News – March 10, 2020


(Beaver Dam) A Beaver Dam man shot by police during a domestic incident was sentenced to nine months in jail yesterday (Monday). Richard Henke, who was convicted of felony Intentionally Pointing A Firearm at Law Enforcement, sustained non-life-threatening injuries after being shot in October of 2018. The 36-year-old was involved in a physical altercation with a woman and when police arrived Henke pointed a rifle at the officer, who unloaded his weapon as he dove into another room. At sentencing, District Attorney Kurt Klomberg said if a person points a firearm at an officer and that officer discharges his weapon in response, there should be a significant term of incarceration. In addition to jail, Henke was placed on probation for three years.

(Horicon) A Horicon man made his initial appearance in a Dodge County courtroom yesterday on charges that he raped a minor. Branden Hammond allegedly assaulted the 13-year-old at his apartment last June. Hammond, who was in the Dodge County Detention Facility for a misdemeanor Theft conviction, was reportedly recorded over a phone conversation admitting to his actions. If convicted, the 18-year-old faces up to 40 years in prison. A signature bond was set at $1000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled next month.

(Beaver Dam) An electronic survey will soon be available for staff, students and parents that will help the Beaver Dam School District with their strategic plan. Last year the district partnered with Slinger-based School Perceptions, which is an independent research firm that specializes in conducting surveys for educational agencies, to develop a survey for all students. This year, Beaver Dam has expanded the survey to include staff and parents of students. Superintendent Mark DiStefano says moving forward the district will have three different engagement metrics they can use to establish goals, targets and focus areas. DiStefano says the survey should be available in April with School Perceptions having the results sent back to the district for review sometime in May.

(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation has announced that $14-thousand dollars in grants will be disbursed to 14 Dodge County non-profit organizations as a part of their first-ever grant cycle. Among the organizations: Church Health Services, Beaver Dam Community Theatre, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bo’s Heavenly Clubhouse, Green Valley Enterprises, Marsh Haven Nature Center, Mayville Open Door, New Beginnings, PAVE and The Gathering Source. Grants not exceeding $2500 are intended to provide seed money to groups that have identified needs and constructive action programs aimed at solutions.

(Beaver Dam) State Representative Mark Born will be hosting office hours throughout his district in coming weeks. The Beaver Dam Republican will be in Mayville, Theresa and Lomira this coming Monday. On Friday, March 20 he will be in Horicon, Juneau and Beaver Dam. On Friday, April 3, Born will be in Hartford, Ashippun and Iron Ridge. Exact times and locations can be found with this news story at DailyDodge.com.

(Columbus) On WBEV’s Community Comment this (Tuesday) afternoon we will be looking at the details of the school funding referendum in Columbus with Superintendent Annette Deuman and School Board President Cindy Damm. If approved next month, the $30-million dollar referendum would address elementary capacity, high school upgrades, aging infrastructure and the acquisition of land for future development. Community Comment airs weekdays on AM1430 WBEV, streaming in audio and video at DailyDodge.com, beginning at 12:35pm.

(Shawano County) A former Shawano County firefighter says he was drunk and bored when he started a fire, then drove a fire truck to help put it out. Prosecutors are charging Corey Welch and his friend Bryan Wendler with starting the fire last month at a family farm. Investigators say Welch was drunk to the point of falling down while on the scene of the blaze. Investigators say both men eventually admitted to sparking the incident. They say they were hoping to find some gold nuggets and truck hood ornaments that they planned to sell.