Local News Briefs Friday 4/22/16

FDL County Jobless Rate Falls

The unemployment rate for the City and County of Fond du Lac fell in March. According to federal labor statistics the jobless rate was 4.9 percent in February, but decreased to 4.3 percent in March. Those same stats indicate 48,800 people were working in the County last month an increase of 600 from March of last year. The state’s unemployment rate for March was 4.5 percent, a slight decrease from February.

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Alpacas Spared In Washington County Barn Fire

Fire destroyed a barn in the Town of Hartford Wednesday night. Washington County Sheriff’s officials say no Alpacas lost their lives in the blaze at Magic Willows Alpacas on Arthur Road, but a cat and two rabbits died. No firefighters were injured. The cause of the fire is being determined. There was about $70,000 worth of damage to the barn. 

Former Wayland Academy Instructor Arraigned On Sexual Assault Charges

A former instructor at Beaver Dam’s Wayland Academy was arraigned this week on child enticement and sexual assault of a student charges. Adam Hechimovich pled not guilty to the 15 felony counts when he appeared in Dodge County Court.  The 23-year-old Mayville man is suspected of having sex with a 16-year-old boy on the campus late last year.   

Sheboygan Street Closure

Fond du Lac’s Public Works Department tells us Sheboygan Street between Main Street and Portland Street will be closed starting next Monday. That stretch of street will be closed for three weeks while City crews complete maintenance on storm sewer and replace curb, gutter and sidewalks. Drivers are encouraged to find an alternate route. There will be no signed detour. 

Senate Candidate Says Water Quality Is An Issue

Former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold says water quality is an issue across the state of Wisconsin. The U.S. Senate candidate participated in a roundtable discussion in Kewaunee last weekend where water quality is an issue. He says he heard the groundwater contamination there is very serious. He says 34 percent of the wells that have been tested have been shown to be contaminated. He says a large hog farm in Northern Wisconsin has people there worried about their water. He says near Lake Superior the citing of a 30,000 hog farm has people concerned about contamination to the lake. Feingold says in this area every summer people have to worry about blue-green algae and its potential toxins. Feingold this fall will try and win his seat back from incumbent Senator Ron Johnson.

Sisters Of St Agnes Hosting Earth Fair Sunday

The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Agnes will hold an “Earth Week Fair featuring Solar Energy” at the Founders Hall on County Highway K in Fond du Lac this Sunday. Sister Sally Ann Brickner says the convent uses 880 solar panels for power, which people will be able to tour. She says Just Fare will also be there to show projects related to sustainability. She says they also have a group coming in to talk about the way our food is grown. Shared Seasons will talk about the food we eat and the importance of nourishing good food from earth. Sister Sally also says they will have someone from the Lake Winnebago Quality Improvement Association will be sharing information about how run-off affects the lake and what homeowners can do. There will be kids’ area, a drawing for rain barrel and more. Hours for the fair are from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

FDL Memorial Day Parade Engries Being Accepted

The Fond du Lac Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will be held on Monday, May 30th.   Requests are being accepted for entries in the parade.  All parade entries must have a theme in keeping with the purpose of Memorial Day; to honor and remember our deceased veterans and missing in action.  That means there will be no advertising of any other events or commercial products allowed.  There will also be no distributing of candy, political or election materials, or any other favors allowed during the parade. Floats and other parade entry requests must be submitted no later than Friday, May 13th by calling 920-929-3117 on weekdays from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.  The parade will begin at S. Main Street and Guindon Blvd. and will proceed north to Veterans Park.  A Memorial Ceremony will be held immediately afterward.  The American Legion in Fond du Lac is this year’s sponsoring unit.

Mercury To Receive Corporate Safety Award

Mercury Marine is one of 15 companies that will be honored with corporate safety awards during the 74th Annual Wisconsin Safety & Health Conference and Exposition next month. The companies and two individuals will be honored with awards during the May 17 and 18th event at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells. Ariens Company President and CEO Dan Ariens will be honored as the 15th inductee into the Wisconsin Safety Hall of Fame and Hank Fitzsimmons will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.