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January 10, 2007 |
A parent's worst nightmare
No solid evidence yet as Fischer case drags on
The continuing investigation into the disappearance of Shannon L. Fischer of Prairie du Chien has become excruciating for her parents as well as police, who are making an exhaustive effort to find her.
"Someone knows something," said Fischer's mother Diane Bouzek during an interview in Police Chief Mike King's office Tuesday morning.
"We miss her. She knows too many people that she wouldn't have told someone," said Bouzek who began to sob. "Whoever knows something you need to come forward."
"This is about as bad as it can get," said King about the investigation. "We have nothing to go on. We want to find Shannon as fast as we can." King said that the police department has intensely researched numerous phone calls and other leads. So far all leads have proven false or have no solid foundation or evidence.
"This is totally not her," said Bouzek, noting that Fischer usually calls her three or four times a week. "She's a bit of a drama queen, she tells people where she's going. This is our child we're talking about. She's a mother."
King said that police have looked into a lead that turned up at approximately 10 a.m. Tuesday. He said that a young woman went to the Prairie du Chien Post Office to mail a package to Shannon Fischer at an address in Jackson Beach, Fla. The package was a medium-sized manila envelope and had no return address. When the postal employee asked the woman if she wanted to put a return address on the package, the woman said "no" and went out of the door. Recognizing the name on the envelope, the postal employee called police, who then confiscated the envelope.
King contacted the Postal Inspector and the Jackson Beach Police Department. It turned out that the envelope was being sent to a different Shannon Fischer who had moved to Florida two years ago from Gays Mills.
Police are also following up a lead that Fischer may have been staying in Chicago, said King, who noted that the Prairie du Chien Police Department received a text message about Fischer from Chicago. So far nothing concrete has been found, said King.
King said that when people have no permanent address and move around, "it makes them more of a potential victim" and much harder to track.
In addition to following up on all leads, King said that Fischer's estranged boyfriend, his friends, Fischer's friends and all other acquaintances continue to be interviewed. In fact, the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation has been called in to assist on the case. "It always helps to have a fresh face continue to conduct interviews," said King, who noted that when so much time has elapsed, "people have time to get their stories straight," which can also be a hindrance to an investigation.
King also said that he would like to put a rumor about Fischer to rest. The rumor circulating that Fischer is in hiding because the police want her on forgery charges is totally false, said King.
Fischer was last seen on Dec. 20 on Blackhawk Avenue in downtown Prairie du Chien. She last talked to her mother Diane Bouzek of Wauzeka on Dec. 16. Fisher is 23 years old, Caucasian, 5-3 and 135 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. King said that Fischer has been registered with the National Center For Missing Adults.
There is no evidence of foul play, but King said that his department will continue to investigate as if foul play were involved.
"We're trying not to think the worst. But when it is a waiting game, you can't help but think of that," said Bouzek, who has sent e-mails throughout the area asking for help in finding her daughter.
"Everyone is very concerned. We just want to know if she's safe. I just wish she would call home," said Bouzek. "This is the worst nightmare a parent can go through, even when they're an adult. We just want her to be safe. We love her."
Plans for McGregor Condo-Tel taking shape
Dan Gingerich has learned that bringing an idea to fruition takes time.
Gingerich has been working for over a year on a plan to redevelop his family's motel property into a condo-tel„a condominium where owners can sublet out their units when they are not in use.
Over the last six months a new architectural plan for the structure has emerged which is different from the original plans for the building, which called for a 44-unit building that was to be six stories. The plans are for a five-story structure that will contain 73 units which make use of a flexible floor plan.
"We've been working through the design process, looking for the best possible designs," Gingerich explained.
The latest design was drawn up by architect Barry Polzin of Marquette, Michigan, and makes good use of a flexible floor plan that allows buyers or renters to create one to three bedroom units around a central living/dining space with a deck overlooking the river for an estimated $200,000 price tag. Smaller units with an efficiency kitchen and a Murphy wall bed start at $100,000. Top-story units of up to 2,100 square feet will fetch quite a bit more.
Gingerich says that most buyers will use the condos as a getaway destination; and then contract with management to rent them out when the owners are not using them. The development will also feature such amenities as a swimming pool, a community room, a fitness center and a boardwalk along the river and possibly transient docking. Buyers interested in keeping a boat could contract with McGregor Marina next door.
Currently, Gingerich and developer Mark Rhodes of Waukesha, Wis., have hired a firm to develop a Web site for pre-sales of condo units. The web site is slated to launch late this month or in early February. They are also looking at several contractors in order to select a builder for the project.
The McGregor City Council has been keeping tabs on the project, and is generally in support of the plan. There are however, a few sticking points that Rhodes is hoping to get some cooperation from the council with. They include the civil defense siren location, the railroad crossing and general problems with noise which include the sound from the nearby grain elevator.
Gingerich says that creating solutions for these problems is something Rhode is concerned about. "He's very particular, and he wants to eliminate any negatives," Gingerich said.
The railroad crossing will likely be the most difficult problem to solve. Train noise from engines, whistles and general activity will directly impact potential residents and visitors, and access to and from Holiday Shores can be blocked by trains for long periods of time. Gingerich says that he has been in contact with ICE Railroad about these problems.
The use of the civil defense siren is another issue. The siren was moved from a location across Main Street from the motel to near the Light Plant. While the relocation is an improvement, Gingerich said that Rhode wants to be assured that the siren will be used only for necessary, serious emergencies to eliminate bothersome nuisance sirens. Gingerich suggested that perhaps an appropriate technology can be found to alert people for smaller emergencies.
Obviously little can be done to eliminate the sound from the nearby grain elevators, so the plans for the condo-tel include an outdoor water feature, the sound of which could mask the drone from the elevator.
Gingerich admitted that such problems often don't seem like a big deal to locals.
"Living in McGregor, you don't notice it," he said.
But out-of-towners who might fork over a quarter of a million for a condo will notice, he explained.
Just when construction on the development will begin is unclear. Half of the 73 units must be sold before bulldozers will begin demolition on the old motel.
"We have more questions than answers, right now," Gingerich said.
January 8, 2007 |
Few clues in local woman's disappearance
The investigation continues into the disappearance of a 23-year-old Prairie du Chien woman and police are tracking down a few leads. Although there is no evidence of foul play, Prairie du Chien Police Chief Mike King said that his department will continue to pursue the case as though foul play were involved."You really have to operate in that manner or you're going to miss things," said King. "Anytime someone like this does something completely out of character, you have to be suspicious." King said that he and his department are "hoping for the best but are investigating as if it were the worst."
Shannon L. Fischer last called her mother Diane Bouzek of Wauzeka on Dec. 16, according to a police department report. King noted that up until recently, Fischer usually maintained daily contact with Bouzek.
Fischer was last seen on Dec. 20 in the downtown area of Blackhawk Avenue while she was with her boyfriend, a 22-year-old Prairie du Chien man. Police are not releasing the man's name, but say that he has been cooperative and is not a considered person of interest.
Bouzek reported Fischer missing on Dec. 28 at 1:59 p.m. On Dec. 29, police entered Fischer's name as a missing person into the TIME System, through which law enforcement agencies throughout the nation can contact the Prairie du Chien Police Department should those agencies contact Fischer or receive information.
King said that his department will continue to interview Fischer's boyfriend, friends and acquaintances. "We are obviously focused on the last person to have seen her," King said.
According to the police report, Fischer had told her mother that she was pregnant by her boyfriend.
Fischer's boyfriend told investigators that Fischer had been at his apartment on Dec. 20, that they had argued and that he had kicked her out of the apartment. The boyfriend told officers that following an argument, it is very unusual for Fischer not to return to the apartment a short time later for a place to stay, the report said. The boyfriend told officers that he hasn't seen or heard from Fischer since.
King said that he suspects that there were "issues" between Fischer and her boyfriend.
Fischer had no job and is believed to have little or no money. She is the mother of a son and a daughter, both younger than 2. Fischer lost custody of her children, both of whom are in foster care.
Chief King said that since a press release was circulated in the media, along with Fischer's photo, the police department has received a couple of calls from people who say they may have seen her within the last few days in McGregor. Police continue to look into all calls involving Fischer. There are no substantiated reports as of yet. King also said that Fischer may have been seen renting a movie at Dick's Piggly Wiggly on Dec. 31. He said that officers looked at a surveillance video supplied by Dick's showing customers in the movie rental area on Dec. 31. Officers determined that Fischer was not in the movie rental area.
King said that there have been reports of a number of possible sightings of Fischer but they have all turned out to be false.
Fischer is 23 years old, Caucasian, 5-3 and 135 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. If anyone has information about Shannon Fischer, they are asked to contact the Prairie du Chien Police Department at (608) 326-2421.
Antoine wins two more gold medals
Matt de Julio Antoine of Prairie du Chien has recently added two more gold medals to his collection this season. The final two races of the skeleton America's Cup series were held Dec. 20 and 21 at Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah. A foot of snow covered the mountains and temperatures in the 20s made the sliding good. Competing against the same sliders he had faced in the previous four America's Cup races, Matt slid to two more golds.
"My first two golds in international competition were in Lake Placid," said Matt. "So it was nice to get wins on a different track." A month ago, Matt won two golds in Lake Placid where he lives and trains and is very familiar with the track. His latest two gold medals in Utah are a big step in Matt's progress because the top skeleton sliders need to be able to win on any track.
"I've had some troubles with other tracks in the past but it's really come together this year," Matt said about his continued improvement. "This year is really an experience year to see how I adapt to new tracks." Matt will soon be headed to Germany for more international competition in a Europa Cup event at Winterberg and also to test on three different tracks.
"This is all building up for when it matters," said Matt, who noted that his ultimate goal is to make the United States Olympic Team for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
In addition to winning four gold medals during the recently-completed America's Cup Tour, Matt also finished second overall in the America's Cup points standings as he continues his ascent up the skeleton rankings. With 478 points, Matt received the second-place trophy from a representative of the International Federation of Bobsleigh and Tobogganing. The FIBT sets the standards and rules for all sliders and international bobsled and skeleton competitions.
Before winning his two golds at Utah Olympic Park Dec. 20-21, Matt received some tips from a teammate who is sliding in the World Cup. The tips helped Matt master turns 4, 5 and 6, which had caused him problems in the past. He slid two clean races and with finish times of 49.71 and 49.68 seconds, he was more than five tenths of a second faster in both races than Andy Wood of Great Britain, who finished second.
The bobsled, skeleton track at Park City is the fastest in the world. With a steep, vertical drop, times of less than 50 seconds on the mile run are needed to win the men's skeleton competitions.
Matt, 21, began in the sport of skeleton while in high school. He said that when a person begins, they are only allowed to start part way up the track in order to get used to the speed. As they progress, the skeleton riders are allowed to start their training runs farther up the track until they eventually are allowed to start at the top.
Top-notch skeleton sliders such as Matt hurtle face first on a small sled down an ice-covered track reaching speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour. It's always quite an adrenaline rush, but Matt says that as he has improved over the years, the races don't seem as fast as they once did.
"Over the years, there has been an adjustment of time in my head," he said. "I see it a lot slower than 80 miles per hour now. I might only be in a curve for a split second but during that time I might make five adjustments."
Things have been happening fast and furious for Matt during this breakthrough season. On New Year's Day, he flew to Park City to prepare for the U.S. National Championships. Only members of the U.S. Skeleton Team participate in this race.
The race began Thursday at 11 a.m. The officials discussed whether both runs in the race should be counted because the snow was falling so heavily and it was difficult to keep the track clear. But as time on the first and second runs were consistent, both runs were used to determine the National Champions.
The heavy snow made the track slower then when Matt raced there as part of the America's Cup. Matt had runs of 51.80 and 51.78 seconds. His combined time placed Matt in third place. In first was Eric Bernotas. With this race, Bernotas is the Men's National Champion for the fourth year in a row. In second was Zach Lund, the current World Cup leader. After the first run, Matt stood in second place, but Lund had a spectacular second run. Matt was pleased with the results. He had wanted to finish in the top three.
Council filings close without candidates for two of six seats
With an election coming up April 3 and a filing deadline that ended Jan. 3, Prairie du Chien could end up with a very ho-hum election and two council members appointed by the council.
No one has filed for a seat in the First Aldermanic District being vacated by Erwin Mueller nor for the seat being vacated by Irene Schauf in the second district.
It is still possible for a candidate or candidates to announce their intention to run for one of the vacant seats, but those individuals' names would not appear on the ballot and would have to be write-ins, said City Clerk Barbara Elvert. Any candidate who decides to run for one of those seats after the filing deadline should still register at City Hall, said Elvert, to make the candidacy official.
Should there be more than one write-in candidate for a seat, the person with the highest number of votes would be offered the position. If that person declined, the position would not automatically be offered to the person with the next highest number of votes. Rather, the mayor would be expected to present the name of someone willing to serve, and the council would act on that recommendation.
Should there be no write-in candidates, the mayor would also be expected to make a recommendation for appointment.
In the other districts, the candidates are running unopposed. They are: Kathleen Hein, incumbent, Third Aldermanic District; Ken Meyer, running for the Fourth Aldermanic District to replace Brad Steiner, who is not seeking reelection; Frank Pintz, Jr., incumbent, Fifth Aldermanic District; Joe Ruskey, incumbent, Sixth Aldermanic District.
Because all candidates are running unopposed, their names will not appear on the primary ballot. The election will take place April 3.
Both Mueller and Schauf said they chose not to run again because they felt it was time for someone else to take a turn in serving the city. Steiner, who has served on the council for 22 years, said he knew it was time to quit when he found himself "losing patience with the public. I knew I wasn't giving them the service they deserved, and I decided it was time to let someone else take a shot at it"
