January 1, 2014

Fourth Arrest In Gang Shooting With Beaver Dam Ties

 

1/1/13 – A fourth person has been arrested in Mexico for the gang-related murder of a 19-year-old man in Madison over two-and-a-half years ago. The incident had ties to the Dodge County area. 23-year-old Arain Gutierrez was recently arrested in Cancun after an international arrest warrant was issued for him. Gutierrez, also known as Ivan Mateo-Lozenzo, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the April 2010 shooting death of Antonio Perez. Gutierrez was arrested in Cancun and is awaiting extradition to Madison to face his Wisconsin charge. The 19-year-old Perez was gunned down in the parking lot of a Madison business. One of the members of the Chicano Pride and C-14 gang was tracked down and arrested at a residence in Beaver Dam in August of 2010. Since then, three people have been sentenced – and another suspect reportedly fled to his home country of Guatemala.

 

Fire Kills Giraffes At Wisconsin Dells Attraction

 

1/1/13 – A fire at the Timbavati Wildlife Park has left two four year old male giraffes dead.  Wisconsin Dells police say there currently is no reason to believe the fire is suspicious.  A 9-1-1 call was received Sunday at about 6 p.m.  When firefighters arrived they found the giraffe enclosure fully engulfed.  That park was closed for the season.  It features exotic animals, rides and other attractions.  Visitors are allowed to feed the giraffes.

 

Body Found In Madison Park

 

1/1/13 – An autopsy is being conducted today on a man’s body found near a bike path on Madison’s west side.  Madison police say it appears to be a case of suicide.  The victim is believed to be in his 20s to 30s, but he hasn’t been identified.  Police say he was about five feet, seven inches tall and weighed about 160 pounds, with an average build and short hair.  A person walking a dog spotted the dead body at about 9 a.m. yesterday.

 

Legislators Resolve To Strengthen OWI Laws

 

1/1/13 – Republican state Representative Jim Ott and state Senator Alberta Darling say they will work together in the coming session to toughen Wisconsin’s drunken driving laws.  In this state a first-time drunken driving offense is considered to be a civil violation similar to a speeding ticket.  Past efforts to approve stronger penalties have been stopped by prohibitive cost estimates an the opposition of the Wisconsin Tavern League.  Ott and Darling say they want to criminalize certain first-time offense, make a third offense a felony and establish minimum sentences for drunken drivers who cause accidents.

 

Dodge County DA’s Office Handles 2200 Cases In 2012

 

1/1/13 – The Dodge County District Attorney’s office handled over 2200 cases this past year. The numbers include 410 felony case filings, around 50 more than in 2011. The DA’s office also handled 606 misdemeanor cases which were also up by 50 from the previous year. There were 437 criminal traffic cases handled in Juneau last year while 2011 had over 500.  This year’s stats also include 80 juvenile delinquency cases and 680 traffic forfeitures.

 

Juneau August Fest Undergoing Changes

 

1/1/13 – An annual summer event in the Dodge County seat will see some changes in 2013. Chamber of Commerce officials say Juneau August Fest has been moved to July and it’s also getting a new name. Jam ‘n Juneau will be held this year July 19th through the 21st at the City Park. The event will otherwise be similar to past years and while there may no longer be a buck-skinners encampment, there will still be plenty of music, games and food.

 

BDCH Foundation Grant Applications Being Accepted

 

1/1/13 – The Beaver Dam Community Hospitals Foundation is accepting applications for grant funding requests through mid-month.  Grant requests must be consistent with the mission of the Beaver Dam Community Hospitals Foundation and are intended to support community projects and programs that promote the health and wellness within the geographic area served by the hospital.  Since January of 2006, the foundation has awarded more than $386,000 in restricted and unrestricted funds.  The deadline to submit applications is January 15. Organizations interested in applying for a grant for local health care or community health programs, please contact Dawn O’Polka at (920) 887-4077, or at dopolka@bdch.org, for an application or additional information.  For more information, visit www.bdch.com.

 

Gas Prices Heading Downward

 

1/1/13 – Wisconsin gas prices will be down for the year – but oh, so slightly. The Triple-“A’s” statewide average is 3.22-point-seven a gallon for regular unleaded. That’s almost four-cents cheaper than last year at this time. But it’s also three-and-a-half cents more than a week ago. Gas is averaging $3.17 in Beaver Dam. Patrick DeHaan of Gas Buddy-Dot-Com says the nation’s oil refineries took the spotlight in 2012 – and how vulnerable gas prices can be when the infra-structure is compromised. DeHaan cited numerous challenges for refineries in the Great Lakes this past spring – and it pushed gas prices in Chicago to record highs. Wisconsin did not see any record highs this year. Gas hit 3.93-a-gallon around the first of September – and it’s been going down pretty much since then.

 

Snowmobilers Urged To Stay On Designated Trails

 

1/1/13 – Wisconsin snowmobilers are being told to stay on their designated trails – or else they might lose them. Duane Meyers of the Dane County Council of Snowmobile Clubs says he’s been getting more complaints than ever from private landowners. And one of them has already cut off his property because of the riders who stray elsewhere on his land. Meyers tells W-I-S-C T-V in Madison that the vast majority of snowmobile trails are on private land. And when property owners cut them off, it’s a problem to set up detours – and riders who follow the rules are hassled because they must go out of their way to get someplace. Meyers says riders who stray off trails can kill the crops that are underneath. He says it’s an especially big problem in Dane County, because of the four large lakes that surround Madison. So far, Wisconsin has had two snowmobile deaths this season. They’ve been reported in Sawyer and Iron counties.

 

Christmas Tree Collections Begin Monday in Beaver Dam

 

1/1/13 – City of Beaver Dam residents who receive contracted solid waste collection services will be able to place Christmas trees and boughs street-side for collection by city crews beginning Monday (January 7). Trees and boughs must be free of ornaments, lights and stands so they can be chipped. Crews will continue to pick-up trees through Friday, February 1. Wreaths and boughs containing roping or wire may also be placed in the Veolia non-recyclable cart for collection as garbage. City residents can also dispose of Christmas trees and boughs at the Public Works Garage Yard Waste Drop off Site on South Center Street, Monday through Friday, though the garage is closed today (Tue).  Director of Facilities Jeremy Klug says the special collection will also include pickup of tree branches that came down with the recent winter storms. Branches cannot exceed seven inches in thickness and eight feet in length and must be left at the curb or brought to the DPW garage. No waste of any kind is accepted from outside of the City or from any contractors. Town of Beaver Dam residents will have one pick-up, it is scheduled for Friday, January 11. Only real trees will be picked up and they must be left at the end of the driveway by 6am.