Local News Briefs Monday 8/4/14

Thunderstorms moving through the area brought heavy winds and rain Sunday afternoon. The storms sent people at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh scurrying for cover in buildings, tents and under canopies. According to the National Weather Service heavy rain in Fond du Lac was accompanied by a wind gust at 2:46 p.m. of 63 miles per hour. Hail was also reported in some areas including Appleton where it was nearly an inch in diameter.

Traffic Delayed By Post EAA Traffic

Fond du Lac County saw a major delay on Highway 41 north and southbound Sunday afternoon at Fond du Lac County Highway OOO or Scott Street beginning at 4:30 p.m. The State Patrol reported delays in excess of 3 miles beginning at Scott Street that started with a traffic incident. The delays lasted about two hours. Yesterday was the last day for EAA AirVenture, which contributed to some of that traffic.

U.S. Senator Johnson Will Appeal Federal Lawsuit

Senator Ron Johnson will be appealing the dismissal of his recent lawsuit challenging ObamaCare. It challenged rules allowing congressional members and their staff to seek government-subsidized health insurance through small-business exchanges. The federal lawmaker made comments in an opinion piece that ran in yesterday’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel saying he feels compelled to challenge the executive actions of President Obama. Last month a federal Judge ruled that Johnson and an aide didn’t have legal standing to begin the lawsuit because they hadn’t been injured by it.

Sheriff’s Department Training

One of the questions raised during the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s race has been about how much training deputies and staff get each year. In last week’s debate Fond du Lac Police Detective Bill Ledger said he would budget more money for training, which prompted Sheriff Mick Fink to ask where they needed the training. Sheriff’s Captain Rick Olig says in fact deputies had over 3,500 hours of training last year. He says they even hosted an update on drunken driving laws with state Department of Justice officials for law enforcement agencies across the County. He says they also had active shooter training for all County employees. He says Sheriff’s Sergeant Renee Schuster is an expert on drug identification and their field training officer for that. He says other training has included tactical EMS for gunshot wounds, pursuit and intervention for traffic pursuits, emergency vehicle operation, defense and arrest tactics, firearms, vehicle contacts and CPR. He says their jail officers receive training in mental health, crisis intervention, using tasers and more.

Curfew Hours Change In FDL

There have been some changes to Fond du Lac’s night time curfew ordinance for children. Officer Steve Olson talked about the changes on KFIZ’s Behind the Badge program. It used to be 15 to 17-year-olds could be out until midnight and those 14 and under until 10:30.  Olson says that’s changes and those 15 and under have to in by 10 p.m. For those 16 and 17-years-old it’s until midnight. Olson says it’s about keeping children safe. For more click here.

Border Bill Stalls

Congressman Tom Petri says the house is trying to get a handle on the border security crisis and illegal immigration. He says they certainly don’t want to add to the problem. He says they certainly don’t want to half-encourage people to take the law into their own hands and hop over to the American side of the border. He says critics are playing on the heart strings by talking about the young children involved, but in fact some of the children they are talking about are 14 to 18 year-olds who are being used to get illegal drugs across the border. Petri says it’s a frustrating problem with many layers. Congress last Friday drafted a bill that would have provided $694 million to help shore up the border problems, but federal lawmakers failed to do anything before the August recess.

Democrats To Set Party’s Governor’s Ticket In Primary Election

It’s confusing for some, but the running mate for gubernatorial candidates is in the hands of voters. Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch says it’s unlike presidential campaigns when candidates choose their running mates. She says voters choose in the primary election who will run with a party’s candidate for Governor in November. She says the Republican ticket is already set with her and Governor Walker in November, but Democrats have to make their choices on August 12th. She Democrats will make their selections for the gubernatorial and Lt. Governor’s candidates that will be paired on the ballot in November.

Senator Johnson Staff Hours In Area Today

Senator Ron Johnson’s staff will be holding mobile officer hours in several communities today. They will be at the Denmark Village Hall from 9 to 10 and the Cleveland Village Hall from 10:45 to 11:45 this morning. This afternoon they will be at the St. Cloud Village Hall and Fire Hall from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The office hours allow constituents to meet with the Senator’s staff to request assistance with a federal agency or regarding other federal matters.

MPTC Amazing Race Coming Up

New students at Moraine Park Technical College’s three main campuses will be able to explore the campus and learn more about student services through an event fashioned after the popular TV series the Amazing Race. Bonnie Bauer is the Dean of Admissions and Retention at MPTC. She says the event will be held at their Beaver Dam, West Bend and Fond du Lac campuses. She says the amazing race allows students to meet with teams of service providers and find out more about support services on those campuses. Bauer says clues will lead the teams of students to service providers as they navigate the campus. The Moraine Park Amazing Race will be held at the Beaver Dam campus August 12th, West Bend campus on August 13th, and Fond du Lac campus on August 14th. Participants will have the chance to win prizes.