Top Stories August 24th

Referendum Set in Randolph


8/24/10 - The questions have been set for a referendum in the Randolph School District. In November, voters will see two options on their ballot. The first will ask them to approve a bond not to exceed $12.6 million to build an extension at the high school for grades six through eight, as well as a gym. A second option pushes that number up to $20.8 million, which would have the district building a pre-kindergarten through 8th grade addition at the high school. Officials say if the first option were to pass an owner whose property is valued at $150,000 would see an additional $369 per year added to their tax bill, while if the second option were to pass it would increase that to $624. Public forums to discuss the referendum will be held in October.

Bids Going Out for Flood Walls

8/24/10 - The Operations Committee last night authorized the city engineer to send out bids for the proposed flood walls along the Beaver Dam River. The walls would run on the north and south sides of the river between the Beaver Street and Center Street Bridges. Mike Laue with MSA Professionals said the original cost estimate for the project was $200,000, but that only considered the north side wall. When you add in the south side the project jumps to $450,000. Laue says Finance Director John Somers told him there is enough money left in TIF District #6 to cover the higher amount if it fact turns out to be that much. The plan, Laue says, is to bid the project in two parts. The hope is to begin construction of the wall this year to be able to take advantage of some Federal Emergency Management Agency funding.

Demolition Costs Increase for Former YMCA

8/24/10 - The demolition of the former YMCA in Beaver Dam is going to cost the city an additional $12,000. The Park Avenue property is the site of the planned $5.1 million police station. Officials say two block walls that needed to be taken down contained a material that had to be disposed of at a landfill. The money approved by the Operations Committee last night is addition to $40,000 approved earlier this month to deal with more lead and asbestos than what officials first thought was onsite. Construction of the police station is expected to start next month as planned.

Man Feared Dead After Jumping from Columbia Co. Bridge

8/24/10 - Rescuers are looking for a man who disappeared, after jumping 60-feet into the Wisconsin River at Prairie du Sac. He was one of three people who jumped last evening from the Highway 60 bridge. Columbia County Sheriff Dennis Richards said two people landed safely, but a man went under after landing awkwardly. He said the water was about 10-feet deep. Authorities were called about 7:30 last evening. Jennifer Leifer of Baraboo watched the three jump into the water. She told a reporter they were doing it quote, “for old time’s sake.” Leifer said she and the others were drinking since noon – and the sheriff said alcohol appeared to be a factor in the incident.

Beaver Dam Man Faces Gun Charge

8/24/10 - A 21-year-old Beaver Dam man is facing a felony charge after allegedly shooting off a gun early Saturday morning. It happened at an apartment complex in the 800 block of South Lincoln Avenue. James E Luck was taken into custody after witnesses reported him shooting the gun into the air. The felony charge is for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Additional charges include misdemeanor Endanger Safety and Disorderly Conduct. Luck was convicted of retail theft in 2007.

Higgins Back in Horicon

8/24/10 - Horicon Superintendent Gary Berger says high school Principal Jeff Higgins is back at work in a limited capacity after being put on administrative leave in early June when issues between he and his staff came to light. An independent investigation showed that Higgins had violated some terms of his contract, but nothing to the extent that would warrant his termination. Higgins served a five-day unpaid leave of absence earlier this month, and Berger says he is also completing a number of other requirements before being brought back full-time.

Train Spending Higher Than Expected

8/24/10 - State officials now say they’ll commit 300-million-dollars by the end of the year to the planned high-speed train from Milwaukee-to-Madison. That’s much more than 50-million originally estimated. And Republicans accuse Democrats of making it harder to cancel the project – which Scott Walker and Mark Neumann have both promised to do if they’re elected in November. The federal government has provided 810-million stimulus dollars for the rail line. And Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi recently told a media outlet yesterday that 300-million will have been spent this year. But a D-O-T spokesperson clarified that yesterday saying the state will have entered into contracts of that amount – but it will not necessarily have been spent. Walker, the Republicans’ endorsed candidate for governor, says the figure is probably just 100-million – and if he’s elected, the state would only pay for work that’s actually done. Renlund says the next Legislature would have to vote to cancel the project, but Walker says he could do it himself. Neumann, Walker’s primary opponent, says the state is quote, “burning through money on a poorly thought-out project that will be a burden to taxpayers.” Both Republicans say the money would be better spent on fixing roads-and-bridges. But Governor Jim Doyle says the federal grant can only be used on trains – and if Wisconsin doesn’t spend it, another state will. Busalacchi says the train would be a boom because it would connect Wisconsin with the Twin Cities and the rest of the Midwest. The main Democrat in the governor’s race, Tom Barrett, supports it.

Fake $100 Bill Passed in Beaver Dam

8/24/10 - Police in Beaver Dam are looking at another possible passing of fake currency in the city. Deputy Chief Dan Schubert says they took a report of a fake $100 bill being passed over the weekend at the Kwik Trip on North Spring Street. Schubert says they’ve turned the case over to the Secret Service. The department turned over a similar case to the federal government earlier this year when a number of fake $10 bills were passed at area businesses.