KFIZ News Friday 7/15/16

Police Memorial Drive Approved

The Fond du Lac City Council this week unanimously approved resolutions that will allow a new street to be named Police Memorial Drive. City Manager Joe Moore says the new street will connect Camelot Drive to Martin Road. He says it will function like a frontage road allowing drivers to get and back and forth between Camelot and Martin without having to take Highway 151. He says someone came up with the idea of naming the new street Police Memorial Drive. He says it was an opportunity to acknowledge police officers past and present. He says the Memorial part of the name is honor of the police officers who have died in the line of duty.

Retlaw Hotel Will Be Affordable Luxury

Local officials believe the new owners of the Retlaw Hotel may be a perfect fit for it. Frantz  Community Investors bought the historic hotel in an online auction. A county judge approved the sale last week. Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation President Steve Jenkins says things have moved forward since then. He says they closed this week on the property, have begun the historic design process and the historic tax credit process. Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce Interim President and CEO Tom Herre says the owners have experience restoring historic properties having renovated the Northland Hotel in Green Bay and other properties. He says they are the right owners for the Retlaw. He says they are dedicated to doing the right thing and the hotel will be affordable luxury.

Fox Lake Man Pleads Not Guilty To Vehicular Homicide Charges

The 69-year-old Fox Lake man facing vehicular homicide charges in Dodge County Court was arraigned this week. Lee Henricksen pled not guilty to charges stemming from a three vehicle accident in August of 2014. He was driving a semi-truck on County Highway A near the intersection of Indian Hills Trail in the Town of Beaver Dam when he ran into the back of another vehicle. That pushed the vehicle into the opposite lane where it struck another. A 9-year-old boy from Lindenhurst, Illinois died of the injuries he suffered in the accident. Henricksen wasn’t hurt, but the other two drivers were seriously injured.

Reckless Driver On Interstate Forty One

Washington County Sheriff’s officials say a woman is facing drunken driving, stolen vehicle, and fleeing an officer charges, after driving recklessly on I-41. They were notified late Wednesday morning by Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s officials about the woman. Efforts were made to stop her on County Highway K, but the pursuit was cut off as she continued to drive recklessly. She was eventually taken into custody after she ran into a utility pole. She was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in West Bend to be treated for injuries and evaluate her impairment. The vehicle she was driving was stolen in Appleton.

Waupun Mayor Resigns Due To Health Concerns

Waupun’s mayor is resigning due to health issues. Kyle Clark suffered a heart attack last December. During the Common Council meeting this week a statement was read from Clark saying he thought he would heal more quickly. Clark was reelected in the spring. He was first elected in 2014 and prior to that served 31 years as the City’s clerk-treasurer. The Council will decide what to do during a July 26th meeting. The resignation takes effect at the end of the month.

FDL County Official May Be Working For Dodge County Soon

The Deputy Program Director and Mental Health Coordinator for the Fond du County Department of Community Programs may be working for Dodge County soon. The Dodge County Board next Tuesday will consider hiring Rebecca Bell as the County’s new Human Services and Health Director. She would succeed Janet Wimmer who was fired in April after being accused of wrongdoings.

WCA Names Fitzgerald Outstanding Legislator

The Wisconsin Counties Association has honored State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald with its “Outstanding Legislator Award.” The state lawmaker from Juneau was honored for supporting county government during the recent legislative session. WCA Executive Director Mark O’Connell says, “By his general support through the budget process he has shown a strong willingness to work with counties.” The award is handed out to a select group of legislators who have represented county interests in both the legislature and in their districts.