Top Stories, August 14th

Madison Gang Member Arrested in Beaver Dam

8/14/10 - A member of a violent Madison street gang was arrested this week in Beaver Dam. According to a press release by the Madison Police Department, Madison Police and U.S. Marshals, with the assistance of Beaver Dam Police, arrested Jorge V. Ramirez-Flores. The 30-year-old is thought to be an upper-level member of the Chicano Pride and C-14 street gangs, and was one of four targeted gang members not located Wednesday by federal and local police during "Operation Community Shield.” They are wanted in connection with the death of Antonio Perez, who founded the Madison-branch of the gang with ties to Los Angeles. His arrest brings to 12 the number of foreign-born street gang members taken into custody this week by local and federal authorities. Ramirez-Flores had been sought by the MPD's Crime Prevention Gang Unit for the past couple of months. A tip to the MPD Wednesday indicated he was staying with another man at a Beaver Dam apartment. That is where he was located later that afternoon. He was taken into custody without incident. Unlike others apprehended this week, Ramirez-Flores was arrested by the MPD and taken to the Dane County Jail for a Probation Violation. That is why his name is being released. The other 11 individuals were taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE does not release names of those arrested on administrative immigration charges. Meanwhile, federal immigration officials say the alleged Mexican gang members arrested this week are now being processed for deportation. Gail Montenegro of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says all are being charged with immigration violations. But she adds five of them do have prior criminal histories, which include arrests and convictions for carrying concealed weapons, battery, and theft.

Brownsville Man Arrested on Felony Fleeing

8/14/10 - A Brownsville man is accused of running a Dodge County Sheriff’s Deputy off the road and then taking off. Dodge County Chief Deputy Blaine Lauersdorf says it happened just before 1am yesterday morning on Highway 49 in the Town of Lomira. After a brief chase, the suspect ran into his house but was subsequently arrested. 20-year-old Sabino B. Ramos was taken into custody on charges of felony Fleeing and Eluding an Officer. During an Initial Hearing yesterday (Fr) afternoon in Dodge County court, Ramos had a cash bond set at $300 and a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 26.

New Principal at Fall River

8/14/10 - Fall River Schools have a new Principal. After 18 years outgoing Principal Brad Johnsrud will be moving on to Deerfield Schools as a principal. Dan Dowden, formerly with the Big Foot School District, has been selected as the next Fall River Principal. The District had just hired a new Superintendent – Jeffrey Tortomasi – in July. Johnsrud said that it was a real pleasure working in a Village community with good teachers and staff. He said one of the high points of his stay was following students during their entire K through 12 experiences. The Fall River District has been showing steady increases in student population, so the two new administrators will enter a system with a sound fund balance. The public will have their first chance to meet the new Fall River Superintendent at the Annual School meeting and budget discussion Monday night.

Property Values Drop

8/14/10 - Wisconsin property values take their steepest drop in at least 50 years. The Department of Revenue reports the value of real property in the state fell 16 billion dollars, a decline of about three percent from 2009. Revenue officials says the value of Wisconsin property was 512 billion dollars last year and 496 billion in the most recent measurement. That represents only the third decline in state property values in the last half-century. Resident housing fell three and a half percent in value -- compared to a 5-point-6 percent drop nationwide.

Heating Bills Up This Summer

8/14/10 - Wisconsin utility bills are way up this summer due to hot weather forcing people to leave air conditioners running. Scott Reigstad with Alliant Energy says that could get people thinking about ways to save money, while also trying to stay cool. He says setting back thermostats when you’re not at home or sleeping or using a programmable thermostat can be a major factor in controlling your energy use. He says ceiling fans can also get cool air circulating and allow thermostats to be set higher. For those using window or wall units, Reigstad suggests picking up a timer from your local hardware store to control how often it runs. Proper maintenance is also essential for all types of AC units. Reigstad says you should schedule annual check-ups and change the filters.

State Apple Grower Projections Lower

8/14/10 - It’s expected to be a tough year for Wisconsin apple growers. Yield is expected to drop 20-percent from last year. Early warm weather in April -- followed by freezing temperatures in May -- hit the apple industry hard in Wisconsin. That, along with too much moisture, hail, fungus and other diseases, have lead the USDA to predict that Wisconsin apple growers will see a significant drop in their yield compared to 2009. Tom Ferguson, president of the Wisconsin Apple Growers Association, says says the northern part of the state got hit the hardest. While Wisconsin growers will see a significant loss, Michigan is expected to see a nearly 50-percent drop in its apple production compared to last year.

Guard Tests Drone At Volk

8/14/10 - The Wisconsin National Guard tested an unmanned surveillance drone at Volk Field earlier this week. The R-Q-7 Shadow 200 took off Wednesday and stayed in the air about 10 minutes. The Guard has plans to build an eight million dollar drone base at Volk Field. Construction could begin a year from this December. The Shadow can reach heights of about 15 thousand feet. It's smaller than the better-known Predator. Officials say it carries a camera for its surveillance tool.

Beer Lovers Converge on Madison

8/14/10 - Beer lovers are descending on Madison today for the Great Taste of the Midwest, believed to be North America’s second-longest-running craft beer festival. What started in a single room in a brewery 24 years ago has changed venues several times to its current home at Olin-Turville park. Six thousand patrons will come from 34 states, Italy, Puerto Rico and Ireland, according to Vice Chairman Mark Morrison. More than 100 brewpubs and micro breweries will showcase over 500 beers.

Man Arrested With Shotgun In Baby Stroller

8/14/10 - Milwaukee police arrest a man pushing his eight month old son in a stroller. Daryl L. McGregory is in trouble with the law because they found a sawed-off shotgun in a duffel bag beneath the little boy the stroller. Police responded when neighbors called in saying they saw the gun. A man with McGregory, Michael Nelson, had been kicked out of the apartment building where the arrest was made. That happened earlier this week. McGregory is quoted as telling one man he was packing heat and he and Nelson were "out for blood."