Winter Storm Warning Starts at 10 a.m.
2/7/13 – Another round of winter weather is due in today for much of southeastern Wisconsin. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Dodge County starting at 10 a.m. and running until midnight. The warning also covers Jefferson, Washington and six other counties. Forecasters say we’ll see a mix of light snow and rain early this morning before it turns to all snow later this morning and early afternoon. We could see four to eight inches of snow before the storm moves on. The higher totals will be the south and east of Dodge County. After this storm moves through we should have two days of sun and temperatures in the high 20’s or lower 30’s.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit Dismissed
2/7/13 – A wrongful death lawsuit against Curtis Forbes has been dismissed by a Columbia County judge because it was filed past the two-year statute of limitations. The suit was filed by the husband and son of Marilyn McIntyre. Forbes was convicted in 2010 on charges that he killed McIntyre at her home in Columbus in 1980. The lawsuit claimed that Forbes, and his now ex-wife Debbie, were responsible for causing pain and suffering, loss of companionship and society, and emotional distress. Court documents say the conduct of the Forbes were “extreme and outrageous” and caused “extreme and disabling” emotional distress to Marilyn’s husband Lane and their son Christopher McIntyre. The judge recently ruled that the clock for filing the suit started when Forbes was arrested and charged in late March of 2009. That made McIntyre’s filing in July of 2011 past the two-year limitation. An appeal by the McIntyre’s is possible. Meanwhile, Forbes is currently appealing his murder conviction.
BD Officials Forward “Social Hosting” Ordinance to the Council
2/7/13 – City officials in Beaver Dam have hammered out the wording for an ordinance that would fine those who provide alcohol for underage drinking parties. So-called “social hosting” ordinances are popping up in communities throughout the state. Beaver Dam’s draft was modeled after one in Manitowoc. Alderwoman Teresa Olsen voted against the final version of the ordinance in committee out of concern that a person could be fined even they were not aware that underage drinking was taking place. Council President Jon Litscher shared similar concerns throughout the committee process but is satisfied with the version heading to the council floor. Another concern of elected officials was the redundancy of the city ordinance with state statute. City Attorney Mary Ann Schacht says they are essentially the same but passage by the council will allow for the offenses to be addressed by the municipal court in Beaver Dam rather than the criminal court in Juneau. Guilty parties would face fines of between $5 and $1000 for a first offense; between $10 and $2000 for a second offense and between $15 and $4000 for any subsequent offenses.
Fatal Highway Crashes Down in January
2/7/13 – Last month was safer than the previous January on Wisconsin highways. The D-O-T said 40 people were killed in 39 traffic crashes throughout the state last month. That’s four fewer deaths than the previous January, but three more than the average for the past five years. Dodge County had one traffic fatality last month. State Patrol Major Sandra Huxtable said traffic crashes were up by six-percent during 2012 – and the D-O-T is committed to reversing the trend in 2013. She urged drivers to pay closer attention to traffic and road conditions, especially when there’s snow-and-ice.
Walker: Mental Health Initiatives Will Improve Public Safety
2/7/13 – Governor Scott Walker says the new mental health initiatives in his proposed state budget will improve public safety, after last year’s mass shootings in both Wisconsin and the nation. But the Republican Walker said his package goes beyond the criminal element – and he wants to end the social stigma of seeking help. The Republican Walker said yesterday he would include almost 29-million dollars in his two-year budget package for new and expanded mental health services. He said it would go to a variety of programs to help families and foster kids, deal with substance abuse, and provide more inpatient units at the Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison, plus respite centers as alternatives to hospitalization. Walker said his package would also bring in just over seven-million more dollars from the federal government. Also yesterday, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he was creating a task force to make recommendations for improving mental health services. Vos said his group would work closely with the governor on his plans – and they plan issue their suggestions by the end of May.
Rove Speaks in Wisconsin
2/7/13 – Republican strategist Karl Rove says Wisconsin has two of the most remarkable political talents in the country. And he believes both Governor Scott Walker and Congressman Paul Ryan can be viable national candidates if they want to be. Rove spoke during a hour-long program yesterday at Ripon College and met with reporters. He said Democrats control the message from Washington, but the G-O-P still has at least some strength with its control of the House and a majority of state governorships. And Rove said it will have to be people like Walker and Ryan – the House Budget chairman from Janesville – who create the party’s policies going forward. Rove is currently working to recruit candidates for the U-S Senate in 2014. He said the party can do better than Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock, both of whom lost key Senate races in November. Rove also said he’s confident that Wisconsin will soon carry a Republican to the White House, after Ronald Reagan was the last to win the state in 1984. Rove said both parties have strong bases, and it’s the independent voters who decide the major races. He said the G-O-P needs a candidate who can reach out to quote, “blue-collar Democrats and rural moderate conservative Democrats in the western part of the state.”
There is Another Sheriff Nehls
2/7/13 – There are now two “Sheriff T. Nehls” in the America. Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls told us on WBEV’s Community Comment that his brother Troy Nehls was sworn in last month as the sheriff of Fort Bend County, Texas. Troy Nehls had been the elected Constable for Precinct Four in Fort Bend County, a position that will now be held by Constable Trevor Nehls, Troy’s twin brother. The first Sheriff Nehls was Edwin Nehls who was appointed sheriff of Dodge County back in 1969 and served until 1976 and then again from 1987-1988. Sheriff Todd Nehls traveled to Texas to take part in the swearing in of both Sheriff Troy Nehls and Constable Trevor Nehls. He says their father would be (quote) “very proud.”
BDACT Has Ideal Gift for Valentine’s Day
2/7/13 – Valentine’s Day is one week away and the folks at the Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre say they have the ideal gift. The Loco Vocals will be Boppin’ to the 50’s this weekend. Performer Jay Wilkens says the decade’s best songs are on the set list. Wilkens says for a small donation to the theatre, the musical troupe will read your personalized tribute to that special someone. You can check out www.bdact.org for the list of songs that will be performed and the process for dedicating the song. The Loco Vocal’s Boppin’ to the 50’s is tomorrow and Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm. For more information:
http://www.bdact.org/content.php?pid=5a85a2c2-2024-aa94-69f6-6d91c956eac3
Virginia Ticket Wins Powerball Jackpot
2/7/13 – The Powerball jackpot has been hit for the first time in 2013. A ticket sold in Virginia matched all the numbers last night to win 217-million-dollars. Nobody from Wisconsin won the million-dollar second prize, but a ticket sold in Grafton won the 10-thousand-dollar third prize by matching four regular numbers plus the Powerball. Almost 19-thousand players in the Badger State won something. Last night’s numbers were 5, 27, 36, 38, and 41. The Powerball was 12. The jackpot had been building since December 29th. It rolled over 11 times. Saturday’s top prize goes back to 40-million dollars. In Mega Millions, the jackpot for tomorrow night is at 12-million dollars.
