Local News Briefs Friday 10/4/13

Fond du Lac City Manager Joe Moore says the City Council made good decision this week as they put final touches on the 2014 City Budget. That included putting an additional $41,000 into the Public Library’s budget, which means workers won’t have to be furloughed and the library won’t have to be closed on some days. He says the library is a community gathering point and that’s not something they wanted to compromise. They also left $115,000 in the budget for ornamental street lighting and sidewalks on a two-block section of Sheboygan Street including the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts. It will then look similar to what Main Street does. Moore says that too was an important decision. The budget also includes $110,000 for efforts to combat the spread of Emerald Ash Borer. Moore says it’s getting nearer and the yellow ribbons people are seeing on ash trees on Macy Street and Merrill Avenue are a subtle way of trying to get the public involved in educational efforts about the bug. The Council will approve the 2014 City Budget, tax levy and 5-year capital improvements plan on October 23rd. 

Tornado Warnings In Northern Dodge County Last Night

Strong storms led to tornado warnings in northern Dodge County last night. The storms were accompanied by heavy rains, strong winds and some hail. Winds gusted up to 65 miles per hour and more than 2.5 inches of rain was reported in the Beaver Dam area over a 12-hour span. Fox Lake also received more than 2.3 inches of rain. Hail on the north side of Mayville was up to nearly an inch in diameter.

Waupun Police Seek Information On Vandalism Incident

Waupun Police are asking the public’s help in a vandalism case. Someone threw something through the Family Video sign between Monday, September 23 and Wednesday September 25. Anyone with information on who threw the item or what it was that created the hole is asked to contact Waupun Police. You can do that at the police station or by calling 324-7911.  

First State Hearing On Common Core Education Standards

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-Educators were at the Capitol on Thursday to defend the Common Core standards for math and reading. Ted Neitzke is the Superintendent of the West Bend School District. He says there are still some misunderstandings over Common Core some three years after the state adopted the national standards for math and language arts. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers has defended the standards, which he says are “world class.” Others suggest the state standards ought to be higher. A joint legislative panel held a daylong hearing on the standards at the Capitol on Thursday. State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt is the chairman of the State Assembly’s Select Committee on Common Core. A hearing on Common Core education standards will be held in Fond du Lac at the City-County Government Center from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16th.

Cause For Leo Frigo Bridge Sag Found

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-D-O-T officials say they can start working on a plan to fix the Leo Frigo Bridge in Green Bay now that they know what caused pilings under a pier to fail. The agency announced yesterday that corrosion caused by industrial fill and groundwater is likely responsible for the pilings buckling under the pier last week. The pilings under three other piers also show signs of corrosion. Project manager Tom Buchholz says the next phase is figuring out how to fix it. He says he’s happy they were able to find the problem just 15-feet below ground level. A 400-foot portion of the bridge sagged after the support pier sank about two-feet. Buchholz says that part of the bridge is still structurally sound and it’s unclear how extensive the repair work will be.

State Trooper From West Bend Gets Fourth Life Saving Award

A state trooper from West Bend was honored with the fourth Lifesaving Award in his State Patrol career during a ceremony at the State Capitol this week. Trooper Kristian Perales was off duty at a West Bend restaurant with his family last April 20th when his wife pointed out a woman who was choking. The woman was grabbing her throat and turning blue. The victim’s granddaughter tried performing the Heimlich maneuver without success. Perales identified himself as a police officer and successfully performed the maneuver dislodging a piece of food from the victim’s mouth.  Perales works at the Waukesha Post. He was among 21 members of the State Patrol the Governor honored for saving lives and exemplary service during a ceremony Wednesday in Madison.

MPTC IT Club Hosts E-cycle Collection In FDL Saturday

Moraine Park Technical College’s IT Club will be holding its E-cycle event Saturday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. rain or shine at Moraine Park’s Fond du Lac campus. Items can be dropped off in campus parking lot E, closest to the intersection of Johnson Street and University Drive.  Accepted items include: Monitors, laptops, servers, TVs, printers/fax machines/scanners, computers, video game consoles, mice/keyboards, cell phones, MP3 players/iPods, phones, DVD players, VCRs, cable boxes, satellite dishes, vacuum cleaners (without bag), coffee makers, bread makers, irons, hair dryers, radios and clocks. All batteries must be removed from all items including cordless/rechargeable products. Items not accepted include curling irons, refrigerators, dish washers, stoves and household batteries. For more information click here

Walk To End Alzheimer’s In FDL Tomorrow

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Fond du Lac County will be held Saturday at Moraine Park Technical College. Jan Padrone works for Manor Care Health Services. She says the walk is personal for her and to anyone who knows or works with someone suffering from Alzheimer’s. Her two grandmothers passed away from Alzheimer’s this year. She says it’s one of the top ten leading causes of death for senior citizens in the country and billions of dollars are spent on it. She says the Alzheimer’s Association funds research grants. Last year’s walk in Fond du Lac County raised nearly $32,000. She says you can register on site at 8:30 Saturday morning to take the 2-mile walk. If it rains the walk will be held inside. The walk steps off at 10 a.m. You can also register online.     

Donkeys’ Day On The Farm Saturday

Holyland Donkey Haven in Mount Calvary will host their Donkey’s Day on the Farm fundraiser Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Angela Langoski is the president and founder of 40 acre haven to injured and unwanted donkeys. She says there will be plenty to do and see including a horse show from 1 to 3 p.m. There will also be an animal communicator. She says the communicator will try and see what Tiny Tim has to say. Tiny Tim had to undergo expensive leg surgery, but she says he seems to be doing well. The communicator will try to talk to him at 11:30 a.m.  Angela says there will also be music. There will also be vendors, food and beverages. It’s a rain or shine event. A $5 donation is being asked for. For directions to Holyland Donkey Haven check their website, which provides a map. 

Forest Mall Hosting Community Bazaar This Weekend

The Forest Mall in Fond du Lac will host a Community Bazaar Saturday and Sunday to raise funds and create awareness about several area non-profit organizations. The event is from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in the Center Court. Participating non-profit organizations include Hannes Hustlers Relay for Life Team and the Irish Quakers Relay for Life team, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Fond du Lac, Sassu Enterprises pet therapy, and Fisherman’s Call. Forest Mall marketing assistant Sue Riegert says, “This is a perfect opportunity to connect residents of Fond du Lac who have a passion for service and volunteering with several great organizations.”