Local News Briefs Wednesday 10/21/15

Milwaukee Woman Suspected Of Trying To Smuggle Pot Into Waupun Correctional

A 26-year-old Milwaukee woman has been charged for allegedly trying to smuggle marijuana into Waupun Correctional. Chikita Joiner was charged in Dodge County Court this week. A $1,000 signature bond was set and a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for December 10th. According to the criminal complaint she passed drug-filled balloons to her boyfriend while kissing him.

Home Sales Up In FDL County Last Month

Sale of existing homes in Fond du Lac and the median price of those homes both increased in September. According to the Wisconsin Realtors Association home sales in the County increased by 26.4 percent compared to September of last year and the median price of those homes was up by 6.1 percent. Statewide in September home prices were 11.1 percent higher and the median price of a home increased by 4.3 percent. For the first three quarters of the year home sales in the County are up by nearly 13 percent and the price of those homes increased by almost 3 percent.

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NFDL Water And Wastewater Rate Increase Applied For

The Village of North Fond du Lac is applying for a 3 percent increase in water and wastewater utility rates. The Village Board this week approved applying for the increase from the state’s Public Service Commission. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says for the typical residential customer it will mean a rate increase of less than a couple of bucks a quarter. He says people who use about 12,000 gallons per quarter will be paying less than $2 more on their quarterly bill. He says their last rate increase was 5 years ago and it was a 10 percent increase because they hadn’t raised the rates in such a long time. He says some utility work they did this year for a street project nearly depleted the reserve funding they had built up for the utility. He says it involved the reconstruction of Harrison Street. Hornung says if the PSC approves the rate increase people would see it reflected on their first quarterly bill in April.

MPTC And Marian Form Concurrent Enrollment Agreement

Moraine Park Technical College and Marian University are forming a partnership for what may be a unique and historic type of agreement. The two schools have developed a concurrent enrollment agreement. Tracy Qualmann is the Director of Enrollment Partnerships at Marian. She says they’ve worked on the agreement most of the past ten years. She says they got really serious about it about a year ago and began having serious talks on how to make it possible. She says in addition to being able to take classes on either campus students can use the resources of either school. She says for instance if you are an MPTC student and are taking courses at Marian you can use the library, athletic facilities and other resources. She says it’s also hoped that the concurrent enrollment agreement will help to hold down costs for students.

Family Care Givers Provide Billions Of Dollars In Unpaid Services A Year

Family care givers provide billions of dollars in unbilled health care and services for their loved ones. Laurie Anderson of Fond du Lac County Senior Services says some figures released through collaboration between AARP and the National Alliance for Care Giving is enlightening. She says some calculations were made at the end of 2014 how much that family care giving might come to. She says it comes to about $470 billion a year. She says people may not think they are doing much by caring for someone close to them, but they are saving their communities lots of money. Anderson says what they may be doing it unsung, but it’s important.

FDL Noon Kiwanis Club Pancake Day Thursday

The Fond du Lac Noon Kiwanis Club will hold their 56th Annual Pancake Day Thursday at the American Legion Hall. Ann Calnin of the club says they use the money they raise to support different efforts throughout the year. She says it raises about $20,000 for the programs they support in Fond du Lac. Among the efforts is Learn to Swim at the YMCA, which more than 500 kids participate in each year. She says they also use money for snuggle packs for infants at St. Agnes Hospital and a Parent’s newsletter. Serving will be from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will also be 50/50 cash raffles. If you would like to get your tickets in advance you can buy them at Wegner’s Office Supply, the Lincoln House or from any Noon Kiwanis Club member.

Site For FDL County GOP Big Money Raffle Changed

Due to the temporary closure of the Fond du Lac Elks Club, the Fond du Lac County Republican Party has changed its location for their second Big Money Raffle on Saturday, November 7th. The drawing will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Fond du Lac where things will get started at 6 p.m. that evening. The Grand Prize is $10,000. There are other money prizes and raffles and specials during the evening. Raffle tickets are available by calling Terry Shoemaker at 920-266-7339. Only party members will be allowed to enjoy the evening.

Pasta For Lunch Benefits FDL Area United Way

The Fond du Lac County Employees’ United Way Committee will be hosting a “Pasta for Lunch” event today. Hours for the event are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until it is all sold out.  You can pick up your pasta and garlic bread for $4 at two locations. The City-County Government Center on South Macy Street and Harbor Haven Health & Rehabilitation Cafeteria on East 1st Street in Fond du Lac. All proceeds will benefit the Fond du Lac Area United Way.