Weekend Fundraiser for Fallen BDUSD Student
12/11/09 - Staff at Jefferson Elementary School in Beaver Dam are holding a rummage sale this weekend to raise money to honor a student who died earlier this year. Jarod Salazar was killed in a rollover accident in January in an accident that also injured his three siblings. ELL Teacher Janie Garcia says the school is trying to raise money to purchase a memorial bench that will be placed in the schools garden courtyard. The rummage sale will be held Saturday in the cafeteria of Jefferson Elementary at 301 Brook Street from 9:30am to 2:30pm. Donations are also being accepted at the school weekdays during normal school hours.
Elks See Increase In Food Baskets
12/11/09 - The Beaver Dam Elks have seen a dramatic increase in the number of families they will serve this year with their annual Christmas Food Baskets. For 58 years the service organization has helping families throughout Dodge County put a little extra food on the table over the holiday. Elks Lodge #1540 Exalted Ruler Rob Radig says last year they packed over 400 food baskets and provided meals for nearly 1700 children and adults. This year, Radig says they will be serving over 500 families and that increase in need has led to an increase in the need for donations. He says the Elks receive donations of food from businesses and organizations across the county but this year financial donations are needed more than ever. Radig says, as always, they are also looking for people to deliver the baskets. Packing of the food baskets will begin at 8:45am on Christmas Eve at Beaver Dam Ford on North Spring Street, next to Fleet Farm, and public participation is encouraged. Radig says the delivery process is expected to take a couple hours. After the workshop is closed and the sleighs are empty, volunteers are invited over to the Beaver Dam Elks Lodge for a free lunch.
H1N1 Death Toll Rises
12/11/09 - Wisconsin’s death toll keeps growing from the H-1-N-1 flu. Health officials reported three more deaths this week, even though the number of overall cases is going down – just like it is nationally. The Badger State now has 43 deaths this year. Two of the new deaths were in Sheboygan County. The other was in West Allis. One death had been reported in Dodge County earlier in the season. Officials expect to see more cases during the winter, as the seasonal flu develops – and another wave of H-1-N-1 cases could happen early next year. The state reports 821 hospitalizations from the flu since August 30th. Almost 94-hundred confirmed cases have been reported statewide since mid-April. Meanwhile, Dodge County Public Health Officer Jody Langfeldt says there is a correction in the date of a school-based H1N1 clinic scheduled next week in Juneau. It will be held on December 16 at the Dodgeland School District from 3 to 6pm, not on the 15th as originally stated.
BD Man Sentenced In OWI Injury
12/11/09 - Five months in jail for a Beaver Dam man who injured a passenger in a drunken driving accident. Eric Girten pleaded “no contest” to charges of OWI - Causing Injury related to a July 30 accident in the Town of Lowell. According to the criminal complaint, the 29-year-old missed a stop sign, ran off the road and went airborne before coming to rest in a field. Girten’s passenger sustained a deep laceration to his forehead. Girten was not located at the scene, but was tracked down a short time after the accident. He told officer that he was not drinking before the accident, but consumed a half-bottle of whiskey after the wreck. His blood alcohol level was point one-eight (.18) which is over twice the legal limit. Girten also had his license revoked for two years, followed by two years with an ignition interlock device on his vehicle.
Hankes Named Director of Green Valley
12/11/09 - Green Valley Enterprises in Beaver Dam has named a new Executive Director. Jack Hankes was named by the board this week. The former Beaver Dam Mayor had served as interim director since the departure of Janine Knutson. Green Valley Board of Directors President K. Scott Abrams says Hankes “brings a unique array of skills and experiences to the position and he’s demonstrated during his interim assignment that he can apply those skills and experiences very effectively.”
Private Snow Plow Operators Lose BD Storage Sites
12/11/09 - Private snow plow operators working in Beaver Dam are having to find a new place to pile up snow this year. An ordinance change last year prohibits private contractors from dumping plowed snow into rivers and other waterways. Director of Facilities David Stoiser says last year the city established city-owned sites where plowed snow could be stored temporarily, but those sites are not available this year because it was not cost effective. Stoiser says excess snow needs to be hauled away. In addition, private residents are reminded that the ordinance prohibits them from plowing or shoveling snow into city streets.
Snowmobile Deer Killer Charged With OWI Homicide
12/11/09 - A Waupaca County man made his first court appearance yesterday on charges that he hit killed a pedestrian with his pick-up truck, after both left a drinking party. 25-year-old Rori Kuenzi of Weyauwega is charged with homicide by drunk driving and hit-and-run causing death. His lawyer tried-but-failed to get the homicide charge dropped, saying the criminal complaint indicated that Kuenzi did not appear drunk at the time. Kuenzi is accused of killing 20-year-old Kevin McCoy of Waupaca in October of 2004, and moving the victim’s body into a ditch before driving away. He was not charged after an earlier investigation. But state justice officials took a new interest in the case after Kuenzi was accused a year ago of stealing a snowmobile and joining two others in killing a half-dozen deer on a Waupaca County trail. Kuenzi is due back in court January eighth in McCoy’s death. A judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to order a trial. A passenger in Kuenzi’s truck, 23-year-old Walter Engel, is free on a signature bond. He’s charged with perjury for statements he made in a John Doe probe.
Scocos Fires Back
12/11/09 - Former state Veterans Affairs Secretary John Scocos said the board members who fired him secretly made the decision before its public vote last month – and one of the members was not qualified to be on the panel. Those are just some of the allegations Scocos made in a lawsuit filed yesterday in Dane County Circuit Court. He wants his old job back, plus a half-million dollars. Scocos was let go just two months after returning from his second tour-of-duty in Iraq. And he said the board broke state-and-federal laws that protect returning veterans from losing their jobs because of their service. Board members said Scocos had not done a good enough job of communicating with them on a number of matters. Scocos said he knew the Veterans’ Affairs Board broke the state Open Meetings Law, because incoming secretary Ken Black and department lawyer James Stewart were told about the firing before the public vote. Scocos also said the 5-nothing vote was invalid because Marcia Anderson did not serve in active duty long enough to qualify to be on the panel. Anderson denied that, and Board Chairman Marv Freedman said he was confident that she’s qualified to serve. He would not give further comment on the lawsuit. Scocos also asked Dane County prosecutors to investigate Open Meeting Law violations by the Board. His lawsuit also said he was denied health care benefits last fall – and it caused problems when his young son needed medical help for a heart condition. The benefits were later reinstated.
Kottke Discusses Clearview on Community Comment
12/11/09 - On Community Comment this afternoon we’ll talk to County Board Chairman Russ Kottke about plans for a new Clearview Long Term Care building. An architectural firm hired by the county recommends constructing a new 200,000 square foot structure in place of the current south building. The initial cost estimate is 44.5-million-dollars. Preliminary plans calls for the project to be paid for with county sales tax revenue in an effort not raise tax rates. No plans have been finalized yet. Community Comment airs weekdays on WBEV 1430AM beginning at 12:35pm.
12/11/09 - Staff at Jefferson Elementary School in Beaver Dam are holding a rummage sale this weekend to raise money to honor a student who died earlier this year. Jarod Salazar was killed in a rollover accident in January in an accident that also injured his three siblings. ELL Teacher Janie Garcia says the school is trying to raise money to purchase a memorial bench that will be placed in the schools garden courtyard. The rummage sale will be held Saturday in the cafeteria of Jefferson Elementary at 301 Brook Street from 9:30am to 2:30pm. Donations are also being accepted at the school weekdays during normal school hours.
Elks See Increase In Food Baskets
12/11/09 - The Beaver Dam Elks have seen a dramatic increase in the number of families they will serve this year with their annual Christmas Food Baskets. For 58 years the service organization has helping families throughout Dodge County put a little extra food on the table over the holiday. Elks Lodge #1540 Exalted Ruler Rob Radig says last year they packed over 400 food baskets and provided meals for nearly 1700 children and adults. This year, Radig says they will be serving over 500 families and that increase in need has led to an increase in the need for donations. He says the Elks receive donations of food from businesses and organizations across the county but this year financial donations are needed more than ever. Radig says, as always, they are also looking for people to deliver the baskets. Packing of the food baskets will begin at 8:45am on Christmas Eve at Beaver Dam Ford on North Spring Street, next to Fleet Farm, and public participation is encouraged. Radig says the delivery process is expected to take a couple hours. After the workshop is closed and the sleighs are empty, volunteers are invited over to the Beaver Dam Elks Lodge for a free lunch.
H1N1 Death Toll Rises
12/11/09 - Wisconsin’s death toll keeps growing from the H-1-N-1 flu. Health officials reported three more deaths this week, even though the number of overall cases is going down – just like it is nationally. The Badger State now has 43 deaths this year. Two of the new deaths were in Sheboygan County. The other was in West Allis. One death had been reported in Dodge County earlier in the season. Officials expect to see more cases during the winter, as the seasonal flu develops – and another wave of H-1-N-1 cases could happen early next year. The state reports 821 hospitalizations from the flu since August 30th. Almost 94-hundred confirmed cases have been reported statewide since mid-April. Meanwhile, Dodge County Public Health Officer Jody Langfeldt says there is a correction in the date of a school-based H1N1 clinic scheduled next week in Juneau. It will be held on December 16 at the Dodgeland School District from 3 to 6pm, not on the 15th as originally stated.
BD Man Sentenced In OWI Injury
12/11/09 - Five months in jail for a Beaver Dam man who injured a passenger in a drunken driving accident. Eric Girten pleaded “no contest” to charges of OWI - Causing Injury related to a July 30 accident in the Town of Lowell. According to the criminal complaint, the 29-year-old missed a stop sign, ran off the road and went airborne before coming to rest in a field. Girten’s passenger sustained a deep laceration to his forehead. Girten was not located at the scene, but was tracked down a short time after the accident. He told officer that he was not drinking before the accident, but consumed a half-bottle of whiskey after the wreck. His blood alcohol level was point one-eight (.18) which is over twice the legal limit. Girten also had his license revoked for two years, followed by two years with an ignition interlock device on his vehicle.
Hankes Named Director of Green Valley
12/11/09 - Green Valley Enterprises in Beaver Dam has named a new Executive Director. Jack Hankes was named by the board this week. The former Beaver Dam Mayor had served as interim director since the departure of Janine Knutson. Green Valley Board of Directors President K. Scott Abrams says Hankes “brings a unique array of skills and experiences to the position and he’s demonstrated during his interim assignment that he can apply those skills and experiences very effectively.”
Private Snow Plow Operators Lose BD Storage Sites
12/11/09 - Private snow plow operators working in Beaver Dam are having to find a new place to pile up snow this year. An ordinance change last year prohibits private contractors from dumping plowed snow into rivers and other waterways. Director of Facilities David Stoiser says last year the city established city-owned sites where plowed snow could be stored temporarily, but those sites are not available this year because it was not cost effective. Stoiser says excess snow needs to be hauled away. In addition, private residents are reminded that the ordinance prohibits them from plowing or shoveling snow into city streets.
Snowmobile Deer Killer Charged With OWI Homicide
12/11/09 - A Waupaca County man made his first court appearance yesterday on charges that he hit killed a pedestrian with his pick-up truck, after both left a drinking party. 25-year-old Rori Kuenzi of Weyauwega is charged with homicide by drunk driving and hit-and-run causing death. His lawyer tried-but-failed to get the homicide charge dropped, saying the criminal complaint indicated that Kuenzi did not appear drunk at the time. Kuenzi is accused of killing 20-year-old Kevin McCoy of Waupaca in October of 2004, and moving the victim’s body into a ditch before driving away. He was not charged after an earlier investigation. But state justice officials took a new interest in the case after Kuenzi was accused a year ago of stealing a snowmobile and joining two others in killing a half-dozen deer on a Waupaca County trail. Kuenzi is due back in court January eighth in McCoy’s death. A judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to order a trial. A passenger in Kuenzi’s truck, 23-year-old Walter Engel, is free on a signature bond. He’s charged with perjury for statements he made in a John Doe probe.
Scocos Fires Back
12/11/09 - Former state Veterans Affairs Secretary John Scocos said the board members who fired him secretly made the decision before its public vote last month – and one of the members was not qualified to be on the panel. Those are just some of the allegations Scocos made in a lawsuit filed yesterday in Dane County Circuit Court. He wants his old job back, plus a half-million dollars. Scocos was let go just two months after returning from his second tour-of-duty in Iraq. And he said the board broke state-and-federal laws that protect returning veterans from losing their jobs because of their service. Board members said Scocos had not done a good enough job of communicating with them on a number of matters. Scocos said he knew the Veterans’ Affairs Board broke the state Open Meetings Law, because incoming secretary Ken Black and department lawyer James Stewart were told about the firing before the public vote. Scocos also said the 5-nothing vote was invalid because Marcia Anderson did not serve in active duty long enough to qualify to be on the panel. Anderson denied that, and Board Chairman Marv Freedman said he was confident that she’s qualified to serve. He would not give further comment on the lawsuit. Scocos also asked Dane County prosecutors to investigate Open Meeting Law violations by the Board. His lawsuit also said he was denied health care benefits last fall – and it caused problems when his young son needed medical help for a heart condition. The benefits were later reinstated.
Kottke Discusses Clearview on Community Comment
12/11/09 - On Community Comment this afternoon we’ll talk to County Board Chairman Russ Kottke about plans for a new Clearview Long Term Care building. An architectural firm hired by the county recommends constructing a new 200,000 square foot structure in place of the current south building. The initial cost estimate is 44.5-million-dollars. Preliminary plans calls for the project to be paid for with county sales tax revenue in an effort not raise tax rates. No plans have been finalized yet. Community Comment airs weekdays on WBEV 1430AM beginning at 12:35pm.
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