Monday, August 31, 2009

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.

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