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.