Local News Briefs Wednesday 12/18/13

The Marian University Board of Trustees is extending Robert Fale’s stay as Interim President. Fale has been serving in that capacity since mid-June and has accepted the board’s invitation to remain in office through June of 2016. Fale was appointed Interim President following the resignation of Dr. Steven DiSalvo last May, with the original intent that a presidential search would result in a new president selected to take office July 1, 2014. Several initiatives are underway or have begun that would benefit from continuity in the leadership of the University. “We are very pleased that Bob Fale has agreed to provide leadership to Marian for an extended period,” said Eric Stone, chair of Marian’s Board of Trustees. “His experience as a president and CEO is serving Marian very well, and we would like to see the institution continue to benefit from his expertise during this critical juncture.” “I am honored by the confidence the Board has placed in me by inviting me to extend my service to Marian,” said Fale. A presidential search committee will continue in order to develop a succession plan for the presidency.

Four FDL County Supervisors File Non-Candidacy Papers

Fond du Lac County Clerk Lisa Freiberg says four incumbent County supervisors have filed non-candidacy papers for next spring’s election. Those supervisors are Sherry Behnke, who represents Supervisory District 4, John Muentner, Sr., who represents Supervisory District 8, Herb Ottery, who represents Supervisory District 10, and Jim Kiser, who represents Supervisory District 23. By the time their current terms are complete those four will have served from 6 to 14 years each on the board, which Freiberg says is a lot of experience. She says those interested in running for those seats will need to collect a minimum of 50 signatures from people residing in those districts. Nomination papers have to be returned to the County Clerks by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7th.

Lorrigan Runs For Reelection To FDL City Council

Fond du Lac City Councilwoman Lee Ann Lorrigan is running for a second term on the Council. She recently issued a statement indicating her intent to seek reelection. In her statement she says keeping Fond du Lac citizens safe and continuing to provide a great place to live and work is her personal priority. She notes the city has an excellent Health Care system, strong schools and a strong manufacturing presence that support a vibrant community.  She says she wants to continue building on those assets and focus on economic development and making Fond du Lac a great destination. Lorrigan also says it has always been her policy to make decisions based on facts and data, not on personal agenda.  She says she has a sincere desire to listen, educate, and connect with the public. 

FDL County Board Holds Final Meeting Of 2013

The Fond du Lac County Board held its final meeting of the year last night taking care of some standard end of the year business. That included a number of committee and board appointments, fee changes for county parks and campsites and public health contracts for nursing services the County provides. The supervisors also accepted more than $448,000 in funding from the state Department of Health for some programs the County offers. County Executive Al Buechel says that includes funding for childhood lead, immunization, Radon, WIC and other programs. County supervisors also accepted a more than $116,000 grant for tobacco control and prevention efforts. The County is the administrator for a five-county program. Buechel says it pays for prevention efforts and other tobacco control efforts and is very worthwhile. The board also approved a resolution thanking the School Sisters of Notre Dame for their 160 years of ministry and service in the County. The Our Lady of Mount Caramel Convent in Mount Calvary closed last spring.

Gudex Brown Jug Bill Signed Into Law

State Senator Rick Gudex of Fond du Lac was on hand when Governor Scott Walker recently signed the so-called Brown Jug bill into law. Gudex was the co-author of the piece of legislation that he says levels the field for taverns or retailers who sell alcohol allowing them to sue underage drinkers or their parents who illegally enter a tavern, attempt to purchase alcohol, or successfully buy alcohol using fake ID. He says retailers spend a lot of money trying to fend off the use of fake ID. He says they are trying to get at the “root cause” of alcohol problems in Wisconsin. He says the one exception the bill does allow is for compliance checks in which someone under-age assists police in making sure establishments aren’t selling alcohol illegally.

Sheboygan Man Being Arraigned On Child Porn Charges

A Sheboygan man has been ordered to stand trial on charges of possessing child porn.  23 year old John Freiberg appeared recently in Sheboygan County Court for a preliminary hearing.  Judge Timothy Van Akkeren ruled there is enough evidence for a trial.  Freiberg was charged earlier this month after investigators in Cheyenne, Wyoming, linked him to child porn on the internet.  Officers here executed a search warrant at his North 17th Street home and found child porn on a Micro-SD Card.  Freiberg is back in the county jail awaiting arraignment Wednesday, when he is expected to enter a plea to the charges.

MPTC Works Hard At Student Placement

The Vice President of Academic Affairs for Moraine Park Technical College says they are proud of their job placement record for students, but they work hard at. Jim Eden says students are already placed with companies while they are learning through specific programs. He says there’s also a program called “Tech Connect” that’s available to technical colleges throughout the state. It allows employers to post jobs with the colleges. He says the also have people in student services that aid students in their job seeking efforts. Eden says they place about 90 percent of their students in jobs within 90 days of graduation. He says it is one of their core missions.

NFDL Teacher Gets National Board Certification

The state’s Department of Public Instruction Tuesday announced that 77 educators from across the state had joined the ranks of National Board Certified Teachers including one who teaches in North Fond du Lac. Michelle Detert of Fond du Lac works at the Bessie Allen Middle School in North Fond du Lac. Wisconsin was 15th in the nation for the number of newly certified teachers.