Top Stories, June 14th

Childs Heading To Waupun

6/13/10 - The outgoing, interim Superintendent in the Beaver Dam School District is heading to Waupun. Dr. Don Childs, who has worked in Beaver Dam for the past four years, recently signed a two-year contract with the Waupun School District. Childs had previously served as Superintendent in Howard-Suamico and Lake Mills. Current District Administrator Randy Refsland announced in March that he would be leaving at the end of this month to take the top position in the Clinton Community School District. Beaver Dam, meanwhile, promoted Director of Human Resources Steve Vessey to the top position, the first time there’s been a Superintendent without an interim title since Dr. Brian Busler left for the Oregon School District in 2006.

YMCA Demolition Schedule Set

6/14/10 - Crews will mobilize for the demolition of the old YMCA in Beaver Dam on July 6. That’s according to the schedule of Sun Prairie Sand and Gravel, who will begin capping utilities and removing fixtures the week after the July Fourth holiday. Hazmat abatement is planned for week two, followed by materials disposal. The demolition of concrete is planned to begin the week of July 26 and will be followed by backfilling of crushed concrete and supplemental fill. Grading of the site for drainage is planned for the week of August 4. The project is anticipated to be completed no later than August 11. Sun Prairie Sand and Gravel is being paid $140,000. A new $5.1 million police station is planned for property.

Summer Reading Programs Begin

6/14/10 - Libraries across the state are gearing up for their summer reading programs. Beaver Dam Community Library Director Sue Mevis says their Children’s reading program runs for seven weeks and every kid who meets their weekly reading goal of 90 minutes or nine books gets a prize. Mevis says story time activities and performers from comedians to musicians and magicians will be incorporating the theme this year, which is the water-oriented, “Make A Splash.” Kids will also be able to take in several aquatic themed movies at the library this year including “The Little Mermaid” and “Finding Nemo.” Workshops include making water bottle fish, earth camp and learning to garden. The Teen and Adult Reading Programs also incorporate the same theme. Prizes will be awarded for those who fill out a bingo card with spaces for fiction books and bestsellers, checking out DVD’s and using the library database. There is also an inter-library battle of the books and summer teen book club for students entering sixth thru 12th grades. Summer reading kits are available at most area libraries beginning today.