News – October 9, 2019

(Clyman) The town and village of Clyman held a joint meeting last (Tuesday) night to discuss merging their fire department with Reeseville and Lowell. Driving the discussion are struggles with a volunteer shortage. According to state statute, a town fire department requires 30 members. Clyman Fire Chief Eric Howlett says Clyman is currently at 20 while Reeseville and Lowell sit at 15. Moving forward, the three municipalities will form committee to hammer out details with the goal of merging to take place within the next two years.

(Juneau) Officials in Juneau are looking into security systems for city-owned properties. Utility Commission Chair Cheryl Braun told the common council last night that an incident at utility offices prompted the discussion. She says an unhappy customer became inappropriate and caused concern to employees. There has also been vandalism at the Wild Goose Park bathrooms. Braun says parents and their kids need to realize that there are consequences that comes with vandalizing public property. The matter is being discussed in committee and no action on the security systems has been taken as of yet.

(Juneau) The city of Juneau has a new clerk-treasurer. Shawn Hart will begin his new duties on October 21. The Common Council in August accepted the resignation of Valerie Knetzger (nets-ger), who had been with the city for around two years. Cheryl Giese (gee-zee) is serving as the interim clerk-treasurer. The council last night also approved a one dollar per hour pay raise for the police chief, as of January 1.

(Mayville) Heavy rains from last Tuesday’s severe weather has caused sewage backups in some Mayville homes. Mayor Rob Boelk tells Today’s TMJ4 that the city needed to dump sewage into the Rock River to prevent further damage to their wastewater plant, which was handling ten times the average amount of water that day. Boelk says homeowners who are experiencing hardship due to the recent flooding can contact the city’s treasurer for possible assistance. He says Mayville is exploring low interest loan options. The Mayor is also reminding residents that today is the last day the department of public works will be collecting bulk flood damage items placed at the curb. Boelk says any items remaining will be the responsibility of the homeowner.

(Waupun) An inmate at Waupun Correctional is facing Second Degree Sexual Assault charges for reportedly making inappropriate contact with a security guard. Darryl Carr is also facing a felony count of Battery by Prisoner stemming from the May 14th incident. Carr was restrained in his cell while a corrections officer came to administer medication. When the guard went to undue the 31-year-old’s straps, he allegedly touched the guard inappropriately. When questioned, Carr reportedly admitted his actions and did not believe it was sexual assault but was (quote) “sexual harassment.” If convicted, Carr faces an additional 46-years in prison.

(Beaver Dam) East Burnett Street in Beaver Dam will be closed again today (Wednesday) between Wayland Street and Fletcher Road. The road was supposed to be closed tomorrow (Thursday) for repaving but was moved up one day because of inclement weather in the forecast. East Burnett should reopen in the evening. McKinley Street between Charlton Street and East Burnett will also be closed during the same time frame. A suggested detour route includes Wayland Street, Beichl Avenue and Fletcher Road.

(Beaver Dam) The public is invited to attend a presentation tonight (Wednesday) that will provide an in-depth look at the history of the streets of Beaver Dam. Local historian Roger Noll will discuss the development of the city’s platting of streets from 1841 to the 1920’s which will include how they got their names, who gave them their names, what streets have change and what streets have disappeared. Noll says there will be two presentations, one at 2pm and another at 6pm in the basement of the Beaver Dam library.