Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Top Stories, May 31st

Beaver Dam Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony

5/31/11 - Several hundred people turned out for the 2011 Beaver Dam Memorial Day Ceremony yesterday at Oakwood Cemetery. David Noe with the Marine Corps League was the Master of Ceremonies. He read from a letter written by the son of a soldier buried at Arlington Cemetery, which tied into the ceremonies theme, “Won’t You Remember Me, The Veteran.”

“Every moment of everyday since the beginning of this great country someone’s child, parent, sibling or spouse has stood watch in harms way so that you and your family can be safe and enjoy freedom we so often take for granted.”

Noe asked the crowd to “please go out of [their] way to thank a member of our military and their families and let them know that you are grateful for their sacrifice.” The keynote speaker this year was retired Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Klossner, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient. You can head Judge Klossner’s keynote address as part of a picture montage we put together from Monday’s Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony by clicking below.

Beaver Dam Memorial Day 2011 Keynote Address & Pictures:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DMjYdGfIlk&feature=youtube_gdata

House Fire in Washington County

5/31/11 - A home in Washington County suffered an estimated $200,000 in damage this morning after a grill tipped over and started the house on fire. It was reported at 2:30 a-m at a home in the town of Addison. Investigators say the family had been grilling last night and when they were done they took the cover off to let the charcoal cool. After the family went to bed, it appears wind tipped the grill over, spilling the coals onto the wooden deck sparking the fire. All four residents were able to get out safely. The Allenton Fire Department extinguished the fire with assistance from Kohlsville, West Bend, Slinger, and St Lawrence Fire Departments. The Red Cross responded to assist the family.

Man Found in Columbia County Identified

5/31/11 - A Waukesha man found dead on Gibraltar Rock near Lodi (low-die) has been identified as 29-year-old David Hoelzer. Columbia County authorities are still trying to figure out what happened, but they do not suspect foul play. Hoelzer’s body was found Friday abut 100-feet below the crest of Gibraltar Rock. The bluff is about 200-feet tall, and there’s a hiking trail that goes to the top. It’s located in a state natural area in the town of West Point.

FDL Judge Sees Troubling Trend

5/31/11 - A judge in Fond du Lac County says a growing number of drug addicts are choosing to spend more time in jail, rather than get help to go clean. Circuit Judge Peter Grimm says he’s seeing more adult offenders decline probation – so they don’t have to deal with the requirements of getting treatment, urine tests, and other rules. Grimm says it tells him that those offenders don’t want to change their drug habits or their lifestyles. Fond du Lac County sheriff’s deputy Mark Strand says adult drug offenders who serve full sentences don’t need to go through monitoring when they get out. And many times, those people will commit more robberies, burglaries, and thefts to get the money to continue their drug habits. Judge Grimm says the crimes are getting more brazen. And Strand says too many drug offenders don’t get encouraged by loved ones to get help – so they’re left to fight their drug habits on their own. Juveniles don’t have that option. Those offenders can be forced to get treatment-and-monitoring.

Last Day to Get on No-Call List

5/31/11 - Today is the deadline to get onto Wisconsin’s next do-not-call list for telemarketers. More than two-million state residents have their home-and-cell numbers on the no-call list – but they have to re-register every two years. Those who forgot when they signed up last can do it again now, just to be safe. Telemarketers will get an updated no-call list on July first. About half the numbers on the previous list in April were from cell phones. Getting on the no-call list will reduce your sales pitches, but they won’t eliminate them altogether. Political candidates can still call – and so can those with whom you’ve done business in the past. And there are still lots of telemarketers who just ignore the no-call list. It was the number-one consumer complaint in Wisconsin last year. Several larger calling firms were charged – and violators face fines of up to 100-dollars a call. Here’s the number to call to get on the no-call list – 1-866-966-2255. Or you can register online at NoCall-Dot-Wisconsin-Dot-Gov.

School Districts Scrambling

5/31/11 - Many Wisconsin school districts have scrambled to meet some key deadlines this week, while their state funding and union bargaining rules remain uncertain. Some districts are required to give layoff notices by tomorrow, June first. And some must tell their teachers by tomorrow if they want to switch to a less expensive health insurance plan for the new school fiscal year that begins July first. Dan Rossmiller of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards says schools are in an awkward position due to all the uncertainty. Dozens of school districts have extended their labor contracts. They give teachers security, since they don’t have to follow the expected limits on union bargaining until those deals expire in a couple years. Jack Linehan of the Southeast Wisconsin Schools Alliance says it gives taxpayers the impression that the schools are caving in to their teachers’ unions. But Linehan says the deals are more of a “bridge” of security for teachers, as key state budget issues remain unresolved. Many teachers are still paying the higher pension and health insurance costs that Governor Scott Walker wants state employees to pay. And quite a few districts have gone to cheaper health insurance by dropping plans from the state union’s trust.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Top Stories, May 30th

Man Struck, Killed By Train in Ixonia

5/30/11 - One man is dead after being struck by a train Sunday night near Ixonia. Jefferson County Sheriff Paul Milbrath says authorities responded to the railroad tracks behind W2623 Highway 16 in the Town of Ixonia just before 9pm. 24-year-old Michael S. Schmidt was pronounced dead at the scene as the result of severe head and leg trauma. It was later learned that Schmidt had been with friends at a salvage yard in the Ixonia area for part of the evening and left walking westbound on the railroad tracks. A witness noticed Schmidt walking along the tracks about a half hour prior to the call. An employee of the Canadian Pacific railway said that they saw an object next to the tracks and by the time they could stop the train, Schmidt had been struck.

Former BD Administrator Pleads Guilty In Sex Sting

5/30/11 - A former Randolph and Beaver Dam school administrator has pleaded guilty to charges that he tried to arrange sex with an underage boy. New Holstein School Superintendent Christopher Nelson took out an ad on craigslist, chatted online with a male who said he was 15-years-old and then arranged a rendezvous. The 59-year-old was arrested while attending a school boards’ convention in Milwaukee when he tried to meet the person, who was actually a police detective. Nelson started teaching in Randolph in 1974 and was principal for nearly a decade before leaving in 1994. He later went on to serve as Athletic Director at the Beaver Dam High School in the late 1990’s and also spent time in the Madison School District. Nelson pleaded “guilty” on Friday to a felony charge of Using A Computer To Facilitate a Child Sex Crime, which carries a maximum 25 years in prison. A sentencing hearing will be held June 30.

‘Will You Remember Me, The Veteran?’

5/30/11 - The theme of the Beaver Dam Memorial Day 2011 Parade is “Will You Remember Me, The Veteran.” The parade will be starting at Front and Center Streets and then proceed down Front Street/ Park Avenue to Veterans Memorial Park at Oakwood Cemetery. Before the parade starts, at 8:45am, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony in the Tower Parking Lot, where a wreath will be tossed into the water honoring servicemen and women lost to sea. The ceremony from Oakwood Cemetery begins at 10:15am and will be broadcast live on WBEV. The guest speaker this year is retired Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Klossner, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient. Scroll down for a list of Memorial Day Ceremonies in other communities.

BD Vets Memorial Bid Deadline Extended

5/30/11 - Local veteran’s organizations in Beaver Dam have extended the deadline for submission of bids for their project to expand the Veterans Memorial at Oakwood Cemetery. That’s where today’s Memorial Day Ceremony is being held. There are currently over 1100 names of area soldiers are displayed on engraved bricks, but there is no room left to add any new names. The new addition would allow for another 600 names. The plans call for removing the granite sign that reads “Veterans Memorial” from the main wall and constructing a smaller wall for that sign closer to Highway 33. There would be more space for names on the backside of that new wall, in addition to the backside of the main wall where the granite sign is currently located. The plans also call for the addition of six flag poles along the north side of the main wall, representing each branch of the service. A heart-shaped sidewalk would also be added around the main wall. The original Memorial was completed in 2004 after an aggressive two-year fundraising campaign. The price tag was $100,000, not counting in-kind labor donations. The Veterans Memorial Park Committee is hoping for the same generosity with this effort, estimated to cost between $45,000 and $55,000. Any service member, living or deceased, who honorably served their county in war or peace time, can have a name on the wall. A waiting list has been started. Those interested in being involved in the project should get a hold of David Noe with the Marine Corps League at PO Box 97, Beaver Dam WI 53916.

Beaverland Must-skis Season Starts Tonight

5/30/11 - The Beaverland Must-skis Water-ski Show Team’s first show of the season is 6pm tonight at Tahoe Park. The Team has been practicing in the cold and wind all May in hopes of a good start to their 17th year of show skiing. The theme this year is “On Possum Lake” with your host: Red Green-ski. For a complete schedule you can visit their website at www.mustskis.com.

Summer Wins The Race

5/30/11 - Passing afternoon showers thinned the crowds a little but enthusiasm ran high during the annual Race Into Summer event Sunday at Beaver Dam’s Swan Park. The event, sponsored by WBEV-WXRO and The Chamber of Commerce, featured live music and karaoke, children’s activities, food and refreshments. The Vintage Modified Car Club also had a display of refurbished race cars from local legends who raced at local and area tracks as far back as the 1960’s.

Law Enforcement Out In Full Force

5/30/11 - It’s another busy holiday travel day and authorities are out in full force.
The Dodge County Sheriffs Department is among the more than 385 law enforcement agencies in the state participating in the “Click It Or Ticket” campaign. The annual campaign is intended to get more motorists to buckle-up. Dodge County Patrol Captain Molly Soblewski says officers will stop vehicles when they see either a driver or a passenger not wearing a shoulder harness. It’s the second most common infraction behind speeding. Last year’s two-week campaign resulted in 120-thousand convictions for not wearing seat-belts. Officials say 79-percent of Wisconsinites normally buckle-up – behind the national average of 85-percent. Eleven people died last year on Wisconsin roadways over the Memorial Day weekend. The campaign runs through next weekend.

Standoff Changes Venue, Twice

5/30/11 - It was a "moving" standoff. Cudahy police report they spent six hours chasing after a man thought to be suicidal. It started about 5pm Saturday when police got a call about a 37 year old man thought to be suicidal. As officers were surrounding the house, the man managed to get away. He was tracked to another location, another perimeter was set up - only to find out he had gotten away again. The man, who was wanted by several law enforcement agencies on outstanding warrants, was finally tracked down to a location in Caledonia. He held off officers for three hours there until he finally surrendered. The man reportedly has a history of depression and has had several violent interactions with law enforcement officers.

Teens Crash Stolen Truck Into Police Station

5/30/11 - Milwaukee police say the parents support the charges filed against their two teenage sons. The two are accused of taking the family's pickup truck for a joy ride early Sunday morning and crashing it into a Milwaukee Police Department building. At about 2:40 a.m. investigators say the driver lost control of the vehicle, drove it up onto the sidewalk, hit two light poles and crashed into the side of the department's station for District 3. The truck was destroyed and the passenger slightly injured. The driver wasn't hurt. Police say they suspect the driver was under the influence of drugs.

Highway 41 Conversion Expected To Boost Economy

5/30/11 - Designating the 142 miles of U.S. Highway 41 between Milwaukee and Green Bay as an interstate is seen as an economic boost to northeastern Wisconsin. The last, similar interstate conversion was done 15 years ago, making U.S. Highway 51 between Portage of Wausau Interstate 39. That move reportedly brought 10s of millions of dollars of development to the region. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker brought attention to the idea this month during an appearance in Green Bay, but the effort to convert U.S. 41 to an interstate actually got its start in 2005. At that time, Congressman Tom Petri started work to designate the road as a future interstate by including it in federal transportation legislation. Since that time all improvements to the highway have been designed to interstate standards.

McConnell On Ryan Plan: ‘Not Dead Yet’

5/30/11 - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky says Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan's Medicare plan is still, in his words, "on the table." McConnell is a Republican from Kentucky. He said on NBC's "Meet the Press" yesterday that he supports Ryan's plan. Democrats maintain the approach would end Medicare as it is currently structured, putting more of the burden on retired Americans. Members of that party used the Medicare message while winning a special election in New York state in a strongly conservative district. With a Democrat in the White House, McConnell seemed to agree that Ryan's plan can't be passed now. It may be simply a bargaining chip at this point as members of Congress negotiate with the White House on the budget.

DNR Seeking Land For Disabled Hunts

5/30/11 - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will take applications from landowners willing to sponsor deer hunts for disabled people through Wednesday. The disabled hunts have been conducted for more than 20 years. Private individuals sponsor them on privately owned land. This year's hunt is scheduled for the first nine days in October. Last year there were more than 100 sponsors of the hunt, covering a little over 60 thousand acres. Names of sponsors will appear on the DNR website effective July 1. Disabled hunters should contact the listed sponsors directly.

Telemarketer Do-Not-Call Deadline Tuesday

5/30/11 - Tuesday is the next deadline to block telemarketers from calling your phone. If you call the toll free number, 1-866-966-2255, your phone number will be placed on the list effective July 1. You can also have your phone blocked by going online. More than two million numbers are on the list, with half of those registered the last time representing cell phone numbers. Registration has to be renewed every two years. Telemarketers violating the Wisconsin law can be fined 100 dollars per call.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Memorial Day Ceremonies Planned Throughout Dodge County


5/29/11 - There are a variety of Memorial Day ceremonies and services planned for Monday, May 30 in and around the Dodge County area.


Beaver Dam


Wreath Laying at Tower Parking Lot Bridge for Soldiers Lost at Sea
Parade at 9:15 Starting at Front and Center Streets, assemble in West Tower Parking Lot 8am
Memorial Service 10:15 in Oakwood Cemetery
Guest Speaker – Retired Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Klossner, Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient
The Maine Corps League of Beaver Dam
In the event of inclement weather, the parade would be cancelled and the Memorial Service would be held in the Veterans Center at 300 Beichl Avenue. Tune into WBEV 1430AM for weather notices.


Cambria-Friesland


Friesland Cemetery Service at 9am
Cambria Cemetery Service at 10:15am
Chicken BBQ at 11:30 at Cambria Conservation Club


Columbus


Parade at 9:30 starting from Columbus Middle School (assemble 9:15am)
The Parade will march to the Soldier’s Monument for a ceremony by the American Legion Auxiliary
Parade Continues to Columbus Cemetery for other ceremony
Main Address: Gunnery Sgt. Michael Gillitzer, USMC


Fall River


Program begins at 9:30 in Fall River High School auditorium - John C. Brossard VFW Post 2219 will receive a formal national recognition of their charters 50th Anniversary
Guest Speaker: Assemblyman Keith Ripp
Potluck Event at Savannah Oaks Cultural Center following ceremony


Fox Lake


Assemble for Parade at 9:30 in Annunciation Church
American Legion Post 521 will lead the parade beginning at 10am to Clausen Park on Hamilton Street, between the cemetery and the boat landing.
Speakers: Mayor Tom Bednarek, Rev. Daniel Seehafer
Following the ceremony there will be dedication of a memorial for Army Private Jacob Gassen, who was killed last year in Afghanistan, at the Veterans Memorial Park on State Street


Horicon


American Legion and VFW Conduct Ceremonies in Van Brunt Middle School Gym - 10am
Speaker: LTC Robert Neitzel


Juneau


Juneau American Legion Post 15 Parade begins downtown at 11am and proceeds to the City Cemetery for a ceremony


Lowell/Reeseville


Lowell Cemetery Ceremony at 7:45
Parade proceeds through downtown and includes a special Bridge Tribute for those lost at sea.
Ceremony at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Lowell before disassembling for drive to Reeseville
Assemble at BP Gas Station at 9am for parade through downtown to Reeseville Cemetery Memorial Ceremony
Speaker: Second District American Legion Commander Don Lechner of Mayville


Mayville


Parade Starts at 10am and goes from Main Street to Mayville American Legion Post 69 where there will be a ceremony.


Randolph


Gather at the Randolph Elementary School parking lot at 9am and march to the cemetery beginning at 9:15am, High Street to Highway P and left to the cemetery


Waupun


Parade at 9am starting from St. Joseph’s on W. Main St.
Line up starts at 8:30
Ceremony following parade at 9:45am in Shaler Memorial Park honoring all deceased veterans
Keynote Address: Retired Army Reserve Lt. Col. Dennis Overlien, Chaplain of Fox Lake Correctional


Barrett Urges Concealed Carry Restrictions

5/29/11 - Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says legislators should demand that people be fully sober when they carry concealed weapons. That’s just one restriction Barrett suggested this past week, as Republicans work to decide what to require in the concealed weapons bill they want to pass in the next few weeks. The Senate’s Judiciary Committee endorsed a bill on Wednesday that does not require gun holders to have state permits, or to get training with their weapons. But some G-O-P senators said they wouldn’t support that kind of a bill, which the gun lobby calls “constitutional carry.” And Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon says most members of his G-O-P majority favor both permits-and-training – and they want to something similar to the bill that was just one vote away from being approved a few years ago. Barrett says he remains opposed to concealed carry. But he admits the G-O-P will approve something, so he’s focusing on getting proper restrictions. Besides banning gun holders from drinking, Barrett wants permits-and-training – and penalties for those who cannot legally have guns, and for those who buy guns for those who can’t have them.

Federal Dollars For Pre-School Programs Possible

5/29/11 - Wisconsin officials have not decided whether to seek federal funds to improve and coordinate the state’s pre-school programs. The Obama administration says it’s putting up a half-billion-dollars in competitive grants for states to create and expand innovative early learning programs – especially for low-income kids. It’s the third round of federal funding that’s part of President Obama’s “Race to the Top” program. Wisconsin did not qualify for the first two rounds. But the Madison Capital Times says the state appears to have a better chance of getting funded this time. That’s because 85-percent of public schools offer kindergarten for four-year-olds – and the state has a rating system for child care centers in which the poorest ones are at risk of losing state funds. Cullen Werwie, a spokesman for Governor Scott Walker, has not commented on whether supports an effort to get the federal money. John Johnson of the state Department of Public Instruction says Superintendent Tony Evers wants to review the details. But Johnson says Wisconsin is in a good position to get some of the funding. The Cap Times said business groups and think tanks met last week to talk about building public-and-private partnerships to boost the state’s early childhood programs. And they agreed it’s a good investment.

Wisconsin Drivers Seventh Most Proficient

5/29/11 - Wisconsin drivers get high marks on the 2011 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test. The seventh annual exam tests the road knowledge and proficiency in basic rules of drivers in all 50 states. Wisconsin scored 80-point-8 to earn a grade of “B.” Kansas drivers ranked the best in the country, while District of Columbia drivers were worst.

Fairest of the Fair Applications Still Being Accepted

5/29/11 - Applications are still being accepted for the “2011 Dodge County Fairest of the Fair” contest. The county’s 4-H & Youth Agent, Sally Schoenike, says the Fair Association is looking for girls age 18 as of January 2011. Schoenike says the winner will represent the Fair Association in media and promotional events at the Dodge County Fair and other summer events. The winner would also serve as the 2011 Fair Hostess and plan the 2012 competition. In addition, the Fairest will have the opportunity to participate in the 2012 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs contest. The 2010 Fairest of the Fair Danielle Hammer says being the official ambassador for the fair has been life-changing and allowed her to give back to an event which has been part of her family’s life for generations. Applications must be submitted by June 10. Contact information in on our website.

Contact Sally Schoenike, Dodge County 4-H Youth Development Agent at 920-386-3790. The application can also be found online at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/dodge/4h (Click Dodge County Junior Fair and Fairest of the Fair Application under Registration Forms.)

BDAAA Spring Exhibit Wrapping Up

5/29/11 - This is the final week for the Beaver Dam Area Arts Association’s spring exhibit. “The Horse in Art” showcases the artwork of regionally and nationally recognized equine artists. Among others it features the photography of Waupun’s Polly Knoll, who has traveled the world shooting her favorite film subject: Arabian horses. She recently published a career retrospective. Among the pictures in “Treasurers of a Lifetime” is a photo shoot with the late actor Patrick Swayze that produced some iconic images. Many of those same images can be seen at the Beaver Dam Area Arts Association, which is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 1pm to 4pm. “The Horse In Art” runs through June 5.

Top Stories, May 28th

Recall Election Delay Anticipated

5/28/11 - Dates for three recall elections are now in doubt because the Government Accountability Board has delayed its final decision. The board says its staff needs more time to review factual and legal challenges to the petitions that targeted the state senators. Democrats claim petition circulators used fraud and misrepresentation to get people to sign. The review is set for next Tuesday, but the board won't decide on other recall petitions until June 8 at the soonest. The recall elections were originally to be held July 12, but now more court challenges could push them further into the summer months. The recalls center on support-for and opposition-against the contentious anti-union bill backed by the governor. Three Democrats and six Republicans were targeted.

Body Found In Columbia County Natural Area

5/28/11 - A body was found Friday afternoon in a natural area in Columbia County. Sheriff Dennis Richards says authorities responded to Gibraltar Rock in the Township of West Point just before 3pm to reports that a body was laying approximately 100 feet below the crest of Gibraltar Rock. The body was later determined to be that of a 29-year-old man from the city of Waukesha. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Medical Examiner. The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of family. The incident remains under investigation by the Columbia County Sheriffs Department.

Corrections Officer Sentenced In Sexual Assault

5/28/11 - A former corrections officer will serve up to 18 years in prison for sexually assaulting an inmate. The crime happened at a women's prison in Fond du Lac. Jimmie Brown was convicted last February and was sentenced yesterday on 16 counts of sexual assault by a corrections officer. Brown was convicted of sexually assaulting one inmate and having consensual sex with several others at the Taycheedah Correction Institution between May 2007 and April 2008. Inmates can't legally consent to having sex with a correctional officer under Wisconsin law.

Charges Filed In Planned Abortion Doctor Killing Spree

5/28/11 - A second criminal complaint filed Friday said a Marshfield man was going to travel to an abortion clinic in Milwaukee, after he was going to kill an abortion provider in Madison. 63-year-old Ralph Lang appeared in state court, after a federal magistrate ordered him to stay in jail while prosecutors consider stronger charges. In the state’s case, Lang was charged in Dane County Circuit Court with a felony count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide – and a 200-thousand-dollar bond was ordered. In the federal case, Lang faces a misdemeanor count of attempting to injure those providing reproductive health services. The U-S attorney’s office says it’s also considering a felony count of interfering with the use of a program that gets federal funds. They’re expected to take the matter to a federal grand jury in about three weeks. Lang’s next hearing in the state’s case is June seventh, when a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to order a trial. Lang reportedly told Madison Police he planned to kill a doctor at Planned Parenthood’s clinic Thursday. The state’s complaint did not say which Milwaukee clinic he was planning to visit next. It also listed a different version of how Lang’s gun went off in his motel room on Wednesday – prompting police to arrive and arrest him. The federal charge said he was loading a magazine when it went off. The state’s complaint said he was practicing a maneuver when he pulled the trigger – and he didn’t think the gun was loaded at the time.

Neillsville Man Bound Over In Nine Year Old Murder

5/28/11 - A Neillsville man has been bound over for trial on first-degree homicide charges in a nine year old case. Larry Schaffer was arrested after he reportedly bragged about killing Connie DeGeorge and her husband, Kale Kvistad Junior, in an argument over drugs. The killing happened in 2002. Schaffer is going to be examined to see if he is competent to stand trial. His sister has testified at a preliminary hearing that she saw his sexually assault DeGeorge before killing the couple in a wooded area. Their bones were found two years later by a hunter in Monroe County.

Minnesota Man Held In Vengeful Act

5/28/11 - Authorities say they think a Minnesota man ran down the wrong victim. They say it was an act of revenge by Timothy Bakdash, when he used his car to hit Benjamin Van Handel near the University of Minnesota campus. It happened last April 15. Bakdash had argued with another man and he apparent mistook Van Handel for his intended victim, killing him. Bakdash has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge, plus two counts of attempted murder, since he hit two women who were also on that sidewalk. Backdash is being held on a million dollar bond.

UW Madison Split Stalled

5/28/11 - Although work is reportedly still being done to give the University of Wisconsin-Madison more flexibility in controlling its budget, the governor's idea of breaking the Madison campus off from the rest of the system is said to be dead now. UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin says there isn't enough support for the plan, but she is optimistic about a similar approach that is being studied. The Joint Finance Committee is expected to vote on the university system's budget next week.

$600M St. Croix Bridge Introduced

5/28/11 - All four U.S. Senators from Wisconsin and Minnesota back a proposal for a new, four-lane bridge over the St. Croix River. The bill they have introduced includes the first-ever exemption for a bridge covered by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Those opposing the 600 million dollar project say the bridge costs too much and doesn't fit with the scenic river. On the other hand, the current bridge is 80 years old and, with only two lanes, isn't adequate to handle the amount of traffic in the growing area. Wisconsin Democratic Senator Herb Kohl points out that St. Croix County is growing, quoting here, "faster than any other place in our state."

Friday, May 27, 2011

Top Stories May 27th

Union Issue Headed To Higher Court or Budget

5/27/11 - The state Justice Department said Madison Judge Maryann Sumi stopped being impartial in the lawsuit over the state’s union bargaining limits, when she defended her involvement in the case in a brief filed with the Supreme Court. Thursday, the Dane County circuit judge threw out the law, saying a legislative panel broke the state’s Open Meeting Law when it passed the measure in March. The Supreme Court was already scheduled to hold a hearing June sixth on whether Sumi had the authority to block the union bargaining limits. The Walker administration has asked the Supreme Court to let the law take effect. In a letter to the judge Wednesday, the Justice Department questioned Sumi’s decision to file a legal brief on that issue. They said the judge took positions on key matters in the open meeting case – like whether the courts could prevent a law from taking effect. Assistant attorney general Steven Means said Sumi had the right to file the court brief – but he noted that it quote, “carries some consequences.” Means also said the judge made her decision without holding a trial, or making it clear there wouldn’t be one. But Judge Sumi said the Dane County District Attorney who filed the Open Meeting complaint presented “clear and convincing evidence” the meeting law was broken. State Employees’ Union chief Marty Beil called Thursday’s ruling a victory for transparency in government – but it wouldn’t help his union for long. That’s because G-O-P lawmakers say they’ll put the union bargaining limits into the new state budget if the courts don’t restore those limits in June.

Milwaukee Man Drowns in Friess Lake

5/27/11 - Washington County authorities say a 27-year-old Milwaukee man drowned while fishing with a friend on Friess Lake. It happened last night when winds caused their boat to pitch over on its side and partially capsize. The victim was wearing a life jacket when he was tossed out of the boat, but slipped off. His body was recovered in about 50 feet of water near where the boat capsized. The friend, a 29-year-old Milwaukee man, was able to stay with the boat. (KFIZ, FDL)

Man In Custody After Threatening to Kill Abortion Doctor

5/27/11 - A Marshfield man is due in federal court today on charges that he planned to kill an abortion doctor at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Madison. 63-year-old Ralph Lang was arrested Wednesday night at a Motel-6 in Madison. According to prosecutors, Lang told police he was going to use his gun yesterday to quote, “lay out abortionists because they are killing babies.” He reportedly said he planned to shoot the clinic’s doctor in the head. When the officer asked if he was going to shoot the nurses, Lang was quoted as saying he wished he could “line them up all in a row, get a machine gun, and mow them all down.” Police said they went to the motel after Lang accidentally shot a bullet through the door of his room. The F-B-I said the investigation was continuing late yesterday, and would not comment further on the incident.

Alleged Thief Arrested After Brief Foot Chase

5/27/11 - A man suspected in a couple of thefts in the Lowell area was taken into custody yesterday after a short foot chase in Beaver Dam. Authorities say an off-duty officer was at Boston Store around 10:15 and recognized the 27-year-old suspect. He took off but was apprehended quickly in the 500 block of Beichl Avenue. The man faces a number of charges including obstruction of justice and theft.

CCH Construction Moving Along

5/27/11 - Another phase of Columbus Community Hospital construction is nearing completion. Hospital officials have been fielding questions regarding the cars and trucks parked along Park Street – in front of the Hospital -- for months. Remodeling of the first and third floors is winding down. The facelift will include the addition of a Hospital pharmacy on the first floor. The Hospital is scheduling an open house on June 21 and 22. Columbus Community Hospital is located at the southern edge of the City near the highways 73 ramps to highway 151.

Inmate Arraigned In Hospital Vandalism Incident

5/27/11 - An inmate at the Waupun Correctional Institution, accused of causing over $43,000 in damage to the Waupun Hospital, entered a “not guilty” plea at arraignment this week. Arthur Hill is charged with one felony count of Criminal Damage To Property Over $2500, which carries a maximum three-and-a-half year prison sentence upon conviction. The 24-year-old allegedly ripped out the sprinkler heads of a cell in the secure ward of the hospital on December 12 of last year. According to the criminal complaint, Hill stood on a toilet in his cell, wrapped a plastic bag around the sprinkler heads and jumped off while yelling, “let’s make it rain” and “let’s go swimming.” Water gushed from two broken sprinkler heads and Hill reportedly put blankets under the door allowing six to eight inches of water to pool. The jail cell sustained over $4800 in damage. Another $38,000 in water damage was reported to adjacent rooms and the ICU, which is located one flood below the secure ward in the hospital. Hill has court activity is on the calendar again next month.

MN Pastor Arrested In Clyman For Molestation

5/27/11 - A Minnesota pastor was arrested earlier this week at a Town of Clyman church for allegedly molesting a foreign exchange student who was staying at his home. Reverend David Edwin Radtke of the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Gibbon is charged in Minnesota with two felony counts of Third Degree Criminal Sexual Assault. According to the complaint, Radtke has hosted the foreign exchange student at his home in Gibbon, Minnesota since last August. The 16-year-old victim told investigators that Radtke would massage her to sleep every couple weeks around midnight. On May 17, she allegedly she awoke to Radtke assaulting her. Radtke apparently told his wife and son about the incident and both asked the victim to forgive him. Radtke left for Wisconsin over the weekend and on Monday he was found at a church in Clyman. Officers took him into custody outside, behind the church. During an Extradition Hearing on Wednesday, Judge Steven Bauer set cash bond at $7000 with the stipulation that, once posted, he turn himself in to Minnesota authorities within 24 hours. Radtke posted bond yesterday (Th) and Judge Bauer scheduled a Status Conference for next Tuesday to verify that Radtke has complied with his order, or if he’ll be forfeiting his bond.

Evans Arraigned In Molestation Case

5/27/11 - A Beaver Dam man, accused of molesting a preschool-age child, entered a “not guilty” plea at arraignment Thursday. Joseph R. Evans is charged with one felony count of First Degree Sexual Assault of a Child Under the Age of 12. According to the criminal complaint, the victim was a friend of the family and Evans fondled her in March. The child came home and complained to her mother about Evans. When questioned by trained investigators, the child said the inappropriate contact had occurred (quote) “lots of times.” The 22-year-old said the two had been wrestling and any inappropriate contact was accidental and outside the clothes. The felony charge carries a maximum 60 year prison sentence, upon conviction. Evans is being held on a $10,000 cash bond.

Hying Named Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee Diocese

5/27/11 - A seminary rector was named Thursday as the new auxiliary bishop in the Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese. Pope Benedict appointed Father Don Hying as the Number-two leader for Catholics in 10 southeast Wisconsin counties, including Dodge County. Hying will assist Archbishop Jerome Listecki in the spiritual and pastoral leadership of the Milwaukee Archdiocese. He’ll be ordained and installed July 20th, and will replace Richard Sklba who retired last year. Hying is a native of West Allis. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1989 and spent a number of years as a parish priest and administrator. He became the dean-of-formation at Saint Francis De Sales’ seminary in Milwaukee in 2005. He’s been the seminary’s rector since 2007. Listecki calls Hying a “true servant-leader.” Hying said he was honored and humbled to get the pope’s blessing.

Lawmakers Seek To Reverse Doyle Fund Raid

5/27/11 - State lawmakers voted Thursday to pay back 235-million-dollars to a doctor’s fund that was illegally raided by the governor and Legislature in 2007. The Supreme Court said it was wrong for politicians to raid the fund that pays for settlements in medical malpractice cases. Doctors pay into that fund, but former Governor Jim Doyle and lawmakers took 200-million of it to help public school programs stay afloat. The Joint Finance Committee voted unanimously to pay back the malpractice fund next year. The measure also dropped 30-million-dollars from higher employee pension and health care contributions that never took effect because they were tied to the union bargaining limits that were tossed out of court Thursday. The measure also reduced planned spending cuts by 54-million-dollars. And it moved up 154-million-dollars in Medicaid payments to health providers, so the state could get extra federal money before a formula changes. Under the bill, the money would come from a 636-million dollar windfall due to higher-than-expected tax revenues over the next two years. School officials were hoping to get the money, to soften the blow of proposed cuts in their state aid.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Top Stories May 25th

Horicon Teen Charged in Stabbing

5/25/11 - A 17-year-old Horicon boy is facing a murder charge for allegedly stabbing his next door neighbor as many as 18 times early Monday morning. Cory Frederickson made his initial appearance via video conference yesterday on charges of 1st degree intentional homicide, substantial battery and burglary. Authorities say 53-year-old Candia Rehse went to get something to eat before 5 a-m, and when she returned, she walked in on Frederickson and was allegedly attacked immediately. Fredrickson pulled what Horicon Police Lieutenant Adrian Bump says was a type of hunting knife and proceeded to stab Rehse 18 times according to prosecutors, leaving her with a fractured skull and deep lacerations among other injuries. But Rehse fought back and bloodied Frederickson before he fled the scene and went back to his home next door. Frederickson and his father were on the way to the hospital when police stopped them as they were leaving and began questioning him. Police say they have the knife that was allegedly used and Frederickson’s bloody clothes. Rehse was eventually taken to a Madison hospital where Bump says she’s in good spirits and doing well. Bump says Frederickson isn’t talking but they believe his intent was to steal items from the home, which is supported by his previous run-in’s with law enforcement. Bond was set a quarter-million dollars and he’s due back in court next month.

Murder-Suicide at West Bend Nursing Home

5/25/11 - Two elderly people were killed in a murder-suicide at a nursing home in West Bend. Police said 81-year-old Charles Alioto was visiting his 82-year-old wife Julia when he shot her to death, and then turned the handgun on himself. It happened at the Samaritan Health Center, a nursing home operated by Washington County. A care worker found the bodies during the noon-hour yesterday. Police said no one else was threatened or injured.

Woman Killed in Farm Accident Identified

5/25/11 - A woman killed in a southern Wisconsin farm accident last week was identified yesterday as 72-year-old Carol Helt of rural Dane. Columbia County authorities said Helt was killed by a rock-picker she was towing while operating a tractor. A rock became wedged in the tines of the picker – and investigators believe Helt died when she tried to remove it. The mishap occurred last Thursday north of Lodi.

Dodge County Farmers Making Up for Lost Time

5/25/11 - Local agriculture officials say Dodge County farmers are about a week to ten days behind on corn planting but well ahead of the statewide average. Interim Crops and Soils Agent David Laatsch with the Dodge County UW Extension Office says they are close to having 90-percent of the crop in the ground. Sixty-three percent of the state’s corn crop was planted at last word, up from 35-percent a week ago. The average for the past five years is 81-percent at this time. Statewide, 14-percent of the soybean crop is in, well below the norm of 40-percent. Laatsch says in Dodge County, there are some wet spots and waterholes but there is close to 50% in the ground. Cool-and-wet conditions around the state are slowing the development of the alfalfa crop, and some winter-kill is being reported. Laatsch says alfalfa is about two weeks behind in Dodge County but farmers are catching up. Only 18-percent of Wisconsin farms have surplus moisture. 77-percent report adequate moisture.


Columbus Holds Budget Planning Session

5/25/11 - The Columbus Council held a special 2012 budget planning seminar last night. . The City’s new Financial Director Kim Manley projected that Columbus could actually end up with a $167 thousand dollar surplus at the end of 2011 by outsourcing some of the municipal services. Administrator Boyd Kraemer said state financial policies and budget woes are getting serious. Kraemer noted the sharp decrease in property assessments is shrinking the City’s tax base.

Walker Supports Using Tax Revenues to Pay Down State Debt

5/25/11 - Governor Scott Walker says he supports a new Republican plan to pay down the state’s debt with a 636-million-dollar windfall in tax revenues. Freshman Republicans Tom Larson of Colfax and Warren Petryk of Eleva unveiled a bill yesterday to pay back 235-million by next June to the fund that covers medical malpractice settlements. Doctors pay into that fund. And the State Supreme Court said former Governor Jim Doyle and lawmakers acted illegally when they raided millions from that fund in 2007 to help public school programs stay afloat. Also, the new bill would cover 30-million dollars that was budgeted for higher employee contributions for their health care and pensions. They were part of the law to limit public union bargaining – but it was never adopted because the measure’s tied up in court. Also, the bill would move up payments to Medicaid health providers by a month. It would take advantage of a federal funding change, and save taxpayers 23-million-dollars. And the bill would spare state agencies from having to find 54-million in cuts to balance the current year’s budget. Walker says the bill shows that majority Republicans are serious about governing with the next generation in mind, and creating a sustained economic growth. G-O-P Assembly leaders also endorsed the plan. Assembly Democratic leader Peter Barca says he must review the bill before taking a stand on it. Other Democrats have said they want to use the recent tax windfall to reduce cuts in state aid to schools and local governments.

Senior-Care Will Stay As Is

5/25/11 - Wisconsin’s popular Senior-Care prescription drug program will stay as it is, under a budget measure approved yesterday by the Legislature’s finance panel. Members of both parties rejected Governor Scott Walker’s plan to make the 91-thousand members use Medicare Part-“D” for their initial benefits. Analysts said most seniors would have paid more, and have a harder time dealing with a larger menu of plans. But the committee did go along with Walker’s idea to limit enrollments for the next two years in the Family-Care program, which is designed to keep seniors and the developmentally-disabled out of nursing homes. All 12 Republicans voted yes, and all four Democrats voted no to freeze Family-Care’s enrollment at 42-thousand. They did agree to add 400 people who need emergency long-term care services. Without the limits, enrollments were expected to grow by another 10-thousand – something Republicans said the state couldn’t afford. Family Care cost a quarter-billion dollars when it started in 2006. It’s expected to cost one-point-four billion in each of the next two years. Family-Care operates in 53 of the state’s 72 counties. It does not run in Dane County and parts of northeast Wisconsin.

FDL Official Facing Jail Time

5/25/11 - Prosecutors recommend three-and-a-half years in jail for a former Fond du Lac city official who took part in an embezzlement scheme that netted 240-thousand dollars. 65-year-old Ken Moran of Oshkosh struck a plea deal this week. He pleaded no contest to felony-and-misdemeanor embezzlement, conspiracy to commit fraud, and misconduct in public office. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to ask a judge to sentence Moran to much less than the maximum of 10 years in prison. And he agreed to pay 10-thousand more dollars in restitution, on top of the 80-thousand he has already paid. Moran was a supervisor for Fond du Lac’s Information Systems department. Officials said he and four others engaged in a false invoicing scheme for at least three years. Three of the other city employees have been convicted and sentenced. Former Information Systems director Mark Beveridge has a plea hearing set for August third.

Brewer Marketing Event Hits Snag

5/25/11 - A plan by the Milwaukee Brewers to give away lawn ornaments to their fans turned sour today, when collectors snapped them up and sold them on E-Bay. The lawn ornaments depicted the Brewers’ mascot Bernie – and the giveaway was part of a promotion called “Where’s Bernie?” In Milwaukee, a-thousand mini-statues were placed in county parks along the city’s lakefront. Fans were told to take one each starting at seven. But according to the Journal Sentinel, one woman on Twitter said she grabbed up to three dozen Bernie Brewers. And soon, they showed up on E-Bay for up to 122-dollars. The paper said fans vented on Twitter. One called the woman who took the 30 statues “the lowest common denominator.” Bernie statues were also placed in parks in Madison, Kenosha, Appleton, and Green Bay. Those had prizes like autographs, but the ones in Milwaukee didn’t. Brewers’ vice president Tyler Barnes called the snap-ups isolated cases – and while he wished more of the statues would have gone to people who really wanted them, he was happy with the way the overall promotion turned out. For those who missed the freebies, Barnes said the statues are being sold in the Brewers’ Team Stores for 48-dollars each.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Top Stories May 24th

Wastewater Treatment Plant Goes Online In June

5/24/11 - The upgraded and expanded Beaver Dam Wastewater Treatment Plant will go online next month. The city was awarded $20 million in stimulus money in 2009 to expand their outdated plant and incorporate green technology into the upgrade. The former treatment plant was six years beyond its design life, operating at 140% to 170% of its capacity. Of the $20 million the city received, half was an outright grant while the other half was a low-interest, tax-free loan. The public-private partnership with Kraft Foods allows the city to pre-treat waste from the company and convert it to biogas, benefiting both entities and generating two times the amount of electricity that the facility uses. Jim Smith, with architect and engineering company Applied Technology, told the city’s Operations Committee last night that the “team effort” between the city and Kraft contributed to the success of the project. Smith also praised the DNR for their hands-on involvement in helping put the project on the fast track. Bernie Robertson, Construction Management Engineer for the DNR’s South-Central Region, oversaw the bidding and construction aspects of the project and says the green energy aspect was appealing to the agency. The project allows Beaver Dam to keep sewer usage fees at among the lowest in the state; $39 for the average resident, compared to the statewide average of $93.

Danni Jo Passes

5/24/11 - A woman seriously injured in a car accident nearly ten years ago has passed away. 24-year-old Dannielle J. “Danni Jo” Thiel died Sunday at her home in Beaver Dam. Thiel, her mother Suzanne and her siblings were driving on Highway E in August of 2001 when an oncoming truck failed to negotiate a curve, crossed the centerline and collided head-on with the Thiels. The accident took the life of Suzanne and left Danni Jo bedridden for the past decade. The driver of the other vehicle, Nicholas Gross, was convicted of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and two counts of causing injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle. He is still in prison. Since the accident, Danni Jo’s father – Dan Thiel – had become an advocate for drunken driving prevention, often speaking to first-time offenders about the impact of their actions. About two-years ago Danni Jo made a tape describing her life since the accident, which can be found on our YouTube page. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Murray Funeral Home.

Names Released of Men Killed in Truck vs Train Accident

5/24/11 - Authorities have released the names of the two men killed Saturday night in Reeseville when their pickup truck was hit by an Amtrak passenger train. The driver, 41-year-old Dennis Bachim of Reeseville, intentionally drove around the railroad crossing gates on Main Street before being hit by the train. Bachim and his passenger, 48-year-old Brian Sennett of Reeseville, were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are still trying to determine why Bachim drove around the gates. None of the 200-plus people on the train were injured.

Waupun Man, 4 Year-Old Injured in Suspected OWI Rollover

5/24/11 - A 37-year-old Waupun man faces felony OWI charges after allegedly rolling his vehicle on Highway 49 into the Horicon Marsh late Sunday night. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says there was a 4-year-old child in the car at the time and when authorities came upon the car, all the windows were broken and there was significant blood in the vehicle. The two had vanished but Nehls says deputies located them around 4am yesterday (Mon) morning on Highway M south of Waupun. Both were taken via EMS to Waupun Hospital for treatment. The man faces a variety of charges including Operation after Suspension, Operating While Intoxicated with a Child in the Vehicle, which is a felony, and Knowingly Operating a Vehicle While Suspended Causing Injury, all of which carries a fine of nearly $6,500.

OWI Injury Charges Filed In March BD Accident

5/24/11 - A Sun Prairie woman faces felony charges for injuries a passenger sustained in a drunken driving accident in Beaver Dam. Cassandra Dalby could spend as much as 13 years behind bars if convicted on charges of OWI Causing Injury and Operating After Revocation. According to the criminal complaint, the 25-year-old had a blood alcohol level over three times the legal limit when she struck a utility pole and several street signs on Burnett Street in March. Officers followed a blood trail to a nearby residence where they reportedly found Dalby and her passenger inebriated and covered in cuts and bruises. Cash bond was set at $500 yesterday and a preliminary hearing is set for next month.

Woman Hospitalized In Horicon Stabbing

5/24/11 - Horicon police have at least one person of interest in custody in connection with the stabbing of a woman early yesterday (Mon) morning. It happened on the 500 block of North Palmatory Street just after 5am. In the 9-1-1 call, the woman says she had just returned home and upon entering her residence she was attacked and then stabbed by the assailant. The man then fled out the backdoor of the home. The woman, described as being middle-aged, was seriously injured and flown by helicopter to UW-Hospital in Madison. It’s unknown if the woman knew her attackers but police are said to have a suspect in custody. The Horicon Police Department has not commented as their investigation is ongoing.

NWS Confirms Six Tornados in the State

5/24/11 - Sunday’s tornado in La Crosse caused millions-in-damage – but it was not bad enough to qualify for federal disaster aid. That’s what county Emergency Management Coordinator Keith Butler said yesterday, after the National Weather Service confirmed a twister which it said caused “lower end E-F-Two damage.” It was the worst of several tornadoes that hit Wisconsin on Sunday, and Governor Scott Walker promised state disaster relief when he toured part of the wreckage yesterday. Butler said the storm damaged 200 homes and a handful of businesses. The storm packed winds of 120 miles-an-hour, and it was on the ground for two-point-three miles on La Crosse’s south side. Walker said he was grateful there were no major injuries or deaths. Also yesterday, the Weather Service confirmed four other tornadoes besides the ones in La Crosse and nearby Sparta. A single twister hit the Tomah and Mather areas – the same tornado landed near Nekoosa and Plover – and two tornadoes touched down near Kingston and Markesan in Green Lake County. That makes a total of six from Sunday’s storms, with more possible.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Top Stories May 22nd

Train Hits Pickup Truck, Two Killed

5/22/11 - Two men were killed early Saturday evening after they drove their pickup truck onto railroad tracks in Reeseville and were struck by an Amtrak passenger train. Sheriff Todd Nehls says it happened just before 5:45 p-m at the railroad crossing on Main Street. Investigators believe the driver intentionally drove around the crossing gates and was hit by the southbound train. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Nehls says they are trying to determine why they went around the stop arms. Nehls says none of the 200-plus people on the train were injured. The crash and subsequent fire destroyed the equipment that controls the crossing gates and signals, so officials are on scene to control/stop traffic for trains and will remain there until the equipment can be replaced. Trains will be at reduced speeds and in contact with those workers prior to crossing.


Man Killed in Accident Identified

Authorities say they believe a man killed when his motorcycle was hit by a pickup truck failed to yield the right of way and that alcohol played a factor. 54-year-old Richard Dilley was pronounced dead at the Columbus Hospital following the Friday afternoon accident. Police say the Fitchburg man was attempting to turn left from Highway 16 into the Columbus West Travel Center when the westbound pickup truck hit him. Dilley’s 24-year-old daughter, Rachael, was a passenger on the bike and she was taken to the Columbus Hospital before being transferred to UW-Hospital in Madison. Neither of them were wearing a helmet. The driver of the pickup truck, 48-year-old Daniel Broomberg of Brookfield, was not injured and is cooperating with investigators.

“Click It Or Ticket” Campaign Starts Tomorrow

The Dodge County Sheriffs Department is among the more than 385 law enforcement agencies in the state participating in the “Click It Or Ticket” campaign. The annual campaign begins tomorrow (Mon) and is intended to get more Wisconsinites to buckle-up. Dodge County Patrol Captain Molly Soblewski says officers will stop vehicles when they see either a driver or a passenger not wearing a shoulder harness. Last year’s two-week campaign resulted in 120-thousand convictions for not wearing seat-belts. It’s the second most common infraction behind speeding. Officials say 79-percent of Wisconsinites normally buckle-up – behind the national average of 85-percent. The campaign runs through June 5.

Didion Receives Award

Didion Milling is the recipient of Norfolk Southern Corporation’s “Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award for 2010” for their handling of hazardous chemical products. The award, presented annually for 15 years, is earned by a company or facility that ships more than 1,000 carloads of regulated hazardous material over the railroad’s 22-state network without incident for the year.  For 2010, 49 Norfolk Southern customers earned that safety award and Didion is the only customer in Wisconsin with the distinction.  Didion ships ethanol products via Norfolk Southern rail and is one of thirteen ethanol facilities throughout the country that has achieved this.  Didion is a family owned operation with more than 150 employees and four locations in Wisconsin, including Cambria.

Housing Recovering in WI to be Slow

5/22/11 - A U-W Whitewater professor says Wisconsin will be among the first in the nation to recover from the struggling housing market. But Russ Kashian says the recovery won’t start until around 2015, based on a new national survey released this past week. The firm of Realty-Trac said 54-percent of U-S adults don’t believe a housing recovery will come until 2014 or later. Only about a third of Americans felt that way last November. Realty-Trac vice president Rick Sharga said the demand for new homes is still weak – loans remain hard-to-get for many – and an inventory of depressed and foreclosed houses is still weighing down the market. Sharga says all three need to get better before the market can recover. Whitewater professor Kashian says Wisconsin did not take part in the excesses of the market seen in places like Florida and Nevada. Therefore, he says the market will recover earlier here than in Florida – but it might be 2018 before things get much better in the Sunshine State. Also, 45-percent of adults in the Realty-Trac survey said Washington is not doing enough to stop foreclosures. Around half of renters and homeowners say they would consider buying foreclosed properties – but they expect a discount of 38-percent. That’s up from the actual average discounts of 36-percent.

West Bend Company Bought

A maker of industrial equipment in suburban Milwaukee has acquired an engineering firm from West Bend. The Acutant Corporation of Menomonee Falls has announced that is has purchased Weasler Engineering for 155-million dollars. Weasler is a designer-and-maker of drive-train components and systems used in industrial equipment, farm machinery, and lawn-and-turf equipment. Acutant makes industrial tools, electrical supplies, and motion-control systems for numerous vehicles. It also provides energy services. Acutant says Weasler Engineering has generated above-average growth, and it’s a great addition to its engineered solutions’ business.

Walker to Sign Numerous Bills

Governor Scott Walker plans to sign five bills tomorrow (Mon) – including the one that tells 66 communities they don’t have to disinfect their drinking water. It will repeal a D-N-R mandate from last year to make all Wisconsin communities disinfect their water by the end of 2013. The vast majority of Wisconsin places purify their drinking water – but places with 85-thousand total residents don’t. The D-N-R pushed for the disinfecting mandate in part because of a study by a former Marshfield Clinic researcher which found higher rates of gastro-intestinal illnesses in places that don’t disinfect their water. But some communities said the cost was too high. Other measures to be signed Monday would let stores offer sales tax refunds in their advertising, as long the tax remains part of the selling price – and let the city of Milwaukee sell property for school purposes. On Tuesday, Walker plans to sign the bill to deregulate the landline phone industry in Wisconsin. Walker plans to approve the measure at a conference of the state Telecommunications Association in Lake Geneva.

BDACT & BDUSD Team Up for School Play

5/22/11 - The Beaver Dam Area Community Theater and the school district are teaming up again this summer for a middle school play. It will be “No Strings Attached” a contemporary spin on the classic tale of Pinocchio. Auditions will be held at the Beaver Dam Middle School on North Spring Street on Tuesday, May 31 (from 3:15pm to 5:30pm) and Wednesday, June 1 (from 6:30pm to 8:30pm). Students in grades six through eight should be prepared to sing a short song a capella and read from the script. The cost to participate is $5. The show runs three days beginning Wednesday, July 20.

Top Stories May 21st

Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident

5/21/11 - Authorities say alcohol likely played a factor in a motorcycle accident that killed one person and seriously injured another. It happened yesterday afternoon at the intersection of Highways 16 and 60 in Columbus. Authorities say the 54-year-old man driving the motorcycle was killed after he was hit by a pickup truck. His passenger, a 24-year-old woman, was taken to Columbus Community Hospital and then Med-Flighted to UW Hospital in Madison. Neither was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The 48-year-old Brookfield man driving the pickup truck was not injured and is cooperating with investigators. Names are being withheld pending notification of family.

Woman Dies From Injuries Suffered in May 6th Accident

5/21/11 - A 42-year-old woman from Oconomowoc has died from injuries she suffered in May 6 car accident. The Lincoln County Sheriff's office says Jannette M. Kuhn was thrown from her car when it overturned near Tomahawk. She died in the intensive care unit of Ministry St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield on Thursday night. Authorities have determined that alcohol played a role in the crash.

No Foul Play Suspected in Waupun Deaths

5/21/11 - Waupun police are investigating the deaths of a 56-year-old woman and 58-year-old man who were discovered inside their home on South Division Street Thursday morning. They were found by a relative checking on their welfare, concerned about some apparent health issues. Someone had seen the woman outside the home on Wednesday and the couple’s dogs earlier in the week. The two Golden Retrievers were turned over to the Humane Society. Deputy Chief Mindy Hendricks says foul play is not suspected in the deaths. Autopsies were conducted yesterday (Fr) at the Medical Examiner’s Office in Fond du Lac. Those autopsies are considered to be inconclusive and the incident remains under investigation pending toxicology reports.

BD Home Demolished

5/21/11 - A house in Beaver Dam ravaged by fire in November of 2009 has been demolished. The structure was razed by the property owner who had lost an appeal earlier this month to lift a raze order issued against the dilapidated structure at 400 North Center Street. The city building inspector issued the raze order last year after improvements on the house stalled as Cristina Seremet haggled with her insurance company, which has not paid out on the damage. The city then secured a default judgment, meaning a judge signed off on the demolition without response from the property owners who were in foreclosure. The building was set for demolition when Seremet was notified by her bank that their lenders insurance would cover their costs. She then asked the judge to reverse the raze order so the new found money could be spent on refurbishing the existing structure. A judge denied that request on May 11 but gave Seremet ten days to tear it down on her own, or else the city would do it. Seremet is affiliated with a construction company but says she doesn’t plan on doing anything with the property in the near future except turning it into a grassy field.

Republican Convention Being Held this Weekend

5/21/11 - This weekend’s state convention of Wisconsin Republicans will play host to an expected crowd of 1,000 or more people. State GOP officials said the event will be the largest for an off-election year in 40 years. First priority concerns six Republican state Senators working to keep their seats in recall elections starting this summer. Then there is the U.S. Senate seat that will open when Democrat Herb Kohl vacates the spot in 2012. Wisconsin Republicans had the most successful sweep in the U.S. in the November 2010 election.

Supreme Court Recount Completed

5/21/11 - The last remaining precincts were tallied Friday afternoon in a statewide recount that started April 27th. The results showed Justice David Prosser defeated challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg to win another decade-long term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. State election officials will convene Monday to verify the results, and Kloppenburg then has five days to challenge the results in court. It was the first statewide recount held in more than 20 years. The Supreme Court recount—without all county reports yet in—cost at least $261,000, Wisconsin county clerks said.

State Nurse Made Nearly $105,000 in Overtime

5/21/11 - Sheryl Lee Fors, a 53-year-old nurse clinician at Southern Wisconsin Center, is the state worker who made the most money in overtime—for the second year in a row. With a base salary of $91,077 and $104,930 in overtime, her earnings for the year totaled $196,007. Nine state workers made more than $65,000 in overtime in 2010. Overtime costs are spurred by the need to staff 24-hour facilities, such as prisons and centers for the disabled and mentally ill. The state paid $69.7 million in overtime last year, according to a report released Thursday by the Legislative Audit Bureau.

Boy Faces Sexual Assault Charge

5/21/11 - Authorities said an alleged incident Thursday has a 13-year-old Manitowoc boy facing a charge of first degree sexual assault. A nine-year-old girl was involved. The two young people went to look at deer in a wooded area in the city’s northwest side. The girl told police the goy grabbed her and removed her clothes from the waist down. He allegedly threatened to kill her if she said anything, holding a pocketknife to her head. The girl was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. The case was referred to the Manitowoc County District Attorney’s office, officials said.

Bookkeeper Sentenced to 5-years in Prison

5/21/11 - A bookkeeper was given a five-year prison sentence Thursday for embezzling more than $600,000 from her employer, Wisconsin Kitchen Mart. Company owners said they treated the 47-year-old longtime bookkeeper more like family than an employee, doubling the betrayal of the systematic theft. According to Mary Radiske, of Thiensville, she used the stolen money to bankroll a high-standard lifestyle to keep her husband happy. When she was caught, he filed for divorce. Wisconsin Kitchen Mart is a 61-year-old family business that has been an anchor for the community.

State Program Could Lose Federal Funding

5/21/11 - If state officials don’t contain efforts to privatize Wisconsin’s food assistance program, it could lose previous federal funds and be cut off from new federal support. Federal officials warned in a letter the state FoodShare program already has violated federal rules because of privatization efforts by two governors. In 2010, the state received $20.5 million in federal money for administrative costs for FoodShare and another $2.3million in one-time federal stimulus money. FoodShare has more than 800,000 participants and provides more than $1billion a year to help low-income residents buy food.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Top Stories May 19th

Projects Almost Completed in Columbus

5/19/11 - Two downtown construction projects in Columbus are nearing completion. Work on replacing wastewater sewer mains along James Street will be done by the end of May. The work has been causing traffic detours on highways 16 and 60 through the downtown since April. Meanwhile, final installation work on repair of the Udey Dam is underway. Railing pieces for the Dam are expected to be installed within the next two weeks and operational testing could get underway next month. The City is waiting for the final DNR Udey Dam inspection schedule.

Beaver Dam Man Arrested for 7th OWI

5/19/11 - A 52-year-old man was arrested this week for his 7th drunk driving offense. Jay Zeman of Beaver Dam allegedly showed up drunk to a meeting with his parole officer on Tuesday. The criminal complaint says Zeman told authorities that he had three drinks while visiting his father’s house in Madison before driving back to Beaver Dam for the meeting. The parole officer noticed he smelled like alcohol and gave him a breathalyzer test that recorded a .09, which is just over the limit of .09. If convicted Zeman faces up to 10 years in prison along with a substantial fine. Zeman’s drunken driving convictions date back to 1989 with the most recent coming in 2006.

BDCH Adds Sexual Assault Services

5/19/11 - The Beaver Dam Community Hospital will be implementing a program next month that is intended to help alleviate some of the stress that comes with a sexual assault. Beginning June 1, the hospital will have a SANE Nurse on call 24-7. Nurse Bonnie Falk, the manager of the Emergency and Urgent Care Department, says the Sexual Assault Nurse Exam will allow the hospital to provide rape victims with physical, mental and emotional care while collecting important forensic evidence that could lead investigators to their predator. While hospitals in Hartford, Watertown and Waupun have the SANE program on a part-time basis, many victims from this area have traveled to Madison or Milwaukee for the service. Falk says without a SANE program in Beaver Dam, victims may be deterred from reporting the crime. Falk says the hospital will be absorbing the annual operational costs associated with keeping six nurses on call around the clock, but the $20,000 start-up costs were funded with assistance from the Beaver Dam Community Hospital Foundation and a recent “Derby Day” fundraiser that brought in close to $15,000. Initially, the SANE program will serve only the adult population, which is considered ages 13 and up, but Falk says they hope to expand the program to those ages 2 and up once the current staff completes the required training, possibly as early as January 2012.

Some Education Funding Could Be Restored

5/19/11 - Republican legislative leaders say they’re working on a deal to restore some of the 844-million-dollars in proposed state aid cuts to Wisconsin public schools. Senate finance chair Alberta Darling and Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald says the details are still being worked out. But both say they want to help those schools that face the largest percentage cuts in state funding, and cannot make up the difference by making employees cover more of their pensions and health insurance. A couple weeks ago, officials said the state would get an extra 636-million-dollars in tax revenues between now and mid-2013. Democrats want to use 376-million of that to partially restore the proposed cuts in school aid. Darling and Fitzgerald did not say how much the G-O-P would end up restoring. Earlier today, Fitzgerald promised there would be no cuts in the Senior-Care prescription drug program and state funds for recycling – both of which would have been cut under Governor Scott Walker’s proposed budget. Darling said the Joint Finance Committee would consider the school aid changes Thursday, and changes to Senior-Care next week. She promised no new state spending.

Both Sides Cleared In Bargaining Ethics Accusations

5/19/11 - State officials have thrown out all ethics complaints against both Republicans and Democrats in connection with the battle to curb public union bargaining. The Government Accountability Board said today that Republican Governor Scott Walker did not break ethics rules, when he loosened up in a phone call from a blogger who pretended to be a big-money oil man and campaign donor. The board also threw out complaints against the Walker administration’s restricted access to the State Capitol. Four of the six entrances are still locked, and folks must still go through metal detectors and be monitored by police officers before getting in. The ethics panel also dropped complaints that Senate G-O-P leader Scott Fitzgerald wrongly used state resources when he had state troopers look for Democratic senators who skipped out of the Capitol for three weeks. Complaints that the 14 Democrats were misusing campaign funds during their time away were also thrown out.

Film Tax Credit Unchanged

5/19/11 - Those who want to see more of Wisconsin in the movies say the proposed state budget does not have a happy ending. Governor Scott Walker’s budget includes a half-million dollars in tax breaks for film producers – the same amount former Governor Jim Doyle granted when he left most of the previous tax breaks on the cutting room floor. Wisconsin granted much more generous film tax credits in 2008. But Doyle fumed when the producers of the Johnny Depp film “Public Enemies” – which had scenes filmed in Beaver Dam and Columbus – went home with four-point-six million dollars from Wisconsin taxpayers, while the state’s economy only got a net benefit of 400-thousand dollars. The Republican Walker has said he’s interested in boosting the tax credit – but apparently not in the next two years, as the state reins in other spending to try-and-end the perpetual deficits. Deputy state tourism director Dave Fantle fought for the movie tax credits when he was with the group “Film Wisconsin.” The Walker budget transfers the program from the Commerce Department to Fantle’s tourism agency. And he believes Walker is open to more tax credits once the state gets its fiscal house in order.

County Board Rejects Shoreland Protection Ordinance

5/19/11 - The Dodge County Board voted down a Shoreland Protection Ordinance last night that would have increased restrictions on land that borders a body of water. Some of the restrictions in the state mandated NR 115 included rules on the amount of vegetation allowed and where hard surfaces like blacktop could be placed. The vote wasn’t unanimous but 27 supervisors voted no with a lot of them mentioning a loss of property rights as a reason. However, the vote may not matter. The DNR has given counties until next February to adopt the new restrictions but the punishment for not doing so is the DNR forcing them to pass the same standards.

Columbus Approves Clean Water Fund Loan

5/19/11 - The Columbus Council approved a $1.4 million dollar Clean Water Fund Loan from the State DNR Tuesday night. The loan will pay for the improvement project that has already begun at the wastewater treatment plant. The Financial Assistance Agreement for the DNR loan came with two positives for utility customers…a $600 thousand dollar “principal forgiveness,” and a low 2.4 % interest payback rate. The resolution calling for approval and signing of the DNR Agreement was passed by a unanimous Council vote.

Fairest of the Fair Applications Available

5/19/11 - Applications are now being accepted for the “2011 Dodge County Fairest of the Fair” contest. The county’s 4-H & Youth Agent, Sally Schoenike, says the Fair Association is looking for girls age 18 as of January 2011. Schoenike says the winner will represent the Fair Association in media and promotional events at the Dodge County Fair and other summer events. The winner would also serve as the 2011 Fair Hostess and plan the 2012 competition. In addition, the Fairest will have the opportunity to participate in the 2012 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs contest. The 2010 Fairest of the Fair Danielle Hammer says being the official ambassador for the fair has been life-changing and allowed her to give back to an event which has been part of her family’s life for generations. Applications must be submitted by June 10. Contact Sally Schoenike, Dodge County 4-H Youth Development Agent at 920-386-3790. The application can also be found online at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/dodge/4h - Click Dodge County Junior Fair and Fairest of the Fair Application under Registration Forms.

Elvis’ Wild Ride Ready-To-Go

5/19/11 - Elvis Presley’s favorite roller coaster is set up and ready-to-go in Green Bay. And starting on Saturday, folks can get all-shook-up riding the Zippin’ Pippin. It took nine months for crews to build the wooden roller coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park along the Bay of Green Bay on the city’s east side. The city showed off the new ride yesterday for reporters. Mayor Jim Schmitt says the ride will have an impact on the community that’s similar to the renovation of the Packers’ Lambeau Field in 2003. The Zippin’ Pippin is a replica of the roller coaster that Elvis rode for years at an amusement park that closed long ago in Memphis. A consultant recommended in 2008 that Bay Beach have a roller coaster – and that’s when the city looked into buying the one Elvis loved. The city spent three-million-dollars for it. The rides will cost a buck each.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Top Stories May 17th

Beaver Dam Mulls Council Reduction

5/17/11 - City officials in Beaver Dam have begun talking about the possibility of reducing the size of the 14-member common council. Mayor Tom Kennedy says municipalities are required to review their districts after a census is completed. Kennedy says he supports the idea of having a 12-person council because it divides easily into the six supervisory districts anticipated for the Beaver Dam area on the county board level. Recently-elected Alderman Mick Fisher campaigned on the promise of reducing the size of the council which he says would streamline the political process, making discussions shorter and therefore meetings shorter. Fisher supports a ten member council because the city’s two standing committees – Administration and Operations – would each have five members and therefore be structured to break a tie vote. Alderwoman Dona Maly took issue with the idea of reducing the council beyond its current 14 members and says city officials get paid the same regardless of the length of a discussion. Maly says she welcomes the variety of opinions from her colleagues, some of which have helped shape her votes. Kennedy says city officials should make a decision on the council size within the next 60 days. Alderman Glen Link told the committee that while he supports the idea of a reduction, he feels it should not be done without gaining public input with an advisory referendum. The mayor called that a waste of time and money. There has been no study on the savings that would be realized by a reduction but there was general agreement in committee last night that it would be minimal. The matter is expected to be revisited at future meetings.

Council Rejects Jewelry Permit For Illinois Business

5/17/11 - The Beaver Dam Common Council last night denied a request to renew a Secondhand Jewelry License for an Illinois company that periodically sets up shop in a local hotel. Police Chief Ron Smith says there were no problems uncovered during a background check of the agent for THR & Associates. City attorney Mary Ann Schacht says the company has legally complied with all the statutory requirements of the permitting process. But Alderman Robert Ballweg suggested there is no way to guarantee the traveling business would hold jewelry purchases for 21 days as required by state statute and eight other alderpersons wound up agreeing with him. Debate on the matter was cut short last night after Alderwoman Lisa Davidson called for an immediate vote. Alderman Laine Meyer said he voted against renewing the permit only because he had questions that went unanswered and also said he hopes the company appeals and the issue is then debated more thoroughly.

Aasen Placed On Probation In February Standoff

5/17/11 - A Neosho man who sparked a short stand-off with police in February will spend one year on probation. 60-year-old Dennis Aasen had been charged with felony Intimidation of a Victim but pled to misdemeanor Domestic Disorderly Conduct. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says they got a call from Aasen’s wife on February 10 saying she had barricaded herself and a young child in the bathroom after he threatened both of them while holding a rifle. Sheriff’s Deputies and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team surrounded the home and after 45-minutes Aasen came out unarmed and was taken into custody.

Walker Doesn’t Want State Defending Domestic Partner Registry

5/17/11 - Governor Scott Walker wants the state to stop defending a lawsuit which claims that Wisconsin’s domestic partner registry is unconstitutional. The Republican Walker has asked a judge for permission to withdraw former Governor Jim Doyle’s previous request to throw out the lawsuit. Walker says he agrees with the Wisconsin Family Action group, which is challenging the constitutionality of the 2009 law which gives same-sex couples about one-fifth of the legal benefits of married couples. Those couples register with counties similar to married couples – and among other things, they can visit each other in the hospital, make end-of-life decisions together, and inherit each other’s property. Republican Attorney General J-B Van Hollen refused to defend the pro-family group’s lawsuit, and he issued an opinion that the domestic partner registry is unconstitutional. Doyle then hired Madison attorney Lester Pines to defend the suit, and Walker fired him a few weeks ago. Pines says Walker has no right to defend only those laws he likes – and the governor has the obligation to defend the rights of gay-and-lesbian people, even though he may not like them. But Walker attorney Brian Hagedorn says the governor wouldn’t be keeping his promise to uphold the constitution, if he defends a law he believes is unconstitutional. It’s not known when Dane County Circuit Judge Daniel Moeser will rule on the matter. Even if Walker is allowed to withdraw, the group Fair Wisconsin says it will keep defending the family group’s lawsuit.

Gas Prices Continue Downward Trend

5/17/11 - Wisconsin gas prices have dropped a penny-and-a-half in the last week, as crude oil slid below 100-dollars a barrel. The Triple-“A” says the average statewide price is just over four-dollars a gallon this morning for unleaded regular. That’s a drop of one-point-one-cents from yesterday. And it’s almost 11-cents lower than the all-time record of 4.11-and-a-half set on May fifth. Milwaukee Gas Prices-Dot-Com reports an average of four-dollars-and-one-tenth of a cent today. That’s three-tenths below the statewide Triple-“A” figure. Gas is just over three-cents higher than a month ago in the state’s largest metro. It’s about 11-cents higher statewide.

Small Turnout for Public Hearing on School Reforms

5/17/11 - Only about 30 people attended a public hearing yesterday on a major Republican package of Wisconsin school reforms. Democrats said lots of folks were caught off-guard, because the details didn’t come out until last Friday. And those details have some big changes. One would let school boards use low test scores as a partial reason to fire or discipline teachers. The Obama White House made that a condition to get federal stimulus money last year. But Wisconsin Democrats refused to go that far when they controlled the Legislature and governor’s office – and the state never did get funded. DeForest High School English teacher Jennifer Breezee said multiple steps are needed to evaluate teachers, and a single test isn’t enough. WEAC (wee-ack) teachers’ union chief Mary Bell called it an “arbitrary” use of test scores. And Bell said other parts of the G-O-P reform package would lead to the privatization of public schools. Another change would let students get one-and-a-half credits of physical education for being in an after-school sport. Keith Bakken of the Wisconsin Health and Physical Education group was against that. He said phy-ed is an academic subject, and athletics are only part of it. The bill also lets schools choose the grades they want to use in the SAGE class-size reduction program. It would help schools that can’t afford to offer it from kindergarten-through-third grade. The state school boards’ and administrators’ associations said they generally supported the bill. Senate Education chair Luther Olsen said it was prompted by requests from those two groups.

New Tourism Slogan for Wisconsin

5/17/11 - “Picture the Fun.” That’s Wisconsin’s new tourist slogan. And actor Henry Winkler will help promote that theme in a cameo during one of three 30-second T-V ads you’ll see this summer. Winkler played the motorcycle-loving Fonzie in the 1970’s comedy “Happy Days” that was set in Milwaukee. The Fonz is immortalized with a bronze statue on the city’s downtown Riverfront. The state Tourism Department launched the “Picture the Fun” ad campaign yesterday. It will run all summer on T-V, radio, newspapers, digital ads, and social media. The state will spend just over three-million-dollars to run the ads in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, and Michigan.