WRJC Radio - Mauston, Juneau County, Wisconsin

4 killed in Wis. home in apparent murder-suicide

2012-02-03T22:46:05Z

DE PERE, Wis. (AP) – Police in De Pere say four people are dead in an apparent murder-suicide.

Police Chief Derek Beiderwieden says a person called police Friday saying he had killed three people.

WLUK-TV reports when officers arrived at the home they found the bodies of a woman and two children, all apparent murder victims. They also found the body of the husband, who apparently had killed himself.

Police recovered a firearm at the scene. Names of the victims have not been released.

Wis. governor to meet with district attorney

2012-02-03T22:45:08Z

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says he is voluntarily meeting with a district attorney leading a secret investigation into former close aides that has already led to indictments against five people.

Walker issued a statement Friday saying he will be meeting with Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm. He did not say when the meeting would take place.

The indictments so far have come against people who worked or were associated with Walker’s county executive office in Milwaukee before he was elected governor. Two people were charged with embezzling $60,000 from veterans and their families. Two others last week were charged with illegal campaign activity on public time.

Walker says he has hired two attorneys but no public money will be used to pay for their services.

UW-Parkside tightens security after threats

2012-02-03T22:43:56Z

SOMERS, Wis. (AP) – The University of Wisconsin-Parkside has tightened security after racially-motivated threats were made against black students.

A third threat was reported Thursday night, shortly after a Black Student Union meeting where participants discussed a rubber band noose found in a residence hall.

The Journal Times reports a group of students reported finding fliers at a residence hall that listed several names, racial slurs and death threats.

UW-Parkside spokesman Dave Buchanan says police are maintaining a heightened presence all over campus. Police are also on duty indefinitely at the two residence halls in the evenings and requiring people to sign in.

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department is investigating.

Wis. court vacates ruling on recall signatures

2012-02-03T21:17:03Z

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Court of Appeals has vacated an order that would require state election officials to be more aggressive in ferreting out fake or duplicate signatures on recall petitions.

The decision released Friday reverses a Waukesha County judge’s decision and hands a victory to Democrats who wanted to intervene in a lawsuit related to recall signatures.

Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign had sued the state Government Accountability Board, saying the GAB wasn’t planning to be aggressive enough in tossing fraudulent signatures. Democratic recall committees wanted to intervene in the suit but were denied.

The appeals court says the recall committees should have been allowed to participate.

The ruling sends the case back to Judge Mac Davis, who will have to issue a new order on how the GAB must handle signatures.

Neumann got $500,000 in grants

2012-02-03T21:16:05Z

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Solar energy companies owned by a tea party Republican strongly opposed to the 2009 federal stimulus package have received half a million dollars in grants under the programs.

The Associated Press first reported Thursday that GOP candidate Mark Neumann’s company Neumann Solar Leasing received about $81,000 in grants last year. But Neumann said Friday that company and another one, MN Solar Leasing, had gotten even more in stimulus grants and other tax credits.

The U.S. Treasury Department confirms that MN Solar Leasing got nearly $418,000 in stimulus grants. Neumann says his companies have gotten about $250,000 in additional tax credits established by President George W. Bush.

Neumann says the incentives have helped his companies invest in Wisconsin projects and create about 50 jobs.

Marcum, Brewers settle at $7,725,000

2012-02-03T21:12:24Z

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Pitcher Shaun Marcum and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a one-year contract worth $7,725,000, just ahead of the scheduled start of their salary arbitration hearing.

Friday’s deal was at the midpoint between the $8.7 million and $6.75 million figures filed by the sides when they exchanged proposed arbitration salaries last month.

Marcum made $4.05 million last year, when he went 13-7 with a 3.54 ERA. He is eligible for free agency after this season.

Reliever Jose Veras is the last Milwaukee player in arbitration.

Three arrested in traffic investigation

2012-02-03T19:10:22Z

A Mather man has been charged with OWI-5th offense and operating after revocation. The deputy said Wednesday night about 10 p.m. he was dispatched to the Town of Cutler to County Road H near Mulloney Road for a possible disabled vehicle and intoxicated driver. The weather had deteriorated and visibility was less than 100-yards due to the fog as the deputy approached a small pickup parked in the southbound lane of traffic. Investigation revealed the driver, 47-year-old Edward Parker was asleep and intoxicated. A passenger, 21-year-old Amanda Roate of Warrens, was uncooperative. During the investigation, Roate entered the pickup and allegedly had her hands inside a gun case which contained a loaded rifle. The deputy forcibly removed Roate from the truck and onto the ground. The deputy also ordered the second passenger, 23-year-old Kenneth Parker, to the ground. He partially went to the ground, then attempted to get back up. That is when the deputy drew his weapon, pointed it at the pair, and ordered them to stay on the ground. Two additional deputies arrived to assist. Roate was arrested and charged with resisting and carrying a concealed weapon. Kenneth Parker was arrested for an outstanding warrant. All three were transported to the Juneau County Jail.

New Lisbon man charged in domestic dispute

2012-02-03T19:01:13Z

A New Lisbon man has been charged with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct-domestic abuse. According to the criminal complaint, last month 57-year-old Chris Tserkezis allegedly got into a physical altercation with his girlfriend at their residence on 16th Avenue in the Town of Germantown. During a court hearing, bail was set at a $2,500 signature bond. Tserkezis is to have no contact with the victim. The defendant is allowed to get his belongings from the residence with a Sheriff’s deputy present. A plea hearing is scheduled for April 4th, 2012.

Due diligence process

2012-02-03T14:02:41Z

Woodside Ranch representative Dave Wabick, CSL project manager Wes Johnson, Stern Brothers VP Aaron Gadouas, and JCEDC Executive Director Terry Whipple held a press conference at Woodside Ranch east of Mauston Thursday morning.

Several months ago Woodside Ranch owner Damon Zumwalt approached the Juneau County Board requesting the County guarantee a $7-million loan towards a youth sports complex in the Town of Lemonweir. The County had done due diligence in determining the financial stability of Zumwalt, his businesses, and his ability to repay the loan. Aaron Gadouas of Stern Brothers had done a financial study last fall, now CSL Conventions, Sports, and Leisure International of Minneapolis has continued the due diligence process and completed a feasibility study. Thursday morning CSL Project Manager, Wes Johnson, Aaron Gadouas, and Woodside Ranch representative Dave Wabick held an in-depth meeting at the Woodside Rance east of Mauston before several Juneau County Supervisors and members of the community. Wes Johnson said, “the CSL study estimates the sports complex could attract almost 374,000 visitors annually resulting in a net operating income of $1.9-million.” The Juneau County Board is anticipated to vote on the approximately $8-million proposal at its February meeting.

Packers name Clements new offensive coordinator

2012-02-03T13:47:56Z

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) – The Green Bay Packers have hired Tom
Clements as their new offensive coordinator.
     Clements has been the Packers’ quarterbacks coach since 2006. He
replaces Joe Philbin, who left Green Bay to become the Miami
Dolphins’ head coach.
     Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers credits Clements for helping
his development.
     Coach Mike McCarthy called Clements’ promotion an “obvious
decision.” The offensive-minded McCarthy calls his own plays, but
relies on his offensive coordinator to plan during the week and
help make adjustments during games.
     Clements was a three-year starter at quarterback for Notre Dame,
guiding the Irish to a national championship in 1973. He played 12
seasons in the Canadian Football League.