News – January 16, 2023

(Juneau) The resignation of Dodge County’s district attorney signals a statewide problem concerning public safety. Kurt Klomberg’s last day as the county’s top prosecutor was Friday. As he left the position, Klomberg told WMTV in Madison his office will have zero attorneys working full time. He adds the prosecutor shortage is statewide and extremely damaging to the criminal justice system. A spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Administration says there are currently 48 vacant assistant district attorney positions, or 10-percent of the budgeted positions in the state. – WRN

(Beaver Dam) A signature bond was set at $10,000 for a Beaver Dam man accused of possessing illicit content of children. Anthony Patroelj reportedly uploaded multiple illegal files to a social media platform. When investigators reviewed his cellphone, they allegedly found several illegal videos and images. If convicted, the 24-year-old faces up to 225 years in prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 9th.

(Fond du Lac) One person was killed in a multi-vehicle crash in the township of Fond du Lac Saturday evening. A pickup truck heading south on Highway 151 was traveling at highway speeds when it collided with two vehicles stopped at the traffic lights near Interstate 41. One of the vehicles struck was occupied by a 58-year-old Waukesha man who was pronounced dead at the scene. A 62-year-old woman from Waukesha, who was also in the vehicle, was reported to be in stable condition. The occupants of the other vehicle struck were not injured. The driver of the truck, a 56-year-old Oshkosh man, was treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities say speed and alcohol are contributing factors in the crash.

(Beaver Dam) Church Health Services is having a call-a-thon today and tomorrow for donations to support the various health services they offer. The non-profit provides dental, medical, and mental health services to low-income children and adults living in South Central Wisconsin. Community Outreach and Events Director Beth Beal Loeck says people may be getting calls from Inter-Quest. If people do not get a call, she says donations can also be made by check, cash, PayPal, or on their website.

(Watertown) The governor is confident that an effort to repeal the personal property tax will make its way through the legislature this session. The tax requires certain businesses to pay taxes on assets such as furniture, signs, fixtures, and equipment. An effort to repeal the tax in 2021 fizzled out after Tony Evers vetoed the bill, but republican legislatures are reintroducing it again this session. While Evers was in Watertown last week, he said the matter should be able to pass through the legislature. At the time of the governor’s comments, he said he had not yet seen the current bill.