Top Stories December 20th

UPDATE: Name Released in Randolph Car Accident Fatality

12/20/09 - The Randolph man killed in a one-vehicle accident early Saturday morning has been identified as Dustin E. Vredevelde. The 22-year-old was a passenger in a car driven by Anthony Crescio of Randolph. The Sheriff's Department Crescio was southbound on Highway 73 just north of Hyland Road in the Town of Westford when he lost control going around a curve. The vehicle began to spin and entered the east side ditch and rolled onto its passenger side. Crescio was partially ejected out the rear window. The accident is still under investigation but speed and alcohol are believed to being contributing factors in the crash.

UPDATE: Pedestrian Identified

12/20/09 - A Randolph woman, hit and killed by a vehicle on Highway 33 Friday afternoon, has been identified as 80-year-old Irene Kuhn of rural Cambria. The Columbia County Sheriff's Department says they responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian accident just before 5pm Friday. Their initial investigation shows that Kuhn was crossing the road to her mailbox when she was struck by a westbound minivan. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident remains under investigation by the Columbia County Sheriffs Office and the Columbia County Medical Examiner.

Waupun Storage Unit Break-In Suspect Waived Prelim

12/20/09 - A former Waupun woman was bound over for trial this week on charges that she broke into several storage units in Dodge County this past May. 23-year-old Amanda Bryant waived her right to a preliminary hearing late last week and had an arraignment hearing set for next month (1/13). Sheriffs Deputies visited the home of Bryant and 22-year-old Bryan DJ Robel to question them about a series of purse snatchings at the Horicon Marsh in the weeks following the storage unit thefts. They were tracked down with the help of video surveillance footage from two Beaver Dam businesses. According to the criminal complaint, the couple quickly confessed to using credit cards found in the purses for a shopping spree. When deputies were confiscating the ill-gotten items they came across bolt cutters and a bag full of broken padlocks in the couple’s minivan. In addition to a handful of misdemeanor Theft and Identity Theft charges, Bryant and Robel were also charged with one dozen felony Burglary charges for breaking into 12 units at the Verhage Storage Units in Waupun. Each felony count carries a 12 and-a-half year prison sentence.

BDACT Radio Play Rebroadcast Today

12/20/09 - For the past eight years, the Beaver Dam Area Community Theater and WBEV have teamed up to present an Old-Fashioned, Christmas Radio Play. This year, the presentation will feature a trilogy of stories with dozens of actors of all ages. This year, the presentation will feature a trilogy of stories with dozens of actors of all ages. “Kandy Kane” is a story about a teenage girl born on Christmas who hates her name and accidentally dies her into hair red and white stripes right before the church talent show. “Life 101” is a story about the lessons learned by Jesus as he attends school in the days before his birth. “H.A.L.O. Halo on The Air” is a play that is written like a radio broadcast from 2000 years ago, covering the birth of baby Jesus. The rebroadcast will be aired on WBEV beginning at noon today.

Live Nativity In Juneau

12/20/09 - St John’s Lutheran Church in Juneau is hosting their Live Nativity again tonight. The St. John’s Lutheran Girl and Boy Pioneers is presenting the program at the church at 400 South Main Street beginning at 7pm. Organizers say there will be live animals used in the Nativity, which is now in its third year. Fellowship will follow the event in the basement of St. John’s Church.

Kennedy Opens Door Tuesday

12/20/09 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy will hold another one of his regular open door meetings on Tuesday. Kennedy says city residents are invited to meet with him, one-on-one, without appointment on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Kennedy says he feels it is important that constituents have the opportunity to speak with him the day after each regular meeting of the common council. The meetings are held in Room 109 on the first floor of City Hall from 10am until noon. Kennedy says he also make himself available for private meetings by appointment by contacting the mayor office.