Top Stories, August 7th

State Fair Crowds Peaceful, Smaller

8/7/11 - The crowds were said to be peaceful, but smaller, this weekend at the Wisconsin State Fair following open night violence that resulted in about a dozen injuries and over 30 arrests. The trouble began around 7pm on Thursday in the midway as fights erupted among African American youths. Witnesses say by the 11pm closing time, mobs of black youths attacked white people as they left the fair, punching and kicking people and shaking and pounding their vehicles. New rules were implemented prohibiting all people under 18 from entering the fairgrounds after 5pm unless they’re accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian over the age of 21. State Fair Police Chief Tom Struebing says his entire police staff of 80 was on the job yesterday (Saturday). In addition, Governor Scott Walker ordered the State Police to help keep order while Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn promised additional police protection at the fair and other weekend activities in the city. The fair's Communication Manager Patrice Harris says people did not seem to mind the additional security measures and were thanking officials for the enhanced policies. She says attendance numbers are released after the fair ends, so day-to-day comparisons are not yet available.

Immigration Advocates Question Recent Sweep

8/7/11 - Immigrant rights advocates are questioning the claims of federal immigration enforcement officials after the arrest of 30 undocumented immigrants in Milwaukee late last month. The two-day sweep in Milwaukee was carried out by the Department of Homeland Security Investigation Agency with the support of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE). The arrests are part of what is called an enforcement and removal operation. This one netted 30 individuals all of whom officials claim are connected in some way to one of several Latino street gangs. But only six of them had outstanding criminal charges involving drugs or violence. Nancy Flores of the group Voces de la Frontera says she's done background checks on 22 of those arrested and found no record of drug or gang offenses. She says relatives of 19 of them have come to the Voces de la Frontera office trying to find their son, father or brother. Flores says her group tries to refer family members to attorneys who can track the deportation cases and at least try to arrange for them to visit their relatives all most all of whom are now being held in the Dodge County jail.

Highway Deaths Lower So Far That in 2010

8/7/11 - Fewer people have died on Wisconsin roads this year than last. The state D-O-T says 286 people were killed in state highway crashes from January-through-July. That’s 16 less than a year ago, and 62 less than the average for the past five years. In July, 55 people were killed on Wisconsin highways. That’s the fourth-lowest since World War Two, even though it was four more than a year ago. The D-O-T’s Randy Romanski says drivers need to be extra-cautious this month. August is one of the deadliest months on Wisconsin roads, and Romanski says it’s due to more speeders and drunk drivers. The state will take part in a national O-W-I crackdown called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” It runs from August 19th through Labor Day.

Drug Ringleaders Scheduled To Appear In Court

8/7/11 - The two alleged ring-leaders of a giant crack cocaine and heroin business in the Fox Valley are scheduled to appear in court in the next week-or-so. 28-year-old Lorenzo Curry will make his first court appearance Monday in Oshkosh on a charge of conspiracy to deliver cocaine. 26-year-old Lord Wilson is due back in Winnebago County Circuit Court a week from Monday, when a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to order a trial. Forty-eight people were charged last month as part of the drug ring. Authorities said it sold three-point-six million dollars of heroin and 900-thousand dollars worth of crack in eastern Wisconsin. Curry was arrested at the Stanley Prison, where’s serving time for a battery conviction. Officials said 21 of the suspects were tied to illegal drug operations in the Chicago area, and the rest were independent contractors. Two other defendants had preliminary hearings in Oshkosh late last week and both were ordered to stand trial.

Economics Professor Calls Job Creation ‘Remarkable’

8/7/11 - An economics professor at U-W Milwaukee says it’s remarkable that the nation created 154-thousand new private-sector jobs last month. Avik Chakrabarti called it a healthy indicator, considering all the stress the U-S economy has been under. He cited high oil prices, trouble by Congress in addressing the nation’s debt, Europe’s debt crisis, and a slowdown of Japan’s economy. The U-S unemployment rate now stands at 9.1%, down one-tenth of a point from June. But only 58-percent of all Americans were working last month, the lowest ratio since early 1983. The seasonally-adjusted jobless rate for Wisconsin in June was up two-tenths to 7.6%. Only eight of the state’s 72 counties had lower rates or no change over the reporting period. Of the remaining counties, 55 had increases of less than a percentage point. Compared to last year, rates were lower in 49 counties and unchanged in three. In Dodge County, the unemployment rate stands at 8.4% which is higher than the 7.7% reported the previous month but four-tenths lower than last year at the same time.

Health Insurance Continues To Outpace Inflation

8/7/11 - Health insurance premiums rose by an average of 8-to-10 percent this year for both employers and their workers in southeast Wisconsin. That’s according to an annual survey from H-C Trends. The increase was smaller than last year’s hike of 11-to-13 percent – and that was way above the overall inflation rate of one-point-six percent. Health insurance broker John Rauser says the industry is not close to solving the massive cost increases. The survey showed that a family-of-four who gets insurance from an employer will pay just over eight-thousand dollars this year for premiums and out-of-pocket costs like co-pays and deductibles. Also, the squeeze continues for small businesses. According to the H-C Trends survey, seven-percent of small firms in southeast Wisconsin spent more than 25-thousand-dollars per employee for family coverage last year. Over 200 employers answered the survey. Those companies have a total of 140-thousand employees.

Young-Star Rating System In Place

8/7/11 - About 40-percent of Wisconsin’s child care centers are taking part in a new state government rating system. The Young-Star Web site went online earlier this year. And officials are now encouraging parents to get a look. Providers are rated on a five-star system for the quality of their teaching, learning environment, the youngsters’ well-being, and business practices. Former Governor Jim Doyle tried to get all providers on the system – and to tie their state aid to how well they perform. But now, the only ones required to be rated are those who accept state funding from the Wisconsin Shares program to serve poor youngsters age-five-and-under. About 15-hundred providers are rated. The site is located at Youngstar-Dot-WI-Dot-Gov.

Madonna Shrine Discovered In Sun Prairie

8/7/11 - Part of an old Catholic Madonna shrine was recently found at the site of a new grocery store and auto service center that’s being built in Sun Prairie. Crews discovered the long-neglected white shrine as they were clearing trees and doing landscaping for a new Woodman’s Food Market. The bathtub was framed in old, peeling bricks. A statue of the Virgin Mary used to stand inside the tub. But Peter Klein of the Sun Prairie Historical Library said the family that used to own the land removed the statue, probably in the 1970’s. Klein told the Wisconsin State Journal he knew the shrine was there, but he didn’t realize it had still survived. It’s on Woodman’s property. The company says it will most likely remove it. As of yesterday, it can no longer be seen along the nearby street. Lisa Stone of Spring Lake has written a book about the artifacts. She tells the paper that bathtub shrines were popular in the 1950’s, as people ended years of being frugal during World War Two.

Top Stories, July 6th

State Fairgrounds Limit Access Following Attacks

8/6/11 - Young people under the age of 18 are no longer allowed onto the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds after 5pm without a parent or guardian who is at least 21. Fair CEO rick Frenette says he has never implemented such a policy before in his 40 years of fair management. That change, plus the increase in security forces, comes in response to opening night violence that left 11 people injured and 31 arrested. The trouble started at about 7 p.m. Thursday when fights broke out among black youths. State Fair Police say those fights didn't appear to be racially-motivated. A few hours later, around the 11 p.m. closing time, witnesses say hundreds of black youths attacked white people as they left the fair, punching and kicking people and shaking or pounding on their vehicles. Seven of the people injured were police officers.

Waupun Inmate Changes Plea In Vandalism Case

8/6/11 - An inmate at the Waupun Correctional Institution, accused of causing over $43,000 in damage to the Waupun Hospital, has changed his mind about the plea he entered at arraignment. Arthur Hill pleaded “not guilty” when he was arraigned in May. Hill changed that plea Friday to “not guilty by reason of mental defect.” As a result of the change, the court ordered an evaluation of Hill by two examiners to determine his mental state. Hill is charged with one felony count of Criminal Damage To Property Over $2500, which carries a maximum three-and-a-half year prison sentence upon conviction. The 24-year-old allegedly ripped out the sprinkler heads of a cell in the secure ward of the hospital on December 12 of last year. According to the criminal complaint, Hill stood on a toilet in his cell, wrapped a plastic bag around the sprinkler heads and jumped off while yelling, “let’s make it rain” and “let’s go swimming.” Water gushed from two broken sprinkler heads and Hill reportedly put blankets under the door allowing six to eight inches of water to pool. The jail cell sustained over $4800 in damage. Another $38,000 in water damage was reported to adjacent rooms and the ICU, which is located one floor below the secure ward in the hospital. A hearing will be scheduled after the court receives the reports from the psychologists.

Fond du Lac Bank Robbery Suspect Appears

8/6/11 - Bond was set at $50,000 cash Friday for the 22-year-old Milwaukee man suspected of robbing Hometown Bank in Fond du Lac this past Monday. Deangelo Hull made his initial appearance in Fond du Lac County Court on a charge of Robbery of a Financial Institution. No one was hurt during the robbery in which he presented a threatening note to a teller and made away with an undisclosed amount of cash. No weapon was displayed. Video from the bank and evidence left at the scene pointed investigators in Hull’s direction. Fond du Lac detectives with the aid of Milwaukee Police arrested Hull in the Milwaukee area Tuesday afternoon. According to court records Hull has previous convictions for armed robbery, burglary and escape charges in Milwaukee County. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 2nd.

Recall Elections Break Spending Records

8/6/11 - A state government watchdog group said Friday that spending records have been broken in five-of-the-six recall elections against Republican state senators. The G-O-P incumbents all face Democratic challengers on Tuesday. And the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign said all but one of those contests have had total spending in excess of three-million-dollars. That’s the previous record for a Senate race. The watchdog group said Republican incumbent Alberta Darling and Assembly Democrat Sandy Pasch have attracted the most money for their race both by their campaigns and outsiders – around eight-million dollars in all. The Democracy Campaign said spending in four other races ranged from three-point-one million dollars to five-and-a-half million. And in the other recalls against one Republican and two Democrats, the spending has ranged from three-quarter-million dollars to almost two-million. Recall votes against the Democratic incumbents are set for a week from Tuesday.

Voting Irregularities Probe Opened

8/6/11 - Milwaukee County prosecutors say they have opened a pair of official investigations into possible irregularities in the recall election race between Republican Alberta Darling and Democrat Sandy Pasch. The district attorney's office says it is checking to see if any laws were broken. The group Wisconsin Jobs Now is being investigated for its block parties held in low-income areas of Milwaukee. The possibility that bribes were handed out is also part of the investigation of Wisconsin Right to Life, which is accused of giving gift and gas cards to volunteers who asked voters to fill out absentee ballots.

Clean-Up Begins At Veterans Cemetery

8/6/11 - The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs says it will cost about 18 thousand dollars to clean up trash left behind by a former employee. The maintenance worker had admitted burying personal garbage at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Dover. The trash was left in an area away from the burial sites.

DuPont Stopping Sales of Imprelis

8/6/11 - The DuPont Company is stopping sales of its new herbicide, Imprelis. It has been blamed in lawsuits filed in Wisconsin and several other states for damaging trees. The company sent a letter to distributors last Thursday informed them of the suspension. It came one day after the EPA told the chemical company it may have misbranded Imprelis, including directions and warning that weren't adequate to protect some plants and trees. DuPont has set up a return and refund program for customers who bought Imprelis.

Canoeists Rescued on St. Croix

8/6/11 - The Burnett County Sheriff's Department rescued a group of young female canoeists who were stranded on the banks of the St. Croix River this week. They were stuck when some of their canoes were swamped by high water. The call for aid came in a little before 9 Thursday night. A hovercraft and boats were used to complete the rescue, which took a good portion of the night. The 14 teenagers and young adults were accompanied by two counselors. They were in a remote wilderness area which can only be reached by river travel. One canoeist was treated for what appeared to be exposure. The group was then returned to Camp St. Croix.

Milwaukee Air & Water Show This Weekend

8/6/11 - There will be lots of activity in the skies over Milwaukee this weekend. Plenty of colored smoke could be seen, and a group of fighter jets streaking past. The Milwaukee Air and Water Show is being held at Bradford Beach Saturday and Sunday. Taking part are the Air Force Thunderbirds, the U.S. Army Black Daggers, the Air Force Vipers, Navy Rhinoes and the return of the 440th Airlift Wing.

Super Bowl Ring Auction Higher Than Expected

8/6/11 - A Super Bowl ring given to Green Bay Packers’ star Fuzzy Thurston was sold at an auction Thursday night for two-and-a-half times more than expected. The ring was from Super Bowl-Two in the late 1960’s, and it sold for 50-thousand-788 dollars. Heritage Auctions of suburban Chicago had expected 20-thousand for it. The federal government required the sale to help Thurston pay one-point-seven million dollars in back taxes. His tax troubles were first publicized earlier this year, and some Packer fans had hoped somebody would buy the ring and give it back to Thurston. We’re not sure if that will happen. Chris Ivy of Heritage Auctions said the buyer wanted to stay anonymous – and it’s not known what the person will do with the ring. The 77-year-old Thurston got into tax trouble after his playing days. Authorities said his former restaurant chain withheld federal income taxes from its employees, but did not pay all the money to the I-R-S. Thurston was ordered to pay 190-thousand dollars in 1984. But that never happened. And with interest, the charge ballooned to around one-point-seven million.

Top Stories August 5th

Stock Losses Hit Wisconsin Businesses Hard

8/5/11 - Wisconsin companies were among those seeing their stock values plunge yesterday, as the Dow Jones industrial average had its ninth-biggest point loss ever. The Dow fell almost 513 points, the biggest one-day drop since the financial meltdown in December of 2008. Milwaukee’s M-G-I-C mortgage insurance company – which has been losing millions in the struggling housing market – had a 20-percent drop in its stock yesterday. Bon-Ton, which owns department store chains like Boston Store, plunged 18-percent. Mequon investment partner Chris Grant said the debt disaster in Europe and other world financial problems are landing on Wall Street’s lap. And he says we don’t have any solutions for them. Bruce Bittles of Milwaukee’s Robert W. Baird-and-Company says the stock market is giving up on its expectations of a normal economic recovery – and it’s now assuming that the economy is in a slowdown. Stock sell-offs have been the rule for two weeks, as the Dow has lost 10-and-a-half percent of its value since July 21st. Yesterday’s loss wiped out all of the Dow’s gains for the year.

DOT Pulls U-Turn on Closings

8/5/11 - State transportation officials have decided against closing 16 motor vehicle offices around the state, as part of a re-organization plan. D-O-T Secretary Mark Gottlieb says that all current D-M-V centers will stay open – four new centers will be created – and the total statewide service will be expanded by 620 hours a week. There will be no changes at the Beaver Dam location and preliminary plans to close a travel office in Fort Atkinson have been scrapped. Gottlieb said he heard from lawmakers and others when the agency announced its original plans a couple weeks ago. He said the new re-organization will cost more, but it’s the best way to expand motor vehicle services. The new centers will be located in Viroqua, Alma, Keshena, and the South Eau Claire-Fall Creek area. They’ll open in early 2012. The re-organization was required because of the new photo I-D law for voting. D-M-V centers will give free I-D’s to voters who need them. And the new state budget demanded that each county have at least one motor vehicle center that’s open 20-hours-or-more each week. Until now, only 30 of the 72 counties met the 20-hour requirement.

Hartford Legislator Driving On Suspended License

8/5/11 - A Wisconsin lawmaker was fined 200-dollars this week for driving after his license was suspended. Assembly Republican Don Pridemore of Hartford did not appear in court to challenge the ticket, so a default judgment was entered which found him guilty. The 64-year-old Pridemore tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that his license was suspended after he didn’t pay a fine for speeding in West Allis earlier this year. Pridemore said he tried to settle the ticket before visiting relatives in Chippewa County last month – but he claimed that no one answered the phone at the West Allis City Hall after two in the afternoon. Pridemore said he tried to fix it but couldn’t – and he called it an “unfortunate circumstance.” He was nabbed in Chippewa County for driving on a suspended license. Pridemore said he almost forgot about the court date on Tuesday – and by then, he couldn’t head to northwest Wisconsin to dispute the ticket.

Five Months For Drunken High Speed Chase

8/5/11 - A Watertown man will spend five months in jail for leading authorities on a drunken high speed chase through two counties. Jose Pedro Ocampo-Malvaez pleaded “no contest” to felony Fleeing charges of OWI- First. Authorities saw the 23-year-old driving recklessly on State Highway 26 in the Town of Lebanon in May. Ocampo-Malvaez was repeatedly slamming his breaks and getting rear-ended by the vehicle behind him. Deputies initiated a pursuit that led to a high speed chase that covered over seven miles in Dodge and Jefferson counties reaching speeds in excess of 110mph. His blood alcohol level was over twice the legal limit. Ocampo-Malvaez fled on foot into a field but was apprehended a short time later. In addition to five months in jail, he was also placed on probation for 18 months.

Four Months For Drunken High Speed Chase

8/5/11 - A Waupun man who ran from police has been sentenced to four months in jail. Nickey Duer pleaded “no contest” to a felony charge of Fleeing and misdemeanor Resisting an Officer and had two other charges dismissed but read into the record. Authorities say the 39-year-old confronted them in a parking lot on Main Street and was clearly inebriated. He told them to (quote) “go out there and arrest those drunk drivers.” They received word a short time later that he drove to a gas station. Officers then observed him squeal his tires and take off at a high rate of speed with his headlights off and a break light out. That sparked a chase with Duer driving 60 miles-an-hour down several side streets, blowing several stop signs. In addition to four months in jail, Duer had his license revoked for six months and was placed on probation for two years.

Hartford Man Arrested in Beaver Dam Pistol Whipping

8/5/11 - Police arrested a 46-year-old Hartford man early Thursday morning after he reportedly assaulted a man outside a Beaver Dam residence before trying to break-in. It happened in the 600 block of Madison Street just after 2 a-m. Authorities say the suspect was upset and believed money was owed to him. According to witnesses, the subject left the residence and returned a short time later armed with a .357 caliber handgun. He then allegedly assaulted a 22-year-old Beaver Dam man outside the residence with the handgun. After trying to get back into the home he fled the scene but was taken into custody a few minutes later following a traffic stop. The man was arrested on charges of OWI 3rd offense and taken to jail. Charges of disorderly conduct, substantial battery, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to a dwelling, endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon and carrying a concealed weapon have been forwarded to the District Attorney’s office.

Gas Station Attendant Charged With Work Burglary

8/5/11 - A Lomira woman is charged with felony burglary for stealing money from the gas station where she had worked. Lisa Ann Anderson is accused of using her work keys to enter a locked office and steal $230 in cash. Authorities reviewed video surveillance footage and management noted that the subject was similar to Anderson in clothing and mannerisms. They then reviewed footage of Anderson during a recent work shift and say she was wearing the same clothes. If convicted, the charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 12-and-a-half years. Anderson had a signature bond set at $2500 this week and a preliminary hearing on the calendar next month.

Pole Barn Ambush Burglary Suspect Waives Prelim

8/5/11 - A Lake Mills man accused of breaking into a pole shed only to be ambushed by the intended victims waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday in a Dodge County courtroom. Joseph Bidlack could spend up to 24 years in prison if he’s convicted on felony charges of Burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools. According to the criminal complaint, the would-be victims renting the pole shed in the Town of Portland got word from a friend that Bidlack was planning on breaking into the shed and stealing vehicle parts. Three men were waiting inside the shed last month when the 36-year-old Bidlack allegedly cut the lock on the shed and entered. Bidlack sustained injuries in the ensuing melee and accuses his attackers of using a baseball bat. The victims deny using the bat and say they acted in self-defense. Bidlack has an arraignment hearing scheduled later this month.

Clyman Man Found Unconscious Outside Home

8/5/11 - Emergency officials in the Village Clyman responded to reports of a man lying unconscious outside his house on Wednesday. According to Fire Chief Eric Howlett, first responders arrived on scene at 7:30pm and found the 47-year-old male unresponsive in the backyard. Family members were the first to find the man; it is not know how long he had been there. Howlett says the man was spraying pesticides in his basement and became overcome by the fumes. The Clyman Fire Department was paged to ventilate the house. Juneau Fire and EMS also assisted at the scene, along with the Dodge County Sheriffs Department. Watertown Paramedics were called for an intercept and the subject was transported to Watertown Hospital where he was treated and released last night. This was the second time this year Clyman First Responders treated a person overcome by pesticide fumes.

Push to Keep Post Offices Open

8/5/11 - There’s an effort brewing in Congress to save the post offices that are targeted for closing. The Postal Service wants to shut down 41 facilities throughout Wisconsin, including the office in Lowell, to try and reduce the millions-of-dollars the agency has been losing. But freshman House Republican Sean Duffy of Ashland says he’ll fight to keep them open. He says his district has dozens of small towns where the post office is their identity. Duffy says he’s found a lot of fat that can be cut in Washington, and post offices are not among them. Herbster Town Board member Jane Bucy says the closings of rural post offices could mean the end for many small towns. She says her post office is the “life of the community” – and many older people still depend on the mail for medicines and other important things. Duffy says several members of Congress are pushing bills to send the postal closing list to the dead-letter-bin.

Alliant Profits Below Analyst Projections

8/5/11 - Alliant Energy said its most recent quarterly profits were higher than a year ago – but they were less than what outside analysts projected. Alliant reports net earnings of 51-million-dollars from April-through-June, up from 48-million the year before. When one-items and discontinued operations are not included, earnings totaled just over 48-million, down by just over a million from the previous year. Total earnings were 46 cents a share, a penny lower than what analysts predicted. Alliant owns Wisconsin Power-and-Light as well as a large electric utility in Iowa and serves a good portion of Dodge County. The company said it had to provide credits on Iowa bills as part of a required cost management plan. It resulted in lower revenues in Iowa – but the shortfall is expected to be made up during the second half of the year.

See More Burgers

8/5/11 - The birthplace of the hamburger will celebrate this weekend. The 23rd annual Burger Fest begins tomorrow night in Seymour, about 15 miles west of Green Bay. A 150-pound hamburger will be grilled for folks to share. And there will be a burger-eating contest and a ketchup-sliding contest. Seymour’s burger tradition started in 1885. Charlie Nagreen was making meatballs-on-a-stick when he flattened them, and put them between two pieces of bread. But Athens Texas and New Haven Connecticut have also claimed to be the home-of-the-hamburger – and they said their dishes came long before Seymour’s did. The National Hamburger Festival in Ohio put the issue to an online vote in 2006 – and 40-percent chose Seymour. But the controversy didn’t end. And in 2007, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a resolution defending Seymour’s honor, and proclaiming it as the official home-of-the-hamburger.

Top Stories August 4th

Town of BD Man Arrested Following Gun Incident

8/4/11 - A Town of Beaver Dam man was arrested Tuesday following a gun incident at the North Hills Mobile Home Park. Police Chief John Kreuzinger says it started around 4pm while the suspect’s neighbor was mowing the lawn. 52-year-old Keith Nickels was allegedly taunting the woman, telling her not to blow lawn clippings on his property and calling her a series of expletives before threatening to shoot her in the head. The woman went inside to call police and her brother confronted Nickels. That’s when authorities say Nickels pulled a gun and told the man (quote) “do you want it now or later.” Police took Nickels into custody at gunpoint and executed a search warrant at his residence. An air-soft pellet gun was recovered. Chief Kreuzinger says it looked like a real gun and the callers obviously thought it was real. Nickels is formally charged with misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct and Displaying or Carrying a Facsimile Firearm. He had a signature bond set at $350 Wednesday.

Fondy Bank Robbery Suspect Apprehended

8/4/11 - A 22-year-old Milwaukee man has been taken into custody, suspected of robbing a bank in Fond du Lac Monday. Fond du Lac Police Captain Steve Klein says detectives worked around the clock after the robbery at Hometown Bank and traveled to the Milwaukee-area Tuesday. With the assistance of Milwaukee police, the man was taken into custody. He will be charged with Robbery of a Financial Institution. No one was hurt during the robbery and no weapon was displayed. The suspect made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. Klein says the man has been somewhat cooperative with investigators.

Extra Patrol Requested Around New Police Station

8/4/11 - The Beaver Dam Police Department has received a request to provide extra patrol around a new city building: the Beaver Dam Police Department. Contractors working on the new, $5.1 million dollar structure on Park Avenue report that skateboarders have been leaving grind marks on the front masonry work. Patrols are expected to be beefed up during the overnight hours. The new building should be open in early October after being delayed by three weeks because of humidity build-up that halted tile installation.

Beaver Dam Tavern Reports Theft of Cash

8/4/11 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is investigating the theft of money from one of the city’s newest taverns. Management with Dino’s Bar and Grill on South Center Street reported Tuesday morning that an undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the establishment during the overnight hours. Security camera footage is being reviewed. Anyone with information should contact the Beaver Dam Police Department.

Fox Lake Approves Garbage and Recycling Contract

8/4/11 - The Fox Lake City Council approved a five-year contract with Veolia ES Solid Waste Management last night for their garbage and recycling service. The biggest change residents will notice is a requirement to use a cart for their garbage. Currently you can put your trash out in a bag or cart but since Veolia is changing over to automated pickup service carts will now be required. Residents will also be getting new recycling carts. The process of dropping off the new carts and recycling bins will begin the week of September 19th. Veolia says they will give residents the new carts and bins and will take away the old ones.

Fox Lake City Council Accepts Donation

8/4/11 - The Fox Lake Historical Society will likely take over as the main tenant of the First Congregational United Church after the city council accepted the building as a donation last night. The church is closing this fall after serving the community for more than 150-years due to a dwindling number of members. However, because of its history the church wanted to keep the building as part of the community. The church will hold a special ceremony on October 23rd prior to its official closing the following week.

Lindner Returns to Animart

8/4/11 - The state’s 63rd Alice in Dairyland has hung up her crown and is back working at the company where she was employed before her yearlong stint as the state’s agriculture advocate. Dodge County-native Christine Lindner is Animart’s Director of Strategic Marketing, overseeing marketing and branding of the dairy and livestock division which provide animal health products, supplies and solutions to producers. She says her year of service as Alice in Dairyland – which wrapped up in June – was a great benefit her current position at Animart. Lindner gained a passion for promoting agriculture growing up on her family’s fourth-generation dairy farm near Beaver Dam and broadened her knowledge of the industry through internships, agriculture organizations and serving as a state FFA officer. She will continue to broaden her knowledge of the dairy industry when she joins us during the Annual Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Contest during this year’s Dodge County Fair.

Both Parties Accused Of Distorting Election Dates

8/4/11 - Both major political parties accuse the other of deceiving voters about the dates of this month’s Wisconsin Senate recall elections. And Government Accountability Board director Kevin Kennedy says voters should be extra cautious about getting the right information. The State Democratic Party asked the U-S Attorney in Milwaukee yesterday to investigate whether the conservative Americans for Prosperity tried to discourage voting by those who didn’t know that the recall elections against six Republican senators are next Tuesday. The group mailed absentee ballot applications, which said their votes would be counted if they’re received at local clerks’ offices by next Thursday. The Democrats accused the conservative group of trying to suppress Democratic votes. But Matt Seaholm of the Americans for Prosperity said the date was a typing error – and it’s not the conspiracy Democrats make it out to be. Seaholm said the August 11th date was meant for the mailings that are connected with the August 16th recall votes against two Democratic senators. The state accountability board has also been asked to investigate. Meanwhile, board officials said the Democratic National Committee promised to stop making automated calls saying that the recall votes against the G-O-P senators are August 16th instead of next Tuesday. The D-N-C has not commented. Kennedy says voters should rely on their local government clerks to get election dates and deadlines for getting absentee ballots. He says they should not count on the mailings and phone calls from special interest groups. The last day to seek an absentee ballot by mail is tomorrow for the recall votes against the Republican senators, and next Thursday for the elections against the Democratic senators.

Top Stories August 3rd

BDPFC Approves High-Level Paramedic Training


8/3/11 - Beaver Dam residents have had paramedic-level service when they call 9-1-1 for an ambulance since June of 2009. Having ten paramedics on the roster has also helped the Fire Departments Interfacility Transports, that’s a revenue-generating program that transfers patients between hospitals, typically between Beaver Dam and Madison. The city spent thousands of dollars training emergency responders to be paramedics but Beaver Dam EMS Coordinator Paul Hartl told the city’s Police and Fire Commission last night that the state is now telling municipalities that it’s not enough. Hartl says in order to continue transporting patients that require “critical care” between hospitals, some paramedics would need another 80 hours of training. The state will let municipal EMS providers continue to work with their current level of paramedic service until January 1 of 2013. Then the department would need to have at least one “critical care” paramedic on a shift to transfer “critical care” patients between hospitals. Again, residents who call 9-1-1 will not be affected and non-critical care transports could still continue. The city’s Police and Fire Commission last night approved training for a half-dozen paramedics at a cost of $1000 each. Beaver Dam has transferred 1,202 patients between hospitals so far this year, down 28 from this same time last year…approximately three to four dozen each year are critical care. Chief Alan Mannel says the department generates enough revenue to cover about half of its total budget, and about one-third of that comes from Interfacility Transports.

Gas Prices on the Way Up

Beaver Dam has some of the lowest gas prices in the state this morning. That’s according to WisconsinGasPrices.com, which says a gallon of unleaded regular can be had for $3.63. The Triple-“A” reports a state average price of 3.75-point-seven this morning for a gallon of unleaded regular. That’s less than a penny more than yesterday – almost three-cents more than a week ago – and 12-cents more than a month ago. But Wisconsinites are still paying less than in neighboring Minnesota, which is traditionally cheaper. The Triple-“A” says drivers in the Gopher State are paying 3.77-point-five – almost two cents more than in the Badger State. But Minnesota Gas Prices-Dot-Com said prices rose by over a nickel-a-gallon overnight to 3.83 – 15-cents more than in Wisconsin. But no matter how you slice it, we’re still paying about a dollar more for gasoline than last summer. National analyst Trigby Lundberg recently blamed a jump in crude oil prices. Otherwise, he said gas prices would have fallen due to a weaker economy and continued high unemployment.

Beaver Dam Seeks To Become A Bird City

8/3/11 - A local organization is seeking to have Beaver Dam declared a “Bird City.” Teresa Hiles-Olson, a city alderperson, sits on the Bird City Committee, a group that is seeking the designation from Bird City Wisconsin. Hiles-Olson says the migratory bird population is important to tourism in both the state and the county, especially given our proximity to the Horicon Marsh. She says the designation is also important because it raises awareness for the problems facing our fine feathered friends. The city has already approved resolutions designating Beaver Dam as a “Tree City” and also declared October 1 as International Migratory Bird Day. A modest festival is planned for that day. Beaver Dam will find out if it will join Horicon and nineteen other communities as an official “Bird City” in November. More information is available at http://www.birdcitywisconsin.org/

16-Year-Old Ticketed In 111mph Taco Run

8/3/11 - A run for the border landed a Columbus man in hot water. The Dodge County Sheriffs Department ticketed a motorist for driving 46 miles-an-hour over the speed limit on Highway 151 yesterday morning. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says the deputy was stationed near County Road S and clocked a 2002 Mitsubishi traveling 111mph in the 65 mile-and-hour zone. The 16-year-old driver – who had three teenage passengers – told the deputy he was returning to his home in Columbus after a late-night run to Beaver Dam for taco’s and said he thought he was only doing 95mph. He is facing tickets totaling over $700 and up to nine points against his license. His parents also had to make a run for the border, or county line, at 3am to retrieve their son, his friends and the car. Nehls says “friends don’t let friends drive this recklessly” and in this case “it sure made for an expensive late-night snack.”

Man Faces Sexual Assault Charge

8/3/11 - A 68-year-old Waupun man is facing sexual assault charges after allegedly groping a convenience store clerk on Monday. It happened around 6pm at Holliday Food and Sport on Main Street in Waupun. The victim says the man, who was dressed in a sleeveless shirt and dirty jeans, walked into the store and allegedly grabbed her breast and buttocks. Authorities took the man into custody and took him to the Dodge County Jail. The District Attorney’s office is expected to charge the man with 4th degree sexual assault.

Authorities Seek 2nd Man Involved in Beating

8/3/11 - As of yesterday authorities in Waupun were still looking for a second person involved in a battery over the weekend. Police say it happened behind the Thirsty Marlin bar on Main Street. A 28-year-old Brandon man and 29-year-old Waupun man were standing in the smoking area outside when a 26-year-old Horicon man allegedly punched the first man in the face, knocking him out. Meanwhile, a black or Hispanic man began punching the Waupun man in the face. Both victims were taken to the hospital for treatment. The Horicon man was arrested and faces charges of substantial battery and disorderly conduct. Anyone with information about the 2nd assailant is asked to contact authorities.

Search for Bank Robber Continues in FDL

8/3/11 - Nine photos have been released of the man suspected of robbing Hometown Bank in Fond du Lac. The Fond du Lac Police Department released the photos taken by the bank’s cameras during Monday morning’s robbery. It shows the suspect, the clothing he was wearing and even the backpack he was carrying that he ditched on a front lawn just down the street from the bank. Police are hoping someone may recognize the man in the photos and give them information that will lead to the man’s arrest. Meanwhile, Fond du Lac Police Captain Mike Frank says the suspect may have picked the bank at random. He says the man made no attempt to disguise or conceal his appearance and no one in the bank recognized him. For that reason it’s believed the man did not case the bank ahead of time. Frank also says even though no weapon was displayed during the robbery the note the robber passed to the teller demanding money was threatening enough to warrant an armed robbery charge. (KFIZ, Fond du Lac)


State Not Meeting EPA Standards Regulating Water Pollution

8/3/11 - Wisconsin is not meeting dozens of federal requirements in the way it manages water pollution. The E-P-A has told the state that it found 75 omissions and deviations from federal laws in Wisconsin’s water permit system. And it wants the state to make dozens of changes – or prove why its laws comply with the national standards. State D-N-R attorney Robin Nyffeler says the notice should be kept in perspective. Nyffeler says Wisconsin has run its own water program for almost 40 years under the federal Clean Water Act – and in that time, there were bound to be some discrepancies. Among other things, the state requires at least five people to ask for a public hearing on a water pollution permit – but the federal government says only one person needs to make a request. The E-P-A also says Wisconsin’s legal authority to enforce water rules might have been weakened last year by a State Supreme Court ruling involving a dispute over a water permit given to Georgia-Pacific’s paper plant in Green Bay. Also, the E-P-A questioned some laws passed this year by the Republican-controlled Legislature and Governor Scott Walker. One requires the state to impose pollution limits or standards only if a specific law allows it. The E-P-A says the state Justice Department has some explaining to do on that one. Attorney Dennis Grzezinski of the Midwest Environmental Advocates in Green Bay says the E-P-A’s long list of concerns is quote, “amazingly alarming.” But Nyffler said state-and-federal officials have been talking about this since 2009 – and even more concerns have already been addressed.

Weather Shines On Wisconsin Crops

8/3/11 - The last week has been great for Wisconsin’s farm crops. For the first time this year, the state’s corn has caught up to its normal height, which is 78-inches at the moment. Officials say 81-percent of the Wisconsin corn is in good-to-excellent condition. Seventy-one percent of the soybeans are blooming, 16-percent more than a week ago. But that’s still four-points behind the current average. Eighty-one percent of that crop is good-to-excellent. Last week’s rainfall slowed down the second hay crop a little. 91-percent of it is in, six-percent more than a week ago. Soil moisture is not a problem in most parts of the Badger State. Seventy-five percent of fields have adequate moisture, and 12-percent have a surplus.

Ag Secretary Vilsack in Milwaukee

8/3/11 - The nation’s agriculture secretary will spend the next two days in Wisconsin. Tom Vilsack will appear at the Milwaukee Grain Exchange today, to show small-and-medium sized businesses how to export their food-and-farm products. Tomorrow, Vilsack will be a part of the opening day of the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis. He’ll hold a forum with farmers and business-and-community leaders on ways to create jobs and improve the farm economy. Wisconsin agriculture employs about 350-thousand people. On Monday, we learned that the state’s farm exports grew to a record two-point-four billion dollars last year – an increase of 36-percent from 2009.

Top Stories August 2nd

Monona Man Injured in Train v SUV Crash

8/2/11 - A 24-year-old Monona man was injured last night after his vehicle was hit by a train a couple miles outside of Fox Lake. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says Kyle Hamilton was southbound on Highway C around 6:15 p-m when he drove onto the railroad tracks and was hit by an eastbound Wisconsin & Southern train. Hamilton’s car was pushed nearly 1,000 feet and had to be extricated from his vehicle. He was flown by MedFlight to UW-Hospital with what Nehls called non-life threatening injuries. Nehls says their investigation is ongoing but they believe Hamilton was impaired and driving onto the tracks wasn’t intentional, unlike several other train incidents in recent years. The rail crossing is controlled by yield signs. The train was made up of 36-cars, 31 of which were carry hazardous materials. However, Nehls says none of those were damaged.

Two Charged in Butschke’s Death

8/2/11 - Bond was set at a million-dollars yesterday afternoon for each of two men charged in the slaying of a Jefferson County man who turned up dead in a storage facility. 51-year-old James Richardson of Watertown and 19-year-old James Richards of Oconomowoc both appeared in a Jefferson County Circuit Court to face charges of homicide, hiding a corpse, and theft. They’re are due back in court two weeks from yesterday, when a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to order trials in the death of 28-year-old Beau Butschke. Prosecutors said Butschke was shot with his own 22-caliber rifle which the defendants stole a few weeks ago. They allegedly left Butschke in a shed at the Ski Slide Storage facility in Ixonia in mid-July. And then prosecutors said the two went to the victim’s apartment to eat beer-and-bratwurst they stole from there. Sheriff’s officials said Richardson was Butschke’s neighbor in a duplex where both lived in Ixonia – and the two had previous arguments over Richardson’s failure to maintain his half of the property. Police said Richards was arrested early yesterday when he asked Janesville Police where he could sleep for the night. Officers said he later confessed to the crimes, and told police where they could find Richardson.

Council Adopts Downtown Sign Ordinance

8/2/11 - The Beaver Dam Common Council last night approved an ordinance that governs signage in the downtown redevelopment area. With the recent establishment of a Landmark Commission overseeing future improvements to downtown buildings, the Common Council last night approved the rules for signs and façade changes to make sure those alterations comply with a historic, turn-of-the-century century theme. Landmark Commission Chair Michael Firchow says the ordinance does not require existing property owners to make changes but will govern any future improvements. The ordinance passed with four dissenting votes. Alderwoman Dona Maly says it’s too confusing for your average person to understand. Alderman Robert Ballweg says it’s too restrictive and does not allow downtown business owners to make minor changes without incurring costs. Firchow pointed out that the ordinance allows for an appeals process. The ordinance replaces a sign moratorium that was put in place last year until the commission was established.

Madison Street Bridge Reinforcement Issue Revived

8/2/11 - The Beaver Dam Operations Committee revived discussion on strengthening the Madison Street Bridge. Three cars have crashed through the railing of the bridge in just over one year, the most recent occurring on July 23. Officials last night discussed the possibility of installing a concrete parapet at a ballpark cost of $500 a foot. Alderwoman Donna Fuhrman started the discussion by asking how many cars have to crash into the river before the city changes it. Alderman Mick McConaghy said he’s a lifelong resident and this has not been a chronic problem over the years. Alderman Rob Radig questioned why we would spend anymore tax money than necessary to keep fixing a problem caused by impaired drivers. Operations Committee Chair Laine Meyer says he is against reinforcing a 20-foot length of bridge because someone will just wind up crashing into the river at the 21-foot mark. Meyer wants to see both sides of the bridge reconstructed to match the new, historic bridge parapets on the nearby South Center Street Bridge. Alderman Robert Ballweg asked that more options be brought to the committee for consideration and then made the motion to place the general project on the Capital Improvements Program list for next year.

Car Registration Fee Rejected

8/2/11 - City residents in Beaver Dam will not be paying a $10 fee on each car they own. That’s after the Beaver Dam Administrative Committee last night rejected the proposal by Director of Facilities David Stoiser. The annual registration fee was suggested by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to supplement cuts in funding that are outlined in the new state budget. As part of the budget repair bill, the city is anticipating a $66,000 reduction in road funds from the DOT. Stoiser says there are over 15,000 vehicles registered in the city and a $10 fee would bring in around $150,000. Alderman Jon Litscher says any funding shortfalls should be addressed as part of the budget process. The Administrative Committee had the opportunity to reject the matter by consensus but opted instead to take an official roll call vote so as to go on the record in opposition of the fee. The vote was unanimous. There was consensus in the Operations Committee last month to advance the proposal with no vote in support or against the proposed fee.

Mayor Halts Hoeft’s Public Comments

8/2/11 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy pounded his gavel last night to end a boisterous public comment address by downtown business owner Jay Hoeft. The owner of the now-defunct Fountain Inn Tavern on Front Street was the only hold-out in a post-flood, city buy-out that saw ten other riverside buildings demolished. Hoeft told the council that the city accepted federal grant funding for the project and alleged that the funding guidelines require the city to pay relocation fees to the affected property owners. Hoeft raised his voice demanding the city (quote) “pay these people the money that they’re legally entitled to” and then began yelling about living in America as Kennedy pounded his gavel ordering him to leave the podium. City Attorney Mary Ann Schacht told Hoeft that his allegations were legal matters and suggested that he obtain an attorney to address his concerns in the proper venue.

Fond du Lac City Engineer Charged With Sex Crimes

8/2/11 - Bond was set at $150,000 cash for a Fond du Lac city official accused of sexually assaulting a young girl several years ago. Fifty-four-year-old Richard Goding was charged in Fond du Lac County Court Monday with First Degree Sexual Assault of a Child, Repeated First Degree Sexual Assault of the Same Child, and Causing a Child Under 13 to View A Sex Act. In the event he makes bail Goding was ordered not to have unsupervised contact with any girls under the age of 18 including the victim. He also was ordered to surrender his passport should he make bond. Goding is the City Engineer. He was arrested last Thursday. No date has been set yet for a preliminary hearing.

Vote on Udey Dam Payment Expected

The Columbus Council will be voting tonight on payment of the only change order for the Udey Dam repair project. The Crawfish River Dam in the City of Columbus is ready for a return to use. The project cost will be $574 thousand dollars...most of that covered by state DNR funds. Impoundment of the Crawfish could begin as soon as the City’s Emergency Management plan is approved by the DNR. When the DNR OK is received the City will be able to close the gates and return the upstream water levels their 2004 mark.

Top Stories August 1st

2 Suspects Arrested in Butschke Death

8/1/11 - Two suspects, including one from Watertown, have been arrested in the death of a man found in a Jefferson County storage facility after being missing for two weeks. According to the Janesville Gazette, 19-year-old James Richards of Oconomowoc went to the city’s police headquarters early yesterday looking for a place to stay. And officers knew that Jefferson County authorities were looking for him in connection with a homicide. Police said Richards confessed, and showed officers where they could find the other suspect – 51-year-old James Richardson of Watertown. Both were wanted in the death of 28-year-old Beau Butschke, whose body was found last week in a unit at the Ski Slide Storage facility in Ixonia. A truck involved in the incident was also found. Jefferson County authorities say they’re still investigating.

Hot Air Balloon Accident Injures 5

8/1/11 - Five people suffered what authorities are calling minor injuries after a hot air balloon accident in Beaver Dam early Saturday evening. It happened around 5:45 p-m at the Beaver Dam Conservationist Club during a fundraiser for Green Valley Enterprises, which included tethered hot air balloon rides. Dodge County Sheriff’s Deputy John Monahan says the balloon was on the ground when the wind changed directions and sent the balloon out of control. Officials say that was caused by a rope tethered to a pickup truck snapping. Injured in the incident was a 35-year-old Beaver Dam woman, who was taken to the hospital and had surgery yesterday afternoon to fix a broken arm. Three other spectators, a 51-year-old Beaver Dam woman, a 52-year-old Beaver Dam man and an 18-year-old Beaver Dam woman, were taken to the hospital. Also injured was the sole passenger in the balloon, a 65-year-old Burnett woman. The 51-year-old pilot was uninjured. The balloon ride was operated by Sundog Ballooning of Rhinelander, which donated their services for the Ham n’ Jam fundraiser. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Aviation Administration are still investigating.

Hot Weather Has Construction of New BDPD Behind Schedule

8/1/11 - The hot weather has put construction of the Beaver Dam Police Station behind schedule. Mayor Tom Kennedy told us on WBEV’s Community Comment on Friday that a humidity build-up has resulted in a delay in installing marble tile, which in turn will cause a delay in moving furniture in the $5.1 million dollar facility. The air conditioning was installed and turned on late last week and the process of drying out the moisture is underway. The project has been delayed by three weeks. Instead of occupancy by Labor Day, Kennedy says it will be closer to October 1.

Heat Causes Highway to Buckle

8/1/11 - Yesterday’s hot weather led to some road buckling again. Officials say just before noon a sheet of concrete on Highway 151 near Hemlock Road blew forcing authorities to close a portion of the highway while crews repaired it. Dodge County Highway Commissioner Brian Field says the heat causes the cement slabs to expand and push against each other up into the air causing them to fail. Field says the failures are time consuming and costly to fix. Each year the county sees about 15 instances of the road buckling, mostly on the state highway that are built with concrete.

Legislature Could Vote on Unemployment Benefits Today

8/1/11 - Wisconsin senators are scheduled to vote this afternoon on giving more 13 weeks of benefits to the state’s long-term unemployed. But Republican Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he’s not sure if he has the votes to pass it. That’s because there’s a disagreement on whether the bill should include a one-week waiting period for the newly-unemployed to receive benefits once they apply. The waiting period was included in the new state budget to save up to 56-million-dollars a year. But senators eliminated the waiting period when they first approved the jobless benefits last month. And the Assembly voted the next day to put it back. The two houses must agree on the same measure before they can send it to the governor. And in the meantime, up to 40-thousand unemployed Wisconsinites are waiting for the longer benefits, after using up 73 weeks of payments earlier. The federal government has made up to 89-million-dollars of extended benefits available. Senate Democratic Leader Mark Miller is against the waiting period. He says Republicans would show a lack of “conviction and courage” if they restore it after voting to drop it. Senate G-O-P President Mike Ellis does not like the timing of today’s vote. He says Democrats will blame Republicans for delaying jobless benefits, just as six G-O-P senators face recall elections a week from tomorrow. As Ellis puts it, “They’ve got another week to run ads about how we hate the middle class.”

Ready Turns 93

8/1/11 - Wisconsin's longest-serving elected official turned 93 yesterday. Dodge County Supervisor Joe Ready of Watertown has been on his county board for 57 years. He also spent over two decades on the Watertown City Council. Ready is a life-long resident of Dodge County, except when he was born in 1918 at the Watertown hospital. That's barely on the other side of the Dodge-Jefferson county line. Ready was 89 when the Wisconsin Counties Association honored him in 2007 for his years of service. He says the key to his longevity is "dedication." Wisconsin Senate Democrat Fred Risser of Madison is often mentioned as the nation's longest-serving state lawmaker. But he's a relative pup compared to Ready. Risser is nine years younger at age 84 -- and he's now in his 55th year in the Legislature.

Change in the “National Night Out” in Columbus

8/1/11 - There will be a change in this year’s “National Night Out” in Columbus. Police Chief Dan Meister said Tuesday night will be more of a neighborhood night than last year. Last year public events were held at Fireman’s Park. This year Meister hopes residents will join their next door neighbors and roving police in talking about public safety. National Night Out was initially designed as a program promoting better relations between the public and local Police.

Police: Sheboygan Mayor the Aggressor in Fight

8/1/11 - A report from Elkhart Lake police says Sheboygan's mayor was the aggressor in a fight there last week. Mayor Bob Ryan was given a verbal warning by officers. The fight at the Brown Baer tavern happened about 1:30 a.m. last Monday. Ryan is an admitted alcoholic. He told Sheboygan radio station WHBL he had been on a three-day drinking binge, passing out at least once. Sheboygan City Council members have called for Ryan to resign, though he has said he won't do that. He says he will seek outpatient treatment.

Capitol Rotunda Net Coming Down

8/1/11 - The net in the state Capitol rotunda is coming down. State officials say it is ugly and it is obscuring the view for visitors. It went up last week during a controversy over the release of balloons there. State facilities director Jeff Plale says the net was only a test and it will be taken down before the building opens today. It was installed Friday, a day after police arrested a state worker accused of popping a protester's balloon. The same worker was accused of pushing a woman down. The balloons were banned because they could damage historic murals.