Top Stories February 14th

Record Opening Day for Spear-fishers


2/14/10 - Dozens of spear fishers caught sturgeon weighing over 100 pounds on the first day of the 2010 season. An Appleton man registered a record fish weighing 212 pounds. The sturgeon speared by Ron Grishaber was 24 pounds and five inches bigger than the record sturgeon caught six years ago. Grishaber's fish was more than seven feet long. More than 30 fish speared weighed over 100 pounds. Meanwhile, for the second straight year there has been a death on opening day. An 85 year old man died after falling into Lake Winnebago Saturday. Witnesses pulled him out of the water, but he was dead at the scene. A sheriff's deputy says the victim was fishing in his shanty when the accident happened and it’s possible a medical condition triggered the accident.


Heating Bills Down


2/14/10 - You may have noticed it when your monthly bill arrived in the mail. People living in southeastern Wisconsin are saving some money on their heating bills. The weather has been a little warmer than usual and natural gas rates have been driven lower by the market. We Energies says payments haven't been this low in the last eight years. Customers of We Energies can expect to save nearly 700 dollars this winter season.


Bankers Happy for Return of WHEDA


2/14/10 - Bankers and realtors say they welcome the return of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. WHEDA plans to start offering loans again March 1st. The Mortgage Bankers Association says it's good to get that option back on the table for first-time buyers. The WHEDA program helps individuals who haven't been able to save a large down payment on a house. A lot of activity is expected, especially since the eight thousand dollar home buyer's tax credit program ends April 30th. Realtors expect a busy spring for a change.


Pewaukee Man Arrested After Hitting Firefighter and Fleeing


2/14/10 - Milwaukee County sheriff's deputies have arrested a Pewaukee man thought to be involved in a hit-and-run incident Thursday afternoon. The suspect's license plate number was used to track him down. He hit a firefighter hard enough to send him to a local hospital Thursday. That firefighter was working an accident when he was struck.


Woman Gets Jail Time for Mistreatment of Animals


2/14/10 - A 60 year old woman from Cedarburg will spend 45 days behind bars for animal neglect. She was found to be keeping 120 cats in her home, but investigators say Carol Munden didn't provide sanitary conditions for the cats. Six of them found in her Port Washington home had to be euthanized and nearly 20 were already dead. Munden has a court appearance scheduled for April 1st.


Gas Prices on the Way Down


2/14/10 - You might not have noticed, but gas prices have been slowly going down in Wisconsin. According to WisconsinGasPrices.com, a gallon of unleaded regular is $2.50, which is down 26-cents from this time last month. In Beaver Dam and Watertown, a gallon can be had for $2.51, while in Fond du Lac it is $2.46. The average statewide price is also down 10-cents from last week. However, gas is still 50-cents more per gallon than it was on Valentine’s weekend last year.


DMV’s Closed Tomorrow


2/14/10 - Don't try to renew your driver’s license Monday. All state offices will be closed for one of 16 unpaid furlough day required during the current two-year state budget period. The Division of Motor Vehicles automated phone system will still be active for motorists to make road test appointed or access information. New or renewed titles and registration services will still be available through third-party partners -- like police stations and grocery stores. You can discover those locations at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website.


Former Watertown Police Chief Appoint to Council


2/14/10 - Attorney General JB Van Hollen announced Friday that former Watertown Police Chief Charles McGee has been appointed to the Wisconsin Crime Victims Council. Van Hollen said McGee brings a wealth of experience and a passion for helping crime victims. McGee said that during his more than 15-years as the Chief in Watertown he gained a great amount of respect and empathy for victims of crime. The council is a 15-member body that serves as an advisory body to the Attorney General.


Man Admits to Providing Drugs that Led to Death


2/14/10 - A man from Antigo admits causing the heroin overdose that killed Nicole Hedges last spring. Kevin Krugel pleaded guilty to the charges and is free on bond awaiting sentencing. Prosecutors have asked for a three-year prison sentence to go with five years probation. The judge has still asked for a pre-sentence investigation to help him determine what length of sentence to impose. Krugel's drug dealer is also charged in connection with the Tomahawk woman's death last May.


Kennedy to Regular Open Door Meeting Tuesday Morning


2/14/10 - 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.