Local News Briefs Tuesday 3/18/14

Fond du Lac City Councilwoman Lee Ann Lorrigan is running for a second term. She says she’s blessed to have served on the Council for the past two years. She says she would like to help move the downtown along and fill empty buildings. She says that’s why she voted in favor of allowing Commonwealth Development to apply for a grant to redevelop the former Retlaw Theater. She recently voted in favor of a liquor license for a proposed night club, but as a whole the Council voted it down. Lorrigan says during her ten years in manufacturing and sales part of her job involved working with Hispanics and she gave the proposed night club a benefit of the doubt when it came to the vote. She believes City Council members should also take an active role in the community. Lorrigan is one of five candidates running for four seats on the Council. 

Lt. Governor Gears Up For Run At Second Term

Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch says it won’t be long before she and Governor Walker begin their re-election efforts. She says before spring is over people will know their intentions. She says they have unfinished business to address. She says that includes recovering fully from the recession and getting jobs for everyone that wants them. Kleefisch and Revenue Secretary Rick Chandler have been traveling across the state holding tax reform roundtables. She says her former job as a TV reporter helps her break down for people information about how much they will be getting back through an income and property tax relief package. Kleefisch made her comments during a recent stop in Fond du Lac for a tax reform roundtable.  

Dodge County Couples Scammed Out Of $100,000

Dodge County Sheriff Pat Ninmann says in the past couple weeks two couples were scammed out of over $100,000. One involved the grandparents’ scam where the caller said a grandson was in trouble and needed money for bail or medical expenses. The couple lost $78,000 in the scam. Sheriff Ninmann says another local couple lost around $22,000 after being told they had won a large prize and someone would be flying into the Juneau Airport with their prize, but then at the last minute they needed more money to get that person to the airport. Ninmann says these scams are getting more and more common. She says if you won something you shouldn’t have to pay for it. She says scams should be reported to the Sheriff’s Department or local law enforcement agency.

Parents Reminded About Social Hosting Ordinance

North Fond du Lac Police Chief Darren Pautsch is reminding parents as the prom season comes up that there is a social hosting ordinance in the County and its municipalities. The ordinance is an effort to cut down on the number of underage drinking parties. It could lead to fine of up to $1,000 for adults who host or allow a party on their property where underage drinking is going on. Pautsch says there’s scientific proof that drinking can cause permanent damage to the bodies and brains of underage drinkers. Pautsch says the biggest obstacle is trying to change the state’s drinking culture that allows such behavior.

Watertown Woman Sentenced To Prison For Setting Bar Fire

The 29-year-old Watertown woman who set fire to a Watertown tavern to get back at her former boyfriend has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Trisha Krueger was recently sentenced in Jefferson County Court on arson and 2nd degree recklessly endangering safety charges. Three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the blaze at Stacy’s Bar late last September. Two were injured jumping from the second story while the third was rescued from his apartment. According to the criminal complaint, Krueger and her ex-boyfriend had gotten into an argument hours before the fire. They had reportedly broken up several weeks before the incident and she was due to move out days after the fire. She was also sentenced to 10 years of extended supervision.

Inmate Charged For Head-Butting Guard

Dodge County authorities have charged a 41-year-old inmate at Dodge Correctional Institution for head-butting a corrections officer. Jeffrey Milbee made his initial court appearance Monday on a battery by prisoner charge. Milbee had refused to leave his cell at the prison on three previous attempts to hold an initial hearing in the case. According to the criminal complaint the incident involving the officer happened last November 7th as the officer was escorting Milbee to his cell. Milbee started to resist and head-butted the officer in the face. As a result the officer had to be treated for an injury to the nose.  The judge ordered a competency evaluation. Another hearing is set for April 9th.

Airing Of Frozen Chosen Documentary In Chicago Could Bring Tourists

The “Frozen Chosen” documentary that had its world premiere in Fond du Lac last month will start paying dividends outside the area next month. Fond du Lac Convention and Visitors Bureau President Craig Molitor says it’s going to air on a public television station in Chicago on April 9th. The documentary is about the Muche and Schumacher families and sturgeon spearing on Lake Winnebago. Molitor says it’s what they call earned media or a softer way of promoting the area and its charm than through traditional methods. He says it’s a really powerful way of presenting Fond du Lac to the outside world. Molitor also reminds area residents that DVD copies of the documentary are available through the Visitors Bureau with proceeds going to Sturgeons for Tomorrow. You can order yours through the Visitor Bureau website.

Meeting On Sheboygan Bridge Project

The state’s Department of Transportation will be holding a meeting on Thursday, March 27th about the 14th Street Bridge project that will be done in Sheboygan next summer. Preliminary designs for the remodeling project will be presented at the meeting, which will be held at the Kiwanis Fieldhouse starting at 4:30 p.m. The project will mostly focus on widening the road surface. The bridge will be closed to traffic during the project.

Dodge County Sheriff’s Candidate Holds Event

Dodge County Sheriff’s candidate Dale Schmidt invites residents to get to know him better during an event at The Goose Shot on West Main Street in Waupun today. It will run from 4 to 7 p.m. Schmidt is a sergeant with the Sheriff’s Department and has been with the department for the past 10 years. He has 14 years of experience in law enforcement.