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WALWORTH COUNTY SUNDAY
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JANESVILLE MESSENGER

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WALWORTH COUNTY SUNDAY

Telfer tabbed as next UW-W chancellor

WHITEWATER — The search for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s next chancellor never needed to leave campus.

UW System President Kevin Reilly and a special UW Board of Regents search committee have recommended interim Chancellor Richard Telfer permanently for the position. The full Board of Regents is expected to act on the recommendation in June.

“With 23 years of service to UW-Whitewater, Richard Telfer knows the campus from top to bottom,” Reilly said in a news release. “He came up through the faculty ranks, earning the respect of fellow educators and students along the way, demonstrating an uncommon commitment to the university and the whole community ... He has been, and will be, a tireless champion for higher education in Wisconsin.”

Telfer has served as interim chancellor since June 2007. Prior to that, Telfer served as the university’s provost and vice chancellor for five years, and as its associate vice chancellor from 1997 to 2002. He previously served as a professor and department chairman in UW-W’s curriculum and instruction department, and as an assistant dean of the campus’ graduate school. He first joined the campus as an assistant professor in 1985.

Telfer earned his doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has a bachelor’s degree in speech/English and a master’s degree in secondary education/reading improvement from Central Michigan University.

Telfer was one of five finalists for the UW-Whitewater chancellor position recommended by a campus search-and-screen committee.


A Sweet Tooth’s Dream

BURLINGTON — Every year, thousands flock to Burlington to enjoy entertainment, activities, and, of course, some chocolate during the city’s annual Chocolate Fest celebration.

This year, the festivals runs Friday through Monday (May 26). The theme is “Pirates of the Chocolate Be’an.”

“This is the perfect time of year to have Chocolate Fest,” said Jan Ludtke, director of the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce. “After a long winter this year, and (falling) on a holiday weekend, the timing is perfect.”

The festival will once again feature a Chocolate Experience area, filled with yummy treats from several area vendors and candymakers.

There also will be a chocolate-eating contest, Harley Day, a parade, a downtown art show, a treasure hunt, candy-wrapper fashion show, chocolate-carving contest, bake-off, fireworks and more.

“It is exciting to see the huge influx of visitors and community members who come out to enjoy the festival,” Ludtke said. “The Chocolate Experience area is very neat, and it is always exciting to see the unique project Nestle unveils each year.”

She added that Chocolate Fest has something for everyone, and truly has become a family-oriented event.

“Time with family and friends is wonderful,” she said. “But the best part, of course, is still the chocolate.”

The festival is held at Echo Park, located at 864 Maryland Ave.

For more information, visit www.chocolatefest.com.

STATELINE NEWS

Officials debate merits of harsher drunk driving penalties

By Sam Killian
Staff Writer

JANESVILLE — Alcohol all but destroyed Danny King’s life, and he doesn’t want anyone else to learn that lesson the way he did.

The 23-year-old Parker High School graduate and current Beloit resident was involved in an alcohol-related accident in 2005 that killed an 18-year-old woman. Now, King speaks out about the dangers of driving under the influence.

“You never think about who you can hurt, and who’s going to be affected by what you do,” he said.

While government and nonprofit groups have tried to educate the public for years about the dangers of driving drunk, the focus recently shifted to making penalties stiffer for repeat offenders.

Last week, Gov. Jim Doyle called for a law to make a person’s third driving under the influence charge a felony (see related story). Currently, a fifth offense is considered a felony.

In addition, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers proposed a bill to revoke driving privileges and confiscate vehicles of people convicted of a third drunk-driving offense.

Bill Hollingsworth, a drug and alcohol counselor for the Janesville Psychiatric Clinic, said tougher penalties could affect some offenders. He said many of his clients who are undergoing addiction treatment say the prospect of prison is the only thing keeping them from continuing their actions.

However, when dealing with addictions, more deterrents might be necessary.

“They need to change their lives, and it can’t be just a quickie eight- (to) 10-week treatment,” Hollingsworth said.

Local law enforcement officials agree that a mindset change may be more effective than a change in the laws.

A recent survey released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that 26 percent of Wisconsinites admitted to driving under the influence at least once last year — the highest percentage of any state. State Department of Transportation statistics show that drivers ages 25 to 34 were involved in more fatal alcohol-related accidents in 2006 than any other age group.

“From adults who were in high school when the drinking age was 18, there’s kind of an acceptance of, ‘Well I did it when I was in school’ mentality,” said Rock County District Attorney David O’Leary. “It’s just not considered socially unacceptable.”

Rock County Sheriff Bob Spoden agreed.

“It’s alarming that Wisconsin is the highest state in the nation for drinking and driving,” he said. “We’re committed to dealing not only with people who are currently drinking and driving, but also letting our young people know that this is not an acceptable behavior in Rock County.”

King recently spoke about the dangers of drinking and driving to students at Parker High School.

Hollingsworth said tackling the issue at a younger age could be crucial down the road.

“So many times your best friends will be your enemies at that point, and get you right back in (to harmful behavior),” he said.

In Rock County, convicted offenders enter the Intoxicated Driver’s Program, where they receive an evaluation and are sent to a rehabilitation class.

Some offenders need simple driver’s safety classes, while others are recommended for more extensive treatment.

Thanks to several state grants, the sheriff’s department now performs more underage drinking checks at local bars and has increased its drunk-driving enforcement. The county also received state grants to increase patrols during the prom season.

But Spoden and other officials believe increased enforcement isn’t enough, because often the legal consequences are lost on the individuals involved, particularly repeat offenders.

For King, until his accident — which occurred less than two blocks from his house — fun far outweighed the legal ramifications.

“I was doing this pretty consistently every weekend,” he said. “A lot of us think, ‘It’s not going to happen to me.’”

After spending a year in jail, King now attends alcohol-treatment classes and is on probation for the next eight-and-a-half years. However, he said his sentence pales in comparison to the pain he feels for his victim’s family.

“Knowing that a family that doesn’t even know you hates you — and that they’re totally entitled to it — is probably the hardest thing to deal with,” he said.

Spoden said increased penalties may not be the best way to address the issue.

“We have to change the way we view alcohol consumption in this state,” he said.

As the county turns to more jail-diversion programs for nonviolent offenders, Spoden said the focus should be on treatment and curbing repeat offenses.

“It’s been a slow transition, but we have seen some success with those programs,” he said.


Bucs primed for big year on diamond in 2009

By Rick West
Stateline News Sports

BELOIT — Eleven losses in 16 conference games kept the third-place Beloit College baseball team out of last weekend’s Midwest Conference tournament, but a number of individual and team records are evidence the future is bright.

“The guys really see next year as a chance to do some great things,” head coach Dave DeGeorge said of his team, which finished 18-16 overall.

“I think we’re hungry enough and confident enough that we feel we should do quite a bit better than that,” DeGeorge said.

The chase for records (see related graphic) included a head-to-head battle between sophomore infielders Scott Slubowski and Ryan Schmitz for the school’s single-season at-bats and hits records.

“We both would have rather been fighting for the conference tournament than battling with each other, but we made it fun,” said Schmitz, the team’s shortstop.

Both players surpassed the previous records, with Schmitz collecting 48 hits and Slubowski 134 at bats.

Slubowski also set a new Bucs mark with 40 singles in 2008 and became the school’s top fielding second baseman with a .985 fielding percentage. He committed only three errors in 198 chances.

“When I do make an error, it really bothers me,” Slubowski said. “I would rather strike out than make an error. It’s that big of a deal to me.”

Slubowski topped the team with 12 stolen bases, while sophomore first baseman Hunter Nelson had a team-best .392 batting average. Schmitz led the team with 29 RBIs. He also made seven appearances as a starting pitcher, posting a 1-4 record with a team-best 38 strikeouts.

Behind the plate, sophomore catcher Matt Bartz set a single-season mark by throwing out 22 of 43 base stealers for a team-record percentage of .512.

“Our pitchers didn’t have to get (more than) seven innings of outs this year, because Matt was able to throw people out,” DeGeorge said. “That’s a huge statistic.”

The Bucs’ pitching staff also had a good season, with one pitcher adding his name to the record book. Sophomore reliever Chris Welborn set records with 16 appearances and five saves.

“Those records were about helping out the team; that’s what it’s all about,” Welborn said. “Five saves count as five (team) wins.”

Welborn ended the season with a 4-4 record and a team-leading 2.77 earned run average.

“Every time I stepped out there I was confident we were going to make the plays,” Welborn said.

Junior starting pitcher Rick Krajewski led the Bucs with six wins in nine decisions, just one shy of the team’s all-time wins record.

The left-handed starter noted the Bucs’ offense made his job easier.

“When staked to a five run lead early on … it takes a lot of weight off my shoulders from worrying about giving up that one or two runs,” Krajewski said. “It gives me the freedom to go out there and just throw.”

The biggest concern, DeGeorge said, was the team’s .277 batting average with runners in scoring position.

“Our biggest weakness — and this was at its worst in the conference games — we weren’t as good with runners in scoring position as we needed to be,” he said. “We left a lot of runners on base.”

In 34 games the Bucs stranded an average of almost nine runners per game.

The Bucs are losing only a few players — outfielder Jeff Weiner and pitcher Ryan Nichols who are seniors, and junior pitcher Brett Erlenbach, who may not return.

“I don’t know that we absolutely need anything,” DeGeorge said about his recruiting efforts for 2009. “I look at the recruiting from a standpoint of trying to bring in a quality player just about everywhere so that we kind of protect ourselves.”

The returning players say they are committed to winning a championship.

“I think everyone is going to expect to win,” Schmitz said. “Losing is not an option anymore. We’re a winner now, and we expect to be in the conference tournament next year.”

JANESVILLE MESSENGER

Horse-rescue organization asks for help achieving its mission

By Sam Killian
Staff Writer

JANESVILLE — As animal-rights activists bristled last month at the euthanizing of Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles, Soledad del Oeste was enjoying her new lease on life.

The horse, plagued by hoof and ankle problems, faced imminent death before being taken in by the Footville-based Humane Organization Rescuing and Saving Equine, an organization that cares for and rehabilitates injured and neglected horses.

High-profile racehorses like Eight Belles, who collapsed on the track at Churchill Downs when she broke both front ankles shortly after crossing the finish line, make up only a portion of animals in danger of being euthanized or abandoned after an injury.

“A lot of horses are being turned loose in national parks, or they’re being abandoned at sale barns,” said Dean Peterson, an equine veterinarian at the Janesville Animal Medical Center. “So there is a need for places that will take them in. But it’s expensive.”

Cindy Bondowski and her husband, Jim, founded HORSE about 10 years ago. In that time, the organization has adopted out nearly 35 horses and has cared for countless more. At any time, there are 15 to 40 horses at the facility.

The Bondowskis believe their cause is worth every penny.

“We’re trying to stop the slaughtering of these animals, and trying to find good homes for them,” Jim Bondowski said.

However, many of those horses are too sick and injured to be put up for adoption, and will remain at the HORSE farm until they die.

“We don’t give horses out if they aren’t suitable to be ridden,” Cindy Bondowski said.

Jim Bondowski is a veterinary technician and equine massage therapist, and performs basic rehabilitation on injured horses. However, the group must call area veterinarians or a farrier for other medical procedures and shoe-work.

Put simply, the job is a labor of love.

“We put food in the horses’ mouths before we put food in our mouths,” Cindy Bondowski said.

Tractor Supply Co. of Delavan has helped gather donations for the organization. The store, which sells horse-care supplies, accepts items such as saddles or bridles, and also donates feed products the store cannot sell.

“We don’t get into too many organizations because it becomes overwhelming,” said store manager Matt VanDyne. “We have a lot of equine enthusiasts that shop with us, so it fit in with our business and clientele to work with them.”

Because HORSE is not yet a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, it cannot accept horses taken in by the Rock County Humane Society or other organized equine-rescue organizations.

Jim Bondowski said the group has applied for 501(c)(3) status, and expects to be approved in six to eight months. After receiving the federal tax-exemption status, he added, HORSE will apply for a state license from the Department of Regulation and Licensing.

“We’ve got our Web site set up, which is a big requirement (for approval),” Cindy Bondowski said.

Peterson commended the organization for its work, but said equine owners should ask questions before turning their horses over to anyone.

“It’s a big time and financial commitment, and I applaud those that try to do it and do it well,” he said. “If a rehab facility is starting up, they need to have enough pasture for the whole summer.”

For now, the group will continue its mission of finding good adoptive homes for the horses it cares for. The Bondowskis hope to see more happy endings like that of Soledad del Oeste and another horse, Shadow, whose mother died last month shortly after he was born.

Cindy Bondowski’s daughter, DeAnne Day, and her family adopted both horses. The Days will house them at the HORSE farm until they move into a new home.

“I’ve never owned a horse, and now I gained two in a week,” said Day, whose family also are HORSE volunteers. “I’ve been riding horses from this farm for a while, and I just decided I needed one.”

Although Shadow will stay with a surrogate mother for several more months, DeAnne’s husband, Ryan, said he immediately fell in love with the horse.

“He was just like a pet dog, really,” he said. “He’d lay down by your side.”

DeAnne looks forward to the challenges of being a horse owner.

“It kind of gives me a feeling of responsibility,” she said. “I’ve never had anything like that to say was mine, and it’s very fulfilling.”


Parker grad ends college career on record-breaking note

By Chris Karstaedt
Staff Writer

JANESVILLE — No one should be surprised if Janesville native Justin Bohler is glued to television coverage of the men’s heptathlon and decathlon at the Summer Olympics in Beijing later this summer.

That’s because Bohler, a 2004 Parker High School graduate, has competed against several Olympic qualifiers, including Brian Clay of the United States, a 2004 Olympic decathlon silver medalist.

That head-to-head experience came Feb. 15-16 during the heptathlon of the Iowa State Classic in Ames, Iowa. Bohler, competing as a member of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee squad, finished sixth in the event and set a school record with 4,995 points.

The heptathlon consists of seven events over a two days: a 55-meter sprint, long jump, shot put and high jump on the first day, and 55-meter hurdles, pole vault and 1,000-meter run on the second.

Bohler said he will forever cherish his victory over Clay in the event’s 1,000-meter run.

“He is probably the best decathlete in the world,” Bohler said of Clay, whom many believe is an odds-on favorite to bring home a second Olympic medal this summer.

Bohler recently completed his college career as the holder of two UW-Milwaukee records. In addition to the heptathlon, he set the school’s all-time mark in the decathlon with 6,836 points April 11-12 during the Sea Ray Relays at the University of Tennessee.

The decathlon is made up of 10 events over two days: the 100-meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump and 400-meter run on the first day, and the 110-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500-meter run on the second.

Bohler finished fifth at that meet in a field filled with some of the nation’s top decathletes.

“It was really something knowing that I could compete on the same level with those guys,” he said.

The roots of that competitive drive were evident during Bohler’s time at Parker. He burst on the scene by finishing third in state in the 110-meter hurdles his junior year.

“Justin started to turn heads,” said Parker track coach Joe Dye. “He was one heck of an athlete, and a great person on top of that.”

Soon after, Bohler started to receive recruiting letters from a number of colleges. He narrowed his choices to UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee.

After a second-place state finish in the 110-meter hurdles his senior year, he decided to become a Panther.

“It was a tough decision, but Milwaukee offered me a better scholarship,” Bohler said.

Looking back on Bohler’s college career, UW-Milwaukee coach Pete Corfeld couldn’t be more pleased with the Parker graduate’s commitment and performance.

“Justin is a great competitor and a good student,” Corfeld said. “He represents everything that UW-Milwaukee student-athletes are about.”

Bohler quickly learned that going from high school to collegiate athletics was a bigger adjustment than he expected.

“The biggest difference was the difficulty of the track workouts,” he said. “In high school, I would practice my event for an hour, and I would be done. At Milwaukee, I would lift in the morning for about an hour-and-a-half, and then practice two to three events later in the day.”

He also had difficulty managing his time between academics and athletics. After being an “A” student in high school, he had a 2.9 grade-point average after his freshman year at UWM.

“It was a shock for me to see my grade-point average that low,” Bohler said.

By his sophomore year, he learned what it takes at the collegiate level to excel in the classroom and on the field. His grades got better, and he won Horizon League titles in both the 400-meter hurdles and the heptathlon.

“He struggled at first with dividing his time up between school and practice,” Corfeld said, “but he was a good student, and once he learned how to manage his time, he was fine.”

Bohler’s career has come full circle. Although he won’t be competing in any more track meets, he has other goals to look forward to. In December, he will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

“I’m really going to miss being with the team, the camaraderie and the friends I have made,” he said.

 

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