Top Stories June 5th

Safety First Open House is Today


6/5/10 - The Beaver Dam Community Hospital is holding their third annual “Safety First Open House” Saturday. Marketing Director Candace says the event will feature a chance to meet local emergency responders, participate in a bike rodeo, tour the Survive Alive fire safety house, attempt an obstacle course with fatal vision drunk goggles, get an up-close look at the MedFlight helicopter and learn various safety tips. There will also be a drug drop-off until 11am. With increased concerns about proper disposal of unused or expired medication, Beckman says providing a drop off point for the community is a vital safety concern. The Safety First Open House will be held on the campus of the Beaver Dam Community Hospital Saturday from 9am until 1pm.

Field Supports Movement on Limiting the Use of Gas Tax Money

6/5/10 - The Dodge County Highway Commissioner Brian Field says he’s in support of a current movement by groups that represent Wisconsin road builders and county highway departments who are trying to get as many counties as possible to have referendums this fall on the issue of using state gas tax money for other things. Those leading the effort are urging law makers to eventually pass a constitutional amendment to ban future raids. Field says the amendment will set up a “firewall” that would make sure money paid by taxpayers into the transportation fund will actually be spent on transportation improvements. 22 states already have similar amendments to their constitutions.

Accident Victim Identified

6/5/10 - The 47-year-old Mayville man killed Thursday afternoon after rolling his vehicle in Fond du Lac County has been identified as Brian W. Janssen. Police say Janssen was driving southbound on Highway 26 when he went off the right shoulder of the road, overcorrected back onto the road and then traveled back to the right where the vehicle overturned, ejecting Janssen and rolling on top of him. He was pronounced dead a short time later at Waupun Memorial Hospital. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department says the accident is still under investigation.

Columbus Man Sentenced

6/5/10 - A Columbus man will go to prison for two and half years on charges of bail jumping and substantial battery. 30-year-old Eric Landphier, who pled no contest to the charges in January, will also be on extended supervision for another two years after getting out of prison. The charge of substantial battery stemmed from an incident in October 2007 when Landphier hit a man in the face who was trying to stop him from driving drunk. Then in August of last year police say they were called to a confrontation in an area near the intersection of Ludington and East Mill Streets in Columbus last August. Once on scene, police found an intoxicated Landphier yelling and being restrained by a friend. He later told police he was yelling at a man who insulted a family member. Landphier has now been convicted of 19-felonys.

Avey’s Last Minute Story Change has No Impact

6/5/10 - The Washington County judge wasn't buying convicted killer Charles Avey's last minute story. Avey was found guilty of strangling his 14 year old son Cody. In a statement read in court before sentencing, Avey called it a mercy killing, saying his son asked to be killed so he wouldn't face further sexual assaults from an unnamed abuser. The judge said Avey's attempt to put some spin on the facts of the case didn't make sense. He called it a final insult to the victim and his surviving family members -- then sentenced Avey to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Judge James Muehlbauer called Avey calculating and dangerous. Avey had previously told investigators he strangled his son using a tie to get back at the boy's mother. She had reported him to police for beating her with a hammer the same day as the killing.

Wisconsin #1 in Graduation Rates for HS

6/5/10 - A recent report from the National Center for Education Statistics showed Wisconsin’s overall graduation rate for public high school students at nearly 90-percent. That’s first nationwide and above the national average of 75-percent. State Superintendent Tony Evers says he’s proud of the work students and schools are doing, but the goal is a “universal graduation” for all students. In other words, a 100-percent graduation rate for Wisconsin, which Evers says is attainable. Wisconsin fares generally well in graduation rates for most minorities, but Evers says African-Americans are at greatest risk for dropping out. Currently, Wisconsin graduates about 63-percent of its black students.

Experts: Boycott of BP Won’t Make Huge Impact

6/5/10 - Boycotting BP gas stations may not have much effect. Pam Christenson with the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association says it’s not really going to affect their bottom line that much. Boycotts have been suggested as retaliation for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Christenson says BP owns none of the stations in Wisconsin that carry its name or sell the gasoline it supplies. Most are independently owned. Not buying your gas there only hurts their profits and could force them out of business. Christenson says BP branded stations typically have a long term contract to purchase gasoline from the company and don’t have the option to switch suppliers. Christenson says retailers share in the frustration about the oil disaster, but a boycott is not the answer.

Veterans Affairs: Not Much Can Be Done About Identity Fraud

6/5/10 - The state Department of Veterans Affairs is publicly condemning the identity thefts of three Wisconsin soldiers killed in action. However, there may not be much else officials can do to prevent further acts of fraud. Last week, three Green Bay men were charged with forging checks in the names of the soldiers who died in Iraq. Dan Naylor of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs board says this is the first time he’s been aware of someone forging checks in the name of service members killed in action. Another spokesperson doubts there are any further precautions that the department could take to safeguard veterans’ identities beyond what consumer protection laws are already in place.

Schumacher Resigns

6/5/10 - The Cambria Village Board will be looking to fill an open seat at this Monday’s meeting after a member resigned this week. Jeff Schumacher, who was re-elected for a second time in April, recently accepted a new job in Florida. His resignation is on Monday’s agenda as is a vote to fill the resulting vacancy.

WI Spelling Bee Contestant in the Final Four

6/5/10 - The 273 contestants who started the Scripps National Spelling Bee had been narrowed to four by the time Wisconsin's entry was on the sidelines. Sheboygan 13 year old Andrew Grose was knocked in the seventh round. He misspelled the word "aguinaldo" (ah gin NOLL doh). It's a Spanish-American Christmas carol. Grose was among the 10 championship finalists in the national bee which started last Wednesday. Friday's semifinals and finals were televised. Grose was also in the bee last year. This was his final year of eligibility.