Local News Briefs Friday 5/23/14

A Fond du Lac public works employee caught flack on a social networking site when he inadvertently ran over several baby ducklings with a large pickup truck this week. Public Works Director Jordan Skiff says it happened in an area where you don’t normally see the water fowl. He was southbound on Main Street approaching Pioneer and the ducks were on a small island near there and were walking across the intersection. Some people witnessed the incident and a Facebook post created a negative buzz about it. Skiff says the ducks were about 15 feet from the stop bar and apparently in a blind spot for the driver. Skiff says the employee didn’t know what he had done until a few people who saw what happened caught up to him when he arrived at his destination. He says it’s a sad incident and one that the employee feels bad about. Police say there was no malicious intent by the driver, but that’s not an opinion some posting on social networking sites share.

Groundbreaking Scheduled For MPTC FDL Addition

A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Monday, June 2nd for Moraine Park Technical College’s addition project at its Fond du Lac campus. The ceremony is slated for 11 a.m. to kickoff the $1.5 million project. Tim Flood is MPTC’s Director of Facilities. He says they wanted a more defined entrance and will get that with the new addition. The 5,212 square-foot addition will house a student services area. Sally Ruback the Enrollment Services Manager for MPTC says it will be like the concierge area of a major hotel with students and staff focused on visitors’ needs. Flood says the welcome area of the school is for many their first impression and they want to make that impression count. The District Board Wednesday approved bids for the project that came in just under that budget. Completion of the project is expected by November 28th.

Dodge County Sheriff Defends Resume

Retired Dodge County Sheriff’s Detective Bob Neuman is calling Sheriff Pat Ninmann’s resume into question. Neuman says Ninmann falsified the information about her education leaving out dates about when she completed that education. Neuman, a runner up during the Governor’s appointment process, calls the situation a “slippery-slope.” He says the governor could have assumed she had the degree she was working toward. Ninmann questions why her accuser is bringing it up a year after he had the information. She calls the accusations “inaccurate.” She says she included dates when she finished her education, but not for her work at Moraine Park Technical College, which she was still pursuing. Governor Scott Walker appointed Ninmann Sheriff in April of last year after the retirement of Todd Nehls. Ninmann is expected to attain the criminal justice degree next month.

Holiday Travel Tips

Motorists won’t find much road construction in this area this Holiday weekend. State Patrol Sergeant Luke Newman says there is some culvert work going on in Fond du Lac County, but that won’t hamper traffic. He says there is some construction going on in Winnebago County and a lot of construction on Highway 41 in Green Bay.Newman says because there will be so many travelers traffic may move slower than normal on well traveled highways like Highway 41. He says if you’re pulling a trailer or using a camper for the first time this year he advises making sure all the equipment is working properly. He also urges drivers to buckle up the Click it or Ticket seat belt enforcement effort is going on statewide.

Drivers Asked To Be On The Lookout For Half Marathon Runners Sunday

Motorists in Fond du Lac are reminded that Salute the Troops will be holding its 3rd annual half marathon and 5K this Sunday. There will be temporary road restrictions and closures in the city of Fond du Lac and Lakeside Park from 6 until 10:30 Sunday morning. Drivers are asked to watch for runners on the roads.

Sheboygan Drug Dealer Sentenced

A Sheboygan drug dealer has been sentenced to prison, but he’s already served a good portion of his time behind bars in the Sheboygan County Jail. Twenty-eight-year-old Timothy Gahagan was sentenced this week to 3 ½ years in prison and two years of supervision. However he has been sitting in jail since his arrest in December of 2012 on drug charges and has been given credit for serving 515 days.  He was arrested after a search warrant was executed at his home and investigators found heroin, cocaine, cash and drug paraphernalia at his home.

Community Survey Assesses Seniors Needs

A community action survey is determining the needs of Fond du Lac County seniors. The survey is being conducted by TRIAD and S.A.L.T. or Seniors and Law Enforcement Together. It breaks down those concerns into sub-categories of At Home, In Our Community, and Transportation. It covers a variety of concerns from home break-ins to lack of transportation. SALT Chair Jamie Roth says they will address one of the transportation issues with a Car Fit event coming up at the Fond du Lac Senior Center. Bridget Bestor of ADVOCAP says so far they are finding that the top concern has to do with sales calls in particular telephone solicitation and door-to-door sales. Bestor says they will use the survey to address concerns in the community so it will be an ongoing effort. Copies of the survey can be picked up at the Fond du Lac Senior Center and ADVOCAP.

Brat Fry Supports Ripon Medical Center Auxiliary Efforts

The Ripon Medical Center Auxiliary will be holding a brat fry at the Ripon Pick ‘n Save this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brats and hamburgers will be $3 or its $3.25 for cheeseburgers. Soft drinks and water will also be available. Money raised through efforts like the brat fry help support the Ripon Medical Center Auxiliary’s scholarships for graduating seniors who are interested in pursuing an education in the healthcare field and support the programs at the Ripon Medical Center.