News – June 10, 2020

(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Police and Fire Commission last (Tuesday) night voted to recommend that the city council move forward with putting a referendum on the November ballot asking taxpayers to fund six new paramedics in the fire department. The commission overturned a previous vote they had cast recommending eight new positions. The hiring’s were the conclusion of a study released earlier this year on staffing and the construction of a northside substation; the second station would not be part of the referendum. Fire Chief Alan Mannel wants to see the council sign-off on the referendum before August 25th, the deadline to get the question on the November ballot.

(Watertown) The Wisconsin Department of Justice has identified the person shot and killed by a Watertown Police Officer last month as Thomas Jeffery. Officers stopped the 32-year-old domestic violence suspect for a burnt-out taillight on May 31. Shots were fired from inside the vehicle and officers returned fire. Jeffery died later at the hospital. No other injuries were reported. The officer has been identified as Pedro Gallegos, who was placed on administrative leave, per department policy. The Justice Department continues to investigate and their report will be given to the Jefferson County DA.

(Dodge County) Wisconsin health officials are reporting an increase of 270 cases of COVID-19 in yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) daily update, 1.9-percent of the nearly 14,000 tests administered. There are 21,308 people now having tested positive. State health officials are reporting 15 more deaths bringing that number to 661. Washington County recorded its tenth death yesterday and has 281 positive tests. Dodge County has four deaths and 406 cases, an increase of six from Monday.

(Waupun) The Wisconsin Department of Corrections say an additional inmate and employee at Waupun Correctional tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday (Tuesday). There have now been 226 inmates who tested positive along with 21 employees, both figures are the most among all state prisons. Nearby Fox Lake Correctional is also seeing increased testing. The Wisconsin National Guard announced yesterday two coronavirus testing teams will be collecting specimens at the facility through today. The prison had previously tested five inmates and all the tests came back negative.

(Beaver Dam) A Beaver Dam man was sentenced yesterday (Tuesday) to two years in prison for threatening and spitting at police. In January, Nathaniel Hoffman plead no contest to felony Threats To Law Enforcement and Discharge Bodily Fluid. Hoffman made violent threats toward officers while they arrested him for a probation warrant out of Waupaca County in November. Hoffman spat at three officers while they were placing him into a squad car, forcing authorities to place a spit hood on his face. Hoffman was also placed on extended supervision for two years.

(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Unified School District has announced a timeline for reopening some of their facilities. On Monday, the district is opening up their green space, tennis courts and fields for public use. On July 1st, all 11 and 12-month staff are required to report to work in person. Employees will be directed to comply with any access requirements, travel paths and work spacing guidelines. The Don Smith Learning Academy is also hosting their graduation ceremony in the school auditorium on July 1st. On July 6th, the district office on McKinley Street will be open for regular business access. Visitors are asked to schedule appointments ahead of time. People exhibiting flu-like symptoms are asked to stay off school grounds.

(Beaver Dam) Marshfield Medical Center Beaver Dam has updated their visitor policy to allow a limited number of guests to enter the facility. Clinic, emergency and urgent care patients can bring one support person. Hospital adult patients are allowed one visitor per day between 7am and 8pm. Labor and delivery patients can have one visitor or support person per hospital stay. Visitors are still not permitted for adult patients who are COVID-19 positive unless there are unique circumstances. However, pediatric patients who have coronavirus are allowed one adult visitor. Visitor restrictions for Hillside Manor, Remembrance Home and Eagle’s Wings remain in effect.