Top Stories November 6th

WI Solider Wounded at Fort Hood

11/6/09 - A Sheboygan County woman was among the 31 injured when an Army psychiatrist opened fire at Fort Hood in Texas yesterday, killing 12 others. Her mother said 19-year-old Amber Bahr (left) of Random Lake was in stable condition at a hospital, after being shot in the abdomen. Lisa Pfund said the only thing she knew what that her daughter was shot in the belly - and she was getting upset because she couldn't get more details. Bahr joined the Army Reserves at age 17, and was saving money for college. The attack is being called the worst mass shooting ever at a U-S military base.

The gunman was identified as 39-year-old Major Nidal Hasan of Virginia, who's been in the military for eight years. Hasan was first reported to be killed. But he was hospitalized in stable condition at last word under a military guard. Officials said Hasan targeted a ceremony at a base readiness center. A motive has not been disclosed. Hasan was about to be deployed overseas. Media reports said he was transferred to Fort Hood in July after getting a poor performance evaluation while working at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. A co-worker told Fox News that Hasan opposed U-S involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. But while he realized that soldiers must follow orders, he hoped President Obama would order a pull-out by now.

H1N1 Flu Update

11/6/09 - It is unknown at this time if the Dodge County resident who died as a result of the H1N1 virus had underlying health conditions. Public Health Officer Jody Langfeldt says can't confirm that, but that is what her office currently believes. The only information released was that the adult died this past weekend from the flu.

Meanwhile, there is an H1N1 flu clinic scheduled at the Portage High School this afternoon from 2pm to 6pm. Tomorrow, the Dodgeland School in Juneau will be a host site from 9am until 2pm. Langfeldt says the vaccine will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis to people in high-risk categories because of the limited availability of both the nasal and injectable form.

(Milwaukee) One man has been arrested, and Milwaukee Police are looking for two others who stole a truck carrying 900 doses of the H-1-N-1 flu vaccine. It happened about 7:50 last night. Police said the truck driver was picking up medical supplies at the school, and the vehicle kept running so a refrigeration unit holding the vaccine could stay on. A 38-year-old suspect was later taken into custody. Witnesses said he was one of three people inside the vehicle when it was lifted. The truck was found abandoned about 40 minutes later. The vaccine was still in it, but it cannot be used. Milwaukee health officials said the 900 doses were considered to be compromised because they went out of the city's control. Officials are not sure if the vaccine can be replaced - but they say they have enough for another H1N1 flu clinic scheduled today.

Juneau Tax Rate to Rise

11/6/09 - Juneau residents would see a 10-cent increase to their mill-rate if the city council passes the proposed budget. Earlier this week the city's finance committee voted to forward an $8.6-million budget with a total levy of $1.15-million to the full council. If passed as is, residents would see their rate rise to $7.66-per $1,000 of assessed value. That means the owner of a $150,000 property would pay nearly $1,150 for the city portion of their taxes. Officials say the increase in the tax rate is directly related to needed street improvements to a section of South Hyland Street. The council is expected to vote on the budget following the November 23rd public hearing.

Doyle in FDL Today

11/6/09 - Governor Jim Doyle will be in Fond du Lac today at 10:00 a.m. to thank the community, Mercury Marine and the company's employees for working together and keeping Mercury Marine in Wisconsin. Doyle says that Mercury Marine is a great Wisconsin company and a source of pride for the state and that its 70-year history is an important part of Wisconsin's manufacturing tradition. Doyle went on to say that he wants to use this appearance to thank everyone who helped ensure Mercury's long-term presence in Wisconsin. Mercury president Mark Schwabero says Governor Doyle was instrumental in the process of developing agreements that enabled Mercury to remain in Wisconsin.

Niesen to be Sentenced Today

11/6/09 - It took 33 years and a nine-day jury trial to get justice for a 19-year-old woman killed in Fond du Lac; today her murderer will be sentenced. Fifty-four-year-old Thomas Niesen will be sentenced by Judge Dale English this afternoon (2 p.m.) for the July 1976 murder of Kathleen Leicthman of Milwaukee. Leichtman had traveled to Fond du Lac to dance at The Other Place strip club. Niesen met her there and killed her along Rolling Meadows Drive. DNA evidence linked him to the crime scene and testimony from his ex-wife about remarks he made about the death of a young woman he'd met at The Other Place helped land a conviction. Fond du Lac police detectives who worked the case over the years characterized it as "the one that got away." This afternoon that changes. Niesen faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Traffic Deaths Tie Record Low for October

11/6/09 - Traffic deaths in Wisconsin tied a record-low for October. The D-O-T said yesterday that 40 people were killed in 38 highway crashes last month. That’s nine fewer deaths than last October, and 25 less than the average for the past five years. It also tied the record-low for the month dating back to 1944 when there were 40 deaths. That was seven years after the state began keeping statistics. Dodge County did experience one traffic fatality late last month; it was the eleventh of the year. In 2008, there were 17 traffic deaths on Dodge County roadways through the end of October. The highest number of October road deaths occurred in 1971, with 127. The D-O-T hopes the current trend continues. Safety chief Dennis Hughes says drivers will need to adjust to winter conditions this month, and watch out for deer – especially at dawn and dusk when the most car-deer crashes occur. In this first 10 months of this year, 447 people were killed in Wisconsin traffic mishaps. That’s down 54 from a year ago. Hughes cited lower traffic due to the recession, and tighter law enforcement, for the decrease.

Aurora Pharmacy Closes Doors in BD

11/6/09 - The Aurora Pharmacy in Beaver Dam is closing. Pharmacy Manager Pam Williamson says the location is one of ten statewide that were bought-out by Walgreen’s. As a result she says all customers that had prescriptions with Aurora will see that information transferred to Walgreens. Aurora moved to its current location on the 1600 block of North Spring Street from inside the Beaver Dam Mall in January of 2007. The pharmacy will be closed for good as of 1pm Friday afternoon. Eight employees will be affected but most are being offered jobs with Walgreens.

Caregiver Thefts Net Jail Time

11/6/09 - A Hartford man who stole tens of thousands of dollars from his disabled roommate will spend nine months in jail. Michael Beckwith was a paid caregiver and used the elderly man’s checks and ATM card without his consent to pay bills, go on vacation, purchase a car and even make charitable donations. The offenses spanned a period of less than one year beginning in May of 2008 and totaled nearly $40,000. The 57-year-old Beckwith pleaded “no contest” to three of felony Theft charges and had seven other counts dismissed but read into the record. A restitution hearing will be held at a later date.

Ten Years For Molestation

11/6/09 - A Fond du Lac man who molested a 16-year-old girl at a Beaver Dam motel has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. 35-year-old Roderick Lentz pleaded “no contest” to a felony county of Child Enticement and two misdemeanors related to a series of incidents that occurred at the Grandview Motel in early January. Lentz used to date the victims grandmother. The sentence will run concurrent to a 10-year prison sentence out of Outagamie County on similar charges from last October.

Probation for Diaper Smuggler

11/6/09 - A Holmen woman has been placed on probation for smuggling hamburgers, chewing tobacco and pornography into the Fox Lake Correctional Institution inside a baby’s diaper. 30-year-old Shannon Michelle Genz was trying to bring the contraband to her fiancé but was apprehended as she came through the gates. Prison officials had intercepted phone conversations between the two and were able to decipher their code; they used words like “chewy” and “McD” in describing the goods. Prison staff found two clear baggies of the chewing tobacco, an Angus Mushroom & Swiss fast food burger, and eight salacious photographs of Ganz. The baby’s diaper was not confiscated as evidence because they were in use during the course of the investigation.

Teachers to be Evaluated on Student Test Scores

11/6/09 - The Wisconsin Assembly voted overnight to abolish a state law against using student test scores to evaluate teachers. But Republicans called it a weak measure, and accused Democrats of doing the bare minimum to get the federal stimulus money being offered in President Obama's "Race to the Top" education program. Lawmakers worked late because yesterday was the final day of their floor period for this year. The Senate okayed the teacher evaluation bill earlier in the day on an 18-14 vote. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said it was "ridiculous" that Wisconsin refused to evaluate teachers according to how their kids perform. But under the new bill, teachers could still not be disciplined or fired for poor student performance - and any evaluations must be negotiated with the teachers' union.

Senate Approves Similar Drunk Driving Reforms as Assembly

11/6/09 - The Wisconsin Senate has unanimously approved drunk driving reforms similar to what the Assembly passed in September. Senators agreed to pay for the added enforcement with higher fees which the Assembly chose not to ratify last night. Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan called them "minor differences", and expects a final agreement in the next month or so. The Senate bill includes the same reforms approved by the Assembly. It makes four-time drunk driving a felony if it happens within five years of the previous offense - requires all repeat offenders and the most serious first-timers to breathe into a tube to prove they're sober before they can start their vehicles - reduces jail time for those who finish treatment - and makes first-time O-W-I a crime if a kid's in the car.

Law & Order on Community Comment

11/6/09 - In the municipal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups. The police who cite the criminals and the municipal court judge who hears their story. On Community Comment today, our guests will be Beaver Dam Police Lt. John Kreutzinger and Beaver Dam Municipal Court Judge Ken Peters. Municipal courts in Dodge County are handling more and more petty offenses once prosecuted by the District Attorney’s office. Managing Attorney Bob Barrington says because of decreased staffing levels and increased workloads, municipal courts will handle minor crimes like first time drug possession, operating after revocation and some disorderly conduct cases. The change will remove the threat of jail time for some minor offenses but will likely increase the amount of money offenders pay in fines. Judge Peters told city officials during budget deliberations that he expects a “substantial revenue increase” to come from his department because without the option of jail time, he will be prescribing the “maximum forfeiture penalty.” We’ll talk with the two about the relationship between the cops and the courts and their ever-changing role in the justice system. Community Comment airs weekdays on WBEV1430AM beginning at 12:35pm.