Local News Briefs Friday 10/9/15

New Infirmary At Taycheedah Correctional Approved

One of the projects the State Building Commission approved this week is to design and construct a new infirmary at Taycheedah Correctional Institution. The commission also approved constructing a new science laboratory at Carroll University, renovating the Clinical Skills Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine, and various maintenance and repair projects around the state. Governor Walker chairs the commission.

Drug Dealer Sentenced

A 37-year-old Milwaukee man who was dealing drugs in Fond du Lac County has been placed on probation for two years. Judge Dale English this week sentenced Franciso Campos-Juarez to the probation withholding a prison sentence. He pled no contest to cocaine trafficking and maintaining a drug trafficking place charges this past June. The drugs were sold in January and June of 2012.

Former Burnett Woman Pleads To Child Neglect

The former Burnett woman who raised her children in deplorable conditions entered into a plea agreement this week with Dodge County prosecutors. Secoy Koch-Miller pled “no contest” to one felony and one misdemeanor count of Neglecting a Child.  The 26-year-old Beaver Dam woman raised an infant and a toddler in a house filled with rotting food, black mold and pungent pet odors. Prosecutors say the living conditions – described as that of a typical hoarder – contributed to the neglect and Koch-Miller’s failure to take action left the children unable to thrive. Koch-Miller is facing up to six years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled November 3rd.  

Waupun Facilities Study Released

The Waupun Area School Board and newly established Facilities Advisory Committee held a joint meeting this week to receive the results of a facilities study. Among the things the 300-page study reported is that heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems in several of the existing buildings are original and inefficient. Nearly all of the district’s roofs have been replaced. There is a need for increased security entry and controlled visitor access. Americans with Disabilities Act compliance is also a factor that should be considered at SAGES, Meadow View, and Rock River specifically related to access to restroom facilities. Cafeteria areas at Meadow View and Rock River are undersized for today’s use. In the coming months the School Board and Facilities Advisory Committee will review the study in closer detail.

County Clerk Concerned About Timing Of Legislation To Replace GAB

Fond du Lac County Clerk Lisa Freiberg says she’s concerned about the timing of state legislation that would replace the Government Accountability Board. Assembly Republicans have proposed two commissions that would oversee elections and ethics issues. She says that’s what the State Elections Board was before the GAB and didn’t function very well. She’s also concerned because there are four major elections in 2016. The GAB would oversee the February primary and April spring election and the new commissions the August primary and November general election. Freiberg says she has attended GAB meetings or watched them on Wisconsin Eye since being elected clerk. She says the GAB has done a nice job since it was formed eight years ago.

NFDL Library Contributes To Roofing Costs

The North Fond du Lac Library is picking up some of the costs for the re-roofing of the Library. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says the Village and County both contribute to operational costs for the Library. He says they have built up a fund balance over the years and asked the Library to contribute to the $130,000 cost of the project. He says they asked to contribute up to $12,000 towards the re-roofing. Hornung says he asked the Village board if they might reconsider taking that money given that the re-roofing costs were for maintenance of a village-owned facility. But the board felt since it was approved by the Library Board they should stick with the original agreement.

Business Industry And Education Day Slated

Moraine Park Technical College’s Fond du Lac campus will host the annual Business, Industry & Education Day towards the end of the month. The event on Wednesday, October 28th will begin with tours at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Tour locations will include Agnesian HealthCare, Mid-States Aluminum, J.F. Ahern and the Rosendale Dairy. After lunch there will be discussions on business and education partnerships and a presentation on Fond du Lac Works on collaborative opportunities. The day will wrap up at 3:30 p.m. There’s no cost to attend.

October Is Cyber Security Month

The Division Administrator for the State’s Trade and Consumer Protection Department says residents should take steps to make sure they are protected from hackers and others who might do you harm through the Internet. Frank Frasetto says each day during October, which is Cyber Security Awareness Month their website and Facebook page are offering tips. More recently they warned people about Ransomware, which hackers use to hold you computer hostage once they’ve gained access to it. He says it’s recommended if you become a victim you should take your computer to an expert to have the problem resolved rather than cave in to the hacker. Frasetto says having up-to-date software is important. He says that should include your anti-virus software and periodically you should run your back ups, which will save data that’s important to you.

United Way News And Notes

Fond du Lac Area United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says they are at about 20 percent of their $756,000 goal for the fall fundraising campaign. She most companies that participate are still launching their efforts. Meanwhile she says their educational efforts continue. She says they held an ice cream social for employees at Mercury Marine and introduced them to eight of the agencies the United Way campaign helps to fund. Kilawee also says Holly Moe is now working part-time as their office manager.