Top Stories, August 18th

Dodge County Fair Begins Today

8/18/10 - The Dodge County Fair officially enters its 123rd year today. The five-day event features live music, a carnival midway and, of course, plenty of food. We’ll find out tonight who will be this year’s Fairest of the Fair. Also on the calendar: Open Class Judging in the Farm Progress Arena, Arts and Crafts Building and Under the Main Grandstand; Pig Races are at 4pm near the Youth Building; Children’s Story Time is in the Youth Building at 5pm and 6pm. Also at 6pm, the Wild World of Animals is on West Midway Circle. Josh Turner is on the main stage tonight beginning at 8pm. The cost to enter the fair before 2pm is $6 and after 2pm its $10. Season tickets are $30. Kids under age 9 are free. There is no additional charge for the grandstand acts or parking.

BDUSD Budget Outlined for Public

8/18/10 - Beaver Dam School District could see about a five-percent increase to the school portion of their tax bill. Business Services Director Andrew Sarnow outlined the numbers at a public hearing this week on the $50 million budget for the 2010-2011 school year. Sarnow says the total tax levy to district residents is expected to be $13.4-million which results in a mill rate of $9.37 per thousand, so a tax payer whose property is worth $125,000 would pay $1,170 for the school portion of their tax bill, which is roughly a 60-dollar increase over last year. The budget in its final form will come before the school board for consideration in late October.

First of Three Sentences Handed Down in Bank Robbery

8/18/10 - A man from Memphis, Tennessee has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for robbing a bank in Madison. Authorities said 28-year-old Gregory Allen jumped over a counter at an Anchor Bank branch in February, and took money from two teller drawers. When he left, the money was stained when a pack of dye exploded. 34-year-old Jennifer DeBoef later spent some of that money in Portage – and that led officers to her home in Poynette where she, Allen, and Allen’s brother Raymond were arrested. Raymond Allen has pleaded guilty to concealing and disposing money stolen from a bank. DeBoef has pleaded guilty to aiding-and-abetting in the robbery. Both await sentencing.

Bank Warns of Scam

8/18/10 - The American National Bank of Beaver Dam is alerting its customers of a phone scam. Bank officials say that area cell phone customers have received calls and/ or text messages that appear to be from the bank. The messages ask the customers to call a phone number and then punch in their 16-digit debit card number. The bank says this is a scam and they remind all customers that they should not reply and never give out account numbers or other account information over the phone, especially when it is unsolicited. Local authorities have been notified.

Mercury Maine To Close OK Plant By Years End

8/18/10 - Mercury Marine of Fond du Lac has announced that it will close its plant in Stillwater, Oklahoma by the end of next year. And as promised, those jobs will move to Fond du Lac – and the Oklahoma plant will then be put up for sale. A year ago at this time, Wisconsin was in a bidding war with Oklahoma to keep the famous manufacturer of outboard motors. The Badger State won with the help of concessions by union employees. Also, Mercury Marine was promised 70-million-dollars in state tax credits which hinge on creating new jobs – a 50-million-dollar loan, funded by a half-percent sales tax in Fond du Lac County – and three-million from the City of Fond du Lac. Meanwhile, the new jobs are rolling in. Mercury says it has recalled all 500 employees who were on a layoff last summer, and it added 145 people the past few months. By early next year, Mercury says casting-and-machining work for the Mer-Cruiser engine will have moved from Oklahoma to Wisconsin. And the rest of the Mer-Cruiser operation will be re-located by the end of next year, with another 200 jobs being added. Mercury Marine now employs about 19-hundred Wisconsinites.

Mustski’s Improve At Nationals

8/17/10 - The Beaverland Mustskis Waterski Show Team placed two spots better at this year’s National Championship than one year ago. Publicist Diane Bell says they competed in a very stiff wind on Sunday and the Mustskis placed eleventh out of the field of 14. Their “Jump Act” placed second in the competition while their “Ballet Line” took fifth. A team from Wonder Lake, Illinois took first overall to win the National Championship. Bell says they are very excited to bring their added experience and knowledge to Beaver Dam to finish out their summer season. There are four shows remaining in the year with the first coming this Sunday at Tahoe Park at 6pm.

Survivor Oshkosh

8/18/10 - A former state high school cross country champion will be one of 20 contestants on the new season of “Survivor.” Matt Lanahan, an Oshkosh native, will compete for the million-dollar prize in a remote area of Nicaragua. He graduated from Oshkosh West High School in 1998, and was a state cross country champ around that time. He’ll use his nickname “Sash” on the show. The 21st season of “Survivor” premieres next month on C-B-S. The show will move to Wednesday night from its traditional Thursday.

Political Contributions Skyrocket

8/18/10 - Wisconsinites gave over one-point-three million dollars to outside political groups between January-and-June, to try and influence this year’s elections. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign said the so-called “527” groups have received over twice as much as they did in 2006, when Governor Jim Doyle was running for his second term. But with Doyle pulling out, this year’s governor’s contest is wide open for the first time in 28 years. And the money is flowing on both sides. According to the Democracy Campaign, the Republican Governors Association has gotten the most money from Wisconsin residents – about 353-thousand dollars. That group is running ads attacking the Democrats’ main gubernatorial hopeful, Tom Barrett. The liberal Greater Wisconsin Committee has received the second-highest donations this year, with about 255-thousand dollars.

Costs Driving Vets From Veterans Homes

8/18/10 - At least a dozen residents have been driven out of the state-owned veterans’ nursing home in Union Grove this year, because of sky-rocketing rates. That’s according to a state audit released yesterday. The non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau said veterans who don’t qualify for Medicare or Medicaid had their rates go up by as much as 60-percent for 2008-and-’09. That’s an increase of more than 15-thousand-dollars a year. And spouses who live with veterans at the state home saw their rates go up over 40-thousand-dollars each year, or 285-percent. Those people pay what’s known as “private pay rates” – and by law, they must be based on the cost of care. The audit found that the Union Grove home has been running at a loss each year since 2004. The state’s other veterans’ nursing home in Waupaca County has been in the black, but the audit said both homes will have net losses in the current fiscal year. And it said the Veterans’ Affairs Department must take additional action for the homes to maintain their solvency while effectively serving veterans. The veterans’ agency did not have an immediate comment on the audit.

Carp Hearing in Federal Court Monday

8/18/10 - A federal court in Chicago will start hearing arguments next Monday on a lawsuit that demands tougher action against the Asian carp in the Great Lakes. Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania filed the lawsuit earlier this month. It accuses the Army Corps of Engineers and the Chicago area’s Water Reclamation District of creating a public nuisance, by running a system of locks and gates in which the bloated Asian carp could enter the Great Lakes. Wisconsin Attorney General J-B Van Hollen says the first court hearing on a preliminary injunction is set for Monday – and any testimony that’s needed would be heard August 30th and 31st. The suit came after the U-S Supreme Court said no twice to closing a major Chicago area shipping canal that’s connected to the carp-infested Mississippi River. And that was before a full-size Asian carp was spotted in a river a few miles south of Lake Michigan in late June. Wisconsin and the other plaintiffs say the carp threatens the Great Lakes’ multi-billion-dollar fishing industry. Illinois and the Obama White House say closing the canals would put too much of a dent into the Chicago area’s economy.

Cranberry Crop Projections Rosy

8/18/10 - Wisconsin’s cranberry crop is projected to be 10-percent bigger than a year ago. The U-S Agriculture Department issued the forecast yesterday. It said the nation’s cranberry production would grow by about six-percent to around seven-point-three million barrels. That would be the second-largest annual crop on record. Wisconsin – the nation’s top cranberry grower – was helped by an early spring and a warm-and-humid summer. Massachusetts, the number-two grower, could see a seven-percent increase. But the U-S-D-A cautioned that hot weather and a lack of rain in the northeast could reduce the potential Massachusetts yield. On the other side of the country, a cold wet spring is blamed for a potential 16-percent cranberry out-out in Washington State and a 10-percent reduction in Oregon.

Top Stories, August 17th

BD Hires MSA to Manage PD Construction

8/17/10 - Beaver Dam will not be using a general contractor in building a new police station. The Common Council last night approved plans to hire the architect who designed the facility to also serve as “project manager.” Marty Sell with MSA Professional Services says the city will save over $200,000 by not hiring a general contractor. He says with a “project manager” the city has the rare opportunity to have the designer oversee construction. Hiring a general contractor was projected to cost the city around $400,000, compared to $235,000 for MSA. The city is also expected to save around $85,000 in sales taxes by acting as a “direct-buyer” of building materials.

Alderman Call For Council Approval on Contract Changes

8/17/10 - Two Beaver Dam aldermen last night used the passage of a contract with MSA Professional Services to make a point about the types of project changes that should be coming to the full council for consideration. Council President Jon Litscher successfully introduced an amendment to the city’s contract with MSA in their acting as project manager in the construction of the new police station. The amendment stated that if the cost of the project were to exceed the $235,000 that MSA is being paid, it would require approval of both the Operations Committee and the full Common Council. It is an issue that Alderman Robert Ballweg has brought up several times in committee. Ballweg says if it’s a matter that was originally approved by the council as whole it should go back to the council as a whole. He cites the developer’s agreement with Weyco. When it was passed on the council floor, it included lake access for public fishing, but when the sale on the property closed it was not included in the documents. Earlier this month, Ballweg also questioned why the Operations Committee is the only entity that has to sign-off on a $40,000 increase in the costs of demolition of the former YMCA. City Attorney Many Ann Schacht has said that the committee of jurisdiction is tasked with making changes in the interest of keeping a project running on time. Ballweg says he is working with Schacht in drafting an ordinance that would spell out when certain items should come back to the full common council for consideration.

Milwaukee House Demolition Bid Approved

8/17/10 - The Beaver Dam Common Council last night approved a $53,000 bid for demolition of the Milwaukee House in downtown Beaver Dam. That’s roughly $14,000 higher than engineering estimates but the Operations Committee last month rejected bids that were twice that amount. The building located at the intersection of South Center Street and Ryan Cantafio’s Way has fallen into a state of disrepair and a raze order has been issued. The owner will be assessed the costs for the demolition and says he still plans on opening a custard stand.

Columbus Considers Borrowing For Developments

8/17/10 - The Columbus Council could approve the borrowing $5 million dollars for two developments through the issue of Midwest Disaster Area Bonds at tonight’s meeting. $1.5 million dollars will be used for the proposed Beaver Dam Hospital Columbus Clinic. The second developer – At Home Again Columbus - is seeking to borrow $3.5 million for the construction of an assisted living complex.

Corrections Officer Charged With Abuse

8/17/10 - A guard at the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun is facing felony charges for allegedly assaulting an inmate. Driftten Kitzman is charged with Abuse of Residents of Penal Facilities for an incident last month. According to the criminal complaint, another guard punched the inmate in the mouth and Kitzman intervened as the two struggled. The 41-year-old correctional officer allegedly threw the inmate on the ground face first, kneeled on his head and punched him in the ribs while saying, “Stop resisting.” He told investigators he was using tactics intended to gain compliance. If convicted, Kitzman could spend up to three-and-a-half years in prison. A signature bond was set yesterday at $1000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 30.

Top Stories August 15th

Gang Arrests Draw Complaints from Immigrant-Rights Groups


8/15/10 - Immigrant groups are criticizing Madison police for involving federal ICE agents in last week's round up of C-14 gang members. They say the 12 young men were arrested based on rumors and are now being deported. The father of one of the suspects says his teenage son had a job, has a young child and has no criminal record. He says he was trying to get out of the gang. Madison Police Chief Noble Wray says the decision to involve Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents was a difficult one. He says the safety of the community was the main consideration. The men were accused of collecting weapons and planning a retaliation attack for the killing last April of their leader, Antonio Perez. The 12th and final arrest took place in Beaver Dam where Jorge V. Ramirez-Flores was taken into custody by the Madison Police Department and U.S. Marshals office, with assistance from the Beaver Dam Police Department.

BDUSD to Get Update on Scheduling Upgrade

8/15/10 - The Beaver Dam School Board is expected to get an update tomorrow night on a plan designed to address the deficiencies of high school’s block scheduling format. Presented last month, the plan calls for a six-month process broken into three segments. Beginning in September, administrators will establish goals for the 2011-2012 schedule based on input from students, parents and staff, including holding a number of listening sessions with each of the affected parties. Principal Mark DiStefano says they’ll continue to elicit feedback throughout the process. The second step will be to design the 2011-2012 schedule, also with help from the affected parties. Superintendent Steve Vessey says they are going into the process with an open mind and have no preconceived notions on how the schedule will look. If everything goes to plan administrators hope to have a proposal in front of the school board in January and put it up for a vote in February. The school board meets at the Educational Service Center beginning at 6:30 p.m.

WI Supreme Court Grants Injunction

8/15/10 - The Wisconsin Supreme Court has granted an injunction against a new rule regulating political issue ads. Several groups on both sides of the political debate have challenged the regulation in state and federal courts. The rule forces groups running those ads to disclose where they get their money and how it is spent. Opponents say it impacts the First Amendment free speech rights of individuals and organizations to comment on public policy and politicians. The state Government Accountability Board had already reached an agreement not to enforce the rule. That was in a separate suit -- and a federal judge had refused to sign off on the deal. The current injunction will remain in place until the state's high court hears arguments on the rule.

DNR: Don’t Prune Oaks Until October

8/15/10 - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says the state's oak trees shouldn't be pruned until October due to an attack by a fungal disease. Trees in the southern two-thirds of the Badger State are showing the first signs of a condition called "oak wilt." You might start seeing wilted leaves and bronze-green, slightly-wet leaves on the ground. Experts say oak wilt affect red oak and white oak trees. It stops water and nutrients from moving up the root system and it can kill a tree in just a few weeks.

Robbers Take Down a Milwaukee Bingo Hall

8/15/10 - Milwaukee police report more than 100 people were playing in a south side bingo hall Friday night when masked, armed robbers forced their way in. The robbers demanded women give up their purses. No one was injured and the robbers got away with an undetermined amount of cash. The incident happened shortly after 9 p.m. at the St. Rafael the Archangel parish bingo hall. One woman who was there says a robber put a handgun to her daughter's head before taking her purse and running off.

Jury: MPD Doesn’t Promote Excessive Force

8/15/10 - A federal jury concluded that rules and regulations for the Milwaukee Police Department do not create an atmosphere where officers think they can use excessive force against people. The case was brought by the daughters of a man who was shot eight times in the back by officer Alfonzo Glover in 2005. The fact the department's practices and policies were challenged made the suit highly unusual. The jury took about an hour to make its decision in the second phase of the trial. In the first phase, jury members awarded the daughters of Wilbert Prado almost two million dollars.

Man Jailed After Threatening Officer and Attorney on Facebook

8/15/10 - Retaliation through Facebook? A man from St. Francis is accused of using the social networking site on the Internet to harass a police officer and a city attorney. The man was given a ticket last April for disorderly conduct. Officials say the officer and the city attorney then both received threatening messages from the man. Recently, investigators confiscated the man's computer and arrested him, but no charges have been filed in the case so far.

President Obama in Wisconsin Tomorrow

8/15/10 - President Obama makes his fourth visit to the state tomorrow for a fundraising benefitting Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. The President will attend a 250 dollar a head luncheon fundraiser for Barrett's campaign for governor. Earlier Monday Obama is to visit ZBB Energy of Menomonee Falls and speak to workers there about clean-energy. That visit is expected to focus on greater Milwaukee's concentration on storing energy.

Man Won’t Profit from Parents Deaths

8/15/10 - A West Salem man accused of killing his parents won't be able to benefit. Eric Koula sought to be co-representative of his parents' estate, with his sister, but that was before he was charged in their deaths. Dennis and Merna Koula were shot to death in their home in the town of Barre. Investigators say Koula is a struggling day trader who deposited a forged check for 50 thousand dollars from his father's investment account the day after the killings. Koula has a hearing scheduled for August 27th. He is being held on a million-dollar cash bond.

Top Stories, August 14th

Madison Gang Member Arrested in Beaver Dam

8/14/10 - A member of a violent Madison street gang was arrested this week in Beaver Dam. According to a press release by the Madison Police Department, Madison Police and U.S. Marshals, with the assistance of Beaver Dam Police, arrested Jorge V. Ramirez-Flores. The 30-year-old is thought to be an upper-level member of the Chicano Pride and C-14 street gangs, and was one of four targeted gang members not located Wednesday by federal and local police during "Operation Community Shield.” They are wanted in connection with the death of Antonio Perez, who founded the Madison-branch of the gang with ties to Los Angeles. His arrest brings to 12 the number of foreign-born street gang members taken into custody this week by local and federal authorities. Ramirez-Flores had been sought by the MPD's Crime Prevention Gang Unit for the past couple of months. A tip to the MPD Wednesday indicated he was staying with another man at a Beaver Dam apartment. That is where he was located later that afternoon. He was taken into custody without incident. Unlike others apprehended this week, Ramirez-Flores was arrested by the MPD and taken to the Dane County Jail for a Probation Violation. That is why his name is being released. The other 11 individuals were taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE does not release names of those arrested on administrative immigration charges. Meanwhile, federal immigration officials say the alleged Mexican gang members arrested this week are now being processed for deportation. Gail Montenegro of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says all are being charged with immigration violations. But she adds five of them do have prior criminal histories, which include arrests and convictions for carrying concealed weapons, battery, and theft.

Brownsville Man Arrested on Felony Fleeing

8/14/10 - A Brownsville man is accused of running a Dodge County Sheriff’s Deputy off the road and then taking off. Dodge County Chief Deputy Blaine Lauersdorf says it happened just before 1am yesterday morning on Highway 49 in the Town of Lomira. After a brief chase, the suspect ran into his house but was subsequently arrested. 20-year-old Sabino B. Ramos was taken into custody on charges of felony Fleeing and Eluding an Officer. During an Initial Hearing yesterday (Fr) afternoon in Dodge County court, Ramos had a cash bond set at $300 and a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 26.

New Principal at Fall River

8/14/10 - Fall River Schools have a new Principal. After 18 years outgoing Principal Brad Johnsrud will be moving on to Deerfield Schools as a principal. Dan Dowden, formerly with the Big Foot School District, has been selected as the next Fall River Principal. The District had just hired a new Superintendent – Jeffrey Tortomasi – in July. Johnsrud said that it was a real pleasure working in a Village community with good teachers and staff. He said one of the high points of his stay was following students during their entire K through 12 experiences. The Fall River District has been showing steady increases in student population, so the two new administrators will enter a system with a sound fund balance. The public will have their first chance to meet the new Fall River Superintendent at the Annual School meeting and budget discussion Monday night.

Property Values Drop

8/14/10 - Wisconsin property values take their steepest drop in at least 50 years. The Department of Revenue reports the value of real property in the state fell 16 billion dollars, a decline of about three percent from 2009. Revenue officials says the value of Wisconsin property was 512 billion dollars last year and 496 billion in the most recent measurement. That represents only the third decline in state property values in the last half-century. Resident housing fell three and a half percent in value -- compared to a 5-point-6 percent drop nationwide.

Heating Bills Up This Summer

8/14/10 - Wisconsin utility bills are way up this summer due to hot weather forcing people to leave air conditioners running. Scott Reigstad with Alliant Energy says that could get people thinking about ways to save money, while also trying to stay cool. He says setting back thermostats when you’re not at home or sleeping or using a programmable thermostat can be a major factor in controlling your energy use. He says ceiling fans can also get cool air circulating and allow thermostats to be set higher. For those using window or wall units, Reigstad suggests picking up a timer from your local hardware store to control how often it runs. Proper maintenance is also essential for all types of AC units. Reigstad says you should schedule annual check-ups and change the filters.

State Apple Grower Projections Lower

8/14/10 - It’s expected to be a tough year for Wisconsin apple growers. Yield is expected to drop 20-percent from last year. Early warm weather in April -- followed by freezing temperatures in May -- hit the apple industry hard in Wisconsin. That, along with too much moisture, hail, fungus and other diseases, have lead the USDA to predict that Wisconsin apple growers will see a significant drop in their yield compared to 2009. Tom Ferguson, president of the Wisconsin Apple Growers Association, says says the northern part of the state got hit the hardest. While Wisconsin growers will see a significant loss, Michigan is expected to see a nearly 50-percent drop in its apple production compared to last year.

Guard Tests Drone At Volk

8/14/10 - The Wisconsin National Guard tested an unmanned surveillance drone at Volk Field earlier this week. The R-Q-7 Shadow 200 took off Wednesday and stayed in the air about 10 minutes. The Guard has plans to build an eight million dollar drone base at Volk Field. Construction could begin a year from this December. The Shadow can reach heights of about 15 thousand feet. It's smaller than the better-known Predator. Officials say it carries a camera for its surveillance tool.

Beer Lovers Converge on Madison

8/14/10 - Beer lovers are descending on Madison today for the Great Taste of the Midwest, believed to be North America’s second-longest-running craft beer festival. What started in a single room in a brewery 24 years ago has changed venues several times to its current home at Olin-Turville park. Six thousand patrons will come from 34 states, Italy, Puerto Rico and Ireland, according to Vice Chairman Mark Morrison. More than 100 brewpubs and micro breweries will showcase over 500 beers.

Man Arrested With Shotgun In Baby Stroller

8/14/10 - Milwaukee police arrest a man pushing his eight month old son in a stroller. Daryl L. McGregory is in trouble with the law because they found a sawed-off shotgun in a duffel bag beneath the little boy the stroller. Police responded when neighbors called in saying they saw the gun. A man with McGregory, Michael Nelson, had been kicked out of the apartment building where the arrest was made. That happened earlier this week. McGregory is quoted as telling one man he was packing heat and he and Nelson were "out for blood."

Top Stores July 13th

Judge Rules in Favor of Former BDHS Secretary


8/13/10 - An administrative law judge has sided with a secretary of the Beaver Dam School District who says former High School Principal Don Patenode created a hostile work environment. The judge with the Department of Workforce Development ruled in favor of Cheryl Grulke, who is seeking unemployment compensation from the district following a long absence. Grulke’s attorney says human resources “poorly handled” the department, “failing to address the problems of harassment and discrimination at the high school.”

According to the statement of an unnamed administrator, admitted as evidence, Patenode allegedly “belittled [Grulke] and allowed others to do so.” That hostile work environment reportedly led to the extended medical absence beginning last October. Grulke’s lawyer Robert Shumaker says the district then “failed to tell Grulke that she could apply for unemployment compensation.” Shumaker blamed then-Human Resources Director Steve Vessey -- who is now Superintendent – saying it was a “routine matter that competent human resource professionals should know how to handle.”

Administrative Law Judge Bronwyn Baldwin issued the written decision on Wednesday saying district officials were aware of the problem as far back as last November but failed to notify Grulke about unemployment benefits until this April. Additional claims are being considered for alleged violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act. Shumaker says his client is reluctant to file another lawsuit but the Board of Educations attorney has not responded to Grulke’s request to meet with the board.

This ruling is separate from a lawsuit filed by Grulke’s husband last month seeking the release of public records from when Vessey was in Human Resources and Don Childs was Superintendent. The court has ordered the district to produce those records by August 18, or show cause as to why they should not have to.

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

8/13/10 - A good samaritan got nothing but trouble for his good deed this morning. A passing motorist reported to the Sheriff’s Department that there was a truck in a ditch on County Road D-J in the Town of Clyman around 5:15 a-m. The motorist helped pull the man’s truck from the ditch. But as he did, that the truck backed into his vehicle and the man then fled the scene. The motorist reported the man may have been drunk.

Mustskis Heading To Nationals

8/13/10 - The Beaverland Mustskis are heading to the nationals. The National Show Ski Association has announced that the Mustskis are part of the field of competing teams for the 36th Division One Show Ski National Championships this Saturday and Sunday. In competitive show skiing, each club has one hour to present a theatrical performance on water skis. Judges score acts by awarding points based on originality, presentation and execution. There are a total of 14 teams competing from three different national regions. The Mustskis should ski around noon on Sunday – give or take 45 minutes. The competition was slated to be in Janesville but due to high water conditions, has been moved to Wisconsin Rapids. The tournament will take place in South Woods County Park on Lake Wazeecha. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Due to National Competition, there will be no show this Sunday at Tahoe Park in Beaver Dam. The team competition will be available to view via live Webcast beginning at 7:30 am each morning.

To view the live Webcast: http://waterski.teamusa.org/live

Note: The webcast will only be available during the actual competition times.

Scrap Metals Thieves Apprehended

8/13/10 - Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls believes they’ve identified 95-percent of the people responsible for the numerous reports of scrap mental being stolen. Nehls says in recent weeks they’ve stepped up their investigations into the incidents and through surveillance have identified at least eight-people working in two or three groups. Nehls says the suspects they have in custody are cooperating and most have admitted to the thefts. A number of them were charged last week and Nehls says charges will be filed this week and next. The most recent attempted theft came early yesterday (Thursday) morning in the town of Rubicon, where two men were spotted trying to steal scrap stainless steel from behind a shop. The two men ran from the scene but authorities identified them and have impounded their vehicle.

Markesan Man Waives Prelim in Chase

8/13/10 - A Markesan man charged in Dodge County with running from police waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday. Sheriffs deputies on patrol in Fox Lake attempted to pull over a vehicle allegedly driven by Benjamin Wills on May 30 after receiving reports from Green Lake County that he had fled from them earlier in the evening. Dodge County deputies say the 27-year-old fled at a high rate of speed and crashed into a front end loader in the Highway 33 construction zone. Wills and another man reportedly fled on foot. According to the criminal complaint, Wills went to a convenience store and called police to report his vehicle stolen. Authorities say they have both a witness and video footage showing Wills exit the vehicle after the accident. The felony charge carries a maximum three-and-a-half years in prison but because Wills is a repeat offender, he could have up to four years added to the sentence. Wills still faces charges in Green Lake County court on felony Fleeing charges from earlier that evening. An arraignment hearing is scheduled in Dodge County next week.

Slow Speed Chase Suspect Advances To Plea Hearing

8/13/10 - A former Beaver Dam woman who led police on a low-speed chase late last month waived her right to a preliminary hearing Thursday. Nicole E. Steltz reportedly told arresting officers that she should “absolutely not” be driving. According to the criminal complaint, the 27-year-old was driving a rental car with a suspended Nevada driver’s license when she nearly struck a curb on West Mill Street. Steltz is said to have over-corrected the vehicle, darting into oncoming traffic. When officers initiated pursuit, Steltz reportedly slammed on the brakes, then hit the accelerator. A slow-speed chase followed that lasted for several blocks. When officers finally stopped her vehicle and asked her how much she had been drinking, Steltz reportedly said (quote) “Too much, I am so drunk” and added “this is way too much…fun.” Her blood alcohol level was said to be just over the legal limit for driving at point oh-nine (.09). Steltz has a plea and sentencing hearing scheduled for later this month.

Inmate Facing Forgery Charges

8/13/10 - An alert court clerk recognized the signature of a child custody order didn’t belong to the Fond du Lac County judge she’d been working for during the past 15 years. That helped bring three forgery charges against 51-year-old Kristine Flynn, who allegedly forged the papers while she was an inmate at Taycheedah Correctional Institution. Flynn was trying to gain custody of the disabled son of another inmate. She said in a letter than she also would need about $250,000 from the boy’s bank accounts to take care of him. Flynn also pled guilty Wednesday to five felony counts of tax credit fraud for filing phony homestead tax credits while in prison. She was released from TCI towards the end of June, but has been in custody at the Fond du Lac County Jail on the tax fraud charges.

Lowell Gun Club Burglarized

8/13/10 - Someone burglarized the Lowell Rod & Gun Club. Authorities were called to the business at 700 Watertown Street in Lowell Wednesday afternoon. The door frame of the building was damaged to gain entry. Beer and ammunition were stolen from the premises. The incident remains under investigation.

Storage Unit Break-Ins

8/13/10 - Dodge County authorities are investigating a series of burglaries at a local storage facility. The Sheriff’s Department says more than 15 storage units at Verhage Mini Storage were broken into this week. The thefts from the town of Chester business were reported Wednesday morning. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dodge County Sheriffs Department or the anonymous We-Tip hotline at 800-78-CRIME.

Protest on Immigrant Rights Advocates

8/13/10 - Immigrant rights advocates protested an appearance by an expert on border security. Wisconsin native Gary Meinert spends most of the year in Arizona examining border security issues. He offered a presentation on his research at the Capitol yesterday at an event sponsored by Wisconsin TEA Party groups. The event resulted in a protest by about a dozen advocates for immigrant rights. Christine Neumann-Ortiz with Voices de la Frontera says locking up the border is the wrong approach and Meinert’s presentation ignores the issues driving people to cross the borders. Neumann-Ortiz says the U.S. needs to focus on making it easier for immigrants to become legal citizens, not putting up barriers that only endanger lives.

Top Stories, August 12th

BDUSD to Provide Requested Records


8/12/10 - Beaver Dam Superintendent Steve Vessey says the district plans to comply with a court order and turnover all documents requested by Dan Grulke. But apparently all is not well between the two sides. Grulke filed an open records request on June 24th, and on July 15th Superintendent Steve Vessey turned over only a small portion of the records saying the rest were protected by certain privacy laws. That led to a lawsuit being filed in late July which asked for, among other things, the personal records of seven current and former district employees. In addition Cheryl Grulke, who has worked in the district for more than 20-years, requested the employee records for former high school principal Don Patnode.

In a statement yesterday Vessey said in part, “my direction to our insurance company’s lawyers is to get Mr. Grulke what he needs. The district believes in open government and will do everything we can to get Mr. Grulke the documents he wants.”

However, Grulke’s attorney Bob Shumaker says as part of the agreement to turn over the records, the district’s law firm offered to reimburse one of his clients for her attorney fees but only if she agreed not to ever discuss the situation, even if the records were released to the public.

Shumaker said he wished the district would address the problems brought up in the lawsuit instead of using “taxpayer dollars for hush money to keep my (Shumaker) clients quiet.”

In a text message to us last night Vessey said, “Any agreement with an employee is a matter of public record. The district has nothing to hide.” He later added that the agreement referenced by Shumaker had no monetary value, and the space for lawyer’s fees was left blank.

The open records requests filed asked for a number of documents, including some the Grulke’s contend show the district did not properly handle claims of harassment and discrimination. Shumaker also says they still hope to meet face-to-face with both Vessey and the school board to work on the perceived issues, but the districts law firm is currently not allowing that to happen.


Public Safety A Priority In New Police Station

8/12/10 - Beaver Dam police officers are looking forward to the enhanced safety features that will be part of their new $5.1 million police station. Lt. John Kreuzinger told us on WBEV’s Community Comment that there is not enough space in the current police station to separate victims and the public from suspects. Kreuzinger says because of that lack of privacy, victims are being re-victimized, often telling their side of the story with the suspect a short distance away. He says the new facility will offer privacy and security in a comfortable and relaxed setting. Kreuzinger also says the new Beaver Dam police station will have a “panic room” that will provide the public with around-the-clock protection. The decision to include the panic room stemmed from the March of 2007murder of Waupun woman at the hands of her estranged husband. She had sought refuge in the Fox Lake Police Department but because it was a weekend there was no one around and she was murdered in the lobby. The four-week cushion between demolition of the former YMCA and construction of the new police station has been lost because environmental clean-up was more extensive that first thought. The project is still on time and on budget. Construction is expected to start in October with occupancy next year late summer or early fall.

Gibson On Voter Registration Details

8/12/10 - Dodge County Clerk Karen Gibson is reminding area residents that Wisconsin has a 20-day deadline for completing voter registration before the September 14 primary. Prior to August 25, voters may register in their municipal clerk’s office, by voter registration drive or through the mail. After August 25 and before Election Day, voters may register in their municipal clerk’s office. Residents who want to vote in the partisan primary but have moved or changed their name since they last voted, or are new voters, may register in their municipal clerk’s office before August 25. Registration by mail is not possible after the August 25 deadline. After that, residents must register in their clerk’s office or at their polling place on Election Day. When registering after the August 25 deadline in the municipal clerk’s office or at the polling place on Election Day, Wisconsinites must provide proof of residence. New voters and voters who have moved or changed their name since they last voted must provide their Wisconsin driver’s license number or Wisconsin ID number. If they don’t have either, they can use the last four digits of their Social Security number. In addition, registered voters who wish to vote absentee in the partisan primary should know that the last day to submit a written request to the clerk for an absentee ballot by mail is 5pm on Thursday, September 9. Voters may also vote in person at the municipal clerk’s Office until Monday, September 13. Voters with questions about voter registration or absentee voting should contact the Dodge County Clerk at 920-386-3602 or see the State Elections Division website at http://gab.wi.gov

Waupun Sports Complex Pepsi Challenge

8/12/10 - A Waupun resident is asking for community support in acquiring grant money through the Pepsi Refresh Project to purchase the former Jefferson Elementary property as the site for a sports complex. to create a sports complex. Kevin Homan, the president of the Waupun Youth Soccer Association, says Pepsi is giving away money to groups looking to improve their community. He says he sent in an application in June and was informed last month the project was accepted. Beginning on August 1st all the projects Pepsi selected went up for vote at refresheverything.com. And if the Waupun project ends up in the top two of voting they’ll receive $250,000 to build the complex. Homan says there are two ways to vote. You can visit refresheverything.com, create an account, and scroll through the $250,000 ideas until you find the one for the Waupun Youth Soccer Association. You can also vote by texting the number 101654 to Pepsi (73774). You can vote once each day by texting or online.

Meinke Sentenced For Chase

8/12/10 - A Beaver Dam man who ran from police at bar closing time this past January was sentenced this morning to six months in jail. Christopher Meinke pleaded “no contest” last Friday to a felony charge of Fleeing and had a misdemeanor count of Operating While Revoked dismissed but read into the record. According to the criminal complaint, the 23-year-old was upset that his girlfriend was at a local bar and blew a stop sign on Madison Street, narrowly missing a squad car which had to swerve out of way. Meinke was said to be traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost that same police officer on South Lincoln Avenue. The officer discovered his car about 20 minutes later. He told police while later being questioned, (quote) “I admit to everything.” In addition to 180 days in jail with Huber work release privileges, Meinke had his license suspended for six months.

Top Stories, August 11th

Drainage Issue Divides Lowell Officials

8/11/10 - The Town of Lowell Treasurer is accusing the Town Board Chair of flooding her farmland. Lowell Treasurer Eileen Borth says Chair John Schmitt failed to follow proper procedure when he ordered that a berm be installed in a ditch in the right-of-way on Well Road last spring, causing water from heavy rains to collect upstream on her farm. Borth says after a heavy rain her corn crops are underwater and Schmitt alone made the decision that his in-laws should be the ones on dry land. Schmitt did not speak to the accusations but Town Attorney George Neuberger says a situation like this is a lose-lose for any township because either the property owner upstream or downstream will be unhappy. Neuberger issued an opinion last year that said the berm was ok because the ditch should not have been there in the first place. Borth presented documentation from the Natural Resources Conservation Council that says the ditch should be there and says she wants Schmitt to do the neighborly thing and remove the berm by week’s end. Neuberger says the issue won’t be resolved that quickly but her concerns will be addressed. The matter was tabled until the next meeting so that the three-member board could review the information.

Tanzanian Project Update: Library Complete

8//11/10 - All three members of the Tanzanian Education Project have now contracted Malaria. Cassie Parkhurst of Beaver Dam and two others are over halfway through a four-month trip to the impoverished East African country, building libraries with a crate of books collected in her hometown. In their most recent blog update, they wrote that Eileen, the only member of the trio who had been disease free, came down with the mosquito-borne illness but is feeling better. In addition, Teresa came down with Malaria for a second time but also said to be “top-notch.” As for Parkhurst, they wrote that she is “still under the weather” even though no one can tell because she (quote) “still functions at full speed.” They suggested she is a robot. Meanwhile, one of the three libraries that the group is constructing is finished. They wrote that “students and teachers alike are excited to have all of the excellent resources now at their fingertips.” They write: “Not only do the students now have a good reason to want to improve their English and writing skills, but they will have the ability to rub away the fog blurring the window to the outside world.”

BDPD July Stats

8/11/10 - The Beaver Dam Police Department has released crime statistics for the month of July. According to the activity report, there were 6 burglaries; one involved forced entry. Four of the burglaries were residential the other two were business-related. There were 36 general thefts reported and one stolen vehicle. All of that resulted in a total of $24,187 in stolen property, of which $797 was recovered. There were three death investigations last month. Beaver Dam police officers issued ten tickets for Operating While Intoxicated. There were 14 citations for Disorderly Conduct along with eight domestic incidents, one child abuse offense and four sex offenses reported. There were 94 adults arrested in July along with 11minors. There were 34 traffic accidents in the city last month resulting in ten injuries.

Wind Mill Committee Forwards Recommendation

8/11/10 - A committee designed to put together recommendations to standardize statewide rules for wind farms released their findings Monday. The Wind Siting Advisory Council developed the recommendations to guide the Public Service Commission (PSC) in rulemaking after the State Legislature passed Wisconsin Act 40 last year. This law charges the PSC with replacing an over-stringent collection of local regulations for permitting wind farms with sensible statewide standards. The committee, made up of individuals in businesses, environmentalists and health professionals, found no negative health impacts of wind energy systems but did recommend minimum setback distances for wind turbines. Other recommendations include giving neighboring landowners an opportunity to participate in the siting process through wind easements and establishing a complaint resolution process. The PSC will now use these recommendations as it crafts final rules for permitting wind farms.

Columbus FD Recruitment Campaign Successful

8/11/10 - Columbus Fire Chief Randy Koehn had good news for the Police and Fire Commission last night. The Fire Department has just finished a three month recruitment campaign that brought in seven new candidates who applied for four open Firefighter positions. Koehn told the commission that this is the first time in years that the Department will be up to a full roster of 40 Firefighters. The PFC is in the process of determining which four will be recommended for duty and if they will have enough remaining candidates to have the luxury of a waiting list.

Regional Bear Population Increasing

8/11/10 - The bear population continues to grow in Southern Wisconsin. Greg Matthews of the DNR says there have been 140 bear sightings in the region since March. He admits some of those may be multiple reports of the same bear in the area. Still, Matthews says residents should be prepared to see more of them. The estimated bear population in the state 20 years ago was about 9,000. Now, it’s between 26 and 40,000.

Three Exotic Dancers Cited for Disorderly Conduct

8/11/10 - A dispute over how a stripper made more money than her dancing counterparts lead to disorderly conduct charges for three exotic dancers in Fond du Lac. According to police the disorderly dancers got into an argument in a changing room at The Other Place on North Main Street early last Friday and it carried outside the night spot. Two dancers who go by the stage names of Chelsea and Kiwi accused a 21-year-old dancer of making more money by allowing customers to inappropriately touch her. Spit was exchanged and the younger dancer was grabbed by an arm as she tried to get into a cab. She left in the taxi, but was dropped off just down the street. All three women were cited for disorderly conduct.