Local News Briefs Tuesday 11/11/14

Seven fire departments responded to a grain bin fire in Washington County’s Town of Trenton Monday morning. Sheriff’s officials say the fire at 5545 County Highway Y was called in at 5:44 a.m. When going out to do daily chores the property owner noticed flames near the heater fan of the grain bin dryer and quickly turned off the fan to slow the spread of flames. Officials say the blaze destroyed 8,000 bushels of corn worth about $30,000 and destroyed the grain bin and dryer, which were worth about $35,000.

Driver Hurt In Collision With Semi In Washington County

Washington County Sheriff’s officials say a motorist was hurt in a collision between a passenger car and a semi-truck late Monday morning in the Town of Addison. It happened at the intersection of Highway 175 and County Highway S. The injured driver was extricated from the car and Flight for Life flew that motorist to Aurora Medical Center in Summit with serious injuries. The semi driver told investigators the motorist appeared to be lost and after starting to turn onto County Highway S pulled a “U” turn back onto Highway 175.   The trucker was unable to avoid the crash. The truck driver wasn’t injured.

Money For Purchase Of Land For New Highway Garage Will Be Included In 2015 County Budget

Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel is hoping $850,000 will be included in the proposed 2015 County budget for the purchase of land for a new highway garage in Fond du Lac. He says they’ve negotiated the purchase of 37 acres near the Highway 151 bypass. The cost would include the price for the site plus closing and other related costs. He says they will still be able to use the Dixie Street garage in Fond du Lac for some years to come, but now is the time to get land for a new site. He says equipment is getting bigger and the highway garage isn’t very energy efficient. Even if approved for the budget the $850,000 would still need the actual purchase to come before the County Board early next year.

County Highway I Project

The biggest Fond du Lac County Highway project over the next two years will be the improvement of County Highway I. County Executive Al Buechel says it’s an expensive project, but the road is 20 feet wide versus the standard 22 feet and it’s been nearly 70 years since the highway has seen any real improvement. Buechel says it runs from County Highway N north of Fond du Lac down to State Highway 23 and the state uses it to divert traffic off Highway 41 when there is a major accident or delay.

Stroebel Running For State Senate

(WHBL-Sheboygan)-Glenn Grothman has not even left his state Senate seat, but one person has already announced he wants it.  Duey Stroebel says he will run in an upcoming special election for the 20th Senate district to fill the seat Grothman will vacate when he joins Congress in January. The Saukville Republican has been in the state Assembly for the past four years.  He decided not to run for re-election this fall but seek the House seat that Tom Petri made vacant with his upcoming retirement.  However, he lost to Grothman in the four way primary in August. Governor Scott Walker is expected to announce the timeline for the special election in the near future.  The winner will finish filling Grothman’s term through 2016.

Winter Parking Restrictions Go Into Effect Saturday In FDL

Fond du Lac’s Winter Parking Ordinance goes into effect this Saturday and runs through March 15th. Police Officer Steve Olson says the even-odd parking restriction from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. each night isn’t too hard to understand. He says if it’s an odd day at 8 p.m. you have to park on the odd side of the street and vice versa on the even numbered days. It overrides any normal parking restrictions. Olson says any metered parking is still restricted to 60 minutes from 2 to 6 a.m. He also says to remind any guests about the winter parking ban so they won’t get a $20 parking ticket if they are parked on the wrong side of the street.

Buck A Boot Helps Out Salute The Troops Efforts

You can help out area veterans by donating to the “Buck-a-boot” campaign. The money is going to Salute the Troops of Fond du Lac. Salute the Troops Executive Director Alex Louis says for a dollar you can get your name put a replica drawing of a military boot. She says a number of places in the Fond du Lac area are participating in the campaign including the American Legion, Eagles Club, Majestic Body Art, Piggly Wiggly, Little Caesars, Ledgeview Lanes and elsewhere. She says the money is going to Salute the Troops to help out area veterans. She says that assistance comes in many forms including gas cards, food cards, rental assistance, utility bills, and helping to bring family members closer together.

Free Pizza, Don’t Believe It

Officials with the state’s Consumer Protection Department say if an ad for free Pizza Hut pizzas looks to good to be true, it’s because it isn’t true. They say there is no such promotion and clicking a link in the email may cause you to inadvertently download malicious software of malware. The phony email offer says Pizza Hut is offering free personal pizzas to celebrate its 55th anniversary. It has a “Get Free Pizza Coupon” button. Don’t click the link, delete it without replying.

Applying For Veteran Identifier On Your Driver’s License

The Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles offers a special feature for Wisconsin veterans. Alison Lebwohl with the Department of Motor Vehicles says there’s a veteran identifier on the driver license or ID card that’s indicated by the word ‘veteran’ in red on the lower right corner.  She says they can use it when businesses offer discount for veterans, but needed to demonstrate that status. She says first veterans have to verify their eligibility through the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs to get the veteran identifier on their driver’s license or ID. Adding the identifier is free at renewal, which actually can be done up to one year before the expiration date.

Roberts Birthday Celebration Includes Opening Of Time Capsule

Roberts Elementary School in Fond du Lac is celebrating its 50th Birthday this afternoon from 3:30 to 5 p.m. An open house will be held for current and former students and staff members to celebrate the special occasion. District Superintendent Jim Sebert says it will be a nice event that will include opening a time capsule from 25 years ago. There will be an opportunity to tour the school, talk with past and present staff members, and view memorabilia from the past. Light refreshments will be served.

Good Search Benefits FDL Literacy Services

Fond du Lac Literacy Service is asking residents to use the GoodSearch instead of their regular search engine through December 20th for every 50 cents you earn you will be entered into a drawing to win one of three $50 Kwik Trip Gift Cards. Every time you use GoodSearch – instead of your regular search engine – to search the internet, you raise a penny for FDL Literacy Services. To do it go to Goodsearch.com and click “Get Started.” Choose Fond du Lac Literacy Services as your cause.  Fond du Lac Literacy Services will track top earners.  The drawing will be held on Saturday, December 20th at the Fond du Lac Public Library at 10 a.m.

Habitat Will Recycle Your Lights

Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin is pleased to announce a green initiative for the upcoming holiday season, holiday lights recycling!  Habitat ReStores throughout the state of Wisconsin, including the Fond du Lac ReStore at 65 W. Scott Street will be accepting non-working or no longer needed holiday lights throughout the holiday season.  “Don’t throw those old strings of lights away, donate them to our ReStore,” said Paul Osterholm, Executive Director.  “We’ll recycle them and use the proceeds to assist low income families in our community.”  Lights will be collected during regular store hours Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 9 AM to