Top Stories, October 15th

BDPD September Stats

10/15/10 - The Beaver Dam Police Department has released crime statistics for the month of September. According to the activity report, there were 11 burglaries. Three of the burglaries were residential the other eight occurred in stores or offices. There were 44 general thefts reported including 9 incidents of thefts from motor vehicles. All of that resulted in a total of $14,311 in stolen property, of which $2320 was recovered. Beaver Dam police officers issued 7 tickets for Operating While Intoxicated. There were 16 citations for Disorderly Conduct along with five domestic incidents, one child abuse offense and four sex offenses reported. There were 67 adults arrested in September along with 26 minors. There were 41 traffic accidents in the city last month resulting in 7 injuries.

Local Ethanol Producers Benefit From Federal Ruling

10/15/10 - Wisconsin’s ethanol plants and corn growers will benefit from a federal ruling that expands the allowable amount of ethanol in gasoline for newer vehicles. The federal E-P-A on Wednesday approved the use of gas with 15-percent ethanol in cars and trucks dating back to 2007. But the agency did not approve the fuel’s usage for older vehicles, motorcycles, boat-and-snowmobile engines, and smaller engines like lawnmowers. Most gasoline now has up to 10-percent ethanol. And Josh Morby of the Wisconsin Ethanol Coalition says anything that’s done to create new markets for the state’s ethanol is a good thing. Wisconsin has nine ethanol plants, including one in Cambria. Ethanol is made from corn – and the ruling provides extra business for farmers during a year in which growing conditions were excellent for the most part. The E-P-A says more tests are being performed. And the agency might decide next month whether to approve the 15-percent ethanol for vehicles from 2001-through-’06. Meanwhile, the trade association that represents firms like Wisconsin’s Briggs-and-Stratton warns that 15-percent ethanol will wreck the small engines they make. And Matt Hartwig of the Renewable Fuels Association says the limit on 15-percent ethanol to newer vehicles will only cause confusion for both motorists and retailers.

Columbus Utility Rates Hold Steady

10/15/10 - City of Columbus Sewer Utility customers will NOT be seeing a big rate hike in 2010. John Andres from Baker-Tilly told the Council this week that updated figures from the Sewer Rate Study indicate that the Utility does not need to increase rates to meet the forecasted 2010 revenue requirement. Andres said a rate hike was expected, however, the use of money in a bond reserve fund will decrease the amount of debt service recovered through a rate hike. In addition operations and maintenance expenses of the sewer system during the regionalization process are now being shared by the town of Elba and Village of Fall River. However, due to the impending $6.4 million dollars of planned wastewater treatment plant modifications and collection system improvements beginning next year, the consultant urged the City NOT to “decrease” utility rates over the short term.

Mayville Pool Nixed From 2011 Budget

10/15/10 - Funding to open and operate Mayville’s outdoor pool has been removed from next year’s budget. The Mayville Committee of the Whole voted 4 to 1 this week to eliminate the $53,000 expenditure as work continues on preparing the 2011 document. The pool was closed by heavy flooding in 2008 but community interest recently revived talks on the matter. The pool issue could be revisited again during a special finance Committee of the Whole meeting next Tuesday when city officials will continue hammering out the budget.

BDACT: ‘Cemetery Club’ Opening Night

10/15/10 - It’s opening night for the Beaver Dam Area Community Theater’s fall production. The Cemetery Club is a comedy-drama about four middle-aged widows. Director Tina Swain says the show is a cross between the Golden Girls and Nanny Fine. Show times this weekend and next weekend are at 7:30pm, Sunday matinees are at 2pm. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for children and seniors and are available at Rechek’s Food Pride or at the door.

Feingold Johnson Ads Highest In Nation

10/15/10 - It seems like Russ Feingold and Ron Johnson are everywhere these days – and a new study confirms it. Wesleyan University of Connecticut said T-V stations have broadcast more ads about the U-S Senate race in Wisconsin than any other Senate race in the country. According to the study, 18-thousand-256 ads have been shown either for-or-against Feingold and Johnson from September first through October seventh. Over 57-percent of those ads favored Johnson, while 43-percent supported Feingold. Johnson has a slight lead over Feingold in the polls. Nevada had the second-highest number of Senate T-V ads. 17-thousand-777 ads were shown for a race in which Majority Leader Harry Reid is fighting to keep his job.