Rivers continue to recede
KOSHKONONG — After many weeks of near-record flood levels on the Rock River in Jefferson County, only Newville remains above flood stage. Jefferson County Emergency Management director Donna Haugom said today that the water has been steadily on the decline, but the amount of damage is yet unknown. “I don’t know the extent of the damage yet because some of the houses are still surrounded by water,” Haugom said. “I need to get information from the municipalities from the people there with what has been affected, what are the issues, what are the things they might need help with and things like that.” As far as Haugom knows, all of the county’s roads were open with the exception of Bark River Road in the Town of Koshkonong, which remained closed due to water over the roadway. The falling water levels have allowed the slow/no wake ordinance to be lifted. Haugom said. However, she emphasized that boaters should be cautious. “It has been lifted, but please exercise caution because there’s still a lot of debris in the water,” Haugom said. “When it goes over the islands, it picks up those trees and those limbs that have fallen.” On Lake Koshkonong, the falling river levels are a welcome sight. (The full story appears in the May 9 Daily Union).
	INDUSTRIAL GROWTH — Food processing for both people and their pets is continuing to expand at Jefferson County businesses. Shown above is an aerial view of the ongoing construction of an addition to the Nestle Purina PetCare plant in Jefferson. It will add a new product line, new equipment and a warehouse addition. The expansion is expected to create as many as 20 jobs during the next five years. It represents $20- to $40-million in new investment at the Jefferson facility, which produces canned pet food products including Fancy Feast and Friskies brand canned cat food products. The project is slated for completion in early 2009. — Photos by Tom Boos.

OI golf outing to help establish scholarship

In its first five years of existence, the Spence Jensen Classic Golf Outing has raised more than $100,000 toward adaptive equipment, training and programming to assist Opportunities Inc.’s clients with disabilities.

This year, planners hope to raise another $20,000 or more toward a new scholarship the nonprofit agency is establishing in order to open up its programs to those not covered by government funds.

The sixth annual Spence Jensen Classic will take place Thursday, June 5, at the Koshkonong Mounds Country Club, starting with registration and a buffet lunch at 11 a.m. and a shotgun start at 11:30 a.m. It will continue through a social hour at 5 p.m. and dinner and auction at 5:30 p.m.

“One of the major differences this year is where the money will be going,” said Jason Frey, Opportunities’ director of sales and marketing. “It will go toward our new vocational scholarship program.

“That’s one of the things we are really working on,” added Barb LeDuc, Opportunities’ president.

“There are so many people who come here for services: We provide services for 300 people internally and another 300 adults and youth externally in our vocational programs alone,” LeDuc said. “We payroll about 2,500 people per year through Opportunities Inc., including all the workforce development programs, etcetera.” (The full story appears in the May 9 Daily Union).

City of Fort, Project LEAD install crosswalk signs along bike path

The City of Fort Atkinson, in coordination with Project LEAD, has begun the process of installing crosswalk signs to promote greater safety for cyclists and pedestrians along the Glacial River Trail at the Vos Sentry Foods/Goyer Ace Hardware crossing on U.S. Highway 12/Madison Avenue.

Pedestrian-activated flashing lights and signage will make bikers and walkers more visible to motorists.

Project LEAD is a nine-month community leadership training program, sponsored by the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce. As part of the class training, Project LEAD members choose a project that will positively impact the citizens of Fort Atkinson.

By working together, the class members incorporate the skills they have learned during the training.

The class of 2007-08 has decided to focus on environmental stewardship, public health and safety, and beautification. Anyone who uses the Glacial River Trail or Jones Park will benefit from these projects.

Along with the lighted crosswalk signs, 20 oak trees will be planted to replenish existing oak stands in Jones Park. Project LEAD also has worked with volunteers Pete Weston, of Design Alliance, and architect students Josh Heussner and John Kleinschmidt, with input from city staff, to design a restroom that uses “green” principles. (The full story appears in the May 9 Daily Union).