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.