Top Stories, July 9th

Public Health Investigating Legionnaires Disease in DC

7/9/10 - Public health officials are investigating a confirmed case of Legionnaires Disease in Dodge County. Authorities responded to a Burnett residence on Tuesday afternoon and found a man dead and a woman lying on the floor. Dodge County Public Health Officer Jody Langfeldt says it is believed that the disease was contracted out-of-state. The two had recently attended a family reunion in Mississippi and officials from both states, along with the CDC, are looking into the matter. Langfeldt says the presence of the disease does not pose a public health risk to the residents of Dodge County in any way because Legionnaires can only be spread through direct contact. While the one case has been confirmed, Langfeldt says health officials cannot confirm the second case until after an autopsy is complete. There is an average of 38 cases of Legionnaires Disease reported in Wisconsin each year.

Cambria Twister An F-1

7/9/10 - The National Weather Service says the multi-vortex tornado that hit near Cambria last night was an EF-1. Tornados are rated on a scale with six categories, from EF-zero to EF-five; the higher the number, the stronger the winds and the greater the damage. Meteorologist Chris Franks says they believe the twister had wind speeds of 90 to 95mph and was on the ground for around four miles. It began two-and-a-half miles southwest of Cambria, tracked east and lifted two-point-one miles east-southeast of Cambria. The bulk of the damage was just off County Road B at the Hendrickson Dairy Farm. Columbia County Emergency Management Director Patrick Beghin says the family is still in the process of cleaning up and is getting assistance from the Salvation Army. Beghin says outside volunteers are not needed as area neighbors have already provided heavy machinery to help clear the debris. In addition to assessing the damage in Columbia County, the National Weather Service yesterday also surveyed the probable path of the tornado through Dodge County with Emergency Management Director Joe Meagher. Meagher says it was determined that the tornado did not touch-down in Dodge County.

BDPD Investigates Prostitution Complaints

7/9/10 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is investigating a pair of prostitution complaints. Deputy Chief Dan Schubert says his department received a report Wednesday night that there was a man (quote) “pimping out a female” at the intersection of North Spring Street and University Avenue. Officers were unable to locate the subjects. Yesterday (Th), the department received another complaint that a woman had entered two bars and offered sex for money. The woman is described as African American, around 30-year-old, heavier-set, with a “very large chest” and “loud and boisterous.” She was seen in the company of a tall, black male with a medium build. Another person seen with the two is described as a Hispanic male in his 40’s with a medium build and long hair pulled back. Anyone who may have been solicited or overheard such conversations is asked to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department. Schubert says he has not known there to be a prostitution case ever even reported in Beaver Dam in all the years he’s been on the force.

Tavern League, Ant-Tobacco Agree on Casinos

7/9/10 - The tavern league may have a different opinion than anti-tobacco groups when it comes to the statewide smoking ban, but there is some common ground. Dodge County Tavern League President Jim Polster says the ban is not exactly “statewide” since it does not cover casinos and therefore still has a negative effect on small business. Casinos are run by tribes in sovereign nations and are not subject to state law. Lisa Davidson with the Tobacco Free Community Partnership of Dodge, Jefferson and Waukesha says her group would like to see the Native-American community embrace the smoking ban. Davidson says there are already some tribes taking a progressive step by making a few of their smaller casinos smoke-free. The groups are nonetheless at odds over the core principals of the smoking ban. Davidson says it has opened a whole new market of non-smoking customers to patronize smoke-free restaurants, bars and bowling alleys. Polster says member taverns have reported that they haven’t seen any new faces since the ban took effect, only less of the familiar faces.

Lake Days Underway

7/9/10 - The 17th Annual Beaver Dam Lake Days is underway at Tahoe Park. The event features live music, food, a carnival midway and, of course, fireworks. There is a $5 cover Friday night after 6pm unless you purchase tickets in advance for the Door County-Style Fish Boil, in which case entry is free. Kids 10 and under are also free and after tonight here is no admission charge for the rest of the weekend. Pre-registration is underway for the Beaverland Must-Ski’s Ski Clinics which will be held Saturday. There are plenty of kid’s activities on tap for Saturday as well including a petting zoo, a children’s performer, the Zor Shrine Clowns and dog demonstrations. And for the adults there is a beer tasting from 1pm to 4pm. Sunday begins with an Ecumenical Polka Worship Service, there’s a Sheepshead contest at noon, a Swinging Beavers Square Dance Demonstration at 2pm and music by Don Peachey and Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen. Other musical acts on the main stage include Oil Can Harry Friday night along with Alexis and Cherry Pie Saturday night Fireworks are set for 10pm Saturday at the lakefront and there is no rain in the forecast. Shuttle service is available at the lower Tower Parking Lot, off Mill Street, and the Family Center and leaves every half hour.