News – July 31, 2021


(Beaver Dam) Racial Justice of Beaver Dam is hosting an event tomorrow (Sunday) to celebrate diversity. Renae Henning, a member of the group, says they saw a need in Beaver Dam to bring people together. Henning says tomorrow’s event, called Summer Celebration, was created out of discussion on how to bring people together to learn more about them. During yesterday’s WBEV’s Community Comment, Henning encouraged people to come open minded. Those interested in going are asked to bring a dish to share as well as lawn chairs, yard games, and crafts. Drinks and tableware will be provided. The Summer Celebration will get underway at 4pm tomorrow with a potluck at 5pm and will end around 7pm. It will be at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore located on 1022 Madison Street.

(Fox Lake) The Wisconsin State Patrol is asking for support in a nationwide contest. The American Association of State Troopers is holding its eighth annual competition to find the best-looking state police vehicle in the country. Wisconsin State Patrol’s entry features a photo of their cruiser parked in front of Mill Creek in Fox Lake at sunset. Voting ends on Tuesday (August 3rd) at noon. The winner will be presented with the “Best Looking Cruiser” award and be featured on the cover of the association’s 2022 wall calendar. A link to the voting page as well as a photo of the state patrol’s submission can be found at DailyDodge.com.

(Dodge County) Vehicle sales in Dodge County through the first half of 2021 have rebounded after seeing sharp declines due to the pandemic. According to the Waterloo-based, auto industry tracking firm Reg-Trak, there were 217 car sales through June compared to 175 through the first six months of last year, a 24-percent increase. Truck sales experienced a 36-percent jump with 1,905 rolling off dealer lots in 2021. There were 1,400 trucks sold in 2020. Columbia County car sales were up 45-percent through June with 180 sold compared to 124 in 2020. Auto dealers in Columbia County saw 330 more trucks sold in 2021 with 1,321, an increase of 33-percent. In Jefferson County, there were 204 cars sold compared to 147 in 2020, a 38-percent jump. Truck sales saw an increase of 47-percent, with 1,329 rolling off dealer lots compared to 899 last year. For the nine-county, south-central Wisconsin region as a whole, vehicle sales were up just over 31-percent. Truck sales topped 20-thousand, an increase of 33-percent, car sales were up 21-percent with 3,700 sold.

(Milwaukee) Milwaukee County jail inmates can receive 50 dollars for getting vaccinated against COVID-19. The Milwaukee County Board approved the cash incentive plan this week. Supervisor Ryan Clancy says there’s no time to lose in trying to contain the coronavirus Delta variant. Clancy’s plan sets aside 165-thousand dollars to pay jail inmates. The sheriff’s office says about half of inmates, and about half of jail staffers, are not vaccinated. – WRN

(Dane County) A Dane County man already charged in the death and dismemberment of his father will now be similarly charged in the death of his mother, following identification of her remains. Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett says dismembered remains found earlier this month along the Wisconsin River belong to Krista Halderson. Her husband Bart Halderson’s remains were found in rural Dane County. The couple went missing July 7, and 23-year-old Chandler Halderson was initially taken into custody for providing false information about his whereabouts. – WRN

(Wisconsin) Now that the cleanup is underway following this week’s severe storms, be sure to document everything that happened. Wisconsin Emergency Management spokesman Andrew Beckett says pictures and descriptions of the damage to your home or business are vital to local governments. Beckett reminds people to be safe and never clean up downed branches or trees if there’s power line damage in the area. Make sure you get the all clear before getting out there to work. – WRN

(Waukesha County) A Waukesha County deputy will remain on the job, as a special prosecutor reviews possible charges in a years-old shooting. Sheriff Eric Severson says he’ll let the investigation into Joseph Mensah’s shooting of Jay Anderson play out, and that Mensah will stay on the job in the meantime. A Milwaukee judges this week found probable cause to think Mensah broke the law when he shot Anderson in 2016. Mensah was cleared in that shooting twice. Both times, investigators say Anderson was reaching for a gun. – WRN

(Watertown) Watertown Reginal Medical Center recently announced the addition of three new providers to their Pain Management Clinic. Dr. Maher Fattouh, Dr. Obinna Orji, and Nurse Practitioner Chris Thomas all started on July 27th. With the additional providers the hospital was able to expand their clinic hours, allowing for more appointments each day. Going forward the Pain Management Clinic, located inside the hospital at 125 Hospital Drive, will be open Monday thru Friday from 8am to 4:30pm. Watertown Regional Medical Center CEO Richard Keddington says the Pain Management Clinic provides and important service to those in the community suffering from pain or a lack of mobility. Services available at the clinic include diagnostic and pain blocking injections, implantable nerve stimulators, medication management, hands-on therapy, alternative therapies, and lifestyle consultation. Dr. Fattouh completed his pain fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic’s Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care. He specializes in spine pain, neuropathic pain, spinal cord stimulation, and complex regional pain syndrome. Dr. Orji completed his medical education at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, he then completed his anesthesiology residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital with Columbia University. Dr. Fattouh, Dr. Orji, along with Nurse Practitioner Chris Thomas, all three have been teammates at Advanced Pain Treatment since 2020. Pain management treatment at Watertown Regional Medical Center requires a physician referral. Contact information can be found with this news story at DailyDodge.com.