Late Fall Storm Brings Hail, At Least 1 Tornado
11/23/10 - Several hundred electric customers were still without power this morning in Walworth and Racine counties. That's where at least one and maybe two rare November tornadoes touched down yesterday afternoon. We Energies said over seven-thousand customers were without power at the height of the storms. The National Weather Service confirmed an E-F-One tornado near Fontana in Walworth County, where four homes and four farm buildings were damaged. Today, officials will determine if a second tornado touched down in the Union Grove area of Racine County. Trucks were blown over and debris was pushed onto Interstate-94, which was closed for a time during the afternoon rush hour. Two people are in stable condition at a Racine hospital after being hurt in storm-related traffic mishaps. In our area we saw hail as big as three-quarters of an inch but no significant damage was reported. The storms ended a warm spell in which Juneau hit 60-degrees, breaking the previous record of 57 set in 1999. And Watertown hit 66-degrees, another record and also tied for the highest temperature in the state yesterday.
Meanwhile, icy conditions caused havoc yesterday in far northwest Wisconsin. The Weather Service said ice pellets fell near Grantsburg, creating a glaze that was covered up by snow. And that made roads extremely hazardous. Duluth got more than a half-foot of snow. But the Wisconsin side only had about two-inches or less. Cornucopia - the state's northern-most community west of Bayfield - had the most with two-inches. Superior had a half-inch. Dry and much colder weather is in today's forecast. It's only supposed to be in the 20's-and-30's statewide.
Hunting Numbers Up from 2009
11/23/10 - Wisconsin hunters shot over six-percent more deer than a year ago on the opening weekend of the nine-day gun season. The D-N-R's preliminary count showed that 106-thousand-404 deer were registered Saturday and Sunday. That's up from about 100-thousand a year ago - which was down dramatically from 2008. The numbers are even higher in Dodge County where hunters bagged a total of 1,419 deer, a 51-percent increase over 2009. Other area counties were up too including Fond du Lac County at 35-percent, Columbia County at 11-percent and Jefferson County at 6.5-percent. The D-N-R's Tom Hauge said there were good hunting conditions on Saturday, with snow in northwest Wisconsin that improved visibility. But Ed Harvey, the head of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, said he was not impressed with the numbers. He said the statewide figures don't mean anything because the weather conditions and deer densities vary too much. No deaths have been reported so far. Four hunters were wounded by bullets on Saturday, and one Sunday.
Man Seen Taking Photos at Chemical Storage Plant
11/23/10 - It sounds a bit like a movie plot; a man with a foreign accent is seen taking photographs near a chemical storage facility and when he's confronted he gets in his car and takes off. The difference is it happened Sunday night near the Quad Graphics plant in Lomira. Dodge County Sheriff's officials issued a special bulletin to area law enforcement to step up patrols. Sheriff Todd Nehls says what the man was doing could have been innocent, but on the other hand it might have been serious. The man was driving a PT Cruiser, but license plate on the vehicle didn't match any registered in the state. (KFIZ, Fond du Lac)
BD May Consider Sex Offender Residency Ordinance
11/23/10 - Officials in Beaver Dam may soon be considering an ordinance that would restrict where sex offenders are able to live. The matter has not yet been discussed in committee, but City Attorney Mary Ann Schacht drafted a basic ordinance at the request of a resident. Lance Wiersma - the Director of Sex Offender Programs for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections - addressed a recent meeting of the Common Council. Wiersma warned that enacting sex offender residency requirements may have unforeseen consequences like homelessness, lawsuits and higher rates of re-offending. He says studies have shown that proximity to schools and parks are not associated with recidivism and he says offenders with positive support systems are less likely to re-offend.
At the same meeting, Sun Prairie Alderman Zach Weber spoke about the residency ordinance that was adopted in his city in October of 2008. Weber – who has family in Beaver Dam - says they’ve gotten rid of eight to 10 sex offenders and there have been no lawsuits and no homelessness. He says his concern is not with the Corrections Department having to do more work but the safety of his family and the community. The proposed sex offender residency ordinance would prohibit offenders from living within 1500 feet of a school, playground, daycare, church, movie theater and a variety of other public and private locations where children congregate.
76 Trees Targeted In Lake Shore Drive Project
11/23/10 - There would be 76 trees removed as part of the proposed Lake Shore Drive Reconstruction project in Beaver Dam. The Operations Committee approved a design plan last night that includes a nine foot terrace, that’s the area between a sidewalk and the street. The committee also considered the possibility of installing a five foot terrace, which would require the removal of 54 trees. Chair Laine Meyer says because the difference is minimal the committee felt the city should follow the established nine-foot terrace policy in place for new construction.
City officials also learned recently that the costs for the Lake Shore Drive project – and all road projects beginning January 1 – could be higher because of new DNR guidelines. City Engineering Coordinator Ritchie Piltz says the DNR wants to all new street construction to include storm water detention ponds or roadside swales. Piltz says the guidelines would apply to Beaver Dam because the installation of curb, gutter and sidewalk changes the street from rural use to urban use. If the city has final designs submitted to the DNR by year’s end they would not be subject to the new guidelines. Meyer says even the extra costs are incurred, the Lake Shore Drive project is a matter of public safety and would need to move forward. The reconstruction from Oneida to Denning would include curb and gutter, decorative street lighting and sidewalk installation on both sides of the street. A public information meeting will be held next week in advance of an official public hearing one week later.
Randolph Residents To Receive Survey
11/23/10 - Randolph residents should expect a survey in their mailbox later this month that will try and gauge their feelings about the two referenda questions that failed in the election. Superintendent Greg Peyer says questions included on the survey, among others, will be how did you vote, why did you vote that way, and would you be open to some type of other referendum. The school board will then review the answers in early December with a possible decision on where to go in the future by early January.
Two Beaver Dam Men Charged With Stealing Scrap Metal
11/23/10 - Two Beaver Dam men face felony Theft charges for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of scrap metal. 34-year-old Jason Woodke and 22-year-old Joseph Evans are accused of stealing 50 stainless steel sheets weighing 50 pounds each from Supreme Manufacturing in Beaver Dam last May. The two were apprehended after selling the scrap to a company in Washington County. According to the criminal complaint, Woodke admitted to selling the scrap and he faces up to ten years in prison if convicted. Evans reportedly admitted to being the driver and faces up to three-and-a-half years. Both men had signature bonds set at $1000 yesterday and have preliminary hearing scheduled next month.
Robbery in Lomira
11/22/10 - Police in Lomira are investigating a robbery that occurred yesterday afternoon at a gas station on Milwaukee Street. It happened around 3 p-m at Coles BP Lomira. Authorities say the suspect was wearing a brown ski mask and told workers he had a gun. The suspect, described as a white man in his mid 50s to early 60s, stole an undetermined amount of cash and fled north on Highway 175 in a late model 1980's car that was said to be light in color. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lomira Police Department or the anonymous WE-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Top Stories, November 22nd
Fall River Schools Target Bullying
11/22/10 - The Fall River School District has joined in the national and statewide movement to eliminate a climate of student “Bullying.” Hazing practices and cyber bullying have caught the attention of School Administrators around the state. Principal Dan Dowden has already enlisted a number of school and community members to serve on a Bullying “Task Force.” Dowden is looking for additional members to bring fresh ideas to the next meeting of the task force on Monday, December 6.
Columbus LED Bids Received
11/22/10 - After nearly two years of planning and evaluation, Columbus will soon be selecting one of six bidders hoping to supply over 500 new LED street lights. Water & Light Dept. officials say most of the lights could be converted by next July. Columbus received a DOC grant that will pay for a lion’s share of the conversion. The Water and Light Department will be monitoring energy usage once the LED’s are installed to determine how much money will be saved by converting to the new technology.
BDPD October Crime Stats
11/22/10 - The Beaver Dam Police Department has released crime statistics for the month of October. According to the activity report, there was one residential burglary reported last month; it did not involve forced entry. There were 28 general thefts reported. That resulted in a total of $20,106 in stolen property, of which $9570 was recovered. Beaver Dam police officers issued six citations for Operating While Intoxicated, and issued four citations for liquor law violations. There were 15 citations for Disorderly Conduct and 13 domestic incidents. Three reports of fraud were filed. One sex offense is being investigated. There were 83 adults arrested in October and 40 minors taken into custody. There were 49 traffic accidents last month resulting in 14 injuries.
Westphal Sentenced For Countywide Thefts
11/22/10 - A Beaver Dam man will spend one month in jail for a series of vehicle and garage break-ins. Joseph Westphal stole loose change, sunglasses, flashlights, fishing tackle and car stereo equipment from Horicon, Mayville and Beaver Dam in late January and early February. The 18-year-old also broke motion sensing lights at some of the houses. Judge Steven Bauer withheld a finding of guilt on two felony Burglary charges and Westphal was placed on Deferred Prosecution and found guilty of a handful of misdemeanor Theft counts. In addition to 30 days in jail with Huber privileges, Westphal will spend two years on probation, serve 80 hours of community service and pay restitution to all victims.
Fatal Shooting Investigation Continues
11/22/10 - The state Justice Department has released the names of the Columbia County deputies involved in a fatal shooting last week. 51-year-old Kelly Bishell of rural Cambridge was wanted on a pair of warrants from Jefferson County when a deputy and a lieutenant went to a house near Pardeeville last Sunday. They found Bishell in a stairwell – and officials said he shot at the officers before they returned fire and killed the suspect. Deputy Leda Wagner, who was superficially wounded, has seven years of experience with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Douglas Jarzynski –a 24-year department veteran – had a bullet pass through his uniform shirt. The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating at the request of Columbia County Sheriff Dennis Richards.
Fond du Lac Police Investigate Excessive Force Complaint
11/22/10 - Fond du Lac police investigate an excessive use of force complaint against one of its officers. Video from the Fond du Lac County Jail shows Officer Joel Gudex slamming a handcuffed John Lund down on a table during an October 29th booking. Lund suffered a cut to the head, which had to be treated at St. Agnes Hospital. Deputy Police Chief Kevin Lemke says they investigate all allegations of excessive force. Sheriff Mick Fink says his department made sure deputies on-duty at the jail at the time of the incident were available to investigators. Fink says he sat down with his Chief Deputy Mark Strand, and Lemke, and they agreed an investigation was warranted. Officer Gudex continues to patrol the streets of Fond du Lac while the investigation continues.
Childs Critical of Teacher Furloughs
11/22/10 - State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald told us on WBEV’s Community Comment last week that teacher furloughs are “something that may have to be done to balance the budget.” That idea is not sitting well with Waupun School Superintendent Don Childs, who says the furloughs are “short-sided.” Childs says he (quote) “reads that as wanting to beat-up teachers and not educate kids.” Childs, a former Beaver Dam Superintendent, compares teacher furloughs to cuts in higher education, which he says makes the university system less competitive and leads to “brain drain” with 40% of the states graduates going to other states to work.
Wisconsin Association of School Boards’ Executive Director John Ashley told Channel3000 Friday that it is (quote) “something…to look at for flexibility as school boards" as a way to “improve student achievement.” Meanwhile, Fitzgerald says teacher furloughs would not mean less school days for the kids but he says “maybe for the teachers.” The Juneau Republican told us, (quote) “what you are going to see is that there are going to be some discussions about how the school day might be structured.” Students in the state are required to be in school 180 days per year, but teachers work for 185 days under many district contracts.
Top Stories, November 21st
Four Shot In Wisconsin Deer Hunt
11/21/10 - The opening day of the gun-deer season was pretty hard on the hunters. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is investigating four shootings involving hunters. Near ideal conditions meant big numbers of hunters in the field Saturday. In Wood County, one hunter trying to shoot a deer hit another hunter instead. That accident happened near Arpin. The victim is reported to be in serious condition. A 40 year old Edgar man was shot in the chest near the town of Wien in Marathon County about two hours later. A hunter in Door County was hit in the thigh and, in Marquette County, a deer hunter was grazed by a bullet.
WDNR Opening Day Report
11/21/10 - Nearly ideal hunting conditions across the state contributed to an active opening morning of the 2010 Wisconsin nine-day regular gun deer season, according to anecdotal reports from registration stations across the state. Good weather, with no rain and cool, but not cold temperatures, along with corn mostly harvested, leaves off the trees and even a few areas with tracking snow, all contributed to good hunting conditions. Wildlife managers and conservation wardens reported hearing fewer shots but more single shots rather than repeated shots, indicating that visual conditions were excellent and many hunters were probably taking a deer with a single shot. This contrasts with the 2009 season, when dense fog covered much of the state opening morning, and there was still a lot of corn left in fields to be harvest.
Dodge County
Chris Cole, wildlife technician working at the Holiday Food and Sport in Waupun, reported registering a little more than 100 deer by 2:30pm Saturday, with the count tipped slightly in favor of bucks over antlerless deer. He felt that deer were coming in a little quicker than last year and was expecting the usual rush as hunting hours closed down. Hunters in Dodge County were reporting good conditions and were seeing deer with some saying there was still some rutting activity going on with bucks following does.
Jefferson County
In Jefferson County - Eric Lobner, South Central Region wildlife supervisor, who was aging deer at River’s Edge Farm Market in Jefferson, said he was seeing a mixture of deer ages among early registrations, including a 3-year-old 11-point buck and some older does, 4- and 5-years old. Lobner drove through nearly Jefferson Wildlife Area before setting up his station, and said he counted 26 vehicles. The weather was good, and hunters were out, he says.
More WDNR Regional Reports:
Deputies IDed In Fatal Pardeeville Shooting
11/21/10 - It has been one week since Columbia County Sheriffs deputies fatally wounded a suspect and authorities say their investigation continues. 51-year-old Kelly Bishell of rural Cambridge was wanted on a pair of warrants from Jefferson County when a deputy and a lieutenant went to a house near Pardeeville last Sunday. They found Bishell in a stairwell – and officials said he shot at the officers before they returned fire and killed the suspect. The officers have now been identified. Deputy Leda Wagner was the deputy who was superficially wounded. She has seven years of experience with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Douglas Jarzynski had a bullet pass through his uniform shirt without striking or wounding his person. Lieutenant Jarzynski has 24 years of experience with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The Wisconsin Department of Justice, at the request of Columbia County Sheriff Dennis Richards, was asked to handle the investigation of the officer involved shooting.
Fond du Lac Police Investigate Excessive Force Complaint
11/21/10 - Fond du Lac police investigate an excessive use of force complaint against one of its officers. Video from the Fond du Lac County Jail shows Officer Joel Gudex slamming a handcuffed John Lund down on a table during an October 29th booking. Lund suffered a cut to the head, which had to be treated at St. Agnes Hospital. Deputy Police Chief Kevin Lemke says they investigate all allegations of excessive force. Sheriff Mick Fink says his department made sure deputies on-duty at the jail at the time of the incident were available to investigators. Fink says he sat down with his Chief Deputy Mark Strand, and Lemke, and they agreed an investigation was warranted. Officer Gudex continues to patrol the streets of Fond du Lac while the investigation continues.
Texting Ban Takes Effect December 1
11/21/10 - Starting the first of next month, you will be breaking Wisconsin law if you're texting while driving. That's when a new ban on texting goes into effect. It's a primary law, meaning law enforcement officers can stop you for texting - instead of needing to pull you over for another offense. Thirty states have similar bans in place, with 11 of those bans starting this year. Normally state troopers say they give drivers 30 days before enforcing new laws, filling that time with educational messages. No promises this time. You could get a ticket December 1. First-time offenders could be fined 20 to 400 dollars and having four points assessed on their driving records. Fines get much heftier starting with a second offense.
Mitchell On Board With Security Enhancements
Travelers passing through Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport can find out what all the fuss is about. Full-body scanning machines are online and being used as passengers make their way through security checkpoints. Some say they appreciate the fact it could make their travel safer. Others say it's just weird. Lines have been a little longer this week, but it isn't clear if the use of the scanners was to blame. All passengers can choose between the full-body scanners or enhanced pat downs that went into effect November 1.
Burlington Bank Shut Down
11/21/10 - First Banking Center in Burlington is one of three banks shut down by banking regulators last Friday. Loan defaults and a struggling economy have helped cause 149 banks to fail nationwide. The FDIC took over the Burlington bank and its 750 million dollars in assets. Also seized were banks in Florida and Pennsylvania. First Michigan Bank will assume the assets and deposits of First Banking Center.
WDNR Trimming Wolf Packs
11/21/10 - Safety concerns surrounding a wolf pack living in Jackson, Monroe, and Juneau Counties has prompted the killing of six Wisconsin wolves. Adrian Wydeven with the state Department of Natural Resources says the animals had become bold and were no longer scared by humans living in the area, prompting worries that an attack on a human could take place. Federal rules only allow the state to have wolves killed if they are a threat to humans. Wydeven says no residents of the area were attacked, but there had been several instances of dogs being attacked and killed. The wolves had also approached human dwellings without showing a “normal fear of people.” The wolves were killed in late September and early October by wardens.
Congress Urged To Take Up Carp Vote
11/21/10 - People would have to stop importing Asian Carp to this country under a bill passed by the U.S. Senate. Backers say the measure would help protect the Great Lakes. Some Asian Carp were brought to the United States and placed in southern fish farms. The carp got out and have spread to some river systems and now threaten the ecosystem of the Great Lakes. The Senate has unanimously passed a measure banning importation of the big and hungry fish. Andy Buchsbaum of the National Wildlife Federation says the bill might affect some fish markets and more of the southern farms. There's another version of the carp bill awaiting action in a house committee. Buchsbaum hopes house leaders take note of the easy approval in the Senate and bring the bill to the floor yet this year.
Wisconsin Tobacco Money ‘Misused’
11/21/10 - A national anti-smoking group says states have diverted more tobacco settlement money than in past years. They're concerned progress on anti-smoking efforts will stall. Wisconsin gets high marks from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids for raising its tobacco taxes and passing a smoke-free workplace law. In addition, the rate of smoking among Wisconsin high school students is below the national average. But prevention spending is less than what the Centers for Disease Control recommends. The state currently spends nearly $7 million annually. Dan Cronin of Tobacco Free Kids says Wisconsin and other states are using the money to plug deficits while adult tobacco use nationally remains stalled at 20-percent. The report by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says states will take in a collective $25 billion from the 1999 tobacco settlement that includes revenue from taxes. It says Wisconsin will collect $840 million in tobacco generated revenue this year, but spend less than 1 percent of it on prevention.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Top Stories November 20th
Walker Aide: $3.3B Budget Shortfall Possible
11/20/10 - Some Wisconsin officials estimate the state could face a budget shortfall of more than two billion dollars over the next two years, but a spokesman for the state’s incoming governor says that number may be too low. The Wisconsin Department of Administration projects a one and a half billion dollar gap between expected revenue and spending requests from state agencies through June 30th of 2013. John Hiller, transition director for Governor-elect Scott Walker, says he believes the budget shortfall is much higher. Hiller says the true budget shortfall could be more than 3-point-3 billion dollars.
Local Educator Critical of Teacher Furlough
11/20/10 - State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald told us on WBEV’s Community Comment this week that teacher furloughs are “something that may have to be done to balance the budget.” That idea is not sitting well with Waupun School Superintendent Don Childs, who says the furloughs are “short-sided.” Childs says he “reads that as wanting to beat-up teachers and not educate kids.” Childs, a former Beaver Dam Superintendent, compares teacher furloughs to cuts in higher education, which he says makes the university system less competitive and leads to “brain drain” with 40% of the states graduates going to other states to work.
Wisconsin Association of School Boards’ Executive Director John Ashley told Channel3000 Friday that the furlough issue is “something…to look at for flexibility as school boards" as a way to “improve student achievement.”
Meanwhile, Fitzgerald says teacher furloughs would not mean less school days for the kids but he says “maybe for the teachers.” The Juneau Republican told us, “what you are going to see is that there are going to be some discussions about how the school day might be structured.” Students in the state are required to be in school 180 days per year, but teachers work for 185 days under many district contracts.
Groups Rally for Madison to Milwaukee Train
11/20/10 - Two groups are trying to change Governor-elect Scott Walker’s mind about high speed rail. The AFL-CIO is holding a candlelight vigil next Tuesday night at the Talgo train plant in Milwaukee, while the Sierra Club has planned weekend rallies in Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Eau Claire and La Crosse. It’s all part of an ongoing effort to convince the incoming Republican governor to allow a federally funded high speed rail line to be built between Madison and Milwaukee. “Minnesota wants the high speed rail from Chicago to Minneapolis-St. Paul,” said Shar Knutson is President of the Minnesota AFL-CIO. The Milwaukee to Madison was seen as part of larger network that would eventually tie together the cities of the Midwest. Walker has indicated that he would like to see some federal funding used to upgrade Amtrak’s heavily used ‘Hiawatha’ service between Milwaukee and Chicago, but said during the campaign and last week that he didn’t want Wisconsin taxpayers saddled with the ongoing costs of the Milwaukee to Madison line.
Opening Day of the Deer Hunt
11/20/10 - Deer hunters across the state have been cleaning their rifles and stocking up on supplies for the nine-day gun season that opens this morning. Last year hunters harvested more than 240,000 deer statewide during the gun season. At a gas station in Weyauwega, manager Donna Skaar says hunters she's talked to are optimistic about this year's hunt. And she expects a big rush for supplies this morning before business slacks off a little during the week and then picks back up again on Thursday when the holiday weekend begins. The gun season ends on November 28.
Hunters Can Use Texting to Alert Authorities
11/20/10 - The DNR has added texting as an option for reporting hunting violations this year. Steve Sisbach with the Bureau of Law Enforcement says members of the public can text information to TIP-411. Sisbach says the decision to take tips via text was because of the growing number of people who rely on the method to communicate. Also, he says it can allow someone out hunting to discreetly send in a tip without alerting violators who may be nearby. The DNR typically sees a wide range of tips come in during the nine day gun deer hunt. Sisbach says people have been very good about reporting information about illegal baiting, hunting too close to roads, and hunters failing to properly use tags. Texted tips will also be available beyond the season for people to report non-hunting violations of state wildlife and conservation laws.
Columbus Business One of Fastest Growing in the Country
11/20/10 - A Columbus “E-Retailer” – founded in 2003 – has risen to be one of the top 500 fastest growing e-businesses in the country. DiscountOfficeItems.com started just seven years ago buying and selling office supplies via the internet. The dot com company is headquartered on Industrial Drive and currently employs 23 full-time staff members. The e-retailer has doubled sales every year during the first five years of business. According to co-founder Jim Horton a variety of office products, low prices and quick delivery have been keys to their success.
Thompson Concedes in Senate Race
11/20/10 - Ed Thompson concedes he has lost the race for a Wisconsin Senate seat. The younger brother of former Governor Tommy Thompson had paid for the recount in the 31st District race. The initial count had him losing to incumbent Kathleen Vinehout by 439 votes. Thompson said yesterday the recount had only gained his side a few votes and he had called Vinehout to wish her well.
Illegal Voting Case Moving Forward
11/20/10 - A Milwaukee judge lets the case of two African-American men charged with casting illegal votes move forward. Michael Henderson and Olando Maclin had not completed their probation for felony convictions when they cast ballots in the 2008 election. Their attorneys argued Wisconsin's law against voting on felony probation violates federal law due to inherent bias in the state's criminal justice system. They say that bias basically means they can't vote because of their race. Judge Richard Sankovitz says the Voting Rights Act claim should be heard. Sankovitz issued what he called an "unofficial excerpt" of his ruling yesterday. He will offer the full opinion a week from Monday so the Thanksgiving holiday week won't count against the 14 days prosecutors will have to file an appeal. They say they will do that. Nearly two dozen states have eased restrictions on voting rights for felons who have done their time behind bars.
Summerfest Making Change to Schedule
11/20/10 - Milwaukee’s Summerfest will follow a new schedule next year. Marketing Vice President John Boler says the event will still run for 11 days, but there will be no performances on Monday, the Fourth of July. Boler says both the holiday and the Monday in the event’s run have proven to be frequent problems for attendance figures. Officials believe adding a second Wednesday date at the beginning of Summerfest will actually help boost ticket sales. Boler says a growing number of entertainment-related businesses have been closing their doors on Mondays, since consumers are more often staying in on that night of the week. About 856,000 people attended Summerfest earlier this year.
11/20/10 - Some Wisconsin officials estimate the state could face a budget shortfall of more than two billion dollars over the next two years, but a spokesman for the state’s incoming governor says that number may be too low. The Wisconsin Department of Administration projects a one and a half billion dollar gap between expected revenue and spending requests from state agencies through June 30th of 2013. John Hiller, transition director for Governor-elect Scott Walker, says he believes the budget shortfall is much higher. Hiller says the true budget shortfall could be more than 3-point-3 billion dollars.
Local Educator Critical of Teacher Furlough
11/20/10 - State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald told us on WBEV’s Community Comment this week that teacher furloughs are “something that may have to be done to balance the budget.” That idea is not sitting well with Waupun School Superintendent Don Childs, who says the furloughs are “short-sided.” Childs says he “reads that as wanting to beat-up teachers and not educate kids.” Childs, a former Beaver Dam Superintendent, compares teacher furloughs to cuts in higher education, which he says makes the university system less competitive and leads to “brain drain” with 40% of the states graduates going to other states to work.
Wisconsin Association of School Boards’ Executive Director John Ashley told Channel3000 Friday that the furlough issue is “something…to look at for flexibility as school boards" as a way to “improve student achievement.”
Meanwhile, Fitzgerald says teacher furloughs would not mean less school days for the kids but he says “maybe for the teachers.” The Juneau Republican told us, “what you are going to see is that there are going to be some discussions about how the school day might be structured.” Students in the state are required to be in school 180 days per year, but teachers work for 185 days under many district contracts.
Groups Rally for Madison to Milwaukee Train
11/20/10 - Two groups are trying to change Governor-elect Scott Walker’s mind about high speed rail. The AFL-CIO is holding a candlelight vigil next Tuesday night at the Talgo train plant in Milwaukee, while the Sierra Club has planned weekend rallies in Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Eau Claire and La Crosse. It’s all part of an ongoing effort to convince the incoming Republican governor to allow a federally funded high speed rail line to be built between Madison and Milwaukee. “Minnesota wants the high speed rail from Chicago to Minneapolis-St. Paul,” said Shar Knutson is President of the Minnesota AFL-CIO. The Milwaukee to Madison was seen as part of larger network that would eventually tie together the cities of the Midwest. Walker has indicated that he would like to see some federal funding used to upgrade Amtrak’s heavily used ‘Hiawatha’ service between Milwaukee and Chicago, but said during the campaign and last week that he didn’t want Wisconsin taxpayers saddled with the ongoing costs of the Milwaukee to Madison line.
Opening Day of the Deer Hunt
11/20/10 - Deer hunters across the state have been cleaning their rifles and stocking up on supplies for the nine-day gun season that opens this morning. Last year hunters harvested more than 240,000 deer statewide during the gun season. At a gas station in Weyauwega, manager Donna Skaar says hunters she's talked to are optimistic about this year's hunt. And she expects a big rush for supplies this morning before business slacks off a little during the week and then picks back up again on Thursday when the holiday weekend begins. The gun season ends on November 28.
Hunters Can Use Texting to Alert Authorities
11/20/10 - The DNR has added texting as an option for reporting hunting violations this year. Steve Sisbach with the Bureau of Law Enforcement says members of the public can text information to TIP-411. Sisbach says the decision to take tips via text was because of the growing number of people who rely on the method to communicate. Also, he says it can allow someone out hunting to discreetly send in a tip without alerting violators who may be nearby. The DNR typically sees a wide range of tips come in during the nine day gun deer hunt. Sisbach says people have been very good about reporting information about illegal baiting, hunting too close to roads, and hunters failing to properly use tags. Texted tips will also be available beyond the season for people to report non-hunting violations of state wildlife and conservation laws.
Columbus Business One of Fastest Growing in the Country
11/20/10 - A Columbus “E-Retailer” – founded in 2003 – has risen to be one of the top 500 fastest growing e-businesses in the country. DiscountOfficeItems.com started just seven years ago buying and selling office supplies via the internet. The dot com company is headquartered on Industrial Drive and currently employs 23 full-time staff members. The e-retailer has doubled sales every year during the first five years of business. According to co-founder Jim Horton a variety of office products, low prices and quick delivery have been keys to their success.
Thompson Concedes in Senate Race
11/20/10 - Ed Thompson concedes he has lost the race for a Wisconsin Senate seat. The younger brother of former Governor Tommy Thompson had paid for the recount in the 31st District race. The initial count had him losing to incumbent Kathleen Vinehout by 439 votes. Thompson said yesterday the recount had only gained his side a few votes and he had called Vinehout to wish her well.
Illegal Voting Case Moving Forward
11/20/10 - A Milwaukee judge lets the case of two African-American men charged with casting illegal votes move forward. Michael Henderson and Olando Maclin had not completed their probation for felony convictions when they cast ballots in the 2008 election. Their attorneys argued Wisconsin's law against voting on felony probation violates federal law due to inherent bias in the state's criminal justice system. They say that bias basically means they can't vote because of their race. Judge Richard Sankovitz says the Voting Rights Act claim should be heard. Sankovitz issued what he called an "unofficial excerpt" of his ruling yesterday. He will offer the full opinion a week from Monday so the Thanksgiving holiday week won't count against the 14 days prosecutors will have to file an appeal. They say they will do that. Nearly two dozen states have eased restrictions on voting rights for felons who have done their time behind bars.
Summerfest Making Change to Schedule
11/20/10 - Milwaukee’s Summerfest will follow a new schedule next year. Marketing Vice President John Boler says the event will still run for 11 days, but there will be no performances on Monday, the Fourth of July. Boler says both the holiday and the Monday in the event’s run have proven to be frequent problems for attendance figures. Officials believe adding a second Wednesday date at the beginning of Summerfest will actually help boost ticket sales. Boler says a growing number of entertainment-related businesses have been closing their doors on Mondays, since consumers are more often staying in on that night of the week. About 856,000 people attended Summerfest earlier this year.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Top Stories, November 19th
Nehls Warns Hunters About Trespassing
11/19/10 - Authorities are warning hunters to avoid trespassing while searching for the great whitetail deer this week. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says most hunters follow the rules and hunt land they own or rented, but he says there are always some who refuse to take advantage of the thousands of acres of public hunting land accessible to them. Nehls says that one-percent will generate a significant number of calls for law enforcement service. He says trespassing may seem like a minor incident but it has cost several people their lives when land owner and trespasser confront one other. Nehls says the act of trespassing is expensive and evidence of the violation is easily proven. He says if you are hunting unfamiliar land it is up to you to know the property lines. Nehls encourages hunters new to the area to make a point of meeting adjacent property owners and introduce themselves. He says the Dodge County Sheriffs Department will take trespassing violations seriously.
Columbus Adopts Lock Box Ordinance
11/19/10 - The Columbus Council passed an ordinance this week that will help Police and Firefighters do a better job of protecting people and property. The ordinance was recommended by Fire Chief Randy Koehn. The ordinance requires installation of a “key lock box” on the outside of private and public buildings to allow Emergency crews to get into structures faster to save lives and property. Many local businesses and home builders have already said yes to the key lock box system.
Watertown Approved 2011 Budget
11/19/10 - The Watertown city council this week approved their 2011 budget on an 8 to 1 vote. There is a 2.2% increase in the tax levy to $7.12-million. For Dodge County residents that means a mill rate of $7.41 per thousand, a nearly 4% jump from this year, while Jefferson County residents will pay $7.46 per thousand, up 3.3%. The total budget is up nearly 1.1% to just over nearly $15 million.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
11/19/10 - A good turn by a Fond du Lac police officer had the opposite effect when he let a homeless man go early Thursday morning. Police Captain Steve Klein says an officer found the man in his car near the Wal-Mart store. The 28-year-old man from Germantown said he was living out of his car. The man declined an offer to be taken to a homeless shelter. After that he rammed his car into a fabrics shop and began an adventure that kept officers in Fond du Lac and Winnebago Counties busy. After stealing a newspaper delivery person’s vehicle from a nearby Kwik Trip the man took the car into Winnebago County. Sheriff’s deputies there abandoned the pursuit when it reentered Fond du Lac County. Stop sticks were put down on Highway 26 southbound and the pursuit ended when the man’s tires went flat and he was taken into custody. The man was evaluated and he wasn’t on drugs or alcohol.
He’s being held in jail pending charges.
Stranc Has Probation Revoked
11/19/10 - A Fox Lake man who attempted to abduct a young girl has violated the terms of his parole and was sent to prison. Daniel M. Stranc was originally given 90 days in jail and ten years probation back in January of 2009 after pleading “no contest” to two felony counts of Attempted Child Enticement. The 39-year-old made repeated contact with two juveniles during an 18-hour period in the spring of 2008. He drove by one of the girls several times asking if she needed a ride. After turning around, Stranc tried to grab her and put her in his van. As part of that investigation it was learned that Stranc had recently offered preteen girls marijuana at a birthday party before being asked to leave. Judge Andrew Bissonnette revoked his probation this week citing a variety of parole violations, including a failure to complete mandated sex-offender counseling. A three-and-a-half year prison sentence was imposed in addition to six-and-a-half years of extended supervision.
Kitzman Arraigned
11/19/10 - A guard at the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun has entered a “no contest” plea to charges that he assaulted an inmate. Driftten Kitzman is facing a felony count of Abuse of Residents of Penal Facilities for an incident in July. 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.
Job Growth Reported
11/19/10 - Wisconsin added 55-hundred jobs in the private sector last month, and the state’s unemployment held steady at seven-point-eight percent. Both figures are seasonally-adjusted. State officials said most of the job growth was in the service sector, in fields like health care and recreation. Wisconsin’s manufacturing sector – the largest of all the states – had a loss of 600 jobs. The construction industry had 800 job cuts and retail 700. The scientific and technology fields also reported 700 adjusted job reductions. Government jobs increased by 23-hundred in October, for a net statewide gain of 78-hundred jobs.
Minnesota Chimes In on Rail
11/19/10 - A Minnesota labor union is the latest to urge Wisconsin’s incoming governor to change his mind, and allow the proposed new high-speed train. The A-F-L C-I-O in the Gopher State says the project would put thousands of people to work in the Midwest, and encourage the economy to grow. The train would go from Milwaukee-to-Madison starting in 2013, but plans call for an extension of that line to Minnesota’s Twin Cities by 2016. Governor-elect Scott Walker made it one of his biggest campaign promises. But after he won, the mayor of Madison and a number of business and community leaders have urged Walker to break his promise. Walker says Wisconsin cannot afford the operating costs it would be stuck with – and it’s faster and cheaper for folks to drive between the Badger State’s two largest cities. Critics also say it’s not the big economic engine the train’s supporters say it is – citing a lack of new industries at the stops for Amtrak’s current high-speed train from Milwaukee-to-Chicago. Walker supports that project. He says the stimulus funding for the train to Madison would be better spent fixing highways. But the Obama administration won’t allow that, saying train projects in other states would get the money if Wisconsin rejects it.
Uniform CCAP Rules Ordered
11/19/10 - Wisconsin courts are being told to list all charges against defendants in the state’s on-line court records – including those dismissed in plea deals. A committee that manages the on-line database ordered the move Thursday. That’s after the Associated Press found that some counties, but not all, were deleting charges that were substituted in plea bargains. The chief information officer for the database, Jean Bousquet, said there should be a uniform statewide policy on posting court information. And by keeping dismissed charges out of the system, she said it looks the government is hiding something. But Milwaukee County Clerk of Courts John Barrett wondered whether listing all charges in a case would exacerbate what he called the “Scarlet Letter factor” – in which employers and landlords reportedly shy away from those charged but convicted of crimes. Other members said the public has the right to know what’s going on in their courts, and listing all charges tells the full story about a case. Bousquet said her staff plans to separate dismissed charges by making viewers click on links to reach them.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Top Stories, November 18th
Fitzgerald Anticipates Teacher Furloughs
11/18/10 - The State Senate Majority Leader says teachers may have to take furlough days if legislators are going to balance the state budget. The Juneau Republican told us on WBEV’s Community Comment this week that he believes there will be a ton of changes in education. By contract, teachers are in school more often than students, around five days more for things like “teacher institute days.” Fitzgerald says any furloughs would not affect teaching days. One listener called to say furlough days for teachers is “dumb” and the school funding formula needs to change. Another called asked about the Qualified Economic Offer, in which school boards avoid contract arbitration if they offer teachers at least a three-point-eight percent hike in salaries-and-benefits each year. Fitzgerald says the QEO is policy that should never have been taken out of the budget and he believes it will be reinstated.
Assessments Sent To Lake Shore Drive Properties
11/18/10 - Residents along Lake Shore Drive in Beaver Dam are getting notice this week of the special assessments they’d be charged as part of a major street re-construction project proposed for 2011. Engineer Mike Laue with MSA Professional Services says the reconstruction from Oneida to Denning would include curb and gutter, decorative street lighting and sidewalk installation on both sides of the street. Laue says around 30 to 40 trees would have to be removed. Ninth Ward Alderwoman Lisa Davidson, who represents many of the residents along Lake Shore Drive, says constituents have raised concerns with the project, not necessarily in terms of the assessment costs but the affect that sidewalk installation and tree removal would have on the look and feel of the street. There is a policy in place that all new road construction includes sidewalk installation if there is currently no sidewalk in place. In committee, Alderman Robert Butler said he felt the sidewalk policy should be applied equally in all cases. The project is still in the design phase and the borrowing for the project has not yet been approved. A public hearing as part of the design phase of the project will be held on December 8.
Cooper Wire Stolen From Wastewater Plant
11/18/10 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is investigating the theft of copper wire from the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. Deputy Chief Dan Schubert says the theft was reported Tuesday afternoon from 108 Myrtle Road, the construction site of the city’s $20 million dollar waste water facility. Schubert says about a half dumpster load of heavy-duty wire used for transformers was stolen from inside the building. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department or the anonymous We-Tip hotline 800-78-CRIME.
BDUSD Tests Textbooks Vs. Laptops
11/18/10 - A number of school district around the state are moving away from using textbooks, and instead, using computer devices to support their lesson plans. It’s currently happening on a small scale in Beaver Dam schools but Superintendent Steve Vessey says they plan to assess their staffing in the technology department and move on from there. He says one-to-one computing, in which each student is holding a technology device like an iPad or notebook computer, has both cost and educational benefits.
Wall of Fame Nominations Sought
11/18/10 - The Beaver Dam School District is seeking nominations for their 2011 Wall of Fame Awards. Honors will be given in two categories: Friends of Education and Outstanding Alumni. Friends of Education are individuals or organizations who have given distinguished service to the district and its students. Outstanding Alumni are graduates of the High School recognized for their exceptional accomplishments, outstanding leadership, historical significance and prominence on the local, state, national or international stage. Last year, the Outstanding Alumni was Clarence Keller, a 1921 graduate who went on to be the city’s first full time mayor, guiding Beaver Dam thru five consecutive terms. The first recipient was film star Fred MacMurray. Nomination packets are available at all district school offices or on the district website at www.beaverdam.k12.wi.us. Nomination deadline is February 11. The district will honor the 2011 Wall of Fame recipients at their 15th Annual Wall of Fame Banquet in April. Award plaques will be permanently displayed at the high school.
Thanksgiving Travel Predictions
11/18/10 - More Wisconsinites refuse to give up Grandma’s pumpkin pie because of the economy. The Triple-“A” says Thanksgiving traffic in the Badger State will be 11-point-four percent higher than a year ago – the same increase that’s expected nationally. About 860-thousand Wisconsinites are expected to travel at least 50-miles from home between next Wednesday and Sunday. And just over 42-million Americans will do the same throughout the country. Wisconsin Triple-“A” President Tom Frymark says folks are still cautious with their spending – but many are still in a better financial position than a year ago. And he says they have a strong desire to spend the holiday with friends-and-family. But the projected national traffic is still about 30-percent less than what it was in 2005 – when almost 59-million Americans went home for Thanksgiving.
Deer Hunters Encouraged To Text Violations
11/18/10 - Deer hunters with cell phone signals are being encouraged to report violators by sending text messages to the state D-N-R. Wisconsin has joined 26 other states in a national program to catch those who try to get an unfair advantage. More than two dozen texts have been sent to the D-N-R since the program began in April. It lets people be anonymous while reporting a variety of hunting, fishing, and environmental violations. To report any incidents, type “TIPWDNR” on the first line of the text, then write about the problem and sent it to: 8-4-7-4-1-1. The D-N-R plans to monitor the line from 7am through 10pm during the gun deer season.
Deputy A-G To Step Down
11/18/10 - The number-two man in the state Justice Department says he’s keeping a promise by resigning. Deputy attorney general Ray Taffora will leave by January 14th. He’s been with J-B Van Hollen ever since they took over the Justice Department at the beginning of 2007. Taffora said he told Van Hollen back then he would only serve one term, because of his belief that people should only work for a limited time in government. The Republican Van Hollen was elected earlier this month to a second four-year term. Taffora says he’s not certain what he’ll do next. Special assistant Kevin Saint John will become the new top deputy attorney general.
Ratepayers Paying For Utility Executive Bonuses?
A consumer group says proposed rules now before the state could open the door to ratepayers paying for utility company bonuses. A proposal back before the Public Service Commission would adjust regulations known as fuel rules. Those cover the process utilities use to ask for rate increases or cuts when prices for coal and other energy sources suddenly change. But according to the Citizens Utility Board, language in the rule package could force ratepayers to pay for millions of dollars of bonuses and other incentives for utility executives. Board executive director Charlie Higley says having consumers foot that bill would be wrong. Higley says many people are out of work, or seeing pay cuts, and they shouldn't have to help a bunch of top-level managers. WE Energies spokesman Brian Manthey says CUB and the public shouldn't worry about his company using ratepayer money for bonuses.
Outgoing Leadership Warned About Public Records
11/18/10 - State agency officials are being told not to destroy or take home public records as Democratic Governor Jim Doyle gets ready to leave office. Carol Hemersbach, who chairs the state public records board, has told cabinet secretaries and other top officials that records generated in the course of state business belong to the offices – and not the current people in those offices. Hemersbach says most records will have value as Republican Scott Walker’s administration takes over on January third. The board also asked Walker’s people not to change the current policies for retaining state records. Hemersbach said it could get expensive to do that.
Top Stories November 17th
Mayville Approves Budget Without Pool Funding
11/17/10 - The Mayville Common Council approved their 2011 budget last night on a 5 to 1 vote. Around three dozen residents spoke about the outdoor city pool during the public hearing. The spring-fed pool has been closed since the floods of 2008 and the city has until June to use $20,000 in FEMA funding to bring it back up to par or find another use. The city’s local match is in the budget, but not the $43,000 in annual operating costs. Twenty people spoke in favor of funding the outdoor pool last night, while two spoke against it. Two attempts by Alderman Al Voss to siphon money from other portions of the budget failed and the document was adopted without his support. Mayor Jerry Moede says the budget passage does not mean the pool issue is dead in the water and discussions are expected to continue in committee. Any attempt to fund the pool operations midyear would require a budget amendment, which would take two-thirds of the council to approve. As for the budget, the tax levy is up 3.8% to just under $2.7 million dollars. Mayville taxpayers will see a 21 cent increase in their mill rate to $7.91 per thousand. Property taxes on a $150,000 house in Mayville will be $1,187, which is an increase of $32.
Columbus Adopts Budget
11/17/10 - The Council approved the $3 million, fifty-eight thousand dollar City of Columbus 2011 Budget last night. The City Budget has a lower tax levy and lower mil rate than in 2010. When Columbus residents get their tax bills in December over 40 per cent of the mil rate will be going to the Columbus School District. The City’s share will be about 34 per cent and the remainder will be going for slightly increased Columbia County and VTAE District taxes. Council Member Roger Sneath pointed out that the City had decreased their mil rate from $8.20 per thousand last year to $8.11 per thousand dollars this year. Meanwhile, the Schools’ mil rate had increased from $8.77 to $9.69 per thousand during the same period. The 2011 City budget was passed quietly with no public input at last week’s Budget Hearing and no one speaking for against the final version at last night’s regular Council session.
Fitzgerald on Job Creation
11/17/10 - On WBEV’s Community Comment this week, State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald outlined some of the job creation plans that lawmakers will be considering in the upcoming session. Governor-elect Scott Walker promised on the campaign trail to create 250,000 private sector jobs in four years. The Juneau Republican says the shift in the last election will give his party the opportunity to rebuild government from the ground up. Fitzgerald says in his talks with the Walker administration they appear committed to the idea of “eliminating and reforming” the Department of Workforce Development and the Department of Commerce. He says the new department would be much more “aggressive” and “roll-in” former programs like the quasi-governmental “Forward Wisconsin.” Beaver Dam has benefitted from Department of Commerce grants as part of recent downtown revitalization plans but Fitzgerald says that is only a small segment of the DOC. Fitzgerald says while this area has benefitted from a lot of programs, other parts of the state have lost a lot of light manufacturing, an area he says needs to be a priority. Fitzgerald says a quarter million jobs in an “achievable goal” but he admits we might need a little help from the economy as well.
Survey: ‘Jobless Recovery Coming To An End’
11/17/10 - A survey by a Milwaukee group shows that the so-called “jobless recovery” may be close to an end. A-S-Q, which deals with quality control matters, says 42-percent of the 12-hundred manufacturers it surveyed in the U-S and Canada plan to hire people in 2011. And only 18-percent say they’ll keep freezing their employees’ pay, compared to 45-percent that did not give raises for this year. Sixty-eight percent of the manufacturers thought their revenues would grow in 2011 – that’s a slightly bigger percentage than in 2010. And only 18-percent of factories expect mandatory budget cuts, down from 35-percent in the current year. A-S-Q chairman Peter Andres says the factory sector still faces challenges in gaining a full recovery. But in his words, “The incremental gains shown in this survey are very promising.”
Dodge County Jury Hears Testimony In Kuenzi Trial
11/17/10 - A Dodge County jury heard from over a dozen witnesses this week, as testimony continues in an emotional drunken homicide trial of a Waupaca County man. 26-year-old Rory Kuenzi of Weyauwega is accused of hitting 20-year-old Kevin McCoy with his pick-up truck, and dumping the body in a ditch before driving off. It reportedly happened after an underage drinking party in 2004. The party’s hosts testified that Kuenzi was not invited, but he brought booze anyway. Two others said he had a confrontation with the crash victim at the party. And Kuenzi’s passenger, Walter Engel, agreed he had too much to drink. Kuenzi wasn’t charged in McCoy’s death until five years after it happened. State investigators re-visited the case after a furor was created in another case involving Kuenzi. He was charged with stealing a snowmobile and joining two others to kill a half-dozen deer on a Waupaca County trail in early 2009. Snowmobile groups statewide were put on the defensive after that incident. Both cases have stirred tensions, and metal detectors were set up on the floor where the drunken homicide trial is taking place. It’s scheduled to continue all week in Waupaca.
Davis Sentenced
11/17/10 - A former Fox Lake Correctional Institution inmate who attacked two guards with a claw-hammer had 47 years added to his prison sentence Monday, eliminating any possibility of parole from his previous sentence. Terrance Davis was convicted in September on charges of First Degree Attempted Homicide and a reduced charge of First Degree Reckless Endangerment. The 52-year-old assaulted the guards in the prison’s furniture-making shop in November of 2008. One officer sustained head injuries and a broken arm while another guard required surgery for a fractured skull. Davis has been in prison since he killed two Milwaukee police officers a quarter century ago years ago who walked into a drug deal.
11/17/10 - The Mayville Common Council approved their 2011 budget last night on a 5 to 1 vote. Around three dozen residents spoke about the outdoor city pool during the public hearing. The spring-fed pool has been closed since the floods of 2008 and the city has until June to use $20,000 in FEMA funding to bring it back up to par or find another use. The city’s local match is in the budget, but not the $43,000 in annual operating costs. Twenty people spoke in favor of funding the outdoor pool last night, while two spoke against it. Two attempts by Alderman Al Voss to siphon money from other portions of the budget failed and the document was adopted without his support. Mayor Jerry Moede says the budget passage does not mean the pool issue is dead in the water and discussions are expected to continue in committee. Any attempt to fund the pool operations midyear would require a budget amendment, which would take two-thirds of the council to approve. As for the budget, the tax levy is up 3.8% to just under $2.7 million dollars. Mayville taxpayers will see a 21 cent increase in their mill rate to $7.91 per thousand. Property taxes on a $150,000 house in Mayville will be $1,187, which is an increase of $32.
Columbus Adopts Budget
11/17/10 - The Council approved the $3 million, fifty-eight thousand dollar City of Columbus 2011 Budget last night. The City Budget has a lower tax levy and lower mil rate than in 2010. When Columbus residents get their tax bills in December over 40 per cent of the mil rate will be going to the Columbus School District. The City’s share will be about 34 per cent and the remainder will be going for slightly increased Columbia County and VTAE District taxes. Council Member Roger Sneath pointed out that the City had decreased their mil rate from $8.20 per thousand last year to $8.11 per thousand dollars this year. Meanwhile, the Schools’ mil rate had increased from $8.77 to $9.69 per thousand during the same period. The 2011 City budget was passed quietly with no public input at last week’s Budget Hearing and no one speaking for against the final version at last night’s regular Council session.
Fitzgerald on Job Creation
11/17/10 - On WBEV’s Community Comment this week, State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald outlined some of the job creation plans that lawmakers will be considering in the upcoming session. Governor-elect Scott Walker promised on the campaign trail to create 250,000 private sector jobs in four years. The Juneau Republican says the shift in the last election will give his party the opportunity to rebuild government from the ground up. Fitzgerald says in his talks with the Walker administration they appear committed to the idea of “eliminating and reforming” the Department of Workforce Development and the Department of Commerce. He says the new department would be much more “aggressive” and “roll-in” former programs like the quasi-governmental “Forward Wisconsin.” Beaver Dam has benefitted from Department of Commerce grants as part of recent downtown revitalization plans but Fitzgerald says that is only a small segment of the DOC. Fitzgerald says while this area has benefitted from a lot of programs, other parts of the state have lost a lot of light manufacturing, an area he says needs to be a priority. Fitzgerald says a quarter million jobs in an “achievable goal” but he admits we might need a little help from the economy as well.
Survey: ‘Jobless Recovery Coming To An End’
11/17/10 - A survey by a Milwaukee group shows that the so-called “jobless recovery” may be close to an end. A-S-Q, which deals with quality control matters, says 42-percent of the 12-hundred manufacturers it surveyed in the U-S and Canada plan to hire people in 2011. And only 18-percent say they’ll keep freezing their employees’ pay, compared to 45-percent that did not give raises for this year. Sixty-eight percent of the manufacturers thought their revenues would grow in 2011 – that’s a slightly bigger percentage than in 2010. And only 18-percent of factories expect mandatory budget cuts, down from 35-percent in the current year. A-S-Q chairman Peter Andres says the factory sector still faces challenges in gaining a full recovery. But in his words, “The incremental gains shown in this survey are very promising.”
Dodge County Jury Hears Testimony In Kuenzi Trial
11/17/10 - A Dodge County jury heard from over a dozen witnesses this week, as testimony continues in an emotional drunken homicide trial of a Waupaca County man. 26-year-old Rory Kuenzi of Weyauwega is accused of hitting 20-year-old Kevin McCoy with his pick-up truck, and dumping the body in a ditch before driving off. It reportedly happened after an underage drinking party in 2004. The party’s hosts testified that Kuenzi was not invited, but he brought booze anyway. Two others said he had a confrontation with the crash victim at the party. And Kuenzi’s passenger, Walter Engel, agreed he had too much to drink. Kuenzi wasn’t charged in McCoy’s death until five years after it happened. State investigators re-visited the case after a furor was created in another case involving Kuenzi. He was charged with stealing a snowmobile and joining two others to kill a half-dozen deer on a Waupaca County trail in early 2009. Snowmobile groups statewide were put on the defensive after that incident. Both cases have stirred tensions, and metal detectors were set up on the floor where the drunken homicide trial is taking place. It’s scheduled to continue all week in Waupaca.
Davis Sentenced
11/17/10 - A former Fox Lake Correctional Institution inmate who attacked two guards with a claw-hammer had 47 years added to his prison sentence Monday, eliminating any possibility of parole from his previous sentence. Terrance Davis was convicted in September on charges of First Degree Attempted Homicide and a reduced charge of First Degree Reckless Endangerment. The 52-year-old assaulted the guards in the prison’s furniture-making shop in November of 2008. One officer sustained head injuries and a broken arm while another guard required surgery for a fractured skull. Davis has been in prison since he killed two Milwaukee police officers a quarter century ago years ago who walked into a drug deal.
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