Top Stories November 7th

Watertown Man Killed in Highway 26 Crash

11/7/09 - A 21-year-old Watertown man was killed last night when his car hit a tree in the Town of Chester. Dodge County authorities say the man was taking a curve on Highway 26 just north of Highway C-I when his car left the road a struck a large tree on the right shoulder. The man was pronounced dead on the scene. He was the only one in the vehicle. The Crash Investigation Team is still determining a cause for the accident. The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of family. The incident happened just after 6pm.

Lodi Man Among the Soldiers Wounded at Fort Hood

11/7/09 - A soldier from Columbia County was among the 30 people injured in Thursday's shooting rampage at Fort Hood Texas. His father said Army Reserve Specialist Grant Moxon of Lodi (pictured) was standing in front of shooting suspect Nidal Hasan – and he amazingly escaped with bullet wound just above one of his knees. The 23-year-old Moxon joined the reserves last year, after graduating from U-W La Crosse as a mental health specialist. His father Dave said Moxon was planning to serve in Afghanistan after making a trip home for Thanksgiving. Army soldier Amy Krueger of Kiel in Manitowoc County and Specialist Russell Seager of Racine were among the 13 people killed in yesterday’s massacre. 19-year-old Army reservist Amber Bahr of Random Lake was shot in the abdomen – and her base commander said she treated and moved another soldier before she even realized she was shot herself.

The gunman was identified as 39-year-old Major Nidal Hasan of Virginia, who's been in the military for eight years. Hasan was first reported to be killed. But he was hospitalized in stable condition at last word under a military guard. Officials said Hasan targeted a ceremony at a base readiness center. A motive has not been disclosed. Hasan was about to be deployed overseas. Media reports said he was transferred to Fort Hood in July after getting a poor performance evaluation while working at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. A co-worker told Fox News that Hasan opposed U-S involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. But while he realized that soldiers must follow orders, he hoped President Obama would order a pull-out by now.

Huber Inmate Dies

11/7/09 - A 34-year-old Huber inmate was found unconscious in his cell area at the Dodge County Detention facility around 2:15 yesterday afternoon. Authorities say officers attempted to revive him until the Juneau EMS arrived on scene. The 34-year-old Hartford man was taken to the Beaver Dam hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Officials ay there appears to be no foul play involved at this time but their investigation continues. The name of the inmate has not been released pending notification of family.

High Speed Chase Leads to Arrest

11/7/09 - A 24-year-old Fall River man was taken into custody yesterday morning hours after he led authorities on a nearly 20-mile car chase that reached speeds of 120-miles per hour. Mayville authorities say as an officer was attempting to pull over a car for having a brake light out the driver took off. The subject left Mayville on Highway Y before turning onto Highway 49 towards Waupun. Officials say when the pursuit got into Waupun the man tried passing a car on the right side, jumped the curb and landed in an East Main Street driveway. The driver then ditched the car and took off on foot. An officer along with his K-9 dog started chasing the man but he was able to get away. However, a number of hours later he was spotted at a gas station and taken into custody. The man faces a number of charges, including eluding an officer.

BD PFC to Reconsider Withholding Rape Exam Payments

11/7/09 - The Beaver Dam Police and Fire Commission will be revisiting the idea of withholding some payments to Meriter Hospital. Deputy Chief Dan Schubert told the commission this week that it was his understanding that police departments are billed roughly $280 as part of a rape exam, but that bill is not always paid by police departments. And nurses at Meriter reportedly told Schubert when the bill is not paid, the hospital do not pursue the matter. Since the vote, Schubert says he has been contacted by Meriter officials and the matter will be brought back before the Police and Fire Commission. Schubert says he expects the decision to withhold payments will be changed at the December meeting.

Large Fight Early Friday in BD Results in 1 Arrest

11/7/09 - The Beaver Dam Police Department was called to a Madison Street bar early Friday morning to break up a fight involving as many as 10 people. According to Deputy Chief Dan Schubert, officers responded to Johnny Lounge at 12:48am. A 21-year-old Horicon man ran from the establishment but was apprehended and taken into custody on a probation violation and transported to jail. Two Beaver Dam women were cited for Disorderly Conduct.

BDPD Investigating Breaking and Entering Reports

11/7/09 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is investigating several breaking and entering reports that have occurred over the past couple days. Two garage break-ins were reported Thursday morning. A garage on the 700 block of West Burnett was broken into and then a car window was smashed and a video system was stolen. A second garage break-in was reported yesterday morning on the 200 block of DeClark; a car stereo system was taken. A third garage on the 700 block of North Center was entered and beer and a work light were removed. Yesterday morning, authorities responded to reports of a break-in at the former Cornerstone Baptist Church on the 300 block of East Burnett; an assortment of tools was stolen. Authorities are investigating and they ask anyone with information to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department or the anonymous We-Tip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME.

Niesen Gets Life in Prison

11/7/09 - The crime was committed more than 33 years ago. Now, a man from Ashwaubenon will spend the rest of his life in prison for killing Kathleen Leichtman. A jury found 53 year old Thomas Niesen guilty of slashing the girl's throat in July 1976. He had left her body by the side of the road. Niesen was arrested last February after DNA evidence showed he had sex with the victim before she died. Niesen was sentenced in Fond du Lac County court yesterday.

Palin Speaks in West Allis

11/7/09 - Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin tells a Wisconsin audience to keep pressing politicians on abortion questions. Palin spoke to an audience of about five thousand in West Allis last night. She didn't mention President Barrack Obama by name, but did touch on health care reform and said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should make sure all voices are heard on the controversial legislation. Organizers with Wisconsin Right to Life said the media wouldn't be allowed to cover her visit to the Milwaukee area -- which comes 11 days before her book, "Going Rogue," is to be released.

Insurance Companies to Merge

11/7/09 - Two area insurance companies are planning to merge at the start of next year. Regulators have approved the merger of Watertown Mutual and Ixonia Mutual – and policy holders are scheduled to vote on the move at a meeting in about a month. The new company would be called Forward Mutual Insurance. It would be based in Ixonia, where that company’s president Howard Wiedenhoeft would become the new C-E-O for the merged operation. Current employees of both insurers would stay on. The new Forward Mutual would have almost five-thousand policy-holders with over 860-million dollars in total insurance coverage. The two companies have customers in 16 southern Wisconsin counties.

Top Stories November 6th

WI Solider Wounded at Fort Hood

11/6/09 - A Sheboygan County woman was among the 31 injured when an Army psychiatrist opened fire at Fort Hood in Texas yesterday, killing 12 others. Her mother said 19-year-old Amber Bahr (left) of Random Lake was in stable condition at a hospital, after being shot in the abdomen. Lisa Pfund said the only thing she knew what that her daughter was shot in the belly - and she was getting upset because she couldn't get more details. Bahr joined the Army Reserves at age 17, and was saving money for college. The attack is being called the worst mass shooting ever at a U-S military base.

The gunman was identified as 39-year-old Major Nidal Hasan of Virginia, who's been in the military for eight years. Hasan was first reported to be killed. But he was hospitalized in stable condition at last word under a military guard. Officials said Hasan targeted a ceremony at a base readiness center. A motive has not been disclosed. Hasan was about to be deployed overseas. Media reports said he was transferred to Fort Hood in July after getting a poor performance evaluation while working at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. A co-worker told Fox News that Hasan opposed U-S involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. But while he realized that soldiers must follow orders, he hoped President Obama would order a pull-out by now.

H1N1 Flu Update

11/6/09 - It is unknown at this time if the Dodge County resident who died as a result of the H1N1 virus had underlying health conditions. Public Health Officer Jody Langfeldt says can't confirm that, but that is what her office currently believes. The only information released was that the adult died this past weekend from the flu.

Meanwhile, there is an H1N1 flu clinic scheduled at the Portage High School this afternoon from 2pm to 6pm. Tomorrow, the Dodgeland School in Juneau will be a host site from 9am until 2pm. Langfeldt says the vaccine will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis to people in high-risk categories because of the limited availability of both the nasal and injectable form.

(Milwaukee) One man has been arrested, and Milwaukee Police are looking for two others who stole a truck carrying 900 doses of the H-1-N-1 flu vaccine. It happened about 7:50 last night. Police said the truck driver was picking up medical supplies at the school, and the vehicle kept running so a refrigeration unit holding the vaccine could stay on. A 38-year-old suspect was later taken into custody. Witnesses said he was one of three people inside the vehicle when it was lifted. The truck was found abandoned about 40 minutes later. The vaccine was still in it, but it cannot be used. Milwaukee health officials said the 900 doses were considered to be compromised because they went out of the city's control. Officials are not sure if the vaccine can be replaced - but they say they have enough for another H1N1 flu clinic scheduled today.

Juneau Tax Rate to Rise

11/6/09 - Juneau residents would see a 10-cent increase to their mill-rate if the city council passes the proposed budget. Earlier this week the city's finance committee voted to forward an $8.6-million budget with a total levy of $1.15-million to the full council. If passed as is, residents would see their rate rise to $7.66-per $1,000 of assessed value. That means the owner of a $150,000 property would pay nearly $1,150 for the city portion of their taxes. Officials say the increase in the tax rate is directly related to needed street improvements to a section of South Hyland Street. The council is expected to vote on the budget following the November 23rd public hearing.

Doyle in FDL Today

11/6/09 - Governor Jim Doyle will be in Fond du Lac today at 10:00 a.m. to thank the community, Mercury Marine and the company's employees for working together and keeping Mercury Marine in Wisconsin. Doyle says that Mercury Marine is a great Wisconsin company and a source of pride for the state and that its 70-year history is an important part of Wisconsin's manufacturing tradition. Doyle went on to say that he wants to use this appearance to thank everyone who helped ensure Mercury's long-term presence in Wisconsin. Mercury president Mark Schwabero says Governor Doyle was instrumental in the process of developing agreements that enabled Mercury to remain in Wisconsin.

Niesen to be Sentenced Today

11/6/09 - It took 33 years and a nine-day jury trial to get justice for a 19-year-old woman killed in Fond du Lac; today her murderer will be sentenced. Fifty-four-year-old Thomas Niesen will be sentenced by Judge Dale English this afternoon (2 p.m.) for the July 1976 murder of Kathleen Leicthman of Milwaukee. Leichtman had traveled to Fond du Lac to dance at The Other Place strip club. Niesen met her there and killed her along Rolling Meadows Drive. DNA evidence linked him to the crime scene and testimony from his ex-wife about remarks he made about the death of a young woman he'd met at The Other Place helped land a conviction. Fond du Lac police detectives who worked the case over the years characterized it as "the one that got away." This afternoon that changes. Niesen faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Traffic Deaths Tie Record Low for October

11/6/09 - Traffic deaths in Wisconsin tied a record-low for October. The D-O-T said yesterday that 40 people were killed in 38 highway crashes last month. That’s nine fewer deaths than last October, and 25 less than the average for the past five years. It also tied the record-low for the month dating back to 1944 when there were 40 deaths. That was seven years after the state began keeping statistics. Dodge County did experience one traffic fatality late last month; it was the eleventh of the year. In 2008, there were 17 traffic deaths on Dodge County roadways through the end of October. The highest number of October road deaths occurred in 1971, with 127. The D-O-T hopes the current trend continues. Safety chief Dennis Hughes says drivers will need to adjust to winter conditions this month, and watch out for deer – especially at dawn and dusk when the most car-deer crashes occur. In this first 10 months of this year, 447 people were killed in Wisconsin traffic mishaps. That’s down 54 from a year ago. Hughes cited lower traffic due to the recession, and tighter law enforcement, for the decrease.

Aurora Pharmacy Closes Doors in BD

11/6/09 - The Aurora Pharmacy in Beaver Dam is closing. Pharmacy Manager Pam Williamson says the location is one of ten statewide that were bought-out by Walgreen’s. As a result she says all customers that had prescriptions with Aurora will see that information transferred to Walgreens. Aurora moved to its current location on the 1600 block of North Spring Street from inside the Beaver Dam Mall in January of 2007. The pharmacy will be closed for good as of 1pm Friday afternoon. Eight employees will be affected but most are being offered jobs with Walgreens.

Caregiver Thefts Net Jail Time

11/6/09 - A Hartford man who stole tens of thousands of dollars from his disabled roommate will spend nine months in jail. Michael Beckwith was a paid caregiver and used the elderly man’s checks and ATM card without his consent to pay bills, go on vacation, purchase a car and even make charitable donations. The offenses spanned a period of less than one year beginning in May of 2008 and totaled nearly $40,000. The 57-year-old Beckwith pleaded “no contest” to three of felony Theft charges and had seven other counts dismissed but read into the record. A restitution hearing will be held at a later date.

Ten Years For Molestation

11/6/09 - A Fond du Lac man who molested a 16-year-old girl at a Beaver Dam motel has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. 35-year-old Roderick Lentz pleaded “no contest” to a felony county of Child Enticement and two misdemeanors related to a series of incidents that occurred at the Grandview Motel in early January. Lentz used to date the victims grandmother. The sentence will run concurrent to a 10-year prison sentence out of Outagamie County on similar charges from last October.

Probation for Diaper Smuggler

11/6/09 - A Holmen woman has been placed on probation for smuggling hamburgers, chewing tobacco and pornography into the Fox Lake Correctional Institution inside a baby’s diaper. 30-year-old Shannon Michelle Genz was trying to bring the contraband to her fiancé but was apprehended as she came through the gates. Prison officials had intercepted phone conversations between the two and were able to decipher their code; they used words like “chewy” and “McD” in describing the goods. Prison staff found two clear baggies of the chewing tobacco, an Angus Mushroom & Swiss fast food burger, and eight salacious photographs of Ganz. The baby’s diaper was not confiscated as evidence because they were in use during the course of the investigation.

Teachers to be Evaluated on Student Test Scores

11/6/09 - The Wisconsin Assembly voted overnight to abolish a state law against using student test scores to evaluate teachers. But Republicans called it a weak measure, and accused Democrats of doing the bare minimum to get the federal stimulus money being offered in President Obama's "Race to the Top" education program. Lawmakers worked late because yesterday was the final day of their floor period for this year. The Senate okayed the teacher evaluation bill earlier in the day on an 18-14 vote. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said it was "ridiculous" that Wisconsin refused to evaluate teachers according to how their kids perform. But under the new bill, teachers could still not be disciplined or fired for poor student performance - and any evaluations must be negotiated with the teachers' union.

Senate Approves Similar Drunk Driving Reforms as Assembly

11/6/09 - The Wisconsin Senate has unanimously approved drunk driving reforms similar to what the Assembly passed in September. Senators agreed to pay for the added enforcement with higher fees which the Assembly chose not to ratify last night. Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan called them "minor differences", and expects a final agreement in the next month or so. The Senate bill includes the same reforms approved by the Assembly. It makes four-time drunk driving a felony if it happens within five years of the previous offense - requires all repeat offenders and the most serious first-timers to breathe into a tube to prove they're sober before they can start their vehicles - reduces jail time for those who finish treatment - and makes first-time O-W-I a crime if a kid's in the car.

Law & Order on Community Comment

11/6/09 - In the municipal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups. The police who cite the criminals and the municipal court judge who hears their story. On Community Comment today, our guests will be Beaver Dam Police Lt. John Kreutzinger and Beaver Dam Municipal Court Judge Ken Peters. Municipal courts in Dodge County are handling more and more petty offenses once prosecuted by the District Attorney’s office. Managing Attorney Bob Barrington says because of decreased staffing levels and increased workloads, municipal courts will handle minor crimes like first time drug possession, operating after revocation and some disorderly conduct cases. The change will remove the threat of jail time for some minor offenses but will likely increase the amount of money offenders pay in fines. Judge Peters told city officials during budget deliberations that he expects a “substantial revenue increase” to come from his department because without the option of jail time, he will be prescribing the “maximum forfeiture penalty.” We’ll talk with the two about the relationship between the cops and the courts and their ever-changing role in the justice system. Community Comment airs weekdays on WBEV1430AM beginning at 12:35pm.

Top Stories November 5th

DC Health Department Confirms 1st H1N1 Flu Related Death

11/5/09 - Dodge County suffered its first H1N1-flu related death. In a press release Public Health Officer Jody Langfeldt would only confirm the person who passed away was an adult. Langfeldt says for most people the H1N1 flu is not severe but they know the virus can be especially dangerous for children, individuals with compromised immune systems, and those with chronic health illnesses. Nearly all of the deaths in Wisconsin so far have been children or those with an underlying medical condition. There has been a nationwide shortage of the H1N1 vaccine but Langfeldt say they expect more to be available in coming weeks and recommends that those individuals who are at high risk to get vaccinated when it becomes available. Because of patient confidentiality laws, her office will not release any more information about the death. The H1N1-flu related death toll in Wisconsin is now at 18.

Wind Farm Hearings Draw Large Crowds

11/5/09 - It was a capacity crowd yesterday at a pair of public hearings on a proposal by We Energies to construct a 90-turbine wind farm in northeast Columbia County. Supporters of the plan to build the Glacier Hills Wind Park testified that the renewable energy project is good for the environment and good for the economy. One speaker with the Iron Workers union said the jobs created would pull us out of a recession by keeping jobs in Wisconsin that will otherwise go to neighboring states. Opponents cited noise and health concerns and say those issues will lower their property values. A Town of Arlington resident said the construction jobs would be temporary but she’ll have to live across from the turbines for the rest of her life because no one is going to want to buy her house and her property values will plummet. If approved by the Public Service Commission, the turbines would cover over 17,000 acres along the Highway 33 corridor in the Towns of Randolph and Scott. The wind farm would generate 167 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 45,000 homes. Town of Scott resident John Heil (left) testifies next to Administrative Judge Michael Newmark (right).

Registered Sex Offender Moves Back To BD

11/5/09 - A registered sex offender fresh out of prison has moved back into Beaver Dam. Deputy Police Chief Dan Schubert says as of yesterday, Michael H. Fink is residing on the 200 block of West Mill Street. Schubert says state statute requires the Department of Corrections notify the public when a sex offender of Fink’s caliber is released because his classification level reflects a potential to re-offend. Fink has twice been convicted of sexual assault, one involving a 13-year-old girl and the other a 90-year-old woman; his last sexual offense was in 1991. This most recent release from prison comes after Fink served time for writing bad checks.

Obama Talks Education in Madison

11/5/09 - President Obama told a Madison audience yesterday that Wisconsin and other states must reform education to guarantee a strong economic future. The president spoke to 250 students and others at Wright Middle School. On the first anniversary of his election, the Democrat Obama said one of his mandates was to invest in a stronger future. And he said his four-billion-dollar "Race to the Top" education grants are among those investments. States will compete for the money, and not all will get it. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Obama came to Wisconsin to highlight the state's opportunities, and to lobby for Governor Jim Doyle's education initiatives. The state Legislature is scheduled to vote today to let school administrators use test scores to help evaluate teachers - which the White House requires in order to qualify for some of the "Race to the Top" stimulus money.

Barrett Still Unsure Whether He'll Run for Governor

11/5/09 - Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett met with President Obama for a couple of minutes in Madison yesterday. And Barrett said they did not bring up the question of whether he'll run for governor next year. Barrett has not denied reports that the White House wants him to run - and the state Republican Party said the underlying goal of Obama's visit yesterday was to get Barrett going on a campaign. The mayor received loud applause from the audience when he took his seat for Obama's speech at Wright Middle School, and at least one person shouted "governor." Barrett says he's still working through family and political issues. He was expected to announce this month whether he'll run.

Fox Lake Official Asking for Refsland to be Reprimanded

11/5/09 - An official in Fox Lake is asking the Waupun School Board to reprimand Superintendent Randy Refsland for comments he recently made at a meeting. Council President Tom Bednarek says he believes the school board should take some type of disciplinary action against Refsland, who called a group of Fox Lake residents ignorant during a meeting on October 22nd. For his part Refsland issued an apology in the Fox Lake paper recently and told us he regretted using the term ignorant. He says he's hopeful fences can be mended between Waupun and Fox Lake as it would be the best thing for the district. A referendum that would have allowed the city and town of Fox Lake to detach from the Waupun School District and join the Randolph district failed on Tuesday.

Rohr is New Police Chief in Fox Lake

11/5/09 - A longtime Dodge County Sheriff's employee was sworn in as Police Chief in Fox Lake last night. James Rohr will replace Pat Lynch who retired earlier this year. Rohr had been with the Sheriff's Department for nearly 25 years before retiring in September. Rohr's base salary will be $50,000. The common council also thanked Rio Police Chief Randy Martin, who served as interim chief during the hiring process.

State Supreme Court Won't Hear Same-Sex Couples Case

11/5/09 - A pro-family group says it might start a new challenge to Wisconsin's legal benefits for same-sex couples. The State Supreme Court announced yesterday that it would not be the first to consider the case. The legal benefits took effect in early August. And the Wisconsin Family Action group was hoping to strike them down right away by having the Supreme Court review the case first, instead of dragging it through the lower courts. The justices did not say why they wouldn't take the case. But Family Action lawyers Michael Dean and Richard Esenberg say it probably has nothing to do with the merits. They admitted the Supreme Court rarely takes cases directly, and the group might file a new lawsuit at the circuit court level. The domestic partner benefits were approved in the new state budget.

Students Asking Politicians to Sign OWI Agreements

11/5/09 - Governor Jim Doyle says he never drives under the influence - but he won't sign a pledge to resign if he's caught driving drunk. Students at Schofield D-C Everest High School have asked state officials and legislators to sign agreements saying they'll quit if they're arrested for O-W-I. That came soon after the arrest of a Mosinee School Board member who allegedly drove drunk while causing a crash that killed his wife and daughter. So far, the only legislator to sign the anti-drunk driving pledge is Assembly Democrat Bob Ziegelbauer of Manitowoc. Doyle's office says everyone knows that governor doesn't drink-and-drive - but he believes democracy works best when voters have the say about whether an official stays-or-goes.

WI Widens Gap as Nation's Top Cheese-Maker

11/5/09 - Wisconsin continues to widen its lead as the nation's top cheese-maker. The Badger State was the only one of the top five to exceed the national growth of cheese production in September. Wisconsin made 224-million pounds, five-point-nine percent more than a year ago. The national increase was four-point-four percent. And the number-two cheese state - California - again had a decrease in production of four-tenths-of-one percent. Idaho, New York, and Minnesota are ranked third, fourth, and fifth - and they only made three-to-four percent more cheese in September. All told, U-S producers made 845-million pounds of cheese that month, and it was down a-half percent from August.

BDACT Sets 2010 Performance Schedule

11/5/09 - The Beaver Dam Area Community Theater has finalized its 2010 performance schedule. Managing Director David Saniter says the summer show will be the Rogers and Hammerstein musical "Carousel" with Earl Ritter in the director's chair for the second time in the theaters history. The spring show will be the murder mystery "Wait Until Dark" directed by Kim Doyle. The fall show will be the over-50 comedy "The Cemetery Club" directed by Tina Swain. Still on the schedule for this year: A Dog Hug Me Christmas Carol which runs December 3rd through the 12th and stars WXRO morning show personality Stefani Bishop, among others. On December 18, the annual Christmas Radio Show hits the stage and will also be broadcast live on WBEV, with a rebroadcast that following Sunday on WXRO.

Top Stories November 4th

Split Decision Means Fox Lake is Staying Put...For Now

11/4/09 - One community voted no. Another voted yes. And because of that split Fox Lake won’t be joining a new school district…at least not right now. That comes as a result of yesterday’s referendum that would have allowed the city and town of Fox Lake to detach from the Waupun School District and join the Randolph School District. While about 60-percent of the 3,000 voters in the Waupun district voted no to the detachment nearly 57-percent of the over 600 voters in Randolph said yes to bringing Fox Lake in. Both communities needed to approve the referendum for detachment to happen. Despite the referendum being voted down by Waupun it appears the Fox Lake citizen’s group that spearheaded the process may revisit the idea of detachment on a smaller scale in a couple of years. As for the Fox Lake Elementary building, which was one of three district elementary schools closed in June, Superintendent Randy Refsland says he expects the school board to put the building up for sale at their next meeting on the 16th of this month. In Randolph, where building upgrade plans were put on the backburner during this process, Superintendent Greg Peyer says he expects the school board to hold discussions on whether to keep them there for the next few years while waiting on Fox Lake or to move forward without them.

DHS: ‘Changes Enhance Employment Opportunities for Disabled’

11/4/09 – Officials with the Department of Health Services say proposed changes that affect job placement programs for the disabled will enhance employment opportunities. DHS spokesperson Stephanie Marquis says the department is in the process of renewing its Family Care waiver with the federal government. She says new federal guidelines expand job placement beyond traditional “sheltered” job centers – like those offered by Green Valley Enterprises in Beaver Dam where a disabled employee might work at a job site alongside other disabled individuals – to also include work sites throughout the community, like libraries and bakeries. Marquis says there will not be significant changes in funding to agencies like Green Valley, and grant monies could also be used to help disabled workers integrate the community-based model. Also, she says changes would be gradual and would not be realized for several years.

Schubert Not Surprised By MSA Findings

11/4/09 - Officials with the Beaver Dam Police Department were pleased to hear that a recent study recommends the city build a brand new police station on the former YMCA property. The space needs report by MSA Integrated Services says the 50-year-old YMCA building should be torn down. Deputy Chief Dan Schubert says he was not surprised by the recommendation. The cost to renovate the building is estimated at $4.4 million, while the cost of building new would be just shy of $5.4 million. The report says when long term operating, maintenance and energy costs are factored in building new would be more cost-effective. There has been some talk by city officials that the price tag is too high given the current state of the economy. Schubert says construction costs are low now and quick action could save the taxpayers money down the road.

Mannel Commends Lake Rescue Responders

11/4/09 - Beaver Dam Fire Chief Alan Mannel told the Police and Fire Commission last night that a quick and well organized response kept a recent lake rescue from turning into a body recovery. The department responded to Waterworks Park on Beaver Dam Lake on October 21 in response to a boat that had sunk several hundred yards from shore. A 36-year-old Iron Ridge man was swimming in the cold water without a personal floatation device when emergency responders arrived and pulled him to safety. Mannel commended the emergency responders who turned a possible tragedy into a success story.

Final Hearing on Columbia County Windmill Farm Today

11/4/09 - The public will have its say today on 90 high-tech windmills planned for northeast Columbia County. We Energies asked the state last year for the okay to build the Glacier Hills Wind Park. The turbines would cover over 17-thousand acres, creating 207-megawatts of electricity. The cost would be 335-to-413 million dollars. The state Public Service Commission will hold a hearing this afternoon at 3pm and tonight at 7pm on the project at the Randolph Town Hall in Friesland. Administrative Law Judge Michael Newmark will preside. Anyone with an opinion on the wind farm can testify, but they will have to take an oath and objections could be made that could lead to testimony not being admitted to the record.

Obama in Madison Today

11/4/09 - When President Obama speaks in Madison today, the White House says he’ll praise Wisconsin for coming up with innovative ways to improve education. But none of them have passed the state Legislature yet, and some are getting resistance from lawmakers in both parties. On Monday, some Wisconsin school boards said they would oppose a bill the state needs to pass, to qualify for federal stimulus money that Obama will highlight in his speech as part of his “Race to the Top” program. Some legislators are worried about committing the state to expensive educational changes with no assurance of how much would come in federal grants. Obama is the first President to visit Madison while in office since Harry Truman in 1950.

Republicans Block Passage of Sex Education Bill

11/4/09 - A bill to expand sex education in Wisconsin schools was delayed yesterday in the state Assembly. Republicans blocked passage at least until tomorrow, which is the final day that lawmakers will meet this year. Under the bill, the 60-percent of schools which offer sex education would have to teach kids how to use contraceptives. Supporters say it’s not enough to teach abstinence. But Republican Dan LeMahieu said students should also learn about the development of a fetus – and that it’s a crime in Wisconsin to have sex with anyone under 16. He said it’s appropriate to teach kids about the criminal penalties. But Democrats rejected to changes. And G-O-P lawmakers then used a procedural move to block immediate passage.

November Has Largest Percentage of Deer Crashes Each Year

11/4/09 - November is when deer hunting goes into high gear. And it’s also when a quarter of the year’s car-deer crashes take place in Wisconsin. State D-O-T analyst Donald Lyden says deer are too busy mating in November to pay much attention to traffic. They’ve been trying to escape hunters’ arrows since October, and the gun season begins November 21st. Dusk is the most common time-of-day for car-deer crashes. And Lyden says the end of daylight savings time means that more commuters are on the road when darkness falls. There were almost 16-thousand car-deer mishaps in the Badger State last year. Twenty-four percent of them took place in November.

Top Stories November 3rd

Fox Lake Vote Today

11/3/09 - Polls are open this morning for residents of the Randolph and Waupun School Districts. They are being asked to decide whether the city and town of Fox Lake can detach from Waupun and join Randolph. The referendum is the only item on the ballot in Dodge County. Polls are open until 8pm.

MSA: ‘Raze Old YMCA Build New BDPD’

11/03/09 - The engineering company hired to conduct a space needs study of the former YMCA site as a possible police department is recommending a completely new structure. Marty Sell of MSA Integrated Services presented the study to the Beaver Dam Common Council last night and said that major electrical, plumbing and structural changes would be needed to get the police department to fit into the 50-year-old structure. Sell says in the long term, when operation and maintenance costs are factored in, a new building would be more cost effective. The cost to renovate the building is estimated at $4.4 million, while the cost of building new would be just shy of $5.4 million. He says that does not include operating and maintenance costs, which would be higher for a renovated police station. Sell says there would be several challenges in converting the old structure into a modern, energy efficient building that could serve the growing needs of the police department for decades to come. The city’s Operations Committee is reviewing the report and is expected to make a recommendation to the full council in the near future.

Committee Cuts Non-Union Pay Raises

11/03/09 - Budget deliberations continued in closed session last night after which Beaver Dam’s Administrative Committee voted to eliminate a 3% pay increase for non-union employees. Chair Don Neuert (left) says it was just too difficult to pass along a pay raise in this economy. The elimination of the pay raise would trim another $67,000 from the 2010 budget. The motion approved yesterday also removes about $43,000 that had been earmarked for union pay raises but was removed because the 2009 contract has not yet been finalized. Also, around $5800 in overtime costs was removed from the Fire Departments budget that had been earmarked for management. The Administrative Committee will look over the final budget on November 16th prior to advancing it to the Common Council for consideration that same evening.

Holiday Inn In Beaver Dam

11/03/09 - A Holiday Inn Express could soon be coming to Beaver Dam. That’s according to Mayor Tom Kennedy told us on WBEV’s Community Comment that the city is finalizing a developer’s agreement with the hotel chain. The company is looking to build an 89-room building, but it would not include a conference center which had been part of a now-defunct plan by Comfort Suites. The hotel will be located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Gateway Drive and Corporate Drive. The project is estimated to create 18 to 26 jobs. Kennedy says the developers are planning to get started this year.

BD Schools Need Infrastructure Upgrades

11/3/09 - Beaver Dam school officials say infrastructure improvements at the districts buildings are badly needed. At last night's school board meeting Superintendent Don Childs said that while the buildings themselves are in good shape the infrastructure inside needs work. He says they will concentrate their upgrade efforts to lighting, heating, ventilating and air conditioning. Childs say the district will continue to narrow down the priorities at which point conceptual drawings and preliminary dollar figures would be put together. Those items will then be brought to the school board for possible action. Childs hopes that can happen by early 2010.

New Law Would Allow Districts to Teach Students How to Use Birth Control

11/3/09 - The Wisconsin Assembly is scheduled to vote today on a bill that would teach school students how to use birth control. The law would apply to the 60-percent of schools that offer sex education. They would have to provide information on both contraceptives and abstinence in an age-appropriate manner. Parents could see the materials, and let their teens opt-out if they choose. Planned Parenthood says students need a more comprehensive sex-ed program, because sexually-transmitted diseases are growing and more teens are having babies. The state's largest teachers' union also supports the measure, along with groups that represent health departments and nurses. They say it's not enough just to teach abstinence. But pro-life groups say contraception should not be taught in schools, and the bill takes local control away from school districts. The Wisconsin Catholic Conference also opposes the measure.

Impact of Changes on Green Valley Enterprises Not Yet Known

11/3/09 - Officials with Green Valley Enterprises in Beaver Dam say it's too early to tell how proposed changes by the Department of Health Services will affect jobs for disabled adults. The Department has submitted a waiver renewal application with the federal government seeking to change the definition of prevocational services as it relates to job placement in the work centers like Green Valley and about 70 others statewide. Green Valley's Interim Executive Director Jack Hankes says that will limit the hours and days that an adult could be employed in a work center. They would instead be placed in community work settings, which would change the reimbursement scheme for agencies like Green Valley. Hankes says the change will also affect manufacturers that rely on a large number of workers on short notice. Assembly Minority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald has drafted a letter with the signatures of 45 other legislators asking Governor Doyle and DHS to reverse their decision. Calls to the Department of Health Services were no immediately returned.

Milk Prices Up Over Last Month

11/3/09 - Things are looking up a little bit for Wisconsin dairy farmers. That's because their milk checks will be a tad bigger this month. The October price for the state's milk producers is expected to average 14-dollars-and-40-cents for every hundred pounds. That's 90-cents more than a month ago - but it's still 4.40 less than the same time in 2008. Wisconsin's average price is 60-cents higher than the nation's overall average of 13.80 for October. And when feed costs are considered, the Daily Dairy Report says the income-over-feed-cost is just over seven-dollars per hundred pounds produced. That's the highest it's been this year, but the report says the average milk price is still well below the total cost of production.

Keep an Eye Out for Deer while Driving

11/3/09 - Law enforcement agencies are reminding motorists to keep an eye out for deer this time of year. Authorities say they see an increase in car versus deer accidents in the early fall. Dodge County Patrol Captain Molly Soblewski says the best way to avoid accidents is to be aware of your surroundings, especially in wooded areas or places where corn has yet to be harvested. Over the past two weeks there have been close to 15-accident involving deer, including three on Sunday alone.

State Says Avery Does Not Deserve New Trial

11/3/09 - The state Justice Department said Steven Avery sealed his own fate - and he should not be given a new trial in the brutal death of Teresa Halbach near Mishicot. Avery's lawyers said it was illegal for a juror to be replaced after deliberations began in his original trial in Manitowoc County in 2007. But assistant attorney general Tom Fallon said Avery could have done several things after juror Richard Mahler said he needed to leave for a family matter. Fallon said Avery chose a substitute juror - and while it's not a part of state law, Avery still had the right to make the choice. Avery's lawyers also contended that the jury should have heard about the possibility that other relatives might have killed Halbach at the family's auto salvage yard on Halloween of 2005. But Fallon said Avery got a fair trial with full consideration and an aggressive defense. Manitowoc County Circuit Judge Patrick Willis has until December first to decide whether to grant Avery's request for a new trial.

Baby Born on the Sidewalk in Eau Claire

11/3/09 - A baby was born yesterday just before his mom could enter a hospital in Eau Claire. Kellen Kohl emerged on the sidewalk outside Sacred Heart Hospital. The baby's grandmother drove Tiffanie Kohls in from Stanley - but she couldn't hold back as the car pulled up. The grandmother ran into the hospital, grabbed a wheelchair, and asked two security guards for help. But it was too late. The baby arrived on the sidewalk before the maternity room nurses could race to the front door. Kohls and her new son Kellen were both doing fine at last word.

Rodgers Sign Stealer is City Worker

11/3/09 - The man arrested for stealing a temporary Aaron Rodgers street sign in Green Bay is a city employee. 47-year-old Thomas Hodkiewicz was jailed until he paid a 366-dollar bond, the amount of his theft citation. He's on paid leave from his technician's job with the Green Bay Water Department, while his bosses investigate. Mayor Jim Schmitt said he was quote, "beyond disappointed" that a city employee was arrested. Schmidt dedicated the sign on Friday, re-naming Minnesota Avenue as Aaron Rodgers Drive for the weekend as part of a series of gags for welcoming Brett Favre back to town. Police said they saw the sign in the Hodkiewicz's car early Saturday. He told officers he took the sign on a dare - and he was going to take it home, take pictures of it, and put it back. He said he got caught up in all the hype over the Packer-Viking game, and he told officers he was quote, "an idiot." The street went back to being Minnesota Avenue yesterday.

Woman Faces Drunk Driving Charges After Calling Herself In

11/3/09 - A central Wisconsin woman is due in court December 10th after she had herself arrested for drunk driving. 49-year-old Mary Strey of Granton is charged in Clark County with first-offense O-W-I - a non-criminal matter. Authorities said her blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit when she called 9-1-1 while driving three miles northeast of Neillsville the night of October 24th. The dispatcher asked if she was driving behind the suspect's vehicle and she replied quote, "I am them." According to the 9-1-1 call, Strey admitted being drunk and said she didn't want to hurt anybody. She said she was drinking quote, "all night long." The dispatcher told Strey told pull over and turn on her flashers.

Top Stories November 2nd

Jobs for the Disabled May Be at Risk

11/2/09 - Wisconsin legislators are working to reverse a decision made by the Department of Health Services that may be putting jobs for the disabled at risk. Assembly Minority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald says he received dozens of calls from constituents served by Green Valley Enterprises late last week. The Beaver Dam non-profit is one of several organizations in the state that offer job training and job placement for thousands of disabled people. The Horicon Republican says a “bureaucratic decision made by the department without any input from legislators or the public” is putting as many as 10,000 jobs for the disabled at risk. In an e-Newsletter sent out Friday, Fitzgerald said for reasons he still doesn’t understand the department is “actively working to change rules concerning prevocational services, specifically eliminating people’s ability to choose ongoing placement in a work center.” Fitzgerald drafted a letter to Governor Doyle asking him and DHS to reverse their decision; the letter has the signatures of 45 other legislators. In reaction to the e-Newsletter, Jack Hankes with Green Valley Enterprises sent out an email saying that it would not be accurate to say Green Valley is in trouble, but he says there is some “potentially adverse economic impact to the agency with the proposed changes.”

Referendums Set for Tomorrow

11/2/09 - Residents in the Waupun and Randolph School Districts will head to the polls tomorrow to determine which one will have the Fox Lake-area as a part of their district. The referendum asks whether the territory that makes up the city and town of Fox Lake be detached from the Waupun School District and added to the Randolph School District. The detachment was set in motion by a Fox Lake-area citizens group following the decision by the Waupun School Board to close three elementary schools, including Fox Lake. Members of the citizens group cite long bus trips for kids as their main reason for wanting to leave Waupun. Polls will be open from 7am to 8pm tomorrow.

Eight other Wisconsin school districts will hold spending referendums tomorrow – and four of them would spend over 20-million-dollars each. The Cedar Grove-Belgium district in Sheboygan and Ozaukee counties wants to borrow over 25-million dollars to build a new middle school and a technical education facility. A separate question asks voters for a new swimming pool. Pewaukee voters will be asked to borrow almost 25-million to add classrooms, expand the auditorium, and put in a new pool at the high school – and make improvements at a middle school. Whitefish Bay officials want permission to borrow over 20-million dollars for various school improvements. And Stevens Point school voters will consider an extra 23-million over three years for operational expenses. Smaller referendums are planned in Florence, Oakfield, Wisconsin Dells, and Trevor-Wilmot. School officials say they want to take advantage of low interest and construction costs resulting from the weak economy. But cash-strapped taxpayers say it’s hard to afford. Jamie Kowalski of a Whitefish Bay voters’ group says lots of people who don’t have ties to the school district know about tomorrow’s referendum.

Officials in Columbus Looking at CIP for 2010

11/2/09 - The Columbus Council is reviewing the City’s proposed $1.8 million dollar Capital Improvements list for 2010. The $322,000 repair of the Udey Dam tops the list. The City hopes to receive a 50 % DNR grant to offset repair costs. Another project is the $120,000 remodeling of City Hall municipal court facilities when the Police Department moves out. The most expensive project being considered is the $359,000 reconstruction of Water Street. Other projects on the 2010 list are $30,000 for new sidewalks; $150,000 in Parks and Recreation improvements; a new $125,000 Water & Light Truck; and the $175,000 reconstruction of Farnham Street.

BD School Board Meets Tonight

11/2/09 - The Beaver Dam School Board will be presented with the 3rd quarter ends monitoring report during their meeting tonight. The report is designed to show where the district needs improvement and to calculate if progress is being made. Much of the recent focus for administration officials has been to close the gap between students with disabilities and the regular student population in terms of proficiency in math and reading. The board is also set to discuss the future of the districts buildings. The meeting begins at 6:30 at the Educational Service Center.

The Dollar Getting Blame for High Gas Prices

11/2/09 - Wisconsin residents are paying 33-cents more than they were a month ago for a gallon of regular gas. On October first the average price was 2.41 and yesterday drivers were paying 2.74. Beaver Dam was right around that average with prices ranging from 2.72 to 2.74. The price increase is expected to continue despite large supplies of oil being available and the value of the dollar is having the biggest impact. Because oil is bought and sold in dollars the 18-percent drop in its value against the euro since March has allowed European investors to purchase more for less. Another factor, and a reason why prices are likely to remain high, is last years drop in energy prices which has oil companies being more conservative in producing oil.

Traffic Deaths Down Statewide, Locally

11/2/09 - Wisconsin continues to have fewer traffic deaths. 441 people were killed in state crashes going into the Halloween weekend. That’s down 57 from the same time in 2008 – when the Badger State had its lowest traffic death toll since World War Two. Dodge County follows that same trend as there have been 11 traffic deaths this year down from 17 at the same point last year. Statewide, 587 motorists were killed last year – only half as many as in 1972, when the state had its all-time death toll of 11-hundred-68. Officials say we’re driving less because of the recession. They also credit tighter enforcement for the big drop in road deaths.

Woman Injured in Town of Emmett Crash

11/2/09 - An 18-year-old woman was injured in the Town of Emmet yesterday after rolling her vehicle. The woman was on County Trunk E-M when the car she was in left the road and rolled over. Authorities say she was thrown from the vehicle and taken to the Watertown hospital. There was no immediate word on the severity of her injuries. The accident happened around 11:45 a.m.

Bill Would Make it Harder for Suspects to Lie About Identity

11/2/09 - The Wisconsin Assembly will act tomorrow on a bill which could make it harder for suspects to lie about their names when they’re stopped by police. The bill would give authorities electronic access to driver’s license photos – thus letting officers with computers get them from their squad cars. Police currently have access to those photos, but they must make written requests to the D-O-T. The new bill would put Wisconsin license photos on the state Justice Department’s computer network, where officers can make electronic requests.

Election Observers Say GOP can Still Challenge Feingold

11/2/09 - The next U-S Senate election is a year away – and a non-partisan observer says there’s still time for a Republican to wage a competitive race against Democrat Russ Feingold. Jennifer Duffy of the Cook Political Report says the G-O-P believes Feingold can be beaten with the right circumstances – but he’s not among the Republicans’ biggest targets. Madison developer Terrence Wall recently said he plans to take on Feingold, and Watertown businessman Dave Westlake is running as well. U-W Green Bay political scientist Michael Kraft said Feingold has never had enormous margins of victory – and with his kind of seniority, it makes him vulnerable. Feingold is going for his fourth six-year term.

“Freak-Fest” in Madison Called a Success

11/2/09 - About 44-thousand people attended Madison’s annual Halloween bash. And for the fourth straight year, police reported very few notable incidents in what’s now called “Freak-Fest.” Forty-seven people were arrested, but only two were sent to jail. Police said there were no serious injuries, and no property damage. Halloween used to be a spontaneous, uncontrolled event on State Street – and it often turned into a minor riot after the bars closed. But when the city began charging admission and added music, the crowds stopped getting out of hand. This year’s tickets cost up to 10-dollars, and most of the revenue went toward security. About 300 police officers were on hand Saturday night to keep things in check.

Tax Increase Could Be Coming Under Health Care Reform

11/2/09 - A number of Wisconsin families would get an immediate tax increase under the Senate Finance Committee’s version of health care reform. It would start taxing health plans which cost 21-thousand dollars a year for family coverage, and eight-thousand dollars for singles beginning in 2013. The House Democratic package unveiled last week does not contain the proposed tax. But it could still be included once the two versions are combined. The current national average premiums are well below the taxing threshold. But official say there are middle-class people in the state with excellent health plans – and they’ll be hit right away. Experts say southeast Wisconsin could be hit the hardest, because their health care costs are the highest in the state.

Last Opportunity for Bulk Pickup is This Week

11/2/09 - Beaver Dam residents have bulk garbage pick-up this week. The final bulk collection of the year begins today and continues through Friday. The next bulk pick-up will be the first waste collection day of May. It’s also the final week to have brush and shrubbery cuttings collected. Pick-up is the same day as regular solid waste collection. Bulk items and yard waste can also be dropped off at the public works garage year round.

Top Stories November 1st

BD Police Looking for Bike Owner

The Beaver Dam Police Department is looking for the owner of a high-end bicycle that was recovered several months ago. According to Deputy Chief Dan Schubert, a Gary Fisher bike was recovered by officers but has yet to be claimed. Gary Fisher bikes could cost between a couple hundred and several thousand dollars. Schubert says if your missing a Gary Fisher bike you should contact the Beaver Dam Police Department and be able to provide a complete description, including the serial number, to recover the bike. (887-4614)

Lomira Man Gets Jail for Role in Accident

11/1/09 - A 21-year-old Lomira man was sentenced to one year in jail for being on drugs when he caused a traffic accident more than 3-years ago. Inocente Mondragon was found guilty on a count of second-degree recklessly endangering safety. In April of 2006, he was driving in the town of Fond du Lac when he failed to yield the right of way and collided with a car injuring the driver. That driver suffered a fracture to his back, needed plastic surgery for a cut on his face and had soft tissue damage in his shoulders and knees. Mondragon was sentenced to one year in jail with Huber privileges and five years of probation.

BDFD: Check Your Smoke Detector Batteries

Two out of every ten smoke detectors don't work because of dead or missing batteries. Beaver Dam Fire Captain Lee Smith says you should put a few minutes from that extra hour of sleep you gained from the clock change toward changing the batteries in your smoke detectors. Smith says all batteries lose their effectiveness over time and having fresh ones in your home detectors could mean the difference between life and death. The end of Daylight Savings Time also means that sunset comes one hour earlier, and so evening commutes will likely require putting on headlights. Drivers will also need to be alert at crosswalks and along roadsides for pedestrians and bicyclists. Walkers and bikers should wear retro-reflective clothing or carry lights when out at dusk or after dark.

Pharmacies Closely Following "Minimum Markup" Law Exemption

11/1/09 - Local pharmacies are keeping an eye on efforts to make cheaper prescription medications available in Wisconsin. A bill exempting prescription drugs from the state's Unfair Sales Act, or "minimum markup" law, passed the Assembly Committee on Health and Healthcare reform this week. La Crosse Democrat Jennifer Shilling voted for it, but worries what will happen to community pharmacies that aren't located within "big box" stores. She calls the legislation "another nail in the coffin" for the small pharmacies, but committee chair, Milwaukee Democrat Jon Richards, notes there are many patients who are also in very challenging situations. Wisconsin is one of only six states where patients are prohibited from buying prescription drugs below cost.

WI Pilot Killed Off Texas Coast

11/1/09 - The U.S. Coast Guard is not saying which of the two missing pilots off the Texas coast it has found. One of them was from East Troy, Wisconsin. The Coast Guard says the body was found Friday afternoon when a floating rig's crew reported seeing something in the Gulf of Mexico waters. The Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi reported losing contact with the training plane last Wednesday. The search area is located near San Jose Island. The Navy says Lieutenant John Houston of Houston, Texas, and Lieutenant Bret Miller of East Troy were on board.

Lawyer Asks Judge to Remove DA

11/1/09 - The lawyer for a murder defendant in Appleton wants the judge to replace the district attorney with a special prosecutor. Attorney Greg Petit is alleging misconduct in the case. Petit says he hired a university professor to survey potential jurors to see if pretrial publicity means his client can't get a fair trial. Petit is asking the court for a change of venue. He says an investigator for the DA was intimidating when questioning the professor. District attorney Carrie Schneider says she sent the investigator to check up on the methods used by the professor. Petit represents former Appleton firefighter Scott Schmidt -- who is accused of killing his estranged wife and shooting his mother-in-law.

Evers: More Exercise for State's Kids

11/1/09 - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers says, despite Wisconsin's strong outdoors heritage, too many school age kids aren't spending enough time outdoors. Evers has asked the No Child Left Inside Coalition to develop an Environmental Literacy Plan for pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade schools, paying special attention to creating more opportunities to get children outside. Evers says that in addition to benefiting kids, there may be some federal money in it for the state.

First Boiler Being Tested by We Energies

11/1/09 - The first of two boilers at We Energies' new coal-fired power plant is being tested. Company officials say it is running at 25 percent of its capacity. The two-billion dollar project on the banks of Lake Michigan is the most expensive construction project in Wisconsin's history. Officials say they will crank the current test up to 50 percent in a few days. The second boiler isn't finished yet. When both are done and in total operation, the new power plant will produce enough electricity for one million homes. We Energies is entangled in a lawsuit with Bechtel Power Corporation, which built the plant, over a series of delays and alleged cost overruns.

A Case of the Munchies

11/1/09 - Sheboygan County authorities say their suspect was trying to eat the evidence -- so they shocked him. Jeffrey Lucas of Green Bay is charged with obstructing an officer and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Police say they pulled the Green Bay man over last week on suspicion he had stolen items from the Best Buy store in Grafton. While Lucas was handcuffed, sitting in the back seat of a squad car, officers say he tried to eat a bag of marijuana. They say they shocked him using a taser to stop him.

Operation Christmas Child

11/1/09 - A Watertown church is serving as the drop off point for Operation Christmas Child. The program allows for people to pack a shoe box full of gifts for children in more than 100 countries suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, famine and poverty. From Watertown, the shoe box gifts will be sorted and sent using whatever means necessary-sea containers, trucks, trains, airplanes, boats, camels, even dog sleds-to reach suffering children around the world. Watertown's drop-off site coordinator Diane Smith says the event is a unique opportunity to do something that will have a lasting impact on a child a world away. The week of November 16th will serve as the drop-off time in Watertown. Visit our website for a link to more information on the operation.

Dredging Project Set for Milwaukee River

11/1/09 - Placing sand in the bed of Milwaukee's Kinnickinnic River will complete the 22 million dollar dredging project. Officials say the long effort to remove old cancer-causing industrial wastes is basically completed. More than 167 thousand cubic yards of material were dredged from the river, which is considered to be part of the Milwaukee Estuary. PCBs and PAHs were found to be in unsafe levels in that river, bringing on the expensive clean-up which is similar to one on the Fox River in and near Green Bay.

Kennedy Available to Meet with the Public on Tuesday

11/1/09 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy will hold another one of his regular open door meetings on Tuesday. Kennedy says city residents are invited to meet with him, one-on-one, without appointment on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Kennedy says he feels it is important that constituents have the opportunity to speak with him the day after each regular meeting of the common council. The meetings are held in Room 109 on the first floor of City Hall from 10am until noon. Kennedy says he also make himself available for private meetings by appointment by contacting the mayor office.