News – September 18, 2021


(Juneau) The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office was busy during this year’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Between August 18th and Labor Day, deputies made 18 OWI arrests. Deputies assigned to traffic enforcement details made 114 traffic stops that focused on the initiative of deterring impaired driving. The sheriff’s office issued citations for 17 speeding violations, eight operating after revocation or suspension, and made two drug arrests along with 11 misdemeanor arrests. Sergeant Jeremy Wolf says while the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign has ended for the season; their focus remains on keeping communities as safe as possible. He says as their deputies continue to work throughout the year to keep impaired drivers off the roads, the public can do their part too by never letting someone who is impaired get behind the wheel.

(Wisconsin) A Fort Atkinson woman says her teenage son has died of complications from COVID. As of Friday morning, the Jefferson County medical examiner said it’s too early to say what killed the 13-year-old. However, the Fort Atkinson school board voted Thursday night to require masks in schools following Danny Rees died. Danny’s mother says she tested positive for the coronavirus shortly after her son died with cold-like symptoms. She and the family believe Danny had the virus. – WRN

(Wisconsin) Wisconsin’s jobless rate is holding steady. The Department of Workforce Development reports the unemployment rate for August was three-point-nine percent. That’s exactly where it’s been for months. The agency says Wisconsin lost more than eight-thousand jobs last month. The national unemployment rate is five-point-two percent.- WRN

(Milwaukee) The Milwaukee County clerk is declining a request from the head of the state Assembly’s investigation into the 2020 election. George Christenson says the request from former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to save voter data from the county’s voting machines raises a lot of questions. For one, Christenson says clerks already save voter information for almost two years. What’s more, Christenson says the email that he got looks like it could be a scam or phishing attempt. Gableman is leading the investigation commissioned by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. He’s not saying what he hopes to find. – WRN

(Wisconsin) Yesterday was a big day for Wisconsin schools. The amount of money each local district will get from the state this year will be determined by Friday’s attendance. Local school officials want as big a turn-out as possible in their districts. – WRN

(Watertown) A Watertown business is helping a vet-led disaster relief group. J & L Tire & Service has announced that for each set of tires sold throughout the month of September they will contribute $20 to Team Rubicon. The veteran-led nonprofit was initially formed in 2010 by a small group of Marines, volunteers, and medics coming to aid the community of Port-au-Prince, Haiti following a severe earthquake. The organization continued to further develop and expand in the U.S. growing from eight to over 150,000 volunteers and launching over 800 operations globally. The donations support disaster response efforts such as clean up after major storms and disaster events to help homeowners get back into their homes. Team Rubicon’s response is led by veterans who utilize the skills they learned in the military and apply them to emergency events domestically and abroad.

(Beaver Dam) It was another record setting year for the WBEV-95X Children’s Radiothon. Good Karma Brands CEO Craig Karmazin had announced a preliminary total on the air this morning, as money was still coming in. The total is now up to $131-thousand-756-dollars. That brings the 24-year-total to $2,382,302. After the Radiothon reached $60-thousand dollars, an anonymous donor announced a dollar-for-dollar match. The Radiothon benefits 17 local charities that work with kids.

(Beaver Dam) Alliant Energy is helping customers pay their energy bills. The utility recently donated $4-million-dollars to its Hometown Care Energy Fund and customers who need financial assistance are encouraged to use those funds to avoid falling behind on their bills. The $4-million is split between consumers in Wisconsin and Iowa. The Hometown Care Energy Fund is supported annually with funds from Alliant Energy shareowners, as well as voluntary contributions from employees, retirees, and customers.

(Beaver Dam) The public is encouraged to attend the outdoor market and vendor fair at the Dodge County Fairgrounds today (Saturday). The event is the first of two remaining flea markets of the year. Organizers say thrifters will enjoy good deals on knickknacks, glassware, baskets, clothing, and more. Local crafters will be selling a variety of handmade items for the fall season. There will also be an assortment of lawn art, floral displays, and signs available. The fair will be held rain or shine. Gates will open at 8am and will close at 2pm. Admission and parking are free. There will also be concessions available with all the proceeds supporting Frosty’s Fosters Animal Rescue. The final craft fair will be held on October 16th.