Top Stories August 26th

Name Released in Dog Attack


8/26/10 - Authorities have released the name of the four-year-old Hustisford girl who was killed early yesterday afternoon when she was attacked by a dog in the town of Hubbard. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says it happened in the backyard of a home, owned by Steve and Stephanie Beauprey, on East Neda Road. A neighbor passing by around 12:45 p-m witnessed the end of the attack and alerted the adults inside the home, but it was too late. When emergency responders arrived they found Taylor Becker unresponsive with multiple wounds. She was taken to the Beaver Dam Hospital and later pronounced dead. Taylor and her family were visiting friends at the home where the attack took place. The Sheriff’s Department says it’s believed the dog slipped out of its collar during the incident but that was of no-consequence because the dog had free reign of the backyard even while on a leash. Authorities say the dog, a boxer, did not have any history of violence and it’s been taken to the Dodge County Humane Society while the investigation continues.

DC Sheriff’s Search for Burglary Suspects

8/26/10 - At nearly the exact same time as the dog attack, the sheriff’s department was contacted about a burglary in progress at a home in the Town of Calamus. Sheriff Todd Nehls says it happened at a home near the intersection of County Road D and Forest Road. A family friend had pulled up to the home and saw a man and woman he didn’t know. After giving him an excuse why they were in the home the friend called the Sheriff’s Department and they took off. Nehls says the caller gave them a good description of the vehicle, and the people, and they are currently working leads to find them. The only thing initially found to be missing from the home was some jewelry.

BD School Board: Kids Need Our Focus

8/26/10 - The Beaver Dam School Board is trying to set the record straight and move on at the same time. That was the message in a press release issued by the full board yesterday, which talks about its current personnel issues while at the same time stressing the need to put the kids first. In recent months allegations of harassment at the high school have surfaced. In the press release the district says there were two complaints filed alleging a hostile work environment, harassment, and discrimination. One complaint was investigated, and the allegations could not be substantiated. The second complaint was also investigated, but put on hold while the two parties tried unsuccessfully to resolve the matter. The district says both issues remain open as a possible settlement would have cost the district in excess of $200,000. Board President Bev Beal-Loeck says the board has spent a lot of time on personnel issues, and will continue to spend the time needed for that, but their focus also has to be on the kids in the district. Beal-Loeck went on to say the board has set three goals for itself and the district. Those include establishing better two-way communication with those in the community, increasing the academic achievement in all grade levels, and create an 18-month rolling action plan with a five-year vision to address facility needs. The board anticipates the two legal issues will result in litigation against the district. If it does, the district says it has litigation insurance that would cover the court costs minus a $5,000 deductible.

BD Man Facing Reckless Endangerment Charge

8/26/10 - A Beaver Dam man faces a number of charges after he allegedly injured a pregnant woman by dragging her with his vehicle. 23-year-old Jake Pankow was in Columbia County Court yesterday where he faces charges of first-degree reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, and two bail jumping charges. The alleged incident happened early Saturday night in Rio. In the criminal complaint, the woman, who is four months pregnant, got out of Pankow’s vehicle and when she reached in the window to get some of her belonging Pankow rolled up the window and drove off. The woman says she was dragged by the vehicle for about 10 to 15 feet before letting go. The woman suffered cuts and bruises from the incident and was taken to the hospital by an ambulance. If found guilty, Pankow could serve more than 19-years in prison.

Man Too Drunk for Jail

A8/26/10 - man with a warrant out for his arrest turned himself in early Wednesday morning at the Dodge County Jail. The only problem was that the man was so drunk they couldn’t keep him there. 31-year-old Benjamin Kalmus has had a warrant out for him since April when he failed to appear at a court hearing. Early this morning Kalmus went to the jail on West Center Street in Juneau to turn himself in. However, after taking him into custody authorities administered a preliminary breath test that registered .33, more than four times the legal limit to drive. Kalmus was taken to the Beaver Dam Hospital for medical clearance before being transferred to a facility in Madison that deals with those who may need drug or alcohol treatment.

Man Caught Red Handed by a Family Picture

8/26/10 - A 59-year-old man has pleaded innocent to misdemeanor theft, after he was seen stealing a family’s bag in one of their vacation photos. John and Katharine Myers of New Jersey and their two kids were at the State Capitol in Madison last Saturday, attending a wedding. Afterward, they posed for pictures outside the Capitol and forgot the bag when they left. A short time later, John Myers went back and looked at the pictures, to see if he could find any clues. And he saw a man rummaging through the bag behind the family. He then went back to the Capitol, and officers eventually tracked the man down on a nearby street. He still had the bag – and Myers’ wallet was among the items recovered. Police said the defendant, Glenn Lambright, frequented the Capitol grounds.