Top Stories, February 1st

BDACT Kicks-Off $2.5 Million Fundraising Campaign

2/1/11 - The Beaver Dam Area Community Theater kicks-off their fundraising campaign today for a major, $2.5 million renovation project. Fundraising Committee Co-Chair Jim Flynn says the board has looked at several different alternatives over the years – some costing as much as five to six million dollars – but there is consensus that renovating the existing building is the best option, especially given the buildings history, location and “wonderful acoustics.” The theater is planning to add 10,000 square feet, two smaller theater stages and increased seating in the main theater. The new designs also call for the addition of an orchestra pit, an expanded backstage area and dressing rooms. Plus there would be ground-level access on the north side of the building and an elevator to allow for handicap access. Fundraising is anticipated over the next two to three years with the goal of having renovations complete by their golden anniversary in 2014.The public got its first look at preliminary designs from the theaters architect at their annual meeting last night.

Waupun Teen Charged With Assault

2/1/11 - A Waupun teen is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. 17-year-old Alezander A. Ramirez reportedly told investigators he was 16-years-old when the one and only assault occurred but the victim says otherwise. She says Ramirez was 17 at the time, there were two assaults and she did not fight it because he tried to choke her once before. Ramirez faces up to 80 years in prison if convicted on the two felony charges. He had a signature bond set at $5000 yesterday and will be back in court for a preliminary hearing next month.

Steve Fitzgerald Seeks State Patrol Position

2/1/11 - The father of two Wisconsin legislative leaders wants Governor Scott Walker to name him as the State Patrol Superintendent. Steve Fitzgerald tells the Associated Press he sees no conflict in applying for the job, because he has a long law enforcement career that’s totally separate from his sons’ political careers. Steve is the father of Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (of Juneau) and G-O-P Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald (of Horicon). Steve Fitzgerald was the sheriff in Dodge County for 14 years before he became a U-S Marshal. Former President George W. Bush appointed him to that post in 2002, and his term expired in 2010. He ran again for sheriff last fall, and lost in a primary.

Jeff, Scott Fitzgerald Top Per-Diem List

2/1/11 - Wisconsin Senate Republican leader Scott Fitzgerald collected more in expense money last year than any other legislator for the time he spent in Madison. The Republican from Juneau was given over 16-thousand-500 dollars in per-diem reimbursements. Assembly Democrat Marlin Schneider of Wisconsin Rapids got the next-highest amount at almost 13-thousand-500. Assembly G-O-P leader Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon got the third-highest reimbursement at just over 13-thousand dollars. Milwaukee Assembly Democrat Leon Young was fourth at just under 13-thousand. Both Fitzgeralds were minority leaders in their respective houses before they became the top lawmakers as Republicans took control of both chambers. Schneider, who lost his re-election bid last November, was among the leaders for years in per-diem reimbursements. And he never apologized for it, saying it was proof that he was doing his job. And Schneider said party leaders had more work, so it was natural that they’re reimbursed more. Lawmakers outside Dane County receive 88-dollars a day for meals and housing expenses while in Madison. Dane County legislators get 44-dollars for each day they’re at the Capitol.

Walker Signs Two More Tax Break Bills

2/1/11 - Governor Scott Walker signed a bill Monday that eliminates state income taxes for two years for companies that relocate to Wisconsin. And Walker signed another bill that adds 25-million dollars in various tax credits to an existing economic development program. Walker says that Wisconsin is aggressively moving to put people back to work – and it’s probably more active than any other state in doing so. But Democrats say Walker is driving up the state’s budget deficit more than anything else. The bills in Walker’s special session on the economy would jack up the deficit in the next state budget by about 142-million dollars.

Oshkosh Corp Adding Jobs

2/1/11 - Oshkosh Corporation could start hiring assemblers, welders and other skilled trade positions as early as next month. The specialty vehicle maker says it plans to add up to 750 jobs at its plant. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have meant a booming business. Oshkosh just won a three billion dollar contract with the U.S. Army to build more than 23 thousand trucks over the next two years. It's getting ready to roll 40 of the vehicles off the line every day. The first of the vehicles was delivered this month to the Wisconsin National Guard. Oshkosh Corporation currently has about 27 hundred workers on the job.