(Beaver Dam) The race for the next municipal judge in Beaver Dam was narrowed yesterday (Tuesday). Maryann Schacht (shocked) and Todd Snow were the top two vote getters in Tuesday’s primary election. The multi-jurisdictional court handles municipal ordinance violations and traffic infractions for the cities of Beaver Dam, Mayville, and Waupun along with the towns of Ashippun, Beaver Dam, and Rubicon, and the village of Neosho. Schacht and Snow will now move on to the April general election. Dodge County Clerk Karen Gibson says voter turnout was 25-percent. There were some hiccups during the ballot tallying process last (Tuesday) night, we will dive deeper into that during our noon newscast.
(Wisconsin) The race for state supreme court has been narrowed to two. Milwaukee County judge Janet Protasiewicz (pro-TA-zay-wits) and former State Supreme Court justice Dan Kelly are advancing to the spring election. They defeated two other judges, Waukesha County Judge Janet Dorow (door-OH) and Dane County Judge Everett Mitchell. – WRN
(Watertown) The man killed after being struck by a train in Watertown has been identified. Police are investigating the death of Andrew Tucker of Watertown. Authorities say the accident happened around 6:35pm Friday night in the area of West Main Street and Hiawatha Street. They note that the 23-year-old was on foot at the time of the incident. Law enforcement add that there is no indication of criminal activity.
(Juneau) A Horicon man was charged yesterday (Tuesday) with failing to return to the Dodge County jail from a medical appointment. Cash bond was set at $2,500 for Andrew Zirbel who is facing a felony count of Escape – Criminal Arrest. Dodge County sheriff’s officials notified the public Monday that Zirbel, a Huber inmate, failed to return to the jail from a medical evaluation. The 35-year-old was taken into custody Monday night. Zirbel has a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 2nd.
(Juneau) The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has two K-9 retirements. Sheriff Dale Schmidt says that Tek will retire in March on Lieutenant Taylor Nehls’ farm and Kid will retire at the end of June. The sheriff adds that the department has found a replacement for Tek and hopes to have another K-9 and new handler by next month.
(Watertown) The city of Watertown is building a new fire station. The facility will replace the city’s current station, which was built in 1964 and is no longer suitable for the fire department’s needs and is not cost effective to renovate. The city council this week approved a design bid won by Short Elliott Hendrickson, not to exceed $547,580. The new fire station will be built on a 7.6-acre plot of land just off of Church Street. It is currently estimated to cost $11-to-$13-million-dollars. The goal is to build the station next year and have it occupied by 2025.
(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Common Council this week approved an increase in rates for the city’s shared ride taxi service. The city recently renewed its contract with Running Inc., and service costs went up 20-percent from $30 to $36 per hour since last year. In consultation with service provider, the proposal adopted is for a 50-cent, across-the-board increase, with a few exceptions. The last time the city increased taxi rates was 2004. The new rates will take effect on May 1st.
