(Beaver Dam) A popular children’s book illustrator from Beaver Dam has passed away. 12 million copies of the 1989 book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, illustrated by Lois Ehlert’s, were sold. Her publisher Simon and Schuster says Ehlert died of natural causes on Tuesday at the age of 86.
(Beaver Dam) Two Dodge County food pantries were among 153 organizations from both Wisconsin and Iowa to receive donated meals from Alliant Energy. Throughout March and April, Alliant Energy provided three meals to a food pantry for each customer who enrolled in the company’s online account management tool. Over 73,500 meals were donated. Beaver Dam Community Food Pantry and Waupun Food Pantry were among the recipients. Over 24,500 customers contributed to support local food pantries, resulting in a nearly $25-thousand-dollar donation from Alliant Energy to local food pantries.
(Madison) The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee has voted to move forward with a plan to provide more federal aid to schools that kept their doors open during the pandemic. In total, Republicans are holding an increase in state spending on schools to just 10-percent of what the Governor has requested. – WRN
(Wisconsin) Wisconsin’s education secretary says schools across the state need more money than ever. Department of Public Instruction superintendent Jill Underly says schools have been changed forever because of the coronavirus, and she says they need more money. Legislative Republicans point out Wisconsin has more than $2-billion dollars in stimulus money to spend on schools over the next two years. – WRN
(Leeds) A man facing First Degree Intentional Homicide charges in Columbia County was in court for his arraignment hearing this week. Jason Kijewski, who is also facing a charge of Armed Burglary, stood mute and the court entered a guilty plea on his behalf. Kijewski is accused of killing 35-year-old Keith Wolf of rural Poynette in 2019. Wolf went to go investigate a noise in his basement when he was shot. The handgun used in the homicide was reportedly recovered when Kijewski was arrested. The 43-year-old is currently being held on a $2-million-dollar bond.
(Lodi) The Columbia County Health Department will be hosting a free walk-in Johnson and Johnson vaccine clinic next week Thursday. County health officials say appointments are not necessary, however people can register ahead of time online. Those interested must be 18-years-of-age and be able to stay on site for a 15-minute observation period after receiving their shot. The clinic will be held at the Lodi United Methodist Church on 130 Locust Street from 10am to 6pm. To register visit vaccine.WI.gov.
(Dodge County) Wisconsin health officials reported 37 COVID deaths yesterday bringing that number to 7,040. Dodge County is now reporting 169 deaths with 98 active cases. Thirty-three-point-six-percent (33.6%) of Dodge County residents are fully vaccinated while 37.9-percent have had at least one dose.
(Wisconsin) Wisconsin transportation officials and the State Patrol are asking travelers to buckle up, plan their routes, and drive carefully through work zones this Memorial Day weekend. Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary-designee Craig Thompson says for many, this holiday weekend will kickoff a return to all the summer recreation people love and careful travel will help everyone celebrate safely. A list of significant road construction projects can be found at 511WI.gov.
(Beaver Dam) On Community Comment this afternoon our guest is Beaver Dam musician Mark Malak …better known as Eddie Rivers, the longest serving steel guitar player in the Grammy Award-winning band Asleep at the Wheel…AND…the Beaver Dam High School’s 2020 Outstanding Alumni. Mark “Eddie Rivers” Malak may even bring his steel guitar to the Daily Dodge Television Studios on Bill McCollum Way when he is our guest at 12:35pm today streaming live and archived in audio and video at dailydodge.com.
