Local News Briefs Monday 5/4/15

A group of boys vandalizing Hobbs Woods are ruining enjoyment of the park for others. Park Supervisor Paul Klein says it’s horseplay at its worst. He says they been breaking trees, spearing fish and making bike trails when bikes aren’t allowed in the park. He says spearing isn’t allowed in the park either because it’s a trout stream. He says they can be aggressive as one woman who confronted them reported. Klein asks if you get their vehicle license plate number while you’re out there to let him know. You can call him at 979-9059 or Joe Disterhaft of Park Maintenance at 960-4572.

New Holstein Shooting Suspects Caught

Calumet County authorities took a fourth suspect in a New Holstein shooting into custody Friday night. They received tips Cody Meidam was in the Manitowoc area and found him there. He and three others broke into a New Holstein residence last Wednesday night. Shots were fired and a 30-year-old man in the home was hit in the foot. The three other suspects in custody are an 18-year-old Town of Charlestown man, a 17-year-old Kiel boy and a 16-year-old Town of New Holstein boy.

Washington County Grass And Barn Fire

Washington County Sheriff’s officials say an out of control brush fire destroyed a barn, grainary and machine shed in the Town of Trenton Sunday afternoon. A state trooper was the first to arrive and reported that the roof of a nearby barn had caught fire at 2164 County Highway NN. Twelve fire departments battled the blaze that destroyed 4 acres of brush and grassland in addition to the buildings. There was no livestock in the barn and no one was injured during the fire. The time of the call was just before 1 p.m.

Oshkosh Sex Offender Moving

Oshkosh Police say a 40-year-old sex offender will be moving to 326 W. 8th Avenue today. Daniel Larson was convicted of sexual assault of a child and burglary in 2000. The assault victim was a 13-year-old girl. He will be on electronic monitoring.

FDL Police Forum Today

The Fond du Lac Police Department’s Central District command will be holding a series of public forums to discuss crime issues within the district. The first is this morning from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Fond du Lac Public Library in the Eugene G. McLane meeting room. The second forum will be on Monday, May 11th from 6 to 7 p.m. in that same room at the library. Anyone who lives in the Central District is welcome to attend the forums. Police would like to see more landlords also getting involved in the forums.

Senator Stroebel Office Hours Announced

State Senator Duey Stroebel will hold listening sessions at three different locations over the next three Mondays. Today he will be with State Representative Robert Brooks at the Cedarburg Public Librart. Next Monday, May 11th he will be with State Representative Bob Gannon at the West Bend City Hall and on Monday, May 18th he will be at the Villa Loretto Nursing Home in Mt. Calvary in the Southwest Conference Room with State Representative Jesse Kramer. Hours for each of the listening sessions are from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

State Budget Impact

North Fond du Lac Schools Superintendent Aaron Sadoff says the proposed state budget could have a lot of latent affects on school districts, counties and municipalities. He says members of the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee recognize there are a number of significant problems and challenges. He says education and services used to be considered more of an investment not just a cost. He says things will eventually work, but if you don’t like something in the budget you should let your legislator know. Sadoff says people are concerned about what kind of future they are leaving for the generation to follow. He says generally people are hoping it will be better for their kids.

Getting Ready For Voter ID

Fond du Lac County Clerk Lisa Freiberg recommends getting a photo ID if you don’t have one before next February’s election. The state photo IDs are free. She says you will need a registered copy of your birth certificate to get a new drivers license or state photo ID. She says if you don’t have one the Department of Motor Vehicles is working with the Department of Vital Records and can help you if you were born in the state. She says they will also help you if you were born out of state. Freiberg says a lot has been going on behind the scenes to prepare for the implementation of voter ID. 

Pool Pass Donations Sought

The Fond du Lac Area Foundation, Fond du Lac Parks Department and Fond du Lac Recreation Department are seeking donations for the 12th annual pool pass program. The program helps low-income families pay for passes to the Taylor Park and County Fairgrounds pools. Foundation Executive Director Sandi Roehrig says the program began as a group discussion about the affordability of family pool passes for low-income families. She says the late Helen Perry gave the initial donation that started it all. She says those eligible for the pool passes may still have to provide a co-pay. She says they’ve been fortunate over the years to have a loyal group that support the program with donations. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, 384 N. Main Street, Suite 4, Fond du Lac, WI. 54935. Those wishing to apply for the free and reduced-priced pool passes can do so at the Fond du Lac Recreation Department on Monday, May 11th from 5 to 6 p.m. and Wednesday May 13th from 1 to 2 p.m.

UW FDL Artist Reception

The UW-Fond du Lac will host an artist’s reception for print maker Kristen Bartel this afternoon. It will be from 3:30 -5 p.m. in the Visual Arts Gallery, in Room A-125. The exhibit “New Works” can be viewed through today in the Visual Arts Gallery and the Oberreich Gallery in the University Center Commons at UW-Fond du Lac. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. The reception and the exhibit are free and open to the community. Light refreshments will be available.