovese and Joe Cantafio and the 101 Rock Division Band. Cantafio has performed for troops all over the world and a recent tour included stops in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. He is also the brother of Lance Corporal Ryan Cantafio, a Marine from Beaver Dam who was killed in the Al Anbar province of Iraq on Thanksgiving Day in 2004. The concert will be free, food and beverages will also be provided by the Exchange Club of Beaver Dam. We hope to have more details for you on WBEV’s Community Comment as we have tentatively scheduled organizers for an appearance on Friday, September 11.

Juneau Woman Bound Over For Drunk Driving Injuries

8/30/09 - A Juneau woman was bound over for trial this week on charges that she injured herself and two others in a drunken driving accident. Tammy M. Jahns was charged with a felony count of Injury By Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle related to the July 8 accident. However, during Thursday’s preliminary hearing, the felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor charge of Causing Injury While Under the Influence of Alcohol. According to the criminal complaint, the accident occurred in the afternoon hours on Highway 60, when Jahns allegedly crossed the centerline and struck a westbound car head-on. The drivers of both vehicles and a passenger in the Jahns vehicle sustained injury. Jahns is scheduled to be back in court October 13.

Mayor Tom Kennedy May Expand Open Door Hours

8/30/09 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy will hold another one of his regular open door meetings on Tuesday. Kennedy says city residents are invited to meet with him, one-on-one, without appointment on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Kennedy says he feels it is important that constituents have the opportunity to speak with him the day after each regular meeting of the common council. While there is no meeting tomorrow as it is the last day of the month, and there is no meeting next Monday because it’s Labor Day, Kennedy says he feels it is necessary to make himself available to constituents as often as possible. In fact, Kennedy told us on WBEV’s Community Comment on Friday that he is thinking about expanding his open office hours to every Tuesday morning. There has been no official change as of yet. The meetings are held in Room 109 on the first floor of City Hall from 10am until noon. Kennedy says he also make himself available for private meetings by appointment by contacting the mayor office.

Ten Year Olds Can Hunt Beginning Tuesday

8/30/09 - Ten-year-olds can start hunting in Wisconsin on Tuesday. The minimum age had been 12, and those kids had to take hunter safety courses. But Governor Jim Doyle signed a bill this month to let 10-year-olds hunt with a mentor, without a required class. Supporters say the new law will encourage more young people to take up hunting, and preserve Wisconsin’s outdoor traditions. Opponents questioned whether 10-year-olds could handle guns safely. The new law takes effect on the same day the mourning dove and Canadian goose hunting seasons open in Wisconsin.

Bill Would Outlaw Discriminating Against Employees With Bad Credit

8/30/09 - A new bill would make it illegal for most Wisconsin employers not to hire job candidates just because they have bad credit scores. Assembly Democrat Kim Hixson of Whitewater says companies too often discriminate against those with bad credit, without considering their work ethic. Hixson said he was responding to a business owner who was looking for a job for months, but kept being rejected because high medical bills got him into debt. The bill could still consider credit scores if they’re substantially-related to a certain job, or if a required license or bonding hinges on good credit. The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence supports the measure. It says women who leave abusers often find it difficult to start new lives because of their credit. But the Wisconsin Manufacturers-and-Commerce opposes the bill, as does the Consumer Data Industry Association. Opponents say those with bad credit are more likely to commit employee fraud or embezzlement.

Top Stories August 29th

Some Merc Workers: “Union Lied”

8/29/09 - Three Mercury Marine union members, who organized a re-vote rally in Fond du Lac, claim union representative at their district office in Milwaukee lied about what union by-laws allow. Fred Toth says he spoke with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 10 office. He says he was told there’s nothing in the by-laws that prohibit a second vote on a contract -- it’s simply an “unwritten understanding.” Toth that means union reps have been lying when they said a second vote wasn’t allowed. Rick Schmitt says the union first claimed substantial changes needed to be made to the contract union workers rejected from Mercury before it could be voted on. Schmitt says he considers lying about the bylaws a substantial change, so a second vote should take place. Phillip Rodriguez says union leaders should understand he wants to keep his job. (KFIZ)

CARE Hands in Detachment Petition

8/29/09 - The Concerned Area Residents for Education officially filed a petition with the Waupun School District that will force a referendum this fall. The group out of Fox Lake collected more than 900 signatures from registered voters in an effort to detach from Waupun and join the Randolph School District. Voters in those two districts will now head to the polls in November to determine if the City and Town of Fox Lake will make the switch. The idea of detachment came after a failed referendum in February and the subsequent decision by Waupun administration to cover a 1-million-dollar budget deficit by closing three elementary schools, including Fox Lake. Earlier this summer the Waupun School Board rejected a request by CARE for detachment leading to the most recent petition.

Judge Denies Masko Lee Request

8/29/09 - A Watertown man who was convicted of punching his pregnant girlfriend in the stomach has been denied a request to attend the birth of the child. In May, Andrew Masko Lee was sentenced to seven months in jail related to incident this past March. The 19-year-old was charged with Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide of an Unborn Child, but pleaded to reduced charges of misdemeanor Battery and Disorderly Conduct, in addition to a variety of felony bail jumping charges. The judge in the Jefferson County court case denied the furlough request earlier this month and also rejected a request for sentence modification, saying the defendant had failed to show any new factors that would have allowed for a change. Police arrested Masko Lee after investigating reports of a loud argument. According to the criminal complaint, Masko Lee told the victim, while he was punching her, that he was going to kill the baby.

Poynette Restaurant Robbed

8/29/09 - The Columbia County Sheriffs Department is investigating a robbery at the Subway Restaurant in Poynette. According to Sheriff Dennis Richards, the incident occurred Thursday when the customer was attempting to change large bills for smaller ones. During the transaction, the subject grabbed a stack of $20 bills from the cashier and fled the establishment. The suspect is described as a black male who was last seen wearing a black suit coat and a straw fedora. Richards says his department is reviewing video surveillance footage from an adjacent business. The investigation is ongoing and the Sheriff asks anyone with information to contact the Columbia County Sheriffs Department.

BDPD Investigating Burglary and Vandalism

8/29/09 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is investigating a residential burglary. The breaking and entering was reported just after 10pm Thursday at a residence on the 900 block of South Spring Street. A computer, safe, stereo equipment and DVD’s were stolen. The department also received a report from the Piggly Wiggly on Park Avenue, reporting that their soda machine was broken into. Anyone with information on either incident is asked to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department or the anonymous We-Tip hotline at 800-78-CRIME.

Un-Pasteurized Milk Should be Thrown Out

8/29/09 - The state of Wisconsin says you should dump any un-pasteurized milk you have. Un-pasteurized milk is blamed for making 13 people sick in southeastern Wisconsin. All of the victims tested positive for a bacterial infection that causes nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever and vomiting. All of the people who got sick had consumed raw milk, or been in close proximity to someone else who had and became sick. Selling or distributing raw milk and its products is illegal in this state. A state consumer protection spokesperson says it's too early to know if anyone will face charges in this case.

Ryan, Moore Differ on Health Care Views

8/29/09 - Two members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation agree that millions of uninsured Americans should get coverage, but Democrat Gwen Moore and Republican Paul Ryan don't agree on how to accomplish that. Unlike some of the town hall meetings, Friday's discussion was mostly polite. Moore supports a public option, saying it would provide a needed standard of care for everyone. Ryan thinks it could lead to rationing and would push most private health insurance companies out of business. The two were in Milwaukee to take questions from reporters about the health care reform bill now before Congress. Both Moore and Ryan says health care costs have to be controlled, especially in Medicare and Medicaid.

Legislators Reject DOT Plan to Cutback on Road Work to Fix Budget

8/29/09 - Legislative budget writers reject a DOT plan to eliminate a deficit by scaling back road work. Lower than expected registration fees and fuel taxes have resulted in a 33 million dollar short fall in the transportation agency’s segregated fund for road development and maintenance, but a Joint Finance Committee member, Senator Judy Robson, noted increased revenues may already be in the pipeline. Robson notes the Cash for Clunkers program means there have been a lot of new vehicles purchased – and that means a lot of registration fees. The DOT will only have to come up with an alternate plan if segregated fund develops a deficit of greater than 30 million dollars in the current two year budget cycle.

Milwaukee Man Convicted of Killing Four People Last Year

8/29/09 - Prosecutors convinced a jury it was a revenge killing, leading to a guilty verdict against 26 year old Antonio Williams yesterday. Williams was convicted of killing four people at a Milwaukee street party on the Fourth of July last year. Williams defense attorney had attacked the credibility of some of the witnesses against him, pointing out that most of them are facing charges or serving prison time -- and they were getting consideration for their testimony. Two other men are also charged in the mass murder. One testified against Williams in return for a lighter sentence. Williams is to find out how long he will stay in prison when he is sentenced in October.

More Trouble for MPS

8/29/09 - An appeals court gives Milwaukee Public Schools a little time to deal with a class-action lawsuit over special education. The ruling means state's biggest school district doesn't have to put into practice the remedy ordered by a federal judge. That judge had ordered the system to post notification forms before next Tuesday. The forms would have let some students know they might be eligible for compensatory education services. Between 2000 and 2005 some students were not identified as needing that help. The appeals court ruling means the schools can take down the notifications for now. Milwaukee Public Schools had asked the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to stay the federal judge's order.

Emerald Ash Borer Found in Milwaukee County

8/29/09 - The invasive emerald ash borer has been found in Milwaukee County. Bob Manwell with the state Department of Natural Resources says a utility crew in the city of Franklin discovered emerald ash borer larvae Thursday. Milwaukee County is the seventh county in the state were EAB has been found. It would join a growing list of quarantined counties. Firewood cannot be brought out of those counties as part of an effort to stem the spread of the destructive insect.

Top Stories August 28th

No Second Vote For Mercury Marine Union

8/28/09 - There won’t be a second vote by manufacturing employees at Mercury Marine on proposed contract changes. That word from Machinists Local 1947 President Mark Zillges Thursday afternoon. Zillges said he couldn’t comment further and referred us to the District 10 office in Milwaukee for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and two union representatives there. Russell Krings who was out front during the negotiations with Mercury officials in Fond du Lac during the past several weeks said, “I’m not going to comment” and hung up the phone. Another District 10 representative wasn’t available for comment. Earlier in the day union officials said in order to stage a second vote there would need to be substantial changes to the contract offer, which didn’t materialize during a meeting with Mercury President Mark Schwabero Tuesday. Mercury’s “last, best, and final offer” is on the table through midnight Saturday. Efforts to keep the Mercury corporate headquarters in Fond du Lac continue.

Accused Cold Case Murderer Waives Prelim

8/28/09 - Edward Edwards waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday afternoon in Jefferson County court. Edwards is the man accused of killing two high school sweethearts in Sullivan 29 years ago. According to the state’s new amended complaint, Edwards said he had sex with 19-year-old Kelly Drew in a field outside a hall where the couple attended a wedding reception. The 76-year-old says he saw Tim Hack fighting with two men who beat or stomped him to death. Edwards claimed he then saw three men stomp Drew to her death. He says he did nothing to help the victims, because he didn’t want to get involved. Investigators said they found Edwards D-N-A on Drew’s pants. He was arrested a month ago, and is charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

Drug Dealer Sentenced

8/28/09 - A Beaver Dam woman was sentenced to two months in jail yesterday for dealing drugs. Janice Scheurer was arrested following a traffic stop on her birthday this past April. The 43-year-old was in possession of 15 grams of cocaine. Scheurer pleaded “no contest” to a felony charge of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and had three other felony counts dismissed but read into the record. In addition to two months in jail with Huber privileges, Scheurer was also placed on probation for four years and was ordered to forfeit her vehicle.

Jasper Bound Over For Daytime Residential Burglaries

8/28/09 - The man accused in connection with a string of residential burglaries in and around Dodge County last fall has been bound over for trial. Oscar Jasper Jr., a Milwaukee-native who had been living in Beaver Dam after his release from prison, is charged with five felony counts of Burglary, Theft and Felon in Possession of a Firearm, along with a handful of misdemeanors related to the daytime burglaries last October. The 47-year-old was apprehended with the help of video surveillance footage after he tried to sell stolen tools outside a Beaver Dam business in the days after the burglary. Jasper stole mostly firearms, jewelry and tools from homes in the Towns of Shields, Hubbard, Oak Grove and in Juneau; several of the items were recovered from a pawn shop in Milwaukee. The penalties carry a maximum penalty of over 48 years in prison but because Jasper is a repeat offender, he could have up to another 30 years added to his sentence. Jasper is being held on a $20,000 cash bond and has an arraignment hearing scheduled for September 30.

Randolph Woman Accused of Embezzlement

8/28/09 - A Randolph woman is accused of embezzling $16,000 from the gas station she managed. Cheryl Sjoerdsma is charged with a felony count of Theft in a Business Setting. According to the criminal complaint, the 52-year-old wrote a letter of apology to her boss admitting the thefts, which occurred over a one year period beginning in May of last year. The missing money was discovered during an annual audit. Sjoerdsma faces up to ten years in prison, if convicted. She had a signature bond set at $1000 yesterday and a preliminary hearing scheduled for September 10.

First Week of FDL Murder Trial Wrapping Up

8/28/09 - The murder trial for a 53-year-old Ashwaubenon man suspected of killing a young woman in Fond du Lac in July of 1976 is wrapping up its first week. Yesterday several friends of Thomas Niesen testified about his drug use at the time of murder, aggressive approach to picking up women in bars, and propensity to carry knives. Nineteen-year-old Kathleen Leichtman was killed with a knife early the morning of July 15th of 1976. Her body was found along Rolling Meadows Drive. Niesen's ex-wife JC Crull could be called to the witness stand today. The trial in Fond du Lac County Court is scheduled to run through next week.

WIAA Proposal Would Do Away With Football Conferences

8/28/09 - Tonight is the kickoff to the high school football season and it could be the last year that schools belong to a conference. Under a proposal from the WIAA, the current structure would change to a seven-district format with eight divisions within each district. The idea behind the proposal is to match schools up based on size so as to level the playing field. The proposal is only a rough draft but as it stands now about half of the teams on Beaver Dam’s schedule this year would not be a part of their new division. Local officials hope to learn more about the proposal when the WIAA holds their district meetings in the 2nd week of September.

Prison Employees on Furlough Today

8/28/09 - Wisconsin’s prisons will operate on a holiday schedule today, as most of the Corrections Department’s 10-thousand employees will be on a furlough. It’s part of Governor Jim Doyle’s order to make all state workers take 16 unpaid days off during the next two years, to help cover a shortfall in state revenues. Some guards say the furloughs could mean an explosion of overtime, because the prisons have to be staffed 24-7. But deputy corrections secretary Ismael Ozanne says the holiday schedule is a proven method of keeping overtime to a minimum while keeping the prisons safe. And Ozanne says the department has worked hard to cut heavy overtime from previous years. Still, Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan agrees the situation might need to be re-examined – saying it doesn’t make sense to pay more in overtime than what the furloughs save. Other agencies have talked about trying to chip away at the governor’s mandate – but the administration has held firm in requiring all employees to take the furloughs. State Employees’ Union director Marty Beil says he’d rather see nobody furloughed – but he agrees that having it apply to everybody is the only fair way to do it.

WKCE Tests Will Be Eliminated

8/28/09 - Wisconsin’s statewide school achievement tests will be eliminated in three years. State Superintendent Tony Evers announced yesterday the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concept Exams will be replaced with a system of state, school district, and classroom assessments. For 17 years, the tests have been given each fall to third, eighth, and 10th graders. But the results were not known until spring – and because of that, local officials say they’ve done a poor job of evaluating student progress. During the Bush years, the test was meant to comply with the president’s No Child Left Behind Act. But the state’s largest teachers’ union has been trying for a long time to do away with a single test for measuring achievement. A task force recommended the new system. Evers says it will be more responsive to students, teachers, and parents – and the tests will be computer-based, with the goal of gauging student progress numerous times during a school year. The union and the state School Boards and School Districts’ associations all hailed the change, saying it will result in more accountability. Also, it could help Wisconsin get some of the four-point-three billion dollars in federal stimulus money in President Obama’s “Race to the Top” school reform effort.

Watertown Farmer Blasts Time Magazine Article

8/28/09 - The Woman-of-the-Year for Madison’s World Dairy Expo takes issue with the cover story in this week’s Time Magazine. “The Real Cost of Cheap Food” portrayed animals drugged with anti-biotics in prison-like conditions, producing food that’s making Americans obese while gobbling up 19-percent of the nation’s fossil fuels. Daphne Holterman of Watertown runs one of the concentrated animal-feeding operations criticized in the article. And according to the Brownfield Ag News Service, she called the story “rubbish” and a far cry from what it contends. Among other things, the story cited a corporate organic farm as one of the solutions to the industry’s problems. Holterman told the magazine it should have visited quote, “real farms in the heartland of America.” She said family farms are hardly “monotonous and soul-killing.” She also said her farm is always open to quote, “visitors with an open mind.” Holterman’s family farm is one of the most honored in Wisconsin. It has received numerous awards, and the Holterman family is a past winner of the National Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Farmer award.

AG: Domestic Partner Registry “Substantially Similar” to Tradition Marriage

8/28/09 - Wisconsin’s attorney general says the state can offer some benefits to same-sex couples – but not the registry approved in the new state budget. J-B Van Hollen told Governor Jim Doyle in a letter that the domestic partnership status which took effect August third is “substantially similar” to traditional marriage. And therefore, Van Hollen says it goes against the 2006 constitutional amendment which bans gay marriages and civil unions. Van Hollen said last Friday he would not defend the state in a lawsuit which challenges the new registry approved by Doyle and the Legislature. It offers about one-fifth of the 200-some legal benefits given to married couples. Van Hollen’s decision forced the governor to hire Madison attorney Lester Pines to defend the state in a lawsuit filed a month ago by three members of the Wisconsin Family Action group. The suit asked the Supreme Court to take the case right away – but the justices have not said whether they’d do so.

Large WI Lost Money Last Quarter

8/28/09 - Three of Wisconsin’s four largest banks lost money in the last quarter, compared to the same time a year ago. The F-D-I-C said yesterday that Wisconsin banks lost a total of 161-million dollars in the period from April-through-June. And that’s down from a 207-million-dollar combined loss in 2008. Statewide, one-of-every-five banks lost money. And the F-D-I-C says more Wisconsinites are getting behind on their loans. Almost four-point-two-percent of all loans were in arrears in the last quarter, up from three-and-a-half percent in the first quarter of this year. The chair of the F-D-I-C, Sheila Bair, said challenges remain – but there’s evidence that the U-S economy is starting to grow again. The agency said Johnson Bank of Racine was among the state’s most profitable in the last quarter – along with National Exchange of Fond du Lac, River Valley of Wausau, Bank Mutual of Brown Deer, and Waukesha State Bank. Those with the biggest losses were M-and-I, Associated, First Banking of Burlington, Security State Bank of Iron River, and Anchor Bank of Madison.

AugustFest Gets Underway in Juneau

8/28/09 - The 12th Annual Juneau AugustFest gets underway today in and around the City Park. The three-day event will feature live music, carnival rides, and food. There is an all you can eat fish fry under the shelter from 4:30 to 7pm. Live music is from Die Spiel Meisters German Band early this evening and Jeff Hall DJ Service later tonight. There’s also a softball tournament and soccer tournament getting underway today.

Top Stories, August 27th

Clyman Fire Department Under Municipal Control

8/27/09 - Any possible attempts by Clyman firefighters to remove Chief John Haase have been thwarted. At an emergency joint meeting of the Clyman village and town boards last night, officials approved a freeze in the current structure of the department until a Fire Commission can be established. The governing bodies of both municipalities are now in control of the department. Village President Jeff Wagner says it will allow for a cooling off period on both sides and prohibit an emergency vote to remove the chief. The issue was sparked by a dent in the door of a station vehicle; the two firefighters using the pick-up were not on official business and the Chief had not approved its use. Captain Dave DeCono, who was placed on probation because of the incident, says using the vehicle was a common practice and such requests are not written in the bylaws. While he never directly called for the Chiefs removal, DeCono handed the Chief and the Town Chair a letter during Monday night’s special meeting that would have brought the department together for a vote. At Monday’s meeting, the joint board decided for a second time that they would leave the reprimand up to the chief. DeCono says the joint board should have allowed the department to handle the matter internally. Town Chair Dave Blank says its matters like this that illustrate the need for a Fire Commission. The department freeze will remain in effect until a Commission is established, at which time new and updated bylaws would be put in place that would address issues like command structure and reprimands. Meanwhile, the issue of the dented door has been resolved. An anonymous $1300 donation was left on the steps of the Village Hall in the hours before yesterday’s meeting.

FDL Still Hopeful of Keeping Merc Headquarters

8/27/09 - Fond du Lac City Council members are doing their part to keep Mercury Marine's corporate headquarters in the city. They worked on an incentive package last night. Veteran City Councilman Jim Nintzel says if Mercury leaves Fond du Lac it will have devastating financial impacts on taxes, water bills and more. Meanwhile union officials are checking with their national headquarters to see if a second vote can be taken on the company's proposed contract changes. After last Sunday's contract rejection company officials said they would soon begin moving manufacturing jobs to Stillwater, Oklahoma. (KFIZ, FDL)

Huge Turnout for Health Care Reform Meetings Last Night

8/27/09 - The debate on national health care reform was heard loud-and-clear at two large events in Wisconsin last night. Over 17-hundred opponents of the current House reform package attended a discussion in Middleton. And around 450 supporters of the legislation joined House Democrat Steve Kagen at a rally in Green Bay. John Stossel, co-anchor of A-B-C’s “20-20” news-magazine, told the Middleton crowd that President Obama’s health plans would lead to higher costs and fewer choices for patients. Stossel and other speakers advocated a free-market approach with higher deductibles that encourage people to compare prices and take better care of themselves. Similar sessions are planned today in La Crosse and Wausau. In Green Bay, Congressman Kagen told supporters he would not vote for a bill that lets insurers deny coverage due to pre-existing conditions. And he said the final package would create an open and competitive market-place.

Token Machine Stolen from BD Business

8/27/09 - Authorities are investigating a break-in at a Town of Beaver Dam business during the overnight hours of Tuesday into Wednesday. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says someone gained entry into Gophers Golf Center on Ollinger Road. The token machine was reported missing. Authorities have no suspects.

Niesen Trial Continues in FDL

8/27/09 - Retired forensic pathologist Dr. Alan Stormo yesterday testified during the third day of a murder trial for a 53-year-old Ashwaubenon man suspected of killing a 19-year-old woman in Fond du Lac in July of 1976. Stormo did autopsies back then for the County. He says slashes to Kathleen Leichtman's throat indicated her murderer intended to kill her. Thomas Niesen's DNA was matched to semen found in Leichtman's body and he's suspected of killing the young Milwaukee woman who came to Fond du Lac to dance at a strip club. Stormo will continue his testimony today in a trial that could run through next week. (KFIZ)

Bill Would Make Four-Time OWI a Felony

8/27/09 - The speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly promises long-awaited action next month to crack down on drunk driving. Democrat Mike Sheridan says his house will pass a bill in mid-to-late September to make four-time O-W-I a felony in most cases. It would also make repeat offenders be sober when they drive, by making them breathe into ignition interlocks to start their cars. That would also apply to first time offenders with blood alcohol levels of point-15 or more. The Assembly package would also create tougher sentences for drunk drivers who cause injuries, longer license suspensions for those serving jail time, and more treatment. The Assembly has yet to come to agreement on the bill with the Senate.

Another Good Year For Legion Baseball

9/27/09 - The Beaver Dam American Legion held a recognition dinner for their baseball teams this week. White Construction/ Post 146 won the East Central American Legion South Division Conference while the Beaver Dam Orthopedic Clinic Junior Legion team won the state championship. Legion Commander Bob Koch says both the Legion and Junior Legion teams should be proud of their accomplishments. Head Coach Joe Loizzo says the winning season reflects well on not only the players and the team but also the Legion. Post 146 has had five state championships dating back to 1982, 19 regional championships in the pas 28 years and has won eleven straight ECAL Championships. Pictured Left to Right: RW Tomashek, MR Tomashek, Terry Kieffer, Legiona Commander Bob Koch, Head Coach Joe Loizzo and Vic Herbst.

Edwards Due In Court Today

8/27/09 - Police in other parts of the country want to know if their unsolved crimes might have been committed by Edward Edwards – the man charged in a 1980 double-murder in Jefferson County. Sheriff’s detective sergeant Lawrence Lee says about a dozen law enforcement agencies have contacted his department, looking for information that might tie the 76-year-old Edwards to their cold cases. Most of the calls are about missing persons, or unsolved murders – some of which involve a boyfriend and a girlfriend. Edwards was recently arrested, after D-N-A evidence apparently linked him to the slayings of high school sweethearts Tim Hack and Kelly Drew 29 years ago. Edwards was once the F-B-I’s most wanted criminal. He spent much of his life drifting across America as he robbed banks, stole cars, and conducted scams. He’s also been named in a couple previous homicides. Lee says it’s not unusual for other police agencies to inquire about cold case arrests. He says his department is giving them a time-line for Edwards’ whereabouts. Meanwhile, he’s due in court Thursday afternoon, when a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to put Edwards on trial in the slayings of Hack and Drew.

Unemployment Up In Dodge County

8/27/09 - Dodge County was one of only three counties in the state that had an increase in unemployment from June to July. According to the Department of Workforce Development, the jobless rate in Dodge County was up four-tenths over the two-month period to 10.5%. Last year at this time, Dodge County was at 4.8%. Lincoln County also saw a slight increase to 11.5% while Menominee County jumped nearly three full percentage points to 18.2%, giving it the highest rate in the state. Columbia County is at 7.7% and Washington County is at 9.4%, both dropping seven-tenths. Jefferson County is at 9%, down from 9.8%. Fond du Lac County is down three-tenths to 9.2%. In July, unemployment rates decreased in 67 of the state’s 72 counties. The statewide jobless rate is down a half-point to 8.7%, which is a full point below the national rate but nearly double what it was at this time last year.

Union Could Hold Second Vote On Mercury Marine Concessions

8/27/09 - The labor union at Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac is studying the possibility of having a second vote on proposed contract concessions. Chief negotiator Dan Longsine tells the A-P he’s not sure a second vote can be called, since the company has refused to change anything in its original proposal. Last Sunday, members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers rejected concessions Mercury said were needed to keep the current level of outboard motor production in Fond du Lac. Longsine said over 70-percent of those voting rejected the idea of paying less to new employees, and those returning from layoffs. But now, he says the company is willing to provide written clarifications on some of the contract wording. And Longsine says some members are having second thoughts about voting no – and many had simply expected a second vote to take place. Without the concessions, Mercury says it will move hundreds of factory jobs to a non-union plant in Oklahoma.

Waterloo Man Indicted on Federal Charges

8/27/09 - A Waterloo man has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly being in possession of a pipe bomb. According to a press release from the US State’s Attorney’s Office, 21-year-old Christopher Hamlin was arrested August 6 following an investigation by the Watertown Police Department, the Dodge County Sheriffs Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

New Leadership at Kohls

8/27/09 - The president and C-E-O of Kohl’s Department Stores will also chair the company’s board of directors. The Menomonee Falls chain announced today that Kevin Mansell will replace the retiring Larry Montgomery as Kohl’s chairman starting next Tuesday. Mansell has been with the company for 27 years, and he’ll keep his current roles. Montgomery will stay on as a board member until January 30th, and he promises to give more help in the transition if-and-when it’s needed. Montgomery called Mansell a “proven executive” with a strong strategic vision. Mansell joined Kohl’s in 1982 as a divisional manager for merchandise.

DNR Tabs Hunters To ID State Animals

8/27/09 - Wisconsin wildlife experts want to learn more about the animals roaming the Badger State. And they’re asking hunters this fall to record what they see, and share it with the D-N-R. The agency has set up a survey where hunters can describe their observations. Experts want to know the types-and-numbers of animals that hunters spot – and they want pictures of endangered-or-rare species. The D-N-R says it will combine the hunters’ observations with historical information, to get a better handle on the state’s animal situation. The study is called the Wisconsin Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey, and it runs from September 12th through January. There’s more information on the D-N-R’s Web site, which is linked at Wisconsin-Dot-Gov.

Wisconsin Health Insurance 13th Highest in Nation

8/27/09 - If you feel like you're paying more for health insurance these days, you probably are. A new report from the Commonwealth Fund shows health insurance premiums have increased dramatically since 2003. Wisconsin reportedly has the 13th-highest cost of health insurance in the country. Massachusetts had the most expensive rate for family coverage last year. The cheapest premiums were found in Idaho.

UW Offering Green Profit Classes

8/27/09 - Profiting while protecting the earth -- that’s what a new degree program offered through UW-Extension teaches. The Dean of Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning says the B.S. in Sustainable Management encompasses business systems, social systems and natural systems. David Schejbal says learning how those three areas interact is key for the curriculum. Students can expect to learn about carbon trading, reducing water use to increase bottom line, in addition to creating close ties with the community to have a productive workforce. Schejbal says the market will see a growth in these skills which can be applied in many fields. The Obama administration also predicts a 52-percent increase in green jobs by 2016. The Sustainable Management courses, available online, are available through UW Parkside, Stout, River Falls, and Superior.

Top Stories August 26th

No Progress in Mercury-Union Talks

8/26/09 - Nothing changed after a meeting yesterday between Mercury Marine of Fond du Lac and its employee union. So President Mark Schwabero says a new plan will be made to move factory jobs to a non-union plant in Stillwater Oklahoma. Both sides met for two hours, after the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said no on Sunday to contract concessions that Mercury wanted. The maker of outboard motors refused to modify its demand that new employees and those returning from layoffs be paid less – and the union refused to have its members vote for a second time. The company is still giving the union until Saturday to change its mind. But union spokesman Michael King says it probably won’t happen unless Mercury changes its offer. Union officials say they’re looking for a written guarantee that production will continue in Fond du Lac. They believe their jobs will go to Oklahoma even if they approve the concessions. Mercury says it will honor its current contract which expires in 2012. About 850 people work in the plant, and over 900 more work at Mercury Marine’s headquarters in Fond du Lac. A separate decision will be made soon on moving the headquarters.

More Goats Go Missing in Dodge County

8/26/09 - Another large group of goats have gone missing from Dodge County. The Sheriff’s Department reports that 32-female goats were taken from a Lakeland Road address in the Town of Trenton. It was reported just before 5pm yesterday and authorities don’t have any suspects. Six goats were reported missing last week from the Town of Lowell just two weeks after about 100 were stolen from farms in Dodge and Green Lake Counties. Authorities are urging people to mark their goats so they can be identified.

High Priced Skid Loader Stolen from DC Fair

8/26/09 - Authorities are investigating the theft of a $75,000 skid loader from the Dodge County Fairgrounds Sunday night. Sheriff’s Lieutenant Jo Anne Swyers says the machine was stolen between 7pm and 10:30pm. The loader was locked and the keys were not in the ignition at the time. It appears that someone backed a trailer up to the skid loader, drove it onto the trailer and left the fairgrounds. Authorities say the theft occurred during a busy time when vendors and exhibitors were taking down displays and booths. The skid loader is a yellow 2009 CAT model with a fully enclosed cab. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dodge County Sheriffs Department or the anonymous We-Tip hotline at 800-78-CRIME.

Forbes Pleads Not Guilty

8/26/09 - Accused murdered Curtis Forbes entered a “not guilty” plea at an arraignment yesterday in Columbia County Circuit court. The Randolph man is accused of killing 18-year-old Marilyn McIntyre at her Columbus residence on March 11, 1980. McIntyre was discovered by her husband after he returned home from work; their three-month old son was asleep at the time. She was beaten, stabbed and strangled. The 51-year-old Forbes, who was a close personal friend of the victim’s husband, was initially a person of interest but he fled the state shortly after the murder. The case had gone cold for several years but was reopened in late 2007 at the request of the family. According to the criminal complaint, Forbes was overheard in 2002 saying he took a friend’s wife home from a bar, and she didn’t breathe any more after that night. Authorities used D-N-A to link Forbes to the crime. Both sides have 30 days to file motions before the matter goes to a jury.

Testimony Gets Underway in FDL Cold Case Murder

8/26/09 - Two witnesses testified yesterday that they saw 53-year-old Thomas Niesen leave the Other Place strip club with 19-year-old Kathleen Leichtman in July of 1976. The young woman's body was discovered early the next morning along Rolling Meadows Drive in Fond du Lac. Today is the third day of the Ashwaubenon man's murder trial in Fond du Lac County Court. Niesen is suspected of slaying Leichtman who was in Fond du Lac to dance at the strip club. The trial is scheduled to run through next week. (KFIZ)

FDL Bartender Turns to Police for Help

8/26/09 - An 18-year-old Fond du Lac woman is trying to get a no trespass citation issued against a 60-year-old Mayville man who's shown an unhealthy interest in her. The woman told Fond du Lac Police that she first met Robert Villwock at the Fox's Den Bar where she bartends. She had to throw him out of the tavern because he was acting weird. Since then she got a letter he sent from the Dodge County Jail. He's being held on some traffic infractions. He asked her to visit him at the jail. Villwock is no stranger to law enforcement. He was involved in a vehicle standoff incident in Fond du Lac in October of 2002 and a high speed chase with a Fond du LacCounty Sheriff's deputy in February of 2006. (KFIZ)

Man Charged in Short Standoff

8/26/09 - Formal charges have been field in connection with a brief confrontation in Randolph this past weekend. The standoff began after Shawn M. Seeber allegedly threatened a woman with a shotgun. About ten minutes after authorities arrived at their High Street residence, Seeber was taken into custody without incident. The 35-year-old is charged with misdemeanor counts of Disorderly Conduct and Intentionally Pointing A Firearm. Seeber had a signature bond set at $500 and a return date scheduled for September 21.

Columbus Council Tackles Udey Dam Questions

8/26/09 - Costs for the repair or removal of the Udey Dam drew a lot of attention at last night’s Columbus Council meeting. Engineer Kent Fish said he felt the most popular option
is to repair the Crawfish River dam. According to Fish, recent engineering assessments and favorable construction prices could result in repair of the Dam for $372,000. Columbus has re-applied for a DNR grant and has a 50 / 50 chance of receiving money for Dam repair. Costs of the Udey Dam project and other Capital Improvement projects for the City will be the focus for four special Council sessions in September and October.

BDHS to Begin Mentoring Program

8/26/09 - The Beaver Dam High School is implementing a new mentoring program that pairs upper classmen with incoming freshmen. It’s called the Link Crew and the programs coordinator Laurie Keiser says the plan is to provide incoming students with a comfortable transition that will help them academically, competitively and socially. There are 280 incoming Class of 2013 freshmen and 60 Link Leaders, about a 5 to 1 ratio. The upperclassmen get a half-credit for their year-long mentorship, plus Klawitter says it provides a community service component that looks good on résumé’s and college applications. Link Crew Coordinators train junior and senior students to be Link Leaders. The Link Crew program officially kicks off at the freshmen orientation tomorrow, and there are two other mentoring opportunities before school begins next Tuesday. That includes Friday’s football game and a dance on Sunday.

WI Highway Improvement Fund $33M in the Hole

8/26/09 - At least some highway improvements in Wisconsin might have to wait, because the fund which pays for that work is 33-million-dollars in the hole. The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee is expected to act tomorrow on a request by the D-O-T to reduce its spending on road repairs and new construction. The revenue shortfall covers about two-percent of state’s one-and-a-half billion dollar transportation fund. Among other things, it’s caused by the first reduction in the number of registered cars and light trucks in the Badger State in over 30 years. Almost 27-thousand fewer vehicles were registered last year, which meant a loss in fee revenue. And with the problems in the auto industry, new car registrations in the last quarter of the year plunged by 38-percent. Also, Wisconsinites used three-point-six percent less gasoline between last July and March – and as fuel prices fell, so did gas tax revenues.

Bill Would Ban Bartenders Drinking with Customers

8/26/09 - Bartenders could no longer drink with their customers, under a bill that got a public hearing in the Wisconsin Assembly yesterday. Milwaukee Democrat Josh Zepnick is demanding absolute sobriety from those who serve alcohol – as well as a statewide ban on “all you can drink” specials. He says both measures would reduce drunk driving and alcohol abuse. Zepnick says those who serve alcohol must decide whether patrons have had too much to drink – and they can’t do it if they’re drinking heavily themselves. But the owner of the Malt House in Madison says his bartenders need to taste his various products, so they can describe them to their customers. Bill Rogers said his place has 18 lines of draft beer, and they change quite often. Zepnick says he’s willing to consider amendments. The Assembly’s Local Affairs Committee will decide whether to recommend the bills to the full house. The panel also heard testimony on a bill to stop letting kids under 18 drink with their parents in bars. A Senate committee had a hearing on the same proposal last week.

Cigarette Tax to Increase Next Tuesday

8/26/09 - Wisconsin’s cigarette tax goes up again next Tuesday – and state revenue agents will be on the lookout for illegal products that don’t have the required tax stamp. When the state tax rose by a dollar-a-pack last January, the Revenue Department seized over 12-thousand illegal packs of cigarettes around that time. But in the last fiscal year ending June 30th, only 763 packs were confiscated. Spokeswoman Jessica Iverson said agents focused on other enforcement activities in that period. But with the tax going up another 75-cents on September first, Iverson says there will be a new enforcement effort. And she says retailers are being urged to check their inventories to make sure they have the proper tax stamps. Wisconsin will have the nation’s fifth-highest cigarette tax, at two-dollars-and-52-cents a pack. It’s expected to generate about 300-million dollars in state revenues over the next two years.

Pines to Defend State in Legal Challenge of Domestic Partner Registry

8/26/09 - Madison attorney Lester Pines will defend the state in a lawsuit that challenges the new legal protections for same-sex couples. Governor Jim Doyle hired Pines yesterday, after Attorney General J-B Van Hollen refused to fight the suit filed by three board members of the Wisconsin Family Action group. The plaintiffs said the new benefits for gay couples violate the constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions. And Van Hollen said he agrees with the plaintiffs. Pines will get 175-dollars-an-hour, up to 20-thousand dollars over a one-year period. The governor’s office said Pines was chosen because of his 34 years of legal experience. And he’s familiar with the legal issues in the gay marriage amendment, since he’s defending a U-W Oshkosh professor who’s trying to strike it down on a claim that it was improperly worded. That case is pending before the State Supreme Court.

Top Stories August 25th

Merc and Union Officials to Meet

8/25/09 - With hundreds of jobs on the line, Mercury Marine executives will meet with union officials this afternoon in Fond du Lac. On Sunday, the union said no to contract concessions that included lower pay for new workers and those returning from layoffs. And the company responded by saying it would move factory jobs to a non-union plant in Stillwater Oklahoma in the next 2-to-3 years. Union negotiator Dan Longsine says he hopes to keep the lawyers out of today’s meeting, with the hopes of getting company president Mark Schwabero to budge a little. Company spokesman Steve Fleming says the meeting could be a short one if nobody’s willing to change their stands. Union officials have said they would take concessions, as long as Mercury guarantees in writing that work will stay in Fond du Lac. The plant has about 850 jobs – and the maker of outboard motors also has its headquarters there, with over 900 other employees. Brenda Hicks-Sorenson, head of the Fond du Lac Economic Development Corporation, says she’d love to see another union vote – but she doesn’t think it will happen. She says city-and-county officials are putting together an incentive package to keep Mercury’s headquarters in Wisconsin, even if the production leaves.

Tempers Flare in Clyman Over Dented Door

8/25/09 - A joint meeting last night between the Town and Village of Clyman boards was called following action taken against two officers with the volunteer fire department who were involved in a minor accident with a station vehicle. The door of the fire stations new pick-up was dented while Captain Dave DeCono and Lt. Marty Pint were hanging banners for the Fire Association’s 100th Anniversary picnic. Since it didn’t happen during the course of official firefighting duties, Chief John Haase brought the matter to the boards. Village President Jeff Wagner says the joint board decided to require Pint and DeCono to pay for the damage. The Chief placed both officers on probation for one year but Pint, the driver that day, was also demoted. The joint board voted 3 to 1 last night to support the fire chief but to send the matter back to the chief for a final decision. Before the vote, DeCoro handed the Fire Chief and Town Chair a letter calling for a special firefighters meeting within 10 days that could involve a vote to rescind the reprimand or even remove the chief. There is no written policy regarding the use of station vehicles for such a purpose. The department is working to update its policies and the boards have been working together to establish a Police and Fire Commission.

Teen Placed on Probation for ‘Stupidest Crime Ever’

8/25/09 - A Beaver Dam teen has been sentenced in connection with the June break-in at the Journal Sentinel building in Beaver Dam. 18-year-old Joshua Richie pleaded to reduced charges earlier this month and was placed on two years probation yesterday. Richie and two others were charged after entering the building in the early morning hours and breaking into a soda machine. One of the other suspects told investigators that the door was already open and when he was in the building he thought to himself that he was quote “the stupidest person in the world” and he was committing a “stupid crime that he deserved to get caught for.” 17-year-old Christopher Larson has an arraignment hearing scheduled for next month while 18-year-old Colton Haase entered a “not guilty” plea at arraignment last week.

Columbus Makes Administrative Cuts

8/25/09 - The Columbus School Board approved the 2010 salaries for the District’s Administrative Team last night. Superintendent Mark Jansen will not see an increase in his salary and two administrative positions have been eliminated. Because of extra duties a number of the remaining administrative positions have been given a 3 % pay increase. Board Member Don Nelson voted against approval of the raises in the $490 thousand dollar Administrative pay package citing recent job losses in the private sector and State government.

U.S. Legislator: Scrap Proposed Health Care Reform Bill

8/25/09 - House Republican Paul Ryan says Congress should scrap the proposed health care reform bill, and start talking about a compromise. But during three appearances in Waukesha County yesterday, he told fellow conservatives he didn’t know how to stop Democrats from ramming through their package. Ryan – the Janesville lawmaker who got national attention with an alternative which included tax credits – said there were both problems and misconceptions with the Democratic reform plan. He said it would eventually eliminate private insurers as employers find it cheaper to drop coverage, pay the penalties, and let their employees go on the government plan. Ryan also said it wasn’t true that the Democratic plan includes rationing of care, or letting illegal immigrants get it for free. But if the plan passes, Ryan said he expected constitutional court challenges to any government denials of health services. Derrick Plummer of the Democratic National Committee said Ryan was using “fear mongering and distortions” to mislead Wisconsinites about President Obama’s health principles. Plummer said the president has repeatedly said he doesn’t want the government getting between people and their doctors – as insurance companies now do.

BDMS Implements Single-Gender Classroom Pilot Program

8/25/09 - There will be two single gender sixth grade classrooms at the Beaver Dam Middle School this year. New Principal Ben Jones says research shows girls and boys can learn better when gender stereotypes are broken down. He says they’ll be testing to see what kind of a positive outcome will come from the separation. The curriculum for both classrooms will generally be the same. Jones says only a few parents took their kids out of the single-gender classrooms.

Niesen Opening Statements This Morning

8/25/09 - Opening statements will be made this morning in the Fond du Lac County murder trial of Thomas Niesen. A jury was selected yesterday and some motions were made. The 53-year-old Ashwaubenon man is suspected of the July 1976 stabbing death of 19-year-old Kathleen Leichtman. The young woman was in Fond du Lac to dance at The Other Place, a strip club. After a child abuse conviction in Brown County last year Niesen had to submit a DNA sample. During routine testing last fall the state crime lab was allegedly able to match it with DNA evidence from the Leichtman cold case. The jury trial is scheduled to run through September 4th. (KFIZ)

Allenton Man Suffers Serious Injuries in Crash

8/25/09 - A 26-year-old Allenton man suffered severe injuries when his motorcycle went off a Washington County Highway early yesterday morning. Sheriff's officials say Adam Ralph was on Highway 175 in the Town of Addison when he failed to negotiate a curve and went into a ditch. His bike hit a driveway culvert and he was ejected from it. Ralph was not wearing a helmet he was taken to Aurora Medical Center in Hartford and later flown to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. Authorities say speed was a factor in the crash. (KFIZ)

Stem Cells Could Help People to See Better

8/25/09 - Millions of people who have trouble seeing could someday be cured, thanks to new research at U-W Madison. David Gamm and Jason Meyer led a team of scientists who converted stem cells from both embryos and human skin into different kinds of retinal cells. It took several steps to develop eye cells which often get damaged in diseases like macular degeneration. That’s the leading cause of blindness for Americans older than 55 – and it affects 30-million people throughout the world. Meyer says the new research offers hope, but it still needs to be refined. His team has not yet proven that retinal cells made in the lab are just as effective as those made naturally in the human body. Meyer hopes to offer that proof in the group’s next projects. He says an actual cell replacement process is still pretty far off – but it’s not “pie in the sky” anymore. The initial studies were published yesterday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

When Will Bottom Fall Out of Housing Market?

8/25/09 - Homes in Wisconsin are much more affordable due to falling prices, low interest rates, and an eight-thousand-dollar federal tax credit for first-time buyers. But some experts wonder if the bottom will drop out after December first, when the tax credit from the economic stimulus package goes away. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, says the market is in a healing process – and it’s already returning to normal conditions. He says prospective buyers are out shopping if they’re quote, “financially ready.” But that’s a big “if,” according to Marquette economics professor David Clark. He says the unemployment situation is the big factor in deciding whether the home markets go up-or-down. Wisconsin’s jobless rate is still close to nine-percent. And Clark does not expect it to level off until the first half of next year. He says communities that rely more heavily on manufacturing will recover more slowly than other places. And Clark expects improvements in home sales and prices as early as next spring. The Wisconsin Realtors Association said home sales in the second quarter were down 10-and-a-half percent from the year before – a smaller drop than earlier in the recession. Prices were down almost 10-percent.

Top Stories August 24th

2009 Dodge County Fair Recap

Union Votes No on Contract Changes

8/24/09 - Mercury Marine of Fond du Lac says it could start moving jobs to Oklahoma by the end of the year, after union employees rejected contract concessions yesterday. The workers voted by what it called a wide margin against large pay cuts for new employees and those returning from layoffs. Company president Mark Schwabero said Mercury needed those concessions to avoid moving up to 850 factory jobs to a non-union plant in Stillwater Oklahoma. Now, he says it will take 2-to-3 years to move most-or-all the jobs, as the firm promises to honor the union’s current contract that expires in 2012. Chief negotiator Dan Longsine said the jobs would have moved anyway. Mercury Marine has made outboard motors in Wisconsin for almost three-fourths-of-a-century. Governor Jim Doyle says he’ll fight to keep Mercury Marine in Wisconsin, but the union and management would have to resolve their differences. Schwabero says the union has rejected the company’s last-and-best offer – and no further talks are planned. Oklahoma says it will pay Mercury’s moving expenses.

Late Blight Found in Potato Fields

8/24/09 - State officials say a fungus-like disease that has killed tomato plants this summer has spread to two potato fields in Portage and Columbia counties. The fungus is called “late blight.” And U-W Madison plant pathologist Amanda Gevens says the outbreaks are the first in Wisconsin in seven years. The state agriculture department says the affected potato crops have been quarantined and killed. But the agency has asked farmers to watch their crops carefully. And Duane Maatz of the state’s Potato and Vegetable Growers Association says they’ve been urging growers all summer to keep up with their fungicide spraying efforts. Late blight was first reported last month in home-and-organic tomato gardens in 10 southern and central Wisconsin counties. Officials have asked home gardeners to destroy all plants with the disease. State plant specialist Adrian Barta says it’s likely that the blight spread naturally into Wisconsin from the east or south. New York State had reports of tomato blight in early July, and the initial reports in Wisconsin came on July 29th.

Human Remains Found in Washington County

8/24/09 - Authorities are trying to identify human remains found in a wooded area in Germantown. Police said two people were looking for good hunting spots on Saturday when they saw the remains. Officers were not able to find them immediately. But once the hunters provided more information, the remains were picked up yesterday morning. It’s not known if they’re male or female. The Washington County medical examiners’ office will try to identify the remains, as well as the cause of death.

More Goats Go Missing in Dodge County

8/24/09 - Dodge County authorities are urging farmers to mark their goats, after six more animals were stolen recently. Over 100 goats were taken since late July from two farms in Dodge and Green Lake counties. The latest theft was reported last week in the town of Lowell. All the stolen goats were valued at over 32-thousand dollars. Dodge County Chief Deputy Blaine Lauersdorf says it’s a mystery that so many goats have been missing around the same time – and his officers do not have any leads. He said the most recent animals did not apparently have any markings. And Lauersdorf says it would be “very wise” for farmers to mark their goats so officers can identify them.

One Brother Pleads Guilty in Patrick Cudahy Fire

8/24/09 - One of the two brothers charged with causing the massive fire at the Patrick Cudahy meat plant has pleaded guilty to a felony. 23-year-old Joshua Popp entered his plea this morning in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. And there was no immediate word on what prosecutors would recommend for a sentence. Joshua Popp is due to be sentenced on October eighth. 25-year-old Kurtis Popp had his plea hearing put off until next Tuesday – and reports say he’s expected to plead guilty as well. Both were charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, and their lawyers have expressed regret about the incident. Prosecutors said Joshua Popp took a military flare when he served in the Marines – and his brother set it off at a family gathering on July fifth. It landed on top of the Cudahy meat plant, starting a fire that took three days to put out and caused 50-million dollars in damage.

Assembly Committee to Look Into Underage Drinking With Parents

8/24/09 - A state Assembly committee will hold a public hearing tomorrow on a bill to stop letting kids under 18 drink with their parents in taverns. Madison Democrat Terese Berceau is one of the bill’s main sponsors – and she chairs the Local Affairs Committee which will hold tomorrow’s hearing at the State Capitol. Berceau doesn’t agree with those who say it’s part of Wisconsin’s ethnic traditions to let children have a drink with their parents in bars-and-restaurants. Deb Burgess of the Marathon County Alcohol-and-Other-Drugs Partnership group says the bill sends a clear message that underage drinking is not okay. And she wished the bill would have included 18-to-20-year-olds as well. Central Wisconsin alcohol educator Shannon Young says brains develop until age 25. And she cites national figures which show that kids who drink before they’re 15 are four times more likely to become dependent on alcohol than those who start drinking at 21. A study from the U-W School of Medicine shows that 49-percent of all Wisconsin high school students drink. That’s the highest percentage in the country.

Authorities Giving Out More Tickets for Those Not Buckling Up

8/24/09 - You might not want to ignore those T-V announcements about buckling up. Wisconsin state troopers more than doubled the number of seat-belt tickets they gave out between June and July. The new state budget signed June 29th allows officers to stop motorists just for not buckling up – and they don’t have find another violation anymore. As a result, the State Patrol gave out 46-hundred seat belt tickets in July, up from about two-thousand in June. That includes about 800 passengers who were cited last month for not wearing seat belts, up from 400 in June. The fine is still 10-dollars, with no demerit points on your driver’s license.

Barrett and Kind are Top Democratic Candidates

8/24/09 - Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Congressman Ron Kind of La Crosse appear to be the leading Democratic possibilities for governor next year. That’s according to Journal Sentinel columnist Dan Bice – who says Kind appears to be ready to run while Barrett is not enthusiastic, and would have to be convinced by party leaders. Bice quotes insiders in both parties as saying that Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton and State Senate Democrat Jon Erpenbach of Waunakee are in the second-tier of Democratic hopefuls. So far, Lawton is the only Democrat to say she’ll try to replace the retiring Governor Jim Doyle. Erpenbach is said to be mulling it over. Barrett returns to work this week after getting national acclaim for intervening in a domestic dispute outside the State Fair nine days ago – and getting beat up in the process. But Bice says Barrett, his wife, and his top aide are less than enthusiastic about him leaving his current job. Kind, meanwhile, would have to act quickly to get name recognition outside his western Wisconsin House district. Bice says the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee wants Kind to stay where he is. But Kind says the world doesn’t revolve around that group – and while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she would hate to lose him, she would not try to stop him from leaving to run for governor. Bice says if it comes down to Kind and Barrett, they might work out a deal to avoid a tough primary. Meanwhile, Bice says Republicans are licking their chops at the chance of winning Kind’s House seat. State Senator Dan Kapanke of La Crosse announced his bid for the House seat earlier this month.

Butler Forwarded as Crabb's Replacement

8/24/09 - Former State Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler has improved his chances of being elevated to the federal bench. U-S Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold have recommended Butler as one of three finalists for the federal judgeship now held by Barbara Crabb of Madison. Attorneys William Conley and David Jones, both of Madison, were also recommended as finalists to President Obama – who will make the final appointment. Crabb will assume a part-time senior status once her replacement is confirmed. Earlier this year, the senators also recommended Butler and Conley for another vacant federal judgeship in Madison. That one was held by Judge John Shabaz until he retired for good. Obama has not named a replacement for that post yet. The senators rejected three other candidates for Judge Crabb’s job – La Crosse County Circuit Judge Ramona Gonzalez, Madison attorney Stephen Meyer, and law professor Anuj Desai.

Top Stories, August 23rd

Edwards Connection To Foster Son Murder Investigated

8/23/09 - The man charged with killing two high school sweet-hearts in Jefferson County in 1980 may also be a suspect in the murder of his foster son. Edward Edwards is accused of killing Tim Hack and Kelly Drew back in 1980. Authorities said Edwards was a maintenance man at the restaurant in Sullivan where Hack and Drew, both 19, vanished after leaving a wedding reception. Their decomposed bodies were found by hunters two months later. Now law enforcement in Ohio want to question the 76-year-old about the murder of Danny Edwards 13 years ago. The 24-year-old was found in a shallow grave about a mile from his home one year after he was reported missing. He had been shot in the head. At the time of his disappearance, Danny Edwards had been living outside Cleveland with Edwards Edward’s and Edward’s wife. Danny considered Edwards enough of a father figure that he took his last name. A few months after that, Danny went missing. At the time of the disappearance, Edwards was considered a person of interest. Jefferson County detectives, meanwhile, have been getting calls from around the country with questions about unsolved murders. Edwards reportedly broke out of jails twice before in connection with previous crimes. He was arrested for the Jefferson County murders last month, after authorities linked D-N-A evidence to him. Edwards’ next court appearance is on Thursday, when a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to put him on trial.

Final Day of the Dodge County Fair

8/23/09 - The Dodge County Fair wraps up today with demolition derby’s in the grandstands. The Dairy Youth recognition auction also caps off the final day of activities, along with the “Little Britches” Showmanship Contest in the Farm Progress Arena and the “Little Shepherds” Showmanship Contest in the Sheep Barn. On the Radio Park stage today there is karaoke, family games and the 4-H Clothing Style Show.

Business Down in Dells For Second Straight Year

8/23/09 - Business may be down in Wisconsin Dells this summer, but that’s okay for many business owners. Tom Diehl of the Tommy Bartlett Show says you can’t compare it to last year when Lake Delton was dry and it was a catastrophe for business. Compared to 2007, Diehl says his profits are down by about six to seven percent. Still, he says it’s not that bad when you consider the current economic situation. A colder than normal July also hurt some of the outdoor water parks, but indoor attractions still did well. Diehl says there’s still some summer left, and he’s hopeful it will bring more people to the Dells.

Guns From Lake Delton Untraceable

8/23/09 - John Dillinger and his gang were active in Wisconsin in the 1930s. That's why, when four guns were found at the bottom of Lake Delton, some thought there could be a connection. The revolvers are thought to be at least 50 years old because their serial numbers have so few digits. The guns were found when flooding caused the lake to drain last summer. Those firearms were sent to the state crime lab in Madison for analysis, but there simply wasn't much to go on. Investigators say we may never know where they came from, who they belonged to, and why they were dumped in that lake.

Alcohol Compliance Low In Milwaukee

8/23/09 - A spot check by Milwaukee police finds it's not all that tough for an underage person in Wisconsin's biggest city to buy some alcohol. Police sent an underage person into 47 liquor stores -- and 20 times they were able to buy alcohol without producing identification. Police say they ran the checks as a response to complaints from residents and aldermen. The businesses were ticketed for selling booze to minors, but they may have more troubles to come. Reports are going to be filed for consideration when the liquor licenses at those stores are up for review. A recent alcohol compliance check in Beaver Dam resulted in warnings to half of the city’s 16 licensed taverns. City officials are discussing in committee if those bars will be assigned demerit points under a recently adopted ordinance.

Vacation Scammer Nabbed in Wisconsin

8/23/09 - Federal prosecutors say Edwin Negrin ripped off would-be vacationers in several states. The 47 year old suspect is being held in Wisconsin on state charges, but the fraud indictment was handed down by a federal grand jury. Negrin is accused of renting high-end beach properties in North Carolina for two to four thousand dollars a week. One problem -- he didn't own those properties. In some cases he rented to several tenants at the same time. Negrin faces 40 federal felony charges. He's accused of taking more than 60 people for more than 200 thousand dollars.

Sheboygan Woman Charged With Assaulting Niece

8/23/09 - Prosecutors say a 44 year old woman from Sheboygan Falls slammed her teenage niece's head into a wall so many times the girl passed. Verna Michalski faces felony charges in the attack. She reportedly was mad at the 17 year old girl because she had asked her to help clean the house and the girl said she would -- after she returned from a job interview. If she's convicted, Michalski could spend four years in jail. The victim says she's not sure how many times her head hit the wall. The girl's mother called police after she went home.

Cash For Clunkers Coming To An End

8/23/09 - Though the "Cash for Clunkers" program officially runs through Monday, many Wisconsin dealerships wrapped things up yesterday. They will take today to complete all the paperwork and send it to Washington. Then they will wait for their money. One Wisconsin dealership reports it has done about 250 sales under the program since it started. The same dealership says only 17 of those clunker deals have received federal approval -- and Washington hasn't sent any of the money it promised. Other dealers say it takes the federal web site 45 minutes to completely process an application. That's a best-case scenario. The web site has frozen several times in the last week.

Democratic Lawmaker Blasts A-G Over Domestic Partnerships

8/23/09 - One Wisconsin lawmaker says the attorney general is choosing to be the top politician in Wisconsin rather than the top lawyer. Democrat Mark Pocan was commenting on the decision not to defend the state against a challenge to domestic partner registries. They became law as a part of the state budget even though voters approved a ban on gay marriage three years ago. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says he took an oath to uphold the Wisconsin Constitution. He says he's doing that, but Pocan says Van Hollen is pandering to his Republican political base. The Wisconsin Supreme Court hasn't decided whether it will hear legal challenges to the registries or not.

Cost Sharing Plan Slow To Start

8/23/09 - It seemed like such a good idea -- neighboring states working together to hold costs down, to find efficiencies and save a little money. It's been nearly five months since the governors of Wisconsin and Minnesota announced the sharing plan. It doesn't seem to be working. Governors Jim Doyle and Tim Pawlenty estimated savings of up to 10 million dollars for each state. Effective last week, Wisconsin puts its savings at about 74 thousand dollars. Minnesota has saved a little less than 27 thousand. Neither side is giving up. Spokespersons for both governors say the idea is just getting started. But, many of the ambitious plans have been abandoned or put on hold.

Top Stories August 22nd

14th Annual Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Contest

8/22/09 - Fairest of the Fair 2007 Katie Rhodes has taken the “Sweetest of the Fair” trophy for a second year after beating seven of her peers last night in the 14th Annual Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Contest at the Dodge County Fair. Rhodes managed to beat-out Fairest’s from 2008 and 2009, along with Miss Beaver Dam Lake, the Dodge County Fire Queen and the local and state Honey Bee Queens.

Sven Jorgensen of the Beaver Dam Community Theater fall play “Don’t Hug Me” bested eight of his fellow actors, including “Peter Pan” and the Gourlie Brothers from the Morais Players of Mayville – dressed as old ladies -- to take home the Bill “Puff Daddy” McCollum trophy.

Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy took home the “Cream Puff of the Crop” trophy in a photo-finish against Farm Tech Days Chuck Crave and also Horicon Superintendent Gary Berger, Casey Carney and Jeff and Scott Fitzgerald.

And finally, in a strange twist of events, all the participants in the final celebrity heat pulled an on-stage swap with their seconds-in-command. It started after Sheriff Todd Nehls announced from Washington DC that he would be appointing his Chief Deputy Blaine Laursdorf to sub for him. After reluctantly getting approval from judge’s Daniel Klossner and Brian Pfitzinger, District Attorney Bill Bedker appointed his Assistant DA Jim Sempf to take his place at the table. That prompted Emergency Management Director Joe Meagher to swap places with Deputy Director Amy Nehls, much to her surprise. PAVE Director Jamie Kratz-Gullickson switched places with advocate Ann Killian-Khan, who took home the second place cup. And finally, Beaver Dam Chamber Director Phil Fritsche brought in his son Zach, who took home the “Fastest of the Fair” trophy.

Check Out Videos from All Four Celebrity Cream Puff Contests

Streiff Gets Five Years

8/22/09 - A Waupun man was sentenced to five years in prison yesterday for the repeated sexual assault of two young girls at their Fox Lake home. Dean Strieff pleaded “no contest” in May to one of the felony counts and had a second dismissed but read into the record. According to the criminal complaint, the victim’s mother contacted Fox Lake police to report that Strieff had assaulted the children numerous times. Streiff was convicted of molesting a pre-teen girl told authorities that the 41-year-old had touched her on several occasions between September of last year and the middle of January. Charges were dismissed against Strieff for assaulting the girl’s older preteen sister during that same period. The victims and the victim’s mother both asked the judge for leniency saying Strieff was a good person. In pronouncing sentence, Judge Pfitzinger said that while Strieff had many more positive characteristics in his background than most defendants, the judge could not overlook the gravity of the offenses that Strieff committed saying, “I will do whatever I can from this bench to protect the children of this community.” When given the opportunity to speak, Strieff tearfully thanked his family, many of whom were present in court, for their support. Strieff also expressed sorrow for what he had done and vowed that an incident like this “will never happen again.” In addition to five years incarceration, Strieff was sentenced to five years of extended supervision and must register as a sex offender.

Kwik Trip Moving Forward in Fox Lake

8/22/09 - Plans for a new Kwik Trip on the site formerly occupied by Fox Lake Foods on Highway 33 have been approved. Representatives with Kwik Trip and Kunkel Engineering presented the plans to the city council, which then unanimously approved them. Administrator Bill Petracek says while it’ll be a new building, losing Fox Lake Foods, which was the lone grocery store in the city, will be an obvious detriment to the community. Petracek says bringing in another grocery store chain does not appear to be an option. He called five other grocery companies and all said Fox Lake was too small of a community to support its own store. Kwik Trip hopes to get the construction underway as soon as possible to avoid any issues with winter weather.


114,000 Jobs Lost Over the Past Year in WI

8/22/09 - Over the last 12 months Wisconsin has lost a record 114 thousand jobs -- but it could be worse. Those numbers are still not as bad as neighboring states, or the nation as a whole. Only two of the seven states in this region lost less than the 3-point-9 percent of its jobs Wisconsin gave up. The national rate of jobs lost was 4-point-2 percent. The numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics also shows Wisconsin remains the nation's leading location for manufacturing jobs -- even thought nearly 58 thousand of them were lost during the period.

Polling Shows near Dead Heat between Walker and Barrett for Gov

8/22/09 - With Governor Jim Doyle headed for the sidelines, polling done more than a year before Wisconsin votes shows two politicians from Milwaukee as early favorites. Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, a Republican, is supported by 44 percent of likely primary voters, compared to 43 percent for Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Democrat. Walker is an announced candidate for Doyle's job, but Barrett hasn't made his intentions known. Barrett's numbers were likely influenced by the news stories this week about his intercession in a domestic dispute just outside the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. When other hypothetical general election match-ups were considered, Walker had substantial margins among likely voters over other Democratic candidates Barbara Lawton and Ron Kind. Lawton is the current lieutenant governor and Kind is a congressman from La Crosse.

Van Hollen Won’t Represent State in Domestic Registries Case

8/22/09 - Wisconsin’s attorney general says he won’t defend the state against a challenge to domestic partner registries. Wisconsin Family Action has asked the State Supreme Court to strike down the registries, based on a 2006 Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says that amendment is the reason he can not represent Wisconsin against the petition to overturn the law. The registries were created by a provision in the state budget and went into effect earlier this month. Van Hollen says his decision isn’t based on a policy disagreement, but on his oath to uphold the state Constitution. The Supreme Court hasn’t decided if it will take the case. If it does, the state would likely have to hire an outside attorney to defend the law.

Soldier Died from Heat Stroke

8/22/09 - An autopsy shows that soldier from Wisconsin, who died after a South Carolina army training exercise, suffered heat stroke. Private Jonathan Morales was from Milwaukee. Morales had reportedly fallen behind on a training march the day before. His supervisor had him sit in the back of a truck. Morales fell out of the truck and hit his head, but the coroner says it was heat stroke that killed the 18 year old.

Family Suing Beef Company after Getting Sick

8/22/09 - A Wisconsin family sues JBS Swift Beef Company for selling meat that made them sick. The Rosploch family of Brookfield filed the federal lawsuit in Milwaukee yesterday. Court papers allege the family ate beef last month that made three of them sick. That beef was later found to be among 420 thousand pounds recalled by the company. A seven year old boy got so sick he had to stay in a hospital for nearly a month. The family members were sickened by E. coli.

Cap-and-Trade Bill Hits Home for Smaller Power Companies

8/22/09 - The cap-and-trade bill passed by the U.S. House hits some small Midwestern power companies especially hard. They rely on coal power plants, leading a regional utility group to intensify its lobbying before the Senate votes on the measure. A spokesman for Wisconsin Energy says under the current formula Midwestern state would be subsidizing customers of other utilities in the eastern and western states. Alliant Energy is a part of the same group which wants changes in the wording before cap-and-trade is considered.

Harley Looking for New Home for its Main Motorcycle Plant

8/22/09 - Harley-Davidson officials consider four locations for the company's main motorcycle plant. It's now located in York, Pennsylvania, but the company says that facility is inefficient and has too much capacity. A decision is expected later this year whether to relocate to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Shelbyville, Indiana, Shelbyville, Kentucky, or Kansas City, Missouri. Pennsylvania is fighting hard to keep the plant that employs 23 hundred people. The state is offering an economic package of low-interest loans and 15 million dollars in upgrades.

Quarantine on Firewood Extended to Kenosha County

8/22/09 - In an effort to stop the spread of the emerald ash borer, the state has quarantined firewood and other wood products in Kenosha County. The quarantine went into effect today (Saturday). The beetle was found in trees in that county earlier this month. The restrictions prohibit taking items like hardwood, firewood, ash logs or timber or ash nursery products out of the state. The emerald ash borer has killed millions of trees, mostly in the upper Midwest.