Local News Briefs Thursday 3/5/15

Charges have been brought against a 42-year-old Waupun man who is suspected of murdering his cellmate at the state prison in Portage. Dexter Ewing is charged in Columbia County Court with 1st degree intentional homicide. Ewing is suspected of strangling 40-year-old Jerome Scott in their cell at Columbia County Correctional. According to the criminal complaint the two didn’t get along and Scott was irritated with Ewing’s mannerisms. Threats were exchanged and Ewing allegedly tied Scott up and strangled him with a cord. Ewing will make his initial court appearance tomorrow on the murder charge. 

Waupun Man Suspected Of Domestic Abuse

Charges have been brought against a 21-year-old Waupun man suspected of beating a pregnant woman. Zachary Disbrow is facing charges in Fond du Lac County Court for the January 19th incident at a Waupun apartment. According to the criminal complaint he allegedly threatened to throw her down a flight of stairs. Disbrow told investigators he knew she was pregnant and grabbed her gently. He’s been charged with false imprisonment, battery and disorderly conduct with domestic abuse enhancers. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, March 20th.

Theresa Man Suspected Of Embezzlement

A felony theft charge has been brought against a 47-year-old Theresa man suspected of taking $24,000 from the gas station he worked for. Randal Mittelstadt made his initial appearance in Dodge County Court this week. According to the criminal complaint Mittelstadt used the money he took to support a gambling habit. The cash register thefts occurred over about a one year period. He’s been released on a signature bond and has a preliminary hearing on April 23rd.

Structure Fire In Sheboygan County

No one was injured in a structure fire on Meadow Lakes Drive in the Village of Random Lake yesterday afternoon. Fire departments from across Sheboygan County aided in putting out the blaze, which was brought under control within an hour of when it was reported at 2:45 p.m.

Michael Ariens Dies

Former Ariens company president, chairman Michael S. Ariens has died. Under Ariens’ leadership, the company experienced significant growth and many changes. One of the most successful and lasting product introductions was the Sno-Thro machine in 1960. A funeral Mass will be said at noon Saturday at Holy Family Parish in Brillion. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Only Snow Throwers with headlights will be allowed in the funeral procession.

NFDL Will Collect On Water Bills Where Bad Meter Readings Were At Fault

North Fond du Lac officials will be going after back pay for water bills that were in error due to bad readings on water meters. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says it’s more convenient for the electronic meter readings, but sometimes there are errors. He says sometimes the meter reading fails or the meter itself fails and utility customers get a bill that shows they didn’t use any water. He says the State’s Public Service Commission allows municipalities to collect pay in such circumstances going back for up to two years. He says it doesn’t happen often, but the Village will be able to collect what it’s owed in such circumstances. He says the City of Fond du Lac has a similar policy.

Representative Schraa Says Bucks For Bucks Proposal Was Not A Solid Offer

State Representative Michael Schraa says the Menominee Tribe’s offer to put up $220 million towards building a new Milwaukee Bucks arena in exchange for approval of the Hard Rock Casino in Kenosha wasn’t a solid offer. The state lawmaker from Oshkosh says it did sound tempting. But he says the Department of Administration took a closer look and there weren’t a lot of details about how the offer would work. He says the tribe was going to use compact money to pay for what the state is looking at bonding to do. Schraa says as it is it will be a difficult discussion about keeping the $220 million in bonding for the new arena in the State Budget.

Sheboygan Lottery Winner

State lottery officials say Brian Hoopingarner of Sheboygan has come forward as the lucky winner of the $100,000 top prize from the December 11 Holly Jolly Raffle drawing.  The winning ticket was purchased in Sheboygan.  There were also fifty winners of $1,000 in the drawing, and one thousand winners of $100.  The Wisconsin Lottery will offer a new raffle in May.