WXRO Radio

Rollover On Madison Street

8/9/10 - A Randolph man was transported from the scene of a one-vehicle rollover in the city of Beaver Dam Sunday night. The 37-year-old was the lone occupant in a Chevy Malibu traveling southbound on Madison Street just after 9pm. Authorities say he struck a parked vehicle on the 600 block at Chatham Street and overturned. It happened nearly two weeks to the minute that a Chevy Blazer plunged off the Madison Street Bridge and flipped onto its roof in the Beaver Dam River. Alcohol is said to be a factor in both accidents.

Meinke Enters Plea In Madison Street Pursuit

8/9/10 - A Beaver Dam man who ran from police at bar closing time this past January has entered into an agreement with prosecutors. Christopher Meinke pleaded “no contest” late Friday to a felony charge of Fleeing and had a misdemeanor count of Operating While Revoked dismissed but read into the record. According to the criminal complaint, the 23-year-old was upset that his girlfriend was at a local bar and blew a stop sign on Madison Street, narrowly missing a squad car which had to swerve out of way. Meinke was said to be traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost that same police officer on South Lincoln Avenue. The officer discovered his car about 20 minutes later. He reportedly told police while later being questioned, (quote) “I admit to everything.” Meinke faces up to three-and-a-half years in prison when he is sentenced on Wednesday.

Madison Street Detour Begins Today

8/9/10 - Beginning today, Madison Street in Beaver Dam will be detoured. Both lanes will be re-routed so that utility work can be performed on the street fronting a new downtown housing development. Madison Place is a 62-unit, three-story, independent, senior living center at the site of the former Thomas Chevrolet lot that is slated to open in October. The detour is not related to the renovation of Weyco across the street. Fencing is in place there and preliminary work is underway to covert the old shoe factory into loft-style apartments.

Detour: Northbound Madison Street traffic will be intercepted at Mill Street and then directed north on South Center Road back to Front Street. Westbound Front Street traffic heading for Madison Street will be intercepted at Center Road and directed to Mill, then back to Madison Street.

Rubicon Man Sentenced In Hit and Run

8/9/10 - A Rubicon man who left the scene of an accident that resulted in injury will spend 80 days in jail. Michael M. Schulteis pleaded to reduced charges of misdemeanor Hit and Run late Friday in Dodge County. The 25-year-old caused a sports utility vehicle to roll into a ditch. The injured party saw the Schulteis pick-up parked in a driveway a couple days later and contacted authorities. According to the criminal complaint, Schulteis admitted to investigators that he caused the wreck and said he fled because he didn’t want to get in trouble. In addition to 80 days in jail, Schulteis had his license suspended for four months and was ordered to pay $750 in fines and court costs. A restitution hearing will be held at a later date and a civil settlement is pending.

Family Suing Oshkosh Area Triathlon Organizers

8/9/10 - The family of Kim Schmidt is suing organizers of a triathlon which was held last summer. Schmidt died while competing in the Oshkosh Area Triathlon. She was unresponsive when she was pulled from the water during a quarter-mile swim. Schmidt was later pronounced dead. The lawsuit accuses Midwest Sports Events and its executive director were negligent by failing to provide adequate emergency care for participants. That suit maintains the 43 year old Schmidt died because she failed to get rapid assistance or medical care when she was in distress.

West Allis Cop Shooting

8/9/10 - A 23-year-old man accused of shooting two West Allis police officers is in critical condition. The incident Saturday morning started as the officers tried to stop a driver who had run a red light. When the car drove away, those officers followed department policy and didn't chase it, but they found the vehicle later. When they tried to arrest the suspect, he opened fire, wounding both officers as they fired back. Both officers and the suspect were taken to a nearby hospital. The officers injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. The arrested man is said to be a felon who is wanted for a parole violation. He has a history of criminal offenses.

DNR Now Enforcing Invasive Species Law

8/9/10 - Chief Conservation Warden Randy Stark says the DNR is moving from education to enforcement when it comes to those breaking the laws on invasive species. Stark says wardens will no longer just warn boaters who fail to remove invasive plants and animals from boats or trailers. They’ll also be issuing tickets which can carry a price tag of nearly 400-dollars for the first offense. Stark says there have been extensive media campaigns and a high level of public awareness about invasive species, so those who continue to avoid taking steps to stop their spread really have no excuse.

MACT Mulls Expansion, Referendum

8/9/10 - With enrollment at Madison Area Technical College growing by 12 percent last year, the continuing trend leads the board to consider a 150 million dollar expansion project. Board members meet Wednesday to decide whether putting such a question before voters is a good idea. A public hearing will be held next month. The money would be used to pay for the first phase of the college's master facilities plan, including a new health building, creation of a southern or western campus and expansion at the current location. College officials say the space crunch is a problem. The associated degree program in nursing had a waiting list of 662 students last fall. Other courses had waiting lists of more than 500.

Wisconsin Vets To Mark Civil War Sesquicentennial

8/9/10 - The Wisconsin Veterans Affairs Department wants to make sure this state’s soldiers are remembered as the nation marks the 150th anniversary of the Civil War next year. Museum Director Michael Telzrow says a Civil War sesquicentennial commission is being formed to organize events in the Badger State. Telzrow says they’re hoping to get as many historical groups involved as possible in order to raise awareness of the role Wisconsin played in the Civil war. Telzrow says events statewide could include encampments, re-enactments, exhibits, and other programs.

Teen Accused of Burglarizing Churches

8/9/10 - He tells police investigators he is a "strong Catholic" who would "die for (his) faith." Teenager Nicholas Holz is charged with burglarizing several Green Bay churches. He faces seven felony charges. Holz reportedly told police he was homeless and only burglarized the churches to have a place to sleep. He says he stole laptop computer, VCRs and church checkbooks. The Green Bay Press-Gazette is reporting the 19 year old was arrested last Tuesday after police found him hiding in a church closet. His preliminary hearing will be held a week from this Friday.