Authorities Looking For Perpetrator Of Gas Station Holdup
12/9/15 – The owners of the BP gas station in the Town of Beaver Dam that was held-up Tuesday are offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. The armed robbery occurred at 8:06am at 1112 Madison Street. Sheriff Dale Schmidt says the suspect displayed a weapon and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. He fled on foot and was last seen heading westbound on Lake Crest Drive in the city of Beaver Dam. The suspect is described as six-feet tall and around 180-to-200-pounds, wearing dark clothing and a facemask. Anyone with information should contact the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office at 920-386-3726 and ask for Detective Ted Sullivan or Detective Andy Rolfs.
Juneau Utility Customers Could See Rate Increase
12/9/15 – A rate study for the Juneau Utility Commission recommends a rate increase for electric customers. The Juneau Common Council last night heard a report from Monday’s commission meeting that was presented by WPPI, the company that sells wholesale electricity to the city-owned utility. The rate study recommends an increase in the fixed meter charge. For residential customers, the monthly flat rate is currently $6.50. The recommendation is to double the rate to $13, an increase of 3.6%. At the same time a variable monthly fee that is meant to provide a cushion for fluctuations in wholesale prices would be rolled into the fixed rate. That would result in an average monthly increase for an average residential customer of $2.76. Mayor Dan Wegener notes that the rate increase recommendation is just that, a recommendation and the utility can set changes up to the suggested amount. The electric rate study is one of three that will eventually be presented to utility officials; the other two being water and wastewater. All three topics are expected to be approached after the New Year.
Columbus Council Action Allows For TIF Creation
12/9/15 – Action at the most recent Columbus City Council meeting will allow for the construction of a new business in Tax Increment Finance District # 4. The proposed development site is located along Highway 16 near the intersection with Highway 151. Developer Richard Sheard says that Campbellsport-based Ottery Tank Wash LLC is planning for the new 13,000 square foot facility to be located right behind Columbus Travel West. The proposed Tank Wash facility has received council approval and was rezoned. The existing pond behind Travel Center West has been redesigned and enlarged as a regional pond to accommodate development.
City Of Horicon Considering Replacing Welcome Signs
12/9/15 – Horicon’s Council President hopes the city will replace its welcome signs at the edge of town. Carl Fausett received permission from the Committee of the Whole at its meeting last night to look into the project. Fausett feels the current plywood signs should be replaced with newer, more decorative ones that make people take notice of a city that is undergoing a good deal of expansion through the John Deere and industrial park projects. Fausett says the signs on the east and west side of town on Highway 33 as well as those on Highway 28, Highway E, and near the city’s golf course could be affected. The goal would be to replace one or two signs per year. Economic Developer Jim Schaefer says the signs could cost between $8,000 and $35,000 each, depending on the design. Fausett plans to collect bids and report back to the council in spring. If the city replaces any signs in 2016, those funds would have to come from the general fund reserve since no dollars were budgeted for the project.
Justice Department Says Man Shot In Neenah Hostage Incident Was Armed
12/9/15 – The state Justice Department confirms that a man was armed when police shot him to death in a hostage incident at a Neenah motorcycle shop. The state did not release other information, as it continues to investigate the shooting. Neenah Police say 60-year-old Michael Funk was running out Eagle Nation Cycles last Saturday when he refused to follow officers’ orders to drop his gun — and he was then shot. Three officers are on paid administrative leave for now. Funk’s lawyer says his client was among several hostages in the store that were taken by a 45-year-old man. The alleged captor, Brian Flatoff, was arrested after long negotiations with police. He’s in jail in Winnebago County, where prosecutors expect to charge him this week. Flatoff was booked for first-degree reckless endangerment.
Wisconsin Health Care Performance On The Decline
12/9/15 – Wisconsin has dropped out of the top-ten in its overall health care performance. The Commonwealth Fund ranks the Badger State tied for eleventh among the 50 states and Washington D-C, down from seventh a year ago. It’s not that the quality of care has declined. It’s that other states have improved their systems at a faster pace according to Patrick Remington, an associate public health dean at U-W Madison. Wisconsin scored high grades in several areas. It has the eighth-lowest percentage of uninsured adults, and the eleventh-lowest re-admission rates after 30-day hospital stays for Medicare. On the other hand, the state has the highest percentage of black adults with poor health-related qualities-of-life. Wisconsin also has the 47th highest black infant mortality rate. The Commonwealth Fund says its rankings are the first since Obamacare’s coverage expansions began last year. The group is based in Washington. It researches and promotes health care improvements.
Wisconsin Tech College Offering Free Tuition
12/9/15 – A technical college in northern Wisconsin will offer free tuition to lower-income students, so they won’t have years of student debt to repay. Nicolet College in Rhinelander has unveiled the “Nicolet Promise.” Starting next fall, the school’s foundation will cover all tuition and fees which remain after a student’s state-and-federal grants are applied. To qualify, students must live in the Nicolet College district and have at least a grade-point-average of two, or a high school equivalency diploma. Among other things, they must be eligible for federal Pell Grants, which are given to low-income students on the basis of need. Nicolet President Richard Nelson says the goal is to address the cost of higher education, and the growing debt for graduates. He says the value of a Nicolet education is so high, that all high school grads in its district should at least look into it. Nelson says the “Nicolet Promise” is rare among schools around the country.
Beaver Dam Man Accused Of Breaking Into Neighboring Business
12/9/15 – A Beaver Dam man is accused of breaking into another business that is in the same building as his own. Cory Mahlum is facing one felony Burglary count. According to the criminal complaint, the 33-year-old, who owns Autoworx Unlimited, broke into Professional Floor Coverings to connect a cable that allowed him to steal internet services. Mahlum was allegedly behind on rent and close to eviction. He reportedly told officers that he broke into the Professional Floor Coverings office due to a falling out with that business’s owner. If he is found guilty, Mahlum faces over 12 years in prison. His initial appearance is January 4.
Watertown Man Pleads Guilty To Reduced Resisting Officer Charge
12/9/15 – A Watertown man accused of running from police pled guilty to an amended charge in Dodge County court yesterday. Adam Zuehlke was facing one Felony count of Attempting to Flee a Traffic Officer but had that reduced to misdemeanor Resisting an Officer. The 19-year-old was clocked going 97 miles per hour on Highway 16/26 in the Town of Lebanon. Zuehlke reached speeds of up to 111 miles per hour during the pursuit and blew a stop sign. The officer conducted a high risk traffic stop near the intersection of Highway M and Highway E. Zuehlke said he saw the cop and panicked. He was given one year of probation.
Final Day Of Public Comment On Horicon Marsh Master Plan
12/9/15 – Today is the final day the public can comment on the Department of Natural Resources master plan for the Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area. The overall plan is called the Horicon-Shaw plan and also includes the Shaw Marsh Wildlife Area, Sinissippi Public Hunting Ground, and Horicon Rough Fish Station. Planning began in September 2014 but was put on hold two months later to allow the department to focus on a plan for the Woodboro Lakes Wildlife Area near Rhinelander. Comments submitted in the initial two month window have been carried over, and new comments will be accepted through the end of business today on the DNR website by searching “master planning” and selecting the “Horicon-Shaw Planning Group.” The department hopes to have a draft of the master plan ready for public review in the spring.
