The Dodge County Land Resources and Parks Department recently secured a grant from the state Department of Tourism. The $39,550 Joint Effort Marketing grant will primarily be directed towards conducting research to identify the region’s unique tourism assets and aligning visitor perceptions with current marketing efforts. This study will also help Dodge County pinpoint branding, marketing, and development prospects. The grant announcement was made late last month at a Beaver Dam Chamber’s Economic Update Luncheon. ...

JUNEAU — Dodge County Sheriff’s officials say a joint investigation between their detectives and the FBI into a “Grandparent” scam has led to the arrest of a Canadian national. It began last May when an elderly Dodge County resident called the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office saying they had received a call that their grandson was in jail and needed money for bail. The victim gave bail money to a suspect who came to their residence and identified himself as a representative for their grandson’s attorney. ...

WATERTOWN — The Dodge-Jefferson Counties Genealogy Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, in the community room at the Watertown Public Library for a presentation on “Germans to America’s Midwest: 1848-1900” put on by Scott Norrick, a member of APG, NEHGS and other genealogical societies. A summary handout will also be given during the presentation, which is expected to last 45 minutes with 15 minutes for questions and answers. ...

The Jefferson High School BASIC (Brothers and Sisters in Christ) club hosted its annual free community Thanksgiving meal Wednesday evening, Nov. 22, serving more than 300 diners both in person at the Jefferson High School commons and via takeout. More photos, page A2.

PALMYRA — After nearly 30 years at the helm of the Palmyra-Eagle Community Band, director Ed Pierce will be stepping down from the stand and joining the group as a musician. When he directed his first concert for the band, the group had only performed at local events. During Pierce’s tenure, it traveled to more than a dozen cities with year-round performances expanded to around 40 members. Childhood summer band...

WATERTOWN — After months of production halts and discourse surrounding the film and television industry, all strikes are coming to an end this week. But the future is still uncertain for small town theaters, who will suffer the consequences of numerous box office delays. As studios have fewer movies to distribute, independent theaters in areas like southern Wisconsin are taking the hit. “We started everything. I think the movie studios...

Pick 3 (Midday Monday, Nov. 13) 5-6-8 (Evening Monday, Nov. 13) 2-1-7 Pick 4 (Midday Monday, Nov. 13) 6-5-6-3 (Evening Monday, Nov. 13) 9-1-7-6 ...

MADISON — The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature passed a bipartisan measure on Tuesday to overhaul the state’s liquor laws and create new regulations for wedding barns. Senate Republican Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu introduced the proposal in a surprise, last-minute amendment that gutted a bill to set standards for alcohol and tobacco retailers and replaced it with lengthy liquor law overhauls nearly identical to those passed by the state Assembly in June. ...

JEFFERSON — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is alerting local residents, particularly hunters in the woods, to the possible local presence of a suspect in a double homicide who remains at large. In a release Monday, Nov. 13, the sheriff’s office wrote: The June 16, 2020, double homicide case involving suspect, Kevin P. Anderson, remains active. Our agency has continued to follow up on leads generated from multiple states and...

Erik Koskinen, 8 p.m. to Nov. 16, 12 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, Cafe Carpe, 18 S. Water St. W., Fort Atkinson. Corky Siegel and Jazz Fiddle Genius Randy Sabien, 8 p.m. to Nov. 18, 12 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17, Cafe Carpe, 18 S. Water St. W., Fort Atkinson. Smokin’ Meerkats @ Fharmacy Public House, 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, The Fharmacy Public House (Tyranena Brewing Co), 203 N....

Pick 3 (Midday Sunday, Nov. 12) 9-7-4 (Evening Sunday, Nov. 12) 5-2-9 Pick 4 (Midday Sunday, Nov. 12) 0-3-1-8 (Evening Sunday, Nov. 12) 9-0-5-9 ...

With less than a year to go until the 2024 presidential election, the Assembly on Thursday approved several bills that would change election administration in Wisconsin. Though the proposals come after years of conspiracy-fueled misinformation about the state’s 2020 presidential vote, they mainly address legitimate issues that election clerks say need to be fixed before the next election. For example, one bill would allow clerks to start processing absentee ballots...

WATERTOWN — On Saturday, Nov. 11, at 6:57 pm the Watertown Police Department received a report of a head on crash involving two vehicles in the southbound lane of the STH 26 bypass north of STH 19, according to a press release from the Watertown Police Department. The driver of the vehicle traveling the wrong way was declared deceased on the scene. There were no other occupants in the vehicle. ...

Wisconsin Pick 3 (Midday Saturday, Nov. 11) 6-0-9 (Evening Saturday, Nov. 11) 1-6-8 Pick 4 (Midday Saturday, Nov. 11) 1-2-7-5 ...

LAKE MILLS — A Trinity Pines resident not only celebrated Veterans Day last week, but also her 100th birthday. Mae Bryant is a former WWII Army member, who traveled around the world for years serving her country. She is also a Lake Mills native, nostalgic about what the town was like growing up. “We have a club here, Club 90, for everyone who’s 90 years and older. Sometimes, when we...

LAKE MILLS — Sunset Sanctuary Inc.’s hosted a successful open house at Milford Dew Ranch on Oct. 22. “This event marked a significant milestone with the establishment of our non-profit. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to this event,” Dana Tuyls, owner and event coordinator, said. The open house, which was open to the public, featured games, pumpkin decorating, face painting, a silent auction, food from Doyle’s Dogs, and the opportunity to interact with the ranch’s animals. Proceeds will help fund the ranch’s development, including construction and the acquisition of new horses. The proceeds will also help Tulys complete her therapy certification. “The generosity and support we have received have been instrumental in establishing Sunset Sanctuary, Inc., as well as making significant strides in growing our impact as a non-profit,” Tuyls said.

Pick 3 (Midday Monday, Nov. 6) 6-8-4 (Evening Monday, Nov. 6) 3-1-0 Pick 4 (Midday Monday, Nov. 6) 6-0-8-8 (Evening Monday, Nov. 6) 5-5-3-5 ...

MADISON — The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly passed a bill Tuesday that would ban Universities of Wisconsin officials from considering race and diversity when awarding state-funded financial aid. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is expected to veto the measure. He’s also expected to veto another bill the Assembly passed Tuesday that would withhold state grants from schools that repeatedly violate free speech rights on campus and make them subject to fines of up to $100,000. ...

MADISON — The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Senate voted Tuesday to approve three proposed amendments to the state constitution addressing conservative concerns about elections administration. The proposed legislation would outlaw private funding for elections administration, enshrine existing voter photo ID requirements in the state constitution and specify that only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in state and local elections. Republican lawmakers have increasingly turned to constitutional amendments as a way to...

JEFFERSON — A Thanksgiving time tradition started in 2018 will return this month with the return of the free community meal sponsored by the Jefferson High School BASIC club. BASIC, which stands for Brothers and Sisters in Christ, has offered the meal for the past several years as a community service growing out of members’ living faith. Joining in sponsoring this event is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. This year’s...