Top Stories, February 7th

Packers Win Super Bowl XLV

2/7/11 - Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes in leading the Packers to a 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers trailed 21-3 before halftime. Ben Roethlisberger got them to 28-25 midway through the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass and a two-point conversion. The Packers answered with a field goal, giving Roethlisberger one last chance. Needing to go 87 yards with under two minutes, Roethlisberger couldn't make it across midfield. It is Green Bay's fourth Super Bowl title. The Packers won the first two Super Bowls with Vince Lombardi coaching Bart Starr, and captured another with Brett Favre in 1997.

Mayville Man Cited Following River Crash

2/7/11 - A 33-year-old Mayville man was arrested for OWI early yesterday (Sun) morning after crashing his car into the Beaver Dam River. It happened at 1:41am at the Beaver Street Bridge at the intersection of Madison Street and Ryan Cantafio’s Way. Epifanio Ochoa Hernandez was northbound on Madison Street when he failed to negotiate the slight curve in the road and crashed his Toyota Corolla through the decorative guardrail. The car floated down the river about halfway between Madison Street and South Center Street and was safely towed from the scene. A witness and two police officers helped him out of the river. His 28-year-old female passenger had already gotten to safety. Both were transported from the scene. Ochoa Hernandez was arrested and cited for Operating While Intoxicated – Causing Injury, Operating Without a License, Inattentive Driving and for not having insurance. A 16-foot section of the metal railing and fence will need to be replaced; there are barricades in place. Ochoa Hernandez reportedly blew a point-two-zero (.20), which is more than twice the legal limit for driving.

Petracek A Ripon City Administrator Finalist

2/7/11 - The list of finalists for the Ripon City Administrator position has been narrowed to five. Fox Lake City Administrator Bill Petracek is on the list, along with Interim Fond du Lac City Administrator Lori Rich and former Fond du Lac County Director of Administration Ellen Sorensen. Also on the list are North Aurora, Illinois Chief Administrative Officer Wes Kornowske, and Scott Heinig, the Executive Director of Madison Northside Planning Council. Ripon officials hope to have a new City Administrator in place in the next few months.

New BD Police Chief Settling In

2/7/11 - After a month on the job, Beaver Dam’s new police chief says he has settled well into his new position. Ronald Smith served on the Norwalk, Connecticut Police Department for 27 years. He started as a patrol officer and was quickly assigned to the training division before being promoted to detective and later sergeant. Smith was a Lieutenant working in the Internal Affairs – Professional Standards Division when he decided he wanted to leave the “rat-race” of big city policing and use his extensive educational background in a more challenging capacity.

Smith told us on WBEV’s Community Comment on Friday that he has got an open door and he is assimilating well into the new department. He says in ordered to get his “sea legs” in a new community he will be riding along with patrol officers so they can show him how the job gets done here. Smith describes himself as a decisive leader but says he approaches the management of the department’s routine operations as a collaborative effort.

He says he is looking forward to the department’s transition into a new $5.1 million dollar police facility. Smith says the first time he got a look at the blueprints for the structure it was clear that the architect had some experience in law enforcement design. He says it’s a “well thought-out building that makes sense and flows nicely” and will serve the department well for years to come. Smith has some experience moving into a new police station as the Norwalk PD moved into a new – albeit much larger -- facility five years ago.

Dionysius Charged In Cellar Incident

2/7/11 - The former manager of The Cellar in Beaver Dam was formally charged on Friday in connection with a gun incident in the Rowell Street tavern last month. David Dionysius faces a felony count of Threatening to Injure and misdemeanor charges of Intentionally Pointing a Firearm, Operating a Firearm While Intoxicated, Battery and Disorderly Conduct. The criminal complaint says the 36-year-old put a gun to the head of a man he thought was responsible for several break-ins at the bar. Dionysius will be in Dodge County court Monday morning for an initial appearance.

No Injuries in Jefferson County Plane Crash

2/7/11 - Two people walked away from a weekend plane crash in Jefferson County. It happened on Lake Koshkonong in the Town of Sumner near the Jefferson-Rock County line just after 3pm Saturday. Sheriff Paul Milbrath says when authorities arrived on scene two hours later they discovered an overturned Piper fixed wing aircraft on the ice. The pilot, David McCoy of Helenville, attempted a low pass over the lake when the plane experienced mechanical problems. He reportedly tried to land on the lake, hit a snow drift and the plane flipped on its top. Neither McCoy or his passenger was injured. The crash is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Wall of Fame Nominations Due Friday

2/7/11 - It’s not too late to submit a nomination to the Beaver Dam School District for their 2011 Wall of Fame Awards. Honors will be given in two categories: Friends of Education and Outstanding Alumni. Friends of Education are individuals or organizations who have given distinguished service to the district and its students. Outstanding Alumni are graduates of the High School recognized for their exceptional accomplishments, outstanding leadership, historical significance and prominence on the local, state, national or international stage. Last year, the Outstanding Alumni was Clarence Keller, a 1921 graduate who went on to be the city’s first full time mayor, guiding Beaver Dam thru five consecutive terms. The first recipient was film star Fred MacMurray. Nomination packets are available at all district school offices or on the district website at www.beaverdam.k12.wi.us. Nomination deadline is this Friday, February 11. The district will honor the 2011 Wall of Fame recipients at their 15th Annual Wall of Fame Banquet in April. Award plaques will be permanently displayed at the high school.