News – May 15, 2019

(Town of Columbus) One person was killed and five people were transported after a truck crashed into five vehicles on Highway 151. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says a Freightliner straight truck failed to reduce speeds as it encountered slower moving traffic in a construction zone. In total, ten people were involved, with two escaping injury. Two of the injured were flown from the scene to UW Hospital in Madison while three other were transported by EMS. The two men inside the semi-truck claimed minor injuries. Traffic was diverted off northbound Highway 151 until after midnight. The crash remains under investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin State Patrol.

(Juneau) A new judge is overseeing the four branches of the Dodge County Circuit Court system. Judge Brian Pfitzinger has been appointed as Dodge County Presiding Judge, effective June 1. The announcement was made yesterday by Waukesha County Judge Jennifer Dorow (door-oh), who is the Chief Judge of the Third Judicial Administrative District which includes Dodge County. Pfitzinger takes over for Judge Steven Bauer, who has held the position of presiding judge for the last four years. Bauer is apparently not seeking another term in office and wanted to assist in the transition. Pfitzinger intends to seek re-election when his term expires next year.

(Hubbard) An Iron Ridge man, charged with harboring a felon who was sought by police, was arraigned yesterday (Tuesday). Timothy Hermann allegedly refused to let a sheriff’s deputy in his home to apprehend James Griswold who had a warrant for his arrest. A search warrant for the residence was later granted and both Hermann and Griswold were taken into custody. If convicted, Hermann faces no more than three-and-a-half-years in prison.

(Campbellsport) In Fond du Lac County court recently, a Campbellsport man was arraigned on charges that he crashed his boat into a pier on Long Lake while drunk. Timothy Mills entered a not guilty to Tenth Offense Operating While Intoxicated and Negligent Operation of a Boat. The incident happened on April 28. According to state court records, the 49-year-old’s last conviction for OWI was in Waukesha County in 2008.

(Beaver Dam) A Beaver Dam man is facing felony charges for allegedly threatening to “drop kick” the police officer who was arresting him. Dale Lengling was taken into custody after shouting profanities to a neighbor at the Lakecrest Apartments over the weekend. Lengling was treated at Beaver Dam Community Hospital after intentionally banging his head against the rear seat of a squad car. At the hospital, the 40-year-old allegedly made multiple threats towards police and told an officer that he would (quote) “drop kick [him] to the face.” Cash bond was set at $1,000 and a judge will decide next week if there is enough evidence to order a trial.

(Waupun) Waupun Mayor Julie Nickel cast the deciding vote yesterday to advance an ordinance that would allow chicken’s to be housed within city limits. Following a grassroots effort by citizens, the Waupun city attorney was directed to draft the urban chicken ordinance. The proposed ordinance says those wishing to raise hens must first obtain a permit from the city that must be renewed annually. The ordinance that will be up for a final vote next month limits the chicken permits to ten at any one time. A motion last night to remove the cap on permits failed.

(Madison) Today at the State Capitol the State Assembly will pass a resolution recognizing Wisconsin’s role in getting women the right to vote. State Representative Joan Ballweg of Markesan says it is part of a more than year long celebration of the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. She says less than five years later women were serving in the   Wisconsin legislature. She notes there will be a celebration at the State Capitol and Wisconsin Historical Society on June 10th where a copy of the original amendment will be on display.