(Brownsville) Two ATVs went through the ice on Lake Winnebago off the Fond du Lac River late last night. Rescuers took the riders to St. Agnes Hospital. That includes a 55-year-old Fond du Lac man, 23-year-old Fond du Lac man and 22-year-old Brownsville woman. The 55-year-old man died at the hospital, he was unconscious and non-responsive due to being in the water longer than the others. The younger riders were treated and released. The ice where they went through was only an inch or two thick.
(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Common Council has approved a 15-day suspension of the liquor license for a Beaver Dam tavern that violated the city’s demerit point ordinance. Johnny’s Lounge was assessed points for a closing time fight last June. Appeals will have to be handled at the circuit court level. The penalty will not be enacted until after the appeals process has been completed. Attorneys for Johnny’s Lounge said last night that in addition to challenging the decision at the circuit court-level, a civil lawsuit will be filed in federal court. The attorney says that in addition to the city, the suit will also name the complainants, the police chief and a lieutenant, who could each be held personally liable.
(Beaver Dam) One a six-to-one vote, the Beaver Dam Operations Committee last (Monday) night advanced an ordinance change that would prohibit gravel driveway extensions in front yards. In 2010, the council approved an ordinance that outlaw’s people from parking on their lawn, though it did make concessions for those who convert a portion of their lawn to a driveway with concrete, asphalt or gravel. The new proposal would prohibit the gravel driveway extensions in the front of the house and make those with pre-existing gravel driveway additions convert the gravel back to grass, unless approved by the city. Mayor Becky Glewen says existing improvements would not be grandfathered-in. Gravel would still be allowed on the side and rear of residential properties and those with asphalt and concrete driveway extensions would not have to do anything. The matter will be considered by the common council at their next meeting.
(Beaver Dam) City officials in Beaver Dam are hoping to secure grant funding to help with the demolition of the former Lakeview Hospital which is being developed into condominiums. The city is shouldering the costs of demolition, estimated at $1.2-million dollars. The common council last (Monday) night approved the submission of a grant application with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. If approved, the grant would pay $300-thousand dollars of the demolition costs. The remaining demolition costs are being paid for with revenue generated though the new TIF #9. The new condo development is expected to add $4-million dollars to the tax rolls.
(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Common Council last (Monday) night approved a collective bargaining agreement with the union representing the police department. Union officers will see a two-and-a-half percent salary increase in each year of the three-year contract, which runs through December 31st of 2021.
(Madison) Governor Tony Evers first “State of the State” address is tonight (Tuesday). It has been a little over two weeks since the Democrat was sworn in as governor, after defeating Republican Scott Walker in November. Evers will highlight his priorities for the coming year before a joint session of the legislature in the Assembly chambers of the state Capitol, beginning at 7pm. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos will deliver the Republican response following Evers’ remarks.
(Wisconsin) Wisconsin livestock producers are being forced to make difficult financial decisions as hay prices go up due to shortages. Producers and feed suppliers say the shortages could eventually cause price increases for consumers. August flooding made the hay from local fields unusable and efforts to cut hay were limited by wet weather. Feed suppliers say they are having to pay more for hay this winter because the supply is so limited.
(Beaver Dam) Tomorrow is the deadline to secure a seat at the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner. The program honors a Non-Profit, Citizens and Business of the Year. St. Vincent de Paul Society of Dodge County is the Non-Profit of the year. Reed Chrysler is being recognized as the Business of the Year. Citizen of the Year is Mary Fitzgerald. The chamber’s Annual Dinner will be held on Wednesday, January 30 at Bayside Supper Club from 5pm to 8pm. The reservation form must be in by tomorrow (Wed). More information is available at beaverdamchamber.com, a link can be found with this news story at DailyDodge.com.
