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Take part in Match Day, a first-of-its-kind online giving event

MILWAUKEE — You’re encouraged to join FOX6 in supporting the Hunger Task Force on Match Day which takes place on Thursday, March 8th. Hunger Task Force is one of 19 nonprofit organizations that are taking part in Match Day, a first-of-its-kind event to raise awareness for basic needs in the greater Milwaukee area.

Match Day offers individuals, businesses and others a chance to support the organizations in our community that are helping meet individuals’ basic needs. Led by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and in partnership with other local funders, the online event aims to leverage support from the community for the Foundation’s Basic Needs Fund and the 19 agencies it supports, as well as raise the visibility of the ongoing need for food and shelter services in our community.

Victim in fatal snowmobile accident identified

BEAVER DAM (AP) — The person who died when his snowmobile drove into open water on Beaver Dam Lake has been identified as a 45-year-old man.

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department identified the man Monday as Allen Aufdermauer.

Aufdermauer was one of six people whose snowmobiles drove into open water Saturday evening. They ranged in age from 13 to 46, and all were from the Neosho area.

The six were pulled from the water. They have been identified as 13-year-old Ryan Aufdermauer, 43-year-old Paula Aufdermauer and 46-year-old Randy Pearce, who were injured and transported to the hospital. 42-year-od Richard Fetzer and 46-year-old Jenifer Eifler were rescued, but not injured.

Man arrested in Walworth County for fifth OWI

WALWORTH COUNTY — 50-year-old Jay Peterson of Milwaukee was arrested just before 10:00 p.m. Sunday night for his fifth OWI on I-43 near Stone School Street in Walworth County.

A Wisconsin State Patrol trooper stopped Peterson for speeding, and upon making contact, the officer detected a strong odor of intoxicants and six empty beer cans in the vehicle.

The trooper had Peterson perform field sobriety tests and then took him into custody for his fifth OWI. Peterson was taken to the hospital for a blood draw, and refused, but the blood sample was obtained search incident to arrest.

Peterson was transported to the Walworth County Jail for fifth OWI, operating after suspension and speeding.

Rescue crews ready to deal with thin ice on lakes

MILWAUKEE — A winter in Wisconsin typically means snow, plenty of cold and lots of ice, but the 2011-2012 winter has been anything but typical, and that means more risks for ice fishermen and the crews that might have to rescue them if they fall through thin ice.

Lieutenant Daniel Farkas is an ice rescue specialist with the North Shore Fire Department. He has his team on a constant stand by to save anyone that may not realize all of the ice in southeast Wisconsin is dangerously thin.

FOX6 News observed several ice fishermen at the Lakeshore State Park Inlet on Milwaukee’s lakefront Friday. They all seemed confident the ice was plenty thick, but Lieutenant Farkas argues, a single measurement can give a false sense of security.

Suspected bank robber arrested in Lake Geneva

LAKE GENEVA — Lake Geneva police arrest a 31-year-old man they believe robbed a Chase Bank branch in their city on Friday, February 10th.

The suspect, identified by authorities as Joshua Barrigar of Genoa City, is being held in the Walworth County Jail. His case has been referred to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office for charging.

Lake Geneva police believe Barrigar is the primary suspect in the Chase Bank robbery plus the robbery of a PNC Bank on October 17th — both in Lake Geneva.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.

Judge rules on abuse claims against Milwaukee Archdiocese

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A federal judge is allowing two claims to go forward against the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for alleged sexual abuse by clergy.

But U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Susan Kelley on Thursday dismissed a third claim because that person already had entered into a settlement.

Kelley is allowing two claims to stand. The Archdiocese argued they were filed beyond the statute of limitations.

The Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy protection last year, saying pending sex-abuse lawsuits could leave it in debt. About 570 people filed restitution claims by the Feb. 1 deadline.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) estimates if the Archdiocese’s position had been successful on the statute of limitations argument, 95 percent of the cases could have been ultimately dismissed.

Emergency steps may be needed to balance state budget

MADISON (AP) — Wisconsin’s state budget condition has worsened to the point that Gov. Scott Walker and possibly the Legislature will need to take emergency steps to avoid being out of balance.

The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau on Thursday released the new projections that show the two-year budget will be $143 million short of balancing by July 2013.

Gov. Scott Walker says the state is still headed in the right direction despite the new revenue forecast.

Walker noted in a statement Thursday that there is projected to be a surplus at the end of the first of the budget this July.

Walker didn’t detail what he would do to deal with the projected shortfall next year, other than promising not to raise taxes.

Walker says he is confident the state will be able to balance the budget.