Top Stories October 20th and 21st

BDUSD Posting H1N1 Updates On Website

10/21/09 - Beaver Dam Schools Superintendent Don Childs says there are likely cases of H1N1 in the district. Childs says while none have been confirmed, school nurses have seen the symptoms and absence rates have been higher than average. While he couldn’t provide district-wide numbers, Childs says 18% of Middle School students called in sick on Monday. He says they are providing updates to parents as they become available but unless the absence percent gets close to 30%, they won’t even be thinking about closures. At the top of the Beaver Dam School District website there is a link for current health updates that provides the latest information on influenza in the district. Childs says they are keeping current on the website and will immediately alert local media of any school closures, should they be needed.

Horicon School Taxes Up 9.6%

10/21/09 - Property owners in the Horicon School District will see a nearly ten percent increase in the school portion of their 2009 tax bill. The school board unanimously adopted the balanced budget at this week’s regular meeting. Superintendent Gary Berger says the mill rate will be 87 cents higher than last years at $9.90 per $1000 of assessed value. The district will levy for just over four-and-a-quarter million dollars. Complicating matters this year was a loss of over $418,000 in state aid compared to last year. Berger says most of the loss in state aid was made up for with the property-tax increase.

Walters Trial Delayed

10/21/09 - The trial of a state prisoner accused of helping a cellmate commit suicide has been delayed until next year. 20-year-old Joshua Walters is having a private investigator review his case and his defense lawyer wants more time to get that done. A pre-trial hearing was scheduled for Tuesday in Dodge County Circuit Court. But that’s being held up, along with a two-day trial that was set to begin next Monday. A three-day jury trial is now scheduled to begin February 10. Prosecutors said Walters encouraged 20-year-old Adam Peterson to hang himself with a bed-sheet at the state’s prison in Waupun last year. That was after Peterson began a life prison term following his guilty plea in the January 2008 stabbing death of 31-year-old Joel Marino in Madison. Peterson was a former U-W student from the Stillwater Minnesota area. Walters has pleaded innocent to a felony charge of assisting suicide.

Fox Lake Alderwoman Passes Away

10/21/09 - A sitting Fox Lake Alderperson has passed away. Ann McCarthy died Monday at her daughter’s home surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer. She was 54. McCarthy was appointed to fill the Ward 3 seat left vacant by the departure of Dan Ault, who resigned in February of last year after moving out of his ward. She was re-elected this spring to fill out the remainder of that two-year term. Visitation for McCarty begins at 4pm this afternoon at the Kratz-Smedema Funeral Home in Fox Lake and again tomorrow morning from 10am until the time of service at the Annunciation Catholic Parish also in Fox Lake.

Texting Bill Passes Senate

10/21/09 - The Wisconsin Senate voted 27-to-5 Tuesday to make it against the law for all drivers to send-and-read text messages behind-the-wheel. Senators rejected a committee’s recommendation to limit the ban to only drivers under 18. De Pere Republican Alan Lasee says texting is an absolute distraction – and it’s unsafe for everybody. But Republican Neal Kedzie of Elkhorn says there are already inattentive driving laws on the books that cover texting. The proposed fine would be the same as for inattentive driving, $20 to $400 dollars. The proposed texting ban for drivers now goes to the Assembly.

Fischer Found

10/21/09 - Officials feared the worst when Stephanie Fischer disappeared earlier this month. A search started, but she was gone. Now, the 31 year old West Bend mother has been found in St. Louis. Fischer disappeared October 6th after making several domestic violence reports to police. She accused her husband of choking her and threatening to kill her with a shotgun. U.S. marshals tracked his car to a hotel where they found the couple together. He was arrested on several warrants out of Washington County.

Waupun SD Calling For Cancellations

10/21/09 - Waupun School Districts residents could be getting some very early phone calls this winter. The school board this week approved the use of $4800 in grant funding for a web-based system that will automatically call the homes of students when classes are canceled, cut short or delayed. Superintendent Randy Refsland says the system will be able to make contact with all of the districts students in about 90-seconds. He says the system will be able to call all of the numbers provided by parents and if no one answers the system will leave a message. The program will be paid for by the grant this year and, if administrators find it useful, it could then be worked into next year’s budget.

Beaver Dam Catching up On Street Repairs

10/21/09 - The Beaver Dam Operations Committee approved the five-year Capital Improvements Program Monday night. The city has eleven projects lined up for next year at a total cost of $1.65 million. The largest street construction projects are Green Valley Road from Industrial Drive to Commercial Avenue at a cost of $655,000 and Stone Street, and Warren Street from Roedl Court to Webster Street at a cost of $172,000. Highway 33 will also see concrete street reconstruction from Maple Avenue to Spring Street and from University Avenue to Monroe Street at a combined cost of just over $116,000. Fifty-thousand dollars has been set aside for the new sidewalk program. And $600,000 will be spent on what’s called the South Central Storm Sewer Diversion project, which involves the installation of a large diameter storm sewer from Park Avenue to the Beaver Dam River to help with flood control issues in the downtown. Last year, the city held-off on all capital improvement projects to fund the comprehensive downtown redevelopment plan. Because the city was able to obtain grant funding to cover the costs of the acquisition and demolition of ten downtown buildings, city officials say they can now focus on the street projects. The CIP now heads to the common council for approval.

Ixonia Woman Killed in Jefferson County Accident

10/20/09 - A 64-year-old Ixonia woman was killed last night in Jefferson County after her truck left the road and struck a number of trees. That's according to Sheriff Paul Milbrath, who says Lorna Elek was driving north on Highview Road about half-mile from Highway 16 when she failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway. The truck traveled about 100-feet into a wooded area striking several trees. Elek was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation into the accident continues but they don't believe alcohol or speed was a factor. Authorities say it appears that Elek was not wearing her seatbelt.

Demerit Point System Enforced in BD

10/20/09 - City officials in Beaver Dam put the recently-adopted demerit point system into action for this first time last night. The Administrative Committee heard a police report on recent alcohol compliance checks at city taverns, retail, convenience and grocery stores. In July, a sweep resulted in warnings at eight of 16 licensed taverns. In September, a second check at 18 taverns resulted in three citations being issued. Two of the three establishments had not been open during the first sweep while the third business – Applebee’s – was in violation during both checks. Chief Dale Boldt recommended to the committee that points be assigned to only the three establishments that failed the most recent check. Alderman Robert Ballweg questioned that logic as part of a larger argument that the demerit point system is unnecessary and redundant with state statute. Committee chair Don Neuert said the point system is a proactive tool that holds liquor license holders accountable. Police Lt. Terrance Gebhardt told the committee that the demerit point system is working and bar owners have gone out of their way to be in compliance. The committee agreed to send the three businesses – Casa Mora, The Cellar and Applebee’s – strongly-worded warning letters.

WASD Passes Budget and Levy Limit

10/20/09 - Faced with two no-win situations the Waupun School Board looked to the future of the district when setting its levy and tax rate last night. For a number of factors the districts expenditures outlined in the 2009-2010 budget came in below what their revenues are expected to be. For that reason the district had the chance to tax less than the full amount allowed by the state mandated revenue limit. After discussing both options the board voted unanimously to tax the full amount. Superintendent Randy Refsland says had the district not taxed the full amount they would have been penalized with a lower maximum levy limit next year. Had the district taxed less than the full amount the tax rate for a district resident would have gone up 40-cents over last years rate of 8.58 per 1,000 of assessed value. Instead, residents will see their rate jump to 9.20 per 1,000 of assessed value, which is an 8.73-percent increase. That means a person whose property is valued at $100,000 would pay $920 for the school portion of their tax bill.

Name Released in Amer Pack Explosion

10/20/09 - The name of the American Packaging employee killed in Sunday night’s explosion has been released. The Columbia County Medical Examiner says Jeffrey A. Doxtater of Columbus died as the result of injuries sustained in the explosion. Columbus Fire Chief Randy Koehn says the 47-year-old was cutting metal bolts with a grinder when sparks ignited vapors in a room where parts are cleaned with solvents. Doxtater was killed; another employee suffered smoke inhalation as he was leaving the building. He was treated and released from the Columbus Community Hospital. Maintenance workers were the only ones in the plant at the time. Koehn said the fire was limited to the washing room – and the blast caused structural damage to the room’s walls. The explosion also damaged the sprinkler system. The chief said the water that burst out helped extinguish the fire. Federal records showed that the Columbus plant did not have any previous worker safety violations. American Packaging Human Resources Director Paul Fricano says company officials are working with OSHA so that they can get a clear understanding of exactly what happened leading up to the tragic event. He says the plant is temporarily closed and employees have been encouraged to utilize on-site counseling services if needed.

Senior Center Building Committee Chooses Herberger’s

10/20/09 - The Beaver Dam Senior Center Building Committee has selected the former Herberger’s department store in the Heritage Village Mall as their preferred location for a new facility. Community Activities and Services Director Evonne Koeppen told the Common Council last night that the decision will now allow them to move forward with seeking grant funding and determining a cost for fundraising efforts. The Hergerger’s site was selected over a parcel on the former WMFB site, and would have cost over $3 million. Herberger’s could be purchased for $1.3 million; renovation could push that pricetag over the $4 million mark. The city already has $300,000. Yearly operating costs are estimated at between $76,000 and $92,000 for the new facility.

Fire Damages Hartford Business

10/20/09 - Fire caused over $200,000 in damage to a building at a leather tannery in downtown Hartford. Fire crews were dispatched to WB Place Tannery Company at 7:45pm Saturday night where fire had erupted in a newly constructed outbuilding. Firefighters were able to control most of the fire before it spread to the main building, which is about 120 years old. There was some minor damage to the siding and roof of older structure where it was attached to the outbuilding; totaling about $5000 in damage. The outbuilding was only one-month old and the sprinkler system had not yet been installed. No one was inside at the time of the fire. One firefighter did sustain a minor knee injury. Because there are highly volatile chemicals housed in the business, and high voltage power lines overhead, officials had prepared to evacuate residents in the area. It was later determined that evacuation would not be necessary. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

FDL Assemblyman to Hang it Up

10/20/09 - State Assemblyman John Townsend says 12 years in the state legislature is enough. During a press conference in Fond du Lac yesterday afternoon, the Republican lawmaker said he will retire at the end of his current term. He says he will be 72-years-old then and would like to spend more time with his wife Maria and his ailing 92-year-old mother. Between his time in the state legislature, on the Fond du Lac City Council and with the Navy and Navy reserves, Townsend has 47 years of public service. (KFIZ)

Benson Settles Civil Lawsuit for 3.7M

10/20/09 - Former surgeon Mark Benson will pay almost three-point-seven million dollars to settle a civil lawsuit in a traffic crash that killed a popular educator and two others. W-T-M-J Radio in Milwaukee said Benson decided to pay, instead of facing a trial scheduled for next week in Waukesha County. Earlier this year, he averted a criminal trial and was sentenced to 30 years in prison following a plea deal. The 56-year-old Benson was high on prescription medicines when his car rear-ended a vehicle in Oconomowoc a year-and-a-half ago. High school associate principal Jennifer Bukosky was killed, along with her 10-year-old daughter Courtney Bella and an unborn child. Benson was not drunk at the time - but the crash happened just days before he was supposed to report to jail for his third drunk driving conviction. It partially resulted in O-W-I legislation that was passed recently by the state Assembly. Among other things, it would first first-time drunk driving a crime if a child's in the vehicle. But Benson's family says the measures do not go far enough.

DCI Inmate Facing Rape Charges

10/20/09 - An inmate at the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun is accused of raping his cellmate. Theodore A. Mullis is charge with Second Degree Sexual Assault With the Use of Force, which carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. According to the criminal complaint, the 38-year-old Mullis told his cellmate of 10 days that he was facing life in prison and had nothing to lose. Mullis allegedly held a razor to his throat, forced him to eat numerous pills of Tylenol and threatened to kill him unless he cooperated. The incident occurred in March. Mullis will be back in court for a preliminary hearing in December.

Authorities Investigating Prison Death

10/20/09 - State corrections' officials are investigating the death of a 37-year-old inmate at the Taycheedah women's prison near Fond du Lac. Spokesman John Dipko said Venus Rodriguez of Delavan suffered a life-threatening condition 10 days ago, and she was immediately moved to a different cell. She died four days later at a Fond du Lac hospital. The cause is still not known. Rodriguez was serving a two-year term for forgery. The American Civil Liberties' Union sued the state three years ago, saying Taycheedah's 600 prisoners were not getting adequate care. The U-S Justice Department singled out the prison before that - and the state agreed to improve its mental health services and add a treatment unit with 45 beds. The A-C-L-U's Larry Dupuis tells the Wisconsin State Journal that progress is being made, but there's still a long way to go. In April, a federal ordered that only medical professionals give drugs to inmates while the A-C-L-U's lawsuit is heard.

Counties Warn DOT of Major Cuts in Snow Plowing

10/20/09 - Seven counties in southeast Wisconsin say traffic will be slower and less safe this winter, unless the state reverses a 10-percent cut in the counties' road funding. Officials from Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, Walworth, Ozaukee, and Washington counties warned of major cuts in snow plowing in a letter to state D-O-T secretary Frank Busalacchi. Milwaukee County's public works director said he might have to lay off a third of his highway maintenance workers, after his state aid was cut by one-point-two million dollars. The cuts were part of the state's effort to balance the budget. Kevin Chesnik of the D-O-T told the counties to make snow-plowing a top priority with the money they get from the state. And that means less maintenance when it's warm - like not picking up litter, and mowing weeds only at intersections. The state took heat this summer for reducing its weed-mowing. One town near Appleton even talked about fining the state for breaking its local weed-control laws.

New Grant for Specialty Crops in WI

10/20/09 - Wisconsin's specialty crops will get a boost under a new federal grant. The U-S-D-A is giving the state and its producers 750-thousand dollars, as part of a 49-million-dollar national effort to make specialty crops more competitive. The state agriculture department will use 35-thousand for start a Web site that lets specialty firms promote their items to consumers. The Wisconsin Grape Growers will get 35-thousand to teach wine-makers and others about popular varieties of grapes. And the Cranberry Growers Association will get 16-thousand-500-dollars to see if their marshes are useful in producing wind-and-solar energy.

Man Ordered to Clean-Up Green Lake Property

10/20/09 - A Ripon man has been ordered to clean-up his Green Lake County property and pay to settle claims related to the violation of the state's air pollution and solid waste management laws. As part of a settlement with the Attorney General's Office, Donald Wagner will remove mobile homes, drums, tires, boats and other solid waste on the 32-acre parcel where an unlicensed junk yard and mobile home scrapping company had been operating. Wagner had an agreement with two local men who were going to scrap the homes and keep the profits from the metals they collected. In February of 2007, four mobile homes were set on fire. A DNR investigation found asbestos in one of the burn piles and around 50 other mobile homes in various stages of demolition, in addition to thousands of tires, appliances, furniture, batteries, boats and other solid waste materials. As part of the settlement, Wagner agreed to test a well serving the property before he has it abandoned, and to test burn piles for volatile components like cancer-causing PCB's and other metals. Wagner has agreed to secure a $70,000 line of credit to cover the costs of clean-up which must be completed by deadlines imposed in the settlement.

Miracle Mile Once Again

10/20/09 - Lightning strikes again on Fond du Lac's "Miracle Mile," the place with several big lottery winnings in recent years. A woman won 250-dollars on a scratch-off game. And then she took her winnings to Ma-and-Pa's Grocery Express, where she bought a five-dollar Red Hot 7-11 scratch ticket and won 60-thousand dollars on Saturday. Ma-and-Pa's is the capital of Fond du Lac's Miracle Mile. It's where a 208-million-dollar Powerball ticket was sold in 2006 - a six-and-a-half-million dollar Megabucks prize was sold in 1994 - and a one-million-dollar Holiday Millions ticket was sold in January of '08.