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.