1-23-14 farm income

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin farmers earned about $3.75 billion in profit last year, coming close to the record $3.8 billion earned in 2011.  That's according to a report released Wednesday by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Farm profit in 2013 was $550 million more than in 2012.  UW-Madison agricultural economist Ed Jesse says a healthy dairy industry helped generate much of the profit. Wisconsin dairy farmers had a record $5.6 billion in milk sales, which reflects both high milk prices and increased production.  The report published by UW-Madison's Renk Agribusiness Institute also says several years of good profits have put Wisconsin farmers in a strong financial position. On Dec. 31, 2012, the value of farm assets had increased by 8 percent from a year earlier, while debt increased by the same amount.

1-23-14 mental health bills

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin state Senate has passed a dozen bills designed to improve mental health services in Wisconsin. The measures passed with bipartisan support today now head to Governor Scott Walker. All of the measures cleared the Assembly unanimously in November. The proposals grew out of recommendations from a legislative task force that studied mental health services in the state.

1-23-14 beaver dam police investigating man's death

BEAVER DAM, Wis. (AP) — Police in Beaver Dam are investigating the death of a man found on a frozen pond in subzero temperatures. The man was pronounced dead yesterday afternoon after police were called. Authorities tell The Daily Citizen the middle-aged man was missing a shoe and did not appear to be wearing a coat.

1-23-14 tricycle hit and run update

MANITOWOC, Wis. (AP) — A local business is donating a new three-wheeled bicycle to a Wisconsin newspaper carrier who became lodged in the windshield of a car that struck him.  Fifty-six-year-old Steven Gove was hit Saturday soon after he finished his route.  The driver of the car has been arrested on tentative drunken driving charges.  The owner of The Fitness Store in Manitowoc is ordering a new adult tricycle for Gove after his was destroyed in the accident.  Gove says he is grateful because he needs a tricycle for work and doesn't have the money to buy one immediately.

1-22-13 merc celebrates 75th anniversary

Fond du Lac’s biggest employer is celebrating a major milestone this week.  Mercury Marine is celebrating its 75^th anniversary today.  Merc spokesman Steve Fleming says the company was founded by Carl Kiekhaefer in 1939 when he purchased a bankrupt engine manufacturing plant in Cedarburg.  "With it came about 300 engines that weren't broke, they were just poorly built and poorly designed.  He took those engines, redesigned them, rebuilt them and then sold them and they were so popular and sold quickly,"  Fleming said.  Fleming said Kiekhaefer had planned to start a magnetic separator dairy farm, but  "suddenly he was an outboard engine producer and it took off from there."  Kiekhaefer moved the facility to Fond du Lac in 1946.  Fleming says Mercury’s year-long celebration plans include events in various locations throughout the world.  A Mercury Marine museum will open on Scott Street near Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac this spring.   Fleming says Merc employs 31 hundred people in Fond du lac and continues to grow.

1-22-14 fdl county sheriff's office investigating armed robbery

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office says a town of Byron man was injured in a reported armed robbery.  Sheriff’s Captain Rick Olig says the robbery was reported shortly after 4:30pm Monday at a residence on County Trunk F in the town of Byron.  Olig says the 50 year old victim was transported to the hospital with what were described as non life-threatening injuries after he was hit in the head and kicked.
Olig says a a preliminary investigation indicates the incident does not appear to be a random act.  He says it appears the suspects were looking for prescription drugs and cash.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office.

1-22-14 fdl man arrested in domestic incident

A  Fond du Lac man has been arrested following a domestic abuse incident over the weekend that involved a gun.  Police were called to the Emma Street residence Sunday night after a woman dialed 911 to report her 33 year old husband was intoxicated and was loading a firearm.  Police say the couple had been arguing and a two year old child was in The residence at the time.  Police surrounded the residence and took the
Man into custody without incident.  The man faces charges of criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, battery, second-degree endangering safety and endangering safety by intoxicated use of a firearm.