Quad Merger Approved
3/31/10 - Quad-Graphics has received regulatory approval to buy World Color Press of Montreal, Canada. The companies announced Tuesday that they cleared the U.S. and Canadian Antitrust process for their merger. 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. World Color C-E-O Mark Angelson said when the merger was first announced in January that there would not be layoffs in areas that do not overlap – unless they were planning to be made anyway. Angelson said 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 said at the time that 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. The purchase price is said to be around one-point-three billion dollars. The transaction remains subject to approval under the Investment Canada Act, as well as to the satisfaction of other closing conditions.
Steger, Graff Differ on City Admin Position
3/31/10 - The candidates for mayor in the city of Waupun have differing opinions on the need for a city administrator. Challenger Jay Graff told us on WBEV’s Community Comment that it’s an expensive position and there is no need to fill it at this time. Graff says Waupun is in a unique position to revert back to a form of government where the city clerk and city attorney handle the day-to-day workload. Incumbent Mayor Jodi Steger says that she’s never had a doubt that the city administrator’s position needs to be filled. Steger says former Administrator Gary Rogers saved the city millions of dollars, mainly because the responsibilities of an economic development coordinator were incorporated into the position.
Juneau Candidates on WBEV
3/31/10 - The candidates running for mayor of the city of Juneau will be our guests on WBEV’s Community Comment today. Incumbent Mayor Ron Bosak will join us at 12:35pm and then in our second segment we’ll hear from his challenger Dan Jahnke. Community Comment airs weekdays on AM1430 beginning at 12:35pm.
Petri Town Meeting In BD Monday
3/31/10 - Congressman Tom Petri is holding a town hall meeting in Beaver Dam on Monday. The Fond du Lac Republican is holding a dozen such meetings over the next week in his Sixth Congressional District. He says the group setting provides his constituents with an opportunity to ask questions, provide comments and discuss federal issues directly with their congressional representative. Petri will be in the council chambers at Beaver Dam City Hall from 3pm to 4pm next Monday. Earlier in the day, Petri will be at the Terrace Room at the Watertown Senior and Community Center.
BDUSD Seeking Top Educator Nominations
3/31/10 - The Beaver Dam Unified School District is seeking nominations for their Teacher, Administrator and Support Staff of the Year Award program. Awards will presented for Elementary teacher, Middle School teacher, High School teacher, Administrator/ Coordinator, Special Services Teacher, Secretary, Teacher Assistant, Food Service Worker and Custodial/ Maintenance/ Computer Technician. Nominees will be judged primarily on the significance of their contributions to the well-being of the educational community. Representatives selected will be submitted to the statewide teacher and administrator of the year competition. Parents, students and community members who would like to nominate an employee can obtain a nomination form at any Beaver Dam public school office, the Educational Service Center or on the district’s website. The deadline for submitting a nomination form is Friday, April 16.
Vehicle Purchases Up
3/31/10 - More Wisconsinites are buying new vehicles than a year ago. According to the Kentucky firm of Cross-Sell, just over 10-thousand-100 new cars and light trucks were sold last month in the Badger State. That’s up two-percent from the 99-hundred sales in February of 2009 – which had the lowest car sales during the recession. The market has a long way to go before it catches up with the sales activity before the big downturn. Last month’s car registrations were 29-percent below those of February of ’08. Cross-Sell said the biggest sellers last month were mid-sized cars, compact S-U-V’s, and full-sized pick-up trucks.
Medical Malpractice Fund Deficit At $200M
3/31/10 - The state fund that’s supposed to pay for medical malpractice court settlements had negative assets the last two years. That’s after the governor and Legislature raided 200-million dollars from the fund in 2007 to cover deficits in other parts of the state budget. The Legislative Audit Bureau said Tuesday that the malpractice fund was 109-million dollars in the hole as of last June 30th – and 61-and-a-half million in the red in June of ’08. Auditors said the expected amount of payments to malpractice victims exceeded the money in the special fund – which only doctors pay into to share their risk of being hit with a malpractice suit. The State Medical Society filed suit against the budget raid, saying the politicians took the doctors’ money improperly. A Dane County circuit judge said the transfer was okay. An appeals court took a pass on the question. And the Supreme Court is expected to make a ruling this summer. If the court rules against the state, it will create a new revenue shortfall which the governor and lawmakers would have to address.
Debate To Eliminate Rebate in State
3/31/10 - Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce opposes a measure that would limit how mail-in rebates could be used. WMC says it would prevent consumers from potentially saving lots of money. Spokesman R.J. Pirlot says it would effectively ban mail-in rebate programs. Pirlot says the option shouldn’t be taken away from Wisconsin consumers. The bill’s sponsor, Senator John Lehman says the advertised price of any product, including discounts, must be the price a consumer pays at the time of purchase. He says it’s misleading to require consumers to use mail-in rebates to get that advertised price.
Seasonal Work Begins At Juneau Cemetery
3/31/10 - The Juneau Department of Public Works will be cleaning and raking the city cemetery next week. Officials are asking that flowers, plants and other decorative items be removed. Anything left in the cemetery after April 10 that is in poor condition will be thrown away. For more information, officials ask that you contact the Department of Public Works.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Top Stories, March 30th
BD Native Collects 30K Books For Tanzania
3/30/10 - Over 30,000 books are en route from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin to Tanzania. Beaver Dam-native Cassie Parkhurst started the project after returning from a volunteer opportunity in the east African country last year. Parkhurst says the shipping container weighs over 15,000 lbs and is large enough to fit a four-door vehicle. Parkhurst says it will be exciting to watch it all come together when she arrived in Africa in late Mat to help with the construction of several libraries and classrooms in the impoverished country. She says she couldn’t have done it alone and thanked the community, local residents and organizations that helped make her vision a reality. She says they are still about $500 short and they are hoping to recoup those costs with a rubber duck race fundraiser this May. Tickets can be purchased from any Noon Kiwanis’s member and they will also be sold this Saturday at Rechek’s Food Pride.
Public Hearing Draws Comments, Requests
3/30/10 - Two people spoke last night during a public hearing for street assessments on a pair of Beaver Dam road improvement projects. Engineering Coordinator Ritchie Piltz says the average assessment for this project is roughly $3400. A Warren Street residents had questions about access and dust control measures. Piltz says there is a dust control measure written in all city project contracts that has a monetary penalty after the first offense. The other speaker represented a church on Stone Street seeking an exemption from the new sidewalk requirement. If a sidewalk was needed, the church is asking that they perform the sidewalk work themselves. Committee Chair Laine Meyer says while it is unlikely that the church will be granted an exemption for the new sidewalk, his committee will discuss the possibility of allowing them to complete the work themselves. With one abstention, the committee gave authorization to proceed with bid advertisement for the street improvement projects.
Committee Approves Community Garden
3/30/10 - The Beaver Dam Operations Committee approved plans by a local organization to build a community garden. The garden will be located on the south side of town, south of Judson Drive and west of Marsh Trail. Approval is contingent with the group securing liability insurance. The contract with the Leadership Beaver Dam group passed on a 4 to 3 vote. Also last night, plans to resurface the parking lot at Smythe Park at a cost of $16,000 died for lack of a motion.
BD Man Accused of $16K Embezzlement
3/30/10 - A Beaver Dam man is accused of embezzling over $16,000 from a non-profit conservation organization. Leonard V. Lauth is charged with a felony count of Theft In A Business Setting for allegedly taking the money from the Wings of Wisconsin, Beaver Dam Chapter over a period of several years. The 56-year-old acted as treasurer for the chapter since 1994, but the organization conducted an audit last fall after hearing that Lauth may have been taking money from two other Beaver Dam non-profits where he also served as treasurer. According to the criminal complaint, Lauth admitted to investigators that he (quote) “may have robbed Peter to pay Paul” over the years and said that he has been living month to month and needed the money for medications and other living expenses. Lauth had a signature bond set at $5000 and will be back in court next week. He faces up to ten years in prison if convicted.
Hustisford Man Charged With Rape
3/30/10 - A Hustisford man has been charged with raping a teenage girl. 26-year-old Jason Fenner is charged with Second Degree Sexual Assault of a Child related to the assault last October. The parents of the high-school age victim got authorities involved after the girl became depressed and they read in a notebook that she had been raped by a 26-year-old. The felony charge carries a maximum prison sentence of up to 40 years in prison upon conviction. Fenner had a signature bond set at $1000 yesterday and a preliminary hearing is set for May 13.
Waupun Mayoral Candidates On Community Comment
3/30/10 - On Community Comment this afternoon we welcome the candidates in the Waupun mayoral race. Incumbent Mayor Jodi Steger and challenger Jay Graf will be live in the studio with us to discuss the issues in advance of next Tuesday’s election. Community Comment airs weekdays on WBEV 1430AM following our noon news block.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Top Stories March 29th
Early Spring Causes Fire Concerns
3/29/10 - The early spring has brought an early risk of wild-fires to much of Wisconsin. The D-N-R says the fire-danger is high much of the state including in Columbia, Green Lake and Dane Counties. Melting snow has exposed a larger-than-normal amount of dry grasses, leaves, and branches that can fuel wild-fires. Authorities are asking people not to start cooking or warming fires, and to be careful with machines that can trigger sparks.
1 WI College Student Killed, 6 Injured in MO Accident
3/29/10 - A college student from Appleton was killed, and six others were injured when their van crashed near Saint Louis on their way home from spring break. 23-year-old Brad Nudelbacher died at the scene. The crash happened about 7:45 yesterday morning on northbound Interstate-55 in Imperial Missouri, about 20 miles south of Saint Louis. Authorities said their van veered out of control while trying to avoid a car that was merging into their lane. It hit a guard rail and a concrete pillar. Two other men were hospitalized in critical condition at last word. The other four were treated and later released. The driver was the only one wearing his seatbelt.
Kennedy and Liverseed Square Off
3/29/10 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy took time to discuss the issues with write-in candidate Joe Liverseed on WBEV’s Community Comment last Friday. Liverseed, a senior at Wayland Academy who fell one valid signature short of appearing on the ballot, says the city needs a fresh, youthful voice in government. Kennedy says his experience has been a benefit to the city -- from two major downtown housing developments to the securing of $20 million in stimulus funds for a new wastewater treatment plant – and he hopes to continue that success. The two candidates will also be meeting with voters on Thursday afternoon at the Hotel Rogers.
Mayville Mayoral Candidates to Appear on Community Comment
3/29/10 - On Community Comment this afternoon we begin the first of three programs looking at contested mayoral races in Dodge County. Today we welcome Mayville mayoral candidates Bob Smith and Jerry Moedee. The two are competing to see who will succeed Tracy Heron who decided not to seek re-election after one full term. In addition, Smith is looking to retain his Ward 2 seat. Because that too is a contested race, we will hear from Smith’s aldermanic opponent, Kathleen Sertich, at the end of today’s program. Tomorrow on Community Comment our guests will be Waupun’s incumbent mayor Jodi Steger and challenger Jay Graf. On Wednesday, we hear from Juneau incumbent mayor Ron Bosak and challenger Dan Jahnke. Community Comment airs weekdays on WBEV beginning at 12:35pm.
Fitzgerald Leaving Marshal Post
3/29/10 - Former Dodge County Sheriff Stephen Fitzgerald is leaving his post as U.S. Marshal. President Obama has nominated Dallas Neville to return to the position he held for the 8-years before Fitzgerald was appointed by former President George W. Bush. Neville is currently the deputy director of emergency police services for the state Military Affairs Department. He was appointed by former President Clinton as the U-S Marshal for the western half of Wisconsin from 1994-to-2002 before being replaced by Fitzgerald. His appointment as western Wisconsin’s U-S Marshal must still be confirmed by the U-S Senate’s Judiciary Committee and then by the full Senate.
Kohl: Health Care Bill a Good Start
3/29/10 - U.S. Senator Herb Kohl says it still needs some tinkering but overall he believes the health care reform package passed last week is a good start. Kohl made his comments at an awards dinner in Fond du Lac over the weekend. The Democrat says the package will make health care more affordable for everyone in America. He also says the timing was important as he thinks had they not passed it now it would have been another 10-15 years before legislators attempted to do it again. Kohl was one of the 56-senators who voted to approve the bill last week.
Benz Case Thrown Out
3/29/10 - A judge on Friday threw out the case of a Campbellsport woman accused of abusing a 10-month-old girl. 52-year-old Mary Benz was charged in 2007 with felony child abuse and three misdemeanor counts of obstructing police related to the alleged incident in June of ’07 at the Our Lady of the Lakes Child Care Center in Random Lake. The judge said Benz was denied her right to a speedy trial, to the point in which witnesses had trouble recalling facts. D-A Joe DeCecco said he would appeal the dismissal.
Kenosha Soldier to be Honored
3/29/10 - Flags will be at half-staff today at state government and military facilities to honor a Kenosha soldier killed in Iraq. 26-year-old Army Specialist Robert Rieckhoff was on guard duty 11 days ago when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his watch-tower. He had served twice in Iraq and once in Kuwait after graduating from Kenosha Tremper High School in 2002. Members of his unit called Rieckhoff a hero.
Fall River Woman a Finalist for “Alice in Dairyland”
3/29/10 - A local woman is a finalist to be Wisconsin’s next “Alice in Dairyland”. Christine Lepple Lindner of Fall River is one of six finalists for the title that will be awarded on May 22nd. The winner will spend the next year promoting Wisconsin's food products as a one-year ambassador for the state Agriculture Department. All six have extensive agricultural training, and farming-and-marketing experience. The new Alice will replace Eastman native Cheryl O'Brien. More information is available at the program's Web site at AliceInDairyland-Dot-Com.
Winning Megabucks Ticket Sold in Racine
3/29/10 - Another week and another big lottery winner in Wisconsin. A week after a Fond du Lac man won a million dollars playing Powerball somebody in Racine is seven-and-a-half million dollars richer. One ticket matched all six numbers in Saturday night’s Megabucks lottery. The Megabucks will go back to 1-million-dollars for Tuesday’s drawing while the Powerball jackpot is 81-million-dollars for Wednesday night’s drawing.
3/29/10 - The early spring has brought an early risk of wild-fires to much of Wisconsin. The D-N-R says the fire-danger is high much of the state including in Columbia, Green Lake and Dane Counties. Melting snow has exposed a larger-than-normal amount of dry grasses, leaves, and branches that can fuel wild-fires. Authorities are asking people not to start cooking or warming fires, and to be careful with machines that can trigger sparks.
1 WI College Student Killed, 6 Injured in MO Accident
3/29/10 - A college student from Appleton was killed, and six others were injured when their van crashed near Saint Louis on their way home from spring break. 23-year-old Brad Nudelbacher died at the scene. The crash happened about 7:45 yesterday morning on northbound Interstate-55 in Imperial Missouri, about 20 miles south of Saint Louis. Authorities said their van veered out of control while trying to avoid a car that was merging into their lane. It hit a guard rail and a concrete pillar. Two other men were hospitalized in critical condition at last word. The other four were treated and later released. The driver was the only one wearing his seatbelt.
Kennedy and Liverseed Square Off
3/29/10 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy took time to discuss the issues with write-in candidate Joe Liverseed on WBEV’s Community Comment last Friday. Liverseed, a senior at Wayland Academy who fell one valid signature short of appearing on the ballot, says the city needs a fresh, youthful voice in government. Kennedy says his experience has been a benefit to the city -- from two major downtown housing developments to the securing of $20 million in stimulus funds for a new wastewater treatment plant – and he hopes to continue that success. The two candidates will also be meeting with voters on Thursday afternoon at the Hotel Rogers.
Mayville Mayoral Candidates to Appear on Community Comment
3/29/10 - On Community Comment this afternoon we begin the first of three programs looking at contested mayoral races in Dodge County. Today we welcome Mayville mayoral candidates Bob Smith and Jerry Moedee. The two are competing to see who will succeed Tracy Heron who decided not to seek re-election after one full term. In addition, Smith is looking to retain his Ward 2 seat. Because that too is a contested race, we will hear from Smith’s aldermanic opponent, Kathleen Sertich, at the end of today’s program. Tomorrow on Community Comment our guests will be Waupun’s incumbent mayor Jodi Steger and challenger Jay Graf. On Wednesday, we hear from Juneau incumbent mayor Ron Bosak and challenger Dan Jahnke. Community Comment airs weekdays on WBEV beginning at 12:35pm.
Fitzgerald Leaving Marshal Post
3/29/10 - Former Dodge County Sheriff Stephen Fitzgerald is leaving his post as U.S. Marshal. President Obama has nominated Dallas Neville to return to the position he held for the 8-years before Fitzgerald was appointed by former President George W. Bush. Neville is currently the deputy director of emergency police services for the state Military Affairs Department. He was appointed by former President Clinton as the U-S Marshal for the western half of Wisconsin from 1994-to-2002 before being replaced by Fitzgerald. His appointment as western Wisconsin’s U-S Marshal must still be confirmed by the U-S Senate’s Judiciary Committee and then by the full Senate.
Kohl: Health Care Bill a Good Start
3/29/10 - U.S. Senator Herb Kohl says it still needs some tinkering but overall he believes the health care reform package passed last week is a good start. Kohl made his comments at an awards dinner in Fond du Lac over the weekend. The Democrat says the package will make health care more affordable for everyone in America. He also says the timing was important as he thinks had they not passed it now it would have been another 10-15 years before legislators attempted to do it again. Kohl was one of the 56-senators who voted to approve the bill last week.
Benz Case Thrown Out
3/29/10 - A judge on Friday threw out the case of a Campbellsport woman accused of abusing a 10-month-old girl. 52-year-old Mary Benz was charged in 2007 with felony child abuse and three misdemeanor counts of obstructing police related to the alleged incident in June of ’07 at the Our Lady of the Lakes Child Care Center in Random Lake. The judge said Benz was denied her right to a speedy trial, to the point in which witnesses had trouble recalling facts. D-A Joe DeCecco said he would appeal the dismissal.
Kenosha Soldier to be Honored
3/29/10 - Flags will be at half-staff today at state government and military facilities to honor a Kenosha soldier killed in Iraq. 26-year-old Army Specialist Robert Rieckhoff was on guard duty 11 days ago when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his watch-tower. He had served twice in Iraq and once in Kuwait after graduating from Kenosha Tremper High School in 2002. Members of his unit called Rieckhoff a hero.
Fall River Woman a Finalist for “Alice in Dairyland”
3/29/10 - A local woman is a finalist to be Wisconsin’s next “Alice in Dairyland”. Christine Lepple Lindner of Fall River is one of six finalists for the title that will be awarded on May 22nd. The winner will spend the next year promoting Wisconsin's food products as a one-year ambassador for the state Agriculture Department. All six have extensive agricultural training, and farming-and-marketing experience. The new Alice will replace Eastman native Cheryl O'Brien. More information is available at the program's Web site at AliceInDairyland-Dot-Com.
Winning Megabucks Ticket Sold in Racine
3/29/10 - Another week and another big lottery winner in Wisconsin. A week after a Fond du Lac man won a million dollars playing Powerball somebody in Racine is seven-and-a-half million dollars richer. One ticket matched all six numbers in Saturday night’s Megabucks lottery. The Megabucks will go back to 1-million-dollars for Tuesday’s drawing while the Powerball jackpot is 81-million-dollars for Wednesday night’s drawing.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Top Stories, March 28th
Horicon Secures Brownfield Grant
3/28/10 - Horicon will be receiving a $100,000 Brownfield Grants to redevelop the former Gardner Manufacturing building on Kansas Street. Clerk-Treasurer Dave Pasewald says the city received a $30,000 Brownfield Grant last year and was able to determine that there was ground water and soil contamination. The grant will allow for additional testing on the property to determine the extent of contamination and to demolish the old brick building that is currently on the site. A 20% local match is required. The site was purchased by the city in February of last year after it went into a state of disrepair and the owner was unable to be located. Pasewald says the city has already entered into a contract to begin the process but he says it could take years to complete.
Contractor Critical of Baraboo Ammo Clean-Up
3/28/10 - Researcher Peter deFur says the Army didn't like his conclusions -- so, it fired him. The scientist was contracted to analyze the U.S. Army's cleanup plans at the Badger Army Ammunition Center near Baraboo. He submitted his review, but the Army said it wasn't "objective." DeFur is a private consultant based at Virginia Commonwealth University who has worked on several projects for the Army and the EPA. The Army says deFur was hired to review its remedy to clean up contaminants at the seven thousand acre facility which has been closed for more than 32 years. It says, instead, deFur criticized the process. DeFur says the government didn't like his results, so it is "trying to shoot the messenger."
Columbus Man Appears On Growing Charge
A Columbus man faces nine years in prison for having an alleged marijuana growing operation in his Columbus home. After a six-week investigation authorities executed a search warrant last week that resulted in the arrest of 45-year-old David D. Salek. Police say they discovered the growing operation in a bedroom of the residence. Among the items allegedly seized were 17 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, a book on growing marijuana, a baggie of processed marijuana and a number of other drug related items. Salek had a signature bond set at $5000 Friday.
Driver Injured in Rollover
3/28/10 - One injury was reported after a one-vehicle rollover last night in the Town of Calamus. The Dodge County Sheriffs Department responded to Highway 151 and County Trunk S at 9pm. The 19-year-old woman driving the vehicle was transported to the hospital by Lifestar EMS.
DOT Testing ‘Smart Work Zones’
3/28/10 - Wouldn't it be nice to know how long it will take you to get through that work zone ahead? At several major work zones in Wisconsin, you will. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is using new technology to give travelers more information. DOT Regional Director Joe Olson describes one such effort, called a "Smart Zone," near Tomah. "Well, the Smart Zone consists of a series of cameras and microwave detectors located both north and south of Tomah on I-94 and then again just west of Tomah on I-90,” Olson says. “This gives the State Traffic Operations Center real-time traffic volume and speed information and they can then, in turn, communicate that to motorists through our message boards and the state's 511 Traveler Information System." The system will be especially important since there could be three- to four-mile backups in the Tomah area on Friday and Sunday afternoons every weekend through May due to lane restrictions. Additionally, there will be lane restrictions in that area for the next two years as the highway is reconstructed.
Madison Seeking Google High Speed
3/28/10 - Madison's standing on a list of cities who want Google to install high-speed fiber access to the Internet not only depends on infrastructure -- it also can be affected by blog entries, tweets and the numbers of fans for its Facebook page. Google announced last month it would pick one or more communities where it will open the door to one gigabit per second service. The application deadline was last Friday and it was filled out online. The process is a "blind" one, since the company hasn't specified what criteria it will use to make its choice. A Michigan firm has been ranking cities' chances to get the service based on things like Facebook activity. Just recently, Madison dropped from fifth to eighth on that list - despite the 45 hundred friends signed up for the Madison Facebook page.
Photo Voting Fight Continues
3/28/10 - The push for requiring photo ID to vote isn’t dead. State Representative Jeff Stone says there are a lot of problems with accuracy in the current system, and such a requirement would help to address those issues. His bill is similar to one previously approved by lawmakers, which Governor Doyle vetoed. Stone argues a strong majority of the public wants a photo ID requirement in place. The proposal is unlikely to see any action before the Legislature wraps up its current session next month. However, Stone says it’s important to start a discussion as lawmakers consider other bills that would make it easier for voters to register.
GAB: ‘Donor Fines Total $23K’
3/28/10 - The Government Accountability Board reports it has collected more than $23,000 in fines from people who violated campaign contribution limits in 2008. State law allows individuals to give a maximum of 10 thousand dollars to a candidate during an election cycle. Seven people were caught violating that law. Fines ranged from 300 dollars to more than 64 hundred dollars. Herzing University executive Stacey Herzing gave more than 18 thousand dollars in contributions to a candidate -- the most among the violators. He paid a 32 hundred dollar fine. Seven other people investigated by state regulators showed documentation that their contributions should have been at least partially attributed to a family member, so they avoided the fines.
Bill Would Make Straw Gun Purchase Felony
3/28/10 - If you buy a gun for a felon, you can get in a lot of trouble. A bill is being proposed at the Capitol which would make those penalties even tougher. The legislation would hit persons who knowingly accept guns through those kinds of purchases, too. Felons can’t legally possess firearms. Milwaukee Chief of Police Edward Flynn says his officers are going up against drug dealers and gang bangers who are often just as well armed as they are, yet buying and accepting the guns in most cases results in a misdemeanor charge. Flynn says guns used to shoot six Milwaukee officers were purchased at a single shop: Badger Guns. And who are the straw buyers? Retired ATF agent Brad Hayes, who spent fifteen years in Milwaukee, says they’re often the clients of drug dealers. Senate bill 611 increases that misdemeanor to a felony charge.
Abuse Investigation At Milwaukee Mental Health
3/28/10 - The watchdog agency Disability Rights Wisconsin starts an investigation into patient sexual abuse allegations at the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex. The agency says it wants complex records, as it prepares to interview staff members, patients and the guardians of those patients. A federal inspection last January found some serious problems. Before that, in August of last year, a 22 year old woman at the complex was found to be pregnant. A male patient living there was identified by federal inspectors as having a history of sexual aggression. The inspector found members of the complex staff who were unaware of the official hospital policy of no sexual contact between patients.
Racine Investigates Murder-Suicide
3/28/10 - Racine investigators say they may be dealing with a case of murder-suicide. The bodies of a man and a woman were found in a Racine apartment last Thursday. Police say a neighbor called to tell them Fredrick Bolden and Starkeesha Wilkins were lying on the floor inside the apartment next to a gun. Police say both were shot to death. The neighbor had gone to that apartment to check on the welfare of Bolden and Wilkins. Autopsies were done on both bodies Friday. Investigators say they believe Bolden shot Wilkins, then turned the gun on himself.
UW Eau Claire Suspends Mexico Trip
3/28/10 - If you’re headed to Mexico for spring break, a Wisconsin expert says you need to travel in groups, know the local laws and stay in touch with your family. The State Department has warned of increasing violence in that country, as wars between drug sellers break out. Joel Dhein is president of the Wisconsin Crime Prevention Practitioners Association. He suggests researching how Mexican gunmen sometimes impersonate police officers is a good idea – so you can be prepared if it happens. Dhein says 15 minutes of research can make a major difference. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has suspended two student trips to Mexico this week, due to safety concerns.
BD Brush Pick-Up Starts This Week
3/28/10 - The Beaver Dam Department of Public Works will begin picking up brush and shrubbery cuttings this Thursday. Facilities Director Dave Stoiser says city residents that receive solid waste collection services can place neatly-piled, loose tree limbs and shrubbery cuttings at the street edge by 7am on their first waste collection day of the month. Yard waste can also be dropped off at the DPW garage on South Center Street, which starting this week will be open on Saturdays. Brush pick-up continues once a month through the first collection day in November.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Top Stories March 27th
Crash on 151 Results in Minor Injuries
3/27/10 - A two vehicle accident on Highway 151 between Beaver Dam and Waupun resulted in only minor injuries but did cause some traffic issues yesterday afternoon. Dodge County Sheriff's Captain Molly Soblewski says an elderly woman was westbound on Redwood Road when she pulled out into the path of a northbound vehicle. The resulting crash sent the 2nd vehicle careening into the median. The woman suffered only minor injuries but was taken to the hospital as a precaution. The five people in the car she hit also suffered only minor injuries. One of the northbound lanes was closed for about an hour and half. The investigation is ongoing but Soblewski says the woman will most likely be cited.
Judge Throws Child Abuse Case Out of Court
3/27/10 - A Campbellsport woman accused of abusing a 10-month-old girl had her criminal case thrown out of court yesterday. Circuit Judge Terrence Bourke ruled that 52-year-old Mary Benz was denied her right to a speedy trial, to the point in which witnesses had trouble recalling facts. And Bourke said numerous delays have prejudiced the case against Benz. She was charged in 2007 with felony child abuse and three misdemeanor counts of obstructing police. Prosecutors said the girl had vaginal surgery after the incident in June of '07 at the Our Lady of the Lakes Child Care Center in Random Lake. And Benz allegedly asked three center employees to lie to police about it. She was put on trial last November, but a mistrial was declared after it was learned that evidence in the district attorney's office was not turned over to the defense before the trial, as required. Judge Bourke said he was convinced that the D-A's actions were not intentional - but it legally made no difference. Benz was charged in May of 2008 after a 10-month investigation. Her case had been scheduled for a re-trial on April 10th. D-A Joe DeCecco said he would appeal today's dismissal.
WASD Board Member Resigns
3/27/10 - The Waupun School Board is looking to fill a seat after Scott Fairbanks resigned earlier this week. Fairbanks, who was just elected last year, serves as the at-large member of the board. Superintendent Randy Refsland says the district is currently accepting applications to replace Fairbanks. The at-large seat is open to anyone living in the district and Refsland says the person appointed will serve out Fairbanks term with the position up for reelection next year. Applications must be in by 4pm on April 8th.
CAAC Looking for Big Year
3/27/10 - Over the past three years the Columbus Area Aquatics Center committee has weathered a number of challenges including contract changes, a flood, changes in concession area management, budget allocation disputes and even a hidden leak that took months to repair. However, the city administrator says recent rumors that the City would be "taking over the pool" are NOT true. Plus, the Aquatic Center committee feels there could be increased pool attendance this summer. A change in concession prices and offerings for the 2010 season are in place. The Aquatic Center will have an amended lease agreement with the City come before the Council on April 6.
WI Residents Can Sign Up to Organ Donors Online
3/27/10 - Wisconsin residents, who want to be organ donors, now have a solution online. The state of Wisconsin is working with the group Donate Life Wisconsin to start a website called YesIWillWisconsin-dot-com. More than 15 hundred people in the Badger State need an organ transplant. The website will be operational by Monday. Potential organ donors need to be at least 15 and a half years old and have a drivers license or a state identification card.
SNAP Speaks Out on Arrest in Italy
3/27/10 - Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests -- or SNAP -- say they spent more time in an Italian jail this week than the late Father Lawrence Murphy did in his entire life. Murphy is accused of sexually abusing up to 200 students at the St. John's School for the Deaf over several years. SNAP Director Peter Isely and three members of that group were held for a couple of hours after holding a news conference without a permit outside St. Peter's Square in Rome Thursday. They were talking about the sex scandal involving Father Murphy -- and possible connections to the current Pope.
Witte Speaks on Own Behalf
3/27/10 - Convicted killer Gerhard Witte tells the court he has hopes. He wants to live long enough to hear his children say they are sorry this happened. Witte was convicted of killing his wife in a downtown Milwaukee parking garage nearly two years ago. He represented himself in the trial. When the jury found Witte guilty, the judge gave him a life sentence with no chance of parole. Witte is 72 years old. His daughter told the court he is no longer her father. Witte had argued he was of such high moral caliber, of such great intellect and had such a deep love for family and tradition -- he had to have been out of his mind to kill his wife. The Wittes were divorced three years before the murder.
WI DOT Closing Milwaukee Bridge for Safety Concerns
3/27/10 - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says it's closing a bridge near downtown Milwaukee to keep drivers safe. The heavily-traveled Highway 45 bridge in the Milwaukee Zoo interchange has been shut down by the state. Truck drivers were ignoring postings that limited the bridge to 30 tons. A DOT spokesperson says despite enforcement efforts by the state patrol, trucks weighing twice that kept using the bridge. That quickened its deterioration and increased worries about safety. Drivers should plan for congestion and delays. A replacement bridge is under construction and is due to be opened Memorial Day weekend.
Lobbyists in Madison Looking to Head off More State Regulations
3/27/10 - Lobbyists for the payday loan industry may be trying to head off more state regulation. A new report from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign shows that industry spent more than 650 thousand dollars lobbying against new regulations. It also contributed almost 75 thousand dollars to state policy makers last year. WDC executive director Mike McCabe says the figures show the industry is a big player in state politics and it also offers some insight into why lawmakers have had a hard time passing regulations this session. Lawmakers will end their session next month and are expected to be on the floor for just a few days. McCabe says it's doubtful they'll be able to reach a consensus on reforms before wrapping up for the year.
3/27/10 - A two vehicle accident on Highway 151 between Beaver Dam and Waupun resulted in only minor injuries but did cause some traffic issues yesterday afternoon. Dodge County Sheriff's Captain Molly Soblewski says an elderly woman was westbound on Redwood Road when she pulled out into the path of a northbound vehicle. The resulting crash sent the 2nd vehicle careening into the median. The woman suffered only minor injuries but was taken to the hospital as a precaution. The five people in the car she hit also suffered only minor injuries. One of the northbound lanes was closed for about an hour and half. The investigation is ongoing but Soblewski says the woman will most likely be cited.
Judge Throws Child Abuse Case Out of Court
3/27/10 - A Campbellsport woman accused of abusing a 10-month-old girl had her criminal case thrown out of court yesterday. Circuit Judge Terrence Bourke ruled that 52-year-old Mary Benz was denied her right to a speedy trial, to the point in which witnesses had trouble recalling facts. And Bourke said numerous delays have prejudiced the case against Benz. She was charged in 2007 with felony child abuse and three misdemeanor counts of obstructing police. Prosecutors said the girl had vaginal surgery after the incident in June of '07 at the Our Lady of the Lakes Child Care Center in Random Lake. And Benz allegedly asked three center employees to lie to police about it. She was put on trial last November, but a mistrial was declared after it was learned that evidence in the district attorney's office was not turned over to the defense before the trial, as required. Judge Bourke said he was convinced that the D-A's actions were not intentional - but it legally made no difference. Benz was charged in May of 2008 after a 10-month investigation. Her case had been scheduled for a re-trial on April 10th. D-A Joe DeCecco said he would appeal today's dismissal.
WASD Board Member Resigns
3/27/10 - The Waupun School Board is looking to fill a seat after Scott Fairbanks resigned earlier this week. Fairbanks, who was just elected last year, serves as the at-large member of the board. Superintendent Randy Refsland says the district is currently accepting applications to replace Fairbanks. The at-large seat is open to anyone living in the district and Refsland says the person appointed will serve out Fairbanks term with the position up for reelection next year. Applications must be in by 4pm on April 8th.
CAAC Looking for Big Year
3/27/10 - Over the past three years the Columbus Area Aquatics Center committee has weathered a number of challenges including contract changes, a flood, changes in concession area management, budget allocation disputes and even a hidden leak that took months to repair. However, the city administrator says recent rumors that the City would be "taking over the pool" are NOT true. Plus, the Aquatic Center committee feels there could be increased pool attendance this summer. A change in concession prices and offerings for the 2010 season are in place. The Aquatic Center will have an amended lease agreement with the City come before the Council on April 6.
WI Residents Can Sign Up to Organ Donors Online
3/27/10 - Wisconsin residents, who want to be organ donors, now have a solution online. The state of Wisconsin is working with the group Donate Life Wisconsin to start a website called YesIWillWisconsin-dot-com. More than 15 hundred people in the Badger State need an organ transplant. The website will be operational by Monday. Potential organ donors need to be at least 15 and a half years old and have a drivers license or a state identification card.
SNAP Speaks Out on Arrest in Italy
3/27/10 - Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests -- or SNAP -- say they spent more time in an Italian jail this week than the late Father Lawrence Murphy did in his entire life. Murphy is accused of sexually abusing up to 200 students at the St. John's School for the Deaf over several years. SNAP Director Peter Isely and three members of that group were held for a couple of hours after holding a news conference without a permit outside St. Peter's Square in Rome Thursday. They were talking about the sex scandal involving Father Murphy -- and possible connections to the current Pope.
Witte Speaks on Own Behalf
3/27/10 - Convicted killer Gerhard Witte tells the court he has hopes. He wants to live long enough to hear his children say they are sorry this happened. Witte was convicted of killing his wife in a downtown Milwaukee parking garage nearly two years ago. He represented himself in the trial. When the jury found Witte guilty, the judge gave him a life sentence with no chance of parole. Witte is 72 years old. His daughter told the court he is no longer her father. Witte had argued he was of such high moral caliber, of such great intellect and had such a deep love for family and tradition -- he had to have been out of his mind to kill his wife. The Wittes were divorced three years before the murder.
WI DOT Closing Milwaukee Bridge for Safety Concerns
3/27/10 - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says it's closing a bridge near downtown Milwaukee to keep drivers safe. The heavily-traveled Highway 45 bridge in the Milwaukee Zoo interchange has been shut down by the state. Truck drivers were ignoring postings that limited the bridge to 30 tons. A DOT spokesperson says despite enforcement efforts by the state patrol, trucks weighing twice that kept using the bridge. That quickened its deterioration and increased worries about safety. Drivers should plan for congestion and delays. A replacement bridge is under construction and is due to be opened Memorial Day weekend.
Lobbyists in Madison Looking to Head off More State Regulations
3/27/10 - Lobbyists for the payday loan industry may be trying to head off more state regulation. A new report from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign shows that industry spent more than 650 thousand dollars lobbying against new regulations. It also contributed almost 75 thousand dollars to state policy makers last year. WDC executive director Mike McCabe says the figures show the industry is a big player in state politics and it also offers some insight into why lawmakers have had a hard time passing regulations this session. Lawmakers will end their session next month and are expected to be on the floor for just a few days. McCabe says it's doubtful they'll be able to reach a consensus on reforms before wrapping up for the year.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Top Stories, March 26th
Disappointing End to Great Season
3/26/10 - A hot start fizzled for the Beaver Dam girl's basketball team as they lost their Division 1 quarterfinal game to DePere 50-29 in Madison last night. The Beavers used defense and some quick baskets to get out to an 8-2 lead before the Redbirds fought back to take a two-point lead after the first quarter. The game was still close at half but DePere shot 52-percent in the second half and Beaver Dam couldn't overcome 20-turnovers in losing for just the 2nd time all season. Kaitlyn McIntyre led the Beavers with 14 points and 7 rebounds. DePere will play Wausau West in the semifinals tonight.
Two Injured in Separate Accidents
3/26/10 - One minor injury was reported after a four-vehicle accident in the Town of Beaver Dam Thursday morning. Dodge County Patrol Captain Molly Soblewski says the accident occurred on Highway 33 between Hemlock and Golf View Road at 10:13am. A county-owned highway grader was traveling southbound at approximately 5mph with a small passenger car following. A southbound pick-up truck rear-ended the passenger car. That car was then pushed into the northbound lanes where it was struck by a different southbound vehicle. The pick-up then rear-ended the grader. Soblewski says the driver of the pick-up, an 81-year-old Randolph man, will be cited. He sustained facial lacerations and was treated at a local hospital. The other drivers were wearing seatbelts and were not injured.
About an hour later another accident occurred, this time in the Town of Theresa. Officials say 64-year-old Ronald Norman was injured after rolling his vehicle on Highway H near Highway 28. There is no word on the severity of the injuries.
Congress Finishes Work on Health Care Reform
3/26/10 - All Wisconsin Democrats voted yes, and all state Republicans voted no as Congress finished its work on health care reform last night. A bill that fixes the sweeping package that was signed into law on Tuesday passed the House and Senate without a single G-O-P vote. House Republican Tom Petri of Fond du Lac refused to stray, even though the bill has something he's been seeking for 20 years - an end to privately-originated college student loans in favor of direct government lending. The new bill also adds 20-billion dollars in subsidies for low-and-middle-income people who will be required to buy health insurance. And there's another eight-billion for states with higher-than-average Medicaid benefits. President Obama is expected to sign the measure early next week.
Fitzgerald to Push for Lawsuit Vote
3/26/10 - Horicon legislator Jeff Fitzgerald says he'll try to force a vote to allow the state to sue Washington over the law that requires people to buy health insurance. That's after Wisconsin's majority Democrats quickly shot down a request from Republican Attorney General JB Van Hollen to join other states for a possible lawsuit. Governor Jim Doyle called it a "frivolous and political attempt to thwart the actions of Congress." And Doyle said Wisconsin would not quote, "enter into litigation intended to deny health care for tens-of-thousands of residents." Meanwhile, democratic leaders of both houses said they would not bring the request up for a vote. Still, Fitzgerald hopes to force the issue the next time the house meets, which could come as early as mid-April.
Horicon Approves Sale of Bonds
3/26/10 - The Horicon City Council has approved the sale of close to 4.6-million in bonds for various infrastructure projects. Just more than $2.4-million-dollars of General Obligation Purpose Bonds are to be used to finance the Maple Street improvement project, the Rice Street Lift Station, and refinancing part of the Highway 33 reconstruction project. Another $2.2-million-dollars of Water System Revenue Bonds will be used to construct additions, extensions and improvements to the city's water system, while also refinancing another part of the Highway 33 project. The bonds will be paid back over a 20-year period which officials say will lessen the tax burden for residents.
Third Man Charged In Pregnant Purse Snatching
3/26/10 - One of the men accused of beating up a pregnant woman in the Watertown High School parking lot and stealing her purse has waived his right to a preliminary hearing. 20-year-old Andrew Hoffman of Madison entered a “not guilty” plea at arraignment yesterday. Meanwhile, a third person has been charged in connection with the attack. 23-year-old Desmond Durow of Mukwonago is charged along with Hoffman and 22-year-old Brad Kiefer with felony Theft, Robbery with the Use of Force and a misdemeanor count of Battery related to the February 8 incident. The victim was attempting to get into her car around 9:30pm when Hoffman and Kiefer allegedly walked up behind her and knocked her to the ground and started kicking her. The victim was around four months pregnant at the time and she sustained cuts and scrapes. Approximately $1000 in student loan money was stolen from her purse. She was able to get a partial license plate and it turns out she knows her alleged attackers. According to the criminal complaint, the battery in her vehicle was manually disconnected. After the attack, she arrived at home to find her apartment had been broken into. Police were able to lift fingerprints from both the hood of her vehicle and the point of entry to her residence and connect it to her assailants, who are acquaintances. The suspects claim the victim had stolen $400 that they had collected to purchase illegal drugs and they were just trying to get their money back. An arrest warrant has been issued for Durow while Hoffman and Kiefer both have telephone conferences scheduled in coming weeks. Hoffman also had his cash bond reduced yesterday from $50,000 to $15,000.
Wood Drug Levels 8X Therapeutic Range
3/26/10 - A state lab report said Representative Jeff Wood had eight times the therapeutic range of a cough syrup ingredient when he was arrested last fall for driving erratically near Wausau. The independent lawmaker from Chippewa Falls told an Assembly committee that was considering his punishment on Tuesday that his level for the drug D-X-M was quote, “a little bit higher than normal.” The Wisconsin State Journal of Madison uncovered the lab report. The paper said the cough syrup ingredient is known as a poor man’s P-C-P – and its excessive use is called “Robo-tripping,” a phrase based on the cough syrup Robitussin. The Assembly panel deadlocked on a punishment for Wood, who was the subject of an expulsion petition for his three O-W-I arrests in the last 16 months, including one alcohol-related arrest in Columbia County. The full Assembly is expected to consider a punishment for Wood next month. The sponsor of the expulsion petition, Whitewater Republican Steve Nass, has issued a statement accusing Wood of misleading the special ethics panel. Wood and his lawyer did not immediately comment.
Hustisford-Area Candidates Differ On Board Size
3/26/10 - The candidates competing for the Dodge County Board’s Hustisford-area seat have differing opinions on how many seats should be eliminated from the 37-member board. District 18 incumbent Supervisor Larry Bischoff says the opinion that downsizing of the county board will save money is totally wrong. Bischoff says cutting the board just for the sake of cutting is wrong, but he says it could be reduced by around a half-dozen supervisors. Challenger Ted Engelbart says cutting down the board to at least 37 members would be his one and only priority if elected. Engelbart also says there are too many committee’s and he was surprised to learn that supervisors can attend up to three meetings a day at $40 each. Both candidates were our guests on WBEV’s Community Comment this week. We’ll look at the supervisor candidates in the remaining two contested districts next Thursday beginning at 12:35pm.
Lottery Winner Identified in Fond du Lac
3/26/10 - Lottery officials have identified the man who won a million-dollars off a ticket sold on Fond du Lac's "Miracle Mile". Ron Horton of Fond du Lac won the money in Wednesday night's Powerball drawing. He bought his ticket at Ma-and-Pa's Grocery Express - one of several stores on South Main Street which have sold a number of multi-million-dollar tickets over the last two decades. Horton said he felt numb once he learned he won.
Kennedy-Liverseed on Community Comment
3/26/10 - On Community Comment this afternoon we welcome incumbent Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy and his write-in challenger Joe Liverseed. Liverseed, a senior at Wayland Academy, fell one valid signature short of appearing on the April 6th ballot. We’ll ask the two their opinions on pressing city matters, and take questions from our listeners, beginning at 12:35pm this afternoon on WBEV.
News Organizations Could Lose Free Blue Book
3/26/10 - A Wisconsin legislative committee voted unanimously Thursday to stop giving each newspaper a free copy of the state government’s official almanac. The State Affairs Committee sent the measure to the full Assembly only a week after it was introduced. The bill’s sponsor, West Bend Republican Pat Strachota, said it doesn’t make sense to spend the money to give the 265 newspapers the Wisconsin Blue Book when everything in it is available on-line. The book is printed every two years. The Capitol sells them. Representatives get 350 copies to give to their constituents, and senators get 600 copies each.
Legislators Get $75K From Pay Day Loan Industry
3/26/10 - A watchdog group said pay-day loan companies gave 75-thousand-dollars in campaign cash to Wisconsin’s governor and legislators in 2009. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign said it was a record amount given for a non-election year. A report said majority Democrats in both the Assembly and Senate received over 47-thousand dollars from the pay-day loan and auto title industries. Republicans in both houses got just over 18-thousand dollars for their campaign funds. And Governor Jim Doyle was given 81-hundred dollars. The loan companies were fighting a measure to put an interest limit on pay-day advance loans. The state Assembly passed a bill which did not include an interest cap – but it ban roll-overs and the use of auto titles as collateral. The Senate is still working on its own package.
Auto Minimum Wage Increase Bill Introduced
3/26/10 - State Representative Cory Mason of Racine is a sponsor of legislation which would automatically adjust the minimum wage each September, based on the rate of inflation. He says the move is needed to help low-earning workers survive as the cost of living goes up. The proposal is drawing concerns from business groups. Wisconsin Restaurant Association President Ed Lump warns that employers may not be able to keep up with the wage increases during tough economic times, when inflation is often at its highest. As a result, he says the indexing could force them to cut jobs they can no longer afford.
Health Bill Addresses Elder Abuse
3/26/10 - The new federal health reform law contains a major effort to reduce elder abuse and neglect. Madison House Democrat Tammy Baldwin says the package has Washington’s first significant response to elder abuse. It devotes hundreds-of-millions of dollars for protective services, pilot projects, training on spotting abuse, boosting the ombudsman program for long-term care, and more. Those in long-term care facilities will get federal protections for the first time. Incomplete state reports showed that suspected elder abuse cases rose almost three-percent in 2008 to almost 49-hundred incidents. More than two dozen cases involved deaths – and over 375 were considered to be life-threatening.
3/26/10 - A hot start fizzled for the Beaver Dam girl's basketball team as they lost their Division 1 quarterfinal game to DePere 50-29 in Madison last night. The Beavers used defense and some quick baskets to get out to an 8-2 lead before the Redbirds fought back to take a two-point lead after the first quarter. The game was still close at half but DePere shot 52-percent in the second half and Beaver Dam couldn't overcome 20-turnovers in losing for just the 2nd time all season. Kaitlyn McIntyre led the Beavers with 14 points and 7 rebounds. DePere will play Wausau West in the semifinals tonight.
Two Injured in Separate Accidents
3/26/10 - One minor injury was reported after a four-vehicle accident in the Town of Beaver Dam Thursday morning. Dodge County Patrol Captain Molly Soblewski says the accident occurred on Highway 33 between Hemlock and Golf View Road at 10:13am. A county-owned highway grader was traveling southbound at approximately 5mph with a small passenger car following. A southbound pick-up truck rear-ended the passenger car. That car was then pushed into the northbound lanes where it was struck by a different southbound vehicle. The pick-up then rear-ended the grader. Soblewski says the driver of the pick-up, an 81-year-old Randolph man, will be cited. He sustained facial lacerations and was treated at a local hospital. The other drivers were wearing seatbelts and were not injured.
About an hour later another accident occurred, this time in the Town of Theresa. Officials say 64-year-old Ronald Norman was injured after rolling his vehicle on Highway H near Highway 28. There is no word on the severity of the injuries.
Congress Finishes Work on Health Care Reform
3/26/10 - All Wisconsin Democrats voted yes, and all state Republicans voted no as Congress finished its work on health care reform last night. A bill that fixes the sweeping package that was signed into law on Tuesday passed the House and Senate without a single G-O-P vote. House Republican Tom Petri of Fond du Lac refused to stray, even though the bill has something he's been seeking for 20 years - an end to privately-originated college student loans in favor of direct government lending. The new bill also adds 20-billion dollars in subsidies for low-and-middle-income people who will be required to buy health insurance. And there's another eight-billion for states with higher-than-average Medicaid benefits. President Obama is expected to sign the measure early next week.
Fitzgerald to Push for Lawsuit Vote
3/26/10 - Horicon legislator Jeff Fitzgerald says he'll try to force a vote to allow the state to sue Washington over the law that requires people to buy health insurance. That's after Wisconsin's majority Democrats quickly shot down a request from Republican Attorney General JB Van Hollen to join other states for a possible lawsuit. Governor Jim Doyle called it a "frivolous and political attempt to thwart the actions of Congress." And Doyle said Wisconsin would not quote, "enter into litigation intended to deny health care for tens-of-thousands of residents." Meanwhile, democratic leaders of both houses said they would not bring the request up for a vote. Still, Fitzgerald hopes to force the issue the next time the house meets, which could come as early as mid-April.
Horicon Approves Sale of Bonds
3/26/10 - The Horicon City Council has approved the sale of close to 4.6-million in bonds for various infrastructure projects. Just more than $2.4-million-dollars of General Obligation Purpose Bonds are to be used to finance the Maple Street improvement project, the Rice Street Lift Station, and refinancing part of the Highway 33 reconstruction project. Another $2.2-million-dollars of Water System Revenue Bonds will be used to construct additions, extensions and improvements to the city's water system, while also refinancing another part of the Highway 33 project. The bonds will be paid back over a 20-year period which officials say will lessen the tax burden for residents.
Third Man Charged In Pregnant Purse Snatching
3/26/10 - One of the men accused of beating up a pregnant woman in the Watertown High School parking lot and stealing her purse has waived his right to a preliminary hearing. 20-year-old Andrew Hoffman of Madison entered a “not guilty” plea at arraignment yesterday. Meanwhile, a third person has been charged in connection with the attack. 23-year-old Desmond Durow of Mukwonago is charged along with Hoffman and 22-year-old Brad Kiefer with felony Theft, Robbery with the Use of Force and a misdemeanor count of Battery related to the February 8 incident. The victim was attempting to get into her car around 9:30pm when Hoffman and Kiefer allegedly walked up behind her and knocked her to the ground and started kicking her. The victim was around four months pregnant at the time and she sustained cuts and scrapes. Approximately $1000 in student loan money was stolen from her purse. She was able to get a partial license plate and it turns out she knows her alleged attackers. According to the criminal complaint, the battery in her vehicle was manually disconnected. After the attack, she arrived at home to find her apartment had been broken into. Police were able to lift fingerprints from both the hood of her vehicle and the point of entry to her residence and connect it to her assailants, who are acquaintances. The suspects claim the victim had stolen $400 that they had collected to purchase illegal drugs and they were just trying to get their money back. An arrest warrant has been issued for Durow while Hoffman and Kiefer both have telephone conferences scheduled in coming weeks. Hoffman also had his cash bond reduced yesterday from $50,000 to $15,000.
Wood Drug Levels 8X Therapeutic Range
3/26/10 - A state lab report said Representative Jeff Wood had eight times the therapeutic range of a cough syrup ingredient when he was arrested last fall for driving erratically near Wausau. The independent lawmaker from Chippewa Falls told an Assembly committee that was considering his punishment on Tuesday that his level for the drug D-X-M was quote, “a little bit higher than normal.” The Wisconsin State Journal of Madison uncovered the lab report. The paper said the cough syrup ingredient is known as a poor man’s P-C-P – and its excessive use is called “Robo-tripping,” a phrase based on the cough syrup Robitussin. The Assembly panel deadlocked on a punishment for Wood, who was the subject of an expulsion petition for his three O-W-I arrests in the last 16 months, including one alcohol-related arrest in Columbia County. The full Assembly is expected to consider a punishment for Wood next month. The sponsor of the expulsion petition, Whitewater Republican Steve Nass, has issued a statement accusing Wood of misleading the special ethics panel. Wood and his lawyer did not immediately comment.
Hustisford-Area Candidates Differ On Board Size
3/26/10 - The candidates competing for the Dodge County Board’s Hustisford-area seat have differing opinions on how many seats should be eliminated from the 37-member board. District 18 incumbent Supervisor Larry Bischoff says the opinion that downsizing of the county board will save money is totally wrong. Bischoff says cutting the board just for the sake of cutting is wrong, but he says it could be reduced by around a half-dozen supervisors. Challenger Ted Engelbart says cutting down the board to at least 37 members would be his one and only priority if elected. Engelbart also says there are too many committee’s and he was surprised to learn that supervisors can attend up to three meetings a day at $40 each. Both candidates were our guests on WBEV’s Community Comment this week. We’ll look at the supervisor candidates in the remaining two contested districts next Thursday beginning at 12:35pm.
Lottery Winner Identified in Fond du Lac
3/26/10 - Lottery officials have identified the man who won a million-dollars off a ticket sold on Fond du Lac's "Miracle Mile". Ron Horton of Fond du Lac won the money in Wednesday night's Powerball drawing. He bought his ticket at Ma-and-Pa's Grocery Express - one of several stores on South Main Street which have sold a number of multi-million-dollar tickets over the last two decades. Horton said he felt numb once he learned he won.
Kennedy-Liverseed on Community Comment
3/26/10 - On Community Comment this afternoon we welcome incumbent Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy and his write-in challenger Joe Liverseed. Liverseed, a senior at Wayland Academy, fell one valid signature short of appearing on the April 6th ballot. We’ll ask the two their opinions on pressing city matters, and take questions from our listeners, beginning at 12:35pm this afternoon on WBEV.
News Organizations Could Lose Free Blue Book
3/26/10 - A Wisconsin legislative committee voted unanimously Thursday to stop giving each newspaper a free copy of the state government’s official almanac. The State Affairs Committee sent the measure to the full Assembly only a week after it was introduced. The bill’s sponsor, West Bend Republican Pat Strachota, said it doesn’t make sense to spend the money to give the 265 newspapers the Wisconsin Blue Book when everything in it is available on-line. The book is printed every two years. The Capitol sells them. Representatives get 350 copies to give to their constituents, and senators get 600 copies each.
Legislators Get $75K From Pay Day Loan Industry
3/26/10 - A watchdog group said pay-day loan companies gave 75-thousand-dollars in campaign cash to Wisconsin’s governor and legislators in 2009. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign said it was a record amount given for a non-election year. A report said majority Democrats in both the Assembly and Senate received over 47-thousand dollars from the pay-day loan and auto title industries. Republicans in both houses got just over 18-thousand dollars for their campaign funds. And Governor Jim Doyle was given 81-hundred dollars. The loan companies were fighting a measure to put an interest limit on pay-day advance loans. The state Assembly passed a bill which did not include an interest cap – but it ban roll-overs and the use of auto titles as collateral. The Senate is still working on its own package.
Auto Minimum Wage Increase Bill Introduced
3/26/10 - State Representative Cory Mason of Racine is a sponsor of legislation which would automatically adjust the minimum wage each September, based on the rate of inflation. He says the move is needed to help low-earning workers survive as the cost of living goes up. The proposal is drawing concerns from business groups. Wisconsin Restaurant Association President Ed Lump warns that employers may not be able to keep up with the wage increases during tough economic times, when inflation is often at its highest. As a result, he says the indexing could force them to cut jobs they can no longer afford.
Health Bill Addresses Elder Abuse
3/26/10 - The new federal health reform law contains a major effort to reduce elder abuse and neglect. Madison House Democrat Tammy Baldwin says the package has Washington’s first significant response to elder abuse. It devotes hundreds-of-millions of dollars for protective services, pilot projects, training on spotting abuse, boosting the ombudsman program for long-term care, and more. Those in long-term care facilities will get federal protections for the first time. Incomplete state reports showed that suspected elder abuse cases rose almost three-percent in 2008 to almost 49-hundred incidents. More than two dozen cases involved deaths – and over 375 were considered to be life-threatening.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Top Stories, March 25th
Judge To Decide Davis’ Fate
3/25/10 - A former Fox Lake Correctional Institution inmate, who allegedly attacked two guards with a claw-hammer, will plead his case directly to a judge next month. Judge Andrew Bissonnette this week accepted a request by Terrance Davis to waive a jury trial and proceed to a court trial. The 51-year-old pleaded “not guilty by mental defect” last June to charges of First Degree Intentional Homicide. Judge Bissonnette also reaffirmed a prior ruling that denied Davis a third mental evaluation. Davis allegedly assaulted the guards in the prison’s furniture-making shop in November 2008. A 52-year-old officer sustained head injuries and a broken arm and a 38-year-old guard required surgery for a fractured skull. Davis has been in prison since he killed two Milwaukee police officers 24 years ago when the officers walked into a drug deal. He faces up to 80-years in prison if found guilty. A three-day court trial is set to begin April 7.
Plea Deal Reached In Police Chase
3/25/10 - A Fall River man who lead authorities on a high-speed chase that at times reached speeds of 130-miles per hour has entered into a plea agreement. Peter Brockman pleaded “no contest” to felony charges of Fleeing an Officer and Bail Jumping and had a felony possession charge and two misdemeanors dismissed but read into the record. Mayville police attempted to pull over Brockman for a broken taillight on November 5. A chase ensued that started on Highway Y and continued to Highway 49 before the suspect lost control of his vehicle on East Main Street in Waupun. The vehicle jumped a curve before coming to rest about five-feet from a residence. The 24-year-old abandoned the vehicle and took off on foot. He managed to elude officers and a K-9 unit but was taken into custody the next morning after being spotted at a gas station using a pay phone. Brockman has a sentencing hearing scheduled for April 30.
100 Days For Drunken Chase
3/25/10 - A Beaver Dam man who was drunk and driving 115mph will spend 100 days in jail. Jesse Riesen pleaded “no contest” to his second OWI and amended misdemeanor charges of Obstructing an Officer and Disorderly Conduct. Fox Lake police officers say they tried to pull over Riesen for going 20 miles over the speed limit on State Street last August. According to the criminal complaint, the 30-year-old led authorities on a chase down County Road A that at times reached speeds in excess of 115mph. His blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit for driving. Riesen contended that his speed never exceeded 55mph on County A and says the officer started the pursuit from a parked position and maybe had to drive 115mph to catch up to him. In addition to having his license suspended for 18 months, Riesen will also spend 18 months with an ignition interlock device on his vehicle.
Taycheedah Prisoners Charged With Fraud
3/25/10 - Four prisoners are accused of trying to get state income tax credits for living in apartment units at the same time they were behind bars. Wendy Nelsen, Kristine Flynn, Amy Prelwitz, and Nicole Ousley are all at the Taycheedah women’s prison near Fond du Lac – and they’ve been charged with felony state tax fraud. Attorney General J-B Van Hollen announced the charges Wednesday. He said all four women claimed they were in living in apartments in 2008 in order to collect the Homestead tax credit, even though they were locked up in Taycheedah at the time. Ousley is due back in court April second, when a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to order a trial. The other three defendants have similar hearings set for April 30th.
Chester Death Not Suspicious
3/25/10 - Authorities say the death of man found outside of a residence in the Town of Chester Tuesday afternoon is not considered suspicious. Officials with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department say a home owner hired the 50-year-old victim to cut down a tree in his yard on Milligan Road. The residents left for about an hour and half and when they came back they found the man lying face down near the tree. The medical examiner pronounced the man dead at the scene. A relative of the victim said he had been dealing with heart issues lately and believes that contributed to the death.
Aneurism Cause of 151 Wreck
3/25/10 - A driver’s medical condition apparently caused an accident on Highway 151 near Highway 33 yesterday afternoon. The Sheriff’s Department says 34-year-old Tina Keneven was injured when her car struck a guardrail. Officials say it appears Kenevan suffered a brain aneurism prior to the accident. She suffered minor injuries related to the crash but was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Madison to treat the aneurism. Traffic in the area was slowed for about a half-hour while workers cleaned up the accident.
Oshkosh Coroner Investigating Teen Deaths
3/25/10 - The coroner in Oshkosh is investigating the deaths of two teenagers who had short illnesses. Preliminary autopsy results showed that 17-year-old Kyle Stenberg of Oshkosh died last Saturday from a bacterial infection. That was nine days after 16-year-old Megan Hanson passed away after a brief illness. Winnebago County Coroner Barry Busby said Hanson died from natural causes, but he’s not sure what type of disease was involved.
Candidates Undecided On Board Size
3/25/10 - The two candidates for a Beaver Dam area seat on the Dodge County Board are both awaiting the recommendation of a special committee before taking a position on the issue of the size of the 37-member body. Incumbent MaryAnn Miller says some counties have downsized their boards and find little to no cost savings and may have even lost money. Challenger Jim Geidd says changing the size of the board won’t change the number of issues that would still need to be considered. Both Miller and Geidd pointed out that the diversity of opinion would also be lost with a reduction. There are four contested seats on the Dodge County Board this election.
4800 Jobs Created Last Month
3/25/10 - For the first time in four years, Wisconsin added jobs from a January to a February. State officials said 48-hundred actual net jobs were created last month. And on a seasonal basis, when things like winter building slowdowns are taken into account, 52-hundred jobs were added in February compared to the month before. The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate held steady at eight-point-seven percent. But state Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman said it’s clear that Wisconsin is moving toward a recovery. Total jobs were still 95-thousand fewer than in February of 2009. The biggest employment gains last month were in manufacturing, construction, and administrative-and-support services.
Lawmaker Seeking To Strengthen Recreational OWI Laws
3/25/10 - Some find state laws on drunk driving for boats, ATVs and snowmobiles very complicated. Randy Hardin of Sheboygan is chairman of the Governor’s State Trails Council. He says you almost have to know what phase the moon is in, to know what ticket to write. Hardin served on a task force which was charged with bringing some consistency to the current regulations. Legislation now being proposed would make 2nd offense for OWI on any recreational vehicle – boat, ATV or snowmobile – within 5 years a criminal offense. Currently, an operator has to get arrested for OWI twice on the specific type of vehicle within 5 years for it to be a 2nd offense and criminal. The bill also revokes recreational vehicle privileges for convicted drunk drivers.
State Law Grads Still Not Required To Take Bar
3/25/10 - Wisconsin residents who graduate from the state’s law schools still do not have to pass the bar-exam to get licensed in the Badger State. The policy remains intact, after a couple who challenged it reached a settlement to drop their lawsuit. The state agreed to pay 75-hundred-dollars to Corrine Wiesmueller to settle her case, and then Federal Judge Barbara Crabb of Madison dismissed the suit. Wiesmueller and her husband Christopher had said the policy violates the Interstate Commerce Clause by giving Wisconsin law students an unfair advantage over out-of-staters, who must pass the bar-exam before they can practice law in the state.
BD Brush Pick-Up Begins Next Thursday
3/25/10 - The Beaver Dam Department of Public Works will begin picking up brush and shrubbery cuttings next Thursday. Facilities Director Dave Stoiser says city residents that receive solid waste collection services can place neatly-piled, loose tree limbs and shrubbery cuttings at the street edge by 7am on their first waste collection day of the month. Shrubbery cuttings cannot exceed seven inches in thickness and eight feet in length. Stoiser says if there is enough room in the tree border, limbs should be stacked so that all cut ends are facing the street. Limbs and cuttings less than 12 inches in length can be placed in clear plastic bags or 32 gallon cans. Stoiser says they cannot be placed in Veolia waste carts. Yard waste can also be dropped off at the DPW garage on South Center Street, which after this weekend will be open on Saturdays. Brush pick-up continues once a month through the first collection day in November.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Top Stories March 24th
Beaver Dam Rally’s Behind Girls Basketball Team
3/24/10 - Several hundred people came out last night to a pep rally for the Beaver Dam Girls Basketball team as they head to the state tournament Thursday in Madison. Coach Tim Chase told the crowd that when the season started they were picked fifth and they rolled all the way through the conference to a perfect 14-0 record. He says those same people said there was no way Beaver Dam would beat Oshkosh West on their home court, but the Golden Beaver's came from ten points down to win sectionals. And Chase says a prep basketball website has predicted their opponent, number one-ranked DePere, will beat them by 19-points. But Chase says the team has proven people wrong all year and they're gonna do it again tomorrow. Tickets are available on the WIAA's website or at the Kohl Center. The game will be broadcast on 95.3 WXRO, coverage starts at 6:00pm.
Police Bust Alleged Drug House in Columbus
3/24/10 - Columbia County authorities busted an alleged marijuana growing operation in Columbus last night. After a six week investigation authorities say they executed a search warrant that resulted in a 45-year-old man being arrested on a myriad of charges. Police say they discovered the growing operation in a bedroom of the residence. Among the items seized were 17 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, a book on growing marijuana, a baggie of processed marijuana and a number of other drug related items. The man was booked into the Columbia County jail on five charges including Maintaining a Drug Dwelling, Manufacturing Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Resisting Arrest.
Assessments Approved by Horicon Council
3/24/10 - A large audience greeted the Horicon City Council last night as they discussed levying assessments for upgrades to sewer lines and sidewalks on East Maple Street. The street was used as the main detour route during the Highway 33 reconstruction project last year leaving it littered with potholes. City officials say they used the road because it was due to be replaced this year anyway and contend the only reason it got so chewed up was large semi's not obeying the detour route around the city. At the meeting last night residents said they understood that the road was to be replaced but still thought it wasn't right for their road to be used as a detour. Those living on the portion of East Maple Street being replaced will be forced to pay for the improvements, whic are expected to cost in the $2,000 range. City officials say homeowners will be able to pay the assessments over a five or eight year plan. Work on East Maple Street has already begun.
Wood Panel Deadlocked
3/24/10 - A state panel recommended no legislative punishment Tuesday for Representative Jeff Wood, who’s been charged with three O-W-I’s in the past 16 months. All three Republicans on the special Assembly panel suggested that Wood be expelled, but all three Democrats favored only a reprimand. And without a majority recommending a specific punishment, the full Assembly will decide on its own whether to sanction Wood, who’s an Independent from Chippewa Falls. Last Friday, Wood said he received blood test results showing that his body had normal therapeutic levels of medicine when he was stopped last fall for erratic driving near Wausau. And as a result, Wood expected his O-W-I charge in Marathon County to be reduced to inattentive driving. Wood says he’s also fighting a similar arrest in Monroe County. And he has struck a plea bargain on a drunk driving case on the Interstate near Portage in Columbia County in December of 2008. The full Assembly is expected to take up the matter next month. It takes a two-thirds majority to remove Wood, but only a simple majority to reprimand him. Assembly Republican Steve Nass of Whitewater was the sole sponsor of a resolution to expel Wood last fall. Nass said Wood brought dishonor to the Legislature. But Wood said lawmakers had no right to punish him for something that was not directly related to his official state duties.
Industrial Park RxR Tracks Under Repair
3/24/10 - Work has already started to repair city-owned railroad tracks near the industrial park that split last week. A Wisconsin and Southern Railroad car came off the rails on North Green Valley Road, just north of Industrial Drive. While the rail car from Total Logistics did not tip it was left stranded and packed with perishable items. Officials estimate the final price tag will come in at between $20,000 and $30,000. Because the city planned to reconstruct Green Valley Road anyway this year, city officials say the two projects will benefit from being done simultaneously.
GAB Lifts Ad Restrictions
3/24/10 - Wisconsin will no longer enforce its 105-year-old law against labor unions and companies using their general funds for political ads. The Government Accountability Board unanimously voted Tuesday to stop enforcing the ban, after the U-S Supreme Court threw out a similar ban in January. Board staffers said the ruling in Washington effectively nullified the Wisconsin law. Madison attorney Mike Wittenwyler, who helps special interest groups put out political ads, said the board had no choice but to suspend its enforcement. Board member Gerald Nichol said he didn’t agree with the Supreme Court’s decision – but he has to accept reality.
Local Coach, Players Honored by Associated Press
3/24/10 - Randolph's Bob Haffele has been named as the A-P state Coach of the Year. Haffele received the coaching award after his Randolph team won the Division-Four crown and went 29-and-0. They also won a W-I-A-A-record eighth overall title. Meanwhile, Kyle Kelm of Randolph was named 2nd team all-state while Waupun's Austin Armga was recognized on the 3rd team. T-J Bray of Waukesha Catholic Memorial was named as the state player of the year.
Mega-Farm Public Hearings Begin
3/24/10 - Public hearings begin this week on a proposal to issue general state permits for so-called “mega-farms.” Right now, the D-N-R considers each individual case before granting a farm permit with over a-thousand animal units – which is equal to about 700 dairy cows. The new proposal would grant general permits for farms with a-thousand to 57-hundred animal units. Those with as few as 300 units might need permits if they have pollution problems that have not been corrected. The D-N-R says the new system would speed up the paperwork process – and it would let inspectors spend more of their time in the field. The first hearing on the measure is set for Friday in Wausau. Other hearings continue until about mid-April.
Badger State To Get $310K Settlement
3/24/10 - Wisconsin will get 310-thousand dollars as part of a national settlement in a Medicaid fraud case. Alpharma was accused of making false statements about its pain drug Kadian, so health care providers would prescribe more of it to patients. Medicaid is both a state and a federal health program which serves the poor and the elderly. State Attorney General J-B Van Hollen says the federal government will get 398-thousand dollars as a result of the Wisconsin part of the lawsuit. Alpharma will pay a total of 42-and-a-half million throughout the country, with interest. Medicaid will get almost half the amount.
State Developing Long Range Rail Plan
3/24/10 - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is seeking public input in developing a statewide, long-range rail plan. The Wisconsin Rail Plan 2030 is aimed at addressing rail needs. Aileen Switzer, DOT’s chief of statewide planning, says an on-line survey allows residents to tell DOT with what they like – or dislike – about freight, passenger or commuter rail. The survey takes about five minutes to fill out. The D-O-T has also mailed the questionnaire to a large range of businesses and the railroad industry. You can find a link to the survey on our website. The agency will hold public hearings on the plan later this year.
For more information:http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/state/railplan.htm
3/24/10 - Several hundred people came out last night to a pep rally for the Beaver Dam Girls Basketball team as they head to the state tournament Thursday in Madison. Coach Tim Chase told the crowd that when the season started they were picked fifth and they rolled all the way through the conference to a perfect 14-0 record. He says those same people said there was no way Beaver Dam would beat Oshkosh West on their home court, but the Golden Beaver's came from ten points down to win sectionals. And Chase says a prep basketball website has predicted their opponent, number one-ranked DePere, will beat them by 19-points. But Chase says the team has proven people wrong all year and they're gonna do it again tomorrow. Tickets are available on the WIAA's website or at the Kohl Center. The game will be broadcast on 95.3 WXRO, coverage starts at 6:00pm.
Police Bust Alleged Drug House in Columbus
3/24/10 - Columbia County authorities busted an alleged marijuana growing operation in Columbus last night. After a six week investigation authorities say they executed a search warrant that resulted in a 45-year-old man being arrested on a myriad of charges. Police say they discovered the growing operation in a bedroom of the residence. Among the items seized were 17 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, a book on growing marijuana, a baggie of processed marijuana and a number of other drug related items. The man was booked into the Columbia County jail on five charges including Maintaining a Drug Dwelling, Manufacturing Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Resisting Arrest.
Assessments Approved by Horicon Council
3/24/10 - A large audience greeted the Horicon City Council last night as they discussed levying assessments for upgrades to sewer lines and sidewalks on East Maple Street. The street was used as the main detour route during the Highway 33 reconstruction project last year leaving it littered with potholes. City officials say they used the road because it was due to be replaced this year anyway and contend the only reason it got so chewed up was large semi's not obeying the detour route around the city. At the meeting last night residents said they understood that the road was to be replaced but still thought it wasn't right for their road to be used as a detour. Those living on the portion of East Maple Street being replaced will be forced to pay for the improvements, whic are expected to cost in the $2,000 range. City officials say homeowners will be able to pay the assessments over a five or eight year plan. Work on East Maple Street has already begun.
Wood Panel Deadlocked
3/24/10 - A state panel recommended no legislative punishment Tuesday for Representative Jeff Wood, who’s been charged with three O-W-I’s in the past 16 months. All three Republicans on the special Assembly panel suggested that Wood be expelled, but all three Democrats favored only a reprimand. And without a majority recommending a specific punishment, the full Assembly will decide on its own whether to sanction Wood, who’s an Independent from Chippewa Falls. Last Friday, Wood said he received blood test results showing that his body had normal therapeutic levels of medicine when he was stopped last fall for erratic driving near Wausau. And as a result, Wood expected his O-W-I charge in Marathon County to be reduced to inattentive driving. Wood says he’s also fighting a similar arrest in Monroe County. And he has struck a plea bargain on a drunk driving case on the Interstate near Portage in Columbia County in December of 2008. The full Assembly is expected to take up the matter next month. It takes a two-thirds majority to remove Wood, but only a simple majority to reprimand him. Assembly Republican Steve Nass of Whitewater was the sole sponsor of a resolution to expel Wood last fall. Nass said Wood brought dishonor to the Legislature. But Wood said lawmakers had no right to punish him for something that was not directly related to his official state duties.
Industrial Park RxR Tracks Under Repair
3/24/10 - Work has already started to repair city-owned railroad tracks near the industrial park that split last week. A Wisconsin and Southern Railroad car came off the rails on North Green Valley Road, just north of Industrial Drive. While the rail car from Total Logistics did not tip it was left stranded and packed with perishable items. Officials estimate the final price tag will come in at between $20,000 and $30,000. Because the city planned to reconstruct Green Valley Road anyway this year, city officials say the two projects will benefit from being done simultaneously.
GAB Lifts Ad Restrictions
3/24/10 - Wisconsin will no longer enforce its 105-year-old law against labor unions and companies using their general funds for political ads. The Government Accountability Board unanimously voted Tuesday to stop enforcing the ban, after the U-S Supreme Court threw out a similar ban in January. Board staffers said the ruling in Washington effectively nullified the Wisconsin law. Madison attorney Mike Wittenwyler, who helps special interest groups put out political ads, said the board had no choice but to suspend its enforcement. Board member Gerald Nichol said he didn’t agree with the Supreme Court’s decision – but he has to accept reality.
Local Coach, Players Honored by Associated Press
3/24/10 - Randolph's Bob Haffele has been named as the A-P state Coach of the Year. Haffele received the coaching award after his Randolph team won the Division-Four crown and went 29-and-0. They also won a W-I-A-A-record eighth overall title. Meanwhile, Kyle Kelm of Randolph was named 2nd team all-state while Waupun's Austin Armga was recognized on the 3rd team. T-J Bray of Waukesha Catholic Memorial was named as the state player of the year.
Mega-Farm Public Hearings Begin
3/24/10 - Public hearings begin this week on a proposal to issue general state permits for so-called “mega-farms.” Right now, the D-N-R considers each individual case before granting a farm permit with over a-thousand animal units – which is equal to about 700 dairy cows. The new proposal would grant general permits for farms with a-thousand to 57-hundred animal units. Those with as few as 300 units might need permits if they have pollution problems that have not been corrected. The D-N-R says the new system would speed up the paperwork process – and it would let inspectors spend more of their time in the field. The first hearing on the measure is set for Friday in Wausau. Other hearings continue until about mid-April.
Badger State To Get $310K Settlement
3/24/10 - Wisconsin will get 310-thousand dollars as part of a national settlement in a Medicaid fraud case. Alpharma was accused of making false statements about its pain drug Kadian, so health care providers would prescribe more of it to patients. Medicaid is both a state and a federal health program which serves the poor and the elderly. State Attorney General J-B Van Hollen says the federal government will get 398-thousand dollars as a result of the Wisconsin part of the lawsuit. Alpharma will pay a total of 42-and-a-half million throughout the country, with interest. Medicaid will get almost half the amount.
State Developing Long Range Rail Plan
3/24/10 - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is seeking public input in developing a statewide, long-range rail plan. The Wisconsin Rail Plan 2030 is aimed at addressing rail needs. Aileen Switzer, DOT’s chief of statewide planning, says an on-line survey allows residents to tell DOT with what they like – or dislike – about freight, passenger or commuter rail. The survey takes about five minutes to fill out. The D-O-T has also mailed the questionnaire to a large range of businesses and the railroad industry. You can find a link to the survey on our website. The agency will hold public hearings on the plan later this year.
For more information:http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/state/railplan.htm
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Top Stories March 23rd
Groundwork Laid For New BDPD \
3/23/10 - The Beaver Dam Operations Committee got to work last night on planning for the new police station. The committee first approved bid advertising for the demolition of the former YMCA property on Park Avenue, the site of the planned $5.1 million facility. The committee also moved forward with seeking Requests for Proposals for a project manager along with engineering and architectural services. Director of Facilities David Stoiser says they hope to receive the RFP's back by the middle of next month with hopes of awarding a contract by May 3. Construction would start as early as the fall, with the shell built before winter and occupancy by November of 2011. Both Mayor Tom Kennedy and Committee Chair Laine Meyer called the timeline "aggressive" but were optimistic the goals could be reached.
WI AG: Won't Be Joining Health Care Lawsuits
3/23/10 - Wisconsin won't be joining other states in suing the national government over the health care reform package. But it's not because no one wants to do it. The two main Republican candidates for governor asked Attorney General J-B Van Hollen to sue Washington but Van Hollen said he'd need approval from the governor or at least one house of the Legislature to file a lawsuit - something Jim Doyle and his fellow Democrats said they'd never allow. Scott Walker and Mark Neumann also said they'd push for a state bill or a constitutional amendment to stop what Neumann called "new taxes, new fees, and explosive growth in the national debt." Walker promised it would be a defining issue in the governor's race. But a spokesman for Democratic candidate Tom Barrett says the state should look ahead, and make sure the law is implemented fairly in Wisconsin. One of the big legal questions is whether the government can make people buy insurance and penalize those who don't. U-W Madison professor Howard Schweber believes the mandate and most other parts of the package would be found constitutional.
Downtown Beaver Dam Inc To Selected Board
3/23/10 - An organization dedicated to revitalizing the downtown Beaver Dam business district will select a Board of Directors this week. Michael Firchow says Downtown Beaver Dam Inc. has applied for status as a non-profit organization so that the group can be more flexible in what it can offer the community and what it can do for the downtown. To accomplish their vision of the downtown, the group is hoping the city will create a Landmark Commission, a body that would have the final say in the aesthetic future of the business district. The Commission would establish criteria for lighting, signage, façade improvements and the river walk. Firchow says they are looking to preserve the historic, early Twentieth Century architecture of the downtown. Plans are also being discussed to drape exposed downtown wall space with murals designed by Frank Mittelstadt or vintage advertisements from Beaver Dam's past, like Monarch Range and Weyco Shoes. The Annual Meeting will be held Friday morning.
Oconomowoc Man Charged With Withholding Withholdings
3/23/10 - The president of a failed Watertown company faces felony Theft charges for allegedly not paying the state and federal government money that was withheld from his employee's paychecks. David W. Duerson of Oconomowoc was the majority shareholder of Sustainable Groundwater Services LLC. The 54-year-old could spend over ten years in prison for failing to pay the IRS and Wisconsin Department of Revenue nearly $44,000 in withholdings. The money accumulated over a six-month period beginning in September of 2008 until the business closed its doors the following February. Duerson told investigators that, while he has a business degree, he never thought about paying and he just didn't know the procedure. A signature bond was set at $1000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 6.
Firefighter Charged with Identity Theft
3/23/10 - An Ashipun firefighter is facing charges after he allegedly used a fire department credit card to charge more than $1,000 for beer, cigarettes, and gas. 35-year-old Adam Riddle of Oconomowoc has been charged with two counts of identity theft. According to the criminal complaint, officials with the fire department were monitoring the use of the card and began seeing irregularities last September. Police say they were able to identify Riddle from surveillance video at one of the businesses where the card was used. Riddle later told investigators he started using the card after losing his job. If convicted, Riddle could see up to 12-years in prison and fines of up to $20,000. He's due in court for his preliminary hearing in May.
Oshkosh Corp Teams With General Dynamics
3/23/10 - The Oshkosh Corporation is almost synonymous with U-S military trucks. Now, the firm is working General Dynamics to try-and-get similar business in Canada. The two firms are working with a Canadian division of General Dynamics to seek contracts to make armored patrol units and other military trucks. And Oshkosh would be the major contractor. Oshkosh says it has worked with General Dynamics in the past on contracts for Canadian military vehicles. It's now making suspension systems for Mine Resistant-Ambush Protected trucks used by Canada's troops. No one is saying yet how many vehicles could be made under the new arrangement
Person Killed by Train in Milwaukee
3/23/10 - Amtrak train service from Milwaukee-to-Chicago was interrupted yesterday, after a person was struck-and-killed by a train while on a trestle. It happened right after the northbound Hiawatha passenger train left a station at Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport. Nobody on the train was hurt. Amtrak chartered buses to help deal with the delays. Authorities were investigating the mishap. The victim's name was not immediately released.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Top Stories March 22nd
Health Care Reform Package Passes
3/22/10 - All five Wisconsin Democrats voted yes when the House passed the landmark health care reform package late last night. The total vote was 219-to-212, with all G-O-P members and 34 Democrats dissenting. President Obama now gets what the Senate passed on Christmas Eve, and he'll sign it as early as tomorrow. The Senate will act this week on a separate package of changes approved by the House.
Within 90 days, those with no insurance due to pre-existing conditions could join high-risk coverage pools. And within six months, health insurance would be extended to 32 million Americans who don't have it now. Most people would be forced to buy it, and most employers would have to offer it. But critics say many employers will just pay the penalties, and let the government cover their workers.
Wausau Democrat David Obey says it's about time the average family gets quote, "a true sense of security on health care." Milwaukee Democrat Gwen Moore called it a "tremendous moment." And when a Journal Sentinel reporter asked what was going through her mind a few hours before the vote, Moore started dancing and singing the Michael Jackson song "Thriller." Janesville Republican Paul Ryan called the health package a "government takeover" and a "fiscal Frankenstein."
The president issued an executive order banning federal health coverage for abortions, but Menomonee Falls Republican Jim Sensenbrenner called it a "piece of paper that would have not the effect of law."
The two bills would cost 940-billion dollars over a decade, but supporters say they'd cut the deficit by 138-billion over that time.
BD to Hold Pep Rally for Girls Basketball Team, Ticket Plan Finalized
3/22/10 - There will be a Community Send-off Rally for the Beaver Dam Girls Basketball team tomorrow night at the high school. The Beavers are going to the state tournament for the first time since 1991 and will play DePere on Thursday night in Madison. The school district is encouraging everyone to come to the free event that will be held in the high school's north gym at 7pm. The district has also set up a plan to distribute tickets for the game. Team members will get the first chance, while students will be able to purchase tickets starting at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow. The general public will be able to purchase the tickets following the rally tomorrow night. You can also purchase tickets through the WIAA at this site.
Authorities Shoot a Man Saturday Morning in Washington County
3/22/10 - Washington County Sheriff's deputies had to a shoot a man early Saturday morning when he pointed a handgun at one of them. It happened at the conclusion of a call Sheriff's officials had gotten about a suicidal man with a gun holed up in a town of Polk residence. Before the confrontation with deputies in a neighbors' yard the man had fired off a number of bullets inside the house and through the homes windows before exiting through a window. He suffered non-life threatening injuries when he was shot. No one else was hurt. (KFIZ)
Tate, Fitzgerald on WBEV
3/22/10 - On Community Comment this afternoon we talk with the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Mike Tate will weigh in on health care reform as well as the current state of the economy. Tomorrow on Community Comment we’ll sit down Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and get his take on many of the same issues. Community Comment airs weekdays on WBEV 1430AM beginning at 12:35pm.
RadioThon Detailed
3/22/10 - Eight non-profit organizations from the Dodge County area have been selected as part of the 13th Annual WBEV-WXRO Children’s RadioThon. Coordinator Jill Cullen says this year’s recipients include: Clothes for Kids, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dodge County, the Parent Resource Place, Green Valley Enterprises Birth to Three Program, the YMCA of Dodge County Strong Kids Campaign and People Against Violent Environments. In addition New Beginnings Homeless Shelter returns to the fold this year and marking its first appearance Community Care For Kids and their Pre-School and Child Care Summer Day Camp Program. The 2nd Annual Noel’s Angel Walk will also be returning. The 27-hour marathon broadcast begins at 6am on June 24.
Kohl Holding Office Hours in Juneau
3/22/10 - A representative with U.S. Senator Herb Kohl's office will be holding office hours in Dodge County this week. Senator Kohl says if you are having a problem with a federal program or agency, or if you have an opinion on an issue before Congress, you can let him know by meeting with his Regional Representative, Darcy Luoma. Office hours are scheduled on Tuesday from 12:30pm to 1:30pm in Room F of the Dodge County Administration Building in Juneau.
3/22/10 - All five Wisconsin Democrats voted yes when the House passed the landmark health care reform package late last night. The total vote was 219-to-212, with all G-O-P members and 34 Democrats dissenting. President Obama now gets what the Senate passed on Christmas Eve, and he'll sign it as early as tomorrow. The Senate will act this week on a separate package of changes approved by the House.
Within 90 days, those with no insurance due to pre-existing conditions could join high-risk coverage pools. And within six months, health insurance would be extended to 32 million Americans who don't have it now. Most people would be forced to buy it, and most employers would have to offer it. But critics say many employers will just pay the penalties, and let the government cover their workers.
Wausau Democrat David Obey says it's about time the average family gets quote, "a true sense of security on health care." Milwaukee Democrat Gwen Moore called it a "tremendous moment." And when a Journal Sentinel reporter asked what was going through her mind a few hours before the vote, Moore started dancing and singing the Michael Jackson song "Thriller." Janesville Republican Paul Ryan called the health package a "government takeover" and a "fiscal Frankenstein."
The president issued an executive order banning federal health coverage for abortions, but Menomonee Falls Republican Jim Sensenbrenner called it a "piece of paper that would have not the effect of law."
The two bills would cost 940-billion dollars over a decade, but supporters say they'd cut the deficit by 138-billion over that time.
BD to Hold Pep Rally for Girls Basketball Team, Ticket Plan Finalized
3/22/10 - There will be a Community Send-off Rally for the Beaver Dam Girls Basketball team tomorrow night at the high school. The Beavers are going to the state tournament for the first time since 1991 and will play DePere on Thursday night in Madison. The school district is encouraging everyone to come to the free event that will be held in the high school's north gym at 7pm. The district has also set up a plan to distribute tickets for the game. Team members will get the first chance, while students will be able to purchase tickets starting at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow. The general public will be able to purchase the tickets following the rally tomorrow night. You can also purchase tickets through the WIAA at this site.
Authorities Shoot a Man Saturday Morning in Washington County
3/22/10 - Washington County Sheriff's deputies had to a shoot a man early Saturday morning when he pointed a handgun at one of them. It happened at the conclusion of a call Sheriff's officials had gotten about a suicidal man with a gun holed up in a town of Polk residence. Before the confrontation with deputies in a neighbors' yard the man had fired off a number of bullets inside the house and through the homes windows before exiting through a window. He suffered non-life threatening injuries when he was shot. No one else was hurt. (KFIZ)
Tate, Fitzgerald on WBEV
3/22/10 - On Community Comment this afternoon we talk with the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Mike Tate will weigh in on health care reform as well as the current state of the economy. Tomorrow on Community Comment we’ll sit down Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and get his take on many of the same issues. Community Comment airs weekdays on WBEV 1430AM beginning at 12:35pm.
RadioThon Detailed
3/22/10 - Eight non-profit organizations from the Dodge County area have been selected as part of the 13th Annual WBEV-WXRO Children’s RadioThon. Coordinator Jill Cullen says this year’s recipients include: Clothes for Kids, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dodge County, the Parent Resource Place, Green Valley Enterprises Birth to Three Program, the YMCA of Dodge County Strong Kids Campaign and People Against Violent Environments. In addition New Beginnings Homeless Shelter returns to the fold this year and marking its first appearance Community Care For Kids and their Pre-School and Child Care Summer Day Camp Program. The 2nd Annual Noel’s Angel Walk will also be returning. The 27-hour marathon broadcast begins at 6am on June 24.
Kohl Holding Office Hours in Juneau
3/22/10 - A representative with U.S. Senator Herb Kohl's office will be holding office hours in Dodge County this week. Senator Kohl says if you are having a problem with a federal program or agency, or if you have an opinion on an issue before Congress, you can let him know by meeting with his Regional Representative, Darcy Luoma. Office hours are scheduled on Tuesday from 12:30pm to 1:30pm in Room F of the Dodge County Administration Building in Juneau.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Top Stories, March 21st
Beaver Dam Girls Going To State
3/21/10 - It took overtime, but the Beaver Dam girls basketball team is heading back to the state tournament for the first time in nearly 20 years. The Beavers got 16 points from Cady Roedl as they beat Oshkosh West 51-48 Saturday night. Beaver Dam fought back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to earn their first trip to Madison since 1991. The 24-1 squad will take on DePere at 6:35pm Thursday night at the Kohl Center. All the action can be heard right here on WBEV beginning with our pre-game coverage at 6:15pm There will also be a pep rally sendoff for the team on Tuesday night. Officials are asking the community to gather at the high school's north gym at 7pm for the event.
Rockets State Champs...Again
3/21/10 - The Randolph boy's basketball program now has more championship trophies than anyone else in the state. The Rockets earned their record eighth gold ball by crushing Green Bay Northeastern Wisconsin Lutheran 58-40 in the Division 4 state championship game in Madison yesterday. UW-Milwaukee recruit Kyle Kelm had 23 points and nine rebounds in his final game for Randolph. The Rockets jumped out to an early lead by scoring the first 10 points of the game and causing six turnovers in the opening minutes.
Wisconsin Solider Killed In Iraq
3/21/10 - A Wisconsin soldier has died while serving in Iraq. Army Specialist Robert Riechhoff was killed Thursday. The U.S. Army says a rocket-propelled grenade hit a watchtower Reickhoff was in while he was on guard duty. Reickhoff was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq, and had also served in Kuwait. He had been in the Army since he graduated from Kenosha Tremper High School eight years ago.
MPD Kills Man With Gun
3/21/10 - The Milwaukee Police Department reports the man shot to death by two officers Friday night had pointed a gun at them and refused to drop it. Police were responding to a tip that a man wanted on several outstanding warrants was at a residence in Milwaukee. As officers arrived, the suspect ran out of the house and led cops on a foot chase. At one point the suspect fell and dropped his gun, then he picked it up and turned it on the officers. A police spokesperson says the officers warned him several times before shooting. The man was dead at the scene.
Students Sentenced For Plotting Attack
3/21/10 - Teenager Brett Bedora will spent 90 days in jail for making threats against Crivitz High School and a female student. The Marinette County Judge, in handing down the sentence, said every school threat has to be taken seriously. The judge also praised the female student who alerted officials about Bedora's plans to take a gun to school. An investigation found several loaded weapons in the boy's bedroom, as well as a notebook containing information about making bombs and with notes about killing the school janitor. Bedora has been expelled from Crivitz High School.
Sames Fighting Extradition
3/21/10 - Authorities in Minnesota and Wisconsin are investigating Jamie Lee Sames' past - to see if he has committing additional sexual assaults. Sames is accused of pretending to be a police officer and fondling a 13 year old girl outside the Fox River Mall. He is being held in the Scott County Jail in Shakopee, Minnesota, after being arrested last Tuesday. Shakopee police are reportedly investigating Sames for possession of child pornography. One newspaper reports he was convicted of violating Minnesota's "Peeping Tom" law five years ago. Sames is reportedly fighting extradition to Wisconsin.
Madison Weathers Economic Storm
3/21/10 - The Brookings Institute reports government and educational centers have weathered the economic storm better than other cities. The Madison metropolitan statistical area is included in the list of the 20 strongest economic metro areas in the country. The only other Midwestern cities on the list are Omaha and Kansas City. State government and the University of Wisconsin's presence are given a lot of the credit. Madison is in a similar situation to other cities which have weathered the economic storm - like Austin, Jackson, Mississippi, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Franklin Correctional Improved
3/21/10 - A report from the National Institute of Corrections says there is much work left to be done, but the improvements at the once-troubled House of Correction in Franklin have been a major difference. Better security, staffing, maintenance and fiscal oversight were noted in the report. It says Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Junior has turned a "deeply troubled" jail into a good one. Remaining problems are listed as a too-small staff, a core group of embittered workers and inmate food and recreation shortfalls.
Kohl Holding Office Hours in Juneau
3/21/10 - A representative with U.S. Senator Herb Kohl’s office will be holding office hours in Dodge County this week. Senator Kohl says if you are having a problem with a federal program or agency, or if you have an opinion on an issue before Congress, you can let him know by meeting with his Regional Representative, Darcy Luoma. Office hours are scheduled on Tuesday from 12:30pm to 1:30pm in Room F of the Dodge County Administration Building in Juneau.
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