tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21618439595845294282012-02-14T07:07:48.027-06:00WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.comBlogger11101100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-29953569594693415322012-02-14T07:07:00.000-06:002012-02-14T07:07:48.040-06:00Carol’s Tours Owner Bound Over For Trial<br /><br />2/14/12 - The owner of a shuttered Beaver Dam travel agency will proceed to trial on charges that she closed the doors of the business without providing vacations to nearly 200 paying customers. A Dodge County Judge found probable cause yesterday (Mon) for Deborah Paul to be bound over for trial on two felony charges of Theft in a Business Setting. Her criminal complaint lists 194 people who paid a total of nearly $315,000 for vacations that were never arranged by Carol’s Tour’s between May of 2007 and February of 2008. According to the criminal complaint, the 56-year-old described her business practice as (quote) “robbing Peter to pay Paul” using money for future trips to pay for current trips. Paul blamed her office manager, Lisa Hopper, for the accounting practices. According to Hopper’s criminal complaint, Paul contacted Beaver Dam police shortly after the business closed to allege that Hopper had been embezzling money, which forced Paul to close the business. The 46-year-old Hopper told police that when the business was in danger of having trip tickets cancelled for lack of payment, Paul would reportedly ask her office manager to pay it on her personal credit card and Hopper would be reimbursed the next month. Checks from the business were used to pay Hopper’s personal bills, as much as $90,000 went to pay her mortgage, credit cards and even plastic surgery. Hopper has already pled out and will have to spend 18 months in prison, three years on extended supervision and seven years on probation. She still has around $70,000 in restitution to pay off. Meanwhile, investigators say Paul was paying all of her personal bills through Carol’s Tours, Inc in the years before the agency closed. Paul will be arraigned a week from tomorrow and faces a total of 20 years in prison, if she is convicted. <br /><br />$20K Cash Bond Set For Shell Robbery Suspect<br /><br />2/14/12 - The suspect in last July’s armed robbery of the Shell Travel Mart in Beaver Dam is being held on a $20,000 cash bond. 32-year-old Josiah Kaiser made his initial appearance yesterday on charges of Armed Robbery with the Threat of Force. Kaiser is accused of brandishing a handgun during the robbery and a firearm was among the items taken as evidence and sent to the State Crime Lab for investigation. A judge will determine next week if there is enough evidence to order a trial.<br /><br />Family Center May Seek City Pond Property<br /><br />2/14/12 - The city of Beaver Dam may have found the ideal site for another one of its storm water management ponds. The basins are part of a state DNR-mandate that requires municipalities to filter pollutants from storm water. Officials are trying to construct one pond a year. While several locations have been identified, Beaver Dam is running out of city-owned property and has already had several sites rejected, for everything from contamination concerns to a wetlands designation. Officials say they have identified an ideal spot near Prospect Avenue and Jacob Gassen’s Way, right near the Family Center. For starters, the grassy field is located at the intersection of two large sewer mains. The project would also tie-into the city’s 2013 reconstruction of Prospect Avenue which is being done in conjunction with a state reconstruction of Highway 151. As a result, Consulting City Engineer Mike Laue says Beaver Dam would be able to save around $100,000 by selling dirt from the property to the state for use in Highway 151 ramp construction. <br /><br />As part of their due diligence on the project, city officials advised the Family Center board of their plans last month. Family Center Board President Paul Uttech told the city’s Operations Committee last night that the non-profit organization has long considered making an offer on the city-owned parcel to add a second ice rink. Operations Committee Chair Laine Meyer questioned whether there has been a formal proposal for purchase of the city-owned parcel by the Family Center. Uttech says it has not gotten to that point because the restrictions on the property limited its use and it would take a major capital campaign to afford it. Meyer says the city’s options are limited to the point that they may have to consider building the water filtration ponds in city parks. At Uttech’s request, Meyer agreed to revisit the idea next Monday but said unless the Family Center project was certain to happen, he would support city efforts to comply with the DNR.<br /><br />GOP Asking Judges Not to Release Documents <br /><br />2/14/12 - Republican state lawmakers have asked three federal judges not to release 84 documents about the way the G-O-P drew up new legislative districts last year. Most of the documents are e-mails, and Republicans say they should be subject to attorney-client privilege. A group of Democrats and the Milwaukee Hispanic group Voces de la Frontera have argued that the e-mails should be released. They're suing the G-O-P to try and strike down the new district maps, and a trial in that case is scheduled to begin a week from today in federal court in Milwaukee. The Hispanic group says previous orders from the three-judge panel make it clear that the Republican documents must be released. Lawmakers tried several times to withhold records and avoid depositions about the maps they drew, claiming the whole process was subject to attorney-client privilege. But the court didn't buy that, and most of the documents wound up being released.<br /><br />Senate Unveils Its Version of Mining Bill<br /><br />2/14/12 - A Wisconsin Senate panel has unveiled a more moderate mining bill than what the Assembly passed last month. The package came out late yesterday. And committee chairman Neal Kedzie says lawmakers will need a quote, "Herculean effort" to pass something that both houses can agree on before the current session ends for the year in late March. Gogebic Taconite has not commented. The firm awaits legislative action before building a large iron ore mine south of Lake Superior in Ashland and Iron counties. The Senate bill includes a 360-day time limit to approve new iron ore mines, just like the Assembly approved -- but the new plan would grant extensions by mutual agreements. It also brings back contested-case hearings, where opponents can challenge various D-N-R decisions. Madison would still get some of the tax revenue from mining sales for the first time -- but to appease local officials, the Senate plan takes 30-percent of the cut instead of 40. And there would be a new tax on mining sales to help pay for possible damage. But Amber Meyer Smith of Clean Wisconsin says the proposed environmental rollbacks are about the same in both bills. She urged the Senate to quote, "start over." A public hearing is set for Friday at U-W Platteville. Kedzie says another hearing would be held closer to the proposed mine site in Ashland as early as next week.<br /><br />Murder Numbers Up in Milwaukee <br /><br />2/14/12 - Fourteen people have been murdered in Milwaukee this year -- the most before Valentine's Day in the past nine years. Seven homicides took place since last Wednesday. Police said most appeared to be drug-related, and none of them were random acts. The latest reported victim was 19-year-old Raheem Johnson, who was shot-to-death early Sunday outside a tavern on Milwaukee's northwest side. Police did not have information on suspects for any of the past week's killings. The 14 murders this year are nine more than at this time in 2011.<br /><br />62-Years in the Making, Couple Finally Finds Each Other <br /><br />2/14/12 - It took 62 years, but a Green Bay area man finally married his grade school crush. On this Valentine's Day, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports the story of Gerald Lambert, who wrote a love letter to Lorraine Suidzinski back in 1938. They weren't even teenagers yet -- but Lambert wrote how they would get married, have two kids, a nice home, and some extra money. Needless to say, they went on with their own lives. But they saw each other again at a class reunion in 1998, after their spouses had died. Lambert said he had to press the issue, but he finally got to take Suidzinski out -- and two years later, they got married. He's 90, and she's 88, and they've been married for a dozen years. They've shared a passion for golf, playing cards, and enjoying life. And Lambert says they never argue about anything -- well, at least for more than a half-second. They have a total of nine kids, 18 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. <br /><br />Columbus to Celebrate Valentine’s Day <br /><br />2/14/12 - Columbus Schools are celebrating Valentine traditions old and new today. The exchange of Valentine cards between students and the “sock hop” for the first graders have been around for ages. Newer activities include Elementary and Middle School students collecting non-perishable food for the Food Pantry and sending Valentine cards and letters to military personnel. It is hard to say who will be enjoying Valentine’s Day the most…the students, parents or teachers?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-2995356959469341532?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-2394846099301789442012-02-13T07:36:00.001-06:002012-02-13T07:36:10.407-06:00Crash Closes Portion of Highway 151<br /><br />2/13/12 - A stretch of Highway 151 near Columbus was closed for nearly an hour yesterday morning for a one-vehicle rollover. It happened just before 9am in the northbound lanes. Four people were injured including the driver, who was flighted from the scene with serious injuries. The northbound lanes reopened around 9:45am. Police have not said if alcohol or speed played a factor in the crash. <br /><br />DOJ Caught Up on Conceal Carry Permits <br /><br />2/13/12 - Wisconsin Justice Department officials say they are complying with the law and meeting turn-around deadlines on concealed carry applications now. The deluge of applications had overwhelmed the office at first. Processing deadlines were missed most of last month. Now, with more workers brought to the job, and with the flow of applications slowing down a little, Division of Law Enforcement Administrator Brian O’Keefe says all obligations are being met. The new law opened the door for thousands of applications starting last November 1st. <br /><br />Pineda in Court<br /><br />2/13/12 - A judge will decide next month if there is enough evidence for a Watertown man to proceed to trial in connection with the armed burglary of Martin Motors. On January 26, Nivir Edgar Marcis Damian Pineda was placed on probation for burglarizing a residence in Jefferson County. Police say a few hours before the sentencing hearing, Pineda broke a window to gain access to the Watertown car dealership. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from nearby businesses and saw a man matching Pineda’s height and build. Shoe prints at the scene reportedly matched the shoes he was wearing during questioning. Pineda is accused of stealing around $20 in cash, an iPod and a 22-caliber handgun. The handgun was allegedly found in the possession of a Watertown man accused of serving as lookout in the crime. Pineda is being held in the Dodge County Jail on a $10,000 cash bond.<br /><br />Sanders Gets Jail Time<br /><br />2/13/12 - A Beaver Dam man will spend a month in jail for sparking a high speed chase the ended with him crashing his vehicle. 23-year-old Anthony Sanders was arrested last June in the town of Herman after authorities say they clocked him driving 30 miles over the speed limit on Highway 67. The subsequent pursuit reached speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour down Highway 67 before Sanders lost control on Madison Road and put the car in a ditch. Sanders pleaded “no contest” to a reduced misdemeanor charge of Failing To Stop and Reckless Driving. In addition to a month behind bars with Huber privileges, Sanders was placed on probation for six months and lost his drivers license for 60 days.<br /><br />Grigg Hopeful Contract Can Be Reached <br /><br />2/13/12 - Horicon Mayor Jim Grigg says he’s hopeful a new police contract can be reached during a bargaining session this week. The city held preliminary discussions with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department last week about possibly taking over coverage of the area and dissolving their police department. Grigg says that plan is currently on hold after city leaders, union officials and some members of the police department met on Thursday in a meeting that Grigg called the most productive session since the two began negotiating the 2011-2012 contract. A bargaining session is set for Wednesday and Grigg says any further movement on the closing of the department would be made after that. The police contract has been an issue before and Grigg says they won’t be going into mediation or arbitration to settle it like they did for the 2009-2010 deal. <br /><br />Gableman Likely to Stay<br /><br />2/13/12 - With Republicans calling it a political stunt and few lawmakers stepping forward to co-sponsor it, a resolution to remove Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman looks like it doesn’t have enough support to move on. Democratic State Representative Kelda Helen Roys says she had just four co-sponsors. And, Republican Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald isn’t expected to send it to committee. At least three complaints have been filed against Gableman to the Government Accountability Board so far, tied to free legal services he received from a Wisconsin law firm. Gableman refused to recuse himself from three cases including a party represented by the same firm. Roys says that means Gableman violated the judicial code of conduct. <br /><br />Argument Over Mittens Turns Positive<br /><br />2/13/12 - Wisconsin and Michigan turned an argument over mittens into a huge act of kindness. Wisconsin's Tourism Department has just given 31-hundred pairs of mittens and other winter clothes to over 50 charities. They were donated by folks who dropped them off at state travel centers and chambers-of-commerce. A Michigan travel Web site took issue in December when Wisconsin promoted its road condition Web site with a mitten that was shaped like the Badger State. Lower Michigan has promoted for years that it looks exactly like a mitten, and state officials there accused Wisconsin of stealing some of its thunder. After a few days of good-natured cajoling, the two states announced the Great Lakes Mitten Campaign. <br /><br />Former Director of MADD Unhappy With Lack of Support<br /><br />2/13/12 - The former state director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving says its sad to see the erosion of support for the MADD program. Curt Kindschuh of Brownsville was the director for the Wisconsin MADD office for several years in the 1990s. He left to start his own company that continues with its own products that promote drunken driving prevention education. He says the Fond du Lac County Chapter shut down and there isn’t a state MADD office anymore. He says part of the problem is the national office isn’t well organized. Kindschuh says there’s still a place for MADD in society. He notes each year 17,000 people in the U.S. are killed by drunken drivers. (KFIZ, Fond du Lac)<br /><br />Sturgeon Season Over After Two Days<br /><br />2/13/12 - The sturgeon spearing season on the Upriver Lakes is over after two days. Spearers took 242 fish to trigger the harvest cap closure. Meanwhile it’s been slow going on the Lake Winnebago where 27 fish were taken yesterday for a two-day total of 66 and a system-wide total of 308. DNR Sturgeon Fisheries Supervisor Ron Bruch says its likely the season on the big lake will go all 16 days. The colder weather over the weekend did firm up ice on Lake Winnebago in some areas. The biggest sturgeon taken yesterday was a nearly 130 pounder on the Upriver Lakes by Charles Clark of Almond. (KFIZ, Fond du Lac) <br /><br />WASD Looking for Help in Finding Superintendent <br /><br />2/13/12 - The Waupun Area School District is looking for input on the hiring of a new Superintendent. The school board is putting together an advisory panel and members will play a role in interviewing candidates for the job. The committee is expected to be comprised of a number of community groups including service clubs, civic groups and local businesses. Anyone interested in being on the panel needs to submit a letter of interest by mailing them to Ann Ferch at the district office. The contract for current Interim Superintendent Don Childs expires on June 30th. <br />Address to send letters to: 950 Wilcox St., Waupun, WI, 53963. <br /><br />Powerball Winner in Rhode Island<br /><br />2/13/12 - For the first time, the Powerball jackpot is at its new, higher minimum of 40-million-dollars for Wednesday night. That's after a ticket sold in Rhode Island won Saturday night's prize of 336-point-four million. Wisconsin had one of the million-dollar second prizes. A ticket sold at a Pick-'N-Save in Brookfield matched all five numbers but not the Powerball. In Mega Millions, the jackpot is at 51-million dollars for the next drawing tomorrow night.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-239484609930178944?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-79197033208036960222012-02-11T22:49:00.001-06:002012-02-11T22:49:51.612-06:00Profits Up for Alliant Energy <br /><br />2/12/12 - Alliant Energy of Madison reports a 21-percent increase in its quarterly profits. But the company also said it would sell its renewable energy division due to a problem with a solar project. Among other things, Alliant operates Wisconsin Power-and-Light in south central Wisconsin. Its net income rose from 47-million-dollars in the fourth quarter of 2010 to 57-million in the final quarter last year. Alliant said its electric and natural gas businesses did well, thanks to higher rates that were approved by state regulators, and lower costs to secure electricity. But the R-M-T renewable energy division lost 19-cents a share – 17-cents more than the year before – due mainly to problems at a solar facility in New Jersey. Alliant said a sub-contractor abandoned the project, and it led to delays and additional costs. The firm says it’s suing the sub-contractor – and R-M-T’s wind energy projects also had slightly fewer returns. Alliant’s board decided this month to sell the renewable operation.<br /><br />Website Launched to Help State Businesses <br /><br />2/12/12 - State officials have launched a new Web site to help businesses that want to move Wisconsin, or expand here. The state's Economic Development Corporation and the G-I-S Planning firm have put together a host of things to help companies make decisions about site selections. It provides free-and-fast real estate data, breakdowns of local demographics, details of Wisconsin communities, lists of buildings for sale, and other workforce information. The corporation's C-E-O, Paul Jadin, says the new Web is a powerful tool to help grow companies both outside Wisconsin and within. The address for the new site is LocateInWisconsin-Dot-Com.<br /><br />Evers Says Bill Doesn’t Hold Schools Accountable<br /><br />2/12/12 - State public school Superintendent Tony Evers says a new education bill that's gathering support in the State Capitol does not improve the system for holding schools accountable. Governor Scott Walker recently announced a new reform package with ideas from three task forces, two in which Evers participated. But yesterday, the superintendent said the bill that's now being circulated at the Capitol does not include charter or voucher schools in the accountability system -- and it does not update accountability measures in the old No Child Left Behind Act. Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie said officials were waiting for guidance from the U-S Education Department on what to put in the bill. Without that help, he says too much is uncertain about the changes legislators need to make. The state plans to file an application February 21st for federal waivers from certain parts of the No Child Left Behind Act. Assembly Education Committee chairman Steve Kestell says the waiver application has blanks to be filled in -- like how a school would be rated under the new accountability system. He and other lawmakers are concerned that Washington will reject the state's waiver request.<br /><br />Judge Won’t Stop Voter ID Law<br /><br />2/12/12 - A judge in Madison refused yesterday to stop Wisconsin's new voter I-D law from taking effect in the local primaries a week from Tuesday. Dane County Circuit Judge David Flanagan rejected the N-Double-A-C-P's request for a temporary injunction. It would have held up the photo I-D requirement for voting, until the judge could act on the group's request to throw out the law permanently. The N-Double-A-C-P's lawsuit includes 40 affidavits from people explaining difficulties in getting the required I-D's. Judge Flanagan said the statements did not show the irreparable harm needed to justify an injunction. But he said the issue is still worth considering in a trial. And he scheduled another hearing for Monday. The League of Women Voters and the A-C-L-U have also filed lawsuits to kill the voter I-D law. They say it disenfranchises seniors, minorities, college students, and others. Both suits are pending.<br /><br />State Receives Disaster Planning Funds<br /><br />2/12/12 - The federal government is giving two-million-dollars to a statewide team that finds-and-rescues people when large buildings collapse. The U-S Department of Homeland Security awarded the grant to provide equipment and training. The rescue team is made up of 250 fire-fighters from throughout Wisconsin. They’ve been trained for search-and-rescue operations in large building collapses. And they can organize and respond anywhere in Wisconsin within eight hours. Governor Scott Walker says 800-thousand dollars of the new grant will provide tools, protective gear, and medical supplies. The rest will train more fire-fighters in specialized rescue techniques for building collapses.<br /><br />More Charges Filed in Marijuana Sales Ring<br /><br />2/12/12 - Seven more people have been charged in a marijuana sales ring involving school teachers and others in Antigo and Merrill. That brings to 10 the total number who’ve been charged, and the investigation continues. All seven of the new defendants are due in Langlade County Circuit Court March 12th on misdemeanor counts of marijuana possession. Three of them have been on paid leave, after their names turned up in criminal complaints last month against three other defendants. The three are special education teacher Joseph Adams and learning disabilities teacher Mark Incha, both from Antigo High School – and Merrill middle school teacher Jay Peterson. The other newly-charged defendants are Anthony Crabb, Robert Hurlbert, Chris Nicholson, and Peter Miller. Two other Antigo school employees who were paid on leave have not been charged. The Antigo district says it’s still doing an internal investigation of all its employees on leave. The Merrill district has not commented. All the new defendants are in their 40’s-and-50’s. And prosecutors have said most bought their marijuana from Scot Peterson, who was charged last month with 26 counts. He’s due back in court March 19th, along with Brad Maahs of Wittenberg and former Antigo football coach and elementary principal John Lund. Lund was ordered yesterday to stand trial on eight felony charges, including marijuana possession and delivery and maintaining a drug trafficking place. Lund resigned last week.<br /><br />Majority of Funds Spent on Recalls Last Summer Came From Out of State<br /><br />2/12/12 - The independent groups that tried to influence last summer’s Wisconsin Senate recall elections got most of their money from out-of-state. That’s according to a new report released today by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. The watchdog group examined just over 10-million dollars that were given to seven organizations like the Republican State Leadership Committee and the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. And the report said only one-point-four million dollars – or about 15-percent of the total money – came from Wisconsin donors. The liberal Greater Wisconsin Committee raised the largest percentage of in-state money to try and get Democrats elected. It raised two-point-nine million dollars in all, and one-point-two million came from Wisconsinites. Most of that was from the state’s largest teachers’ union. Democrats gained two seats in last year’s six recall votes. The Dems did not achieve their goal of winning back the majority in the Senate – but they did reduce the G-O-P’s margin from five votes to just one.<br /><br />Big Contract for Marinette Marine<br /><br />2/12/12 - Marinette Marine has been given a big contract from the U-S Coast Guard. The northeast Wisconsin boat-maker has received an order totaling almost 90-million dollars to make 40 rescue boats. Marinette will start delivering the boats early next year. The company says the order is part of a 600-million-dollar commitment by the Coast Guard to contract for boats over a multi-year period. But it was not immediately known how much of that business would go to Marinette Marine.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-7919703320803696022?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-30865128114927923012012-02-11T06:49:00.001-06:002012-02-11T06:49:10.550-06:00Horicon PD Contract Progress <br /><br />2/11/12 - The dissolving of the Horicon Police Department has been put on hold for now. Mayor Jim Grigg says a casual meeting Thursday that included city leaders, Chief Joe Adamson, a couple of police officers and a union official was the most productive gathering they’ve had since negotiations for the 2011-2012 police contract began. While it wasn’t an official bargaining session, Grigg says he believes they’ve made progress towards coming to an agreement. A bargaining session is set for February 15th and Grigg says until that meeting takes place they won’t take any more steps toward shutting down the department. The city had a meeting earlier this week in which it was given a basic overview of the costs of contracting with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department for coverage. Grigg says any further talks with the county will come after the bargaining session. <br /><br />Dems Say Challenges Won’t Hold Up<br /><br />2/11/12 - A Democratic organizer says four Republican state senators will not be able to escape recall elections by convincing the state to invalidate thousands of petition signatures. Zac Kramer told the A-P he made a cursory review of the challenges filed yesterday by the four senators – and he doesn’t believe the Government Accountability Board will uphold all those challenges. According to preliminary numbers, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau is challenging 11-hundred more signatures than he needs to have stricken in order to avoid a recall vote. And Chippewa Falls Senator Terry Moulton is challenging about a hundred more signatures than he might need to ward off his recall. Kramer said Fitzgerald made a number of frivolous challenges that won’t stand – like counting some of his challenges twice, and wrongly claiming that some of the petitions did not have required information. Pam Galloway of Wausau and Van Wanggaard of Racine apparently fell short of challenging enough signatures to avoid their recall elections. But they still hope to invalidate more signatures, by asking that the G-O-P’s new hand-made Senate districts be used for the elections instead of the old ones drawn up by a federal court a decade ago. The new boundaries are not scheduled to take effect until this fall, pending legal efforts by Democrats and Hispanics to strike them down. Also, Fitzgerald said petitioners were improperly given 61 days to circulate petitions instead of the required 60, due to the King Day holiday last month.<br /><br />Controversy Over Foreclosure Settlement <br /><br />2/11/12 - Democratic lawmakers have been showed their displeasure to the attorney general’s decision to use part of a legal settlement for homeowners to help balance the state budget instead. Democrats proposed a bill to require the Legislature’s approval to spend any of the settlement to balance the budget. Majority Republicans are not expected to pass the measure. On Thursday, Wisconsin learned that it would get 140-million-dollars to help those in Milwaukee and elsewhere who lost their homes due to shoddy practices by five large national lenders. The state government’s share is around 32-million-dollars. And Attorney General J-B Van Hollen said he decided to put 25-million of it toward reducing a newly-discovered budget deficit of around 143-million dollars. Van Hollen said it was justified because the state’s efforts to create jobs suffered due to the foreclosure crisis. But Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has spent the past couple days criticizing Van Hollen’s move. Yesterday (Fr), Barrett said he would invite Van Hollen and Governor Scott walker to see the neighborhoods devastated by the foreclosure crisis. Barrett said there are 48-hundred abandoned homes in Milwaukee – and they would cost 48-million dollars to tear down. Barrett is a potential Democratic candidate in the governor’s expected recall election this summer, but he said it had nothing to do with his criticism of the mortgage funding. In Barrett’s words, “It would be mayoral malpractice if I didn’t talk about this.”<br /><br />Dozens of Accident and Runoffs <br /><br />2/11/12 - The region recorded a couple inches of snow yesterday. Beaver Dam and Watertown had a total of three inches from the storm while Jefferson recorded two-and-a-half. Dodge County Sheriffs Department Director of Communications Scott Smith says there were a dozen runoffs and at least 21 motor vehicle accidents since the snow started falling late yesterday morning. At 3:20pm, there was an accident with injuries reported on County Road E near Horicon. Just before 4pm, a two-vehicle, head-on collision resulting in injuries occurred in the Town of Trenton on County C at Jersey Road. A semi jack knifed on the Highway 151 off ramp at County Road G just after 2pm and portions of the southbound lanes were closed to remove the truck from the ditch. In the morning, a deputy stopped to assist a motorist on Highway 41 near Lomira and his squad car was struck by a passing vehicle. There were no injuries.<br /><br />Walker Speaks in Washington DC<br /><br />2/11/12 - Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker got a big welcome from a crowd of about a thousand Friday night at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. Walker told the C-PAC audience if he loses a recall election this summer it would be a lasting blow to political risk-taking. The Republican says he’s not planning to fail, but if he does it would preclude any courageous act in American politics for a decade or more. Walker was a featured speaker at the 39th annual event. Walkers trip to Washington comes almost exactly a year after his effort to stop most collective bargaining for public employees set off a firestorm of protests at the Wisconsin state Capitol. C-PAC organizers have called Walker a hero of the movement.<br /><br />Obama Coming to Wisconsin this Week <br /><br />2/11/12 - President Barack Obama plans to talk about the importance of American manufacturing when he visits Wisconsin next week. The White House has announced he will be at Master Lock on Wednesday, talking about the need for companies to invest in American manpower. Obama singled out Master Lock in his State of the Union address last month, pointing out the Milwaukee company had returned about 100 jobs to Milwaukee from China since the middle of 2010. The company has said that decision was at least partly-driven by the rising cost of labor in Asia and the more expensive logistics of doing business from that far away. <br /><br />Review Shows Big Loss Possible <br /><br />2/11/12 - An independent review of a loan program for green energy projects shows the federal government could lose almost three billion dollars. Former Treasury Department official Herb Allison looked at 30 loans or loan guarantees totaling almost 24 billion dollars. Wisconsin Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner was among those criticizing the report released yesterday. The Republican said it’s, quoting here, “less a report than an umbrella to deflect the criticism pouring down on the administration.” Sensenbrenner said he was disappointed the review didn’t evaluate two major loans which failed given to Solyndra and Beacon. <br /><br />Mining Bill Almost Finished <br /><br />2/11/12 - State Senator Neal Kedzie says a mining bill is almost complete in its preliminary form – and could be ready for a vote next Monday. Kedzie chairs the Senate Selection Committee on Mining Jobs. He says the legislation isn’t in its final form yet, with revisions, additions or deletions still coming. The Assembly passed a mining bill a little over two weeks ago. It is anticipated the Senate version will differ dramatically. The Wisconsin Legislature is expected to pass mining legislation which would ease the path for a planned iron ore mine near Hurley. A public hearing could be held next Friday if the measure is finished Monday.<br /><br />Hope for Housing Market in Milwaukee <br /><br />2/11/12 - Growing sales of houses in Milwaukee are bringing some hope to real estate professionals in the state’s largest market. Sales of existing homes were up 15 and a half percent in January. A total of 760 homes were sold in the four-county area. That’s still far below the thousand-plus homes sold in January 2005. A spokesman for the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors says the market still offers low prices, an adequate supply of homes for sale and extremely low interest rates. January was the seventh straight month to see sales up by more than 10 percent when compared to the year before.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-3086512811492792301?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-44801229117100893412012-02-10T07:05:00.001-06:002012-02-10T07:05:36.393-06:00Fire and Apparent Suicide Under Investigation <br /><br />2/10/12 - Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire in Randolph that destroyed the home of a former Columbia County sheriff’s deputy. A short time after the fire, 38-year-old David Sadowski was found just over the Dodge County line, dead in his pick-up truck from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The home is located on County Highway G, two miles west of State Highway 73 and the fire was reported yesterday morning just after 3am. A press release from the Columbia County Sheriffs Department said a “citizen” called in the fire. Sadowski served eleven years in Columbia County but recently left the force. The fire is under investigation by the Dodge County Sheriffs and Medical Examiner’s Office. Dodge County is also heading the death investigation along with the state Justice Department. <br /><br />Car Goes Through Ice on Beaver Dam Lake<br /><br />2/10/12 - A car went through the ice on Beaver Dam Lake last night. It happened on the eastern edge of the lake between Beaver Dam and Fox Lake around 11pm. The car apparently went through the ice and became partially submerged in about four feet of water. The two passengers were able to climb onto the roof and call for help. Neither was injured. It was the second time first responders came to the lake for a rescue. On Tuesday, an ice boat hit a heave and set two men into the lake. They were able to get out of the water on their own. <br /><br />Born Announces Candidacy for Assembly<br /><br />2/10/12 - Mark Born announced his candidacy last night for the 39th Assembly District seat being vacated by Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald. Born highlighted his experience as a former Alderman in Beaver Dam Ninth Ward and also the time he spent as Chairman of the Republican Party of Dodge County. He says it’s important to keep the momentum of conservative policies moving forward in Wisconsin. Born says difficult decisions have been made in the past year to improve the finances of state and local governments and Wisconsin cannot afford to slide back to past, reckless fiscal policies. There are no other Republicans currently running for the Assembly seat in the November election. Horicon Mayor James Grigg is the only democrat that has announced.<br /><br />Girls Injured in Accident are Improving <br /><br />2/10/12 - Six Campbellsport girls' high school soccer players are getting better, after being hurt in an S-U-V crash last weekend that killed three other students. Four of the six survivors are now home from the hospital. Theresa Flood was the latest to be released from Milwaukee Children's Hospital. Allie Adams was in fair condition yesterday. Jessica Harbin remains hospitalized, but her family asked that her condition not be released. Caitlin Scannell, Katie Berg, and Sabrina Stahl died in last Saturday's crash when their S-U-V rolled over in a field off a rural road near Campbellsport. Public visitations were held yesterday at the high school. Separate funerals are planned for today. Fond du Lac County sheriff's deputies are still investigating the crash. They've said they would turn over their evidence to the district attorney for possible charges -- but that has not happened yet.<br /><br />Fall River Foundry Facing Fines <br /><br />2/10/12 - A brass-maker in Columbia County faces almost $58-thousand-dollars in fines for ten alleged workplace safety violations. The U-S Occupational Safety-and-Health Administration said the Fall River Foundry failed to protect employees from metal dust. OSHA said the company exposed its workers to excessive amounts of lead-and-copper dust – and it did not install proper safety equipment to reduce the exposure. The company refused comment today. The Fall River Foundry has 15 days to pay the fines, challenge the citations, or ask OSHA for a conference.<br /><br />Lake Days Musical Lineup Set<br /><br />2/10/12 - The musical lineup for the 19th Annual Beaver Dam Lake Days has been announced. The four day event kicks off on July 12th with a DJ spinning music from 7-10pm as part of Youth Night. On Friday the 13th, Cosmo, which consists of two members of the classic rock group Boston, will perform all of the Boston favorites starting at 8:30pm. On Saturday it’ll be Little Texas hitting the stage at 8:30pm. And on Sunday Terry Sylvester will close things out when he takes to the stage at 6:30pm. A number of local bands will also perform including, Lucas Cates, My Idiot Brother, Chelli Bri, and The Good Time Dutchmen. There will also be fireworks on both Friday and Saturday nights.<br /><br />Carlson Waives Prelim<br /><br />2/10/12 - A Horicon man has waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday on charges that he sexually assaulted a girl over a period of several years. 36-year-old Brian Carlson is charged with one felony count of Repeated Sexual Assault of a Child, which carries a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, if he’s convicted. According to the criminal complaint, a man reported to Horicon police in late December that the girl, now 17-years-old, told him about the abuse, which started in the summer of 2006 when she was 12-years-old and continued through October of last year. The victim reportedly told investigators with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department that the abuse occurred between two and three times a week. He originally denied the contact but eventually admitted the assault, saying she was 14-or-15-years-old at the time and had a crush on him. Carlson said it was never forced and she had told him that it was all right. Carlson is being held on a $20,000 cash bond and he’ll be back in court for arraignment next month.<br /><br />Man in Court on 7th OWI<br /><br />2/10/12 - A Watertown man waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday on charges of seventh offense drunk driving. 50-year-old William Gordon was pulled over on January 5th in the town of Lebanon after a police officer operating a radar gun recognized Gordon and his vehicle. Authorities say Gordon admitted to drinking for about an hour prior to driving and he reportedly had an open beer in the vehicle. Gordon is charged with felony operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and driving on a revoked license. His previous six convictions range in date from 1993 to 2008. The charges carry a maximum of 11-years in prison, if he’s convicted. An arraignment hearing is on the calendar next month.<br /><br />Cat Returns to Original Order<br /><br />2/10/12 - A state appeals court ruled Thursday that a pet cat belongs to a Dodge County man – and not the ex-girlfriend he broke up with. The Fourth District Appellate Court granted custody of Dexter the cat today to Roger Kueffer. The court said Julee Lawler tried to get Dexter back ever since the couple broke up almost three-and-a-half years ago. Records showed that Kueffer kept the cat while the couple kept bickering about it. At one point, the man told Lawler that Dexter died – but she later learned it was not true. Lawler sued in small claims court to get the cat. She failed there, and the appellate court refused to overturn that ruling.<br /><br />Facilities Committee to Visit Other Schools<br /><br />2/10/12 - Columbus Schools’ Facility Committee and Board members will be making a field trip to southern Wisconsin today. Schools in Lake Mills, Jefferson and Palmyra-Eagle have all recently been renovated. Columbus Schools’ goal is to have the facilities committee make a recommendation or recommendations for a November referendum by March 26th. Today’s trip will give planners a better idea of what possible updates to the District facilities will be of the biggest benefit. <br /><br />WI Budget Deficit $143M<br /><br />2/10/12 - Governor Scott Walker says a budget repair bill will not be needed to eliminate a new deficit in the current state budget of 143-million dollars. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau said yesterday that tax collections have dropped – and those revenues are projected to be 273 million dollars less than expected by the time the current budget expires in June of next year. The Republican Walker says he will not have the Legislature pass an emergency budget repair bill. Walker and five other G-O-P elected officials face possible recall elections this summer. Walker did not say how he would address the projected shortfall. <br /><br />Fiscal Bureau director Robert Lang told lawmakers that Walker’s administration is looking at re-financing debt and other re-structuring to put the budget back in balance. And Lang says a full-blown budget repair bill will not be needed. In a statement, Walker vowed that the budget would not be in a deficit during the current fiscal year – halfway through the two-year budget period. <br /><br />Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon and his brother, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau, said they remain committed to solving the budget without tax increases. Both said tax hikes would only make Wisconsin’s business climate worse – and the G-O-P would continue to quote, “keep focusing on growing jobs, not the government.” Assembly Democratic leader Peter Barca blamed the deficit on quote, “irresponsible budgeting and a lack of serious focus on jobs and the economy.”<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-4480122911710089341?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-59933833681907990702012-02-07T07:46:00.001-06:002012-02-07T07:46:06.194-06:00Police Searching for Man Involved in Violent Domestic Issue<br /><br />2/7/12 - Authorities are searching for a man who allegedly beat up his girlfriend and later held a knife to another man’s throat early this morning. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says they were called out to a residence on Pond Road in the town of Rubicon around 2:45 this morning for a report of a domestic incident. Nehls says the 36-year-old man got into a physical altercation with his girlfriend, and when he learned police were coming to the home, he fled into a wooded area near the residence. As authorities began searching the woods for him, he circled around and reentered the home. He armed himself with a knife and threatened another man with it before once again fleeing into the woods. Nehls says deputies and the department’s K-9 team are currently searching for the man in an area around the home. <br /><br />Charges Possible in Deadly Crash<br /><br />2/7/12 - Fond du Lac County sheriff’s officials say the district attorney will eventually decide if charges will be filed in an S-U-V crash that killed three girls and injured six others. All nine were on the Campbellsport High School girls’ soccer teams. Authorities said yesterday that they had left an overnight sleep-over, went to get fast food, and toilet-papered a friend’s house before their vehicle crashed near the high school around 3:30 Saturday morning. Sheriff’s lieutenant Rick Olig said the S-U-V was speeding when it went over a hillcrest, and hit a bump and a small incline before it lost control. It flipped over and rolled into a farm field before stopping on its wheels 700-feet later. Caitlin Scannell, Katie Berg, and Sabrina Stahl died in the crash. At least three others were still at Milwaukee Children’s Hospital overnight. The others have been sent home after getting treatment. Four girls were not wearing seat-belts, and were thrown from the vehicle. Sheriff’s officials said alcohol was not believed to be a factor, but they’ll know for sure when test results come back in about 10 days. The S-U-V driver, 18-year-old Carly Ottery of Eden, was among those released from the hospital.<br /><br />BD Council Approves CIP<br /><br />2/7/12 - The Beaver Dam Common Council last night unanimously approved the city’s five-year Capital Improvements Program. The CIP, as it’s called, lays out infrastructure improvement needs and major equipment purchases over the next five years while outlining a borrowing plan for the current year. Officials came up with a three-year plan in committee that holds borrowing to $1.6 million in each of the next three years. Don Neuert chairs the Administrative Committee, which basically holds the purse strings. Neuert says it’s important to earmark projects that constituents have identified as priorities that need to be funded over the next few years.<br />The Operations Committee is tasked with placing items on or removing items from the CIP, whether or not they get funded. Chair Laine Meyer says it is a benefit to have agreement on projects over the next three years. While street repairs have been identified in coming years that tie into state and federally-funded projects, Meyer is concerned that city borrowing for street reconstruction projects will continue to decline. He says the city is well behind where it should be at this point and if funding can’t keep up we’re just going to continue to fall farther and farther behind. Projects for 2012 include the reconstruction Prospect Avenue in conjunction with a state Highway 151 project. Two stretches of North Crystal Lake Road will see mill and overlay work along with the city-owned, downtown Center Plaza parking lot. Borrowing is also planned for a dump truck, handicap-accessible playground equipment, and state-mandated repairs to the dam, along with a new ambulance, rescue boat and pumper truck for the fire department. <br /><br />New Design Plans Unveiled For The Watermark<br /><br />2/7/12 - The Beaver Dam Common Council last night heard an update on the designs for the planned Community and Senior Center. There are no city tax dollars being used to pay for renovation of “The Watermark” in the former Fullerton Lumber building at 209 South Center, so a non-profit group is spearheading the fundraising campaign. Marty Sell with the design company Rketek (architect) says the new floor plans reduce the interior from 25-thousand square feet to 22-thousand, which reduces construction costs by $400-thousand dollars to just above $3-million dollars. Sell says there are five separate zones inside the building, among them: an entry way, office space, an arts and crafts studio slash wood shop and a general recreation area. The bulk of the building is comprised of five, dividable multi-purpose rooms surrounded by a circular hallway that doubles as a walking track. The outside of the pre-engineered steel building has metal siding and Sell says the plan is to replace it with an insulated brick veneer that conforms to the historic look of the downtown as outlined by the Landmark Commission. The fundraising group behind the $2.9 million dollar capital campaign also announced an aggressive timeline last night with bidding and contract awards planned by September, ground broken as early as this fall and completion targeted for the summer of next year. <br /><br />Horicon Could Dissolve Police Department <br /><br />2/7/12 - A city of Horicon committee is expected to discuss the possibility of dissolving the city’s police department. The Personnel and Finance Committee is set to meet today to talk about possible solutions to a budget deficit and an incomplete police contract. One of those solutions would be to do away with the city’s police department and contract out coverage to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department. The city used the department over the summer to bridge the gap between the departure of Lieutenant Adrian Bump and the return of Chief Joe Adamson. The police contract has been an issue in recent years and there is currently no deal in place for 2012. Officials are not expected to make any quick decisions on the department’s future and are seeking community input but they do hope to have a solution in place before a new council and mayor is elected in April. According to the agenda, the meeting will adjourn into closed session to gather information for negotiating police services for the city. <br /><br />Ex-Walker Aide to Plead Guility<br /><br />2/7/12 - A former aide to Governor Scott Walker when he was the Milwaukee County executive is expected to plead guilty this afternoon to a pair of misdemeanor charges. Prosecutors say they’ll only recommend a fine for 61-year-old Darlene Wink, one of four ex-Walker aides charged as the result of a long-running John Doe investigation. She entered into a plea agreement before she was charged in late January. Milwaukee prosecutors said they gave her a break because she agreed to provide information about an undisclosed destruction of digital evidence – plus other matters being pursued in the John Doe probe. Wink was accused of posting anonymous comments on blogs praising Walker’s campaign for governor, and working on other campaign events while she was supposed to be providing customer service for Milwaukee County residents. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Walker acknowledged for the first time yesterday that prosecutors initiated the meeting that the governor said he would have with them. He told reporters in Waukesha that his campaign has provided written documents to the D-A’s office – and now, they’d like to talk to the governor about what was found and quote, “additional help we can provide.” Walker announced the meeting last week, but did not say when it would be. He was it was not the result of a subpoena. Walker said he hired two attorneys for the occasion – and taxpayers will not cover that bill.<br /><br />Watertown Man Charged As Lookout In Dealership Burglary<br /><br />2/7/12 - A Watertown man is accused of acting as the lookout in last month’s armed burglary of Martin Motors. A window was broken on January 26 to gain access to the Watertown car dealership. 18-year-old Mark Humfleet is charged with being a party to a crime of Burglary and Theft. Authorities say Humfleet served as the lookout while another man ransacked the office, stealing around $20 in cash an iPod and a 22-caliber handgun. The handgun was allegedly found in Humfleet’s possession. The other man has not been charged but according to the criminal complaint he burglarized the dealership on the same day he was to be sentenced for an unrelated burglary. Shoe prints at the scene matched the shoes he was wearing during questioning and after investigators noted the similarity he reportedly connected the stolen gun to Humfleet, who is also accused of filing down the serial number on the weapon. The charges carry a maximum of over 21 years in prison if Humfleet is convicted.<br /><br />GAB Wants Unified Recall Challenges<br /><br />2/7/12 - If a state elections official has his way, outside groups would not be able to challenge improper recall petitions that they see on-line. Kevin Kennedy says he’ll ask the Government Accountability Board today (Tue) to strike only those signatures that the board’s staff finds faulty – or those brought to the agency by the petition circulators or the targets of the petitions. There are said to be efforts taking place throughout the country to check the validity of the estimated one-point-nine million recall signatures against Governor Scott Walker, Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, and four G-O-P senators. If the board approves Kennedy’s recommendation, the outside groups might have to take its questionable signatures to the recall targets in order to challenge them. But time is running out. Senators Pam Galloway, Van Wanggaard, Terry Moulton and Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau have until Thursday to file challenges with the Accountability Board. The Walker campaign has until February 27th to challenge signatures. And Kleefisch’s camp has until March fifth to do the same.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-5993383368190799070?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-77869935498663008272012-02-06T08:42:00.001-06:002012-02-06T08:42:55.495-06:00Speed Likely Factor In Triple Fatal<br /><br />2/6/12 - The investigating continues into the weekend wreck that killed three teens in Fond du Lac County. The accident happened just west of Campbellsport early Saturday morning. 16-year-old Katie Berg died Sunday at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee after being flown from the crash site Saturday with critical injuries. Berg was one of nine girls from the Campbellsport School District inside the Chevy Tahoe. 15-year-old Sabrina Stahl and 17-year-old Caitlin Scannell were also killed. Three 16-year-old’s and a 17-year-old were taken to Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee with serious injuries. The driver, Carly Ottery and another 18-year-old were last listed in satisfactory condition at St. Agnes Hospital. The accident happened just after 3:30am Saturday on Beechnut Drive in the Town of Ashford. Ottery was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed when lost control of the SUV and it entered a field, rolling several times. Some of the girls were not wearing seatbelts.<br /><br />Lomira Woman Killed In Fond du Lac County Wreck<br /><br />2/6/12 - A Lomira woman killed in a one-vehicle rollover crash in Fond du Lac County has been identified as Jennifer Lynn Borges. The 43-year-old was driving south on Highway H in the Town of Ashford shortly before 10pm Saturday when her car left the roadway, entered the ditch and rolled over. Borges was the only occupant, was not wearing a seat belt and became pinned underneath. Alcohol is believed to be a factor. The accident remains under investigation.<br /><br />A Community Bids Farewell To A Hero<br /><br />2/6/12 - A tearful farewell to a Mayville soldier who was remembered in his hometown this weekend. First Lt. David Johnson was killed in Afghanistan on January 25th. The last three days saw a number of opportunities for the public to pay their respects to the 24-year-old. Visitations were held at the high school where Johnson graduated on Saturday and Sunday. Military rights and a flag folding presentation took place yesterday afternoon at the Veterans Memorial in the City Park. And well over a thousand people lined the streets of Horicon and Mayville on Friday to hold flags while a motorcade carrying Johnson’s body brought him back home. John Oathout made the trip from Beaver Dam to pay his respects and says he came out to support the family and let them know we appreciate the sacrifices they’ve made. Johnson’s father Andrew is the publisher of the Dodge County Pioneer and in their Thursday edition, a statement from the family read (quote): “We want people to know we feel so privileged to have been David’s parents and siblings and that David was able to grow up in such a fine community…We are so very proud of our son…in all that he accomplished in his short life.” The headline on the story read: “All Gave Some, David Gave All.” <br /><br />Click below to view video of the February 3rd motorcade procession in Horicon and Mayville:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ4-4gA403c<br /><br />Click below to see video of the January 27th Wreath Ceremony:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPJe2eyvF8o<br /><br />BDPD: ‘BDUSD Handled Assault Allegations Perfectly’<br /><br />2/6/12 - Authorities say the Beaver Dam School District appropriately handled accusations of sexual assault by a school custodian. Joseph A. Posthuma is free after posting a $5000 cash bond in connection with an alleged 18-month long relationship with a student at the high school he once cleaned. The 27-year-old Beaver Dam man was reportedly transferred to Trenton Elementary a year ago. Detective Ryan Klavekoske told us on WBEV’s Community Comment on Friday that parents are understandably concerned but he says they can be assured that the school district immediately notified authorities after getting word of the allegations. He also commended the school district for phoning parents with a pre-recorded message detailing the situation just hours after the arrest. The teen victim reportedly met Posthuma at the high school in July of 2010 and a physical relationship began that November. Posthuma allegedly admitted the contact to investigators and both parties said the approximately 10 to 15 encounters were consensual. The victim told police that Posthuma tried to break-off the relationship several times but she persisted. A judge will decide next week if there is enough evidence to order a trial. <br /><br />Carols Tours Office Manager Sentenced<br /><br />2/6/12 - The office manager of the shuttered Beaver Dam travel agency Carol’s Tours was sentenced Friday to 18 months in prison and three years extended supervision for embezzling nearly $100,000 from the company. Lisa Hopper used the money to pay her mortgage and credit card bills but also told investigators she was paying for customers vacations when the business fell short on cash. Because of that, the former owner of Carol’s Tours is facing charges of her own. Deb Paul will be in court next Monday when a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to order a trial. Around 200 people paid over $300,000 for vacations that fell through when the company closed its doors in 2008. Paul is accused of paying her own personal bills with company cash and (quote) “robbing Peter to pay Paul” when it came to paying for customer vacations. Hopper, meanwhile, was also ordered on Friday to pay full restitution. <br /><br />DC Fair Rock Act Uncertain<br /><br />2/6/12 - There may not be a rock-and-roll act at this year’s Dodge County Fair. On Saturday, the Fair Association has announced the country acts for this year’s five-day event. Thursday night will feature the Eli Young Band while Friday night is Jake Owen and Saturday night’s grandstand act is Jerrod Niemann. The Association’s Sharon Kiel says Jake Owens cancelled last year and they had an opportunity to get him back at the same price but his schedule was only open that Friday, which has traditionally been Rock Night. Keil says the fair Wednesday activities are open to pretty much anything at this point. <br /><br />It will cost more for some people to get into the fair this year. Daily admission will go up one dollar to $7 before 2pm but will stay the same as last year after 2pm at $10. The season ticket is going up two dollars to $27 if purchased prior to the fair’s opening day. After the fair starts season tickets will increase by $5 to $35. With this year being the 125th Anniversary of the fair, organizers are planning some special celebrations. The theme will be “remember the past, enjoy the present and look to the future.” The Association is asking the public for any ideas in helping observe the milestone. The Dodge County Fair will run August 15 through August 19 at the fairgrounds just outside Beaver Dam. <br /><br />http://eliyoungband.com/<br />http://www.jakeowen.net/<br />http://www.jerrodniemannofficial.com/<br />http://www.dodgecountyfairgrounds.com/<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-7786993549866300827?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-59036738325123025262012-02-05T21:49:00.000-06:002012-02-05T21:49:29.444-06:00<div style="text-align: justify;">Third Campbellsport Crash Victim Dies</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - Three teens have now died from injuries sustained in a Fond du Lac County SUV accident. It happened just west of Campbellsport early Saturday morning. 16-year-old Katie Berg died Sunday at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee after being flown from the crash site Saturday with critical injuries. Berg was one of nine girls from the Campbellsport School District inside the Chevy Tahoe. 15-year-old Sabrina Stahl and 17-year-old Caitlin Scannell were also killed. Three 16-year-old’s and a 17-year-old were taken to Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee with serious injuries. The driver, Carly Ottery and another 18-year-old were last listed in satisfactory condition at St. Agnes Hospital. The accident happened just after 3:30am Saturday on Beechnut Drive in the Town of Ashford. Ottery was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed when lost control of the SUV and it entered a field, rolling several times. Some of the girls were not wearing seatbelts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lomira Woman Killed In Fond du Lac County Wreck</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - A Lomira woman killed in a one-vehicle rollover crash in Fond du Lac County has been identified as Jennifer Lynn Borges. The 43-year-old was driving south on Highway H in the Town of Ashford shortly before 10pm Saturday when her car left the roadway, entered the ditch and rolled over. Borges was the only occupant, was not wearing a seat belt and became pinned underneath. Alcohol is believed to be a factor. The accident remains under investigation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Visitation, Memorial, Military Honors Today for Johnson</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - First Lt. David Johnson will be remembered today in his hometown of Mayville. The 24-year-old was killed in Afghanistan by an Improvised Explosive Device on January 25th while defending his country. There will be a visitation Sunday at Mayville High School beginning at noon until a memorial service starts at 2pm. At 4pm, Johnson will be taken to the Veterans Memorial of Mayville in the City Park, where military rights and the flag folding presentation will take place. The public is invited to attend. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Click below to see video of the January 27 Wreath Ceremony:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPJe2eyvF8o">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPJe2eyvF8o</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Honor Flight: Pearl Harbor Deadline Monday</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - Pearl Harbor survivors have until Monday to sign-up for what’s billed as a “once-in-a-lifetime Honor Flight to Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii.” The Old Glory Honor Flight hub that departs out of Appleton is asking the approximately 40 Pearl Harbor survivors that live in the state of Wisconsin to contact their office immediately. The non-profit chapter is planning a tropical trip to the Aloha State. They define Pearl Harbor survivor as any veteran stationed on the island of Oahu or within three nautical miles at the time of the attack on December 7, 1941. Honor Flight is a nationwide program with regional chapters that has traditionally flown World War II veterans to their memorial in Washington DC at no cost to them. The Appleton hub says they remain committed to that primary mission, but Honor Flight Pearl Harbor is another way to say thank you to veterans for their service and sacrifice. Organizers are hoping Pearl Harbor survivors will contact them by tomorrow’s application deadline. They are also actively seeking donations to finance the trip for survivors, their caregivers and support staff. More information is available at <a href="http://www.oldgloryhonorflight.org/">www.oldgloryhonorflight.org</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pearl Harbor Survivors can apply by calling 1-888-635-9838. Old Glory Honor Flight is a registered 501(c)3 organization. Make checks payable to “Old Glory Honor Flight” and write "Return To Pearl" in the memo section of the check. Donate via PayPal at: <a href="http://www.oldgloryhonorflight.org/return_to_pearl.html">http://www.oldgloryhonorflight.org/return_to_pearl.html</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Still Time To View Pearl Harbor Exhibit at DCHS</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - The Dodge County Historical Society is hosting a traveling exhibit on Pearl Harbor until the end of the month. Historical Society President Glen Link says the National World War II Museum exhibit is entitled “Infamy.” It includes photographs and stories detailing that fateful day when the Japanese attacked the US naval base in Hawaii resulting in more than twenty-four-hundred (2400) Americans being killed and over eleven-hundred (1100) being wounded. The Doge County Historical Society is located at 105 Park Avenue in Beaver Dam, right next door to the new police station, and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 1pm to 4pm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dodge County Fair Announces Country Acts</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - The Dodge County Fair Association has announced the country acts for this year’s five-day event. Thursday night will feature the Eli Young Band while Friday night is Jake Owen and Saturday night’s grandstand act is Jerrod Niemann. The fair will be held August 15 through August 19. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://eliyoungband.com/">http://eliyoungband.com/</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.jakeowen.net/">http://www.jakeowen.net/</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.jerrodniemannofficial.com/">http://www.jerrodniemannofficial.com/</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.dodgecountyfairgrounds.com/">http://www.dodgecountyfairgrounds.com/</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kennedy Has Listening Session On Tuesday</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy has listening sessions scheduled for Tuesday. City residents are invited to meet with the mayor without appointment, in a one-on-one setting, on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Kennedy says he wants constituents to have the opportunity to speak with him the day after each regular meeting of the common council. The listening sessions are held in Room 109 on the first floor of City Hall from 10am until noon and again from 5pm to 6pm. If the regular meeting hours do not fit into your schedule, residents are encouraged to schedule a private meeting through the mayor’s office. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dodge County Tree Sales Deadline Extended</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - The deadline to order from the Small Packet Tree sales program in Dodge County has been extended. The Land Conservation Department still has several tree and shrub species for sale, and most are still available, except for Sugar Maple and Hazelnut which have sold out. Other tree species close to being sold out include Red Oak, Swamp White Oak, and Tamarack. Species still available in good numbers include White Oak, White Cedar, White Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Spruce, Red Dogwood, American Cranberry Bush, Frasier Fir, and Bur Oak. The trees are sold in bundles of 25 for $24 per bundle. The deadline to place orders has been moved to February 24. For more information or to get an order form, contact the Dodge County Land Conservation Department at 386-3660. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Milwaukee Student To Perform At Grammy’s</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - Milwaukee high school student Felix Ramsey will perform as part of the production of the 2012 Grammy Awards show a week from today (Sunday). Ramsey is a junior at Milwaukee High School of Arts and he is one of the eight students taking part in the show, out of 500 who qualified. Ramsey has been center stage in the bright lights before. He made it all the way to Hollywood on last season’s American Idol competition.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Food Stamp Audit Uncovers Suspicious Purchases</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - Wisconsinites who get food stamps for the poor spent 33-million dollars of those benefits in other states last year. And state auditors said they found about 324-thousand dollars in spending that was suspicious. Wisconsin Food-Share recipients are allowed to use their benefits to buy food in other states. And the Legislative Audit Bureau said most cases involve people who live near the state's borders or those who take trips. But the audit showed that some Food-Share cards were used in Wisconsin on the same day that the cards' account numbers were used in other states. And 151-thousand-dollars in benefits were spent entirely in states that are not Wisconsin's neighbors. The audit said the suspicious out-of-state spending was done by just four-hundredths of one-percent of the 382-thousand Wisconsin families and individuals getting Food-Share benefits. Assembly Republican Samantha Kerkman, who co-chairs the Legislature's Joint Audit Committee, said she was not surprised by the report. She says more background checks are needed for recipients.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Professor Says Job Figures Show Confidence</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - U-S employers added 257-thousand private sector jobs in January, and Marquette professor Abdur Chowdhury says it reflects rising confidence among private companies. The national jobless rate went down for the fifth straight month, and it's now at eight-point-three percent -- its lowest since February of 2009. We won't know until later this month if Wisconsin can finally share in the national good news. The Badger State is the only one to lose private sector jobs in each of the last six months, even though the state's jobless rate went down slightly for all of last year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Green Bay Seeks To Stop Voucher Expansion</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - The Green Bay School Board is trying to stop the state's private school voucher program from taking effect in that district. The Board unanimously voted to ask Governor Scott Walker and area legislators to pass a bill that keeps the voucher program from expanding beyond Milwaukee County and Racine. The Senate has passed the bill, but the Assembly has not -- and Green Bay school officials want it to pass before the legislative session ends in March. The voucher program gives tax-funded aid to low-income kids to attend private schools, with the goal of getting a better education and escaping poverty. But public schools object in part because they lose state aid in the process. Senate G-O-P President Mike Ellis stirred the issue last week when he was secretly recorded in a Madison restaurant saying he'd like to see parts of school districts be covered. To make his point, he called Green Bay Preble High School a "sewer" -- something he later apologized for.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">MSOE Offering BOGO</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - In the shoe store they call it “BOGO” – buy one, get one free. That’s basically what Milwaukee School of Engineering is offering its students. Starting next fall, students who graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree can earn a tuition-free Master’s Degree. All they have to do is continue full-time and earn good grades. A private engineering firm in downtown Milwaukee has about 25 hundred students. The program could save those students about 32 thousand dollars in tuition if they complete it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaker Pro Tem Packing Heat On Assembly Floor</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - The man who presides over the Wisconsin Assembly floor sessions now carries a hidden gun to the podium on occasion. Republican Speaker Pro Tem Bill Kramer of Waukesha says he hopes he never has to use the Glock-26 semi-automatic sub-compact weapon he carries. But Kramer told the Associated Press he needs the gun, considering the intense atmosphere in State Capitol. Like thousands of other Wisconsinites, Kramer obtained a state concealed carry permit just a couple weeks after the hidden weapons' law was adopted last November first. Republican leaders decided to allow concealed weapons in the Assembly galleries -- but they're banned in the Senate's galleries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Three Accused of Stealing $12K In Perfume </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - Madison police charge three women with shoplifting more than 12 thousand dollars worth of perfume over a two-day period last November. Investigators say the three intended to sell the perfume they took from Sephora at the West Towne Mall. Jasmine Usher, Letisha Larry and Miranda Watkins face felony charges. Usher reportedly called a Madison police detective three days after the second shoplifting incident to admit she was involved. She said she was selling the perfume to support herself and her children. Larry called Detective Darrel Monroe the same day. A month later Usher was arrested again and charged with retail theft. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Facebook, Twitter More Addictive Than Cigarettes</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/5/12 - Are you fanatic about Facebook or hooked on Twitter? A new Midwest study says social media can be more addictive than even cigarettes. The University of Chicago tested 250 people, and found that their fix for alcohol or nicotine is less than their need to check their friends or status on-line. The survey indicated that sex and sleep are the two most longed-for events of the day -- but in the end, social media is the hardest thing to resist. Meanwhile, teens who used to avoid Twitter are going back to tweeting, now that more of their parents and grandparents are making friends on Facebook. The Pew Internet-and-American Life Project recently found that 16-percent of young people age 12-to-17 use Twitter -- double the percentage from just two years ago.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-5903673832512302526?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-68633879189986608122012-02-04T07:35:00.001-06:002012-02-04T07:35:33.304-06:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Hopper Sentenced For Carol’s Tours Embezzlement </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">2/4/12 - An employee with the shuttered Beaver Dam business Carol’s Tours will be spending some time in prison for her role in the closure of the travel agency. 46-year-old Lisa Hopper entered a “no contest” plea Friday to felony charges of Theft in a Business Setting and Fraudulent Writings. Carol’s Tours shut down in January of 2008 leaving several paid customers without vacations. The owner of the company is also facing charges in connection with the closure. 56-year-old Deborah Paul is charged with two counts of Theft in a Business Setting; her complaint lists 194 people who paid a total of nearly $315,000 for vacations that were never arranged between May of 2007 and February of 2008. She reportedly told investigators that in the years before the agency closed, all of her personal bills were paid by Carol’s Tours, Inc. According to the criminal complaint, Paul described her business practice as (quote) “robbing Peter to pay Paul” using money for future trips to pay for current trips. Lisa Hopper was Paul’s office manager. According to Hopper’s criminal complaint, Paul contacted Beaver Dam police shortly after the business closed to allege that Hopper had been embezzling money, which forced Paul to close the business. Hopper told police that when the business was in danger of having trip tickets cancelled for lack of payment, Paul would reportedly ask her office manager to pay it on her personal credit card and Hopper would be reimbursed the next month. Further investigation revealed that checks from the business were used to pay Hopper’s personal bills. Hopper is believed to have received as much as $90,000 to pay her mortgage, credit cards and even plastic surgery. She still has $72,000 in restitution to pay off. Hopper will have to spend 18 months in prison, three years on extended supervision and seven years on probation. Paul, meanwhile, will be in court for a preliminary hearing on February 13 and faces a total of 20 years in prison, if she is convicted.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">BDUSD Custodian Charged In Teen Assault</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">2/4/12 - The former Beaver Dam School District custodian charged with having a sexual relationship with a high school student had a cash bond set at $5000 during an Initial Appearance Friday. 27-year-old Joseph A. Posthuma has been formally charged with one felony count of Repeated Sexual Assault of the Same Child. According to the criminal complaint, High School Principal Mark DiStefano alerted police Thursday morning about the incident after learning about the encounters from the teen victim. She reportedly met Posthuma at the high school in July of 2010 and the relationship became physical in November of that year with the two having contact between 10 and 15 times over the course of 18 months. Postuma was working at Trenton Elementary at the time of his arrest. During an interview with investigators, Postuma reportedly admitted to the contact and both parties said the encounters were consensual. The victim told investigators that Posthuma tried to break-off the relationship several times but she persisted. Authorities do not believe there are any other victims but they are still investigating. Posthuma has a preliminary hearing on the calendar February 16.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">No Injuries In Whitewater Coop Gas Explosion </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">2/4/12 - A tanker truck and a building were damaged in a propane gas explosion Friday afternoon, but no injuries were reported. A hose being used to transfer propane from a holding tank inside the building to the truck became disconnected, causing the blast at Landmark Services Cooperative on Highway 59 southwest of Whitewater. The worker realized the hose was free and he ran from the building before the explosion. Nobody else was inside at the time. Highway 59 was closed for about two and a half hours during the incident. Big holes were torn in the walls of the building where the explosion happened at about 3 p.m. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Johnson Returns Home</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">2/4/12 - Hundreds upon hundreds lined the streets of Horicon and Mayville Friday to honor their hometown hero, First Lt. David Johnson, who was killed last week while defending his country in Afghanistan. In Horicon, the downtown was awash in red, white and blue as droves of employees at John Deer joined local students, city workers and residents in lining the streets in a solemn and emotional show of patriotic support. When the motorcade arrived in Johnson’s hometown of Mayville, the procession paused for a moment in front of the American Legion Building for a 21-gund salute. There will be a visitation Saturday at Mayville High School from 1pm to 7pm and again Sunday beginning at noon until a memorial service begins at 2pm. At 4pm, Johnson will be taken to the Veterans Memorial of Mayville in the City Park, where military rights and the flag folding presentation will take place. The public is invited to attend.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Walker To Attend National Guard Sendoffs </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">2/4/12 - Governor Scott Walker will be in attendance at two sendoff ceremony’s Saturday for Wisconsin National Guard soldiers. The first ceremony is for 130 Army National Guard soldiers from the Oshkosh-based 1157th Transportation Company and will be held at 11am at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Eagle Hangar in Oshkosh. Prior to their deployment overseas, the soldiers will train for several weeks at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. The second one will be held this afternoon in Hartford for several local Wisconsin Army National Guardsmen. Approximately 60 members of the 82nd Agribusiness Development Team, are being deployed to Afghanistan. Their mission is to teach Afghan farmers how to effectively farm and herd to expand their agribusiness, create jobs and reduce poverty. Their sendoff will be held at 2:30pm Saturday at Hartford High School. Both ceremonies are open to the public.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Walker To “Voluntarily” Meet With Investigators</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">2/4/12 - Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker says he will meet with the district attorney heading the secret investigation leading to charged being filed against former associates. The case was opened 20 months ago and is being handled by Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm. The five people charged so far worked for, or were associated with, Walker’s county executive office before he left it to run for governor. Walker says his meeting with Chisholm is voluntary, though when he commented Friday he didn’t say who request the sit-down. Walker’s former deputy chief of staff, Kelly Rindfleisch of Columbus, faces four felony charges. Darlene Wink, Walker’s former county constituent services coordinator, is charged with two misdemeanors of political solicitation by a public employee. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Judge Reverses Recall Signature Ruling</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">2/4/12 - A state appeals court threw out a judge's order Friday to make election officials remove false-and-duplicate signatures from recall petitions. Waukesha Judge Mac Davis agreed last month that Governor Scott Walker's campaign and the state G-O-P should not have to find improper signatures on their own, and then ask the Government Accountability Board to remove them. But the Fourth District Appellate Court in Madison said Davis should have allowed recall groups to intervene in the case. Davis said there wasn't time for that before the petitions had to be filed on January 17th -- and he said the Accountability Board would adequately argue the same points as the recall groups. Now, the case goes back to Davis, who will have to let the recall groups make their argument for the status quo. If they prevail, it means that Walker, the lieutenant governor, and four G-O-P senators including Senator Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau would have to dig up their own evidence of illegal signatures -- and then ask the state to rule them invalid. Republicans say they've found numerous examples of fraud while reviewing the Walker petitions. One signer from Milwaukee identified himself as the movie character "E-T." And one page of petitions had signers giving Saint Nazianz and South Milwaukee the same zip code -- even though they're dozens of miles apart.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Kleefisch Petitions Online</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">2/4/12 - Persons signing petitions for the recall of Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch can find their signatures online. The Government Accountability Board says while voting is private, signing a recall petition is public. GAB staff scanning more than 140 thousand pages of signatures supporting Kleefisch’s recall and posted them online yesterday. They were handed over to a representative of the lieutenant governor at the same time. The board says the signatures are being released under the Wisconsin open records law.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">No Charges Against Shopper Who Stopped Robbery</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">2/4/12 - No charges will be filed against a Milwaukee grocery shopper who shot and wounded a man who was trying to rob the place. District Attorney John Chisholm said Friday that the law allows reasonable force in a threatening situation, whether-or-not the shooter has a concealed weapons permit. Chisholm said 35-year-old Nazir Al-Mujaahimid of Milwaukee disrupted an act that could have exposed himself and others to great harm -- and he acted reasonably and in a controlled manner. The incident occurred Monday night while Al-Mujaahimid and his wife were shopping at an Aldi's store on Milwaukee's northwest side. The man told reporters he was never in the store before -- and he said he was just doing what he had to do. The two alleged robbers left with nothing. Both are in custody but have not been charged yet. Al-Mujaahimid said he's a gun rights supporter with a concealed weapons' permit. And had he realized the store not allowed guns, he would have shopped somewhere else. He's an Internet marketer, and he started a Web site to share his experience and what people can learn from it. The address is ccwAdvocates-Dot-Com.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-6863387918998660812?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-16351370656009420002012-02-03T06:29:00.001-06:002012-02-03T06:29:11.807-06:00Johnson’s Body Returning To Mayville<br /><br />2/3/12 - The public is encouraged to line the streets of Dodge County this morning as a Mayville soldier killed last week in Afghanistan returns home to his final resting place. The body of 24-year-old First Lieutenant David Johnson will arrive at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee around 9:27am tomorrow (Friday) morning. From there, the motorcade procession will travel down Highway 41. It’s expected to enter Horicon between 10am and 11am on Main Street Road, travel through downtown Horicon, head east on Highway 33 and Lake Street, before turning onto Highway 28 on its way to Mayville. Once in Mayville the motorcade will continue on Horicon Street and turn onto Main Street. The motorcade will stop for a few minutes in front American Legion Post 69, 134 S. Main St., where the firing squad will give Johnson military honors. The motorcade will then continue traveling down Main Street before going to Koepsell Funeral Home on Walnut Street. There will be a visitation on Saturday at Mayville High School, 500 N. Clark St., from 1 to 7pm. On Sunday, visitation will continue from noon to 2pm, when a memorial service will begin. At 4pm, Johnson will be taken to the Veterans Memorial of Mayville in City Park by the park pavilion, where military rights and honors and the flag folding presentation will take place. Stay tuned to WBEV-WXRO for updates on the motorcade.<br /><br />BDUSD Employee Charged with Child Sexual Assault <br /><br />2/3/12 - A now former Beaver Dam School District employee is facing several charges after he allegedly had a sexual relationship with a high school student. The 27-year-old man, who worked as a custodian in the district, was taken into custody Thursday morning and jailed on possible charges of Repeated 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a Child and Sexual Assault by a Faculty member. Superintendent Steve Vessey says they were alerted to the possible relationship on Wednesday night and informed the school’s liaison officer yesterday morning of the allegations. They also terminated the employee for violation of school policies. Detective Ryan Klavekoske says their investigation shows the relationship started a year and half ago and involved numerous sexual encounters at the man’s home. Officials say they don’t believe there are any other victims but they are still investigating. District parents were informed of the situation by phone on Thursday night, and Vessey says anyone with concerns can contact him at his office. <br /><br />Corrections Officer Waives Prelim<br /><br />2/3/12 - A corrections officer at Waupun Correctional, accused of having a sexual relationship with an inmate, waived her right to a preliminary hearing yesterday. 33-year-old Jolene J. Mason of Beaver Dam is charged with three counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault by Corrections Staff and one count of Delivering Illegal Articles to an Inmate, all felonies which carry a combined maximum of over 123-years in prison upon conviction. According to the criminal complaint, the Department of Corrections received information regarding inappropriate contact between Mason and a prisoner and immediately began to monitor activity between the two. Officials then intercepted letters sent to a Beaver Dam Post Office address that detailed sexual activities between the two. Mason reportedly used her driver’s license in filling out the application for the PO Box. The inmate reportedly denied the relationship at first but later confessed saying they became physical last December and continued through April. Mason allegedly smuggled a cell phone into the inmate so the two could talk and text and also brought in food, jewelry, tattoo ink and needles. The inmate has since been moved to another institution. <br /><br />Luck Arraigned In Teen Assault<br /><br />2/3/12 - A Beaver Dam man, accused of carrying on a sexual relationship with a young teen girl, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday. Nathaniel Luck then stood silent at arraignment and had a “not guilty” plea entered on his behalf. The 20-year-old is charged with Repeated Sexual Assault of the Same Child, a felony which if he’s convicted carries maximum sentence of life in prison and a minimum of 25 years. Luck was allegedly with the girl dozens of times between April and August and may have even violated a court injunction by seeing her last month. The family of the girl, who was 15-years-old when most of the assaults occurred, learned about the relationship from her postings on a social networking website. Luck had a signature bond set at $10,000 yesterday and a preliminary hearing on the calendar next month. <br /><br />Jury Convicts Villwock After 16 Minute Deliberation<br /><br />2/3/12 - A Dodge County jury has found a 62-year-old Beaver Dam man guilty of taking nearly $68,000 in gold coins from his brother last January. Authorities say they found a number of the coins at Robert Villwock’s home and that he’d sold about dozen more to a coin shop in Beaver Dam. The money was in a safe he took from his brother’s home. The safe was later found on Villwock’s property. After three days of testimony, it took the jury 16 minutes Wednesday night to find him guilty of three felony charges including Burglary, Theft and Receiving Stolen Property. A misdemeanor count of Criminal Damage to Property was dismissed. Villwock will be sentenced in March.<br /><br />Traffic Crashes Up in January <br /><br />2/3/12 - Forty-two people were killed in Wisconsin traffic crashes last month. That's three more than last January, and three more than the average for the past five years. The state D-O-T said 33 drivers were killed last month, along with seven passengers and two pedestrians. Wisconsin has just finished its safest four-year period for traffic deaths since the 1920's, and State Patrol Major Sandra Huxtable says officials are trying to get that to continue. Last year, Wisconsin had fewer than 600 traffic deaths for the fourth year in a row. The last time that happened was 1923-to-'27.<br /><br />Hate Crimes Being Investigated at UW-Parkside <br /><br />2/3/12 - Officials at U-W Parkside near Kenosha promise to punish anyone caught committing three hate crimes on campus since the start of Black History Month. It all started when a noose made of rubber bands was found Wednesday night. Yesterday, a threatening note was left near the door of a female black student who reported the noose. Then last night, fliers were found listing several black students by name, and that they would die in two days. Parkside's interim dean-of-students, Cindy Graham, called the behavior unacceptable. She said an all-campus meeting was scheduled for late last night to discuss the incidents. Graham said only residents were allowed access at the Pike River dorm last evening, and more security officers would monitor all the dorms. She said that if those responsible for the incidents are Parkside students, they would most likely be expelled.<br /><br />Whooping Cranes Staying Put In Alabama<br /><br />2/3/12 - For the first time in 11 years, a group of Wisconsin baby whooping cranes will not make it to Florida for an annual migration effort. Nine baby cranes were grounded in Alabama in mid-December. And Liz Condie of Operation Migration says the birds have rejected several efforts by an ultra-light pilot to get them to Florida. The most recent effort was last Sunday. The cranes were grounded after somebody complained that a pilot who was guiding the birds violated federal rules against ultra-light pilots being paid to make trips. The pilot works for the group in charge of an effort to re-introduce endangered whooping cranes in the eastern U-S. A couple weeks ago, the F-A-A granted a temporary waiver from its rules so the birds could make the trip to Florida this winter. But because they won’t go, Condie says they’ll be put in crates, and taken to the nearby Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama for the rest of the winter.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-1635137065600942000?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-54566342209918342752012-02-02T21:32:00.000-06:002012-02-02T21:32:24.866-06:00A now former Beaver Dam School District employee is facing several charges after he allegedly had a sexual relationship with a high school student. The 27-year-old man, who worked as a custodian in the district, was taken into custody Thursday morning and jailed on possible charges of Repeated 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a Child and Sexual Assault by a Faculty member. Superintendent Steve Vessey says they were alerted to the possible relationship on Wednesday night and informed the school’s liaison officer yesterday morning of the allegations. They also terminated the employee for violation of school policies. Detective Ryan Klavekoske says their investigation shows the relationship started a year and half ago and involved numerous sexual encounters at the man’s home. Officials say they don’t believe there are any other victims but they are still investigating. District parents were informed of the situation by phone on Thursday night, and Vessey says anyone with concerns can contact him at his office.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-5456634220991834275?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-79462290536558528852012-02-02T06:42:00.001-06:002012-02-02T06:42:58.928-06:00Anniversary of Groundhog Blizzard<br /><br />2/2/12 - It was called the “Groundhog Blizzard” and up to 26-inches of snow hammered our region one year ago. Four people were killed, including a Racine County woman who suffered a heart problem while walking from her street to her house – and was buried under four-feet of snow. Tod Pritchard of Wisconsin Emergency Management remembers giant snow-drifts, canceled flights, impassable roads, and over 100 abandoned vehicles in Kenosha County. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department dealt with over 170-runoffs as 12-inches of snow fell in a 24-hour period with wind gusts of 45-miles-per hour. Pritchard credited emergency personnel for getting a jump on the storm. Had they not, he said it could have been a lot worse. The federal government later declared Dodge County and nine other counties as disaster areas – a rarity for a Wisconsin winter storm. And it forced Sun Prairie’s famous groundhog to go haywire with his prediction. Sun Prairie canceled its annual community gathering last year, and Jimmy the Groundhog was let out privately to predict an early spring. But in one of Jimmy’s rare lapses, spring was not so early – as northeast Wisconsin had 10-inches of snow in late April.<br /><br />500 Claims Filed Against Milwaukee Archdiocese <br /><br />2/2/12 - Over 500 people have filed claims against the Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese, saying they should be compensated because they were sexually abused by priests. As part of the church bankruptcy proceedings, a deadline of 4pm yesterday was set for victims to file financial claims. The Milwaukee figure was the largest among eight Catholic regions in the U-S that had filed for bankruptcy since 2004 – and it’s about the same number involved in a Jesuit bankruptcy case that included five states. Officials in the Milwaukee Archdiocese said they were not sure how many people would file. A bankruptcy judge will now decide if each claim is valid. If so, the church will have to pay it. If not, the archdiocese says it has a 300-thousand-dollar fund to provide therapy to those whose claims are rejected. Bankruptcy Judge Susan Kelley will start hearing the claims cases a week from Thursday. The Milwaukee Archdiocese is comprised of 10 southeastern Wisconsin counties, including Dodge County.<br /><br />Oconomowoc Man Pleads To Home Invasion<br /><br />2/2/12 - An Oconomowoc man has entered into a plea agreement with Dodge County prosecutors for his role in an armed invasion at a Watertown home. 20-year-old Michael Magsamen pleaded “no contest” to five felony charges including Armed Robbery with the Use of Force and False Imprisonment as a Party to a Crime. Eight other felony charges were dismissed but read into the record. According to prosecutors, Magsamen and his accomplice, 36-year-old Lawrence Davis of Oconomowoc, armed themselves with a pellet gun and an ax handle, donned masks and forced their way into a residence. While there, Davis struck several people with the ax handle and restrained the nine victims while he and Magsamen searched for the residence for valuables. They were eventually chased from the home after some of victims recognized one of the robber’s voices. Davis was sentenced earlier this month to 12 years in prison and five years on extended supervision. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered a hearing will be scheduled at a later date. <br /><br />High Speed Chase Suspect Arraigned<br /><br />2/2/12 - A Milwaukee man, accused of running from Watertown police at a high rate of speed, entered a “not guilty” plea at arraignment Wednesday. Bertram is charged with one felony count of Fleeing an Officer, which carries a maximum three-and-a-half year prison sentence, if he is convicted. According to the criminal complaint, police stopped the 22-year-old on the Highway 16 Bypass in October for speeding. When the officer informed Bertram that he had three warrants out for his arrest, Bertram allegedly stood silent for a moment, slowly put his hands on the ignition and “slammed his car into gear.” A one-mile chase followed that reportedly reached speeds of 85mph before the officer terminated the pursuit. A citation was sent to Bertram. A passenger in the vehicle later told police that Bertram said he didn’t know about the warrants and didn’t want to get arrested and lose his job. He has court activity is on the calendar again next month.<br /><br />BD Woman Arraigned In Restaurant Embezzlement<br /><br />2/2/12 - A Beaver Dam woman, accused of stealing money from a local restaurant, entered a “not guilty” plea at arraignment Wednesday. Casey Sweetman is charged with Computer Crimes – Modifying Data, a felony that carries a maximum three-and-a-half year prison sentence, upon conviction. The 23-year-old allegedly embezzled $3500 from the Benvenuto’s Restaurant in Beaver Dam in a scheme involving gift cards. According to the criminal complaint, Sweetman would pocket money from bills paid in cash and then search the computer database for random customers with gift cards and zero-out their account to make-up the difference. An audit was performed after several customers complained about having zero balances on what should have been valid gift cards. A plea and sentencing hearing is on the calendar later this month.<br /><br />Appeals Court Rules In Fondy Rail Case<br /><br />2/2/12 - A state appeals court said a jury was correct in awarding a million dollars to a conductor who was injured while working in a rail yard in North Fond du Lac. The Second District Appellate Court today upheld the jury’s award for Bruce Dalka of Malone. He was working with a switching crew in June of 2005 when a drunk driver sped into the rail yard and aimed directly toward Dalka. The rail worker managed to get out of the way – but he tripped and severely injured his lower back. His attorneys said Dalka needed five surgeries because of the incident. In his lawsuit against the railroad, Dalka said the railroad made no effort to limit access to outside vehicles at its parking lot – even though people had previously trespassed there. The Wisconsin Central had appealed the jury’s award, saying it could never have anticipated the drunken driving mishap.<br /><br />Bednarek Grateful For SAGES<br /><br />2/2/12 - Fox Lake Mayor Tom Bednarek says this falls expected opening of the SAGES Charter School will be a great benefit to the community. “SAGES” stands for “School for AGriculture and Environmental Science” and the charter school is being housed in the former Fox Lake Elementary School, which the Waupun School District closed in 2009 as part of a cost-saving move. Bednarek says having an elementary school in Fox Lake again will help attract and retain families in the community. So far, around 60 students have registered, more than the minimum of 50 needed to be able to open the doors. If more than 125 students register, all the students would be put into a lottery to determine who gets accepted. SAGES will teach all subject areas, with a focus on agriculture and environmental studies, and with emphasis on hands-on field work and learning through project-based learning. Families have until March 15th to register.<br /><br />Cullen Drops Out Of Gubernatorial<br /><br />2/2/12 - Wisconsin Senate Democrat Tim Cullen has changed his mind about running for governor in the expected recall election against Scott Walker. Cullen, a veteran moderate from Janesville, said there’s no way he could raise enough money to keep up with his better-known opponents. This leaves former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk as the only announced Democrat to challenge Walker – but Cullen said he expects others to throw their hats in the ring. The 67-year-old Cullen was elected to his second stint in the Senate in 2010. He previously served in that chamber from 1974-through-’86 – and he was also a secretary of Health and Human Services under former Republican Governor Tommy Thompson.<br /><br />Coggs Accused of Misusing Taxpayer Dollars<br /><br />2/2/12 - A legislative aide who was fired by state Senator Spencer Coggs now says her former boss made his staff illegally do campaign work on state time, and help with his wife’s business. Jana Williams filed a complaint with the Government Accountability Board. According to Wis-Politics-Dot-Com, Williams said Coggs – a Milwaukee Democrat – had one tax-funded staffer work largely on Coggs’ unsuccessful campaign for lieutenant governor in 2010. But Coggs denied the allegations to Wis-Politics. And his campaign manager at the time, Zak Williams, said none of <br />his Senate aides could possibly have worked on the lieutenant governor race. That’s because they didn’t have the password for the campaign’s Web site. Coggs is running for Milwaukee city treasurer this spring – and he questions whether the complaint is being filed now to try and hurt his election bid. Jana Williams was let go after Democrats lost the majority in the Senate in 2010, and they had to reduce their staffs.<br /><br />Thompson Supports Insurance, Pension Increases<br /><br />2/2/12 - Republican U-S Senate candidate Tommy Thompson says federal employees should pay more for their health insurance and pensions – just like Wisconsin state employees started doing last year. The former governor and Bush health secretary said that if he’s elected, higher employee benefit costs would be one of the first things he’ll propose. Thompson would not say how much the contributions should be – but he said they should be in line with what similar employees in the private sector are paying. Thompson is one of three Republicans running for the Senate seat being given up by the retiring Herb Kohl. In Wisconsin, Governor Scott Walker and his fellow Republicans in the Legislature made state workers pay 12-percent of their health premiums, and put five-point-eight percent of their salaries toward their pensions.<br /><br />Walker Signs Open Enrollment Bill<br /><br />2/2/12 - Governor Scott Walker signed a bill Wednesday that gives Wisconsin parents more time to decide whether their kids should go to public schools outside their home districts. The Republican Walker lengthened the sign-up period for the state’s long-running Open Enrollment program from three weeks to three months. Signs-ups normally begin in early February – and they’ll start on Monday for the fall term. The new deadline will be on April 30th. Parents can choose up to three non-resident school districts, and those districts will act on the applications according to how much room they have. In a statement, Walker noted that the extended sign-up period will give parents more opportunities for their youngsters. The bill also requires a student’s home district to inform the new district about any discipline problems the child might have. Also, the bill gives home districts more of a say in the transfer requests – and it gives applicants who are rejected a chance to appeal those decisions to the state. The new law was first introduced a year ago in the Legislature – but the final version did not pass until last month.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-7946229053655852885?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-17717280087293879312012-02-01T07:25:00.002-06:002012-02-01T07:25:31.697-06:00Woman Pinned Underneath Vehicle in Critical Condition <br /><br />2/1/12 - A 43-year-old Theresa woman was listed in critical condition at last word after she got pinned underneath her vehicle yesterday morning. It happened on Doyle Road just before 7 a-m. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says they believe the woman stopped to get the mail on her way to work when her vehicle started sliding backwards. The woman was apparently trying to get back into the vehicle when she got knocked down, and the car rolled on top of her. Nehls says because of the snow and ice the car didn’t roll over her, but instead, wedged her underneath one of the front tires. She was dragged about 300 feet down an embankment and into a marshy area. Nehls says the woman’s son saw the accident happen and called 9-1-1. She was flown to Froedert Hospital in Milwaukee and was in the intensive care unit last night. <br /><br />Despite Privacy Concerns, Recall Petitions Now Online <br /><br />2/1/12 - The recall petitions against Governor Scott Walker are now on-line. The Government Accountability Board put all of the estimated one-million signatures on its Web site last night, after a number of people asked that their names not be posted due to privacy concerns. But Board director Kevin Kennedy says no expectation of privacy is justified or implied when somebody chooses to sign a public recall petition. He also cited a recent U-S Supreme Court decision which ordered Washington State to release petitions for a referendum. The Walker petitions were expected to be posted Monday. But the Accountability Board held them back for a day to weigh the privacy concerns against the public interest – which is the required balancing test under the Open Records Law. Kennedy said the balancing test favored disclosure of the entire petitions with nothing blacked out – even when signers feared that previous abusers would seek them out if they saw their victims’ addresses in the petitions. The Accountability Board took heat for holding the petitions back. State Attorney General J-B Van Hollen said the petitions should be distributed as widely as possible, and he had attorneys meet with elections’ officials on the issue yesterday. You’ll find the petitions at GAB-Dot-WI-Dot-Gov. The state Republican Party and the Walker campaign have been reviewing the petitions, looking for false and duplicate signatures. The board has until March 19th to validate the petitions.<br /><br />Voter ID Law Informational Meeting Tonight<br /><br />2/1/12 - Dodge County voters are invited to an informational meeting tonight that covers new statewide changes in elections laws and the new voter ID requirements. The non-partisan event is sponsored by the Government Accountability Board and Dodge County Clerk Karen Gibson. It will be held at 5:30pm at the Beaver Dam Public Library. Link with more info can be found on our website. www.gab.wi.gov or www.co.dodge.wi.us<br /><br />No Candidate for Scott Fitzgerald in Possible Recall<br /><br />2/1/12 - State Democrats announced that three present-and-former lawmakers will run for the Senate in the possible recall elections. Democrats, however, have not announced a challenger for G-O-P Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau. Wausau Representative Donna Seidel will try to unseat Republican Pam Galloway. Former Racine Senator John Lehman will try to get his old job back, after he lost to Van Wanggaard in 2010. And former Assembly Democrat Kristin Dexter of Eau Claire will run against Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls. State Democratic chairman Mike Tate said his party is quote, "poised to complete the job of taking back the Senate which was begun last spring." But Fitzgerald called Seidel, Lehman, and Dexter "retread candidates" who will provide a stark contrast to the G-O-P's quote, "fiscal responsibility and pro-jobs leadership."<br /><br />Jeff Fitzgerald Lagging Behind in Money Raised <br /><br />2/1/12 - State Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald has not raised nearly as much campaign money as his Republican opponents in Wisconsin’s U-S Senate race this fall. The Horicon Republican says he raised $77,000 dollars in the last three months of 2011. That’s well below the $518,000 raised by former Congressman Mark Neumann, and the $656,000 raised by former Governor Tommy Thompson. Fitzgerald says the race is a marathon, not a sprint. And even if he doesn’t keep up financially, he says he can win by pointing to his accomplishments in the Assembly any chance he can get. The winner of the September G-O-P primary is expected to face Democrat Tammy Baldwin in November. And she raised $1.1 million dollars from October through December. The winner of the Senate contest will replace retiring Democrat Herb Kohl.<br /><br />Wisconsin Losing Residents and Tax Dollars<br /><br />2/1/12 - A new report says 45-thousand Wisconsinites – which equals the entire population of Fond du Lac – moved to Florida and Arizona from 2006-through-2010. The state’s Taxpayers Alliance examined 15 years of Census and I-R-S data, and it concluded that quote – “Wisconsin has shifted from a net importer to a net exporter of people and income.” Almost 28-thousand state residents who moved to Florida during the five years the group studied had average family incomes of 82-thousand-dollars. Dale Knapp of the Tax Alliance says many are retirees. And for them, he said “no income tax in Florida seals the deal.” About 17-thousand Wisconsinites who moved to Arizona took away annual incomes of 53-thousand dollars. The report said 35-thousand more Milwaukee County residents left than arrived – and they reduced the county’s total incomes by one-point-three billion dollars. But those who moved to Wisconsin are no dummies – not all of them, anyway. Forty-percent of the incoming residents 25-and-older had college degrees. And about a quarter of those who moved here are in the 18-to-24-year-old age group. Wisconsin had a net population gain during the five-year study period, but that was due to births and deaths within the state. The Tax Alliance said a total of 413-thousand Wisconsinites left from ’06-through-2010 – while almost 389-thousand moved in.<br /><br />National Guard Sendoff this Weekend <br /><br />2/1/12 - A sendoff ceremony will be held this weekend in Hartford for several local Wisconsin Army and Air National Guardsmen. Approximately 60 members of the 82nd Agribusiness Development Team, are being deployed to Afghanistan. Their mission is to teach Afghan farmers how to effectively farm and herd to expand their agribusiness, create jobs and reduce poverty. That includes training Afghans in beekeeping, advising grape farmers in the use of trellises to increase yield, educating livestock owners in the use of vaccines to improve herd health, and establishing demonstration farms to highlight various agriculture techniques. The members of the 82nd include a forestry specialist, agronomist, agricultural marketing specialist, a hydrologist, a pest control specialist, engineers, a veterinary technician, mechanics, medics, communications specialists and security personnel. Their sendoff will be held at 2:30pm Saturday at Hartford High School. Another ceremony for 130 Army National Guard soldiers from the Oshkosh-based 1157th Transportation Company, will be held at 11am Saturday at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Eagle Hangar in Oshkosh. Prior to their deployment overseas, the soldiers will train for several weeks at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. Both ceremonies are open to the public.<br /><br />47% of Wisconsinites Approved of Obama<br /><br />2/1/12 - Just over 47-percent of Wisconsin adults approved of President Obama’s job performance during the course of last year. That’s according to numbers released this afternoon by the Gallup polling organization. It sampled about 48-hundred Wisconsinites throughout 2011 – and it listed Obama’s approval rating in the Badger State at 47-point-four percent, with 43-point-eight-percent disapproving. Wisconsin’s rating was three points above the national figure – and it was second only to Michigan among a dozen battleground states in this year’s presidential race.<br /><br />Telemarketers Still #1 Complaint from Residents <br /><br />2/1/12 - Wisconsin’s Number-One consumer complaint is still the tele-marketers who violate the do-not-call list. The state Consumer Protection agency received 16-hundred-69 written complaints about telemarketing firms last year. Cell phone and Internet providers were second on the complaint list. Landlord-tenant disputes were third followed by home improvement scams, identity theft, gas pump inaccuracies, vehicle sales, furniture sales, car repairs, satellite dishes, dentistry work, and various contests and promotions. Many of the telemarketer complaints were about automated “robo-calls” from firms that seek credit card numbers and other personal data. Consumer protection administrator Sandy Chalmers says her office gets a dozen calls a day from people who want the practice stopped. But that’s hard to do, because many calls are placed from outside the U-S. Of the 12-hundred-72 telecom complaints, almost 700 were against Element Mobile – which had numerous contract-and-billing problems after it took over from All-Tel in most of central Wisconsin a year ago. The company has said that most of the complaints resulted from the transition to Element Mobile.<br /><br />Columbus Accepts Statue and Land<br /><br />2/1/12 - The City has accepted the statue and land that were the property of the “Columbus Quincentenial Celebration Committee.” The statue of Columbus asking for a heavenly invocation upon his discovery of a new land is located on highways 60 &amp; 16 entering the City from the west. The Council accepted the 1.6 acres of parkland and the historic 1992 statue at their last meeting by accepting the transfer of assets of the Quincentennial Committee to the City. <br /><br />Customer Thwarts Robbery in Milwaukee <br /><br />2/1/12 - An effort to rob a Milwaukee grocery store was thwarted when a customer pulled out a gun and opened fire. Police said a man entered an Aldi's store on the city's northwest side Monday evening and announced a hold-up. A customer then fired at the suspect, and the would-be robber ran off without getting anything. Later, police say a 20-year-old man showed up at a hospital to be treated for a non-life threatening gunshot wound, no word yet if he’s connected. <br /><br />Lins on Community Comment Today<br /><br />2/1/12 - Join us on WBEV’s Community Comment this afternoon when we welcome the Beaver Dam School District’s Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Coordinator Deb Lins to the program. February is National Prescription Drug Awareness Month and Lins will join us to discuss the dangers facing youth today and efforts parents can undertake to keep their kids away for the growing problem of prescription drug use and abuse. Community Comment airs weekdays on 1430AM at 12:35pm.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-1771728008729387931?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-13464862684570812712012-01-31T06:50:00.001-06:002012-01-31T06:50:49.297-06:00Community Comment Live From BDACT Today<br /><br />1/31/12 - There are 13 levels and 300 stairs in the Beaver Dam Area Community Theater building but no ground-floor access. That’s one of the reasons the theater embarked upon a $2.5 million dollar fundraising effort. On Community Comment this afternoon, Craig Warmbold will join board member Annette Kamps, historian Roger Noll and Managing Director David Saniter in touring the century-old-church-turned-theater-space. The plan is to add 10,000 square feet, two smaller theater stages and increased seating in the main theater. There would be a ground-level entrance on the north side of the building and an elevator to allow for handicap access. Plans also call for the addition of an orchestra pit, an expanded backstage area and dressing rooms. The goal is to have ground broken by the theater’s golden anniversary in 2014. Tune in to WBEV’s Community Comment at 12:35pm this afternoon to find out how theater officials plan on pulling that all off. <br /><br />Privacy Concerns Delay Walker Petitions <br /><br />1/31/12 - State election officials did not put the recall petitions against Governor Scott Walker on-line yesterday as they had planned. Reid Magney of the Government Accountability Board said the agency held back, after hearing from a stalking victim and others who said they did not want their names and addresses published due to privacy reasons. Magney said the Board needed more time to consider the issue. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel immediately filed a request for the petitions under the state Open Records Law, and the conservative MacIver Institute said it would do the same. The board gave the petitions to the Walker campaign last Friday, and they've got 30 days to challenge what it believes are invalid signatures. 540-thousand valid ones are needed to force a recall election, and petitioners said they submitted a million signatures just to make sure they've got enough. Officials had said that putting the petitions on-line would give others a chance to verify the signatures, and give those who didn't sign a chance to see if somebody forged their names. The American Civil Liberties Union had asked that the names of domestic abuse victims be deleted from public copies of the recall petitions. Bill Lueders of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council said if there are legitimate safety concerns, the board should set up a procedure for blacking out names and addresses instead of keeping all the signatures under wraps. He said the signing of a recall petition is a public act -- and it cannot be done in secret. <br /><br />Beaver Dam Approves Capital Improvements Program<br /><br />1/31/12 - There was unanimous approval of Beaver Dam’s five-year CIP by a joint meeting of the city’s Administrative and Operations Committee last night. The Capitol Improvements Program, or CIP, lays out infrastructure improvement needs and major equipment purchases over the next five years while outlining a borrowing plan for the current year. Council President Jon Litscher took it a step further and came up with a three-year plan that would hold borrowing to $1.6 million in each of the next three years. Litscher, who sits on the Administrative Committee which basically holds the purse strings, says the plan gives the Operations Committee some assurance that the multi-year projects they’ve brought forward would be funded.<br /><br />Projects for 2012 include the reconstruction Prospect Avenue in conjunction with a state Highway 151 project. Two stretches of North Crystal Lake Road will see mill and overlay work along with the city-owned, downtown Center Plaza parking lot. Borrowing is also planned for a dump truck, handicap-accessible playground equipment, and state-mandated repairs to the dam, along with a new ambulance, rescue boat and pumper truck for the fire department. A plan to address asbestos in the fire department was put-off until 2013 so city officials could meet that $1.6 million borrowing target. Fire Chief Alan Mannel says he had a professional assess the situation recently and was told there is no immediate threat…except in the council chamber where last night’s meeting was held and further study would be needed to confirm that. 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, Beaver and Front streets.<br /><br />BDPD Investigating BB Vandalism Spree<br /><br />1/31/12 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is investigating a series of property damage reports resulting from a BB gun. The first report came in Sunday afternoon from a residence on the 700 block of Madison reporting that there was a hole in the front door and a smashed window. A few hours later, a caller on the 300 block of West Mackie reported BB gun holes in the driver’s side window of a vehicle. Around 9pm, police fielded a report of a driver’s side window shot out on the 200 block of Beaver Street. Complaints were taken for criminal damage to property in all three cases. Anyone with information should contact the Beaver Dam Police Department.<br /><br />Alleged Stalker Makes Initial Appearance <br /><br />1/31/12 - A Mayville man made his initial appearance on Monday after being found inside the home of his ex-girlfriend while she wasn’t there last week. 27-year-old Sean Neitzel is facing burglary charges and disorderly conduct. According to the criminal complaint, authorities stepped up patrols in the area after the woman filed a report saying she started noticing footprints to and from her house in early December. On Friday night, an officer patrolling the woman’s neighborhood found a vehicle parked on a back street with footprints leading to the residence. As the officer was speaking with the upstairs tenants he heard footsteps in the woman's home. He called for more officers, and they eventually took Neitzel into custody without incident. Police say there were some things taken from the residence, and they were working to recover those items. Neitzel was still being held at the Dodge County Jail as of yesterday afternoon. <br /><br />Unions to Vote on Staying Intact <br /><br />1/31/12 - One-hundred-60 local government employee unions in Wisconsin will vote this spring on whether to stay in existence. Those without current contracts had until yesterday to file for re-certification votes, which are required once-a-year under the same law which limits collective bargaining privileges. The state will hold the elections in February or March. County, city, town, village, and technical college unions are among those voting in the latest round. Director Jim Scott of the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission said the local groups which filed represent about 49-hundred employees throughout the state. He was not sure how many groups still have existing contracts. Six state employee bargaining units voted last fall to stay organized, even though they can only bargain for wages at-or-below inflation. Public school unions also had their votes late last year -- and 177-of-208 teacher and staff bargaining units agreed to stay in existence. To stay recognized, 51-percent of all members must vote yes. Most of the local groups seeking recertification votes have an average of 30 members each.<br /><br />Property Taxes Due Today<br /><br />1/31/12 - Property taxes are due by close of business Tuesday at your local municipal treasurer’s office. The second installment payments are due at the county treasurer’s office by July 31. Taxpayers mailing after today’s deadline are subject to interest and a penalty of one and a half percent (1.5%) of the total amount for the first month, and that increases by 1.5% percent for every month the tax remains unpaid. Also, if you are late the entire tax bill is due immediately. Hilker says Watertown is the only Dodge County community that allows property taxes to be paid in three installments but all three payments have to be made in the city.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-1346486268457081271?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-81243478910713642202012-01-30T07:20:00.000-06:002012-01-30T07:20:39.272-06:00Community Members Remember Johnson <br /><br />1/30/12 - A wreath laying ceremony for First Lieutenant David Johnson was held in Mayville on Friday. The 24-year-old Mayville-native was killed in Afghanistan last week by an Improvised Explosive Device. Mayor Jerry Moede told the crowd that Johnson was a good man and soldier, confident in what he was doing, and will be missed by many. The ceremony was held at Mayville’s new Veterans Memorial in Fireman’s Park. The brick structure with 17 granite panels currently has the names of 800 Mayville veterans. Mayville resident Dan Bell sat on the committee which raised $100,000 in just a few months last year to make the memorial a reality. Choking back a tear, Bell told us Johnson will be enshrined on the granite panels during their Memorial Day ceremony this May.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OPJe2eyvF8o/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OPJe2eyvF8o?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OPJe2eyvF8o?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br /><br />Copper Wire Theft a Booming Business <br /><br />1/30/12 - There been news stories across the country about thieves targeting foreclosed homes for copper piping and this month in Beaver Dam there has been three reported cases. The most recent was reported last Thursday; a break-in at a vacant property on the 100 block of Curie Street and the only thing stolen was copper piping. Realtor Brian French has a listing on Park Avenue that was targeted earlier this month and he says they didn’t even use a pipe cutter, they just ripped the pipes out causing several hundred dollars in damage for $50 or $60 worth of copper. Police Detective Ryan Klavekoske says they are investigating and currently following up on credible leads. He is urging those with ties to vacant homes to keep on eye on them. <br /><br />Lasee Drops Out of U.S. Senate Race<br /><br />1/30/12 - The number of Republican candidates trying to replace Herb Kohl in the U.S. Senate is down to three. That’s after State Senator Frank Lasee dropped out of the race yesterday. The De Pere Republican said he and his wife Amy concluded that it's not the right time to run. Lasee thanked his supporters and asked voters to elect a quote, "real conservative" to the Senate this fall. A recent Marquette Law School poll showed that voters throughout Wisconsin were not nearly as familiar with Lasee as with the other four Senate candidates of both parties. Almost four-of-every-five voters surveyed did not know enough about Lasee to form an opinion, with the G-O-P primary seven-and-a-half months away. The three Republican’s still in the running include former Governor Tommy Thompson, State Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon and former Congressman Mark Neumann. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin is the only declared Democratic candidate. <br /><br />3rd Annual Cabin Fever Fest a Big Success <br /><br />1/30/12 - Hundreds filled Beaver Dam’s Crystal Lake Park Sunday for the third annual Cabin Fever Fest. Evonne Koeppen with the Beaver Dam Community Activities and Services Department says two days of light fluffy snow leading up to the event and terrific afternoon weather made the family-friendly outing the most successful yet. She estimates that 400 to 500 people were on the grounds enjoying ice skating and sledding, outdoor Dutch-oven cooking and ice fishing demonstrations, snow painting and tractor rides around the park. 15-year-old Zelia Edgar won the “Let It Snow” poetry contest held in conjunction with the Beaver Dam Area Arts Association. In addition to her trophy, the Beaver Dam home-schooler will be reading her poem to the city council and the mayor will be presenting her with his Youth Achievement Proclamation. Angie Vessey of Beaver Dam took home the Senior Center’s coveted Log Cabin Trophy for Best Chili. And hundreds of orange pink pong balls were dropped from the fire department’s ladder truck as part of the Second Annual Snowball Drop. Local Boy Scout Troop 724 scooped up the most ping pong balls and will get a free pool party at the AmericInn. Carson Theodozio of Beaver Dam found the winning ping pong ball worth a $250 cash…he was part of a group of boys that had teamed-up together and agreed to split the winnings seven ways. Video footage of the Snowball Drop is on our website.<br /><br /><br />Soldiers Still Waiting to be Paid<br /><br />1/30/12 - Bureaucratic glitches and clerical errors are being blames for almost 80 Wisconsin National Guard soldiers not getting thousands of dollars they are owed for serving in Iraq. In some cases the money has been owed them for more than five years. The soldiers are members of the Wisconsin National Guard 1157th Transportation Company based in Oshkosh. When they got back from Iraq in 2007 they were due extra pay or leave days for serving multiple deployments. More than 90 of the 170 guardsmen and women were paid, but the rest didn’t get their money. <br /><br />WI Farm Bureau Concerned About New Labor Laws<br /><br />1/30/12 - The Wisconsin Farm Bureau says it is worried new agriculture labor laws affecting people under the age of 18 will make it hard to manage family farms. The proposal rule changes would significantly reduce the amount of farm work a young person can do legally. One of the proposed regulations would limit the operation of power-driven machines by youths 16 and older. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack supports the changes, pointing out that while only four percent of working youth are in the farm sector, 40 percent of fatalities among the working young people come while they are working on or around machines, equipment or facilities related to agriculture.<br /><br />DNR Takes Over Management of Grey Wolf Population <br /><br />1/30/12 - Starting this weekend, the Wisconsin DNR has more authority to manage the state’s grey wolf population. Those wolves are no longer considered a federally-endangered species. That cedes control back to the state, allowing a more balanced approach to the damage caused by the animals. The DNR says it is ready to issue permits to landowners who have been dealing with wolf attacks on livestock. Wolves which have been attacking or threatening livestock or pets can now be removed – if those landowners apply to the state. The most recent state estimates suggest there are about 800 wolves in the state of Wisconsin.<br /><br />Convicted Killer May Help Authorities Find Missing Girl<br /><br />1/30/12 - Authorities want to bring an convicted kidnapper to the Fox Valley to see if he can lead officers to the remains of Laurie Depies, who's been missing for almost 20 years. Larry Hall told officers where they could find Depies's body -- but they've found nothing. Now, Menasha town police lieutenant Mike Krueger tells the Appleton Post-Crescent his department is seeking federal-and-state approval to bring Hall to Wisconsin, in the hopes he can lead them to Depies's remains. The 48-year-old Hall is serving a life sentence at a federal prison in North Carolina. He has admitted kidnapping 39 women from 1980-through-'94, and he said Depies is among those who died. But he was convicted in one death -- that of 15-year-old Jessica Roach of Illinois in 1993. According to Krueger, Hall would like to resolve the case, especially for the Depies family. Depies vanished in August of 1992 from the parking lot of an apartment complex. She was heading to her boyfriend's place after work -- but she never made it to his apartment. Depies's mother, Mary Wagner, says she's skeptical about Hall's motives. But at this point, she's open to anything to get the case resolved.<br /><br />Family Rescued from Lake After Car Crashes Through the Ice <br /><br />1/30/12 - A 10-year-old child was among three people rescued after their car fell into open water on Shawano Lake in Shawano County. Officials said the vehicle sank into five-feet of water on Saturday night. All three people inside managed to climb to the roof of the vehicle, where authorities an airboat to rescue them. They escaped. Despite a recent cold spell, officials throughout Wisconsin are urging ice fishers and others to use extreme caution on the lakes. They say the mild winter has made ice conditions inconsistent. Also this weekend, a Madison man had his all-terrain vehicle and ice shanty fall into Lake Mendota in the Capital City. He did not fall in himself -- and he was not hurt.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-8124347891071364220?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-15028435668307809602012-01-28T20:50:00.001-06:002012-01-28T20:50:37.270-06:00Police Arrest Stalker Inside Victim’s Home<br /><br />1/29/12 - Mayville authorities say they have a man in custody who they believe has been stalking his ex-girlfriend for more than month, including entering her home while she wasn’t there. Police Chief Chris MacNeill says the woman filed a report earlier this month saying she started noticing footprints to and from her house in early December. MacNeill says they stepped up patrols in the area and even went as far as installing a small surveillance camera to identify the suspect. On Friday night, while the woman wasn’t home, an officer found a vehicle parked on a back street with footprints leading to the residence. As the officer was speaking with the upstairs tenants he heard footsteps in the woman’s residence. He called for more officers, and they eventually took the man into custody without incident. MacNeill says there were some things taken from the residence, and they were working to recover those items. The man was jailed on charges of burglary and stalking, though MacNeill says more charges are possible. <br /><br />Evers Asking for Expansion of Tax-funded Vouchers <br /><br />1/29/12 - State school Superintendent Tony Evers has asked the Assembly to pass a bill that prevents the expansion of tax-funded vouchers for low-income kids to attend private schools. Last June, lawmakers approved a last-minute package of items to the current state budget which expands the Milwaukee voucher program to other cities based on their sizes, poverty levels, and public school spending. But critics said it would spread the voucher program throughout the state, and cause large declines in public school enrollments. And the program’s supporters said they intended to limit the program to the current Milwaukee County and Racine. Lawmakers promised to pass legislation to clarify that stand. But G-O-P Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald of Horicon now says he’s not sure if there are enough votes to pass it. The Senate okayed the measure last fall. <br /><br />“Open Enrollment” Time Could Expand<br /><br />1/29/12 - The Wisconsin Assembly has voted to give parents more time to try and have their kids transferred to public schools outside their home districts. On a voice vote, the house gave final legislative approval to a longer sign-up period under the "open enrollment," or public school choice law. Also, a student's home district would have to share details with the new district about any discipline problems. The bill's supporters say it would give struggling youngsters a second chance in a different educational environment. But there were concerns that some districts would have larger net student losses under the expanded measure -- and that more youngsters would be attracted to on-line virtual schools.<br /><br />Churchgoers to be asked to Oppose New Rule<br /><br />1/29/12 - When Catholics in northeast Wisconsin go to church this weekend, they’ll be told to oppose a new federal rule that requires most health insurance plans to pay for contraceptives. Green Bay Bishop David Ricken has asked priests in his diocese to read a letter from him during their Masses. He said the contraceptive coverage rule is quote, “unjust” – and it’s a direct violation of Roman Catholic teachings. He says federal health officials should overturn the rule. And if they don’t, Ricken says Catholics will either have to go against their consciences – or if they’re employers, they’ll have to drop coverage for their workers and suffer the consequences. The new rule takes effect August first. Most health plans would have to cover contraceptive services without charging co-pays or deductibles. Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the rule was drafted with religious concerns in mind. But Bishop Ricken disagrees, and says the rule goes much farther than invading individual conscience.<br /><br />Number of Traffic Crashes for Teens Down Significantly <br /><br />1/29/12 - The number of traffic crashes and fatalities involving teen drivers has dropped significantly since Wisconsin’s Graduated Driver License law was enacted over a decade ago. This is Wisconsin State Patrol Major Sandy Huxtable who heads the DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Safety.<br />120119 Huxtable 1 <br /><br />The GDL law places restrictions on the number of passengers young drivers can carry until they gain more experience behind the wheel. Still, Huxtable says, teen drivers are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes because of their inexperience — they’re also among those least likely to buckle up.<br /><br />Record Number of Travelers on Hiawatha Line<br /><br />1/29/12 - The number of passengers on Amtrak’s Hiawatha line from Milwaukee-to-Chicago surpassed 800-thousand last year for the first time. State transportation officials say that a record 823-thousand-163 people rode the high-speed line in 2011. That’s up four-percent from the previous year. Also, new monthly ridership records were set in each month but August. The Hiawatha makes seven round trips each day between the downtowns of Milwaukee and Chicago. It only makes three stops along the way – at Mitchell International Airport, Sturtevant, and Glenview Illinois. Amtrak said a few months ago that the Hiawatha is the most heavily used passenger line in the Midwest – and it’s the sixth-most popular line throughout the country.<br /><br />Flooding Unlikely on Mississippi at La Crosse <br /><br />1/29/12 - There's less than a one-percent chance that the Mississippi River at La Crosse will hit its flood stage this spring. That's according to a preliminary flooding outlook released by the National Weather Service. Hydrologist Mike Welvaert says the forecast shows that La Crosse area rivers will have plenty of room to handle the melting snow. Only 16-inches have fallen in La Crosse since December first. The normal is 20-inches. Twice that much fell by this time last year. That created some moderate floods in the spring of 2011. Walvaert said many rivers had higher-than-normal water levels for most of last summer -- but they dropped in the fall, thanks to below-average precipitation that has continued. Walvaert cautions that things can change, and long-range forecasts call for normal precipitation for the rest of the winter. The Weather Service will issue its first formal flooding outlook on February 16th. <br /><br />Flood Insurance Could Go Away if Mining Bill is Approved<br /><br />1/29/12 - The federal government says Wisconsinites might lose their access to flood insurance because of an item in the mining bill the Assembly passed last night. Iron ore mines would be allowed to dispose of their waste in flood-plain areas. But the head of flood plain for the Federal Emergency Management Agency says mining is on a list of flood-plain actvities that can jeopardize a community's ability to qualify for federal flood insurance. And David Stearrett said the Assembly's provision might prompt FEMA to quote, "seek enforcement of requirements that include suspension" from the insurance program. Assembly Democrat Brett Hulsey of Madison asked FEMA to comment on the G-O-P's mining bill. He said Wisconsinites hold about 18-thousand federal flood insurance policies with a a total of just over three-billion dollars in coverage.<br /><br />Senate President Apologizes for Calling School a “Sewer” <br /><br />1/29/12 - The president of the Wisconsin Senate has apologized for calling Green Bay Preble High School a "sewer" during a private dinner with some colleagues at a Madison restaurant. Somebody used a cell phone to record Mike Ellis's conversation -- and it ended up on PolitiScoop-Dot-Com. His group was talking about the possibility of expanding private school voucher programs beyond Milwaukee and Racine. The voucher program gives state tax funding to low-income kids to attend private schools, with a goal of escaping poverty. Ellis, of Neenah, brought up the idea of letting just part of a school district be in the program -- and he used Green Bay as an example. In the recording, he said quote, "Green Bay East is fine. West is fine. Preble's a sewer. They have the poverty possum." Ellis said he was only mentioning a hypothetical example. He apologized to a reporter, and said he called the Green Bay superintendent to aplogize as well. Preble students, staff members, and parents went to the school to protest Ellis's remarks and highlight the school's achievements.<br /><br />Company Adding 125 Jobs by End of June<br /><br />1/29/12 - A company near Madison that makes freight containers and grain haulers says it will hire 125 more people by the end of June. Stoughton Trailers added 300 workers last year, and is now at 800. Company president Bob Wahlin says the hiring reflects a recovery from the Great Recession. He says quote, “Freight tonnage is up considerably, and a lot of trucking companies are preparing for better economic times.” Stoughton Trailers has plants in Stoughton, Evansville, and Brodhead. It had 15-hundred employees in 2005 – but that number plunged to 250 in the recession-plagued year of 2009. Wahlin says the new employees will be spread evenly across its three plants. Most will be assembly workers.<br /><br />Thompson Net Worth of $13M <br /><br />1/29/12 - A financial report filed by U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson shows he had a net worth of around 13 million dollars. &nbsp;Most of that money was apparently earned after he left office and started work as a consultant. &nbsp;Thompson is Wisconsin’s former governor and the former secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. &nbsp;Thompson is opposed by two other candidates, all trying to replace the retiring Herb Kohl as U.S. Senator from Wisconsin.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-1502843566830780960?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-63532458307309387342012-01-28T06:44:00.001-06:002012-01-28T06:44:18.140-06:00Johnson Honored In Hometown Ceremony<br /><br />1/28/12 - Several hundred people turned out in Mayville Friday for a wreath laying ceremony to honor First Lieutenant David Johnson. The 24-year-old was killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday by an Improvised Explosive Device. Mayor Jerry Moede told the crowd that a soldier giving his life for his country is the greatest gift one can give. <br /><br />Walker Says He Is Not Target Of Probe<br /><br />1/28/12 - Governor Scott Walker does not believe he’s a subject of the ongoing John Doe probe into the staff he had when he was the Milwaukee County Executive. At a news conference Friday in Wauwatosa, the Republican Walker said his campaign has been cooperating for over a year with Milwaukee prosecutors. And when all the smoke clears, Walker says he has every confidence that quote, “our integrity remains intact.” Two former aides were charged yesterday with creating a secret e-mail network within the Walker staff to quietly handle county-and-campaign business. Ex-staffer Darlene Wink agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges, after prosecutors said she would provide information that includes the destruction of undisclosed digital evidence. Walker said he asked Wink to resign after it was learned that she used part of her tax-funded work days to write glowing things about Walker in on-line comments about campaign news stories. Walker said the resignation proved that his staff knew that he didn’t want any political or campaign work performed on the county dime. And Walker said quote, “If we had known about anyone else, we would have taken the same action.” Meanwhile, state Medicaid director Brett Davis refused comment today on his apparent role in a misconduct probe. Kelly Rindfleisch of Columbus, a former deputy chief-of-staff to Walker, is charged with working on county time to try and get Davis nominated as Walker’s running mate for lieutenant governor last year. Davis lost to Rebecca Kleefisch. <br /><br />Walker Staff to Begin Looking Through Recall Signatures <br /><br />1/28/12 - The 30-day window for Governor Scott Walker to file challenges against the thousands of signatures on recall petitions begins today. The Government Accountability Board says it delivered electronic copies of more than 152 thousand petitions to Walker’s campaign staff yesterday. Recall organizers say those petitions include more than a million signatures. A link to the petitions will be posted on the GAB website next Monday. Some of them were inadvertently posted for a few minutes Friday afternoon, but that were taken down quickly. And, the board says it hopes to complete its work on the petitions challenging Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch by the end of next week. <br /><br />Senate Doesn’t Have Votes to Pass Mining Bill<br /><br />1/28/12 - Leaders in the Wisconsin Senate say they wouldn’t be able to get the votes they need to pass the Assembly version of a mining bill. Senator Neal Kedzie of Elkhorn chairs a select committee on mining. He says that group will work to balance the economic and environmental interests. Supporters say an iron ore mine planned for northern Wisconsin would mean hundreds of jobs for an area in need of work. Opponents warn of damage to the pristine area of the state and its many rivers and streams. Kedzie says he hopes his committee will approve a version of the mining bill by early March, with the legislation coming before the entire senate by the middle of that month.<br /><br />Another Fight Breaks Out at a Milwaukee High School <br /><br />1/28/12 - For a second day in a row, a fight at a Milwaukee high school brings police to campus and results in arrests. Eight people were taken into custody at James Madison Academic Campus high school Friday. Another dozen people had been arrested at Washington High School the day before. At Madison, a police officer was kicked in the face by one of the students. Police say they used a stun gun to stop the 18 year old student after she kicked the officer. Charges filed were disorderly conduct, with three of the eight also charged with resisting or obstructing an officer. Milwaukee superintendent of schools Gregory Thornton says disciplinary action will be taken against the students immediately.<br /><br />Why Shopko Chose Columbus<br /><br />1/28/12 - Many Columbus area residents are asking “Why did Shopko choose Columbus as the site for a store?” The answer from developers and Shopko market studies is that the area population is the right size for a “Hometown” type retail store. Mike Herl of Inland Companies said the Commerce Center land along highway 151 seemed to be a good spot for retail development. Herl said that studies by Shopko concluded that the area population could support a Hometown Store. Construction of the Columbus Shopko is scheduled to begin in March.<br /><br />Western WI School District Looking at 4-day Week<br /><br />1/28/12 - A small school district in western Wisconsin may become the first in the state to switch to a four-day school week. The Department of Public Instruction has given the Blair-Taylor district the okay to explore a four-day week for the next school year. Superintendent Dennis Dervetski says administrators came up with the plan, with input from staff members and teachers who are still under a union contract. The purpose is not necessarily to save money. Dervetski says the idea is to use school facilities and tax dollars more efficiently, while giving staff members more time to prepare for their classes. It would not involve year-round school. Dervetski says it’s possible the state would grant a waiver from the normal 180-days of classes — although the district would still need to hold the state’s minimum numbers of classroom hours. The Blair-Taylor School Board has yet to vote on the change, but Dervetski says five members have told him they support it. Dervetski says a four-day school week has been adopted by other districts in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Idaho, and Oregon with great success. The next step is for the board to hold public hearings. Then, the superintendent said the board would act on it. And if it passes, the DPI would review the details and then make a final decision. The Blair-Taylor School District has just over 700 students.<br /><br />BDACT Auditions for “Mothers Curtain”<br /><br />1/28/12 - The founding matriarch of the Beaver Dam Area Community Theater has written a play that addresses the sensitive topic of intergenerational domestic abuse. Annette Kamps is holding open call auditions for her play, “Mothers Curtain” on Sunday. Kamps says she has cast some of the ten roles in the play but would like to audition more individuals. She is looking for a teen age girl between the ages of 14 and 17-years-old in addition to three or four other women in their early 20’s through early 40’s. Kamps cautions that, for the sake of authenticity, there is some language and content that may be considered offensive and not appropriate for a younger audience. Auditions will be held tomorrow (Sunday) at 6:30pm at the community theater building on North Spring Street. Kamps will also make arrangements with interested parties to audition at an alternate time. Contact information is on our website. There are a limited number of scripts available for review. “Mothers Curtain” will be on the stage of the Beaver Dam Area Community Theater for three performances on April 13, 14 and 15. <br /><br />If you are interested, contact Annette Kamps at 887-2093 or 318-1195 to arrange an audition on Sunday, Jan. 29, 6:30 PM OR to arrange<br />an alternative time.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-6353245830730938734?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-5167276823550975822012-01-27T06:47:00.001-06:002012-01-27T06:47:18.548-06:00Mayville Soldier Killed by IED<br /><br />1/27/12 - The U.S. Department of Defense says the 24-year-old Mayville soldier, who was killed on Wednesday in Afghanistan, died after encountering an improvised explosive device (IED) while on patrol. First Lieutenant David Johnson became the second state resident this year to be killed in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Johnson was the son of Dodge County Pioneer publisher Andrew Johnson, and is survived by his mother, Laura, and three siblings. The family issued a statement on the paper’s website, which called David Johnson an American hero, a man of God first, and a strong leader at school and in his Army unit. After graduating from Mayville High School, Johnson went on to Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri where he earned his degree in 2010. He had been deployed since last December and led the Army's Third Brigade Combat Team. Campus pastor John Plake said Johnson was a well-respected student leader, and he headed the school's R-O-T-C military program. He kept ties with the university after he graduated, and he attended a special Veterans Day service there last November. Johnson’s family was to fly to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware where David’s body is expected to arrive shortly. <br /><br />Columbus Woman Charged In Walker Probe<br /><br />1/27/12 - Two more of Governor Scott Walker's former Milwaukee County aides were charged Thursday as part of an ongoing John Doe investigation. 43-year-old Kelly Rindfleisch of Columbus has four felony charges of misconduct in public office. And 61-year-old Darlene Wink is charged with two misdemeanor counts of internal political solicitation by public employees. Rindfleisch is due in court February 22nd. Prosecutors said she was Walker's deputy chief-of-staff in the Milwaukee County Executive's office when she did extensive campaign work on county time for Brett Davis through a private e-mail network. Davis is a former Assembly Republican who ran and lost for lieutenant governor in 2010. He's now the state's Medicaid director. Wink resigned in May of 2010 as Walker's constituent services director. She was accused of spending part of her workdays doing campaign work for Walker's G-O-P bid for governor. Ciara Matthews of the Walker campaign said his office made it clear that county employees were not allowed to use tax-funded time and resources to conduct any political activity – and Walker expected everyone to follow that law. There are now four ex-Walker aides charged as a result of the John Doe probe. Former county aides Tim Russell and Kevin Kavanaugh are both accused of embezzling over 63-thousand-dollars from an annual event that benefits veterans and their families.<br /><br />Hartford Man Gets Probation In BD Pistol-Whipping<br /><br />1/27/12 - A Hartford man was placed on probation for pistol-whipping in Beaver Dam last summer. It happened in the 600 block of Madison Street on August 4 around 2am. Mark Patterson pleaded “no contest” to Disorderly Conduct and Operating a Firearm While Intoxicated had four other misdemeanors and a felony dismissed but read into the record. According to the criminal complaint, the 46-year-old met up with a group of people at a Madison Street bar and they went to a nearby residence for an “after hours” party. A woman in the group says Patterson attempted to kiss her while the two were alone outside and then he became enraged and made up a story about her owing him $70. Patterson says he loaned her $70 so that she could purchase cocaine for herself then she lied about his advances and had the group kick him out so that she didn’t have to pay him back. Authorities say he pulled a gun and everyone ran into the house except a 23-year-old Beaver Dam man who apparently did not want Patterson messing with his car which was parked outside. Patterson says he approached the house looking for his money, was confronted by two men and acted in self-defense. His blood alcohol level was said to be point-one-four. The victim sustained a closed head injury, eye contusion and concussion. <br /><br />Lodi Man Indicted For Pharmacy Robbery<br /><br />1/27/12 - A Columbia County man has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly robbing a pharmacy at gunpoint. Officials with the US Justice Department say Anthony Carriola of Lodi walked into Eannelli’s Pharmacy in Prairie Du Dac on January 10 and stole morphine pills. The 28-year-old reportedly brandished a .44 caliber revolver. If convicted, Carriola faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the robbery count, and a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years for using a firearm, which would be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.<br /><br />Watertown Man Waives Prelim In Assault Case<br /><br />1/27/12 - A Watertown man has waived his right to preliminary hearing on a variety of charges related to the alleged abuse his girlfriend. Floyd Holcomb Jr. is charged with felony Second Degree Sexual Assault and misdemeanor counts of Battery, Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Damage to Property. According to the criminal complaint, the 25-year-old broke into her apartment earlier this month and the two had a violent exchange. The next day, Holcomb was said to be violent again and reportedly tried to rape the woman with young children nearby. If he is convicted, the charges carry a maximum penalty of 42 years in prison. Holcomb is being held on a $5000 cash bond.<br /><br />WI Assembly Approves Mining Bill<br /><br />1/27/12 - Amid heavy debate and protests, the Wisconsin Assembly voted 59-to-36 last night to limit environmental restrictions and public challenges for a new mine near Lake Superior. All Republicans voted yes. All Democrats voted no. The bill creates a one-year time limit for state officials to act on permits for new iron ore mines -- and it's tailored to Gogebic Taconite's plan to open a vast mine in parts of Ashland and Iron counties. The Assembly debate ran for four-and-a-half hours. Republicans called the bill a massive job creator not just for the mine, but for equipment makers and other suppliers as far away as Milwaukee. But Democrats said the bill was written to guarantee profits for Gogebic Taconite, while slashing tax revenues that local communities would otherwise get from a mine. Bad River Indians feared that pollution would hurt pristine lands in the far north for generations. One of their drummers was cited for disorderly conduct during a Rotunda protest. And spectators questioned the legality of the vote, saying it wasn't totally done in public. There were several outbursts in the gallery during the debate. And Speaker Pro Tem Bill Kramer finally removed all the spectators after some people rained down obscenities under covers of throat clearing and group coughing. The package now goes to the Senate, where its prospects are less certain. Senate Mining Committee chairman Neal Kedzie, a Republican from Elkhorn, has questioned whether the Assembly package goes too far.<br /><br />Ellis Apologizes for Calling High School in GB a “Sewer” <br /><br />1/27/12 - The president of the Wisconsin Senate has apologized for calling Green Bay Preble High School a "sewer" during a private dinner with some colleagues at a Madison restaurant. Somebody used a cell phone to record Mike Ellis's conversation -- and it ended up on PolitiScoop-Dot-Com. His group was talking about the possibility of expanding private school voucher programs beyond Milwaukee and Racine. The voucher program gives state tax funding to low-income kids to attend private schools, with a goal of escaping poverty. Ellis, of Neenah, brought up the idea of letting just part of a school district be in the program -- and he used Green Bay as an example. In the recording, he said quote, "Green Bay East is fine. West is fine. Preble's a sewer. They have the poverty possum." Ellis said he was only mentioning a hypothetical example. He apologized to a reporter, and said he called the Green Bay superintendent to aplogize as well. Preble students, staff members, and parents went to the school to protest Ellis's remarks and highlight the school's achievements.<br /><br />Improvised Geocaching Devices Sparking Concern<br /><br />1/27/12 - There is a new trend sweeping the country and it’s got local authorities on a wild goose chase. It’s called “geocaching” and it’s a real-world outdoor treasure hunting game. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices – like smart phones -- and then share their experiences online. If you log into Geocache.com you’ll find there are over 15,000 hidden geocache containers in the Beaver Dam zip code alone. It’s safe, family-friendly entertainment. There’s only one problem. People who are not in on the game think participants are planting random bombs all over the place. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says his department just got another call on Wednesday from the Town of Theresa reporting that a pill bottle was duct-taped to a road sign. Nehls says whenever somebody is hiding or concealing a container on public or private property many citizens report this activity as suspicious, suspecting either drug or terrorist activity. The Sheriff’s Department responds to these calls and quickly uncovers the suspicious items as a “geocache.” Nehls says he is hoping to educate the public about the possibility that suspicious activity could be the result of geocaching enthusiast’s favorite pastime. He also wants to let geocacher’s know that their actions could be misconstrued and lead to a lot of wasted time for law enforcement. For more information you can go to www.geocaching.com<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-516727682355097582?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-13014500251897715922012-01-26T07:19:00.001-06:002012-01-26T07:19:54.000-06:00Mayville Soldier Killed in Afghanistan <br /><br />1/26/12 - An Army lieutenant from Dodge County has been killed in Afghanistan. W-T-M-J Radio in Milwaukee said 24-year-old First Lieutenant David Johnson of Mayville died in action. But the Pentagon has not released information about the incident -- or when it happened. Johnson headed an infantry platoon based in Fort Lewis Washington.<br /><br />Walker Delivers State of the State Address <br /><br />1/26/12 - With non-stop protest chants in the background, Governor Scott Walker told Wisconsinites last night that the state's on the right track for an economic turnaround. The Republican Walker spent much of his second annual State-of-the-State address touting his job creation and budget-balancing efforts. Walker did not mention the recall effort against him, but he asked for civility. And he did not acknowledge the hundreds of screaming protestors gathered in the Capitol Rotunda who were upset about his cuts in spending and public union bargaining. Those gathered in the Assembly chamber for Walker's speech heard them in the background. Five spectators in the gallery interrupted the 35-minute address. One called the governor a "liar" when he said he respected Wisconsinites. Another mentioned vulnerable children when the governor discussed education initiatives. Both were escorted from the chamber, and Capitol Police later said four protestors were arrested. The Rotunda crowd yelled, whistled, and chanted as they drowned out Walker's speech that was piped in to the area. Senate Democratic leader Mark Miller said the protests were not surprising and they illustrate quote, "the sharp divide the governor's policies have created in the state." But G-O-P Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald said Walker and his fellow Republicans did the right thing by trying to get government out of the way, and the letting the private sector boost the economy.<br /><br />Waupun Prisoner Death Labeled an Overdose <br /><br />1/26/12 - A convicted killer died from an overdose of methadone while in his state prison cell, and officials are trying to find out how he got the drug. The Dodge County medical examiner's office said yesterday that David Wapp's death was caused by accident. The 31-year-old Wapp was found dead November eighth at the Waupun prison. And the only thing officials knew at the time was that foul play was not involved. Toxicology tests uncovered the overdose. Wapp, of the Mukwonago area, was sentenced in June of 2010 to life in prison with no chance for a supervised release. He stabbed and cut his ex-girlfriend, Samantha Peterson, 37 times while they argued in a car outside the home of Wapp's aunt in Waukesha County. It happened four days after he left prison for another offense.<br /><br />BD Chamber Honors Award Winners <br /><br />1/26/12 - The Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce last night held its annual Recognition night at Old Hickory Country Club. Mary Fitzgerald from the American National Bank was named Chamber Member of the Year for her volunteer work for the Chamber. The Beaver Dam Community hospital won the Non-Profit Organization of the year award. Hospital Board Chairman Jim Kirsch stressed the importance of the hospital remaining independent so that it can deliver the best care to local residents. Hospital CEO Kim Miller said the hospital’s non profit status allows it to invest its financial resources back into local health care services. A national organization recently awarded the hospital its Outstanding Patient Experience Award for the 3rd year in a row. <br /><br />The Richards Insurance Agency is the Chamber’s Business of the Year. The local business began with a staff of four under Don Richards in 1965 and has grown to nearly 70 employees. Half of the company is owned by its employees, the other half by its owner – managers. Retired owner manager John Ralston, well known for his community fund raising efforts said the agency stresses the importance of being an active partner in the community. Current owner-manager Dave Pfister said Richards Agency employees volunteer in almost every worthwhile cause in the community. <br /><br />Richard Zieman was introduced as the Citizen of the Year by his wife Nancy. The couple founded the internationally known Nancy’s Notions. Mark Killilngsworth who serves with Richard Zieman on several volunteer organizations said Zieman has donated literally thousands of hours and continues to serve in leadership roles for a large number of community causes. Nancy’s Notions has also contributed significant funding and contributions to community projects. Killingsworth said as the company grew so did its commitment to the community.<br /><br />Honor Flight: Pearl Harbor<br /><br />1/26/12 - Pearl Harbor survivors are being sought for what’s billed as a “once-in-a-lifetime Honor Flight to Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii.” The Old Glory Honor Flight hub that departs out of Appleton is asking the approximately 40 Pearl Harbor survivors that live in the state of Wisconsin to contact their office immediately. The non-profit chapter is planning a tropical trip to the Aloha State. They define Pearl Harbor survivor as any veteran stationed on the island of Oahu or within three nautical miles at the time of the attack on December 7, 1941. Honor Flight is a nationwide program with regional chapters that has traditionally flown World War II veterans to their memorial in Washington DC at no cost to them. The Appleton hub says they remain committed to that primary mission, but Honor Flight Pearl Harbor is another way to say thank you to veterans for their service and sacrifice. Organizers are hoping Pearl Harbor survivors will contact them by their February 6 application deadline. They are also actively seeking donations to finance the trip for survivors, their caregivers and support staff. Pearl Harbor Survivors can apply by calling 1-888-635-9838. Old Glory Honor Flight is a registered 501(c)3 organization. Make checks payable to “Old Glory Honor Flight” and write "Return To Pearl" in the memo section of the check. Donate via PayPal at: http://www.oldgloryhonorflight.org/return_to_pearl.html<br /><br />December Jobless Filings Lower Than Last Year<br /><br />1/26/12 - Most counties in the region saw a moderate decrease in their December unemployment rate, compared to November. That's according to local estimates released Wednesday by state workforce development officials. In Dodge County, the jobless rate was at 6.8% in December, down one-tenth from November and nearly a full-percentage point lower that December of 2010. Columbia and Jefferson counties both dropped a tenth-of-a-point over the two-month period to 6.9%. Fond du Lac County held steady at 6.2% while the jobless rate ticked-up a tenth in Washington County to 6.1%. Dane County has the states lowest rate at 4.4%. Door County has the states highest number of jobless filings at 11.7% and is one of six counties in double-digits. In total, 44 of the states 72 counties saw an increase in the jobless rate over the two-month period, 20 had decreases and there was no change in 8 counties. In comparing December 2011 to December of 2010, there were only two counties that saw increases in unemployment.<br /><br />Five of Wisconsin's 12 metro areas lost jobs during December. The Eau Claire and Sheboygan areas lost 800 jobs each on a seasonally-adjusted basis. Metro Milwaukee lost 700, and La Crosse and Madison had smaller losses. Janesville had the highest unadjusted jobless rate among the 12 metros at eight-point-three percent. Madison had the lowest at four-point-seven. All but four Wisconsin counties saw their unadjusted rates go down from November. Manitowoc, Menomonee Falls, and West Allis had slight increases in their municipal unemployment rates.<br /><br />Growmark Fined By OSHA<br /><br />1/26/12 - Federal officials said a grain-handling facility in Ixonia has committed five workplace safety violations. The Occupational Safety-and-Health Administration is recommending 84-thousand dollars in fines against Growmark. OSHA said the company knowingly failed to protect employees before they entered grain bins -- and they did not provide harnesses or rescue equipment for those working inside the bins. Growmark is based in Bloomington Illinois. It has 15 days to either pay the fines, challenge the violations, or seek a meeting with OSHA. Company spokeswoman Amy Bradford said Growmark is aware of the violations -- but it's not commenting for now. Growmark does business in 30 states and Canada.<br /><br />Waupun Hoping to Get Bond Funding<br /><br />1/26/12 - The Waupun School District approved a plan to secure a $2.5-million bond intended for deferred maintenance and technology upgrades. Interim Superintendent Don Childs says the district is eligible because of the number of students living below the poverty line as determined by free and reduced lunch offerings. Childs says the loan will not impact the tax rate and they will be able to pay back the money over a period of 10 to 20 years at zero-percent interest. The district could find out as early as tomorrow if they’ll be getting the Qualified Zone Academy Bond.<br /><br />Grosenick Has Not Guilty Plea Entered for Him <br /><br />1/26/12 - An Iron Ridge-area man charged with seventh offense OWI stood mute during an arraignment hearing Wednesday Dodge County court and the judge entered a “not guilty” plea on his behalf. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says a deputy pulled over Dennis Grosenick in November after allegedly observing him cross the center line and almost put his vehicle into the ditch while making a right hand turn. A preliminary breath test indicated that Grosenick’s blood alcohol level was nearly three times legal limit of .08. Grosenick is currently being held at the Dodge County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond. If convicted he faces up to 10-years in prison.<br /><br />More Time Will Be Given to Verify Signatures <br /><br />1/26/12 - A judge in Madison is giving state officials more time to determine if there are enough valid signatures to order recall elections. Also Wednesday, Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess gave the Republican recall targets more time to challenge improper signatures. An estimated one-point-nine million signatures were filed eight days ago, demanding recall votes against Governor Scott Walker, Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, and Senators Scott Fitzgerald, Pam Galloway, Terry Moulton, and Van Wanggaard. Under state law, the Government Accountability Board has 31 days to certify recall petitions. But due to the sheer numbers, Niess granted an extra 30 days. He also gave the Walker and Kleefisch campaigns 30 days to challenge signatures once they receive copies of all their petitions. Kleefisch had not received any petitions as of Monday, even though the existing law would have given her until Friday to review them all. The four senators have their petitions, and the judge gave them 20 days to file challenges. Their new deadline is February ninth. <br /><br />Poll: Obama Favored Over Romney <br /><br />1/26/12 - A new poll gives President Obama an eight-point lead over Republican Mitt Romney in Wisconsin's presidential race. Just over 700 registered voters were surveyed in the first Marquette Law School poll. 48-percent favored the Democrat Obama for a second term, while 40-percent supported former Massachusetts governor Romney. The poll did not list any other head-to-head matchups involving other G-O-P White House hopefuls. Republicans are trying to get Wisconsin to carry their nominee for the first time since Ronald Reagan's second term in 1984. State voters are split on Obama's job performance. Forty-seven percent approved, and 47-percent disapproved. One-third of the Wisconsinites surveyed thought the economy had gotten worse in the last year, and only 22-percent said it got better. But 36-percent expect an improvement in 2012. Seventy-percent of those polled believe the nation's on the wrong track -- but 50-percent said Wisconsin appears to be on the right track, while 46-percent disagree. The poll had a margin-of-error of plus-or-minus three-point-eight percent.<br /><br />Poll: 51% Approve of the Job Walker is Doing<br /><br />1/26/12 - Just over half of Wisconsin voters approve of Governor Scott Walker's job performance. That's according to the first poll released today by the Marquette Law School in Milwaukee. Fifty-one percent of the 701 registered voters polled by phone approve of the job the Republican Walker's doing. Forty-six percent disapprove. The poll was taken from last Thursday through Sunday, just days after recall petitions were filed against the governor. The poll has a three-point-eight percent margin of error. It was released just hours before Walker addresses a split electorate in his annual State-of-the-State message. The Marquette poll also shows that Walker leads four potential Democratic challengers in a recall election. The poll has Walker leading his opponent from 2010, Tom Barrett, 50-to-44 percent. And the governor leads former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk 49-42. Walker would also out-poll Democrats Dave Obey and Tim Cullen. Seventy-four percent agreed that state employees should pay more toward their own pensions and health insurance, but limiting collective bargaining was supported by just 48-to-47 percent, within the margin of error. The Marquette Law School poll was conducted by Charles Franklin, who's on leave from U-W Madison. The school plans to conduct a number of polls in 2012.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-1301450025189771592?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-73263468840335531742012-01-25T07:19:00.001-06:002012-01-25T07:19:51.536-06:00WI Legislators React to SOTU<br /><br />1/25/12 - Wisconsin's congressional Democrats said they appreciated President Obama's vow to revive manufacturing in his State-of-the-Union address last night. But the state's Republicans said Obama's plea for economic fairness wrongly focuses on guaranteeing outcomes through government action, instead of opportunities in a free market. The Democrat Obama called for higher taxes on the rich -- a 30-percent bracket for those making over a million dollars a year. And he took another swipe at the foreclosure problem by offering a new re-financing program. The president also mentioned steps to help students afford college, and tax cuts for manufacturers. Milwaukee House Democrat Gwen Moore said Obama's policies have helped companies like Master Lock bring foreign jobs back to Wisconsin. But Sherwood Republican Reid Ribble said Obama's focus on American-made energy rang hollow when he rejected the Keystone oil pipeline last week. House G-O-P Budget Chairman Paul Ryan of Janesville said Obama quote, "recommitted to the path of debt, doubt, and decline." Menomonee Falls House Republican Jim Sensenbrenner said his chamber has focused on job creation and tax reform with no help from the Senate or White House. But Wisconsin Senate Democrat Herb Kohl said he was encouraged by Obama's focus on education both in the classroom, and with opportunities for job re-training.<br /><br />Walker to Give State of the State Address Tonight<br /><br />1/25/12 - Governor Scott Walker will give his second State of State address tonight and it comes under much different circumstances than his first 358-days ago. That came right after he and a new Republican legislative majority were swept into office -- and they had already achieved victories by passing a first round of job creation bills. But tonight, Walker will return to a state Assembly chamber that's been by rocked by protests ever since the Republican governor proposed a virtual end to most public union collective bargaining. His signature legislation was introduced 10 days after that first State-of-the-State address. And it divided Wisconsinites so much that it prompted hundreds of thousands of people to sign petitions for an unprecedented gubernatorial recall. Tonight, Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie says the governor will focus on the property tax savings his union law created -- plus his efforts to reduce fraud-and-waste in state government. But there might not be a lot of talk about jobs -- especially after the U-S Bureau of Labor Statistics said yesterday that Wisconsin was the only state in the country to lose private sector jobs in each of the last six months. Werwie says there have been bumps along the way, but the state is heading in the right direction.<br /><br />BDCDC: Dissolve, Evolve or Revolve?<br /><br />1/25/12 - The Beaver Dam Community Development Committee met last night for the first time in six months and the main agenda item was whether or not to consider dissolving the committee. The CDC was put in place back when Beaver Dam had a full-time economic development officer on the payroll. In 1997, the city decided to essentially contract out for those services and the Beaver Dam Area Development Corporation was formed. The Development Corp, a public-private partnership with the city, crunches numbers and negotiates with companies looking to set up shop behind closed doors and brings the findings to various city committees for approval. CDC Chair Robert Ballweg called the committee to session yesterday to ask if they’re still relevant, and he was met with mixed reactions. Discussion then turned to the possibility of establishing a new role for the CDC, shifting its scope to smaller projects that may not be practical or cost-effective for the Development Corp to focus on, like land purchase negotiations and downtown revitalization. Another possible new area of focus would be for the CDC to coordinate a revolving loan fund with revenues generated from the downtown Tax Increment Finance District #6, where the new Madison Place and the Lake Historic Lofts are located. Ballweg says between $25,000 and $30,000 could be accumulated annually for downtown businesses to use toward remodeling and façade improvements. After reaching consensus in committee, Ballweg agreed to meet with the city attorney, the mayor, the director of finance and officials with the Development Corp to draft a resolution outlining plans for a revolving loan fund. If the resolution is not approved by the committee and council, Ballweg says it would be time to revisit the necessity of the Community Development Committee.<br /><br />UC Looking to Merge <br /><br />1/25/12 - United Cooperative is seeking to merge with a company from Denmark, Wisconsin. The Beaver Dam-based company has signed a letter of intent to pursue the merger with Cooperative Services. United Co-Op President and CEO David Kramer says the agriculture industry puts a great deal of effort into improving efficiencies and sustainability so that present and future generations can continue to produce food and fuel efficiently. Kramer says the merger will provide their patron members with the equipment, products, and service needed to maximize production and survive for generations to come. Cooperative Services is projecting revenues for the fiscal year ending Jan. 31, 2012, to be in excess of $29 million. All of Cooperative Services divisions can be found at one location in Denmark; that includes feed, grain, agronomy, a Cenex convenience store, and an automotive shop. Formed in 1936, United Cooperative is a full-service cooperative with feed, grain, agronomy, fuel, lubricant, and propane locations throughout Wisconsin. They documented $525 million in sales in 2011, up $200 million from 2010, and employ about 500 full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers. United Cooperative is expected to finalize mergers with Shawano-based Mid-County Cooperative and Pulaski Chase Cooperative in February. In coming months, there will be a series of meetings with Cooperative Services’ employees and patron members about the proposed merger. Ballots will be mailed out next month. If approved, the merger will take effect April 1.<br /><br />Peyer to Resign<br /><br />1/25/12 - Randolph School District Superintendent Greg Peyer is resigning effective June 30th. In a letter sent to district staff members last week Peyer said that while he has enjoyed his time in Randolph he realizes that due to the size of the district and the current economic times there needs to be a restructuring of the administration. He said the board had been considering a change for some time and said would not impede the process in anyway. Peyer has been with Randolph for 5-years and says he intends to pursue other positions in education and in the business world. <br /><br />Wiard Gets Probation<br /><br />1/25/12 - A Horicon man who burglarized a Horicon tavern last Fourth of July weekend will spend five years on probation. Police arrested Daniel Wiard on charges of domestic battery during the early morning hours of July 3 and en route to the jail, arresting officers got word that Danny Boy’s Irish Pub in Horicon had been burglarized. The next day investigators reviewed video footage from that night and the bartender identified the suspect as a guy named “Dan” who was new to town. Wiard moved to town last June. Police executed a search warrant at his residence and recovered $2600 in small bills and a Brewers Jersey that had been on a wall in the establishment. According to the criminal complaint, the 30-year-old waited in the women’s bathroom until everyone left for the night, loaded-up a garbage can full of items from the bar, dragged the garbage can home on his bike, and then dumped the garbage can full of stolen items out in his living room. That sparked a fight with his mother that resulted in his arrest on the domestic abuse charges. Those charges were dismissed but read in last November when Wiard pleaded “no contest” to the felony burglary charge. In addition to probation, Wiard was ordered yesterday (Tu) maintain absolute sobriety but his probation officer will be able to order 30 days in jail for a first violation, 60 days in jail for a second violation and 90 days in jail for a third. A three year prison sentence was imposed and stayed but if his probation is revoked he will get credit for the 142 days he already spent behind bars. <br /><br />Officials Urge Caution When Using Craigslist <br /><br />1/25/12 - If you’re buying or selling an item through Craigslist, Milwaukee police suggest you only meet the other person in the transaction in a public place. Police say they are seeking a spike in robberies hitting people using the popular online classified ads site. Investigators say there have been at least a half-dozen in the last month, with four of those happening in the last week. They are following up on leads and but don’t say if they’re close to an arrest or not.<br /><br />Jobs Committee Favors Mine Bill <br /><br />1/25/12 - The state Assembly Jobs Committee voted 9-to-5 Tuesday in favor of a bill that tries to make it easier for a new iron ore mine to open in far northern Wisconsin. The package would streamline the process of getting state permits for iron ore mines both now and in the future. And the panel okay-ed several changes suggested by members of both parties. Local communities would get a bigger-than-expected share of tax revenues from the materials that are mined. The limit on application fees would be raised from one-point-one million dollars to two-million. There would be assurances that mining projects would follow the terms of the Great Lakes water protection agreement. And Indian tribes near proposed mines would receive copies of permit applications. But that wasn’t enough for Stevens Point Democrat Lou Molepske. He wanted tribes at the table when mining decisions are being made. But Greendale Republican Jeff Stone said it’s not the government’s responsibility to represent Indian tribes – and they can pursue their own interests on the subject. The 180-plus page bill now goes to the full Assembly for a final vote.<br /><br />Kohls Expanding Business into the South<br /><br />1/25/12 - The Kohl’s Department Store chain is expanding its online business in the South. The Menomonee Falls-based company announced yesterday (Tu) that it would build a distribution center in DeSoto Texas, near Dallas, to serve buyers on its Web site. The facility is expected to open this summer with about 400 new jobs. Hiring is expected to begin around March first. Kohl’s has 84 retail stores in Texas.<br /><br />Harley Sales Looking Better <br /><br />1/25/12 - Things are starting to look up for Wisconsin’s legendary motorcycle maker. Harley-Davidson of Milwaukee reports a 106-million-dollar profit for October-through-December, compared to a loss of 47-million in the same quarter a year ago. Investors made 46-cents a share in the last quarter, after losing 20-cents at the same time the previous year. Sales of Harley motorcycles jumped almost 11-percent worldwide this past fall, and almost 12-percent in the U-S. Sales revenues exceeded a billion dollars, up from 917-million in the same quarter the previous year. Harley C-E-O Keith Wandell said the higher sales were due to a rise in consumer confidence, plus growth in foreign markets. But he says the company is still cautious in its expectations for the New Year. Harley-Davidson saved about as much as it expected from its re-structuring activities last year – around 217-million dollars.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-7326346884033553174?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-67142338406381414952012-01-24T06:19:00.001-06:002012-01-24T06:19:15.720-06:00Charter School Registration Numbers Encouraging <br /><br />1/24/12 - Registration for the new charter school at the former Fox Lake Elementary building is off to a good start. Interim Waupun School District Superintendent Don Childs says that in the first three days of registration being open 42-students applied. Childs told us on WBEV’s Community Comment earlier this month that they would not be able to open the doors unless at least 50 students enroll. With the early enrollment numbers Child says it’s now more likely that they’ll have to go to a lottery system to decide which kids get in and which ones don’t. Families have until March 15th to register, and Childs says if there are more than 125-registrations all students will be put into the lottery. The acronym for the school is “SAGES” which stands for “School for AGriculture and Environmental Science.” Childs says the school will teach all subject areas, with a focus on agriculture and environmental studies, and with emphasis on hands-on field work and learning through project-based learning.<br /><br />Home Sales Hold Steady in Dodge County<br /><br />1/24/12 - The number of homes sold by Wisconsin Realtors went up slightly in 2011, while the median price dropped by 6.4%. The Realtors Association says that its members sold just over 51,500 existing houses in Wisconsin last year -- 120 more than in 2010. There were 745 homes sold in Dodge County, one more than in 2010. In Columbia County last year there were 522 homes sold, up 23 from the previous year. Jefferson County had 741 homes sold last year, and increase of 14. There were 20 less homes sold in Washington County in 2011 compared to the previous year, for a total of 1096. Realtors' board chairman Rob Keefe said home sales lagged from last January through June because the previous year's federal tax credits had expired. The median home sales price for the year was $132,000, that’s $9000 less than in 2010. Dodge County’s median price was down $18,000 over the two-year-period to $100,000. Columbia County price-tags dropped by $12,000 to $128,000. Jefferson County was down $10,000 to $140,000. Washington County saw median home prices drop by $5000 to $180,000. Realtors' C-E-O Mike Theo says it's still a buyer's market. He says the employment picture needs to improve if home sales are to keep growing but Theo said the recent drop in the jobless rate is a quote, "welcomed sign."<br /><br />Juneau Residents Deal with Power Outage <br /><br />1/24/12 - Electricity was out in the city of Juneau for a couple hours Monday. It started around 10:30am when a power pole snapped, downing transmission lines near the wastewater treatment plant. The southern part of the city was affected, mostly the business district. Nearly all of the service was restored by 12:30pm. The wastewater plant remained on a back-up generator until late afternoon as crews worked to fix the utility pole.<br /><br />Digital Access Meeting in Columbia County<br /><br />1/24/12 - The Wisconsin Public Service Commission has scheduled a public meeting this afternoon in Columbia County on plans to expand digital access in the south-central part of the state. People attending will be asked for their input on ways to fill gaps in broadband availability. The PSC says another goal for the meeting is to get public and private investment of time and money to extend broadband service to rural areas where face-to-face interaction is even more difficult, making the service more necessary. The meeting will start at 4:30pm at the Days Inn-Portage. <br /><br />Police Investigating Burglary in Waupun <br /><br />1/24/12 - Authorities in Waupun are investigating a burglary at Helen’s Kitchen. Waupun Police records show the break-in at the West Main Street business happened sometime early Sunday morning. It’s believed the subjects attempted to gain entry through the rear door but were unable to get in, so they broke the glass in the front window. The safe inside the business was opened and an unknown amount of money was taken. Police were notified of the break-in around 5 a-m. Anyone with information is asked to contact Waupun police. <br /><br />Teens Should Avoid Felony Record<br /><br />1/24/12 - Three area teens who were arrested after rifling through vehicles – or “car-shopping” as they called it – should be able to avoid a felony record. The trio was arrested in Randolph last March when they came across a brief case with $600 cash inside. One teen entered into a deferred prosecution agreement yesterday and will have the felony dropped if he stays out of trouble during the one-year probation. Two others previously pled to reduced misdemeanor charges and were also placed on probation. All three also ordered to pay restitution and perform community service. <br /><br />Asboth Gets Two Months in Jail <br /><br />1/24/12 - A former Beaver Dam man will spend at least two-months in jail for stealing from a family member. Cody Asboth of West Bend faced up to six years in prison on a felony charge but yesterday he pled to reduced misdemeanor charges of Theft. Authorities say the 19-year-old moved in with the family member in 2008 and in the years that followed stole as much as $10,000 in cash, a coin collection and jewelry. He pawned the items for around $2700. Asboth ordered to serve 150 days in the Dodge County Jail, but 90 days was stayed by the judge and the remainder will be served with Huber privileges so he can attend school.<br /><br />Man Who Escaped Dahmer Gets 18-months in Prison <br /><br />1/24/12 - The man who led Milwaukee Police to serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in 1991 was sentenced to 18 months in prison today. Authorities said Tracy Edwards helped another man throw Johnny Jordan into the Milwaukee River last July. The 43-year-old Jordan drowned after the three men argued on a downtown Milwaukee bridge. The other defendant, 44-year-old Timothy Carr, was sentenced Friday to four years in prison. The 52-year-old Edwards pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of aiding a felon, and he must spend two years under extended supervision when he leaves prison. Both sides asked Circuit Judge Rebecca Dallet to give Edwards probation for lying to police about the incident. But the judge said Edwards deserved some prison time because at age 52, he should have known better. The judge also gave Edwards credit for 191 days he spent in jail since his arrest. He and Carr must also pay a combined 25-hundred dollars in restitution to Jordan's family. Edwards escaped from Dahmer's clutches in 1991, and led him to police. Dahmer later admitted killing 17 young men and boys before the killer was later murdered in prison.<br /><br />Senators to Vote on Special Education Bill<br /><br />1/24/12 - Wisconsin senators are expected to vote today (Tue) on a bill to limit seclusions and physical restraints of students. Advocates for children with special needs have been pushing for the measure, saying it's those youngsters who are most likely to be restrained or placed in time-out rooms due to outbursts. The bill prohibits certain restraints altogether, like those which don't protect children's heads. It gives procedures on when it's appropriate to restrain or seclude youngsters -- and the practices would have to be done by trained personnel with a goal to encourage positive behavior. The issue has been discussed nationally, but a similar bill in Congress has not gone anywhere. Also today, the state Senate is scheduled to vote on letting high schools hand out vocational diplomas based on credits for vocational-and-technical classes.<br /><br />Big Contract Under Review <br /><br />1/24/12 - Some lawmakers in South Dakota are grumbling after a Wisconsin company earned a five-million-dollar contract to recruit a-thousand new workers to that state. Governor Dennis Daugaard recently said that Milwaukee's Manpower Incorporated won a contract to get financial service and information technology workers to move to South Dakota -- along with factory and engineering workers. But two similar firms that in the state, Dakota Staffing and Careers Unlimited, said they were never aware that such a contract went up for bids. And lawmakers say they want more information before giving final approval to the idea. Policy adviser Kim Olson said the governor's office went beyond the legal process for seeking bids. Olson said the state did not have to publish a request for proposals in newspapers, but it did so anyway in November. Olson said the plan was posted on two Web sites, and 122 vendors who signed up for state contract notifications were alerted.<br /><br />Alda Coming to Wisconsin to Help Train Actors <br /><br />1/24/12 - Alan Alda will help train aspiring actors in southeast Wisconsin in 2013. The former "MASH" star will be the master teacher in next July's fellowship program at Ten Chimneys at Genesee Depot in Waukesha County. Ten Chimneys is the historic estate of theater legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. The Ten Chimneys Foundation says Alda will focus on spontaneity during his week-long program. Broadway star Joel Grey will be this year's master teacher in July. Ten Chimneys is located in the town where Lunt was born. He died in 1977, and Fontanne died in 1983.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-6714233840638141495?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-5429284358429772142012-01-21T21:47:00.000-06:002012-01-21T21:47:09.191-06:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Archbishop Dolan Coming To Region This Spring</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/22/12 - Former Milwaukee Catholic Archbishop Tim Dolan will return to Wisconsin this spring to celebrate his elevation to cardinal. He’ll preside over a Mass at Holy Hill near Hartford on the afternoon of April 28th. The Vatican announced two weeks ago that Dolan is among 22 prelates to be elevated to cardinals during a ceremony in Rome next month. He led the Catholic Church in 10 southeast Wisconsin counties – including Dodge County – from 2002 until about three years ago, when he became the Archbishop of New York. While in Milwaukee, Dolan had a special relationship with the National Shrine of Mary at Holy Hill. He helped the shrine get designated as a basilica, and he presided over a Mass to celebrate the honor in 2006. The shrine’s rector, Father Don Brick, says he’s excited that Dolan’s coming back. He says it will apparently be the first time that a cardinal presides over a Mass at Holy Hill – and he expects all of the shrine’s 15-hundred seats to be full for that service. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">DMV Expanded Hours Begin This Week</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/22/12 - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is expanding its DMV service center hours statewide. Kristina Boardman, with the Division of Motor Vehicles says "Beginning the week of January 23, all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties will have a DMV service center offering at least 20 hours per week of driver license, skills testing and identification card services. This expansion is a requirement of the current state budget." Four new service center locations include Alma in Buffalo County; Eau Claire South in Eau Claire County; Keshena in Menominee County; and Viroqua in Vernon County. There will be no change in hours at the Beaver Dam Service Center on Plaza Drive, which serves the Dodge County area. Statewide DMV service hours will increase by more than 625 hours each week, or more than 32,000 hours a year. A list of DMV locations, hours and services is on the Web at www.wisconsindmv.gov.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Alliant Energy CEO To Retire</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/22/12 - The chairman and CEO of Alliant Energy says he will retire at the end of March. William Harvey has led the energy company for the last six years. He’s been with the company for 25 years, since it was known as WPL Holdings. The company’s board of directors has chosen Patricia Kampling to take over for Harvey. That will happen April 1st. Kampling came to work for Alliant in 2005.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Wisconsin Attracting Less Start-Up Capital </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/22/12 - New Wisconsin companies attracted a lot less start-up capital last year. According to the national “Money Tree Report,” 72-million-dollars in venture capital was raised in the Badger State in 2011. That’s about 40-percent less than the previous year, at a time when venture capital grew by 22-percent nationally. Wisconsin firms only attract less than one-percent of the nation’s total venture capital investments. Therefore, John Neis of Venture Investors in Madison says it’s hard to draw conclusions. But in general, he says the state’s situation is lagging behind the nation as a whole. Majority Republicans are trying to do something about that by drafting a bill to provide millions in state funds for venture capital. But the measure has been held up over an insistence by some lawmakers to allow certified capital companies, or CAPCOs, to get state money. That’s drawn criticism by many lawmakers, after a similar program in 1999 saw one company get around eight-million tax dollars without investing it. At last word, CAPCOs have been removed from the latest venture capital bill – but supporters say there might not be enough time to pass a measure before the legislative session ends in March.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Assembly To Consider Mining Law Tweaks</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/22/12 - Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly say they want to make small changes in the mining bill being considered to route more tax money to local governments. Party members released a bill last month aimed at helping Gogebic Taconite brings hundreds of jobs to the area by building an iron mine in the Penokee Hills. That legislation called for half of the revenue from a state tax on ore sales to go to local governments. The change proposed by the GOP would increase the local share to 60 percent. A legislative committee is expected to approve the bill next Tuesday.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Principal Accused of Selling Pot</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/22/12 - The Antigo High School football coach, who’s also an elementary principal, was one of three people charged Friday in a marijuana sales ring. 47-year-old John Lund was charged in Langlade County Circuit Court, more than seven weeks after he was put on paid administrative leave. He faces eight felony counts of possessing, manufacturing, and delivering marijuana – and maintaining a drug trafficking place. Twenty-six similar charges were filed against 55-year-old Scot Peterson of Antigo. And three counts were levied against 46-year-old Bradley Maahs of Wittenberg. All three are scheduled to make initial court appearances on Monday. Authorities said they found drug evidence when they searched the homes of Peterson and Maahs in late November and early December. Peterson reportedly told investigators he bought marijuana and re-sold it to others, naming 10 people. Lund apparently told officers in late November he received the drug from the other defendants several times – and he also sold marijuana to Peterson so he could distribute it to others. The Antigo School District refused comment on thecharges, and said it would review Lund’s administrative leave status this week. The School District sent parents a letter in early December saying Lund was put on leave. He was the principal of Pleasant View and West elementary schools in Antigo.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Teacher Accused of Relationship With Former Student</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/22/12 - A teacher at Hales Corners Lutheran School could spend up to nine months in jail if he’s convicted of having a relationship with teenager. Craig Perino is accused of having sex with a 16-year-old girl who was a former student. Perino was charged in Racine County Court last week. He has been suspended from his job as a middle school teacher. Perino told police he knew the victim from the time when he was a student at his school. He reportedly confirmed sex contact had happened.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Plea Set For Prisoner Who Made Fake University</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/22/12 - A state prisoner is scheduled to enter a plea February 10th to creating a fake university, and encouraging a fellow inmate to enroll and pay tuition. Prosecutors labeled 45-year-old Kenneth Shong as a career con-man with eight aliases. He was ordered Friday to stand trial on a felony fraud charge. Investigators said he was serving time in the state prison at Oshkosh in 2006 when he set up Carlingford University, and convinced a fellow inmate to enroll. The inmate reportedly had his mother send a check for 17-hundred-dollars in tuition to Carlingford’s campus in Mobile Alabama – which turned out to be a post office box set up by Shong. Investigators also said a convicted sex offender from Green Bay had persuaded another inmate to enroll in the fake school – and the sex offender created his own post office box and got help from another Green Bay man to set up a Web site. State corrections’ officials have not said whether the sex offender or his alleged helper would face charges.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">UW Scientist Suspends Bird Flu Research</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/22/12 - U-W Madison scientist Yoshihiro Kawaoka joined others Friday in suspending their research into the potentially-deadly bird flu. About three dozen scientists said they would “pause” their studies for 60 days, while international specialists discuss what should be done with the products of their work. Researchers at the U-W and Erasmus University in the Netherlands created a lab version of the bird flu to study how the disease would threaten people. But U-S officials who funded the studies urged the scientists last month not to publicize the formulas of their lab flu, so bio-terrorists would not steal it and the strains don’t escape if an accident were to happen. The scientists reluctantly agreed not to publish all of the details, as long as the government comes up with a system to give the data to scientists who need to know the formula for their own research. The National Institutes of Health is working on the system. In announcing their “pause,” Kawaoka and the other researchers called for an international public meeting to debate the best ways for scientists to learn safely about what’s been developed so far.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Wisconsin Ag Trade With Vietnam Likely</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/22/12 - It might take a few years, but it seems clear that Wisconsin’s agriculture industry will do more trade business with Vietnam. State Ag Secretary Ben Brancel and his department’s international consultant, Jennifer Lu, went on a trade mission to Vietnam last week to look for exporting opportunities. Brancel tells Brownfield Ag News that Vietnam has a fast-growing economy with a rapid growth in dairy consumption, and 80-percent of their disposable income is spent on food. Brancel said he and Lu were surprised when the Vietnamese said they wanted a-thousand dairy heifers and 30 embryos from Wisconsin. Only a limited amount of land is available in that country. And Brancel said it’s more suitable for confinement-based cattle which are common in the U-S – and they’ll need to import grains to feed whatever cows they get. Also, the state’s ag leader says Vietnam’s population is growing by 900-thousand people a year – and the country’s own dairy industry won’t be able to keep up with the increasing demand. Brancel says the state will work with the U-S-D-A to find people interested in doing business with Vietnam – and it will take a few years to build the necessary relationships.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-542928435842977214?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-82592762012853301522012-01-21T07:24:00.001-06:002012-01-21T07:24:20.258-06:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Fire At Sensient Flavors</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/21/12 - Crews from three departments and the Dodge County Hazmat Team responded to a fire Friday night at Sensient Flavors. Juneau Fire Chief Curt Ninmann says the structure fire at 330 South Mill Street was reported at 7:45pm. The blaze started in an oil heater dryer, was brought under control within 35 minutes and was contained to a mechanical room. Ninmann says oil and water run-off in the building was handled by the plant’s internal wastewater treatment facility, with the remaining run-off from fire fighting operations outside the building was controlled by the Dodge County HAZMAT team. A private contractor was contacted to dispose of the waste run-off. The Juneau Fire Department was assisted by Clyman Fire Department and Horicon Fire Department.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Philbin Takes Dolphins Head Coaching Job</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/21/12 - Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin has been named head coach for the Miami Dolphins. Philbin earned the head coaching job just two weeks after his son died and one week after the Packers were knocked out of the NFL playoffs. Philbin first interviewed for the Dolphin job January 7th. His son Michael’s body was found the next day. Philbin has coached with the Packers since 2003 and has been offensive coordinator since 2007. He got the job after Miami’s first choice, Jeff Fisher, turned the team down to become head coach of the St. Louis Rams. The Dolphins are coming off three straight losing seasons – something that hadn’t happened for nearly 50 years. The team hasn’t reached the Super Bowl in 27 years.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Alcohol Suspected In Early Morning Runoffs</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/21/12 - Authorities in Dodge County responded to numerous runoffs throughout the day yesterday and at least personal injury accident. There were three runoffs reported Saturday morning between 3:15am and 4am and all three may have been alcohol-related. The first runoff happened on Highway 68 in the Town of Trenton. Two passengers were sitting in the back seat after the driver had apparently taken off on foot and was later apprehended. A 24-year-old Beaver Dam woman was transported to the hospital for a legal blood draw. Five minutes later, deputies were called to a car in a ditch on Woodland Road in the Town of Herman. A 49-year-old man was cited for his first OWI with a blood alcohol level over twice the legal limit. A half-hour later, another runoff this time on Highway 175 in the Town of Theresa, where a truck was trying to pull a van out of the ditch. A 64-year-old Theresa man, who owned both vehicles, had a blood alcohol level that was just over the legal limit for driving.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Dahmer Tipster To Be Sentenced Monday</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/21/12 - A man who admitted throwing another man to his death off a bridge in downtown Milwaukee was sentenced Friday to four years in prison. 45-year-old Timothy Carr of Milwaukee must also spend five years under extended supervision. Police said he and Tracy Edwards threw 43-year-old Johnny Jordan into the Milwaukee River where he drowned. It happened last July while the three were arguing. Carr jumped in to try and save Jordan – but it was too late, and police pulled the two out of the water. Carr pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment. Edwards – who’s known for leading Milwaukee Police to serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in 1991 – will have his case settled on Monday. He struck a plea deal on his charges.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Milwaukee Man Gets Life In Random Shooting</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/21/12 - An 18-year-old Milwaukee man will spend the rest of his life in prison for the random murder of a teenage girl 13 months ago. A judge refused Friday to give Marcus Evans any chance for a supervised release. He was carrying a shotgun he had just pointed at his mother when he spotted 17-year-old Jonoshia Alexander on December 15th of 2010. Evans didn’t know the girl, but he forced her into an alley where he shot her twice in the head. Alexander was walking home from a north side Milwaukee bus stop, on her way home from a high school dance practice. According to the Journal Sentinel, Evans was born with cocaine in his system to a schizo-phrenic father and a mother with bi-polar disorder. When he was 15, Evans shot and wounded a cousin, and was given 14 months in juvenile detention. He killed Alexander six months after he left the institution.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">BDPD Investigating Tavern Theft</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/21/12 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is investigating the theft of money from a local tavern. Owners with Dino’s Bar and Grill on 400 South Center Street reported to police Thursday morning that someone had stolen three bags of money sometime after closing. Anyone with information should contact the Beaver Dam Police Department.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Officials: ‘Clearview On-Time, On-Budget’</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/21/12 - Dodge County officials say the renovation of the new Clearview Long-term Care and Rehabilitation facility in Juneau is on time and on budget. The construction is currently in Phase Two of the $44.5-million project, with most of the outside work completed by the end of 2011. When it’s done, the state-of-the-art facility will have 236 beds. Currently there are 110 residents living in the newest portion of the building that was part of Phase One and completed last summer, while the remaining residents are still being housed in the older building. Officials are planning a dedication ceremony on June 30, which would be two-years to the day that ground was broken. It’s expected that all residents will be moved in by mid-August. Clearview serves the county’s aging population as well as those with behavioral and mental health issues and also has one of only three brain injury rehabilitation centers in the state.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Columbus Council To Consider Liquor License Request</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/21/12 - The “Doo Drop Inn Bar and Grill” passed an initial Columbus liquor license hearing this week. Applicant Roger Kennedy plans to rent – with an option to buy – the former Fireman’s Tap building at James and Water streets. Kennedy says he plans to operate the downtown building as a Bar and Grill. The Fireman’s Tap closed its’ doors in 2006 and the building has remained vacant. The City Council will vote on approving the Class B beer &amp; liquor license on February 7th.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Columbus Sleigh Rally A Go</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/21/12 - The current snowy weather has been helpful for the Columbus “Sleigh Rally and Festival” planned for February 11 at Fireman’s Park. The City and the Wisconsin Horse Council have been planning the winter event. Festival Coordinator Melanie Lichtfield told the City Council this week that registrations for the event continue to come in. Horse show competition and sleigh rides are planned for the outside events. Planners are also including a chili cook off, model horse show, cake walk and cookie decorating inside the Park Pavilion. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Gableman Refusing To Recuse Himself</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/21/12 - Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman says he won’t recuse himself from three cases. One of them is an attempt to reopen last year’s decision allowing the governor’s controversial collective bargaining law to go into effect. Attorneys involved in the cases asked Gableman to step aside because parties on the other side of the lawsuit had been represented by the firm which defended Gableman against an ethics violation. The justice wasn’t billed for the legal services. Gableman cited Supreme Court decisions in similar cases and comments by Chief Justice John Roberts about withdrawal decisions. The full Supreme Court could still force Gableman off the cases.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Wetlands Bill Heading To Senate</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/21/12 - A bill that could make it easier to build on Wisconsin wetlands is on its way to the state Senate. Four Republicans voted yes, and three Democrats voted no when the Senate Natural Resources Committee endorsed the measure. The chief sponsor, panel chairman Neal Kedzie of Elkhorn, calls the changes an improvement over the D-N-R’s present policy – which puts a major burden on developers to have little-or-no net damage to wetlands. The bill would make a number of changes in the process of getting state permits to fill in wetlands. They include the preparing of a mitigation plan in which developers would either have to create new wetlands, pay the D-N-R to support its efforts to restore wetlands, or buy credits from groups that have restored wetlands. The bill’s supporters say builders would get new ways to prove that they can offset damage to valuable wetlands. But conservation groups fear that it would open the door to more losses of wetlands, claiming that mitigation would be the prime choice. They also accused Kedzie of trying to ram the bill through – something Kedzie denied. He says he’s just trying to open up some options, and the Wisconsin Wetlands Association supports the bill. Business, home-building, and road-building groups are also behind it. Wetlands are valuable for soaking up water and preventing floods. The D-N-R says about half of Wisconsin’s wetlands have been lost to agriculture and construction over the last 150 years.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-8259276201285330152?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-29189875821898555852012-01-20T07:18:00.001-06:002012-01-20T07:18:56.861-06:00Mayville Products Corp. Closing<br /><br />1/20/12 - The Mayville Products Corporation in Dodge County will close by March 30th, leaving 130 people out of work. The firm announced the closing yesterday to state and local officials. Human resources administrator Lisa Zangl cited “business conditions” as the reason for the move – but she did not elaborate. Mayville Products is a designer and maker of cabinets, frames, mounting products, and racks under several brand names. <br /><br />Below Zero Temps Precede More Snow <br /><br />1/20/12 - It’s well below zero in most of Wisconsin this morning – but unlike yesterday, folks are not battling dangerous wind chills. It was 25-below in Tomahawk at 7am, but the air was calm there. As of 7am, it was -3 in Beaver Dam, while Watertown, Waupun and Cambria were all at 1-below. Mineral Point was the state’s warm spot at plus-three. Meanwhile, we are under a winter weather advisory beginning at 9am through 7pm tonight. We are expecting the snow to start falling later this morning with a total of between 3 and six inches by the time the storm moves out. The upper-30’s will return to southeast Wisconsin on Sunday – and there’s a chance for freezing rain in the south on Sunday and Monday.<br /><br />Juneau Appoints New Utility Commissioners <br /><br />1/20/12 - City officials in Juneau met in special session last night to approve appointments to the entire Utility Commission Board. Last week, the Common Council approved a restructuring of the Utility Commission meant to save money and increase efficiency. The change came after other elected and appointed city officials took a reduction in annual salary and per-meeting stipends; the commission that oversees the city-owned utility balked and the mayor refused to reappoint Commission President Dan Wegner. In the time that followed, the remaining four members of the commission resigned, three of them immediately after last weeks meeting, leaving Mayor Ron Bosak with an entirely new commission to appoint. The restructuring ordinance replaced two of the five commissioners with alderpersons. Bosak appointed Roxanne Buss and Mark Lentz to fill the council vacancies. One of the reasons opponents of the restructuring cited for keeping the status quo was the depth of knowledge that previous commissioners developed over years of service, many with a background in electricity. Bosak says that skill set, while appreciated, is not necessary. Just the same he says one of his appointments, Merlin Luedtke, worked 20 years as Electric Superintendent for the city of Juneau. The other two citizen representatives on the Utility Commission are Dave Muenchow and Jerry Stolzman. The Utility Commission has a meeting scheduled for this Monday at which time officers will be elected and committees will be formed. <br /><br />Speeding Tickets Up, Accidents Down in Dodge County<br /><br />1/20/12 - Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says his department in recent years has dramatically increased the number of speeding citations it issues and he says that has had a positive impact on the number of traffic accidents in the county. According to the most recent data available, deputies in Dodge County issued over 5600 speeding tickets in 2010, an increase of 1200 from the previous year and 3500 more tickets than were issued in 2006. Nehls credits advances in technology which he says has allowed his deputies to focus on traffic safety and enforcement. He says everything a deputy used to have to do in an office five years ago can now be done in a squad car thanks to devices like mobile data computers. There were 834 accidents in 2010, down 20% from 2006. And traffic fatalities for the last two years have been at an all-time low. That gets deputies back on the road quicker leading to higher visibility and lower instances of speeding and crashes. The Sheriff says he has increased speeding citations without speed traps and encourages his deputies to issue warnings to first-time speeders, avoiding penalties wherever possible in promoting safe driving. He says there is a 4-to-1 radio of warnings to speeding tickets. <br /><br />Bertram Waives Preliminary Hearing <br /><br />1/20/12 - A Milwaukee man, accused of running from Watertown police at a high rate of speed, has waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Steven Bertram is charged with one felony count of Fleeing an Officer, which carries a maximum three-and-a-half year prison sentence, if he is convicted. According to the criminal complaint, police stopped the 22-year-old on the Highway 16 Bypass in October for speeding. When the officer informed Bertram that he had three warrants out for his arrest, Bertram allegedly stood silent for a moment, slowly put his hands on the ignition and “slammed his car into gear.” A one-mile chase followed that reportedly reached speeds of 85mph before the officer terminated the pursuit. A citation was sent to Bertram. A passenger in the vehicle later told police that Bertram said he didn’t know about the warrants and didn’t want to get arrested and lose his job. An arraignment hearing is on the calendar next month.<br /><br />More Private Sector Jobs Lost in December <br /><br />1/20/12 - Wisconsin lost more private sector jobs last month while the nation as a whole made gains. Preliminary federal figures released today show that Wisconsin lost 39-hundred private sector jobs in December while the nation added 212-thousand positions. Both numbers reflect seasonal factors, and they’re open to revisions when more complete surveys are finished. It was the sixth straight month that Wisconsin recorded job losses, after making gains in the first six months of last year. Final figures from November showed that Wisconsin lost 14-hundred fewer private sector jobs than originally reported – but the final loss was still about 10-thousand for the month. Most of the lost jobs in December were in the leisure-and-hospitality areas and other service industries. Wisconsin’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a point to seven-point-one percent. That’s the same drop as the national rate had in December. The U-S rate is now eight-and-a-half percent. Officials said Wisconsin’s decline was due to the fact that the total number of people working grew by 69-hundred from November to December – and by 21-thousand compared to a year ago.<br /><br />Elections Agency Looking to Extend Time to Review Petitions <br /><br />The state elections’ agency plans to go to court next week to ask for more time to review the estimated one-point-nine million recall signatures submitted against six officials. But director Kevin Kennedy is not ready to say how much extra time will be sought beyond the 31 days allowed by law. Kennedy answered questions about the process yesterday during a public interview at the Marquette Law School in Milwaukee. Right now, the petition signatures are being scanned into computers – and a database will be formed to make it easier to check for false-and-duplicate signatures. Kennedy said workers are testing the new software that checks the signatures – and the agency believes it will work. Government Accountability Board spokesman Reid Magney says the scanning of petitions for four state Senate recall elections should be completed today. But Magney said it would take longer to enter the signatures against Governor Scott Walker and Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. Thousands more signatures were submitted than the numbers required to order recall elections. And Kennedy said it’s possible that the checking process will end once it’s obvious there are enough valid signatures to call each election. He says those kinds of decisions cannot be made until they’re into the process. As Kennedy put it, “This is a whole new ball game.” <br /><br />Education Reform Bills to be Introduced to WI Legislature<br /><br />Bills to reform Wisconsin’s public schools will be introduced this month in both houses of the Legislature. Governor Scott Walker outlined the measures yesterday at a convention of school board members and district officials in Milwaukee. The state would set up its own system to make schools accountable, replacing parts of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. There would also be a tougher licensing exam for teachers, new requirements for elementary instructors, and a system to evaluate teachers-and-principals. Each school would have its own screener to determine how much incoming kindergarteners have learned. And Walker said the state would pay for those positions. The proposals came from the governor’s Read-to-Lead task force and two other groups dealing with effective educators and school accountability. State Superintendent Tony Evers said he was never consulted on the fine points of the new bills, even though he served on two of the three task forces. But Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie says the Department of Public Instruction has been briefed on the measures – and Evers will be consulted. He said the heads of the Assembly and Senate education committees, Republicans Steve Kestell and Luther Olsen, would write the bills. Werwie says the total costs have yet to be determined. Mary Bell, head of the state’s largest teachers’ union, said her group was involved in one of the task forces but was never consulted on the bills. And she feared that the details would conflict with what Walker highlights in public, quote, “as with many things” during his time as governor. <br /><br />Associated Bank Profits Up 600%<br /><br />The largest bank that’s based in Wisconsin reports a 600-percent increase in its quarterly profits from a year ago. Associated Bank-Corp of Green Bay had a net income of just under 40-million-dollars from October-through-December. That’s up from six-point-six million in the same quarter of 2010. Earnings per share rose from four-cents to 23. Associated had a big drop in bad loans. Delinquent loans totaled 357-million-dollars in the last year. That’s the lowest in two years, and it was down 38-percent from the year before. The bank also reported a 79-percent decrease in the number of bad loans it wrote off. Associated also said it added a much smaller amount to its reserves for covering bad loans – just one-million dollars in the last quarter, down from 63-million in the final quarter of 2010. C-E-O Philip Flynn expects a three-percent growth in loans in each quarter of 2012. Associated became the largest Wisconsin home-based bank when M-and-I was sold to B-M-O of Canada. <br /><br />Remington Staying in Madison-area<br /><br />1/20/12 - The maker of Remington shavers says it will keep its headquarters in the Madison area and continue to manufacture Ray-o-Vac batteries in Portage. Spectrum Brands said for the first time publicly Thursday that it considered moving to Miramar Florida, where one of its home appliance subsidiaries is based. But in a statement, the company cited cost savings, space efficiencies, and a forgivable four-million-dollar state loan in deciding to stay in Wisconsin. Spectrum Brands plans to build a new headquarters facility in the Madison suburb of Middleton. It’s due to open in 2013, and the company says it will have room for up to 70 professional employees who now work in Florida. Had the headquarters been moved, C-E-O Dave Lumley said up to 300 jobs would have been transferred from Madison. Spectrum Brands has battery plants in Portage and Fennimore, and a center in De Forest to handle returns. Besides batteries and razors, Spectrum also makes Black-and-Decker appliances, pet supplies, and insect repellents. The firm says it has an economic impact of 100-million-dollars a year in Wisconsin.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-2918987582189855585?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-64517582370477740182012-01-18T07:33:00.002-06:002012-01-18T07:33:42.596-06:00Pair of Serious Accidents on Highway 33<br /><br />1/18/12 - Slippery roads are said to have played a role in an accident that sent a 79-year-old Mayville man to the hospital. It happened a couple miles outside of Horicon just before 4pm on Highway 33 near North Grove Road. According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department, Ralph Smith was driving west when he lost control of his truck and it spun over the centerline and went into the ditch where it overturned and struck a utility pole. Smith had to be extricated from the vehicle and was taken to Beaver Dam Community Hospital before being flown by MedFlight to UW-Hospital in Madison. Authorities say the highway was snow covered and slippery at the time of the crash. <br /><br />Meanwhile, a head-on collision sent two Horicon men to the hospital early this morning. It also happened on Highway 33 near Fairfield Road just before 3am. According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department, 47-year-old Kevin Lucht was driving his truck east when he crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a car driven by 18-year-old Davis Kiefer. Both drivers were hospitalized. Authorities say their investigation is ongoing but they don’t believe road conditions were a factor in the crash. <br /><br />Burnett Man Accused of Obstructing Death Investigation<br /><br />1/18/12 - A Burnett man is accused of obstructing a death investigation. Shane Teletzke was reportedly at the Grandview Motel in Beaver Dam on the morning 26-year-old Aliecia Nichols died in a suspected heroin overdose. According to the criminal complaint, Teletzke was flushing unknown contraband down the toilet when officers arrived on scene. A blue powdery substance was reportedly uncovered from the toilet and a water sample was taken before it completely dissolved. When asked about the flushed items, Teletzke reportedly said (quote) “stuff no one needed to see anyway.” The 24-year-old told investigators that Nichols called Teletzke to her motel room at 5am because she was feeling ill. Police were called around 9:30am to reports of a “pulse-less non-breather.” Nichols was pronounced dead a short time later at the Beaver Dam Community Hospital. He says the two fell asleep. Teletzke is also charged with felony drug possession after he was searched and officers allegedly found a bag of marijuana. He is also charged with two counts of felony bail jumping. Teletzke was out on bond after being arrested for felony drug possession in Dane County last November. A signature bond was set at $1000 and a preliminary hearing is on the calendar next month. His Dodge County charges carry a penalty of up to 16-years in prison, if he is convicted. The Nichols death remains under investigation and authorities say additional charges are possible.<br /><br />Murder Suspect Found Dead In Green Lake County<br /><br />1/18/12 - A Hustisford woman accused of injuring one child and killing another while she was babysitting was found dead Monday at a residence in Green Lake County. Renee Kuehl (keel) was charged with three felonies, including First Degree Reckless Homicide and Child Abuse Intentionally Causing Great Bodily Harm. The 49-year-old was accused of inflicting fatal trauma on a 22-month-old boy who fell down the stairs while she was babysitting in 2007. The incident was ruled an accident but when a two-year-old girl who Kuehl was babysitting suffered similar injuries two years later, doctors took another look and determined that the fatal injuries were not accidental. In a press release, Dodge County District Attorney Kurt Klomberg expressed sympathy to the Kuehl family and said her (quote) ”untimely death means that now the truth about these cases will never be heard.” Green Lake County Coroner Darlene Strey says an autopsy conducted Tuesday in Madison confirmed that foul play is not suspected.<br /><br />Standoff Suspect Turns Himself In<br /><br />1/17/12 - A Fox Lake man accused of sparking a standoff with authorities last month has turned himself into police. Brandon Babcock was allegedly involved in a domestic incident on the 200 block of Rosedale Avenue. A woman left the residence but Babcock remained inside. While no weapons were involved in the domestic altercation it was believed there were weapons available to the man inside and some nearby residents were evacuated. After several hours, Nehls says it was necessary to decide if they would escalate the situation by using tear gas into the home for voluntary compliance or employ “dynamic entry” by the Dodge County SWAT Team. The sheriff says after consulting with law enforcement on scene he made the determination to “disengage” and attempt to take the suspect into custody at some point in the future or through a summons from the Dodge County District Attorneys office. An arrest warrant was issued Monday and Babcock turned himself in this morning. The 23-year-old is facing is formally charged of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.<br /><br />Recall Petitions Submitted<br /><br />1/17/12 - Petitions were filed Tuesday to order recall elections against six Republican state politicians. Lori Compas, who heads the campaign against Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, stood on the steps of the Government Accountability Board offices and announced she had 20-thousand-600 signatures. That's almost four-thousand more than the 16-thousand-742 valid signatures required to put the Juneau Republican up for election this summer. Compas said a lot of people have asked her if she'll run against Fitzgerald. She remains undecided. Fitzgerald says that he's been "overwhelmed" with support since the recall drive began. He said his fellow Republicans balanced a "massive" budget deficit without raising taxes or laying off state employees. He also said quote, "We gave power back to school districts and municipalities which allowed them to prioritize their spending and avoid mass layoffs." And he said his chamber passed over a dozen job-creation bills to lay the foundation for the state's economy to recover.<br /><br />Governor Scott Walker, meanwhile, says that he’ll campaign on his record, and he expects voters to stand by him in the recall election that appears likely this summer. United Wisconsin – which conducted the two-month petition drive on behalf of Democrats and labor unions – said it turned in over one-million signatures. They need 540-thousand valid signatures to force the Republican Walker to stand in a recall election after he will have served about a year-and-a-half of his four-year term. Walker issued a statement that his state budget and his measure to virtually end public union bargaining were needed to control spending, keep taxes in check, and balance the budget while avoiding state employee layoffs. <br /><br />Petitioners also said they filed 305-thousand more signatures than they needed to force a recall vote against Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, and more than the required numbers were submitted against fellow Republican senators Terry Moulton, Van Wanggaard, and Pam Galloway. The state Government Accountability Board says it will need more than two months and new petition-reading software to check for invalid petition signatures. The Board plans to go to court this week to seek an extension of the normal 31-day review process – and it will ask that all the elections be held on the same day. <br /><br />Dem’s Leaning Toward Barrett<br /><br />1/18/12 - Wisconsin voters apparently want a rematch between Governor Walker and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. The firm of Public Policy Polling says Barrett leads former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk 46-to-27 percent if they're the only two candidates in a Democratic primary. If Barrett runs only against former Congressman Dave Obey, Barrett would lead 43-to-28 percent. And if there are four candidates in a Democratic primary, Barrett would have 26-percent, compared to 22-percent for Falk, 21-percent for Obey, and 11-percent for Janesville Senate Democrat Tim Cullen. The Public Policy poll interviewed people most likely to vote in a Democratic party. About 60-percent of those people were Democrats -- but 11-percent were Republicans, and 30-percent were independents.<br /><br />DC Board Approves Purchase of Land<br /><br />1/17/12 - The Dodge County Board took the first steps last night towards constructing a new radio communications tower in the southeast portion of the county by purchasing about 1.75-acres in the town of Ashippun. Though it’s contingent on approval by the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Association, the board approved a resolution that will allow the county to purchase the Cleveland Road parcel for a total cost of about $57,000. Emergency Management Director Joe Meagher says radio communications in that part of the county are almost non-existent and that impacts the response time of fire departments and other law enforcement agencies. If they are approved by the FCC and FAA they hope to go to bid in February and want to have the tower up before new federal regulations go into place next January. The total budget for the project is around $700,000. <br /><br /><br />BDUSD Science Partnership Grant Renewed<br /><br />1/17/12 - A partnership grant between the Beaver Dam School District and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has been renewed by the Department of Public Instruction. The $145,000 grants is part of $1.7-million statewide being used to help teachers become better at teaching math and science in their classrooms. For Beaver Dam and UW-Oshkosh the focus is on teaching science, and Superintendent Steve Vessey says the program results over the first few years have been very encouraging. Other local districts, like Cambria-Friesland, Fall River and Randolph, and Watertown are also part of partnerships with other higher learning institutions. <br /><br />Senate Approves New Guidelines For NRB<br /><br />1/18/12 - The Wisconsin Senate voted 23-to-9 Tuesday in favor of new qualifications to serve on the state Natural Resources Board. The bill is designed to have more sporting enthusiasts represented on the D-N-R’s policy-setting panel. Under the measure, three of the seven board members must have owned hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses for seven-of-the-10 years before they’re appointed. And one board member must come from the agricultural sector. The Assembly approved the same changes last October, so the bill now goes to Governor Scott Walker. <br /><br />Senate Approves Open Enrollment Changes<br /><br />1/18/12 - The Senate approved changes Tuesday in the open enrollment law, also known as the public school choice program. The bill would give parents more time to seek enrollments for their kids outside their home districts – and the home districts would have to share details with the other school systems about discipline problems. Supporters say the bill would give a second chance to youngsters struggling in their home districts. Opponents fear the bill would harm schools by reducing their enrollments while places like virtual schools benefit. The package has been amended a couple times, and the Senate sent the bill back to the Assembly on a voice vote.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-6451758237047774018?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-33258279658838150652012-01-17T07:16:00.001-06:002012-01-17T07:16:02.783-06:00No Demerit Points Given To Game On<br /><br />1/17/12 - The Beaver Dam Police Department is recommending that no points be assessed against the Game On dance club, where three fights occurred in a one-month period. As part of the city’s Demerit Point Ordinance, local bars can be assessed points for violations of everything from underage drinking to bar fights. Any business that racks-up 150 points in a rolling 12-month period trigger’s a hearing that could result in suspension of revocation of its liquor license. Game On already had 100 points when officers responded to the Madison Street bar in November following a fight. Police were NOT notified by the establishment and Game On was assessed another 40 points. Another fight occurred in December, but 9-1-1 was called following that incident. The on the morning of New Years Day, multiple fights were reported while police were on already scene, leaving no reason to contact police. That, combined with other factors, led Police Chief Ron Smith to determine that no points were necessary from the two most recent fights. Smith says the owner of the bar has done everything authorities have asked and he does not view the establishment as a risk to public or police safety. In addition to contacting police, management has installed more cameras and hired a firm out of Fond du Lac to handle security. Game On had 100 points assessed on January 16, 2011 for serving underage patrons. Under the terms of the ordinance, those points disappear after one year so as of today, January 17, 2012, Game On only has the 40 points it earned in November hanging over its head.<br /><br />New Community Center Named “Watermark”<br /><br />1/17/12 - The Beaver Dam Common Council last night approved a new name for the planned Community and Senior Center. There are no city tax dollars planned for renovation of the former Fullerton Lumber building at 209 South Center, so the non-profit group “Friends of the Beaver Dam Community Center” is organizing a $2.9 million dollar fundraising campaign. As part of the campaign, the group unveiled a new logo and building name last night, asking the blessing of city leaders as they move forward. Karla Jensen chairs a Communications Task Force associated with the Friends group. Jensen says the name “Watermark” reflects the high water mark in the river that runs behind the building and also represents high quality paper. She says the group expects the building and its programs to reach that same high quality standard for the community. The Friends group is in pre-campaign mode, with plans to launch their official fundraising campaign shortly. Representatives with the non-profit will be our guests on WBEV’s Community Comment next Tuesday.<br /><br />Recall Signatures to Be Delivered Today <br /><br />1/17/12 - Democrats and union supporters will submit an estimated one-and-a-half million recall signatures today. The state Government Accountability Board will then start reviewing the signatures, to see if there are enough to order recall elections against Governor Scott Walker, Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, and four G-O-P state senators, including Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau. Meanwhile, Democrats say they're against the Board's effort to hold all recall votes on the same day. State law requires those elections to be held six weeks after petitions are verified -- and petitions for the smaller Senate recalls are expected to be reviewed a lot quicker than the statewide petitions for governor. Graeme Zielinski of the State Democratic Party says the recall votes should be held as quickly as possible, and delaying one or more of them would break the law. He's concerned that the G-O-P incumbents are not given more time to raise money for their campaigns. Holding the votes on the same day would save money for local government clerks. The state says a single election, with no primary, would cost the state-and-local communities around nine-million dollars.<br /><br />MLK Jr Celebration at Capitol Turns Political <br /><br />1/17/12 - Wisconsin is not the only state where a new voter I-D law was criticized at a Martin Luther King Day event. Rallies in Georgia and South Carolina focused on similar laws in those states, as speakers accused officials of trying to suppress black votes. In Madison, the issue came up during the state's official King Day observance at the State Capitol. The keynote speaker, Maryland law professor Sherrillyn Ifill, did not specifically mention Wisconsin's I-D law. But the former NAACP staff lawyer said King would have opposed it the same way he fought poll taxes and literacy tests. That drew loud applause from hundreds of people who attended. Governor Scott Walker, who approved the voter I-D law, sat quietly and listened. When he left, a couple protestors tried following him yelling "Shame, Shame" -- and they were stopped by security. Walker's only involvement in the ceremony was reading a proclamation for King Day. As he did that, two dozen protestors turned their backs and hissed. <br /><br />BD Approves Resolution On Civil Public Discourse<br /><br />1/17/12 - The Beaver Dam Common Council last night approved a resolution urging civil public discourse in government. The resolution was brought forward by City Attorney Mary Ann Schacht at the suggestion of the Wisconsin League of Municipalities and cites (quote) “divisive attacks…which lead to ineffective public decision making, citizen frustration and damage to our democracy.” In its January issue, the League encouraged local governments to adopt the measure. Schacht says the hope at the beginning of a new year is to steer the conversation toward good government and good communications. The resolution reads (quote), “that the city of Beaver Dam urges all government officials and employees, political parties, media representatives, advocacy organizations and candidates for political office and their supporters to strive toward a more civil public discourse in the conduct of political activities and in the administration of the affairs of government.” The resolution was adopted without dissent.<br /><br />PAVE Services See Record Year<br /><br />1/17/12 - Twenty-eleven (2011) was a record year for the domestic violence shelter in Beaver Dam. That’s according to Executive Director Jamie Kratz-Gullickson who says they provided over 4000 nights of shelter to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault last year, compared to 2800 the previous year. A night of shelter is measured as one person spending one night in the shelter. Kratz-Gullickson says when she started in 2007, PAVE provided 1200 nights of shelter. The closest they’ve gotten to the 4000 nights provided last year was in 2009, when there were 3800 nights of shelter recorded. PAVE helped 665 individual clients last year, compared to 600 the previous year. She says the increase has them re-assessing the size and versatility of the PAVE shelter.<br /><br />High Speed Internet Could Impact Farmers<br /><br />1/17/12 - Wisconsin farmers, pilots, and land surveyors say their G-P-S systems would be wrecked by a plan to provide high-speed Internet service around the country. Light-Squared Incorporated is offering Four-"G" service that would meet the federal government's goal of providing broadband Internet coverage nationwide by 2015. But a new government report says the Light-Squared system would create interference in three-fourths of the nation's G-P-S devices, which operate on weaker signals. Some of those systems are used by the military -- and the Federal Communications Commission is barred from approving signals that interfere with the military's G-P-S locators. Sean Elliott of the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh says instrument-guided landing systems are threatened by G-P-S interference. Dodge County land information officer Joyce Fiacco says Light-Squared's signal would affect surveying equipment, and set their work back 20 years. Casey Langan of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation says farmers use G-P-S to plant crops and apply proper amounts of pesticides. Light-Squared spokesman Chris Stern tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the company has offered to reduce the strength of its signal. And the firm accused the G-P-S industry of infringing on a spectrum that Light-Squared built. The F-C-C's final approval is due by the end of January. Fond du Lac House Republican Tom Petri has asked the agency to reject the plan, saying G-P-S interference could cause hundreds of fatal airplane crashes over the next decade.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-3325827965883815065?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-5668882079319821282012-01-16T07:25:00.001-06:002012-01-16T07:25:55.540-06:00Registration This Week at Fox Lake Charter School<br /><br />1/16/12 - Registration begins Wednesday for the new charter school in the former Fox Lake Elementary School. The building was closed following the 2008-2009 school year in a budget cutting measure. In 2010, the Waupun School Board unanimously approved a proposal put together by an ad-hoc committee made up mostly of Fox Lake residents to begin a charter school. The conversion into a charter school became a reality last August when the district received a $200,000 planning grant from the state. Waupun School District Superintendent Don Childs says the only new costs the district will have to absorb come from operating costs, utilities and day-to-day operating costs. The acronym for the school is “SAGES” which stands for “School for AGriculture and Environmental Science.” Childs says the school will teach all subject areas, with a focus on agriculture and environmental studies, and with emphasis on hands-on field work and learning through project-based learning. During the first year, the school will teach grades Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. If successful, they will add Seventh Grade in year two and Eighth Grade in year three. Childs says the school will not be able to open its doors if there are less than 50 students enrolled for the upcoming school year. Conversely, if there are more than 125 registrations, all students will be put into a lottery to determine who gets in. <br /><br />Kitchen Fire Damage Lowell Residence<br /><br />1/16/12 - Fire damaged a Lowell residence early Sunday morning. Firefighters were called to the 600-block of Lorraine just after 2am. Smoke and flames were visible when crews arrived on scene. The fire was contained to the kitchen. A 46-year-old Lowell man was treated for smoke inhalation and transported to Watertown Hospital.<br /><br />BDFD Sees Increase In EMS Calls<br /><br />1/16/12 - The Beaver Dam Fire Department saw a 7.8% increase in their Emergency Medical Service calls last year compared to 2010. There were 1774 EMS calls in 2011, compared to 1646 the previous year, that’s an increase of 128 calls. Those numbers do not include revenue-generating inter-facility transports, which were down 13-percent. There were 377 transports last year, compared to 435 in 2010, a difference of 58 transports. During its first full year of operation, Beaver Dam conducted 533 non-emergency transports for revenue. Beaver Dam is putting its paramedic-level of service to use outside of the city, providing mutual assistance with their paramedics 36 times last year, an increase of eight calls from the previous year. Fire and other service calls were down four-percent. There were 297 fire calls last year, compared to 310 in 2009, that includes actual fires, false fire alarms, carbon monoxide investigations and general service calls.<br /><br />Shooting At Crowded Jefferson County Bar<br /><br />1/16/12 - Two people were wounded when shots were fired at a crowded bar in Jefferson County early Saturday morning. The sheriff’s department reports the incident happened just after 2am at Rox’s Sports Bar and Grill on Highway K. Neither wound was serious. One of the injured refused medical treatment and the second was taken to Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Three men were detained in connection with the shooting. Deputies say they have a lot of witnesses to interview before filing any charges.<br /><br />Registered Sex Offender Moving Into Beaver Dam<br /><br />1/16/12 - A registered sex offender will be moving into Beaver Dam Tuesday after his release from prison. Deputy Police Chief Dan Schubert says Joseph Volm will be residing on the 800 block of Madison Street. Schubert says Volm has served his time and is not wanted by police. State statute requires the Department of Corrections notify the public when a sex offender of Volm’s caliber is released because his classification level reflects a potential to re-offend. The 34-year-old was convicted of Attempted Second Degree Sexual Assault of an adult woman but many of his violations occurred while on supervision and involved unsupervised contact with minors. Volm will be under 24 hour electronic monitoring and will be supervised by agents specializing in intensive supervision.<br /><br />Gov. Walker to Participate in MLK Jr Day Events<br /><br />1/16/12 - Governor Scott Walker will appear at two special events on this Martin Luther King Day. He'll attend the annual Milwaukee Y-M-C-A breakfast in honor of the slain civil rights leader. And Walker will speak at the state's official King Day ceremony at noon at the State Capitol. It's one of a number of events being held throughout Wisconsin today in King's memory. The Reverend C-T Vivian will speak at the Madison-and-Dane County observance. Vivian was one of King's friends who started the Nashville Christian Leadership Conference. The group held the first civil rights march of the King era in 1961. <br /><br />Property Taxes Up by the Smallest Amount in 15-Years <br /><br />1/16/12 - Wisconsin's total property taxes went up by the smallest amount in the last 15 years. Preliminary figures from the state's Taxpayers Alliance show a three-tenths-of-one-percent increase in the tax bills received last month by home-and-business owners. The group credits a statewide decrease of one-percent in public school tax levies. State-mandated revenue limits were the main reason for the drop. School taxes are normally the largest part of a property owner's tax bill. City, village, and town tax levies jumped by up to two-percent. That represents almost a quarter of a person's tax bill. The tax alliance said one of every three counties either froze or reduced their tax levies this year. Brown, Marathon, Bayfield, Washington, and Winnebago dropped their total taxes by at least one-percent. Five counties -- Dane, Columbia, Crawford, Calumet, and Kewaunee -- raised their county taxes by four-percent or more.<br /><br />WI and MN Looking to Expand Rail Service <br /><br />1/16/12 - Wisconsin and Minnesota officials are looking into the possibility of expanding Amtrak passenger rail service. A feasbility study is expected to begin in the next couple of months on adding a second round-trip each day between Chicago and Minneapolis-Saint Paul as part of Amtrak's long-established Empire Builder. That's the train which currently goes through Milwaukee, Columbus, Portage, and La Crosse among other places. Amtrak says the Badger and Gopher states would have to pay the costs of the added service, because Congress has ordered the national railroad to find outside funding for any new expansions. The two states would also have to share the costs of the feasibility study. The six-month study is expected to cost around 60-thousand dollars. State railroad official Ron Adams says Wisconsin is now trying to come up with its share. The proposed expansion is separate from a recent Minnesota study which suggested high-speed rail tracks along the Empire Builder route.<br /><br />Whooping Cough Cases Spike In Ashland County<br /><br />1/16/12 - Nine students in the Ashland school district are among the ten cases of whooping cough reported from Ashland County. The public health department says an adult also has the disease. In addition, another four people are being watched and may have Pertussis. The first case was reported from Ashland Middle School last December. That’s around the same time the Dodge County Health Department issued a warning about an increase in the reported cases of the contagious bacterial disease. Local Health Officer Jody Langfeldt said Dodge County had seven reported cases this year, which twice as many as in a normal year. Langfeldt says the symptoms are similar to the common cold. Additional information is on the health department’s website: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/dph_bcd/communicable/factsheets/pertussus.htm<br /><br />Bankruptcy Filings Down<br /><br />1/16/12 - For the first time in six years, bankruptcy filings have decreased in Wisconsin. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court shows nearly 27 thousand petitions were filed in the state last year, a 10 percent decline from 2010. The vast majority of them were Chapter 7 bankruptcies, which wipes out credit card balances and medical and utility bills. The Wisconsin numbers match national trends which saw bankruptcies off by 12 percent. The American Bankruptcy Institute says consumers are getting rid of their debt without declaring bankruptcy and tighter credit standards are keeping people from piling up more debt. <br /><br />Kennedy Listening Sessions Scheduled Tuesday<br /><br />1/16/12 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy has listening sessions scheduled for Tuesday. City residents are invited to meet with the mayor without appointment, in a one-on-one setting, on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Kennedy says he wants constituents to have the opportunity to speak with him the day after each regular meeting of the common council. The listening sessions are held in Room 109 on the first floor of City Hall from 10am until noon and again from 5pm to 6pm. If the regular schedule doesn’t fir into your schedule, residents are encouraged to schedule a private meeting through the mayor’s office. <br /><br />Miss Wisconsin Named Miss America <br /><br />1/16/12 - The newly-crowned Miss America from Wisconsin says she'll work to improve family relationships for those with loved ones who are in prison. 23-year-old Laura Kaeppeler (kepp'-ler) of Kenosha won the Miss America crown and a 50-thousand-dollar scholarship on Saturday night in Las Vegas. She's the first Miss America from Wisconsin since Terry Ann Meeuwsen in 1973. Kaeppeler's father spent 18 months behind bars for mail fraud. And she said she'll encourage families in similar situations to improve ties and move forward together. Kaeppeler says she wants children of incarcerated adults to feel like they're not alone. She wants them to have mentoring for those children, and as much of a relationship with their parents as they can. Kaeppeler, who won the Miss Wisconsin pageant last summer, said there are more than two million children with parents in jail.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-566888207931982128?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-79340499640869282662012-01-15T00:18:00.001-06:002012-01-15T00:18:06.675-06:00Walker Aide Pleads Not Guilty<br /><br />1/15/12 - A former aide to Governor Scott Walker when he was the Milwaukee County executive pleaded innocent Friday to embezzling 42-thousand dollars. 61-year-old Kevin Kavanaugh waived his preliminary hearing in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, and his innocent pleas were entered to five felony counts of theft and fraudulent writings. He’s due back in court January 30th, when a trial date could be set. Kavanaugh and former Walker aide Tim Russell are charged with taking a total over 60-thousand dollars in donations. Most of it was meant to be given to veterans and their families as part of the county’s Operation Freedom event each year at the county zoo. Prosecutors said the defendants used the money for items ranging from Caribbean cruises to renewing Web sites for Walker’s campaign for governor. The charges were the result of a John Doe probe of present-and-former Walker aides. That investigation continues. <br /><br />Eau Claire Police Release Findings on Fatal Accident<br /><br />1/15/12 - Eau Claire County accident investigators say last month’s fatal crash of a car full of teenagers was caused by hill jumping. &nbsp;Fourteen year old Austin Gable was driving more than 80 miles an hour when his car went airborne, flying 177 feet, then flipped. &nbsp;Gable, his girlfriend, 13 year old McKenna Johnson, and 15 year old Marco Perez were killed. &nbsp;The only licensed driver in the car had let minors drive in the past. &nbsp;The sheriff’s department is forwarding the case to prosecutors for the possible filing of charges. &nbsp;Hill jumping is done by driving a car so fast it goes airborne when it crests a hill.<br /><br />New Council Looking to Help Students Get Ready for College and Careers<br /><br />1/15/12 - Wisconsin’s new College and Workforce Readiness Council will look at ways to improve student readiness for college and careers. &nbsp;The panel created by the governor yesterday is to come up with a strategic plan by the end of the year. &nbsp;The council is expected to look closely at approaches like shorter and less-costly degree programs which would fill high-need positions. &nbsp;Also, expanding dual enrollment and duel credit opportunity for high school students will be considered. &nbsp;Small business representatives, people from the state’s workforce, the state school superintendent, cabinet secretaries and officials from public and private universities and technical colleges will be among the 15 members. <br /><br />Columbus School Board Sees What New Facilities Could Look Like <br /><br />1/15/12 - A move toward a “21st Century Learning Environment” in Columbus Schools was recommended this week. Erik Dufek of E-U-A presented a picture of what redesign of the current facilities could look like. Dufek said a change was necessary to meet the nationwide decrease in agriculture and manufacturing jobs and the increase the service and creative thinking sector jobs. The Facilities Committee has added another January meeting to their schedule on the 25th.<br /><br />Registered Sex Offender Being Released in Beaver Dam<br /><br />1/15/12 - A registered sex offender fresh out of prison will be moving into Beaver Dam on a temporary basis. Deputy Police Chief Dan Schubert says as of this Tuesday, Joseph Volm will be residing on the 800 block of Madison Street. Schubert says state statute requires the Department of Corrections notify the public when a sex offender is released into the community. Volm was convicted of attempted second degree sexual assault of an adult woman but many of his violations were while on supervision in the community and revolved around unsupervised and unapproved contact with minors. Authorities say Volm has served his time and is not wanted by police. Volm will be under 24 hour electronic monitoring. He will be supervised by agents specializing in intensive supervision. He will continue to participate in long-term programming while on parole and will be on a GPS monitoring unit. In addition to the intensive supervision rules, to which he must adhere, Volm will be subject to additional specific rules. These rules include: no contact with any of his victims; he may not be anywhere children congregate; no taverns/bars/liquor stores, and not to consume alcohol or drugs. Witnessed violations should be reported to the Beaver Dam Police Department. <br /><br />DC Law Enforcement Honored <br /><br />1/15/12 - The Dodge County Law Enforcement Executive Association held their annual awards banquet on Friday. The banquet serves as opportunity to recognize the employees and citizens that made an impact in the law enforcement community over the past year. Earning Officer of the Year was Detective Jonathan Caucutt of the Watertown Police Department, who was honored for his extensive work in crimes involving sexual predators and child pornography. The Correctional Officer of the Year was Josh Navis, who works at the Dodge Correctional Institution. Navis was honored for his actions when an inmate attacked a prison psychologist in November. Amanda Anhalt was named as the Support Person of the Year for her work as a victim/witness coordinator in the Dodge County District Attorney’s Office. Being named Citizen of the Year was Joshua Schraufnagel, who was called heroic by Sheriff Todd Nehls for jumping into the water in an attempt to save a victim of a car accident in Mayville. Seven county employees were recognized for the Presidents Award. That includes Captain Molly Soblewski who retired after 27-years with the department. The others, Lt. Clint Peachey, Lt. Brad Mlodzik, CO Steve Rumbuc, Sgt. Branden Gremminger, RN Joni Dykstra and RN Shaune Hoban were recognized for their work in resuscitating an inmate at the Dodge Correctional Institution. <br /><br />Dems Ask Justice Department to Review Voter ID Law<br /><br />1/15/12 - The U.S. Justice Department is being asked to review Wisconsin’s new voter photo ID law by 22 Democratic lawmakers. That letter was mailed Friday. The Democrats argue that the law will infringe on the voting rights of minorities, senior citizens, students and the poor. Republican supporters of the law say it’s designed to cut down on voter fraud. The Wisconsin League of Woman Voters has filed a lawsuit challenging the Vote Photo ID law. And, the chair of the Wisconsin Bar Association’s civil rights section also sent a letter on the topic to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder last August. <br /><br />Strike Continues in Manitowoc <br /><br />1/15/12 - A two-month strike at Manitowoc Cranes will continue, after union machinists voted 140 to 37 on Friday not to approve the company’s latest contract offer. Workers chanted “What’s disgusting? Union busting” as they rejected a second offer from management. The major issue is the company’s effort to let employees get union benefits while having the choice of paying union dues or not. Scott Parr of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said his group was willing to take a step toward that proposal, giving new and existing employees a certain amount of time to decide if they want to stay in the union and pay dues voluntarily. Parr said it’s what the company wanted and they wouldn’t accept it. The firm has not commented. The strikers represent about a quarter of the Manitowoc Cranes 800 employees. But 150 members of a boiler-makers union have been laid off because of the strike.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-7934049964086928266?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-20845203155199523182012-01-14T06:50:00.001-06:002012-01-14T06:50:04.688-06:00Group Says They Have Enough Signatures to Recall Fitzgerald <br /><br />1/14/12 - The committee to recall Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald announced Friday it has the signatures to force an election. Lori Compas, the recall committee's chairwoman, said in a news conference the group had gathered more than the 16,742 signatures needed, but declined to say how many. She said volunteers would continue to gather signatures to recall the Juneau Republican through Saturday. That's to provide a cushion because Fitzgerald will be able to knock some signatures off the petitions if he can show they belong to people who don't live in the district or aren't eligible to vote. The petitions will be turned in Tuesday, along with those to recall Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and three other Republican senators. Fitzgerald filed a complaint with election officials Thursday arguing the collection of signatures must end Friday, rather than Saturday, because recall organizers have just 60 days to gather signatures.<br />Election officials -- backed by the state Department of Justice -- believe signatures can be collected through Saturday because the 60-day clock did not start to tick until Nov. 16, a day after Compas registered her committee with the state and began collecting signatures. Recall officials said they were not worried about Fitzgerald's complaint. "That's a kid not winning Monopoly throwing the board up at the end of the game," said recall volunteer Sarah Hammer, a Fort Atkinson nurse. <br /><br />Officials Hope to Have All Recalls on Same Day<br /><br />1/14/12 - State officials say they’ll try to have all recall elections on the same date this summer. The Government Accountability Board plans to make that request when it asks a judge for more time to review petitions against the governor, lieutenant governor, and four G-O-P senators. State law gives the Board 31 days to decide whether there are enough valid signatures to hold recall elections. But because the massive volumes of the current petitions, the Board says it will take longer than 60 days to review up to one-and-a-half million signatures. A judge ordered the Accountability Board last week to find and delete signatures which are obviously false and duplicated. Yesterday, board officials said they would spend around 100-thousand dollars on computer software that will scan the signatures and put them into a database where they can be more easily evaluated. Because of that task, officials say it could be June or later before general recall elections could take place. <br /><br />Language Set for Fall River School District Referendum <br /><br />1/14/12 - Language for two referendum questions in the Fall River School District was finalized this week by the school board. One of the questions will ask for funds to replace the HVAC-system, overall maintenance, technology and land acquisition for a total of nearly $2.5-million. A second question asks for $1.4-million to build a multi-purpose athletic complex. The questions will appear on the ballot for the April 3rd general election. Two informational meetings on the referendum questions will take place prior to election day, with the first being on Wednesday January 25th in the school library at 7pm and then again on Thursday February 16th at 10am in the district board room. <br /><br />Hazmat Team May Be Forced to Respond to Calls Outside of Dodge County<br /><br />1/14/12 - The Dodge County Hazmat Team may start responding to chemical spills outside of the county. Dodge County Emergency Management Director Joe Meagher says the state is hoping to restructure Hazmat teams statewide and is offering the county an additional $5000 a year to expand their response area to within one area of the county line. Meagher says Wisconsin Emergency Management proposed the restructuring to the state without talking to any of the affected agencies. He says there are a lot of unknowns at this point, including exactly who would pay for out-of-county clean-up costs. Level A Hazmat teams in large city’s like Milwaukee and Madison typically respond to the largest spills while Level B teams like the one in Dodge County handle most everything else. The Level B Hazmat team contains a spill but does not perform the cleanup work; that is contracted out with a company like Veolia Environmental, at a cost of thousands of dollars. Meagher says local emergency management officials are hoping to get a seat on the state planning committee. He also plans on updating the Beaver Dam Police and Fire Commission of any development over the next few months as their 24-hour department stores Hazmat equipment and is the lead agency on the team.<br /><br />Longtime Leader of Schneider National Trucking Passes Away <br /><br />1/14/12 - Donald Schneider, who headed one of the nation’s best-known trucking companies for over a quarter century, died this morning in De Pere. The 76-year-old Schneider had Alzheimer’s disease for quite some time. He started as a mechanic’s assistant in the Schneider National trucking firm that his father Al founded. Fifteen years later, in 1976, Schneider became the president of the company – a post he held for over 25 years. He retired from his daily duties in 2002, but he remained the chairman emeritus of Schneider National. Bill Graves, C-E-O of the American Trucking Association, said the transportation and logistics industry lost one of its most passionate and influential voices. Graves called Schneider a “visionary” who set the standard for the modern-day development of the industry.<br /><br />State Says Coding Error Allowed for Unemployment Overpayments <br /><br />1/14/12 - The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is blaming a computer coding error for overpayments to recipients of unemployment benefits. The claimants reportedly got an average of 280 dollars more than they were supposed to receive. The error was caught after about a week. Most of the people owing the state a refund will be given the option of returning the money in installments. All 626 should receive a notice in the mail soon.<br /><br />Southridge Mall Will Allow Buses <br /><br />1/14/12 - The corporate owner of Southridge Mall has done of reversal on plans to stop buses from dropping off and picking up passengers at mall entrances. A spokesman says no disruption of bus service at the mall is expected. That word comes just one day after Milwaukee County officials released a memo indicating the mall would require transit buses to operate off its property only starting next month. Seniors and people with disabilities were worried they would have to walk several blocks from bus stops, creating safety hazards. Though the spokesman denied the owner had threatened to ban buses, county officials confirmed that was exactly the company's stance. The buses reportedly made too much noise.<br /><br />Slinger Teacher in Hot Water After Hitler Reference <br /><br />1/14/12 - School officials in Slinger are considering punitive action against a veteran teacher who wrote an offensive e-mail to State Representative Don Pridemore. John Koszarek is a social studies teacher at Slinger High School who has taught in the district for 34 years. He sent an answer to Pridemore’s e-mailed newsletter about the effects of state legislation on area school districts. Pridemore said those districts had benefited from the budgetary tools passed last year by the Republican-controlled Legislature. Koszarek replied, saying, quoting here, “Of course you are in Washington County where Hitler would have defeated Reagan had he the ‘R’ in front of his name on the ballot.” The teacher says he never meant to say the people of Washington County are Nazis. He says he shouldn’t have used the Hitler reference, but he was right in saying local voters automatically cast their ballots for Republican candidates.<br /><br />Packer Fans Warned of Highway 41 Construction <br /><br />1/14/12 - Packer fans wanting to make sure they don’t missing the opening kickoff of this weekend’s NFC playoff game at Lambeau Field need to allow extra time. Road construction projects are still in place along the route. Drivers are being warned those worksites could cause delays. Two stretches of U.S. 41 are under construction. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Earlier this season, when security was ramped up, some fans complained when they were delayed so much they missing seeing the opening kickoff.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-2084520315519952318?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-44730696337827936042012-01-13T07:27:00.000-06:002012-01-13T07:27:51.994-06:00Winter Storm Blankets Wisconsin <br /><br />1/13/12 - Most of Wisconsin got 3-to-6 inches of snow yesterday and last night. But over two-feet of lake effect snow hit parts of Iron County near Lake Superior. According to the National Weather Service, Gile had 29 inches as of two o’clock this morning – and it was still coming down. Six inches fell there in a five-hour period, and there was lots of blowing and drifting. Montreal in Iron County had 16 inches as of six o’clock. Hurley had 10 inches by the middle of last night. Elsewhere in Wisconsin, the south and the Fox Valley seemed to be the hardest hit, with 3-to-4 inch totals reported in most other parts of the Badger State. By 8pm last night Beaver Dam had 5.5-inches, while West Bend picked up 4.5-inches. A couple miles south of Watertown got 4-inches, and a weather spotter near Oconomowoc reported 6-inches had fallen there. And while the snow has moved out some bitter cold wind chills are being seen this morning. At 6am it was 15-degrees in Beaver Dam, but it felt more like 6-degrees with wind chill. Brownsville had 17-degrees, but with winds gusting to 20-miles an hour it felt more like 5-above. And in Columbus it was 15-degrees with a wind chill of just 1-degree above zero. <br /><br />Meanwhile, as is usually the case with the first major storm of the season, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department and other local authorities were dealing with accidents and runoffs for most of the day yesterday. According to department records, from the time the snow began yesterday around 8am there were three accidents with injuries, eight other accidents, and more than 20-runoffs. One of the accidents occurred just before 10-am on Highway 26 at Horn Road. Authorities say a 24-year-old man lost control of his vehicle and struck a culvert. He was taken to the hospital by Watertown EMS. The other significant accident reported by authorities happened at Highway 151 and 33 in Beaver Dam just before noon. A disabled semi was parked on the off-ramp, and a vehicle driven by a 20-year-old woman struck it from behind. She was also taken to the hospital. <br /><br />BD Crews Working to Clear City Streets <br /><br />1/13/11 - Snowplows in Beaver Dam began salting and scraping city streets at 2am this morning. Director of Facilities David Stoiser says his 13-man crew worked until 6pm last night and then took a breather to prepare for the morning rush. Two other DPW employees are assigned to clearing sidewalks on municipal properties and Parks Department workers tend to city parking lots.<br /><br />Reminder to Shovel Your Sidewalk <br /><br />1/13/11 - The Beaver Dam Department of Public Works is reminding residents to shovel their snow. Director David Stoiser says that city ordinance requires that any snow or ice accumulations on public sidewalk fronting private properties must be removed each time it snows. Stoiser says ice accumulations that cannot be removed must be treated with a deicing or abrasive agent. Violation results in the city removing the snow or treating the ice with costs assessed against the property owner. Repeat violations are referred to the Police Department for possible citations. Small quantities of rock salt and sand-salt mixture are available to city residents only at the Public Works Building on South Center Street. <br /><br />Winter Parking Rules in Effect in BD<br /><br />1/13/11 - With yesterday’s snowfall, winter parking rules in Beaver Dam are officially in effect. Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy says the parking prohibition begins with the first significant snowfall. No parking is allowed on city streets between 2am and 6am, so that the Department of Public Works can clear the snow. Citations will be issued for violations and begin at $20 if the ticket is paid within 24 hours. Once the enforcement has been initiated, the parking ban will remain in effect unless it is announced that the ban has been temporarily or permanently lifted.<br /><br />BD Man Faces Stalking Charges<br /><br />1/13/12 - A Beaver Dam man is facing stalking charges after allegedly threatening his former boss after being fired. 41-year-old John Eggert made his initial appearance this week on charges of stalking and disorderly conduct, use of a dangerous weapon. According to prosecutors, Eggert was fired in December and he allegedly told co-workers that if he got access to a gun he would start at the front desk and work his way down. The criminal complaint states Eggert was fired for calling the manager several names during an argument, and he told the manager she would regret firing him. Police met with Eggert and he denied making any threats. However, earlier this month the manager told police that Eggert again had threatened her after being denied unemployment benefits. Prosecutors say Eggert continued to contact the manager even after police told him not to. He’s due back in court next month. <br /><br />Prisoner Facing Additional Time After Kicking Officer <br /><br />1/13/12 - A prisoner at the Fox Lake Correctional Institution could face an additional six years in prison after allegedly kicking a correctional officer this past fall. 26-year-old Darnell Brown has been charged with battery by prisoner after kicking the officer in the shin. Prosecutors say Brown allegedly kicked the officer several times in October and make threats to other members of the staff. He due in court later this month. <br /><br />Fitzgerald Says Recall Filing Deadline Should Be Today<br /><br />1/13/12 - Wisconsin’s Senate majority leader says those who are trying to recall him and four other Republicans should be forced to turn in their petitions today instead of Tuesday. Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau filed a complaint yesterday with the Government Accountability Board. He said today should be the filing deadline because it’s the 60th day after the recall campaigns were kicked off on November 15th. But the Justice Department issued a memo this week saying the clock didn’t start until November 16th, the day after the recall committees registered. That means signatures can be collected tomorrow and filed on the next business day – which is Tuesday, since state offices are closed Monday for the Martin Luther King holiday. In Fitzgerald’s case, the extra day might allow recall organizers to get enough signatures to force an election. They need 16-thousand-742. They had around 16-thousand as of Wednesday, and organizer Lori Compas has asked volunteers from other recall efforts to knock on doors in Fitzgerald’s district today and tomorrow to get signatures. The Board expects a million-and-a-half signatures to be filed to try and force recall elections against Governor Scott Walker and the other Republicans.<br /><br />Bill to Make Signing More Than One Recall Petition a Crime Moves Forward<br /><br />1/13/12 - A Wisconsin Senate panel has endorsed two bills which make it a crime to sign recall petitions more than once, and to offer money or gifts to get people to sign. G-O-P lawmakers sponsored both measures. The elections committee vote 4-to-1 yesterday to recommend a criminal misdemeanor charge for those who sign recall petitions multiple times. The maximum penalties would be six months in jail and a one-thousand-dollar fine. The second bill was endorsed 5-to-nothing. It would prohibit people from offering anything of value in exchange for recall signatures. Violators could be charged with felonies, with maximum penalties of three-and-a-half years in prison and 10-thousand-dollar fines. It’s already against the law to offer anything of value to get people to sign nominating petitions or to vote or not vote in regular elections. But there are no such prohibitions for recall efforts.<br /><br />Good News for State and Local Government Retirees <br /><br />1/13/12 - Retired state-and-local government workers got some good news yesterday. The State Investment Board said the largest fund which provides benefits to public retirees grew by one-point-four percent last year. All retirees get at least half their pensions from the Core Fund, which grew to 72-billion-dollars in assets by December 31st. Last year, about 35-thousand retirees chose to get at least part of their benefits from a more aggressive variable fund – and that pot dropped by three-percent last year, to around five-point-two billion dollars. We’re not sure yet how these figures will affect the size of the retirees’ pension checks for this year. That’s normally announced in February or March. Those investing in the Core Fund have seen their pension checks drop for three years in a row since the 2008 financial collapse. Benefits from the variable fund grew by 11-percent last year. State Investment Board director Keith Borzath says investors have quote, “tempered optimism” about what will happen in the New Year. The State Retirement Fund serves over 572-thousand state and local government and public school employees. The city and county of Milwaukee are not part of the state system, because they have their own.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-4473069633782793604?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-21628927384011678832012-01-12T07:24:00.001-06:002012-01-12T07:24:25.336-06:00Area Under Winter Weather Advisory until Friday Morning <br /><br />1/12/12 - Wisconsin's first big snowstorm of 2012 is underway. We are under a winter weather advisory from 9am this (Thursday) morning to 9am tomorrow (Friday) morning. It was already snowing overnight in most of the northern, central, and western parts of the Badger State. Hayward had almost two-inches by late last night. Hurley is expected to get a foot of snow by the time the storm leaves tomorrow. Other parts of the far north could get 6-to-10 inches. Around here we’re expecting three to four inches today and an additional two to four inches tonight for a total of five to eight inches. Parts of the state had wind gusts up to 25-miles-an-hour during the night. And stronger winds are expected today, with blowing-and-drifting snow in the forecast this afternoon in eastern and southern Wisconsin. Colder temperatures will follow. Lows in the single digits and teens are expected by this time tomorrow. Yesterday, Juneau had 50 degrees, which broke a 37-year-old record high for the date.<br /><br />Davis Sentenced in Armed Robbery<br /><br />1/12/12 - An Oconomowoc man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in an armed invasion of a home in Watertown. Lawrence Davis was convicted in September of Armed Robbery, Armed Burglary and nine counts of False Imprisonment. According to prosecutors, Davis and a second man armed themselves with a pellet gun and an ax handle, donned masks and forced their way into a residence. While there Davis struck several people with the ax handle and restrained the nine victims while he and his accomplice searched for the residence for valuables. They were eventually chased from the home after some of victims recognized one of the robber’s voices. In addition to the prison time Davis will spend five years on extended supervision. <br /><br />FDL Police Say Woman Tried Killing Herself and Daughter <br /><br />1/12/12 - Fond du Lac Police say a woman tried to kill herself and her six-year-old daughter by injecting medicines, and then pointed a butcher knife at her sleeping boyfriend. The 28-year-old man woke up to find the knife at his chest. Police said he wrestled the knife away from the 25-year-old woman, and called 9-1-1. The incident happened last Thursday. Police arrested the woman and held her in protective custody until yesterday, when they sent her to jail. She now faces possible charges of attempted homicide and reckless endangerment. Officials are not saying whether the woman tried to killed the boyfriend. She reportedly told police she tried to kill herself and the child so they could stay together. Officials said the girl was fed a dozen sleeping pills, and she would have died had she not been treated when she was. She was eventually taken to Milwaukee Children's Hospital. The man suffered minor cuts from the knife.<br /><br />Write-in Candidate Files for Beaver Dam School Board<br /><br />1/12/12 - A Beaver Dam man says he will run as a write-in candidate for school board. John Kraus Junior formally submitted the necessary papers with the Beaver Dam School District to run for one of the vacant seats on the board. Three seats are up for reelection in April and two incumbents, Marge Jorgensen and Gary Spielman, are running again. But current member Dan Feuling is not seeking another term and Kraus would likely take his place at the table if no one else attempts to run as a write-in. <br /><br />Brother of Steven Avery Facing Charges<br /><br />1/12/12 - A brother of one of Wisconsin’s most notorious criminals is facing sex-related charges of his own. 41-year-old Earl Avery of Whitelaw is free on a signature bond, after he was charged in Manitowoc County with two felony counts of capturing nude images. Earl Avery is the brother of Steven Avery, who’s serving life in prison for killing Teresa Halbach after he had served 18 years in prison for a rape he didn’t commit. Earl Avery was charged last month. Prosecutors said he put up a video camera in a changing room at his home during a swimming party in July of last year. Those video-taped were as young as three. Authorities said Avery’s wife called them after she found the videos – and he later admitted his actions to investigators. Earl Avery is scheduled to return to court January 30th to complete his initial appearance.<br /><br />Bauman Sentenced to Probation <br /><br />1/12/12 - A Waterford woman will spend a year on probation for trying to smuggle tobacco into the Fox Lake Correctional Institution. Kimberly Bauman pleaded “no contest” to reduced misdemeanor charges of Disorderly Conduct. Authorities say the 29-year-old was caught passing a quart-size baggie half-full of tobacco to an inmate during an embrace at the institution in October.<br /><br />Fritsche Elected to Sit on Board of WCCEA <br /><br />1/12/12 - The Executive Director of the Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will be serving on the Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives Association. Phil Fritsche was elected to serve on the 14-member board that is tasked with training and supporting Wisconsin chamber executives as they promote and enhance the economies of communities around the state. Van Nutt, executive director of the Middleton Chamber of Commerce, has been elected to serve as president.<br /><br />Democrats Using Embezzlement Scandal to Raise Money <br /><br />1/12/12 - Wisconsin Democrats are using the criminal cases against two former Scott Walker aides to raise money to try and recall the Republican governor. State Democratic Party chairman Mike Tate put out an e-mail yesterday urging supporters to donate 10-dollars to quote, "expose Scott Walker's latest scandal involving more than 60-thousand-dollars that was stolen from military veterans and their families." Tate said he'd like the donations by Tuesday, the next deadline for filing campaign finance reports. Two of Walker's former Milwaukee County aides, Tim Russell and Kevin Kavanaugh, were charged last week with embezzling money from an annual appreciation event for veterans at the county zoo. Walker said it was his office that initially took the matter to prosecutors -- and he hoped it wouldn't affect the current effort to recall him from the governor's office. Democratic Party spokesman Graeme Zielinski defends his party's effort to take advantage of the case, even though it doesn't touch Walker directly. State G-O-P director Stephan Thompson would not comment on it.<br /><br />Legislator Wants Justice Gableman Removed from the Bench <br /><br />1/12/12 - A Democratic lawmaker wants to remove State Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman. Representative Kelda Helen Roys of Madison has asked her colleagues to co-sign a resolution to remove Gableman before the Assembly goes back into session in about a week. Roys, an attorney who’s running for the U-S House this fall, said Gableman broke a state law that prohibits public officials from taking anything-of-value from outside interests in their course of their duties. And Roys said Gableman also broke the state’s judicial ethics code by taking free legal services. The Assembly’s G-O-P majority dismissed Roys’ resolution. Spokesman John Jagler of Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald’s office said the measure was quote, “nothing but a political stunt not worthy of comment.” The law firm of Michael Best and Friedrich told the Supreme Court last month that Gableman never paid for legal services he received. The firm represented the justice during an ethics probe connected with a T-V commercial he ran during his 2008 election campaign. On a tie vote, the Court ruled in 2010 that Gableman did not violate the judicial ethics code with his ad. Gableman’s lawyer said the arrangement for the legal services did not break state laws.<br /><br />Panel Looks to Eliminating Financial Waste and Fraud <br /><br />1/12/12 - A bipartisan panel appointed by the governor says Wisconsin could save as much as a half-billion dollars in taxpayer money by eliminating waste and fraud. That panel took a close look at reducing state spending. Among its recommendations were managing overtime costs, going after people who don’t pay their taxes and eliminating fraud and abuse in public service programs offered by the state of Wisconsin.<br /><br />Jobs Possibly Coming to Sheboygan County<br /><br />1/12/12 - The Kohler Company says it would close a plant in Arkansas that makes water faucets – and it will move some of the work to its home base in Sheboygan County. About 80 employees will be affected when their plant in Malvern Arkansas shuts down. Most will be offered jobs at a Kohler plant 25 miles away in Sheridan Arkansas. An unspecified number of jobs will be added at Kohler Wisconsin, once a machining and brazing operation is moved there. Kohler’s worldwide president for faucets, Jeff Mueller, says the rough economy has hurt the demand for kitchen-and-bath fixtures. And he says the Malvern plant has been under-used.<br /><br />Steven Point Company Moving Jobs Out of State<br /><br />1/12/12 - A medical products’ company in Stevens Point says it will move most of its manufacturing work out of Wisconsin. Joerns Health-care says it will spread its current Stevens Point operations to other facilities it owns in Matamoros Mexico, Arlington Texas, and Duman Arkansas. The move will take place over the next 6-to-12 months, and will leave about 200 people without jobs. Stevens Point officials are upset. Mayor Andrew Halverson says the city and the state offered millions-of-dollars in incentives to get Joerns Health-care to stay.<br /><br />New Miss America to be Crowned this Weekend<br /><br />1/12/12 - A new Miss America will be crowned on Saturday night in Las Vegas, and Wisconsin’s entry has an early jump on the others. Kenosha native Laura Kaeppeler won the first round of the talent competition as an opera singer. She won a two-thousand dollar scholarship for her performance of “Il Bacio.” Talent covers 35-percent of a contestant’s preliminary score. Kaeppeler won the Miss Wisconsin title last summer as Miss Southern Wisconsin. Miss Utah, Danica Olsen, earned a one-thousand-dollar scholarship for her swimsuit entry in the lifestyle-and-fitness category. That represents 15-percent of the total score. Two more winners in each group will be selected during the next two evenings.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-2162892738401167883?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-57067056920714310092012-01-11T07:29:00.002-06:002012-01-11T07:29:05.993-06:00Winter Set to Return<br /><br />1/11/12 - Wisconsinites are about to get jolted back into winter. A cold front will move through the Badger State today, bringing our sunny and 40-to-50-degree days to an end. The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches and advisories statewide, mostly for tomorrow and into Friday. Northwest Wisconsin will start getting the white stuff tonight. Up to 10 inches of snow are predicted in the north and northwest by Friday morning. In our area we can expect 7-to-9 inches, with gusts up to 35 miles an hour close to Lake Michigan. Once the snow leaves, colder weather is in the forecast into early next week with highs mostly in the 20’s each day. It will be a sudden change from what we experienced yesterday. It hit 44-degrees in Juneau just one degree away from a record high for the day. Much of southwest Wisconsin was in the 50’s. <br /><br />DOT Gearing Up for Big Storm<br /><br />1/11/12 - With the heavy snow expected in Wisconsin over next two days the state D-O-T is gearing up for road issues. The agency has beefed up its 5-1-1 travel information system, which provides road conditions and news about potential hazards. It can be reached by phone or the Internet. When the system first went on-line three years ago, users were frustrated because there was not enough band-width to handle high usage during storms. But the D-O-T’s Chris Quesnell says that’s been fixed – and it now uses eight servers instead of two. Also, new features have been added to the system to make it easier to get specialized information. Quesnell says folks can create custom profiles. And when they call, they can get conditions only about the routes they choose. Users can also get text message alerts. And the D-O-T has added five regional Twitter feeds to put out snow-and-travel information. You can reach the system by calling 5-1-1, or going on-line at 511WI-Dot-Gov.<br /><br />Juneau Passes Bosak-led Ordinance, Commission Members Resign <br /><br />1/11/12 - The Juneau Common Council approved an ordinance last night that restructures the city’s publicly-owned Utility Commission. The change comes after every other elected and appointed city official received an 18% reduction in annual salary and per-meeting stipends. The council voted last year for the pay decreases but chose to exempt the Utility Commission, which is city-owned but self-sustaining using virtually no tax dollars. The exemption drew heavy criticism from Mayor Ron Bosak who said commissioners were not being “team players” in these tough economic times. The ordinance approved last night on a 4 to 2 vote will reduce the number of citizen commissioners from five to three and they will serve staggered three-year terms. Two alderpersons with voting powers will also sit on the commission in one-year terms along with the mayor who will only vote to break a tie. Shortly after the meeting adjourned, the mayor was given three resignation letters from the remaining Utility Commissioners. He says he was very disappointed with the resignations and said he was sick and tired of personnel vendettas. Bosak says the restructuring was not a personal matter and he was just doing his job. <br /><br />Bosak says he is 100% excited to get the new commission going and plans to call a special meeting in the next week to appoint five new commissioners. Alderwoman Roxanne Buss has been tabbed for one seat and Bosak says he will announce the other alderman shortly. While he has asked recently-resigned Commissioner Paul Marose to consider rejoining, Bosak says he has no plans to reappoint longtime Commission President Dan Wegner. <br /><br />Finance Committee Chair Robert Affled, who is challenging Bosak in the April election, says he was not pleased with the outcome and there was no reason to change just for the sheer point of making change. When asked if he’d push to overturn the restructuring if elected mayor, Affled said “he doesn’t know at this time.” <br /><br />In related action last night, the council approved an ordinance that eliminates the Utilities Personnel Committee and a Joint Utility-City Personnel Committee and merges it with a single Personnel Committee. The council also rescinded a residency ordinance that requires all city workers to live within three miles of Juneau and replaced it with a resolution that expands the residency requirement to ten miles.<br /><br />Firm Presents Feasibility Study to BD School Board<br /><br />1/11/12 - Members of the Beaver Dam School Board recently heard a presentation about a feasibility study they requested last year to look at the districts future building needs. Superintendent Steve Vessey says study offered suggestions across all of their buildings with a focus on the cafeteria at the high school, electrical issues at the middle school and the question of whether having seven elementary schools was the best way to educate students. Vessey says the architectural firm will come back with some further suggestions along with costs of those projects. <br /><br />Packers To Dedicate Sunday’s Game To Philbin<br /><br />1/11/12 - Clay Matthews says the Green Bay Packers will dedicate Sunday's N-F-C divisional playoff game to offensive coordinator Joe Philbin and his family. The Packers will host the New York Giants, six days after the body of Philbin's son Michael was found in the Fox River. Oshkosh Police said the 21-year-old Ripon College student fell through the ice early Sunday, after he visited friends from U-W Oshkosh. Matthews told E-S-P-N today that the way the Packers approach and play the game will be dedicated to Joe Philbin and quote, "Hopefully we do it the right way." Joe Philbin is normally the main architect of the Packers' game plan for Aaron Rodgers and the offense. But coach Mike McCarthy said he has a contingency plan to make sure the Packers don't miss a beat while Philbin is gone.<br /><br />Overdose Death in FDL Leads to Charges<br /><br />1/11/12 - A 28-year-old woman is facing possible charges in a drug overdose death in Fond du Lac. Police said the woman supplied the heroin that killed 23-year-old Tyler Hass. He was found dead in his mother’s home last November 24th. Investigators said they linked Hass’s death to drugs supplied by the suspect. She was arrested this week, and police have recommended charges of first-degree reckless homicide and illegal heroin delivery.<br /><br />Wisconsin #1 for Binge Drinking<br /><br />1/11/12 - Wisconsin continues to lead the nation in binge drinking. According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control, 26-percent of Wisconsin adults admitted that they binged on alcohol at least once in the previous month. That’s five drinks for men over a period of several hours, and four drinks for women. Nationally, the C-D-C says one-of-every-six adults admit to recent binge drinking – and one-of-every-four of those were ages 18-to-34. And according to Doctor Robert Brewer of the C-D-C’s alcohol program, folks might be under-estimating their consumption – or holding back on survey-takers. Officials estimate that about half the beer, wine, and hard liquor consumed in the U-S goes down during binge drinking. The C-D-C’s survey was based on 450-thousand telephone interviews with U-S adults over the past year. The Upper Midwest has the nation’s highest prevalence of binge drinking, and that includes Wisconsin. West Virginia has the lowest rate, at 11-percent.<br /><br />Oshkosh Corp Profits From Military Contract<br /><br />1/11/12 - The Oshkosh Corporation says it will make a profit sooner-than-expected on a major military vehicle contract. In a filing with the Securities-and-Exchange Commission, Oshkosh said its Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles would turn a profit for the last quarter which ended in December. That's about three months earlier than the firm originally had planned. A few days ago, investor Carl Icahn criticized Oshkosh for losing money on the deal. And two competitors had earlier accused Oshkosh of making an offer to the Pentagon that was so low, it would never turn a profit. Financial analyst Charles Brady says the new government filing should put that possibility to rest. Oshkosh has not said how much of a profit it would make. The contract dates back to 2009, when Oshkosh beat out two other bidders to build about 23-thousand trucks-and-trailers for the military.<br /><br />BDACT Holding Auditions For Spring Play<br /><br />1/11/12 - The Beaver Dam Area Community Theater is holding auditions Wednesday and Thursday night for their spring production. The play “Arsenic and Old Lace” will be in the stage for seven performances beginning March 9. The cast includes roles for three women and twelve men. Copies of the script are available at the Beaver Dam Public Library. Rehearsals are tentatively planned Sunday through Thursday evenings. The auditions will be held from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the theater on North Spring Street.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-5706705692071431009?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-90920412776040367502012-01-10T07:11:00.002-06:002012-01-10T07:11:29.838-06:00Man in Custody After Home Invasion <br /><br />A 26-year-old man is in custody after allegedly brandishing a knife during a home invasion outside of Waterloo last night. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls says it happened at a home on County Trunk G around 6:30pm. The initial investigation shows that three people forced their way into the home and one person threatened the occupants with a knife. The residents fled into a bathroom and called 9-1-1. The suspects then started to allegedly remove valuables from the home and Nehls says that’s what they were doing when authorities arrived on scene. Nehls says the suspects knew the people in the home and the break-in wasn’t random but they were still investigating the reasons for the incident. <br /><br />Body of Packers Joe Philbin Pulled from River <br /><br />A body pulled from the Fox River in Oshkosh is believed to be that of Michael Philbin, son of Green Bay Packers' offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. The 21-year-old Ripon College student disappeared early Sunday after visiting with friends at U-W Oshkosh. Winnebago County sheriff's divers had been searching the river, after getting a report that somebody fell through the ice around 2:30 Sunday morning. Divers found the body about three yesterday afternoon, about 30 yards from the shore. A nearby security guard was alerted after hearing a cry for help on the river. Police said the body was a 20-to-25-year-old man, and he was later positively identified -- but police won't release the name until today after relatives are notified. Foul play is not suspected, but police are still investigating. The Packers canceled media interviews yesterday, and coach Mike McCarthy said before the body was found that coach Philbin went to Oshkosh to view the search effort. He said the team was supporting Joe Philbin and his family the best it can, as the Packers get ready for a second-round playoff game on Sunday against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. Packer players put messages of support on Twitter. Guard T-J Lang, who lost his father last week, said a parent should "never have to say goodbye to his child." Defensive lineman B-J Raji tweeted "Life is too short. Live in the present."<br /><br />Beaver Dam Officials Lay Out Borrowing Plan<br /><br />1/10/12 - A joint meeting of Beaver Dam’s Administrative and Operations Committee’s was held last night to look at the city’s Capital Improvement Plan. The CIP lays out borrowing needs for the next five years for infrastructure improvement projects and major equipment purchases. In 2012, Beaver Dam is proposing 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. Officials in Beaver Dam are also proposing to borrow for a dump truck, minor upgrades to the library, handicap-accessible playground equipment, and state-mandated repairs to the dam, along with a new ambulance, rescue boat and pumper truck for the fire department. The fire department is also seeking $250,000 next year to remove asbestos from their section of the building and construct classrooms in the former police department. However, council President Jon Litscher wants to see that project moved to 2013 as part of his plan to keep borrowing levels at $1.6 million for the next three years. The joint committee is expected to reconvene to consider approval of the borrowing plan on January 30.<br /><br />Alderman Critical of Lake Shore Drive Omission<br /><br />1/10/12 - Alderman Robert Ballweg expressed concerns last night about the removal of the reconstruction of Lake Shore Drive from the city’s five-year projects plan. Ballweg says the Operations Committee should have direction to which projects appear on the CIP but Lake Shore was removed from the draft reviewed by the joint committee last night for what Ballweg calls political reasons; he says that prohibits discussion about a potentially serious safety issue. <br /><br />Mayor Tom Kennedy says he “required that the Lake Shore Drive project be put in limbo” so that city officials can gain more public input and put a plan into place that looks at the “whole picture” of infrastructure needs in the city. He says a plan that addresses just that is headed to the Operations Committee. Engineering Coordinator Ritchie Piltz says he reassessed all the city streets this year and concluded that the other streets identified for reconstruction over the next five years are in greater need of repair than Lake Shore because they have a higher average daily traffic count and are deteriorating at a faster rate. <br /><br />Ballweg says property owners on Lake Shore clearly do not want sidewalks, curb and gutter but they have expressed concerns to him over the condition of the street. He says he is worried that the street is being ignored because elected officials do not want to have the discussion. Alderwoman Lisa Davidson, who represents the bulk the residents who live along Lake Shore, says the issue has been tabled and residents along the scenic road have heard media reports that it was pulled from the CIP. Davidson says if her colleagues want to discuss the issue it’s important to provide adequate notice to the homeowners who would be intentionally impacted by the project. In turn, Ballweg apologized to all city residents who live on streets where reconstruction is planned over the next five years for not personally inviting them to last night’s meeting.<br /><br />Beaver Dam Man Charged In Drunken Boat Crash<br /><br />1/10/12 - A Beaver Dam man is accused of injuring himself and a passenger in a drunken boating accident. 47-year-old James Windorff is charged with two misdemeanor counts of Operating While Intoxicated, which carry a maximum of two years in the county jail if he is convicted. Authorities responded to an area north of McKinley Beach Road in the Town of Beaver Dam last September. According to the criminal complaint, a boat with four passengers was operating at a high rate of speed in the dense fog when it crashed into the shoreline near the Wisconsin &amp; Southern railroad trestle. Windorff and a 38-year-old Beaver Dam woman were ejected and sustained severe but non-life-threatening injuries. An open bottle of beer was allegedly found near the driver seat. Windorff had a reported blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit for driving at point-one-five-four (0.154). A signature bond was set at $500 yesterday and a return date in the on the calendar next month. <br /><br />Purse Snatcher Nabbed By GPS<br /><br />1/10/12 - The suspect in several smash-and-grab purse snatchings in the Town of Beaver Dam last month was apprehended because of the GPS on a phone in one of the purses. That’s according to Town Police Chief John Kreuzinger who says seven cars were broken into at Old Hickory Golf Club in December and six had purses stolen. One of the purses had a phone enabled with a global positioning system. Employees were able to provide information on a suspicious green pick-up truck and that, combined with the GPS coordinates, allowed police to trace the suspect to the Neosho area. The truck matching the description was spotted outside a local bar, but the driver sped off when police arrived. The suspect was taken into custody following a traffic stop and he is facing a variety of charges. All the purses and their contents were returned to the victims.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-9092041277604036750?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-31589700450748074542012-01-07T17:53:00.002-06:002012-01-07T17:53:51.459-06:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Fire Damages Exterior of Juneau Home</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/8/12 - Fire caused minor damage to the outside of a home in Juneau Saturday morning. Fire Chief Curt Ninmann says the call from the 3300-block of East Oak came into Dodge County dispatch at 5:20am. Two deputies were the first on scene and they were able to knock down flames on the back porch with a fire extinguisher. When firefighters arrived a short time later they checked to see if the flames extended into the flat roof of the porch and the walls of the home. Fire spreads more quickly through an older home but Ninmann says they found nothing more and the damage was contained to the outside porch and flat roof. Around 20 firefighters were on scene for two hours. There were no injuries and Ninmann says they have yet to determine what caused the fire.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Carol’s Tours Hearing Postponed</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/8/12 - Those who lost out on a vacation because of the closure of Carol’s Tours will have to wait to see if the state has enough evidence to order a trial against the owner of the shuttered Beaver Dam travel agency. Deborah Paul had a preliminary hearing scheduled for this coming Thursday, but that hearing has been postponed because Paul’s defense attorney has been ordered to active duty in the military beginning today until January 20. Paul now has a hearing scheduled on the morning of February 13. It’s the second time her preliminary hearing has been delayed. Carol’s Tours shut down in January of 2008 leaving around 200 people without vacations. The 56-year-old Paul is charged with two counts of Theft in a Business Setting. Her office manager, 46-year-old Lisa Hopper is accused of embezzling $90,000 from the business. The two will be tried separately. Hopper’s February 3rd arraignment hearing remains on the calendar. Both women face a total of 20 years in prison, if they are convicted. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Police Union Critical Of Municipal Governments</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/8/12 - Wisconsin’s police union says local governments are blackmailing officers, by making their health insurance almost unaffordable unless they start paying toward their pensions. Police-and-fire unions were exempt from the 2011 state law which virtually ended collective bargaining for other public unions. But lawmakers added an item to the state budget which stopped giving officers a say on the design of their health insurance. And Jim Palmer of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association tells the Associated Press that cities have used that measure to create exorbitant deductibles, if local police chapters don’t agree to pay toward their pensions. Local officials say they’re just using the tools lawmakers gave them to manage their city budgets, and make up for large cuts in state aid. Dan Thompson of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities says cities are also trying to avoid tensions between unions that are exempt from the bargaining limits and those that are not. Thompson told the A-P quote, “We wanted all municipal employees to be treated alike.” And “legislators simply understood the argument that having two separate health care plans isn’t the right way to run City Hall.” </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Higher Than Planned Numbers For Home Weatherization </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/8/12 - Over 30-thousand homes were weatherized in Wisconsin since the start of 2009. And according to U-S Energy Secretary Steven Chu, about a-thousand more homes than expected were weatherized under the federal stimulus package. Almost 22-thousand houses received stimulus funding, using 141-million dollars given to Wisconsin to make older homes more energy-efficient – as well as those owned by low-income families. The Energy Department said the stimulus work created about 400 jobs in the Badger State. And Madison House Democrat Tammy Baldwin said the program was vital in helping cut energy bills. Chu said about five-million dollars from Wisconsin’s original stimulus grant is left over. Wisconsin had the nation’s eighth-highest number of homes weatherized by the funding. Some states never spent their share, which caused Congress to reduce its funding for the current fiscal year. The state was expecting to get around eight-million dollars in weatherization funds. It’s getting six-and-a-half million instead.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Flynn Vows To Reduce Crime</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/8/12 - Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn points to the reduction in crime over the last four years as he is sworn-in to a second term. Flynn took over the position in 2008 when Chief Nan Hegerty retired. Flynn said Milwaukee had averaged 127 people murdered each year for two decades. In the four years since he assumed the job as chief of police the average number has fallen to 81 per year. Flynn also pointed out that property and violent crime victim numbers are down by near 18 thousand. He did acknowledge a increase in response times during the period. Flynn was sworn-in Friday.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Steer Stalls Cedarburg Students Safely Inside </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/8/12 - It was a first-hand lesson in animal behavior. Students at Webster Transitional School in Cedarburg were locked down in their classrooms yesterday when a steer from a local farm got loose. The students weren’t allowed outside for 10 to 15 minutes as the animal had wandered onto their campus. Mike Halloran’s farm is about a mile from the school. The steer was called “feisty” by witnesses. It was herded into a trailer, then returned to its home.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Assault Charges Dropped Against Polk County Man</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/8/12 - Polk County prosecutors in Polk County say they plan to drop charges against a man accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl. In charges filed in December, District Attorney Dan Steffen says the man from Turtle Lake was accused of assaulting the girl at her home. However, GPS information from a handicapped transportation service the man worked for later proved he never left his route on the day of the alleged assault. Steffen says finding out an alleged victim was not telling the truth is about the worst situation you can imagine as a prosecutor. He says there is no doubt now that the accusations were false. Steffen says his office will do everything possible to clear the man’s name, including having the case dismissed and expunged from all databases so there’s no “cloud on his history.”</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Appeals Court Supports Megna Fees</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/8/12 - A state appeals court says attorney Vince Megna should get paid for the time he spent preparing an argument for the legal fees he should get in a vehicle lemon law case. Waukesha County Circuit Judge Ralph Ramirez ruled in 2010 that Megna should get nothing for five days of court hearings, in which he and Chrysler argued the amount of legal fees for Megna in settling the original lawsuit. Gary and Sandra Zimmerman filed the suit in 2006 over a Chrysler mini-van. The settlement called for the couple to get 10-thousand dollars plus the van. But the two sides couldn’t agree on Megna’s legal fees. He asked for over 27-thousand dollars, while Chrysler offered to pay eight-thousand. They agreed to let the judge decide. And Ramirez awarded over 23-thousand-dollars without anything extra for the abnormally long time it took to litigate the fees. The appellate court said the amount of the judge’s award showed that some type of litigation fee for Megna was reasonable. The case now goes back to Ramirez’s court to determine the new fees.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Most All Of Nativity Scene Stolen</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/8/12 - Manitowoc County authorities are looking for somebody who stole almost an entire nativity scene on Christmas Eve, leaving only the baby Jesus behind. Sheriff’s deputies released a report about the incident this week. They said a Whitelaw resident reported the theft on Christmas Day. Plastic figures of Mary, Joseph, a cradle, and plastic candles were all stolen – and only the baby was left inside the manger. Deputies said they couldn’t find the items in the immediate area – and they don’t have any suspects.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-3158970045074807454?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-48462814856964247762012-01-07T06:38:00.000-06:002012-01-07T06:38:00.805-06:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">BDPD Identifies Shell Robbery Suspect</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/7/12 - The Beaver Dam Police Department has identified a suspect in last July’s armed robbery of the Shell Travel Mart on Park Avenue. Detective Ryan Klavekoske told us on WBEV’s Community Comment Friday that an arrest warrant has been issued for 32-year-old Josiah Kaiser. Kaiser’s last known address was in Lakewood, Colorado but Klavekoske says he has ties to the Beaver Dam-area and has had several run-ins with local police. The suspect brandished a handgun during the robbery and a firearm was among the items taken as evidence and sent to the State Crime Lab for investigation. Kaiser is charged with felony Armed Robbery With the Threat of Force. Klavekoske says Kaiser is believed to be out-of state at this point though anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Heather Johnson at the Beaver Dam Police Department at 887-4614 during regular business hours or afterhours at 887-4612. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Columbus Man Charged With Violent Sexual Assault</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/7/12 - A 62-year-old Columbus man is facing 31-years in prison after being charged with sexually assaulting a woman last November. Michael Duncan is free on a $5,000 signature bond after making his initial appearance on felony charges of second degree sexual assault, strangulation and suffocation and false imprisonment. Authorities in Columbus say Duncan assaulted the woman at a home in Columbus and according to prosecutors he also punched and slapped her, put his hands around her neck and squeezed while saying (quote) I could kill you.” The victim sustained several bruises to her body and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Duncan is due back in court later this month. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Teen Arraigned For Stealing Students Car</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/7/12 - A former Horicon High School student, who is charged with operating a motor vehicle without the owners consent, pleaded not guilty yesterday in Dodge County Court. 18-year-old Jesse Roberts, who now lives in Milwaukee, is accused of stealing a car that belonged to a Horicon football player while the team was at an away game. In-school video surveillance caught Roberts entering the locker room during the game and prosecutors say he allegedly riffled through the lockers stealing iPods, cash, car keys and then the car. A teacher contacted Roberts and got him to leave the vehicle in the Milwaukee-area. Roberts later admitted to police he took the car. He has court activity on the calendar next month. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Pepin Heights Orchards Apple Cider Recall</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/7/12 - Minnesota-based Pepin Heights Orchards says no illnesses have been reported, but it is advising consumers to throw away half-gallon plastic jugs of its Honeycrisp Apple Cider. Wisconsin is one of three states where the product was sold. Minnesota Agriculture Department lab tests found some of the cider may be contaminated with a mycotoxin called patulin. The advisory only applies to Honeycrisp cider with the “use by” date of February 9, 2012. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Recall Election Estimated To Cost $9 Million </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/7/12 - State election officials say a recall election aimed at Governor Scott Walker would cost at least nine million dollars. The Government Accountability Board asked local election clerks to estimate the costs of a recall election, then added all the figures up. Governor Walker’s measure to take almost all collective bargaining rights from public workers created a major backlash last year. Democrats have called it a blatant attack on unions. Walker signed the measure into law last March despite protests which jammed the Wisconsin state Capitol. Backers of the recall election effort have until January 17th to collect 540 thousand signatures on petitions. Republicans say the cost estimates show this state can’t afford to keep holding recall elections. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Developer Withdraws From Investment Board Consideration</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/7/12 - Developer John Petersen the Third has withdrawn his name for consideration for a position on the Wisconsin Investment Board. Petersen says he fears the nomination process will become too bitter and partisan. Petersen was grilled during a state Senate committee hearing this year. Lawmakers raised ethical questions about his previous service on that board which handles billions of dollars of state money. An audit cited concerns during that period over what auditors called “the appearance of a conflict of interest.” Petersen had voted in favor of an 80 million dollar investment in a business with a company that had ties to a corporation he owned stock in. Petersen told committee members he shouldn’t have voted on the deal. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Officials Warn of Thin Ice</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/7/12 - Wisconsin is not exactly a winter wonderland these days – and authorities are urging people to stay off the ice, even on lakes that appear to be frozen over. The Madison Capital Times Web site had a picture of dozens of people ice-fishing this week on Monona Bay, as the thermometer hit a record 51 degrees. Dane County sheriff’s deputies were called to rescue a deer Friday that fell through the ice on Madison’s Yahara River. The animal died. A few people have recently fallen through the ice on Wisconsin waters – and a snowmobiler was killed in Rusk County last month while trying to skip over patches of open water. Beaver Dam Fire Chief Alan Mannel says there’s been no reports here of animals or people falling through the ice, which he says is definitely still on the thin side. Mannel says some good old-fashioned common sense will go a long way in preventing a tragedy. Those who venture onto the ice are not only jeopardizing themselves – but also those who might be called to rescue them. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Columbus Sleigh Rally Needs Snow</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/7/12 - The City of Columbus and Wisconsin Horse Council are hoping for more snow in a big way. The Horse Council is planning a “Sleigh Rally and Festival” for February 11th at Fireman’s Park. Sleigh Rally Coordinator Melanie Lichtfield said that the event would include a chili cook off, model horse show, cake walk and cookie decorating contest in the Pavilion. Horse show competition and sled rides are planned for the outside events. All that is needed is some Wisconsin snow.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Warm Weather Helping With Lambeau Upgrade</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/7/12 - Unseasonably dry and warm weather is helping construction work at Lambeau Field make major progress. The project involves the addition of 67 hundred seats, new entrances and several other improvements to the historic home of the Green Bay Packers. The president of Miron Construction Company says his workers are more productive because they aren’t fighting the cold while trying to get the job done. About 60 workers are on-site now, but a total of 16 hundred are expected to be involved in the two-year project. The new seats are expected to be in place for the 2013 season. That won’t put a big dent in the waiting list for season tickets which has grown to 96 thousand names. The project is expected to cost 143 million dollars by the time it is completed.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-4846281485696424776?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-34350396560994948032012-01-06T07:15:00.002-06:002012-01-06T07:15:48.209-06:00Record High Temps Possible<br /><br />1/6/12 - Parts of Wisconsin could see record high temperatures today as an extremely mild winter continues. That includes in Juneau, where the record high for the date is 46-degrees and forecasters say we could hit 50 today. Yesterday, Madison saw a five year old record high of 49-degrees broken when it 51 in the capitol city. Some places in Minnesota and Iowa topped 60-degrees while the high in Wisconsin was 57-degrees in Boscobel and Prairie du Chien. Temperatures in our area will return to the mid-30’s for the weekend before getting back into the 40’s at the beginning of next week. <br /><br />Pinkert in Court<br /><br />1/6/12 - A Sussex man will spend six months in jail for injuring a passenger in a drunken driving crash in Dodge County. Ryan Pinkert pleaded “no contest” Thursday to felony OWI Causing Injury and had three other felonies dismissed. The 29-year-old was driving drunk after a Christmas Party in Iron Ridge in December of 2010. According to the criminal complaint, he thought he was heading toward Milwaukee when he got into a physical confrontation with his passenger over the directions and wound up hitting a tree in the Town of Clyman. His passenger sustained head injuries. A preliminary breath test put Pinkert over the legal limit for driving at point-one-one-seven. A blood test revealed other drugs in his system, including cocaine and Oxycodone. Pinkert was also ordered to spend three years on probation and two years without a driver’s license. <br /><br />CA Woman Released from Jail <br /><br />1/6/12 - A California woman allegedly found with 40 pounds of marijuana has waived her right to a preliminary hearing. Elizabeth Lapple then stood mute during arraignment and the court entered a “not guilty” plea on her behalf. The 30-year-old was stopped last month on Highway 33 in the Town of Herman by a deputy on routine patrol because her RV reportedly had a broken traffic light. According to the criminal complaint, the deputy asked her a few questions and became suspicious when her answers did not make sense. A search by the department’s new K9 unit allegedly uncovered the high grade marijuana inside the RV under a bed. Authorities called it the largest marijuana seizure as a result of a traffic stop in Dodge County, with a reported street value of between $120,000 and $160,000. Judge Andrew Bissonnette approved a bond reduction and Lapple is free after posting a $50,000 cash bond yesterday. Court activity is on the calendar again next month. <br /><br />Gorr Waives Prelim <br /><br />1/6/12 - A Beaver Dam man, arrested for sixth-offense drunk driving after Columbia County authorities say he sparked a high speed chase, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday. The incident started on the afternoon of December 21 when deputies responded to reports of an intoxicated driver in the city of Portage. Jonathan L. Gorr was reportedly observed traveling east on Highway 33 near Cambria. His vehicle then turned down some town roads at a high rate of speed, sparking a seven mile pursuit that reached close to 80mph. Road spikes were deployed just off State Highway 44, north of Pardeeville. The 33-year-old was taken into custody without further incident. Gorr is charged with Sixth Offense Operating While Intoxicated, Possession of THC and drug paraphernalia and a variety of traffic violations. He is being held on a $2500 cash bond.<br /><br />Two Former Walker Aides Facing Embezzlement Charges<br /><br />1/6/12 - Two officials who served under Governor Scott Walker when he was the Milwaukee County Executive appeared in court yesterday. Criminal complaints said Tim Russell and Kevin Kavanaugh embezzled over 63-thousand dollars that were donated to help Wisconsin veterans and their families. The charges are the first connected with a continuing John Doe probe into alleged illegal activities by present-and-former Walker aides. The 48-year-old Russell pleaded innocent to a misdemeanor embezzlement charge, and a preliminary hearing was set for January 23rd on two felony embezzlement counts. The 61-year-old Kavanaugh has a preliminary hearing next Friday on five felonies of theft and fraudulent writings by a corporate officer. Investigators said most of the embezzled money had been donated to Operation Freedom, a veteran’s event. Walker said his county office had raised the initial concerns about the event’s bookkeeping under Kavanaugh – and he had his chief-of-staff contact prosecutors. Officials said Walker later put Russell in charge of Operation Freedom’s finances. And Walker said he was “very disappointed” to learn about his long-time aide’s alleged involvement. <br /><br />Petri Optimistic About Economy <br /><br />1/6/12 - Congressman Tom Petri says he is optimistic the economy will grow in 2012. The Republican from Fond du Lac told us on WBEV’s Community Comment yesterday that the country has been through the ringer but he things we’ve come out the other end ready to work. Petri says real estate remains stagnant but agriculture has been strong and manufacturing appears to be rebounding. Petri recently visited the Moraine Park Technical College Beaver Dam campus and says the programs they are offering lay a strong foundation for employment training in an ever-changing workplace. Petri also told us that he does not support an extension of unemployment benefits. He says he has heard from the business community in his district about unemployment insurance tax increases. Petri also says business leaders have complained they are having a hard time filling some positions because unemployment is a better deal than the wages being offered.<br /><br />Walker Expects Recall in June<br /><br />1/6/12 - Governor Scott Walker told a conservative audience in Washington Thursday that he expects a recall election around early June -- and his opponent would be quote, "hand-picked by the unions." The Republican Walker made his comments at a meeting held by the American Enterprise Institute. He said the biggest reason he's being targeted is that union dues cannot be deducted anymore from the paychecks of most public employee groups. Walker said quote, "I took away the gravy train, the free money" the unions had before. And the governor said he gave the decision about being in a union back to the workers. Walker also said the way he eliminated Wisconsin's budget deficit was quote, "a more optimistic, better approach" to expand upon in the future.<br /><br />Waupun Memorial Welcomes First Baby of 2012<br /><br />1/6/12 - The Waupun Memorial Hospital has announced that their first baby of the New Year. Evangeline Noelle Doerr was born Monday, January 2 at 8:12am to Christopher and Carrie Doerr, of Waupun. Evangeline Noelle weighed six pounds, nine ounces and measured 19-inches long. Evangeline Noelle has joined five siblings at home, including 11-year-old Elisha, nine-year-old Jonas, seven-year-old Benjamin, four-year-old Thomas and two-year-old Simon. It may wind-up being a little cheaper by the half-dozen for the Doerr family as the first baby of the New Year was given a basket full of baby items from the Waupun Memorial Hospital Women &amp; Infants Unit.<br /><br />Recall of Shredded Cheese<br /><br />1/6/12 - Bekkum Family Farms of Westby is recalling shredded cheese which could be contaminated with listeria. The cheese is labeled “Grumpy Goat Shreds” under the Nordic Creamery brand name. It comes in eight-ounce packages and has a sell-by date of “10-MAR-12.” Distributors say the products were sold in Wisconsin, Minnesota and California. Eating food contaminated with listeria can be fatal.<br /><br />Tele-Conference Held on Grounded Whooping Cranes<br /><br />1/6/12 - Federal officials held a tele-conference yesterday to decide what to do with nine Wisconsin whooping cranes grounded in Alabama. The U-S Fish-and-Wildlife Service plans another meeting Tuesday with the partnership that’s overseeing a re-introduction of the endangered cranes in the eastern U-S. The nine birds, which took off from the Horicon Marsh, were supposed to fly from Wisconsin to two wildlife refuges in Florida with the help of an ultra-light pilot. But the group that coordinates the trip, Operation Migration, voluntarily halted the mission last month. That’s after the group learned that it broke federal rules against paying ultra-light pilots for services. Operation Migration had been using the pilots for over a decade, and its attorney has asked for a waiver from the rules.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-3435039656099494803?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-63361579805716301612012-01-05T10:58:00.001-06:002012-01-05T10:58:06.591-06:00Petri On Community Comment Today<br /><br />1/5/12 - Congressman Tom Petri will appear on WBEV’s Community Comment today as he begins a series of Town Hall Meetings throughout his district. The Republican from Fond du Lac says the meetings are way for him to connect with his constituents. Petri will be at the Watertown Senior and Community Center this afternoon for an hour beginning at 2:30pm. On January 7, he’ll travel to the Waupun Public Library at 10:30am. Today’s Community Comment program gets underway at 12:35pm on 1430AM. <br /><br />Teen Faces Child Abuse Charges<br /><br />1/5/12 - A Fox Lake teen is facing child abuse charges against his 15-year-old girlfriend after he allegedly caused bruising on her arm. 19-year-old Cody Van Beek made his initial appearance yesterday on charges of physical abuse of a child intentionally causing harm. According to the criminal complaint, the girl’s father noticed bruising on her arm and took her to the Randolph Police Department to speak with an officer. During the interview the girl told police that she got the bruises after Van Beek became upset when she looked at his brother. When police questioned Van Beek, he said he grabbed the girl because she was trying to leave and he didn’t want her to. He said he also grabbed the girl at other points in their relationship when he was mad. Police say the two also admitted to have a sexual relationship. Van Beek was released on a $1,000 signature bond and has a preliminary hearing set for next month. <br /><br />Petersen Up for Spot on State Investment Board<br /><br />1/5/12 - A nominee for the State Investment Board admits mistakes in a previous term on the panel -- and he vows not to repeat them. Madison real estate developer John Petersen-the-Third told the Senate Financial Institutions Committee yesterday he's the most experienced person available to serve on the Investment Board. It manages billions in retirement funds for state, local government, and school employees. Petersen was on the board in 2000 when he voted to invest 80-million-dollars in a business connected to a firm in which he owned stock. Auditors said there appeared to be a conflict of interest, but the former state Ethics Board said Petersen did nothing wrong. Yesterday, he said he should have abstained from the matter. But he didn't consider it the time, because it was not a direct investment to the company in which he owned the stock. Jane Elmer of the Wisconsin Retired Educators Association said her group does not believe Petersen is eligible to serve, because of his ties to real estate investments. Petersen later said he believed he's eligible -- and the governor's office agreed. Panel chairman Glenn Grothman said afterward that he would vote to confirm Petersen. He was one of three people appointed to the Investment Board last month by Governor Scott Walker.<br /><br />New Magazine Highlights Life In Beaver Dam <br /><br />1/5/12 - A new magazine highlights art, culture and happenings in Beaver Dam. LocaLeben, pronounced “local - lay- bin,” will be printed twice a month and sent to every Beaver Dam resident in the 53916 zip code free of charge. Co-founder and Editor Erik Dittmann says Leben means life and reflects the German heritage of the community while the contest in the full-color magazine will highlight writings, photography and art from the Beaver Dam community. The January-February issue features an article by Lloyd Clark about the early years of Beaver Dam, photography of local landscapes by Josh Dobbs, an interview with hometown favorites The Lucas Cates Band by High School Music Director Rich Zeman and a story about the sacrifices of firefighters by Fire Chief Alan Mannel. Beaver Dam Area Arts Association Executive Director Karla Jensen also writes a piece about local painter Jerry Baskfield. The public is invited to an unveiling party for LocaLeben this Saturday from 5pm to 8pm at the Chapel of the Arch Angels, formerly St. Michael’s Church, on Madison Street. The free event allows the public to meet the writers, artists and editorial staff and get an exclusive first look at the premier issue. Everyone else in Beaver Dam will have to wait until Monday when the magazine should arrive in your mailbox.<br /><br />ShopKo Merging With Pamida<br /><br />1/5/12 - Two department store chains say they’ll merge. ShopKo of Green Bay and Pamida of Omaha are both owned by Sun Capital Partners of Florida. ShopKo C-E-O Paul Jones said the merger will be good for both companies and their customers, because their strengths and their networks of stores complement each other. The combined operation will carry the ShopKo name with 350 stores in 22 states. ShopKo’s headquarters will stay in the Green Bay suburb of Ashwaubenon. Governor Scott Walker issued a statement that the merger would create over 120 new jobs at the corporate headquarters’ facility – and the firm will get up to two-million-dollars in state tax credits. The move is expected to be finalized in mid-February. ShopKo says it will spend 80-million dollars over the next year to convert Pamida stores into ShopKo Hometown stores – and the firm plans to open more Hometown stores in the second half of the New Year and in 2013. ShopKo acquired Pamida in 1999, and both have operated as separate brands until now. ShopKo has 149 stores in 13 states, with revenues of two-billion dollars a year. Pamida has 193 stores in 17 states with revenues of a billion-dollars a year. <br /><br />Community Meal Coalition Offers Free Feast<br /><br />1/5/12 - A group made up of several local churches is offering the public a free meal tonight (Th). Tom Dugolenski with the Beaver Dam Community Meal Coalition says the group started two years ago with the goal of providing food and fellowship where it’s needed most. The group started by offering the meal to families at Jefferson Elementary but the program expanded last year to also include a community-wide meal. The Coalition currently serves one meal a month to Jefferson Elementary families and one meal to the entire community. Dugolenski says they hope to one day host a community meal every week. He says there have been just under 100 people at each of their meals, and close to 80% are children. The Beaver Dam Community Meal Coalition’s free community meal will be held from 5:30 to 6:30pm tonight in the Beaver Dam High School cafeteria. On the menu: a Mexican hot dish, burritos, apples and dessert. The next community meal at the high school will be served on February 2.<br /><br />Former UW Chancellor Young Dead at 94<br /><br />1/5/12 - Former University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Hugh Edwin Young has died at the age of 94. Young was called “War maker, strike breaker” when he headed the university during the contentious Vietnam War time period. He was known for being tough on anti-war protesters. Young died Monday in Madison. Young became an economics professor at the university in 1947, leaving to become president at the University of Maine in 1965, but returning three years later when he was named chancellor. <br /><br />BDCH Welcomes First Baby of the New Year<br /><br />1/5/12 - The Beaver Dam Community Hospital welcomed its first baby of the New Year at 7:59am on January 1. The hospital has announced that Lillian Adelle VandeBerg was born to Todd and Trisha VandeBerg, weighing exactly 8 pounds and measuring 21-and-a-quarter inches long. She joins 2-year-old Bentley at the VandeBerg home. The family received a basket of gifts to honor the occasion. The basket included assorted baby clothing, a baby blanket, infant toys, a $50 Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce gift certificate and a six-month supply of diapers.<br /><br />Waupun FD Gets Grant<br /><br />1/5/12 - The Waupun Fire Department has been awarded a $164,500 Homeland Security grant. According to a press release, Fire Chief Jeff Berry said the grant is the largest ever received by the department. Awarded by the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, Berry says the grant will be used to replace self-contained breathing apparatuses and a refill system. Berry says his department has always strived to emphasize the importance of fire safety and having the proper equipment for the firefighters to perform their tasks as safely as possible. Waupun is one of 6,000 departments nationwide that are splitting $500-million in grant money. <br /><br />Wisconsin Cheese Makers Have a Busy November<br /><br />1/5/12 - Wisconsin cheese factories were busier in November than the nation as a whole. That’s according to new figures from the U-S-D-A. The Badger State produced almost 220-million pounds of cheese, three-point-four percent more than in November of 2010. That far surpassed the national increase of three-tenths of one-percent. Second-place California, which trails Wisconsin in cheese production, had a decrease of one-tenth of a percent. The Golden State made 189-million pounds of cheese in November. The biggest increase in Wisconsin was for Cheddar cheeses, at five-point-four percent. The state almost made four-point-seven percent more American cheese, and two-point-nine percent more Italian cheeses.<br /><br />Kids in Milwaukee Stealing Cars to Get to School<br /><br />1/5/12 - Your grandfather may have walked for miles to get to school in the cold of winter. But today in Milwaukee, dozens of kids are making that journey by stealing cars. Police officer Shellee Lubus tells the Journal Sentinel that teens are walking through alleys, finding unattended cars that are warming up, and then driving them within a block or two of school where they leave them on the street. Car thefts jumped 43-percent in the last week in one police district on Milwaukee's north side. Citywide, vehicle thefts are up 58-percent. There were 266 car thefts in the last three weeks -- up from 168 in the previous three weeks. The most recent theft have occurred between 7-and-8 in the morning, or after school when drivers stop by a coffee shop or a pizza place with their engines running.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-6336157980571630161?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-49666811257288459582012-01-04T07:15:00.002-06:002012-01-04T07:15:36.398-06:00Municipal Candidate Filings<br /><br />Waupun<br />It’s official; there will be a primary election in at least one Dodge County community. That’s after three candidates filed for mayor in the city of Waupun. Incumbent Mayor Jodi Steger will see opposition from Todd Snow and Jay Graff in a February 21 primary. Aldermanic incumbents Steve Bastian and Nancy Vanderkin are running unopposed while District Two incumbent Dan Ganz failed to submit either his nomination papers or his non-candidacy papers by the deadline. As a result, the deadline for any candidate wishing to file in District Two – on the Dodge County side of the county line – is extended 72 hours to the close of business on Friday. Peter Kaczmarski is currently the only candidate who will definitely appear on the ballot in Waupun’s District Two. <br /><br />Horicon<br />The next mayor of Horicon will be named Craig. Craig Muenchow and Craig Reiger will face each other on the April ballot to see which one will succeed Jim Grigg, who is leaving municipal government to run for State Assembly. Incumbents Richard Marschke and Steve Neitzel are running unopposed, as is newcomer Matthew Wieneke who would replace District Three Alderman Ted Pyrek. <br /><br />Juneau<br />There are two contested races in Juneau where incumbent Mayor Ron Bosak is being challenged by Alderman and Finance Committee Chairman Robert Affeld, who is also running to retain his Second Ward seat. Juneau’s Ward Three Alderman Dan Schamberger is being challenged by Corey Ronge.<br /><br />Columbus<br />In Columbus, Steven Davidson is running for the seat being vacated by Tyler Walker while incumbent alderpersons in District’s Two and Three are running without opposition. <br /><br />Beaver Dam<br />Barring a successful write-in campaign, Tom Kennedy will serve a third term as Beaver Dam’s mayor. All incumbents alderperson on the council in even numbered wards will also be returning and face no challengers. <br /><br />Mayville and Fox Lake<br />The Mayville and Fox Lake city councils should stay the same after the April election as all incumbent mayors and alderpersons are running unopposed. <br /><br />Only One Contested Race on Local School Boards <br /><br />1/4/12 - There is only one contested race for a spot on one of the area school boards in this spring’s election. And that comes in Fall River where the seats of incumbents Doug Lee and Wendy Corlett are up for grabs. Both are running again and they’ll be joined on the ballot by challenger David Brozek. In Columbus, current board members Don Nelson and Sally Owen will run unopposed while newcomer Peter Fogarty will fill the seat being vacated by Pam Larson. There are three seats up for election and only two people running in the Beaver Dam School District. Incumbents Marge Jorgensen and Gary Spielman will run unopposed while no one submitted nomination papers for the seat currently held by Dan Feuling, who isn’t running again. In Waupun, Ron Paul and Katharine Schlieve will run unopposed. Same goes for Dodgeland School Board incumbents Neil Whiting, Shawna Rennhack and Jeffrey Caine. Also running unopposed are John Westphal and Jim Congdon on the Mayville School Board. There will be no contested races in Horicon where incumbents David Westimayer, James Ketchem and Eric Krause-Emerick will return for another term. <br /><br /><br />Six Contested Races on the Dodge County Board<br /><br />1/4/12 - There are six contested races on the 33-member Dodge County Board. In District Three in the Town of Beaver Dam, Delwyn Guenther will square off against Mary Bobholz. Longtime incumbent Ernest Borchardt will be defending his District 11 Ashippun-area seat from Sheryl Jaeger. Incumbent Bob Smith is being challenged for his Mayville-area District 13 seat by William Muche. District 14 incumbent Eugene Wurtz of Mayville is facing opposition from Philip Gohr. Incumbent Larry Bischoff of Hustisford will try to retain his District 17 seat from a challenge by Tom Schmidt Sr. of the Town of Hubbard. Incumbents Jeff Berres and William Nass will be squaring off against each other for the Watertown-area District 22 seat; they are competing for the same seat because of the recent consolidation of supervisory districts. Incumbents in the other three districts that were lost due to consolidation chose not to seek re-election. James Houchin of Watertown is the only candidate running for the District 21 seat being vacated by Joe Ready, the longest-serving elected official in the state of Wisconsin.<br /><br />Voters to See Seven Names on Primary Ballot <br /><br />Mitt Romney won the Iowa Republican presidential caucuses by just eight votes over Rick Santorum, 30-thousand-15 to 30-thousand-seven. Ron Paul was third, followed by Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Michelle Bachmann, and Jon Huntsman. All seven of those names will appear on Wisconsin’s G-O-P primary ballot, at least for now. A committee of Republicans and Democrats chose the candidates for the April third ballot yesterday, but they can still be changed. Texas Governor Perry said last night he would quote, “determine whether there is a path forward” for his White House bid after his distant fifth-place finish in Iowa. If he drops out of the race, his campaign would have until January 31st to get off the Wisconsin ballot by notifying the Government Accountability Board. The ballot committee chose President Obama as the only Democratic candidate. Others can still make the ballot by collecting a-thousand nominating signatures in each of Wisconsin’s eight congressional districts. The deadline for that is also January 31st.<br /><br />Group Asks to Join Petition Signature Lawsuit <br /><br />Recall groups have asked a state appeals court to let them join a lawsuit over the way petition signatures are verified. The recall groups say the Government Accountability Board should not be forced to reject false-and-duplicate signatures, without somebody else challenging those signatures first. Governor Scott Walker’s campaign and the head of the state G-O-P say it should not be their job to find improper signatures among the million-and-a-half signatures expected to be filed by January 17th. But the Accountability Board says the law only requires them to check the petitions for full names and valid Wisconsin addresses – and they don’t have the resources to do any more than that. Those petitions seek recall elections against Walker, Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, and four state senators including Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald. Waukesha County Circuit Judge Mac Davis has rejected a request by the recall groups to intervene, saying there’s not time to consider it before the petitions are filed. Davis also said the Accountability Board’s position is the same as the recall groups, so they should be adequately represented in a hearing on the merits of the case, which is scheduled for tomorrow.<br /><br />Waupun Correctional Guard Accused of Inmate Relationship <br /><br />1/4/12 - A corrections officer at Waupun Correctional is accused of having a sexual relation with an inmate. 33-year-old Jolene J. Mason of Beaver Dam is charges with three counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault by Corrections Staff and one count of Delivering Illegal Articles to an Inmate, all felonies which carry a combined maximum of over 123-years in prison upon conviction. According to the criminal complaint, the Department of Corrections received information regarding inappropriate contact between Mason and a prisoner and immediately began to monitor activity between the two. Officials then intercepted letters sent to a Beaver Dam Post Office address that detailed sexual activities between the two. Mason reportedly used her driver’s license in filling out the application for the PO Box. The inmate reportedly denied the relationship at first but later confessed saying it began last December and continued through April. Mason allegedly smuggled a cell phone into the inmate so the two could talk and text and also brought in food, jewelry, tattoo ink and needles. The inmate has since been moved to another institution. Mason had a signature bond set at $5000 yesterday and a preliminary hearing is on the calendar next month. <br /><br />DNR Expanding Service Hours <br /><br />The state D-N-R will expand its customer service to five-days-a-week at over two dozen locations throughout Wisconsin. Former Governor Jim Doyle cut service hours to save money. But D-N-R Secretary Cathy Stepp says customers don’t know when to come in when centers are open just 2-to-3 days a week. She promised a year ago to make the agency more customer-friendly. So her agency is expanding its customer service hours by 40-percent despite the state’s current budget crunch. Full-service centers in Eau Claire, Spooner, Rhinelander, Green Bay, Fitchburg, and Milwaukee will be open from 8:30-to-4 Monday through Friday. Rhinelander began the new hours yesterday, and the others will start them on February sixth. Twenty-one satellite centers will open from 11-to-2 each weekday. And the D-N-R has lined up 250 businesses to provide registrations for boats, A-T-V’s, and snowmobiles – which means people no longer have to visit D-N-R centers for those items.<br /><br />Whooping Crane Migration Halted <br /><br />1/4/12 - The annual migration of whooping cranes from Wisconsin to Florida was recently halted in Alabama. An attorney for Operation Migration said the group voluntarily stopped its journey, after learning that an ultra-light pilot guiding nine baby cranes broke federal rules. The F-A-A prohibits ultra-light pilots from being paid – and Operation Migration compensates its pilots. Attorney Charles Barnett said the group didn’t want to knowingly violate federal rules. He has asked officials to exempt Operation Migration from the payment ban, saying the group tries to protect an endangered species. For more than a decade, Operation Migration has reared baby crane chicks in Wisconsin and flew them to Florida. That’s where they’ve met up with other birds, in an effort to expand the crane population in the eastern U-S. The babies are guided in their first year. After that, many make the trip on their own. The International Crane Foundation of Baraboo says there are now 103 whooping cranes in the eastern U-S.<br /><br />The Eagle Has Landed<br /><br />1/4/12 - Two bald eagles are back in the wild after being rescued and treated at a wildlife rehab center in Sauk County. Jerry and Linda Bethke released the birds on New Year's Day near the Wisconsin River, where many eagles find food and places to rest. The Bethkes operate the Soaring Eagle rehab center in Prairie du Sac. Linda Bethke said someone in Grant County brought in an eaglet during one of last summer's hot spells -- and the bird needed fluids and antibiotics. Nick Schommer found the other eagle in October near the Juneau-Wood county line -- and he eventually got a hold of the Bethkes to provide help. Linda said the eagle might have been hit by a car, because it had a bruised spine while its wings were okay. Once the birds flew back-and-forth in their cages, Jerry Bethke said he knew it was time to release them. Linda Bethke tells the Baraboo News-Republic they become fond of the eagles -- but they never forget their mission is to get them healthy and send them back into nature.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-4966681125728845958?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-82562489894127143042012-01-03T07:37:00.002-06:002012-01-03T07:37:47.188-06:00Dodge County 2011 Traffic Fatalities <br /><br />1/3/12 - Traffic fatalities on Dodge County roadways in 2011 tied for the lowest since 1945. There were nine fatal accidents last year, the same number of deaths as in 2010. Sheriff Todd Nehls attributes the lower-than-average numbers to a combination of traffic enforcement, educating the public, improved engineering on state highway and county roadways and also safer vehicles. Since 1945, the yearly average has been 20.8 fatalities, though in the past six years that number has declined to 14.5. Dodge County had the states tenth highest fatality rank in 2006 when 16 people died. In 2008, Dodge County had the fourth highest rank with 21 fatalities. In 2009, the ranking was seventh on the list with 18 deaths. Last year, Dodge County was 20th. There was also a statewide drop in fatalities. Five years ago there were 737 traffic deaths, compared to an average of 563 over the past four years. Nehls says the number of driving deaths resulting from impaired driving is down significantly. Currently, only one of last years deaths can be attributed to alcohol, though toxicology results are still pending in some recent cases. The victims of vehicle accidents in Dodge County range in age from 21-years-old to 76-years-old with a median age of 46.<br /><br />Nomination Papers Due Today<br /><br />1/3/12 - Today is the deadline for candidates to file nomination papers for this spring’s state-and-local elections. In Dodge County, there are several mayoral seats up for grabs, along with spots on city councils, school boards and the county board. As of late last week, there were four contested races for the 33 seats up for election on the Dodge County Board. There is also a contested mayoral race in Waupun, while Horicon will be looking for a new mayor as Jim Grigg attempts to replace Republican Jeff Fitzgerald in the state assembly. There are also several seats up for grabs on local school boards, including in Beaver Dam where current board member Dan Feuling is not running for reelection. All papers must be turned in at local clerks offices by 5pm today. In most cases, seats with three-or-more candidates will have primaries on February 21st. The general election is on April third.<br /><br />Victim in Columbia County Accident Identified <br /><br />1/3/12 - A southwest Wisconsin man has died in a one-car crash near Lodi (low-die) in Columbia County. 26-year-old Mark Moore of Lancaster lost control of his car about 12:30 yesterday morning on Highway 60. Sheriff's deputies said it went airborne, fell into a ditch, and overturned. Moore was the only person in the vehicle. He died at the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.<br /><br />Justice Department Wont Meet Deadlines <br /><br />1/3/12 - The state Justice Department says it probably won't meet deadlines this month to approve permits to carry concealed weapons. Law enforcement administrator Brian O'Keefe says his agency will probably need one-or-two extra days beyond the deadlines for at least the few weeks. The government is not penalized for being late, but those who apply to carry hidden guns must wait a little longer. State law gives the agency 45 days to act on requests filed in November, when the concealed carry law took effect, and 21 days to process applications filed since December. O'Keefe says his department has received thousands of applications in a single day, and dozens of Justice Department employees have been pulled off other duties to keep up. As of last Wednesday, there were almost 65-thousand requests for concealed weapon permits. Thirty-six thousand were approved and about 800 were rejected -- mainly because the addresses on the applications didn't match those on driver's licenses. The law authorized 11 people to process applications at the start, but that wasn't nearly enough. O'Keefe said administrative employees have worked on their days-off and delayed vacations to help. About 30-thousand-dollars in overtime had been spent thorugh mid-December. But criminal investigations have not been affected, and no special agents or crime lab specialists have been pulled from their duties.<br /><br />Survey: Manufactures Expect to Add Jobs<br /><br />1/3/12 - Wisconsin's largest employment sector is expected to grow in the next three months. Q-P-S of Brookfield says manufacturers are more optimistic about their hiring trends than they were in the last quarter. A survey by Q-P-S shows that 41-percent of 184 manufacturers plan to add jobs from January-through-March -- especially in machine shops and metal fabricating. Nine-percent of industrial firms expect layoffs, most notably in paper and commercial printing. Wisconsin's job recovery has lagged behind the nation as a whole, but Mark Immekus of Q-P-S says metal-working industries have added jobs throughout the last year. The survey shows that 40-percent of manufacturers expect the economy to grow between now and the end of March. Fifteen percent expect a decline. About two-thirds say the economy has impeded their growth. But 43-percent say they have a hard time finding qualified workers -- especially machinists and welders. Most of the industries Q-P-S surveys are from Wisconsin, but a few are from Illinois. The average company has almost 90 employees.<br /><br />Winter Finally Hits Wisconsin <br /><br />1/3/12 - It finally looks like winter in far northern Wisconsin. Gile in Iron County had 12-inches of snow in a weekend storm that ended yesterday. Presque Isle in Vilas County had over 11 inches, and Montreal in Iron County had 10. Places as far north as Peshtigo and Waupaca still have no snow on the ground -- but many parts of Wisconsin are having their coldest mornings of the season. It was 15-below in Land O'Lakes at six o'clock. Phillips and Tomahawk had 11-below. And it was minus-10 in Hayward. It's around zero in central Wisconsin. Milwaukee and Kenosha had 10 above, with wind chills barely below zero. Mineral Point was the state's warm spot at 12-degrees at six a-m. Forecasters say we'll have one more cold night before things warm up tomorrow. Southwest winds will push temperatures back up into the 30's-and-40's by Thursday -- and it's supposed to stay mild at least into Saturday.<br /><br />Occupy Wall Street Protest Follows Rose Parade<br /><br />1/3/12 - An Occupy Wall Street protest parade followed the Tournament of Roses Parade yesterday in Pasadena California. Police said about 400 protestors took part, but organizers said it was more like five-thousand. The Pulaski High School marching band near Green Bay was one of 16 bands in the official two-hour Rose Parade. It took place under sunny skies with readings in the 60's. And while the N-B-C T-V announcers mentioned the temperature difference between Pulaski and Pasadena, they did not say that the band's classmates were in school at the time. As one of the two teams in the Rose Bowl Game, Wisconsin had a float with a huge white football helmet and the Badger cheerleaders doing their routines. The Wisconsin marching band performed right behind. The Rose Parade went for five-and-a-half miles, while the Occupy Wall Street protestors marched for about a-third of the same route before veering off to a rally. Three truckloads of Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies in riot gear took up the rear. There were no immediate arrests, and officials said the marchers were noisy but peaceful. Wisconsin lost the Rose Bowl Game to Oregon, 45-to-38.<br /><br />Waupun Hospital Hosting Blood Drive Today<br /><br />1/3/12 - The Waupun Memorial Hospital is hosting a BloodCenter of Wisconsin blood drive this afternoon. Blood donations will be accepted in the Lower Level Meeting Room from 12:30pm to 5pm at the hospital on the 600-block of West Brown Street in Waupun. Organizers say the process includes registering, giving a brief medical history, and having temperature, blood pressure and hemoglobin checked. Blood that is donated remains local, as the BloodCenter of Wisconsin is the sole supplier of blood to Waupun Memorial Hospital and St. Agnes Hospital, as well as 55 other Wisconsin hospitals in 27 counties; that includes the Beaver Dam Community Hospital. Drop-ins are welcome but if you’d like to schedule an appointment, or have questions, contact the Waupun Memorial Hospital at (920) 324-6512 or the Blood Center of Wisconsin website is www.bcw.edu.Waupun<br /><br />BDACT Announces Auditions For Spring Play<br /><br />1/3/12 - The Beaver Dam Area Community Theater is holding auditions next week for their spring production. The play “Arsenic and Old Lace” will be in the stage for seven performances beginning March 9. The cast includes roles for three women and twelve men. Copies of the script are available at the Beaver Dam Public Library and can be checked-out overnight. Rehearsals are tentatively planned Sunday through Thursday evenings. The auditions will be held next week, Wednesday and Thursday, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the theater on North Spring Street; enter through the side door. For more information, contact producer Sheri Born at 885-5285.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-8256248989412714304?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-15145318007513499442012-01-02T06:47:00.000-06:002012-01-02T06:47:44.862-06:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Driver Killed In Columbia County Rollover</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/2/12 - One person was killed in a one-car accident early this morning in Columbia County. According to Sheriff Dennis Richards, dispatchers received a report at 12:30am of a 2005 Chevy Cavalier in a ditch on Highway 60 near Lodi. It appears the vehicle was eastbound on Highway 60 when it left the roadway, went airborne, entered the ditch and overturned, landing on the passenger side. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt, was the only occupant of the vehicle and was pronounced dead by a MedFlight physician. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of family and the accident remains under investigation.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Body Recovered in Jefferson County</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/2/12 - Divers recovered the body of 33-year-old Tyler Prichard in the Rock River Saturday afternoon. Prichard had fallen off a State Highway 26 bridge last Thursday when he stopped to help a woman involved in a crash. The accident happened in the town of Aztalan. After checking to see if she was okay, Prichard suggested they get off the bridge for safety. He reportedly swung his leg over the side of the bridge and fell into the river. Investigators say its possible Prichard didn’t realize he was over the water at the time. His body was found around 3:30pm Saturday about 100 yards downstream from the bridge.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Teen In Custody In Double OWI Fatal</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/2/12 - Milwaukee police say they have suspect in custody in connection with a double-fatal car crash on New Year’s Day. Crash investigators say the two victims were stopped at a traffic signal when a speeding vehicle hit the median, went airborne and slammed into the victims’ car a little before 6 a.m. Those two were the only ones inside the car and they were dead at the scene. The 17 year old driver of the other vehicle ran away, but was caught later. The preliminary charge is homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Funeral Set For Slain Minnesota Police Officer</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/2/12 - Funeral for Lake City, Minnesota, police officer Shawn Schneider will be held Saturday afternoon at 1:00 at First Lutheran Church. Schneider died last Friday at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, 11 days after he was shot in the head by a Wisconsin man. Schneider was responding to a domestic dispute call. Authorities say shooting suspect Alan Sylte then shot himself to death. Visitation will be held at the church Friday from 4-to-8 p.m. Burial will follow in Lakewood Cemetery.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">BDPD Responds To ‘Large Fight’ At Bar</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/2/12 - The Beaver Dam Police Department responded to what was called a “large fight” at a local bar over the weekend. According to the police briefing, officers responded to Game On at 1102 Madison Street Sunday morning at 2:20am. The parties involved in the fight reportedly started to separate when officers entered the business. One person was injured but refused treatment. The briefing says several more fights occurred while officers were on scene. Also, officers were reportedly approached and told someone was coming back with a gun. Owners with Game On were warned by city officials in December that they could lose their liquor license if any more fights were reported. Last January, Game On was assessed 100 points under the demerit point system for alcohol-related violations for serving underage patrons. Another 40 points were assessed in December following a fight. Under the ordinance, suspension hearings are triggered after 150 points are assessed in a rolling 12-month period.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Weekend Fire Damages Madison Group Home</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/2/12 - A weekend fire caused 100 thousand dollars’ damage to a Madison group home, but all nine residents managed to get out safely. Firefighters report they arrived at the Goodwill Group Home at about 11:45 p.m. Saturday. Flames were already shooting from a first-floor window and crews could see heavy smoke coming from a door. Eight residents and a live-in counselor were in the building when the first started in the laundry room. Most of them were sleeping, so they were running outside in pajamas and bare feet or socks. A Madison Metro bus helped keep them warm and the American Red Cross provided blankets. Those residents have been moved to other Goodwill Group Homes.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Christmas Tree Pick-Up Starts Tuesday in Beaver Dam</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/2/12 - Beaver Dam residents who receive contracted solid waste collection services will be able to place Christmas trees and boughs street-side for collection by city crews beginning Tuesday. Director of Facilities David Stoiser says the special collection does not include other brush and shrubbery cuttings. Trees and boughs must be free of ornaments, lights and stands so they can be chipped. Crews will continue to pick-up trees through Friday, January 27. Wreaths and boughs containing roping or wire may also be placed in the Veolia non-recyclable cart for collection as garbage. City residents can also dispose of Christmas trees and boughs at the Public Works Garage Yard Waste Drop off Site on South Center Street, Monday through Friday. No waste of any kind is accepted from outside of the City or from any contractors.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">BDUSD Accepting 2012 Wall of Fame Nominations</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/2/12 - The Beaver Dam School District is still accepting nominations for their 2012 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 Dr. Gary Ebert, the Valedictorian of the Class of 1965, a renowned finite geometer and professor of mathematical sciences at the University of Delaware. 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 10, 2012. The district will honor the 2012 Wall of Fame recipients at their 16th Annual Wall of Fame Banquet in April. Award plaques will be permanently displayed at the high school.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Pearl Harbor Exhibit Opens This Month At DCHS</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/2/12 - The first exhibit of the New Year at the Dodge County Historical Society is all about Pearl Harbor. Historical Society President Glen Link says the traveling exhibit from the National World War II Museum is entitled “Infamy” and includes photographs and stories detailing that fateful day when the Japanese attacked the US naval base in Hawaii. More than twenty-four-hundred (2400) Americans were killed at Pearl Harbor and over eleven-hundred (1100) were wounded. The exhibit opens Wednesday, January 18 and will be on display for six weeks. The Doge County Historical Society is located at 105 Park Avenue in Beaver Dam, right next door to the new police station, and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 1pm to 4pm.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Kennedy Holding Listening Session on Tuesday</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/2/12 - Beaver Dam Mayor Tom Kennedy has listening sessions scheduled on Tuesday. He says city residents are invited to meet with him, one-on-one, without appointment on the first and third Tuesday of every month. While Kennedy says it is important that constituents have the opportunity to speak with him the day after each regular meeting of the common council, elected officials will not be holding meetings Monday night because of the holiday. The listening sessions 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. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">State Worker Medical Contributions Starting</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/2/12 - Wisconsin state workers and their families started paying more for their medical care starting yesterday. The changes in the state health plan require 183 thousand participants to contribute up to 10 percent of their bills for doctor visits, tests, surgeries and hospitalizations. Though the changes have been explained, plan administrators say they expect to get a lot of questions when those workers have to cover those additional expenses. The changes are part of a so-called budget repair bill that triggered weeks of huge demonstrations at the Capitol before it was passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Walker. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Wisconsin Dairy Industry Rebounding</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/2/12 - Wisconsin’s 27 billion dollar dairy industry is reported to be bouncing back. The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection reports dairy farms are in recovery mode. Exports are helping drive the dairy industry’s growth. Farmers who got through 2009’s bad year for dairy have been rebuilding equity and paying down their debt this past year. Exports are growing as developing nations demand more meat and dairy products for their growing middle-class populations. Wisconsin also lost fewer dairy farms this year. As of the first week in December, Wisconsin had 11 thousand, 786 licensed milk cow herds, down 681 from the same month in 2010. That represents a decline, but a much-smaller decline than previous years when milk prices cratered and farmers had to shut down their operations.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Alpine Cheese Recall</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/2/12 - A Monroe company says it is voluntarily recalling some of the cheese it produces because of a possible contamination from listeria. Alpine Slicing and Cheese Conversion says testing by an independent laboratory found some products contained potentially fatal listeria. The company said no illnesses have been reported as the recall was announced yesterday. Recall products are “Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Premium Fondu Blend – Emmentaler Swiss &amp; Gruyere Cheese,” “Bennan’s Cellars Shredded Mild Colored Cheddar Cheese,” and “Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese.” The company says it has contacted the FDA. The recalled products were sold in Brennan’s stores in Milwaukee, Dane and Green counties in this state.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-1514531800751349944?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-90758778768587926292012-01-01T02:15:00.000-06:002012-01-01T02:15:35.012-06:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Lawmakers Seek To Build On OWI Reforms</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/1/12 - A number of Wisconsin lawmakers are resolving with the New Year to build on the drunk driving reforms they made in the past year. Media reports from statistics on O-W-I arrests show they have not gone down since the latest changes took effect in July of last year. In fact, the numbers of felony arrests have gone up. West Allis Assembly Democrat Tony Staskunas and other lawmakers say they'll push for several new changes in 2012. One bill would force all first-time drunk drivers to breathe into sobriety tubes to start their vehicles. The previous reforms only required interlocks for all repeat drunk drivers, and first timers with blood alcohol levels over point-15. Another bill would require drunk drivers' vehicles to be impounded between 60 days and six months. And Assembly Democrat Josh Zepnick of Milwaukee introduced a bill last month on an issue his colleagues from both parties have hesitated to adopt -- sobriety checkpoints. Zepnick's bill would set them up in three counties as pilot programs.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Dane County Expanding OWI ‘Bio-Marker’ Program</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/1/12 - Dane County will expand a program that makes it harder for convicted drunk drivers to violate no-alcohol clauses as part of their penalties. The county that includes Madison will expand the number of convicts in a pilot “bio-marker” program from 100 to 300. Those people are required to get tests which can detect the use of alcohol for several weeks after it’s consumed – and not just several days, like normal urine tests. The program’s director, Pamela Bean, said about 30-percent of those tested had drinking relapses within a year – and half of them lied about it. Bean says the goal of the program is to keep more drunk drivers off the streets, and put them in intensive treatment where they’re more closely monitored.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Lawmakers Address Unruly Special Needs Student Restraint</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/1/12 - Wisconsin lawmakers are trying for a second time to limit the restraining and seclusions of unruly students in public school classrooms. Supporters say too many kids with special needs are restrained or placed in time-out rooms, when all they need is to be calmed down. It was a contentious issue when the bill first came up two years ago. But since then, Senate Education Committee chairman Luther Olsen of Ripon says all of the affected parties have reached a consensus on new guidelines. He says the main goal is to protect children and the teachers who work with them. A public hearing on the new bill is set for January 11th, and Olsen expects it to be passed this spring. Lawmakers of both parties are co-sponsoring the measure. That didn't happen two years ago, according to Lisa Pugh of Wisconsin's Disability Rights Partnership. The bill spells out when it's appropriate to restrain or seclude a child -- and it should be done in a positive manner by teachers who've had appropriate training. Restraints would not be allowed if they compress a youngster's chest, or do not protect the head.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Democrats Public Meeting On Mining Laws Planned</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/1/12 - Two Democratic lawmakers say they will hold their own public meeting this month on a proposed bill on mining in Wisconsin. The legislation is designed to advance a plan to build a mine south of Lake Superior in the Penokee Hills. Company officials say the project will create hundreds of jobs for an area which needs them, while environmentalists say the mine will contaminate one of the most pristine areas of Wisconsin. Senate Bob Jauch and state Representative Janet Brewley tell Madison-dot-com that people in their districts deserve to have a chance to air their opinions. The January 7th hearing will be held at Ashland High School.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Polar Bear Club Presidents Law Hoorah </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/1/12 - The president of the Milwaukee Polar Bear Club says he'll make his 60th and final New Year's Day jump into Lake Michigan today. 82-year-old Garth Garskey of Brookfield says his health is forcing him to call it quits. He's had four stents placed in his heart, and his toes turn black when he stays for too long in the cold water. Garskey also says his daughter is having a "conniption fit" about his annual jumps. After Sunday, Garskey says he won't return unless he gets "the itch" to do so.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Hubertus Developer Seeks To Build Wind Farm</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/1/12 - For the first time in over two years, a developer has asked the state for permission to build a large wind energy farm. Emerging Energies of Hubertus has applied to the Public Service Commission to put up 41 high-tech windmills in Saint Croix County in far western Wisconsin. Until now, wind farm developers have shied away from the Badger State because of uncertainty over government regulations. Lawmakers struck down new rules last year on where turbines can be located. The wind power industry and its opponents have been negotiating on rules the state can approve. William Rakocy of Emerging Energies says he feels comfortable about the project despite the uncertainty. He said he wants to believe that quote, "more reasonable minds will prevail." The proposed new wind farm would be located about 25 miles east of the Minnesota border in the towns of Forest and Cylon. The turbines would produce 102-and-a-half megawatts of power. The state has 30 days to decide if the application for the wind farm is complete. If so, the P-S-C would have a year to decide on a permit.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Weather Limited Spread Of Gypsy Moth </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/1/12 - State agriculture officials say a cold-and-wet spring helped limit the spread of the leaf-killing gypsy moth in Wisconsin last year. Spraying also helped. Planes dumped non-toxic treatments on 234-thousand acres across 23 counties in the western part of the state. Gypsy moths have spread from the eastern U-S in recent years. And Wisconsin is among 11 states taking part in a national campaign to slow that spread. Officials also set traps to determine gypsy moth populations and movement trends -- and another 25-thousand traps will be set this spring in the central and western parts of Wisconsin. Colleen Robinson Klug of the state ag department says the moths will remain in the eastern part of the state, and major anti-spreading efforts have stopped.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Aaron Rogers Appears In New Commercial</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/1/12 - Aaron Rodgers has added another commercial contract to his portfolio. The Green Bay Packers’ quarterback has signed a multi-year deal to promote health-and-wellness campaigns for Prevea Health of northeast Wisconsin. Rodgers says he’s focused on fitness – so the ad campaign is right up his alley. Prevea Health has 23 clinics in northeast Wisconsin, and it’s a partner with Saint Vincent and Saint Mary’s hospitals in Green Bay and Saint Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan. Prevea’s president, Doctor Ashok Rai, says Rodgers will also make personal appearances for the company – and he couldn’t think of a better person to represent them. Rodgers also does ads for State Farm Insurance, Ford, Associated Bank, and the Gruber Law Offices in Milwaukee.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Dodge County Land Conservation Offers Trees </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1/1/12 - Trees and shrubs continue to be offered as part of the annual Small Packet Tree sales program in Dodge County. The Land Conservation Department is offering several species of trees for sale for the 2012 planting season, including Red and White Oak, Sugar Maple, White Cedar, White Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Hazelnut and Fraser Fir. Most trees are sold in bundles of 25 and most are $24 per bundle, tax included. Sugar Maple bundles are $40 per bundle. The deadline to place orders is January 27, but there are limited amounts of some species, so early orders are encouraged. For more information or to get an order form, contact the Dodge County Land Conservation Department. Contact: 386-3660 http://www.co.dodge.wi.us/conservation/landserv.html#treesales</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-9075877876858792629?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-87462848019094193072011-12-31T06:41:00.002-06:002011-12-31T06:41:30.802-06:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Dan Thiel Encourages Responsible NYE Revelry</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/31/11 - Dan Thiel is encouraging New Years Eve revelers to celebrate responsibly this weekend. The Beaver Dam man lost his wife in a drunken driving accident ten years ago and his daughter, Danni Jo, died in May from injuries sustained in the wreck. While it’s been over a decade since that fateful night outside Horicon when a three-time drunk driver crossed the center line and struck his family’s vehicle head-on, Thiel says he is reminded about the profound impact of the accident on a regular basis. The most recent reminder came this fall, when the house next door sold and he met the new neighbors. Before Thiel could introduce himself, his new neighbor cut him off, said that he already knows his name. The man called his wife over and told Thiel they were the first ones to arrive on scene at the August of 2001 accident and they were the ones who phoned it in. For the first time, Thiel met the man who held his dying wife until he was able to get there. Thiel says it just goes to show what a small world it is. His hope is that people take to heart how their actions can affect others and Thiel encourages the public to avoid drinking and driving at all costs into the New Year and beyond.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Milwaukee Ranked America’s Drunkest City</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/31/11 - People living in Milwaukee will be celebrating with champagne and hot toddies tonight, ringing in 2012 – just like folks living in other cities around the country. The difference is, they will continue drinking more than the average American. Milwaukee is ranked first on the list of America’s Drunkest Cities. The Daily Best reports more than 10 percent of adults are described as heavy drinkers. Fargo, North Dakota, and San Francisco are ranked second and third on the list compiled by the web site.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Strong Armed Robbery In Burnett A False Report</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/31/11 - The strong armed robbery reported in the Village of Burnett on Tuesday turned about to be a false report to police. Sheriff Todd Nehls says the alleged victim of the purse snatching recanted her story to investigators. The robbery happened the same day that a breaking and entering was reported at a Main Street apartment unit. Nehls says the Department of Criminal Investigation continues to investigate several incidents in the Burnett area to determine which ones are accurate and which ones are false. The sheriff says the false robbery report generated a lot of conversation and he felt it was important to advise the public that it was not true.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Fire Damages Woodland Business</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/31/11 - Fire damaged a vintage snowmobile showroom and warehouse in Woodland yesterday. The fire at Rooster Hahn Motorsports on County WS was called in just before 1pm by Iron Ridge Fire Chief Jason Boeck who was driving past the scene. Woodland Fire Chief Bill Lackas says smoke and flames were visible when firefighters arrived on scene. The fire extended into the metal walls and into a loft area of a showroom and storage area. At one point, up to14 fire departments responded with men and equipment. There were no injuries and Lackas says some of the equipment in the showroom may be salvageable.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Minnesota Officer Shot by Wisconsin Man Dies</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/31/11 - A Minnesota police officer has died, eleven days after he was shot answering a domestic disturbance call. Shawn Schneider was a nine-year veteran of the Lake City Police Department. Schneider was shot in the head December 19th by Alan Sylte Junior of Hager City, Wisconsin. Sylte took his own life after shooting the officer. A 17 year old girl who escaped from the house originating the disturbance call said she had broken up with Sylte when he became violent. Sylte was a veteran of the Iraq war who was being processed for discharge after failing to report for duty.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Four Stabbed in Janesville Bar Fight</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/31/11 - An early morning fight at a Janesville bar leaves four men with stab wounds. Police say they found 15 people fighting when they arrived a little before 2am Friday. Investigators say they have received several stories about just what happened. They say pursuing the case is complicated by the fact most of the witnesses were drinking. At least one of the four stabbing victims said they never saw a knife. Three of the four were treated and released at the hospital. The fourth remained in the intensive care unit, but is expected to survive.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Dane County DA Seeks To Vacate Union Decision </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/31/11 - Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne has asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to reopen his lawsuit challenging the governor’s collective bargaining law. Ozanne contends a justice who voted to dismiss the suit earlier this year had received free legal help from the firm which was defending Governor Scott Walker’s law. Ozanne argued the decision should be vacated because Justice Michael Gableman failed to disclose his relationship with the Michael Best and Friedrich law firm in Madison. The original lawsuit, filed in March, said Republican lawmakers violated the state’s open meetings laws when they called a committee meeting to revise the collective bargaining law without giving proper public notice.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Groups Rally To End Fighting At Mayfair Mall</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/31/11 - Parents, mall officials, police and even rappers are working together to slow down the fighting problem which has plagued Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa. A rapper known as Big Mike contacted the head of the group Peace for Change Alliance. He and Tracey Dent had been seeing Facebook updates from young people earlier this week about fighting at the mall. Big Mike posted a video on YouTube urging kids not to fight there. The mall pushed up its curfew and security officials questioned unaccompanied young people. Wauwatosa police sent a sergeant and eight officers to question youths at mall bus stops – all parts of the effort to keep the suburban mall safe.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Madison Man Avoids ATM Robbery</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/31/11 - A Madison man tells police he avoided what looked like it might be a robbery by driving away from an ATM. He says one of two men who approached his car while he was using the drive-through machine was carrying a gun. The attempted robbery was reported Thursday evening at UW Credit Union on Commercial Avenue. Responding officers searched the area around the credit union and found two persons of interest. A stolen gun was recovered from one of them. No shots were fired during the incident and no injuries reported.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Superior In The Running For Airplane Manufacturer</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/31/11 - Local officials say the city of Superior is in the running to be home to an airplane manufacturing facility. If it makes its home there, it could mean 300 permanent jobs at first and up to 600 jobs by the year 2016. Kestrel Aircraft Company has been negotiating with Superior and the state of Wisconsin since last summer. A public hearing on a possible development agreement will be held January 16th. Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen says a formal announcement could come in the next couple of weeks. The company will likely make its decision after it considers a proposal offered by the state of Wisconsin last Thursday. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Indiana Man Accused of Brandishing Gun on I-94</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/31/11 - A man from Columbus, Indiana, has been arrested for using a gun to threaten a truck driver on Interstate 94 in Milwaukee. Mark Manning is licensed to carry a gun. A criminal complaint says a Kia driven by Manning cut off a semi-trailer last Tuesday on I-94 near College Avenue. When the truck driver flashed his lights, the man in the car pointed a handgun at him. The truck driver called 9-1-1 and gave authorities the car’s license number. When Milwaukee County sheriff’s deputies pulled Manning over, they found two guns in the car with him. He told the deputy he was acting in self-defense because the other driver was using the truck as a weapon.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2161843959584529428-8746284801909419307?l=wxroradio.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>WBEV Radio.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09546434956296099016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161843959584529428.post-53865761079393575402011-12-30T07:23:00.000-06:002011-12-30T07:23:02.752-06:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Oconomowoc Man Killed In Train Versus Truck Wreck</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/30/11 - An Oconomowoc man was killed yesterday when his pick-up truck was struck by a train near Ixonia. According to the Jefferson County Sheriffs Department, 44-year-old Michael J. Dragan drove down a private driveway off Highway 16 when he crossed railroad tracks and was struck by a westbound Amtrak passenger train. Dragan was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jefferson County Coroner. Nobody on the train was injured. The accident occurred at 4:42pm and the tracks were closed for just under four hours. The Ixonia Fire Department and EMS assisted at the scene and the accident remains under investigation by the Jefferson County Crash Investigating Team.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Search Resumes For Missing Man Near Jefferson</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/30/11 - Recovery operations resume today in Jefferson County for a man who stopped to help a motorist early Thursday morning and fell off a bridge into the Rock River. Deputies responded to reports of a vehicle crash on the State Highway 26 Bridge north of Jefferson just before 5am. Upon arrival, deputies learned that 33-year-old Tyler Prichard stopped to assist the driver and fell off the bridge into the river. Sheriff Paul Milbrath says Pritchard and the car driver had moved to the side of the road to avoid other traffic – and he swung one of his legs over the side of the bridge and fell. Officials said he might not have realized he was over a current of open water. Rescuers searched almost 12 hours before suspending the effort for the day. They plan to expand their search down-river.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Fire Damages Trenton Town Hall</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/30/11 - Fire caused minor damage at the Trenton Town Hall Thursday morning. Waupun Fire Chief Jeff Berry says town employees tried to open a garage door in the shop area just before 11am, noticed it was not working and then discovered smoke when they investigated the malfunction. Berry says firefighters cut out a section of the metal roof above a furnace pipe to extinguish the flames, which were contained to a ten-foot area and did not spread into the roof of the structure. The cause is believed to be related to the heating unit. Damage is estimated at around $10,000. There were no injuries. Waupun received mutual aid from Fox Lake and Burnett. Crews were on scene for about two-and-a-half hours.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Jalapeño Peppers Not an Effective Deicing Agent</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/30/11 - If sand and salt don’t cut through the ice, maybe jalapeño peppers? A semi rolled over on Highway 151 near Columbus just after 5am yesterday, spilling its spicy cargo all over the icy highway: 30-thousand pounds of jalapeño peppers in total. Nehls says if the towing company that is contracted to recover the vehicle didn’t have enough labor to clear the peppers, he would have offered inmate labor to clean-up said-jalapeño’s for a fee. If it came to that, Nehls said they would have been serving jalapeño’s in the county jail for years to come. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Beaver Dam Man Sentenced For Sixth OWI</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/30/11 - A Beaver Dam man will spend 28 months in prison for his sixth drunken driving offense. Timothy Thibault entered a “no contest” plea to felony Operating While Intoxicated and had a second felony dismissed. Thibault crossed the center line on North Spring Street in August, almost striking a squad car near Winn Terrace and forcing the officer to swerve out of the way. The 53-year-old told the officer that he dropped his lighter and was reaching down to retrieve it. His breath test was over the legal limit for driving at point-one-one. In addition to 28 months behind bars, Thibault will spend three years on extended supervision without a driver’s license. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Suspected Owl Thief Pleads Innocent</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/30/11 - An 18-year-old man has pleaded innocent to stealing a popular owl from a wildlife rehab center in Oconomowoc last month. Dilan White of Dousman entered his pleas in Waukesha County Thursday to charges of felony burglary and misdemeanor criminal damage. White and 18-year-old Matthew Kuhlemeyer of Dousman allegedly broke into a cage at the Wildlife-in-Need Center on November 12th and took Dakota, a grey-horned owl. Officials said Dakota flew away from the teens, and lost 30-percent of his body weight while he was missing for almost a month. Kuhlemeyer asked that his case be dropped. Attorney Dan Fay said a cage does not fit the legal definition of burglary, because it's not a building or dwelling as the law describes. But the state argues that a cage is indeed a structure. A hearing on the issue was set for today. But it's been delayed until January 13th so the defense can review the state's response. White's attorney says his client will not ask that his charges be dropped because of that issue. White is due back in court February 13th.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Five Longtime Sheriffs Department Employees Retire </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">12/30/11 - Five longtime members of the Dodge County Sheriffs Department are retiring with the New Year, taking with them a combined 151 years of service. Lieutenant Douglas Ninmann started at the department in 1984 and served his 27-year career within the Patrol Division. Captain Molly Soblewski is retiring as head of the Patrol Division after starting in the Communications Center and working her way up; she also served as Dodge County Emergency Manager and Jail Administrator. Debbie Werner-Lindert served 23 years in the Patrol Division as the Administrative Assistant. Detective Robert Neuman served the county for over 32 years. He started as a patrolman and will retire as the most senior of the department’s investigators. Corrections Corporal Mike Harmsen is retiring after serving for over 41 years. Sheriff Todd Nehls says he has been developing a deep bench for this day and he hopes to promote from within. The department is currently going thru the process of exams, interviews and promotions to fill the voids created by the retire