Local News Briefs Saturday 5/7/16

Unity Ride

Wisconsin Law enforcement officers Unity Bicycle Ride to the Nation’s Capitol kicked off with a ceremony in Fond du Lac Friday afternoon. A truck will haul a trailer full of bikes and equipment to Philadelphia where more than 30 riders from Wisconsin will ride the bikes to Washington, D.C. for the annual National Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony. Two Wisconsin names are being added to the Memorial those of State Trooper Trevor Casper who was killed in a shootout with a bank robbery suspect in Fond du Lac and McFarland Police Officer Ryan Copeland who died in a traffic accident while on duty. State Patrol Captain Anthony Burrell says the support they’ve received over the past year has been tremendous. The ride raises funds for the National Law Enforcement Memorial.

Oshkosh Stabbing

Oshkosh Police have arrested a 20-year-old Oshkosh woman for a stabbing incident in the 2300 block of Mt. Vernon Street Friday morning. They found her at an apartment in the 2100 block of Evans Street. She’s facing a recklessly endangering safety charge. Victims were 21 and 17-year-old men from Oshkosh. They suffered superficial stab wounds to the hands and arms and were treated for their injuries. They knew the suspect.

Preliminary Hearing Held For Former Reeseville Man

A 51-year-old Milwaukee man was bound over for trial in Dodge County Court this week on a felon in possession of a firearm charge. The charge against former Reeseville resident Kirk Lupton stems from the search of a Lowell area residence last month. During the search investigators found 35 guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and possible drugs. Lupton will be arraigned on May 25th.

Initial Hearing For Waupun Inmate Charged With Attempted Homicide

The Waupun Correctional inmate who allegedly tried to kill a female corrections officer made his initial appearance in Dodge County Court this week. Forty-six-year-old Bobby Kimble allegedly waited outside a restroom at the prison for the officer last October and punched her multiple times. He then locked himself in the bathroom with her and continued his attack with a homemade weapon, threatening to kill her.  Other corrections officers were able to get into the bathroom and subdue Kimble. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 23rd.

County Executive Encouraged By Expansion Projects

Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel says it’s nice to see recent the expansion projects of Mercury Marine and Alliance Laundry Systems. He attended a groundbreaking for a $31 million expansion of Mercury in Fond du Lac and says soon Alliance should announce a $58 million expansion project of its own. He says businesses are investing here and that is great for the economy. He says the County used to be in the middle of pack when unemployment rates were announced for the state’s 72 counties, but in the latest had the 8th lowest jobless rate in the state.

Different Types Of Trees Will Replace EAB Damaged Ash Trees

Fond du Lac’s Public Works Director says they will be replacing Ash trees removed because of the Emerald Ash Borer with about a dozen other types of trees. Jordan Skiff says they are trying to increase the diversity of the City’s urban forest. He says hopefully that will prevent the same type of thing from occurring if another type of bug or disease comes along. He says they will be planting Linden, Honey Locust, Oaks even some Elms that are now resistant to Dutch Elm disease. The City has about 4,000 ash trees in its parks and street terraces. Hundreds are being treated and removed due to the EAB threat.  

PA System Being Purchased For North Fondy Fest And Other Park Activities

The North Fond du Lac Village Board this week approved a cost sharing plan to buy a public address system for the park where North Fondy Fest is staged. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says normally there are resources to put up a temporary system, but not this year. He says it’s going to cost $6,500 for the system, but organizers of North Fondy Fest and the Rec program donated much of the money for the purchase. The Village Board approved putting in the remaining $2,000. He says they can use the PA system for North Fondy Fest, softball league tournaments and other activities at the park during the summer.

Lake Winnebago A Tourism Draw

Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett says they are very proud of the fact that more than 105 million people visited the state. She says a lot involved multiple visits to state by people who like what they experience and return or have season homes. She says unique attractions like Lake Winnebago also help. She says it’s one of the largest inland lakes in the United States and it has the prehistoric sturgeon. She says Minnesota might have 10,000 lakes, but Wisconsin has 15,000. She says people realize the superior attractions Wisconsin has. Last year Tourism accounted for more than $19 billion in revenue in Wisconsin.        

No Spelunking Involved

Area youth can do a bit of spelunking during a local Vacation Bible School this year. The Fond du Lac Salvation Army will be holding the school from July 25th through the 29th. The theme is “Cave Quest.” Director of Social Services Ron Jacobson says they won’t really be taking the kids to a cave site. He says they will be decorating their halls to look like the inside of a cave. The school is for children from kindergarten through 5th grade. He says there are only 50 slots available for the free program so people can let them know if they are interested in sending their kids by calling 923-8220.

Winnebago County Family Bike Rodeo

The Sunnview Expo Center in Oshkosh will host the 1st Annual Bike Rodeo today. Bicycle inspections, helmet fitting, rules of the road, bicycle safety stations and a skills course will be offered for children and their parents to test their abilities. The day will end with a family bike ride around Winnebago County Park. The rodeo is a free event. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m.  Activities will end at noon.