Local News Briefs Saturday 9/19/15

The North Fond du Lac Police and Fire Commission will begin the process of replacing former Fire Chief and EMS Director Richard Zmuda at a meeting Monday. Zmuda is facing theft charges in Pennsylvania and has resigned in the wake of his arrest. The PFC will act on accepting his resignation and being discussions on hiring a new fire chief. The meeting is at 4 p.m. at the Municipal Building in North Fond du Lac.

Military Round Found In Ripon Home

Ripon Police says a resident cleaning out a house Thursday called them to say they discovered a military mortar style round in the basement of the home. Ripon Police initially responded, but then asked for assistance from the Dane County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad. The bomb squad determined the device did have a live fuse and was a military round. It was taken to a nearby quarry where it was detonated.

Highway 26 Improvements Change Driving Patterns

The highway safety coordinator for Fond du Lac County says construction work on Highway 26 this year may have permanently altered some motorists driving routes. Sheriff’s Captain Rick Olig says their deputies have noticed there isn’t as much traffic traveling that stretch from just outside of Waupun to the north County line since the highway reopened. He says people driving the Madison to Fox Valley route found out Highway 151 to I-41 was a much nicer route and the time difference for travel was negligible. He says improvements to the road included better visibility at intersections, a problem curve was improved, and a rumble strip was put in.

Mercury Living Up To Loan Conditions

Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel says some people are under the impression that Mercury Marine has paid off its $50 million loan to the County already. He told County supervisors this week that isn’t the case at all, but that the company will have it paid off by 2021. He says in the meantime Mercury has lived up to conditions bringing employment levels up to more than 3,000 employees and has invested more than $500 million in its Fond du Lac plants. He says most of the work associated with that and the five expansions by Mercury have gone to local companies. He says 78 percent of that money has been spent with Fond du Lac County businesses and 92 percent with Wisconsin businesses.

Farmers Market Opportunities Dwindling Down To The End Of Season

The number of opportunities for the Downtown Fond du Lac Farmers Market is dwindling down. DFP Executive Director Amy Hansen says their last Farmers Market of the season will be on Saturday, October 31st, which will of course feature a Halloween theme. She says the children’s Monster March will take place that day and they will have an adult costume contest. Saturdays’ Farmers Markets are held on Main Street from 8 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays’ are held at the Main Street Plaza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The last Wednesday Farmers Market will be on October 28th.

MPTC Career Showcase Coming Up

Moraine Park Technical College will hold their Career Showcase on the Fond du Lac and West Bend campuses on October 14th. Both events will run from 4:30 to 6 p.m. that day. MPTC President Bonnie Baerwald says it gives prospective students a chance to explore different programs at MPTC. She says the application fee of $30 will be waived. She says people can register in advance through MPTC, but it is not necessary. She says people attending will be able to meet with admissions, financial aid and student services staff. More information is available at the MPTC website.

Athletic Hall Of Fame Banquet Well Attended

Fond du Lac Schools Superintendent Jim Sebert says the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet held at the Holiday Inn in Fond du Lac on August 29th was well attended. He says it was their best turnout ever with 160 people attending to welcome in eight individuals and two teams into their Hall of Fame. He says Joe Guyette, Dave Michalkiewicz, and the selection committee deserve gratitude for a job well done.

Applications Being Accepted For Citizens Police Academy

The Fond du Lac Police Department is currently accepting applications for its Citizen’s Police Academy that will start on Tuesday, October 6th.  The Citizen’s Police Academy is a program designed to give participants a working knowledge of the Fond du Lac Police Department.  It is not a “training” class, but it is an exciting informational class.  It is a behind-the-scenes look at the Fond du Lac Police Department.   An application can be picked up at the Police Department. The deadline to submit them is September 25th. For more information see our story at KFIZ.com. 

Farm Babe Recognized As Friend Of Education

One of the five recipients of Friends of Education awards given by State Schools Superintendent Tony Evers this week is familiar to KFIZ listeners. Pam Jahnke the Director of the Wisconsin Farm Report heard on News-Talk 1450 KFIZ was recognized for her support of agricultural education and the FFA. Award winners were recognized at the State Capitol on Thursday.

Brownsville Church Celebrates 100 Years

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Brownsville will commemorate its 100th anniversary on Sunday. The congregation itself has been in existence for 130 years, having been founded in 1885. The present church building was constructed in 1915. There will be a special worship and dedication service at 9 a.m. The public is also invited to an open house and time of fellowship after the worship service. Food will be served from 10:30 a.m. till 1:30 p.m. There will also be tours of the church and school along with games and activities for the children.