Local News Briefs Tuesday 2/16/16

Washington County Has First Fatal Accident Of The Year

Alcohol, speed and unfastened seat belts were factors in a fatal crash in Washington County’s Town of Erin early Sunday morning. Sheriff’s officials say a vehicle left Donegal Road and hit a tree head on. A 38-year-old Town of Erin woman died at the scene. Flight for Life flew a 38-year-old Town or Erin man to Summit Hospital in critical condition. The mishap is the first fatal traffic accident in Washington County this year.

Five Arrested For Oshkosh Armed Robbery

Oshkosh Police have arrested five young men they suspect committed an armed robbery at a residence in the 1000 block of Jefferson Street early Monday morning. They entered the residence, struck the victim and took a number of items. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. Four of the suspects were arrested a short time later. A fifth suspect was arrested early Monday afternoon. The suspects are 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21-year-old men. A number of charges are being referred against the suspects. The 16-year-old was taken to Fond du Lac County Secure Detention. The other suspects were taken to the Winnebago County Jail.

Sturgeon Spearing Shanty Damaged

The DNR is asking for the public’s help after a fishing shanty was plowed in sometime Saturday afternoon or early Sunday morning on the north end of Lake Poygan. It happened near Alder Creek. The spearing shack could not be entered because of the amount of snow around it. Also the sides of the shanty were pushed in. The damage left the shanty unusable. Anyone who might have information about the incident is asked to call 1-800-847-9367.

Armed Robbery In Sheboygan

Sheboygan Police are looking for a man who robbed a Citgo gas station Sunday night. Police say the man displayed a gun when he robbed the station on 14th street. He left with some cash in a vehicle, possibly an SUV. No one was injured in the incident. The suspect was with and about 5 foot 7 inches to 5 foot 8 inches tall. He was wearing dark clothing.

Senator Stroebel Will Chair Cruz Campaign Effort In Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s presidential primary is not for another seven weeks, but it still could play a role in who are the eventual nominees for the country’s major political parties. The Ted Cruz campaign is pushing for a win in the Badger State, and has named State Senator Duey Stroebel to chair their Wisconsin efforts. The Saukville Republican says he believes Cruz has the right characteristics needed for whoever is elected President in November. Stroebel says Cruz proved his conservative values when he stood up against subsidies for ethanol during the Iowa caucus. Stroebel’s role in Wisconsin for the Cruz campaign will mean he will try to get more endorsements in the Badger State for the Texas Senator, as well as passing along the message for the candidate. Also announcing his support for Ted Cruz Monday was area Assemblyman Jesse Kremer, who is one of six Assembly Republicans to do this.

New Fruth Upgrade Could Help Pay For Recent Upgrade

Fond du Lac Schools Superintendent Jim Sebert believes about $2 million in improvements to Fruth Field would help in paying back money for renovations made in 2013 to the facility. It’s estimated about $450,000 still has to be raised for the improvements that were made to the entranceway three years ago. Sebert says one way to raise more money for that project would be through increased use of the field, which the new project would allow them to do. Planned improvements include new artificial turf, an amphitheater, a new scoreboard, and a new lighting system. Sebert says they would be able to use the field for soccer games and other community purposes, which would raise more revenue and sponsorship. There would also be a community walking track. Sebert says it would be a good project with lots of possibilities.

Waupun Schools Referendum In November

Waupun school district voters in November will be voting on about a $30 million referendum. District Superintendent Tonya Gubin says that figure is still being worked on, but they will know more after a facility committee meeting on February 29th. She says it would be an opportune time because they are within two years of paying off the referendum from the high school, which was built in 1998. She says they would have to pay the referendum debt back early so they could start in on building projects. She says they will be sending out a survey to residents to get their input before some final decisions are made about a referendum. Gubin says if the referendum passes, with the retiring of the high school debt, taxes would remain the same for district taxpayers.

Ice Conditions Never Really Safe

The assistant dive team leader for the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department says generally they never consider the ice on Lake Winnebago safe. Sergeant Chris Dobyns says weather conditions can determine how the ice forms and he says it will move and change on a daily basis. He says fishing clubs work hard to get things ready for the many sturgeon spearers who will be out on the ice. He says the Sheriff’s Department relies on them for some information. He says in addition the clubs mark the bad areas, and plow and mark the roads for safety and access. He says you also have to use common sense. He says he doesn’t know what people were thinking when 15 vehicles went through the ice on Lake Geneva earlier this month where ice conditions would be less safe than they are on Lake Winnebago.

Dodge County Sheriff Says Helmets Are Continued Effort To Make Staff Safe

Dodge County Sheriff’s Dale Schmidt says an effort to purchase ballistic helmets for his deputies is part of an overall effort to make sure they are safe when they are dispatched for potentially dangerous calls. He says last year they bought tactical rifle vests for all of their squads. He says recently a ballistic helmet saved the life of a Neenah Police officer. Schmidt’s department got a $2,500 donation from the Beaver Dam Walmart and $400 donation from the Theresa Lions for the helmets. They also received a $500 donation for their Explorer’s Post, which recently did well at a state convention. As for the ballistic helmets, Schmidt says they need about 30 of them and they cost $400 apiece. If anyone would like to donate towards that effort they should contact the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department.