News – May 28, 2022

(Slinger) A suspect is in custody after Washington County authorities responded to Slinger Middle School yesterday (Friday) afternoon for reports of a student with a gun. There were no injuries reported. Sheriff’s officials say that an arrest was made, but did not immediately provide any more information on the individual. They say a gun was not located but a search of the school grounds was conducted and the all-clear was given around 1:50pm. Authorities did not indicate if a weapon of any kind was recovered. Parents who gathered at a staging area at Kettle Moraine Bowl were escorted by the Wisconsin State Patrol to the school’s parking lot to pick up their children. The sheriff’s office says the middle school will remain open for the remainder of the day. (Madison) Wisconsin politicians are not on the same page on how to prevent future school shootings. The Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly says there should be a discussion about arming teachers. Republican Robin Vos says he’d also like to talk about having more police officers or armed guards at schools. Governor Evers says he doesn’t think classroom teachers in Wisconsin even want to be armed. The Democratic governor says he’d prefer something like new background-check laws instead. – WRN (Beaver Dam) A Beaver Dam man accused of assaulting his girlfriend was arraigned this week. Martin Macias entered a not guilty plea to three felony counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault – Use of Force. Beaver Dam police were dispatched to the hospital in January to investigate a domestic incident. The victim reportedly told law enforcement that Macias had beating her with a leather belt, metal spatula, and wooden spoon causing severe bruising and redness. She allegedly said the 27-year-old then sexually assaulted her. According to the criminal complaint, the victim said their infant child was nearby and witnessed the attack. If convicted, Macias faces up to 120 years in prison. (Trenton) A plea and sentencing hearing was scheduled this week for a Fox Lake man charged with his 10th OWI offense. Daniel Kraft was allegedly drunk when he veered into the ditch in the Town of Trenton on New Year’s Day. When asked how much he had to drink, Kraft allegedly said (quote) “a lot” but that it did not matter because he was not driving. He also reportedly refused Field Sobriety Testing but he was taken to the Beaver Dam hospital for a blood draw. Kraft has nine OWI convictions between 1991 and 2003. If convicted, the 58-year-old faces up to 15 years in prison. The hearing is slated for July 18th. (Wisconsin) Ahead of a state Supreme Court ruling on their use, Chippewa Valley lawmakers rally for ballot drop boxes. Representative Jodi Emerson and Senator Jeff Smith say ballot drop boxes are a safe, secure, and effective way for voters of all ages, incomes, and abilities to cast their ballots. Drop boxes were used during the 2020 fall and 2021 spring elections. A Waukesha County judge ruled them illegal in January. A bill to change Wisconsin election law passed the Republican-controlled state legislature earlier this year, but Governor Evers vetoed it. – WRN (Lowell) The Lowell Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9392 will be holding their Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday. The event will begin at the Catholic Cemetery located on South River Street in Lowell at 7:45am. Organizers say after a brief ceremony, the parade will assemble and march to the bridge in Lowell for a short ceremony to honor veterans lost at sea. The parade will then continue to South Street to the VFW Veterans Memorial Park where the Memorial Day program will start at 9am. This year’s speaker is Colonel Todd Nehls, Wisconsin Army National Guard retired. (Randolph) Organizers with Lost Lake Randolph Historical Society are highlighting their Memorial Day event on Monday. A Memorial Day Mass will be celebrated at 11am at the Lost Lake-Randolph Historical Society at W11827 Concord Road in Randolph. Lunch will be served following the service. Organizers say they are also looking for family members of veterans who are buried at Lost Lake to place a flag on the grave of the veteran. Those interested in attending are encouraged to contact Chris O’Brion at 920-326-5145. (Green Lake) Green Lake will be among communities across the nation Monday holding Memorial Day ceremonies. Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lisa Meier says the parade in the downtown kicks things off at 8:30 am. Hosted by the Green Lake American Legion Post ceremonies will be held at the high school at 9 am with a ceremony at the Dartford Cemetery at 10am followed by a ceremony at the Bluffton Cemetery. In Berlin there will be a parade at 9:30am. Waupun has a parade at 9 am with ceremonies at Shaler Park at 10am or the Community Center if there is inclement weather. (Dodge County) Vehicle sales in the region through April have seen a sharp decline. According to the Waterloo-based industry tracking firm Reg Trak, there have been a total of 1,098 car and light truck sales in Dodge County in the first four months of 2022, 365 less than in 2021 or a decrease of nearly 25-percent. Car sales were down 34-percent while truck sales dropped 23-percent. (Wisconsin) Wisconsin’s Muskie season opens today (Saturday). Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist Zach Lawson says anglers can expect some good action and a healthy number of fish. The state minimum limit is 40 inches and one fish per day, but many waters have specific limits. Regulations can be found at DNR-dot-GOV. – WRN