Top Stories, March 2nd

Beaver Dam To Build $5.1 Million Police Station

3/2/10 - The city of Beaver Dam will build a brand-new, $5.1 million dollar police station on the site of the former YMCA property. The Common Council unanimously approved the resolution last night, after hearing from the public. Two citizens spoke against the construction, and subsequent increase in property taxes. Two members of the Police and Fire Commission spoke in favor of the new construction, along with two citizens. Prior to the vote, a half dozen alderpersons also spoke in favor of the project with the common theme being that there never is a good time to spend money but this investment is needed and long overdue. Police Chief Dale Boldt says the department couldn’t be happier and while it’s something they’ve wanted for over a decade, but it’s also something they needed. The action last night adds the project to the city’s Capital Improvements Plan. According to the CIP, $925,000 will be needed to get started this year while another $3.5 million would be needed to complete the project next year. City officials still have to decide if they’ll borrow that money all at once to take advantage of historically low interest rates. That would also significantly impact property taxes next year before savings are realized the following year. Or the city could spread out the costs over two years and hope there won’t be a jump in interest rates when they need to borrow the second round.

Milwaukee House Targeted For Demolition

3/2/10 - The old YMCA won’t be the only building coming down in downtown Beaver Dam this year. The city attorney is filing paperwork today to have the structure at the intersection of South Center Street and Ryan Cantafio’s Way demolished. Mary Ann Schacht says the building known commonly as the Milwaukee House has fallen into a state of disrepair that makes it a public hazard. Owner James Stricker has spent the past five years trying to do something with the property but has run into a number of hurdles. He says the city action could be a benefit to him and his plans to build a custard stand on the property. If Stricker is unable to hire a demolition contractor within 45 days of notification, the city will do it and pass the costs onto him in the form of a special assessment. Stricker just recently obtained sole possession of the property after years of haggling with a co-investor who died halfway through the ordeal, which further complicated matters. With back taxes now paid and the mortgage up to date, Stricker says he still plans to move forward with the custard stand project next year. Schacht says the building should be down by April.

Kennedy To Debate Liverseed

3/2/10 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy will debate city issues with write-in candidate Joe Liverseed during our Community Comment program later this month. Kennedy told Joe Liverseed on WBEV’s Community Comment Friday that he is always willing to talk about city issues. Two days after Liverseed appeared on the program to tout his agenda, Kennedy took the opportunity to highlight some of his accomplishments during his two-year term. Kennedy cited the $20 million in federal grants and loans for a new wastewater treatment plant, the changing face of downtown Beaver Dam and his excellent relationship with city employees.

Quad Buys HGI

3/2/10 - One of the nation’s largest commercial printers has bought a minority share of a company in Burlington. Quad-Graphics of Sussex said it became a part-owner of the commercial printer H-G-I. Details were not disclosed. It’s designed to give H-G-I the financing to pursue its own expansion and plans for diversification. And Quad says it can use H-G-I’s facilities for quick printing work that includes short-run catalogs, specialty binding, marketing materials, and more. H-G-I has three plants in southeast Wisconsin that employ a total of 245 people.

Juneau Man Arrested Following Chase

3/2/10 - A Juneau man was arrested Saturday morning for running from Beaver Dam police. Officers attempted to pull over the vehicle of Dereck Pfeil for driving 20 miles over the speed limit on Park Avenue around 2am. The 23-year-old reportedly fled down Highway 151 and was later apprehended on County Highway A in the parking lot of a supper club. Charges against Pfiel include felony Fleeing in addition to Operating While Intoxicated, Open Intoxicants, Operating After Revocation, Speeding and Possession of a switchblade knife.

Suspected Blood Trail Burglar Waives Prelim

3/2/10 - An Edgerton man has waived his right to a preliminary hearing in connection with a business break-in in Watertown. Brandon S. Topel is charged felony counts of Theft and Criminal Damage to Property. The 29-year-old is accused of breaking into Temp Air in Watertown in August of 2008. The business was reportedly out $4300 from both the damage and stolen goods. Topel is also charged with smashing the windows of two vehicles in the parking lot of the business. Investigators found a trail of blood at the crime scene and followed it through 25 feet of grass to a nearby motel, where Topel was staying. The State Crime Lab allegedly matched DNA from the blood trail with that of DNA obtained from Topel while he was being held in the Jefferson County Jail on an unrelated charge. Topel will be back in court for an arraignment hearing at the end of the month.