Branson In Beaver Dam
9/12/09 – Country music legend Johnny Cash died six years ago today. His memory will be alive and well in Beaver Dam though as the community theater hosts “Branson On The Road” featuring the only female lead guitarist to ever play with the Man In Black. Debbie Horton is the centerpiece of the rhinestone studded show which mixes classic country with good old-fashioned comedy. The traveling show is presented in the tradition of the Grand Ole Opry and the music shows visitors to Branson, MO might see on their world famous strip. “Bronson On The Road” is on the stage of the Beaver Dam High School Auditorium with show times today at 3pm and 7:30pm.
Study: Wind Power Lowers Property Values
9/12/09 – A recent study funded by wind-power critics says land values have declined on properties near wind turbines built as part of the state’s largest wind power projects. Property values fell by at least 19 percent for sales of land near the We Energies wind farm in Fond du Lac County, according to the study. Land values dropped at least 12 percent near Invenergy LLC’s Forward Wind project, a report says. The legislature soon is expected to go over a wind-siting reform bill to standardize permit procedures.
Brownsville Woman Tased Following Domestic Incident
9/12/09 – A Brownsville woman who was allegedly drunk while holding a weapon in the basement of her home was tased by sheriff’s deputy’s yesterday afternoon. The Dodge County Sheriffs Department responded to a residence on Oakdale Drive around 1pm after receiving reports from the woman’s husband that she was breaking things. The 46-year-old fled the house but later returned and was taken into custody with the assistance of the electronic control device and held on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Bail Jumping.
Public Supreme Court Funding Bill Promising
9/12/09 – Prospects are good for passage of the Impartial Justice bill, creating a system of full public financing for state Supreme Court elections. Less clear is how to pay for it. One of several financing methods being discussed is a taxpayer “opt out:” those who don’t wish to contribute to a public campaign financing fund would not have to. But not everyone agrees. Versions of the measure are in both the state Senate and Assembly. Action in one or both chambers is likely this fall.
Teen Cell Phone Band Considered
9/12/09 – Teen drivers could soon been banned from using a cell phone while driving. Lawmakers are considering legislation to bar drivers under the age of 18 or who have an instruction permit from using a cell phone while they are driving. Research shows drivers talking on cell phones are four times as likely to crash as other drivers. While some lawmakers want to ban cell phone use by ALL drivers, others maintain teens are a higher risk group.
Great Lakes Study Murky
9/12/09 – A $3.6 million investigation into low water levels on Lakes Michigan and Huron was meant to be open and transparent. But authors of the controversial study have come under fire. Most recently, the study authors have refused to release public comments solicited this summer. Some of the comments are critical of the study’s conclusion that nature is to blame for recent lake-lowering erosion in the St. Clair River, which flows into the lakes. The public comment period ended August 1st. The study is scheduled to be submitted October 1st to the International Joint Commission, which funded the work.
UW Research Centers Needed
9/12/09 – A report released Friday said seven University of Wisconsin campuses should create cutting-edge research centers to help small businesses. At a cost of $7.7 million, the seven Emerging Technology Centers would develop new technologies, train more students and create jobs. The centers would be up and running in four years, according to the report issued by a task force that studied how to turn university research into economic development. Center locations would be at the University of Wisconsin’s Oshkosh, Stevens Point, Whitewater, Parkside, Stout, La Crosse and Green Bay campuses.
Inadequate Racial Response in Whitewater SD
9/12/09 – The Whitewater Unified School District did not provide adequate safety last spring after a racist threat was discovered, as alleged by three black students and their families. In a federal lawsuit filed this month, the families are seeking unspecified damages and changes to school policies. The lawsuit states a racist message was found on May 14th in a boys’ restroom at Whitewater High School using the N-word. The message threatened death to six black students identified by name. School officials did not place the school in lockdown or cancel classes, and were slow to contact parents, according to the lawsuit.
Task Force Formed To Fight Child Care Fraud
9/12/09 – A newly formed statewide task force is designed to end fraud that plagues the Wisconsin Shares childcare subsidy program. State and federal officials have teamed up with the district attorney and sheriff in Milwaukee County to help end nearly $400 million in fraud each year in the public assistance program. Officials announced Friday the formation of the Child Care Anti-Fraud Task Force. It will investigate and prosecute childcare fraud in the Wisconsin Shares program, which provides childcare assistance to low-income families while they work.
Pizza Burns In BD
9/12/09 – A truckload of pizza caught fire Thursday night in Beaver Dam. According to Captain Lee Smith, his department responded to the parking lot of Richelieu Foods on Industrial Drive around 11:30pm after receiving reports of a refrigerated trailer that was on fire. Smith says the cause has yet to be determined but was likely an equipment malfunction. There were no injuries and firefighters were on the scene for about 2 hours. The salvageable pizzas were offloaded to another truck, but it was not determined how much pizza was burnt in the blaze.
Festival Celebrates America’s Hero’s
9/12/09 – The mother of fallen Beaver Dam soldier Ryan Cantafio Saturday’s “American Hero’s Music Festival” is an opportunity for the community to celebrate those who serve this country and protect our families. Sandy Hautamaki’s son was killed in Iraq on Thanksgiving Day in 2004. She will be performing today with her band Alexis. Hautamaki says as much as there is sorrow for those who have been lost, there needs to be happier times as well and her family ahs always gotten their joy from music. A portion of the proceeds raised at the festival will be directed to a scholarship in her son’s name and also in the name of Kirk Straseskie, a Beaver Dam-native who was killed in Iraq in 2003. Ryan’s cousin, Joe Cantafio is also performing today with his 101st Rock Division Band, a group that has performed for troops all over the Middle East. The “American Hero’s Music Festival” will be held today at Swan Park from noon to 10pm.