Top Stories May 8th

Compromise Results in Columbus Paying $75,000


5/8/10 - It turns out the compromise between Columbus and Dodge County, which will result in the dismissal of a lawsuit over damage to Highway T, will cost the city $75,000. It was announced earlier this week the two parties had come to an agreement that would avoid having the case proceed to trial. The county believed the damage occurred due to the road being the detour route when filming for the movie Public Enemies closed down a stretch of Highway 60 in the spring of 2008. The county originally asked Columbus to repay more than $116,000, the amount they said it took to fix the damage to Highway T. The settlement comes after 18-months of legal maneuvering and negotiating between the city, county, and department of transportation.

Wayland President to Retire in 2011

5/8/10 - The president of Wayland Academy has announced his retirement. When he leaves at the end of next school year, Robert Esten will have been with Wayland for nine-and-a-half years. He says it is the right time and that he’s going out on top. Esten says most people would assume his greatest accomplishment was the recently-completed $4 million renovation of Wayland Hall, but he says that’s not so. Instead, he believes his most lasting contribution will have been his role in developing a new writing program that he says will benefit the students in college and make writing a pleasure, not a chore. Under his leadership, the population of Wayland Academy has grown by 57%, from 153 students to 240 while the school’s endowment tripled. With retirement 14 months away, Esten says he has no plans yet as to what he will be doing once he leaves.

Man Arrested for 6th OWI after High Speed Chase

5/8/10 - A Beaver Dam man was arrested late Thursday night following a drunken high speed chase. Officials say 28-year-old Bradley Marquardt was involved in a 20-mile chase with authorities that at times reached speeds in excess of 100-miles-per hour. The pursuit didn’t end until around 11:30pm when Beaver Dam police deployed stop spikes just outside the city and took Marquardt into custody. He was arrested for his sixth OWI and also faces charges of felony fleeing.

Water Consumption Down in Columbus

5/8/10 - Columbus Water & Light sales figures released this week indicate a 10 per cent drop in City water use during the past year. Commission President Al Strohschein told the Council the drop in usage was a sign of increased water conservation. The annual Water & Light report also indicated an increase in joint meetings between the Commission and Common Council. The LED Street Light and shared Safety Director projects were cited as successful examples of improved relations between City and Utility leaders.

Nurses Run-Walk-Roll in BD this Morning

5/8/10 - The nurses of the Beaver Dam Community Hospital will be walking to raise money this morning. Organizers say the 5K Challenge Nurses Run-Walk-Roll is for anyone regardless of age or physical condition. Awards will be given to the top three overall male and female finishers, the youngest participant not in a stroller and the oldest and wisest participant. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome, but bikes, roller blades, Heelies, skateboards and pets should be left at home. The cost is $25 day of the race. It begins at 9am in the Beaver Dam Community Hospital Parking lot on Warren Street and finishes near the pond in front of the hospital. The money raised will benefit the Beaver Dam Hospital Foundation to fund scholarships for those entering the healthcare field. The event raised over $5500 last year and included 120 participants.

Recall on Lettuce

5/8/10 - A brand of lettuce sold in Wisconsin and 22 other states is being recalled because of an outbreak of E-coli bacteria. Freshway Foods of Sidney Ohio says it’s recalling romaine lettuce sold under the brand names of Freshway and Imperial Sysco. It has a “best-if-used-by” date of May 12th. The Food-and-Drug Administration said at least 19 people got sick, and three had life-threatening symptoms. At least 12 people have been hospitalized – and health officials are trying to decide if 10 other cases are linked. Lettuce grown in Arizona might be a possible source of the outbreak. Health officials in New York State found the contamination this week in shredded romaine lettuce, but local health authorities had been investigating an outbreak for several weeks. The F-D-A said the infected lettuce came from a processing facility – but it would not give the name of the facility, or where it’s located. The three patients with life-threatening health problems were diagnosed with a disease that can cause bleeding in the brain and kidneys.

New Bill Allows for Collection of DNA

5/8/10 - Wisconsin judges will be able to force former convicts to surrender DNA samples under a bill signed by the governor yesterday. This new law gives prison officials more power as they try to find more than 10 thousand offenders who finished their sentences without giving up the samples. Wisconsin law requires sex offenders and people convicted of felonies and some misdemeanors to submit DNA. The new law specifies that the requirement doesn't go away when those offenders complete their sentence. District attorneys can now seek a court order to get the samples. DNA profiles help investigators identify criminals, solve cold cases and link cases -- in some situations saving the lives of potential victims.

Man Charged with Death of Niece in Car Crash

5/8/10 - Crash investigators say 39 year old Ronald Jerome Beal was legally drunk and speeding when he slammed his car into another one. Police say he had been racing at the time. He's now been charged in the death of his six year old niece -- one of five people in the car when the accident happened. Christiana Beal was not in a child seat or wearing a seat belt at the time. The criminal complaint indicates Beal's blood alcohol content level was point-1-2-8 last Sunday. He is charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and causing great bodily harm by intoxicated use of a vehicle. When the charges were filed, Beal was still in the hospital being treated for injuries he suffered in the wreck on Milwaukee's northwest side.

Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Get Their Due

5/8/10 - Four names have been added to the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial in Madison. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says the several hundred people in attendance for the rain-soaked ceremony Friday reflect a strong commitment to those who have fallen in the line of duty. Those added to the Memorial this year were officers John Gatenbein, Jeremiah Buckley, Agent Arthur Fadness, and state trooper Jorge Dimas. Officer John Gatenbein of the Alma Police Department was shot and killed during a dispute at a bar in November 1922. Baraboo Police Department Officer Jeremia Buckley died in January 1931 from injuries he sustained in a fall. State Department of Revenue Agent Arthur Fadness suffered a fatal heart attack during a raid on an illegal gambling operation in August 1958. The most recent death was that of State Trooper Jorge Dimas of Amery, who was killed last June in an on-duty traffic accident. This is the 20th year names have been added to the memorial which honors over 250 fallen law enforcement officers.

Safe-Ride Program to Get More Funding

5/8/10 - The Wisconsin Tavern League’s Safe-Ride program gets more money from the state in its effort to combat drunken driving. Leage lobbyist Scott Stenger says a 30 percent increase in money for its Safe Ride programs is expected. Through Safe Ride, Tavern League members provide free cab rides home for patrons who have had too much to drink. Funding comes from a surcharge on drunk driving convictions. The new law increases the portion of the surcharge which goes to Safe Ride from 50 to 80 percent.

Feingold Not Impressed with Financial Stability Act

5/8/10 - Debate over reforming Wall Street and financial rules are underway in the United States Senate. Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin says, as it stands now, he doubts he'll vote for it. Feingold says he isn't impressed with the Restoring American Financial Stability Act. He says “naming a bill does not make it a good one as found with the Bush Administration’s 'No Child Left Behind’ legislation. Feingold adds he won't favor the bill unless it includes an audit of the Federal Reserve and restores regulation. In 1999, Congress deregulated banking and insurance which he says took down the firewall between Main Street and Wall Street. But he says lobbyists from financial firms are turning up the heat in the Senate, which concerns Feingold. He says if Congress doesn’t improve regulation, he will not vote for it. Feingold says a strong bill is needed, and he’s concerned it won’t happen. Feingold expects debate to last about a week before it gets a vote.