Local News Briefs Tuesday 9/17/13

Police in Oshkosh have released more details about a stabbing that happened in the 600 block of Waugoo Avenue last week. The 22-year-old man who was stabbed suffered a collapsed lung and lacerations to his spleen and kidney. He had surgery and is expected to live. Meanwhile a 17-year-old man is facing a reckless injury charge for the incident. An investigation into the stabbing found the two were fighting over a drug debt and the rights to a rap song. An 18-year-old Milwaukee man was also arrested for his role in the incident on battery and disorderly conduct charges. The incident happened late last Wednesday night.

 

Burglary Reported In Oshkosh

 

Oshkosh Police are investigating a burglary that occurred at the Tilted Kilt on South Washburn Street early Monday morning. Police say entry was gained through a window and an undetermined amount of money was taken from the restaurant. The burglary happened at 4:45 a.m.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at (920) 236-5700.  If you have information and would like to remain anonymous, please contact Winnebago County Wide Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477 or text IGOTYA and you crime tip to 274637 or go to www.winnebagocrimestoppers.org and submit your text via the web.  You may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

 

West Bend Man Charged With Arson

 

Arson charges were recently brought against a 23-year-old West Bend man for allegedly setting a house fire in the village of Newburg last month. Sean Regan is charged in Washington County Court with arson, burglary, 1st degree recklessly endangering safety and criminal damage to property. Bond was set at $50,000 cash. The fire during the early morning hours of August 25th at 527 Franklin Street caused from $200,000 to $250,000 in damage to the home. The fire was set in the unoccupied lower apartment of the home; a family was living in the upstairs apartment. The family was able to get out safely. Regan will be back in court on September 30th.

 

Gudex/Thiesfeldt Marijuana Possession Bill Gets State Hearing

 

There will be a public hearing at the State Capitol today for a bill that would close a loophole in simple marijuana possession cases. State Senator Rick Gudex says the bill he and State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldlt are co-sponsoring is the result of talks with the Fond du Lac Police Department and city attorney. He says first offenses are tried in municipal court and end up in fines. He says the problem comes during second and third possession cases because they go to the district attorney’s office, which doesn’t always have time to prosecute those cases and they end up being dismissed. He says the bill would create an option that would allow the city or municipal attorney to take the case back to municipal court if the district attorney chooses not to prosecute. He says Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney has told Gudex his office will prosecute as many of the marijuana possession cases as it can.

 

FCEDC Puts Out Special Newsletter

 

The Fond du Lac Economic Development Corporation recently published a special edition of its Ventures newsletter that takes a look at the local economy and the Corporation’s strategic framework. FCEDC President Steve Jenkins says we have an advanced manufacturing community. He says 9.8 percent of manufacturing jobs in the community are advanced manufacturing jobs and another 38 percent are moderate technology. He says that’s not to say there aren’t problems. He says we have to plan for the future and take a look at what those needs will be to have financial success. He says we need to plan for 5, 10, 15 years and beyond. Jenkins also says there’s been little change in population growth and the County needs to see its population grow by 1 to 1.5 percent to be sustainable. He says the County’s growth is .9 and the City of Fond du Lac’s growth is only .45 annual growth, which is not sustainable. According to the newsletter Fond du Lac has the 172nd ranked Metropolitan Statistical Area in the nation ranking behind Appleton, La Crosse and Oshkosh in Wisconsin. To see the Ventures Special Edition click here. 

 

Ripon Fire District Considering Replacing Aerial Ladder Truck

 

The Ripon Fire District is looking at replacing an aerial ladder truck. Ripon City Administrator Lori Rich says the truck didn’t live up to standards when it was recently tested. She says the truck is 31-years-old. She says it has been repaired, but they do need to address replacing the aerial truck in the next year. She says the Ripon Common Council recently discussed the issue and there was general support for replacing the truck, which could cost up to $1 million to finance.

 

FDL County Board Preview

 

The Fond du Lac County Board tonight will consider approving a lease to construct on-campus housing for students at the UW-Fond du Lac and a resolution supporting expansion of Highway 23 to four lanes from Plymouth to Fond du Lac. The lease would be for 10 acres of county-owned land at the UW-Fond du Lac at $1 per acre, per year to a private developer to build student housing. The other resolution would support the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s proposal to design and construct a four lane highway on Highway 23 from Plymouth to Fond du Lac.  Recently the DOT decided not to delay the project. The board meets at 7 p.m. at the City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac.

 

Child Safety Seats

 

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-It’s national Child Passenger Safety Week and Pam Moen with Triple-A Wisconsin says it’s an important reminder for anyone transporting kids to make sure they are using the right type of seat. She says the seat should be based on a child’s size, weight and age. Whether it’s a rear-facing car seat or a booster, Moen says there are many ways to safely install them in the vehicle. She says to check the seat instructions and vehicle manufacturer’s instructions. If you don’t feel confident that a seat is installed properly, Moen says there are local resources available. She says to check out seatcheck.org where you can locate child passenger safety technician. Children need to be in some type of safety seat until they are at least eight-years-old or weigh 80 pounds and hit four-foot-nine-inches tall.

 

Senator Johnson Staff Hours

 

Senator Ron Johnson’s staff will hold mobile office hours in a number of area locations today. They will be at the Theresa Village Hall at 9:30 a.m., the Iron Ridge Village Hall at noon, the Hustisford Village Hall at 1:15 p.m., and the Neosho Village Hall at 2:30 p.m. Each session will be for an hour. The office hours allow constituents to meet with the Senator’s staff to request assistance with a federal agency or regarding other federal matters.