Top Stories, February 1st

Honor Flight Sets New Sights

2/1/10 - The organization that seeks to fly World War II veterans to Washington DC to visit their memorial has launched a new mission in hopes of chartering a 400-passenger 747. They’re calling it “Operation Resolve,” and organizers say they will be able to get at least 300 veterans from southeast Wisconsin on board this spring. Dodge County Veterans Service Officer Mark Grams is the Vice President of the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. He says a 747 would be three times the size of what they had been flying. Grams says the fundraising goal for Operation Resolve is $250,000.

Honor Flight is a national program in 34 states with 89 hubs, five of which are in the Badger State. The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight serves veterans in southeast Wisconsin, including the eastern half of Dodge County. Grams says the western half of Dodge County is now being served by the state’s newest hub out of Madison known as Badger Honor Flight.

The inaugural flight for the new Madison Badger Honor Flight hub is scheduled for April 17. The tentative date for the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight trip out of Milwaukee is May 2. In addition to signing up new World War II vets, both programs are in need of donations and volunteers.

Stars and Stripes Honor Flight is now set up to take donations online. Visit www.starsandstripeshonorflight.org and click on the “Donate Now” icon. Donors can also mail checks payable to “Stars and Stripes Honor Flight” to PO Box 636, Port Washington, WI 53074. The phone number is 262-238-7740.

Badger Honor Flight can be found online at www.badgerhonorflight.org. Donors can also mail checks payable to “Badger Honor Flight” to PO Box 258066, Madison WI 53725. The phone number is (608) 835-8604.

Hundreds Turnout For Cabin Fever Fest

2/1/10 - The sun was shining and the thermometer even topped 20 degrees as several hundred people ascended on Beaver Dam’s Crystal Lake Park for the first-ever Cabin Fever Fest. The event was a joint effort between the city and the Chamber of Commerce and featured music, food, contests, skating, sledding and more. Community Activities and Services Administrator Evonne Koeppen says the turnout was “excellent” and they’ve already got dozens of ideas for next year.

Westford Residence Sustains Minor Fire Damage

2/1/10 - Minor damage was reported following a Saturday morning fire in the Town of Westford. Beaver Dam firefighters saw light smoke when they arrived at W9800 County Highway G just after 11:30am. The owner-occupant of the mobile home had extinguished the flames on a burning carpet just before they came. Smoke and water damage was limited to one portion of the residence. Crews were on the scene for just over an hour. The cause remains under investigation.

Watertown Man Sentenced For Child Porn

2/1/10 - In Dodge County court on Friday, a six year in prison sentence was handed down to a Watertown man found in possession of child pornography. Eight pictures of a pre-teen girl were found on Craig Feder’s computer. The victim’s mother contacted police after finding emails with the content. The 41-year-old told admitted to authorities that he asked for the photos but said he did not ask for nude pictures. Feder was also sentenced to six years of extended supervision.

Top Stories, January 31st

Jansen on Retirement

1/31/10 - Columbus School District Superintendent Mark Jansen has no plans to lounge around when he retires at the end of the school year. His June 30 retirement request was approved at a special board meeting on Friday. Jansen tells us that he can’t imagine “not working.” One project that he is looking forward to is turning a stack of black walnut and cherry lumber into furniture in his home shop. Jansen has served as Superintendent for four years. Board members said they will miss his hard-working, tactful leadership.

Multi-County Crime-Spree Suspect Waives Prelim

1/31/10 - One of the suspects accused of burglarizing a Dodge County residence as part of a multi-county crime has waived her right to a preliminary hearing and will proceed to trial. 30-year-old Danielle Zipter is accused along with two others of breaking into a Town of Ashippun home last June. According to the criminal complaint, a witness saw three people taking items from a neighbor’s residence and putting those items into their vehicle. The man called 9-1-1 and provided a description of the suspects and the vehicle. Within 25-minutes, a Dodge County deputy confronted the burglars in the driveway of another residence in Washington County. That owner, an off-duty police officer, was awakened by the burglars kicking in his door and he was in the process of calling 9-1-1 himself. The three have been also been connected to burglaries in Washington and Waukesha counties. 30-year-old Danielle Zipter will be in Dodge County court for an arraignment hearing next month and Washington County court for a sentencing hearing in March. 25-year-old Sabrina Mauhar of the Milwaukee-area was sentenced to two years in prison for the Dodge County burglary earlier this month, which will run consecutive to a four year sentence handed down last month for the Washington County break-in. 21-year-old Corey Shreeves failed to appear for his initial hearings and an arrest warrant has been issued. All three still face charges in Waukesha County.

Crawford County Priest Accused of Embezzling $200K

1/31/10 - A priest from western Wisconsin is being held in the Crawford County jail, accused of embezzling almost 200 thousand dollars from the church. The Reverend Robert Chukwu is charged with theft from a business setting of more than 10 thousand dollars. He reportedly told another priest and an attorney for the Diocese of La Crosse that he invested the funds in Nigeria to get a better interest rate. The money was taken from the La Crosse Diocese, the St. Mary Parish in Gays Mills and the St. Philip Parish in Soldier Grove. All the money was taken January 15th.

Additional Charges Possible In Chilton Murder

1/31/10 - Manitowoc County authorities say additional charges may be filed against 51 year old Roger Rosenthal. He's the boyfriend of Michelle Jaeger, the missing Chilton woman whose body was found a week ago in rural Manitowoc County. Rosenthal is charged with hiding a corpse. Two men found Jaeger a week ago today, wrapped in nylon bags and strapped to a sled. Rosenthal is scheduled to make his first court appearance tomorrow. A forensic examination showed Jaeger suffered trauma to her head. No official cause of death has been released.

Walker Tops Campaign Collections

1/31/10 - If Republican Scott Walker isn't elected Wisconsin's next governor, it looks like lack of money won't be the reason. Walker reports he has more than two million dollars in his campaign war chest heading into this election year. Spending reports are due to the state tomorrow. Walker is running against former congressman Mark Neumann for the Republican nomination. Neumann reportedly has about 975 thousand dollars cash on hand. The Democratic front-runner is Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett -- who has an estimated one and a half million dollars in his campaign bank account.

Pioneer Subscribers Seek Refund

1/31/10 - Subscribers to the defunct “Columbus Pioneer” newspaper are continuing attempts to get their money back. The Pioneer stopped publication after six issues last February. Readers turned to local Police last April to get their subscription money returned. They were asked to submit a form to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Nearly 40 readers filled out the state forms to recover their subscription money. Organizers held a second public meeting this past week claiming that NO action had been taken by the State to pursue the Hayward, WI Publisher.

Statewide Child Care Rankings Proposed

1/31/10 - State Representative Corey Mason says a quality-ranking system would help parents looking for a good child care center. A plan called YoungStar would rank providers on a five-star scale. Mason says we have three levels of government trying to certify, license or rate day care centers -- and he thinks it would be better to pick one. YoungStar is expected to cost the state about 10 million dollars. The Joint Finance Committee will decide if it moves forward. The new ratings would also be used to help the state cut out fraud -- and decide how much funding each center should get.

Live Auction Falls Short of Recouping Costs

1/31/10 - The Jefferson County Sheriffs Department was not able to break even following a live auction of confiscated animals that had been in their care. Last weeks auction was able to raise $5775 with the sale of nine horses and two colts. The animals were confiscated by court order in December and were being boarded at a local stable. Costs incurred totaled just under $9300 for boarding, transport, veterinary services and related supplies. Sheriff Paul Milbrath says if it wasn’t for the generosity of local citizens and businesses the costs would have been even greater.

Sturgeon Numbers Look Promising

1/31/10 - Wardens with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources say it's only a matter of time until some sturgeon records are broken. Sturgeon spearing season starts February 13th. State wildlife officials report they have seen a lot of sturgeon weighing 150 pounds or more, including some weighing over 200 pounds. The largest sturgeon ever harvested weighed 188 pounds when it was caught six years ago. Last year a woman harvested a record-setting 169 pound sturgeon that was seven feet long. It was the largest ever taken by a woman. Sturgeon spearing season will run through February 28th -- or, until harvest caps are reached.

Milwaukee Couple Not Lumberjacks

1/31/10 - Trent and Jackie Graham say they didn't know there were any restrictions on how many trees they could cut on their lot. The Milwaukee couple has a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday after they removed more than 40 trees to make way for a house they were building. Removing vegetation from the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan can lead to erosion. The Grahams have already agreed to plant 40 trees. They got 20 citations for cutting down the existing trees. Each of those citations could carry with it a thousand-dollar fine.

Bald Eagle Released Into Wild

1/31/10 - The injured bald eagle found near Wascott last year has been released into the wild. A motorcycle rider found the eagle on the side of the road six months ago. He wrapped it in his leather jacket and took it to the Duluth Zoo. They named the eagle Harley. After recuperating for several months, Harley was released yesterday along the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers on the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. That's an area where many eagles spend the winter. Harley is said to be completely recovered from his broken wing and lead poisoning. He had been helped by the Raptor Center in St. Paul.

Kennedy Open Door Meetings Continue

1/31/10 - 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. He says 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.

Top Stories January 30th

Rail Projects May Not Be Fully Funded

1/30/10 - It was announced earlier this week that Wisconsin will get 810-million dollars to build a high-speed rail line from Milwaukee-to-Madison, and to speed up the current trains from Milwaukee-to-Chicago. But it’s possible that money will not cover the entire cost of the project. Watertown would be one of the stops between Madison and Milwaukee and Mayor Ron Krueger says they were originally told the projects would be fully funded but there are now rumblings that the cities along the route may have to put up money as well. Krueger says that will be a problem considering the current economic climate. State officials say the Milwaukee-to-Madison line could be up-and-running by 2013, with stops in Brookfield and Oconomowoc, as well as Watertown.

Columbus School Board Accepts Jansen Retirement

1/30/10 - In a special meeting yesterday morning, the Columbus School Board accepted the retirement of District Superintendent Mark Jansen. The entire Board and even City Administrator Boyd Kraemer praised Jansen and thanked for his hard work and many contributions to both the school district and the community. Jansen has served in the post for the past four years. Jansen says he is looking forward to undertaking some woodworking projects when his contract expires June 30th. The School Board will be announcing plans for the search for Jansen’s replacement at the first meeting in February.

Head-On Crash Leaves Three Hospitalized

1/30/10 - Three people were injured in a head-on crash this afternoon in the Town of Watertown. Jefferson County Sheriff Paul Milbrath says 24-year-old Eleazar Garcia of Watertown was traveling northbound on Highway 26 when she crossed the centerline and struck a southbound vehicle driven by 17-year-old Timothy Brill of Lake Mills. Garcia was taken by Flight For Life to Froedtert Hospital. Brill and his 15-year-old passenger were transported to the Watertown Hospital. The crash is under investigation.

Feder Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

1/30/10 - A Watertown man will spend six years in prison for possessing child pornography. Craig Feder pleaded “no contest” last month to two felony counts for possessing nude pictures of a pre-teen girl he met on the internet. In exchange for the plea, the DA’s office did not pursue four other uncharged counts referred to in the criminal complaint. The victim’s mother contacted police after finding emails with the content. Eight pictures were reportedly found on Feder’s computer. According to the criminal complaint, the 41-year-old requested photo’s from the victim but said he did not ask for nude photos. Feder was also sentenced yesterday to six years of extended supervision.

Tax Deadline Extended to Feb. 1st

1/30/10 - Property tax payments are due on January 31st, which this year falls on a Sunday. Dodge County Clerk Patti Hilker says property owners do not need to rush to the post office before it closes today. When the tax deadline falls on a weekend, Hilker says by state statute the deadline falls to the next business day. Property tax payments can be postmarked by Monday, February 1 or they can be dropped off at your local treasurers office by the close of business. The second installment is due July 31 but Hilker says you can pay either installment before the deadline or all at once.

New Judge for Rep. Wood’s Case

1/30/10 - A new judge will have to be appointed to hear State Representative Jeff Wood's case. Marathon County Judge Gregory Huber recused himself because he served with Wood in the legislature during two sessions. Wood has been arrested on drunken driving charges three times in a 13-month period. Cases in Columbia and Monroe counties are still pending. Marathon County Assistant District Attorney Sidney Brubacher says he is waiting for a new judge to be assigned to the case. A committee in the Wisconsin Assembly is considering an appropriate punishment for Wood.

Suspect Arrested in Oshkosh Apartment Bombing

1/30/10 - No one was hurt when a homemade bomb exploded in the basement of an Oshkosh apartment building. Police have arrested a 25 year old suspect. Officers were called to the apartment Thursday night by people living nearby who said they heard what might have been gunshots. Inside officers found the remnants of a soda bottle. As investigators checked the evidence in the case they were led to the Oshkosh suspect. He doesn't live in that building. Police questioned him and found out that he was the one who made the bomb. No motive has been released and no damage estimate has been revealed. The suspect was taken to the Winnebago County Jail.

13 States to Add Powerball

1/30/10 - We're moving closer to a national lottery with tomorrow's developments. Both Mega Millions and Powerball lottery tickets will be sold in 43 starts starting Sunday. The head of the committee for both lotteries says larger jackpots will build faster. Powerball is played in 31 states, including Wisconsin. Twenty-three of those states will sell tickets for Mega Millions starting with the February 2nd drawing. Observers say the change could end the tradition for some people of driving to a border state when the jackpot for the lottery offered there grows large. Wisconsin is a Powerball state, while Illinois has sold tickets to the Mega Millions drawing.

Forecasters: House Market Will Continue to Slide

1/30/10 - Homes are getting cheaper in the Milwaukee area. Of course, that's not good news if you're trying to sell your home. Forecasters are projecting a continued slide in those prices reaching about 3-point-4 percent this year. The housing market is expected to feel the effects of a lot of distressed properties with for-sale signs out front. Rising interest rates and high unemployment are also factors in holding prices lower. Average prices saw a little bump in the last two quarters of 2009, but that was caused by a tax credit of up to eight thousand dollars for first-time home buyers.

2nd Chance for Turkey Hunters

1/30/10 - Turkey hunters who lost a lottery to get permits for this spring’s season will get a second chance. The state D-N-R says it has almost 77-thousand permits remaining. And they’ll be sold starting March 22nd. Permits will be sold in a different zone in each of the first three days. On the fourth day, March 25th, permits will be sold for the remaining three zones. And if there are any left, turkey permits will be available March 27th for all zones. Meanwhile, the D-N-R says kids 10-to-15 will have their own youth turkey hunt April 10th-and-11th. It’s part of the hunters’ mentoring program that began last fall. Youths must have valid licenses and stamps – and they can hunt if they’re within arm’s reach of an eligible adult mentor.

Top Stories, January 29th

Welch Waives Prelim, Asks For New Judge

10/29/10 - The man who allegedly killed an Oconomowoc woman and later escaped from custody was bound over for trial Thursday. Testimony was about to begin in Justin Welch’s preliminary hearing in Waukesha County, when his lawyer decided to waive the proceeding. The 26-year-old is charged in the stabbing death of Kimberly Smith last October. Authorities say Welch was hired by a man involved in a bitter child custody dispute with Smith. Future court proceedings are on hold, because Welch has asked for a different judge to replace Linda Van De Water. Had evidence been presented yesterday, District Attorney Brad Schimel said he would have offered D-N-A samples, and reports from the State Crime Lab which linked Welch to the slaying. And Schimel said he would have produced a witness who was in the area around the time of the incident. Welch was riding in a transport van earlier this month when he escaped at a rest stop in Arkansas. He was recaptured just over a day later, when a truck driver gave Welch a ride, saw that he was carrying a gun, and discreetly alerted police.

Suspected Pesticide Poisoner Proceeds To Trial

1/29/10 - A Watertown man will proceed to trial on charges that he poisoned his wife with weed killer. Peter Zubke is charged with a felony count of Placing Objects in Edibles, Domestic Abuse for allegedly slipping the herbicide into her soda and coffee over a three to four week period ending in mid-June. Yesterday, the 54-year-old waived his right to a preliminary hearing. The victim says she became suspicious because her soda looked like dishwater soap, was “very sudsy” and tasted “bitter.” Home brewed coffee was said to be “foggy” and store-bought coffee tasted like bleach or chemicals. She also found a bottle weed killer under her kitchen sink and while her husband does lawn work for a living, she noted that he never used that particular type of poison and typically kept herbicides in the garage. Zubke denied the allegations and told investigators instead that his wife has a “bad tongue” and does not have very good taste buds. According to the criminal complaint, he told his wife he was trying to dilute the chemicals in the coffee pot before spraying the weed killer outside their home. He reportedly said he must have forgotten to clean out the coffee pot. Toxicology tests from the State Crime Lab confirm the chemicals found in the coffee and soda were the same ones found in the bottle of weed killer kept under the kitchen sink. If convicted, the felony charge carries a maximum sentence of three and-a-half years in prison. Zubke has an arraignment hearing set for next month.

BD Man Bound Over on Sexual Assault Charges

1/29/10 - Probable cause was found yesterday to bind over a Beaver Dam man on charges that he sexually assaulted an 8-year-old boy. According to the criminal complaint, the victim was staying at Michael J. Scott’s home late last month when the alleged incident occurred. Beaver Dam police searched Scott’s South Vita Avenue residence and arrested him on December 28. The 34-year-old faces over 100 years in prison if convicted on three charges, including First Degree Sexual Assault of a Child Under the Age of 12, among others. Scott is being held on a $50,000 cash bond.

Drug Dealer Sentenced

1/29/10 - A Horicon man will spend 40 months in prison on drug distribution charges. Raymond Crego pleaded “no contest” to one felony charge and had a second dismissed but read into the record. The 37-year-old sold an ounce of cocaine and 98 ecstasy pills to undercover agents last fall. Crego was also sentenced to eight years of extended supervision.

Beaver Dam Construction Debris Ignites Dump Truck

1/29/10 - Debris that was being hauled away from a Beaver Dam construction site caught fire just outside of Waupun Wednesday. Fire Chief Jeff Berry says they were called out to the Highway 151 and 26 interchange to a report of materials in a dump truck that had ignited. It is not known what caused the debris to catch fire. The truck suffered extensive damage to the cab area. No one was injured. The fire department was on the scene for about an hour.

Group Assembles For Columbus Pioneer Refunds

1/29/10 - Residents who subscribed to the short-lived “Columbus Pioneer” newspaper are still trying to get their money back. The Pioneer ceased publication after only six issues in January and February last year. Several people subscribed for a full year or two of weekly Pioneer publications. Local media, City Police and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection have been unable to find resolution to citizen requests to recover their $32 or $60 dollar subscriptions. Organizers have set a second public meeting at City Hall today (Fri) at 10:30 to discuss options in getting their money back. Spokesperson Pam Duborg said that the state and local efforts have netted NO response from the Hayward Wisconsin publisher. Efforts to reach the editor, Joe Morey of Hayward, have been unsuccessful.

No Aerators On BD Lake This Year

1/29/10 - Aerators will not be needed on Beaver Dam Lake this year. Doug Sackett with the Lake Improvement Association says current oxygen levels in three different locations were much higher than the average for late January samplings. Sackett says its good news as evidenced by the positive reports he’s received from fishermen who have been on the ice for the past few weeks. The depth of the ice on the lake is estimated at between nine inches and 14 inches. Sackett says the weekend rain helped add to the oxygen levels. Aeration was needed for the past two years on Beaver Dam Lake, though they were not needed for the three years prior. The units are used when oxygen drops to a level that would be dangerous to the health of the lake and its fish population. The machine circulates water in such a way that it thins the ice for as much as a mile around. There is an aeration unit out on Fox Lake near Maple Point. That area been cordoned off with yellow rope and orange posts every 25 to 30ft.

Waukesha Hires Prosecutor With Stimulus Funds

1/29/10 - Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel says he will use federal stimulus dollars to hire a second prosecutor to work on drug cases. The $219,000 will pay for the prosecutor and expenses of the office for three years. Schimel told the Criminal Justice Collaborating Council this week the extra prosecutor will cut the time it takes for drug cases to make their way through the court process.

Carbon Monoxide Detector Mandate Forwarded

1/29/10 - Wisconsin senators voted Thursday to require all one-and-two-family homes in the state to have carbon monoxide detectors. The measure was passed on a voice vote, and the Assembly was expected to take it up later on. The bill would require C-O detectors on every level of a house, including the basement. But they would not have to be placed in attics or storage areas. And there’s no penalty for not complying. The new mandate would take effect in February of next year. Officials who inspect new homes will check to see if the detectors are there. Owners and renters of existing buildings could ask for inspections. Also today, senators voted 21-to-12 to raise the amount of income and assets criminal defendants can have in order to qualify for a public defender.

Top Stories January 28th

Unemployment Rates Increase


1/28/10 - Unemployment increased in 69 of the states 72 counties from November to December. That’s according to the Department of Workforce Development. Dodge County is up six-tenths of a percent to 9.4%, more than three full percentage points higher than at this same time a year ago. Jefferson County is up eight-tenths to 8.4%. Fond du Lac County jumped seven-tenths to 8.6%. Columbia County is up four-tenths to 8.4%. Washington County saw a half-percent increase to 8.6%. Dane County continued to have the lowest rate at 5.4% while Menominee County suffered with the highest rate of unemployment at 12.2%. The statewide rate is up four-tenths to 8.3%.


Death at Jefferson County Jail Being Investigated


1/28/10 - Jefferson County authorities are investigating the death of a Watertown man at their jail early yesterday morning. Sheriff Paul Milbrath says while conducting a cell walk-thru around 2 o’clock deputies discovered 49-year-old Mark L. Seeber unconscious and not breathing. City of Jefferson EMS attempted to resuscitate Seeber but wee unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene by the county coroner. Milbrath says an autopsy will be performed and the incident is still under investigation by the Jefferson County Detective Bureau.


Chamber Holds Annual Recognition Dinner


1/28/10 - The Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce honored its Citizens of the Year, Business of the Year and Non Profit Organization of the Year at the Chambers annual meeting at Bayside Supper Club last night. Earning the title of Citizen’s of the Year were Jerry and Marcia Recheck of Rechecks Food Pride. The couple was cited for their contributions to the community in time and money. Former Mayor Jack Hankes estimated Rechecks has donated over $1-million to various local organizations and causes, including over $278,000 to St. Katharine Drexel School with funds from an annual golf outing sponsored by Rechecks.


Kraft Foods was named Business of the Year. A member of the business community for over 82-years, Kraft partnered with the city and was instrumental in getting almost $20-million in stimulus funding for the upgrade of Beaver Dam’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. Biogas from Kraft’s manufacturing process will be turned into electricity. Kraft also supports a large number of local groups, organizations and events with funding and volunteers.


Wayland Academy, the first private coed college prep school in the country, won the Chambers Non-Profit of the Year Award. Wayland was honored for its active participation in the community in a variety of ways, including hundreds of hours of community service each year by Wayland student volunteers. Wayland was also cited for its contribution to the Beaver Dam economy by way of students, parents, visitors and staff. Wayland hosts students from the area, around the country, and a number of other countries.


Interquest’s Bill Schwartz, a former Chamber President, was named Chamber Member of the Year for his volunteer service. Outgoing Chamber President Laura Slosser of Good Karma Broadcasting turned the Presidents gavel over to the 2010 president, Michelle Lesher of Westbury Bank.


Mixed Reviews for Obama’s Speech


1/28/10 - Wisconsin legislators gave President Obama’s State-of-the-Union address a mixed review. House Republican Paul Ryan of Janesville said the speech, which consisted of vows to fix the economy, improve health care, and build the public’s trust in government, was full of rhetoric which Obama could not back up. Milwaukee House Democrat Gwen Moore praised the president for being bold, but she feared his proposed slowdown in spending would hurt education. Senate Democrat Herb Kohl said it would take both parties to cut the deficit – but there’s been no bi-partisanship in Congress since Obama took office.


High Speed Rail Line Coming to Wisconsin


1/28/10 - Wisconsin will get 810-million dollars to build a high-speed rail line from Milwaukee-to-Madison that will include stop in Watertown and Oconomowoc. The money will also be used speed up the current trains from Milwaukee-to-Chicago. The White House announced the federal stimulus grant yesterday. President Obama is expected this morning to outline 13 rail projects throughout the country using eight-billion-dollars in stimulus funds. Wisconsin got a leg up on the competitive grants, by getting a contract with Talgo Incorporated of Spain to build two high-speed rail cars at a plant somewhere in Wisconsin. State officials say the Milwaukee-to-Madison line could be up-and-running by 2013. And the tracks from Milwaukee-to-Chicago will be improved so Amtrak could run its line there at 110-miles-an-hour, up from the current 79. Governor Doyle says it will create 13-thousand jobs, reduce total car trips by almost eight-million over a decade, and save millions of gallons of gasoline. Rick Harnish of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association called the grant an “exciting first step” toward connections throughout the region.


Horicon Begins Process for Levying Special Assessments


1/28/10 - The Horicon City Council passed a preliminary resolution earlier this week that may eventually force some residents on East Maple Street to pay an assessment for street improvements. The project will include properties on Maple Street from Vine St to Clarke St. The board of Public Works will now compile a report that will contain which properties will be assessed as well as how much. Once that is completed a public hearing will held for residents to express their concerns. Work on Maple Street is scheduled for this spring but the public hearing will have to wait until a final report is done on the cost of the project.


$200M to be Cut from WI Budget


1/28/10 - Governor Jim Doyle says he’ll cut another 200-million-dollars in state spending this year – and in the process, he hopes not to lay off any more state workers. During his State-of-the-State address Tuesday, the Democratic governor alluded to more budget cuts. He did not say how they would happen. But yesterday, Doyle said the new cuts have already been authorized in vetoes he made to the current state budget last spring. And he believes they can be made without hurting education, health care, and the state’s other top priorities. Doyle says the new cuts should be enough to avoid the need for a repair bill to keep the budget in balance. But that could hinge on new projections for state tax collections.


Website Gets High Marks for Stimulus Transparency


1/28/10 - A state website showing how Wisconsin is spending federal stimulus money is better than most, according to an economic group which analyzed how much information the sites provided. Each state has a website showing federal stimulus spending designed to help the country out of its economic slump. It wasn't required under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, but this kind of transparency was strongly encouraged by President Obama. A nonprofit economic group called Good Jobs First assessed the different websites, which range from bare bones to complex. Wisconsin’s "recovery" website was in the top ten for its design and information provided. It goes so far as to compare the unemployment rate with stimulus dollars in each of the state's 72 counties. (The comparison of recovery websites can be found online at http://goodjobsfirst.org.)

Top Stories, January 27th

Beaver Dam Native Working To Help Tanzania

1/27/10 - Beaver Dam-native Cassie Parkhurst is rallying community support to help collect a library full of books and educational supplies for Tanzania. Parkhurst told us on WBEV’s Community Comment yesterday that she began the Tanzanian Education project after returning from a volunteer opportunity in the poor east African country. She is collecting elementary and middle school-level textbooks and reading books along with pencils and paper, lab supplies like rulers, protractors and globes, also soccer balls and soccer jerseys. If all upcoming fundraisers go as planned, Parkhurst says they will still fall about $1500 short of the $7000 needed to ship the 20 foot by 9 foot container. Books and supplies can be dropped off at the YMCA of Dodge County in Beaver Dam through the end of March. Contact: Cassie Parkhurst at cassie.parkhurst@yahoo.com or the Kiwanis’s Sharon Lubkeman at 920-887-3788. Information on the drop-off site is at www.ymcaofdodgecounty.org/support-community.cfm. Tax deductible donations can be made to www.africanchildrenshaven.org/.

Quad Graphics To Acquire Canadian Printer

1/27/10 - Wisconsin’s largest printing firm will soon get a lot bigger. It was announced today that Quad-Graphics of Sussex will buy World Color Press of Montreal this summer, pending regulatory and stockholder approval in both countries. World Press is publicly owned, and Quad – the nation’s largest privately-held commercial printer – will go public once the deal is finalized. The combined operation will have 30-thousand employees, and World Color C-E-O Mark Angelson said there would not be layoffs in areas that don’t overlap – unless they were planning to be made anyway. He says the printing industry is consolidating, and the new deal is meant to combine and highlight the best of both firms. For Quad, it’s a chance to do more business in Canada and Latin America. Quad C-E-O Joel Quadracci says he sees the printing industry as a key component of a much bigger world that also includes digital displays. He says marketers want to use every possible medium to reach their audience. Angelson would not confirm Quad’s purchase price, saying the new stock has not been listed yet. The Reuters News Service says it’s around one-point-three billion dollars – and Quad has the financing set up for it.

Chase Results in 45 Days in Jail

1/27/10 - A Town of Beaver Dam man, who was drunk when he fled from authorities, will spend 45 days in jail. Dodge County authorities say Joshua Trout initiated a chase started around 2am on November 30 near Crystal Lake Road in the town of Beaver Dam and it came to an end 2.2-miles later. Trout’s blood alcohol was said to be .1-5-6. The 20-year-old pleaded to misdemeanor charges of Failure to Stop and Resisting an Officer. Trout was also placed on probation for two years and his license was suspended for three months.

Garage Damaged

1/27/10 - A garage in the Town of Beaver Dam was damaged by fire Monday night. Beaver Dam firefighters were called to W8014 Crescent Circle around 7:30pm. The homeowner extinguished the flames before crews arrived on scene. Chief Alan Mannel says the homeowner had recently returned from a fishing trip and plugged in a rechargeable depth finder, which caught fire. Damage is estimated at less than $1000. Personnel were on scene for about a half hour.

Kohl on Healthcare, Bernake

1/27/10 - U.S. Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin says healthcare reform shouldn't die, but he thinks it needs to take a back seat to creating jobs and solving the nation's stagnant economy. Kohl's talk with Forbes magazine managing editor Carl Lavin has appeared in Lavin's blog. The two met at Mitchell International Airport recently. Kohl told Lavin he would support Fed chairman Ben Bernanke's nomination for a second term, saying the economy needs stability if it is to recover. Wisconsin's other U.S. Senator, Russ Feingold, has apposed Bernanke's retention.

Legislators Seek Deficit Reduction Commission

1/27/10 - Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind would like to see a commission formed to help the federal government do a better job of pinching pennies. A bill co-sponsored by Kind and 108 others would call for a bipartisan deficit reduction commission. The La Crosse Democrat says the federal government needs to get its fiscal house back in order. He says one possibility is modeling a commission after the military base closing commission. While he says it’s a tough idea politically, it could make reducing spending more politically feasible if it creates a shared sacrifice. Kind says he’d like the commission idea approved statutorily or through a presidential executive order. He’s opposed to automatic cost of living increases for members of Congress, and he supports earmark reform.

Top Stories, January 26th

Teens Safe after Vehicle Goes through the Ice in Fox Lake

1/26/10 - Three young men escaped serious injury last night after the vehicle they were in drove onto the thin ice of the Fox Lake channel and fell to the bottom of the lake near Indian Point. Authorities say a passerby called in the incident around 4:40pm, and when rescuers arrived the three 19-year-old occupants were standing on top of the vehicle. Fox Lake's Ice Rescue Team was able to safely bring the teens to shore a few minutes after 5pm. Officials say none of the three were injured but were taken to the Waupun hospital as a precaution. Fox Lake Fire Chief Bill Frank says this type of incident is a common occurrence in that particular area of the lake due to the water flowing through the channel and over the dam.

Emergency Management officials say this event stresses the importance of understanding the ice conditions and knowing that no ice should ever be considered safe. They say springs, dams and aeration equipment on lakes make them very unsafe especially if you are unfamiliar with where they are. Officials say when an incident like this occurs not only are the victims life in danger but also the people who must rescue them.

Operations Committee Tabs MSA For Phase II

1/26/10 - The Beaver Dam Operations Committee is recommending that the city sticks with MSA Professional Services to complete the Phase II projects of the downtown revitalization plan. If approved by the Common Council, MSA would provide engineering services and design work for a new pedestrian bridge in the Tower Parking lot, railings for the South Center Street Bridge and landscaping buffers. The company performed similar work for Phase One, and even helped the city secure the federal stimulus dollars that helped pay for the project. Some aldermen questioned why the work was not put out for bid. Mayor Tom Kennedy says MSA started the project and there is no reason to switch horses in mid-stream. Kennedy also said that MSA is only performing engineering on the project and the actual work on the project will be bid out. Aldermen Aaron Onsrud and Rob Radig both voted against the hiring. Kennedy says the plan is to have the designs for the projects ready by May and completed by August.

Launch Fees Could Increase To $5

1/26/10 - It could soon cost two dollars more to take a boat onto Beaver Dam Lake. The Operations Committee last night voted to recommend an increase in the boat launch fee from $3 to $5. Mark Born with the Lake Improvement Association says the additional money would be used to pay for, among other things, the costs associated with aeration, a pricey method that prevents large-scale fish kills during the winter months. It would also be used to pay for fish stocking, erosion control and educational projects.  Chair Laine Meyer cast the only dissenting vote, saying that the economy has driven down boat registrations and an increase in launch fees is not helping. Meyer said he would have been more comfortable with a one dollar increase. Born says the thinking of the Association is that $5 is quickly becoming the average, and the two dollar increase would keep the Association from having to request another increase for maybe a decade or longer. The last time launch fees were increased was 10 years ago. The fee for the county-owned Durgee Park launch would also increase to $5. The annual fee would remain unchanged. City residents seeking to pay one fee for the whole season would still pay $20; non-residents would pay $30. The Common Council will consider the increase at their February 1 meeting.

BD Man Charged With Solicitation

1/26/10 - A Beaver Dam man has been sentenced to three years in prison after paying for sex from a mentally disabled person in his care. Steven Rueckert pleaded “no contest” to a felony charge of Solicitation of Prostitutes for offenses that occurred on at least four occasions last spring. The 49-year-old had previously spent eight years in prison for molesting another child in the mid-90’s. Reuckert was also sentenced to three years of extended supervision.

Top Stories January 25th

Phase II of Downtown Project on Agenda in BD

1/25/10 - Beaver Dam city officials revive discussions on Phase II of the downtown revitalizations project tonight. The Operations Committee will review and consider a recommendation to hire MSA Professional Services. The service agreement will cover work related to the construction of a pedestrian bridge in the Tower Parking Lot in addition to the South Center Street Bridge railing replacement and various landscape buffer projects. Also tonight, the council will consider a presentation by the Beaver Dam Lake Improvement Association for an increase in the boat launch fees. The Operations Committee meets at 6:30pm on the first floor of the municipal building.

Crash May Have Been on Purpose

1/25/10 - It's possible a 66-year-old Green Lake man may have driven his car into a guard rail and bridge pillar on Highway 41 southbound on purpose Saturday morning. The accident in the Town of Byron claimed the man's life. Fond du Lac County Sheriff's officials got a couple reports that just prior to the accident the man may have been seen jumping into traffic before getting into his car and driving off. He was the sole occupant of the car. (KFIZ)

Autopsy Expected on Car Fire Victim

1/25/10 - An autopsy will be performed today on a body found in a burning car north of Kaukauna in Outagamie County. Coroner Ruth Wulgaert said dental records would have to be checked to identify the man, who's thought to be in his early 20's. Wulgaert said the body was in such bad shape, officers could not tell if the man suffered any wounds outside of the car fire. Town of Vanden-broek fire-fighters and a Kaukauna ambulance crew responded about 4:40 yesterday morning, and the body was found in a passenger compartment. The car was parked in a home's driveway. But the vehicle owner and the homeowner were not the same people.

Many Don't Claim Lottery Tax

1/25/10 - Wisconsin homeowners are required to pay at least half of their 2009 property taxes by the end of this week. And thousands are paying more than they should, because they're not claiming their share of the state lottery profits. State officials are not sure how many folks are missing out. The lottery credit was about 70-dollars this year - but it's been over 100-dollars in the past. Homeowners can claim the credit on their primary residences as of January first. Folks used to sign cards every year to get the credit. But since 2003, eligible homes automatically get it each year until they're sold. And then, the new homeowners must sign documents indicating it's their primary residences. If you think you're eligible for the 2009 credit, there's still time to claim it. You can fill out an application on the state Revenue Department's Web site - and then get it to your county treasurer by Friday.

Rosendale Dairy Increase Gets Approval

1/25/10 - The DNR last Friday granted the Rosendale Dairy's request to modify its water protection permit, which will allow the Dairy to expand its herd size to 8,000 cows and its manure spreading operation to 12,000 acres. The DNR says the modification of the permit carries with it the strictest water protection standards every imposed by the department in its 26 year history of permitting for large farm operations. (KFIZ)

"Gangster Hotspots" Author in Horicon Tomorrow

1/25/10 - The Wisconsin author behind the popular series "Road Guide To Haunted Places" has started a new line of books that trace the history of gangsters in the Midwest. Chad Lewis will be discussing his forthcoming book "The Wisconsin Road Guide To Gangster Hotspots" at the Horicon Public Library tomorrow (Tue). Lewis says he is looking forward to hearing local stories of people's connection to notorious criminals like Baby Face Nelson, Al Capone and John Dillinger. The Wisconsin Road Guide will join the Minnesota Road Guide when it hits the shelves in April. Lewis says he always loves a good road trip, and both his "Haunted Places" series and the new "Gangster Hotspots" series afford readers that opportunity to explore history in their own backyards or on an extended vacation. Lewis will be at the Horicon Public Library talking about "Gangster Hotspots" tomorrow night beginning at 6:30pm. He'll also be in Beaver Dam to talk about his "Haunted Places" series on Tuesday, February 9 at 7pm. Both programs are free.

$2.3B Power Plant Goes Online this Week

1/25/10 - The largest building project in Wisconsin history goes on-line this week, as We Energies starts running its two-point-three billion dollar power plant in Oak Creek. Environmentalists opposed the coal-fired plant every step of the way. And they're still grumbling about it, saying the utility over-estimated the need for power in Wisconsin. But We Energies said the project was badly needed in the 1990's, when the state was getting brown-outs because the supply was so low. The recession put a crimp into that demand, and state officials say Wisconsin doesn't need the extra power at the moment. But We Energies says the new plant still has value, because it's reducing a reliance on out-of-state electricity - it's letting the utility close up older and less-efficient coal plants - and it's helping keep the company profitable.

Internet Safety Seminar Planned for Waupun

1/25/10 - The Waupun Area School District will be hosting a seminar for all parents and community members regarding kids and internet safety early in February. A presenter from the Wisconsin Department of Justice will focus on what to do to help make your child safe from internet stalkers and how to deal with cyber bullying. The presentation will focus on how easy and fast it is for kids to get to unsafe websites as well as how the problems are not just related to your home computer anymore. The seminar will be held on February 8th in the LGI at Waupun Jr. / Sr. High School beginning at 7pm.

Top Stories, January 24th

Warrant Issued For Convicted Burglar

1/24/10 - A warrant has been issued for a former Beaver Dam man who pleaded “no contest” last fall to charges that he and two others broke into several area churches and businesses. 28-year-old Trevor Waller failed to appear Friday for a sentencing hearing in Dodge County court. That was after he pleaded “no contest” to a felony Burglary charge related to the series of break-ins in October of 2008. Authorities heard about a break-in at First Lutheran Church while they were one block down the street at the United Methodist Church investigating a similar break-in. Authorities found blood and fingerprint evidence at First Lutheran and connected it to Waller, who was also charged, along with the two others, with a handful of business break-ins around the same time. Waller is considered to be the “primary instigator” in the burglaries. In July, Tabatha Pellett pled to reduced charges for her role in one of the business break-ins and was sentenced to probation. Kurtis Billings was previously sentenced two years in prison and four years of extended supervision.

Dassey Decision May Take Months

1/24/10 - The judge may take several months to decide whether convicted murderer Brendan Dassey gets a new trial. Dassey got a life sentence for the role he played in the murder of Teresa Halbach in 2005. His attorneys argued that Dassey was coerced into giving his confession. They also told the court his lawyers at the trial worked harder to get a plea agreement than they did at mounting an effective defense. Prosecutors said there was no coercion, saying Dassey even gave investigators some information that led them to evidence they hadn't known about.

Heroin ODs Up In Dane County Youth

1/24/10 - Dane County officials worry about a rash of drug overdose deaths -- and the victims seem to be getting younger. A 16 year old high school student is the latest, the fifth so far this year. The first four fatalities were caused by heroin. Investigators say there was no evidence of trauma and they are waiting for toxicology tests to confirm the death was an overdose. The unidentified victim was a student at a Madison high school. Authorities are reporting a noticeable increase in the use of heroin in Dane County. Most users are between the ages of 15 and 21.

Five Injured in Bus Wreck

1/24/10 - A teenager riding a Milwaukee County Transit System bus says a van cut them off, forcing that bus driver to swerve. At least five passengers were taken to an area hospital after the Saturday morning wreck. The bus crashed through a gate made of iron and brick. The 16 year old passenger called her family on a cell phone immediately after the crash. She told her father about the van cutting the bus off, saying it then crashed through the fence. More than a dozen people were on the bus. Witnesses say several were taken off the bus on stretchers.

Wisconsin Man Charged With Vehicular Homicide in Iowa

1/24/10 - Iowa authorities charge a Prairie du Chien man with vehicular homicide. Chad Robert Feller was driving his pickup just north of Monona last September when he lost control going around a curve. When the truck rolled, passenger David Kirschbaum was ejected and killed. A second passenger suffered injuries, too. Crash investigators say Feller was driving recklessly at the time of the fatal crash. Kirschbaum was also from Prairie du Chien and was 27 years old.

JCSO Animal Auction Today

1/24/10 - The Jefferson County Sheriffs Department is conducting a sale of confiscated animals. The auction includes nine horses and two colts that were confiscated by court order in December and are being boarded at a local stable. Members of the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office Animal Control Unit are monitoring their care. Sheriff Paul Milbrath says the sale will give the animals a chance at a better life. Proceeds from the sale will be used to cover the expenses incurred by the sheriff’s office in the course of investigating, confiscating, caring for and selling the animals. All the animals have passed health screenings and must be removed by the purchaser at the end of the auction, which will be held at the Jefferson County Fair Park beginning at 1:30pm.

WDNR: ‘Good Weekend For Fishing’

1/24/10 - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says this might be a good weekend for fishing -- not that fishermen ever have to be urged to pursue their favorite sports. The DNR says warmer temperatures have hurt snowmobile trails, but the ice on most lakes is still 12-to-16 inches thick. Reports have anglers on the Fox River taking a lot of walleye and perch. Others have gone for northern pike with more limited success rates. Those fishing Lake Michigan have been taking brown and rainbow trout through the ice. Don't forget to be cautious, since ice thickness across a lake can vary widely.

Doyle Wants To Keep Politics Out of Carp Debate

1/24/10 - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle says he hopes to keep politics out of next month's summit meeting in Washington on the threat from the Asian Carp. The meeting was set up after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request to force the closing of locks near Chicago. The Obama White House had been on the other side of that legal argument. Despite that, Doyle says he thinks the president has an open mind on the matter. Illinois officials say the Asian Carp isn't as big a threat as has been suggested. Several states have joined Wisconsin in warning the fish offers a major threat to the Great Lakes fishing industry and to the environment.

Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Foremost Farms

1/24/10 - Department of Justice officials say the purchase of Wisconsin-based Foremost Farms USA eliminates competition over milk sales in three states. A federal antitrust lawsuit has been filed in Milwaukee. Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has joined attorneys general from Michigan and Illinois in the suit. Van Hollen says it is important consumers have choice when it comes to milk products -- and equally important dairy farmers have choices when they sell their milk to processors. Foremost is a dairy cooperative owned by farmers in seven states. Its consumer products division was bought by Dallas-based Dean Foods last year.

New MPS Supt Has Financial Baggage

1/24/10 - The new superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools brings a little financial baggage along. Philadelphia native Gregory Thornton was unanimously approved by the school board last Friday. His official contract will be presented for final board approval next month. Thornton has a strong reputation for academic work and his ability to interact with students and parents. He has also gone through personal bankruptcy and has had his ethics challenged. The board says Thornton's bankruptcy was no factor in the decision. He arrives as Milwaukee schools continue to struggle with huge financial challenges.

Top Stories January 23rd

Details Emerge in Child Abuse Case

1/23/10 - More details are coming to light in an alleged child abuse case in Dodge County. Kathryn Krier has been charged with abusing her adopted 14 year old daughter. Over a 15 month period, the girl's weight reportedly dropped from 91 pounds to 70. Krier is accused of withholding food, forcing the girl to sleep outside while she was naked and breaking her fingers. A criminal complaint alleges Krier locked the refrigerator door and cupboards at their town of Clyman home. The girl's father is charged with failing to protect the teen. The victim has been removed from the home. An attorney for Krier says she is innocent and looks forward to answering the charges in court.

Nehls Comments on Armed Robberies

1/23/10 - In light of two armed robberies in Dodge County on Wednesday, authorities are reminding business owners and managers to put the safety of their employees first. Sheriff Todd Nehls says make sure cameras work properly. In the event you are robbed, Nehls encourages clerks to do their best in getting as many details as possible about the suspect’s appearance and the direction they leave. Dodge County hadn’t had a reported armed robbery since May of 2008, but there were two Wednesday, within two hours of each other and investigators say they were unrelated.

DNR Okay’s Expansion of Rosendale Dairy

1/23/10 - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources okays a plan to double the size of Fond du Lac County's Rosendale Dairy. Increasing the dairy herd from four thousand to eight thousand cows would make it the largest in Wisconsin. Neighbors and environmentalists say they worry the expansion will produce so much manure it will harm groundwater supplies. The permit will require monitoring of groundwater and limits manure spreading.

Crisafulli at the Center of Divorce and Custody Dispute

1/23/10 - Murder suspect Michael Crisafulli had an obviously troubled childhood. That may be the motive police are searching for as the 13 year old is accused of killing his father. Crisafulli had been caught up in legal and custody fights between his divorced parents since he was five years old. Investigators think he used a small caliber pistol to shoot his father, Angelo, to death last Tuesday in their home in the town of Delton. Despite all the time in court, there were no allegations of neglect or child abuse against the parents.

Ag Secretary in Beaver Dam

1/23/10 - Wisconsin Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen was in Beaver Dam this morning touring Kraft Foods and the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. With the help of federal stimulus dollars and low interest loans, the city is constructing a wastewater system that will allow them to take industrial waste, from select industries like Kraft, and convert it to biogas which, in turn, is converted into electricity. He says what Beaver Dam is doing is a model for municipalities and industries across the state. Nilsestuen is going around the state touting the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which is making its way through the legislature. The Act strives to set a new standard to generate 20% of fuel from renewable resources by 2020 and 25% by 2025.

BD Open to Smaller Referendum

1/23/10 - Beaver Dam School Board Member Marge Jorgensen says she’s open to a referendum but not one that asks for $15-million. District administration laid out a report detailing deferred maintenance projects that needed immediate attention. Jorgenson says certain projects are needed but she was taken aback at others that were considered must-haves. She also took issue with the lack of time before April’s election to inform the public about a referendum. District officials have said one reason they want to get the measure on April’s ballot is to take advantage of some low interest funds. Jorgensen likened that to buying a car just because you can get zero interest payments. The school board is expected to discuss the issue further at their first meeting in February.

Harley Loses $147M in Last 3 Months of ‘09

1/23/10 - Milwaukee’s Harley-Davidson lost 147-million-dollars during the final three months of last year. The motorcycle firm reported a loss this morning of 63-cents a share compared to the same quarter a year ago, when Harley had a profit of 34-cents a share. Harley’s total revenues dropped by a half-billion dollars, to 764-million. For the year as a whole, Harley’s profits plunged by almost 90-percent. Slow motorcycle sales were to blame, and Harley says it’s still plagued by the recession plus re-structuring costs. The firm said it would reduce its motorcycle shipments by another 5-to-10-percent this year.

Builder Don’t Expect Bounce Back in 2010

1/23/10 - Wisconsin builders expect another difficult year for their industry. The Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin said 92-percent of contractors in the Badger State do not expect a recovery in 2010. Group vice president Bob Barker said many builders had a strong start last year while finishing projects from 2008. But he says that kind of work is not there now – and state government projects won’t begin until later in the summer. The contractors’ group said last year’s federal stimulus funding had at least some positive impact on the building industry. 71-percent in the General Contractors’ survey said they kept staff members employed due to the stimulus program, but only 14-percent said they added employees because of it. Barker says contractors are more optimistic about 2011 – when 73-percent of builders expect growth.

Acting Police and Fire Chief in Columbus Receive Commendations

1/23/10 - Columbus Acting Fire Chief Mark Kenevan and Acting Police Chief Dennis Weiner both received commendations this week from the P F C. The Fire Department was without a Chief from May of 2007 till Randy Keuhn was hired in July of 2009. Kenevan served as Acting Chief. The Police Department was without a Chief from February 2008 till the PFC completed their search earlier this month. Lieutenant Dennis Weiner served as Acting Chief. Weiner remains Acting Chief till the official letter of appointment is approved by candidate Daniel Meister. The Council is scheduled to discuss that letter at a Tuesday night closed session.

Some Wisconsin Cheeseman Products Recalled

1/23/10 - A food gift company in Sun Prairie is recalling some of its products. Cheese balls and logs sent as Wisconsin Cheeseman gifts may have been contaminated. Parker Farms says some testing found bacteria in the food. It is voluntarily recalling food gift boxes shipped between September 8th and January 15th. It says the logs and balls may have been contaminated by food-borne particles. No instances of consumers being sickened were reported at the same time of the recall.

Top Stories, January 22nd

Red Arrow Soldiers Getting Settled In

1/22/10 - Beaver Dam-native Ben Larson is getting adjusted to civilian life again after serving a nine month tour of duty in Iraq. The 25-year-old Sergeant with the Wisconsin National Guard Red Arrow Brigade was called up last February as part of the state’s largest deployment since World War II. After training in Fort Hood, Texas Larson spent nine months “in-country” before returning to the states earlier this month. Larson says it was so hot in Iraq that you didn’t even want to got outside most of the time. And while it was only 60 degrees when he left Baghdad it was 10 degrees when he arrived in Wisconsin, a drastic change that he says he’s just now getting used to. Larson says care packages from home, sometimes from people he didn’t even know, were like Christmas presents for he and his fellow soldiers. He says one of the more memorable moments of his time in the Middle East was viewing a taping of the “fake-news” program “The Colbert Report” for Comedy Central. He called it “awesome.” It was the second tour of duty for Larson, who was in Iraq in 2004-05. He plans to return to UW Stephens Point in the fall to continue his studies in Sociology.

Authorities Continue Investigation Into Armed Robberies

1/22/10 - Authorities are investigating the possibility that the man who robbed a Beaver Dam business Wednesday night called the store first to ask for directions. Police say the masked suspect entered The Game Stop on Frances Lane displaying a semi-automatic pistol. Police Chief Dale Boldt says about an hour before the robbery, the store received a call from a male subject who asked for directions to the store. One of the employees believes the caller’s voice is consistent with the voice of the robbery suspect. Boldt says one witness described the suspect as speaking “slang.” A second robbery occurred less than two hours later at the Shell station in Lomira but authorities say the two are probably not connected, even though the last armed robbery in Dodge County occurred in May of 2008. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dodge County Sheriffs Department or the anonymous We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.

Woman Sentenced In Multi-County Crime Spree

1/22/10 – A Milwaukee-area woman will spend two years in prison for burglarizing a Dodge County residence as part of a multi-county crime spree. 25-year-old Sabrina Mauhar and two others broke into a Town of Ashippun home last June. According to the criminal complaint, a witness saw three people taking items from a neighbor’s residence and putting those items into their vehicle. The man called 9-1-1 and provided a description of the suspects and the vehicle. Within 25-minutes, a Dodge County deputy confronted the burglars in the driveway of another residence in Washington County. That owner, an off-duty police officer, was awakened by the burglars kicking in his door and he was in the process of calling 9-1-1 himself. The three have been also been connected to burglaries in Washington and Waukesha counties. 30-year-old Danielle Zipter will be in Dodge County court for a preliminary hearing next week. 21-year-old Corey Shreeves failed to appear for his initial hearing and an arrest warrant has been issued. Mauhar’s two year prison sentence for the Dodge County burglary will run consecutive to a four year prison sentence handed down last month for the Washington County break-in. All three still face charges in Waukesha County.

BD Man Charges With Child Porn Possession

1/22/10 - A Beaver Dam man faces felony charges of Possession of Child Pornography. Brandon J. Alexander could spend up to 25 years in prison for allegedly downloading videos featuring pre-pubescent girls from a file sharing website. Special Agents with the state Department of Criminal Justice are able to use software to identify the digital fingerprint of a specific video and trace that to the users who download that video. Alexander originally told investigators that he accidentally downloaded the videos because he could not tell based on the title alone that the files contained child porn. According to criminal complaint, he later conceded that he knew that terms like “12 y-o” means “12-year-old.”

Sex Offender Sent To Jail for Groping Neighbor

1/22/10 - A Beaver Dam man will spend four months in jail for inappropriately touching a neighbor. Ervin M. Frey pleaded “no contest” to a misdemeanor count of Fourth Degree Sexual Assault related to the November incident at his apartment. The victim has established a recent friendship with Frey and was at his apartment because he had heat when the 75-year-old convinced her to take a nap on his bed. That’s she says Frey repeatedly groped her. Frey is a convicted sex offender who was on probation for a 2001 charge of Repeated Sexual Assault of the Same Child.

Columbus Survey Results Under Review

1/22/10 - The Columbus Council and Administrators are reviewing results from the UW Survey Research Lab’s (November, 2009) City-wide questionnaire. The survey will play an important part in this year’s (2010) Common Council decisions. Conclusions reached by U W researchers include: Residents of Columbus want – and are willing to pay for – improvements in roads, sidewalks, storm water management and selected community projects such as the Udey Dam repair and improvements to the Fireman’s Park pavilion. Residents want the City to be a center that benefits from their passenger train service, downtown retail sector and light industry base. Respondents want housing reflecting emerging demographic profiles with more options for seniors, more affordable housing and programs to improve existing housing. There is broad agreement across demographic groups supporting these strategic directions. The 37-page 2009 Columbus Citizens Survey has been added to the City’s website – cityofcolumbuswi.com - so residents can share in the conclusions.

Republicans Introduce Jobs Bill

1/22/10 - Wisconsin Senate Republicans introduced their own bill to create jobs today. It was unveiled just hours before the Senate was scheduled to vote on a Democratic plan aimed at creating new jobs with things like tax credits for investments in new companies – and letting smaller firms take advantage of U-W research. Senate G-O-P Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says the Democratic plan is fine, but quote – “It doesn’t even scratch the surface of what needs to be done to jump-start job creation” in the state. The Republican package is called “Wisconsin Jobs Now.” It seeks to cut government spending, reduce state taxes and business regulations, cuts health care costs, and revamps education. Fitzgerald said the plan has recommendations offered by over 160 companies throughout the Badger State.

Statewide Unemployment Back Up To 8.7%

1/22/10 - Unemployment went up in Wisconsin last month. State workforce development officials said the seasonally-adjusted jobless rate rose by a-half-percent from November to December. It’s now at eight-point-seven percent. The actual unadjusted jobless rate also went up. That’s at eight-point-three percent, up four-tenths from the previous month. The state lost another 26-thousand jobs in December, and a total of 163-thousand jobs were lost for all of 2009. Just over two-point-seven million Wisconsinites were employed last month. The state’s jobless rate was below the national figure of 10-percent – but the national percentage did not go up from November.

State Gets More LIHEAP Dollars

1/22/10 - Wisconsin just got another 31-million-dollars to help low-income residents heat their homes this winter. Governor Jim Doyle says the money comes from the federal government. And it raised the total amount of aid for this winter in the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program to 128-million dollars. Income limits were raised this year – and it raised the amount of Wisconsinites eligible for the program by about 40-percent. State officials expect over a quarter-million residents to get part of their heating bills covered this year. Single residents qualify if they made less than 19-hundred-53 dollars a month. The maximum income for a family-of-five is just over 43-hundred a month.

Dead Sea Scrolls At Milwaukee Museum

1/22/10 - The Milwaukee Public Museum will display fragments of the two-thousand-year-old Dead Sea Scrolls starting today. The documents were found in caves near the Dead Sea in 1947 – and some scholars believe the Scrolls validated the Old Testament and the start of Christianity. The exhibit describes the archaeological history of the Holy Land around the time the Scrolls were created. There are close to 200 manuscripts, photos, artifacts, interactive displays, and more. The display is called “Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible – Ancient Artifacts, Timeless Treasures.” It’s the largest temporary exhibit ever put on by the Milwaukee Public Museum. The display continues through June sixth.

Top Stories, January 21st

Hustisford Woman Back From Haiti

1/21/10 - A Hustisford woman is back at home today after being stranded in Haiti following this month’s devastating earthquakes. Carol Strysick, a Moraine Park Technical College nursing instructor, had been in Haiti as part of a crew of volunteers. Her family greeted her at the airport in Milwaukee late Tuesday afternoon. Strysick says it was not easy to get back home but they were protected while they were there because they were in the mountains, isolated from the damage. She says that she didn’t quite know the scope of the damage until she saw on television. Strysick says that the earthquake will not stop her from continuing to help the people of Haiti. She says she hopes that Americans continue to support relief efforts by making financial donations, especially after the news story fades from the headlines.

Waupun Woman Death Connected To Traffic Accident

1/21/10 - The Dodge County Medical Examiner has ruled that the November death of a Waupun woman was the result of a traffic accident. 85-year-old Tamako Scholten was killed in a one vehicle accident on Highway 151 at County Highway A in the Town of Trenton. Authorities say her vehicle swerved into the median and overturned, trapping her inside. Scholten died a week later. The ruling brings the total number of deaths on Dodge County roads last year to 18.

Authorities Investigating to Armed Robberies

1/21/10 - Two Dodge County businesses have been the victim of armed robberies within the past 24-hours. That’s according to a press release from the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department. The first took place at around 7:30pm at Game Stop on Frances Lane in Beaver Dam. The other robbery occurred about two hours later at the Shell Station on East Avenue in Lomira. The investigation into both incidents is ongoing.

Fox Lake Staring at Deadline

1/21/10 - A deadline of February 8th is looming for city council members in Fox Lake as they decide whether or not to approve a $1.19-million bid to help fix their wastewater water treatments system. The city has received three extensions so far but the bidder, Town and Country, says the February deadline is set in stone. If the city does not approve the offer it will be forced to rebid at a hefty price. Meanwhile, City Administrator Bill Petracek says they are still optimistic about getting grant money for the project following a recent survey that determined they were a low to moderate income municipality. The city is currently under a court order to upgrade their wastewater treatment system to avoid bypassing during times of heavy rain like they did in 2004 and 2008. The council is slate to meet again February 3rd.

Bond Set for 13-Year-Old Charges with Shooting his Father

1/21/10 - A half-million-dollar bond was set yesterday for a 13-year-old boy who’s charged as an adult with killing his father at their home near Lake Delton. Prosecutors said Michael Crisafulli shot his 55-year-old father Angelo in the back of the head, as the victim was sitting in a recliner on Tuesday night. Authorities said the boy got in trouble in school that day – he was punished by helping his dad fix a vehicle – and a quote, “balloon of anger” swelled up in Michael’s head before he grabbed one of his father’s weapons. Media reports said the boy was autistic, his parents filed for divorce seven years ago, and his father obtained custody after the child ran away from his mother’s home several times. A judge granted a defense request to have Michael undergo a mental competency exam. If he’s ordered to stand trial, the defense can ask that the case be heard in juvenile court. According to the criminal complaint, the boy told police he was expelled from Webb Middle School in Reedsburg, where he was a seventh-grader. The school did not confirm that.

White House Agrees to Summit on Asian Carp

1/21/10 - The White House has said yes to Governor Jim Doyle’s request for a summit on fighting the Asian carp in the Great Lakes. The meeting is planned for the first week in February. Obama Administration official Nancy Sutley says Great Lakes governors and the Obama cabinet will identify a rapid response to the threat the invasive carp poses. Sutley says the president wants to assure coordination among all the governments involved, so the most effective response can take place. Doyle and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm asked for the summit after the U-S Supreme Court said no on Tuesday to closing two navigational locks near Chicago where D-N-A evidence of the Asian carp was found. The bloated carp poses a threat to the Great Lakes’ natural species. And Wisconsin says it threatens the lakes’ multi-million-dollar fishing industry.

Funeral Held for Fort Atkinson Soldier

1/21/10 - Governor Jim Doyle and state Adjutant General Don Dunbar were among those at yesterday’s funeral for Marine Lance Corporal Jacob Meinert of Fort Atkinson. Family, friends, fellow Marines, and former school-mates said goodbye to the 20-year-old Meinert, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on January 10th. His high school counselor, Curt Brokmeier, said Meinert wanted to join the Marines so badly that he re-arranged his course schedule so he could graduate early. And he said quote, “That’s the guy I want defending this country.” Meinert’s cousin, Kristin Breheim, took note of the hundreds of ribbons hung in downtown Fort Atkinson in Meinert’s honor. She asked people to remember him after the ribbons come down and the cards stop being sent.