News – May 8, 2019

(Beaver Dam) Two of Wisconsin’s largest health care providers are discussing a possible merger. La Crosse-based Gunderson and Marshfield Clinic Health System will spend the coming months working out details of a possible merger that could create a health system led by more than two-thousand clinicians and with more than 18-thousand total employees. If they were to merge, Marshfield Health System and Gunderson would have 13 hospitals, and more than 100 medical clinics, eye centers, dental centers, urgent care clinics, and pharmacies. Marshfield announced last week that it had completed its affiliation with the Beaver Dam Community Hospital.

(Juneau) Dodge County is looking at hiring a third-party firm to conduct an external analysis of the region’s emergency medical services. Members of the Dodge County Steering Committee on Emergency Services requested support for the study during the County Board’s Executive Committee meeting yesterday. One major concern the committee highlighted is a lack of younger people joining their ranks which is an issue that is magnified by an aging workforce. The committee agreed to have the county take the lead on the project, seek requests for proposals and search for grants.

(Beaver Dam) The bids came back too high in Beaver Dam’s efforts to hire a company to study facility needs and staffing levels at the fire department. Fire Chief Alan Mannel says a second fire station is needed on the city’s northside, along with additional personnel to staff the new facility. In March, the common council approved spending up to $15-thousand dollars on study. The lowest bid came back at just over $23,500. Mannel told the city’s Police and Fire Commission last night that he attributes the increased cost to the escalating scope of the study. The question of whether or not to study the facility needs of the fire department is now back in the hands of the common council.

(Mayville) A Mayville attorney was cited for prostitution in Dodge County. According to an incident report obtained from the Mayville Police Department, Jeremy Vanderloop was issued the ordinance citation for prostitution by a Dodge County sheriff’s deputy on April 22. The citation came after two Milwaukee women suspected of being prostitutes were pulled over in a car rented by Vanderloop. When he was questioned, Vanderloop allegedly conceded that he was with a female he believed to be 22-years-old at a Mequon hotel. The girl was reportedly 16-year-old. No criminal charges have been filed against Vanderloop; the prostitution citation is a municipal violation. Officials with the Dodge County Sheriff Department and Mequon Police say they cannot comment on the ongoing investigation.

(Lomira) A Waukesha man is accused of robbing the BMO Harris Bank in Lomira. Kidane Dashew allegedly handed the teller a note on March 28 that said to remain calm, he did not have a gun and to give him the $50 and $100 bills. The 30-year-old is also connected to robberies in Washington and Waukesha counties. Dashew was not in court for an initial appearance this week and an arrest warrant was issued. If convicted, the charge of Robbery of a Financial Institution carries a maximum penalty of up to 40 years in prison.

(Juneau) Dodge County is in the process of finding a replacement for a key department head. Julie Kolp had served as Finance Director since 2009 but resigned last month. County Administrator Jim Mielke says Kolp’s last day was April 8th and that the resignation was her decision. Mielke says first and second round interviews will be conducted on May 21st and May 29th. He says the goal is to have the Dodge County Board vote on a potential replacement during their meeting in June.

(Dodge County) Fighter jets are flying over the region as the Wisconsin Air National Guard conducts its annual “Northern Lightning” exercise. The exercise got underway Monday and runs through Friday, May 17th.  Some of the training could run until 10 in the evening. Among the counties being affected by the exercise are; Adams, Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago counties. The jets are flying out of Volk Field in Juneau County.