Top Stories January 19th

Wisconsinites in DC for Inauguration

1/19/09 - It’s impossible to know how many Wisconsinites will try to watch Barack Obama get inaugurated in Washington tomorrow. That’s because there will probably be lots of groups like those from Marquette University. The Milwaukee students strongly campaigned for the nation’s first black president last fall, and they registered new voters along the way. On Saturday night, the 14 students jumped into three S-U-V’s and drove overnight to the capital – but only three have tickets to tomorrow’s ceremony. The 11 others will watch on T-V from what’s sure to be a jam-packed National Mall. Still, the group was pleasantly surprised to see Obama speak yesterday at a concert at the Lincoln Memorial – at least on the distant T-V screens. Marquette senior Erin Neary of Brookfield said they couldn’t see a lot – but they feel the moment, as everyone was singing and screaming. Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, and Bono were among those who performed.

MLK Jr. Day has Added Significance this Year

1/19/09 - It’s Martin Luther King Day. And this year’s celebration of the slain civil rights leader takes on added significance with the election of Barack Obama as the nation’s first black president. Over a-thousand people attended Milwaukee’s official observance yesterday. School students were given awards for a speech contest – and most of the winners cited Obama as an example of a leader who can bring peace and make the country better. Mayor Tom Barrett missed the event, because he’s in Washington for Obama’s inauguration tomorrow. In a videotaped statement, Barrett cited Obama’s success in encouraging the rest of us to realize the rest of Martin Luther King’s dreams. He says we’ll do it by building safer and more respectful communities. Schools in Wisconsin’s largest cities are off for King Day, and the state-and-federal governments are closed. But schools and local governments are open in smaller cities and towns – and for many in the country, the only thing they’ll miss is their mail.

One Injured in Highway 151 Accident

1/19/09 - A one-vehicle rollover on Highway 151 caused some minor traffic issues this morning. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says a vehicle driven by 49-year-old woman lost control and rolled her vehicle near Highway 73 in the Town of Elba around 5:30 a.m. Authorities were on the scene until about 6:50 a.m. and traffic has been restored to normal at this hour. The woman suffered injuries but there is no word on the severity.

Five Killed in Marinette County Crash

1/19/09 - Five people were killed last night when a car and a pick-up truck collided in northeast Wisconsin. It happened about 7:45 in Marinette County on the Highway 41 expressway near Peshtigo. According to Chief Deputy Jerry Sauve, the car turned onto 41 from Country Meadows Road in the path of the northbound pick-up. All five who died were in the car. Two were males. Three were females. Sauve said the pick-up driver was taken to a hospital with injuries, and was being questioned by investigators. The extent of the injuries was not disclosed – and he was apparently alone in his vehicle. An accident re-construction team from the State Patrol was at the crash site last night. Both northbound lanes and one southbound lane of Highway 41 were shut down for about seven hours. They re-opened early this morning.

Neighborhood Watch In Force

1/19/09 - Beaver Dam is making strides in establishing itself as a Neighborhood Watch community. There are currently two active Neighborhood Watch groups operating within the city. The police department is placing signs at all the entry ways into the city stating that Beaver Dam is a Neighborhood Watch community. As more and more areas are established within the city, signs will be placed in those communities to designate them as Neighborhood Watch areas. Officer Rich Dahl, who is coordinating the program, says the arrangement benefits both officers and citizens. Chief Dale Boldt is encouraging more participation in the Neighborhood Watch. For more information contact Officer Rich Dahl at the Beaver Dam Police Department at 887-4612. Pictured Left to Right: Neighborhood Watch participants: Lee Ann Heiden, John Heiden, Kaelyn Gabathuler and Police Chief Dale Boldt.

Historical Rescue

1/19/09 - One of the eleven downtown Beaver Dam properties targeted in the city’s redevelopment plan for acquisition and demolition, has been designated a state historical landmark. That’s according to Jay Hoeft, owner of the business once known as “Emotional Rescue.” Five months after being closed by the June floods, the establishment at 203 Front Street opened under the name “The Fountain Inn,” which was the same name the business had when it first opened its doors in 1911. Hoeft got word of the inclusion on the state registry last week. He says he is going to try his best to stay in business because his building is a piece of Beaver Dam history that deserves to go down in honor. The DNR has indicated that buildings constructed over a river must eventually be removed, but they have not set a timeline, prompting city officials too act quickly before the targeted businesses suffer from neglect. The redevelopment plan was approved last month and had the cooperation of the owners of nine of the eleven buildings. Hoeft says once the culverts are fixed and Celestial Coffee is removed, the water levels of the Beaver Dam River will drop and his building should have no problem withstanding a 100-year flood. Hoeft will be our guest on WBEV’s Community Comment this Wednesday.

Davis Charged in Claw Hammer Attack

1/19/09 - A Fox Lake Correctional Institution inmate who attacked two guards with a claw-hammer has been formally changed. 50-year-old Terrance Davis is charged with two counts of attempted murder for allegedly attacking the guards in the prison’s furniture-making shop last November. A 52-year-old officer sustained head injuries and a broken arm and a 38-year-old guard required surgery for a fractured skull. Davis has been in prison since he killed two Milwaukee police officers 23 years ago when the officers walked into a drug deal. His initial appearance has been scheduled for February 19.

West Bend Woman and Two Others Charged in Minnesota

1/19/09 - Two Wisconsinites, including a Washington County woman, have been charged in Minnesota with throwing sandbags and a large road sign off a freeway bridge during last year’s Republican National Convention. 23-year-old Karen Meissner of Menomonee Falls and 18-year-old Christina Vana of West Bend are both charged with aiding-and-abetting second-degree assault. A 23-year-old Texas man is also charged in the same incident. According to prosecutors, the three were protestors who picked up sand-bags used to hold down the street sign – and they tossed them to try-and-stop buses carrying delegates to the convention in Saint Paul last September. The three were also accused of throwing a metal sign off the Marion Street bridge over Interstate-94 in Saint Paul. It landed close to an officer who was trying to remove one of the thrown sandbags.

BD School Board Set to Discuss Addition of Boy’s Swimming

1/19/09 - The Beaver Dam School Board is set to hear a proposal tonight that would add varsity boy’s swimming to their sports lineup beginning next fall. The proposal submitted by the athletic department states the program would be self-funded for a period of two years. If the new program is successful in attracting students the athletic department would ask that the district provide funding on the same level as the girls program. The school board will take a look at the proposal tonight during their regular monthly meeting starting at 6:30pm.

Top Stories January 18th

One Dead, Three Injured in Highway 26 Crash

1/18/09 - An Illinois man was killed in a head-on crash late yesterday morning near Watertown. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Department says the man from Davis Junction was driving north on Highway 26 near Turf Drive when a Ixonia man driving southbound lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center line and the two cars collided. Both drivers and the other passenger of each vehicle were taken to Watertown Hospital. The Illinois man was pronounced dead there. Authorities have not yet released the names. The crash remains under investigation but alcohol is not believed to a factor.

Kuenzi Brother Suspect in ’04 Hit and Run Fatality

1/18/09 - One of the men accused of running over and killing deer with a snowmobile is a suspect in a hit-and-run fatality from 2004. 24-year-old Rory Kuenzi, his 23-year-old brother Robby, and 22-year-old Nicholas Hermes have been charged with a number of felonies in connection with the January 9th killing of five deer south of Waupaca. Authorities say Rory Kunezi also admitted to killing a sixth deer with his snowmobile. He says he butchered it and took it to his mothers. This isn’t Rory Kuenzi’s first run in with the law. Court records show that he is still considered a suspect in the 2004 death of Kevin McCoy who was hit by a vehicle while walking home from a party in Farmington. Waupaca County District Attorney John Snider said the investigation has been set back by a failed reconstruction effort. The case was later sent to the State Patrol for a reconstruction report. The State Patrol still has the case.

Bushey Back in Court Next Month

1/18/09 - A hearing on a plea agreement for religious leader Alan Bushey will be held February 5. The Necedah man is accused of helping Tammy Lewis keep the body of a 90-year-old woman hidden in a bathroom for two months. The two people continued to collect the dead woman's Social Security checks. Bushey is charged with hiding a corpse, two counts of causing mental harm to a child and two counts of theft. Tammy Lewis pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge and will avoid the more serious charges -- if she cooperates with prosecutors in the case against Bushey.

Salmonella Outbreak Possibly Caused by Peanut Butter

1/18/09 - A deadly salmonella outbreak has federal health officials asking consumers to avoid eating foods that contain peanut butter until they can learn more about the outbreak. However, the FDA says there is no evidence of problems with peanut butter sold in jars at grocery stores. Authorities are focusing on a number of peanut butter products produced at a Georgia Plant that distributes its products to institutions and food companies. Because of the concern, a number of manufacturers are recalling products made with peanut butter as a precaution. The outbreak is blamed in six death and more than 470 cases of illness in 43 states. Peanut Butter Recalls

Van Hollen Against Making 1st Offense OWI a Crime

1/18/09 - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says he's against making first-offense drunken driving a crime under Wisconsin law. Van Hollen says first-time offenders shouldn't be treated as criminals and labeled that way for the rest of their lives. He says the first offense can legitimately be called a mistake. Wisconsin is the only state that doesn't treat a first offense as a crime right now. It's a civil violation. Van Hollen says we're able to get more people into treatment programs because those first-time offenders are more willing to plead guilty. He thinks that may mean more first offenders never become second offenders, though the numbers to confirm that aren't available right now.

New Rule Would Not Allow Campaign Fundraising During Budget Process

1/18/09 - A new rule being studied at the Capitol would ban campaign fund raising while Wisconsin lawmakers are working on the budget. Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan says his legislation would not only end the fund raising events, it would keep those lawmakers from accepting any donations during that critical time period. Watchdog groups have called for a rule like that for years. They say Wisconsin lawmakers shouldn't be taking campaign money from special interests who might be asking for favors in the next state budget. Sheridan is a Democrat from Janesville. He says the wording of his proposal is being strengthened right now. He says it would keep lawmakers attention focused on closing the budget deficit and growing the state's economy.

School Districts Play Waiting Game with State Budget

1/18/09 - Wisconsin school districts are waiting to see how state government leaders solve the budget deficit. A shortfall of more than five billion dollars over the two-year period is being projected. One western Wisconsin school district, River Falls, is projecting a two percent increase in state funding. That's less than normal, but they have no way to know if it's accurate. State Representative Kitty Rhoades says she doesn't expect a decrease in K-through-12 funding, despite Wisconsin's money problems. She says the governor has always said public school funding is one of his priorities. The problem for school leaders remains the same: they have to draw up a spending plan for their districts without knowing how much money they're going to get from a main source of revenue.

Democrats Asking for Price Tag of Lawsuit by AG Van Hollen

1/18/09 - Two Democratic lawmakers asked Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen again Friday how much the state Department of Justice spent suing election officials this past fall. Van Hollen, a Republican, filed the lawsuit in September, demanding the state Government Accountability Board verify the identities of tens of thousands of voters dating back to 2006 before the Nov. 4 election. Van Hollen contended the federal Help America Vote Act mandated such checks. Democrats accused Van Hollen of playing partisan games and trying to disenfranchise voters. Senator Mark Miller and Representative Mark Pocan, leaders of the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee, asked Van Hollen in October how much the state Justice Department had spent on the lawsuit. Van Hollen replied his agency had spent only 155 dollars. Miller and Pocan sent another letter to Van Hollen on Friday, branding the 155 dollar number as "obviously incomplete" and demanding a detailed accounting of attorney and staff hours devoted to the case along with corresponding salary and benefits for those positions.

Top Stories January 17th

Temps Back Up, Snow Returns

1/17/09 - The bitterly cold temperatures may be gone but the snow has returned. Though there isn’t a lot on the ground this morning, less than an inch, blowing and drifting may be an issue. There may also be some slippery spots so officials are asking that you take it slow this morning. And don’t look now but temperatures next Wednesday could be nearly 50-degrees warmer than they were yesterday. Forecasters are calling for 28-degrees above zero after we saw temps as low as 24-degrees below zero the past two days.

Wisconsin Man Arrested for Threat to Kill President-Elect

1/17/09 - The Secret Service has taken a Wisconsin man into custody for threatening to kill President-elect Barack Obama. The threat was made on an Internet web site. Steve Joseph Christopher is being held in a Mississippi jail until his federal court hearing scheduled for next Thursday. There's no word on what he was doing in Mississippi. Christopher made two threats in the last week, saying he would assassinate Obama for what he called "the country's own good." He said he had nothing against Obama and his plan wasn't race-based. Christopher said he didn't own a gun and asked that one be donated. He could face up to five years in prison is convicted. Authorities didn't release Christopher's home town.

Friday Accidents Injure Two

1/17/09 - There were a number of motor vehicle accidents both on the road and on the snowmobile trails. That’s according to the Dodge County Sheriffs Department who says the car accident occurred in the Town of Trenton around 3:30. A 16-year-old boy suffered injuries after he lost control of his vehicle on Jersey Road. The boy was cited for going too fast for conditions. Authorities are also aware of a snowmobile accident in the Town of Rubicon that happened about 9:30. The D-N-R reported a 15-year-old boy suffered injuries resulting from the accident that occurred near Arthur Road and Goodland Road. He was taken to the Hartford Hospital for treatment. There is no word on a cause for the accident.

Burnett Facing Charges After Crash

1/17/09 - A 30-year-old Burnett man is facing a number of charges after a 1-vehicle accident that resulted in him and his passenger being taken to the hospital Thursday night. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says Chadwick M Kampen was on County Trunk B in the Town of Beaver Dam around 10:30 when he lost control of his vehicle, entered the ditch, rolled and struck a utility pole. After being treated for his injuries, Kampen was arrested and taken to jail on suspicion of Operating While Intoxicated 3rd Offense Causing Injury and Operating after Revocation. Kampen and his 25-year-old passenger were wearing their seatbelts.

Man Arrested for Operating Snowmobile while Intoxicated

1/17/09 - A traffic stop of a snowmobile driven by a 25-year-old man resulted in him being arrested. The Dodge County Sheriffs Department says the man was confronted by officers near the intersection of County Highway B and Highway 33 in the Town of Beaver Dam about 1:45 this morning. Authorities took him into custody on suspicion of Operating While Intoxicated 2nd offense.

Accident Knocks Out Power to ACEC Members near Columbus

1/17/09 - A one-vehicle accident on River Road south of Columbus Thursday night knocked out power to more than 500-members of the Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative. That’s according to Communications Coordinator for the ACEC Keith Wohlfert, who says a motorist lost control of their vehicle, left the road and hit a power junction box causing the power outage. The incident happened around 11pm and crews worked throughout the early morning yesterday in minus-20-degree temperatures to replace the damaged equipment. Power was restored to everyone by 3:45am.


2 More Charged in Deer Killings

1/17/09 - Two Weyauwega area brothers arrested with another man in connection with the snowmobile deaths of five deer last week are charged in Waupaca County Circuit Court. 23-year-old Robbie Kuenzi faces five counts of felony mistreatment of animals. His 24 year-old brother Rory Kuenzi faces six mistreatment of animals felony counts, along with a felony for operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent. Along with their alleged involvement in the slaughter of five deer south of Waupaca, Rory Kuenzi is alleged to have stolen one of the snowmobiles used in the incident. Rory Kuenzi remains in jail on a probation violation, and today was ordered to serve 180 days on a child support warrant. A 25-thousand dollar cash bond was ordered, after Assistant DA Jim Fassbender read off a litany of dates in which Kuenzi failed to show up for other court appearances. Preliminary hearings for the Kuenzi brothers are set for January 23rd.

Waupun Getting Own Speed Trailer

1/17/09 - The city of Waupun will soon have its own speed trailer. The devices are used along roadways to measure traffic counts, direction of travel, the size of vehicles but, most importantly, the speed of vehicles. Police Chief Dale Herringa says the purchase would be the best use of the Wisconsin DOT Safety Grant. The trailer cost $8100 and the city secured a $4000 grant. The common council approved using $4100 in excess funds from the police department’s 2008 budget to cover the remaining costs. Herringa opted to purchase the model with a rechargeable battery, which is $1500 less than the solar powered version.

Another Movie Being Made in Wisconsin

1/17/09 - Producers are looking for workers in another movie being filmed in Wisconsin. Producer Nicholas Langholff is looking for both paid and unpaid help for a new film called “Feed the Fish.” Green Bay native Tony Shalhoub of the T-V show “Monk” will star in the movie as a sheriff. It’s about a children’s author who gets sick-and-tired of California, and moves to Wisconsin where he hopes his one of those New Year’s Polar Bear plunges will cure his writer’s block. There’s also a love interest in the movie. Green Bay native Michael Matzdorff wrote it. Most of the film will be shot over a month’s time in Door County. Paid costume-and-hair designers are being sought, along with make-up and special effects’ people. There are also unpaid intern openings for things like the casting of extras and camera work. Those interested can send an e-mail to FeedTheFish-at-Triplefinger-Dot-Com.

Racine Gearing Up for Possible Special Election to Replace Mayor

1/17/09 - Two Racine politicians say they will run for the office if Mayor Gary Becker is kicked out. Becker is charged with five felony sex criminal complaints. He has not responded to suggestions he resign, but the Common Council could start the process of kicking him out at its next meeting Tuesday. Racine Alder Greg Helding and State Representative Cory Mason have said they would consider running if a special election was scheduled. Acting Mayor David Maack says he wouldn't run if Becker was out.

Top Stories January 16th

Wind Chill WARNING Through Noon Friday

Very Cold this Morning, Warmer Temps Coming

1/16/09 - Wisconsin’s deepest cold spell of the winter will end tonight. The high pressure system that brought us wind-chills in the minus-20’s-and-30’s for much of the week will head east. Warmer air from the south will move in. The mercury is supposed to rise overnight. And by tomorrow, most places will be back in the teens-to-20’s-above zero. However, we are still dealing with the cold this morning which has led to dozens of school closings throughout our area. That includes the Beaver Dam School District. And while that is music to the ears of kids throughout the area, many are still wondering why the schools weren’t closed yesterday. According to the district website, the reasoning for the closing today is “the severe wind chill will not moderate until mid-day and meets the temperature required by the districts school closing policy.” Superintendent Don Childs says the conditions yesterday did not meet that policy. Because the district has already used its two weather days, students will be forced to make up the day at the end of the year.

Sub Zero School Day

1/16/09 - It wasn’t hard to find a Beaver Dam student who was salty about having to be in school yesterday. One student told us that kids were just plain mad and over half the seats were empty in some classrooms. And many of the parents we spoke with – like Melissa Schreiner - didn’t think it was a good idea to have school because every surrounding school district had cancelled. Jerald Blank didn’t think his grandkids needed to be in class yesterday and he told us he wished the administrators would have thought about the kids first. Not all parents thought the late start was a bad idea. Joy Krahn said it was wonderful because otherwise the kids would just be outside playing. Krahn says it comes down to preparedness and if most parents can arrange for their children to stay at home, they can just as easily arrange to have their kids driven to school.

Student IDed in Bomb Threat at BDHS

1/16/09 -The Beaver Dam Police Department has released details of a bomb threat at the high school. Chief Dale Boldt says the school liaison officer was notified Monday of a bomb threat written on a wall. As a result of a subsequent investigation, an 18-year-old male student was identified as the subject who is believed to have written the threat. Charges have been forwarded to the Dodge County District Attorney’s Office. The school was not evacuated.

Three Identified as Possible Suspects in Deer Killings

1/16/09 - A Waupaca County snowmobiler is free on a signature bond, and two others are due in court today, in last weekend’s slaughters of five deer. 22-year-old Nicholas Hermes of Weyauwega appeared in court yesterday on five felony charges of killing animals by mistreatment. 23-year-old Robby Kuenzi and 24-year-old Rory Kuenzi, brothers from Weyauwega, have not been charged yet. According to the criminal complaint, Hermes claimed he accidentally killed a deer, and said the Kuenzi brothers chased others from behind and ran them over. But a witness said all three were chasing the deer. The attacks happened last Friday night south of Waupaca.

FDL Authorities Make Arrest in Duck Killings

1/16/09 - A man turned himself in yesterday for this week’s killings of 57 mallard ducks by snowmobiles in Fond du Lac. A D-N-R warden interviewed the man, who’s in his early 30’s from the Fond du Lac area. But officials say their investigation is continuing. The dead ducks were found Tuesday at a spot with open water on the Fond du Lac River, near the city’s sewage plant. It’s a place where snowmobilers are known to do water-skipping above a hole on the ice.

Co-Pilot in NY Plane Crash from Wisconsin

1/16/09 - A pilot from Wisconsin helped pull off yesterday’s crash-landing of a U-S Airways plane in the Hudson River in New York. Jeff Skiles of Oregon in Dane County co-piloted the Airbus that had just taken off for Charlotte when it struck a flock of birds. That’s apparently what the disabled the two engines, forcing Skiles and pilot Sully Sullenberger to take the aircraft down. The 49-year-old Skiles is a 23-year veteran of U-S Airways, and is now based in Charlotte. His wife Barbara – who still lives in Oregon – said her husband was relieved that all 155 people on board escaped safely, before the aircraft could sink into the river. Officials were quick to point out that the incident was not an act of terrorism. New York’s governor called it the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

Van Hollen Drops Lawsuit Against GAB

1/16/09 - Attorney General J-B Van Hollen has dropped his lawsuit against the state’s Government Accountability Board. He says he’s now convinced that the agency will do what he wanted, and double-check the registrations of voters who have signed up since the start of 2006. Yesterday, the board agreed to have its staff review those registrations from May through the end of November. Local clerks were expected to get that job, but they won’t. Last fall, the Accountability Board told local clerks they’d only have to review registrations since last August – when the state’s computerized voter list went fully on-line. Thousands of people had discrepancies in their various state records. Van Hollen and Republicans cited possible fraud. But board members and Democrats said it was more likely that the non-matches were caused by typing errors – or a Rebecca who calls herself Becky on one document and not another. Those people would have had to cast provisional ballots last November, but Democrats said it would have caused massive lines at the polls, thus discouraging people from voting. A judge agreed, and dropped Van Hollen’s lawsuit. But the attorney general appealed. A board staff member said there were no fraud investigations resulting from the mismatched voter data.

Some Dairy Producers May Not Survive ‘09

1/16/09 - A longtime dairy farmer says some producers won't survive 2009. Bill Herr of Greenwood, who serves on a number of national dairy boards, says the tail-end of 2008 presented a perfect storm of factors that pushed milk prices from 20 dollars per hundredweight to 10, or below. He says predictions for the coming year have prices remaining low. The last time milk prices were this low was in 2002, and the industry survived. However, Herr says feed, fuel and fertilizer prices are much higher than they were then, making it much harder for dairy farmers to keep going. Herr adds that farmers were able to borrow to make ends meet in 2002. He says that probably won't be the case this year with many lenders requiring down payments of nearly 40-percent before they'll lend them money.

Wisconsin Could Host Events if Chicago gets 2016 Olympics

1/16/09 - If Chicago gets the 2016 Olympics, southern Wisconsin could host a couple of major bicycling events. Governor Jim Doyle will say more at a news conference today. Mark Sherven, who chairs the town of Vermont in Dane County, says one race under consideration is a Tour-de-France-style road event that would go through the rolling hills west of Madison and end up at Blue Mounds State Park. And a site near Whitewater in the Kettle Moraine State Forest is a possible venue for an off-road Olympic mountain bike event. Former Olympian Tom Schuler says Wisconsin has an advantage over others, because the state’s courses are good enough to be endorsed by the International Cycling Union. David Vogt of the state’s Bicycle Federation says the Badger State is fantastic for cycling, and it’s got some of the best roads in the country. He’s says it’s also got the challenging hills that Chicago doesn’t have. We’ll learn this fall if Chicago will be chosen to host the 2016 Games.

DNR Unveils New Floodplain Maps

1/16/09 - Despite the cold weather, there was good turnout yesterday for the DNR’s Open House unveiling the county’s new, preliminary floodplain maps. The DNR has been working with FEMA to modernize the maps statewide. Floodplain maps are used by local officials to make flood risk management decisions related to property development. The new maps will also affect other homes and businesses in floodplains and their flood insurance. DNR Floodplain Engineer Bob Watson says that digital technology has vital in updating the maps, many of which are decades old. Watson says that because of the new technology, engineers were able to remove about 300 miles of floodplain area county-wide mainly because technology identified dry areas once thought to be waterways. The updated maps have identified eight new floodplain buildings in downtown Beaver Dam that are not listed on the current map, which was assembled in 1984. City officials have had access to the new maps since last year and have been referring to it in planning for downtown revitalization efforts. The public can appeal or comment on the preliminary maps. Once maps are finalized, local governments have six months to incorporate the new maps into their zoning ordinances.

Dodge County Fair Music Acts Announced

1/16/09 - The music line-up for the 2009 Dodge County Fair has been announced. Gary Allan will be performing on Wednesday; Allan is known for such hits as “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful,” “Right Where I Need To Be” and his latest “She’s So California.” Rodney Atkins is scheduled for Thursday. Atkins has had 4 number one hits in a row; that includes “If Your Going Through Hell,” “Watching You,” “These Are My People” and his newest “It’s America.” Styx is the rock act on Friday, bringing their well-known songs like “Come Sail Away,” “Blue Collar Man” and “Mr. Roboto” to the fairgrounds. The musical acts wrap-up Saturday night with newcomer James Otto whose number one hit is “Just Got Started Loving You” and his newest is “These are The Good Old Days.” The Dodge County Fair will be held August 19th through the 23rd at the Dodge County Fairgrounds.

Top Stories January 15th

Wind Chill WARNING Through Noon Friday

Emergency Management: Stock Cars With Survival Kit

1/15/09 - Dodge County Emergency Management officials are urging motorists to be prepared for freezing temperatures when hitting the roadway. Director Joe Meagher says it’s important to stock your car with a survival kit that includes blankets, flashlights, a first aid kit and energy bars. He says you should also make sure your car has jumper cables, windshield scrapers, flares, basic tools including a shovel, and sand or cat litter for tire traction in case you run off the roadway. Meagher also calls a cell phone vital while traveling in severe weather.

Meeting Fox Lake Draws Huge Crowd

1/15/09 - More than 140-people packed the Fox Lake Community Center last night to voice their opinions on three proposed referendums for the Waupun School District. With the district staring at a 1-million-dollar budget shortfall for 2009-2010 school year and larger deficits in the following years, the referendums are asking for a total of around 5-million dollars spread out over three-years. If the first referendum question were to fail it’s possible that Fox Lake and Alto Elementary would be closed.

For those in attendance the biggest issue seemed to be the idea the district did not exhaust all of their other possibilities to close the deficit before bringing the referendum to the table. People made suggestions throughout the night as to how to close the deficit and District Administrator Randy Refsland says a number of them have validity, and he will look into the feasibility of possibly implementing them.

Despite the fact that kids from the city and town of Fox Lake make up just 13% of the districts population, residents in those municipalities pay 27% of the districts tax bill. That led a number of people to contend the district owed it to them to keep Fox Lake open. After the meeting dozens of residents signed up for an exploratory committee to seek out other options to close the deficit or look at the possibility of leaving the district. Some residents are also looking into the possibility of pushing the referendum date back to April so as to give them time to come up with other alternatives to the closures. It was unknown last night if that was a possibility legally.

Another meeting will be held tonight at the high school for residents looking to help pass the referendum. That meeting will begin at 6pm in the Choir Room.

Mallard Ducks Killed in Fond du Lac County

1/15/09 - Just days after snowmobilers killed five deer in Waupaca County, riders in Fond du Lac apparently rounded up 57 mallard ducks -- and ran them over with their machines. Necropsies will be performed today on 20 hens and 37 drakes. D-N-R warden supervisor George Protogere says he wants to make sure they died from trauma. He did not believe a disease outbreak could have been involved. A passer-by said the ducks looked okay at nine Tuesday morning. But five hours later, the same person came by again and saw them dead. The ducks were found in an ice-fishing hole, and open water on the Fond du Lac River near the city’s wastewater plant. Bill Schumann, head of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs, called both the duck and deer incidents disgusting. He said it’s not what snowmobiling is all about, and something is drastically wrong. Schuman says he’d like to see the killers lose their riding privileges and go to jail. He says they must be brought to justice.

In the Waupaca County incident, one deer had its stomach pulled out, and another choked while tied to a tree. A news conference is planned this afternoon to provide an update on that case. Protogere said it’s too early to say if a copy-cat killer was behind the Fond du Lac incident. He says it’s hard to speculate on what the riders’ motives might have been.

Six Facing Charges in Beating of 17-year-old

1/15/09 - Six people face charges for attacking a 17-year-old boy who was confronted as he was about to use a portable toilet. It happened in a Washington County park near West Bend the night of December 30th. Officials said the victim’s ex-girlfriend might have master-minded the incident. The boy was invited to the park assuming he’d meet a girl he wanted to date. Instead, two males jumped from the portable toilet when he was about to use it. They and the other four suspects allegedly hit the victim several times, and stole his wallet which had 100-dollars and a credit card. The boy was not seriously hurt. Authorities are seeking numerous charges – including strong-armed robbery – against two adults and four juveniles.

Speaker of Wisconsin Assembly Looking to Include GOP in Budget Fix

1/15/09 - The new Democratic speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly says he wants to include Republican ideas in closing the state’s massive budget deficit. But G-O-P leader Jeff Fitzgerald doesn’t buy that. Earlier, Speaker Mike Sheridan said he didn’t think the G-O-P would get involved until late in the process of passing the next two-year budget – when there’s almost no chance to amend it. But yesterday, Sheridan said he has a meeting planned later this month with Fitzgerald on the budget. Democrats control both houses of the Legislature for the first time in 22 years – and with a Democratic governor, they can ram through most of what they want. But Sheridan says there needs to be a bi-partisan solution to the deficit. He has promised to pass bills sponsored by the G-O-P, and he vows to set a different tone by crossing party lines. But Fitzgerald says his meeting with Sheridan probably won’t cover anything of substance – and it will only give Democrats a way to brag that they’re reaching out.

Powerball Up to $165-Million

1/15/09 - The Powerball jackpot keeps going up. It’s now at 165-million-dollars for the next drawing on Saturday. Nobody won last night’s top prize of 147-million. But four players in Wisconsin won 200-thousand-dollars each, by matching all five regular numbers but not the Powerball. The lottery did not say overnight where those tickets were sold. Three other Wisconsin players won 10-thousand apiece, by matching four regular numbers plus the Powerball. Just over 28-thousand players in the Badger State won something. The numbers were 8, 25, 34, 39, and 46. The Powerball was 34, and the Power Play multiplier was five. The cash option for Saturday night is just under 97-million dollars. That goes to a single winner who wants the whole prize now, instead of getting it in 30 annual installments.


Jury Doesn’t Buy Prisoners Spitting Excuse

1/15/09 - A Dodge County jury didn’t buy a prisoner’s excuse that he spit on a guard because of overactive salivary glands. Nine women and three men deliberated for just over one hour before convicting Sharome Powell on a charge of Assault by Prisoner. The 27-year-old spit in the face of a Waupun Correctional Officer last May as she was attempting to discipline him for a rules violation. Powell contended that the saliva unintentionally left his mouth during the heated verbal exchange with the officer. In what Dodge County District Attorney Bill Bedker called an unexpected twist, Powell testified while spitting into a facial tissue to emphasize his overactive salivary glands. Bedker said (quote) “I personally don’t think that Mr. Powell helped his cause with his demonstration.” A sentencing hearing is set for later this month. Because of his previous criminal record, Powell could have 5 and a half more years added to his prison time when he’s sentenced later this month.

Top Stories January 14th

Cold Weather Socks Area

1/14/09 - We are under a Wind Chill Warning beginning at 6pm tonight through Noon on Friday. The National Weather Service says the temperatures we could see tonight across Southern Wisconsin are the coldest in the last 13-years. Low temps are expected to drop into the low 20 degrees below zero range with wind chills close to 35-45-below zero. Officials say flesh can freeze in 10 minutes when the wind-chills hit minus-40 so they recommend to bundle up for even short trips outside.

Fire Causes Major Damage to Town of Fox Lake Home

1/14/09 - Three Fire Departments battled dangerously cold temperatures and a large house fire on the North Shore of Fox Lake during the overnight hours. Fox Lake Fire Captain Mick Casey says they responded to the home on Del Bern Lane in the Town of Fox Lake around 11pm after the home owners noticed an orange glow around their fire place. Casey says as they responded they could see the fire had fully engulfed the roof line. He says they had the fire under control within 2-hours. Damage was extensive as the roof was a complete loss and there was major damage within the home. Firefighters from Randolph and Waupun assisted Fox Lake in fighting the fire. Casey says temperatures were around -10 degrees while they were on scene. No injuries were reported.

Special Meeting in Fox Lake Tonight

1/14/09 - The Fox Lake Common Council is scheduled to hold a special meeting tonight to discuss the referendum questions that will appear on ballots for residents within the Waupun School District. New District Administrator Randy Refsland will be in attendance to answer any questions people might have. Refsland says the three questions will ask taxpayers to allow the district to exceed the revenue cap for three years by a total of nearly $5-million. The first question would be the most expensive for residents as the district is asking to exceed the revenue cap by $4-million over the next three years to keep a number of district buildings operating as they currently do. If that question were not to pass Refsland says it’s possible that the Fox Lake and Alto Elementary schools would have to close. The meeting begins at 6:30 in the common council chambers.

Authorities Still Trying to Identify People Responsible for Killing Deer

1/14/09 - Authorities have recovered snowmobile parts from the place where riders brutally killed five deer south of Waupaca. The State Crime Lab is examining the evidence. Sheriff’s captain Don Conat hopes at least one of the machines involved can be identified. Officials said three-or-four snowmobiles left three deer dead in a field – one with its stomach ripped open. Another deer was tied to a tree and choked. The fifth animal had broken legs and was euthanized. At least one of the deer was a fawn. Investigators originally thought the incident occurred early Saturday. But a call to a D-N-R tip line said it actually happened Friday night between 7-and-9:30. D-N-R warden supervisor Carl Mesman has assigned two investigators to help a sheriff’s detective find the deer-killers. A reward fund for information leading to an arrest has grown to at least 10-thousand dollars, including what the Crime Stoppers program offers. One broadcast report said the rewards were as high as 14-thousand yesterday.

Columbus Council Discusses “To Do” List

1/14/09 - The Udey Dam’s future and news that Columbus is now on the State of Wisconsin’s construction list to have James Street redone are at the top of the City Council’s 2009 “to do” list. The D N R has let Columbus officials know that fines could be levied if a decision to repair or remove is not made soon. The council asked City Administrators to draft an advisory voters’ referendum on the Dam for the April ballot. The City will also be spending up to $700 thousand dollars replacing James Street from Dix Street to the Crawfish River Bridge. The City would have to spend the money to install a sewer interceptor under the State’s James Street replacement work.

Waupun Teaming Up with Ripon and North Fond du Lac

1/14/09 - The city of Waupun will be joining forces with two other communities in hiring an economic development planner. The Waupun Common Council signed off on the partnership with the village of North Fond du Lac and Ripon in hiring a full-time Community Development Specialist. City Administrator Gary Rogers says by working with other municipalities they can have something that only larger cities can afford. Rogers says the three municipalities will all receive equal attention from the Community Development Specialist, though the candidate may wind up devoting a majority of their attention on one city at any given time especially when closing a deal. The cost of the position will be $35,000 for three years for each of the municipalities. Waupun will pay their portion with money generated through TIF District #3. In other council action, the board approved wage increases for non-represented seasonal and part-time employees. Rogers says the permanent part-time city employees – including crossing guards -- are all generally getting a 3% raise while seasonal employees will see a 2% increase.

Fond du Lac Man in Court on Charges of Causing Death by Drunk Driving

1/14/09 - Authorities said a Fond du Lac man had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit when he drove in the wrong lanes on an expressway, and caused a crash that killed a young figure skater. 23-year-old Daniel Schaefer made his first appearance in Winnebago County Circuit Court yesterday. He’s charged with causing death and injury by drunk driving. 14-year-old Lacey Meinel of Schofield was killed, and her mother and Schaefer were both injured in a Saturday night crash on Highway 45 near Winneconne. Prosecutors said Schaefer was warned by a tavern bouncer that he was too drunk to get behind the wheel. He apparently told the bouncer he’d return in a few minutes – and the crash happened in the meantime. State troopers said they were alerted to the vehicle going the wrong way – but when they caught up with it, the crash had already taken place. Lacey Meinel was on her way home from a skating competition. Schaefer was being held on a 50-thousand-dollar cash bond. He’s due back in court a week from tomorrow, when a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to order a trial.

Kohl Proposes Bill to Keep OPEC in Line

1/14/09 - Contending that the international oil cartel is manipulating crude oil prices - and the prices American motorists pay at the gas pump - a Wisconsin member of Congress is proposing legislation he says will address the issue by allowing the federal government to pursue antitrust actions against the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries, or OPEC. Whether any such action would ever be taken remains unclear. Senator Herb Kohl says his "No Oil Producing or Exporting Cartels Act" or NOPEC, could prevent future price increases of gasoline by authorizing the U.S. Department of Justice to take action against illegal conduct by the OPEC oil cartel.

Gas Back Near $2

1/14/09 - The price of a gallon of regular unleaded in our area is creeping closer to the $2 mark. In Beaver Dam, gas has gone up a nickel to $1.94, a penny higher than the statewide average and 17 cents higher than the national average. Waupun and Ripon are also at $1.94. Watertown and Johnson Creek are at $1.89. According to wisconsingasprices.com, the high price in the state is $2.05 in East Troy, the low price is $1.79 in Tomah.

Prayer over Medical Treatment Death Leads to New Bill

1/14/09 - The case of the Wausau area couple who prayed instead of getting medical help for their diabetic daughter has prompted a new bill in Madison. State Senate Democrat Lena Taylor of Milwaukee is working with the Church of Christ Scientist to clarify when parents can be charged for relying on faith to care for their kids. The bill would repeal a law which exempts parents from child abuse charges in certain faith healings. And it would create an affirmative defense for parents who meet standards of reasonable care for their child. Eric Peterson of Taylor’s staff says the bill would provide a balance between protecting youngsters, and respecting the religious freedoms of their parents. But U-W Madison lecturer and author Shawn Peters tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Christian Scientists have a history of making it harder for faith-healing cases to be prosecuted. Dale and Leilani Neumann of Weston are charged with reckless homicide for allegedly not getting care for their 11-year-old daughter Madeline. She died last Easter from complications of diabetes. Peterson says parents must give reasonable care under the affirmative defense. The courts would decide what that means. But Peterson says it’s clearly not reasonable to let a child’s diabetes get out of control by not keep blood sugar levels in check.

Top Stories January 13th

Electric Blanket Causes Early Morning Fire

1/13/09 - A malfunctioning electric blanket is to blame for an early morning fire in the Town of Williamstown. According to Assistant Kekoskee Fire Chief Don Bonack, the owner of the home on County Trunk T-W awoke to the blanket and his mattress on fire. The man was able to pull the mattress out onto an extended portion of the second floor. However, the roof was made of rubber so it caught on fire and did moderate damage to the back of the house. Bonack says they had the fire under control within 15 to 20 minutes but were on the scene for about 2 ½ hours. The man suffered minor injuries to his fingers. No other injuries were reported. The Mayville Fire Department and Dodge County Highway Department assisted with the fire.

More Snow on the Way

1/13/09 - You better keep those snow shovels handy. After the more than 4-inches of snow we got last night into this morning the National Weather Service predicts we could see an additional 3 to 4-inches late tonight into tomorrow morning. Winds are expected make conditions even worse as gusts of up to 30 miles per hour will lead to blowing and drifting snow through tomorrow afternoon. As for conditions this morning Dodge County Highway Supervisor Ken Stock says roads are slippery. Snow totals are starting to filter in this morning. In Beaver Dam, the National Weather Service measured 4.1-inches as of 9:45 last night, while Portage picked up 4.5-inches by 9 o’clock. Ripon had 4.2-inches as of 1030 last night and Berlin in Green Lake County had 4.5-inches by 10:15.

Dodgeland School Board Takes Action in Closed Session Meeting

1/13/09 - The Dodgeland School Board took action in closed session last night but, because the matter dealt with personnel, board officials could not comment on the nature of that action. However, a dozen parents showed up last night to voice their concerns about the possible non-renewal of a district administrator. The agenda did not specify which administrator – and board officials have not commented – but the parents came to show their support for Superintendent Ron Vaughn, whose two-year contract is up this year. Vaughn told us that whatever decision the board made he would be fine with as he respects every member on the board. Board President Jeff Caine says negotiations are continuing and until those are completed the district would not comment publicly.

Quad/Graphics Cuts 400 Wisconsin Jobs

1/13/09 - Governor Jim Doyle says the recession is hurting even the healthiest of companies – and what happened at Quad-Graphics proves it. The state’s largest commercial printer announced 400 layoffs yesterday at its five plants in southeast Wisconsin, and another 150 layoffs at four of its other U-S facilities. Doyle said companies which talked about expanding as recently as last September now have to get smaller – and Quad-Graphics is one of them. Quad is the nation’s third-largest printing firm, based in Sussex. The layoffs represent almost six-percent of its total workforce. C-E-O Joel Quadracci called it a strategic move. He said the firm still leads the industry in its profit margins, and it wants to stay that way as the economy gets smaller. Doyle said what happened at Quad is exactly why Congress should pass a federal economic stimulus package as soon as possible.

Change in Number Causes Confusion for Taxi Customers

1/13/09 - New management of Beaver Dam’s Shared Ride Taxi Service told the city’s Administration Committee last night that a change in phone numbers has caused some complications. Top Hat Taxi took over operations of the service on January 1. But S & R Taxi, who had managed the city service before low-bidder Top Hat was awarded the contract, kept the phone number and has continued to operate in the overnight hours. Top Hat Owner Beverly Scott says customers call for service during the day and the answering machine for S & R says operations begin at 10pm. Scott says the company is The committee last night approved their lease agreement with Top Hat. The contract was amended to allow the city to maintain ownership of the taxi service’s phone number. The new phone number is 885-4800.

Huber Accused of Stealing from Work Site

1/13/09 - A Huber inmate is accused of stealing a laptop computer while working at the Dodge County Humane Society. 26-year-old Adam Rueckert is charged with a misdemeanor count of Theft for allegedly stealing the laptop from their new offices last September and attempting to sell it to another inmate. The charge carries a maximum nine month sentence upon conviction, but because Rueckert is a repeat offender, he could have up to two more years added. A signature bond was set at $500 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 9.

Harmony Grove Couple Face Multiple Drug Charges

1/13/09 - A Columbia County couple made an initial appearance yesterday on drug charges. 32-year-old Stacy Ripp and 37-year-old Rory Trickle of Harmony Grove were arrested at their home January 7 on multiple felony drug distribution charges. Trickle had been arrested before on drug charges in October of 2007 and November of 2008, and his newest arrest reportedly came after the Columbia County Sheriffs Office received a number of complaints that he had been dealing again. Trickle had cash bond set at $10,000 yesterday while Ripp had her cash bond set at $5000. Both Ripp and Trickle will be back in court February 16.