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Homeless count in Rock Co

January 29, 2009 By

A record number of volunteers took to Rock County streets overnight to find and count the homeless. One of the surprises of the night – a possible meth lab in downtown Janesville.

Event coordinator Marc Perry says volunteers encountered chemical bottles that appeared to be used in the "cooking" of meth, in addition to drug parephernalia and needles. Perry says they also found clothes neatly hidden and stacked under a box in the same location. "It kind of freaked me out a little bit, really," says 16 year-old volunteer Annie Showers-Curtis, herself formerly homeless. "It makes me sad . . . it gets to me."

 

During the street count, 21 homeless people were found in Rock County, most of them in Beloit. Perry says he is surprised teams only found "evidence" of homeless people in Janesville. The information gathered overnight helps provide federal funding for programs to help those counted. 

Filed Under: Human Interest, Sports

WIAA names next executive director

January 29, 2009 By

Dave Anderson The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Board of Control named Dave Anderson as the next executive director of the association.  Anderson is being introduced at a media conference this morning at the Kohl Center in Madison.

The 55 year old Anderson (pictured) had been deputy director and will fill the vacancy created by the impending retirement of Doug Chickering, effective August 1.  Anderson becomes just the fifth executive director since the position was created back in 1924.

During his 11 years with the WIAA, Anderson has been responsible for student-athlete eligibility, officials licensing, interpretation of rules, tourament administration and planning, and committee leadership in the sports of football, baseball, wrestling, hockey and softball, as well as the medical advisory committee and wrestling's seven-percent committee. 

Anderson served as athletic director at Sun Prairie High School from 1991 until joining the WIAA.  The Kaukauna native began his career as a faculty member at D.C. Everest High School in Schofield from 1976 to 1979.

Filed Under: Top Story

Joker commits home invasion

January 29, 2009 By

Authorities say 26-year-old Cole Vetterkind of Thorp was shot in the leg early Saturday morning after he allegedly broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend.  Vetterkind allegedly attacked 23-year-old Jason Benzschawel.

According to reports, Vetterkind was wearing a mask that was removed during the scuffle to reveal he was wearing make-up similar to that worn by Heath Ledger, who played the Joker in the recent Batman movie.

Vetterkind is recovering from the shooting. The Clark County District Attorney's office has charged him with misdemeanor battery and felony burglary, strangulation and suffocation and intimidation of a victim.

AUDIO: Paul Knoff reports (MP3 :38)

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

Latest snowmobile death

January 29, 2009 By

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has released information from a fatal snowmobile accident. A Dunn County man was killed in a snow mobile accident Tuesday night on a trail between Wheeler and Boyceville. The DNR says the accident occured at around 10 pm on a trail that follows Highway 170.

The victim was identified as 46-year-old Timothy Turner of Wheeler. Turner was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and becomes the 16th snowmobile fatality of the season in the state.

According to DNR records, the worst year for snowmobile related fatalities was the 1999 to 2000 season when there were 39 deaths.

 

Filed Under: Sports, Transportation

GOP leaders: Get ready for tax increases

January 28, 2009 By

Governor Jim Doyle's state of the state (Photo: Jackie Johnson) The Republican Leaders in the Assembly and Senate agree that we're in for some tax increases.

Following Governor Jim Doyle's State of the State address, Senate Republican Leader Scott Fitzgerald says Doyle talked about his priorities, but didn't mention what he would do to protect those key items, such as education and health care. The Juneau Republican says it's clear that the governor was trying to prepare Wisconsin taxpayers.

"I think he was setting us up for the tax increases that are coming. The governor painted a picture of doom and gloom … tried to paint this as something where, you know, it's a national issue a federal issue, and as a result of that I think it's going to be difficult."

Assembly Republican Leader Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon) points out that the Governor did not specifically say he'd avoid tax hikes.

"No, well, I didn't hear from the governor. I don't know if you did, but I would have liked to hear him say we will not raise taxes to solve this budget deficit, but I didn't hear those clear words come out of his mouth tonight. So, hopefully that's not where they're heading but you know he said everything's on the table and that can be encouraging but that remains to be seen."

Jeff Fitzgerald says in Doyle's speech there weren't any details about how Doyle plans to create jobs, trim down the size of government or reduce the tax burden on hardworking families in our state.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:16 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government
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