Top Stories, January 30th

BDCASD Cabin Fever Fest Today

1/30/11 - If the winter doldrums have got you down, officials in Beaver Dam say they have the cure for you. The city is hosting its second annual Cabin Fever Fest at Crystal Lake Park on Sunday. Administrator Evonne Koeppen says the event will feature a wide variety of activities for people of all ages. The Dodge County Antique Power Club will be providing wagon rides while local Boy Scout Troop #724 will be cooking stew on the outdoor Dutch oven. There will be a poetry contest and a chili contest, ice skating demonstrations and snow painting. The sled hill is open and so is the disc golf course. Music will be provided by Jeff Hall DJ Service. The Med-Flight helicopter will be on display and at 3pm there will be a Snow Ball drop with the winner receiving cold hard cash. Cabin Fever Fest will be held from 1pm to 4pm at Crystal Lake Park. http://www.beaverdamchamber.com/cabinfeverfest/

Petri in Dodge County Area Monday

1/30/11 - Congressman Tom Petri will be in the Dodge County area Monday as part of a series of Town Meetings. The Republican from Fond du Lac will be at the Watertown Senior and Community Center from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. He will then spend an hour at the Dodge County Administration Building beginning at 3:30pm.

Johnson Delivers Republican Radio Address

1/30/11 - U.S. Senator Ron Johnson says big government is blocking the creation of jobs, not helping it. Johnson delivered the Republican radio address Saturday. He called on the president to offer a "serious" plan for federal spending cuts. Johnson introduced himself as a first-time political candidate who thought it was time for citizen legislators to come to Washington and do something about what he calls the bankrupting of America. Johnson criticized the over-regulation of business and an over-complicated t5ax code. He says when Congress is asked to raise the debt ceiling in a few months, real reductions in spending has to be part of the solution to the nation's money problems. At that time, Johnson says talk and rhetoric will need to be turned into action and tangible results.

Senate Confirms Jadin For Commerce Department

1/30/11 - The Wisconsin Senate has confirmed Paul Jadin, Governor Scott Walker’s pick to head the state Commerce Department. The vote to confirm the former Green Bay mayor was unanimous. “Today I will support Paul. I haven’t always agreed with him and I’m sure I’ll disagree with him in the future, but he is qualified to hold this position,” said Green Bay Democrat, state Senator Dave Hansen. Jadin, who most recently headed the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, was tapped by Governor Walker to oversee the transformation of the state Commerce Department into a public/private Economic Development Corporation.

Machine Operator Impaled In Manitowoc

1/30/11 - An industrial accident leaves a worker in Manitowoc impaled on a metal rod. The accident happened at Parker Hannifan Corporation Friday. Emergency responders found the man impaled on the metal rod that entered his torso from one side and exited on the other. The rod was described as being 10 feet long and a little more than a half-inch in diameter. The man was alert and conscious as he was being treated and taken to a local hospital. He was reportedly a machine operator who suffered the injury during a routine procedure. The victim's name has not been released.

Saukville Police Officer Cleared Of Arson

1/30/11 - A former Saukville police officer won't have to face arson charges. The judge in Port Washington ruled there wasn't enough evidence to allow prosecutors to make their arguments before a jury. Prosecutors wanted to tell the jury she set the fire to help her firefighter boyfriend work through some anxieties. The defense wanted to argue firefighters burned the vacant building down for practice. The judge rejected both and the Ozaukee County jury found Melissa Kronebusch not guilty. Surveillance video showed her at the home about 20 minutes before the fire started. The criminal report says she left, then returned a few minutes later. That's when the 28 year old officer reported the fire.

Teen Jailed For Shooting At Vandals

1/30/11 - A teenager in Racine County will spend 30 days in jail for shooting his rifle at a pickup full of vandals. Vincent Albano of Raymond has apologized and says he will learn from hi smistake. He was originally charged with five felonies, but he pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors as a part of a plea agreement. Albano told police he was hunting raccoons when a group of people driving by smashed his mailbox. He fired at the truck and a bullet went through a headrest inside the vehicle. The prosecutor says everyone is lucky that no one was hit. The mother of two people riding in the truck called him a stupid teenager.

Psych Exam Ordered In Cyber Bullying Incident

1/30/11 - A 15 year old high school student in Altoona can return to class if she agrees to a comprehensive psychological exam. She was expelled for cyber-bullying. School district officials say she posted derogatory comments about another student on Facebook. If some doesn't participate in the psychological testing, the student will remain out of class for the rest of the school year.

Kimberly Officials Find Time Capsule

1/30/11 - Officials at the Village of Kimberly have finally figured out what happened to their time capsule. The time capsule was buried in 1985, but it had to be dug up 12 years later when the area was remodeled. Officials wanted to open it last year, but nobody could remember where it had been put. Finally, an office worker found the answer. An envelope labeled the "remains of 1985 Time Capsule" was found in a cabinet. The envelope contained a picture of President Ronald Reagan and letters from local politicians. Those items will be added to a new time capsule, but this one will be displayed and not buried.

Final Carp Barrier In Place

1/30/11 - The third and final electrical barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal is about to go online a year ahead of schedule. Final tests should be finished in the next month in this effort to stop the spread of big and heavy flying fish. The last electrical link in the battle to keep the Asian carp out of the Great Lakes is getting its final operational test this week. The Army Corp of Engineers is overseeing the building and operation of three electrical barriers designed to shock and stun fish swimming toward Lake Michigan in the Chicago waterway.

Dodge County Land Conservation Extends Tree Deadline

1/30/11 - The deadline has been extended for those seeking to order trees as part of the annual Small Packet Tree sales program in Dodge County. The Land Conservation Department is offering a wide variety of species of trees for sale, including red and white Oak, White Cedar and Norway Spruce. The only trees that have sold out are Frasier Fir and Tamarack. The trees are sold in bundles of 25 for $23 per bundle. The deadline has been extended to February 8. For more information or to get an order form, contact the Dodge County Land Conservation Department at 386-3660 or visit the county website. www.co.dodge.wi.us