It’s Cold and Getting Colder
1/27/14 – A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect and will continue to 9pm tonight when it changes to a Wind Chill Warning; that warning will stay in effect until noon Tuesday. Dozens of school districts throughout Wisconsin are closed today and tomorrow. Classes had already been called off in some places, so teachers could attend professional development sessions. But many superintendents cited the nasty weather in canceling school until Wednesday. Another Alberta Clipper system has moved in. Parts of southwest Wisconsin had blizzard conditions last night. Grant County took its snow-plows off the roads. Fire-fighters in Fennimore rescued people from stranded cars. Prairie du Chien officials urged folks not to travel due to its blizzard conditions, as winds in that area hit 57-miles-an-hour last night. Parts of the state could get their coldest actual temps of the season tonight — as cold as 30-below by tomorrow morning. It might not get above zero anywhere in Wisconsin until Wednesday, when a warming trend could get highs back to around 20.
Before the cold weather really set in the blowing and drifting white fluffy snow was the issue. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department reported whiteout conditions early Saturday morning. On Sunday, the dayshift responded to five runoffs during their morning shift, another eleven runoffs during the afternoon and early evening and then only a couple during the overnight hours.
Authorities Search For Sedan That Struck Pedestrian
1/27/14 – Authorities are looking for the person who fled the scene after striking a pedestrian early Sunday morning in the Town of Beaver Dam. The accident happened around bar closing time on Madison Street, just south of Beaver Dam city limits. Dodge County Sheriff Pat Ninmann says a 33-year-old Beaver Dam man was walking south on Madison Street from Lake Crest Drive when a dark colored sedan drove into him from behind. A witness who was walking with the victim said the vehicle did not stop and continued southbound. It is believed there is significant damage to the right front corner of the sedan and possible the windshield. The vehicle was traveling at an estimated 40 to 45mph. The Beaver Dam man was taken to the Beaver Dam Community Hospital and then transported to UW Hospital in Madison for treatment of life-threatening injuries. The Dodge County Crash Investigation Team assisted at the scene. Evidence has been collected and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should contact the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department at (920) 386-3726. Caller can remain anonymous.
Beaver Dam Considering Ice Pre-Treatment
1/27/14 – Officials in Beaver Dam are considering a supplement to salt to help keep roadways clear of snow and ice. DPW Director Jeremy Klug says the city is exploring the possibility of pre-wetting salt with a salt brine or similar liquid. Mike Sproul, Winter Maintenance Engineer with the Wisconsin DOT, says currently about 90 percent of counties do some sort of pre-wetting. “Pre-wetting is a technique whereby counties will add a liquid to the salt as it’s coming off the truck. The purpose for that is that it helps it stick to the roadway better and helps it work better and start the brining process faster. Studies have shown that when you pre-wet your salt as it’s coming off the truck, about 25 percent more will stay on the roadway as opposed to bounce off into the ditches.” Sproul says plowing remains the most economical option to remove snow and that salt helps keep snow workable so it can be scraped away by plows. When thermometers drop below 15 degrees, salt begins to lose its effectiveness and means plowing is the main technique to deal with snow until temperatures warm back up. Meanwhile, Klug says Dodge County already pre-wets select locations in Beaver Dam, namely bridges and curves.
Search Underway For New Beaver Dam Police Chief
1/27/14 – A search for a new police chief in Beaver Dam is underway. The city’s Police and Fire Commission accepted the resignation of Police Chief Ronald Smith during a special meeting Friday. Smith has been with the department for exactly two-years. He previously served as Lieutenant in the Norwalk, Connecticut Police Department. Smith plans to return home back east to be closer with family. The PFC has not yet appointed an interim Police Chief. Smith says he has been working on a smooth transition. His resignation is effective February 3.
Toxicology Tests Pending In Retention Pond Death
1/27/14 – The person found last week on a frozen retention pond in Beaver Dam has been identified as Robert Freund. The body of the 51-year-old was discovered near storage units on North Spring Street Tuesday afternoon. Foul play is not suspected. A running vehicle located near the storage units he rented was confirmed to belong to Freund. The exact cause of death is pending toxicology results. Authorities say hypothermia clearly played a significant part. It remains unclear how Freund wound up on the retention pond. Anyone who may have information is asked contact the Beaver Dam Police Department.
Ice Fisherman Killed In Iowa County
1/27/14 – An ice fisherman was killed in southwest Wisconsin after he fell and hit his head on an icy street. Iowa County authorities said 52-year-old Doug Halverson was planning to go ice fishing in the village of Mifflin on Saturday afternoon. Officials said he was walking on a snow-covered road when he fell on his head. Halverson stopped breathing. A by-stander performed C-P-R before rescuers arrived and took him to a hospital — where he died.
Walker Meeting With Propane Officials
1/27/14 – Governor Scott Walker will meet Monday morning with people involved in the propane fuel shortage, before determining his next move. On Saturday, Walker declared a state-of-emergency, and authorized National Guard troops to help residents who need it. About a quarter-million Wisconsin homes heat with propane. The cold winter is partially to blame for the shortage — as well as the recent shutdown of a key pipeline, and the heavy use of propane by farmers to dry their grain last fall. That’s jacked up fuel prices from last winter’s high of 1.50-a-gallon to five-dollars or more. Some suppliers say they’ve stopped taking new customers, because they’re having trouble serving the ones they have. One Marinette man said his winter supply got down to 10-percent — and three propane suppliers refused to serve him until a relative was able to help out. Meanwhile, natural gas customers in northwest Wisconsin are being asked to conserve fuel today. X-cel Energy made the request after a Trans-Canada pipeline exploded on Saturday in Manitoba. The blast also damaged two other lines which are out of service. The three lines are X-cel’s main natural gas supply. The utility is asking customers set their heat at 60-degrees, and avoid using gas appliances today if possible.
Obama In Waukesha on Thursday
1/27/14 – President Obama will visit Waukesha on Thursday. He’ll talk about the economy during a visit to General Electric’s Waukesha gas engine facility. Obama will deliver his annual State-of-the-Union speech tomorrow night, and the Wisconsin visit will be part of the normal presidential follow-up tour highlighting key parts of his address. The White House says it will announce more details about Obama’s visit later in the week.
Baldwin Holding Dodge County Office Hours
1/27/14 – US Senator Tammy Baldwin will have a staffer hosting office hours in Dodge County this week. Baldwin’s regional representative will be at the Dodge County Administration Building in Juneau on Thursday from 10am until 11am. That afternoon, the Senator’s representative will be at the Beaver Dam Community Library for the hour beginning at 1pm. Baldwin says the office hours allow constituents to discuss federal matters or request assistance from a federal agency. No appointment is necessary.
Last Chance for Christmas Tree Collection in Beaver Dam
1/27/14 – City of Beaver Dam residents who receive garbage collection services have until the end of the week to place Christmas trees and boughs street-side for collection by city crews. The items must be free of ornaments, lights and stands so they can be chipped. Wreaths and boughs containing roping or wire may also be placed in the Advanced Disposal (previously 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. No waste of any kind is accepted from outside of the City or from any contractors.
