Top Stories, January 7th

BDPD Identifies Shell Robbery Suspect

1/7/12 - The Beaver Dam Police Department has identified a suspect in last July’s armed robbery of the Shell Travel Mart on Park Avenue. Detective Ryan Klavekoske told us on WBEV’s Community Comment Friday that an arrest warrant has been issued for 32-year-old Josiah Kaiser. Kaiser’s last known address was in Lakewood, Colorado but Klavekoske says he has ties to the Beaver Dam-area and has had several run-ins with local police. The suspect brandished a handgun during the robbery and a firearm was among the items taken as evidence and sent to the State Crime Lab for investigation. Kaiser is charged with felony Armed Robbery With the Threat of Force. Klavekoske says Kaiser is believed to be out-of state at this point though anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Heather Johnson at the Beaver Dam Police Department at 887-4614 during regular business hours or afterhours at 887-4612.

Columbus Man Charged With Violent Sexual Assault

1/7/12 - A 62-year-old Columbus man is facing 31-years in prison after being charged with sexually assaulting a woman last November. Michael Duncan is free on a $5,000 signature bond after making his initial appearance on felony charges of second degree sexual assault, strangulation and suffocation and false imprisonment. Authorities in Columbus say Duncan assaulted the woman at a home in Columbus and according to prosecutors he also punched and slapped her, put his hands around her neck and squeezed while saying (quote) I could kill you.” The victim sustained several bruises to her body and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Duncan is due back in court later this month.

Teen Arraigned For Stealing Students Car

1/7/12 - A former Horicon High School student, who is charged with operating a motor vehicle without the owners consent, pleaded not guilty yesterday in Dodge County Court. 18-year-old Jesse Roberts, who now lives in Milwaukee, is accused of stealing a car that belonged to a Horicon football player while the team was at an away game. In-school video surveillance caught Roberts entering the locker room during the game and prosecutors say he allegedly riffled through the lockers stealing iPods, cash, car keys and then the car. A teacher contacted Roberts and got him to leave the vehicle in the Milwaukee-area. Roberts later admitted to police he took the car. He has court activity on the calendar next month.

Pepin Heights Orchards Apple Cider Recall

1/7/12 - Minnesota-based Pepin Heights Orchards says no illnesses have been reported, but it is advising consumers to throw away half-gallon plastic jugs of its Honeycrisp Apple Cider. Wisconsin is one of three states where the product was sold. Minnesota Agriculture Department lab tests found some of the cider may be contaminated with a mycotoxin called patulin. The advisory only applies to Honeycrisp cider with the “use by” date of February 9, 2012.

Recall Election Estimated To Cost $9 Million

1/7/12 - State election officials say a recall election aimed at Governor Scott Walker would cost at least nine million dollars. The Government Accountability Board asked local election clerks to estimate the costs of a recall election, then added all the figures up. Governor Walker’s measure to take almost all collective bargaining rights from public workers created a major backlash last year. Democrats have called it a blatant attack on unions. Walker signed the measure into law last March despite protests which jammed the Wisconsin state Capitol. Backers of the recall election effort have until January 17th to collect 540 thousand signatures on petitions. Republicans say the cost estimates show this state can’t afford to keep holding recall elections.

Developer Withdraws From Investment Board Consideration

1/7/12 - Developer John Petersen the Third has withdrawn his name for consideration for a position on the Wisconsin Investment Board. Petersen says he fears the nomination process will become too bitter and partisan. Petersen was grilled during a state Senate committee hearing this year. Lawmakers raised ethical questions about his previous service on that board which handles billions of dollars of state money. An audit cited concerns during that period over what auditors called “the appearance of a conflict of interest.” Petersen had voted in favor of an 80 million dollar investment in a business with a company that had ties to a corporation he owned stock in. Petersen told committee members he shouldn’t have voted on the deal.

Officials Warn of Thin Ice

1/7/12 - Wisconsin is not exactly a winter wonderland these days – and authorities are urging people to stay off the ice, even on lakes that appear to be frozen over. The Madison Capital Times Web site had a picture of dozens of people ice-fishing this week on Monona Bay, as the thermometer hit a record 51 degrees. Dane County sheriff’s deputies were called to rescue a deer Friday that fell through the ice on Madison’s Yahara River. The animal died. A few people have recently fallen through the ice on Wisconsin waters – and a snowmobiler was killed in Rusk County last month while trying to skip over patches of open water. Beaver Dam Fire Chief Alan Mannel says there’s been no reports here of animals or people falling through the ice, which he says is definitely still on the thin side. Mannel says some good old-fashioned common sense will go a long way in preventing a tragedy. Those who venture onto the ice are not only jeopardizing themselves – but also those who might be called to rescue them.

Columbus Sleigh Rally Needs Snow

1/7/12 - The City of Columbus and Wisconsin Horse Council are hoping for more snow in a big way. The Horse Council is planning a “Sleigh Rally and Festival” for February 11th at Fireman’s Park. Sleigh Rally Coordinator Melanie Lichtfield said that the event would include a chili cook off, model horse show, cake walk and cookie decorating contest in the Pavilion. Horse show competition and sled rides are planned for the outside events. All that is needed is some Wisconsin snow.

Warm Weather Helping With Lambeau Upgrade

1/7/12 - Unseasonably dry and warm weather is helping construction work at Lambeau Field make major progress. The project involves the addition of 67 hundred seats, new entrances and several other improvements to the historic home of the Green Bay Packers. The president of Miron Construction Company says his workers are more productive because they aren’t fighting the cold while trying to get the job done. About 60 workers are on-site now, but a total of 16 hundred are expected to be involved in the two-year project. The new seats are expected to be in place for the 2013 season. That won’t put a big dent in the waiting list for season tickets which has grown to 96 thousand names. The project is expected to cost 143 million dollars by the time it is completed.