Top Stories, June 8th

Council Approves Liquor Licenses

6/8/10 - After lengthy debate in committee and on the council floor, Beaver Dam city officials last night approved liquor license renewals for 26 restaurants and taverns. Prior to the council vote, the Administrative Committee reviewed a seven-inch thick report of police activities at area taverns over the past year. Of the 28 establishments licensed to sell liquor, 16 had no reported police responses and only three were serious enough to warrant an appearance before the committee. License holders from the Cellar, Doc’s and Johnny’s Lounge were questioned about the efforts they’ve taken to address problems with violence, unlicensed bartenders and/or intoxicated patrons driving home. Beaver Dam Police Sergeant Matt Riel works evening shift and confirmed that bar owners have been cooperating and calls for service have been down considerably since the city adopted a demerit point system. Committee Chair Don Neuert says that compliance is what the committee has been looking for and he saw no need to challenge any of the licenses. The council, however, did have to approve all the licenses. City Attorney Mary Ann Schacht says state statute dictates that because no valid formal complaints have ever been lodged about any of the bars, either from the police department or the public, the city is powerless to deny a request for a renewal. The committee last night did table consideration of license renewal for two of the 28 businesses to clear up minor questions with their applications.

BD Refinances $2.6 Million

6/8/10 - The Beaver Dam Common Council last night approved the refinancing of $2.6 million in bonds. The money will be used to fund a variety of 2010 Capital Improvement Projects and a portion of the new police station. It was first acquired last month. The city’s financial advisor Carol Wirth says the initial borrowing was short term and part of a two-phase plan to get an ideal interest rate. The projection was to lock in at 4%, but the actual rate for borrowing came in at 3.92% thanks to the city’s improved bond rating. The second phase approved last night also removes the restriction of spending the money on specific capital projects.

Livingston Enters Plea For Embezzlement

6/8/10 - A Beaver Dam woman who embezzled money from her former employer entered a “no contest” plea yesterday to a felony count of Theft In A Business Setting. Sara Livingston stole over $24,000 from Alt Chiropractic between May of 2006 and December of 2008. The issue came up after Livingston wrote a $10,000 check to herself. The 39-year-old told investigators that she thought better of it, advised her employer and the bank stopped payment. Dr. Dale Alt says that was never the case and she went so far as to impersonate his wife in an attempt to cover her tracks. Livingston was then connected to several other checks written to herself from the company credit account over the two and-a-half year period. According to the criminal complaint, the business account was used to purchase various personal items, acquire cash and even make charitable donations. She also received free treatment from the chiropractor then billed her insurance company and pocketing the money. Livingston said she was surprised to find out about the complaints. She originally denied that she stole the money and said she either received authorization for the expenditures or there was an understanding that the money was a loan that she fully intended to pay back. Her former employer maintained there was no such arrangement. Livingston faces up to ten years in prison when she is sentenced July 1.

$100K Cash Bail For 7th OWI

6/8/10 - A Grafton man could spend ten years in prison after being arrested for his seventh OWI in Dodge County last February. Michael Bonney was crashed into a house in the Town of Hustisford. According to the police report, the 38-year-old was traveling northbound on County Highway E when his vehicle spun across the roadway and through the southbound lane striking several trees and a fence before smashing into the home. There was no one in the residence at the time. The jaws-of-life was used to cut the Bonney from the pick-up. He was seriously injured and, according to a breath test at the hospital 90 minutes after the accident, his blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit. Cash bail was set at $100,000 and a preliminary hearing is set for June 17.

BDPD Urges Compliance In Parks

6/8/10 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is warning dog owners and bicyclists to stay out of city parks. Deputy Chief Dan Schubert says with the warmer weather his officers have seen an increase in complaints for both problems. City ordinance prohibits dogs, or cats, either leashed or unleashed from being in city parks. The exception is the pet-friendly portion of Edgewater Park, where dogs are allowed in the northeast quadrant of the grounds. Schubert says pet owners also need to be aware that dogs and cats must be properly licensed. Bicycles cannot be operated in any city park. The municipal citations carry a monetary fine. In addition, juveniles could also have their bicycles confiscated after repeat violations.