More National Guard Soldiers Arriving Today
1/13/10 - Another 500 soldiers from the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 32nd Infantry Brigade will return to the state today (Wed), including troops from Watertown and Oconomowoc. The soldiers that make up Troop B 105th Calvary out of Watertown are scheduled to land at Volk Field where they will be met by senior National Guard officials, a military band and family members. Following an initial reunion with their families and a brief official "welcome home" ceremony, soldiers will travel to nearby Fort McCoy to begin about five days of demobilization processing before being released from active duty. The soldiers were called up to duty last February as part of the largest mobilization of Wisconsin National Guard soldiers since World War II. After spending a couple of months training in Texas the soldiers have operated around the clock for eight full months in Iraq. There missions varied but included base defense, closing the largest internment facility in Iraq, operating an academy to train Iraqi corrections officers, and turning over U.S.-controlled properties back to the government of Iraq. Having accomplished their mission, each company began transferring responsibilities to units from the Texas National Guard. All of the 3,200 Wisconsin troops are expected back in the state by the end of the month.
Senior Center Ad Hoc Committee To Review Designs
1/13/10 - We got an update on preliminary plans for a new Beaver Dam Senior Center on Community Comment this week. Community Activities and Services Department Administrator Evonne Koeppen says the Renschler Group is working on designs and estimated costs for a new facility. Koeppen says the focus remains on the former Herberger’s department store because it has a sufficient amount of space and because it may also preserve the configuration of the Heritage Village Mall for major community events like the Home and Business Expo. Mall owners are looking at tearing down the two of the three corridors, contingent on a sale of the Herberger’s property. They are asking $1.2 million for the department store; renovation and additional land purchases would push the final price-tag over the $4 million mark. The Senior Center Ad Hoc Committee will meet tonight (Wed) and discussions are planned with representatives with the Renschler Company and the Heritage Village Mall. The committee will also take a look at final designs for a new facility. The meeting is at 6pm on the first floor of the Municipal Building.
Body of Second Snowmobiler Found
1/13/10 - Authorities have found the body of a second-and-final snowmobiler missing since last weekend in the Fox Valley. Rescuers found the body of 29-year-old Jay Luniak about 11 this morning after a two-hour search in Lake Winnebago, about a half-mile from the shore of a park in Menasha. The other snowmobiler, 30-year-old Keith Ebben, was found dead in the same area yesterday. Both men were from Appleton – and both their snowmobiles were also found today. Two air-boats were launched this morning to try-and-find Luniak in water that was 7-to-13-feet deep. He and Ebben were last seen leaving a restaurant south of Neenah on Saturday night. They are the 10th and 11th snowmobilers to die in Wisconsin mishaps this winter.
Mixed Grades For Wisconsin Smokers
1/13/10 - Wisconsin received both good-and-bad grades today for its efforts to get people to stop smoking. The American Lung Association gave the Badger State a “B” for raising its cigarette tax by another 75-cents a pack last September. It also got a “B” for the resources the state offers to those who want to quit. But Wisconsin got an “F” for cutting its tobacco control funding by over 50-percent in order to help reduce the state’s budget deficit a year ago. And it got a grade of “incomplete” for smoke-free air, because the statewide indoor smoking ban passed last spring won’t take effect until the day after the Fourth-of-July. No state got straight “A’s” in the lung association’s national report card. Six states got all “F’s” – Kentucky, Missouri, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Alabama.
Texting Ban In The Works
1/13/10 - Two Fox Valley lawmakers work on a new bill to ban texting on your cell phone while driving. A version of the bill has already passed the Wisconsin Senate. The Assembly is expected to vote on the ban before the end of the month. Several studies show having a cell phone pressed to your ear while driving is almost as dangerous as driving drunk. Most observers think texting is even worse, though study results on that aren't available yet.
Doyle Downplays DC Speculation
1/13/10 - Governor Jim Doyle is downplaying speculation that he could be heading to Washington after leaving office. Doyle was an early supporter of Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential race. Now that he’s not seeking reelection, many observers have assumed Doyle could snare a top position in D.C. However, the Governor says he has no idea what’s going to happen after he leaves office in a year, and he’s not going to spend a lot of time thinking about it before then. He says he’s more focused on the important year ahead as governor. Doyle will say that he doesn’t see himself retiring after his term in office is up.
Police Mental Exams Considered
1/13/10 - Everyone who wants to be a police officer in Wisconsin would have to take a mental exam to make sure they’re stable enough. The state Senate’s Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on the measure – but a vote to recommend it is not scheduled. Current law does not require officer candidates to have mental exams. But relatives of the six people killed by Forest County Deputy Tyler Peterson asked for that bill and others, when they invited legislators to Crandon in the weeks after the 2007 massacre to spell out their wishes. At the Senate committee hearing, Democrat Dave Hansen of Green Bay said officers must have the mental capacity to make split-second decisions – while people’s lives hang in the balance. But West Bend Republican Glenn Grothman said the mental tests are too subjective – and they might prevent someone from getting a job who has spent years and thousands of dollars being trained.
Garbage Cans Prohibited on City Streets
1/13/10 - The Beaver Dam Department of Public Works says residents who put their garbage cans in the street because of the high snow banks will not have their waste collected. Director of Facilities David Stoiser says there has been an influx of people putting waste collection or recycling carts in the right-of-way. Veolia Environmental prohibits the placement of garbage cans in the street and Stoiser told the city’s Operations Committee this week that he would be contacting the company to have them step up enforcement of the policy.
The city of Beaver Dam is still having a problem with people shoveling snow into the street, which is a hazard to motorists and possibly even pedestrians. Stoiser says they’ve developed a new plan of attack. For first offenses, Stoiser will have the discretion to issue a verbal warning or issue a citation. A citation will definitely be given for the second and subsequent offenses. Fines of up to $50 can be assessed against a property owner.
BDUSD Wall of Fame Nomination Still Being Accepted
1/13/10 - The Beaver Dam School District is still seeking nominations for their 2010 Wall of Fame Awards. Honors will be given in two categories: Friends of Education and Outstanding Alumni. Friends of Education are individuals or organizations who have given distinguished service to the district and its students. Outstanding Alumni are graduates of the High School recognized for their exceptional accomplishments, outstanding leadership, historical significance and prominence on the local, state, national or international stage. Last year, the outstanding Alumnus was 1967 graduate Dr. Robert Ehlenfeldt (A-lin-feld), who was appointed State Veterinarian in 2003. The first recipient was film star Fred MacMurray. Nomination packets are available at all district school offices or on the district website at www.beaverdam.k12.wi.us. The nomination deadline is February 12. The district will honor the 2010 award recipients at their 14th Annual Wall of Fame Banquet on Sunday, April 11.
1/13/10 - Another 500 soldiers from the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 32nd Infantry Brigade will return to the state today (Wed), including troops from Watertown and Oconomowoc. The soldiers that make up Troop B 105th Calvary out of Watertown are scheduled to land at Volk Field where they will be met by senior National Guard officials, a military band and family members. Following an initial reunion with their families and a brief official "welcome home" ceremony, soldiers will travel to nearby Fort McCoy to begin about five days of demobilization processing before being released from active duty. The soldiers were called up to duty last February as part of the largest mobilization of Wisconsin National Guard soldiers since World War II. After spending a couple of months training in Texas the soldiers have operated around the clock for eight full months in Iraq. There missions varied but included base defense, closing the largest internment facility in Iraq, operating an academy to train Iraqi corrections officers, and turning over U.S.-controlled properties back to the government of Iraq. Having accomplished their mission, each company began transferring responsibilities to units from the Texas National Guard. All of the 3,200 Wisconsin troops are expected back in the state by the end of the month.
Senior Center Ad Hoc Committee To Review Designs
1/13/10 - We got an update on preliminary plans for a new Beaver Dam Senior Center on Community Comment this week. Community Activities and Services Department Administrator Evonne Koeppen says the Renschler Group is working on designs and estimated costs for a new facility. Koeppen says the focus remains on the former Herberger’s department store because it has a sufficient amount of space and because it may also preserve the configuration of the Heritage Village Mall for major community events like the Home and Business Expo. Mall owners are looking at tearing down the two of the three corridors, contingent on a sale of the Herberger’s property. They are asking $1.2 million for the department store; renovation and additional land purchases would push the final price-tag over the $4 million mark. The Senior Center Ad Hoc Committee will meet tonight (Wed) and discussions are planned with representatives with the Renschler Company and the Heritage Village Mall. The committee will also take a look at final designs for a new facility. The meeting is at 6pm on the first floor of the Municipal Building.
Body of Second Snowmobiler Found
1/13/10 - Authorities have found the body of a second-and-final snowmobiler missing since last weekend in the Fox Valley. Rescuers found the body of 29-year-old Jay Luniak about 11 this morning after a two-hour search in Lake Winnebago, about a half-mile from the shore of a park in Menasha. The other snowmobiler, 30-year-old Keith Ebben, was found dead in the same area yesterday. Both men were from Appleton – and both their snowmobiles were also found today. Two air-boats were launched this morning to try-and-find Luniak in water that was 7-to-13-feet deep. He and Ebben were last seen leaving a restaurant south of Neenah on Saturday night. They are the 10th and 11th snowmobilers to die in Wisconsin mishaps this winter.
Mixed Grades For Wisconsin Smokers
1/13/10 - Wisconsin received both good-and-bad grades today for its efforts to get people to stop smoking. The American Lung Association gave the Badger State a “B” for raising its cigarette tax by another 75-cents a pack last September. It also got a “B” for the resources the state offers to those who want to quit. But Wisconsin got an “F” for cutting its tobacco control funding by over 50-percent in order to help reduce the state’s budget deficit a year ago. And it got a grade of “incomplete” for smoke-free air, because the statewide indoor smoking ban passed last spring won’t take effect until the day after the Fourth-of-July. No state got straight “A’s” in the lung association’s national report card. Six states got all “F’s” – Kentucky, Missouri, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Alabama.
Texting Ban In The Works
1/13/10 - Two Fox Valley lawmakers work on a new bill to ban texting on your cell phone while driving. A version of the bill has already passed the Wisconsin Senate. The Assembly is expected to vote on the ban before the end of the month. Several studies show having a cell phone pressed to your ear while driving is almost as dangerous as driving drunk. Most observers think texting is even worse, though study results on that aren't available yet.
Doyle Downplays DC Speculation
1/13/10 - Governor Jim Doyle is downplaying speculation that he could be heading to Washington after leaving office. Doyle was an early supporter of Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential race. Now that he’s not seeking reelection, many observers have assumed Doyle could snare a top position in D.C. However, the Governor says he has no idea what’s going to happen after he leaves office in a year, and he’s not going to spend a lot of time thinking about it before then. He says he’s more focused on the important year ahead as governor. Doyle will say that he doesn’t see himself retiring after his term in office is up.
Police Mental Exams Considered
1/13/10 - Everyone who wants to be a police officer in Wisconsin would have to take a mental exam to make sure they’re stable enough. The state Senate’s Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on the measure – but a vote to recommend it is not scheduled. Current law does not require officer candidates to have mental exams. But relatives of the six people killed by Forest County Deputy Tyler Peterson asked for that bill and others, when they invited legislators to Crandon in the weeks after the 2007 massacre to spell out their wishes. At the Senate committee hearing, Democrat Dave Hansen of Green Bay said officers must have the mental capacity to make split-second decisions – while people’s lives hang in the balance. But West Bend Republican Glenn Grothman said the mental tests are too subjective – and they might prevent someone from getting a job who has spent years and thousands of dollars being trained.
Garbage Cans Prohibited on City Streets
1/13/10 - The Beaver Dam Department of Public Works says residents who put their garbage cans in the street because of the high snow banks will not have their waste collected. Director of Facilities David Stoiser says there has been an influx of people putting waste collection or recycling carts in the right-of-way. Veolia Environmental prohibits the placement of garbage cans in the street and Stoiser told the city’s Operations Committee this week that he would be contacting the company to have them step up enforcement of the policy.
The city of Beaver Dam is still having a problem with people shoveling snow into the street, which is a hazard to motorists and possibly even pedestrians. Stoiser says they’ve developed a new plan of attack. For first offenses, Stoiser will have the discretion to issue a verbal warning or issue a citation. A citation will definitely be given for the second and subsequent offenses. Fines of up to $50 can be assessed against a property owner.
BDUSD Wall of Fame Nomination Still Being Accepted
1/13/10 - The Beaver Dam School District is still seeking nominations for their 2010 Wall of Fame Awards. Honors will be given in two categories: Friends of Education and Outstanding Alumni. Friends of Education are individuals or organizations who have given distinguished service to the district and its students. Outstanding Alumni are graduates of the High School recognized for their exceptional accomplishments, outstanding leadership, historical significance and prominence on the local, state, national or international stage. Last year, the outstanding Alumnus was 1967 graduate Dr. Robert Ehlenfeldt (A-lin-feld), who was appointed State Veterinarian in 2003. The first recipient was film star Fred MacMurray. Nomination packets are available at all district school offices or on the district website at www.beaverdam.k12.wi.us. The nomination deadline is February 12. The district will honor the 2010 award recipients at their 14th Annual Wall of Fame Banquet on Sunday, April 11.
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