(Beaver Dam) Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt is optimistic that a bill working its way through the legislature would make the operations of his department more efficient. The measure would allow private transport companies to handle emergency detentions. Currently, the so-called Chapter 51 transports to mental health facilities are handled by law enforcement agencies, which means one officer on duty could suddenly finds themselves busy for up to ten hours. The measure unanimously advanced out of an Assembly committee last month with an amendment that requires standards be required of the third party transport company. Sheriff Schmidt testified in Madison that such standards are not necessary because the county would be held liable if the transports were not safe and secure. The measure could be on the governor’s desk as early as next month.
(Fond du Lac) Three people were taken into custody following a standoff in the 100 block of Hamilton Place in Fond du Lac New Year’s morning. It started shortly after 6:30 am when police got 9-1-1 calls about shots being fired in the neighborhood. When police arrived, they also heard shots. Their SWAT team was called in while efforts were made to contact the person with the gun. Ultimately the situation was resolved peacefully with two men and a woman taken into custody. No was hurt during the incident.
(Dodge County) Dodge County authorities responded to a steady stream of calls on New Year’s Eve into New Year’s Day. Fire crews were dispatched to a barn fire in the Town of Portland, responding at 5:39pm to a farm on Glory Road. Two hours later, a 33-year-old Hartford man was arrested for OWI after speeding away from deputies on Highway 67 in Ashippun. At the precise stroke of midnight another drunk driver was apprehended on Highway 26 in Clyman. At 12:30am, deputies were called to reports of loud polka music in the Town of Beaver Dam. Upon arrival, deputies heard nothing and left. The complainant called back (quote) “very upset” saying that the polka music was blaring again. Deputies returned to the Kellom Road address, discovered that the polka music had indeed been turned back up, and asked the offender to turn down the polka.
(Fond du Lac) Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputies didn’t have too many suspected drunken drivers to deal with New Year’s Eve. A 34-year-old man was arrested for operating while intoxicated after a one-vehicle accident on Highway 41 northbound at southbound Highway 151 in the Town of Fond du Lac. The accident was reported at 9:11pm and the vehicles airbags were deployed. The vehicle had to be towed from the scene. The man had previously been arrested for operating while intoxicated.
(Fond du Lac) Fond du Lac County Register of Deeds Jim Krebs says it is now easier to obtain a copy of your marriage certificate. Beginning today anyone married in Wisconsin will be able to go to any Wisconsin Register of Deeds office to obtain their marriage certificate. Krebs explains that the increased availability of marriage certificates is part of a broader goal to provide statewide access to all eligible vital records, which include; birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. Register of Deeds offices are currently able to issue birth certificates from all Wisconsin counties.
(Illinois) Illinois has officially gone to pot. Marijuana use became legal yesterday (Wednesday) for adults in the Land of Lincoln. A Rockford shop called Sunnyside opened at 6am to crowds and long lines. The business is about 18 miles south of Beloit. Potential customers are being advised to bring identification and cash. Although Illinois is the second Midwestern state to legalize the sale of marijuana, it still cannot be used in public.
(Wisconsin) Three health care systems are out with their lists of the most popular baby names in Wisconsin in 2019. Top baby boy names were Oliver, Charles, and William. Top girl names were Stella or Estella, Adelyn, and Lydia. The lists were put out by H-S-H-S Sacred Heart Hospital, Saint Joseph’s Hospitals, and the Mayo Clinic.
(Beaver Dam) City of Beaver Dam residents can start placing Christmas trees and boughs street-side for collection by city crews. Trees and boughs must be free of ornaments, lights and stands so they can be chipped. City crews will pick-up the trees through the end of the month.
