Local News Briefs Monday 11/10/14

Two Ripon men suspected of an armed robbery at the Ripon Pick ‘N Save in September were both in Fond du Lac County Court recently. Seventeen-year-old Tyler Cody was bound over for trial during a preliminary hearing while there was a bail bond hearing for his suspected accomplice 21-year-old Cody Schaffer. According to the criminal complaint Tyler Cody entered the store to “scope out” the location and Schaffer then went in displaying what appeared to be a handgun in his waist band telling the clerk that it was a robbery. After the robbery officers found the two walking near the rear of US Bank. They had money from the robbery in their pockets. Schaffer had stolen a toy gun from a local store for the robbery. Schaffer has a plea and sentencing hearing on November 24th.

Help Needed In Identifying Vehicle Used In Waupun Park Incident

Waupun Police are hoping the public can help them identify a vehicle used to car used in an incident at Harris Mill Park on the evening of November 2nd. A dark-colored car believed to be a Ford Crown Victoria with large rims was seen driving through the park area chasing two men who were on foot.  It struck a parked vehicle as it was leaving the park. Anyone with information about the incident or vehicle is asked to call Officer Mike Navis at the Waupun Police Department. 

Sheboygan Vandalism

Sheboygan Police are busy investigating several vandalism incidents in the past few weeks. On Friday, a rash of busted car windows occurred between Indiana Avenue and Wedemeyer Street.  Police say they are investigating at least five incidents. Also, police are asking those who live near Field of Dreams to watch for vehicles that are driving on them and causing damage.  These incidents have occurred over the weekend and evening hours. 

Harbor Haven Remodel For Private Rooms Would Cut Tax Levy

Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel says remodeling the second floor of the north half of Harbor Haven Health & Rehabilitation will reduce the tax levy for the facility in the long run. He says an analysis over the past two years showed a number of people who chose not to come to the facility because of a lack of private rooms. He says about 30 people made the choice not to use Harbor Haven. He says remodeling for the private rooms would reduce the total number of beds by 13 in that wing, but they’d be able to more than make up that cost by picking up more private pay and Medicare patients who want private rooms. He says it will cost a little over $900,000 for the remodel, but the tax levy for the facility’s operations would be $480,000. He says with the private rooms added there will be a minimal amount of levy support by 2017 compared to the past. It would be $170,000 compared to $1.2 million two years ago.

FDL Fire Dept Reminds Residents About Carbon Monoxide Detectors

With the winter heating season now upon us in Wisconsin, several fire safety advocates have teamed up to raise awareness of the law in Wisconsin which requires that carbon monoxide detectors be installed in all dwellings where carbon monoxide may be produced including one and two family dwellings. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas which if not detected early can render humans sick and in some cases, the poisoning can be deadly. “We encourage residents to have their gas fueled heating equipment serviced on an annual basis”, says Fire Chief Peter O’Leary. “Having working CO detectors on each level of your home will give residents the quick-warning they need in the event of a CO detected leak.” If residents suspect a CO leak, they should immediately exit the building and call 9-1-1.

FDL School Board Meet

The Fond du Lac School Board will approve several proclamations tonight celebrating American Education Week next week. In addition to a proclamation on American Education Week the board will consider proclamations for National Education Support Professional Day on Wednesday, November 19th and National Substitute Educators Day on Friday, November 21st. The board meets at 5 p.m. at the District Administration Center Board Room at 72 W. 9th Street.

Deputy John Abler Retiring This Month

After 37 years with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy John Abler will be retiring on November 20th. Abler says he got his start with the department as a dispatcher in November of 1977 and was encouraged by future Sheriff Jim Gilmore to join the deputy reserve program. In 1981 three new deputy positions were added and Abler got one of them. He believes in his time with the Sheriff’s Department the biggest change has been the role technology has played in law enforcement and particularly with computers now in each squad car. He says one of the toughest things to handle is a death notification and he remembers when one ten-year-old boy shoot and killed another ten-year-old while they were fooling around with a gun. He says luckily he had the right training officer to get him through it Tom Booker. Abler says he became an EMT with the Mt. Calvary ambulance service back in the 1970s before joining the Sheriff’s Department and will be a part-time driver for that service when he retires. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters Adopt A Family Holiday Program

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County is looking for people who would like to adopt some of their families this Christmas season. Big Brothers Executive Director Tammy Young says they have 68 children or “littles” on their waiting list now waiting to be paired with an adult or “big.” This Christmas season they are also looking for people to buy gifts for their families to brighten their holidays. She says they have 35 families already matched. But they’d like to match a total of 50 families. She says those families don’t need an extravagant gift, just something so they too can share in the joy of the holidays. If you would like to know more call 922-8200. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a United Way agency.

Red Cross Volunteer Opportunities

An American Red Cross official says they depend a lot on their volunteers. Barb Behling says it’s a wonderful opportunity if people are looking a way to give back to the community. She says call 920-231-3590 to find out more or go their website. She says they’d be happy to work with anyone who has time to volunteer. She says they provide the training at no cost and they are glad to work with people to accommodate their schedules.

Black Friday Deals At FDL Public Library

The Fond du Lac Public Library’s downtown branch will have some of its own specials on Black Friday. Library Community Information Coordinator Terri Fleming says that includes a break on overdue fines from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, November 28th. Fines can be paid off at half the usual rate. There will be other specials as well, which you find out about at the library’s website. Also that day you can check out up to eight DVDs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the BookCellar will have special hours and a sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Roberts Elementary 50th Birthday Celebrated With Open House

Roberts Elementary School in Fond du Lac will be celebrating its 50th Birthday Tuesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. An open house will be held for current and former students and staff members to celebrate the special occasion. There will be an opportunity to tour the school, talk with past and present staff members, and view memorabilia from the past. Light refreshments will be served.