Top Stories April 2nd

Standoff Ends Without Incident

4/2/12 - A short standoff ended without incident Saturday in Juneau. Authorities were called to the 500 block of East Oak Street just before 5pm for a report of a domestic incident. When authorities arrived a man in the home barricaded himself inside. After about an hour the man came out voluntarily and was taken into custody.

Full Election Coverage on WBEV/WXRO

4/2/12 - We’ll have election results in contested races as soon as they’re in tomorrow (Tue) night on WBEV and WXRO. Among the mayoral races we’re following: Juneau, where current alderman Robert ‘Mac’ Affeld is challenging incumbent Ron Bosak. In Waupun, incumbent Jodi Stegar is facing opposition from businessman Jay Graf and attorney Todd Snow. It’s a crowded field in Horicon. Voters there will see two candidates, Craig Reiger and Craig Muenchow, on the ballot. Three others, Steve Neitzel, Thomas ‘Toby’ Anfinson and Paul Moxham, are running as write-ins.

There are only two contested aldermanic races in the area. In Ward 3 of Juneau, incumbent Daniel Shamberger is being challenged by Corey Ronge. And in the 2nd District of Watertown, incumbent Daniel Olegniczak is facing opposition from Fred Smith.

There are also six contested races for the Dodge County Board, which has reduced it‘s size from 37 to 33. That’s led to a match-up of incumbents in District 20, between Bill Nass and Jeff Berres. The winner will represent parts of five different municipalities, including the city of Watertown. In District 3, which covers parts of the town of Beaver Dam, Fox Lake and Trenton, incumbent Del Guenther is being challenged by Mary Bobholz. Incumbent Ernest Borchardt faces opposition in his Town of Ashippun District 11 seat from Sheryl Jaeger. In District 13, which represents parts of Mayville and town of Williamston, incumbent Robert Smith is being challenged by William Muche. In the other district that represents Mayville, longtime incumbent Eugene Wurtz is up against Phillip Gohr. And in District 17, which includes Hustisford, incumbent Larry Bischoff faces opposition from Tom Schmidt Sr.

We’ll also be keeping an eye on contested school board races in Fall River, Watertown, and Waterloo. There are also referendums on the ballot in the Watertown and Fall River school districts. We’ll also have updates on the Presidential Primary results from Dodge County and the rest of the state. Coverage starts on 95.3FM and 1430AM when the polls close at 8pm.

Barrett Wants Dems to Sign Clean Campaign Pledge

4/2/12 - Tom Barrett promised yesterday not to throw mud at his Democratic opponents in the governor’s recall race – but only if they make the same promise. Barrett signed a “clean campaign pledge” that includes fines for charity if his primary opponents violate it. But the pledge is going nowhere, because Kathleen Falk’s people say they won’t sign it. In a letter, Barrett told fellow Democratic candidates Falk, Kathleen Vinehout, and Doug La Follette they must be united in quote, “the only mission that matters – recalling Scott Walker and moving our state forward.” The four Democrats will square off in the May eighth primary – and that winner goes against Walker on June fifth. Among other things, Barrett’s agreement tries to temper the state’s biggest labor unions, which are endorsing Falk and tried to keep Barrett out of the governor’s race. Falk spokesman Scot Ross says his boss won’t sign a similar agreement. But he agrees the focus during the primary should be to defeat the Republican Walker. La Follette said he’s not sure how such a deal could be policed.

Wisconsin Had Some Mega-Millions’ Winners

4/2/12 - The big Mega Millions prize wasn’t won in Wisconsin, but three tickets sold in this state were good for 250 thousand dollars each. The Wisconsin Lottery says those tickets were sold at locations in Eau Claire, Richfield and Walworth. There were another 13 tickets worth 10 thousand dollars sold in the state. How busy were lottery ticket sellers? More than six million dollars worth of tickets were sold Friday alone. Three lottery tickets sold in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland will split the record-setting 640 million dollar jackpot.

State Moratorium on Turning of Electricity Coming to an End

4/2/12 - If you’re behind on your electric bill you’ll need to make arrangements in the next two weeks to pay it. April 15th is the end to the Winter Emergency Period. That’s when utilities statewide may begin to disconnect electric services for unpaid bills. The Public Service Commission established that annual moratorium to help protect customers from being shutoff during Wisconsin’s usually harsh winters. Local utilities are urging those behind on their bills to either pay them off or contact them to make different arrangements.

Barca Won’t Run for Governor

4/2/12 - Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca says he needs to focus winning control of the Wisconsin Assembly for his Democratic Party. Barca says that’s why he isn’t going to run for governor. He posted a note on his Facebook page yesterday saying he appreciates the support he has received from people ahead of the recall election aimed at Governor Walker. But, he says he has a different focus. Barca says it’s just as important to win majorities in both the Senate and Assembly as it is to re-occupy the governor’s office. Four Democrats have already indicated they plan to run for governor.

Romney Hit With April Fool’s Joke

4/2/12 - For the Republican presidential candidates, Sunday was a key day of campaigning before the upcoming Wisconsin primary. But for front-runner Mitt Romney, it was also a stark reminder that it was April Fools’ Day. Campaign workers took Romney to what he thought was a pancake brunch in the Milwaukee area. House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan went through a curtain to introduce him, while U-S Senator Ron Johnson kept Romney occupied backstage while they waited for Ryan’s cue. His staff warned Romney not to expect a big crowd. And when he and Johnson hit the stage, they saw that the room was completely empty. The real crowd had gathered upstairs, and Romney told them about the April Fools’ prank. He had to, since it was caught on videotape.