News – June 11, 2019

(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam School Board could decide on the possible closure of up to two elementary schools as early as next month. Officials Monday night reviewed three scenarios: the closure of South Beaver Dam Elementary and its consolidation with Jefferson Elementary after next school year; the closing Wilson and its consolidation with Washington Elementary after the next school year. The third involves closing South Beaver Dam after the next school year and closing Wilson after the 2022-2023 school year. The administration is formulating a recommendation based on school board input and community feedback; a decision could come as early as next month’s meeting. You can find full details on each of the three school closing possibilities with this news story at DailyDodge.com.

(Mayville) Mayville residents experiencing potential odors issues caused by the Glacial Ridge Landfill are encouraged to call city hall. A new process has been established to better track and handle odor complaints. Callers are asked to provide their name, address and a detailed description of the issue. The city will then reach out to the landfill to investigate. Mayor Rob Boelk says all grievances will be entered into a database to track how many complaints are made within a given month. Currently, air quality around the landfill is within federal EPA standards and Boelk credits the landfill operators for working with the city to reduce odors.

(Madison) State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says his caucus is considering a $400-million-dollar middle-class tax cut as part of the budget. Speaker Robin Vos said Assembly Republicans look forward to working with the Senate on that. Fitzgerald told the Wisconsin State Journal that Assembly and Senate Republicans had not agreed on a final number though he said it would be similar to the tax cut vetoed by Governor Tony Evers in January. Evers said Republicans failed to provide long term funding for that tax cut, and his spokeswoman said Republicans are “fighting to protect millionaires” while proposing a smaller tax cut for working families.

(Beaver Dam) Two Columbus men made their initial appearances in Dodge County court yesterday (Monday) for their alleged role in attempting to pawn stolen items. Samuel and Jesus Arredondo are both facing a felony charge of Receiving Stolen Property Between $2,500 and $5,000 As a Party to a Crime. Both men were allegedly caught attempting to pawn items stolen from a vehicle in Beaver Dam. If convicted, Samuel and Jesus face no more than three-and-a-half years in prison. Both had signature bonds set at $1,000 dollars.

(Juneau) A Beaver Dam man was placed on probation for three years yesterday (Monday) for failing to return to the Dodge County Jail while on work release. Correctional staff learned in January that Paul Digangi had not returned from his shift at a local construction company. After several attempts to contact the missing inmate failed, police contacted the company and learned that the 32-year-old had been fired the previous day. Digangi was located around a week later and was taken into Custody in Mayville after authorities received a tip from a citizen on his whereabouts. Digangi also had a one-and-a-half year prison sentence imposed and stayed.

(Madison) A man who died taking part in Sunday’s Ironman Triathlon in Madison has been identified. The Dane County Medical examiner’s office says 61-year-old Michael McColloch of Cottage Grove died of drowning after suffering a medical emergency in the water. McColloch was one of two men pulled Lake Monona during the swimming portion of the race on Sunday. The other man remains in critical condition.

(Milwaukee) A lucky Brewers fan got to drive home in a new car this weekend. Maybe just a little bit of body work needed. A Toyota RAV4 has been parked in the stands of Miller Park for six years, waiting to be hit by a Brewers home run as part of a give-away. That winning run came Sunday night against the Pirates when third baseman Mike Moustakas bounced a two-run homer off the roof to complete the promotion. The winner was a season ticket holder from Burlington.