Local News Briefs Friday 2/5/16

Ripon Police Need Help Investigating Assault

Ripon Police are asking the public for information about an assault that occurred outside a Ripon tavern last Friday night. A Ripon man was hospitalized after he was found injured on a sidewalk in the 300 Block of Watson Street about 10:30 that evening. He has serious injuries to his face and head. Anyone who has information about how the man suffered those injuries or may have witnessed the assault is asked to call the Ripon Police Department at (920) 748-2888.

Senate Minority Leader Criticizes Fitzgerald Bill

State Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling says she’s surprised Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is pushing a bill that would prohibit state legislators from serving as a county executive at the same time. The Democrat from La Crosse says Fitzgerald has made no secret of the fact that it’s about Winnebago County Executive Mark Harris, a Democrat, running for the 18th State Senate seat. She questions whether Fitzgerald is really pushing the bill or there are outside interests involved. She says it’s wrong. She says Fitzgerald has the power and authority to pass a law that would prohibit certain people from running for office. She says if it’s about money, Governor Walker’s run for president certainly didn’t raise any red flags with Republicans. She says Walker ran around the country racking up over $250,000 in taxpayer bills. Senator Rick Gudex, a Republican, is not running for reelection representing the 18th State Senate District.

Ballweg Bill Would Simplify Getting Vital Records

State Representative Joan Ballweg is the author of bill that would make it easier for people to get copies of certain vital records. The state lawmaker from Markesan says technology allows putting records online through the state vital records system. She says it would allow you to get certain copies of certain records through your Register of Deeds office even if you weren’t born or married in that county. Not all records would be available through that fashion, but most people are looking for including birth records, marriage records, death certificates and divorce decrees. She says it would benefit people who have to invest time and money to travel to the county where the original records are kept.

Advice About Using Space Heaters

The Division Chief of Fire Prevention for Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue reminds residents to be careful while using portable heaters or space heaters. Troy Haase says a recent garage fire was started by a portable heater that was left on overnight and started a chair on fire. He says the owner of the garage was certain he had turned the heater off. He says you should keep anything flammable at least three feet away from the source of a flame or intense heat. He also recommends using a power strip rather than a series of extension chords if you are using a portable heater and can’t plug it directly into a wall.

Five Area School Systems Registered For School Voucher Program

Five area school systems are among the 135 private and religious schools and school systems that have registered for the state’s parental choice program. In this area that includes; Central Wisconsin Christian School in Waupun, St. Mary’s Springs Academy and Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac, Saint John Lutheran School in Berlin, and the Randolph Christian School. Department of Public Instruction officials say there are 31 new schools applying to participate in the statewide voucher program for the 2016-17 school year.

Vendors Night Will Be Held For Farmers Market Participants

The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership will host a Vendor Application Night for those vendors who want to participate in the two weekly farmers markets this year. The meeting is Tuesday, February 16th in the McClane Room at the Fond du Lac Public Library. It will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Vendors can walk in, complete and application, ask questions, and receive general information. The Saturday market brings over 3,000 shoppers weekly and the Wednesday market averages 250 to 350 shoppers.