Thursday, April 29, 2010

Top Stories, April 30th

Forbes Trial Delayed

4/30/10 - The trial for accused murderer Curtis Forbes has been postponed indefinitely. The 52-year-old Forbes is charged with killing 18-year-old Marilyn McIntyre in her Columbus apartment in March of 1980. Prosecutors asked for the delay following a judge’s decision Wednesday that DNA evidence from the sink in McIntyre’s bathroom could not be tied directly to Forbes. Assistant Attorney General David Wambach says they are still deciding whether to appeal that ruling. If they decided to that the trial, which was slated to begin with jury selection today, could be delayed for a number of months. Forbes attorney’s say they plan to file a motion asking that his bail be reduced from its current level of $450,000. If convicted Forbes could be sentenced to life in prison.

Fire Damages Shed Near Columbus

4/30/10 - Yesterday’s windy conditions made fighting a shed fire in the Town of Elba difficult for area firefighters. Jerrod Fox with the Columbus Fire Department says they received a call about the fire on Ghost Hill Road just before 5 p.m. By the time they arrived on scene the owner had already gotten the cattle being housed in the shed out, and was in the process of removing hay and straw from the structure. Firefighters from three departments were able to get the fire under control despite winds gusts of more than 30-miles-per-hour. Fox says no firefighters were injured, but the owner’s son was treated for a burn to his hand. Fire personnel were on scene until 7:30 p.m. Officials are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.

Cow Euthanized Following Cattle Truck Rollover

4/30/10 - Both lanes of Highway 151 at Fond du Lac were closed for nearly three hours during the noon hour following a semi-trailer accident. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, the truck driver swerved to avoid a vehicle that had crossed Highway 151 at Fourth Street. The cattle truck was going south when it entered the opposite lanes, fell onto its side, and came to rest in the median. The driver and lone occupant of the truck, a 55-year-old Chilton man, was seriously injured after getting pinned inside the cab and was transported from the scene by Med-Flight to Theda Clark Medical Center. The truck was carrying thirteen head of cattle in the trailer. One cow had to be euthanized and the remaining cattle were removed from the scene. Rescuers were called right away because a Taycheedah Town Constable just happened to be on the phone with the sheriff’s department when he saw the crash. Authorities continue their search for the driver of the vehicle that crossed in front of the semi. It is described as a grey vehicle, possibly an SUV. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wisconsin State Patrol.

More Counterfeit Bill Circulating

4/30/10 - Another counterfeit $10 bill has popped up in Beaver Dam. According to police department records, a local bank found the fake money in a deposit from a fast food restaurant Wednesday morning. It is the fourth phony $10 bill reported in Beaver Dam in the past week. Deputy Chief Dan Schubert says they are not high quality reproductions, and the back side looks especially unrealistic. Schubert has been urging those who work with money to remain alert and test all suspicious bills. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department or the anonymous We-Tip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME.

BDPD March Stats

4/30/10 - The Beaver Dam Police Department has released crime statistics for the month of March. According to the activity report, there were 11 burglaries reported last month; two involved forced entry. Six of the burglaries were residential; the others were business-related. There were 44 general thefts reported. All of that resulted in a total of $14,358 in stolen property, of which $693 was recovered. Beaver Dam police officers issued 13 tickets for Operating While Intoxicated, and issued six citations for liquor law violations. There were 15 citations for Disorderly Conduct along with six domestic incidents, three child abuse offenses and 14 sex offenses reported. There were 86 adults arrested in March along with 36 minors. There were 39 traffic accidents in the city last month resulting in five injuries.

The Warmbold Family on Food For Thought

4/30/10 - The family of WBEV-WXRO News Director Craig Warmbold spent three days eating from a local food pantry as part of the Dodge County UW Extension “Food For Thought” program. Craig, his wife Jen and their two children spent three days earlier this month eating only food from the local pantry. Jen says it was a rewarding experience for the family, and while it wasn’t always easy the kids were good sports. She says it was easier to prepare meals on days one and two than it was on day three. More difficult was finding kid-friendly food between meals. 12-year-old Marlana didn’t exactly understand how a food pantry operated until the family started talking about the program at the dinner table. While she liked some of the food, she wasn’t too crazy about the canned vegetables and the lack of sweets. Marlana says the experience will affect how she donates at school can drives in the future, specifically (quote) “less gross mashed peas and more fruit and maybe even corn.”

Kathy Hetzel with Dodge County’s UW Extension says a lot was learned with the “Food For Thought” program for both her office and the participants. Hetzel says after all the participants got together to talk about their experience, it became apparent knowing what kind of food is needed by the pantry before a donation can be especially helpful. She says if a family, church group or civic organization is thinking about making a donation, they should call the pantry first to see what’s needed. Hetzel says when you donate is also very important. Donations are highest around Christmas but donations are especially needed in the summer months. Hetzel says the Extension may revive the “Food For Thought” again in coming years.

Wood On Work Release

4/30/10 - State Representative Jeff Wood is getting out of jail for four-hours-a-day to handle his legislative business. He’s now being held in the Chippewa County Jail near his home, after he started a 45-day sentence on Monday for driving drunk and possessing drug paraphernalia in Columbia County. Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk says Wood gets to check his computer and make phone calls from his Chippewa Falls home between 2:30pm and 6:30pm. But Kowalczyk said he will not let Wood stay at home 24-7 under electronic monitoring. The Columbia County sheriff said no to Wood’s request for home detention – and the Chippewa Falls sheriff said he’ll abide by that. Wood called a reporter a “vulture” and a “moron” when he checked into jail in Portage on Monday night – but once behind bars, Kowalczyk said the lawmaker has been a model prisoner so far. Wood still faces charges of driving under the influence of prescription drugs in Marathon and Monroe counties.

Harley-Davidson Exploring Relocation

4/30/10 - One of Wisconsin’s most famous home-grown companies says it will have to cut millions-of-dollars in manufacturing costs – or else it will move its production elsewhere. Harley-Davidson of Milwaukee told employees today there are significant “cost gaps” that must be filled. Spokesman Bob Klein told the Journal Sentinel that Harley prefers to keep its production base in Wisconsin – but it must explore other U-S sites in case it cannot achieve what he called “concrete workable solutions.” The paper says hundreds-of-jobs are at stake at Harley’s factory on Pilgrim Road in Milwaukee. Earlier this month, Harley reported a 71-percent drop in its quarterly profits, compared to a year ago. And the profit was eight-cents-a-share less than what outside analysts had predicted.

WDNR Looking For Text Tips

4/30/10 - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says you can now "text" in a tip about people who you think are violating state laws covering outdoor recreation. The DNR has long offered a toll-free telephone line to allow anonymous reporting of violations of laws pertaining to hunting, fishing, trapping, recreational vehicle use, and environmental pollution. Now with the growing use of text messaging from cell phones, the DNR has added a service called “Tip 411” to let you text in a report. Chief conservation warden Randy Stark says a Minnesota firm has developed software that will assign the incoming cell phone number a code that can't be traced back the phone. Stark says texts will work from anywhere a cell phone will, and that more hunters and anglers are carrying cell phones.

Are You Richer Than A Fifth Grader?

4/30/10 - Are you getting a 60-percent return on your stock investments? If not, you might want to consult three fifth-graders from Tullar Elementary School in Neenah. They won a statewide stock-investment contest, by turning 100-thousand-dollars into 160-thousand in just 10 weeks. The money wasn’t real, but the gains were. As a result, 10-year-old Luke Kelley, 11-year-old Raven Wallene, and 11-year-old Eleanor Erbach beat out 14-hundred other student investment teams throughout Wisconsin. And most of their challengers were much older and in high school. The three kids said they did their homework. They studied the historical performances and quarterly reports of the companies they invested in. It’s the third state title since 2007 for the team led by Neenah teacher Tim Hopfensperger. He credits the kids’ hard work – and other than that, he has no secret to all the success.

Kennedy on Community Comment

4/30/10 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy will join us on WBEV’s Community Comment this afternoon for the first time since he was re-elected to his second term. Kennedy will update us on the progress of two major downtown housing developments and plans for a new police station. Kennedy will also look ahead to ordinances will be coming before the council in coming months, including one that allow the city to prosecute those caught with small amounts of marijuana and another that would add teeth to an existing beautification ordinance. Community Comment airs weekdays on WBEV 1430AM beginning at 12:35pm.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Top Stories, April 29th

Storage Unit Burglar Sentenced



4/29/10 - A former Waupun man was sentenced to one year in jail yesterday (Wed) for burglarizing several storage units. Bryan D.J. Robel of Waukesha pleaded “no contest” to three felony charges and had 11 felony counts and three misdemeanors dismissed but read into the record. Robel and his girlfriend Amanda Bryant were connected to break-ins last May at Verhage Storage after authorities found a sack of broken padlocks in her car. The 23-year-old’s were being questioned about a series of purse snatchings in the Horicon Marsh area when the padlocks were discovered. The two used the credit cards stolen from the purses for a shopping spree and were tracked down with the help of video surveillance footage from two Beaver Dam businesses. Robel was also placed on probation for six years and ordered to pay restitution. Bryant received a similar sentence in February.



Trial Dates Set For Pregnant Assault Suspects



4/29/10 - Two men accused of assaulting a pregnant woman and stealing her student loan money had jury trials scheduled this week. 22-year-old Brad Kiefer and 20-year-old Andrew Hoffman are facing charges that include Robbery, Battery, and Theft of Movable Property. According to the criminal complaint, the victim was attempting to get into her car at the Watertown High School when Kiefer, Hoffman and a third man allegedly walked up behind her, knocked her to the ground and started kicking her. She was around four months pregnant at the time and sustained cuts and scrapes. Around $1000 in student loan money was stolen from her purse. The suspects claim the victim had stolen $400 that they had collected to purchase illegal drugs and say they were just trying to get their money back. Formal charges were recently filed against the third man implicated in the attack; 23-year-old Desmond Durow of Mukwonago had a warrant issued for his arrest and has yet to make an initial appearance. Hoffman has a three day jury trial set for July while Kiefer has a three day trial scheduled in October.



Blood Trail Burglary Suspect Stands Mute



4/29/10 - An Edgerton man charged in connection with a Watertown business break-in was in court for an arraignment hearing yesterday. Brandon S. Topel stood mute and had a “not guilty” plea entered on his behalf. The 29-year-old is charged felony counts of Theft and Criminal Damage to Property for allegedly 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 has a plea hearing set for June 2.



County Supervisor on ‘Food For Thought’



4/29/10 - Dodge County Board Supervisor Larry Bischoff says he came away with a whole different impression of food pantries after he and his wife spent three days eating from a box of food they got from a food pantry in Beaver Dam. Bischoff had cereal and canned fruits in the morning. For dinner the first night they were able to enjoy a whole chicken. By night three they were down to soup. Participants paid $25 for the box, and Bischoff says for the price, they were able to get a lot more food than he expected. He says he’d like to see more community support for food pantries, not just in terms of a variety of donations, but also volunteers to help unload monthly food deliveries. He also says food pantries should post a list of items needed to help point donors in the right direction. On tomorrow’s installment, we’ll hear what the family of WBEV-WXRO News Director Craig Warmbold thought about the “Food For Thought” program.

Judge: “DNA Inconclusive”



4/29/10 - The judge in the Marilyn McIntyre murder case has decided to limit what prosecutors can say about a stain mixture found in her bathroom sink. 52-year-old Curtis Forbes of Randolph is charged in the 1980 murder of the 18-year-old McIntyre. In court yesterday a judge determined that DNA information taken from the sink was inconclusive and could not be tied directly to Forbes. The mixture can also not be retested because the original no longer exists. Prosecutors are debating whether to appeal the ruling. Forbes is accused of killing McIntyre inside her Columbus apartment in March of 1980. The trial is slated to begin next Monday. If convicted Forbes could be sentenced to life in prison.


We’re #1


4/29/10 - Wisconsin was the number-one state for completing its Census forms. Eighty-one percent of state residents who received the forms filled them out and sent them back. That’s nine-percent above the national average. And at a news conference yesterday, Census Bureau director Robert Groves said the 72-percent national response was higher than what his agency had expected. Twenty-eight states were at-or-above their return rates from the previous Census in 2000. Wisconsin was actually one-percent lower than a decade ago. Still, Groves called the Badger State’s performance “incredible.” And he said Wisconsin cities had return rates which are quote, “unbelievably high.” Eighty-five percent of households in Eau Claire and Appleton completed their forms. Oshkosh was at 84-percent, and Green Bay 83-percent. Now comes the tough part. Census takers will start visiting homes on Saturday, asking questions to folks who didn’t answer them on the forms – or who didn’t get forms. The Census is the nation’s population count. It determines the number of U-S House seats in each state, as well as how much each community gets in federal funds.


Former Campbellsport Man Sentenced in Girlfriends Death


4/29/10 - Fond du Lac County Judge Robert Wirtz yesterday sentenced a 33-year-old former Campbellsport man to 8 years in prison for a drunken driving motorcycle accident that killed the man’s girlfriend. Crystal Daly was killed last May when Jay Taylor lost control and went off of Highway 67. In February a jury found the Milwaukee man guilty of drunken driving homicides. After his prison term he will be placed on extended supervision for 5 years. Taylor’s blood alcohol concentration at the time of the accident was nearly twice the legal limit. (KFIZ)


West Bend Teacher Accused of Sexual Assault of a Child


4/29/10 - A teacher at West Bend East High School is on administrative leave, after he was arrested on two sex-related allegations. Police said the 27-year-old man sent explicit text messages to a 16-year-old female student – and he apparently had sexual contact with another 16-year-old girl earlier this year. Police have asked Washington County prosecutors to charge the man with child sexual assault by a school staffer, and exposing a child to harmful materials. The man was a probationary teacher who earlier said he would resign at the end of the current school year.


EPA Removes Two Counties from List of those Exceeding Pollution Standards


4/29/10 - The federal E-P-A has dropped Door and Manitowoc counties from the list of those exceeding air pollution standards for ozone. Governor Jim Doyle had asked the E-P-A to drop all nine Wisconsin counties that were on the list, including Washington County. He said the state did not violate ozone standards – and four years of test data proves it. Yesterday, Doyle praised the decision to put Door and Manitowoc counties in the clear. And he expects the E-P-A to make a similar decision favoring the seven other counties – all of which are on or close to Lake Michigan, including Milwaukee. The counties have been out of compliance for ozone emissions since 1997. And the Obama White House is considering tougher standards.


Nursing Homes Not Cheap


4/29/10 - It’s not cheap for an elderly person to stay in a nursing home – and that’s especially true in Wisconsin. Genworth Financial, which provides long-term care insurance, says the Badger State has some of the highest costs in the nation. A survey by the company shows that the median cost for a Wisconsinite in a nursing home is 82-thousand-dollars a year. And assisted living centers are also above the national average, at 40-thousand a year. Jim Murphy of the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association says many of the higher rates are due to state laws ensuring good care of seniors. The Genworth survey included facilities in Metro Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay.


NRB Hopes to Add Deer in Certain WI Zones


4/29/10 - State wildlife officials will try to have more deer in places where hunters complained about a lack of animals last fall. Yesterday in Green Bay, the state Natural Resources Board voted 6-to-1 to increase the number of zones where hunters can only shoot bucks – so more antlerless deer can re-produce. Eighteen zones will have buck-only hunting this fall, up from 13 last year. Also, the number of zones with antlerless-only hunts to control the herd will be cut from 50-to-46. But in places with chronic wasting disease, the effort continues to limit the herd – so hunters there will still have to shoot a doe in order to get a buck. D-N-R Secretary Matt Frank calls it a good statewide compromise. The changes come after hunters complained that previous D-N-R policies devastated a deer herd which officials admitted they over-estimated.


State Could Get a New National Wildlife Refuge


4/29/10 - Wisconsin might get a new national wildlife refuge. The U-S Fish-and-Wildlife Service is studying the possible creation of the Hackmatack refuge along the Wisconsin-Illinois border. Fifty-four square miles are being considered in Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties – plus Lake and McHenry counties in Illinois. Officials will study the idea for the next two years. And if they recommend the refuge, Congress would be asked to approve up to 45-million dollars to establish it. Chuck Traxler of the wildlife service says the final site may include 10-to-30-thousand acres of both public and private land. The area has some of the last remaining tamarack trees in southern Wisconsin. And a group called Open-Lands says it wants to protect oak savannas and remnant grasses that house several threatened species. Traxler says local residents have tried for years to create a national refuge. Supporters also say it would boost recreational opportunities like hunting and fishing. Landowners would not be forced to sell their property, since a refuge would have strings of both private and public land. It would be the first federal wildlife refuge in the Midwest since 2004, when the Glacier Ridge area was formed in Minnesota.



Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Top Stories, April 28th

Animart Distribution Center Could Relocate To New Bus Park



4/28/10 - Beaver Dam’s newest business park could soon have a new occupant. Plans to sell eight acres of land to Animart for a new distribution center passed out of the Community Development Committee last night. The Beaver Dam-based company has outgrown their current distribution center on Green Valley Road, and plans are to construct a 50,000 square foot facility. The purchase price is $15,000 per acre. Beaver Dam Development Corp Vice President Trent Campbell told the CDC last night that Animart has an aggressive timeline with a best case scenario closing date by June and a possible groundbreaking this summer. Animart’s distribution center primarily handles agricultural, large animal products. The new facility is not expected to have any impact on Animart’s retail pet store on North Spring Street. The offer to purchase will be finalized this week and come before the common council on Monday.



Zubke Pleads Out In Wife Poisoning



4/27/10 - A Watertown man who tried to poison his wife with pesticides will spend three months in jail. Peter Zubke pleaded out Tuesday to a felony count of Placing Objects in Edibles, Domestic Abuse for slipping the herbicide into her soda and coffee over a three to four week period last June. The victim says she became suspicious because her soda looked like dishwater soap, was “very sudsy” and tasted “bitter.” Home brewed coffee was said to be “foggy” and store-bought coffee tasted like bleach or chemicals. She also found a bottle weed killer under her kitchen sink and while her husband does lawn work for a living, she noted that he never used that particular type of poison and typically kept herbicides in the garage. The 54-year-old Zubke initially denied the allegations and told investigators instead that his wife had a “bad tongue” and does not have very good taste buds. According to the criminal complaint, he also told his wife he was just trying to dilute the chemicals in the coffee pot before spraying the weed killer outside their home. He reportedly said that he must have forgotten to clean out the coffee pot. Toxicology tests from the State Crime Lab confirm the chemicals found in the coffee and soda were the same ones found in the bottle of weed killer kept under the kitchen sink. Zubke was also placed on probation for three years and will be able to serve the jail term with Huber privileges and electronic monitoring.



Daytime Burglar Ordered To Pay Restitution



4/27/10 - The man who plagued the Dodge County area with a series of daytime burglaries in the fall of 2008 was ordered Tuesday to pay restitution totaling $1390. Oscar Jasper Jr. was sentenced last month to 15 years in prison and five years of extended supervision. A jury found him guilty of six felony Theft and Burglary charges, as well as a handful of misdemeanors related to the break-ins that occurred in the fall of 2008. The 48-year-old was apprehended with the help of video surveillance footage after he tried to sell stolen tools outside a Beaver Dam business in the days after the burglary. Jasper stole mostly firearms, jewelry and tools from homes in the Towns of Shields, Hubbard, Oak Grove and in Juneau; several of the items were recovered from a pawn shop in Milwaukee.



Nat Resources Board To Discuss Deer Herd



4/27/10 - The state Natural Resources Board will be asked Wednesday to take a new step toward expanding the Wisconsin deer herd. The board will meet in Green Bay – and they’ll hear a recommendation from D-N-R staffers to let hunters kill only bucks in 18 management zones where populations are under their goals. That’s up from 13 zones last year. Also, officials want to reduce the number of places with antlerless-only hunts. They would occur in 46 zones this fall, up from 50 a year ago. The moves were proposed after hunters complained that the D-N-R’s deer control policies devastated the herd, and jeopardized the sport.



Food For Thought: The Hanson Family



4/28/10 - Going from fresh organic foods to the food pantry was a bit of a shock for the Hanson family. Amy Hanson was one of several participants from a cross-section of the community that participated in the Dodge County UW Extension “Food For Thought” program. Hanson says she it was a different way for her family to eat and she found that the prepackaged food may have been easy to prepare, but it was not very filling and the sodium content was very high. She says she realized that when people donate food they need to think about it from a healthy standpoint and not just as a way to clean out their cabinets. Hanson plans on rallying members of her church to hold a regular food drive specifically for healthy items that families want to eat as well as items that food pantries need.



Local Census Returns Above National Average



4/28/10- The percentages of census forms returned continue to lag behind numbers from 2000. In our area, Fox Lake continues to have the lowest return rate at 76-percent though that’s just one-percent lower than a decade ago. Beaver Dam had the second lowest return at 80-percent while Waupun is reporting 81-percent returned. Meanwhile, Watertown, Horicon and Juneau are all at 82-percent. Columbus is at 84-percent and Mayville has the highest return rate in our area at 85-percent. The national rate of return is 72-percent. If you didn’t return your census you can expect to have a knock at your door in the near future as the Census Bureau ramps up their door-to-door follow-up phase



BD Native Donates $200K To UW



4/28/10 - A former Beaver Dam athlete and current professional poker player will be honored tomorrow at UW-Whitewater for a generous gift to the baseball program. Eric Baldwin, who was a captain on the Warhawks 2005 national championship team, recently donated $200,000 to the university for stadium lights. He’s scheduled to throw out the first pitch in game one of today’s (Wed) double header with UW-Oshkosh, after which Chancellor Richard Telfair will honor Baldwin by naming the clubhouse at the stadium, “The Eric Baldwin Clubhouse”. Baldwin has become well known in the poker world and was named the 2009 Player of the Year by CardPlayer magazine. His most recent big pay day came this past weekend when he won more than 1-million-dollars in a tournament at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. The win put his career earnings at close to 4-million-dollars.

Committee Continues Board Size Study



4/28/10 - Only four counties in the state spend less money per person to run their county board than Dodge County. That was the message from a survey presented to a committee studying whether or not to reduce the size of the board from its current number of 37-Supervisors. It takes around $148,000 to run the board in Dodge County which works out to $1.67-per person. Of the four that spend less two of them are in our area. Fond du Lac County spends $1.30-per person while Columbia County is at a $1.40-per person. The group also discussed the possibility of cutting or combining a number of standing committees to reduce the cost of stipends for board members. The committee is set to meet again May 12th.


Two People Now Charged in FDL Bowling Alley Fire


4/28/10 - There are now two people charged for setting the fire that destroyed the Last Stop Bar and Lanes in Fond du Lac last month. Forty-one-year-old Lynda Stiller-Devoe of Sheboygan was charged yesterday in Fond du Lac County Court with conspiracy to commit arson and being party to it. Her boyfriend, 46-year-old Lyle Huss of Fond du Lac, was previously charged after allegedly confessing to setting the March 3rd fire. The two had allegedly discussed burning down the business about a week before the fire was set. Stiller-Devoe is free on a $10,000 signature bond and has a preliminary hearing on May 27th. (KFIZ)


WI Looking to Remove Gray Wolfs from Endangered Species List


4/28/10 - For the third time, Wisconsin has asked the federal government to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list. The wolf was de-classified twice before, but animal rights groups convinced federal judges to restore its endangered status. And that’s likely to happen again if the latest request is approved. The grey wolf was off the endangered list for 21 months since 2007. And Wisconsin had its own management plan during that time, which included the killings of problem-wolves that kill hunting dogs and livestock. In the last quarter-century, the state has paid almost 900-thousand dollars to those losing farm-and-hunting animals killed by wolves.


DNC Chairman to Speak at State Convention


4/28/10 - The head of the Democratic National Committee will speak at his party’s state convention in June. Chairman Tim Kaine is scheduled to address Wisconsin Democrats on June 11th in Middleton. D-N-C political director Clyde Williams and deputy White House chief-of-staff Mona Sutphen are also scheduled to speak that night. Outgoing Governor Jim Doyle is also expected to address the convention – along with the main Democratic candidate for governor, Tom Barrett, and U-S Senator Russ Feingold. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will be the keynote speaker at the State Republican Convention on May 21st in Milwaukee.


Jackpot Grows to $224M for Mega Millions


4/28/10 - The Mega Millions jackpot is up to 224-million dollars for the next drawing on Friday night. Nobody won the top prize last night. And nobody from Wisconsin won the quarter-million dollar second prize by matching all five regular numbers. Last night’s numbers were 23, 37, 41, 50, and 55. The Mega Ball was 6, and Mega-plier was two. The current jackpot has been building since March 16th. It’s the highest since Wisconsin joined the Mega Millions game in early February. Friday night’s cash option is just over 138-million dollars. Meanwhile, tonight’s Powerball jackpot is at 30-million dollars.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Top Stories, April 27th

White Interim Principal At Cambria-Friesland

4/27/10 - The Cambria-Friesland School Board last night approved the promotion of Elementary School Principal Nicole White to “Interim K-through-12 Principal.” The action comes after last week’s termination of District Administrator Gary Reineck, who also served as principal for grades six through 12. While the board took no action to install an interim superintendent, Board President Becky Gutzman says White’s promotion fills a vital leadership role while the district plans its next step. A half-time substitute will be brought in to take over White’s teaching duties. The board yesterday also addressed plans for next year’s budget and class schedules; work left in limbo following Reineck’s departure. The board plans to move ahead with the final year of a three year class schedule already in place, with some modifications. The bigger issue: the district is looking at a budget deficit close to $245,000 and schools have until this Friday to notify the state of staff reductions. The board yesterday also agreed to dispose of four of the five staff evaluations written by Reineck, dated last Thursday and left in a mailbox. While one board member called the evaluations (quote) “derogatory,” they were thrown out because policy dictates they are to be presented in person with adequate opportunity for rebuttal. Finally, graduating seniors could have a blank on their diplomas where the Superintendent’s signature is supposed to be. Gutzman says the diploma would, of course, still be valid and would still contain her signature along with that of Principal White.

Firchow on Food For Thought

4/27/10 - Beaver Dam businessmen Michael Firchow says after his family ate three days worth of meals from a food pantry he gained a new insight into what it means to be hungry. Firchow was one of several members of the community who signed-up with the Dodge County UW Extension office to participate in the “Food For Thought” program. Even though it was part of a project, he says the process of signing up his family and standing in line at a food pantry truly was “Food For Thought.” For three days the Firchow family lived off macaroni and cheese, Hamburger-Helper, Chex cereal and various canned food items. They were able to hand-select all of the food because, unlike some other pantry’s, patrons to Sacred Heart in Horicon can choose the items they prefer. But just because they had a choice of food items, didn’t mean his wife and two kids ate like they’re used to. Firchow says there was a noticeable lack of fresh fruits and vegetables. He says that got him thinking about donating food that he would like to see his family eat, and maybe even donating a cooler. In the end though, Firchow says he and his family took away a lot more than just a box of food.

Beaver Dam Tornado Siren Out of Service

4/27/10 - The city of Beaver Dam has lost one of its six tornado sirens. That’s according to the city’s Emergency Management Director Lee Smith who says the tornado siren located on the northwest side of town, near the Kwik Trip on North Center Street, is out of service. Smith told the Police and Fire Commission this month that he did not budget for the cost of replacement, which is close to $19,000. The Fire Department is seeking grant funding to help pay for some of the costs of the replacement, otherwise the money would come from the general fund. Smith says until the new siren’s is installed, citizens on the northwest side of Beaver Dam need to be extra cautious in the event of severe weather and/ or tornado warnings. A new siren has been ordered and will be installed during the week of May 10.

Mayville Man Faces Smuggling Charge

4/27/10 - A Mayville man faces up to three-and-a-half years in prison for allegedly smuggling lip-gloss and mascara into a Waupun prison. Emil Lazich is charged with a felony count of Delivering Illegal Articles To An Inmate. According to the criminal complaint, the 72-year-old slipped the make-up to the inmate in a scrabble bag while the two played games. Lazich had a signature bond set at $1000 yesterday and he’ll be back in court next month.

BD DPW: Bulk Pick-Up Next Week

4/27/10 - Bulk garbage pick-up for Beaver Dam residents begins next Monday. Director of Facilities David Stoiser has announced that bulk pick-up will begin Monday, May 3 and continue through Friday, May 7. Stoiser says the collection regulations are the same as in the past. Bulk waste can be placed on the curb no sooner than 24 hours prior to each collection and by 7am on the day of pick-up. Bulk waste is defined as, but not limited to, furniture, wooden doors and windows and rolled carpet, not exceeding 4’ to 6’ in length. No metal items like bed springs, doors, windows, appliances and pipes will be collected. Also, they do not accept bundled or loose piles of lumber or building materials; those items must be broken down and placed in the weekly collection cart. The next bulk pick-up will be the first waste collection day of November.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Top Stories, April 26th

Food For Thought

4/26/10 - Participants from a cross section of the community recently fed their families on items from their local food pantry. It’s called “Food For Thought” and the Dodge County UW Extension office enlisted local businessmen, elected officials and even members of the media. The goal was simple: feed your family for three days with only items that you can get from your local food pantry plus an additional $5. The Extension’s Kathy Hetzel says the experiment generated a lot of ideas that could benefit not only those who receive food from local food pantries, but also those who donate to local pantries. We’ll talk to Hetzel on this afternoon’s Community Comment about the program, its participants and what was learned. And over the course of the next few days we’ll hear from those who participated here on WBEV. Our news segments will include interviews with a woman used to feeding her family organic foods who found many pantry items too high in sodium. And a local businessman who says his food pantry experience was eye-opening but enjoyable. We’ll also hear from the family of WBEV-WXRO News Director Craig Warmbold and the experiences they had participating in the “Food For Thought” program. You can hear Craig Warmbold’s conversation with Kathy Hetzel this afternoon at 12:35pm.

Cambria Plans Transition Following Supt Termination

4/26/10 - The Cambria-Friesland School Board will meet this afternoon to discuss their transition plan following last week’s termination of Superintendent Gary Reineck. School officials cited differing philosophies. Reineck, who also served as principal in grades six through 12, agreed on the terms of his departure with the school board during a special meeting Thursday, the latest in a long series of meetings over the past three months. Elementary School Principal Nicole White is currently in charge. The school board will meet with staff this afternoon at 4:30pm.

New Store Coming To BD

4/26/10 - A new sporting goods store will be opening its doors in Beaver Dam this fall. Dunham’s will occupy 32,000 square feet in the mall right next to Boston Store. Officials with the Heritage Village Mall say their doors will be open in time for the Christmas season. Dunham’s operates 164 stores across the country.

Groundbreaking In Clyman

4/26/10 - Ground was broken Friday on a new wastewater treatment plant in Clyman. The village has secured a $1.7 million dollar grant and a low-interest loan from USDA Rural Development for the remaining $2.3 million. Officials says its too early to calculate the rate increase that will be passed along to utility customers, but the USDA loan caps any increase at no more than 50%. The village is also applying for additional grant funding to help repay the costs of the loan. The plant is scheduled to be completed by July of 2011.

Counterfeit Money Reported in BD

4/26/10 - Authorities are urging those who handle money to keep an eye out for counterfeit money. That’s after three phony $10 bills were passed at Beaver Dam-area businesses since Thursday. The most recent report was from Saturday when a Town of Beaver Dam gas station employee reported a counterfeit bill to authorities, after it was called into question by a customer. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dodge County Sheriffs Department or the anonymous We-Tip hotline at 800-78-CRIME.

Top Stories, April 25th

Third Counterfeit Bill Reported In BD-Area

4/25/10 - A third counterfeit bill has been reported in the Beaver Dam area. According to the Dodge County Sheriffs Department, a Town of Beaver Dam gas station employee reported a phony $10 bill to authorities Saturday morning, after it was called into question by a customer. Two other counterfeit $10 bills were reportedly found at Beaver Dam businesses on Thursday. Law enforcement officials are urging those who handle money to keep and eye out and test suspicious bills. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dodge County Sheriffs Department or the anonymous We-Tip hotline at 800-78-CRIME.

Bank Robbery Interrupts Soccer Game

4/25/10 - A search for a pair of suspected bank robbers interrupted a high school soccer game and a track meet Saturday morning. Bank Mutual in Monona was stuck up about 9:30am. Two coaches say they saw a man and a woman acting suspiciously near La Follette High School a few minutes later. Police managed to catch the female suspect and the soccer game between Oregon and La Follette started. Less than half an hour later, police told everyone to get into the school -- and they had to stop the games. The freshman and junior varsity games were completed, then the varsity contest finally got started at about noon. The athletes were kept in the school while cops searched for their suspect.

One Injured In Rollover

4/25/10 - One injury was reported following a one vehicle rollover yesterday afternoon in the Town of Leroy. According to the Dodge County Sheriffs Department, the accident occurred around 3:45pm on County Trunk Z at Kantin Road. 64-year-old Roy Brockhaus was transported by Theresa EMS to St. Agnes Hospital. Authorities are on the lookout for a seven-month old dog that was in the vehicle and remains missing.

Five Injured At Calumet County Crossing

4/25/10 - Authorities in Calumet County five teenagers in a car either didn't notice a railway crossing sign -- or didn't see the approaching train Thursday morning on their way to school. The five were injured badly enough to be admitted to the hospital. The train was going an estimated 30 miles per hour. Three of the five suffered serious injuries.

Beaver Dam Summer Guide Available Monday

4/25/10 - The 2010 Beaver Dam Community Activities and Services Summer Guide will be arriving on all city doorsteps Monday. The guide details all recreational activities, and includes club and sports schedules, lesson times, registration information and related costs. There is also a schedule of community events, the line-up for the “Concert in the Park” series, a complete list of park amenities and shelter and equipment rental costs, beach information and boat launch fees. Senior Center programs and activities are also included. The 2010 Beaver Dam Community Activities and Services Summer Guide will be wrapped in Monday’s free Daily Citizen Shopper and can also be obtained at the Senior Center and Recreation Building at 114 East Third Street.

4-H Focus On Obesity

4/25/10 - A healthy living program for Wisconsin will focus primarily on people being overweight. This state is among 15 getting a 50 thousand dollar grant from the National 4-H Council and the Wal Mart Foundation. 4-H Healthy Living Task Force member Ruth Litchfield says young people in the program are empowered to demand changes such as going to school boards or city council meetings to push for healthier foods in vending machine or increased physical activity in the schools. In addition to being physically unhealthy, the registered dietician says obesity is fiscally unhealthy because of the high costs related to treating related diseases. Eleven counties will participate.

Summerfest Addresses Parking Situation

4/25/10 - Summerfest takes steps to improve the parking situation on Milwaukee's lakefront, but the solution won't be ready for the start of this year's event. The board of Milwaukee World Festival, Incorporated, approved spending 815 thousand dollars to buy an industrial building that used to be home to Charter Wire's manufacturing plant. The building will be torn down to add another 460 parking spaces just to the west of the Marcus Amphitheater.

Feingold Tries To Block Pay Raises

4/25/10 - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin authors a bill which would block next year's automatic pay raise for members of Congress. The Senate approved the idea on a voice vote last week, but it still has to be passed by the House of Representatives. Shortly after Thursday's vote, Feingold released a statement pointing to many perks members of Congress already enjoy. Senators are paid 174 thousand dollars a year. Feingold doesn't accept the annual raises because he says most Americans don't have the power to give themselves one.

Milwaukee Doctor Cleared In Judge’s Death

4/25/10 - A Milwaukee County jury clears Doctor Marc Olsen of responsibility in the fatal heart attack suffered by a judge. Olsen told the court he had urged former Fox Point municipal judge William Padway to undergo testing for heart disease, but Padway declined. Padway died in 2006. His family had filed a three million dollar lawsuit claiming Olsen failed to follow the proper standard of care during the judge's visit to his office about three weeks before the fatal heart attack. The jury ruled Dr. Olsen was not responsible for the death.

Waukesha Wastewater Plan Hits Snag

4/25/10 - Milwaukee County Board members say they are worried about pollution. They have voted to oppose Waukesha's plan to use county streams to send treated wastewater to Lake Michigan. County Executive Scott Walker says the board's vote "flies in the face of regional cooperation." Walker says he will veto it, but that veto may not stand. Enough supervisors are against Waukesha's plan to override the veto. Waukesha city officials are seeking to use lake water due to radium pollution in its underground water supply source.

Milwaukee Property Values Continue Decline

4/25/10 - Milwaukee sees a decline in property values, but less of a decline than the year before. The city assessor's office reports those values dropped 2-point-4 percent last year. Milwaukee officials are voicing cautious optimism that the numbers could mean the local real estate market is rebounding, at least slightly. Alderman Michael Murphy has been quoted as saying he thinks those prices have "hit the bottom." Until the drop in 2008, Milwaukee had seen 13 straight years of growth.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Top Stories April 24th

Residents, Dispatcher Credited for Saving Life


4/24/10 - Three citizens and a 911 operator are being credited with saving the life of a man who had been electrocuted. According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department, they received a call from Fred Stiemsma on April 19th reporting a man was down and not breathing at a business on Airport Road. Communication Officer Dave Zirbel handled the call from Stiemsma, who described the condition of the man as “not good”. Within minutes, as Zirbel talked Stiemsma through an assessment of the individual, emergency responders were dispatched to the scene. Based upon Stiemsma’s answers it was determined that the subject was not breathing and needed CPR. Because no one on scene knew how to conduct CPR Zirbel talked Stiemsma through the steps and he gave those instructions to his wife and another man. Within a couple of minutes, 1st responders were on scene, and after assessing the situation, called for a helicopter that eventually took the victim to a hospital in Madison where he is still recovering. Sheriff Todd Nehls said the incident was another classic case in which a team came together to save a life. Beaver Dam Fire Chief Alan Mannel added, “This was a textbook response from stem to stern.”

Dunham’s Coming to Beaver Dam

4/24/10 - Beaver Dam is getting a new sporting goods store this fall. Managing Partner of the Heritage Village Mall Todd Hedberg says Dunham’s has made a long term commitment to the city and will occupy 32,000 square feet in the mall right next to Boston Store. Hedberg says they hope to open prior to Thanksgiving so they are ready for the Christmas season. Dunham’s operates 164 stores in the Midwest and Northeast part of the country.

BDPD Investigating Counterfeit Bills

4/24/10 - Beaver Dam police are investigating the passing of counterfeit 10-dollar-bills at two area businesses yesterday. Deputy Chief Dan Schubert says two different people used the bills on small purchases but they have not determined if the two are related. He says the bills are not difficult to identify because the printing on the back doesn’t look like normal currency. He says if you feel the bill may not be real, mark it with a counterfeit pen and don’t give it back to the customer. Anyone with information about the counterfeit bills can contact the Beaver Dam Police Department or the anonymous We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.

Clyman Holds Groundbreaking for Wastewater Treatment Plant

4/24/10 - Village officials in Clyman broke ground yesterday on a new wastewater treatment plant. Village President Jeff Wagner called it a “monumental day for Clyman.” The village settled a lawsuit with the Justice Department in February that required them to construct a new $4 million plant, among other upgrades. The village has secured a $1.7 million dollar grant and a low-interest loan from USDA Rural Development for the remaining $2.3 million. Wagner says it’s too early to calculate the cost that will be passed on to utility customers by the USDA loan caps any increase for utility customers at no more than 50%. He says it’s also possible they receive additional grant funding to help repay the costs of the loan. While communities like Columbus and Fall River were able to team-up to construct a new facility, Wagner says efforts by Clyman to enter into a partnership with nearby Reeseville and Lowell were rejected by the DNR. The plant is scheduled to be completed by July of 2011.

Strip Show at University Function Being Investigated

4/24/10 - University of Wisconsin officials in Madison are investigating how a stripper turned up at the school-sanctioned "Black Bag Ball" last Saturday. Dozens of medical students were attending the event at the Memorial Union. The ball is put on by the UW Medical Students Association and funded by the school's Medical Alumni Foundation. The students involved in planning the show have reportedly been identified. An associate dean says the incident is not consistent with the values of the school or the medical profession. A Madison television station reports medical students told it the strip show took place in a quiet area of the Great Hall and was seen by only a few people.

VP Biden in Wisconsin Tuesday

4/24/10 - Two powerful Democratic party leaders visit the state next week. Vice President Joe Biden and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner come to Milwaukee Tuesday. Biden and Geithner will talk about Wall Street reform and its effect on middle-class families at an event at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. It will be held at the student union. This will be the vice president's first trip to Wisconsin since the 2008 presidential campaign.

Doyle Won’t Call Special Session for Clean Energy Bill

4/24/10 - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle says he doesn’t plan to call the legislature back for a special session to take up his top priority on clean energy. Doyle says he would “love to see the Clean Energy Jobs Act pass” – and, he says, if he thought there was a realistic possibility that calling them in would get that passed, then he would do it. The bill calls for the state to get 25 percent of its energy from renewable resources by the year 2025. Doyle says he has no doubt this bill will be back. In fact, he says the next governor can’t ignore the importance of Wisconsin jumping on board with Clean Energy Jobs, because the state needs to be seen as a leader. Doyle says there is very strong support in the legislature for these standards.

Robson Leaves Senate for Final Time

4/24/10 - She believes public service is a high calling, saying it has been an honor to serve in the Wisconsin Senate. Following the passage of patient neglect legislation, retiring State Senator Judy Robson noted its importance to nurses such as herself. Robson took the opportunity to bid farewell to her colleagues. The Democrat from Beloit was first elected to the Assembly in 1987. Robson told her colleagues she’s proud of her achievements on the floor, as well as becoming the first woman Democrat to serve both as minority leader and as majority leader in the senate.

Home and Sports Show this Weekend in Waupun

4/24/10 - The Waupun Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual Home and Sports Show this weekend. Chamber Director Kristie Buwalda says the event brings together over 70 vendors representing home improvement, finance and health from across the area. Today’s events kick-off early with the Waupun Area Animal Shelter pancake breakfast from 7am to 11am. There will be home security seminar in the morning along with tips from local golf pro Jeremiah Hoffman. Nationally renowned gardener Melinda Meyers will be the guest speaker in the afternoon. She will be available for book signings after her presentation on “Simple Landscape Makeovers.” There will also be a bench pressing competition this afternoon along with entertainment from Rhythm and Motion Dancers. The event also includes food and beverages along with crafts and games for kids.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Top Stories, April 23rd

Edwards Requests Another Delay

4/23/10 - A Jefferson County judge will be asked next month for another delay in the trial of an elderly man accused of killing two high school sweet-hearts 30 years ago. Edward Edwards was arrested last year, and he was originally supposed to go on trial in January. It was postponed until March, and then to June 14th which is Edwards’ 77th birthday. Now, his defense lawyer wants a third delay to have more time to prepare. A hearing on that is set for May sixth. Edwards, who wrote a book about being a traveling criminal a number of years ago, is charged in the 1980 slayings of Tim Hack and Kelly Drew.

Two Beaver Dam Men Now Charged In Assault

4/23/10 - A Beaver Dam man was bound over for trial yesterday on charges that he assaulted two young teens. Christopher Bowers is charged with two felony counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault of a Child. Judge Andrew Bissonnette found probable cause to proceed during the preliminary hearing. The 19-year-old allegedly had a relationship with one teen last fall. The second offense is said to have occurred earlier this month, with a young runaway that Bowers and another man were reportedly hiding. According to the criminal complaint, he admitted to the relationships but said all contact stopped once he learned their age. Bowers said during questioning that he had been under the impression that both teens were 17-years-old, which investigators pointed out was still illegal. Witnesses told police that Bowers continued his relationship with both girls even after learning their age, and even helped remove ‘missing persons posters’ with the age of the victim listed. When being questioned about the runaway earlier this month, Bowers reportedly admitted to contact with the young teen last fall and yet another 16-year-old victim. Witnesses also told police that he has been with as many as four other girls under the age of 15. Bowers is being held on a $10,000 cash bond. Meanwhile, a second Beaver Dam man has been charged in connection with assaulting the young runaway. 18-year-old Robert Hinkley Jr. has an initial hearing on May 3 on charges of Second Degree Sexual Assault of a Child.

Burwitz Waives Prelim on Rape Charges

4/23/10 - A Beaver Dam man has waived his right to preliminary hearing on charges that he raped a woman earlier this month. Richard Burwitz Sr. is charged with one felony count of Second Degree Sexual Assault with the Use of Force. According to the criminal complaint, the victim drove the 52-year-old around to run errands. When she went into his home to collect gas money, he allegedly forced her to the floor. Burwitz contends the sex was consensual and says she called the police to get out of paying an $80 loan. The charge carries a maximum 40 year prison sentence, but because Burwitz was convicted of Third Degree Sexual Assault in 2004, he could have another six years added to the sentence upon conviction. He is also facing two felony bail jumping charges because he was charged with his fifth OWI in January. Burwitz is being held on a $10,000 cash bond and will be back in court for an arraignment hearing May 12.

Unemployment Still Hovers In Double Digits

4/23/10 - The unemployment rate in the area remained largely unchanged from February to March. Dodge County is still in double digits at 10.6%, a drop of two-tenths of a percent from the previous month. Columbia and Fond du Lac Counties both dropped two-tenths to 9.9%. Washington County is also at 9.9%, after increasing by two-tenths of a percent. Jefferson County also increased by two-tenths to 10.7%. Thirty of the state’s 72 counties saw a decrease last month while eight remained unchanged. Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman says 4900 jobs were added in March with gains in 11 of the state’s 12 metro areas. Gassman says the job gains underscore the state’s continued economic recovery. Dane County continues to have the lowest unemployment rate in the state, even though they notched up three-tenths to 6.5%. Rush County has the highest county rate at 15%. Nationally, the jobless rate is at 10.2%. The statewide rate is at 9.8%.

Corp Exec’s Say Job Growth Tied To Income Tax

4/23/10 - Corporate executives say the best way to create jobs is for the government to cut income taxes. That’s according to a survey by the financial firm of Grant Thornton. Almost 500 chief financial officers and senior comptrollers were surveyed – including 76 in Wisconsin and the Midwest. Thirty-five percent of Midwest C-F-O’s said cutting personal income taxes is the most effective way to create job opportunities – while 32-percent said it would be best to reduce corporate taxes. Over 80-percent of the Midwest execs believe the economy will improve or remain the same this year – and almost half expect a more robust recovery in 2011. But they’re also cautious about adding employees. Only one fifth of the Midwest corporate officers said their firms would increase their hiring in the next six months. About 25-percent said they will decrease their hiring.

Controversial Legislation Dies As State Senate Adjourns

4/23/10 - The Wisconsin State Senate has adjourned for the session, and the move likely means the end of the road for a number of controversial bills at the Capitol. The Senate wrapped up its action for the year before the Assembly could take action on the Clean Energy Jobs Act, Regional Transit Authority legislation, and a number of other bills that were scheduled for votes later in the day.

Before adjournment, the Senate did approve further changes to legislation regulating payday lending in Wisconsin. The bill now heads back to the state Assembly for final approval. The Senate also gave final legislative approval to immediate coverage for low-income adults who don’t have children. About 34-thousand Wisconsinites are about to become eligible for bare-bones health insurance, while they stay on a waiting list for a more extensive version of Badger Care Plus. State officials got swamped when Badger Care was opened to childless adults last year – and by October, Governor Jim Doyle set up a waiting list and ordered health officials to come up with a bare-bones plan to help those adults in the meantime. The coverage will be called “Badger Care Basic,” and it will cost 130-dollars a month. It will run through the end of 2013. The plan would be paid for by premiums and co-payments of those who take the coverage. But Republican opponents said they were certain that taxpayers would be hit with the bill eventually. Doyle must still sign the bill – but because he called for the Basic program in the first place, his signature is mainly a formality.

Hit and Run Suspect Arraigned

4/23/10 - An Oshkosh man, accused of striking a vehicle on Highway 151 near Beaver Dam and leaving the scene, stood mute at arraignment Thursday and had a “not guilty” plea entered on his behalf. The incident occurred on the afternoon of Christmas Eve when Justin Van Dera allegedly struck the vehicle from behind. Two of the passengers complained of neck injures but were not transported. The 29-year-old Van Dera has six active traffic cases in the state and in the last two years has been found guilty of 21 traffic offenses in five counties and had another half dozen charges dismissed.

Gaugert Arraigned On Failure To Report Charges

4/23/10 - A 48-year-old Juneau man pleaded “not guilty” yesterday to a felony charge of “Failure To Report To Jail.” In 2008, Dean Gaugert was sentenced to eight months in jail for fleeing from authorities while drunk. Gaugert was supposed to serve an eight month jail sentence but a bench warrant was issued in March of last year and his work released privileges were suspended. He has not had a valid driver’s license since 1997. Gaugert waived his right to a preliminary hearing yesterday and has a plea set for next week.

WDNR Invests in Electric Trucks

4/23/10 - The fresh air in Wisconsin state parks is about to become even fresher. D-N-R Secretary Matt Frank says his agency has bought electric trucks for 22 state park facilities – and they’ll run a lot cleaner than the current gas-powered trucks at a fraction of the cost. For starters, Frank says the electric trucks are 30-to-50-percent cheaper to buy. And the cost to operate an electric vehicle is about two-tenths-of-a-cent per mile, instead of the 62-cents-a-mile for the gas-powered pick-ups. Frank also says the electric trucks produce almost five tons less of carbon per year than a typical three-quarter-ton pick-up which goes about eight-thousand-miles in that span. The D-N-R leader said the trucks were paid for by the state Parks Heritage Account, which is made up of fees from utilities and others seeking easements for things like power lines.

Day Of Prayer Ruling Challenged

4/23/10 - The U-S Justice Department is appealing last week’s ruling from Madison Federal Judge Barbara Crabb which said the National Day of Prayer is un-constitutional. A notice was filed today in Madison which sends the case to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. Crabb ruled in favor of Madison’s Freedom from Religion Foundation, which contends that the National Day of Prayer violates the separation of church-and-state. Crabb ruled that the Day of Prayer amounts to a government establishment of religion, in violation of the First Amendment. Congress approved the National Day of Prayer in 1952. In ’88, they set the day as the first Thursday in May. Former President George W. Bush held organized activities for the Day of Prayer. But President Obama did away with that – but he still issued a proclamation urging Americans to pray on that day. Crabb said she would not enforce her ruling until all appeals are exhausted. As a result, the Obama White House said it would again declare May sixth as this year’s prayer day.

Cosmic Gold Rush

4/23/10 - Farmers in Iowa County say it's something like a gold rush. Meteorite hunters have descended on southwest Wisconsin ever since last week's fireball that was seen in the sky. People living in Iowa County say they've seen license plates from as far away as Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. The largest piece of meteorite discovered so far weighed 219 grams and is valued at up to 22 hundred dollars.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Top Stories, April 22nd

Earth Day Celebrated At Marsh Haven Sunday

4/22/10 - Earth Day will be celebrated this Sunday at the Marsh Haven Nature Center. Center Founder Larry Vine says the event will feature a variety of conservation-oriented activities that’s perfect for the whole family, including a nature hike, discussions on conservation issues and wildlife photography. Wolf experts Jerry and Debbie Saunders will be talking about the “Family Lives of Wolves and Their Behavior.” Native American Expert Herb “Dirty Kettle” Heck will also have a presentation on “Caring For Mother Earth, How Early Americans Lived.” In addition, Raptor Specialist Barb Harvey will be there with her Birds of Prey discussing “Hawks and Owls and Their Fascinating Lives.” Harvey says she often asks her audiences, “What do you put back to the land for taking up space?” She says you have to get out and listen to the land and have a “sense of awe and wow and wonder to really appreciate it and then maybe as human beings we would all fight a little harder to preserve it.” Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for kids under 15.Marsh Haven is located three miles east of Waupun on Highway 49.The Earth Day Celebration runs 10am to 5pm Sunday.

Statewide Tornado Drill Today

4/22/10 - It’s Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin. Dodge County Emergency Management Director Joe Meagher (ma-her) is marking the occasion by urging the public to invest in a NOAA Weather Radio. He says you should make sure it has a SAME feature, which stands for Specific Area Message Encoder, and allows you to program the radio to a specific county or counties. Tornado sirens will be blaring today (Thursday) as part of a statewide drill. Local media will also be interrupted. Meagher urges members of the public to take advantage of Thursday’s drill to review or implement an evacuation plan and prepare or update an emergency survival kit. The test in Dodge County will be at 1:20pm.

Fox Lake Sewer Rate Hike Discussed

4/22/10 - The sewer utility in the city of Fox Lake continues to be a worry for officials. At last nights meeting the firm of Baker and Tilly ran through an audit on the final 2009 financial figures. While they were complimentary of a number of things, such as the city’s healthy general fund, auditors remain concerned with the sewer utility, which lost more than $200,000 in 2009. City Administrator Bill Petracek says the only real fix would be to increase rates, something the city may look at later this year. Meanwhile, despite the sewer utility concern, Baker and Tilly gave the city a “clean audit“, which is the highest form of assurance they can give in regards to a city’s financial situation.

Debt Cap Policy Hammered Out

4/22/10 - Elected officials in Beaver Dam could soon be considering passage of a debt cap policy on the council floor. Alderman John Litscher introduced a debt cap ordinance in committee last month. After some discussion in the Administrative Committee, it was decided that a debt cap policy would be more appropriate. Litscher threw his support behind the policy, saying he didn’t want to tie the hands of future councils. Director of Finance John Somers drafted the policy, which limits borrowing for Capital Improvements Projects at $1.6 million, with some exceptions. Somers says if the prior year’s tax rate for debt service as compared to the total city rate is less than 20%, then the option to borrow more than $1.6 million is available. However, if the tax rate for debt is more than 20%, then the Administrative Committee would have to bring a resolution to the common council and it would take a three-quarters vote of the council in order to approve exceeding those limitations. Litscher says the proposed policy as written reflects his intentions for controlling spending. The debt cap policy is expected to pass out of committee once it’s reviewed by the city’s financial advisor.

Randolph Referendum Readied

4/22/10 - Randolph School District residents will see a building referendum question on their ballots when they head to the polls this fall. The school board decided to move forward with a referendum that would pay for an addition at the high school property that would allow for grades K through 12 to be housed at one site. The board must now decide how to proceed. Option one would be to do the entire project at once at a cost of about 20-million-dollars. Option two would be to divide the project into two parts with a referendum for 10-million-dollars this year and another referendum question for a similar amount a few years down the line. The board must make a decision by July 30th if they want the referendum to be a part of the September primary. Otherwise, it would be on the ballot for the general election in November.

Fire At Hartford Business

4/22/10 - Thirteen fire departments battled a blaze at a Town of Hartford business in Washington County last night. Sheriff’s officials say there was hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage done to Ener Con Incorporated, but none to structures or machinery. The fire consumed large outdoor wood mulch piles and passing motorists could see the glow from the fire leading to a call to the owner who then notified authorities. The business is located on Highway 60. No one was hurt fighting the fire.

Schellin Leaving Columbus PFC

4/22/10 - Columbus PFC leader Ed Schellin will be leaving the volunteer, five-member Commission when his current term expires in May. Schellin has been PFC President during recent disputes over “who makes the decisions” in hiring Police and Fire Chiefs. Mayor Bob Link thanked Schellin for his time, talent and leadership. Link said Schellin “never lost sight of the ‘big picture’ in spite of (sometimes) overwhelming pressure from special interest groups.” The Mayor has nominated Joseph Sampson of the Dane County Sheriff’s Department to succeed Schellin in the five year appointment.

Assembly Censures Wood

4/22/10 - The Wisconsin Assembly voted 73-to-24 Wednesday to censure Representative Jeff Wood, as a legislative punishment for his three O-W-I arrests during the past 17 months. Wood himself got to vote – and he voted against being punished. Assembly Minority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald was among those voting not to censure Wood. The Republican from Horicon did vote in favor of an amendment to expel Wood early Wednesday morning but said he didn’t believe that censure would have any real impact. The Assembly rejected the original request of Whitewater Republican Steve Nass to make Wood the first since 1917 to be removed from the Legislature. That vote was 49-to-48. Nass said it quote, “underscores the Assembly’s lack of interest in getting tough on drunk driving.” Nass called it an example of why people are quote, “mad as hell with their government.” But Rice Lake Democrat Mary Hubler, who chaired a committee that deadlocked on the question of expulsion, said Wood won’t be able to drive for two years – and he’ll be in jail for 45 days after he was convicted Monday of his most serious offense in Columbia County. In the other two cases, Wood was accused of driving under the influence of prescription drugs. Those cases are still pending in Marathon and Monroe counties.

Legislative Session Winding Down

4/22/10 - Wisconsin legislators will meet today for the final time this session – and it looks like they will not pass controversial bills aimed at making cleaner energy and reforming elections. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker said neither package is on the agenda for his house. And the same is true for letting communities form regional transit authorities which could raise taxes for bus-and-train service. Any bills that don’t pass both houses after today are dead, unless a special session is called later. Among the items that still have a chance to pass would regulate pay-day loans, allow the sale of raw milk, and having the state superintendent intervene to improve Wisconsin’s lowest-performing schools including Milwaukee. The clean energy bill would have had a quarter of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2025, with other energy efficiencies to count against that goal. But lawmakers, businesses, and others disagreed on the total impact. Doyle and others said it would create green jobs and reduce electric rates. Republicans and the state’s largest business group said it would raise rates and eliminate jobs. The Assembly may still vote on that package, as well as election changes to allow registration on the Internet, absentee voting at more locations, and having people automatically register when they get driver’s licenses. Decker said the package was introduced too late for senators to understand all the effects. The Senate could vote on creating a bare-bones health plan for childless adults on the waiting list for Badger Care Plus. Decker says the Senate will not vote on A-T-and-T’s bill to deregulate telephone land-lines.

AIDS Testing Expanded

4/22/10 - More Wisconsinites can be tested for the AIDS virus, under a bill Governor Jim Doyle signed into law yesterday. Supporters say it will encourage more routine tests, and many will get diagnosed and treated earlier. The new law comes at a time when AIDS cases are on the rise in Wisconsin. A recent state report said the number of gay men infected with H-I-V is at a 14-year high – and hetero-sexual men have the most infections in a decade. It used to be that a patient had to give written consent to get tested for H-I-V and AIDS. But the new law allows patients to be tested as long as they’re informed of what’s involved, and they don’t opt-out. State Health Services Secretary Karen Timberlake says the new law will reduce the paperwork and delays connected with H-I-V testing. She said it also increases patients’ privacy, by increasing penalties to those who release test results to others.