Top Stories November 15th

Man Shot and Killed by Columbia Co. Deputies


11/15/10 - Columbia County sheriff’s deputies shot a man to death yesterday in the stairwell of a home near Pardeeville. Officials have not said if any of the two officers involved were injured. The state Justice Department is investigating. Officers were first called to the house Saturday night to arrest the man on felony warrants – but the homeowner said he wasn’t there. A deputy and a lieutenant returned yesterday afternoon, and got permission to search the home. State Justice spokesman Bill Cosh said they found the man in a stairwell, gunfire was exchanged, and the suspect was killed. Cosh said deputies were led to believe the man could cause problems if they tried to arrest him. Other details – including the names of the suspect and the officers – were not immediately released. It’s the second fatal shooting in the last five months that involved Columbia County sheriff’s officers. 29-year-old Shaun Bollig died in a shoot-out with a deputy in late June in the town of Leeds.

Prisoner Commits Suicide at DCDF

11/15/10 - A prisoner who attempted to commit suicide by hanging at the Dodge County Detention Facility on Friday passed away Saturday night. Jail staff found 45-year-old Kerry Sales early Friday afternoon and made efforts, along with Juneau EMS, to save him. He was eventually taken to Beaver Dam Community Hospital before being transferred to UW-Hospital in Madison and was pronounced dead there Saturday night. Sayles was being held on a probation and parole hold from an incident that happened last month. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says it’s the first successful suicide at the facility since it opened in 2001 and says a complete investigation will take place.

Beaver Dam Budget Before Council Tonight

11/15/10 - The Beaver Dam Common Council will consider adoption of the 2011 city budget tonight. The document as presented will pass along an $8.2 million dollar levy to taxpayers, which is an increase of 6.9% over the current budget. The proposed mill rate is at $7.92 per thousand, compared to this years $6.90. The budget is available for public inspection in the clerk’s office. The council will also consider an ordinance tonight that would prohibit the sale and use of synthetic marijuana, a legal substance that has affects similar to that of the illegal weed. Deputy Police Chief Dan Schubert says his department believes it is a danger for the citizens in the community especially younger people. If approved, the violation would result in a municipal citation and monetary fine for those caught possessing or selling synthetic marijuana. The Beaver Dam Common Council meets at 8pm in City Hall.

Kennedy To Hold Listening Session

11/15/10 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy has listening sessions scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday). Kennedy says city residents are invited to meet with him, one-on-one, without appointment on the first and third Tuesday of every month. He says it is important that constituents have the opportunity to speak with him the day after each regular meeting of the common council. The meetings are held in Room 109 on the first floor of City Hall from 10am until noon and again from 5pm to 6pm. Kennedy also makes himself available for private meetings by appointment by contacting the mayor office.

Kuenzi Trial Continues Today

11/15/10 - Jurors from Dodge County will be in court again this morning to hear testimony in the homicide trial for Rory Kuenzi. He’s accused of being drunk when he left an underage drinking party in 2004 and hit and killed Kevin McCoy with his truck. During opening statements on Friday the public defender in Waupaca County indicated that Kuenzi thought he’d hit a deer and not a person. Prosecutors though say vehicle parts found at the scene match the defendants truck and DNA on the dead man's leg matches Kuenzi. Defense attorney David Dickmann says his client didn't know he'd hit a person - and there were no field sobriety or blood alcohol tests to prove Kuenzi was drunk at the time of the accident. Testimony continues this morning at 9 a-m. for the trial that’s expected to last the rest of the week.

Forbes Trial Enters Second Week

11/15/10 - The trial for a Randolph man accused of murder enters its second week today in Columbia County. 53-year-old Curtis Forbes allegedly killed 18-year-old Marilyn McIntyre at her Columbus apartment in 1980. The prosecution rested their case last Friday at which point Forbes attorney’s started to make their case and introduce doubt into the minds of the 14 Jefferson County jurors who were brought in to hear the case. Testimony continued on Saturday and day seven will get underway this morning in Portage at 8 a-m.

Robbery Still Under Investigation

11/15/10 - A robbery at a Beaver Dam business Friday night is still under investigation. It happened at Easton Motors on North Spring Street just before 5:30. According to Beaver Dam's Deputy Police Chief Dan Schubert, the suspect entered the establishment and displayed a handgun, demanding cash. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken. The suspect was last seen fleeing on foot in a northwest direction. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department or the anonymous We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.

Columbus Amtrak Improvements Underway

11/15/10 - While the plan for “High Speed Rail” in Wisconsin is on pause, improvements in the “Amtrak” rail system in Columbus are underway. Work has begun on the Columbus Station that will make ticket purchasing and train car boarding easier on passengers. Economic Development Director Steve Sobiek announced that the Amtrak stop ADA upgrades, made possible by a $90 thousand dollar Federal Grant over a year ago, have begun. Three other Cities along the path of the Amtrak “Empire Builder” – Chicago, Milwaukee and Seattle, Washington are in the top 25 busiest stations in the nation. The City is also discussing possible improvements to long term parking areas for rail travelers boarding at the Columbus stop.

MPTC Teams Up With Columbus Business

11/15/10 - Columbus area businesses could get a shot in the arm next year – thanks to Moraine Park Technical College. City of Columbus and College administrators are teaming up with instructors from M-P-T-C to begin the Columbus Business Assistance Program. The program is set to begin in January. Economic Development Director Steve Sobiek told the City Council that plans for an internship program between M-P-T-C students and area businesses would include the use of “biz squads” of 3 to 4 students helping a participating business. MPTC / City plans for the collaborative business program has been in development for over a year.

WASD to Discuss Teacher Contracts, Fox Lake Elementary

11/15/10 - A discussion and possible action on contracts for the Waupun Education Association is among the items on tonight’s school board agenda. The contracts are for the 2009-2011 school years. The board is also expecting an update from a task force that is working on a plan for the future of the former Fox Lake Elementary building. Possibilities include a charter school at the location but last week interim Superintendent Don Childs said there wasn’t any concrete plan in place. The board meets at 7pm at the Education Service Center.