News – August 7, 2019

(Juneau) An audit of the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office recommends transitioning the jail staff from an eight-hour work shift to 12-hours with a shorter work week. The recommendation, presented to the county board’s executive committee yesterday, says jail staff needs to be increased by four employees. The report noted that despite the county’s size, deputy response times are excellent. The full county board will hear details during their August 20th meeting.

(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Police and Fire Commission is taking issue with a mandate handed down by the city council that requires all departments to use the same firm for cybersecurity. The PFC is an independent entity and commissioners countered with a motion that reserves the right of the PFC to review the scope of the security project, which must be done in compliance with justice department guidelines, and requiring approval from both the police and fire chiefs and the commission.

(Brooklyn) Authorities have identified the person killed when a tractor rolled on top of him yesterday (Monday) in Green Lake County. The Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office were called to Spaulding Hill Road in the town of Brooklyn around 6:30pm. 61-year-old Robert Kallio perished when the farm equipment he was working on rolled, trapping him under it.  Chief Deputy Mark Putzke says while foul play is not suspected, the incident remains under investigation.

(Berlin) The 28-year-old Berlin man suspected of being involved in a brief standoff with police at the Kwik Trip Store in Berlin this past May was arraigned in Green Lake County court yesterday. The lawyer for Justin Burkhardt entered not guilty pleas on his behalf. A plea and sentencing hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday and if he maintains his innocence a trial will be scheduled. No one was injured during the May 19th standoff, which began with calls about a drunken man at the store who was waving a gun around.

(Poynette) A Poynette man was arrested last (Tuesday) night for ninth offense Operating While Intoxicated. The Wisconsin State Patrol reportedly came across James R Park in a vehicle stopped partially in the roadway on Chrislaw Road at County Road J around 8:30pm. Upon making contact with 77-year-old, the trooper allegedly noticed a strong odor of intoxicants. Parks was arrested after a standard field sobriety test was administered.

(Madison) Quick-thinking employees at a Madison Culver’s delayed a drunk driver with a free scoop of custard — then called police. Fifty-six-year-old James M. Myshak now faces a charge of operating while intoxicated, seventh offense. Myshak apparently scraped his car against the side of the building while advancing to the drive-thru window last Friday. When Madison police arrived, he admitted he’d been drinking.