Kuehl to be Inducted into BDUSD Wall of Fame
2/29/12 - The Beaver Dam School District has announced this year’s Outstanding Alumni. Ray Kuehl is a 1952 graduate who has been a prominent figure in the dairy industry for 60 years. After attending UW-Madison, he started his own dairy cattle consulting business, eventually becoming a partner of American Genetics, where he served as a farm manager and marketed cow embryos around the world. Later in life, his career path led him to real estate and he even started his own auctioneer business. But Kuehl is perhaps best known in the farming community for his instrumental role in the creation of the World Dairy Expo, which is held annually in Madison. When it was announced that the U.S. National Dairy Cattle Show would be discontinued, Kuehl and a few other cattle breeders developed a plan to hold the show in Wisconsin. The Expo is now the largest dairy industry exposition in the nation. He was appointed by Governor Thompson to the World Dairy Center Authority, which found the sites for the new State Department of Agriculture and the World Dairy Center buildings in Madison. Kuehl brought state-wide attention on Dodge County’s dairy industry when he chaired the “Alice in Dairyland” competition, which was held in Beaver Dam in 1964. In submitting his application, Kuehl’ supporters said he is “very dedicated to the youth in the dairy cattle industry and has been instrumental in raising money to promote Agriculture to schools.” He frequently returns to Beaver Dam High School to encourage, inspire, and challenge young FFA members to set their goals high and respect others. Kuehl will be honored during this year’s 16th Annual Wall of Fame Banquet on Sunday, April 1.
New Public Pool in Waupun Discussed
2/29/12 - The Waupun Committee of the Whole last night authorized the City Administrator to draft wording for a referendum on a possible new public pool. Waupun residents used to have two swimming options but the Fond du Lac County Park Pool fell into a leaky state-of-disrepair and closed some five years ago. The aging McCune Beach facility is outdated and possible enhancements are being studied. Members of the Waupun Area Recreation Project are recommending an aquatic center in Fond du Lac County Park designed by Neuman Pools. Fond du Lac County has offered to support a Waupun pool wherever it’s located to the tune of $1 million dollars but the offer will not be good forever. A fundraising committee is also being formed. There was general agreement amongst city officials that any referendum should be advisory, as opposed to a binding referendum that may later tie the hands of city leaders. It was also generally agreed that the referendum, or referenda, give the public options for not only how the project should be funded but also where it should be located. However, in casting the only “no” vote last night, Alderman Dan Ganz says the timing is just not right and other city improvement projects should be taking precedence. Mayor Jodi Steger says now is the time for the taxpayers to provide input on the future of this project. City officials need to have the wording finalized and approved by June 6 for the question or questions to appear on the November 6 ballot.
Zoning Change for Museums in Waupun
2/29/12 - A change in the Waupun city ordinance governing zoning that would allow for museums to be operated in residential neighborhoods was approved in committee last night. The change was requested by the Waupun Historical Society which is planning to expand into the former Central Wisconsin Christian Elementary building. CWC donated the structure to the society late last year and agreed to sell them the land for $20,000. Closing was this past weekend. Museum officials originally requested the ordinance be changed to allow for not only a museum in a residential neighborhood but also everything that might be in the museum like a gift shop, art gallery and conference rooms. City officials expressed concern that the wording could allow any business to open in a residential neighborhood so “museum” is now the only exception in the proposed ordinance change. Waupun City Attorney Dan Vande Zande says because gift shops and art exhibits are traditionally associated with museums anyway, it is not necessary to name them specifically. In addition, if the museum wants to host an exhibit outside, it would have to apply for a conditional use permit. First and final reading on the zoning ordinance change will be held at Waupun’s next regular council meeting.
Horicon Council Approves Police Contract
2/29/12 - A three-year contract with the police union was approved by the Horicon City Council last night. By a unanimous vote, the council signed off on a deal that will see officers and support staff be under many of the same guidelines as other city employees. That includes paying more than 12% for health insurance and 5.9% into their retirement fund. The contract agreement comes after several years of sometimes tense negotiations. The city even flirted with closing the department earlier this month and contracting out coverage to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department. Chief Joe Adamson says he’s ok with the city researching that possibility. He believes every community needs to have the conversation as to what’s best for them.
Snow Storm Drills Northern Wisconsin
2/29/12 - North central Wisconsin has been hit the hardest so far by a snowstorm that moved in last night. Tomahawk had an unofficial 12 inches by three this morning. Wittenberg in Shawano County had six-and-a-half inches. Wausau had ice-pellets mixed in with about three-and-a-third inches of snow. And folks in Stevens Point had their snow change to rain during the night. Eau Claire had just over three-inches by midnight, and that was enough to set a new record for the date with 89-hundredths-of-an-inch of liquid precipitation. That beat the old mark of 69-hundredths in 1948. West central Wisconsin had freezing rain and glaze last evening. The Fox Valley and parts of the northeast had a couple inches of snow, with more on the way. The National Weather Service says a winter storm warning continues until six tonight for the north and parts of central Wisconsin. Up to 15-inches was in the forecast for the far north. Advisories for lesser precipitation are in effect until noon in east central areas, and until six p-m for parts of central Wisconsin. Southern areas had thunderstorms in the forecast overnight. Rain is expected to change to light snow later today and this evening.
Windorff Gets Jail Time
2/29/12 - A Beaver Dam man will spend 30 days in jail for injuring himself and a passenger in a drunken boating accident. 47-year-old James Windorff plead to one misdemeanor count of Operating A Boat While Intoxicated, Causing Injury and he had another misdemeanor dismissed but read into the record. Authorities responded to an area north of McKinley Beach Road in the Town of Beaver Dam last September. According to the criminal complaint, a boat with four passengers was operating at a high rate of speed in the dense fog when it crashed into the shoreline near the Wisconsin & Southern railroad trestle. Windorff and a 38-year-old Beaver Dam woman were ejected and sustained severe but non-life-threatening injuries. An open bottle of beer was found near the driver seat and Windorff had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit for driving at point-one-five-four (0.154). In addition to a month in jail with Huber privileges, was also placed on probation for one year.
Sweetman Sentenced
2/29/12 - A Beaver Dam woman who stole money from a local restaurant has entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors. Casey Sweetman was charged with Computer Crimes – Modifying Data but pled to amended charged of misdemeanor Theft. The 24-year-old embezzled $3500 from the Benvenuto’s Restaurant in Beaver Dam in a scheme involving gift cards. According to the criminal complaint, Sweetman would pocket money from bills paid in cash and then search the computer database for random customers with gift cards and zero-out their account to make-up the difference. An audit was performed after several customers complained about having zero balances on what should have been valid gift cards. She was sentenced to 50 days in jail but will have half of the sentence stayed if she complied with conditions of supervision. Sweetman was also placed on probation for one year.
Identity Thieves Steal Tax Returns
2/29/12 - At least six people in Madison filed their federal income tax returns, only to learn that identity thieves used their names and Social Security numbers to claim refunds for themselves. Madison Police say it’s part of a national trend – and it will only get worse as the April tax filing deadline gets closer. In one case, the I-R-S told a Madison man that a five-thousand-dollar refund he was expecting went to a person in Milwaukee who used the same name and Social Security number. Another Madison man had his tax return rejected because somebody else filed in his name. And a woman learned that somebody in Texas had used her information. Police say the actual taxpayers might not learn for weeks that their returns were kicked back because identity thieves beat them to the punch.
Governors Conference on Tourism this Weekend
2/29/12 - Almost a-thousand Wisconsin tourist operators and officials are gearing up for the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism which starts on Sunday in Green Bay. They’ll discuss a variety of things like economic forecasts, customer service, and using social media to bring in visitors. Miss America, Laura Kaeppeler (kepp-ler), will speak at the conference along with Packers’ kicker Mason Crosby and Governor Scott Walker. It’s also when we normally learn how much business Wisconsin visitors generated during the previous year. The tourism conference runs from Sunday through next Tuesday at Green Bay’s K-I Convention Center.
Mega Millions Over $100M
2/29/12 - The Mega Millions’ jackpot is above 100-million dollars for the first time this year. It’s at 108-million for Friday night, after nobody won the top prize last evening. There was no immediate word on the number of smaller prizes won. The current jackpot has been building since January 27th, and it has rolled over 10 times. The cash option for Friday night is just under 80-million dollars. In Powerball, tonight’s jackpot is at the new minimum of 40-million, after a player in New York State won a 70-million-dollar prize last weekend.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Top Stories February 28th
Floor Plans Unveiled For Planned Community Center
2/28/12 - Over 170 people packed into the Chapel of the Archangels last night to get their first glimpse at interior and exterior designs for the planned Beaver Dam Community and Senior Center.
Those in attendance last night were able to view a 10-minute movie that featured prominent members of the community talking about the importance of a revitalized downtown highlighted by the construction of “The Watermark,” as it’s being called. Evonne Koeppen, the city’s Community Activities and Services Coordinator, says the theme of the movie – “Dream, Commit, Achieve, Count Me In” – reflects the goal of their campaign.
There are no city tax dollars being used to pay for renovation of “The Watermark” in the former Fullerton Lumber building at 209 South Center, so a non-profit group is spearheading the fundraising campaign. John Haider will be co-chairing the soon-to-be launched fundraising campaign with his wife, Marge. He says there has been support throughout the whole process and a solid team is being assembled to hit the ground running once the fundraising campaign is officially started. While the goal is aggressive, Haider says it can be achieved. Mayor Tom Kennedy says Beaver Dam has always been a generous community and he is confident the project will have support.
The 22-thousand square foot facility includes an entry way, office space, an arts and crafts studio slash wood shop and a general recreation area. The bulk of the building is comprised of five, dividable multi-purpose rooms surrounded by a circular hallway that doubles as a walking track. The outside of the pre-engineered steel building has metal siding that will be replaced with an insulated brick veneer that conforms to the historic look of the downtown. There is an aggressive timeline in place with bidding and contract awards planned by September, ground broken as early as this fall and completion targeted for the summer of next year.
The Watermark Promotional Video Can Be Viewed Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFG4n8dMxH8
Copper Piping Stolen From Another Vacant Home
2/28/12 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is investigating a breaking and entering at a vacant residence where the only thing taken was copper piping. A door was kicked-in at the residence on the 900 block of South Spring Street and was reported by a realtor on Saturday. Police took a complaint for Burglary, Theft and Criminal Damage to Property. There have been four other reports in the past two-months of break-ins at empty homes where copper plumbing was the only thing stolen. Authorities are urging those with ties to vacant homes to keep on eye on them. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department.
BDPD Warning Public of Cadillac Stalker
2/28/12 - Beaver Dam police are asking the public to be on the lookout for a man who has suspiciously followed two separate women in his vehicle. The first report came early last Wednesday morning. A woman said a man in a white Cadillac Escalade followed her closely until she reached her residence. The man then pulled into the driveway behind her with his lights off. A second was reported early Saturday morning. In that instance, a woman also reported she was being followed by a man in a white Cadillac Escalade. She said she made several turns but the man continued to follow her to her workplace. The man stayed in his vehicle and watched her for several minutes. He’s described as “skinny” and possibly in his 20’s. In neither instance did the man leave his vehicle. Police say if you have information about these incidents – or if you believe you are being following by this man – stay in your vehicle, drive to a safe location and call 9-1-1 or the Beaver Dam Police Department.
Deputies Smash Window To Wake Drunk
2/28/12 - A Dodge County Sheriffs Deputy had to smash a window to gain access to a car that was parked in the middle of the road. It happened just after 11pm last Friday in the Town of Elba. Sheriff Todd Nehls says a citizen reported a truck parked in the middle of the road with the driver slumped to his side in the driver’s seat. The vehicle was running, lights on, but the doors were locked. Deputies attempted to awaken the driver by banging on the windows and rocking the truck, with no success. Suspecting a serious medical condition, EMS was summoned and deputies broke the passenger side window in an attempt to render aide. After gaining access authorities were able to awaken the Columbus man and then arrest him on charges of OWI and having open intoxicants in the vehicle. Nehls says these drunken driving arrests are not just taking place at bar closing time but are a concern for motorists around the clock. While this incident took place before midnight, the sheriff says in the past couple weeks several OWI arrests have been made before the sun has even set.
BDFD: ‘Garage Fire Cause Undetermined’
2/28/12 - The cause of the garage fire in Beaver Dam over the weekend is being listed as “undetermined.” Deputy Fire Chief Matt Christian says the owners son was woodworking in the 15-foot by 20-foot structure on Roedl Court, which was heated by a 20-poind cylinder. He had walked away and a neighbor called in the blaze a short time later, around 1:45pm Sunday. Christian says there is nothing suspicious but they cannot rule out any other cause because everything was destroyed and there was nothing left.
Big Crack on BD Lake
2/28/12 - There is a big crack being reported on Beaver Dam Lake. Officials with the DNR and Dodge County Sheriffs Department Snowmobile Patrol say the ice fracture starts at Breezy Point Road on the north side and goes south and west all the way across the lake, which they report is wide open in some places. They advise those enjoying recreational activities on the ice to be cautious and be aware of open water.
Teens Facing Theft Charges
2/28/12 - Two Horicon teens are facing felony Theft charges for allegedly stealing a $6300 diamond ring from a friends’ parent’s bedroom and pawning it for $500. 19-year-old Jessica Frantz and 18-year-old Michael O’Neill are accused of stealing the one-and-a-quarter-carat rock earlier this month. The pair faces a maximum of six years in prison if they are convicted. Signature bonds were set at $1000 yesterday and both are scheduled for a preliminary hearing late next month.
“Do Not Call” Deadline Tomorrow
2/28/12 - Tomorrow is the deadline to get on Wisconsin’s next do-not-call list for telemarketers. The state updates the list every three months, and those who want to stay on it must re-register every two years so the lists can stay current. Over two-point-three million phone numbers are on the no-call list, and over half those are cell phones. Telemarketers are prohibited from calling people on the list – and state lawmakers voted last week to add text messages to those restrictions. That bill is now in the hands of Governor Scott Walker. There are exceptions to the law. Charities and political candidates can still call any time they want, along with companies you’ve done business with. The next no-call list goes out April first. To get on it, you can log onto NoCall-Dot-Wisconsin-Dot-Gov and register by the end of tomorrow. You can also register by phone, and here’s the toll-free number – 1-866-966-2255.
2/28/12 - Over 170 people packed into the Chapel of the Archangels last night to get their first glimpse at interior and exterior designs for the planned Beaver Dam Community and Senior Center.
Those in attendance last night were able to view a 10-minute movie that featured prominent members of the community talking about the importance of a revitalized downtown highlighted by the construction of “The Watermark,” as it’s being called. Evonne Koeppen, the city’s Community Activities and Services Coordinator, says the theme of the movie – “Dream, Commit, Achieve, Count Me In” – reflects the goal of their campaign.
There are no city tax dollars being used to pay for renovation of “The Watermark” in the former Fullerton Lumber building at 209 South Center, so a non-profit group is spearheading the fundraising campaign. John Haider will be co-chairing the soon-to-be launched fundraising campaign with his wife, Marge. He says there has been support throughout the whole process and a solid team is being assembled to hit the ground running once the fundraising campaign is officially started. While the goal is aggressive, Haider says it can be achieved. Mayor Tom Kennedy says Beaver Dam has always been a generous community and he is confident the project will have support.
The 22-thousand square foot facility includes an entry way, office space, an arts and crafts studio slash wood shop and a general recreation area. The bulk of the building is comprised of five, dividable multi-purpose rooms surrounded by a circular hallway that doubles as a walking track. The outside of the pre-engineered steel building has metal siding that will be replaced with an insulated brick veneer that conforms to the historic look of the downtown. There is an aggressive timeline in place with bidding and contract awards planned by September, ground broken as early as this fall and completion targeted for the summer of next year.
The Watermark Promotional Video Can Be Viewed Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFG4n8dMxH8
Copper Piping Stolen From Another Vacant Home
2/28/12 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is investigating a breaking and entering at a vacant residence where the only thing taken was copper piping. A door was kicked-in at the residence on the 900 block of South Spring Street and was reported by a realtor on Saturday. Police took a complaint for Burglary, Theft and Criminal Damage to Property. There have been four other reports in the past two-months of break-ins at empty homes where copper plumbing was the only thing stolen. Authorities are urging those with ties to vacant homes to keep on eye on them. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department.
BDPD Warning Public of Cadillac Stalker
2/28/12 - Beaver Dam police are asking the public to be on the lookout for a man who has suspiciously followed two separate women in his vehicle. The first report came early last Wednesday morning. A woman said a man in a white Cadillac Escalade followed her closely until she reached her residence. The man then pulled into the driveway behind her with his lights off. A second was reported early Saturday morning. In that instance, a woman also reported she was being followed by a man in a white Cadillac Escalade. She said she made several turns but the man continued to follow her to her workplace. The man stayed in his vehicle and watched her for several minutes. He’s described as “skinny” and possibly in his 20’s. In neither instance did the man leave his vehicle. Police say if you have information about these incidents – or if you believe you are being following by this man – stay in your vehicle, drive to a safe location and call 9-1-1 or the Beaver Dam Police Department.
Deputies Smash Window To Wake Drunk
2/28/12 - A Dodge County Sheriffs Deputy had to smash a window to gain access to a car that was parked in the middle of the road. It happened just after 11pm last Friday in the Town of Elba. Sheriff Todd Nehls says a citizen reported a truck parked in the middle of the road with the driver slumped to his side in the driver’s seat. The vehicle was running, lights on, but the doors were locked. Deputies attempted to awaken the driver by banging on the windows and rocking the truck, with no success. Suspecting a serious medical condition, EMS was summoned and deputies broke the passenger side window in an attempt to render aide. After gaining access authorities were able to awaken the Columbus man and then arrest him on charges of OWI and having open intoxicants in the vehicle. Nehls says these drunken driving arrests are not just taking place at bar closing time but are a concern for motorists around the clock. While this incident took place before midnight, the sheriff says in the past couple weeks several OWI arrests have been made before the sun has even set.
BDFD: ‘Garage Fire Cause Undetermined’
2/28/12 - The cause of the garage fire in Beaver Dam over the weekend is being listed as “undetermined.” Deputy Fire Chief Matt Christian says the owners son was woodworking in the 15-foot by 20-foot structure on Roedl Court, which was heated by a 20-poind cylinder. He had walked away and a neighbor called in the blaze a short time later, around 1:45pm Sunday. Christian says there is nothing suspicious but they cannot rule out any other cause because everything was destroyed and there was nothing left.
Big Crack on BD Lake
2/28/12 - There is a big crack being reported on Beaver Dam Lake. Officials with the DNR and Dodge County Sheriffs Department Snowmobile Patrol say the ice fracture starts at Breezy Point Road on the north side and goes south and west all the way across the lake, which they report is wide open in some places. They advise those enjoying recreational activities on the ice to be cautious and be aware of open water.
Teens Facing Theft Charges
2/28/12 - Two Horicon teens are facing felony Theft charges for allegedly stealing a $6300 diamond ring from a friends’ parent’s bedroom and pawning it for $500. 19-year-old Jessica Frantz and 18-year-old Michael O’Neill are accused of stealing the one-and-a-quarter-carat rock earlier this month. The pair faces a maximum of six years in prison if they are convicted. Signature bonds were set at $1000 yesterday and both are scheduled for a preliminary hearing late next month.
“Do Not Call” Deadline Tomorrow
2/28/12 - Tomorrow is the deadline to get on Wisconsin’s next do-not-call list for telemarketers. The state updates the list every three months, and those who want to stay on it must re-register every two years so the lists can stay current. Over two-point-three million phone numbers are on the no-call list, and over half those are cell phones. Telemarketers are prohibited from calling people on the list – and state lawmakers voted last week to add text messages to those restrictions. That bill is now in the hands of Governor Scott Walker. There are exceptions to the law. Charities and political candidates can still call any time they want, along with companies you’ve done business with. The next no-call list goes out April first. To get on it, you can log onto NoCall-Dot-Wisconsin-Dot-Gov and register by the end of tomorrow. You can also register by phone, and here’s the toll-free number – 1-866-966-2255.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Top Stories February 27th
Garage Destroyed by Fire
2/27/12 - Fire destroyed a garage in Beaver Dam yesterday afternoon. The Beaver Dam Fire Department was called out to Roedl Court around 1:45 pm to a report of an unattached garage being on fire. A cause of the fire hasn’t been released, but the garage and its contents were a total loss.
Possible Opponent for Fitzgerald in Recall
2/27/12 - If there are enough signatures to force a recall against him, Scott Fitzgerald will reportedly have an opponent. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said this weekend that Lori Compas is planning to announce tomorrow that she will run against the state senator from Juneau. Compas is from Fort Atkinson and led the recall effort against Fitzgerald. The Government Accountability Board is currently in the process of verifying the signatures to determine if there will be an election. The group turned in more than 20,000 signatures and needed at least 16,742 to force the recall. Fitzgerald reportedly challenged more than 4,000 of the signatures.
Fall River, Friesland Among Those Who Don’t Remove Containments from Water
2/27/12 - It’s been nine months since the governor and state lawmakers dropped a requirement that communities disinfect their drinking water. And the Wisconsin State Journal says at least 60 water supplies in the Badger State, including those in Fall River and Friesland, do not remove contaminants that cause viruses, despite risks that continue to be documented. Mark Borchardt, a former Marshfield Clinic scientist who went to the U-S Agriculture Department, has discovered numerous viruses in drinking water. And a new study of 14 Wisconsin communities is about to be published. The State Journal said it linked their groundwater to respiratory and gastro-intestinal illnesses in kids-and-adults that Borchardt tracked during a two-year period. The D-N-R cited his findings a couple years ago, when it required that communities treat their water to remove viruses. But after Republicans took control of the Legislature in 2011, freshman Representative Erik Severson of Star Prairie cited the high cost of complying – and he convinced his colleagues to abolish the treatment mandate. Spring Green public works director Greg Wipperfurth says he can count the number of bad water samples on one hand over the last 16 years. He says people don’t want their water treated because of the taste-and-odor of chlorine. But Mineral Point said it saw the light when E-coli showed up in its water last fall. After that, the village spent 15-thousand dollars on a chlorination system.
Bauer Enters Into Plea Agreement
2/27/12 - A Beaver Dam teen who sparked a high speed chase with authorities last October has entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors. Brady Bauer pleaded “no contest” on Friday to a felony charge of Fleeing an Officer and misdemeanor Obstruction and had a pair of felony Bail Jumping charges and two other misdemeanors dismissed but read into the record.
Bauer was arrested in October after officers attempted a traffic stop for excessive window tinting but the suspect reportedly fled into the county. An eight-mile chase ensued down County Highway E that at times reached speeds in excess of 90mph. Brady was tracked down at an apartment complex in Burnett. The 18-year-old is charged with one felony count of Fleeing and Eluding an Officer and misdemeanor charges of Obstructing an Officer, Possession of an Illegally Obtained Prescription and Theft of Movable Property. Also found in the vehicle, a stolen county road sign for County Trunk BB which Bauer admitted to taking because it matched his initials. The teen was also ordered to perform community service and can petition to have the felony expunged from his record if he successfully completes probation.
Centralized System of Information Close to Reality
2/27/12 - Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says local law enforcement agencies in the county are closer than ever to having a centralized system of information sharing. Nehls says the Records Management System, or RMS, would allow police to access and share names, photos, contact information, and any related case status on suspects, perpetrators and victims. One plan under review would allow the county to keep its current system and extend an invitation to municipal agencies to sign-on while the other would require purchase a whole new RMS system. The sheriff says they plan to make a decision soon and have a Records Management System in place by 2014.
Waupun Names Finalist for Superintendent
2/27/12 - Officials in the Waupun School District expect to name their new Superintendent by March 5th. The school board says they’ve whittled down the number of candidates to two after interviewing six of the 18-people the districts search firm brought forward. The finalists are Tonya Gubin, who is the principal at Beaver Dam’s Lincoln Elementary, and Robert Lloyd, who is the principal for Lomira’s 4K through 8th grades. The school board will conduct site visits and a final interview with the finalists before naming the successor for current Interim Superintendent Don Childs.
Bill Enforcing Tougher Penalties Stalls in Committee
2/27/12 - Tougher penalties have stalled in a state Assembly committee for driving drunk on snowmobiles, boats, and A-T-V’s. The chief sponsor of the bill, Stevens Point Democrat Lou Molepske, fears that it won’t get a vote before the Legislature adjourns for the year on March 15th. The bill had a public hearing a few weeks ago in the Assembly Transportation Committee, but it has not been scheduled for a vote. Under the bill, offenders would not be able to drive cars-and-trucks for 6-to-12 months if they’re convicted for a second time of driving drunk on snowmobiles, A-T-V’s, and boats. Previous efforts to tie car license penalties with drunk driving on recreational vehicles have failed – even though it’s been the law for years in neighboring Minnesota and Michigan. But Assembly Transportation Committee clerk Tim Fiocchi says some panel members fear that A-T-V riders will get arrested for driving drunk on their own property. And Fiocchi says concerns like that need to be addressed before the bill could move forward. Molepske says it’s hypocritical to support tougher O-W-I penalties only for car-and-truck drivers. He said those who’ve lost family members on snowmobile trails have waited too long for tougher alcohol laws.
Hearing on Proposed Wolf Hunt Tomorrow
2/27/12 - Wisconsinites will get their say tomorrow on a proposed wolf hunt. The Senate's Natural Resources Committee will hold a public hearing in Madison. The measure was drafted soon after the federal government removed Upper Midwest grey wolves from the national endangered species' list. It gave Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan the chance to manage their own wolf packs. The Wisconsin bill would create a hunting-and-trapping season from mid-October through late February. Licenses could be limited, and applicants who build up preference points could get first dibs. Bait-and-dogs could be used, and the bill would allow wolf hunting at night.
Powerball Winner in New York
2/27/12 - A ticket sold in New York State won Saturday night's Powerball jackpot of 70-million-dollars. Nobody from Wisconsin won the million-dollar second prize. But one ticket in the Badger State did win 10-thousand-dollars by matching four regular numbers plus the Powerball. Almost 14-thousand state players won something. Saturday's numbers were 6, 11, 42, 53, and 54. The Powerball was seven. The jackpot goes back to 40-million dollars for the next drawing on Wednesday. The Mega Millions jackpot is at 94-million for that game's next drawing tomorrow night.
2/27/12 - Fire destroyed a garage in Beaver Dam yesterday afternoon. The Beaver Dam Fire Department was called out to Roedl Court around 1:45 pm to a report of an unattached garage being on fire. A cause of the fire hasn’t been released, but the garage and its contents were a total loss.
Possible Opponent for Fitzgerald in Recall
2/27/12 - If there are enough signatures to force a recall against him, Scott Fitzgerald will reportedly have an opponent. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said this weekend that Lori Compas is planning to announce tomorrow that she will run against the state senator from Juneau. Compas is from Fort Atkinson and led the recall effort against Fitzgerald. The Government Accountability Board is currently in the process of verifying the signatures to determine if there will be an election. The group turned in more than 20,000 signatures and needed at least 16,742 to force the recall. Fitzgerald reportedly challenged more than 4,000 of the signatures.
Fall River, Friesland Among Those Who Don’t Remove Containments from Water
2/27/12 - It’s been nine months since the governor and state lawmakers dropped a requirement that communities disinfect their drinking water. And the Wisconsin State Journal says at least 60 water supplies in the Badger State, including those in Fall River and Friesland, do not remove contaminants that cause viruses, despite risks that continue to be documented. Mark Borchardt, a former Marshfield Clinic scientist who went to the U-S Agriculture Department, has discovered numerous viruses in drinking water. And a new study of 14 Wisconsin communities is about to be published. The State Journal said it linked their groundwater to respiratory and gastro-intestinal illnesses in kids-and-adults that Borchardt tracked during a two-year period. The D-N-R cited his findings a couple years ago, when it required that communities treat their water to remove viruses. But after Republicans took control of the Legislature in 2011, freshman Representative Erik Severson of Star Prairie cited the high cost of complying – and he convinced his colleagues to abolish the treatment mandate. Spring Green public works director Greg Wipperfurth says he can count the number of bad water samples on one hand over the last 16 years. He says people don’t want their water treated because of the taste-and-odor of chlorine. But Mineral Point said it saw the light when E-coli showed up in its water last fall. After that, the village spent 15-thousand dollars on a chlorination system.
Bauer Enters Into Plea Agreement
2/27/12 - A Beaver Dam teen who sparked a high speed chase with authorities last October has entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors. Brady Bauer pleaded “no contest” on Friday to a felony charge of Fleeing an Officer and misdemeanor Obstruction and had a pair of felony Bail Jumping charges and two other misdemeanors dismissed but read into the record.
Bauer was arrested in October after officers attempted a traffic stop for excessive window tinting but the suspect reportedly fled into the county. An eight-mile chase ensued down County Highway E that at times reached speeds in excess of 90mph. Brady was tracked down at an apartment complex in Burnett. The 18-year-old is charged with one felony count of Fleeing and Eluding an Officer and misdemeanor charges of Obstructing an Officer, Possession of an Illegally Obtained Prescription and Theft of Movable Property. Also found in the vehicle, a stolen county road sign for County Trunk BB which Bauer admitted to taking because it matched his initials. The teen was also ordered to perform community service and can petition to have the felony expunged from his record if he successfully completes probation.
Centralized System of Information Close to Reality
2/27/12 - Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says local law enforcement agencies in the county are closer than ever to having a centralized system of information sharing. Nehls says the Records Management System, or RMS, would allow police to access and share names, photos, contact information, and any related case status on suspects, perpetrators and victims. One plan under review would allow the county to keep its current system and extend an invitation to municipal agencies to sign-on while the other would require purchase a whole new RMS system. The sheriff says they plan to make a decision soon and have a Records Management System in place by 2014.
Waupun Names Finalist for Superintendent
2/27/12 - Officials in the Waupun School District expect to name their new Superintendent by March 5th. The school board says they’ve whittled down the number of candidates to two after interviewing six of the 18-people the districts search firm brought forward. The finalists are Tonya Gubin, who is the principal at Beaver Dam’s Lincoln Elementary, and Robert Lloyd, who is the principal for Lomira’s 4K through 8th grades. The school board will conduct site visits and a final interview with the finalists before naming the successor for current Interim Superintendent Don Childs.
Bill Enforcing Tougher Penalties Stalls in Committee
2/27/12 - Tougher penalties have stalled in a state Assembly committee for driving drunk on snowmobiles, boats, and A-T-V’s. The chief sponsor of the bill, Stevens Point Democrat Lou Molepske, fears that it won’t get a vote before the Legislature adjourns for the year on March 15th. The bill had a public hearing a few weeks ago in the Assembly Transportation Committee, but it has not been scheduled for a vote. Under the bill, offenders would not be able to drive cars-and-trucks for 6-to-12 months if they’re convicted for a second time of driving drunk on snowmobiles, A-T-V’s, and boats. Previous efforts to tie car license penalties with drunk driving on recreational vehicles have failed – even though it’s been the law for years in neighboring Minnesota and Michigan. But Assembly Transportation Committee clerk Tim Fiocchi says some panel members fear that A-T-V riders will get arrested for driving drunk on their own property. And Fiocchi says concerns like that need to be addressed before the bill could move forward. Molepske says it’s hypocritical to support tougher O-W-I penalties only for car-and-truck drivers. He said those who’ve lost family members on snowmobile trails have waited too long for tougher alcohol laws.
Hearing on Proposed Wolf Hunt Tomorrow
2/27/12 - Wisconsinites will get their say tomorrow on a proposed wolf hunt. The Senate's Natural Resources Committee will hold a public hearing in Madison. The measure was drafted soon after the federal government removed Upper Midwest grey wolves from the national endangered species' list. It gave Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan the chance to manage their own wolf packs. The Wisconsin bill would create a hunting-and-trapping season from mid-October through late February. Licenses could be limited, and applicants who build up preference points could get first dibs. Bait-and-dogs could be used, and the bill would allow wolf hunting at night.
Powerball Winner in New York
2/27/12 - A ticket sold in New York State won Saturday night's Powerball jackpot of 70-million-dollars. Nobody from Wisconsin won the million-dollar second prize. But one ticket in the Badger State did win 10-thousand-dollars by matching four regular numbers plus the Powerball. Almost 14-thousand state players won something. Saturday's numbers were 6, 11, 42, 53, and 54. The Powerball was seven. The jackpot goes back to 40-million dollars for the next drawing on Wednesday. The Mega Millions jackpot is at 94-million for that game's next drawing tomorrow night.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Top Stories February 25th
Hartford Man Killed at Railroad Crossing
2/25/12 - A 47-year-old man was killed yesterday (Fr) when his pick-up truck collided with a passing train in Hartford. It happened just before 8am on North Wacker Drive, just north of Highway 60. Hartford police say the driver might not have been paying full attention due to the possible use of his cell phone. They also said roads were slippery due to fresh snow and his visibility was limited because of snow and ice accumulation on his windows. The Washington County Medical Examiners Office pronounced the driver and lone occupant dead at the scene. The victim’s name was not immediately released. The Sheriff’s Department Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating.
Man Facing Charges After Passing Out Behind the Wheel
2/25/12 - A man was apparently drunk when he passed out behind the wheel of his truck at an intersection last night. It happened on County Highway TT just south of Astico Park. Authorities say a passerby reported that the 21-year-old was sitting at the intersection and was unresponsive. Deputies were able to gain access to the truck by breaking the passenger side window. The man was taken into custody for OWI 2nd Offense and also had open intoxicants in the truck.
Woman Charged for Supplying Drugs for Son to Sell
2/25/12 - A Hustisford woman is accused of supplying her son with drugs so that he can sell them. 54-year-old Debra S. Steffen is charged with Using a Child to Distribute Drugs, Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs, Maintaining A Drug Trafficking Place and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. Authorities say an undercover member of the Dodge County Drug Task Force purchased 20 pills of Diazepam, which similar to Valium, late last year from her 16-year-old son. Steffen allegedly told investigators that she knew he was selling her prescription medications to make “a few extra bucks” and said he was not a “high-level drug dealer.” Starting last summer, she reportedly started to give him about half of the 60 pills she is prescribed each month and he would sell them for between $2 and $3 each. If she is convicted, the four felony charges carry a maximum total of 26 years in prison. Steffen is scheduled to make her Initial Appearance on March 12.
Panel to Determine Fate of New Election Maps
2/25/12 - The three-judge panel hearing testimony on the state’s new election maps says it will have a written decision in the coming weeks. Two days of testimony were wrapped up last night. The panel is to determine whether the maps are constitutional. Opponents say they split up two Hispanic districts in Milwaukee, diluting the political power of residents. Supporters say the new boundaries would help Latinos elect two Hispanics. The redistricting maps are redrawn every 10 years to ensure political districts include approximately the same number of voters in each. Republican lawmakers drew up these maps and Democrats and some minority groups are challenging.
Doping Agency Wouldn’t Have Cleared Braun
2/25/12 - The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency said Friday that Brewers’ M-V-P Ryan Braun would not have been cleared of a drug allegation if the case had followed his agency’s protocol. An independent arbitration panel cleared the Milwaukee All-Star Thursday, saying a urine sample from a routine drug test might not have been handled properly because it was not shipped to a lab for 44 hours after it was taken. But director general David Howman of the Anti-Doping Agency said that under his department’s rules, Braun would have to prove that the two-day delay caused his positive test result – and that didn’t happen. The agency’s lab in Montreal received and tested the sample, and he said the lab’s director gave evidence that Braun’s sample was not tampered with or compromised. Another agency official told E-S-P-N yesterday there was evidence of a synthetic testosterone that was not naturally made in Braun’s body – and nobody has explained how it got there. Braun, at a news conference, said he would bet his life that he never took the banned substance. And Braun said the extremely high testosterone levels found in his sample raised suspicions about its validity. The arbitrator’s ruling nullified Braun’s positive test – and it wiped out a 50-game suspension he would have had to serve had the test been upheld. E-S-P-N said Major League Baseball is “incensed” over the ruling – and it’s thinking about asking a federal court to reverse it.
Ex-Walker Aide Pleads “Not Guilty”
2/25/12 - Former Milwaukee County Walker aide Tim Russell pleaded innocent Friday to charges that he stole 21-thousand-dollars from a county program aimed at helping veterans. The 48-year-old Russell also asked that his trial be moved to a different county because of all the publicity the case has attracted. Circuit Judge David Hansher rejected the request for now – but he agreed to review the matter before a hearing on pre-trial requests June fourth. A tentative trial date was set for June 18th. The veterans’ program is an annual event held at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Russell has also pleaded innocent to stealing 550-dollars from a County Board candidate’s fund. Also yesterday, a judge in Waukesha refused to dismiss child enticement charges against Russell’s domestic partner, Brian Pierick. He was accused of meeting a 17-year-old Waukesha boy for possible sex. His attorney said the boy claimed he was 19, and his client never intended to have sex with the youngster. The case is not related to Russell’s charges – but officials said the evidence cropped up during the same John Doe investigation in which Russell and three other former Walker aides were charged.
Customers Will Get Appliances They Paid For
2/25/12 - Customers of Milwaukee-area retailer Appliance World have been assured they will still get the products they paid deposits on, even though the company’s three stores have been closed. Wisconsin’s consumer protection agency reports it has received more than 90 complaints since the closing. A spokesman for the Trade and Consumer Protection Division of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says it may take several weeks to sort everything out. When the Appliance World stores closed their doors January 28th, it ended 56 years of doing business in the Milwaukee area.
39th Annual Birkebeiner is Today
2/25/12 - The 39th annual American Birkebeiner, North America’s largest cross-country ski race is held today. Media Coordinator Susan Kendrick says conditions on the Birkie Trail between Hayward and Cable ought to be excellent. Unlike much of the rest of the state, Kendrick says the Hayward area has had timely snowfall dating back to December. The weather also looks to be ideal for some 9,500 participants in the Birkie and related events. With a projected high temperature of 25 degrees, Kendrick says skiers can expect “a perfect blue wax type of day.” Saturday will be special for John Kotar and Ernie St. Germaine — they’re the only remaining founders who’ve skied every Birkie since 1973. A third founder, Dave Landgraf, was killed in a bicycle accident last August.
2/25/12 - A 47-year-old man was killed yesterday (Fr) when his pick-up truck collided with a passing train in Hartford. It happened just before 8am on North Wacker Drive, just north of Highway 60. Hartford police say the driver might not have been paying full attention due to the possible use of his cell phone. They also said roads were slippery due to fresh snow and his visibility was limited because of snow and ice accumulation on his windows. The Washington County Medical Examiners Office pronounced the driver and lone occupant dead at the scene. The victim’s name was not immediately released. The Sheriff’s Department Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating.
Man Facing Charges After Passing Out Behind the Wheel
2/25/12 - A man was apparently drunk when he passed out behind the wheel of his truck at an intersection last night. It happened on County Highway TT just south of Astico Park. Authorities say a passerby reported that the 21-year-old was sitting at the intersection and was unresponsive. Deputies were able to gain access to the truck by breaking the passenger side window. The man was taken into custody for OWI 2nd Offense and also had open intoxicants in the truck.
Woman Charged for Supplying Drugs for Son to Sell
2/25/12 - A Hustisford woman is accused of supplying her son with drugs so that he can sell them. 54-year-old Debra S. Steffen is charged with Using a Child to Distribute Drugs, Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs, Maintaining A Drug Trafficking Place and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. Authorities say an undercover member of the Dodge County Drug Task Force purchased 20 pills of Diazepam, which similar to Valium, late last year from her 16-year-old son. Steffen allegedly told investigators that she knew he was selling her prescription medications to make “a few extra bucks” and said he was not a “high-level drug dealer.” Starting last summer, she reportedly started to give him about half of the 60 pills she is prescribed each month and he would sell them for between $2 and $3 each. If she is convicted, the four felony charges carry a maximum total of 26 years in prison. Steffen is scheduled to make her Initial Appearance on March 12.
Panel to Determine Fate of New Election Maps
2/25/12 - The three-judge panel hearing testimony on the state’s new election maps says it will have a written decision in the coming weeks. Two days of testimony were wrapped up last night. The panel is to determine whether the maps are constitutional. Opponents say they split up two Hispanic districts in Milwaukee, diluting the political power of residents. Supporters say the new boundaries would help Latinos elect two Hispanics. The redistricting maps are redrawn every 10 years to ensure political districts include approximately the same number of voters in each. Republican lawmakers drew up these maps and Democrats and some minority groups are challenging.
Doping Agency Wouldn’t Have Cleared Braun
2/25/12 - The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency said Friday that Brewers’ M-V-P Ryan Braun would not have been cleared of a drug allegation if the case had followed his agency’s protocol. An independent arbitration panel cleared the Milwaukee All-Star Thursday, saying a urine sample from a routine drug test might not have been handled properly because it was not shipped to a lab for 44 hours after it was taken. But director general David Howman of the Anti-Doping Agency said that under his department’s rules, Braun would have to prove that the two-day delay caused his positive test result – and that didn’t happen. The agency’s lab in Montreal received and tested the sample, and he said the lab’s director gave evidence that Braun’s sample was not tampered with or compromised. Another agency official told E-S-P-N yesterday there was evidence of a synthetic testosterone that was not naturally made in Braun’s body – and nobody has explained how it got there. Braun, at a news conference, said he would bet his life that he never took the banned substance. And Braun said the extremely high testosterone levels found in his sample raised suspicions about its validity. The arbitrator’s ruling nullified Braun’s positive test – and it wiped out a 50-game suspension he would have had to serve had the test been upheld. E-S-P-N said Major League Baseball is “incensed” over the ruling – and it’s thinking about asking a federal court to reverse it.
Ex-Walker Aide Pleads “Not Guilty”
2/25/12 - Former Milwaukee County Walker aide Tim Russell pleaded innocent Friday to charges that he stole 21-thousand-dollars from a county program aimed at helping veterans. The 48-year-old Russell also asked that his trial be moved to a different county because of all the publicity the case has attracted. Circuit Judge David Hansher rejected the request for now – but he agreed to review the matter before a hearing on pre-trial requests June fourth. A tentative trial date was set for June 18th. The veterans’ program is an annual event held at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Russell has also pleaded innocent to stealing 550-dollars from a County Board candidate’s fund. Also yesterday, a judge in Waukesha refused to dismiss child enticement charges against Russell’s domestic partner, Brian Pierick. He was accused of meeting a 17-year-old Waukesha boy for possible sex. His attorney said the boy claimed he was 19, and his client never intended to have sex with the youngster. The case is not related to Russell’s charges – but officials said the evidence cropped up during the same John Doe investigation in which Russell and three other former Walker aides were charged.
Customers Will Get Appliances They Paid For
2/25/12 - Customers of Milwaukee-area retailer Appliance World have been assured they will still get the products they paid deposits on, even though the company’s three stores have been closed. Wisconsin’s consumer protection agency reports it has received more than 90 complaints since the closing. A spokesman for the Trade and Consumer Protection Division of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says it may take several weeks to sort everything out. When the Appliance World stores closed their doors January 28th, it ended 56 years of doing business in the Milwaukee area.
39th Annual Birkebeiner is Today
2/25/12 - The 39th annual American Birkebeiner, North America’s largest cross-country ski race is held today. Media Coordinator Susan Kendrick says conditions on the Birkie Trail between Hayward and Cable ought to be excellent. Unlike much of the rest of the state, Kendrick says the Hayward area has had timely snowfall dating back to December. The weather also looks to be ideal for some 9,500 participants in the Birkie and related events. With a projected high temperature of 25 degrees, Kendrick says skiers can expect “a perfect blue wax type of day.” Saturday will be special for John Kotar and Ernie St. Germaine — they’re the only remaining founders who’ve skied every Birkie since 1973. A third founder, Dave Landgraf, was killed in a bicycle accident last August.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Top Stories February 24th
Ryan Braun Cleared, Won’t Be Suspended
2/24/12 - Ryan Braun will report to the Milwaukee Brewers’ Spring Training camp today, and will hold a news conference to talk more about the reversal of his positive drug test. Shyam Das cast the deciding vote, when an arbitration panel voted 2-to-1 to accept the appeal of a drug test from the National League M-V-P last October. It was the first such reversal in Major League history. Braun’s test reportedly showed excessive levels of testosterone from taking a banned substance that was never disclosed. Braun said he never did it, and he called the arbitrators’ decision quote, “the first step in restoring my good name and reputation.” The 28-year-old Braun avoided a 50-game suspension which would taken effect on Opening Day, and could have hurt the Brewers’ chances of repeating as the National League Central Division champions.
Gas Prices Shoot Up
2/24/12 - Gas prices in Wisconsin have jumped nearly 18-cents on average in the past week. According to wisconsingasprices.com, the average price of a gallon of gas this morning is $3.53, up from $3.36 a week ago. In Beaver Dam though, gas could still be had for $3.35 as of 6am today. That’s among the lowest prices in the state. It’s $3.39 in Mayville and Hartford. And it was $3.48 in Ashippun and Watertown.
Horicon Teen Changes Plea
2/24/12 - A Horicon teen accused of attacking a woman in her home last year has changed his plea. Cory Frederiksen’s attorney changed his plea to not guilty earlier this week. He originally entered a not guilty plea by reason of mental defect. It’s not clear why the plea was changed. Frederiksen is charged with First Degree Attempted Murder for allegedly stabbing his 53-year-old neighbor as many as 18-times. Authorities say Candia Rehse went to get something to eat just before 5am and, when she returned home, she walked in on Frederickson. Rehse was left with a fractured skull and deep skin lacerations, among other injuries. Frederickson is currently serving a 13-year sentence for an unrelated crime.
Discover ‘Discover Dodge’
2/24/12 - A new organization is promoting tourism in Dodge County. Discover Dodge was formed last fall to fill the void left by last year’s disbanding of the Dodge County Tourism Association. Leslie Hershberger with Discover Dodge says the eleven-member board is comprised of representatives from all the local cities along with villages and towns from all four corners of the county. A new visitor’s guide is being printed and a new website will be launched on March 15. Unlike the defunct Tourism Association, Discover Dodge will promote everyone in the county, regardless of their affiliation with the organization. The group even has the support of the state’s biggest name in tourism. Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett will be the keynote speaker at the group’s First Annual Breakfast, which is scheduled for Friday, March 23 from 7:30am to 9am at the Iron Ridge Inn Restaurant.
Portage Processing Center Still On Chopping Block
2/24/12 - The U-S Postal Service said Thursday it will proceed with its earlier plans to shut down five mail processing centers in Wisconsin. The Portage processing and distribution facility will consolidate with Madison. Similar facilities in Eau Claire and La Crosse will both move to Saint Paul Minnesota. The Wausau facility will move to Green Bay. Kenosha's processing operations will be consolidated in Milwaukee. Retail operations at the five locations will stay open. Postal officials said the moves were the result of a five-month study. Congress has ordered a moratorium on post office closures that runs through mid-May, but the Postal Service could not say when the Wisconsin moves would take place. And it's not immediately known how many jobs will be cut. The Postal Service previously said 252 U-S processing sites could be closed to cut millions-of-dollars in losses as mail volumes keep dropping. Postal unions say the planned reductions in next-day deliveries will hurt business -- and they said the fiscal problems could be solved if Congress would allocate retirement system overpayments to the agency, and end the requirement of pre-funding postal retirement benefits.
WNDR Deer Hunting Forums Announced
2/24/12 - The status of deer hunting in Wisconsin will be the subject of 35 public forums throughout the state next month. The D-N-R says anyone with an interest in hunting or deer management should attend. A biologist will make a presentation at each session, following by a question-and-answer period. The forums run from March 7th-through-29th. The forum in Dodge County will be held on Thursday, March 22 from 6pm to 8pm at the Horicon Marsh International Education Center. Additional times and locations: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=314#art1
Some Opt Out of Recertification
2/24/12 - Almost 40 local government unions in Wisconsin have completed their re-certification votes. And all but four decided to stay in existence, despite the virtual elimination of their bargaining powers. The G-O-P's union law passed last year requires groups to re-cetify every year. And 51-percent of all members must vote yes, instead of the previous 50-point-one percent of those voting. James Scott of the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission says the new law has turned a non-vote into a no vote. Two unions failed to re-certify because 10 or more of their members didn't vote. Another 120 local government unions will hold re-certification votes from March 8th through the 28th. Most public school and state government unions that sought re-certification were successful in getting it. Many groups didn't bother, but the larger ones are trying to collect their own dues in exchange for continued lobbying on behalf of their members.
2/24/12 - State officials are giving people a good reason to invest in seven new high-tech companies. The state will cover 25-percent of the amount invested in those start-up firms. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation approved its "new business venture status" yesterday for three companies in Madison -- Invenra, Snow-Shoe Foods, and N-C-D Technologies. The other four are Caseus Energy of Stratford, Enhancement Medical of Wauwatosa, One Event Technologies of Mount Horeb, and Pinpoint Software of Onalaska. Among other things, the firms are creating new smart-phone apps for grocery coupons -- technology that converts cheese whey into ethanol and livestock feed -- and therapies that use pep-tide synthesis.
Watertown Man Guilty of BD Molestation
2/24/12 - A Watertown man who had sexual relationship with a pre-teen girl in the Beaver Dam area last summer has a chance to avoid a felony record. Anthony Granzow was placed on deferred prosecution yesterday after pleading “no contest” to amended charges of Third Degree Sexual Assault Degree Sexual Assault of a Child. He was found guilty of misdemeanor Fourth Degree Sexual Assault and sentenced to 30 days in jail with Huber privileges. According to the criminal complaint, the 20-year-old had dated the victim’s older sister and met up with the young girl in July and then assaulted her in his van. He told investigators that he thought she was 16-years-old. Granzow was also placed on probation for two years.
Court Update: Madison Family Accused of Child Abuse
2/24/12 - A father and step-mother accused of starving a 15-year-old girl in Madison had their court cases delayed Thursday. And the girl's step-brother waived a preliminary hearing. 18-year-old Joshua Drabek was ordered to stand trial on three felony charges that he molested and abused the girl. 40-year-old Chad Chritton and 42-year-old Melinda Drabek-Chritton said they more needed time to get lawyers, after they were turned down for free representation by a state public defender. Both are now applying for public attorneys from Dane County, and the status of their cases will be reviewed next Friday. The parents are both charged with reckless endangerment and child abuse. Prosecutors said the girl was starved for years. Authorities said she ran from the house earlier this month in just her pajamas, and a passer-by called 9-1-1. Officials said the girl weighed 70 pounds when she was discovered, and had later gained 17 pounds in a short time under foster care. Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne said more charges are possible in the case.
2/24/12 - Ryan Braun will report to the Milwaukee Brewers’ Spring Training camp today, and will hold a news conference to talk more about the reversal of his positive drug test. Shyam Das cast the deciding vote, when an arbitration panel voted 2-to-1 to accept the appeal of a drug test from the National League M-V-P last October. It was the first such reversal in Major League history. Braun’s test reportedly showed excessive levels of testosterone from taking a banned substance that was never disclosed. Braun said he never did it, and he called the arbitrators’ decision quote, “the first step in restoring my good name and reputation.” The 28-year-old Braun avoided a 50-game suspension which would taken effect on Opening Day, and could have hurt the Brewers’ chances of repeating as the National League Central Division champions.
Gas Prices Shoot Up
2/24/12 - Gas prices in Wisconsin have jumped nearly 18-cents on average in the past week. According to wisconsingasprices.com, the average price of a gallon of gas this morning is $3.53, up from $3.36 a week ago. In Beaver Dam though, gas could still be had for $3.35 as of 6am today. That’s among the lowest prices in the state. It’s $3.39 in Mayville and Hartford. And it was $3.48 in Ashippun and Watertown.
Horicon Teen Changes Plea
2/24/12 - A Horicon teen accused of attacking a woman in her home last year has changed his plea. Cory Frederiksen’s attorney changed his plea to not guilty earlier this week. He originally entered a not guilty plea by reason of mental defect. It’s not clear why the plea was changed. Frederiksen is charged with First Degree Attempted Murder for allegedly stabbing his 53-year-old neighbor as many as 18-times. Authorities say Candia Rehse went to get something to eat just before 5am and, when she returned home, she walked in on Frederickson. Rehse was left with a fractured skull and deep skin lacerations, among other injuries. Frederickson is currently serving a 13-year sentence for an unrelated crime.
Discover ‘Discover Dodge’
2/24/12 - A new organization is promoting tourism in Dodge County. Discover Dodge was formed last fall to fill the void left by last year’s disbanding of the Dodge County Tourism Association. Leslie Hershberger with Discover Dodge says the eleven-member board is comprised of representatives from all the local cities along with villages and towns from all four corners of the county. A new visitor’s guide is being printed and a new website will be launched on March 15. Unlike the defunct Tourism Association, Discover Dodge will promote everyone in the county, regardless of their affiliation with the organization. The group even has the support of the state’s biggest name in tourism. Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett will be the keynote speaker at the group’s First Annual Breakfast, which is scheduled for Friday, March 23 from 7:30am to 9am at the Iron Ridge Inn Restaurant.
Portage Processing Center Still On Chopping Block
2/24/12 - The U-S Postal Service said Thursday it will proceed with its earlier plans to shut down five mail processing centers in Wisconsin. The Portage processing and distribution facility will consolidate with Madison. Similar facilities in Eau Claire and La Crosse will both move to Saint Paul Minnesota. The Wausau facility will move to Green Bay. Kenosha's processing operations will be consolidated in Milwaukee. Retail operations at the five locations will stay open. Postal officials said the moves were the result of a five-month study. Congress has ordered a moratorium on post office closures that runs through mid-May, but the Postal Service could not say when the Wisconsin moves would take place. And it's not immediately known how many jobs will be cut. The Postal Service previously said 252 U-S processing sites could be closed to cut millions-of-dollars in losses as mail volumes keep dropping. Postal unions say the planned reductions in next-day deliveries will hurt business -- and they said the fiscal problems could be solved if Congress would allocate retirement system overpayments to the agency, and end the requirement of pre-funding postal retirement benefits.
WNDR Deer Hunting Forums Announced
2/24/12 - The status of deer hunting in Wisconsin will be the subject of 35 public forums throughout the state next month. The D-N-R says anyone with an interest in hunting or deer management should attend. A biologist will make a presentation at each session, following by a question-and-answer period. The forums run from March 7th-through-29th. The forum in Dodge County will be held on Thursday, March 22 from 6pm to 8pm at the Horicon Marsh International Education Center. Additional times and locations: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=314#art1
Some Opt Out of Recertification
2/24/12 - Almost 40 local government unions in Wisconsin have completed their re-certification votes. And all but four decided to stay in existence, despite the virtual elimination of their bargaining powers. The G-O-P's union law passed last year requires groups to re-cetify every year. And 51-percent of all members must vote yes, instead of the previous 50-point-one percent of those voting. James Scott of the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission says the new law has turned a non-vote into a no vote. Two unions failed to re-certify because 10 or more of their members didn't vote. Another 120 local government unions will hold re-certification votes from March 8th through the 28th. Most public school and state government unions that sought re-certification were successful in getting it. Many groups didn't bother, but the larger ones are trying to collect their own dues in exchange for continued lobbying on behalf of their members.
2/24/12 - State officials are giving people a good reason to invest in seven new high-tech companies. The state will cover 25-percent of the amount invested in those start-up firms. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation approved its "new business venture status" yesterday for three companies in Madison -- Invenra, Snow-Shoe Foods, and N-C-D Technologies. The other four are Caseus Energy of Stratford, Enhancement Medical of Wauwatosa, One Event Technologies of Mount Horeb, and Pinpoint Software of Onalaska. Among other things, the firms are creating new smart-phone apps for grocery coupons -- technology that converts cheese whey into ethanol and livestock feed -- and therapies that use pep-tide synthesis.
Watertown Man Guilty of BD Molestation
2/24/12 - A Watertown man who had sexual relationship with a pre-teen girl in the Beaver Dam area last summer has a chance to avoid a felony record. Anthony Granzow was placed on deferred prosecution yesterday after pleading “no contest” to amended charges of Third Degree Sexual Assault Degree Sexual Assault of a Child. He was found guilty of misdemeanor Fourth Degree Sexual Assault and sentenced to 30 days in jail with Huber privileges. According to the criminal complaint, the 20-year-old had dated the victim’s older sister and met up with the young girl in July and then assaulted her in his van. He told investigators that he thought she was 16-years-old. Granzow was also placed on probation for two years.
Court Update: Madison Family Accused of Child Abuse
2/24/12 - A father and step-mother accused of starving a 15-year-old girl in Madison had their court cases delayed Thursday. And the girl's step-brother waived a preliminary hearing. 18-year-old Joshua Drabek was ordered to stand trial on three felony charges that he molested and abused the girl. 40-year-old Chad Chritton and 42-year-old Melinda Drabek-Chritton said they more needed time to get lawyers, after they were turned down for free representation by a state public defender. Both are now applying for public attorneys from Dane County, and the status of their cases will be reviewed next Friday. The parents are both charged with reckless endangerment and child abuse. Prosecutors said the girl was starved for years. Authorities said she ran from the house earlier this month in just her pajamas, and a passer-by called 9-1-1. Officials said the girl weighed 70 pounds when she was discovered, and had later gained 17 pounds in a short time under foster care. Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne said more charges are possible in the case.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Top Stories February 23rd
Where’s the Storm?
2/23/12 - Southern Wisconsin will not get the 6-to-8 inches of snow that forecasters warned us about yesterday. An intense low pressure system is moving further south than what the National Weather Service had projected. The Racine and Kenosha areas might get 3-to-4 inches tonight and early tomorrow. Madison could get an inch-or-two. That’s about what we’re expecting. A winter storm watch for the southern half of Wisconsin has been scrapped -- and lesser advisories have been posted starting tonight for far southern Wisconsin between Beloit and Kenosha. Milwaukee and Madison have not had a winter storm warning yet this winter. Those warnings are issued when at least six inches of snow are in the immediate forecast. If Milwaukee escapes such a warning this winter, it will be the first time that happens since 1984.
Carol’s Tours Owner Arraigned
2/23/12 - Former Carol’s Tour’s owner Deb Paul entered a “not guilty” plea during an arraignment hearing Wednesday. The 56-year-old closed the doors of the Beaver Dam travel agency four years ago, leaving as many as 200 paying customers without vacations. According to the criminal complaint, Paul described her business practice as (quote) “robbing Peter to pay Paul” using money from future trips to keep up with costs of funding the most recent vacations. In talking to investigators, Paul tried to pin her accounting practices on office manager Lisa Hopper and contacted Beaver Dam police shortly after the business closed to allege that Hopper had been embezzling money, which forced Paul to close the business. The 46-year-old Hopper told police that when the business was in danger of having trip tickets cancelled for lack of payment, she was asked to cover it on her personal credit card then Hopper would be reimbursed the next month. Checks from the business were used to pay Hopper’s personal bills, as much as $90,000 went to pay her mortgage and credit cards. Hopper has already pled out and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, three years of extended supervision and seven years probation. She still has around $70,000 in restitution to pay off. Meanwhile, investigators say Paul was paying all of her personal bills through Carol’s Tours, Inc in the years before the agency closed. She has a scheduling conference on the calendar next month. Paul faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, if she is convicted.
Marshland Pharmacy Burglar Pleads Guilty
2/23/12 - A Rubicon man who broke into the Marshland Pharmacy in Horicon and stole thousands of dollars worth of drugs has entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors. Alexander Metzger pleaded “guilty” Wednesday to felony charges of Burglary and Drug Possession and had eight other felony and misdemeanor charges dismissed. The 23-year-old smashed in the front glass doors to the pharmacy in September of 2009 and took over $3600 of Oxycontin. Police were tipped to the crime by an anonymous call. According to the criminal complaint, a hair found at the crime scene matched one obtained from Metzger. When he was questioned, authorities say he had a white, powdery substance crusted around his nostrils that turned out to be Oxycontin. A sentencing hearing is scheduled in April.
Accused Child Molester Arraigned
2/23/12 - A Hustisford man told a Dodge County judge yesterday during an arraignment hearing that he is “not guilty” of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Eric Bricco is charged with Second Degree Sexual Assault of a Child, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 80 years, if he is convicted. Authorities say the 19-year-old told the victims parents he was 16-years-old and home-schooled. The offenses are said to have occurred on two separate occasions last October. During the most recent incident, the two fell asleep in a car in rural Hustisford and were awoken by Dodge County Sheriffs Deputies who alerted the girl’s parents to her boyfriend’s actual age.
Municipal Judge Term Four Years Now, Not Two
2/23/12 - The City Attorney says Beaver Dam Municipal Court Judge Ken Peters, who was elected to a two-year in 2011, was actually elected to a four-year term. Mary Ann Schacht told officials in committee this week that the term extension was the result of a little-known law change that was approved in 2009 but did not go into effect until January 2011, three months before Peters was elected to a third term. Schacht says even though the term extension was not publicized during the election, there is no cause for concern. The ballot did not list the length of the term. The law change was among dozens of provisions designed to boost professionalism, increase independence and create uniformity among Wisconsin’s 250 municipal courts, which all together handle hundreds of thousands of cases each year. In Wisconsin, municipal judges are not required to be attorneys and, except in Madison and Milwaukee, work part time. Peters says it might take a new judge two years to learn the ropes and by the time they do, they could be voted out. The outcome of municipal court cases can have a major impact on defendants, who can be ordered to pay thousands of dollars in fines or spend up to three months in jail. Another key aspect of the law gives low-income defendants more chances to avoid jail or lose their driver’s licenses for failure to pay fines. Municipal judges must offer such defendants options – including community service, payment plans or extensions –before taking more drastic steps.
Lawmakers Looking for Compromise on Mining Bill
2/23/12 - Wisconsin lawmakers are looking for a compromise mining bill that majorities in both houses can accept. But Senate finance chair Alberta Darling says all sides are far apart -- and it would take "almost a miracle" to strike a deal by the time the Joint Finance Committee meets later today. Supporters of Gogebic Taconite's proposed iron ore mine near Hurley are racing to get an agreement before lawmakers adjourn for the year on March 15th. The finance panel was scheduled to make a recommendation today on the Assembly's version of the mining package passed last month. But Senate leaders say their house will not pass that version. And Assembly leaders rejected a more moderate package proposed on Tuesday by senators Dale Schultz and Bob Jauch. Senate G-O-P leader Scott Fitzgerald says two main issues are holding things up -- the question of whether a time limit for the approval of mining permits can be stretched out -- and whether mining opponents could challenge D-N-R decisions in a case hearing before a final permit is issued. Fitzgerald says a proposed fee by mining companies to cover emergencies is a lesser sticking point. But once tax credits are figured in, state fiscal analysts say Gogebic Taconite would pay about the same under either package.
Taxpayers Will Foot the Bill for Legal Battle Over Legislative Districts
2/23/12 - Wisconsin taxpayers will spend another 425-thousand dollars to help majority Republicans try to keep the new legislative districts they drew last year -- and possibly give them an edge in this fall's elections. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said Governor Scott Walker increased the limit on what outside attorneys can be paid to help the Justice Department defend a lawsuit against the new maps. The firm of Reinhart-Boerner-Van Deuren had a 500-thousand-dollar cap -- but that's now 925-thousand-dollars. The firm has already charged taxpayers 288-thousand for its work. That's on top of the 400-thousand tax dollars that G-O-P lawmakers gave Michael Best and Friedrich for helping to draw up the new districts -- which will be the subjects of a trial in federal court over the next two days.
BDPD Says Winter Parking Rules Still In Effect
2/23/12 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is reminding local residents that winter parking rules are still in effect. The parking prohibition begins with the first significant snowfall and while it could go into effect as early as December 1, it didn’t kick in until mid-January this year. Even with the mild winter, Deputy Police Chief Dan Schubert says there is still no parking allowed on city streets between 2am and 6am so that the Department of Public Works can clear the snow. Citations will be issued for violations and begin at $20 if the ticket is paid within 24 hours. The parking ban will remain in effect until April 1, unless it is announced that the ban has been temporarily or permanently lifted.
WI Representative Still Alive on Idol
2/23/12 - Western Wisconsin's representative on "American Idol" has made the Top-24. Reid Grimm of Ellsworth performed a final solo number before he was called to meet with the judges during last night's show on Fox. Grimm did a shuffle dance when he heard the good news, and Jennifer Lopez said it was the "fun part" of her day. Randy Jackson had even higher praise, saying quote, "That kid is so mad talented." Grimm is a former U-W La Crosse student who was the lead singer in a band called Three Beers 'Til Dubuque. From this point on, the viewers will decide Grimm's fate. He and the other candidates will perform before the judges and a small audience starting next week as the show's 11th season rolls on.
2/23/12 - Southern Wisconsin will not get the 6-to-8 inches of snow that forecasters warned us about yesterday. An intense low pressure system is moving further south than what the National Weather Service had projected. The Racine and Kenosha areas might get 3-to-4 inches tonight and early tomorrow. Madison could get an inch-or-two. That’s about what we’re expecting. A winter storm watch for the southern half of Wisconsin has been scrapped -- and lesser advisories have been posted starting tonight for far southern Wisconsin between Beloit and Kenosha. Milwaukee and Madison have not had a winter storm warning yet this winter. Those warnings are issued when at least six inches of snow are in the immediate forecast. If Milwaukee escapes such a warning this winter, it will be the first time that happens since 1984.
Carol’s Tours Owner Arraigned
2/23/12 - Former Carol’s Tour’s owner Deb Paul entered a “not guilty” plea during an arraignment hearing Wednesday. The 56-year-old closed the doors of the Beaver Dam travel agency four years ago, leaving as many as 200 paying customers without vacations. According to the criminal complaint, Paul described her business practice as (quote) “robbing Peter to pay Paul” using money from future trips to keep up with costs of funding the most recent vacations. In talking to investigators, Paul tried to pin her accounting practices on office manager Lisa Hopper and contacted Beaver Dam police shortly after the business closed to allege that Hopper had been embezzling money, which forced Paul to close the business. The 46-year-old Hopper told police that when the business was in danger of having trip tickets cancelled for lack of payment, she was asked to cover it on her personal credit card then Hopper would be reimbursed the next month. Checks from the business were used to pay Hopper’s personal bills, as much as $90,000 went to pay her mortgage and credit cards. Hopper has already pled out and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, three years of extended supervision and seven years probation. She still has around $70,000 in restitution to pay off. Meanwhile, investigators say Paul was paying all of her personal bills through Carol’s Tours, Inc in the years before the agency closed. She has a scheduling conference on the calendar next month. Paul faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, if she is convicted.
Marshland Pharmacy Burglar Pleads Guilty
2/23/12 - A Rubicon man who broke into the Marshland Pharmacy in Horicon and stole thousands of dollars worth of drugs has entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors. Alexander Metzger pleaded “guilty” Wednesday to felony charges of Burglary and Drug Possession and had eight other felony and misdemeanor charges dismissed. The 23-year-old smashed in the front glass doors to the pharmacy in September of 2009 and took over $3600 of Oxycontin. Police were tipped to the crime by an anonymous call. According to the criminal complaint, a hair found at the crime scene matched one obtained from Metzger. When he was questioned, authorities say he had a white, powdery substance crusted around his nostrils that turned out to be Oxycontin. A sentencing hearing is scheduled in April.
Accused Child Molester Arraigned
2/23/12 - A Hustisford man told a Dodge County judge yesterday during an arraignment hearing that he is “not guilty” of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Eric Bricco is charged with Second Degree Sexual Assault of a Child, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 80 years, if he is convicted. Authorities say the 19-year-old told the victims parents he was 16-years-old and home-schooled. The offenses are said to have occurred on two separate occasions last October. During the most recent incident, the two fell asleep in a car in rural Hustisford and were awoken by Dodge County Sheriffs Deputies who alerted the girl’s parents to her boyfriend’s actual age.
Municipal Judge Term Four Years Now, Not Two
2/23/12 - The City Attorney says Beaver Dam Municipal Court Judge Ken Peters, who was elected to a two-year in 2011, was actually elected to a four-year term. Mary Ann Schacht told officials in committee this week that the term extension was the result of a little-known law change that was approved in 2009 but did not go into effect until January 2011, three months before Peters was elected to a third term. Schacht says even though the term extension was not publicized during the election, there is no cause for concern. The ballot did not list the length of the term. The law change was among dozens of provisions designed to boost professionalism, increase independence and create uniformity among Wisconsin’s 250 municipal courts, which all together handle hundreds of thousands of cases each year. In Wisconsin, municipal judges are not required to be attorneys and, except in Madison and Milwaukee, work part time. Peters says it might take a new judge two years to learn the ropes and by the time they do, they could be voted out. The outcome of municipal court cases can have a major impact on defendants, who can be ordered to pay thousands of dollars in fines or spend up to three months in jail. Another key aspect of the law gives low-income defendants more chances to avoid jail or lose their driver’s licenses for failure to pay fines. Municipal judges must offer such defendants options – including community service, payment plans or extensions –before taking more drastic steps.
Lawmakers Looking for Compromise on Mining Bill
2/23/12 - Wisconsin lawmakers are looking for a compromise mining bill that majorities in both houses can accept. But Senate finance chair Alberta Darling says all sides are far apart -- and it would take "almost a miracle" to strike a deal by the time the Joint Finance Committee meets later today. Supporters of Gogebic Taconite's proposed iron ore mine near Hurley are racing to get an agreement before lawmakers adjourn for the year on March 15th. The finance panel was scheduled to make a recommendation today on the Assembly's version of the mining package passed last month. But Senate leaders say their house will not pass that version. And Assembly leaders rejected a more moderate package proposed on Tuesday by senators Dale Schultz and Bob Jauch. Senate G-O-P leader Scott Fitzgerald says two main issues are holding things up -- the question of whether a time limit for the approval of mining permits can be stretched out -- and whether mining opponents could challenge D-N-R decisions in a case hearing before a final permit is issued. Fitzgerald says a proposed fee by mining companies to cover emergencies is a lesser sticking point. But once tax credits are figured in, state fiscal analysts say Gogebic Taconite would pay about the same under either package.
Taxpayers Will Foot the Bill for Legal Battle Over Legislative Districts
2/23/12 - Wisconsin taxpayers will spend another 425-thousand dollars to help majority Republicans try to keep the new legislative districts they drew last year -- and possibly give them an edge in this fall's elections. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said Governor Scott Walker increased the limit on what outside attorneys can be paid to help the Justice Department defend a lawsuit against the new maps. The firm of Reinhart-Boerner-Van Deuren had a 500-thousand-dollar cap -- but that's now 925-thousand-dollars. The firm has already charged taxpayers 288-thousand for its work. That's on top of the 400-thousand tax dollars that G-O-P lawmakers gave Michael Best and Friedrich for helping to draw up the new districts -- which will be the subjects of a trial in federal court over the next two days.
BDPD Says Winter Parking Rules Still In Effect
2/23/12 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is reminding local residents that winter parking rules are still in effect. The parking prohibition begins with the first significant snowfall and while it could go into effect as early as December 1, it didn’t kick in until mid-January this year. Even with the mild winter, Deputy Police Chief Dan Schubert says there is still no parking allowed on city streets between 2am and 6am so that the Department of Public Works can clear the snow. Citations will be issued for violations and begin at $20 if the ticket is paid within 24 hours. The parking ban will remain in effect until April 1, unless it is announced that the ban has been temporarily or permanently lifted.
WI Representative Still Alive on Idol
2/23/12 - Western Wisconsin's representative on "American Idol" has made the Top-24. Reid Grimm of Ellsworth performed a final solo number before he was called to meet with the judges during last night's show on Fox. Grimm did a shuffle dance when he heard the good news, and Jennifer Lopez said it was the "fun part" of her day. Randy Jackson had even higher praise, saying quote, "That kid is so mad talented." Grimm is a former U-W La Crosse student who was the lead singer in a band called Three Beers 'Til Dubuque. From this point on, the viewers will decide Grimm's fate. He and the other candidates will perform before the judges and a small audience starting next week as the show's 11th season rolls on.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Top Stories February 22nd
Lake Rescue Had Citizen Heroes
2/22/12 - Eric Chouinard was fishing on Beaver Dam Lake near Round Island last Saturday, when his fishing buddy Bobby Buschke saw a half-dozen snowmobiles heading toward a 40-acre patch of open water. When they saw the headlights disappear, they teamed up with two snowmobiler friends – Jaime and Scott Hanser. Chouinard says they grabbed a rope from a neighboring ice shanty and headed toward the so-called goose hole. 43-year-old Paula Aufdermauer was on the edge of the ice but was unable to get out. The four pulled her to safety but her 13-year-old son Ryan was farther out, apparently tired and struggling to swim. Chouinard says Ryan gave it all he could and swum close enough to the rope for them to pull him in. While may have gotten out of the water, they weren’t out of the woods just yet as the ice began to crack and they had to retreat even further away from the rapidly expanding goose hole. The hovercraft then arrived on scene. 46-year-old Randy Pearce was rescued while clinging to a piece of ice. 45-year-old Allen Aufdermauer did not survive. Chouinard is downplaying his role and says he’s got children of his own and he hopes that someone would do the same for them.
Ryan is Recalled
2/22/12 - Voters in Sheboygan removed Mayor Bob Ryan yesterday with 14 months left in his only term. Former state Representative Terry Van Akkeren defeated Ryan 53-to-47 percent in the city's first-ever mayoral recall. Ryan failed to carry his own ward, as he had five-thousand-247 votes to Van Akkeren's six-thousand-four. Ryan was targeted for three alcohol-related episodes in his nearly three years in office -- primarily for a three-day drinking binge in Elkhart Lake last July. Van Akkeren, who lost to Ryan in 2009, will be sworn in at the next Sheboygan City Council meeting on March fifth. He said he was glad city residents have faith in him and quote, "It's time to reunite the community again." Ryan said he hoped his accomplishments would have spoken louder than the media and his private life did -- and he said he has nothing to be ashamed of. Ryan says he's getting counseling for his alcoholism. And he told supporters quote, "If you want a person who never gives up and is an exemplary employee, I'm available."
GOP Says It Can’t Redraw Voting Districts
2/22/12 - Republican lawmakers say they legally cannot redraw the new state legislative and congressional districts they approved last summer. A trial on those maps was supposed to begin yesterday in federal court in Milwaukee. But a three-judge panel asked the G-O-P to redraw the boundaries to consider objections from the plaintiffs -- two groups of Democrats and Hispanics. State attorney Dan Kelly told the judges late yesterday the G-O-P was willing to consider a re-draft -- but a State Supreme Court opinion from 1954 prevents it. The plaintiffs disagreed. One of them, former state Senate Democratic leader Judy Robson, said the Republicans would have to admit they were wrong -- and quote, "given their arrogance," they would never admit that. Meanwhile, it's not clear when testimony in the trial will begin. The panel says it will rule today on a request from legislative attorney Jim Troupis to limit his testimony on the grounds of attorney-client privilege. The plaintiffs have subpoenaed Troupis to explain how the new district lines were drawn in Milwaukee's Hispanic areas. A Hispanic group accused the G-O-P of trying to dilute the Latinos' influence in the Legislature.
Pilot Suffered From Vertigo
2/22/12 - The Air Force says that a fighter pilot suffered from vertigo as his cockpit fogged up during an air show at the E-A-A gathering in Oshkosh last July. An investigative report said the pilot thought about ejecting after he lost visibility – but he decided to land the aircraft because he was worried that hundreds of spectators might get hurt. The F-16-C Falcon plane did land safely with no injuries – but it left the runway and veered 300-feet into the grass infield. That caused over five-million-dollars in damage to the aircraft, but there was minimal damage to Wittman Airport at Oshkosh. The pilot was from the Alabama Air National Guard, but he was not named in the report. It said the fog in the cockpit was caused by a problem with the plane’s environmental control system – and the pilot could not see the end of the runway approaching. He apparently tried to de-fog the plane, but couldn’t. Had he seen the instrument references, the Air Force said the pilot would have stopped the plane well ahead of the end of the runway. Instead, the nose wheel broke when it hit the soft infield. The jet was from the 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field in Alabama. It was part of the Tuskegee Airman show at last year’s E-A-A – and investigators said the craft was properly maintained.
Link Responds to Attacks
2/22/12 - Columbus Mayor Bob Link responded to social media attacks against City staff for recent changes to City Recreation policies. Link denied rumors labeling him as “anti-recreation.” The Mayor said he was sorry for all the bad feelings. Volunteer groups working with youth baseball, football and softball do not currently receive City financial oversight. When he requested a financial report from one group the Mayor was told it was “none of your business.” Link responded that City tax dollars are used for the playing fields and the City should be handling registration fees.
CAE Hears About Grant Money
2/22/12 - The Columbus Area Endowment packed Julies Java Hut this past week with over 50 representatives from nonprofit organizations. They were on hand to learn more about a local source of grant money. The CAE has a $100 thousand dollar plus nest egg and the first year of grant-giving behind them. They’re hoping to provide grants well into the future. The CAE also congratulated the 2011 CAE Grant winners: Columbus Club House, the Senior Center, Community Hospital and Fire Department.
DC Board Approves Chairman’s Pay
2/22/12 - The Dodge County Board Chairman will continue to make $12,000 a year for the next two years. On a 32-1 vote the Board of Supervisors approved keeping the salary as it’s been for the past few years. The lone no vote came from Supervisor Eugene Wurtz. He said he doesn’t approve of what he called “double-dipping”. The idea that the chairman would get his base salary and also get a stipend for the meetings he attends. Wurtz introduced an amendment changing the pay structure but it failed due to a lack of a second. Supervisor Robert Ballweg said he was ok with the salary but wondered if there should be a list of expectations to justify it. The chairman’s seat is up for reelection among the board every two years with the next vote coming in April.
St. Patrick’s Church Sold
2/22/12 - The former St. Patrick’s church in Beaver Dam has been sold. Praise Assembly of God has purchased the downtown building that had a closing ceremony on November 20th and hasn’t been used for Mass for more than six years. Praise Assembly, which was established in 1985, has been holding services for its 85-members at the Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre since the middle of 2008. Officials say services could be held at the church as early as this weekend.
If you have a cell phone, you might not have to pay for as many text messages for unwanted sales pitches. The state Assembly voted 94-to-nothing last night to add text messages to Wisconsin's popular do-not-call list for telemarketers. The bill now goes to Governor Scott Walker for his signature. More than two-point-three million phone numbers are on the state's no-call list -- and over half those are cell phones. Charities and political candidates are exempt from the no-call law, along with companies you've done business with.
BDPD Says Winter Parking Rules Still in Effect
2/22/12 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is reminding local residents that winter parking rules are still in effect. The parking prohibition begins with the first significant snowfall and while it could go into effect as early as December 1, it didn’t kick in until mid-January this year. Even with the mild winter, Deputy Police Chief Dan Schubert says there is still no parking allowed on city streets between 2am and 6am so that the Department of Public Works can clear the snow. Citations will be issued for violations and begin at $20 if the ticket is paid within 24 hours. The parking ban will remain in effect until April 1, unless it is announced that the ban has been temporarily or permanently lifted.
2/22/12 - Eric Chouinard was fishing on Beaver Dam Lake near Round Island last Saturday, when his fishing buddy Bobby Buschke saw a half-dozen snowmobiles heading toward a 40-acre patch of open water. When they saw the headlights disappear, they teamed up with two snowmobiler friends – Jaime and Scott Hanser. Chouinard says they grabbed a rope from a neighboring ice shanty and headed toward the so-called goose hole. 43-year-old Paula Aufdermauer was on the edge of the ice but was unable to get out. The four pulled her to safety but her 13-year-old son Ryan was farther out, apparently tired and struggling to swim. Chouinard says Ryan gave it all he could and swum close enough to the rope for them to pull him in. While may have gotten out of the water, they weren’t out of the woods just yet as the ice began to crack and they had to retreat even further away from the rapidly expanding goose hole. The hovercraft then arrived on scene. 46-year-old Randy Pearce was rescued while clinging to a piece of ice. 45-year-old Allen Aufdermauer did not survive. Chouinard is downplaying his role and says he’s got children of his own and he hopes that someone would do the same for them.
Ryan is Recalled
2/22/12 - Voters in Sheboygan removed Mayor Bob Ryan yesterday with 14 months left in his only term. Former state Representative Terry Van Akkeren defeated Ryan 53-to-47 percent in the city's first-ever mayoral recall. Ryan failed to carry his own ward, as he had five-thousand-247 votes to Van Akkeren's six-thousand-four. Ryan was targeted for three alcohol-related episodes in his nearly three years in office -- primarily for a three-day drinking binge in Elkhart Lake last July. Van Akkeren, who lost to Ryan in 2009, will be sworn in at the next Sheboygan City Council meeting on March fifth. He said he was glad city residents have faith in him and quote, "It's time to reunite the community again." Ryan said he hoped his accomplishments would have spoken louder than the media and his private life did -- and he said he has nothing to be ashamed of. Ryan says he's getting counseling for his alcoholism. And he told supporters quote, "If you want a person who never gives up and is an exemplary employee, I'm available."
GOP Says It Can’t Redraw Voting Districts
2/22/12 - Republican lawmakers say they legally cannot redraw the new state legislative and congressional districts they approved last summer. A trial on those maps was supposed to begin yesterday in federal court in Milwaukee. But a three-judge panel asked the G-O-P to redraw the boundaries to consider objections from the plaintiffs -- two groups of Democrats and Hispanics. State attorney Dan Kelly told the judges late yesterday the G-O-P was willing to consider a re-draft -- but a State Supreme Court opinion from 1954 prevents it. The plaintiffs disagreed. One of them, former state Senate Democratic leader Judy Robson, said the Republicans would have to admit they were wrong -- and quote, "given their arrogance," they would never admit that. Meanwhile, it's not clear when testimony in the trial will begin. The panel says it will rule today on a request from legislative attorney Jim Troupis to limit his testimony on the grounds of attorney-client privilege. The plaintiffs have subpoenaed Troupis to explain how the new district lines were drawn in Milwaukee's Hispanic areas. A Hispanic group accused the G-O-P of trying to dilute the Latinos' influence in the Legislature.
Pilot Suffered From Vertigo
2/22/12 - The Air Force says that a fighter pilot suffered from vertigo as his cockpit fogged up during an air show at the E-A-A gathering in Oshkosh last July. An investigative report said the pilot thought about ejecting after he lost visibility – but he decided to land the aircraft because he was worried that hundreds of spectators might get hurt. The F-16-C Falcon plane did land safely with no injuries – but it left the runway and veered 300-feet into the grass infield. That caused over five-million-dollars in damage to the aircraft, but there was minimal damage to Wittman Airport at Oshkosh. The pilot was from the Alabama Air National Guard, but he was not named in the report. It said the fog in the cockpit was caused by a problem with the plane’s environmental control system – and the pilot could not see the end of the runway approaching. He apparently tried to de-fog the plane, but couldn’t. Had he seen the instrument references, the Air Force said the pilot would have stopped the plane well ahead of the end of the runway. Instead, the nose wheel broke when it hit the soft infield. The jet was from the 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field in Alabama. It was part of the Tuskegee Airman show at last year’s E-A-A – and investigators said the craft was properly maintained.
Link Responds to Attacks
2/22/12 - Columbus Mayor Bob Link responded to social media attacks against City staff for recent changes to City Recreation policies. Link denied rumors labeling him as “anti-recreation.” The Mayor said he was sorry for all the bad feelings. Volunteer groups working with youth baseball, football and softball do not currently receive City financial oversight. When he requested a financial report from one group the Mayor was told it was “none of your business.” Link responded that City tax dollars are used for the playing fields and the City should be handling registration fees.
CAE Hears About Grant Money
2/22/12 - The Columbus Area Endowment packed Julies Java Hut this past week with over 50 representatives from nonprofit organizations. They were on hand to learn more about a local source of grant money. The CAE has a $100 thousand dollar plus nest egg and the first year of grant-giving behind them. They’re hoping to provide grants well into the future. The CAE also congratulated the 2011 CAE Grant winners: Columbus Club House, the Senior Center, Community Hospital and Fire Department.
DC Board Approves Chairman’s Pay
2/22/12 - The Dodge County Board Chairman will continue to make $12,000 a year for the next two years. On a 32-1 vote the Board of Supervisors approved keeping the salary as it’s been for the past few years. The lone no vote came from Supervisor Eugene Wurtz. He said he doesn’t approve of what he called “double-dipping”. The idea that the chairman would get his base salary and also get a stipend for the meetings he attends. Wurtz introduced an amendment changing the pay structure but it failed due to a lack of a second. Supervisor Robert Ballweg said he was ok with the salary but wondered if there should be a list of expectations to justify it. The chairman’s seat is up for reelection among the board every two years with the next vote coming in April.
St. Patrick’s Church Sold
2/22/12 - The former St. Patrick’s church in Beaver Dam has been sold. Praise Assembly of God has purchased the downtown building that had a closing ceremony on November 20th and hasn’t been used for Mass for more than six years. Praise Assembly, which was established in 1985, has been holding services for its 85-members at the Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre since the middle of 2008. Officials say services could be held at the church as early as this weekend.
If you have a cell phone, you might not have to pay for as many text messages for unwanted sales pitches. The state Assembly voted 94-to-nothing last night to add text messages to Wisconsin's popular do-not-call list for telemarketers. The bill now goes to Governor Scott Walker for his signature. More than two-point-three million phone numbers are on the state's no-call list -- and over half those are cell phones. Charities and political candidates are exempt from the no-call law, along with companies you've done business with.
BDPD Says Winter Parking Rules Still in Effect
2/22/12 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is reminding local residents that winter parking rules are still in effect. The parking prohibition begins with the first significant snowfall and while it could go into effect as early as December 1, it didn’t kick in until mid-January this year. Even with the mild winter, Deputy Police Chief Dan Schubert says there is still no parking allowed on city streets between 2am and 6am so that the Department of Public Works can clear the snow. Citations will be issued for violations and begin at $20 if the ticket is paid within 24 hours. The parking ban will remain in effect until April 1, unless it is announced that the ban has been temporarily or permanently lifted.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Top Stories February 21st
DNR Again Warning of Ice Dangers
2/21/12 - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Warden Heather Gottschalk is again urging the public not to go out on the ice. The warning comes in response to this weekend’s fatal snowmobile accident on Beaver Dam Lake that claimed the life of 45-year-old Allen Aufdermauer. He was one of six people from the Neosho-area who encountered open water on Saturday. 43-year-old Paula Aufdermauer, 46-year-old Randy Pearce and a 13-year-old boy were also transported to the hospital. Gottschalk says there was never good ice this year and Beaver Dam Lake is “extremely unstable” with several heaves, cracks, uneven ice and open water. She adds the decision to go out on the ice puts your life at risk and the lives of first responders.
BD Council Splits On $300K No Bid Contract
2/21/12 - By a narrow vote, the Beaver Dam Common Council last night tabled a resolution to hire MSA Professional Services to do engineering work on the city’s newest business park. Administrative Committee Chair Don Neuert says it would have been irresponsible to taxpayers to award a $300,000 contract without going out for bid. The Operations Committee signed off on the contract last week and Chair Laine Meyer says it would be foolish to have another engineering firm jump into the middle of a project, especially given the fact that MSA is the city’s contracted consulting engineer and has worked on this project since the beginning. The debate grew heated at times with Mayor Tom Kennedy warning alderpersons that they would be voting against staff recommendations and Alderman Neuert taking offense to the warnings. The city is in the process of expanding TIF #4 on the north side to include a third business park and engineering work on the $3 million dollar project would lay the ground work for infrastructure construction, like electric and water utilities, including the erection of a north side water tower. Under the motion approved last night on a 6 to 5 vote, city officials will seek bids from three companies with hopes of having numbers available by next month to review and compare.
Family Center Supporting Filtration Pond
2/21/12 - The Beaver Dam Common Council approved plans to start work on a new storm water management pond near the Family Center. The basins are part of a state DNR-mandate that requires municipalities to filter pollutants from storm water. Officials are trying to construct one pond a year. While several locations have been identified, Beaver Dam is running out of city-owned property and has already had several sites rejected, for everything from contamination concerns to a wetlands designation. Officials say they have identified an ideal spot near Prospect Avenue and Jacob Gassen’s Way, right near the Family Center. For starters, the grassy field is located at the intersection of four large storm sewers. The project would also tie-into the city’s 2013 reconstruction of Prospect Avenue which is being done in conjunction with a state reconstruction of Highway 151. Council action last night allows the city to hire the state contractor to remove dirt from the pond site for use in ramp construction. The price tag is $25,000, which is about $100,000 cheaper than it would have been without the agreement. The Family Center Board told the city’s Operations Committee last week that the non-profit organization has long considered making an offer on the city-owned parcel to add a second ice rink. Family Center Board President Paul Uttech asked the city’s Operations Committee last week to consider building a pond somewhere else. Operations Committee Chair Laine Meyer said he would give the Family Center a week to determine if they were ready to move forward in the immediate future. Uttech told the city last night that his board agreed the pond project was in the best interest of the city. He says the Family Center board will further explore a city offer to use the water filtration pond in the cold weather months as an outdoor skating rink.
Former Alderman Capelle Remembered
2/21/12 - The Beaver Dam Common Council held a moment of silence at the onset of last night’s meeting for former Alderman Terry Capelle, who died last week at the age of 70. Capelle served on the council and various committees from April of 1995 through April of 2007.
DNR Again Warning Of Ice Dangers
2/21/12 - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Warden Heather Gottschalk is again urging the public not to go out on the ice. The warning comes in response to this weekend’s fatal snowmobile accident on Beaver Dam Lake that claimed the life of 45-year-old Allen Aufdermauer. He was one of six people from the Neosho-area who encountered open water on Saturday. 43-year-old Paula Aufdermauer, 46-year-old Randy Pearce and a 13-year-old boy were also transported to the hospital. Gottschalk says there was never good ice this year and Beaver Dam Lake is “extremely unstable” with several heaves, cracks, uneven ice and open water. She adds the decision to go out on the ice puts your life at risk and the lives of first responders.
Sheriff’s Department Release 911 Call
Teagan Marti Walking Again
2/21/12 - There was a heart-tugging moment in Madison Monday, when a teenage girl who fell 100-feet at a Wisconsin Dells amusement park walked up to a podium under her own power. Teagan Marti returned to American Family Children’s Hospital for the first time since she broke her spine and pelvis in July of 2010. She helped announce a new 32-million-dollar expansion to the Madison hospital, which will provide specialized pediatric care. Teagan fell from the Terminal Velocity ride at Extreme World in Lake Delton. And after she was airlifted to the hospital, no one could say if she would ever walk again. But yesterday, hospital staffers and reporters alike watched in awe as she walked up to the podium. It was her first visit to the Madison children’s hospital since her treatment which followed the accident. A fund-raising campaign brought in just over half the cost of the new addition, and the hospital is picking up the rest. Construction is due to begin later this year. The first phase is expected to be ready by 2014. It will add 26 critical care beds, along with heart care and imaging services.
All But One Campbellsport Victim Out of Hospital
2/21/12 - All but one of the six Campbellsport High School girls who survived a van crash 16 days ago are home from the hospital. Officials at Milwaukee Children’s Hospital said yesterday that 16-year-old Allie Adams has been sent home. That leaves 16-year-old Jessica Harbin as the only one still hospitalized – and her family is not allowing condition reports to be released. Caitlin Scannell, Sabrina Stahl, and Katie Berg were killed in the van crash on February fourth on a rural road close to Campbellsport High. Authorities said the van lost control at excessive speed at the bottom of the hill – and it rolled over in a frozen field. The nine girls were on the Campbellsport varsity and junior varsity girls’ soccer teams. Officials say the crash remains under investigation. The driver, 18-year-old Carly Ottery, is among those back home after getting treatment.
Klingbeil Formally Charged With OWI Injury
2/21/12 - A Clyman man has been formally charged in connection with a weekend drunk driving accident that resulted in injuries. Ronald Klingbeil is charged with felony Operating While Intoxicated, Causing Injury – Second Offense and misdemeanor Operating After Revocation. Authorities say the 61-year-old has not had a driver’s license for over 30 years and has three previous OWI’s. Klingbeil was traveling southbound on Highway 67 Saturday afternoon in the Town of Hubbard when veered onto the shoulder of the road, lost control of his vehicle, spun counter-clockwise into the opposite lane of traffic and collided with a northbound vehicle. Both vehicles wound up in the ditch. The driver of the other vehicle sustained back injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital. Klingbeil had neck injuries and was taken into custody after his brief hospital stay. His blood alcohol level was allegedly over the legal limit for driving at point-two-zero-eight (.208). If convicted, the charges carry a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and another two-and-a-half year’s without a driver’s license.
Columbus Referendum Target Reflects Tolerable Mill Rate Increase
2/21/12 - Columbus Schools’ Facilities Committee members were briefed on tax payer costs for the referendum expected next Nov. Financial Advisor Carol Wirth told the Committee that the projects being discussed would result in an increase in tax levy. Superintendent Bryan Davis said that most School referenda do not meet voter approval when increases get too high. In the Columbus District that would be about $28 million. The Committee will have to pare down the scope of the three $40 million dollars project options under discussion. The Committee meets again on Feb. 29.
2/21/12 - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Warden Heather Gottschalk is again urging the public not to go out on the ice. The warning comes in response to this weekend’s fatal snowmobile accident on Beaver Dam Lake that claimed the life of 45-year-old Allen Aufdermauer. He was one of six people from the Neosho-area who encountered open water on Saturday. 43-year-old Paula Aufdermauer, 46-year-old Randy Pearce and a 13-year-old boy were also transported to the hospital. Gottschalk says there was never good ice this year and Beaver Dam Lake is “extremely unstable” with several heaves, cracks, uneven ice and open water. She adds the decision to go out on the ice puts your life at risk and the lives of first responders.
BD Council Splits On $300K No Bid Contract
2/21/12 - By a narrow vote, the Beaver Dam Common Council last night tabled a resolution to hire MSA Professional Services to do engineering work on the city’s newest business park. Administrative Committee Chair Don Neuert says it would have been irresponsible to taxpayers to award a $300,000 contract without going out for bid. The Operations Committee signed off on the contract last week and Chair Laine Meyer says it would be foolish to have another engineering firm jump into the middle of a project, especially given the fact that MSA is the city’s contracted consulting engineer and has worked on this project since the beginning. The debate grew heated at times with Mayor Tom Kennedy warning alderpersons that they would be voting against staff recommendations and Alderman Neuert taking offense to the warnings. The city is in the process of expanding TIF #4 on the north side to include a third business park and engineering work on the $3 million dollar project would lay the ground work for infrastructure construction, like electric and water utilities, including the erection of a north side water tower. Under the motion approved last night on a 6 to 5 vote, city officials will seek bids from three companies with hopes of having numbers available by next month to review and compare.
Family Center Supporting Filtration Pond
2/21/12 - The Beaver Dam Common Council approved plans to start work on a new storm water management pond near the Family Center. The basins are part of a state DNR-mandate that requires municipalities to filter pollutants from storm water. Officials are trying to construct one pond a year. While several locations have been identified, Beaver Dam is running out of city-owned property and has already had several sites rejected, for everything from contamination concerns to a wetlands designation. Officials say they have identified an ideal spot near Prospect Avenue and Jacob Gassen’s Way, right near the Family Center. For starters, the grassy field is located at the intersection of four large storm sewers. The project would also tie-into the city’s 2013 reconstruction of Prospect Avenue which is being done in conjunction with a state reconstruction of Highway 151. Council action last night allows the city to hire the state contractor to remove dirt from the pond site for use in ramp construction. The price tag is $25,000, which is about $100,000 cheaper than it would have been without the agreement. The Family Center Board told the city’s Operations Committee last week that the non-profit organization has long considered making an offer on the city-owned parcel to add a second ice rink. Family Center Board President Paul Uttech asked the city’s Operations Committee last week to consider building a pond somewhere else. Operations Committee Chair Laine Meyer said he would give the Family Center a week to determine if they were ready to move forward in the immediate future. Uttech told the city last night that his board agreed the pond project was in the best interest of the city. He says the Family Center board will further explore a city offer to use the water filtration pond in the cold weather months as an outdoor skating rink.
Former Alderman Capelle Remembered
2/21/12 - The Beaver Dam Common Council held a moment of silence at the onset of last night’s meeting for former Alderman Terry Capelle, who died last week at the age of 70. Capelle served on the council and various committees from April of 1995 through April of 2007.
DNR Again Warning Of Ice Dangers
2/21/12 - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Warden Heather Gottschalk is again urging the public not to go out on the ice. The warning comes in response to this weekend’s fatal snowmobile accident on Beaver Dam Lake that claimed the life of 45-year-old Allen Aufdermauer. He was one of six people from the Neosho-area who encountered open water on Saturday. 43-year-old Paula Aufdermauer, 46-year-old Randy Pearce and a 13-year-old boy were also transported to the hospital. Gottschalk says there was never good ice this year and Beaver Dam Lake is “extremely unstable” with several heaves, cracks, uneven ice and open water. She adds the decision to go out on the ice puts your life at risk and the lives of first responders.
Sheriff’s Department Release 911 Call
Teagan Marti Walking Again
2/21/12 - There was a heart-tugging moment in Madison Monday, when a teenage girl who fell 100-feet at a Wisconsin Dells amusement park walked up to a podium under her own power. Teagan Marti returned to American Family Children’s Hospital for the first time since she broke her spine and pelvis in July of 2010. She helped announce a new 32-million-dollar expansion to the Madison hospital, which will provide specialized pediatric care. Teagan fell from the Terminal Velocity ride at Extreme World in Lake Delton. And after she was airlifted to the hospital, no one could say if she would ever walk again. But yesterday, hospital staffers and reporters alike watched in awe as she walked up to the podium. It was her first visit to the Madison children’s hospital since her treatment which followed the accident. A fund-raising campaign brought in just over half the cost of the new addition, and the hospital is picking up the rest. Construction is due to begin later this year. The first phase is expected to be ready by 2014. It will add 26 critical care beds, along with heart care and imaging services.
All But One Campbellsport Victim Out of Hospital
2/21/12 - All but one of the six Campbellsport High School girls who survived a van crash 16 days ago are home from the hospital. Officials at Milwaukee Children’s Hospital said yesterday that 16-year-old Allie Adams has been sent home. That leaves 16-year-old Jessica Harbin as the only one still hospitalized – and her family is not allowing condition reports to be released. Caitlin Scannell, Sabrina Stahl, and Katie Berg were killed in the van crash on February fourth on a rural road close to Campbellsport High. Authorities said the van lost control at excessive speed at the bottom of the hill – and it rolled over in a frozen field. The nine girls were on the Campbellsport varsity and junior varsity girls’ soccer teams. Officials say the crash remains under investigation. The driver, 18-year-old Carly Ottery, is among those back home after getting treatment.
Klingbeil Formally Charged With OWI Injury
2/21/12 - A Clyman man has been formally charged in connection with a weekend drunk driving accident that resulted in injuries. Ronald Klingbeil is charged with felony Operating While Intoxicated, Causing Injury – Second Offense and misdemeanor Operating After Revocation. Authorities say the 61-year-old has not had a driver’s license for over 30 years and has three previous OWI’s. Klingbeil was traveling southbound on Highway 67 Saturday afternoon in the Town of Hubbard when veered onto the shoulder of the road, lost control of his vehicle, spun counter-clockwise into the opposite lane of traffic and collided with a northbound vehicle. Both vehicles wound up in the ditch. The driver of the other vehicle sustained back injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital. Klingbeil had neck injuries and was taken into custody after his brief hospital stay. His blood alcohol level was allegedly over the legal limit for driving at point-two-zero-eight (.208). If convicted, the charges carry a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and another two-and-a-half year’s without a driver’s license.
Columbus Referendum Target Reflects Tolerable Mill Rate Increase
2/21/12 - Columbus Schools’ Facilities Committee members were briefed on tax payer costs for the referendum expected next Nov. Financial Advisor Carol Wirth told the Committee that the projects being discussed would result in an increase in tax levy. Superintendent Bryan Davis said that most School referenda do not meet voter approval when increases get too high. In the Columbus District that would be about $28 million. The Committee will have to pare down the scope of the three $40 million dollars project options under discussion. The Committee meets again on Feb. 29.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Top Stories February 20th
Snowmobile Fatality Occurred In Goose Hole
2/20/12 - It was a tragic weekend on Beaver Dam Lake after a group of a half dozen snowmobile riders fell into the water. One person was killed and three were transported to the hospital. Dodge County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Loos says the call was reported to dispatch at 6:30pm and the rescue operation took two hours until they pulled the last person out, who was the fatality. There was initial concern because first responders were not sure if there were six people involved or seven. Two of the six were able to ride their snowmobile back to shore. The incident occurred in the middle of the lake but most emergency personnel assembled at Beaver Dam’s Waterworks Park. Loos says the snowmobiles did not crash through the ice but instead hit an open patch of water. He described the area as a “goose hole” where geese have congregated for most of the season. The incident is under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. There was also help from fire departments in Horicon, Hustisford, Fox Lake and Beaver Dam along with Dodge County Sheriffs Department, Beaver Dam Police Department, the Air One Helicopter and the Fond du Lac and Columbia County dive teams. Loos says if the ice rescue equipment and the personnel trained to use it were did not respond then there probably would have been more fatalities than one. The names of those involved have not yet been released but Sheriff Todd Nehls confirmed that the man killed was a family member. All the victims were from Beaver Dam and ranged in age from their teens to their 40’s.
Two Dead, Three Hurt in Town of Ixonia Crash
Apt Fire Update: All But One Unit Cleared For Occupancy
2/20/12 - All but one unit in this weekend’s apartment fire in Beaver Dam has been cleared for occupancy. Crews were called out Saturday morning just before noon to the 100 block of Judson Drive. Chief Alan Mannel says fire damage was restricted to one upstairs unit, where the blaze started though there was minor water damage on the first floor. There were no injuries. Mannel says the management company got the alarm working by Saturday evening and all of the residents were allowed to return except those in the affected unit. The Beaver Dam Police Department is conducting the investigation into the cause of the fire.
New Voter-ID Law to be Used Tomorrow
2/20/12 - Almost 30-percent of Wisconsin communities will hold local primary elections tomorrow – and they’ll be the first to require voters to show photo I-D’s under the new law passed last year. About 525 cities, villages, and towns will have primaries for various local government and school board positions. There are no statewide contests. The biggest election could be in Sheboygan, where half the city’s 30-thousand voters are expected to turn out for a mayoral recall election. Mayor Bob Ryan will be challenged by former state Representative Terry Van Akkeren. Sheboygan City Clerk Sue Richards says a lot of different things are being thrown at the voters and the poll workers but quote, “We’re working our way through them.” Workshops have been held to train poll workers on the photo I-D law – and voters could see more of those people. In Green Bay, each ward will have five poll workers instead of three – and one poll worker in each ward will focus solely on the I-D law. Voters will have to sign in before getting ballots. Green Bay Interim City Clerk Kris Teske says her people are ready, and they expect no problems. Reid Magney of the Government Accountability Board says those who vote in primaries are generally more engaged, so his agency does not expect problems tomorrow. The first statewide test of the new I-D law will be on April third, when Wisconsin holds its presidential primary on the same day that local contests will be decided.
The Pope of Dodge County
2/20/12 - There has been international talk that the former archbishop who once headed the archdiocese that oversees Dodge County could become the Pope one day. Former Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan received a lot of attention and praise for his speech on Saturday about spreading the faith at Vatican City. Some Italian media are describing Dolan as having the qualities to be pope someday. Dolan was one of 22 Catholic churchmen ordained as Cardinals this weekend. For decades the leader of the Roman Catholic Church has been Polish or German, but Italy now has 30 Cardinals younger than 80 years old – and those are the ones eligible to vote for a future conclave. While it is unlikely, it is not impossible for an American to be named leader of the Catholic Church. The current pope reportedly described Dolan’s speech as, quoting here, “enthusiastic, joyful and profound.”
Fondy Police Officer Facing Possible OWI Charges
2/20/12 - An off-duty Fond du Lac police officer could face charges of drunken driving and hit-and-run in connection with an accident early Friday morning. The officer was reportedly driving his personal vehicle at about 2am when he hit a parked vehicle. He is then accused of leaving the scene, but a neighbor who witnessed the accident had called 9-1-1. A Fond du Lac squad car pulled over the suspect in his vehicle, finding front-end damage and a broken headlight. The police department reports it has started an internal investigation. The 12-year veteran of the police force is on paid administrative leave while the case is investigated.
Kennedy Has Listening Session on Tuesday
2/20/12 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy has listening sessions scheduled for Tuesday. City residents are invited to meet with the mayor without appointment, in a one-on-one setting, on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Kennedy says he wants constituents to have the opportunity to speak with him the day after each regular meeting of the common council. The listening sessions are held in Room 109 on the first floor of City Hall from 10am until noon and again from 5pm to 6pm. If the regular schedule doesn’t fir into your schedule, residents are encouraged to schedule a private meeting through the mayor’s office.
2nd Person Wins $1M in WI Lottery
2/20/12 - We could find out this week who won Wisconsin’s second million-dollar lottery prize in six days. A ticket sold at a Weiler convenience store in Marshfield won a million dollars in Friday night’s Mega Millions’ drawing by buying the Megaplier option and matching all five regular numbers but not the Mega Ball. Friday’s Megaplier was three, but those who win the quarter-million-dollar second prize with the multiplier automatically get a million. Friday’s numbers were 16, 25, 28, 32, and 40. The Mega Ball was three. The big winner has almost six months to claim the prize at the state Lottery office in Madison. On February 11th, Christy Stanczak of West Allis won the second prize of a million dollars in Powerball. Tomorrow night’s Mega Millions jackpot is 72-million-dollars, and Powerball is at 60-million for Wednesday night.
2/20/12 - It was a tragic weekend on Beaver Dam Lake after a group of a half dozen snowmobile riders fell into the water. One person was killed and three were transported to the hospital. Dodge County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Loos says the call was reported to dispatch at 6:30pm and the rescue operation took two hours until they pulled the last person out, who was the fatality. There was initial concern because first responders were not sure if there were six people involved or seven. Two of the six were able to ride their snowmobile back to shore. The incident occurred in the middle of the lake but most emergency personnel assembled at Beaver Dam’s Waterworks Park. Loos says the snowmobiles did not crash through the ice but instead hit an open patch of water. He described the area as a “goose hole” where geese have congregated for most of the season. The incident is under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. There was also help from fire departments in Horicon, Hustisford, Fox Lake and Beaver Dam along with Dodge County Sheriffs Department, Beaver Dam Police Department, the Air One Helicopter and the Fond du Lac and Columbia County dive teams. Loos says if the ice rescue equipment and the personnel trained to use it were did not respond then there probably would have been more fatalities than one. The names of those involved have not yet been released but Sheriff Todd Nehls confirmed that the man killed was a family member. All the victims were from Beaver Dam and ranged in age from their teens to their 40’s.
Two Dead, Three Hurt in Town of Ixonia Crash
2/20/12 - Two people were killed and three others were injured in an accident southeast of Watertown last night. It happened at the intersection of Highway 16 and North Street just after 5:30pm in the town of Ixonia. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, a pickup truck heading west on Highway 16 collided with a Buick when the car pulled away from the stop sign and into the path of the truck. One man and one woman in the car were killed and two other were taken to the hospital. A passenger in the truck was also taken to the hospital. No names have been released but officials say the people in the car are from the Hartford and West Bend area.
Apt Fire Update: All But One Unit Cleared For Occupancy
2/20/12 - All but one unit in this weekend’s apartment fire in Beaver Dam has been cleared for occupancy. Crews were called out Saturday morning just before noon to the 100 block of Judson Drive. Chief Alan Mannel says fire damage was restricted to one upstairs unit, where the blaze started though there was minor water damage on the first floor. There were no injuries. Mannel says the management company got the alarm working by Saturday evening and all of the residents were allowed to return except those in the affected unit. The Beaver Dam Police Department is conducting the investigation into the cause of the fire.
New Voter-ID Law to be Used Tomorrow
2/20/12 - Almost 30-percent of Wisconsin communities will hold local primary elections tomorrow – and they’ll be the first to require voters to show photo I-D’s under the new law passed last year. About 525 cities, villages, and towns will have primaries for various local government and school board positions. There are no statewide contests. The biggest election could be in Sheboygan, where half the city’s 30-thousand voters are expected to turn out for a mayoral recall election. Mayor Bob Ryan will be challenged by former state Representative Terry Van Akkeren. Sheboygan City Clerk Sue Richards says a lot of different things are being thrown at the voters and the poll workers but quote, “We’re working our way through them.” Workshops have been held to train poll workers on the photo I-D law – and voters could see more of those people. In Green Bay, each ward will have five poll workers instead of three – and one poll worker in each ward will focus solely on the I-D law. Voters will have to sign in before getting ballots. Green Bay Interim City Clerk Kris Teske says her people are ready, and they expect no problems. Reid Magney of the Government Accountability Board says those who vote in primaries are generally more engaged, so his agency does not expect problems tomorrow. The first statewide test of the new I-D law will be on April third, when Wisconsin holds its presidential primary on the same day that local contests will be decided.
The Pope of Dodge County
2/20/12 - There has been international talk that the former archbishop who once headed the archdiocese that oversees Dodge County could become the Pope one day. Former Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan received a lot of attention and praise for his speech on Saturday about spreading the faith at Vatican City. Some Italian media are describing Dolan as having the qualities to be pope someday. Dolan was one of 22 Catholic churchmen ordained as Cardinals this weekend. For decades the leader of the Roman Catholic Church has been Polish or German, but Italy now has 30 Cardinals younger than 80 years old – and those are the ones eligible to vote for a future conclave. While it is unlikely, it is not impossible for an American to be named leader of the Catholic Church. The current pope reportedly described Dolan’s speech as, quoting here, “enthusiastic, joyful and profound.”
Fondy Police Officer Facing Possible OWI Charges
2/20/12 - An off-duty Fond du Lac police officer could face charges of drunken driving and hit-and-run in connection with an accident early Friday morning. The officer was reportedly driving his personal vehicle at about 2am when he hit a parked vehicle. He is then accused of leaving the scene, but a neighbor who witnessed the accident had called 9-1-1. A Fond du Lac squad car pulled over the suspect in his vehicle, finding front-end damage and a broken headlight. The police department reports it has started an internal investigation. The 12-year veteran of the police force is on paid administrative leave while the case is investigated.
Kennedy Has Listening Session on Tuesday
2/20/12 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy has listening sessions scheduled for Tuesday. City residents are invited to meet with the mayor without appointment, in a one-on-one setting, on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Kennedy says he wants constituents to have the opportunity to speak with him the day after each regular meeting of the common council. The listening sessions are held in Room 109 on the first floor of City Hall from 10am until noon and again from 5pm to 6pm. If the regular schedule doesn’t fir into your schedule, residents are encouraged to schedule a private meeting through the mayor’s office.
2nd Person Wins $1M in WI Lottery
2/20/12 - We could find out this week who won Wisconsin’s second million-dollar lottery prize in six days. A ticket sold at a Weiler convenience store in Marshfield won a million dollars in Friday night’s Mega Millions’ drawing by buying the Megaplier option and matching all five regular numbers but not the Mega Ball. Friday’s Megaplier was three, but those who win the quarter-million-dollar second prize with the multiplier automatically get a million. Friday’s numbers were 16, 25, 28, 32, and 40. The Mega Ball was three. The big winner has almost six months to claim the prize at the state Lottery office in Madison. On February 11th, Christy Stanczak of West Allis won the second prize of a million dollars in Powerball. Tomorrow night’s Mega Millions jackpot is 72-million-dollars, and Powerball is at 60-million for Wednesday night.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Top Stories, February 18th
Business Booming At Sensient Flavors
2/18/12 - The Plant Manager of Sensient Flavors says a planned expansion of the company’s facility in Juneau comes at a time when the business is doing quite well. Sensient will be constructing a new $18 million dollar building on their Juneau campus beginning as early as April. Plant Manager Rick Janes told the Juneau Common Council this week that the new expansion is propelling the local facility to be a flagship for the whole company. The new addition will bolster Sensient’s flavors and fragrances division, allowing for increased capacity to produce yeast extract, an item that can be found in everything from crackers and soups to cancer drugs. Janes says companies are fighting for their product ever since the FDA started to encourage finished-product producers like Kraft and Nestle to reduce salt and fat intake. He says the yeast extract product made in Juneau fits the bill and companies are quote, “knocking down” their doors. The new facility should be operational by the end of the year.
Layoffs Begin Sunday At Cardinal Glass
2/18/12 - Cardinal Glass Industries reports it will lay off 53 workers at its Mazomanie plant effective Sunday. Cardinal Solar Technologies notified the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development with a filing last week. The plant makes tempered glass used in solar panels. It opened in 2009 to take glass made at the company’s factory in Portage and grind, drill and use heat to strengthen the glass. Cardinal blames “unforeseeable business circumstances” for the layoffs. Wisconsin law requires employers with 50 or more workers to give 60 days notice before any major layoffs or total shut downs.
Fitzgerald Says Mining Bill Votes Not There Yet
2/18/12 - A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau says there are no versions of a mining bill which would get 17 votes right now. Those 17 votes are needed for passage. Opponents of plans for an iron mine in northwestern Wisconsin packed a public meeting room at the Capitol yesterday. Republican Senator Dale Schultz of Richland Center says he and Democrat Bob Jauch of Poplar could have a compromise bill ready to go as soon as Monday. Gogebic Taconite wants to build a big open-pit iron mine in the Penokee Hills near Lake Superior. It could mean hundreds of jobs to a depressed area greatly in need of an economic boost. Opponents are worried about the impact of the mining on the pristine streams and forests in the region. Republicans want the job, but not all are on board with the measure which was being discussed Friday.
Judge Denies Walker Recall Review Extension
2/18/12 - A Dane County judge has rejected a request to give Governor Scott Walker’s people two more weeks to review signatures on recall petitions. The extension was denied Friday. Walker’s campaign had argued the possible recall election would not be significantly delayed by its request. The judge said no good cause for a delay was shown by the governor. He had already given the Walker campaign 30 days to review those petitions. It takes a little over 540 thousand signatures to bring on a recall election. Walker’s opponents say they collected more than a million.
Dem’s Shocked By Jensen Map Review
2/18/12 - A liberal group is criticizing state legislative Republicans after it was learned that they shared their re-districting maps with former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen before the maps were made public. But Jensen said he was not asked to give opinions about the maps themselves. Jensen is now a senior adviser for the American Federation for Children – which spends large amounts to try-and-elect Republicans, as well as those Democrats who support private school vouchers. Republican E-mails released by a federal court this week confirmed that Jensen received the new state legislative district maps three days before Democrats and the general public got to see them. Mike Browne of One Wisconsin Now said Republicans showed “stunning” audacity by involving the head of an outside issue campaign group in the re-drawing of legislative districts. In a deposition, Senate aide Tad Ottman said he contacted Jensen simply to identify people in the Hispanic community who could see how the maps would affect them – and how they’re represented in the Legislature. Jensen confirmed that intention Friday. He told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel quote, “They weren’t interested in my opinion of the map.” A Milwaukee Hispanic group has filed suit to try-and-strike down the maps, saying they under-represent Latinos. A group of Democrats is also trying to toss out the new districts, which are required to reflect population changes in the Census every 10 years. A three-judge federal panel is scheduled to begin a trial Tuesday on the G-O-P’s maps – which critics say were designed to keep the current Republican majority in power for as long as possible in the next decade.
Dodge County Fair Counterfeiter Sentenced
2/18/12 - A Watertown woman who tried to pass counterfeit money at the Dodge County Fair will spend two months in jail. 30-year-old Patricia Cappetta and her husband Gerald Cappetta were arrested after getting off the Ferris wheel. According to the criminal complaint, Patricia attempted to exchange the fake $20 bills for ride tickets at several different ticket booths. Carnival employees rejected them each time but were able to provide a physical description of the couple. When questioned, authorities said their stories were “one-hundred miles apart.” Patricia said she got the bills from a gas station before they got to the fair while Gerald said they weren’t at a gas station. She changed her story to finding the money on the ground but he had already confessed to printing it on his home computer. The quality of the currency was said to be, “terrible.” Gerald Cappetta was previously sentenced to one-month in jail after pleading to amended charges. Patricia Cappetta pleaded “no contest” to amended charges of Theft, Obstructing and Disorderly Conduct. In addition to 60 days in jail with Huber privileges, she was placed on probation for two years, ordered to perform community service and pay restitution.
Beloit Official Pleads To Federal Embezzlement Charges
2/18/12 - Former Beloit public works supervisor Tom Kosier has pleaded guilty to federal charges of stealing city property and making unauthorized purchases. Kosier entered his plea in Madison federal court last week and his sentencing is scheduled for May 9th. He allegedly charged up to a million dollars when he bought lawn mowers, water heaters, furnaces and many other others. Federal agents arrested Kosier at a rented vacation home in Maui last August.
Denmark Business Owner Charged With Mail Fraud
2/18/12 - A Wisconsin business owner facing federal charges of arson, mail fraud and murder for hire makes a court appearance next week. Prosecutors say 32 year old Mathew Lemberger of Denmark wanted to collect on a 1-point-4 million dollar insurance policy covering his business. He’s accused of conspiring with two other people to set the business on fire, the offering to kill the wife of one of his helpers as compensation for his help. An attorney for Lemberger says he intends to plead not guilty when he makes his court appearance Tuesday.
Sparta Man Shot By Cops Out of Hospital
2/18/12 - A 19-year-old Sparta man is out of the hospital after being shot by police last month. Now, he has a court appearance scheduled for next week. Jacob Olsen was shot by Sparta Police Sergeant Booker Ferguson a month when he refused to drop his gun. Police had responded to a 9-1-1 hang up call at about 10 p.m. January 19th. When he was released from the hospital, Olsen was booked into the Monroe County Jail. He faces charges of second-degree recklessly endangering safety and intentionally pointing a firearm at a law enforcement officer. Olsen makes his first court appearance Monday. Prosecutors say additional charges are possible.
If you bought whole milk carrying the brand name “Castle Rock Organic Farms” and dated February 29th, you should throw it away. The Castle Rock Organic Plant in Osseo says the product may not be properly pasteurized. Testing by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection confirmed the possibility the pasteurization could be lacking. There have been no official reports of illness associated with the problem. The half-gallon and quart glass bottles would include a dairy plant number of 55-1951 on the side. The milk is believed to have been sold in this state, Minnesota and Illinois.
Baldwin Company Ramping Up Duesenberg Production
2/18/12 - It’s going to look just like the Duesenbergs built in the 1930s. A company has bought a building in Baldwin, Wisconsin, saying it intends to build the Duesenberg II there, starting this summer. The reproduction cars were also built between 1978 and 2000. The company is also planning to produce a motorcycle trike and eventually a modern luxury car in a couple of years. The building in Baldwin is more than 160 thousand square feet. Company bosses say they will start with 50 employees, growing to 250 in three years and may reach a work force of 400 in five years. Local officials say manufacturing jobs are especially welcome in St. Croix County and the rest of western Wisconsin.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Top Stories February 16th
BD Child Abuse Suspect Apprehended, Bond Set
2/16/12 - Cash bond has been set at $25,000 for a Beaver Dam man said to be behind a severe case of child abuse and neglect. 44-year-old Larry Hillyer was in a Dodge County courtroom for an Initial Appearance Wednesday afternoon on two felony charges of Child Abuse, Intentionally Causing Harm. Three children – ages 12, seven and one – were found by police who were responding to a tip from a relative. Authorities entered the home on the night of January 20 and found the children starving, huddled together on a couch wrapped in blankets to keep them from freezing. The baby had bruising, and blistering consistent with burns. The oldest was found with dried eggs on his head in a room littered with food. The middle child had scrapes from reportedly being thrown down the stairs. Hillyer is not the children’s father but their mother is also charged. Police say they found Hillyer and 33-year-old Mandy Molina upstairs under a blanket, unable to comprehend questioning. Investigators say Molina turned a blind eye to the assaults of her children. Everyone in the home, though, may have fallen victim to Hillyer’s physical and psychological abuse. According to the criminal complaint, Hillyer made everyone refer to him as “god,” even police when he was questioned. The children were treated at a local hospital and are with relatives. A judge found probable cause last week for Molina to proceed to trial. She is free after posting a $2000 cash bond. Hillyer has a preliminary hearing March 1.
Horicon and Police Reach Contract Agreement
2/16/12 - Horicon and the police union have reached a tentative contract agreement. That’s according to Mayor Jim Grigg, who says during a bargaining session last night the two sides were able to strike a three-year deal that will be put in front of the council for approval next week. The deal comes after the city flirted with shutting down the department and contracting out coverage to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department. Horicon hasn’t had a police contract since their last deal expired after 2010. The tentative contract would cover 2011, 2012 and 2013.
E-coli Breakout at Jimmy John’s
2/16/12 - Federal health officials said a Wisconsin resident was among 12 people who got sick nationwide, after eating sprouts sold at Jimmy John's sandwich shops. The Centers for Disease Control did not say where the Wisconsin case happened. Officials said all 12 people ate at Jimmy John's restaurants where raw clover sprouts were served -- and they all suffered from E-coli bacteria. The illnesses are said to have occurred from last Christmas through January 15th. Five of the other cases were in Iowa, three in Missouri, two in Kansas, and one in Arkansas.
Charges Likely in FDL Overdose
2/16/12 - Two people in Fond du Lac are awaiting criminal charges in the drug overdose death of a 32-year-old woman. A 52-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman were arrested on Tuesday, but prosecutors had not filed charges as of late yesterday. Authorities said the two provided methadone to 32-year-old Jennifer Ferstl, who died in her home in late December from an overdose of the drug. Police have asked the Fond du Lac County district attorney to charge the suspects with being parties to first-degree reckless homicide.
Madison Couple Accused of Child Abuse
2/16/12 - Bond is set at $20,000 for a Madison couple accused of starving and torturing the man’s teenage daughter. Charges are still pending in Dane County against 40-year-old Chad Chritton and his 42-year-old wife Melinda Drabek-Chritton. The daughter’s step-brother, 18-year-old Joshua Drabek, was also arrested for violating an earlier probation. The 15-year-old girl reportedly told police she was forced to live in the basement of her father’s house for over five years. And she was apparently told to eat her own feces – plus the food she could dig up on the floor, in the laundry, or in the garbage. Police said an alarm sounded when the girl tried to go upstairs with the rest of her family – and she was being home-schooled by her step-mother. And she said both her father and step-mother physically abused her. She told officers she ran away from the house last week after fearing she’d get thrown down the stairs. After arresting the parents last Friday, police said they learned from a medical expert that the girl suffered from “serial torture, with a prolonged exposure to starvation.” A man saw her outside last week wearing only pajamas – and police said she only weighed 70 pounds.
Reeseville Woman Pleads Out In Pharmacy Burglaries
2/16/12 - A Reeseville woman entered a “no contest” plea Wednesday for charges that she burglarized the same pharmacy twice in a month. Abigail Newell pled to one felony count of Burglary and had another felony and two misdemeanors dismissed but read into the record. The 19-year-old broke into the Village Pharmacy in Reeseville in the early morning hours of March 24 and then again on April 21. According to the criminal complaint, a witness saw a maroon van after the first break-in and Newell was a suspect. After a vehicle matching the same description was spotted leaving the scene of the second break-in, authorities went to Newell’s home around 2am and noticed that her vehicle was still warm. When questioned, she said she just felt like taking a late night drive. The description she gave police of her late-night route was no where the pharmacy. Newell later admitted to breaking the window to take pain pills and commented that she was surprised how quickly deputies arrived at her house following the burglary. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for next month.
Watertown Man Arraigned For Assault
2/16/12 - A Watertown man pled “not guilty” at arraignment Wednesday to a variety of domestic abuse charges. Floyd Holcomb Jr. is charged with felony Second Degree Sexual Assault and misdemeanor counts of Battery, Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Damage to Property. According to the criminal complaint, the 25-year-old broke into his girlfriend’s apartment last month and the two had a violent exchange. The next day, Holcomb was said to be violent again and reportedly tried to rape the woman with young children nearby. If he is convicted, the charges carry a maximum penalty of 42 years in prison. Holcomb is being held on a $5000 cash bond.
Valentines Flowers Result In Restraining Order Violation
2/16/12 - A Sheboygan man sent flowers to his estranged wife for Valentine’s Day – and in return, he was given a felony bail jumping charge. Prosecutors said 23-year-old Zachary Zelko violated a restraining order when he sent the flowers to his wife’s workplace on Monday. They came with a note saying, “Happy Valentine’s Day, enjoy the chocolates.” The woman called a staffer in the district attorney’s office who helps crime victims – and that person called the police. Zelko was not supposed to have direct or indirect contact with his wife after he was charged January 17th with battery, strangulation, and false imprisonment. A Sheboygan police investigator went to the store where the flowers were bought – and a clerk asked that Zelko’s name not be given out, because he was not allowed to have contact with his wife. He has pleaded innocent to his original charges. And he’s due back in court a week from today, when a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to order a trial for bail jumping. Zelko is free after posting a 300-dollar bond.
Sen. Fitzgerald Promoting Assembly Mining Bill
2/16/12 - `Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald disbanded his chamber’s mining committee on Wednesday. And he disavowed the panel’s more moderate approach in speeding up the state’s process to approve iron ore mining permits. Instead, the Republican Fitzgerald asked the Joint Finance Committee to approve the Assembly’s version of the mining bill, which was passed last month. It’s geared toward Gogebic Taconite’s proposed mine near Lake Superior in Ashland and Iron counties. The Assembly bill has a firm 360-day time limit to approve mining permits, whereas the Senate bill allows delays if all parties agree. The Senate panel also restored the ability of mining opponents to challenge the D-N-R’s decisions before final permits are issued – something the Assembly did away with. And the Senate committee decided to let communities keep 70-percent of local mining tax revenues instead of the 60-percent adopted by the lower house. Eight Republican senators joined Fitzgerald yesterday in co-sponsoring the Assembly package. But not all G-O-P senators are behind Fitzgerald – and observers say it could put the entire mining bill in jeopardy. It will die unless it’s passed before the Legislature adjourns for the year in late March. Fitzgerald said the Assembly bill promises the fastest and surest way to add jobs in northern Wisconsin.
Obama Touts Wisconsin Manufacturing
2/16/12 - In Milwaukee Wednesday afternoon, President Obama promoted tax breaks for businesses that move into cities hurt by the departures of older plants. Obama made his first visit to Wisconsin in over a year by touring and speaking at the Master Lock plant which brought back 100 jobs from China in early 2011. The Democratic president reinforced ideas from his State-of-the-Union address in suggesting a minimum tax on multi-national companies – so U-S firms cannot escape taxes by moving profits and jobs overseas. With his jacket off and shirt-sleeves up, Obama stood in front a crate that said “Made in the U-S-A” as he prodded Congress to approve his tax changes. He cited a recovery in American manufacturing as he urged companies to quote, “Ask what you can do to bring jobs back to your country, and your country will do everything we can to help you succeed.” The Milwaukee trip was the first stop in a three-day swing that includes campaign fund-raisers in California and Washington State.
Governor Scott Walker, fighting a flu bug, greeted Obama at the airport and presented him with a Milwaukee Brewers’ jersey with his name and the Number-One on it. The Republican Walker, who’s been extremely critical of Obama’s policies, told a pool reporter he appreciated the president’s focus on manufacturing and quote, “We’ll leave politics for another day.” But 100 of Walker’s detractors didn’t give politics a rest. They showed up at Master Lock and chanted for the governor’s recall – even though the governor wasn’t there.
Walker To Seek Recall Petition Extension
2/16/12 - Governor Scott Walker’s campaign plans to ask a judge on Friday for another two weeks to review the petitions for a recall election. Walker’s camp was originally given until next Monday to file challenges to signatures it considers false or duplicates. But the campaign says it needs more time to go over the estimated one-million signatures filed on January 17th. If Walker’s request is granted, the campaign would have until March 12th to file its challenges. Recall supporters would then have five days to respond to the challenges – and then Walker would have two days to answer the response. That would push back the Government Accountability Board’s March 19th deadline to validate the Walker recall petitions. Just over 540-thousand valid signatures are needed to order the special gubernatorial election.
PA Man Named To Packer Hall-Of-Fame
2/16/12 - A cheese-head who lives in “Steelers Country” has been named the 14th member of the Green Bay Packers’ Fan Hall-of-Fame. 39-year-old Rick Steele of Greensburg Pennsylvania is only the third person from outside Wisconsin to be enshrined. He was chosen in a vote by over 100-thousand Packer fans. Rick Wiltzius of Wausau finished second. Steele is a teacher and a volunteer fire-fighter. His wife Kristi nominated him, and said the Packers are the one thing they enjoy non-stop together. Steele has attended 18 Packer games since 2003, plus three Fan-Fests. He has a large collection of green-and-gold memorabilia in his home, and the Packers said he was the first from outside Packer Country to have the team’s floor carpeting. Steele said Pittsburgh fans threatened to burn down his house after he appeared on local T-V just before the Packers beat the Steelers in Super Bowl-45 last February. Among other things, Steele won four club seats to a game this fall at Lambeau Field, plus a trip for two to a Green Bay road game.
2/16/12 - Cash bond has been set at $25,000 for a Beaver Dam man said to be behind a severe case of child abuse and neglect. 44-year-old Larry Hillyer was in a Dodge County courtroom for an Initial Appearance Wednesday afternoon on two felony charges of Child Abuse, Intentionally Causing Harm. Three children – ages 12, seven and one – were found by police who were responding to a tip from a relative. Authorities entered the home on the night of January 20 and found the children starving, huddled together on a couch wrapped in blankets to keep them from freezing. The baby had bruising, and blistering consistent with burns. The oldest was found with dried eggs on his head in a room littered with food. The middle child had scrapes from reportedly being thrown down the stairs. Hillyer is not the children’s father but their mother is also charged. Police say they found Hillyer and 33-year-old Mandy Molina upstairs under a blanket, unable to comprehend questioning. Investigators say Molina turned a blind eye to the assaults of her children. Everyone in the home, though, may have fallen victim to Hillyer’s physical and psychological abuse. According to the criminal complaint, Hillyer made everyone refer to him as “god,” even police when he was questioned. The children were treated at a local hospital and are with relatives. A judge found probable cause last week for Molina to proceed to trial. She is free after posting a $2000 cash bond. Hillyer has a preliminary hearing March 1.
Horicon and Police Reach Contract Agreement
2/16/12 - Horicon and the police union have reached a tentative contract agreement. That’s according to Mayor Jim Grigg, who says during a bargaining session last night the two sides were able to strike a three-year deal that will be put in front of the council for approval next week. The deal comes after the city flirted with shutting down the department and contracting out coverage to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department. Horicon hasn’t had a police contract since their last deal expired after 2010. The tentative contract would cover 2011, 2012 and 2013.
E-coli Breakout at Jimmy John’s
2/16/12 - Federal health officials said a Wisconsin resident was among 12 people who got sick nationwide, after eating sprouts sold at Jimmy John's sandwich shops. The Centers for Disease Control did not say where the Wisconsin case happened. Officials said all 12 people ate at Jimmy John's restaurants where raw clover sprouts were served -- and they all suffered from E-coli bacteria. The illnesses are said to have occurred from last Christmas through January 15th. Five of the other cases were in Iowa, three in Missouri, two in Kansas, and one in Arkansas.
Charges Likely in FDL Overdose
2/16/12 - Two people in Fond du Lac are awaiting criminal charges in the drug overdose death of a 32-year-old woman. A 52-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman were arrested on Tuesday, but prosecutors had not filed charges as of late yesterday. Authorities said the two provided methadone to 32-year-old Jennifer Ferstl, who died in her home in late December from an overdose of the drug. Police have asked the Fond du Lac County district attorney to charge the suspects with being parties to first-degree reckless homicide.
Madison Couple Accused of Child Abuse
2/16/12 - Bond is set at $20,000 for a Madison couple accused of starving and torturing the man’s teenage daughter. Charges are still pending in Dane County against 40-year-old Chad Chritton and his 42-year-old wife Melinda Drabek-Chritton. The daughter’s step-brother, 18-year-old Joshua Drabek, was also arrested for violating an earlier probation. The 15-year-old girl reportedly told police she was forced to live in the basement of her father’s house for over five years. And she was apparently told to eat her own feces – plus the food she could dig up on the floor, in the laundry, or in the garbage. Police said an alarm sounded when the girl tried to go upstairs with the rest of her family – and she was being home-schooled by her step-mother. And she said both her father and step-mother physically abused her. She told officers she ran away from the house last week after fearing she’d get thrown down the stairs. After arresting the parents last Friday, police said they learned from a medical expert that the girl suffered from “serial torture, with a prolonged exposure to starvation.” A man saw her outside last week wearing only pajamas – and police said she only weighed 70 pounds.
Reeseville Woman Pleads Out In Pharmacy Burglaries
2/16/12 - A Reeseville woman entered a “no contest” plea Wednesday for charges that she burglarized the same pharmacy twice in a month. Abigail Newell pled to one felony count of Burglary and had another felony and two misdemeanors dismissed but read into the record. The 19-year-old broke into the Village Pharmacy in Reeseville in the early morning hours of March 24 and then again on April 21. According to the criminal complaint, a witness saw a maroon van after the first break-in and Newell was a suspect. After a vehicle matching the same description was spotted leaving the scene of the second break-in, authorities went to Newell’s home around 2am and noticed that her vehicle was still warm. When questioned, she said she just felt like taking a late night drive. The description she gave police of her late-night route was no where the pharmacy. Newell later admitted to breaking the window to take pain pills and commented that she was surprised how quickly deputies arrived at her house following the burglary. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for next month.
Watertown Man Arraigned For Assault
2/16/12 - A Watertown man pled “not guilty” at arraignment Wednesday to a variety of domestic abuse charges. Floyd Holcomb Jr. is charged with felony Second Degree Sexual Assault and misdemeanor counts of Battery, Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Damage to Property. According to the criminal complaint, the 25-year-old broke into his girlfriend’s apartment last month and the two had a violent exchange. The next day, Holcomb was said to be violent again and reportedly tried to rape the woman with young children nearby. If he is convicted, the charges carry a maximum penalty of 42 years in prison. Holcomb is being held on a $5000 cash bond.
Valentines Flowers Result In Restraining Order Violation
2/16/12 - A Sheboygan man sent flowers to his estranged wife for Valentine’s Day – and in return, he was given a felony bail jumping charge. Prosecutors said 23-year-old Zachary Zelko violated a restraining order when he sent the flowers to his wife’s workplace on Monday. They came with a note saying, “Happy Valentine’s Day, enjoy the chocolates.” The woman called a staffer in the district attorney’s office who helps crime victims – and that person called the police. Zelko was not supposed to have direct or indirect contact with his wife after he was charged January 17th with battery, strangulation, and false imprisonment. A Sheboygan police investigator went to the store where the flowers were bought – and a clerk asked that Zelko’s name not be given out, because he was not allowed to have contact with his wife. He has pleaded innocent to his original charges. And he’s due back in court a week from today, when a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to order a trial for bail jumping. Zelko is free after posting a 300-dollar bond.
Sen. Fitzgerald Promoting Assembly Mining Bill
2/16/12 - `Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald disbanded his chamber’s mining committee on Wednesday. And he disavowed the panel’s more moderate approach in speeding up the state’s process to approve iron ore mining permits. Instead, the Republican Fitzgerald asked the Joint Finance Committee to approve the Assembly’s version of the mining bill, which was passed last month. It’s geared toward Gogebic Taconite’s proposed mine near Lake Superior in Ashland and Iron counties. The Assembly bill has a firm 360-day time limit to approve mining permits, whereas the Senate bill allows delays if all parties agree. The Senate panel also restored the ability of mining opponents to challenge the D-N-R’s decisions before final permits are issued – something the Assembly did away with. And the Senate committee decided to let communities keep 70-percent of local mining tax revenues instead of the 60-percent adopted by the lower house. Eight Republican senators joined Fitzgerald yesterday in co-sponsoring the Assembly package. But not all G-O-P senators are behind Fitzgerald – and observers say it could put the entire mining bill in jeopardy. It will die unless it’s passed before the Legislature adjourns for the year in late March. Fitzgerald said the Assembly bill promises the fastest and surest way to add jobs in northern Wisconsin.
Obama Touts Wisconsin Manufacturing
2/16/12 - In Milwaukee Wednesday afternoon, President Obama promoted tax breaks for businesses that move into cities hurt by the departures of older plants. Obama made his first visit to Wisconsin in over a year by touring and speaking at the Master Lock plant which brought back 100 jobs from China in early 2011. The Democratic president reinforced ideas from his State-of-the-Union address in suggesting a minimum tax on multi-national companies – so U-S firms cannot escape taxes by moving profits and jobs overseas. With his jacket off and shirt-sleeves up, Obama stood in front a crate that said “Made in the U-S-A” as he prodded Congress to approve his tax changes. He cited a recovery in American manufacturing as he urged companies to quote, “Ask what you can do to bring jobs back to your country, and your country will do everything we can to help you succeed.” The Milwaukee trip was the first stop in a three-day swing that includes campaign fund-raisers in California and Washington State.
Governor Scott Walker, fighting a flu bug, greeted Obama at the airport and presented him with a Milwaukee Brewers’ jersey with his name and the Number-One on it. The Republican Walker, who’s been extremely critical of Obama’s policies, told a pool reporter he appreciated the president’s focus on manufacturing and quote, “We’ll leave politics for another day.” But 100 of Walker’s detractors didn’t give politics a rest. They showed up at Master Lock and chanted for the governor’s recall – even though the governor wasn’t there.
Walker To Seek Recall Petition Extension
2/16/12 - Governor Scott Walker’s campaign plans to ask a judge on Friday for another two weeks to review the petitions for a recall election. Walker’s camp was originally given until next Monday to file challenges to signatures it considers false or duplicates. But the campaign says it needs more time to go over the estimated one-million signatures filed on January 17th. If Walker’s request is granted, the campaign would have until March 12th to file its challenges. Recall supporters would then have five days to respond to the challenges – and then Walker would have two days to answer the response. That would push back the Government Accountability Board’s March 19th deadline to validate the Walker recall petitions. Just over 540-thousand valid signatures are needed to order the special gubernatorial election.
PA Man Named To Packer Hall-Of-Fame
2/16/12 - A cheese-head who lives in “Steelers Country” has been named the 14th member of the Green Bay Packers’ Fan Hall-of-Fame. 39-year-old Rick Steele of Greensburg Pennsylvania is only the third person from outside Wisconsin to be enshrined. He was chosen in a vote by over 100-thousand Packer fans. Rick Wiltzius of Wausau finished second. Steele is a teacher and a volunteer fire-fighter. His wife Kristi nominated him, and said the Packers are the one thing they enjoy non-stop together. Steele has attended 18 Packer games since 2003, plus three Fan-Fests. He has a large collection of green-and-gold memorabilia in his home, and the Packers said he was the first from outside Packer Country to have the team’s floor carpeting. Steele said Pittsburgh fans threatened to burn down his house after he appeared on local T-V just before the Packers beat the Steelers in Super Bowl-45 last February. Among other things, Steele won four club seats to a game this fall at Lambeau Field, plus a trip for two to a Green Bay road game.
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