News – June 22, 2020

(Beaver Dam) A unit at the Courtyard Apartments in Beaver Dam sustained smoke and fire damage yesterday (Sunday). Crews were dispatched to 812 South Lincoln Avenue at 5:46pm. The blaze in apartment 103 was knocked down within ten minutes of arrival. The cause was inattentive cooking by the tenant who lives in the unit. No injuries were reported and one family was displaced.

(Baraboo) The State Patrol is investigating a fatal accident in Marquette County late Sunday morning involving a motorcycle and a motorized bicycle. It happened on State Highway 23 west of County Highway AA near Endeavour. The bicycle was eastbound when it turned in front of the motorcycle. The 67-year-old Portage man on the bicycle was killed. The 57-year-old Baraboo man operating the motorcycle sustained non-life-threatening injuries while his passenger, a 57-year-old Baraboo woman, sustained life-threatening and was flown to a hospital.

(Beaver Dam) The Patriot Tour will return to Beaver Dam next month. Organizers with the Beaver Dam-based nonprofit Nation of Patriots confirmed its return on July 25th and 26th with events planned for both days. The details for the Beaver Dam stop are being finalized with city officials and will be announced in the coming weeks. Founder Bill Sherer says the people of Beaver Dam and city leaders have always been supportive of this effort and they are eager to celebrate the Tour’s arrival with the community they call home.

(Dodge County) Wisconsin health officials are reporting an increase of 280 cases of COVID-19 in its latest daily update, which is 4.6-percent of the 5700 tests administered. There are nearly 25-thousand people now having tested positive. State health officials are reporting 744 deaths, unchanged from Saturday. Dodge County has five deaths on record and 434 cases.

(Wisconsin Dells) A gentlemen’s club near Wisconsin Dells is under investigation for a COVID-19 outbreak. The Juneau County Health Department says anyone who was at Crusin’ Chubbys between June 10 and 14 may have been exposed.  Those suffering from symptoms of the virus are asked to contact their health provider.

(Fond du Lac) The Public Health Officer for Fond du Lac County says the Badger Bounce Back plan is in effect, but there is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding surrounding it. Kim Mueller says for that reason her department is issuing its own plan specifically for the County. She feels it makes more sense for the community to follow a plan designed specifically for Fond du Lac County. She says the plan will help businesses with the directions they need and will answer questions residents have regarding the size of gatherings and when it is safe to have larger gatherings.

(Wisconsin) Governor Evers is laying out his proposals to reform policing in Wisconsin amidst protests over police brutality. Bills on the table from Governor Evers include the ending of no-knock warrants, a prohibition against using chokeholds by police, and increasing the amount of information collected on use of force by police. Evers has said he’s not in favor of proposals to dismantle or defund police departments, and wants to work on more practical solutions.

(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam School District is sponsoring a free summer meals program for area youth. The Summer Food Service Program, which is funded by the U.S. Ag Department and administered by the state Department of Public Instruction, provides nutritious meals to children during the summer when food is sometimes unavailable. Food pickup locations include the Beaver Dam High School, Martial Arts of American in Beaver Dam, the YMCA of Dodge County and Crystal Lake Camp. More information is available with this news story at DailyDodge.com.

(Madison) The state Department of Public Instruction this (Monday) morning unveiled their plan for students to return to school this fall. The 87-page Education Forward Plan is described as a “guidance document” for local school leaders to use as they make decisions can be found at DailyDodge.com.

(Watertown) Watertown Regional Medical Center (WRMC) was once again nationally recognized for their efforts in providing safer health care. The facility was awarded an ‘A’ in the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. The Leapfrog Grade is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety which assigns a letter grade to all general hospitals across the country. WRMC was also awarded an ‘A’ grade in the fall of 2019.

(Beaver Dam) The intersection of South Spring Street and Cooper Street/Judson Drive will be closed to traffic through tomorrow. Beaver Dam’s Engineering Director Todd Janssen says beginning today, DPW crews will perform roadway grading in the area. South Spring Street traffic is encouraged to use an alternate route or the signed detour route of Front Street, South Center Street, Cooper Street, Myrtle Road and Beltline Drive. Janssen says completion of the work is weather permitting.