News – February 13, 2019

(Beaver Dam) The National Weather Service says Beaver Dam received more than a foot of snow during yesterday’s storm. As of 7:41pm, Beaver Dam was at 12.4-inches. Hartford reported eight inches. As of 5pm, Horicon had 8.3-inches and Slinger got ten inches.

 

(Beaver Dam) It will be up the Beaver Dam School Board to decide if the school year will be extended to make up for the six snow days and counting that the district has accumulated so far this year. The calendar adopted last summer by the school board has three snow days built-in, with the final day of school on Friday, May 31. Superintendent Mark DiStefano says at this point, he would tentatively consider recommending that the school year be extended by three days to Wednesday, June 5. However, he cautions that winter weather is not the only reason to cancel school as spring brings its own set of challenges, like fog. DiStefano plans to send an update to parents and staff in coming days alerting them of any potential extension of the school year.

 

(Juneau) Juneau City Hall may soon be moving. The current location at 150 Miller Street, across from the Dodge County Administration Building, is not ADA-complaint and in need of repairs that Mayor Dan Wegener says are not cost-effective. The council last (Tuesday) night approved and offer to purchase the Farmers and Merchants Bank at 405 Jewel Street for $175-thousand dollars. No word yet on if the bank will accept the offer. The city is not looking at any other locations. Ground was broken in August on the new Farmers and Merchants Union Bank in Juneau. The 2,700-square-foot facility will be located at the intersection of Highway 26 and Western Avenue, next to the Piggly Wiggly. The new bank location is expected to open in the spring.

 

(Juneau) The Juneau Common Council last (Tuesday) night approved assessments for a pair of street projects in spite of opposition from property owners during a public hearing. Residents on Downie Drive and Leonard Avenue are against the sidewalks in the $487-thousand-dollar project, for which they are assessed the full cost. The sidewalk portion totals $77-thousand dollars, which is roughly 16-percent of the total project, with costs per homeowner ranging from $3000 to $8000. Construction will begin in April with completion slated for June.

 

(Madison) The Wisconsin State Assembly approved a Republican authored middle-class tax cut yesterday (Tuesday). It uses a state surplus, while Democratic Governor Tony Evers wants to achieve the same end by capping a tax credit for manufacturers. State Representative Mark Born says thanks to conservative budgeting over the past eight years assembly republicans are able to support initiatives like the tax cut, invest in shared priorities and put more money back in the pockets of hard-working families. The GOP bill passed the Joint Finance Committee just last week and will now be taken up by the state Senate.

 

(Waupun) The Waupun School District commitment to energy efficiency was recognized with a check for $90,000. During a ceremony Monday night, the renewable resource program Focus on Energy presented the school with the check following energy-saving upgrades the district undertook as part of a $36-million-dollar referendum. Waupun District Administrator Steven Hill says these improvements will help the district save money on energy costs for years to come and helps make their buildings comfortable during inclement weather conditions. The $90,000 will go towards funding projects such as building improvements, furnishings or equipment.

 

(Madison) Wisconsin based Culver’s is the top burger chain in the country according to a nationwide survey. Spokesperson Paul Pitas says the survey from Restaurant Business tracks stores and businesses across the country.

 

(Dodge County) All snowmobile trails in Dodge County are now open. Dodge County Parks and Trails asking riders to use caution as there is a layer of ice under the new snow that fell yesterday (Tuesday). In addition to all trails being open, the Wild Goose State Trail is open to ATV/UTV traffic from Highway 60 to Highway 49.