Top Stories July 24th

Storm Coverage

7/24/10 - Most of the heavy rain stayed to our south overnight, but we are still under a flash flood watch until 10 a-m. There are also flood warnings on a number of area rivers. In Waupun, the Rock River was about a half-inch above flood stage as of 7 a-m but the water was receding. The National Weather Service says floodwaters were affecting a park near the river as well as a few minor roadways. In Watertown, the Rock River is expected to rise above flood stage by the early afternoon tomorrow before cresting on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Crawfish River at Milford in northern Jefferson County was sitting just shy of the flood stage of 7-feet this morning. Forecasters predict the river will rise above flood stage this afternoon and continue to rise before cresting sometime Wednesday around 9-feet.

Officials in Columbus say they dodged a huge bullet. With heavy rain projected in the overnight hours, officials were taking precautions with sandbagging efforts, and there was talk of closing River Road if they got the amount of rain predicted. However, that didn't happen and Public Information Officer Jerrod Fox says all roads are open, and there doesn't appear to be any major flooding concerns. The city is also reminding residents that they can stay up to date with what's going on by registering at nixle.com. The Nixle system allows for the city to send warnings via email or text message.

Other parts of the state are still suffering the effects of the heavy rainfall and flooding from Thursday night. Governor Jim Doyle made a disaster declaration for Milwaukee County. Extensive damage reports were received throughout the Milwaukee Metropolitan Area. The governor's declaration directs state agencies to help local government with their recovery efforts. Damage will be assessed. Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has asked the governor to petition for federal aid. Emergency responders report they received more than 500 calls for some kind of help.

Meanwhile, that strong storm shut operations down for hours at Mitchell International Airport Thursday night and Friday morning. Flights didn't going again until about 1 p-m yesterday. Both commercial runways had been covered with water after almost eight inches of rain fell in a two-hour period Thursday night. Two people were hospitalized after being hit by lightning strikes as part of the storms. The National Weather Service reported tornado touchdowns near Whitewater and between Palmyra and Muskego. State emergency management officials estimate up to a half-dozen tornadoes may have touched down during the storms, but no damage or injuries were associated with those incidents.

Doyle Seeks Applicants for Dodge Co. DA

7/24/10 - Governor Jim Doyle announced yesterday that he is seeking applicants for appointment as district attorney in Dodge County. The appointment will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Bill Bedker. The new district attorney will begin serving in August. An applicant must be a member in good standing of the Bar of the State of Wisconsin and must reside in Dodge County at the time the appointment becomes effective. Those interested may obtain an application form from the governor's office. The forms must be returned no later than August 5. Contact information is below.

Office of the Governor Attention: Libby Gerds, Appointments Director, PO Box 7836, Madison, WI 53707-7863 Elizabeth.Gerds@wisconsin.gov

BDUSD Gets Grant

7/24/10 - The U.S. Department of Education has selected the Beaver Dam Unified School District to receive $450,000 in funding under the Alcohol Abuse Reduction Grants Program. Supt Steve Vessey says the grant will be used as part of the Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative that also includes five other Dodge County area schools. The grant is for use beginning August 2 and continuing through August 1, 2011. It is anticipated that the grant will be renewed for a total of three years.

Unemployment Checks Being Set Out

7/24/10 - The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development works furiously to send out thousands of unemployment checks after Congress approved an extension of benefits. Between Thursday and next Monday, the state estimates it will have processed nearly 30 thousand checks. The department reports it hopes to have checks mailed to all of the 69 thousand people eligible by the end of the month. Those checks will be for benefits retroactive to June 2.

DNR Looking for Input on CWD

7/24/10 - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says it will take public comments on the changes it has made to its Chronic Wasting Disease plan through August 8. A five-year plan was introduced last summer calling for working with agriculture officials to monitor populations, stop carcass movement out of CWD zones and put in place a statewide ban on baiting and feeding. This latest plans expands to 15 years. The DNR says it is going to work with a PR firm to better understand public opinions on the disease.

Budget Won't Allow UW-System to Match Teacher Salaries
7/24/10 - A state budget shortfall expected to reach two and a half billion dollars is cited as the reason the University of Wisconsin system won't try to match salaries at rival schools. But, the system is going to ask the state to end employee furloughs next year and restore two percent pay raises taken away from faculty and staff. New system CEO Michael Morgan says restoring the raises is a matter of equity, since union employees didn't have to give them up. A system spokesman says ending furloughs is also a priority at this time.

Group Looks to Cut Funding in Afghanistan

7/24/10 - Wisconsin peace groups are making another pitch to curtail funding for the war in Afghanistan. Peace Action Wisconsin and other groups made the rounds of Democratic Congressional offices in Milwaukee. They asked that lawmakers vote against a supplemental appropriations bill that would add billions of dollars for U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Jim Carpenter of the Progressive Democrats of America says paying for the war is hurting the ability to help the U.S. economy. As the group was visiting Sen. Herb Kohl's office, Kohl released a statement saying he wants to give President Obama's strategy of wanting deadlines for success in Afghanistan a chance to work. Sen. Russ Feingold says he's repeatedly voted against more money for the Afghan war, and House member Gwen Moore says she's already voted against one version of the supplemental appropriations bill.