Local News Briefs Wednesday 1/20/16

Teen Accidentally Shot While Rabbit Hunting

The state’s Department of Natural Resources is investigating a hunting accident that occurred in Dodge County over the weekend. Officials say a 19-year-old rabbit hunter was hit by a bullet in the right thigh. A shotgun sitting on an ATV accidentally discharged. The teen was taken to Oconomowoc Hospital. A 20-year-old was hunting with the victim when the accident occurred in the Town of Emmet just before 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon. 

Washington County Man Uses Sledge Hammer In Family Argument

Authorities in Washington County arrested a 30-year-old town of Jackson man who used a sledge hammer to settle a family argument. He allegedly smashed a desk, computer, dresser and the deck of the home before Sheriff’s deputies arrived. He was arrested for disorderly conduct about 9 o’clock Saturday night.

Fourteen Powerball Winners Announced

Wisconsin lottery officials have released more information about the fourteen Power Ball winners who won $50,000 each in last Wednesday’s record $1.5 billion drawing. Some of those winners come from the area. Nicholas Fude of Horicon purchased his winning ticket at a Kwik Trip in Cottage Grove. Linda Schmidt of Cascade bought hers’ at a Pick ‘n Save in Plymouth and Todd Vanderkin of Plymouth picked up his winning ticket at Mills Gas Mart in Plymouth.

For  the complete list of winners click here.

FDL County Economy Strong

According to recent rankings Fond du Lac County’s economy remains strong especially in the growth of business employing high technology. In a recent ranking by the Miliken Institute the Fond du Lac metro area ranked 8th out of 201 small metros in 2015 for five-year growth of high technology Gross Domestic Product or the value of goods and services produced. That’s an improvement of 26 positions over 2014 when 179 small metros were ranked.

For more on the rankings click here.

NFDL CDBG Committee Being Disbanded

The North Fond du Lac Village Board has decided to disband one of the village’s committees. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says there have been changes in law regarding applications for community development block grant funding for housing projects. In the past the village’s CDBG Housing Committee made determinations on grant applications, but he says with the new law decisions are more black and white. He says they no longer need a committee to make those decisions. He says the committee would simply be meeting to rubber stamp those applications. Hornung says the five members of the committee will be informed of the board’s decision. He says he will send out letters to those members thanking them for their service.

Feyen Endorsed By Waupun Alderman

A Republican candidate for the 18th State Senate seat has picked up his first political endorsement. Fond du Lac County Republican Party Chairman Dan Feyen (FINE) is running for the seat currently held by Senator Rick Gudex. Waupun Alderman Steve Bastian is endorsing Feyen noting Feyen’s commitment to local control. Bastian was originally appointed to the Waupun Common Council in 2009 to fill a vacancy. He’s been elected twice since then to represent the City’s fourth aldermanic district.

Sturgeon Biologist Talks About Caps For Upcoming Season

The Winnebago System Sturgeon Biologist for the DNR says harvest caps for the 2016 Sturgeon spearing season were raised due to the robust sturgeon population. Ryan Koenigs says the harvest cap for adult females has been raised to 950 for 2016. That’s up from 878 for 2015 and 828 in 2014. He says the past few seasons harvest actually gives them a better idea of what the true sturgeon population is. Koenigs says from the tagging they do during the spawning season they know there are some good size sturgeon in Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes. He says they saw a large number of adult females in excess of 70 inches, with a number of fish in the 75 to 77-inch class and those fish pre-spawn were in excess of 160 to 180 pounds. Koenigs says the harvest cap for juvenile females remains the same at 430, but the harvest cap for male sturgeon decreases from 1,250 to 1,220 for the upcoming season.

Meetings Being Restructured For SALT

Seniors and Law Enforcement Together or SALT and Triad will take a new focus in their monthly meetings in 2016. The meetings are held at the Fond du Lac Senior Center. Center Director Cathy Loomans says the meetings usually focus on safety. But she says now they will have a monthly topic, which might appeal to more people. She says there will be a public safety component and there will also be a community interest topic. Loomans says they will also have a roundtable discussion featuring discussions on concerns people have about things going on the community. This month’s meeting is at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 28th at the center. Former UW-Fond du Lac Dean Judy Goldsmith will talk about the Humanity Project.

Stay Scam Free In 2016

The division administrator for the state’s department of agriculture, trade, and consumer protection says there is one New Year’s resolution you might be able to keep. Frank Frassetto says it is possible to remain “scam free” through 2016 by following a few suggestions. He says be skeptical of “too good to be true” offers, keep your personal and banking private and never give out to an un-solicited phone call or email. He says never give money out to someone you don’t know. He says don’t wire them or give them an account to a pre-paid credit card. He says for more tips you can go to his department’s website or give them a call. If you want to call the phone number is 1-800-422-7128.

Snowshoe Hike At Gottfried Prairie And Arboretum Saturday

The Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum will host a snowshoe hike Saturday afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. Those participating can search for animal tracks and other signs of wildlife in the winter prairie or simply enjoy a great way to get winter exercise.  You can bring your own snowshoes or use the snow shoes provided by Attitude Sports of Fond du Lac. The event is free but registration is required to participate. Please call 920-313-0190 to reserve your spot. Participants will meet at the Gottfried shelter near the east parking lot on the grounds of the UW-Fond du Lac Campus.