KFIZ News Monday 11/14/16

Illinois Man Bound Over For Trial In FDL County Court

The 28-year-old Bloomington, Illinois man suspected of slashing the throat of another man at a Fond du Lac motel has been bound over for trial. Mark A. Harris recently had a preliminary hearing in Fond du Lac County Court. He was then arraigned and pled not guilty to 1st degree reckless injury and aggravated battery charges. According to the criminal complaint Harris slashed the throat of a 57-year-old man at the Executive Lodge during an argument on April 10th of 2015. Four men were drinking in a room at the motel. Harris got mad when the victim got into an argument with his father. He allegedly used a razor or pocket knife to inflict the wound. The victim went to St. Agnes Hospital and later was transferred to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.

City Of FDL Taking Over Jurisdiction Of Part Of Highway 45

With changes to the Highway 151 Bypass being completed this week including the rerouting of Highway 45, the City of Fond du Lac will be taking over jurisdiction of a section of Highway 45 in the City. Public Works Director Jordan Skiff says everything is supposed to open up to traffic by this Friday. Roadways at County Highways T and V will be reopening to traffic Friday evening. The City will be receiving $14.3 million from the state to maintain the section of Highway 45 it will be taking over maintenance of. Skiff says the City will receive the majority of that money from 5 to 8 years out. He says it will be put into a segregated fund until the City needs the money for maintenance projects to the road. The section of Highway 45 the City will be taking over is from north of Highway 151 up to State Highway 23 or Johnson Street. Skiff says that includes Fond du Lac Avenue, 6th Street, the downtown, Macy and Marr will all be the City’s responsibility.

FDL School Board Considers Hike In Pay For Administrators

The Fond du Lac School Board will consider approving a 1 percent increase in pay for 28 administrators for the current school year. Other employees of the district have already gotten similar increases or will. The raise for those administrators will come to $26,823. Five of those administrators are making more than $100,000 a year including Superintendent Jim Sebert who will be making more than $152,000 a year with the raise. The board meets at 5 p.m. at the District Administration Center Board Room on West 9th Street.

Business Connection Will Feature The Treffert Center

Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce Interm President and CEO Tom Herre is expecting tomorrow night’s Business Connection program to be of particular interest to people. It will be held at Agnesian HealthCare’s Treffert Center on East 1st Street and will feature world-renowned Autism and Savant Syndrome expert Dr. Darold Treffert. Dr. Matt Doll will also be speaking. Dr. Treffert was a consultant for the film “Rain Man.” Herre says he’s heard Dr. Treffert speak a number of times and always has something fascinating to say. The program is from 5 to 7 p.m. and the cost is $5 plus two business cards. You can register through the Association of Commerce.

FCEDC President Pleased With Rebrand

The Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation recently went through a rebranding. FCEDC President Steve Jenkins says they pretty much had the same logo and website address since the beginning, but needed something fresh. He says the logo associated with the brand wasn’t really understandable and a new era is beginning in the economy, which they thought their brand should reflect. He says their website address is also new, which will better reflect their rebranding. He says the address is futurefc.com. He says it was an effort that says they are changing along with the economy. The rebrand has been around for about 4 or 5 months and Jenkins says they are really happy with it.

BBBS Benefits From United Way Funding

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County is one of the organizations that the Fond du Lac Area United Way campaign helps fund. Big Brothers provide mentors for kids giving them opportunities they might not have with their families. Abbey is a Senior at Marian University and a so-called Big. She says it is as beneficial for her as it is for her “little.” She says it is challenging to balance school, her social life, and spending time with her little, but it has helped her gain responsibility, and learn to prioritize. Olivia and Samantha are 12-year-old twins, both have Big Sisters in their lives. Olivia says her Big Sister has moved on to college, but she appreciates the time she has had with her. She says her Big Sister is named Melanie and they spend time watching movies, baking and doing other fun stuff. Olivia’s mother, Bonnie, says the whole family has benefitted from their relationship with the Big Sisters going sail boating, to a goat farm, to Noah’s Ark and even on the radio.

FDL County Thanksgiving Office Closings

Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel has announced county office closings for the Thanksgiving Holiday. The county offices in the City-County Government Center, Sheriff’s Office lobby window, Portland Street Annex including the Veteran Services Office, Highway Department, Department of Social Services and the Department of Community Programs will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 24th and 25th in observance of Thanksgiving.