Thursday, August 20, 2009

Top Stories August 20th

Spare Time Bowl Loses Liquor License For 90 Days

8/20/09 - The Mayville City Council last night voted unanimously to suspend the liquor license of the Spare Time Bowl for 90 days. The Police Department initiated the proceedings and cited three serious incidents that occurred during a six-month period beginning last October. A detailed report submitted to the council listed another half-dozen incidents. The license holder, Thomas Bellino, was recently convicted of misdemeanor battery in connection with the most recent incident, in which he assaulted a patron who stole liquor from the tavern. Bellino, who was on Huber-release for the hearing, had a half dozen people speak on his behalf about what a nice guy he is. Both sides were in agreement that Bellino’s alcohol abuse was directly responsible for all the incidents, and Bellino says he is getting help. Mayor Tracy Heron said given the opportunity, he would have made a motion to revoke the license outright. Bellino, though, maintains his innocence and says the penalty was a bit harsh. The suspension goes into effect immediately.

Fox Lake Loses Out on ARRA Grant Funding

8/20/09 - Fox Lake recently found out they would not being getting any grant funds to help upgrade their wastewater treatment plant. Municipalities needed a score of 90 to receive money as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Fox Lake scored 82. City Administrator Bill Petracek says the city will move forward with a rural development loan. He says the loan is good for up to 3.9-million dollars but is optimistic they won’t use all of it. He was unwilling to guess on what it would mean for residents sewer bills. Fox Lake has been ordered by the DNR to upgrade their facility to prevent bypassing it during heavy rains.

Search for Police Chief in Columbus to Start Soon

8/20/09 - As soon as the Common Council can decide on the salary, the search for a “permanent”
Columbus Police Chief can begin. Council liaison Dave Bomkamp gave the PFC a “go ahead” to start working with the City Administrator on initiating the search for a Chief at this week’s Commission meeting. The Council has been warned that this search was going to cost more than the recent Fire Chief search. “Acting” Chief, Dennis Weiner, has been serving in that capacity since March of 2008. If the search for a Chief goes well, the City could have a permanent Police Chief by January 1st.

Mercury to Hold a Press Conference on Proposed Union Contract

8/20/09 - Should union workers at Mercury Marine approve proposed contract changes, they will be working for less in the future at the Fond du Lac outboard engine maker. Mercury spokesman Steve Fleming says they are asking for three primary changes; in wages, benefits and operational flexibility. Fleming says if union workers fail to approve proposed contract changes it's not a question of whether the company will consolidate operations to Stillwater, Oklahoma, but rather when that might happen. Union members will vote on the contract Sunday at the Fond du Lac High School. Mercury Marine will hold a press conference this afternoon during which Mercury President Mark Schwabero will talk about the proposed contract.

Fairest of the Fair Crowned

8/20/09 - There is a new Fairest of the Fair. Amanda Hetzel of Rubicon was selected from a field of nine candidates. The 20-year-old attends UW-Oshkosh with the goal of becoming a registered nurse with an emphasis on diabetic education. Hetzel is also a volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club of Oshkosh and Aurora Medical Center in Hartford. Hetzel will represent Dodge County in competing on the statewide level for Fairest of the Fair in January. Katie Rhodes, the 2007 Fairest, was statewide runner up last year. Day two at the fair is Senior Citizens Day at the Radio Park Stage, with free bingo. That’s where Pete Runde and his Dixieland Band will play from 1pm to 4:30pm. WXRO presents Rodney Atkins is on the main stage at 8pm; when he’s done, there will be live music on the Radio Park Stage until 11:30am. The Meat Animal Sale will be held in the Farm Progress Arena beginning at 7pm, it’ll be broadcast live on WXRO 95.3FM.

Amber Alert Issued for Oshkosh Girl

8/20/09 - Wisconsin law enforcement officials issued an Amber Alert for a young girl they think was forced into a car in Oshkosh. The alert expired last night, and police still don't have much information on the missing girl, including her name. Police say the victim is between the ages of 12 and 14. She was apparently walking along an Oshkosh street yesterday morning when a vehicle pulled up next to her. Witnesses say two men -- one black and one white -- got out and forced her into the vehicle. A second black man was driving. The girl is described as a slender black girl, about five feet tall, wearing a pink tank top and orange shorts.

Charges Filed in Waterloo Stand-Off

8/20/09 - A Sun Prairie man has been formally charged in connection with a hostage standoff in Waterloo on Tuesday. Josh Williams faces on felony count of False Imprisonment and one misdemeanor count of Disorderly Conduct related to the incident on Knowlton Street. It started just after 3pm Tuesday, and ended about two hours later when he surrendered. During that time the 20-year-old released an adult victim and an infant. There were no injuries. Williams had a signature bond set at $5000 during an initial appearance yesterday in Jefferson County court.

Barrett: Niece is Hero, Not Me

8/20/09 - Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says his niece is the real hero. She's the one who called 9-1-1 and got help. Barrett made his first public appearance since he was attacked by 20-year-old Anthony Peters with a metal pipe last weekend. He spoke to a crowd of about 100 in his front yard yesterday afternoon. The head of Milwaukee city government is being called a hero by many people for responding to a grandmother's cries for help. He took a beating for his efforts and prosecutors expect to file felony charges against Peters this morning. Peters had been scheduled to make a court appearance yesterday, but it was put off. He was arrested Sunday, held by Milwaukee police for two days, then booked into the county jail Tuesday. There were already two warrants for Peters before he allegedly attacked the mayor.

Unconfirmed Tornadoes Spotted in Western Wisconsin

8/20/09 - Weather spotters reported at least three tornadoes in western Wisconsin yesterday at about 4 p.m. A law enforcement officer reported one touchdown near Emerald in St. Croix County. The other two were reported a few minutes later near Forest, in the same county. Tornado warnings were issued. Earlier yesterday, strong winds in Minneapolis damaged buildings, knocked down trees and caused minor injuries to an unspecific number of people.

Governor’s Race Could Be Most Expensive in History

8/20/09 - The 2010 race of governor could end up being the most expensive in state history.With Governor Doyle not seeking reelection, the state faces its first gubernatorial race without an incumbent since 1982. Mike McCabe of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign says that could result in a very crowded field of candidates trying to earn the nomination, which will drive spending up very quickly. The 2006 race for governor carried a $32 million price tag. With an open field for both Democrats and Republicans, McCabe predicts that will go up dramatically this time around. He can see campaign spending adding up to as much as $50 million by November of next year.

Legislators Looking at Reversing Tolerance for Binge Drinking

8/20/09 - Backers say legislation being considered at the Capitol could be a start of reversing Wisconsin's tolerance for binge drinking. As it stands now, people under the age of 21 can drink in a bar as long as they are with their parents, a guardian or a spouse. The current bill wouldn't repeal the law, it would simply alter it. Young people 18-to-20 years old could still drink with their parents. Police and the Tavern League support the changes. Bartenders currently have the option of refusing to serve alcohol to anyone under 21, regardless of whom they are sitting with in the bar.

Powerball Winner in South Carolina

8/20/09 - Someone in South Carolina had all the numbers for last night's $259.9 million Powerball jackpot. Wisconsin wasn't totally left out there were 3 winners of $200,000. Those winning tickets were sold in Beloit, Hortonville, and Rothschild. Saturday's estimated jackpot will be about $20 million.

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