Local News Briefs Friday 5/15/15

The 32-year-old Fond du Lac woman whose 8-year-old son spilled toxic bleach on a pair of puppies has agreed to a deferred prosecution agreement. Amanda Farr recently pled no contest to a pair of misdemeanor charges intentionally giving poison to an animal and intentionally abandoning an animal. If she lives up to court conditions over the next two years the charges will be dismissed. Five other charges were read into the record and dismissed. In February of last year her young son doused two puppies with bleach after one nipped at his feet. He then placed one of the puppies into a trash bag and took it outside and threw it in a dumpster. Farr was accused of knowing about the incident, but doing nothing about it. The two puppies were treated for caustic burns. The puppies were treated and taken care of at the Fond du Lac Humane Society and found new homes within about a month of the incident.

Fatal Accident Near Sheboygan Falls

Sheboygan County Sheriff’s officials say a 89-year-old Sheboygan Falls woman died in a two-vehicle crash on Meadowlark Road and Highway 23 near Sheboygan Falls Thursday afternoon. It happened just before 1:30 a 90-year-old Sheboygan Falls man was trying to cross Highway 23 on Meadowlark Road when his vehicle was struck on the passenger side. The elderly woman was a passenger in his car. He was taken to St. Nicholas Hospital and a 42-year-old Sheboygan woman and a young child in the other car were taken to Sheboygan Memorial Hospital for evaluation.

Oshkosh Police Identify Hobbytown Suspects

Oshkosh Police says they’ve identified all three suspects in the vandalism that occurred at Hobbytown USA on Tuesday, March 31st. The investigation is continuing into the incident. Police released three photos of the suspects this week believing they were all from the Sheboygan area. One suspect kicked and damaged a glass door as he was leaving.

Springs WLA And Waupun Christian Eligible For School Choice Voucher Program

St. Mary’s Springs Academy and Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac are among the 35 schools or school systems that are eligible to participate in the state’s school choice program for the 2015-16 Academic Year. It’s the third year St. Mary’s Springs has been eligible and the second year for Winnebago Lutheran Academy. According to the state’s Department of Public Instruction WLA received 59 applications and St. Mary’s 52. Central Wisconsin Christian School Waupun is also eligible with 49 applicants in their first year of eligibility.

Police Week Proclamation

Fond du Lac Police Chief Bill Lamb accepted a proclamation from City Council President Lee Ann Lorrigan Wednesday night in honor of Peace Officer’s Memorial Day and National Police Week. Chief Lamb says 126 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2014 a 24 percent increase over 2013. On March 24th State Trooper Trevor Casper was killed in a shoot out with a bank robber in Fond du Lac. Chief Lamb says this year isn’t off to a good start either when it comes to line of duty deaths. He says 44 officers have been killed and a dozen since Trooper Casper’s death. Chief Lamb says the men and women of his department are willing to put their lives on the line to protect the community, but proclamations like the one he accepted at the City Council meeting hold meaning for them. The Police Department will hold its annual Memorial Ceremony this afternoon at 2 p.m. paying tribute to the three officers who have died in the line of duty over the years and Trooper Casper. The ceremony is at the Police And Fire Memorial in Hamilton Park.

Distracted Drivers

The Highway Safety Coordinator for Fond du Lac County says distracted drivers are becoming more of a factor in traffic accidents. Sheriff’s Captain Rick Olig says that’s especially true with younger drivers who are using cell phones or other devices in their vehicles. He says you travel at a rate of 88 feet per second at 55 miles per hour so a couple of seconds spent reading a text could result in an accident if the driver in front of you stops. Olig says even if you have hands free phone service it can be a distraction. He says he pulls over to the side of the road when he has to answer or make a call and so do other drivers their deputies have encountered. On another note the Click or Ticket enforcement effort starts next Monday across the state so make sure you’re buckled up.

Senator Johnson Keynote Speaker In FDL Memorial Day Ceremony

The keynote speaker for the Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park in Fond du Lac will be U.S. Senator Ron Johnson. The day begins with the annual Memorial Day Parade starting at 10 a.m. at the corner of Guindon Blvd and S. Main Street. It proceeds north to the park where the program will be held.  In addition to Senator Johnson, State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt, State Senator Rick Gudex, County Executive Allen Buechel and City Manager/Retired Army Colonel Joseph Moore will give brief welcomes. The invocation and benediction will be given by Reverend Steve Huff and music during the ceremony will be provided by the Fond du Lac High School Band. Mc Cullen-Kimpel Marine Corps League Detachment 552 of Fond du Lac is this year’s sponsoring unit.  Master of Ceremony will be former Marine and Retired Navy Lieutenant Commander Richard Feustel. In case of cancellation due to severe weather, an announcement will be made at 8am on NEWS-TALK 1450 KFIZ. Also non-commercial entries for the parade are still being sought.  If you haven’t called yet to be in the parade, please call the County Veterans Service Office by noon next Monday at 920-929-3117.

Budget Counseling Available For Veterans

Veterans in need of budget counseling can get it for free through Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Fond du Lac. Program Manager Tammy Matzdorf says they know that sometimes veterans need help with in figuring out their finances. She says they can do a one-on-one financial analysis and help them figure out a plan. She says they can do a free credit report for veterans when they need assistance securing lower interest rates on payments, improving their credit or purchasing a home. She says they can also help them on housing financing. Matzdorf says Consumer Credit is HUD approved so they can help with HUD counseling whether they are struggling with finances or are concerned about getting behind. She says their offices are located at 17 Forest Avenue in Fond du Lac. You can also call them at (920) 907-4344 or toll free 1-800-350-2227.For more information click here.

FDL Fire And Rescue Open House Slated

Fond du Lac Fire and EMS will be participating in National EMS next week, by holding an open house at the fire station on South Main Street. Assistant Chief Todd Janquart oversees their EMS operations. He says the week is an opportunity to highlight the services they provide. He says the open house is next Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. It will include demonstrations including the use of the Jaws of Life. He says there will also be talks and tours. Weather permitting Flight for Life will land and their will be activities for the kids. Janquart says the services their paramedics provide in the field are the best you can get outside of being at a hospital. He says it’s the highest pre-hospital care you can have in the state of Wisconsin.