Press Releases | Lodi Valley News

Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance’s Todd Berry to Speak in Lodi

Rating 2.33 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/7/10

Todd Berry, President of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX), the state’s oldest and most respected private government research organization, will address interested citizens in the Lodi area Monday, January 18, at 7:00 PM in the Lodi Elementary School large gymnasium. His topic will be, “Background Information on 2009-2010 school budgets”. The school board meeting, which was scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM, will be postponed until 7:45 PM to provide time for Mr. Berry’s presentation.

Mr. Berry is speaking at the request of School District of Lodi District Administrator. Mr. Shimshak opined, “The state’s fiscal crisis was essentially handed down to local school districts in the reduction of state aid, which then became a local property tax burden. This, coupled with the voter approved referendum caused a double-digit property tax increase for taxpayers in the School District of Lodi.” The public is invited to hear Mr. Berry’s perspective on the background to 2009-10 school budgets.

Information about the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance may be found on their website: http://www.wistax.org

Kick Off the New Year with the Unclaimed Property Auction

Rating 4.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
1/4/10

Items up for grab from the Office of the State Treasurer include diamond rings, collectible stamps and an 1800 Draped Bust Penny

On Monday January 4th, at 12:00pm (CST), Wisconsin State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass will start another year of monthly unclaimed property auctions on eBay.

“There are 22 lots in this auction with a variety of items,” said Treasurer Sass. “We are trying to make space in the vault for the next batch of contents from unclaimed safety deposit boxes, so we will hold these auctions once a month.”

This month’s eBay auction includes: diamond rings, gold pendants and bracelets and one lot with collectible stamps from around the world dating back to the 1940’s. Some of the coins for auction include an 1800 Draped Bust Penny, 1818, 1831 and 1853 Matron Head Pennies, and commemorative coins from around the world.

To see a list of the items, please visit www.statetreasury.wisconsin.gov . Click on the “eBay” logo at the bottom of the home page.

Each year, the Wisconsin State Treasurer’s Office receives the contents of safe deposit boxes from banks and other financial institutions that have been abandoned for at least five years. The names of the contents’ owners are published in local newspapers and entered into Wisconsin ’s Unclaimed Property online database. The contents are then stored in the state’s vault for two to three years.

If the owners or their heirs do not come forward to claim the contents, the Treasurer’s Office holds an auction. The proceeds from the sale are held for the rightful owners or heirs indefinitely.

The auction starts Monday, January 4th, at 12:00pm (CST) on eBay and ends the following Monday, January 11th.

To find out if you or a relative might have unclaimed property from a safe deposit box, search Wisconsin ’s Unclaimed Property database by visiting the State Treasurer’s website.

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New On-Line Resource Tallies News Reports of CCW Killings

Rating 4.50 out of 5

12/2/09
Lodi, WI

Concealed Handgun Permit Holders Have Killed 8 Law Enforcement Officers, 77 Private Citizens Over Two and a Half Year Period According to New On-Line Resource That Tallies News Reports of CCW Killings

Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort (WAVE) Says State’s Prohibition Against Carrying Concealed Handguns In Public Saves Lives and Protects Law Enforcement Officials

Washington, DC–Concealed handgun permit holders killed eight law enforcement officers and 77 private citizens (including 10 shooters who killed themselves after an attack) during the period May 2007 through October 2009 according to a new Violence Policy Center (VPC) on-line resource that tallies news reports of such killings. The web site, CCW Killers, is located at http://www.vpc.org/ccwkillers.htm and is updated monthly to include new fatal shootings and changes in the legal status of concealed handgun permit holders facing criminal charges. (Any concealed handgun permit holders who are eventually acquitted of their alleged crimes are not included in the tallies maintained on the site although the facts surrounding the shooting are detailed.)

Wisconsin and Illinois are the only states that prohibit the carrying of concealed handguns in public places. The gun lobby has targeted both states through aggressive legislation and litigation while using its special-interest money to intimidate elected officials in support of its pro-gun agenda. For example, in 2006 the National Rifle Association hosted its annual meeting in Milwaukee with the stated purpose of defeating Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, who had previously vetoed legislative attempts to enact a law allowing concealed handguns to be carried in public. Wisconsin gun violence prevention advocates say the leadership shown by the governor in standing up to the gun lobby has saved lives and should be a model for other governors and state legislatures.

“It is sobering to think of all the police officers and other Americans who have been murdered at the hands of concealed handgun permit holders,” said Jeri Bonavia, executive director of WAVE Educational Fund. “We are thankful that, here in Wisconsin , we don’t have a law that threatens our public safety by permitting the carrying of hidden, loaded handguns in public places.”

The new VPC web site offers detailed descriptions of the 46 incidents, which occurred in 18 states (see http://www.vpc.org/fact_sht/ccwtotalkilled.pdf for detailed descriptions of all incidents). Of these incidents, 10 were murder-suicides involving firearms and eight were mass shootings (three or more victims) that claimed as many as 11 lives at a time. Law enforcement officers were killed in Florida (two incidents), Idaho , Ohio , and Pennsylvania (two incidents). All of the law enforcement killings were committed with guns.

Private citizens were killed in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida (nine incidents), Idaho (two incidents), Kentucky, Michigan (three incidents), New York, North Carolina (two incidents), Ohio (three incidents), Oklahoma (two incidents), Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina (two incidents), Tennessee (five incidents), Texas, Utah (two incidents), and Virginia (three incidents). All but one of the killings were committed with guns.

Kristen Rand, legislative director for the Violence Policy Center, states, “This new web site makes clear that contrary to the false promises of the gun lobby the simple and deadly fact is that state concealed handgun systems are arming cop-killers, mass shooters, and other murderers.”

Because most state systems that allow the carrying of concealed handguns in public by private citizens release little data about crimes committed by permit holders, the VPC reviews and tallies concealed handgun permit holder killings as reported by news outlets. It is likely that the actual number of fatal criminal incidents involving concealed handgun permit holders is far higher.

The Violence Policy Center (www.vpc.org) is a national educational organization working to stop gun death and injury.

The Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort Educational Fund (www.waveedfund.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing firearm violence, injuries, and deaths in Wisconsin through education, outreach and advocacy.

Family is Forever: Children and Divorce Awareness Week

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
11/11/09

Governor Jim Doyle signed a Proclamation declaring the week of November 9-14, 2009 as Family is Forever: Children and Divorce Awareness Week in the State of Wisconsin. Governor Doyle encourages all state residents to recognize the importance of this public education event highlighting the needs of Wisconsin children experiencing divorce.

The Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin (CFLCW) is the proud sponsor of Family is Forever: Children and Divorce Awareness Week. CFLCW is a statewide association of lawyers, mental health professionals, and financial advisors, who work together for the peaceful resolution of family law matters.

Experienced collaborative divorce professionals are available for public speaking events and newspaper, television, and radio interviews to talk about:

- The revolution in divorce: why collaborative divorce is one of the fastest growing alternatives to traditional, conflict-centered divorce
- Reducing the negative impact of divorce on children and families
- Creative, child-focused solutions to divorce during these difficult economic times

On November 12, 2009, CFLCW will sponsor a workshop for professionals and the public: “Taking the War Out of Our Words” with national speaker Sharon Ellison at The Delafield Hotel.

For more information contact:

Attorney: Susan Hansen at (414) 273-2422 or sah@h-hlaw.com
Psychologist: Dr. Nancy Cannon at (414) 803-9967 or ncannon2@wi.rr.com
Financial Advisor: Garrick Zielinski at (414) 294-4755 or garrick@divfinsolutions.com

Lodi Curling Club Chili Feed Announced

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
10/15/09

Home Health United Hospice Fundraiser Announced

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
10/1/09

Home Health United Hospice is excited to celebrate 20 years of providing Hospice services in southern Wisconsin. To commemorate this remarkable milestone, we invite you to join your friends, neighbors and other committed citizens for a very special event!

On November 12, 2009, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Home Health United Hospice will host its 4^th annual fundraiser: “Spirit of Life—Supporting the Hospice Journey” at the Wilderness Resort Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells (www.wildernessresort.com). Guests will enjoy delicious appetizers, live music, and a silent gift-basket auction. The highlight of the evening will be a live auction featuring choice items donated by area businesses, individuals and organizations.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the St. Clare Hospice House Resident Fund which supports our ongoing commitment to make quality end-of-life care available to terminally ill patients and their families regardless of their ability to pay (see more details on the back of this page).

Timed perfectly for smart holiday shoppers, we expect to draw hundreds of attendees from all 11 counties served by Home Health United Hospice. For those opening their hearts to become event sponsors and/or to donate goods or services for the auction, the event provides a unique and highly valuable opportunity to increase exposure and enhance public image throughout southern Wisconsin. We hope you will choose to participate in either one or both of these capacities.

Thanks to generous community support, last year’s event raised more than $25,000 for the St. Clare Hospice House Resident Fund. With your help, we look forward to doing even better this year.

Details for getting involved as a sponsor or auction contributor are enclosed. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pam Geary Godfrey by phone at: (608) 276-7590, or e-mail pgodfrey@hhuvns.org. For more information on St. Clare Hospice House, visit our website at www.homehealthunited.org.

Thank you so very much for your consideration. We look forward to seeing you at the Spirit of Life event on November 12!

A Sponsorship Form is available for download here.

Sincerely,
Darlene Otto, Chair

Family is Forever: Children & Divorce Awareness Week

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
9/21/06

Free Business Breakfast Seminars at CBB – October 2009

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
9/16/09

As the world moves faster and becomes ever more competitive, it is vital that businessowners keep abreast of the latest strategies and resources. Community Business Bank (CBB), Sauk City and Lodi, is sponsoring a four-part seminar series on important topics for today’s business environment. You are invited to attend one or all of the presentations.

This four-part free seminar series will take place at Community Business Bank, 1111 Sycamore Street, Sauk City, on the dates listed below. Registration/continental breakfast from 7:30 – 7:45 a.m. and presentation/questions from 7:45 – 9:00 a.m. on each of the dates.

Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		Friday, October 2
Options in Healthcare Insurance Coverage . . . . . .		Friday, October 9
Networking Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		Friday, October 16
Recruiting – You Can Have The Dream Team . . . .		Friday, October 23

Due to limited seating, reserve your spot by calling Community Business Bank at 608.643.6300 or emailing bbreunig@cbbwi.com by September 30, 2009.

New National Study Says Background Checks on All Gun Sales Will Prevent Gun Violence

Rating 3.50 out of 5

Lodi, WI
9/15/09

Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort: The State Legislature’s Failure to Close the Existing, Gaping Loopholes Amounts to a State-Sanctioned “Guns For Criminals Program”

(Milwaukee, WI) – A landmark study released today by the UC Davis, Violence Prevention Research Program adds to the growing body of research that concludes that requiring regulation of all gun sales will prevent gun violence. According to Garen Wintemute, MD, MPH, the author of the national report, Inside Gun Shows: What Goes on When Everybody Thinks Nobody’s Looking, “the leading proximate source of crime guns is the private sales market. More than 85% of recovered crime guns have gone through at least one private party transaction following their initial sale by a licensed retailer.”

(Use the following link to see the full report, including hundreds of undercover photographs from gun shows in Milwaukee, Waukesha and elsewhere: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/vprp. The comprehensive study includes observations from 78 gun shows in 19 states between 2005 and 2008.)

Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort praised the study and said that the state legislature cannot continue to ignore all the mounting evidence and compelling data. To prevent gun violence and save lives, it needs to enact a law requiring a criminal background check on all gun sales.

“Currently in Wisconsin, our state’s gaping loopholes amount to a ‘guns for criminals’ program,” said Jeri Bonavia, Executive Director of WAVE. “Today’s study shows that there is an effective way to prevent gun violence. Now, the Wisconsin legislature needs to take action. If they pass a law requiring criminal background checks prior to all gun sales, they will prevent gun violence, and they will save lives. However, if they continue to do nothing, they will be guarantying that high-risk individuals, like felons, will continue to have easy access to guns: In essence, they’ll be saying that they just don’t care that 450 Wisconsinites are killed with guns every year. Our state lawmakers simply must find the political will to enact a sensible background check requirement for all gun sales; it really is that simple.”

According to a statewide poll, nearly 85% of Wisconsin’s likely voters, including 70% of our NRA members and supporters, are in favor of background checks on all gun sales.

Buying a Home . . . What You Need To Know

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
7/2/09

A free “Buying A Home . . . What You Need To Know” seminar is being presented by a panel of experts on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. Detailed information on the “First Time Home Buyer Credit” will be provided. You will learn about the steps to become pre-qualified for a home purchase and just how much home you can afford. Title insurance will be explained and why you may need a GAP policy. The pros and cons of investing in a foreclosed property will be shared, along with the benefits of a buyer agency relationship.

Mark your calendar to attend this presentation ~ it will take place on Tuesday, July 14, 2009, at Community Business Bank, 1111 Sycamore Street, Sauk City from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Registration and light meal begin at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are required as space is limited. RSVP by July 10 to reserve your spot – phone 608.643.6300 or email bbreunig@cbbwi.com.

Payment Relief In Sight for Those Struggling With Student Loan

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI Wisconsin
6/30/2009

Madison, Wis. People struggling to make student loan payments may find welcome relief beginning July 1, when a new income-based repayment option becomes available. This new option allows certain lower income borrowers with federal student loans, regardless of when they first borrowed, to make monthly payments based on how much they earn, rather than the amount they owe. Read more »

CBB To Sponsor Collette Vacations Seminar – July 15

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
June 26,2009

Discover spectacular Switzerland, Austria and Bavaria on a tour featuring multiple nights in three cities. The ten-day tour concludes with a stay in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau, which includes the amazing Passion Play. This original performance dates back to 1634. To lend authenticity to the performance, the cast start to grow their hair and beards more than a year in advance, with the intricate costumes made locally by the villagers. This high-end tour is recommended for both the experienced and inexperienced traveler. Mr. Julius Stecker, Collette Vacations Representative, and Ms. Debbie Corrao, Travelog Travel Agency, will provide detailed information on Oberammergau – July 2010 on Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at a seminar to be held at Community Business Bank, 1111 Sycamore Street, Sauk City from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Registration and light meal begin at 5:30 p.m.

Reservations are required as space is limited. RSVP by July 10 to reserve your spot – phone 608.643.6300 or email bbreunig@cbbwi.com.

Army Deer Study Is Inconclusive

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI
6/22/09

A pivotal human health study evaluating the potential uptake of residual explosives by deer has been found to be inconclusive. An independent technical review has determined that an oft-cited Army study is not able to confirm or deny whether it is safe to eat the deer from the Badger Army Ammunition Plant.

In response to renewed pressure from the U.S. Army to weaken required soil cleanup goals, rural neighbors of the Badger plant hired an independent consultant to review a deer tissue study which the military says supports their position. Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger (CSWAB) asked Environmental Stewardship Concepts, a Virginia-based firm with expertise in environmental health issues, to review the Army report. Read more »

Baldwin Announces Listening Sessions

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, WI 5/24/09

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin has announced that she will be in the district for four listening sessions this coming week. On Tuesday May 26, Baldwin will be in Waterloo at the Waterloo City Hall, 136 N. Monroe St. from 12:30-1:30pm and in Whitewater at Young Memorial Library, 431 W. Center St. from 3:00-4:00pm.

On Wednesday May 27, Baldwin will appear closer to Lodi with sessions in Baraboo at the Baraboo Public Library, 230 4th Ave. from 3:00-4:00pm and in Poynette at the Poynette Village Hall, 106 S. Main St. from 5:00-6:00pm.

All citizens are invited to attend or you may voice your opinion by contacting the Congresswoman via her website www.tammybaldwin.house.gov or at her offices:

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin represents the residents of Lodi and the surrounding area.

MADISON OFFICE
10 East Doty Street
Suite 405
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 258-9800
(608) 258-9808 Fax

WASHINGTON OFFICE
2446 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2906
(202) 225-6942 Fax

BELOIT OFFICE
400 East Grand Avenue
Suite 402
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 362-2800
(608) 362-2838 Fax

Confirmed Cases of H1N1 (Swine Flu) in School District of Lodi

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Lodi, Wisconsin-5/18/09

Contact: Mike Shimshak, District Administrator 608/592-3851

The School District of Lodi has been notified by Columbia County Health and Human Services that six of the seven new confirmed cases of H1N1 (Swine Flu) are students attending Lodi Elementary School, Lodi Middle School and Lodi Primary School. School closure is not advised unless a large number of faculty or students are absent and their absence interferes with the school’s ability to function. Read more »