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Dane County judge gives Speaker Vos one last chance to avoid contempt in open records lawsuit

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Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is getting one last opportunity to prevent a contempt ruling in an open records case.

Attorneys from Vos’s office told Dane County Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn that they were unable to compel special counsel Mike Gableman to comply with an open records request, something she found unlikely. 

“That’s what you’re telling me is that Mr. Vos, who has the control and responsibility for this contractor, can’t get his own contractor even though he has a contract with them to cooperate with him to just satisfy the court.”

Bailey-Rihn says complying with her order shouldn’t be that hard. 

“It’s not like this is Batman, that you have to send out the Bat-Signal to get somebody to respond. This is a contractor that is in Waukesha with an office and Waukesha where you live”

Vos’s office will have to show the judge they’ve attempted to get records by the next hearing in June. 

Three elderly Marathon County residents scammed by crooks pretending to be grandchildren

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Marathon County deputies say a group of scammers stole over 80 thousand dollars from three elderly residents over the last few weeks.

Public information officer Sarah Severson says the scammers pretended to be distressed grandchildren. “That grandchild was being held in jail and needed bond money and these individuals called asking for that money and then later showed up at the victim’s home in person to collect the cash.”

Severson says it’s a reminder to stay in touch with elderly family members and to set up code words in case of real trouble. “So if you do receive a phone call that someone that you don’t know is asking you for money it’s really important that you verify the facts.”

If you have any information or received one of these calls, you’re asked to reach out to the Sheriff’s office as well.

Madison police have no suspects in arson at Wisconsin Family Action, warn against future violence

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Madison Police chief Shon Barnes couldn’t share much information about the arson at Wisconsin Family Action over the weekend. 

“I have no indication that this was an inside job, the person who owns the building wasn’t there at the time. And so I don’t know, there’s always going to be conspiracy theories.”

Barnes did confirm that an incendiary device was used to start a fire Sunday morning.

Barnes says violence over free speech is not the answer, despite the increased tension over abortion rights. 

“I can tell you that there’s no there’s no place in Madison or anywhere else for this because it could have gone differently, I think if someone had been there. And if you’re thinking about doing something like that, I would recommend that you not, it doesn’t look good for your cause. It doesn’t look good for our community. And that’s not what we expect.”

There was some fire damage to the inside of one office and some graffiti on the outside of the building.

If you have a tip, call Madison PD Crimestoppers at 608-266-6014.

Be safe around Wisconsin’s dams

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Even small dams can be dangerous to boaters. That reminder from the DNR for Dam Safety Day.

Uriah Monday with the DNR says small spillways are some of the most dangerous places.

“Either people being unaware that, you know, water becomes more swift near them, or people daring themselves, maybe inappropriately, and taking a ride down them or, or playing near them.”

Monday reminds boaters and anglers to always keep their distance from dams and spillways, to always wear their life preservers, and to keep clear of roiling or churning water near dams. 

“Right at the foot of them after water comes over the spillway area and begins to slow down. There can be a backwater or rolling action, which can pull a small craft under.”

Find out more online at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Dams

Wisconsinites have a poor view of Speaker Vos according to MU Poll

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This month’s Marquette Law School Poll shows Wisconsinites have a poor opinion of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, if they have one at all.

Poll Director Charles Franklin explains. 

“Despite being such an important government figure and having held that position for a long time 49% say they haven’t heard enough about Speaker Vos to have an opinion. Of those with opinions, 12% are favorable, 29% were unfavorable. Not surprisingly, there’s a pretty sharp party split on that question as well.”

In comparison, Governor Tony Evers has a 49 percent job approval rating.

MU Poll shows tightening primary for Dems in US Senate, steady numbers in GOP primary for Governor

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The possible winner of the Democrat primary for a US Senate seat is still up in the air, according to the Marquette Law School Poll.

Poll director Charles Franklin says two candidates remain in the lead. “We have Mandela Barnes at 19%, Alex Lasry at 16%, Sarah, Godlewski at 7%, and Tom Nelson at 5%. And the other seven candidates we asked about all at 1% or less.”

But 48 percent of Democrats still say they don’t have a candidate or didn’t know enough to make a decision just yet. 

That’s a similar case for the Republican primary for Governor. Franklin says Republicans seem to be leaning towards former Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch for now, at least among people who have made a decision.

“Rebecca Kleefisch continues to lead there at 32%, Kevin Nicholson at 10%, and Tim Ramthun at 4%.”

Forty-eight percent of Republicans still don’t know enough about the candidates to make a choice. The poll was conducted before businessman Tim Michels entered the race this weekend.

Not enough people know about the Republican elections investigation to have an opinion on it.  Despite the divisive nature of the probe among political circles, poll director Charles Franklin says not many people know enough about it. 

“57% this month said they hadn’t heard enough. And another 2% said they didn’t know. 13% had approved of the job [Special Counsel] Gableman is doing, 27% disapproved.”

Taxpayers are paying over 600-thousand dollars for the investigation, plus more for legal fees stemming from several open records lawsuits filed against Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Special Counsel Mike Gableman.

Juvenile arrested in connection with death of Lily Peters

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Chippewa Falls police say a juvenile male has been taken into custody in connection with the death of Lily Peters. That arrest was made Tuesday evening. Police Chief Matthew Kelm couldn’t elaborate much further. 

“The suspect was not a stranger, the suspect was known to the victim.”

WEAU in Eau Claire reports that police were on the scene of a home not far from where Peters went missing on Sunday, and that matches where Kelm says a search warrant was executed.

No charges have been filed at this time, and police have not released any further details.

Speaker Vos extends elections probe after Trump statement

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The Republican elections probe will not be ending after all.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos had previously said that he was closing down Michael Gableman’s investigation into the 2020 presidential election this week, but has now extended the probe.

In his statement, Vos says he wants to “guarantee the legal power of our legislative subpoenas and get through the other lawsuits that have gridlocked this investigation.”

Former President Donald Trump put out a statement on Monday that didn’t name Vos specifically but did say that “anyone calling themselves a Republican” should support the investigation, and that he might support primary opponents in local races.

Tub full of puppies found abandoned on Neenah sidewalk

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Police officers in Neenah are trying to figure out who left a plastic tub full of puppies on a sidewalk Sunday night.

Community officer Joe Benoit says the dogs were located in a residential area. 

“There was no food or water available to the puppies. So the puppies were taken into custody and placed in the local animal shelter provided with food and water there and they continue to be cared for.”

Benoit says they’re already getting a flurry of calls and tips in the case and are investigating. “If in fact, the investigation concludes that the dogs were intentionally abandoned, the owner could be cited with a municipal violation, they could be charged criminally.”

The dogs will be held by the shelter for observation before any choices are made on adoption. 

Missing Chippewa Falls girl found dead, police seek suspect

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A ten-year-old girl is dead, and police in Chippewa Falls are calling the incident a homicide.

Iliana M. Peters, who goes by the name Lily, had taken her bicycle to visit her Aunt on Sunday. Her family was expecting her to be home early in the evening, but when she hadn’t arrived home by 9 PM her father called the police. Searchers found no sign of her in the area between the homes, but after dark, they discovered an abandoned bike near the Leinie Lodge parking lot.

Crews were back on the search Monday morning and found a body that was confirmed to be Peters shortly after 9 AM near the brewery.

Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matthew Kelm says they are considering this a homicide investigation. 

“We encourage anyone with information to please contact the Chippewa Falls police department and to maintain a state of vigilance as there may be a danger to the public.”

Kelm says numerous agencies are now involved to help find a suspect in the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chippewa Falls police department at 1-800-263-5906.