Local News Briefs Friday 3/13/15

Fond du Lac County prosecutors have charged a man and his son for construction site thefts. Fifty-four-year-old Ken and 32-year-old Christopher Zangl, both of Fond du Lac,  are suspected of felony and misdemeanor theft. The thefts occurred mostly last fall. Christopher Zangl made his initial court appearance on the charges this week and Ken Zangl last month. Both have preliminary hearings in their cases next month. Charges could be filed against a third man for his alleged involvement.

Sheboygan County House Fire

Seven Sheboygan County fire departments battled a blaze at a Town of Lyndon home Thursday night. Sheriff’s officials say the County’s Dispatch Center got a call just before 8 p.m. about a fire on County Road U. Flames were seen coming  up through the roof. All occupants of the home were able to safely get out and no injuries were reported. The fire happened at W5088 County Road U.

Ricin Suspect Pleads

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-A suspended UW-Oshkosh student accused of making ricin has entered a guilty plea in the case. As part of a deal with prosecutors, 21-year-old Kyle Smith has entered a guilty plea to possessing ricin. In exchange, charge of making ricin for use as a weapon will be dropped and prosecutors are recommending only a four-year prison sentence. Smith was arrested last Halloween after two UW-Oshkosh professors told police he questioned them about the chemcial process for making the deadly toxin. Investigators then found castor beans and ricin at the home where Smith was living. Smith will be back in court for sentencing on June 2nd.

FDL County Jury Finds Fox Lake Man Guilty Of Sexual Assault

A Fond du Lac County jury this week found a 39-year-old Fox Lake man guilty of sexually assaulting a Fond du Lac woman. Marlin Snake was found guilty of a 2nd degree sexual assault charge, but not guilty of criminal damage to property. According to the criminal complaint the two had been out drinking last November 26th at a friend’s home. The woman fell asleep in a bedroom and when she awoke Snake was assaulting her.  A pre-sentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 18th.

Controlled Burns Scheduled In FDL County

State Department of Natural Resources officials say controlled burns will be conducted on nine different properties or easements in Fond du Lac County this spring. The properties are located in the Towns of Lamartine, Metomen, Oakfield and Waupun. DNR officials say the burns spur the growth of hardy native plants, creating wildlife habitat while making it more difficult for invasive species to gain control. All nine of the properties are in the Glacial Restoration Area.

Lamartine Township-Rens property.

Metomen Township-O’Leary property.

Waupun Township-Steel and Hull property easements and Aalsma property.

Oakfield Township-Stoppleworth, Spirit, Zills and Pea properties.

Saturation Patrols For St Patricks Day Revelers

A sergeant with the State Patrol reminds those getting an early jump on St. Patrick’s Day to make arrangements for a safe ride home if they are going to be drinking this weekend. Sergeant Luke Newman says use a designated driver, get a taxi or walk home if it’s not too far. He says he knows people are getting the message choosing to leave their cars parked outside taverns overnight if they are too drunk to drive. Fond du Lac County law enforcement officials will be doing saturation patrols through St. Patrick’s Day in an effort to crack down on drunken and impaired drivers. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Fond du Lac is this Saturday at 3 p.m. in Downtown Fond du Lac.

Latino Family Group Interviews

One of the ways the Fond du Lac County U-W Extension Service gains a better understanding of a growing Latino population in the County is through group interviews. Community Resource Development Director Diana Tscheschlok says they conducted group interviews with Latino families at several locations in the County. The results have been shared on the U-W Extension’s website. She says one of the concerns had to do with learning the English language for those who can’t speak it. She says even things others take for granted like having a driver’s license can be a concern. She says they also want to have a better understanding of the American culture and want people to understand them better. She says they want to fit in and hoping people will have patience while they become accustomed to their new surroundings. From 2000 to 2010 the Latino population in Fond du Lac County doubled to more than 4,500 people. To see the report click here.

Appleton Company Gets Ripon Sidewalk Replacement Contract

The Ripon Common Council this week approved the low bid for the City’s annual sidewalk maintenance program. City Administrator Lori Rich says they pick a section of the City every year for replacement and removal. She says this year it will be north of Jefferson Street. The low bid for this year’s work was $20,125 and it went to Jim Fischer, Inc. of Appleton and she says they do good work.

Miss FDL Scholarship Pageant Saturday Night

Nineteen young women will be competing for three different titles in the Miss Fond du Lac Scholarship Pageant Saturday night at the Goodrich Little Theater in Fond du Lac. Rachel Page is a Senior at Marian University and is competing for the Miss Fond du Lac crown. She says it’s the second year she’s competing and it also gives her a chance to promote her platform, which has to do with Habitat for Humanity. Breanna Branson is also competing for the Miss Fond du Lac title. She’s a Fond du Lac native and her platform has to do with women and girls having a positive self image. Pageant organizer Jim Haase says it is a scholarship pageant that’s part of the Miss America program. Other contestants will be competing for Miss Fond du Lac Outstanding Teen and Miss Wisconsin Central titles. The pageant is 7 p.m. Saturday night. Advance tickets are for sale at the theater office tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. and also will be available from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday. 

Forest Mall Hosts Model And Baby Contest Preliminaries Saturday

The Forest Mall in Fond du Lac will be hosting a preliminary contest for the Sunburst Model Search and Baby Contest Saturday at 11 a.m. Now in its 37th Year, Sunburst is the largest children’s model search program in the U.S. Girls and women up to age 27 and boys up to age three are eligible to compete in the local contest. Participants will be judged on beauty, overall appearance, and personality. The winners and runners-up from each age group will receive a crown and trophy, plus a complimentary entry into the Wisconsin State Finals in May. To enter online visit www.Pageantinfo.com. Applications are also available in the Forest Mall Office.