Top Stories March 1, 2009

Phase 1 of BD Downtown Plan Below Projections

3/1/09 - The Beaver Dam Common Council tomorrow night will hear a presentation of a borrowing plan for the downtown redevelopment plan and related Tax Increment Finance District. A representative with Wisconsin Finance Professionals will be on hand to outline the financing options available for costs association with the acquisition and demolition of nine downtown buildings. Plans also call for removal of the culverts in the Tower parking lot. The buildings are located in the floodway over the Beaver Dam River, and the state DNR has indicated that such buildings are in violation of state statute but they have never given a firm deadline for their removal. Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy says the city should be proactive to prevent the further deterioration of the properties. WDS Construction was hired last month to assemble a maximum-cost proposal. Kennedy told us on WBEV’s Community Comment that WDS received their bids last week. The cost for building and culvert removal, remediation and partial restoration is estimated at $1.67 million dollars, which is about a quarter of a million dollars lower than projected. The Common Council will hear the borrowing presentation when they meet at 8pm tomorrow at City Hall. Then one week from tomorrow, city officials will hear a presentation from WDS on the costs of the project based on the bids received. At the council’s March 16th meeting, the council will consider a resolution to hire WDS to carry out the demolition and acquisition, as well as a separate resolution to consider funding for the project.

Columbus Candidate Questions Solicited

3/1/09 - Columbus residents are being asked to drop off their written questions for local candidates by Tuesday, March 10th. Candidates will be debating City issues in two separate Chamber of Commerce sessions. Questions can be dropped off at Julies Java Hut or the Pine Peddlers. The debate between candidates for City Council seats will be held on March 18th. Former Mayor and Council Member Dave Bomkamp is running against seated 2nd District Council Member Darrell Augustine. In District 3 contender Ray Lawler will be running against incumbent Bill Bruns. The only Council Member running unopposed is 1st District Alderman Roger Sneath. In the race for Mayor Former Council Member Bob Link will be running against Former Mayor Peter Kaland. That Debate is scheduled for March 25th. Organizers are expecting a good public turnout since the debates held before the February Mayoral Primary election packed the Senior Center. Both debates are scheduled for a 6:30 pm start with John Ganga moderating.

Beasley Gets One Year For Pizza Robbery

3/1/09 - The last of the teens who robbed a 76-year-old Pizza Hut delivery driver in Beaver Dam was sentenced this past week. Jarod Beasley of Beaver Dam was sentenced to one year of conditional jail time and 10 years probation related to the November 2007 robbery. The 20-year-old had previously pleaded “no contest” to a count of Armed Robbery and had charge of Theft dismissed but read into the record. According to court records, Beasley and three other teens used a BB gun and a knife after ordering the pizza to the 200 block of North Street. 19-year-old Edward Mendoza of Madison and 18-year-old’s Thomas Falkowski of Beaver Dam and Keith Shananaquet of Markesan were already sentenced to between 10 months and one year in jail.

Police Impersonator Suspected in Columbia County

3/1/09 - The Columbia County Sheriffs Department is warning the public to be on the lookout for a potential police impersonator. According to Sheriff Dennis Richards, a city of Lodi resident reported Saturday morning having been approached by a man wearing a uniform similar to that worn by a Columbia County Sheriffs Deputy, accented with a “large, LAPD-style” badge. The man did identify himself as a member of the Columbia County Sheriffs Department. He was described as a white male in his late 20’s or early 30’s, over six feet tall with sandy brown hair styled in a short, military fashion with no facial hair. Richards says deputies carry picture identification on them at all times. If an officer or deputy’s identity is ever in question, the sheriff recommends calling 911 to have the communications center verify the legitimacy of their presence.

Prescription Drop Off Successful

3/1/09 - The Dodge County Sheriffs’ Department held a prescription drug turn-in in conjunction with Saturday’s Kids Fair at the Heritage Mall in Beaver Dam. Detectives collected over 250 prescriptions and other miscellaneous medical items during the three-hour period. Detective Brian Drumm says the collection exceeded expectations. The medications will be safely disposed of rather than kept in people’s medicine cabinets – which can lead to theft or misuse – or flushed into the water supply, which is no longer encouraged.

State Budget Hearing At Miller Park

3/1/09 - When the legislature's budget committee holds a public hearing in Milwaukee this month -- it may be making history. The hearing will be open to the public at Miller Park March 21. The time and exact location will be announced this week. That will be the first of a half-dozen planned hearings around Wisconsin. Governor Jim Doyle's $62.7 billion dollar spending plan includes nearly six billion dollars in federal stimulus money and increased state taxes. The 16-member Joint Finance Committee is expected to begin voting on the two-year budget in April. Its recommendations would have to be approved by the entire legislature.

Milwaukee Sheriff Against Inmate Release Plan

3/1/09 - Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Junior says it just shows how out of touch with the reality of criminal behavior some of Wisconsin's state leaders are right now. Clarke had harsh words for an early release plan for prison inmates backed by Governor Jim Doyle. Wisconsin Corrections Secretary Rick Raemisch says the idea could save up to 27 million dollars a year. Clarke says it would be a case of playing Russian roulette with public safety, impacting Milwaukee's poor neighborhoods especially hard. Up to a thousand of the state's 22 thousand inmates might be eligible under the governor's plan.

Stone: ‘Future of Rail Uncertain’

3/1/09 - A Wisconsin lawmaker sees a mixed bag for the future of rail freight in the state. Greendale Republican state Representative Jeff Stone attended an industry-sponsored event in Washington last week where recommendations include tax incentives to improve, equipment and infrastructure. Stone says railroads struggled in the 1970s because of over-regulation. He worries that could happen again, which wouldn't be good for the economy of southeast Wisconsin. On a positive note, Stone says millions of federal stimulus dollars proposed for passenger rail will probably benefit freight as well.

EdVest Numbers Down

3/1/09 - The bad economy has taken a half-billion dollar bite out of Wisconsin's college saving program, EdVest, and a similar national plan. Many parents have seen their college savings go down dramatically. The contribution level also declined, but only by a little. EdVest offered more conservative portfolio's starting last October. The plan allows investors to earn money tax-free, and take it out of their account tax-free. Around 222 million dollars was invested in 2008.

Vets Education Still Available

3/1/09 - Despite budget cuts, officials want veterans to know a free education is still within reach. Military veterans seeking tuition remission should first apply for federal assistance with the Post-9/11 GI bill. Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Acting Secretary Ken Black says that enables the state to take full advantage of federal funding. Federal benefits will help make state benefits last a little longer. Black says Wisconsin is "holding harmless" eligible veterans. He says we don't want veterans to worry about how they are going to pay for their education. County Veterans Service Officers are available throughout the state to provide information and assistance in obtaining veterans benefits, programs and services.

CWD Issue Persists

3/1/09 - It's been seven years since Chronic Wasting Disease was first discovered in Wisconsin's deer herd – and it’s a problem that continues to haunt the DNR. Big game manager Keith Warnke says the agency is still not confident that the disease is contained to southern Wisconsin. Warnke says the DNR still has a lot to learn about how to manage and prevent it from spreading further into the state. It was February 28, 2002, that three deer in the Mount Horeb area tested positive for the fatal brain disease. Since then, the state has spent millions of dollars to stop its spread.

Top Stories February 28th

Outstanding Alumnus Named

2/28/09 - The Beaver Dam School District has announced their 2009 Wall of Fame Inductees. This year’s outstanding Alumnus is 1967 graduate Dr. Robert Ehlenfeldt, who was appointed State Veterinarian in 2003 and is responsible for overseeing the health of Wisconsin farm animals. Dr. Ehlenfeldt is widely regarded as an authority on matters of animal health and veterinary disease treatment. He will take his place on the wall alongside such notables as film star Fred MacMurray who was the first graduate to be recognized. Also, Robert Gartzke will be recognized as a “Friend of Education,” along with the Exchange Club of Beaver Dam. They will all be honored at the 13th Annual Wall of Fame Banquet, which will be held Sunday, April 5 at the Old Hickory Golf Club.

Four Arrested in Columbus

2/28/09 - Four people were arrested Friday morning in Columbus after authorities say they attacked police officers responding to a domestic dispute. According to Columbus Police Lieutenant Dennis Weiner, the officers were dispatched to a residence on South Ludington Street at 11:35am. During the course of their investigation, they were allegedly attacked by 34-year-old Denise Golden at the residence. Weiner says while they were attempting to take her into custody, two other adult males came after the officers. Tazers were used to subdue 25-Daniel Owens of Columbus and 23-year-old Michael Krueger of Beaver Dam, but Weiner says even then they continued to resist. A 15-year-old male also physically resisted and fought with officers. The four face charges of Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest. Golden is additionally charged with Battery to a Police Officer. The tree adults were all booked into the Columbia County jail. One officer received minor injuries but did not seek medical attention. Authorities say all parties, including the 15-year-old, were intoxicated.

Gun Fire Leads Authorities to Finding Growing Operation

2/28/09 - A report of a gun shot being fired led authorities to finding an indoor growing operation at a Town of Rubicon home early this morning. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says a woman called reporting that she heard a shotgun blast at her neighbor’s home on Pond Road. When she looked outside she saw a man running inside the home. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with five men ranging in age from 28 to 21 and a 21-year-old woman. While searching the subjects, drug paraphernalia was found on two of the men. After contacting the district attorney and judge a warrant was issued and when searching the home an indoor growing operation was found. There is no word on how big the operation was.

Two for the Price of One

2/28/09 - While arresting one man for driving intoxicated authorities were forced to chase the man’s passenger as well. The Sheriff Department is reporting that while taking a 21-year-old man into custody around 1:45 this morning in the Town of Lowell for OWI, the mans 22-year-old passenger jumped into the drivers seat and took off with the vehicle. Authorities were able to get the man to pullover. He was also arrested for driving under the influence, and while he was being handcuffed the man passed out. Both men were taken the Beaver Dam Hospital before being transported to the Dodge County Detention Facility. The men face a variety of charges stemming from the incident.

Car Stopped after Going 25MPH on Highway 41

2/28/09 - Know when to keep quiet. That’s a lesson a 39-year-old Illinois man possibly learned the hard way. The Sheriff’s Department says Washington County authorities alerted them to a vehicle driving 25-miles-per-hour on Highway 41 northbound just before midnight. Dodge County deputies found the vehicle at a northbound wayside in the Town of Theresa and arrested the 44-year-old female driver on suspicion of drunk driving. Authorities took the woman to jail for a 12-hour hold. The 39-year-old passenger was given a ride to the jail to wait for a ride. On the way there, the man allegedly got into a heated argument with officers and was booked on disorderly conduct charges. The driver of the car was cited for operating under the influence, first offense.

OWI’s Span All Ages

2/28/09 - A 79-year-old Horicon woman picked up her 3rd OWI Thursday. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says deputies responded to a one-vehicle runoff around 3:45pm on Square Road in the Town of Hubbard. Suspecting that driver Anna Lee Bauer was impaired, the officers performed field sobriety tests. However, not all the tests could be performed because she requires the use of a walker. A breathalyzer showed Bauer had a blood alcohol level of .154, nearly twice the legal limit.

Walker: Prisoners Shouldn’t Get Early Release

2/28/09 - Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker wants authorities to join him in trying to kill Governor Jim Doyle’s budget measure that would give early release to some prisoners. It would shorten the sentences of up to three-thousand non-violent felons, according to how long they’ve been on good behavior. There is also a possibility that there would be a reduction in the number of prisoners who would be supervised following their release which is something that Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says would concern him. Doyle spokesman Lee Sensenbrenner says prison guards believe inmates need some kind of incentive to behave behind bars.

No Charges Filed Against Panos

2/28/09 - No charges will be filed against former Badger lineman Joe Panos if he behaves himself. Panos was in trouble for using golf clubs to damage a car. That car belonged to the man dating Panos' estranged wife. Waukesha District Attorney Brad Schimel says the case doesn't meet the legal definition of domestic abuse. Panos' wife had filed for divorce three months ago. Panos played on the 1994 Rose Bowl champion Badger team, then played for seven years in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills.

Art Exhibit Causes Debate on Free Speech

2/28/09 - An art exhibit sparks a lively debate about free speech on the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus. Student artist Michael Hannigan had lined up 25 stuffed teddy bears in the school's art building, each holding a kitchen knife in its lap. Hannigan said he wanted to juxtapose the innocence of teddy bears against the ferocity of real bears. The school had a problem with the knives being left unattended, especially on weekends. Campus police ordered them removed, but the artist said his display just looked "dumb" then. The knives were removed. Teachers say the situation has started discussion of censorship and the arts on the Platteville campus.

Ryan Warns of “Stag-flation”

2/28/09 - Warnings of "stag-flation" come from Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan. The Janesville Republican says all the spending and new taxes could have the effect of keeping economic output down and inflation up. Ryan spoke at Marquette University yesterday. He says unless Washington avoids growth-stopping policies, we're forcing a bad future on the next generation. Ryan points specifically to the president's higher taxes on investment growth and those who make a lot of money as approaches that could slow economic growth. He says President Obama is spending a lot of money in his budget plan. Ryan is the ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee. Ryan will be the one to introduce a Republican alternative to the president's budget. That comes in early April.

Legislators Working on Biking Law

2/28/09 - Madison resident Linda Willsey was riding her bike past a parked car last summer, when the driver of the vehicle threw open their door and knocked the Madison woman off of her bike. Willsey was injured and also received a ticket, due to a little known state law that requires cyclists to pass parked vehicles by at least three feet. However, state lawmakers say that restriction is unrealistic and makes it so someone exiting a vehicle has no responsibility to check their surroundings first. Legislation at the Capitol would repeal that law and require the driver of a vehicle to watch out for passing bikes. State Senator Fred Risser is a sponsor of the measure. He says it would hold cyclists to the same standard currently applied to those driving any other type of vehicle.

DNR Says Lake Delton Ready to Go by Memorial Day

2/28/09 - The Department of Natural Resources expects Lake Delton to be fully restored by Memorial Day. Officials with the DNR say efforts to refill the lake are on schedule and they expect water levels to be back to normal in the coming months. Water has slowly been returning to the lake since December after work to reconstruct the portion of Highway A washed out by flooding last summer was completed. The highway was destroyed when Lake Delton breached its banks, draining the lake. The lake is only partially refilled at this point, but additional work will be done this spring that will allow the water to completely return. After the water is restored, the DNR and local groups plan to restock the lake with fish.

Woman Knits Teddy Bears for Kids Affected by HIV or AIDS

2/28/09 - She's never met these children. She likely never will. Phyllis Schmidt has never even visited the country where they live. Schmidt is 93 years old and she spends five to six hours nearly every day making teddy bears. She knits them. Every teddy bear goes to a child in Africa who is affected by HIV or AIDS. She knits those teddy bears as a participant in the Mother Bear Project based in Minneapolis. The nonprofit group has sent nearly 37 thousand bears to Africa. Schmidt says she hopes her bears bring some happiness to those kids. She says she hopes to knit another 100 bears next year.

Unclaimed Property Tour Coming to Dodge and Jefferson Counties

2/27/09 - The Unclaimed Property Outreach Tour is coming to Dodge and Jefferson County next week. State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass says the database shows more than 10,000 Dodge County residents and nearly 11,000 Jefferson County residents with unclaimed property. Sass says typical items include the contents of safety deposit boxes, insurance premiums, forgotten paychecks, refund and rebate checks. Sass says there is still $1.38-million of unclaimed property in Dodge County and $1.41-million in Jefferson County. Statewide, over one million people and businesses have unclaimed property in Wisconsin totaling nearly $324-million. The tour will stop at the Beaver Dam Public Library from 12-1pm and at the Watertown Public Library from 2:30-3:30pm on Wednesday March 4th. You can also find out if you have unclaimed property by visiting. www.statetreasury.wisconsin.gov.

Top Stories February 27th

Storm Brings Rain, Ice, and Snow

2/27/09 - Parts of southern Wisconsin are a massive ice rink, thanks to yesterday’s late-winter storm that dumped freezing rain. Despite that area roads were quiet during the overnight hours with the Sheriff’s Department reporting just one accident since 11pm. However, they say there were multiple runoffs during the afternoon commute throughout the county but there are no known injuries at this time. Not everyone was as fortunate as icy conditions caused numerous accidents in other parts of southern Wisconsin. The westbound lanes of Interstate-94 were closed for a time when a semi-truck jackknifed near the Dane-Jefferson County line. About the only remnants of the storm today are strong winds that are gusting to 30-miles-per hour.

Barn Destroyed by Fire

2/27/09 - Fire destroyed a Town of Calamus barn yesterday. The Beaver Dam Fire Department received the call just before 3:30pm to the structure located at N5212 Highway 151, near the intersection of County Road S. When firefighters arrived, the barn was fully involved with flames visible through the roofline and smoke was billowing across the highway, making slick driving conditions even more dangerous. The barn was packed full of hay so an excavator was brought in to tear apart what was left of the structure to get to the hotspots. There were no injuries. The barn was owned by Hilda Lentz and was rented out for use as storage. No word yet on the cause of the blaze.

Victim in Motorcycle Crash was Waupun Man

2/27/09 - It's estimated that a 26-year-old Waupun man had his motorcycle going over 100 miles an hour before it hit a mini van killing him Wednesday afternoon. Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Captain Dean Will says it's one of the most horrific accidents he's worked over the years. Eric Brown died at the scene. The elderly Waupun couple in the van, Elmer and Jeanette Decker, were taken to Waupun Memorial Hospital. Jeanette was later transferred to the U-W Hospital with a broken pelvis and other broken bones.

Another Watertown Drug Sentencing

2/27/09 - Another sentence was handed down this week in connection with a two-county cocaine ring. Federal Judge Barbara Crabb sentenced Arturo Pineda-Lopez to 37 months in prison. The 25-year-old Mexican national was one of seven people arrested last June for selling cocaine in the Watertown and Fort Atkinson area. The Department of Justice conducted wiretaps between July of 2006 and last June, monitoring hundreds of calls detailing drug transactions in Dodge and Jefferson Counties. On June 19, authorities executed eleven search warrants and seized over $100,000 in cash, multiple kilograms of cocaine and several automobiles. Four defendants have already been sent to prison and one goes to trial next month. One suspect remains at large. The Department of Justice says all the subjects will be deported after completing their sentences are completed.

Millard Waives Prelim in Chase

2/27/09 - A Milwaukee man, charged with leading Dodge County authorities on a high speed chase that reached speeds in excess of 130mph, waived his right to a preliminary hearing yesterday. Eric Millard entered a “not guilty” plea to one felony count of Eluding an Officer and a variety of traffic citations related to the September 11th incident that began in the Town of Clyman. According to the criminal complaint, the 22-year-old was driving his motorcycle 30mph over the speed limit when deputies initiated the pursuit, which continued 7 miles down Highway 26 into Juneau before it was terminated. The deputy later spotted Millard in a field, disoriented, looking for his bike which was about 50 feet away. Millard told authorities that he fled because he had been stopped the day before and didn’t want another ticket for operating after his license was revoked.

Oasis Burglar Sentenced

2/27/09 - A Hartford man will spend five months in jail for burglarizing the Rubicon Oasis Tavern, twice. Robert Hetzel entered through the backdoor of the establishment late last month and stole about $300 from the safe and an $8 bottle of whiskey. Authorities were able to arrest the 42-year-old Hetzel with the help of video surveillance footage. The owner identified him because he used to be a bartender there, and live upstairs from the bar. He had a key that was later returned but the locks were never changed. At the time of his arrest last month, he was still facing a misdemeanor charge for breaking into the same bar last October. Hetzel was also placed on probation for three years and ordered to pay restitution and maintain absolute sobriety.


Jobs Lost at Record Level

2/27/09 - Wisconsin lost a record number of jobs during the year ending in January. And the state’s unemployment rate jumped almost two full percentage points to seven-point-six – the highest for a January since 1986. The state lost almost 73-thousand jobs over the preceding 12 months – the largest year-to-year loss in the 69 years the state has kept track of it. David Ward of North-star Economics in Madison says he’s surprised at how fast the downturn has snowballed. He said employers react a lot faster to economic conditions today than they did in the 1980’s. Education and health services were the only parts of the private sector not to lose jobs over the last year. Government added 900 people, for gain of two-tenths of one-percent. As of last week, Wisconsin already had the same number of applications for jobless benefits this year, as it did through the first week of April in 2008.

2008 Traffic Crashes Inline with Average

2/27/09 - While last year’s preliminary traffic death toll of 588 will go down in Wisconsin’s record books as the lowest since 1944, total numbers of crashes held fairly steady, compared to the five-year average. According to preliminary data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, there were about 125-thousand traffic crashes recorded in the state last year. That’s close to the five-year average. Property damage crashes actually increased by about four percent compared to the five-year average, with about 91-thousand property damage crashes reported.

1 in 5 Wisconsin Banks Lost Money in 4th Quarter of ‘08

2/27/09 - Over one-fifth of Wisconsin’s banks lost money in the final quarter of last year, when the nation’s financial crisis started to heat up. The F-D-I-C said the state’s 283 banks had combined losses of 354-million dollars from October-through-December compared to the same time a year ago. Sixty-two banks lost money last quarter, while 221 others showed profits. M-and-I, the state’s largest bank, had the largest loss of over 350-million. Wisconsin banks added over a million dollars to their accounts which cover bad loans – three times as much as the final quarter of 2007. And they wrote off three times as many bad debts. Just under three-percent of the banks’ total loans were delinquent from October-through-December – up from about one-and-a-half percent the previous year. Banking consultant David Donihue said he could never remember a tougher period for Wisconsin’s banks – and it reflects what’s happening nationally.

Top Stories February 26th

Barn Fire Just Off Highway 151

2/26/09 - Firefighters are on the scene of a barn fire in the Town of Calamus. The call was reported just before 3:30 to the structure fire along Highway 151 at East Salem Road. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Winter Weather Advisory for Dodge County

2/26/09 - We’ll see a mix of rain and snow this afternoon as a storm makes its way through the Midwest. Dodge County is under a winter weather advisory beginning at noon today through midnight. The National Weather Service says rain will start in far southern Wisconsin in the early afternoon before mixing with snow and sleet later this afternoon. It’s expected to change to all snow later on with accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. Ice accumulations are also possible but they are not expected to be more than a tenth of an inch. However, with the storm hitting right around rush hour officials are asking motorists to take it slow during their commute.

New Chief Selected for Beaver Dam Fire Department

2/26/09 - The Beaver Dam Police and Fire Commission has tabbed a Matteson, Illinois man to be the city’s next fire chief. Alan Mannel is a second generation firefighter who has served 30 years with the Matteson department. Mannel is currently a Lieutenant and serves as Arson Inspector and EMS Coordinator and has experience as a water rescue diver. He is also a certified paramedic, and says his background will bring valuable expertise to the city’s fledgling paramedic program. Mannel describes himself as a family man and is married with two kids. He replaces George Sheets who resigned abruptly in the weeks following the June floods last year, after 18 months with the department. Sheets brought a lot of change in that time, implementing not only the paramedic program, but also the interfacility transport program which last year generated over $100,000 in profit for the city. If Mannel passes his physical, he will begin April 1.

Koch’s Guilty of Taking Bike that Led to Fatality

2/26/09 - It took a jury less than three hours yesterday to convict a Beaver Dam couple for taking and hiding a motorcycle. 46-year-old Michael Zuhlke died accidentally after getting into an altercation with management at the Kinda Country bar, after blaming management for the missing bike. Jeffrey and Ingrid Koch were found guilty of one misdemeanor count of Taking A Vehicle Without Consent related to the April 27 incident at the Town of Trenton tavern. According to the criminal complaint, Zuhlke was engaged in a pushing confrontation in the parking lot with the bar’s manager, Brian Schultz. That’s when Zuhlke’s brother shoved Shultz. Zuhlke and Shultz got their feet entwined and fell backward with Zuhlke striking his head on the bumper of a pick-up truck. A forensic pathologist later determined that Zuhlke died as a result of a spinal chord fracture. Authorities say the Koch’s were inebriated when they pushed Zuhlke’s Harley Davidson into an unlocked shed on the tavern premises. Ingrid Koch says she “vaguely remembers” the incident. They face up to nine months incarceration at sentencing, which will be scheduled at a later date. There were no other charges filed in connection with the death. Dodge County DA Bill Bedker had previously said that he does not see anything in the criminal report that leads him to believe the injuries were intentional.

20 to 30 Steer Killed by Train

2/26/09 - Around two dozen steer were killed and several others injured after wandering onto railroad tracks just east of Columbus. The incident occurred around 1pm yesterday afternoon on the Canadian Pacific line right near the Highway 60 overpass. Sheriff Todd Nehls says there were 20 to 30 carcasses strewn along the tracks for over a mile and half. The survivors were treated by a veterinarian for injuries. The steer were owned by the Roche family and Nehls says they have been very cooperative did not spare any resources in the clean-up. No one was injured on the eastbound freight train or the passenger train that followed minutes later.

Rural Development Loan

2/26/09 - Home Repair Loans are available for very-low income homeowners in a number of area counties. The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development recently announced the loans would be available for 15 counties, including Dodge, Jefferson, Fond du Lac, Washington and Green Lake. The loans can be used to improve or modernize a home, make it accessible, or to remove health and safety hazards such as electric or roofing issues. The home repair loans are at one percent interest with a maximum term of 20-years. The loan amount will depend on the ability to make monthly payments based on income levels. For more information on the loans you can visit Rural Development online at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/.

Soldier from Baraboo Killed in Afghanistan

2/26/09 - A National Guard specialist from Madison has been killed in Afghanistan. His family said 24-year-old Daniel Thompson was one of four people who died on Tuesday by a roadside bomb in the southern province of Kandajar. He was the lead driver of a convoy when the bomb went off. Thompson’s family lives in Portage, where he graduated from high school in 2003. His girlfriend is a hospital nurse in Madison, where the two had a house. Thompson was part of Army National Guard’s 32nd Military Police Company in Madison. He was sent to Afghanistan with a unit from Illinois. His family said Thompson’s body was due back in the U-S last night, where the military would officially identify him.

Town of Alto Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident

2/26/09 - One person is dead and two others injured in an accident between a motorcycle and mini van in the Town of Alto yesterday afternoon. Fond du Lac County Sheriff's officials say a 26-year-old Town of Alto man was on his motorcycle when a mini van turned in front of him at Lake Maria and Marsh View Roads. He died at the scene. The 76-year-old man driving the mini van and his wife were taken to Waupun Memorial Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Authorities say the speed of the motorcycle was a factor in the accident. It's the first fatal traffic accident in the County this year. (KFIZ)

Town of Fox Lake Man Injured in Skid-Loader Accident

2/26/09 - A Town of Fox Lake man was injured by a skid loader yesterday morning. Dodge County Patrol Captain Molly Soblewski says the 41-year-old property owner was moving hay bails in the backyard of a home on Country Trunk F when a bail fell on him, pushing him onto the skid loader. The metal fork of the skid loader was driven up under the skin just above both of his knee-caps. A doctor successfully removed the man’s legs from the machinery. Soblewski says he did not break any bones and was very lucky. The victim was flown from the scene by Med-Flight to Froedert Hospital near Milwaukee.

No Powerball Winner

2/26/09 - Nobody won the Powerball jackpot last night, so it goes up to 173-million-dollars for the next drawing on Saturday. Wisconsin players didn’t have much luck, as nobody won more than 400-dollars. Saturday’s cash option is 92-and-a-half million dollars, for a single winner who takes whole prize now instead of in installments.

Top Stories February 25th

Waupun School District Stimulus Funding

2/25/09 - Waupun District Administrator Randy Refsland says he expects the district to get more than $600,000 in federal stimulus money over the next two years. However, none of it will go towards helping them close the $1-million-dollar deficit in next year’s budget. He says the money is constrained to two areas. The first is about $133,000 to Title 1 aid which is for low income schools to help with reading instruction. The other area is more than $500,000 over two years for special education.

“Huffing” Leads to Crash

2/25/09 - Two Beaver Dam teenagers needed medical attention after rolling their truck on North Spring Street and hitting a local restaurant, while allegedly under the influence of drugs. According to Beaver Dam Deputy Chief Dan Shubert, a 19-year-old driver and his 18-year-old female passenger were driving south on North Spring Street around 11pm Monday when the man lost control, jumped a snow bank and rolled his vehicle into the Taco Bell building. Both the driver and passenger were taken to Beaver Dam Community Hospital. Shubert says the two also admitted to “huffing”, which is inhaling a type of aerosol and something Shubert says can kill you. The driver of the vehicle has already been cited for Unreasonable and Imprudent Speed and Reckless Driving. Shubert says they’ll forward those charges to the DA’s office and possibly others.

Petri Participates in Hearing with Flight 1549 Pilots

2/25/09 - At a hearing in Washington D.C. yesterday the Horicon Marsh was a topic of conversation. U.S. Representative Tom Petri of Fond du Lac asked the two pilots of Flight 1549, who orchestrated a river landing after the plane was badly damaged by birds, whether local officials should consider clearing the Canadian geese that don’t migrate off the land so as to avoid a similar issue. Co-Pilot and Wisconsin native Jeffery Skiles told Petri he’d seen an increase in the birds but he still thinks what happened to his flight was an aberration and really nothing anyone can do in the future would guarantee it wouldn’t happen again.

Columbus Discusses Roof Repairs

2/25/09 - Columbus Auditorium Corporation (CAC) spokespersons repeated their City Hall roof renovation recommendations to the City Council at last night’s meeting. The CAC said fixing the City Hall roof, trusses and third floor were the best long term option. The Council recently rejected spending $300 thousand dollars earmarked for roof repair. Council President Ed Parpart said he felt the roof was sound and money spent on an auditorium during a recession was not using money where it was needed. Columbia County Supervisor Jack Sanderson reminded the Council and CAC that Federal Stimulus money could be a source of renovation money for City Hall roof and auditorium needs

Obama: America will Emerge Stronger than Ever

2/25/09 - President Obama says America will emerge stronger than ever from its weak economy and its shaken confidence. In his first speech to Congress last night, the Democrat spelled out the nation’s economic challenges, and called for bold-and-wise action to revive jobs and lending – invest in energy, health care, and education – and bring the deficit down. Wausau House Democrat David Obey said Obama laid out a clear vision, and he called the speech the best he’s heard a president give, while Janesville House Republican Paul Ryan praised Obama for vowing to end what Ryan called a “shrill partisanship” that has led to poor public policy.

Phosphorus-based Lawn Fertilizers Banned

2/25/09 - The Wisconsin Assembly has approved a bill that bans phosphorus from most lawn fertilizers. The house voted 96-to-nothing yesterday to pass the measure on to the Senate. Governor Jim Doyle has said he’ll sign it. Madison Democrat Spencer Black calls it an important step to clean up our lakes, and stop the growth of weeds-and-algae that can hurt fish. Similar bans are in effect in Dane County and over 30 Wisconsin communities. The measure would still allow phosphorus on new lawns, and in rare cases in which soil does not have enough natural phosphorus.

Abrahamson Won’t Give Money Back

2/25/09 - Wisconsin’s chief justice says she will not return over 11-thousand-dollars in campaign donations from lawyers who will argue a medical malpractice in her court next month. At a debate in Madison yesterday, Supreme Court challenger Randy Koschnick told Shirley Abrahamson to either give back the money, or withdraw from the case. But Abrahamson said none of the parties involved have asked her to pull out. Recent reports said Abrahamson’s camp raised 30-thousand dollars from lawyers with cases pending before the state’s highest court. Koschnick, a Jefferson County circuit judge, said those donors expect something in return.

Top Stories February 23rd

Two Arrested after Chase

2/23/09 - More details are coming to light from a car chase early Sunday morning that resulted in two men being arrested and a Hartford police officer needing medical attention. According to Sheriff Todd Nehls, the Hartford officer saw a vehicle go up on a curb in the city around 2:30am and attempted to pull the vehicle. However, the driver of the vehicle, 25-year-old Joshua Neu did not stop and the chase continued into Dodge County eventually ending up on Highway 67. After a few miles the chase went off road just outside of Neosho. However, the subject’s vehicle got stuck, and in an effort to get away, the driver backed up and rammed the squad car repeatedly. The officer was able to get himself out of the car by shooting out the window, but his vehicle was un-drivable. The suspects escaped the scene, but Dodge County deputies found both men within ten minutes and arrested Neu and his 32-year-old passenger. The officer and passenger were taken to Aurora Medical Center in Hartford where they were treated for minor injuries. Nehls says the investigation into the incident continues between his department, the state patrol, and Hartford police. He expects a number of charges to be filed this week against Neu, including a citation for operating while intoxicated and felony fleeing. More charges could be forth coming.

Dolan New Archbishop in New York

2/23/09 - The Vatican confirmed this morning that Milwaukee Catholic Archbishop Tim Dolan is the new archbishop in New York. It’s been speculated for weeks, as Cardinal Edward Egan is about to retire. Numerous sources said yesterday that Pope Benedict had chosen the 59-year-old Dolan. We’re not sure yet when he’ll leave the 10-county Milwaukee archdiocese, where he has led 682-thousand Catholics since 2002. Dolan will join the nation’s best-known Catholic branch. It has two-and-a-half million members in three of New York City’s five boroughs – including Manhattan – and seven counties as far north as the Catskills. The New York Times called Dolan a “towering frame and a gregarious presence,” and “a genial enforcer of Rome’s conservative line.” About a-third of Dolan’s new territory is made up of Spanish-speaking residents. And while Dolan does not speak Spanish, he has received high marks for his service to Milwaukee’s Latinos.

Waupun School Board to Discuss Referendum Results

2/23/09 - The Waupun School Board will hold a special meeting tonight to discuss the failed referendums from last weeks election. All three questions on voters ballots last Tuesday were voted down, including one that would have allowed the district to exceed the revenue cap by a total of about $5-million dollars over three years to keep operating a number of buildings as they currently do. Prior to the election, District Administrator Randy Refsland had said if that question were to fail he would recommend closing Fox Lake and Alto Elementary so as to help the district close a $1-million-dollar budget deficit for the 2009-2010 school year. In an effort to keep their school open, a Fox Lake area citizens group has begun to raise funds to hire an attorney to help them sort out what their options may be going forward. No action is expected at tonight’s meeting.

Garcia Sentenced in Sexual Assault Case

2/23/09 - A Waupun man has been sentenced to 120-days of conditional jail time and five years probation for having sex with a 12-year-old girl. According to Fond du Lac Assistant District Attorney Scott Mortier, 20-year-old Brett Garcia, who was 18 at the time of incidents, did not use threats, force, alcohol or drugs when he had sex with the girl who he thought was 15. Along with the jail time and probation Garcia must register as a sex offender. Garcia had been charged with first-degree sexual assault for having sex with the girl between September and Halloween 2006. The girls mother wrote a statement to the court which said she was not angry with Garcia as he was not the first person the girl had sex with and she had hoped he would be kept of the sex offender registry.

Ban on Feeding Deer in Waupun?

2/23/09 - The city of Waupun will be discussing an ordinance this week that would ban the feeding of white-tailed deer. This will the second straight year the council will attempt to pass the ordinance which is designed to crack down on the deer that are taking their toll on trees and shrubs on the north side of the city. City Administrator Gary Rodgers says there are number of herds running around town and causing extensive amounts of damage. If passed the ordinance would ban residents from setting food plots in their yards. Residents have seen as many as 20 deer together walking down city streets and through yards. During last years discussion the DNR recommended the ban but it failed when voted on. The council will discuss the issue tomorrow night at their Committee of the Whole meeting.

Number of Legislators Giving Back Raise up to 12

2/23/09 - There are now 12-Wisconsin legislators who will be giving back their 5.3-percent raise in the face of a 5.9-billion-dollar state budget deficit. Representative Brett Davis from Oregon became the latest to hand back the raise joining four other Democrats and seven Republicans. He says after looking at the budget released by Governor Doyle last week, and seeing a proposed 0-percent pay increase for state employees, Davis felt it wasn’t right for other state employees to take a raise. None of the legislators that represent our area have given back their raise.

Fire Damages West Bend Home

2/23/09 - Fire caused more than $150,000 in damage to a home in the Town of West Bend early Sunday morning. Washington County Sheriff's officials say the fire began in a first story fireplace and spread to the basement and attic through the chimney chase. Five fires departments fought the blaze and were on scene for about 2 ½ hours. The home's occupants and their pets were able to get out of the house safely. Smoke detectors were activated. Michael and Carrie Leverance own the home at 4783 Jacob Road. (KFIZ)

Girl Rescued from Waters Last Week Still in Critical Condition

2/23/09 - The 7-year-old St. Nazianz girl rescued from a pickup truck that went through the ice of Lake Winnebago more than a week ago remains in critical condition. Tiffany Dombrowski is recovering from that tragic incident at Children's Hospital in Milwaukee. The accident ended up claiming the life of 44-year-old Dan Kleinhans and his 9-year-old daughter Savannah. Fond du LacCounty Sheriff's Sergeant Jeff Bonack works with the dive team that recovered Dan Kleinhans. He says everyone reacted as quickly as they could. (KFIZ)

Walker Not Running for Governor…Yet

2/23/09 - Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker appears to be doing everything but saying he’ll run for governor next year. The Republican has appeared at local G-O-P Lincoln Day dinners around the state. And today, Walker will be in the nation’s capital for a fund-raiser hosted by the state’s three Republican House members and former Governor Tommy Thompson. As of January first, Walker had 360-thousand dollars in campaign fund – about a million less than Democratic Governor Jim Doyle. Walker raised over 413-thousand in campaign donations last year, including 272-thousand late in the year from 128 people who gave a-thousand or more. Walker says he’ll make his official decision on running before the state Republican Convention in early May.

Wisconsin Governments to Receive $3.5-Billion from Stimulus

2/23/09 - It will be a long time before we really know how much Wisconsin gets from the federal economic stimulus package. Governor Jim Doyle says state-and-local governments will receive around three-and-a-half billion dollars. But that’s just part of the total. There are also tax cuts for workers, and tax breaks for people who buy homes-and-cars. Companies will compete for business grants under the package – and Wisconsin’s share will depend on how able-and-aggressive its firms are in winning those grants. Steve Baas of the Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce says Wisconsin companies should do well. He and others cite the growing emphasis by state companies on energy efficiency, and the development of bio-fuels and other green technology. The Center for American Progress expects Wisconsin to get a total of nine-point-two-billion-dollars from the stimulus package when all is said-and-done. That would put the Badger State in the upper half in terms of economic output, but in the lower half in aid per person – at around 16-hundred-25 dollars.

WI Family Action: “Domestic Partner Protections Unconstitutional”

2/23/09 - A family rights’ group says the state can expect a lawsuit if it approves the domestic partner protections in Governor Jim Doyle’s new state budget. Julaine Appling of Wisconsin Family Action believes the courts would rule them unconstitutional, and her group has lawyers looking into it. Under Doyle’s plan, domestic couples would register in their home counties to get legal protections. They could get family-and-medical-leave to care for an ill partner. And they could make end-of-life decisions for their partners, so they’re not legally shut out by their partners’ families. Appling calls it a direct assault on the 2006 constitutional amendment that bans gay marriages and civil unions.

Powerball Jackpot Rises

2/23/09 - The Powerball jackpot is 150-million-dollars for Wednesday night. Nobody won the top prize on Saturday night. And nobody from Wisconsin won the second prize, either. The current jackpot is the second-highest of the year. An Indiana player won 163-million-dollars on January 17th. The cash option for Wednesday is just over 80-million-dollars for a single winner who chooses to take the entire prize now.

Top Stories February 22nd

The Cleanup Begins

2/22/09 - If you’re heading out this morning beware of snow drifting over some area roadways. Dodge County Highway Patrol Supervisor Ken Stock says his crews were out until about midnight last night and back at it again at 4am battle yesterday’s snow. He says the roads are better than he thought they would be but still cautions drivers to take it slow. The Sheriff’s Department is reporting dozen of runoffs throughout the county yesterday but they say only one resulted in injuries. This morning the dispatch center says they’re dealing with a couple runoffs but for the most part it’s been quiet. Snow totals from yesterday’s storm are also starting to filter in. According to the National Weather Service, Oconomowoc got 6.5-inches, West Bend got 8.8-inches, and Ripon picked up 4.2 inches.

Columbus Fire Chief Search Underway

2/22/09 - Columbus City Administrator Boyd Kraemer will give the Council an update this week on where the City is in hiring a new Fire Chief. The Mayor, City Council and Police and Fire Commission have been disputing who has authority in hiring a chief for nearly three years. At recent sessions two City Resolutions limiting the PFC role in the process were reaffirmed by the Council and the Council approved a Chief’s job description. Tuesday night’s Council meeting will hear what action has been taken toward hiring the $26,000 per year permanent Fire Chief position for Columbus.

50 Weeks, 50 States, 50 Jobs?

2/22/09 - As if finding one job weren't tough enough, a man from California is hoping to find 50 jobs in 50 weeks in all 50 states. Daniel Seddiqui is spending this week in Wisconsin working at Widmer's Cheese Cellars in Theresa. The 26-year-old says he embarked on the cross-country trek after getting rejected for dozens of jobs after college. He's hoping the journey will help him find his life's calling. Before he started the project he says he felt there were no opportunities for him. Seddiqui says networking works. And, he says being a cheese maker is the most labor intensive job he's had in the 23 weeks he's been on the road.

Attorney: Hospital Killed Daughter, not her Father

2/22/09 - It wasn't my client, slamming his daughter's head against a table, that killed her. It was the hospital, turning off her life support. That's the argument by a defense attorney in a Washington County case. The West Bend man is facing charges of first-degree reckless homicide in the death of his two month old daughter. The defense lawyer asked the court to consider whether the decision to take the little girl off life support was the cause of her death, rather than any injuries her father might have caused. The judge said no to the argument, but the attorney is appealing that decision.

Lifting of Revenue Limits on Districts Unlikely to Happen

2/22/09 - At least one Republican at the Capitol gives Governor Doyle credit for taking on a controversial idea -- but he's not going to support. Doyle wants to lift state revenue caps for school districts meeting certain requirements. Republican State Representative Brett Davis says that could remove some protections for property taxpayers. In cases where those property taxes haven't kept up with rising costs for operating schools, opponents say taxpayers could be hit hard. Revenue caps have been in place in Wisconsin for more than 15 years. Immediate response to the governor's idea has been mixed.

Man Run-over by Girlfriend Pleads for Leniency at her Sentencing

2/22/09 - Prosecutors say you can blame jealousy, rage and possessiveness. Now, 22 year old Paula Habeck of Two Rivers will spend six months in jail. Habeck pleaded no contest to charges she left the scene after hitting her boyfriend with her SUV. Things could have been much worse. The boyfriend was said to be "lucky" to survive the November 8 incident. He's racked up 70 thousand dollars in medical bills. He's also still seeing Habeck -- and he asked the judge to be lenient in her sentencing. Habeck will be on probation for three years after she gets out and she also loses her driving privileges for a year.

Digital Download Tax Coming

2/22/09 - If you do a lot of buying online -- things like music, games, books or ring tones -- you can expect to pay a little more starting next fall. Effective October 1, the state of Wisconsin is going to collect sales taxes on Internet purchases. They're called digital downloads. Fifteen other states have similar tax laws in place. Governor Jim Doyle has been pushing for the change for years. Wisconsin's general fund could get up to seven million dollars a year from the tax. Since purchases on the Internet are growing by as much as 20 percent some years, that revenue source is expected to grow rapidly.

No Winner in Powerball

2/22/09 - Nobody won the 125-million-dollar Powerball jackpot last night, which means it’ll shoot up to 150-million for Wednesday night’s drawing. That’s the highest its been since an Indiana player won 163-million last month.