Local News Briefs Saturday 12/12/15

Gudex And Schraa Will Create Sex Offender Placement Legislation

Among the officials that attended a meeting in Eldorado this week about the possible placement of a violent sex offender was State Senator Rick Gudex. The state lawmaker from Fond du Lac was impressed with the turn out. He told the gathering he and State Representative Michael Schraa will try and create legislation to address the placement of sex offenders like 51-year-old Clint Rhymes. He says they will try and create legislation that prohibits a sex offender from outside a county to be placed in it and more so tries to keep their placement in their county of origin or where they were convicted. A Milwaukee County judge next week will make a decision about Rhymes’ placement.

FDL Man Pleads To Gun Incident Charge

The 19-year-old Fond du Lac man who allegedly threatened his ex-girlfriend with a gun last summer has pled no contest to a second degree recklessly endangering safety charge. Two other charges against Jerry Yang were read into the record and dismissed. He will be sentenced in Fond du Lac County Court on February 29th. According to the criminal complaint Yang and his girlfriend broke up last August 28th and Yang showed up later that day outside the business where the woman works. He was despondent and threatening to hurt himself. He also pointed the gun at her. No one was harmed during the incident.

Neosho Man Sentenced For Friends Drug Overdose Death

A Washington County judge this week sentenced a 25-year-old Neosho man who administered a fatal dose of heroin to a friend. Clayton Selsing was sentenced to five years in prison and five years of extended supervision. Two other men involved in the heroin overdose are already serving longer prison terms.  Jeffrey Erickson died of a heroin overdose in April of 2013. Before his sentencing was pronounced Selsing told the judge, “I earned this.” 

Church Theft Suspect Charged

Dodge County authorities have charged an 18-year-old Black Creek man suspected of breaking into a Mayville church.  Tristan Van Den Eng is charged with felony theft and two misdemeanors.  According to the criminal complaint, he used a pipe wrench to break into Christian Life Fellowship Church to steal cash and electronics.  He allegedly confessed, saying he was trying to build a home stereo system.  His initial appearance is scheduled for January 4th.

Local Non Profits Receive Alliant Energy Foundation Grants

A couple of area non-profits are receiving grants from Alliant Energy Foundation. Among the grant recipients is the Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac, which is getting a $2,500 grant for Project Learn. Also receiving grants is the Solutions Center with a $2,500 grant for emergency services, Free Spirit Riders and the ARC of Fond du Lac will each get $2,000 grants. Traded Treasures and Community Food Pantry of Ripon is also receiving a $2,500 grant. 

Drug Drop Boxes Making An Impact

The grant coordinator for Drug Free Communities Fond du Lac says drug drop boxes located at police departments in the county are having an impact on reducing the non-medical use of prescription drugs. Ellen Sorensen says this year over 3,000 pounds of pills were collected through the drug drop boxes and properly disposed of. Drug drop boxes can be found at the Fond du Lac and Ripon Police Departments open 24/7. Police Departments in Campbellsport, North Fond du Lac, Oakfield at their village halls and the Waupun Police Department are open during regular business hours.

Brown Paper Packages Opens At FDL Senior Center

The Fond du Lac Senior Center this week celebrated the grand opening of a brand new gift shop. Brown Paper Packages opened on Monday. Senior Center Director Cathy Loomans says the tag line for the business is “Offering Your Favorite Things.” She says the title of the shop is from the song “Your Favorite Things” in the musical “The Sound of Music.” Hours from the shop are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Fridays, Thursday nights from 4 to 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month. She says the gift shop is open to the community.  City Manager Joe Moore says the shop had $1,000 in sales its first day. 

Committee Recommends Waving Recycling Collection Fee For Ripon Churches

An ad-hoc committee is recommending to the Ripon Common Council not charging churches in the city for recycling pick up. City Administrator Lori Rich says the committee was formed in August and looked into the possibility of charging a nominal recycling collection fee for churches and non-profits. This past week the committee recommended to the Council waving the fee. The council will take it up again next month. Rich says there are 14 churches in Ripon and the recycling fee is only $2.65 a month. 

Email Scams Target Online Shoppers

The Division Administrator of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection warns residents about email scams that will try and take advantage of their online shopping habits this season. Frank Frassetto recommends printing out receipts and shipping orders when you place an order online. He says scammer may send an official looking email that says there’s a problem with your shipping. He says the emails usually contain a link to click on supposedly to correct the issue. But Frassetto says it usually sends you to a site where someone will try and get personal information out of you that they can use to their own advantage.