Top Stories January 6th

Gas Prices Going Back Up

1/6/09 - Gas prices are on their way back up in Wisconsin. The statewide average of a gallon of regular unleaded is a $1.85 today, up 16-cents over the past week. In Beaver Dam and Horicon it’s at $1.86, while Oconomowoc is at $1.94. The cheapest price is a $1.64 in Amery. High price is a $2.04 in Eagle River. Rising prices aren’t confined to our region. Nationwide the average price is up more than 6-cents in the past week to $1.68. Though prices are rising again they have a ways to go to match where we were a year ago. According to wisconsingasprices.com, the average price a year ago in the state was $3.10.

Fire Department Responds to Gas Leak

1/6/09 - The Beaver Dam Fire Department was called out to a report of a gas leak this morning. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says the call came in around 1:15 this morning that there was a gas leak at Walters Gas on Highway 151 in the Town of Beaver Dam. After arriving they determined a valve was leaking. A keyholder for the building was contacted to fix the valve.

Waupun District Administrator to Discuss Referendum

1/6/09 - Waupun School District Administrator Randy Refsland is planning to make a number of public appearances to get the word out about the 3 referendum question that will appear on resident’s ballots during the February primary election. That will include a stop at the Fox Lake City Council Meeting January 14th. The three questions on the ballot will ask taxpayers to allow the district to exceed the revenue cap for three years by a total of nearly $5-million. If the questions do not pass it’s possible that a number of schools in the district could be forced to close.

Columbus Candidates for Spring Election

1/6/09 - Today is the final day for Columbus candidates to turn in their papers for the spring elections and residents are going to have some choices to make this year. There are races shaping up for both Common Council and School Board seats.

Incumbent Mayor Nancy Osterhaus will face challenges from two former Columbus Mayors and one former Council Member. Former Mayors Peter Kaland (Kay’-land) and Art Westergaard Jr. have registered to run against Osterhaus. Former Council Member Bob Link has also filled out his papers for the Mayor’s office.

Incumbent 1st District Alderman Roger Sneath is the only Common Council person running unopposed. 2nd District incumbent Darrell Augustine will be facing a challenge from former Council Member and Mayor Dave Bomkamp. Incumbent 3rd District Alderperson Bill Bruns will be challenged by Ray Lawler.

Three seats on the Columbus School Board are up for election this spring...seats currently held by Mary Carpenter, Don Nelson and Jim Shieble. However, both Carpenter and Shieble filed their notices of non-candidacy. At the closing of the District Office yesterday afternoon, four persons have filed candidacy papers. William Braun, Pamela Larson, incumbent Don Nelson and Sally A. Owen have filed candidacy papers for a seat on the Columbus School District Board.

Wehner in Court

1/6/09 - A Horicon teen is charged with leading authorities on a high speed chase. Authorities say Jonathan Wehner, who turns 17-years-old tomorrow, reached speeds of 120 miles per hour on Highway 151 in a pursuit that began in Beaver Dam and ended in Columbus with deputies calling off the chase. Two hours later, his girlfriend was located in the vehicle – borrowed from a friend of a friend – and she directed officers to Wehner. He had a signature bond set at $1000.

Operations Committee Forwards Ordinance Change

1/6/09 - The Beaver Dam Operations Committee met briefly last night. An agenda item to consider the job description for a working DPW foreman position was removed so that the city labor attorney can hammer-out union-related issues. The committee did unanimously approve an ordinance change that would require developers to plant trees in new subdivisions and business parks.

State DOT to Review ’08 Traffic Fatalities

1/6/09 - State transportation officials will take a closer look at last year’s traffic deaths, to find out why they were at their lowest since World War Two. State Patrol superintendent David Collins wants to find out the exact roles that things like seat-belt usage and drunk driving played. Wisconsin had a 20-percent drop in traffic deaths last year – 589, way down from 737 the previous year. It’s been said that high gas prices, heavy snows, and the economy all kept travel down. Collins says the D-O-T does not have an exact correlation between those factors and the number of fatalities. But he hopes it signals a trend that will continue. The news wasn’t as good in Dodge County. The 20 fatalities in 2008 were six more than the previous year.

Wisconsin Stimulus Package?

1/6/09 - The Wisconsin Senate’s majority leader says the state should have its own economic stimulus package. Democrat Russ Decker made that comment yesterday, as lawmakers opened their new two-year session. Decker says a state stimulus package would use Wisconsin’s share of federal funds aimed at putting people to work by building roads, bridges, and other infra-structure. Decker also said lawmakers could get millions more, by stopping companies from sheltering their Wisconsin income in out-of-state subsidiaries where they pay little-or-no income taxes. Democratic Governor Jim Doyle has opposed that measure, fearing it might cause firms to cut jobs or leave the state in a time of recession. In any event, Decker says a state stimulus package would quote, “let Wisconsin companies hire Wisconsin workers at family-supporting jobs.” The details are still being worked out.

Wisconsin Farmers Bracing for Dairy Decline

1/6/09 - Dairy markets have been tumbling for the last couple weeks – but it will be at least another month before Wisconsin farmers feel the brunt of it. According to the latest projections, Wisconsin producers will get an average of 17-dollars and 10-cents for every hundred-pounds of milk they made in December. That’s down 70-cents from November. That may sound bad, but officials say the decline could be as much as five-dollars over the next two months. For now, Wisconsin’s December is about 1.20 higher than the national average for the 23 major dairy states. The national price of 15.90 was down 1.20 from November. California farmers will have the lowest milk prices in the nation for December at 13.50, down 1.65 from the previous month.

AP Releases First High School Basketball Polls

1/6/09 - There are a number of local high school basketball teams in the just released associated press poll. In boy’s basketball Wisconsin Lutheran leads Division 2 at 8-0, while Waupun and Maple Northwestern are tied for third. In Division 4, the Randolph boys are first, followed by Wisconsin Rapids Assumption and Benton. In the A-P Girls poll, Columbus is ranked 2nd in Division 2 behind Monroe. Both teams are 8-0. Pewaukee is third.

Bray Gone From Y

1/5/08 - The YMCA of Dodge County is looking for a new Executive Director. YMCA Board of Director’s President Bev Beal-Loeck confirmed for us that Bill Bray is no longer with the organization. Beal-Loeck would not comment on the circumstance surrounding the departure, or whether it was a termination or resignation, but she did say that his last day with the YMCA was December 29. The Board of Directors plans to discuss their options at a meeting later this month. Bray had been with the organization since June.

Top Stories January 5th

Quadruplet Killed in Highway 151 Crash

1/5/09 - The 7-year-old boy killed in a Saturday night crash was one of the four quadruplets born to a Beaver Dam couple in 2001. Jarod Salazar was killed after being thrown from an SUV he was a passenger in. The Dodge County Sheriffs Department says Jarod Salazar’s father, 30-year-old Hector Salazar, was driving north on an icy Highway 151 around 8:30pm when he spun out of control, overturned, slid into the southbound lanes and was hit by another car. Jarod Salazar was pronounced dead at the scene. His father, mother Rosa Balleza, and three siblings - Axel, Maria, and Jesus - suffered non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the other vehicle, 50-year-old Daniel Dempsey of Illinois, was injured as well. All were taken to Beaver Dam Community Hospital for treatment. Authorities cite driving too fast for conditions as the leading factor in the crash. They also noted Jarod Salazar was not wearing his seatbelt.

Legislators to be Sworn in Today

1/5/09 - Wisconsin legislators will be sworn in today, as Democrats take control of both houses for the first time in 14 years. The same party also has the governor’s office. And for the first time in 22 years, one party has control of both the legislative-and-executive branches. That means Democrats can get virtually anything they want – anything they can afford, that is. The next state budget is expected to have a deficit of five-point-four billion dollars. But Senate President Pro Tem Pat Kreitlow of Chippewa Falls says the figure could get smaller by the end of January. He says new revenue forecasts, smaller agency budgets, and possible help from Washington could drive down the deficit. But Kreitlow says it still won’t be easy to fix, as Wisconsin muddles through the nation’s worst economic times since the Great Depression.

U.S. Economy May Get Worse in ‘09

1/5/09 - Experts say the U-S economy may go from bad to worse in the New Year. U-W Madison professor J. Michael Collins says he wouldn’t trust any forecast that predicts a recovery before the latter half of 2009. Morgan Stanley says the total production of American goods-and-services could drop one-point-nine-percent for ’09. Most experts expect a gradual recovery in 2010. Wisconsinites have been feeling the pain for awhile. Over 32-thousand jobs were lost in the year ending in November. A state report released Friday said unemployment could hit eight-percent by the end of ’09. Barack Obama’s chief goal as the new president is jump-start the economy with a job-creating stimulus package. William Holahan of U-W Milwaukee says the program’s success hinges on how extravagant and effective the package is – and how quickly it gets going.

Powerball into the Triple-Digits

1/5/09 - The Powerball jackpot is above 100-million-dollars for the first time since September 27th. The top prize is 105-million for the next drawing on Wednesday night, after nobody won the 90-million-dollar jackpot on Saturday. One ticket sold in Wisconsin won 600-thousand-dollars, by matching all five regular numbers but not the Powerball -- and by selecting the Power Play multiplier of three. The current jackpot has been building since November 22nd, when a player in Indiana won almost 58-million dollars. The last triple-digit prize was won in New Mexico -- just under 207-million on a single ticket last September. Wednesday night's cash option is just under 66-million. That would go to a single winner who wants the entire prize now, instead of in 30 annual installments.

Top Stories January 4th

Quadruplet Dies in Highway 151 Accident

1/4/09 - Authorities have released the names of those involved in a two-vehicle accident on Highway 151 last night that killed one person and injured six others. 7-year-old Jarod Salzar of Beaver Dam was pronounced dead at the scene after he was thrown from a northbound SUV that spun out of control, overturned and was hit by a southbound car. The accident happened just after 8:30pm near County Highway S in the Town of Calamus. Jerad Salazar’s father, Hector, was driving the SUV. He was injured along with his wife, 30-year-old Rosa Balleza, and their three other kids -Axel, Maria, and Jesus. The three, along with Jarod, were quadruplets. The driver of the other vehicle was 50-year-old Daniel Dempsey of Illinois. All those injured were taken to Beaver Dam Community Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Authorities cite driving too fast for conditions and failure to wear safety restraints as the leading factors in the crash.

Roads are Ice Covered and Slippery

1/4/09 - Last night’s freezing rain has made travel conditions treacherous this morning. County, city and private salt trucks have been out in full force working to get a handle on the slick roads. Dodge County Highway Supervisor Ken Stock the roads are just plain “slippery.” Stock says they begun salting the Class 1 main roads last night and began salting the county roads beginning at 4:30am this morning.

The state DOT has listed dozens of highway and interstate miles as being ice-covered and slippery. Among those listed on their website: I90/I94/I39 from Madison to Portage; stretches of I43 from Milwaukee to Green Bay; Highway 41 from Milwaukee to Marinette; Highway 45 from Milwaukee to New London and Highway 151 from Dubuque to Fond du Lac. The Dodge County Sheriffs Department is reporting several run-offs and one fatal rollover.

Three Dead in Snowmobile Wreck

1/4/09 - A snowmobile accident in Vilas County kills three people. Two snowmobilers and a passenger died when the two machines slammed into each other at about 10 a.m. Saturday in the town of Arbor Vitae. The victims were dead at the scene. The accident is being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Vilas County coroner.

Bleak Job Outlook for ‘09

1/4/09 - A quarterly report from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue paints a depressing job picture for the next 12 months. The economic report projects 65-thousand jobs lost in 2009 -- four times as many as in 2008. Unemployment could top eight percent for the first time since 1984. Economists say Wisconsin will lose jobs even if Washington approves a 550-billion dollar stimulus plan. The experts say the only areas not to be hit will be hospitality, health and education. The economy could pick up late in the year, with job growth returning by 2010.

Foreclosures Continue to Climb

1/4/09 - The 25-thousand foreclosure actions started last year set a record for Wisconsin. That figure is up 22 percent from the year before -- and things aren't expected to get any better. At least one economist says, if the recession doesn't ease up, we may top that number this year. The Wisconsin Realtors Association reports the average selling price of a home dropped more than five percent in the third quarter of last year. That's bad, but not as bad as the national drop of nine percent in the same period.

Wood Co Abduction Suspect May Avoid Trail

1/4/09 - A Wood County man accused of abducting and sexually assaulting two young men may avoid trial. The attorney for Edward Lanphear says he's waiting for the results of psychological testing on his client. Lanphear is accused of 13 felonies in the crime. Prosecutors say he abducted two men -- aged 21 and 23 -- and kept them in chains, until one managed to get away. As it stands now, his trial is scheduled to start in Wisconsin Rapids June 1. Lanphear's attorney reportedly approached prosecutors about striking a plea deal.

Woman Charged With Stabbing Husband in Neck

1/4/09 - Sheboygan police say Charlene Ruffin-Brand and her husband had been arguing all day. Now, the 42-year-old Sheboygan woman is charged with first-degree reckless homicide for stabbing Marchel Brand in the neck. Officers responded to a 9-1-1 call Thursday at about 10 p.m., finding the husband lying in the street. They reportedly followed a blood trail to the house where they found the suspect with several witnesses. Ruffin-Brand reportedly made the 9-1-1 call herself, telling a dispatcher she had stabbed her husband.

Man Kills Wife, Dies Five Days Later

1/4/09 - An elderly Grant County man tells sheriff's investigators he set the fire that killed his 71-year-old wife. Sheron Eggert's body was found in the rubble two days after Christmas in a rural area of the county. Arthur Eggert apparently gave detectives details which matched the physical evidence to convince them he was telling the truth. Arthur Eggert then died five days later -- on New Year's Day. Sheron Eggert was 71 years old.

Taylor Back on Meds

1/4/09 - Former Badger football player Leonard Taylor will be treated with psychiatric meds until he is competent to stand trial. Taylor is accused of stalking and threatening the life of Athletic Director and former football coach Barry Alvarez. Taylor was a star defensive back for the Wisconsin Badgers between 1995 and 1998. He has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. His father says Taylor quit taking his medication about three months before he was arrested November 28. Taylor told the court Friday he will take the medication.

Top Stories January 3rd

Two-Vehicle Accident in Beaver Dam

1/3/09 - One person was injured in a 2-vehicle accident in Beaver Dam Friday afternoon. Authorities say the wreck occurred at 12:49pm at the intersection of North Spring Street and Industrial Drive. The patient was transported to the Beaver Dam Community Hospital with minor injuries.

Sutter Charged in Dodge County Court

1/3/09 - A 41-year-old woman taken into custody in mid-December, after authorities who raided her home allegedly found $11,000 worth of drugs, has been charged. Angela Sutter of Horicon is charged with a number of drug related offenses including, possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, manufacture and delivery of cocaine, and possession with intent to deliver marijuana. Police raided her home on Hubbard Street December 18th following a controlled buy. If convicted of all charges, Sutter could be going to prison for more than 65-years and face a fine of up to $245,000. Sutter is due back in court January 28th.

Business Break-In Suspect in Court

1/3/09 - One of the suspects arrested following burglaries at two area businesses appeared in Dodge County court for an arraignment hearing yesterday morning. Trevor Waller of Stoughton entered a “not guilty” plea to charges that he and two other people broke into Beaver Plumbing last October. Nothing was stolen from the business but the group did drink several cans of soda. The trio also face charges related to a break-in at Kelm Painting, later that same evening. The cases are being tried separately. Last month, 23-year-old Kurtis Billings of Orfordville entered a “not guilty” to charges related to the Beaver Plumbing break-in, but failed to appear on charges related to the Kelm Painting burglary and had a warrant issued for his arrest. 21-year-old Tabatha Pellett of Stoughton has a preliminary hearing scheduled for later this month on the Beaver Plumbing break-in. Authorities have indicated that additional charges related to a rash of business break-ins are possible against the trio.

FDL Fire Department to Assess Response to Fatal Fires

1/3/09 - In the wake of two fatal fires Fond du Lac firefighters will take time to assess their performance and the human impact. Fire Battalion Chief John Duffy says during the next week their different shifts will evaluate whether they could have done anything differently during the blazes at the Briar Crest Apartments and a 4th Street home. He says they’ll also keep a close eye on firefighters to determine how they are coping with working at the scenes of fires that claimed two lives. He says they have counseling available if it’s needed, but they are more concerned with the families who lost loved ones. Twenty-one year old Jedidah Betts died in the apartment complex fire and 56-year-old Leland Haskins in the house fire.

Milwaukee Murder Rate Down

1/3/09 - It could be an approach that put more officers in trouble spots. Or, it could be that emergency medical procedures are better at keeping shooting victims alive. Whatever the reason, murders in Milwaukee dropped by 32 percent last year. It's not a national trend. Chicago reports its homicides were up 17 percent. The Milwaukee police union is giving credit for the trend to Chief Edward Flynn. Mayor Tom Barrett praises police, too, but he also says it could be a case of people simply being more respectful of each other.

Governors Looking for Bailout from Obama Administration

1/3/09 - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle says congressional leaders and the Obama team have been receptive to the idea of helping out states with budget issues. Doyle and four other Democratic governors say the states need a trillion dollar boost from Washington. Forty-one states are projecting budget shortfalls. Wisconsin's is pegged at 5-point-4 billion dollars. Doyle says there is no commitment yet. He says a plan is being created based on a meeting with Obama last month.

Companies Struggling to Pay its Bills

1/3/09 - Another big-time publisher is struggling to pay its bills. Lee Enterprises, Incorporated, says it will have a hard time paying down its debt because advertising revenues are off. Lee owns the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison. Newspapers have seen revenues drop sharply as the recession built on already existing declines due to readers and advertisers switching to the Internet. Lee says it is negotiating with lenders to refinance the hundreds of millions of dollars it owes.

Madison Man Celebrates New Year by being Tasered

1/3/09 - It was an electrifying way to start the new year. A Madison man was tasered and arrested after fighting with security at a bowling alley Wednesday night. Larry Keith Bruce faces charges of disorderly conduct, trespassing and resisting an officer. Police officers say they pleaded with Bruce to calm down. They say he cursed them and kicked at them as they tried to put him in handcuffs. Even after being tasered, Bruce attempted to kick out the back windows on the police where he was seated. Investigators say the 48-year-old punched two security guards after being asked to leave the Badger Bowl because he had gone behind the bar and pushed two bartenders.

Top Stories January 2nd

Officials Continue Investigation into Fatal Fires

1/2/09 - Investigations are continuing into two fires in Fond du Lac that killed two people on New Year’s Eve. The first blaze was in an apartment building early Wednesday morning. The victim was identified yesterday as 21-year-old Jedidiah Betts. The other blaze was in a two-story house. Relatives told authorities that 56-year-old Leonard Haskins was smoking in a living room chair when they left for a party Wednesday night – and when they returned, the house was on fire. Police say they’re treating the Haskins house as a crime scene, but there’s no evidence right now that foul play was involved. An autopsy will be performed today, and authorities hope it will positively identify the victim. The state fire marshal’s office is helping local officers investigate both blazes.

Accident Shut Down Part of Highway 151 Last Night

1/2/09 - A four-car accident on Highway 151 in the Town of Waupun shut down both sides of the highway between Highways 26 and 49 last night. Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s officials say they had to keep the highway closed for about 90 minutes to sort out the accident that began when 24-year-old Chad Flood of St. Louis Park, Minnesota lost control in the northbound lanes and rolled over into the southbound lanes. Flood and 17-year-old Kyle Miller of Brandon, who was driving a car in the southbound lanes, were both taken to Waupun Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. (Bob Nelson, KFIZ)

Guard Troops Preparing for Security Mission in Iraq

1/2/09 - About 35-hundred Wisconsin National Guard troops will leave this month for their initial training, in preparation for a 10-month assignment in Iraq. Members of the 32nd Red Arrow brigade will leave January 10th for several weeks of training in Florida. They’ll return to Wisconsin for a short time. And then, they’ll be off to Fort Bliss in Texas for more training. When they finally get to Iraq, they’ll be on a security mission. It’s the largest deployment of Wisconsin Guard troops since World War Two. The brigade is made up of units in 36 communities throughout Wisconsin. There are also several dozen members from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota. Their first notice of a call-up came in mid-September, and they’ve been officially on alert since last month. More than half the troops are combat veterans. Many have been to Iraq at least once.

Fisherman Rescued from Ice Flow

1/2/09 - Eight ice fishermen were rescued on New Year’s Day, after being stranded on ice that broke off the shore from the Bay of Green Bay. Six people were pulled from a huge chunk of ice which broke apart near the city of Green Bay in the town of Gardner. The Coast Guard picked up two others at Shoemaker Point. Original reports from the Coast Guard said 12 people had been stranded, but Green Bay media reported later that the total was eight. Coast Guard spokesman Charles Wolfson said a large freighter had passed through the middle of the bay – and ripples from the boat combined with high winds to break the ice from the shore. Several trucks and A-T-V’s were left on the ice, and Wolfson says they won’t be retrieved until the ice pack shifts, or the entire area freezes over again. He says the incident should serve as a warning to ice fishers. Wolfson says it’s still early in the season, and anglers should stay close to shorelines and have cell phones with them.

WI Roads Safest since WWII

1/2/09 - Last year was the safest on Wisconsin highways since World War Two. 587 traffic deaths were recorded statewide in 2008 – 150 fewer than the previous year’s total. Dennis Hughes of the state D-O-T said part of it was due to law enforcement’s heavily-publicized campaigns against drunk driving and speeding. But he said the biggest reason for the drop in deaths was that we drove less. Heavy snows kept travel down early in the year. Four-dollar gas put a crimp in summer travel. Then the recession kept more folks off the roads at the end of the year, as people lost their jobs and trucking companies scaled back. Hughes said all those things made us slow down when we did drive. However, though the number of traffic fatalities was down statewide the number in Dodge County was higher than a year. With the three deaths in the last 10-days of December the total number of deaths in Dodge County was 20. That’s 6 more than 2007. Nationally, there were just over 31-thousand traffic deaths last year, the lowest since at least 1966 when statistics were first kept. The government said Americans drove about 100-billion miles less.

Christmas Tragedies

1/2/09 - It was a tragic Christmas holiday for four families. According to preliminary data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, traffic crashes claimed four lives during the five-day period beginning Christmas Eve through last Sunday at midnight. That number includes a mother and her seven-month-old son from Clyman who were killed when their car collided with a truck on Highway 26 around 6am on the 24th. The number of traffic deaths matches the number killed the last time Christmas fell on a Thursday. Last year, when Christmas fell on a Tuesday, crashes claimed 13 lives during the 5-day reporting period.

Rollover in Town of Trenton

1/2/09 - A 16-year-old girl was taken to the hospital after rolling her vehicle early last evening. The accident occurred on Highway 68 near Jersey Road in the Town of Trenton just before 6pm. The girl was taken to Waupun Hospital by Fox Lake EMS for treatment of her injuries. No word on the cause of the accident.

Taxi-Cabs in BD under New Management

1/2/09 - The taxi-cabs in the city of Beaver Dam are under new management, as of the first of the year. Top Hat of LaCrosse has replaced S & R Taxi in providing shared-ride taxi service. The city contract with Top Hat requires that the services that had been provided, including hours of operation, remain the same. There were no taxis running after 10pm on New Years Eve, as part of the contract. Owner Beverly Scott says that’s something she’d like to change before the year is out.

Columbus Administrator Looking Forward

1/2/09 - Columbus City Administrator Boyd Kraemer has asked the Council to wrap up over a year of discussions on Fire Department staffing and get ready for other Council business when they get back to work after the holidays. Kraemer said the Fire Department staffing problems could be solved soon if the Council would furnish a “vision and a goal” for what a professional Columbus Fire Department should be. Tuesday’s Council of the Whole will try to come up with some resolution to the question of what kind of Fire Department Columbus needs.

Polar Plunges Go Off Despite Ice and Wind

1/2/09 - Icy and windy conditions did not stop thousands of Wisconsinites from plunging into Lake Michigan on New Year’s Day. Fire-fighters helped clear the ice at Jacksonport in Door County, where 750 people made the plunge. Organizer J-R Jarosh said gale-force winds created the worst conditions in 23 years. In Sheboygan, there was too much ice to hold the event at its normal spot – so organizers moved about 600 yards to the south. About 350 people braved 4-to-5-foot waves, a 32-degree water temperature, a 25-degree air temp, and winds of almost 30 miles an hour. In Milwaukee, Polar Bear Club president Garth Gaskey said his legs were bleeding from all the ice he had to maneuver around. But fire officials reported no major injuries. They said around two-thousand plunged, and another two-thousand looked on. A similar event took place on Lake Michigan in Kewaunee.

GB City Council Upset with “Unpatriotic” Member

1/2/09 - The head of the Green Bay City Council says an alderman should apologize, for not standing and applauding when a patriotic gift was presented. Celestine Jeffreys sat quietly after the United Patriotic Society presented a plaque at a recent council meeting. The plaque was attached to City Hall’s flag-pole. It has the words to the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, and it lists the days Americans should fly the flag. In a letter to Jeffreys, council president Chris Wery said the mayor and all the other aldermen stood to show their gratitude and respect – and the fact that she didn’t was quote, “disgraceful” and a “public and shameful snub.” Jeffreys told the Green Bay Press-Gazette she had no problems with the plaque, and she was upset because no one would let her ask a question. She wanted to know why Columbus Day was on the list of flag-flying days, since it might offend some Native Americans. She was told later the list was an act of Congress, and it couldn’t be changed without their approval.

Christmas Tree Pickup Starts Today

1/2/09 - Beginning today, Beaver Dam residents who receive contracted solid waste collection services can place Christmas trees and boughs street-side for collection by city crews. This special collection does not include other brush and shrubbery cuttings. Trees and boughs must be free of ornaments, lights and stands so they can be chipped. Crews will pick-up the trees through Friday, January 30. Wreaths and boughs containing roping or wire may also be placed in the Veolia non-recyclable cart for collection as garbage. City residents can also dispose of Christmas trees and boughs at the Public Works Garage Yard Waste Drop-off Site at 640 S. Center Street, Monday through Friday. No waste of any kind is accepted from outside of the City or from any contractors.

Top Stories January 1, 2009

BDFD Calls For Service Higher Than 2007

01/01/09 - The Beaver Dam Fire Department is on pace to exceed the number of calls for service they had in 2007. Fire Captain Matt Christian says there were 271 fire calls in 2008, 31 more than 2007. As of Wednesday morning, there have been 1360 EMS calls, six more than 2007. Those numbers do not include revenue-generating interfacility transports, which is the program started by former Fire Chief George Sheets in June of 2007. Christian says through the end of November there were just over 500 interfacility transports for 2008, generating roughly $85,000. Christian says they are on pace to meet or exceed their $100,000 revenue projection. A portion of the money generated from the Interfacility program is used to fund the departments upgrade to paramedic level, which is slated to start June 1.

Stove May Have Caused Fatal Fire in Fond du Lac

01/01/09 - Results of a preliminary investigation into yesterday’s fatal apartment building fire in Fond du Lac have determined that a kitchen stove is where the blaze began that killed a 21-year-old man and sent his mother to the hospital. Police and the state Fire Marshal’s office released those findings yesterday. The fire also at least temporarily displaced 30 to 40 residents of the Briar Crest Apartments. Eighteen of them including the deceased were in the 16-unit apartment complex when the fire began.

As authorities continue their investigation into Wednesday morning’s fatal apartment complex fire, there are also questions about how many residents of the 16-unit building will have to find new homes. Fire Battalion Chief John Duffy says the first floor apartment where the fire began and the unit directly above received the most damage. He says until they assess the damage they won’t know for sure how much damage was done to adjacent apartments.

The Fond du Lac County Red Cross responded to the fire at the Briar Crest Apartments about 20 minutes after police and firefighters got there. Margaret Brill of the Red Cross says most of the apartment dwellers made arrangements to stay with family and friends as authorities conducted their investigation into the blaze. She says they provided those apartment residents with several meals and clothing as well. She says donations to the Red Cross help them when they respond to such needs. (Thanks Bob Nelson, KFIZ)

Snowmobiler Identified

01/01/09 - A 16-year-old boy killed in a Fond du Lac County snowmobile accident has been identified as Eric Schumacher of Van Dyne. Authorities said he was riding on his family’s farm last night when he lost control. The machine went across a drainage ditch, hit the edge of a plowed field, and rolled over. It happened in the town of Eldorado. Schumacher died at the scene. Five snowmobilers have now been killed in Wisconsin crashes this season. All have taken place in December.

Solid Leads Sparse For Body Found By Hunters

01/01/09 - New details released by investigators about the dead body found in a creek in Fond du Lac County generates some leads, but nothing concrete. The decomposed remains of a woman were found November 23 about 17 miles south of Fond du Lac. It is believed the woman was murdered. Her dental X-rays were compared to five missing people, but there were no matches. They still don't know who she was. She is described as a 15-to-21-year-old female who may have been knock-kneed and pigeon-toed.

Top Hat Taxi Takes To The Streets

01/01/09 - There is a new name on taxi-cabs in the city of Beaver Dam beginning today. In October, the city council voted unanimously to accept the bid proposal from Top Hat Incorporated of LaCrosse to provide shared-ride taxi service. At $866,500 Top Hat was the lowest of three bidders; $24,000 lower than S & R Taxi of Beaver Dam, who served the community for three decades. Top Hat owner Beverly Scott says all but two employees were retained during the switchover, for insurance reasons. The city contract with Top Hat requires that the services that had been provided, including hours of operation, remain the same. Scott says the phone number, though, has been changed to 885-4800.

Misconceptions About Drunk Driving Injuries/ Fatalities

01/01/09 - Repeat drunk driving offenders get a lot of media attention, but state Department of Transportation figures show 75 percent of fatal or serious-injury crashes involving drunk drivers were caused by those with no previous drunk driving arrests. Nina Emerson, director of the Resource Center on Impaired Driving at the UW-Madison Law School believes a lot of us are still getting behind the wheel after having had too much to drink for a very simple reason: we don't believe we'll get caught. Emerson says research nationwide has shown the fear of being caught is the most significant deterrent to drunk driving. Emerson is a member of the All-Wisconsin Alcohol Risk Education coalition, which wants the next session of the legislature to enact changes, such as allowing sobriety checkpoints.

TV Converter Deadline Draws Near

01/01/09 - It's down to the wire for applying for digital TV converter coupons. Michelle Vetterkind is president of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. She says if you need a converter box and want to apply for a coupon – now is the time to do it. With the transition to digital TV six weeks away, the feds are concerned about getting backed up, resulting in lag time for people applying for coupons. TV stations are already broadcasting in both analog and digital signals meaning the converter can be installed anytime. On February 17th, stations will no longer transmit in analog meaning the traditional "rabbit ears" will no longer work.

Record-Setting Month for Snowfall

01/01/09 - December was a record-setting month for snowfall across the state. Madison meteorologists report 38-point-6 inches of snow, beating the old record by more than an inch and a half. The old mark was set nearly 15 years ago. Green Bay had 45-point-8 inches of snow, beating its record for snow in a month by more than nine inches. A little over 35 inches hit the ground in Milwaukee, making December the second-snowiest month on record. Beaver Dam has already recorded 45-point-6 inches, while Jefferson is at 35-point 4 and Allenton is at 48-and-a-half.

Bowl Tradition Continues

01/01/09 - We definitely know its not part of the BCS Bowl system, but a Wisconsin city does have its own bowl game today. Hustisford in Dodge County puts on its annual Toilet Bowl. It’s been an annual tradition since 1966 with a parade and football game. Kickoff for the game at the Village Hall park football field is slated for 12:30 p.m. Although it may sound like a lark money raised from the sale of food and a raffle goes towards scholarships for Hustisford High School graduates.

Do Not Call List Fills Up Quick

01/01/08 - Wisconsin’s do-not-call list for telemarketers has about a half-million more names than it did a year ago. One-point-six million phones are ringing less often these days. New legislation this year allowed cell phones to be on the no-call list. And almost 422-thousand cell numbers are there. Around 44-thousand cell numbers were added in just one day. An updated no-call list will be given to telemarketers at the start of the New Year. You can add your number any time, and it will make the next update on April first. Folks have until February 28th to register for that. You can do it on-line at NoCall-Dot-Wisconsin-Dot-Gov. Leave the W-W-W out.

Donut Hole Targeted by Aging Group

01/01/09 - An advocate group for the aging is working to improve Medicare. Tom Frazier, Executive Director of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, says they are urging lawmakers to make Medicare better and simpler, especially the controversial Part D drug benefit. The Medicare Part D program provides many senior citizens with assistance in paying for prescription drugs. Beneficiaries pay the initial deductible, then 25 percent of the cost of medications -- up to an initial coverage limit of about 25-hundred dollars. Then, there's a huge annual out-of-pocket deductible, known as the "Doughnut Hole," which Frazier wants to fix. He says the effort is to eliminate or drastically reduce what's called the donut hole, which is a period where people are enrolled in Part D but they have to pay 100 percent of their drugs.

Unemployment Efforts Stepped Up

01/01/09 - The state Department of Workforce Development is expanding its efforts to help the unemployed. Wisconsin lost over 32-thousand jobs in November and state officials are taking steps to make sure unemployment assistance is readily available. DWD Secretary Roberta Gassman says they're bringing in extra help to process requests for unemployment insurance, which are expected to continue climbing in the coming months. Gassman says there are also many other resources available to help the unemployed get back to work. They include job retraining programs, and assistance specifically for older workers and veterans. The state is also running a job site where workers can list their resumes and employers can post open positions.

Top Stories December 31st

Sisk Gets 58 Years Behind Bars

12/31/08 - His lawyer says Michael Sisk will probably appeal the 58-year prison sentence he was given yesterday in the Portage “House of Horrors” case. The 27-year-old Sisk was the last of three defendants to be sentenced for the murder of Tammie Garlin – who was found buried in the group’s back yard last year – and the torturing of Garlin’s son, who was 11 at the time. Columbia County Circuit Judge Alan White said he wanted to give Sisk hope for freedom someday. He could be released as early as age 75. Earlier, Candace Clark was sentenced to 55 years in prison and 40 years of extended supervision. Michaela Clerk was given 37 years behind bars, plus 25 years of supervision. Sisk’s attorney, Ronald Benavides, read a statement saying he never got in trouble until he met Clark – whom he fell hopelessly in love with. Sisk and Clark had a child together, and his lawyer said Clark threatened to take the youngster away if he didn’t do what she said. But the judge said it didn’t make Sisk less guilty. Sisk was regarded as the group’s ring-leader. He got the maximum penalty on two of the 10 charges for which he was convicted – reckless homicide and mayhem.

Falkowski Gets Probation for Pizza Driver Hold-Up

12/31/08 - Another one of the teens who robbed a 76-year-old Pizza Hut delivery driver in Beaver Dam last year has been sentenced. 18-year-old Thomas Falkowski was placed on probation for six years, which will run concurrent to the 10-years of probation handed down in a separate case. 19-year-old Edward Mendoza of Madison was previously sentenced to one year in jail while 18-year-old Keith Shananaquet of Markesan got 10 months behind bars. 20-year-old Jarod Beasley of Beaver Dam is awaiting sentencing. Investigators say Mendoza was armed with a handgun style BB gun, and Beasley was armed with a knife, when they robbed the delivery driver on North Street in November 2007. Falkowski was found guilty on a charge of Aiding a Felon and had felony counts of Theft and Armed Robbery dismissed but read in.

One Year In Jail For OD

12/31/08 - A Horicon man has been sentenced to a year in jail for his role in the overdose of a 16-year-old Mayville girl. 23-year-old Charles Johnson pleaded “no contest” in August to one count of delivery of heroin. Authorities say Johnson met the girl on her MySpace.com web page. She purchased a small amount of heroin from him in March and later overdosed when she snorted some of the drug. She has since recovered, but at the time stopped breathing and needed CPR. Johnson was also placed on probation for five years.

8th OWI = 5 Years in Prison

12/31/08 - A Beaver Dam man was sentenced to five years in prison yesterday for his 8th OWI. David Stroede was also placed on extended supervision for five years related to the August 24th incident. The 51-year-old struck a motorcycle at the intersection of West Third and Beaver streets, injuring one of the passengers. Authorities say Stroede’s blood alcohol level was point-two-three six (.236) at the time of the crash.

OWI Infant Fatality Sentence ‘Appalling’

12/31/08 - An attorney representing the family of a 7-month-old infant killed in a drunken driving accident is hoping to get more compensation for his clients. Jon Safran represents the family of Karen Garcia in a wrongful death and personal injury claim. Thirty-two year old Shannon Baierl of Fond du Lac was recently sentenced for causing the two-car accident. Safran, a Milwaukee lawyer, says Garcia’s mother and father both suffered disabling injuries in the accident and her father may never work again because of those injuries. He says unfortunately Baierl’s insurance company only provided minimal coverage. He says Garcia’s family and a relative injured in the accident have rung up more than $450,000 in medical expenses and for her funeral. Safran called Baierl’s 6-month jail sentence “appalling.”

Hady Enters “Not Guilty” Plea

12/31/08 - A teenager arrested last month following a burglary at two Horicon businesses entered a “not guilty” plea during an arraignment hearing yesterday Dodge County court. John Hady of Horicon is charged with two counts of felony Burglary. The 19-year-old is accused of breaking into Marshland Pharmacy and stealing 7300 narcotic pills. He also allegedly broke into the Tan Down Under Salon and stole their cash register. Hady overdosed later that day; investigators found a medication bottle from the pharmacy at the scene. He initially told authorities he purchased the pills from the burglar and told them they were hidden in a wooded area. Officers staked out the wooded area but reportedly caught Hady retrieving the pills. He then identified a person he said stole the pills but upon investigation authorities learned the person in question was recovering from surgery at the time of the burglary. Hady then reportedly confessed to the burglaries. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Hady is free after posting a $1000 cash bond. A status conference will be set at a later date before a new judge.

Columbus Council Discusses Fire Chief Position

12/31/08 - Columbus Firefighters repeated their request to the City Council to expedite approval of a permanent Fire Chief at the final 2008 Council meeting last night. Acting Chief Mark Kenevan stated again that he and most of his officers would like to see a full time Chief appointed as soon as possible to improve the morale and efficient management of the Department. City Attorney Randy Lueders also urged the Council to consider hiring a full time Chief to provide a higher level of service over the long term. Lueders said that with the currently proposed Fire Department Administrative Assistant in place the new Chief could handle the combined duties of Chief, Fire Inspector and Educator. The Council will be spending their next two meetings in January trying to find agreement on what the next Columbus Fire Chief will be asked to do.

Jorgensen Files Declaration of Candidacy

12/31/08 - Only one of the three Beaver Dam school board members who ran together in the spring 2006 election will be seeking reelection in spring of 2009. Marge Jorgensen has filed her Declaration of Candidacy papers. Kathie Berkvam announced her decision not run for reelection earlier this month while Mark Kirst filed his non-candidacy papers last month.

State Supreme Court Rules on Search

12/31/08 – The State Supreme Court says a container found outside a parked vehicle may be used as evidence in a drug case against one of the people inside. The case involved Pepin police officer Jeff Hahn, who checked on a parked car just over four years ago. Christopher Pickering of Alma said he pulled over to make a cell phone call. Hahn smelled marijuana in the vehicle, and saw that the car’s registration was expired. So he asked Pickering and passenger Jordan Denk of Nelson to get out of the car. Denk said he didn’t have any drugs on him. But the officer found a black case on the ground nearby. Hahn searched it, and found a glass meth-amphetamine pipe. He then checked Denk himself, and found meth-and-marijuana. Denk pleaded no contest to a meth possession charge. But he later withdrew the plea, saying it was illegal for the officer to search a container that was outside the vehicle. An appeals court refused to rule on the case, saying it might break new legal ground – and the Supreme Court should be the ones to do that. Yesterday, the justices said Hahn acted properly in searching the container – saying he was both preserving evidence and protecting himself. Attorney General J-B Van Hollen praised the ruling, calling it a classic search. The driver, meanwhile, served 100 days in jail with probation for possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia.