Local News Brief Tuesday 5/19/15

Oshkosh Police say a man was robbed last Friday night when a man asked to use his phone punched him in the face and took the phone. It happened just after 10 p.m. on Wisconsin Street at Amherst Avenue.  The suspect saw the victim using his phone and walked up from behind and asked to use the phone before punching him and taking it. The suspect got into a blue Chrysler minivan and the vehicle left north on Jackson St. The suspect was a male black, 5’08”, slim build, short hair, in his early 20’s. He was wearing a dark t-shirt and blue jeans. The victim did not require medical attention. If you have information about this incident, please contact the Oshkosh Police Department at (920)-236-5700.

Oshkosh Prostitution Arrest

In a joint operation with the Homeland Security Department, Oshkosh Police arrested a 50-year-old Chinese woman for prostitution. The arrest occurred at the Four Season Massage last Friday morning. The arrest capped an undercover investigation. The woman was living in Oshkosh and had a U.S. Employment Authorization card. A Homeland Security agent interviewed the woman before she was taken to the Winnebago County Jail.

FDL County Board Preview

The Fond du Lac County Board will pay tribute to State Trooper Trevor Casper with a resolution tonight. Casper was killed in a shoot out with a bank robber in Fond du Lac on March 24th. Trooper Casper was also remembered at the Fond du Lac Police Memorial ceremony last Friday in Fond du Lac. Also during the County Board meeting the board will be asked to approve a contract with the Social Services Employees Union. The Board meets at 7 p.m. at the City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac.

Work Continues On State Budget

State Senator Rick Gudex says the Joint Finance Committee hopes to have their work done on the proposed State Budget by the end of next week. The state lawmaker from Fond du Lac says the Senate may get it first after that. He says they hope to have their work complete on it by the middle of June. He says the JFC has been able to save about $50 million, which can be spent on some programs that were due for cuts. He says lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were concerned about proposed cuts to public education. He says the $127 million cut in funding won’t likely occur now with school districts seeing no change in the first year of the budget and a small increase in the second. The Joint Finance Committee takes up the budget today and again on Thursday.

Leadership FDL Team Enhances FDL Loop Experience

A Leadership Fond du Lac team chose to enhance the Fond du Lac bike and pedestrian loop for its project. Patrick Rose of Team 3 says with more people using the loop they thought it could benefit from mile markers and maps. He says the mile markers are also an accurate way for people to report where they are in the loop if an emergency occurs. He says the maps will allow those on the loop to find out where things are they may have a need for like restrooms, parking, city buses and other information. Rose says the City will be installing the mile markers and maps along the 16 miles of the loop.

Neighbor Complaints

A Fond du Lac Police officer says a lot of neighborhood disputes could be resolved if people just spoke to their neighbors. Officer Steve Olson says unfortunately people use the police to resolve minor disputes such as grass clippings being blown into someone’s yard or a dog doing its business in their yard. He says he often asks the person waging the complaint spoke to their neighbor. He says the majority usually say no. He says sometimes people have a legitimate reason for not wanting to work out the problem and then you get police involved. But he says if that’s not the case you should try to work it out with your neighbor.

Business Climate Survey Introduced

The Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation Monday introduced its first quarterly Business Climate Survey. An email was sent out inviting residents to take the survey.  The surveys are a part of the FCEDC M.O.R.E. Business Program (More Opportunities for Retention and Expansion), the Existing Business Program sponsored by Mercury Marine. The surveys will provide data over time as to how businesses perceive the business operating environment in Fond du Lac County, determine trends and identify any issues that need to be addressed. Responses to the surveys will be anonymous.  Results will be provided through the FCEDC newsletter Ventures and media releases. To take the survey click here.

Homes Sales Up In April

There was mixed news for existing home sales in Fond du Lac County last month. According to the Wisconsin Realtors Association home sales were up 7.4 percent compared to April of last year, but the median price of a home was down by that same percentage 7.4 percent. Meanwhile home sales across the state for April were up 16.8 percent and the price of homes rose 10.7 percent. To read more click here

National Marketing Firm Coming To FDL For ACUniversity Class

For the first time ever, the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce (AC) is bringing a nationally recognized consulting firm to Fond du Lac – to help area businesses! This extensive one-day workshop will provide world-class training on today’s digital marketing, specifically understanding Google Analytics and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The AC has partnered with Converge Consulting to assist Fond du Lac Area businesses in not only understanding their online presence but optimizing their marketing efforts with measurable results and solutions to ensure improved search rankings and exposure. The class will be on Wednesday, May 27th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn.  The class is open to the public, pre-registration is required. Cost for the class is $125 for Association of Commerce members, $150 General Admission. Visit www.fdlac.com to register or call (920) 921-9500. 

Johnson Staff Hour In West Bend

Senator Ron Johnson’s staff will be available for a mobile office hour in West Bend this afternoon. They will be at the West Bend City Hall in the Council Chambers from 2 to 3 p.m. Constituents are invited to meet with the senator’s staff to request assistance with a federal agency or regarding other federal matters.