Local News Briefs Monday 7/28/14

Oshkosh Police responded to a disturbance involving a knife in the 1900 Block of Jefferson early Saturday morning. One person was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. There is no threat to the public. The incident was reported at 12:25 a.m.

Washington County Jail Death Investigated

Washington County authorities are investigating he apparent suicide of a jail inmate who hung himself on July 18th. Sheriff’s officials say the 23-yer-old Milwaukee man was being housed in a dorm area with other inmates. Another inmate saw the man and notified guards. EMS personnel were called and CPR began. The man died at Froedtert Hospital a day later. The man was serving time for disorderly conduct after his probation status was revoked. He was on work release, but was unemployed. The Medical Examiner has not yet made a ruling on the cause and manner of death. There was no indication of foul play or drug use.

Lt Governor Confident Jobs Goal Will Be Reached Eventually

Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch says Governor Scott Walker set a lofty goal when he promised to create 250,000 new jobs by the end of his first term in office. She says he was one of a few Governors who set the bar high for job creation. She says while he fell short with 100,000 jobs created a lot of others didn’t set their goals as high. She says he felt Wisconsin should set its sights higher. She thinks he will be able to reach that initial goal eventually. Meanwhile says Wisconsin has been aggressive in going after business outside the state with agricultural and manufacturing tax credits and says the establishment of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has helped.

AirVenture Gets Underway

EAA AirVenture gets underway in Oshkosh today. EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski says thousands from around the world attend the annual fly-in and air shows. It’s billed as the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration. He has some advice for people who are planning on making a day of it AirVenture. He says you should wear comfortable shoes to walk around while seeing all there is to see, wear a hat, put on some sunscreen, and bring some water to drink. Many people also look forward to the opening day concern, which this year features Kenny Loggins who is known for the hits I’m Allright, Footloose, and of course from the film Top Gun Danger Zone. Knapinski says they have plenty of other talented musicians lined up to perform during the week. The Loggins concert will be after the daily air show about 6 p.m.

Waupun Mayor Putting In Long Hours

It’s only a part-time job, but Waupun’s Mayor says he’s putting in full time hours because of his commitment to bettering the community. Kyle Clark says he’s enjoying his new role with the City. He says involved in improving the quality of life and also working on some economic development projects. Clark retired a few months ago after being elected Mayor. He had been the City’s Administrator and prior to City Clerk and Treasurer. All told he had nearly 30 years in with the City. Though he’s retired Clark says he puts in full-time hours as Mayor. He says he puts in 40 to 50 hours a week because he’s committed to the City. This past weekend Clark was one of the officials on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Family Aquatic Center in Waupun.

Hwy 23 Project Continues In Green Lake County

State Department of Transportation officials says the second stage of construction on State Highway 23 in Green Lake County between County A west and State Highway 49 begins today. It will involve reconstruction of the Puchyan River Bridge. There will be traffic impacts and detours in both Green Lake and Fond du Lac Counties. The project is expected to wrap up in November.

Senator Gudex Receives Building Wisconsin Award

State Senator Rick Gudex of Fond du Lac was recently selected to receive the 2014 “Building Wisconsin” Award, presented by Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin (ABC-Wisconsin). The recognition comes for his hard work during the 2013-2014 legislative session on behalf of Wisconsin’s construction industry. One of the specific reasons he received this award was his sponsorship and support of the Commercial Building Code legislation or Senate Bill 617, which simplifies and streamlines construction regulations for architects, builders and developers.  “Being selected for this award from ABC-Wisconsin is a real honor. One of my top legislative priorities going into this session was to eliminate the confusing and unnecessary regulations that are a burden to businesses in our state, and I am glad our local construction industry benefitted from that effort,” Gudex said. He says he is looking forward to continuing the trend of making Wisconsin a business friendly state during the next legislative session.

Express Admissions Day August 6th At UW-FDL

New students at the UW-Fond du Lac will be able to complete several steps in the admission process during Expression Admission Day on Wednesday, August 6th. It will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Student Affairs Office. Maggie Gellings is the student services coordinator with the UW-Fond du Lac. She urges students to take care of admissions prior to that if they can. UW-Fond du Lac Assistant Dean for Administration and Finance Bethany Rusch says two $500 scholarships are still available to incoming students who have applied and been admitted since April 4th. You have to be admitted by August 15th to be eligible for the scholarship. Gellings says you will need a few things for Express Admission Day including your social security number and money for the application fee. She says you will also need high school transcripts and transcripts from any previous college and $44 for the application fee.

Aviation Week

Governor Walker has proclaimed this week as Wisconsin Aviation Week. Tom DeWinter with the state Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Aeronautics says it’s a chance to educate people on air travel as part of a multimodal transportation system in the state.  He says aviation goes beyond passenger and recreational flights. Many Wisconsin businesses rely on air travel to ship and receive goods and services, as well as transporting people. So, overall it’s a major contributor to the state’s economy. In fact it contributes about $7 billion a year to the economy, according to the latest Bureau of Aeronautics report, accounting for more than 90,000 jobs in Wisconsin. DeWinter says there job is to make Wisconsin airports as safe and efficient as possible. Of course this week also bring the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh.

Volunteers Needed For Literacy Services

Fond du Literacy Services is seeking volunteers to teach adult literacy students in the Oakfield, Eden and Fond du Lac areas. Volunteer tutors receive training on working one-on-one with adult students who struggle with reading, writing, math or the English language. All materials are provided and no teaching experience is required.  Interested persons ages 18 and up are invited to an informational orientation at the Fond du Lac Public Library from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. this Thursday. Tutor training next will be held at the library from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, August 7. Registration for each event is requested by calling (920) 322-3932 or emailing Literacy Specialist Jeanna Donovan at literacy@fdlpl.org.  Additional information can be found online at www.fdlpl.org/FDLLiteracy .  Literacy Services is located on the second floor of the library.