Local News Briefs Saturday 5/17/14

A Ripon tavern patron should have stuck with delivery rather take out. Ripon Police say a man decided to help himself to several frozen pizzas from the downtown bar’s freezer before he left the establishment early Friday morning. A police officer who was on foot patrol saw the man enter the freezer area of the tavern and take the pizzas without paying. When the officer tried to stop the man the suspect took off running. He was caught after a short foot chase and is now facing theft and obstruction charges. 

Striving To Make Police Officers Safer

Fond du Lac Police Chief Bill Lamb says the nation should do a better job of ensuring its law enforcement officers make it home from the job. Speaking at the this week’s Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Ceremony in Fond du Lac Lamb reminded the gathering about the cost of keeping the public safe. Lamb says there were 105 law enforcement officers killed across the country last year. He says that number hasn’t been below 100 in a year since 1944. He says we can do better.He says we should strive to make sure 2014 gets below that number and then work to bring that number down even further so that every man and woman who wears a badge makes it home safely at the end of their shift. This is National Police Week.

Former Assembly Leader Bound Over For Trial

Former Wisconsin Assembly Majority Leader Bill Kramer pleaded innocent this week to a pair of sexual assault charges.  Kramer, who’s still in the Assembly as a Republican representative from Waukesha, waived his preliminary hearing.  He’s due back in Waukesha County Circuit Court on June 18th, when a trial date could be set on allegations that he groped a female congressional staffer following a G-O-P function in Muskego three years ago. 

Wisconsin Unemployment Rate Drops For 9^th Straight Month

The state’s jobless rate fell one-tenth of a point last month to 5.8 percent. According to state and federal labor statistics 7,600 private sector jobs were added in April. State officials also a survey of Wisconsin employers is nearly complete that shows 28,000 private sector jobs were created last year.   The state will have a clearer picture of how it compared to other states when a quarterly report is released by the federal labor department on June 19th.

Park And Ride Restrictions Working Out

Fond du Lac Public Works Director Jordan Skiff says the new parking restrictions on Camelot Drive seem to be working. Skiff says he recently drove through the area and residents seem to be adhering to the new restrictions that don’t allow parking south of Society Insurance. A couple of businesses asked for the park and ride restrictions given an expansion project by Agnesian HealthCare and new headquarters for Grande Cheese. Skiff says the issue can be revisited once a new park and ride is complete as part of the County Highway V and Highway 151 project that begins next year.

Johnson Bill Promotes Growth Of Nation Alliance

U.S. Senators Ron Johnson and Chris Murphy recently introduced legislation that promotes the growth of NATO Alliance. He says the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been successful in keeping the peace. He says in light of what happened with the Ukraine and action taken by Russian President Vladimir Putin, former Soviet Union countries need protection. He says the NATO Alliance Recognition and Promotion Act would help protect those counties that would like to become part of the NATO defense shield. He says the bill is a bipartisan effort. He says an ongoing commitment to mutual defense is crucial to promoting stability and peace in Europe. 

Goldstein Enjoyed Time On Habitat’s Board Of Directors

Habitat for Humanity of Fond du Lac County’s past president of its board of directors says it was time for a change. Aaron Goldstein says while he enjoyed his six years at the helm, it was time for a change. He says he will continue to be associated with Habitat, but will be working with the Boys & Girls Club. He says it was a tremendous opportunity and he says if anyone would like to be part of the Habitat Board of Directors now would be a good time to start learning more about the organization. He says they have a house build this summer and their annual meeting will be in August.

Alliant Energy Foundation Scholarships Awarded

A couple of local high school seniors will be receiving $1,000 scholarships from the Alliant Energy Foundation. Among them is Cami Hoerth of Horace Mann High School, Jennifer Oppor of Ripon High School, and Amanda Eilbes of Mayville High School. Altogether the Alliant Energy Foundation awarded 25 scholarships to high school seniors in Iowa and Wisconsin.