Top Stories, August 31st

Downtown Improvement Projects Move Forward

8/31/10 - With the Labor Day holiday forcing the cancellation of their regularly scheduled meeting, the Beaver Dam Common Council met in special session last night to act on several time-sensitive matters. The council unanimously approved the hiring of a construction company for a downtown storm sewer relief plan. Director of Facilities David Stoiser says the project should alleviate downtown flooding at the intersection of Spring and Front Street. S & L Underground & Trucking of Merrimac will perform the work at a cost of $558,000, which is $42,000 below engineering estimates. The council also awarded contracts to a masonry company and a fencing company for the installation of decorative fencing in the portion of the downtown area that saw the elimination of ten buildings last year. The combined cost for the fencing installation is just over $38,000.

Marshall Woman Accused of Conning Elderly Man

8/31/10 - A Marshall woman is accused of bilking an elderly man out of tens of thousands of dollars. Nicole Lueck is charged with felony Theft for allegedly taking the money from the Dodge County man over a five year period. According to the criminal complaint, the 22-year-old knew the man her whole life, and he thought of her as a daughter. Lueck reportedly exploited that relationship to get thousands of dollars in cash on a monthly basis, driving him to the bank to make the withdrawal. She allegedly made up stories and forged letters detailing a variety of medical issues, like brain tumors, to justify the need for the money. The victim was under the impression it would be paid back. Lueck did not deny receiving the cash but contends he gave it to her willingly. A signature bond was set at $1000 yesterday and a preliminary hearing will be held in October. If convicted on the felony charge, Lueck could spend up to ten years in prison.

Madison Cleaning Lady Charged With Felony Theft

8/31/10 - A Madison cleaning lady is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a Dodge County customer. 24-year-old Erin Posthuma is charged with felony Theft for allegedly taking the money over several months in the winter of 2009. According to the criminal complaint, the man signed blank checks and Posthuma wrote in a higher amount than she should have been paid, sometimes as much as $1000 more on some occasions. A signature bond was set at $1000 yesterday and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 16. Posthuma could spend up to six years in prison if convicted.

Minnig Charged With OWI Injury

8/31/10 - A Beaver Dam man is accused of injuring himself and a passenger in a drunken driving accident. Dylan Minnig is charged with OWI Causing Injury for rolling his pick-up truck last month on County Road D in the Town of Calamus. According to the criminal complaint, the 21-year-old had a blood alcohol level over three times the legal driving limit at point-268. The passenger reportedly told investigators that the two had been out barhopping and Minnig was driving over 90mph when he lost control on a curve. Minnig was ejected and sustained serious injuries. The passenger suffered a compression fracture in his back, along with bumps, bruises and abrasions. A signature bond was set at $500 yesterday and Minnig will be back in court at the end of September. If convicted, he could spend up to two years in jail and have his license suspended for up to four years.

Burglary Suspect Apprehended

8/31/10 - The suspect in a day time burglary from last week has been apprehended. 38-year-old Chad Knoll of the Town of Fox Lake was taken into custody Monday at 12:45pm. A female suspect had already been arrested and both subjects are being held at the Dodge County Detention Facility. Deputies were called out to a burglary in progress at a residence in the Town of Calamus last Wednesday. A family friend pulled up to the home and saw a man and woman he did not know. They gave an excuse for being there but the friend called authorities anyway and provided a detailed description. Jewelry was taken from the home but most of it was later tracked down at a Milwaukee business and returned.

Infant Death Under Investigation

8/31/10 – The Dodge County Sheriffs Department is investigating the death of a one-week-old baby. Authorities say they were called to a home in the town of Shields early Monday morning with the report of an infant that did not have a pulse and was not breathing. C-P-R was performed by the parents but it was unsuccessful and the child was later pronounced dead. Nehls says the child was sleeping in the same bed as the parents but they have not ruled the case as a co-sleeping death.

Fatal Dog Attack Investigation Winding Down

8/31/10 - Authorities in Dodge County say there almost completely done with the investigation into the dog mauling death of a young girl last week. Four-year-old Taylor Becker was playing in the backyard of a family friend’s home when she was attacked and killed by a dog. Officials said at the time that charges would most likely not be filed. The dog, a boxer, is currently under a 10-day quarantine at the Dodge County Humane Society. Once the time is up a decision will be made whether to euthanize the animal. When talking with authorities the day after the incident the owner expressed his desire to have the dog put down.

New Faces in Columbus, Fall River Schools

8/31/10 - Students, parents and teachers in Columbus and Fall River Schools will be starting their new school year with new faces in key positions. Chet Bembenek of Sun Prairie has been selected as the Technology Manager for the Columbus School District. This new position was OK’d during the summer by the School Board. New District Superintendent Bryan Davis – who started July 1 – also joined the Board in approving a change in the High School’s Assistant Principal Position. The new position will be called Dean of Students / Activities Director. Jacob Ekers of Weyauwega / Freemont accepted the Dean/Director job Monday. Both Bembenek and Ekers have already started in their new jobs. Their positions are expected to be confirmed at the first September School Board meeting. Meanwhile, in the Fall River District, the new Superintendent of Schools, Jeffrey Tortomasi, has been on the job since the first of August and Dan Dowden has been on the job as the new K-12 Principal for the past two weeks.

Oshkosh Corp Union Rejects Contract

8/31/10 - A union at the Oshkosh Corporation, which is making thousands of vehicles for the military, has turned down a one-year contract extension. The company says that the deal included a three-and-a-half percent pay raise, a signing bonus of 750-dollars for new employees, better retirement benefits, and no increase in health insurance premiums. Perry Graves, the head of Local 578 of the United Auto Workers’ union, said the rejection vote was not about the quality of the contract – but about the way employees are treated. He said they have concerns about family-and-medical leave, the handling of grievances, and other issues in the work-place. The union has 27-hundred-50 members. Oshkosh said its offer was quote, “a very good overall package, especially in today’s economy.” A spokesman said the firm was disappointed over the union’s vote.