Local News Briefs Thursday 10/1/15

Theresa Woman Charged With Identity Theft

Dodge County authorities have charged a 32-year-old Theresa woman who allegedly stole some items from an acquaintances purse. Erin Gill allegedly took a debit card, cash, and food coupons. She took them from someone who gives her rides on a regular basis. Gill is charged with felony identity theft and misdemeanor theft.

Highway 23 Among Major Road Projects Delayed

The expansion of Highway 23 between Fond du Lac and Plymouth to four lanes is one of five major road projects the State Department of Transportation is delaying. Fond du Lac County Highway Executive Al Buechel says it’s unfortunate because the serious accidents on Highway 23 east of Fond du Lac continue to mount. He says there have been serious and fatal accidents and they will just continue until something is done with the highway. He says with the project stalled by a federal lawsuit it’s not surprising the state has decided to delay it. He says it will probably take a year for the court case to be resolved. He says he expected the delay especially given the decisions that were made with the state budget. There is some repaving work going on, but Buechel says that was done to keep the Highway in shape until the more comprehensive project could be done. Some of the work going on now will include putting in rumbles in the centerline and a no passing zone near Seven Hills Road.

FDL Schools Hoping For Uptick In Enrollment

Fond du Lac Schools Superintendent Jim Sebert says it won’t be long before they will start getting a clear picture for the current school year’s budget. He says the third Friday count in September is still being tabulated, but that will give them a better idea of the state aid they will be getting. He says they are hoping for an increase in student enrollment and they should know what it is by October 15th. He says they will also find out what property values are by the time they hold their first school board meeting this month. He says the board will certify the levy and approve the budget during their last meeting in October. Sebert says every year they are about two months into the school year before the budget is finalized, but that’s the way the system works.

Facility Advisory Committee Begins Meetings

A Facility Advisory Committee has begun meeting for the Waupun Area School District. The committee is involved in the school district’s long-range facilities planning process. Their next meeting will be a joint meeting with the school board for the presentation of the facility study key findings next Monday at 7 p.m. at the Rock River Intermediate School Auditorium. Subsequent meetings are planned through January 12th.

Business And Industry Winners Announced

Marian University in Fond du Lac has announced its annual Business & Industry award winners. The Business of the Year is Excel Engineering. The Entrepreneur of the Year is Advanced Tooling of Mount Calvary. The Economic Development award will be presented to LaClare Farms. The Special Achievement award will go to Agnesian HealthCare for its Community Health & Wellness initiative. The George Becker Business Spirit award will be presented to John Korb.  Korb was a leader in the Fond du Lac community through Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, and served the Fond du Lac community through his participation in several organizations. The 34th annual Business & Industry awards dinner at Marian’s Stayer Center will be held on Tuesday, October 27. A reception will begin at 5:45 p.m., with dinner and the awards ceremony following. For more information about the 2015 Business and Industry Awards, contact Kathy Gellings, director of advancement services, at (920) 923-7613. For more about this year’s winners click here.