Top Stories, October 21

Former CO Found ‘Not Competent’ For Trial

10/21/11 - The case against a former corrections officer in Waupun, who is accused of smuggling various items inside the institution for a prisoner, has been suspended as the suspect has been found “not competent” to stand trial. Patricia Kok of Fond du Lac is charged with Delivering Illegal Articles to an Inmate. A judge found probable cause as alleged in the criminal complaint and ordered yesterday that Kok be admitted to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute as soon as a room becomes available. The 46-year-old is said to have brought culinary magazines and clothes to the inmate in the Waupun Correctional Institution, where the two worked in the Food Service Area. Kok is also said to have engaged in phone sex with the prisoner and provide him with money to obtain a lawyer to re-open his case. Kok reportedly told investigators that she knew it was wrong but wanted to help him make plans for school when he gets out. If Kok, fails to report to Winnebago when notified, she was ordered to be taken into custody by law enforcement.

Waupun Man Get Life In Arizona Murder

10/21/11 - An inmate at the Waupun Correctional Institution was sentenced Thursday to life in prison for killing the daughter of a former F-B-I agent in Arizona. William Zamastill is almost 60-years-old. He was convicted in July of First-Degree Murder in the death of Leesa Jo Shaner in 1973. Prosecutors said they believed Shaner was abducted from the airport in Tucson, where she had driven to pick up her husband. Her remains were found in a shallow grave in southeast Arizona in the fall of ’73. Zamastill became a suspect while serving time for the murder of a Wisconsin woman in 1979. Shaner’s father, former F-B-I agent James Miller, died in 2007 from cancer.

Bomb Threat Called To Beaver Dam Business

10/21/11 - Beaver Dam police responded to a bomb threat early Thursday. Detective Ryan Klavekoske tells us that a person called Dodge County dispatch just after 1am saying that an explosive was inside the J.B. Kenehan printing company at 555 Beichl Avenue. A search by the Beaver Dam police and fire departments turned up nothing. There are no suspects at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department. JB Kenehan acquired the Beichl Avenue facility from Conley Publishing in September of 2010.

State Agencies Brace For Job Cuts

10/21/11 - Wisconsin state agencies are being told to expect the possibility of job cuts. Governor Scott Walker’s administration says another 300 million dollars in cuts will need to be made over the next two years. That figure includes more than 125 million in cuts already specified in the state budget passed last summer. State agencies facing potential job reductions include the Health Services, Children and Families, and the Department of Corrections.

Private Sector Job Losses

10/21/11 - The numbers of private sector jobs in Wisconsin went down in September for the third straight month. State workforce development officials said today that Wisconsin had a net loss of 900 private sector jobs during the month. Health care jobs grew by about three-thousand, and there were 15-hundred more construction jobs than in August on a seasonally-adjusted basis. But Wisconsin’s largest sector, manufacturing, had three-thousand fewer jobs. And state and local governments continued to take a huge hit, as their workforces dropped by almost 12-thousand people. Officials highlighted a slight decline in the state’s unemployment rate, from seven-point-nine percent to seven-point-eight. Workforce Development Secretary Scott Baumbach said the state’s rate went down while the national jobless rate was stagnant – and the Badger State has lower unemployment than other manufacturing states like Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Still, Baumbach said unemployment is too high in Wisconsin – and he said it underscores the urgency of Governor Walker’s special session on jobs.

League of Women Voters Files Lawsuit on ID Law

10/21/11 - The League of Women Voters followed through Thursday on their promise to sue the state, to try-and-kill the voter I-D law. The League said the requirement to show a photo I-D at the polls violates the state Constitution, because it creates a new class of people who cannot vote – those without I-D’s. But in response, Republican Governor Scott Walker said there are more valid I-D’s issued than there are registered voters. And if I-D’s are required to get cold medicine, library cards, and public assistance, Walker says it only sense that an I-D must be shown to vote. The governor said the I-D law moves Wisconsin forward, because one of the core functions of government is to ensure the integrity of elections. Republicans have tried for a decade to require I-D’s at the polls, in the name of fighting fraud – and they were finally able to pass it when voters gave them took control of state government in January. But Democrats say very little fraud has been uncovered – and critics say the G-O-P’s only trying to prevent voting by those who normally vote Democratic as a group, like minorities and college students. The league’s lawsuit will be heard by Dane County Circuit Judge William Neiss.

Teachers Could Be Fired For Low Test Scores

10/21/11 - Wisconsin public school teachers could be fired or disciplined if their students don’t score high enough on standardized tests. That’s the premise of a bill passed by state Senate Republicans Thursday. The measure passed on a 17-16 party line vote, with all Democrats voting no. Under the current law, test scores can be used in evaluating teachers – but not for discipline or dismissals. Senate Democrat Lena Taylor of Milwaukee says the bill puts teachers in an unfair position. Other Democrats asked the majority to delay action until a task force headed by Governor Scott Walker and state Superintendent Tony Evers recommends new ways to evaluate student learning. Democrats and former Governor Jim Doyle passed the current law in 2009 to try and get federal funding for schools under President Obama’s “Race to the Top” program. The state was turned down for funding, and critics said it was because Democrats refused to link student test scores to teacher discipline.

Texting Could Be Added To No Call List

10/21/11 - It would be against the law for unwanted telemarketers to send text messages to cell phones, under a bill endorsed by a state Senate committee this week. The law would apply to those on the state’s do-not-call list. Telemarketers are barred from phoning those on the list. And Senate Republican Van Wangaard of Racine proposed that the same thing apply to text messages – especially because most cell customers pay for those incoming messages. The full Senate is expected to act on the bill next week. While the do-not-call law applies to most solicitors, non-profit groups and political candidates can still make phone pitches – and so can companies that you’ve done business with.

Highway Bills Glide Through Legislature

10/21/11 - It could soon get easier to transport products on Wisconsin highways, after five bills were passed yesterday. Democrats joined majority Republicans in okaying the measures. One would allow trucks that carry farm products to be 15-percent heavier in December than what’s now allowed. Another bill lets semi-trucks carry larger loads of hay and straw. And one of the other measures would increase the allowable length of vehicles used by utilities-and-pipeline companies. The G-O-P says the bills will create jobs and improve the economic climate – something Democrats have accused the G-O-P of dragging its feet on.

New BDPD Facility of October 29 Drug Take Back

10/21/11 - The Beaver Dam Police Department has announced that they will be one of the agencies participating in the National Drug Take-Back Initiative at the end of the month. The effort on Saturday, October 29 is aimed at removing drugs from the streets and promoting the proper disposal of prescription medications. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more Americans abuse prescription drugs than the number using cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin combined. The Beaver Dam Police Department will be collecting pharmaceuticals in their new facility located on Park Avenue between 10am and 2pm. The Horicon Police Department is also among the agencies hosting a drug drop. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Medications should be brought in their original containers with personal identification removed. Drug take-back programs are intended to reduce the amount of drugs available for theft, or accidental poisoning but are also helpful in keeping those meds out of the water supply. In April, the Drug Enforcement Agency collected 188 tons of drugs at 5361 sites operated by the DEA’s state and local law enforcement partners…that’s a 55% increase over the previous drug drop in September of 2010.

Top Stories October 20th

Fox Lake Council Begins to Deal with Assessor’s Mistake

10/20/11 - The Fox Lake City Council started the process of dealing with a mistake by their assessor that is leaving them about $300,000 short during their budget planning for 2012. Last month, Assessor Art Kind informed the council that the report he filed with the state on the TIF District’s valuation was nearly $16-million less than it should have been. The error wont effect the amount of money they can collect for taxes, but does impact the amount it gets from the TIF District. Kind filed an amended report with the state, meaning they’ll eventually see the money lost. But it will leave them short for 2012. In response, Don Rahn from the city’s accounting firm of Baker Tilly came to the committee of the whole meeting last night and outlined several plans to deal with the mistake. And the council tentatively decided to go with option number two, which according to Mayor Tom Bednarek will see the city borrow money to keep residents tax bills from fluctuating too much. Bednarek says the city is also beginning the process of finding a new assessor as they plan to let Kind’s contract expire at the end of the year.

Sheehan Sentenced

10/20/11 - A Hustisford woman will spend a year in jail for leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in severe injuries to a passenger. Kim Sheehan entered a “no contest” plea to charges of felony Hit and Run. The 44-year-old told investigators that she was the designated driver so she only had a couple cans of beer before putting her car in a ditch in the Town of Hustisford in June last year. Both she and her passenger were unable to provide any details of the accident and she told investigators she has no idea how she wound up at home. Sheehan was also placed on probation for five years.

Former Bowling Center Owner Going to Prison

10/20/11 - The owner of a former bowling center in Fond du Lac will spend seven years in prison for burning it down. 47-year-old Lyle Huss will also spend 15 years under extended supervision once he’s no longer behind bars. And he must pay over 350-thousand in restitution. Prosecutors said Huss started a fire at the Last Stop Lanes in March of last year because it was becoming a financial burden. He originally blamed the fire on people he removed from the bowling center who might have had a vendetta against him. But Huss later confessed to burning the place himself. It has since been razed. Huss struck a plea deal in July, in which he pleaded guilty to a single felony charge of arson. Fourteen other arson counts were dropped.

Abstinence-Only Bill Introduced

10/20/11 - Wisconsin’s public schools could go back to teaching abstinence-only for sex education, under a Republican bill which had a public hearing yesterday. New Berlin Senator Mary Lazich’s bill would un-do what Democrats passed last year when they controlled state government. Under that law, schools do not have to offer sex-ed. But if they do, it must include age-appropriate instruction on birth control and preventing sexually-transmitted diseases. Lazich’s bill would also require sex-ed classes to promote marriage. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau expects the new measure to pass in his house. Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon says his members still have to talk about it. Lazich said her bill would let local communities decide for themselves what areas to cover and not cover. However, Democrats fear the bill would result in an increase in sexually-transmitted diseases. Milwaukee Senate Democrat Lena Taylor said the current comprehensive law quote, “helps us deal with the reality we’re in.” Lazich’s measure would require sex-ed classes to teach that abstinence is the preferred option for unmarried students – and it’s the only way to prevent pregnancy and sexual diseases.

Budget and Referendum Under Review in Fall River

10/20/11 - A full multimedia room is expected next week the Fall River School Board discusses the 2012 budget and a proposed referendum. The proposed $6.9 million dollar annual budget is 4.2 % lower than the 2011 budget. A $3.7 million dollar referendum proposal for April of 2012 will also be introduced. The proposal includes HVAC renovations, technology upgrades, maintenance, land acquisition and a football / track facility. The annual public meeting is scheduled for 7:00 pm on the 24th in the Fall River Schools multimedia room.

Obey a Possible Candidate for Governor

10/20/11 - Former U-S House Democrat David Obey re-affirmed yesterday that he might run for governor in a recall election next year if Tom Barrett and Herb Kohl don’t run. Obey, who left Washington in January after 42 years in Congress, said he’s convinced that Democrats will gather enough signatures to force a gubernatorial recall. He told the Journal Sentinel’s editorial board quote, “There is so much anger out there.” Kohl will retire in 2012 after 24 years in the U-S Senate – and a spokesman says he has no plans to run for governor. Barrett, the Milwaukee mayor who ran against Republican Scott Walker last year, appears to be leaving the door open for a possible recall run. But for now, he says he’s focusing on being re-elected mayor next spring.

Recall Elections Would Use Current Legislative Boundaries

10/20/11 - Wisconsin Republicans cannot use the new legislative boundaries they drew to try-and-gain an advantage in Senate recall elections early next year. The Government Accountability Board ruled yesterday that the old districts drawn a decade ago will be in place until the fall of 2012. And the new maps will take effect then, unless they’re thrown out in court beforehand. Democrats plan to start gathering signatures next month to recall G-O-P Governor Scott Walker, as well as an undetermined number of Republican senators. The Democrats say it behooves them to try-and-win back control of the Senate early next year – if only for a few months before the normal elections in the fall. Republicans say they’ll target Democratic senators, to try and increase their one-vote majority.

McNeer Claiming He was Insane

10/20/11 - A retired C-E-O of Wisconsin’s largest electric utility now claims he was insane, when he allegedly hit his wife in the head with a hammer numerous times. 85-year-old Charles McNeer pleaded innocent by reason of mental disease yesterday. He’s charged in Washington County with first-degree attempted homicide in the beating of his wife Ann McNeer in late June. After the attack, investigators said McNeer tried to kill himself with sleeping pills. He told officers his health was failing, and he tried to kill his wife because he thought she couldn’t live without him. McNeer moved into a house in Milwaukee this month, after he was released from the state’s Mendota Mental Health Institute – where he had been since the incident in late June. A mental exam found him competent to stand trial.

Environmental Pioneer Passes Away

10/20/11 - Wisconsin’s first environmental public intervener has died. 84-year-old Bob McConnell of Cambria died yesterday from complications of lung cancer. He was best known for leading the state’s legal battle against the insecticide D-D-T. The Legislature voted to ban the toxic chemical in 1970 – and a national ban came along two years later. Environmentalists said the D-D-T ban ultimately saved Wisconsin’s bald eagle population. McConnell started working for the state attorney general’s office in the early 1960’s. He was named the state’s first public intervener in 1967 – a watchdog who protected people’s interest in water regulations and other environmental matters. McConnell was raised in the Milwaukee area, but he lived in Cambria for 35 years. His funeral will be held Saturday in Pardeeville.

Top Stories October 19th

DC Board Votes Not to Increase Insurance Contribution

10/19/11 - Roughly 90 employees and union representatives were on hand last night as a resolution to increase Dodge County’s premium contribution rate for health insurance was defeated by the Board of Supervisors. The issue stems from the passage of Wisconsin Act 10, which is forcing employees to pay about 12-percent toward their health insurance. However, because of rate increases by one of the insurance providers in Dodge County some employees would be paying as much as 19-percent if the county’s contribution was the 60-percent recommended by the Human Resources Committee. The resolution brought forward by six supervisors last night would have raised the contribution to 65-percent and had minimum premiums of $25 for a single plan and $50 for a family plan. However, that plan was found not to be in compliance with state regulations and was defeated. A resolution setting the contribution at 62.5-percent was also shot down. One of the supervisors who brought the initial resolution, Roger Mattson, told County Administrator Jim Mielke that the impact of the 19-percent contribution would be hardest on those making the least money. In response, Mielke said that while he would follow the directions they gave him, the 65-percent contribution would force the county to cut about $680,000 from the 2012 budget and might have to include layoffs. It’s possible that the contributions could be revisited during budget deliberations, which get underway this afternoon when the Finance Committee meets.

Conceal Carry Resolution Postponed

10/19/11 - The Dodge County Board of Supervisors postponed taking action on a resolution that would limit people from bringing weapons into county owned buildings. That’s after several supervisors raised some concerns including, how the county would enforce the policies and possibly liability issues if they posted signs informing the public about the ban. Supervisor Jeff Berres suggested the county postpone a decision and look at the possibility of putting controls only where they’re needed, like the courthouse, jail, sheriff’s department. The resolution was postponed until the board’s December meeting. The law allowing concealed carry goes into effect November 1st.

Frederiksen Sentenced for Previous Crimes

10/19/11 - A teen charged with attacking a woman in her Horicon home was sentenced yesterday to 13-years in prison on unrelated charges. 18-year-old Cory Frederiksen had been on deferred prosecution, meaning had he stayed out of trouble his record would have been cleared of the charges. However, those cases were brought back for sentencing in the wake of his attack on his neighbor, Candia Rehse, earlier this year. The other cases included two counts of burglary and one count of theft. He also was sentenced for criminal damage to property and resisting/obstructing an officer. Frederiksen is facing six felony charges for the attack on Rehse, including attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide. He’s due in court next month for a hearing on that case.

Testimony in Murder for Hire Trial Begins

10/19/11 - Jurors in Waukesha County will hear their first full day of testimony in the murder-for-hire trial of Darren Wold and Jack Johnson. District Attorney Brad Schimel said in his opening argument that both defendants offered seven-thousand-dollars to Justin Welch to have him kill Wold’s former girlfriend. Authorities said Welch killed 39-year-old Kimberly Smith two years ago so Wold could have sole custody of their young son. The 28-year-old Welch has pleaded guilty to the slaying – and he agreed to testify against Wold and Johnson to have a chance at a supervised prison release when he’s 60. Defense lawyers Mark Rosen and Anthony Rosario called Welch a predator, and said he would lie on the witness stand to get a better sentencing deal. Rosen represents Johnson, and Rosario is the attorney for Wold. Both lawyers said their own clients had nothing to do with the murder-for-hire scheme – and each blamed the other’s client for what happened. The trial is expected to run for about a month.

Columbus Approves Extension for Eisenga

10/19/11 - The City Council approved a payment extension for the Columbus Commerce Center and developer Michael Eisenga last night. Upon recommendation of legal counsel and the Planning Commission the Council approved a Certified Planning Map and the payment-due extension with conditions. Columbus Attorney Randy Lueders read the nine conditions, which included the developers’ responsibility to pay legal fees associated with the recent amendment and an agreement to comply with planning map engineering requirements. The proposed Columbus Commerce Center development is on the northwestern edge of the City adjacent to Highway 151.

Quad Closing Plants in VA and OK

10/19/11 - One of the largest Dodge County employers is closing two plants in other states. Sussex-based Quad Graphics, which has a plant in Lomira, said late Monday that they will close printing plants in Richmond, Virginia and Stillwater, Oklahoma and consolidating the work from the plants at their other facilities. According to company officials, the Richmond facility will close in December and affect 125 people while the facility in Stillwater will be closing in May of 2012 and affect 240 people. It’s unclear how many, if any, of the jobs may be consolidated to Wisconsin plants. Officials say the closures continue the company’s ongoing plans to integrate operations following the acquisition of Worldcolor Press in July of last year.

Legislative Session Off to a Slow Start

10/19/11 - Wisconsin’s special legislative session on job creation got off to a slow start yesterday. The Assembly passed several bills, including one to ease restrictions on the sale of lawn fertilizers with phosphorus – and one to end the controversial Earn-a-Buck program for deer hunters. That drew more criticism from minority Democrats, who said the measures fell short of Governor Scott Walker’s demand for a “laser-like focus on jobs.” G-O-P leaders said the bills they approved – including the expansion of a tax credit for new job creation – will help the economy. And they noted that committees approved 10-of-11 bills with support from both parties. But the most controversial bills have not had hearings yet. Those include Walker’s newest legal reform measures, with limits on legal fees in consumer cases – and the bill to give immunity from civil suits to the makers of drugs and medical devices whose products have been approved by the F-D-A. Also, the two biggest economic measures promised for this fall are not part of the special jobs session. Those are the bills that would speed up the state’s process of approving new mines – and the bill to devote millions of tax dollars as venture capital to new high-tech firms. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says a mining package could be ready this fall, but the venture capital plan might not be set until early next year. Meanwhile, the Republican Walker received a standing ovation yesterday from hundreds of business leaders at a forum in Madison. He defended the current special session, saying the bills are “bread-and-butter issues” that will create a better environment for job creation.

Comments on Cuts to Medicaid to be Heard Today

10/19/11 - Wisconsinites will get their first chance today to comment on the proposed cuts in the state’s Medicaid health programs for the poor and the elderly. State health officials will hold town hall meetings today in Madison, and on Friday in Milwaukee. The Save Badger-Care Coalition says it will speak out against the cuts. That group represents advocates for children, the elderly, and public health organizations. State officials say Medicaid has built up huge deficits due to higher health costs and more clients, many of whom are victims of the Great Recession. Health services secretary Dennis Smith has proposed over 550-million-dollars in spending cuts in the forms of tighter eligibility for benefits and higher premiums. The state is also asking for a federal waiver – and without it, over 50-thousand recipients could lose their health coverage. After this week’s meetings, the state will ask federal health officials to approve the cuts.

Search Called Off for Chicago Man

10/19/11 - A water search has been temporarily suspended for a suburban Chicago man who apparently drowned after his canoe capsized in Lake Michigan off Door County’s Washington Island. The victim was identified yesterday as 45-year-old Mayur Patel of Highland Park Illinois. He and another man were in the canoe when it capsized Sunday afternoon in winds of over 30-miles-an-hour. The other man swam to shore, but Patel stayed with the canoe before going under. Rescue divers and a search plane combed the area yesterday, but saw no sign of the victim. Sheriff’s deputies say the water patrols will be cut out for the next couple of days, because strong winds are expected to return – but officers will keep searching the shoreline.

Top Stories October 18th

Hopper Arrested For OWI

10/18/11 - Former state Senator Randy Hopper refused to take a breath test until he spent a few hours in jail for his drunk driving arrest near Fond du Lac. Sheriff’s officials said Hopper’s blood alcohol level was still above the minimum of point-zero-eight. The exact figure is expected to be in an arrest report that’s due out today. It’s the first O-W-I arrest for Hopper, who was recalled from his Senate post in August due to his support for the law which limits public union bargaining. A witness told authorities that the 45-year-old Hopper was driving “all over the road” Sunday afternoon on a four-lane expressway on Highway 151. Officers said Hopper refused to take a preliminary breath test after he was stopped – and he failed a series of field sobriety tests. A blood sample was not taken, but sheriff’s officials say that’s only done when injuries are involved. Hopper’s girlfriend, Valerie Cass, was in the vehicle. She called somebody for a ride home, and Hopper spent 12 hours in jail before he was freed early yesterday.

Preliminary Beaver Dam Budget Numbers

10/18/11 - The Beaver Dam Administrative Committee got its first look at the proposed numbers in the 2012 budget last night. The total proposed budget is $13.7 million dollars, of which the city plans to levy for $8.4 million, that’s an increase of four-and-a-quarter-percent (4.25%) or roughly $342,000 higher than the current budget. In order for the city to be in compliance with the state’s budget restraint program, officials will have to find $175,000 to balance the numbers, either through revenue increases or expense decreases. No word yet on the proposed mill rate. The Administrative Committee will begin budget deliberations next Tuesday.

Operations Committee Reviews Five-Year Roads Plan

10/18/11 - The Beaver Dam Operations Committee is looking for $685,000 to complete select road projects next year. The committee reviewed its five-year plan for street maintenance last night. The Capital Improvements Program prioritizes streets based on conditions of the roadway and projected available funds. Citing the recession, the Administrative Committee provided no money to address crumbling streets last year. Residents along Lake Shore Drive were happy to avoid the assessments that came with the $1.1 million project. Lake Shore Drive is not in the five-year plan that was reviewed last night and because of commitments to pending state projects and limited financial resources, Operations Chair Laine Meyer says it could be over a decade before Lake Shore comes up again. In 2012, Beaver Dam is planning to reconstruct Prospect Avenue from Keller Boulevard to Eilbes Avenue in conjunction with a state Highway 151 project. In addition, two stretches of North Crystal Lake Road may see mill and overlay work along with the city-owned, downtown Center Plaza parking lot. Projects on the wish list for 2013 are tied to the state’s reconstruction of Highway 33, including portions of Front Street and 33 that are not part of the state’s plan. In 2014, the city wants to reconstruct portions of East Davis Street and West Burnett while doing mill and overlay work on parts of Henry Street, Prospect Avenue, Beaver Street and Front Street. The big project tentatively lined-up in 2015 would be a $670,000 reconstruction of Roosevelt Drive and Warren Street near the hospital. All the projects on the Operations Committee five-year plan are subject to funding by the Administrative Committee.

Home Sales Up, Prices Down

10/18/11 - Sales of existing homes in Wisconsin rose by 18% in September compared to the year before. But state Realtors said the median price of a home dropped by 1.5% percent, to $134,900. According to a numbers released yesterday, realtors sold about 4800 houses throughout the Badger State last month. There were 68 homes sold in Dodge County compared to 57 at the same time in 2010, that’s a nearly 20% increase. But sellers got 6.3% less for their home than they did a year ago as the median price dropped from $107,500 to $100,700. There were three more homes sold in Columbia County last month compared to 2010 and the value dropped by about $32,000 to $128,000. In Jefferson County, there was a 13% increase in homes sold, while the median price held steady at $157,000. Conversely, home sales in Washington County were up 1%, while the median price jumped nearly 10-percent to $184,000 last month compared to 2010. Fond du Lac County saw an 11% increase in homes sales and a 8.5% drop in home values. Officials said the jump was due to lower-than-normal sales a year ago, caused by the expiration of a huge federal tax credit for home-buyers earlier in 2010. Mike Theo, president of the Wisconsin Realtors Association, said too much stock should not be taken in a month’s worth of data. But he was happy to see a slower decline in home prices. New listings with Realtors are down 17-percent from a year ago, and the inventory of unsold homes remains high.

Plane Forced to Land on Street in Watertown

10/18/11 - Two pilots escaped injury after a blown engine caused a plane to make an emergency landing on a street near the airport in Watertown. Airport manager Jeff Baum said a pilot was getting advanced instruction in a single-engine Piper Arrow yesterday afternoon when the engine blew. And they were about to land when the windshield got covered with oil – and they couldn’t see. After landing on the street, the plane hit a car that was going in the same direction as the aircraft. The 63-year-old car driver was not hurt – but the vehicle received heavy damage. Police said the plane was taken back to the airport, and the F-A-A was contacted. Blum did not identify the pilots.

Supervisors to Discuss Budget, Concealed Carry Law

10/18/11 - The Dodge County Board of Supervisors will get its first look at the full 2012 budget at their meeting tonight. In August County Administrator Jim Mielke introduced a preliminary budget that would keep the tax levy the same as the 2011 budget, but due to a 2.2-percent decrease in county property values the mill rate would go up 12-cents to $5.52 per $1,000 of value. Mielke stressed at the time the number were only tentative and would likely change by the time they presented the budget tonight. The board is also expected to entertain a policy restricting citizens from carrying weapons into buildings owned by Dodge County. That’s in response to the concealed carry bill approved by the lawmakers earlier this year that goes into effect November 1st. The board meets at 7:30 at the Administration Building in Juneau.

Beaver Dam May Extend Building Inspector Contract

10/18/11 - The Beaver Dam Operations Committee last night signed off on a proposed, six-year contract extension with its current building inspector. The contract with Wisconsin Building Inspections calls for the company to keep all of the revenue generated from building permit fees up to $100,000. The city would get 10% of revenue generated between $100,000 and $200,000 and split everything 50-50 after that. Under the current contract, the city does not see any money until $200,000 in fees are collected. The average collected from building permit fees over the past five years is $210,000. The will continue to keep 100% of the money generated from code compliance citations. The matter will go before the full council next month.

Geese Feeding Prohibition Dies In Committee

10/18/11 - An ordinance to prohibit the feeding of geese in the city of Beaver Dam died for lack of a motion in committee last night. A caller to WBEV’s Community Comment last month told Mayor Tom Kennedy that feedings have attracted geese to residential areas and cause a nuisance. Kennedy brought an ordinance before the Operations Committee that was based word-for-word on an ordinance in Horicon. Chair Laine Meyer said he was not aware it was an issue and was reluctant to pass a ordinance to stop something that is not an apparent problem. Alderman Matt O’Brion pointed out that a lot of kids like to feed the ducks at Tahoe and Swan Parks and it could be tricky for the general public to distinguish between the two and make policing difficult.

BD Council Approves Contract With Veolia

10/18/11 - The Beaver Dam Common Council last night unanimously approved a five-year extension of its five-year garbage and recycling contract with Veolia Environmental. The contract calls for an increase of five cents per household per month, which translates to roughly $3300. The Operations Committee had previously rejected an offer that would have saved the city that $3300 but it would have cost one of the two curbside bulk pick-ups currently provided. The city is currently paying Veolia $677,000 a year with annual increases based on the Consumer Price Index but capped at three percent. Under the contract approved last night, that will stay in place, plus the city can freeze the CPI rate during any one year of the five-year contract.

Local School District State Aid Losses Finalized

10/18/11 - All but 13 of Wisconsin’s 424 public school districts are getting less state aid than a year ago. The state’s education agency released the final numbers late last week – and they’re about the same as the estimated totals released in July. Schools are averaging a 10-percent drop in state aid, although the figures vary widely. Most districts in our area will lose between 4.9% and 10.1% from last school year to the current one. The Beaver Dam School District will see about $1.05-million less while the school system in Watertown is looking at a $2.2-million reduction. Columbus is losing $603,000 and Mayville will see about $696,000 less. Waupun is down $1.2-million while Horicon will get $546,000 less. The Dodgeland School District will receive $368,000 less and Randolph is expecting a drop of $217,000. The governor and Legislature approved a total of four-and-a-quarter billion dollars in general school aid for the term that began in September. The total decline was eight-point-four percent.

Mitchard Moving To Massachusetts

10/18/11 - One of Wisconsin’s best-known writers is leaving for Massachusetts. Jacquelyn Mitchard has admitted being the victim of a Ponzi scheme. And she either had to sell her family’s home at Oregon in Dane County, where she’s lived for 35 years, or her writing retreat in Brewster Massachusetts. The house near Oregon sold quickly, while the Massachusetts home had no buyers. So Mitchard and her husband Chris Brent plan to move East in late November. The 56-year-old Mitchard wrote about Wisconsin life for years in a newspaper column in Madison and then Milwaukee. She has also written novels, including the best-seller “The Deep End of the Ocean.” Mitchard has said that she and Brent invested money with Trevor Cook of Minnesota’s suburban Twin Cities. Cook is now serving 25 years in prison for carrying out a 190-million-dollar Ponzi scheme with Brent, Mitchard, and at least a-thousand other victims. The Wisconsin State Journal said the couple was two years behind on its property taxes in Dane County, but the town overbilled the property – and the couple won an appeal. On Thursday night, Mitchard will speak at the Wisconsin Book Festival in Madison – and she’ll have a moving sale at her home on Friday.

Top Stories October 17th

DOJ Plans Meeting On Carol’s Tours

10/17/11 - The State Attorney Generals Office has announced that a meeting will be held at the end of the month on the investigation into fraud complaints surrounding the closure of a defunct Beaver Dam travel agency. Carol’s Tours closed its doors in January of 2008. In the months that followed, over 100 complaints were reported from customers who deposited money for trips they claim were never fulfilled. The meeting is for those who may have suffered loss due to the closing of Carol’s Tours and allows prosecutors a chance to gather evidence and information that may be relevant to the investigation. It’s also an opportunity to meet with Assistant Attorney General Richard Dufour, who will outline the status of the investigation and answer questions about the case. Even if you have not yet reported a loss suffered as a result of the Carol’s Tours closing, Dufour says you can still report your loss to investigators. Victims will have the opportunity to provide input as it relates to charging decisions and ultimate disposition on the case. Also at the meeting: special agents with the Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, a victim services specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of Crime Victim Services and local investigators. The Department of Justice meeting on Carol’s Tours is scheduled for Monday, October 31 at 7pm and will be held in the Beaver Dam Middle School Auditorium.

Sex Offender Returning To Randolph

10/17/11 - The Randolph Police Department has announced that a registered sex-offender is being released from prison Tuesday and will be returning back to the community. Andrea Yurowski was convicted of First Degree Sexual Assault of a Child in 2006. The 32-year-old had engaged in relationship with a 12-year-old neighbor boy on multiple occasions. Court records indicate that she professed her love for the child. After serving a two year sentence, Yurowski was released in 2008, one year later her extended supervision was revoked and she was ordered to serve another two years behind bars. Following her release from prison tomorrow, Yurowski is expected to reside on the 500 block of North High Street in Randolph. Authorities remind the public that she has served her sentence, is not wanted by law enforcement and any attempts to threaten, intimidate or harass him will not be tolerated.

Ballots Mailed Out Next Month For FSA Elections

10/17/11 - The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will be mailing out ballots on November 4 for the 2011 FSA county committee elections. County FSA Executive Director Susan Blachowiak says the County Committee makes decisions about the local administration of federal farm programs, like disaster and conservation payments, establishment of allotments and yields, producer appeals and other local agricultural issues. Blachowiak is urging all eligible farmers and ranchers, especially minorities and women, to get involved. To be an eligible voter, farmers and ranchers must participate or cooperate in FSA programs. Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot can obtain one at the USDA Service Center. In Dodge County, producers being elected come from the townships of Fox Lake, Trenton, Chester, Westford, Burnett, Calamus, Beaver Dam and Oak Grove. Agricultural producers in each county submitted candidate names during the nomination period held last summer. This year’s candidates are: Dale Macheel, Laura Helmer and Glen Berndt. The deadline for eligible voters to return ballots to their local FSA office is December 5. Newly elected committee members and alternates take office January 1.

Dale Macheel resides in the town of Randolph. He has enjoyed being the county committee representative for the past 3-years. He has produced corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, peas, sweet corn, and snap beans for over 36-years. Dale and his wife have hosted the Dodge County Dairy Breakfast on their farm. Early in their career, they were selected as Dodge County Farm Bureau’s Outstanding Young Farmer. Dale is a member of Farm Bureau, United Co-op, and was nominated for the board of Landmark Services Co-op. Dale is a UW Madison alumnus, graduating with a BS in Biological Systems Engineering from the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences.

Laura Helmer resides in the town of Fox Lake. Laura and her husband live on a cash grain farm in north western Dodge County. Laura is employed with the State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections located in Waupun. She grew up on a farm in Marquette County where they produced corn, hay and raised a flock of 100 ewes. During Laura’s spare time she enjoys raising calves. Laura is a University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point alumnus.

Glen Berndt resides in the town of Horicon. He has produced cash crop corn, soybeans, and wheat for 11-years and raised beef, hogs, and produced cash grain for 12-years. For 20-years Glen was a co-owner on a dairy farm.

For more information about FSA county committees and FSA programs, visit: http://www.fsa.usda.gov. In Dodge County the FSA office is located at 451 W. North Street, Juneau or can be contacted at 920-386-9999.

Oshkosh Corp Union Ratifies Contract

10/17/11 - On the third try the union membership at Oshkosh Corporation has ratified a five-year contract with the company. The president of United Auto Workers Local 578 reports about 77 percent of the members voted for the deal. The critical change bringing on approval was the company’s agreement to drop a provision which would have allowed it to hire temporary workers. The first two tries at ratification where rejected by wide margins. The company says the agreement is good for everyone, a fair contract which will allow Oshkosh Corporation to compete for future military contracts because it now has a competitive cost structure.

Assembly To Discuss Minority Population At UW

10/17/11 - Members of the Wisconsin Assembly will hold a meeting Monday to discuss a report showing the University of Wisconsin favored minority students over whites. The research indicated white students with better test scores were bypassed. The research was done by a conservative group based in Virginia. The university has said its approach was flawed. State Representative Steve Nass of Whitewater called for the hearing. He’s the Republican chairman of the higher education committee in the Assembly and is a frequent critic of the University of Wisconsin system.

Large Turnout for Occupy Milwaukee

10/17/11 - Several hundred protesters filled the streets of downtown Milwaukee Saturday, carrying signs and shouting slogans against corporate greed, while demanding U.S. banks face stronger regulation. Occupy Milwaukee was inspired by the Occupy Wall Street protests that started in New York City. Marchers were chanting, “We are 99 percent,” referring to the world’s richest one percent who control billions of dollars in assets while many in the rest of the world struggle with finances. Police looking on, but there were no showdowns reported in Wisconsin’s largest city.

State Education Spending Below National Average

10/17/11 - Traditionally, Wisconsin spends more than most states on public education, but that trend is turning. The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance reports this state spends 1-point-6 percent less on education than the average for all 50 states. Public school teachers’ salaries ranked 21st in the most recent numbers. Last month, another study showed Wisconsin has reduced the amount of money it spends on its students the most among states where that information is available. And, last week the Wisconsin Department of Revenue released figures showing 411 of the state’s 424 districts are getting less state aid this year than they did the year before. The median decrease was put at about 10 percent. Some say the decreasing support of education may keep young college graduates from pursuing a teaching career.

Top Stories October 16th

‘Operation Safe Driver’ Campaign Begins Today

10/16/11 - The state workers who inspect large commercial trucks will beef up their enforcement starting on Sunday. The Badger State is joining others in a week-long campaign called “Operation Safe Driver.” The effort includes education as well as tighter law enforcement. The purpose is to make commercial truckers and others safer drivers. Officers will crack down on road violations like speeding, following too closely, improper lane changes, failing to obey traffic signs, and impaired driving. State Patrol Lieutenant Patti Hansen says trucking has become safer in Wisconsin over the last decade. The total annual deaths in large trucks dropped from 112 in 2000 to just 56 a year ago. All motorists can be targets of the crackdown, not just commercial drivers – but the commercial drivers will be checked to see if they meet proper licensing and work rules.

Tire Smashes Into Ken’s TV Showroom

10/16/11 - Ken’s TV and Appliance in Fox Lake has no plans to start selling tires anytime soon, but if you stopped by the store on Friday you might have been able to get a good deal on a set. It appears that a semi-tractor pulling a load of carrots to Beaver Dam lost two of its back tires just before the noon hour. One tire flew into the cornfield across the road from the store. The other tire crashed right into their showroom, damaging the wall of the showroom but fortunately not much else. Ken’s wife Sally was working at the business and had just gone to the couple’s residence next door when the accident occurred. No one was injured.

Miss Oshkosh Convicted of Shoplifting

10/16/11 - Miss Oshkosh has given up her crown, after being convicted of shoplifting. Veijzhan Knight paid a 295-dollar fine in August, after pleading no contest to the theft of 120-dollars in cosmetics and “Hello Kitty” merchandise. It was all taken from Walmart in Oshkosh on July eighth, when Knight was arrested. The chair of the Miss Oshkosh Scholarship Pageant, Gert Schultz, said Knight was asked to give up the crown because of her conviction. She said local merchants donate to the pageant – and the negativity involving Knight’s conviction would not have been good for the organization. Knight was crowned in March. The first runner-up that night, Kelsey McDaniels, will take over the title for the next four-and-a-half months. McDaniels will graduate from U-W Oshkosh in December. She says she looks forward to meeting people in her role as Miss Oshkosh – and she plans to promote her platform, which is awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.

Final Liberia Collection Date This Saturday

10/16/11 – This coming Saturday is the final chance to help out a local church that is collecting a variety of items to send overseas to an impoverished West African country. Liberia is an English-speaking nation that is in the process of recovering from a bloody civil war. Pastor Mark Molldrem of the First Lutheran Church of Beaver Dam says their relationship with Liberia began in 2006 when a parishioner was stationed there as part of a UN peacekeeping force during their first democratic elections. Molldrem says the civil war was devastating and they need a lot of help in rebuilding their country. The church is collecting school supplies, including reading books, encyclopedias, globes, computers in addition things like office and sports equipment even good condition twin beds and box springs. They are also looking for good-condition bicycles and tricycles. The items will be sent over in a cargo container later this year. They are being collected in the parking lot of the former Breuer Metal factory on North Spring Street in Beaver Dam this coming Saturday, October 22 from 10am until noon. This Saturday is the final collection day before the items are shipped out. Cash donations are also being accepted for shipping costs.

Kennedy To Hold Listening Session On Tuesday

10/16/11 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy has listening sessions scheduled for Tuesday. Kennedy says city residents are invited to meet with him, one-on-one, without appointment on the first and third Tuesday of every month. He says it is important that constituents have the opportunity to speak with him the day after each regular meeting of the common council. The meetings are held in Room 109 on the first floor of City Hall from 10am until noon and again from 5pm to 6pm. Kennedy also makes himself available for private meetings by appointment by contacting the mayor office.

Baldwin Raises $1.5M For Senate Bid

10/16/11 - The only Democrat who hopes to replace U-S Senator Herb Kohl next year has over one-and-a-half million dollars in the bank so far. Tammy Baldwin’s campaign says that she raised 738-thousand-dollars from July through September for her Senate bid. The campaign filed its report Friday with the Federal Election Commission. La Crosse House Democrat Ron Kind and other possible Democratic candidates have stepped aside, apparently to give Baldwin a clear shot at running for Kohl’s seat in the general election just over a year from now. Meanwhile, up to five Republicans could compete in a September primary next year. Former Governor Tommy Thompson, state Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon, former congressman Mark Neumann, and state Senator Frank Lasee are throwing their hats in the ring. Investor Eric Hovde has also considered a G-O-P bid. Senator Kohl plans to retire at the end of next year.

Public Meeting On Medicaid Cuts This Wednesday

10/16/11 - Cuts to Wisconsin Medicaid programs will be discussed at a public meeting in Madison next Wednesday.  Organizers say they hope participants in the program, their partners and medical providers will attend the session at the Goodman Community Center from 1-to-7 p.m.  The Department of Health Services is considering a series of cost-cutting moves to address the 554 million dollars needed to fund Wisconsin’s medical assistance programs, including BadgerCare Plus, SeniorCare and Family Care.  As many as 215 thousand children and adults could be switched to lower-cost state plans.

Walker To Address Heritage Foundation

10/16/11 - Governor Scott Walker will speak to a national conservative group later this month. The Republican governor will be the keynote speaker at a fund-raiser for the Heritage Foundation October 26th in Des Moines Iowa. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the event is co-chaired by three Iowa Republicans who tried but failed to convince New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to run for president next year. The Heritage Foundation gets its money from a number of conservative organizations, including Milwaukee’s Bradley Foundation. A Walker campaign spokeswoman says the governor is not being paid to speak at the fund-raiser.

Asian Carp Options To Be Outlined

10/16/11 - Two groups plan to spell out three options for closing the link between the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan, to keep the invasive Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. Officials of the Great Lakes Commission and the Saint Lawrence Cities’ Commission say they’ll announce their recommendations in January. They provided an update at a conference in Detroit on the environmental future of the Great Lakes. One of the options would put five barriers where various rivers empty into Lake Michigan. The other proposals would place either one or three barriers at locations farther away from the lake. The two groups will give their results to the U-S Army Corps of Engineers, which is doing a much longer-range study on the same topic. Many environmentalists say the Corps is dragging its feet on the subject – but the Corps denies that.

Lawmaker Seeks To Eliminate Blue Book

10/16/11 - A Wisconsin tradition for generations would go by the wayside if a freshman state lawmaker has his way. Assembly Republican Tyler August of Lake Geneva wants to eliminate future publications of the Wisconsin Blue Book. The latest version of the book came out this week. It’s the definitive reference guide to state government with directories of all state offices, a plethora of statistics, and a historical essay. August says the Blue Book’s information can be found online – and it would save taxpayers about 328-thousand dollars every two years in printing and mailing costs. Legislators give the books to constituents. Assembly Republican Pat Strachota of West Bend waged a losing battle last year, when she proposed that the news media no longer get free copies of the Blue Book – which is published every two years by the non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau.

Farmers Handling Erosion Better

10/16/11 - A USDA report shows farmers are making significant cutbacks in the amount of soil and nutrients eroding from their fields into the Great Lakes.  The study credits no-till cultivation and other approaches for cutting by half the volume of sediments entering waterways in the region.  The Department of Agriculture reports phosphorus and nitrogen runoff are also down, by one-third.  A spokesman for the National Wildlife Federation says the report indicates progress, but he insists more has to be done to combat the problem of algae growth in regional lakes.

Flags Ordered At Half-Staff Today

10/16/11 - At the direction of Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, flags at Wisconsin National Guard armories, air bases and all Department of Defense facilities are flying at half-staff Sunday beginning at sunrise and ending at sunset, in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. Other government agencies, businesses and private residences with flagpoles are also asked to recognize the memorial service by lowering their U.S. and Wisconsin state flags to half-staff.

Top Stories October 11th

Fitzgerald to Announce Senate Bid Today

Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald will be officially announcing his bid for US Senate today (Tue). His spokesman John Jagler tells us that the Horicon Republican will be outlining his plans throughout the day with a variety of media outlets. Fitzgerald, a former Beaver Dam alderman, will join us for a brief segment at the beginning of WBEV’s Community Comment at 12:40pm. He filed paperwork with the federal government last week that allows him to raise campaign funds. He is among four Republicans seeking their party’s nomination for the Senate seat to be vacated by the retiring Democrat Herb Kohl next year. So far, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin of Madison is the only Democrat running.

More Republicans Support Allowing Concealed Weapons at Capitol

Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon is the latest Republican who wants to allow concealed weapons in the State Capitol. The state’s concealed carry law takes effect three weeks from today (Tue) – and state-and-local governments have the option of whether to allow hidden weapons in their buildings. Attorney General J-B Van Hollen and Senate G-O-P leader Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau both favor allowing concealed weapons at the Capitol. They say it should be no problem, since law-abiding Wisconsinites will have state permits to carry them. Otherwise, Scott Fitzgerald says the Capitol would need metal detectors at every entrance to make sure that guns stay out. He says those detectors would not be needed if concealed carry is allowed. G-O-P Governor Scott Walker has not said publicly how he feels about the matter. His administration department says it will come up with a policy by November first.

Taxes Likely to Go Up in Columbus School District

Columbus Schools will be dealing with a $192 thousand dollar shortfall in 2012. Figures reflect the decrease in State equalization aid was more than the $420 thousand dollars savings realized by increased employee contributions and wage cap limits. The result is a tax levy increase of 1.65 per cent and a mil rate increase of 3.72 per cent. That’s a mil rate increase of 38 cents per thousand. The District expects to receive numbers for general state aid amounts by Oct. 15th. The Budget will be voted on at the Oct. 24th Annual Meeting in the Columbus High School Library.

Woman Cited for 3rd OWI After Rolling Vehicle

A 24-year-old woman was arrested after rolling her vehicle yesterday morning in the town of Lowell. It happened on South Kohn Road just before 7 a-m. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says the woman lost control of her vehicle and it rolled over. The woman suffered some injuries but the severity is unknown. She was later arrested and cited for her third drunken driving offense.

Addison Woman Facing Heroin Charges

A mother from Addison faces charges of heroin possession after she was discovered unconscious during a school trip with her daughter. Twenty-eight-year-old Stephanie Bailey is charged with possessing four small bags of heroin, and drug paraphernalia. Police say she was with her 7-year-old daughter and other children on a school trip to Pioneer Village. She was serving as a parent chaperon. Bailey says she did not take heroin while on the school trip, but a police complaint says she did admit taking it the day before.

Authorities Seize Large Amounts of Synthetic Marijuana

Washington County authorities have arrested two men on drug charges after they seized more than 14-hundred packets of synthetic marijuana. Investigators say they initially seized about 850 packets of the substance from a gas station in Washington County--and that led to further investigation. The charges name 72-year-old Anwar I. Sehwiel and 43-year-old Luay Anwar Ahmad. Both are charged with possession with intent to sell non-narcotics.

Dems Outline Plans for Recall of Governor Walker

10/11/11 - The push to recall Governor Walker will start on November 15th. State Democratic officials outlined their plans to attempt the recall Monday. They will start circulating petitions on November 15th. Organizers will have until January 13th to collect the 540-thousand signatures needed to force a recall election. Democrats are targeting Walker because of his efforts to restructure the way the state deals with organized labor. Wisconsin Republicans have said they're looking forward to making the case for Walker's reforms when a recall effort begins.

PSC Continuing Wind Farm Regulation Debate

10/11/11 - The Wisconsin Public Service Commission continues to debate wind farm regulation. The Department of Health Services is expected to provide the PSC with a report on the potential health impacts wind farms can have on nearby residents. Noise pollution is also a consideration. Until then no farms are expected to be built, which some say is keeping hundreds of Wisconsin workers out of a job. Five major wind farms have been suspended or canceled since a legislative committee stalled their development in March. Nearly all the state’s 219 wind turbines reside in Fond du Lac, Dodge and Columbia Counties.

“Take Your Legislator to Work Day”

10/11/11 - A group that represents disabled residents in Wisconsin is encouraging workers with disabilities to bring their state legislators into work for a day this month. For the first time, the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is holding a “Take Your Legislator to Work Day” in October. The board wants lawmakers to meet with employers, to dispel myths that disabled workers can be expensive to keep on a payroll. Lisa Pugh of Disability Rights Wisconsin says that if policy makers are more aware, quote, “That will trickle down to employers.” Pugh expects the effort to be a success. It’s happening in October because this is Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Real-Life Case of Law and Order Comes to Community Comment

10/11/11 - It was a real-life case of Law and Order on WBEV’s Community Comment Friday when our regular guest, Beaver Dam Police Lt. John Kreuzinger, was joined by Dodge County District Attorney Kurt Klomberg. Kreuzinger says in order to bring a successful resolution to an arrest or investigation, its crucial that there is a good line of communication between law enforcement and prosecutors. Klomberg says there is a big difference between what it takes to arrest someone and what it takes to convict them in a court of law. The D-A encourages law enforcement to contact him 24-7. He says comparing notes during the investigation is the most effective way to ensure justice is carried out, even if that means calling his cell phone while he’s mowing the lawn.

Horicon PD Participating in National Drug Take-Back Day

10/11/11 - The Horicon Police Department has announced that they will be one of the agencies participating in the National Drug Take-Back Initiative at the end of the month. The effort on Saturday, October 29 is aimed at removing drugs from the streets and promoting the proper disposal of prescription medications. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more Americans abuse prescription drugs than the number using cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin combined. The Horicon Police Department will be collecting pharmaceuticals in the Public Safety Building. The Beaver Dam Police Department is also hosting a drug drop in their new facility but the details have not been ironed out yet. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Medications should be brought in their original containers with personal identification removed. Drug take-back programs are intended to reduce the amount of drugs available for theft, or accidental poisoning but are also helpful in keeping those meds out of the water supply. In April, the Drug Enforcement Agency collected 188 tons of drugs at 5361 sites operated by the DEA’s state and local law enforcement partners…that’s a 55% increase over the previous drug drop in September of 2010.

Town of Beaver Dam Residents Have Chance to Dispose of Bulk Garbage

10/11/11 - There will be an opportunity this weekend for Town of Beaver Dam residents to dispose of their bulk garbage. Dumpsters will be available from 8am until noon on Saturday at the Town Hall on County Road W. No appliances, tree limbs, tires, oil, paints or household chemicals will be accepted. City of Beaver Dam residents will have curbside bulk pick-up during the first collection date of November.