Local News Briefs Tuesday 6/10/14

Dodge County Sheriff Pat Ninmann says her office is investigating an inmate death at the Waupun State Prison that occurred in the late 1960’s. The Sheriff’s Office got a complaint about the possible suspicious death of that inmate. But they do not have a name of the reported victim. The State Corrections Department is cooperating by providing the necessary documentation, which dates back to the 1960’s. Ninmann says they are taking the complaint seriously until it is proven otherwise.

Motorcyclist Hurt In Sheboygan County Accident

Sheboygan County Sheriff’s officials say a 20-year-old Kiel man was hurt when he ran into the back of a box truck he was following on his motorcycle on State Highway 42 early Monday afternoon. The truck slowed down, Cody Roethel drove into the back of it and was ejected from his bike. He wasn’t wearing a helmet and suffered non-life threatening injuries. He was taken to Sheboygan Medical Center. Roethel was cited for reckless driving and following too close. Fifty-three-year-old Bernadette Seely of Plymouth was driving the truck. She was not hurt. The accident in the Town of Sheboygan happened about 12:30 p.m.

Dodge County OWI Injury Accident With Children In Car

With A 28-year-old Waupun woman was arrested Sunday night for driving drunk and going off State Highway 68 with her two children in the car. Dodge County Sheriff’s officials say the accident happened shortly before 9 p.m. near Laurel Hill Road in the Town of Trenton. The woman failed to negotiate a curve, lost control and went into a ditch.  Her 4-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter were in the car with her and suffered non-life threatening injuries. She was arrested for driving drunk with minor passengers and was taken to the County Jail. Sheriff Pat Ninmann says the woman put her children at risk, but their injuries were not severe.

Three Promoted To Principal And A Fourth Becomes Assistant Principal

The Fond du Lac School District has promoted people to lead three of their schools and a fourth to assistant principal at Theisen Middle School. Michelle Hagen will succeed Jon Wiltzius as high school principal. District Superintendent Jim Sebert says she forges strong relationships with kids and adults alike. Brad Ebert will be Roberts Elementary School Principal and Matthew Steinbarth will be Lakeshore Elementary School Principal. The school board yesterday also approved Andrew Jacques as assistant principal at Theisen Middle School. He was one of 61 candidates. Sebert says he also develops strong relationships with the people he works with.

Congressman Petri Criticizes President’s Student Loan Program Expansion

Congressman Tom Petri yesterday criticized President Obama’s executive order that expands eligibility for the Pay As You Earn repayment plan for student loans. The federal lawmaker from Fond du Lac says it is a complicated and expensive repayment option and expanding it takes it in the wrong direction.  He says, “Instead of expanding policies that aren’t working, we need something different.  I introduced bipartisan legislation that would ensure all students have affordable payments in a way that is simple and intuitive.  My proposal would also protect taxpayers by eliminating unnecessary loan subsidies and forgiveness programs.” He says the president should have worked with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to repair the student loan system and help all borrowers who are struggling. To see the entire news release click here.

FDL Public Library Wins CitizensFirst Grand Giveback Giveaway

Although there were 10 worthy non-profits to consider from only one could win CitizenFirst Credit Union’s Grand Giveback Giveaway at Walleye Weekend. The winner was the Fond du Lac Public Library and Library Director Jon Mark Bolthouse is pleased to receive the $1,000 prize.  Each group had to tell a story about how Walleye Weekend impacted their programs. Bolthouse says they told a story about the success they’ve had signing up people for their summer reading programs and how it prevented the Summer Slide or fall off in learning for children who don’t read during the summer months. He says they focused on one particular success story. He says the money they received from the giveaway will help bolster their programs at the library.

School’s Out Watch Out For Kids

Another school year is coming to a close meaning kids and bicyclists will be a common sight along roadways almost any time of day. Larry Corsi is the state Department of Transportation’s Pedestrian Coordinator. He says drivers need to be following the posted speed limits, especially around playgrounds, swimming pools and parks. Corsi says it’s also a good idea for parents to reinforce with their kids the importance of using crosswalks and bike lanes, wearing appropriate safety gear such as bike helmets and brightly-colored clothing. Today is a half day in the Fond du Lac School District and then kids will be out of school for the summer.

Senator Olsen Honored

The Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians is honoring Senator Luther Olsen of Ripon with its prestigious Friend of Family Medicine award for Senator Olsen’s work in the 2013-14 legislative session on health care policy.  “I am honored to receive this award from the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians and I look forward to working with health care providers across the state to make health care in Wisconsin affordable, accessible and excellent,” said Senator Olsen. This session, the legislature enacted two bills in particular that impact family medicine.  First, the legislature created a grant program to address the shortage of primary care physicians in areas where there are not enough doctors.  This has been a problem in rural and urban areas alike.  Second, the legislature passed a bill to create a child psychiatry consultation program so that family physicians can help their youngest patients get the mental health care they need.  The child psychiatry consultation program legislation was part of a larger initiate to improve mental health care in the state.

Agnesian EZ Care Closed Wednesday For Transformer Installation

Agnesian EZ Care at 1107 E. Johnson Street in Fond du Lac will be closed tomorrow as a new transformer is installed in the west wing of Johnson Crossing by Festival Foods. Agnesian EZ Care will reopen for business on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Patients needing care tomorrow can visit the Agnesian Convenient Care Clinic at 145 N. Main Street in Fond du Lac, or the Agnesian Clinic at Westwind, 912 S. Hickory Street in Fond du Lac.