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.