Monday, November 30, 2009

Top Stories November 30th

Teen Killed May Have Fallen Asleep at the Wheel

11/30/09 - A high school soccer player was killed in a weekend traffic crash in Dodge County. Authorities identified him as 17-year-old Nathaniel Rehbein – but his father told reporters he’s better known as Nate Strobel. Authorities said the teen was driving on a town road early Saturday when the car went into a ditch, hit a culvert, went airborne, and landed on its top. Investigators said speed appeared to be a factor. Nate’s father Al Strobel said his son might have fallen asleep. The crash happened about a half-mile from his home. Nate was a junior at Hartford Union High School. Meanwhile, Green County authorities said 48-year-old Stevelyn Knutson of rural Belleville died Saturday night in a one-car crash on Highway 92 near Belleville. Investigators said his vehicle overturned and he was ejected – and alcohol was apparently a factor.

Heffron White House Set to Host Santa Clause Again

11/30/09 - A holiday tradition in Beaver Dam continues this weekend as Santa Claus will be making yet another appearance at the Heffron White House. Tom Heffron says his family has been hosting Santa for the past 26 years, just as his parents did for over 40 years. Heffron says not only will Jolly Ole’ St. Nick be making a personal appearance, but he’ll be bringing along Mrs. Claus, in addition to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and a sleigh full of elves. Santa will be at the Heffron House, 112 Washington Street in Beaver Dam, from Noon until 2pm Saturday. The event is free and parents are encouraged to bring their camera. Heffron says the age range for kids on Santa’s lap last year was 2-week’s old to 90 years-young.

Waupun Sets Tax Rate

11/30/09 - Tax payers in the city of Waupun will see a lower tax rate for 2010. That’s after the city council passed their 2010 budget recently. The $6.8-million dollar document has a tax levy of $2.3-million. For Dodge County residents that will result in a tax rate of 6.19 per 1,000 of assessed value, which is down 4-cents from this year. That means a resident of a property valued at $130,000 would pay just more than $800 for the city portion of their tax bill. Residents on the Fond du Lac County side of the city will pay 6.34 per 1,000 of assessed value, a 16-cent decrease from ’09.

Ohlemiller Trial Date Set

11/30/09 - A jury trial has been set for a Beaver Dam man accused of molesting three young girls. Howard Ohlemiller is charged with two felony counts of 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child Under the Age of 13 and one count of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a Child for offenses that allegedly occurred over a two-year period ending in April. The 79-year-old is accused of assaulting a young teenager and two pre-teens on a weekly basis before he would pay them for house cleaning services. According to the criminal complaint, Ohlemiller admitted the incidents to authorities, saying that the girls were at fault for initiating the activity. The trial is slated to begin December 15th. He faces a maximum 160 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Libecki Pleads Not Guilty to ’99 Murder

11/30/09 - The Dodge County man charged with the 1999 murder of a co-worker in Germantown has pleaded not guilty. 49-year-old Mark Libecki of Theresa is accused of killing 22-year-old Theresa Wesolowski of Milwaukee. Her body was found near her car about a block from the Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, where the two worked. She had 46 stab wounds, including two to the heart. In 2003, the F-B-I concluded that Wesolowski’s killer knew her, and police were confident that D-N-A evidence would help crack the case. In 2006, authorities said they discovered that Libecki’s D-N-A was on the victim’s hands. Investigators then found an S-U-V that Libecki owned at the time – and a blood stain in a seat cushion had Wesolowski’s D-N-A. The victim’s husband Frank said his wife and Libecki worked the same shift at Smurfit-Stone, but he didn’t know of any closer relationship than that. He said it was hard to believe that Libecki kept working at the same place for 10 years before he was arrested.
Deer Harvest Numbers Expected to be Down Dramatically

11/30/09 - Wisconsin’s gun deer hunting season came to a quiet end yesterday. D-N-R warden Michael Young of the Fox Valley said everything worked against the hunters this year – including warm weather, standing corn, and excess water in the fields where the deer could hide. The statewide deer harvest was down 25-percent in last weekend’s opening – and some registration stations expect the final totals to be even lower. Thanksgiving normally has the second-highest number of deer shot after the opening weekend – but Young said he saw only limited hunting on the holiday. Hunters have until five this afternoon to register their animals. We did not get a single report of a hunter being shot-to-death during the season. The D-N-R said five people were wounded in hunting accidents in the opening weekend – and those reports have been few-and-far-between during the week.

Seniors Struggle with Choosing Health Plan

11/30/09 - Many Wisconsin seniors say it’s too much work to compare the dozens of Part-“D” prescription drug plans offered by Medicare. But Tom Frazier of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups says people better check their plans – because the average premiums have gone up 50-percent since 2006. They’ll rise 11-percent next year alone. Wisconsin’s new average will be around 43-dollars a month. Also, the costs of specific drugs vary from year-to-year – and they vary widely among the plans. Medicare has an on-line tool to help people find the best plans for them. It’s at Medicare-Dot-Gov. The deadline to change plans is the end of December. But for plans that no longer exist, seniors have until January 31st to pick a new one.

More State Employees Expected to be Laid Off

11/30/09 - Just over 200 state employees were recently told they might be laid off. Twenty have been let go – and state Employment Relations Director Jennifer Donnelly says more layoffs are on the way. But for now, she cannot predict how many. Meanwhile, the Wisconsin State Journal says more state positions are being left vacant as employees quit or retire. The total was over 31-hundred as of late October – about 32-percent more than the number of state jobs vacant in November of last year. It’s all being done to help cover the state’s seven-billion-dollar budget shortfall. In May, Governor Jim Doyle said around 700 state jobs could be eliminated. Layoff notices have been given in the departments of agriculture, administration, health services, and commerce.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Top Stories, November 29th

Family of Four Injured in Madison Shooting

11/29/09 - Madison police say four people were shot early Saturday in what they are calling a domestic disturbance. Two of the wounded victims were children. Police were waiting to talk to the injured people, but they spent most of Saturday in surgery or sedated. Cops say they don't have a straight story about what actually happened. A 38-year-old man, 42-year-old woman, 7-year-old boy and 8-year-old girl all lived in the duplex where the shootings happened. One of the victims was able to go across the street and call police. The duplex where the people were shot is located on Madison's southwest side in an area dominated by apartment buildings.

Bond Set In Oconomowoc Murder

11/29/09 - A one million dollar cash bond was set this week for the man accused of hiring someone to murder 39-year-old Kimberly Smith of Oconomowoc. Her ex-husband Darren Wold is facing charges of first-degree intentional homicide. Two other suspects living in Texas are charged with murder conspiracy. Investigators say they followed a trail of phone calls, money transfers and air tickets to find their suspects Wold allegedly conspired with his friend Jack Johnson. And they allegedly had Justin Welch of French Camp, California travel to Wisconsin to carry out the murder. The 26-year-old Welch and the 65-year-old Johnson were both arrested earlier this month at the U-S-Mexican border in San Diego while Wold was arrested at his home in Lubbock, Texas. Authorities said he maintained his innocence when he was questioned about the slaying. Smith was found dead of multiple stab wounds on October 1. Police said Welch’s D-N-A was found on a knife and gloves recovered near the murder scene. Investigators said they first linked Welch to Johnson and then to Wold – who was said to be losing a custody battle with Smith at the time over their young son. Wold has a preliminary hearing scheduled next month. He's being held in the Waukesha County Jail.

Cambria Woman Sentenced For Child Sexual Assault

11/29/09 - old Cambria woman was sentenced to two months in jail this week for having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy. Angela Bancroft also entered into a five-year deferred prosecution agreement and was placed on probation for four years as part of a deal which saw her plead to a felony charge and a handful of misdemeanors. Three felony counts of sexual assault of a child were dismissed but were taken into account for the purposes of sentencing. According to the complaint, Bancroft knew the age of the boy but continued the relationship for three months between July and September of 2008. She faces 25 year’s in prison if she does not comply with the conditions of the agreement.

No Call List Deadline Monday

11/29/09 - Monday is the last day for you to sign up for the Wisconsin No-Call List. If your number is on that list, telemarketers can't call you -- with just a few exceptions. The popular no-call list dates back seven years. The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection reminds you, if you miss Monday's deadline you won't be on the list effective January 1st -- and won't be able to get your number back on it until April. Consumers have to sign up every two years to stay on the no-call list. You could still get calls from nonprofit groups, elected officials and candidates for political office.

Beware Lead in Xmas Lights

11/29/09 - If you’re putting up Christmas decorations this weekend, you might want to check the label to see if your lights contain lead. The Environmental Health Director with the Rock County health department says the risk of exposure is low, but you want to put the lights in a place where kids can’t touch them. Banwell says lead paint on older homes is a bigger hazard than the lead in lights. He says you should choose lights without lead if you have small children.

Bike Federation Encourages Winter Riding

11/29/09 - Is winter time in Wisconsin time to put away the bicycle? Not necessarily. Amanda White with the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin says exercise that can help us during a time of year when it’s common to pack on a few extra pounds. White says there’s a misconception that you have to spend a ton of money on special winter cycling gear. She says you should wear layers – not a heavy winter coat – have a good set of lights and thicker tires. White reminds you that your hands and face are the first things to get cold in the winter, so mittens or gloves are a must. One other idea: a good set of fenders can keep the off the slop during those commutes to and from work.

Waukesha Bank Robber To Late To Rob Bank

11/29/09 - A Waukesha bank robber couldn't get into the bank this week. The would-be robber came to the Guardian Credit Union in Waukesha last Wednesday at 5:36pm. Unfortunately for him, the bank had been closed for six minutes. Witnesses told police the man wearing a ski mask entered the first set of doors at the credit union, showing a gun, and apparently not knowing about the closing time. He found the second set of doors was locked, police were called, but the suspect took off before they could get there. Waukesha police say they have been studying surveillance video as a part of their investigation. It's possible the robber didn't plan his stick-up very well -- or, cops say he may have been delayed by traffic.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Top Stories, November 28th

UPDATE: Iron Ridge Teen Killed in One Vehicle Rollover

11/28/09 - An Iron Ridge teen was killed in a rollover accident early this morning in the Town of Herman. According to the Dodge County Sheriffs Department, the accident was reported at 3:22am and occurred on Woodland Road, just east of Lilac Road. Authorities say the 17-year-old male driver was traveling westbound on Woodland Road and his car entered the north ditch and struck a culvert. Upon impact, the car vaulted through the air and came to rest on its roof in the north ditch facing eastbound. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt and he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the only occupant of the car. Speed is believed to be a contributing factor and the cause of the accident is under investigation.

Highway 16/60 Reconstruction in Columbus Moving Forward

11/28/09 - The reconstruction of Highway 16 and 60 through Columbus is now in line for State DOT and federal funding. Although actual repair is not scheduled to begin till 2015, planning will begin with Council consideration of an intergovernmental agreement to design the project next Tuesday. The roadwork will take place on James Street…the City’s main east / west artery. Administrator Boyd Kraemer said that the DOT would be paying for most of the $5.6 million dollar project. Under the agreement the City will be responsible for the sanitary sewer and electric lines replacement. However, “concrete” costs will be covered by the state. Kraemer said the City will have to decide on what “extras” should be included. Planning the design phase is just a first step. The cost and the look of the final reconstruction will depend on how well the City and DOT work together. The Council will be voting on approval of the design phase agreement on Tuesday.

Quarford Recognized By Wastewater Operators Association

11/28/09 - The head of Beaver Dam’s Wastewater Treatment Plant has been recognized for his efforts to keep the operations running safe, clean and efficiently. Director of Utilities Don Quarford was recently named the 2009 Regional Operator of the Year at the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Wastewater Operators Association.

Paintball Shooting Ball Spree in Burnett

11/28/09 - Around a dozen homes and businesses were targeted in a paintball shooting spree in the Burnett area last night. According to the Dodge County Sheriffs Department, calls started coming in around 6:30pm. The first incident was reported at Chances Bar & Grill on Front Street. Over the next three hours the sheriffs department received reports that nine residences along Main and Maple Streets had been vandalized. A traffic stop was later initiated on a vehicle that was possibly involved in the incident and an 18-year-old Horicon man was arrested for violating absolute sobriety laws and was released to a responsible party. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Dodge County Sheriffs Department or the anonymous We-Tip hotline at 800-78-CRIME.

Black Friday Spells Bargains, Belligerence

11/28/09 - Big crowds, plenty of bargains, and some frayed nerves marked Black Friday throughout Wisconsin. Thousands waited out in the cold for stores to open anywhere from midnight through six a-m. Door-busters didn’t last long at some places – and neither did civility. In Brookfield, police were called just before midnight as people cut into lines outside Toys-R-Us. No arrests were made. At the Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa, drivers cut in line while angry motorists blared horns near a parking ramp where the first 300 drivers on the upper-levels got 15-dollar vouchers. Smaller cities had midnight store openings for the first time. One reporter in Appleton said the stream of car lights looked more like a crowd going home from a Monday night Packer game. But by mid-morning, parking spots were easily available at some malls. Flat-screen T-V’s, video games, and toys were among the hottest items. At the Outlet Shoppes in Oshkosh, shoppers began showing up around 9:30pm Thursday night for midnight openings. And even though the parking lot was just half-full at 6:30am, the mall’s Gina Slechta said she couldn’t complain. She said the outlet mall’s sales have increased, as more people have looked to outlets for bargains during the recession.
Wisconsin Black Friday Sales Could Buck National Trend

11/28/09 - Wisconsin stores were dealing with big crowds on Black Friday the official start of the Christmas shopping season. Madison-based retail consultant Doug Johnson says it was pretty dismal last year, but it seems to be picking up now. Johnson says there is reason for retailers to be cautiously optimistic. There are predictions nationally that sales will be down one-percent this year, but Johnson is projecting a 1-point-8 percent increase in Wisconsin sales. That would mean eight to nine billion dollars over this holiday season.

Blue Marble Dairy Recall

11/28/09 - State officials have issued a consumer alert urging people not to use Blue Marble Family Farm milk products with sell-by dates of November 27th or later. The agriculture department said there might have been inadequate pasteurization of those products. Lab tests from a routine inspection turned up an active enzyme that’s normally destroyed in the pasteurization process. Officials said they were not aware of anyone being ill from the products, at the Blue Marble farm near Barneveld. The items included whole-and-skim milk, chocolate milk, half-and-half, butter-milk, heavy whipping cream, and egg nog. The products were said to be distributed mainly in southern Wisconsin. The dairy plant number 5-5-1-3-1 is on the label.

PEG Channels Struggle To Stay On Air

11/28/09 - Wisconsin’s PEG channels say changes are needed in the cable industry to keep them alive. Legislation passed two years ago changed how cable companies are required to support Public, Education, and Government channels. Wisconsin Association of PEG Channels says it’s making it harder for them to stay on the air by ending support for many stations. Proposed legislation would restore some protections for PEG channels. It would allow a local PEG fee, require providers to pay for transmission equipment at stations, and would make sure public channels are available to all cable customers. Cable industry officials say the proposal would make it harder for them to remain competitive.

Obey Considers War Tax

11/28/09 - How serious is a Wisconsin congressman about a “war tax” to cover the costs of the Obama administration’s stepped up war in Afghanistan? UW Madison political scientist Charles Franklin doubts whether U.S. Representative Dave Obey will see his proposal come to a vote. Franklin says he can’t imagine there is a majority in Congress prepared to vote for such a tax. To pay for more troops in Afghanistan, Obey wants a graduated surtax on income. Tax increases would range from one percent for the lowest wage earners to five percent for the most wealthy. Franklin says the issue allows Obey, who chairs the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, to make a point about how much the wars in Iran and Afghanistan are costing.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Top Stories, November 27th

Lodi Soldier Thankful To Be Home

11/27/09 - The Columbia County soldier wounded in the Fort Hood massacre says he’s coming to terms with what happened – and he appreciates life a lot more. Army Reserve Specialist Grant Moxon spent Thanksgiving with his family in Lodi. He says the memories are still raw – and being home gives him a chance to recover mentally as well as physically. His mother said it’s extra special to have him home, while others were not as fortunate. Moxon’s 467th Medical Detachment lost three members in the November fifth shootings. The 23-year-old Moxon was one of four soldiers injured; he was shot in the left leg. He said the bullet went in about two inches above the knee, and it will stay lodged in his thigh because it might cause muscle damage to have it removed. Moxon said he was sitting with other members of his unit when they heard shouting, and then the gunshots. Like others, he thought it was a training exercise at first. But when the bullet his leg, he thought enough to play dead for a time before running out of his building with others. Moxon walks with a cane which he hopes to throw out in a couple weeks. He says he’d like to work at his Army unit’s office in Madison, and maybe seek a master’s degree in psychology.

Kennedy: ‘Future of Beaver Dam Looks Bright’

11/27/09 - The future of Beaver Dam looks bright. That’s what Mayor Tom Kennedy said during his State of the City address during this weeks annual Economic Development Luncheon sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Kennedy says next years budget was resolved without any lay-offs or cuts in municipal services and in no way “mortgages the city’s future through decisions with short-term benefits.” County Board Chairman Russ Kottke says it was a tough year but there was a point-zero-six percent growth in the total value of the county, which helped the county budget. There were no lay-offs this year but Kottke noted that four positions went unfulfilled in the Highway Department.

BDAAA Holiday Gift Gallery is Open For Business

11/27/09 - It may be Black Friday, but the Beaver Dam Area Arts Association has every color of the rainbow represented in their annual winter exhibit. Organizers say the Holiday Gift Gallery is as much of an art show as it is a unique shopping experience. The Associations Betty Singer says she spent the summer scouting artwork across the state and this year’s holiday exhibit features 52 Wisconsin artists in a variety of mediums. The Beaver Dam Area Arts Associations Holiday Gift Gallery has extended hours through December 23 with the Seippel Center open everyday from 1pm to 5pm, except Saturday’s when they will be open 10am to 5pm. In addition, the gallery will be open late tonight – until 9pm -- with a few extra surprises – like live music and family activities - intended to make the holiday shopping experience that much more memorable. The Beaver Dam Area Arts Association is located inside the Seippel Homestead and Center for the Arts at 1605 North Spring Street in Beaver Dam, which is right next door to Culvers Restaurant.

Columbus Library Petitions For Space Needs Study

11/27/09 - The Columbus Public Library Board has requested City Council support in a space needs study. Increasing heavy usage of the Public Library has led to discussions on possible expansion. Board President Peter Kaland reported this has seen a 16 % increase in check outs and commended Library staff for their ability to keep requested resources on hand. Due to user success the Board has requested the Council give them input on the Library’s direction and approve funding for an architectural study. The Board is hoping to raise additional funds and public support in the expansion effort.

Wastewater Regionalization Public Hearing Scheduled

11/27/09 - A Public Hearing on “Regionalization” of wastewater systems in Fall River and Columbus is scheduled for Monday, December 14th. The Fall River Board will talk with residents about joint engineering plans, options available and impending utility rate increases. The Village is working on a check list from MSA municipal consultants to be completed to apply for a USDA loan. The list also includes measures necessary to satisfy increasing DNR wastewater requirements. The Hearing is scheduled for 6:00 pm at the Fall River Schools’ Multi-Purpose Room.

Oshkosh Man Re-Dedicates Business Follwing Deaths

11/27/09 - An Oshkosh man plans to re-dedicate his business to the memory of his two sons who died in a mobile home fire in Florida six days ago. Forrest Belanger, who owns a lawn care business, is mourning the loss of his estranged wife Tabitha, their six-year-old son Hunter, and four-year-old son Nicholas. A memorial service for the family is planned next Friday in Oshkosh. Tabitha Belanger moved to Ocala Florida four years ago, and was engaged to Aron Chase. And two sons from that couple also died in the blaze – three-month-old Aron Junior and two-year-old Michael. Forrest’s mother, Linda Moen, said electrical problems caused the fire in a mobile home that was almost 40 years old. Moen said her family did not have much contact with Tabitha Belanger until a couple months ago – when Tabitha began e-mailing photos of Forrest’s two sons to their grandmother. Moen said Forrest was waiting to be a part of the boys’ lives again.

Deer Donations Projected To Drop

11/27/09 - It’s the final weekend of Wisconsin’s gun deer hunting season. And a program that feeds the needy hopes hunters will still find it in their hearts to donate their animals. This is the 10th anniversary of “Hunt for the Hungry,” which donated over three-million pounds of ground venison to 700 pantries going into this year. The recession creates an even bigger demand for those donations. But the deer harvest was down 25-percent in the season’s opening weekend. And Hunt-for-the-Hungry coordinator Lee Dudek says donations could be down 50-percent this year. He says some hunters may need the deer-meat for themselves – or perhaps for family-or-friends who need help. Monica Clare of the Saint Joseph Food Program in Menasha says the demand for help has risen by up to 25-percent. And except for Thanksgiving turkeys, Clare says people generally do not donate meat anymore. As a result, her pantry gives out meat just once a month to those it serves – and she says her clients love the venison which hunters donate. Meat processor Peter Ellenz of Appleton said he hoped colder temperatures – and maybe a little snow – will increase his shop’s activity this weekend.

Doyle: ‘State Must Attract Quality Teachers’

11/27/09 - Governor Jim Doyle says Wisconsin schools must attract more high-quality teachers, and support them so they don’t leave. Doyle says ways to achieve both will be included in the state’s application for federal stimulus money, as part of President Obama’s “Race to the Top” education program. Doyle spoke this week at Alverno College in Milwaukee, where he praised two education programs which allow mid-career professionals to become teachers, as well as those with degrees in other fields. Doyle said programs like Alverno’s would be a major part of the application for stimulus funds. The governor and Legislature will soon work on its final measures for the state’s funding bid. They’ll include improvements for early childhood schooling, new ideas for teacher preparation, and creating children’s zones to keep kids in Milwaukee.

Badger State Has 15th Highest Tax Burden

11/27/09 - Wisconsin has the nation’s 15th-highest total tax burden. That’s according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which analyzed U-S Census figures on taxing-and-spending as of 2007. It was the latest data available. And it does not include the billions-of-dollars in tax-and-fee hikes the Badger State and others adopted this year to balance their budgets. Wisconsin’s income tax fell earlier this decade. It’s still 24-percent above the national average, but it was up to 50-percent above the norm in the 1980’s-and-‘90’s. The property tax is still the nation’s 11th-highest compared to incomes – a rank that has changed little over the years. Wisconsin’s sales tax has not changed in decades, even though counties gradually passed their own half-percent sales taxes. Meanwhile, state-and-local government spending dropped from the 14th highest to the 23rd. And school spending per resident fell below the national average in 2007 for the first time in two decades. John Ashley of the Association of School Boards says the state’s 16-year-old revenue limits have forced schools to cut class offerings at a time when the public demands more academics and better performance. Former Thompson administration secretary George Lightbourn, who now heads the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, says taxes are just one part of being economically competitive. And he believes the state is lagging in other areas, like income growth and jobs.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Top Stories, Thanksgiving Day

DOT: ‘Most Barrels Removed For Holiday Travelers’

11/26/09 - Triple-A spokesperson Beth Mosher says she expects about 778 thousand people will be traveling in Wisconsin this holiday weekend. Orange barrels will be off to the side most everywhere in the state. A state transportation spokesperson says the lone exception is northbound I-94 in Kenosha County, which will be down to two lanes near Kenosha.

Plan Commission Forwards Property Maintenance Amendment

11/26/09 - Beaver Dam could soon be strengthening its property maintenance ordinance. The Plan Commission this week forwarded an amended ordinance to the full council that more specifically defines general maintenance requirements for property owners. The proposed changes state that the “exterior of the structure shall be…generally free of broken glass, loose shingles, excessive paint peeling, crumbling stone, stucco or brick, loose boards.” It also says lots should be kept clean and free of unsightly accumulation of debris, cut brush and refuse. The ordinance will be on the agenda for the Beaver Dam Common Council’s December meetings.

Unemployment Up in Dodge County

11/26/09 - The Department of Workforce Development reports between September and October, unemployment rose in 35 of the state's 72 counties, while falling in 27. Ten were unchanged. Dodge County is up three-tenths of a percent to 8.7%, nearly three full percentage points higher than at this same time a year ago. Jefferson County is also up three-tenths to 8.3%. Fond du Lac County is up three-tenths to 8.1%. Columbia County is up two-tenths to 7.3%. Washington County is down three-tenths to 7.8%. Meanwhile, unemployment decreased in 10 of Wisconsin's 12 metropolitan areas during the two month period. The Janesville metro area had the highest rate at 10.9%. Madison had the lowest at about half that figure. Menominee County suffered with the highest rate of unemployment at 13-point-1 percent. Some experts say the numbers mean the job market is stabilizing. Janesville's unemployment rate had topped 13 percent as recently as last June. The statewide rate is down one-tenth to 7.6, which is nearly two full percentage points below the national average, which is holding steady at 9.5%.

Counterfeit Bills Passed At Hustisford Business

11/26/09 - The Hustisford Police Department is reporting that counterfeit $100 bill was recovered at a local business. Chief Dan Link says the Lake Street Inn this week accepted the phony bill as payment at their business. He says the bill was washed which means it was a $5 bill that was bleached and had a $100 bill printed over it. Because of that, pens used to identify counterfeit bills indicate that it is not counterfeit. Link says business owners should perform a second check, holding a flashlight to the bill in which case a second president cab be seen.

Fond du Lac Approves 3% Tax Hike

11/26/09 - By a slim 4 to 3 margin the Fond du Lac City Council last approved the 2010 City Budget and tax levy. Some Council members felt a 3 percent tax rate increase for residents was asking too much in tough economic times. Councilman Jeremy Thiesfeldt said with water bills going up by 23 percent there are people who are going to be really struggling with how they are going to be paying for things. The tax rate increase will be about $28 more on a typical residential property than the past year.

Public Hearing on Rosendale Dairy Expansion

11/26/09 - The DNR has set a public hearing date for the Rosendale Dairy's next expansion of its dairy operations. The diary is requesting doubling the size of its operations to 8,000 dairy cows. The public hearing for modification of its wastewater discharge permit is on Thursday, December 3rd at 5 p.m. at the Royal Ridges in Ripon.
Oshkosh Expansion Announced

11/26/09 - The Oshkosh Corporation has been so busy making military vehicles, it announced an expansion of its main plant Wednesday. The company says it will start building a 150-thousand square foot paint shop next month, to accommodate an order from the Army to build up to 23-thousand vehicles and trailers as part of its Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles. Oshkosh won a contract to replace B-A-E Systems of Texas as the maker of those units – but B-A-E has filed a protest, and the Government Accountability Board will act on it next month. Oshkosh says its new painting facility could be used for other vehicles besides the proposed Army units. Oshkosh is currently making all-terrain vehicles from use in Afghanistan – and production of the new Army tactical vehicles is scheduled to begin next spring once the current project is wrapped up.

Wauwatosa Police Look For Child Abductor

11/26/09 - Wauwatosa police are looking for a 19-year-old woman they say abducted a 10 month old girl from her home. They say Diandra Kroening took the infant as her mother was taking a shower, and then abandoned the baby a less than two hours later. The mother and Kroening were friends and she had asked the suspect to watch her child. When she finished her shower, the two were gone. A witness told police they saw a woman put the baby down in a West Allis front yard. The baby was examined at a hospital, and then returned home unharmed. No motives for Kroening's actions have been suggested.

Pewaukee To Contract With County Sheriff

11/26/09 - A Waukesha County judge has cleared the way for Pewaukee to contract with the county for its law enforcement services. The idea of disbanding that city's police department had been challenged legally by the Pewaukee Police Association. City and county officials are planning to transfer the service January 1st. Residents of the city had signed petitions opposing the elimination of their police force. The petitions asked voters be given a direct say on the issue in a referendum.

News Anchor Has On Air Seizure

11/26/09 - A news anchor at Madison television station WMTV Channel 15 is said to be okay after suffering an epileptic seizure on the air Wednesday morning. Sarah Carlson was diagnosed with the condition about a year ago. Carlson suffered the seizure as co-anchor Christine Bellport was reading a news story. Carlson was off-camera at the time, but she collapsed into Bellport's arms. The station went to a commercial. Carlson says she doesn't remember anything but waking up in an ambulance. The station was swamped with e-mails, Facebook messages and telephone calls of support. Carlson serves as the station's health reporter and is on the board of directors for the Epilepsy Foundation of Southern Wisconsin.

Medicinal Marijuana To Be Debated

11/26/09 - Under a proposal to be debated at the state Capitol, Wisconsin residents would be allowed to possess up to three ounces of marijuana, or 12 plants, if their doctor recommends the drug be used for medicinal purposes. Legislative leaders seems inclined, this time, to allow the question to be debated. The bill specifically names the ailments which could qualify patients to legally use the drug. They include HIV, cancer, hepatitis-C, post-traumatic stress syndrome, Alzheimer's and several others. After years of pushing for the exception to the law, backers say momentum is now on their side. Several states have legalized medical marijuana -- including Michigan, last year.

Drunk Deer Hunter Shoots Dane County House

11/26/09 - A deer hunter in Dane County tells authorities he was shooting at a deer when he lost his footing. He was also apparently under the influence of alcohol at the time. That deer hunter has been arrested. The Dane County Sheriff's office reports a couple and their adult son were in their home in the town of Burke Tuesday afternoon when they heard what they thought was an explosion. When they checked their kitchen they found a hole in the wall and a shotgun slug on the floor. No one was hit. The 46 year old suspect from Windsor said he was about a thousand feet from the house when he shot at the deer.

New Glarus Cow Spotted in New York

11/26/09 - A tavern in New York City could be in trouble, for allegedly selling a beer that’s not supposed to be sold outside of Wisconsin. Fifty cases of Spotted Cow beer were confiscated this month at the Mad River Bar-and-Grille in Manhattan. William Crowley of New York’s Liquor Authority said bars must get their products from a wholesale distributor – and the Mad River bar could lose its liquor license for going outside of normal channels, and not paying the required taxes. The bar’s owner has not commented. Spotted Cow is made by the New Glarus Brewing Company. Brew-master Dan Carey says the brand is not licensed for sales outside of Wisconsin.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Top Stories, November 25th

Cold Rain and Snow on Holiday Roads

11/25/09 - Southern Wisconsin won’t get the three-inches of snow that was predicted for Thanksgiving but the forecast is still calling for some accumulation and it will be no picnic for the thousands who will be on the road. The National Weather Service says the entire state will get occasional rain and drizzle today. The rain will mix with snow tonight in southwest Wisconsin, and light snow is possible in the far north with rain after midnight. A rain-snow mix is predicted in the south for tomorrow, while the north gets light snow. Everything’s supposed to clear out by Friday. And the holiday snow could melt then, with highs in the upper-30s and 40’s expected statewide both Friday and Saturday. Drivers should be ready for affected visibility on the busy travel day. By the way, snow is not all that rare on Thanksgiving. In Madison, there’s been at least a trace on the ground 41-percent of the time over the last 111 years. Milwaukee has had snow 30-percent of the time during the past 120 Thanksgivings. Madison had an inch on the ground for last year’s holiday. Meanwhile the DOT reports most lanes should be open this holiday period as most road projects have been completed. The biggest inconvenience for drivers could be on I-94 from Kenosha to the Illinois line, where a major re-construction project is taking place.

Wisconsin Air Travel Bucks National Trend

11/25/09 - The recession won’t stop thousands of Wisconsinites from flying home for their Thanksgiving turkeys. About 215-thousand passengers are expected to fly in-and-out of Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport during an 11-day period that ends next Monday. That’s 42-percent more than last year, and 35-thousand more than the airport’s record for a Thanksgiving set in 2003. Nationally, the Triple-“A” says air travel will be down almost seven-percent from last year.

Registration Still Open For BDHS Thanksgiving Meal

11/25/09 - The Beaver Dam High School is still accepting registrations for their Thanksgiving Day Dinner. Organizer Bob Schwoch says the district has had a tradition of putting food on the tables of district families but this year they are doing something a little different. Schwoch says rather than delivering packaged goods to families in the area, they will be hosting the dinner themselves in the high school cafeteria. The dinner is for district families that are in-need and also area seniors who are looking for a good meal. Schwock says they will also welcome anyone who is just going to be alone this holiday season. They can also deliver hot meals, or pick-up anyone in the Beaver Dam area who cannot make it to the high school on their own. Carry-outs are also available. There is no cost for the Thanksgiving meal but those attending are asked to contact the high school by Thanksgiving morning. The Community-wide Thanksgiving Dinner will be held in the Beaver Dam High School cafeteria hourly from 11am until 2pm pm on Thanksgiving Day. To register, or have someone pick you up, or drop off a hot plate, call Bob Schwock at 210-4253.

$50K Cash Bond In 2-County Chase

11/25/09 - The 18-year-old Sun Prairie man that led authorities on a 2-county car chase early Sunday morning had bail set at $50,000 yesterday. Nicholas Paulson is charged in Fond du Lac County with fleeing/alluding an officer and four counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety. Dodge County deputies alerted the Fond du Lac Sheriff’s Department of a vehicle driving north in the southbound lanes of Highway 151 around 2:30am. A chase ensued and didn’t end until Paulson hit some “stop sticks” near the Highway 151 bypass around Fond du Lac. According to police reports, Paulson said the band “Asking Alexandria” put him into a mood to drive fast and said of the chase, “it was fun”. He later asked “Is this going to be on TV?” Authorities say Paulson was not intoxicated and denied any drug use. He has a preliminary hearing set for January 15.

LifeStar EMS Temp Base in CCH

11/25/09 - The Columbus Council received an update last night from LifeStar EMS who will become the new Emergency Ambulance provider for the area on January 1st. Michael Krueger of LifeStar said an agreement has been reached with Columbus Community Hospital to be a temporary EMS base of operation. Krueger said it would take about two months to remodel the HeartLine building at 240 Water Street which will become LifeStar’s permanent Ambulance dispatch point. Krueger said the initial response to hiring local staff to the Paramedic EMS service was met with some resistance. However, hiring has improved in recent weeks. LifeStar has been performing EMS practice runs and staffers have been studying Columbus area roads and routes in anticipation of the switch in providers and services scheduled for January 1st.

Chamber Announces Award Recipients

11/25/09 - The Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce has selected the recipients for their annual Business, Non-Profit and Citizen of the Year award. Executive Director Phil Fritsche says Wayland Academy will be recognized in the Non-Profit category because the 154-year-old institution’s instructors, campus facilities and student body have been an asset to the community and have had a positive impact on the quality of life in Beaver Dam. The Citizens of the Year are Jerry and Marcia Rechek who were singled out as well known and long time community supporters and advocates. Fritsche says from the time the family started Rechek’s Food Pride until their retirement from the business, they set a tone for their employees, vendors and friends through generous giving of their time, talents and treasure. It is only the second time the Chamber has recognized a couple in the Citizen of the Year Category. Kraft Foods, Inc. has been selected as the Business of the Year. Fritsche says Kraft is an international corporate giant that was selected because of its impact as a local company. He says Kraft’s management and employees have been generous with their time and with donations from the Philadelphia brand Cream Cheese production facility for over 75 years. Wayland Academy, Jerry and Marcia Rechek and Kraft Foods will be recognized at the Chambers Annual Dinner on Wednesday, January 27.

Beaver Dam Becoming Third Class City

11/25/09 - Beaver Dam is moving up in the world. The city on the state’s 15th largest lake is currently considered a fourth-class city, a designation based primarily on population, which according to the 2000 census is estimated at 15,500. After the New Year, Beaver Dam will upgrade to a third-class city, which means the municipality will be able to extend the scope of its annexation authority from one and-a-half miles beyond the city limits to three miles. The change would also require the city add two more members to its Library Board. In addition, mayoral candidates would be required to collect four times as many signatures when circulating nomination papers. Currently 50 to 100 names are needed in fourth class cities. In a third class city, 200 to 400 names are needed. There would be no change for those seeking to run for alderperson. The change was suggested as part of the Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan. While it was originally slated for the December meeting, a proclamation declaring the change is expected to be read at the council’s January meeting, so as not to affect the 2010 election.

Local Races Highlight Spring Election

11/25/09 - Current city council members up for re-election and those wishing to run for office in April can start circulating their nomination papers next Tuesday. The ballot in the spring will feature mostly local races. That includes the mayor’s office in Beaver Dam, where current Mayor Tom Kennedy has said his intention is to run for reelection. There will be seven city council seats up for election in even numbered wards including those seats currently occupied by Mary Flaherty (2nd Ward), Howard Abel (4th Ward), Andrew Westenmeyer (6th Ward), Mick McConaghy (8th Ward), Don Neuert (10th Ward), Donna Maly (12th Ward), and Rob Radig (14th Ward).


In Columbus there is one seat open in each on of the three districts. Those seats are currently held by Tyler Walker (1st District), Jenny Perkins (2nd District) and Ed Parpart (3rd District).

There are four seats up for grabs in Horicon as well as the Mayor’s chair. In District 1, Richard Marshke and Susan Hady’s seats will be on the ballot. The 2nd District seat held by Steve Neitzel and the 3rd District seat held by Ted Pyrek are also up for election.

In Juneau, Mayor Ron Bosak’s position is up for election while the seats currently held by Dan Jahnke (1st Ward), Robert Affled (2nd Ward) and Butch Chase (3rd Ward) will be on the ballot as well.

Four spots and the Mayor’s office are up for election in Fox Lake. Those include the 1st Ward seat held by Tom Jahnke, the 2nd Ward seat held by Percy Harper and the 3rd Ward seat held by Dan Bednarek. The other 3rd Ward seat is also up for a 1-year term to replace Ann McCarthy who passed away earlier this year.

In Mayville, four seats and the mayoral position will appear on the ballot. That includes the 2nd District seat held by Robert Smith, the 4th District seat held by Jerry Moede, and the 6th District seat held by David Pasbrig. Also on the ballot will be the 1st District seat vacated recently by Dottie Hoy. That will be a 1-year term.

Scocos Fires Back Following Termination

11/25/09 - John Scocos says he’ll sue the state Veterans Affairs Board which fired him yesterday as the department’s secretary. He said the board has had an agenda against him ever since he returned from Iraq in September. And he said it broke the law which protects the employment rights of returning veterans. On a 5-nothing vote, the board replaced Scocos with deputy secretary Ken Black – whom Scocos demoted for firing the head of the veterans’ nursing home in Waupaca County while he was gone. Vice chair Marcia Anderson said the secretary’s firing was due to communication problems which happened before his deployment – and things never changed like Scocos promised. Democratic Governor Jim Doyle appointed Scocos secretary in 2003, when the board still had members appointed by Republican governors. Senate G-O-P leader Scott Fitzgerald called the firing a slap in the face, and said the veterans’ agency got too political under Doyle at the vets’ expense. Doyle spokesman Lee Sensenbrenner said the governor had a good relationship with Scocos – and he had nothing to do with the firing.

WISPRIG Releases Dangerous Toys List

11/25/09 - With holiday shopping underway, the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group has announced its annual list of the most dangerous toys for young kids. Group director Bruce Speight says progress is being made in reducing hazards, especially after Congress passed the consumer product safety law a year ago. But Speight says there’s still work-to-do in reducing hazards, and restoring the public’s confidence in the wake of some major toy recalls in recent years. This year’s list deals with three types of hazards – ultra-loud toys, those with choking hazards, and toys with toxic chemicals. Toys with small parts are banned for kids under three. Zaidy’s Creative Wood Stacking Rings made the list in that category, along with P-and-C’s Real Wood-Shape Sorter Barn. The loud toys on WISPIRG’s list are the Mattel Secret Saturdays Cryptid Claw, and Kota-and-Pals Stompers Triceratops from Playskool. The toys on the list with toxic lead are Claire’s Alligator Cell Phone Charm, and the Touch-and-Feel Cloth Book from Priddy Books.

Waste Collection Delayed

11/25/09 - Waste collection in Beaver Dam will be delayed by one day because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Director of Facilities David Stoiser says Veolia Environmental will suspend garbage pick-ups for Thursday. Residents, who normally receive pick-up, will instead have garbage collection Friday, while Friday’s route will be collected on Saturday. Stoiser says the Public Works Garage will also be closed Thursday and Friday.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Top Stories, November 24th

Contreras Sentenced For Rape

11/24/09 - A Beaver Dam man who raped two young girls was sentenced yesterday to eight years in prison. Robert Contreras pleaded “no contest” to two felony counts of Third Degree Sexual Assault and had three related felonies and two misdemeanors dismissed but read into the record. The 36-year-old raped a preteen girl in March of 2008 and a teenage girl on several occasions beginning in May of 2006. The assaults stopped when Contreras was sent to prison in March of 2008 for his 5th OWI offense. In addition to eight years in prison, Contreras will was sentenced to ten years of extended supervision and register as a lifetime sex offender.

Columbus Woman Facing Felony Charges for Child Abuse

11/24/09 - A Columbus woman has been charged with five-felonies for allegedly abusing her 5-year-old daughter. 30-year-old Heidi Duesing-Christensen made her initial appearance in Columbia County court yesterday and is free on $2,000 cash bail. Among other allegations, she’s accused of tying the girl’s hands and feet with rope, putting her in a closet with tape over her mouth, and over-medicating her with Benadryl to try and get her to sleep. Authorities arrested Duesing-Christensen after a two week investigation which started after the girl’s father noticed bruises and scabs all over her body. Duesing-Christensen’s boyfriend could also face charges for allegedly assisting in the abuse. She’s due back in court next month. The girl is now living with her father in Arizona.

Juneau Passes 2010 Budget

11/24/09 - The City of Juneau passed their 2010 budget last night. The $9.1-million document has a tax levy of 1.1-million-dollars, which results in a tax rate of $7.66 per 1,000 of assessed value. That’s a 10-cent jump from a year ago. That means the owner of a property valued at $150,000 would pay about $1150 for the city portion of their tax bill. That’s an increase of 16-dollars over this year.

Number of Deer Taken on Opening Weekend Down Dramatically

11/24/09 - For the second year in a row, the number of deer taken in the opening weekend of Wisconsin’s gun season was down dramatically from the year before. A preliminary report from the D-N-R showed that just over 100-thousand deer were shot Saturday and Sunday. That’s down 25-percent from last year, and 41-percent from 2007. Dodge County hunters took 939 deer, which was down nearly 44-percent from a year ago. In Columbia County hunters managed to bag nearly 2,200 deer but that number is down 38-percent from ‘08. Jefferson County was down 30-percent to 858 while Fond du Lac hunters killed 676 deer. That’s down 40-percent from last year. Officials expected a lower harvest because of a smaller estimate of the deer population, and the elimination of the rule that hunters must take does in certain places before they can shoot bucks. Also, fog made hunting difficult on Saturday. And warm weather and a large amount of standing corn also caused problems for hunters. The D-N-R’s Keith Warnke says lots of deer are still out there, and there’s a lot of hunting to go. The gun season ends on Sunday.

Sun Prairie Man Involved in Chase Could Face Charges

11/24/09 - The 18-year-old Sun Prairie man who led Fond du Lac County Sheriff's deputies on a chase driving the wrong way on Highway 151 is facing a number of traffic charges. No criminal charges have been filed yet, but Nicholas Paulson does face charges for driving the wrong way, operating left of center, having open alcohol and underage drinking for the early Sunday morning incident. He allegedly reached speeds of up to 100 miles an hour before stop sticks flattened his tires and ended the chase. No one was hurt during the incident, but several drivers had to evade Paulson as he drove in their direction. (KFIZ)

H1N1 Vaccine to Be Given Out in Columbus Schools Next Tuesday

11/24/09 - Columbus School District families will be receiving their H1N1 flu shot notification letters from the District over the next few days. The free shots will be available, but parents have the right to accept or decline vaccinations. According to Superintendent Mark Jansen, the use of schools to distribute the H1N1 vaccine will save local residents the trouble of driving between clinics, hospitals and schools to receive the shots. The date for Columbia County H1N1 shots at Columbus Schools will be next Tuesday, Dec. 1st

Pfitzinger to Discuss Change in Dealing with Juvenile Alcohol Offenders

11/24/09 - Penalties will be changing for juvenile alcohol offenders in Dodge County after the first of the year. Judge Brian Pfitzinger says the circuit court system will revoke the licenses of those under the age of 21 who consume or possess alcohol, an option that had already been in practice in municipal courts in Dodge County. However, Pfitzinger says a program will be available to juvenile alcohol offenders that might allow them to hold onto their licenses. He says it will be similar to a deferred prosecution agreement and if the offenders are able to complete the court-mandated program, the offender could get he charges dismissed. One of the court requirements for dismissal of the citation is that the defendant participate in eight hours of community service. Pfitzinger says to accomplish that, he needs the help of local community organizations. For more information, Pfitzinger asks that interested parties call his Judicial Assistant (Sandy Bird at 386-4014). There is also an educational component of the penalty, which consists of an online alcohol education program and test with a company called Third Millennium, at a cost of $60. The third component would be for the offender to write a one-page paper explaining what was learned in the program. We’ll find out more about the program from Judge Pfitzinger on our Community Comment program this afternoon beginning at 12:35.

Fundraising for 2010 Election at a Fever Pace

11/24/09 - Political candidates are filling their war-chests for next year's election. And a conservative think tank says the idea of public financing, with lower spending and less influence from special interests, is dead for next year. The Wisconsin Policy Research Institute says a lack of taxpayer support is one reason people shouldn't hold their breath about reform. Mike Nichols of the research group said 20-percent of taxpayers helped support public financing in 1977 – but that dropped to just five-percent last year. And Nichols does not expect the trend to be reversed, saying it hasn't happened around the country. But Mike McCabe of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign says neighboring Minnesota has found a way to get public financing to work. He said the Gopher State has a spending limit of two-and-a-half million dollars for candidates, and half comes from public financing. McCabe said the 2006 Wisconsin governor's race cost 32-million dollars. Nichols says any change in the current system hinges on the taxpayers' willingness to fund it.

DNR to Hold Public Hearing on Fond du Lac County Dairy Farm

11/24/09 - The state D-N-R will hold a public hearing December third on a plan to double the size of a large Fond du Lac County dairy farm. The owners of the Rosendale Dairy wants to expand their herd to eight-thousand dairy cows – and they’ll need a D-N-R permit to spread the manure on fields. If approved, the dairy would become the largest in Wisconsin. D-N-R staffers have recommended approval, and the agency needs to hear public comments before granting the permit. The hearing begins at five p-m on December third at the Royal Ridges in Ripon. The project is a 70-million-dollar investment, and the cows would produce a total of 92-million gallons of liquid waste each year.

Moisture Still an Issue for Farmers

11/24/09 - High moisture is still a problem with part of Wisconsin's corn crop. But as it gets colder, farmers cannot wait much longer for the crop to dry. Twenty-one percent of the year's corn-for-grain was harvested statewide last week, bringing the total to 59-percent. That's still well below the norm of 87-percent by this time. Low test-weights and mold have also been problems with some of the corn. The soybean crop is pretty much in. Ninety-four percent was harvested as of Sunday. Winter wheat planting is 92-percent finished. It's supposed to get colder in the next couple days, and light snow is expected statewide on Thanksgiving. But it will be short-lived, as dry weather with above-freezing temperatures are expected for the weekend.

Automobile Purchases Down in Wisconsin

11/24/09 - Sales of new cars and light trucks kept going down last month in Wisconsin – but industry analysts expect higher numbers for November. Just over 12-thousand-400 new vehicles registered in the Badger State in October. That was down nine-percent from September, and 47-percent from August – when “Cash for Clunkers” gave federal stimulus money to folks who agreed to trade their old junkers for more fuel-efficient vehicles. The October sales were 19-and-a-half percent below the same month a year ago. But Jim Tolkan of the Automobile Dealers Association of Mega Milwaukee still sees good times ahead. The industry expects a 10-percent increase in new vehicle sales nationally in 2010, after recession breaks and more people go back to work. For now, Tolkan says buyers can take advantage of new incentives, and holiday sales which have started earlier than normal.

Another Candidate Emerges in WI Lt. Governor’s Race

11/24/09 - A Madison executive is the latest candidate for Wisconsin’s lieutenant governor. Democrat Henry Sanders Junior says he’ll work to create jobs if he’s elected. Sanders founded the Madison Area Growth Network for young professionals, and he used to be the vice president of Madison’s Chamber-of-Commerce. He ran and lost to former State Representative David Travis in a 2006 Assembly primary. Other Democrats in the race are Milwaukee alderman Tony Zielinski and James Schneider of Gotham. And state Senate Democrat Spencer Coggs of Milwaukee is considering a bid. Republican candidates include Superior Mayor Dave Ross, State Representative Brett Davis of Oregon, and defense technology company manager Ben Collins of Lake Geneva. They all hope to replace Democrat Barbara Lawton, who’s stepping down at the end of next year.

Speed Limit Changes Forwarded

11/24/09 - The Beaver Dam Operations Committee discussed speed limit changes on area roadways. If approved by the common council, the speed limit on South Center Road from the southerly city limits to Cody Drive will be set at 45mph. The stretch is currently not posted so the speed limit is 55mph. Once posted the Town of Beaver Dam has agreed to post signage with the same speed limit. The committee agreed to three other speed limit changes resulting from recent annexations where the posted speed limit differs from what’s on the books. City ordinance automatically considers an annexed roadway at 25mph. In all cases the posted signage will remain the same. Another item forwarded to the full council will allow for city speed limits to immediately conform to county speed limits whenever a County Trunk Highway is annexed. The first reading on the ordinances will be held December 7.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Top Stories, November 21st

Agreement Reached For Job Placement Programs

11/21/09 - An agreement has been reached between the Department of Health Services and those who provide job placement programs for the disabled. As part of their Family Care application renewal with the federal government, DHS is changing the definition for job placement in work centers like those offered through Green Valley Enterprises in Beaver Dam and about 70 others statewide. DHS representatives met this morning with Disability Rights Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Board for People With Developmental Disabilities and Rehabilitation For Wisconsin, a group that represents Green Valley Enterprises and about 50 similar agencies across the state. There had been concerns that disabled workers might be removed from the program after six months or that they would be required to move from sheltered worksites -- where disabled employees work alongside other disabled workers -- to job sites in the general public like bakeries or a library. DHS spokesperson Stephanie Marquis says all parties were in mutual agreement about wording. Marquis says the prevocational services definition in the waiver application clarifies that:

* Prevocational services will continue to be available for people in Family Care
* No one's current prevocational services will be disrupted
* The degree to which each person uses prevocational services will vary, depending on informed consumer choice and the individual's personal goals and interests
* These decisions will be determined by the individual and his or her care-planning team in the ongoing person-centered planning process used in Family Care
* The critical role played by Wisconsin's community rehabilitation providers in serving Family Care members will continue

Green Valley Enterprises Interim Director Jack Hankes says it was a satisfactory resolution to the problem and will be a benefit the individuals and families they serve. He says the changes will not affect the revenue needed to provide the program in the immediate future. The application still needs to be submitted to the federal government for final approval. Marquis says there is agreement that the revised definition is consistent with federal guidelines and it is expected the government will approve the changes.

Outhouse Bomber Sentenced

11/21/09 - Seven months in jail for one of the Beaver Dam men connected to a pair of mailbox and outhouse explosions. 21-year-old Michael K. Peters pleaded “no contest” to a felony charge of Possessing Explosives For Unlawful Purposes and had a second felony count dismissed but read into the record. Peters was identified along with two others by in-store video surveillance after purchasing the explosive components at a Beaver Dam retailer. The men are accused of blowing up a mailbox in Burnett and a port-a-potty at Lost Lake Park in April. Investigators say they used a pipe bomb and, in the case of the port-a-potty, also used liquefied gas. Peters was arrested along with 21-year-old Kyle Livingston who faces sentencing in January while 20-year-old Stephen Peterson, the purported ringleader, has a jury trial set for February. Peters and Livingston face up to 25 years in prison while Peterson faces over 100 years in prison, if convicted.

Lodi Soldier Returns Home

11/21/09 - The soldier from Lodi who was injured in the Fort Hood shootings earlier this month has returned home. Specialist Grant Moxon was greeted by family yesterday at the Dane County Regional Airport. The 23-year-old told the State Journal he thought the massacre was a training exercise. He says it didn’t really set in for a little while that he’d actually been hit. Moxon won’t be deployed to Afghanistan with his unit, the 467th Medical Detachment and will likely work out of their Madison Headquarters. He was one of 43 soldiers injured in the rampage that left 13 people dead. The bullet that hit him is still lodged in his left thigh. Moxon says he’s “kind of sore but he’s healing quickly.”

Columbus Considering Appointed City Attorney

11/21/09 - The City of Columbus is getting ready to change an ordinance that dates back to 1958. The Council is changing the choice of a City Attorney from an elected to an appointed position. However, that does NOT mean that there is a new Attorney ready to take office. Attorney Randy Lueders was elected to that post in 1989 and has bee re-elected ever since. Lueders has served under 10 Mayors during his ten terms in office. The Council vote on the ordinance is scheduled for the next regular Common Council Session, December 1st.

Reeseville Mill Rate Up 3 Cents

11/21/09 - The village of Reeseville has unanimously approved its 2010 budget. The board recently voted to accept a budget of about $473,500, which is a $1,500 increase over 2009. The total tax levy is $98,000 which results in a tax rate of $3.14 per 1,000 of assessed value. That’s an increase of 3-cents from this year’s budget. It means that a person with a property valued at $130,000 would pay about $408 for the village portion of their tax bill. That’s an increase of around $4 from this year.

Propane Demand Results In Emergency Declaration

11/21/09 - A late harvest combined with a rather wet fall has resulted in a growing demand for propane. Wisconsin Farmers Union President Doug Caruso says it’s needed to dry out crops before storing them for the winter. If crops like corn and soybeans are put into storage with high moisture they will develop toxic molds. That makes them worthless as animal feed. However, growing demand statewide has resulted in limited supplies. Caruso says long lines are forming at pipelines as trucks wait to fill up. He says some companies have started sending trucks as far south as Kansas City to fill up. Governor Doyle this week declared a state of emergency due to the shortage, which gives suppliers more time to deliver propane.

Don’t Flush Medications

11/21/09 - When you pour your old medications down the drain, those pills melt and are eventually swept into Lake Michigan. The Milwaukee Sewerage District has been collecting the medications for proper disposal. As of last week, nearly 600 pounds of unused or expired drugs had been turned in at five local police departments. In addition to protecting Lake Michigan, the program also helps prevent accidental poisonings of young children -- and keeps those drugs from being sold on the street.

Woman Returns $10K Duffle Bag

11/21/09 - A Chicago college student does the right thing -- and may get a citizenship award. The 22 year old was in Madison for a wedding last weekend when she found a duffle bag among her things that didn't belong to her. It had been mistakenly picked up as her luggage was being taken into a hotel. In that duffel was 10 thousand dollars in cash. The student called her mom, then called police. At first she thought it might be money from drug sales or a robbery, but it turned out that it belonged to a business owner who had ridden in the student's taxi before her.

Harleys and Cheese

11/21/09 - Wisconsin state symbols number 26 and 27 would honor choppers and cheese. Lawmakers will consider designating an official microbe and an official motorcycle for the Badger State. The microbe is Lactococcus lactis and is a bacterium used in cheese-making. Of course, the state motorcycle would be the Harley-Davidson. Supporters of the idea say naming two of Wisconsin's best-known exports would help promote industries hampered by the stagnant economy. The legislation was introduced in Madison this week.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Top Stories November 20th

Teen Bound Over On Negligent Homicide Charges

11/20/09 - A Beaver Dam teen charged in connection with a fatal accident was in court for a preliminary hearing Thursday morning. Dominick Kaiser stood mute and the court entered a “not guilty” plea on his behalf. Authorities say the 17-year-old was speeding when he lost control of his car on Shaw Hill Road at 3 o’clock on the afternoon of September 15, 2008. His passenger, 16-year-old Kristen Baade, was killed. According to the criminal complaint, Kaiser’s speed had reached a velocity of between 102mph and 129mph as his vehicle began its initial clockwise spin. After entering a ditch and striking a culvert, the Kaiser vehicle went airborne and split a utility pole in half while overturning, before eventually coming to rest on its roof. Kaiser told authorities that the hood of his vehicle had flown up, blocking his windshield and leading to his loss of control. Investigators say the car’s battery was too big and there was evidence that the hood was clamped down. Kaiser was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, because of two marijuana pipes that were allegedly recovered at the scene. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, if convicted on the felony charge of Homicide By Negligent Use of a Vehicle. Kaiser has an arraignment hearing scheduled for January 5.

Rio Man In Court For Drunk Driving Death

11/20/09 - A Rio man charged in connection with a fatal drunk driving accident made his initial appearance in Columbia County court Wednesday. 69-year-old Jack Frandy was ordered to a sign a $10,000 signature bond and is prohibited from consuming alcohol until the case is resolved. He’s charged with two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle related to the July 24 accident on Highway C near Hall Road. 21-year-old Ben VanderVenter of Columbus was killed in the head-on collision. Authorities say alcohol was a factor for both drivers but Frandy’s blood alcohol level was allegedly twice the legal limit. Frandy’s wife, Pamela, is also charged with misdemeanor Obstruction; she’s accused of claiming she was driving. However, an investigation later showed that she had not even been in the car at the time of the accident. Phone records show that Jack Frandy actually made several calls to his wife before she called in the accident and authorities determined she was at home at the time of the incident. Frandy followed the ambulance transporting his wife to the hospital, and was ticketed for a second OWI. Jack Frandy faces 25-years in prison if convicted on the homicide charges.

California Man Arrested For Oconomowoc Murder

11/20/09 - Officials in Mexico have made an arrest in an Oconomowoc murder case. 26-year-old Justin Welch of suburban Stockton California was picked up Wednesday night for the October 1 slaying of 39-year-old Kimberly Smith. Her boyfriend found Smith’s body in her living room with her hands bound – and she was stabbed numerous times. Smith’s relatives told police they did not know Welch, and his ties to Wisconsin were not immediately known. An arrest warrant for Welch was issued October 27th charging him with first-degree intentional homicide. Court records said his D-N-A was found on a knife and gloves that were recovered. Smith’s four-year-old son was home at the time of the slaying, but police said he did not see it happen.

Fugitive Apprehended in Watertown Cocaine Ring

11/20/09 - A fugitive in a major Dodge County-area drug case has been identified, soon after he was sentenced for another drug case in Florida in which he used a false name. Magin Avila-Avellaneda was sentenced in September to almost six years in prison for selling methamphetamine in Tampa. And U-S Marshals discovered that his finger-prints were the same as those of Martin Pineda-Pineda, who was charged last year with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. He fled soon after he was charged. Authorities said Pineda-Pineda was part of a massive cocaine ring in the Watertown area.

Dodge County Hosts Two More H1N1 Vaccine Clinics

11/20/09 - Two more H1N1 flu vaccine clinics have been set for Dodge County. The first clinic will be held Friday at the Dodge County Office Building in Juneau from 9am to 12 noon. The second clinic will be held on Monday from 2 to 6 p.m. The vaccine will be given until the end of the clinics or until there is none left. The county health department says these clinics are for certain people that are at more of a risk to get the virus. That includes pregnant women, healthcare and emergency medical personnel, people living with or caring for children six months or younger, any children between the ages of 6-months and 4-years of age, and anyone between the ages of 5 and 64 that have certain medical conditions.

Cost-Sharing Agreement Approved

11/20/09 - The EMS cost-sharing agreement between the City of Columbus and seven surrounding townships has been approved. The Council approved an inter-municipality agreement for Emergency Ambulance services at this week’s meeting. The City signed a two-year contract with service provider LifeStar Ambulance earlier this year. LifeStar will be replacing Heartline Medix as EMS provider for the area beginning January 1st 2010. Mayor Bob Link said the agreement was a good “first step” in sharing costs for public services between the City and surrounding communities.The Emergency Ambulance service area includes municipalities in Columbia, Dane and Dodge counties. The service agreement includes over 8,000 residents in the City and surrounding townships of Calamus, Columbus, Elba, Fountain Prairie, Hampden, Portland and York.

Horicon Highway 33 Project Completed

11/20/09 - An 8-month project that affected nearly all Dodge County motorists will be completed Friday afternoon. The Highway 33 project through Horicon which started on March 16 will officially come to a close when they remove the barricades at 3pm. Horicon Public Works Supervisor Dave Magnusson says the result of all the work is a nicer looking downtown and easier travel for those coming through. The project did have its issues but Magnusson says overall he’s happy with the outcome.

DOT Report: ‘Major Revenue Increases Needed’

11/20/09 - A new report says Wisconsin will need major revenue increases to meet its transportation needs over the next two decades. The D-O-T released its 20-year plan this week – and it says the economic stimulus money it’s getting won’t be enough to meet the state’s immediate or long-term needs. Wisconsin is getting about 530-million dollars from the federal stimulus package to pay for a host of highway projects, transit projects, and airport improvements. In some cases, the funding is moving up the starting dates for construction – and it’s covering a variety of transportation grant programs. The state has also applied for another half-billion in stimulus funds to extend high-speed rail service from Milwaukee-to-Madison. That funding hinges on the approval of a Midwest high speed network as part of the overall stimulus package.

Unemployment For October Lowest of the Year

11/20/09 - Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been all year. But the number of jobs lost in the Badger State is the most for a 12-month period in the 70 years the data has been tracked. State labor officials said the unadjusted jobless rate for October was seven-point-six percent – down one-tenth-of-a-point from September. But 129-thousand jobs have been eliminated in the Badger State since last October. That’s four-and-a-half percent decline in jobs during the year – the biggest percentage drop since 1958. Wisconsin had just over two-point-eight million jobs last month, the fewest for an October in 11 years.

Supreme Court Bill Awaits Gov Signature

11/20/09 - Governor Jim Doyle hasn’t even signed a bill providing public financing for state Supreme Court races, and it’s already being challenged. The Virginia-based Center for Competitive Politics has sent a letter to Doyle and legislative leaders explaining concerns that the recently-passed Impartial Justice Act is unconstitutional. The leader of Common Cause in Wisconsin says groups like this challenge every campaign finance reform bill that is passed. The letter also points out that the legislation would not impact the spending of outside groups on so-called “issue ads.” But Heck said that was never the intent of the bill, and he has little doubt that Doyle will sign the measure.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Top Stories November 19th

FL Council Approves Economic Incentives

11/19/09 - The Fox Lake City Council is doing what it can to keep a local business in their city. Last night the council approved economic incentives to hold on to Electronic Components and Services, INC. The incentives are in the form of sewer user rate adjustments. City officials say ECS is their largest customer in terms of sanitary sewer use and account for between $50,000 and $60,000 in yearly revenue. The incentives include a 10-percent decrease in their rates for 1-year followed by another three-years at their 2009 rates. The incentives are expected to reduce the yearly revenue from the company by about $4,000. ECS manufactures circuit boards for a variety of products.

2010 Budget Passes in Fox Lake

11/19/09 - The City of Fox Lake passed their 2010 budget last night. The $3.1-million document has a tax levy of nearly $555,700. City Administrator Bill Petracek says they had a number of large expenses this year and were still able to limit the impact on the tax payers. He says the council took into consideration the current state of the economy when deciding on the 1.5-percent tax levy increase. By state statute municipalities can raise their tax levy by 3-percent on an annual basis. Residents will see a tax rate of $7.34 per 1,000 of assessed value. That’s an 8-cent jump from a year ago. That means the owner of a property valued at $150,000 would pay about $1110 for the city portion of their tax bill. That’s an increase of 21-dollars over this year.

FRSD Approves Purchase of Community Hall

11/19/09 - Fall River School’s approved purchase of the former Community Hall last night. The Board decided to accept the Village’s counter offer of $103 thousand dollars. School officials believe the building would pay for itself in a few years by providing shelter for the School Bus fleet currently stored outdoors. The District had been searching for a “Bus Barn,” but a new facility would cost $300 thousand dollars. The primary use will be Bus storage, however, a number of other uses are being considered. The District still has to close on the property before they can begin any weatherization or renovations.

Columbus Compliance Check Nets Two Offenders

11/19/09 - Two of the 12 businesses licensed to sell alcohol in Columbus failed a recent compliance check by authorities. Lieutenant Dennis Weiner says Pick ‘N Save and the Cardinal Ale House both sold to underage customers. Citations were issued to the employees that served the underage patron. Weiner says while he wasn’t discouraged by the failure rate he was upset with the actions of one of the businesses checked. He says an establishment realized what was happening and called another business to warn them about the compliance check. Weiner says when one licensee calls another it taints the entire operation and he plans to contact the city attorney to see if any laws were broken. Weiner would not divulge which business was involved in that incident.

Reetz Funeral Set for Tomorrow

11/19/09 - Funeral services will be held tomorrow in West Bend for a 14-year-old boy who was strangled, allegedly by his step-father. A silent walk and a candlelight vigil for Cody Reetz are also planned tomorrow night in his home town of Grafton. The step-father, 37-year-old Charles Avey, is charged with homicide. Authorities said he strangled the boy with a necktie last Sunday night, and left his body in an empty vehicle outside of a store in Germantown. Prosecutors said Avey did it to get back at Cody’s mother, for telling police that Avey hit her numerous times in the head with a hammer a week before. Yesterday, Cody’s parents held a news conference to talk about their son. Trista Avey said the boy always had a smile on his face, and Allen Reetz said he was always outside skate-boarding and jumped off ramps with his bike. He called Cody a “daredevil” who had no fear. His parents divorced over 10 years ago, but they kept doing things together with him.

Neosho Couple Charged for Public Sex Act

11/19/09 - Authorities have charged a Neosho couple with lewd and lascivious behavior for performing a sex act in public to irk their neighbors. 33-year-old Mark Albert and 43-year-old Kimberly Ferguson were charged earlier this week. According to the criminal complaint the couple performed the sex act on their porch, which was in full view of a neighbor and several others, including a 9-year-old child. Authorities say the couple allegedly threw an object through the neighbor’s window and taunted them before performing the sex act.

H1N1 Flu Death Numbers Continue to Rise

11/19/09 - State officials reported more H1N1 flu deaths in the past week than in the first nine months of the year. The Health Services Department reported 11 deaths in the past week, bringing the total to 22 since September first, and 31 for the year. Dodge County has one H1N1 flu related death. Four-hundred-five people have been hospitalized from the H1N1 flu since the beginning of September – and 82-percent of those people had underlying medical conditions. And the total number of cases has risen to 38-hundred-18 confirmed, with another 17-hundred cases listed as probable. Health officials say the rate of flu cases is going down modestly – but the presence of H-1-N-1 is still widespread.

More Travel Expected for Thanksgiving

11/19/09 - More Wisconsinites plan to drive home for Thanksgiving. The Triple-“A” says about three-percent more people will hit the road than a year ago – when traffic was down dramatically due to the meltdowns in the financial and housing industries. Nationally, traffic is expected to be up about two-percent. And the Triple-“A” says it’s because of higher consumer confidence and better financial markets. But the bad news for motorists is that gasoline will be about 55-cents a gallon more than last Thanksgiving weekend. Unleaded regular now averages 2.61-a-gallon in the Badger State. Meanwhile, the Triple-“A” says air traffic will be down by almost seven-percent this Thanksgiving. That’s because of airline budget concerns, reduced capacity by carriers, and extra charges for fliers.

Madison Medical Unit Will Deploy

11/19/09 - The Army Reserve now says they’ve found replacements for the seven members of a Madison-based unit killed-or-wounded at Fort Hood. And the 467th Medical Detachment group will take off for Afghanistan in December or January. None of the four unit members wounded in the shooting spree will be going. Captain Robert LaFountain says they’ll remain on an active duty status until they’re either declared as battle-ready – or they’re sent home on a reserve status. Three Wisconsinites were among the wounded and two others were killed. The unit provides counseling to U-S troops. Madison’s unit sent 15 members to Fort Hood for training.

Health Care Costs Expected to Rise for Employees

11/19/09 - Wisconsin employees can expect to pay a larger share of their health costs next year. That’s according to a survey of companies by the benefit consulting firm of Mercer. Many small firms kept their costs in check by raising deductibles this year – and the survey by Mercer said larger companies would join them in 2010. 41-percent of firms said they’ll increase their workers’ share of deductibles, co-pays, out-of-packet maximums. And 46-percent said workers would pay a higher share of their monthly premiums. Yesterday, Mercer said those premiums are 22-percent higher in Wisconsin than they are nationally.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Top Stories November 18th

Columbus Finishes 2010 Budget Planning Cycle

11/18/09 - The Columbus Council unanimously passed three resolutions last night that will help the City meet next year’s goals. The 2010 Budget was adopted with a mil rate of $8.11 per one thousand dollars…up from $8.00 per thousand in 2009. A resolution setting Non-Represented employee pay rates was also approved. The Council authorized wages for City Hall staff and Police and Fire Department employees. The $1.8 million dollar Capital Improvements Plan for 2010 was also OK’d. The plan outlines seven projects including repair of the Udey Dam. Passage of these key resolutions signifies the end of 2010 budget planning cycle and the start of plans for 2011.

Mayville Council Approves Budget

11/18/09 - Mayville residents will see a 60-cent increase in their tax rate. That comes after the city council passed the 2010 budget Monday night. The council approved a tax levy of about 2.58-million-dollars, an 8.5-percent increase over 2009. Officials say 4.5-percent of the increase is a direct result of the number of new properties added to a TIF district. The mill rate is $7.70 which means a person who owns a property worth $130,000 would pay about $1,000 for the city portion of their tax bill. That’s an increase of 77-dollars over last year.

Man Missing from Jefferson County

11/18/09 - A Jefferson County man has been missing for nine days. Authorities said 46-year-old Joseph Coloso of Sullivan fell from a horse November first – left a hospital against his doctors’ advice – and vanished last Monday after he arranged to visit a brother-in-law in New Berlin. His family reported him missing on Thursday. A deer hunter found his vehicle last Friday in a cornfield. And a search took place in that area last weekend involving dogs, planes, officers, relatives, and volunteers. Jefferson County sheriff’s detective sergeant Larry Lee says he believes Coloso is not where his car was found – and officers are still doing all they can to try and find him. Relatives said Coloso moved from Milwaukee to Sullivan recently to get closer to his 16-year-old son, and the injury from his horse accident may have left him confused.

Combine Fire Injures One

11/18/09 - A 57-year-old Brandon man was taken to Waupun Memorial Hospital with burns to his face and hands after a combine fire yesterday morning. According to Fond du Lac County Sheriff's logs Gerald Leahy had to jump through the flames to escape the fire. He was operating the combine in a field off Radio Road when it caught fire. (KFIZ)

Tractor Fire in Lebanon

11/18/09 - Lebanon firefighters were called out to a Banon Road property early yesterday afternoon after a tractor caught on fire. Officials say a call came in around 3:15 reporting a tractor was on fire in the middle of a field. Firefighters responded and put the fire out quickly. There is no word on a cause of that fire.

Fire Departments Salvage Almost 20,000 Bushels of Corn

11/18/09 - The Allenton Fire Department was able to save almost 20,000 bushels of corn from catching on fire yesterday. Officials say they were called to Farmers Grain and Feed on Railroad Street for a possible grain drier system fire. The 20,000 bushels of corn were being dried for long-term storage. The drier uses a natural gas fired heater underneath the corn to dry it but because of the high moisture levels in the corn crop this year the kernels are heavier and therefore taking more time to move through the drier. The slow movement allowed the corn in the drier bin to super heat and create a situation that could have resulted in a fire. Firefighters performed a cooling of the drier area with fire suppression foam to absorb the heat. Allenton Fire Chief John Breuer says the combined efforts of the firefighters and employees of the business successfully salvaged most of the corn. Also assisting was the St. Lawrence and Slinger Fire Departments.

Alleged Step-son Killer Makes Initial Appearance

11/18/09 - Prosecutors say a Grafton man killed his step-son as a payback to his mother, after she told police the man pummeled her with a hammer. 37-year-old Charles Avey made his first appearance in Washington County Circuit Court yesterday on a charge of first-degree intentional homicide. Investigators said he strangled 14-year-old Cody Reetz with a necktie last Sunday – and he used a second tie to attach the boy’s neck to an armrest in a mini-van he left in a Walmart parking lot in Germantown. Police said Avey then left with a friend he had called to pick him up. Officers found the body about five hours after Avey’s wife went to Grafton Police, and said he attacked her numerous times with a hammer a week earlier during an argument.

Davison Pleads “No Contest”

11/18/09 - A Lomira man has pleaded “no contest” to charges of molesting a pre-school age child. 31-year-old Ryan D. Davison was arrested in connection with an online sting operation conducted by the New Waterford Police Department in the state of Ohio. The police chief there posed as the mother of a 13-year-old girl on an incest website. Chief Daniel Haueter reportedly traded explicit photographs and videos with Davison as they arranged a meeting. Davison was arrested after he sent an image to the undercover agent by cell phone. According to the criminal complaint, Davison admitted that he took some of the pictures and received others in online trades. When asked if he thought it was wrong to possess the images, Davidson agreed adding, “I know the judge will probably throw the book at me.” He faces a maximum of 85 years in prison. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered and a hearing set for next February.

BD Council Approves Settlement with Medical Center

11/18/09 - The Beaver Dam Common Council this week approved a settlement agreement between the city and the Beaver Dam Medical Center Building. The Medical Center, which is located on Warren Street, objected to assessments dating back to 2007, when they were assessed at just over $5.7 million. The Medical Center successfully argued that the tax-exempt Beaver Dam Community Hospital utilized a large portion of their facility. The two sides came to an agreement earlier this year and determined that the Community Hospital utilizes 83% of the facility and the Medical Center would be responsible for property taxes in the remaining 17%. The Common Council last night approved a refund of $27,738, which is the difference between what the Medical Center paid and what they should have paid for 2007 and 2009. There was no reimbursement request for 2008. The city portion is just over $9200, with the remainder being charged back to the other taxing jurisdictions.

Feingold Spending Big Money for Next Years Election

11/18/09 - The election’s not for another year, but U-S Senate Democrat Russ Feingold has already spent six-and-two-thirds million dollars on it. That’s the second-highest of any Senate incumbent who’s up for re-election in 2010. And Feingold’s camp has raised about nine-million dollars – twice as much as at the same point in his last campaign six years ago. Feingold is going for his fourth term – and for the first time, he never shut down his campaign after his previous election in 2004. Feingold says he insists on building grass-roots support, and getting his campaign money mainly through small donations – and it’s expensive to raise cash that way. Over half of what he’s spent has gone toward fund-raising. Republicans say Feingold’s more concerned about keeping his seat than he’s been in the past. But so far, at least, his two G-O-P opponents are relative unknowns statewide – Madison developer Terrence Wall and Watertown businessman Dave Westlake.

Fewer Choices for Medicare Part “D” Plans

11/18/09 - Senior citizens in Wisconsin will have fewer choices than a year ago for private drug coverage under Medicare Part-“D.” The annual sign-up period begins this week, and there are 48 plans available in the Badger State – four fewer than last year. That could raise prices. But there could also be a larger number of folks qualifying for drug subsidies, because the income-and-resource limits have eased for next year. Wisconsin’s own drug benefit, Senior-Care, will remain available at least until 2012. The Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups has a toll-free hotline to help seniors choose a drug benefit.

Thousands on Waiting List for Government Health Care Coverage

11/18/09 - About seven-thousand people are on a waiting list for the state government’s health care coverage for childless adults. That’s what state Medicaid director Jason Helgerson told legislators yesterday. The adults joined families-with-kids in the Badger Care Plus program earlier this year, but the demand far exceeded the available funding. So in October, Governor Jim Doyle ordered a limit on the number of childless adults in what’s now called Badger Care Plus Core. Folks on the waiting list are supposed to be offered basic benefits for up to 130-dollars a month, with no tax money to pay for it. But officials are still trying to decide the amount of coverage to be provided. Legislators would have to approve whatever they come up. Helgerson says it won’t happen until at least next March. And the waiting list could grow to 20-thousand or more by then.

WI 12th Healthiest State in the US

11/18/09 - Wisconsin is the 12th healthiest state in the country, up from 17th a year ago. That’s according to the new health rankings released by the United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association, and the Partnership for Prevention. The new report says 19-percent of Wisconsinites smoke – down from 26-percent back in 1990. But obesity has gone up 130-percent over the last two decades. Just over a quarter of Wisconsinites are considered obese, up from just 11-percent in 1990 – and the report says state officials need to do something about it. The report also said Wisconsin is the worst for binge drinking. And it spends the least on public health per person – just 35-dollars a year. The study’s authors said smoking and obesity limit total improvements in people’s health, not just here but in the nation as a whole.

Last Weekend for BD Public Works Garage

11/18/09 - After this weekend, the Beaver Dam Public Works Garage will be closed on Saturdays. Yard waste can be dropped off at the garage at 640 South Center Street this Saturday from 10am to 2pm. No waste of any kind will be accepted from contractors or from people that are not Beaver Dam residents. Saturday hours will pick back up in the spring. If you are unable to drop off your waste this weekend, the public works garage will still be open weekdays 7am to 3:30pm.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Top Stories, November 17th

Beaver Dam Approves Budget

11/17/09 - The Beaver Dam Common Council passed the 2010 city budget Monday night with no dissenting votes (12-0-1). The budget totals $13.1 million dollars with a levy of $7.6 million, which is about four and-a-half percent (4.5%) higher than the current budget. The mill rate is up a quarter over last year at $6.89 per $1000 of assessed value. The owner of a $130,000 home will pay $24 more for the city portion of their tax bill this year. Roughly two-thirds of the budget is for salary and benefits for city employees. There was an 11% increase in the costs of health care. No money was budgeted for an increase in wages for AFSCME employees as its union members will be operating without a contract as 2010 begins. Non-union employees also had a three-percent pay increase eliminated in the budget process. The budget does include, for the first time, $8000 to cover just over half the costs of the fireworks display for Lake Days. Another $7000 was restored in the fire department’s budget for overtime. Mayor Tom Kennedy says the budget does not rob the general fund, it does not include short term benefits that will have to be repaid in later years and city services will not be compromised. Kennedy also says city leaders will begin working on the 2011 budget in January.

Beaver Dam Woman Accused of Embezzlement

11/17/09 - A Beaver Dam woman is accused of embezzling money from her former employer. Sara Livingston is charged with a felony count of Theft in a Business Setting for taking over $24,000 from Alt Chiropractic between May of 2006 and December of 2008. The issue came up after Livingston allegedly wrote a $10,000 check to herself. The 39-year-old told investigators that she thought better of it, advised her employer and the bank stopped payment. Dr. Dale Alt says that was never the case and she went so far as to impersonate his wife in an attempt to cover her tracks. Livingston was then connected to several other checks written to herself from the company credit account over the two and-a-half year period. According to the criminal complaint, the business account was used to purchase various personal items, acquire cash and even make charitable donations. She is also accused of receiving free treatment from chiropractors then billing her insurance company and pocketing the money. Livingston said she was surprised to find out about the complaints. She denied that she stole the money and said she either received authorization for the expenditures or there was an understanding that the money was a loan that she fully intended to pay back. Dr. Alt says there was no such arrangement. The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, if convicted. Signature bond was set at $1000 and a preliminary hearing scheduled for December 30.
Former Elementary School Buildings Put Up for Sale

11/17/09 - The three elementary schools closed earlier this year in the Waupun School District are now officially on the market. The school board voted unanimously last night to put Fox Lake and Jefferson Elementary up for sale. They join Alto Elementary, which was put on the market last month with a price of $200,000. Fox Lake has a listing price of $311,000 while Jefferson’s price was set at $426,000. That price includes four of its 15 acres of land. District officials say they will now look for a real estate company to market the properties.

Grafton Man Facing Murder Charges in Death of Step-son

11/17/09 - A homicide charge could be filed today against a man accused of killing his step-son north of Milwaukee. 37-year-old Charles Avey Senior of Grafton is being held, after Germantown Police found the body of 14-year-old Cody Reetz Sunday night inside a vehicle parked at a Walmart. Police Chief Peter Hoell said it was premeditated murder, but would not say how the boy died. Grafton Police said Reetz saw Avey hit his mother with a hammer more than once on November eighth. She went to Grafton Police to report the incident on Sunday, but did not express fears for Reetz’s safety. Still, police put out an alert for both her husband and her son. A few hours later, Avey surrendered to Washington County sheriff’s deputies. And officers alerted Germantown Police to the murder, and they found the teen’s body. Charles Avey has five identity theft charges pending in Washington County. Prosecutors said he opened credit card accounts in the name of his wife’s ex-husband – Cody’s father – and charged over 22-thousand dollars in merchandise.

Madison Army Reserve Unit Won’t Deploy Next Month as Scheduled

11/17/09 - The Madison Army Reserve unit that had seven casualties in the Fort Hood massacre will not go to Afghanistan next month as scheduled. Commander Robert LaFountain says the mission is being put off indefinitely, until replacements can be found for the three members who were killed and at least some of the four who were wounded. When they’re ready, the 467th Medical Detachment unit will provide combat-stress counseling for fellow troops in Afghanistan. But for now, the members are getting the same type of mental help they were planning to give. LaFountain told the Wisconsin State Journal his troops are doing quote, “fair-to-middling.”

Childs Not In Favor of New Teacher Evaluation Bill

11/17/09 - Beaver Dam Superintendent Don Childs says he doesn’t believe school districts have adequate testing data to be making judgments about teacher performance based on how students perform on standardized tests. Childs made the comments in the wake of Governor Doyle signing a bill that would allow teachers to be judged by test scores. The bill is one of four Doyle signed in an effort to become eligible for funds from President Obama’s “Race to the Top” education program. Childs says there are a lot of other aspects of evaluating a teacher and it’s unfair to judge them solely on the tests.

Columbus PFC Hires Background Consultant

11/17/09 - The Columbus Police and Fire Commission have selected Moffit and Associates of Appleton to do the background investigation on the final candidate for Police Chief.
The PFC is narrowing the list of over twenty candidates who have applied for the job. Because of deer hunting, Thanksgiving and the holidays it is unlikely that the short list of final candidates will be selected before mid-December. The Commission will be planning interview goals with peer consultants tomorrow and they hope to be starting interview sessions by December 5th.

Open House Today for New “Community Center” in Columbus

11/17/09 - The first of two City renovation projects in downtown Columbus will have an Open House and Ribbon Cutting this afternoon. The new Columbus Community Center will officially open this afternoon. The Center is located at 161 North Dickason Street…at the end of the City Hall block. The former “Anchor Bank” building had been a vacant city-owned property for years.
It will now be the home of the Recreation Department and the Office of Economic Development and Energy Sustainability. City construction projects also completed a new parking lot surface and installed energy efficient lights to the area between the Senior Center and the new “Community Center.” The second renovation project won’t be completed till mid January. That’s when the Columbus Police move into their new location in the former Law Offices on Ludington Street. The Community Center will have Open House from 5:30 to 7:00 pm tonight and the Ribbon Cutting will be at 6:30 pm.

Moisture Still a Concern for State Farmers

11/17/09 - Dry weather has helped Wisconsin farmers catch up with their harvest activities. But moisture levels remain high in the corn crop – and some farmers are letting it dry in the fields for now, while they bring in their soybeans. Officials said 38-percent of Wisconsin’s corn-for-grain was harvested as of Sunday. That’s up 15-percent from a week ago, but it’s still only about half the normal harvest for this time of year. Mold is also a problem in some of the corn, and some yields are said to be disappointing. Eighty-percent of the soybeans were in by Sunday – up 38-percent from a week ago, but still nine-percent behind the norm. But with more dry weather expected this week, the soybean harvest could be finished quickly. Winter wheat planting is 84-percent complete. Only 12-percent of Wisconsin fields now have surplus moisture.

Hearing on Medical Marijuana Use Set for Next Month

11/17/09 - Wisconsin lawmakers will hold a public hearing December 15th on a bill to let cancer patients and others take marijuana to relieve their pain. Senate Democrat Jon Erpenbach of Waunakee and Assembly Democrat Mark Pocan of Madison pushed for the measure at a news conference yesterday, along with those who have chronic diseases who say the drug would help them. Most of them also spoke at a Madison rally a few weeks ago. But that was before the Obama White House said it would not prosecute users and providers of medicinal marijuana in states where it’s legal – and Governor Jim Doyle said he had no problem with it. Thirteen states legalize it with a doctor’s prescription. But in Wisconsin, Republicans who ran the Legislature until a year ago would not take up similar measures. Now, Erpenbach says he’ll try to get a vote on the bill in January. It has 17 co-sponsors among the 132 in the Assembly and Senate.

10-Percent of Families in WI Struggle to put Food on the Table

11/17/09 - One of every 10 Wisconsin households had trouble putting enough food on the table at the end of last year. That’s according to the U-S-D-A, which said the Badger State was a little better off than the nation as a whole. One-of-every-seven U-S households had what the government calls “food insecurity” at the end of 2008. That’s a sharp increase from the year before, when one-of-every-nine households had trouble getting enough food. U-W Madison professor Judi Bartfeld said the big year-to-year increase was uncommon. And it does not take this year’s increase in unemployment into account – so Bartfeld says the numbers for 2009 will most likely be worse. For more than a year, food pantries throughout Wisconsin said they’ve been seeing people who never needed the help before. In the Madison area, the Community Action Coalition predicts a double-digit increase this year in the total number of visits to its pantries.

Temporary Bridge to Impact Travel on Rock River near Watertown

11/17/09 - A temporary bridge span on the Rock River south of Watertown is limiting boaters during the daytime hours. The bridge, which was installed last week, is removed at the end of each working day and on weekends. Boaters will be able to navigate without issues during those time periods. Waterway markers, reflective tape and night lighting mark the construction site. The bridge is being used by the contractor to move materials across the river for the Highway 26 bypass project. It will remain in use until April 1st of 2010. State DOT officials are advising snowmobilers to avoid the area during the winter months. The Sheriff’s Department also intends to close trails in the area and is working with a local snowmobile club to develop an alternative route.