KFIZ News Saturday 1/7/17

Fondy Man Charged With Eleventh OWI

The Fond du Lac man charged in Outagamie County this week with his 11th drunken driving offense did have a valid driver’s license. Appleton Police arrested 52-year-old Steven Johnson on New Year’s Day. Police say Johnson’s license was reinstated last July. It was revoked for three years following his 10th drunken driving conviction. Johnson’s bond was set at $15,000 cash. He has a preliminary hearing Wednesday. Under a new state law the maximum sentence for a 10th or subsequent drunken driving offense has been increased to 10 years in prison.

Waupun Man Arrested For Disorderly Conduct

Charges have been referred to the Dodge County District Attorney’s Office against a 23-year-old Waupun man who got in a fight with his mother over his drinking. Waupun Police says they were dispatched to an apartment at 723 West Lincoln Street. The man got upset when his mother poured his alcohol down the drain. He wouldn’t let her leave her bedroom and broke a glass by throwing it. When police took him into custody he damaged a printer in a squad car and he spat on the arresting officer. He was taken to the Dodge County Jail. Charges being referred against him include disorderly conduct, false imprisonment, and criminal damage to property, resisting arrest, and dispelling bodily fluids on police.

Three Suffer From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In FDL

Fond du Lac firefighters took three people to St. Agnes Hospital Thursday who were suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. They got a call to a residence on South Pioneer Parkway because someone was feeling sick. Fire Chief Peter O’Leary says there was a problem with the furnace and there were high levels of carbon monoxide in the home. He says people with carbon monoxide suffer flu-like symptoms. He says that’s why it is important to have working carbon monoxide detectors in your home. O’Leary also stresses the importance of making sure you have a proper working furnace, wood stove, gas-fired water heater, gas or wood-burning fireplace.

Ten Die On FDL County Highways In 2016

Ten people died on Fond du Lac County Highways in 2016. Sheriff’s Captain Ryan Waldschmidt says that’s two fewer than in 2015 and slightly less than the five year average of 13. Still he says until there are no deaths on County highways during a year there is room for improvement. Waldschmidt says two of the deaths were alcohol-related and lab results are still pending for a motorcycle fatality they believe would bring that total to three. He says that would mean roughly 30 percent of traffic fatalities were the result of drinking and driving. According to the State’s Department of Transportation 581 people died in traffic accidents in Wisconsin last year compared to 555 in 2015.

Sixteen Arrested For Drunken Driving During Drive Sober Campaign

Sixteen people were arrested for drunken driving in Fond du Lac County during the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign over the holiday season. Sheriff’s Captain Ryan Waldschmidt says there was 1,057 traffic stops, with 577 traffic citations, 618 traffic warnings, and the 16 OWI arrests. He says that works out to about 1.5 percent of all traffic stops involved drunken drivers. In addition to the Sheriff’s Department, police departments from Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, Oakfield, Rosendale, Brandon-Fairwater, and the Town of Ripon participated in the effort that ran from December 15th through January 1st.

Washington County Recovers Defrauded Funds

Washington County Sheriff’s officials say all but just over $16,000 the County Treasurer’s office was defrauded out of last June has now been recovered. The County Treasurer transferred more than $87,000 through two wire transfers after getting what she thought were emails from the County Administrator. But the emails were faked. The County’s bank was able to recover more than $71,000 through a fraud recall procedure.

Salvation Army Makes Red Kettle Goal

It was close, but the Fond du Lac Salvation Army made its goal of raising $160,000 during the Red Kettle campaign. Captain Telinda Wilson says it is their biggest fundraising effort of the year and provides a big chunk of the money they need to provide services to the community. She says as they got closer to the end of the year, they weren’t entirely sure they would make it, but eked by. She says they raised just over $161,000. One of the newer services the Salvation Army is providing is a warming shelter for the homeless during the winter months, which kicked off this past November.

Roecker Happy To Serve On United Way Board

In March Randy Roecker of Society Insurance will become the president of the Fond du Lac Area United Way’s Board of Directors. He is currently serving as vice president of the board. He says Society became more involved in the campaign because they wanted to have a more public stance in giving. He says United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee asked him to serve on the board and he has enjoyed his time on it. He says it isn’t something he would have thought about on his own, but is glad she asked.

Ballweg Sworn In For Seventh Term In State Assembly

State Representative Joan Ballweg of Markesan was sworn in for another term of office this week by Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Patience Roggensack. Ballweg represents the 41st Assembly District. She says her top priority is to serve her constituents to the best of her ability. Over the next two years she will serve as the Assembly Chair for the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules and Vice-Chair of the Assembly Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform. She will be a member of the committees on Children and Families, Colleges and Universities, Mental Health, Tourism, and the Joint Legislative Council.