Local News Briefs Wednesday 5/20/15

Three people were injured when an SUV rolled over on Highway 45 in Winnebago County Tuesday afternoon. Sheriff’s officials say a 22-year-old Milwaukee man was heading north on Highway 45 in the Town of Larsen when he went onto the shoulder of the road. The 1996 Ford Explorer then crossed over into the median where it rolled over into the southbound lanes of Highway 45. Theda Star flew the driver to an area hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. Two passengers were also taken to area hospitals. Driver fatigue was a factor in the accident that was reported at 5:15 p.m.

Robbery Suspect Bound Over For Trial

A 29-year-old Random Lake man suspected of the armed robbery of the Big Joe’s convenience store in Fredonia has been bound over for trial in Ozaukee County. That robbery allegedly committed by Brandon Baumhardt occurred last December. He’s back in court on that case next month. Baumhardt is also suspected of robbing the Landmark Credit Union branch located inside the West Bend Pick ‘N Save in January. He will be back n Washington County Court in that case in late June as well as on an unrelated misdemeanor theft charge.

FDL County Board Notes

The Fond du Lac Board last night approved a contract with the employees union for County Social Services Employees. The one-year pact gives a 1.57 percent increase in pay to 52 full and regular employees and 18 part-time employees. The Board also approved a resolution readopting a section of its code of ordinance, which requires dogs to be on a leash in County parks. That section of the ordinance was inadvertently left out of the original code. County Planning and Parks Director Sam Tobias says there is an exception for service dogs, but it’s not spelled out in the code and is something they could include in it. Supervisors also unanimously approved a proclamation designating this month as Poppy Month in the County.

Closing Of Ripon Cookie Plant Will Have Impact On Other Businesses

Ripon Mayor Gary Will says the City would be happy to help out ConAgra to help avoid laying off 300 workers at a cookie plant in the City. But he says officially the City hasn’t been notified of the impending layoffs yet. He says in addition to those employees other companies who provide services to the plant will be impacted as well. Will says going to the Rippin’ Good Cookies Outlet store was one of his boyhood pleasures. He says his grandparents brought him over from the Holyland where he grew up, which is more than 40 years ago. ConAgra plans to close the soft baked and dipped cookie facility, a warehouse and the outlet. Layoffs will be done in four rounds between September and December.

WEDC Board Member Says There Were High Hopes

A member of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors says there were high hopes for the agency, but those have been dashed by recent events. State Senator Rick Gudex says when the Governor announced last Friday that he was getting rid of the WEDC’s revolving loan fund program he took away one of their best tools for economic development. He says that leaves them with a tax credit program, which he says won’t be too effective. He says the WEDC got off to a shaky start four years ago, but seemed to be making up some ground in the last two. Then the Legislative Audit Bureau released its audit of the WEDC that cast it back in a bad light. He says there are some points in the audit the WEDC could learn from. Now Democrats in the state legislature are asking for a federal investigation into claims that top aides in the Walker administration pushed the WEDC to loan $500,000 to a Milwaukee Construction firm owned by a donor to Governor Walker’s campaign.  The loan is now in default.

FDL Humane Society Capital Campaign

The shelter manager for the Fond du Lac Humane Society says if your going to give to the humane society, don’t forget about their capital campaign. Renee Webb says they’ve raised more than $530,000 of their goal. She says they are $65,000 short of the $600,000 goal. She says they have the land to build on, but not enough space in their current facility for their needs. She says the expansion will happen right where they are located. You can find out more about donating to the capital campaign at the Humane Society’s website.

EMS Open House At FDL South Main Street Fire Station Today

As part of EMS Week the fire station on South Main Street in Fond du Lac will be holding an open house today. Hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. Assistant Fire Chief Todd Janquart oversees the EMS services for the department. He says most of their personnel are paramedics. He says they have 26 EMT basics and 34 EMT paramedics. He says there will be tours during the open house, demonstrations including one for the Jaws of Life, and if weather is good a Flight for Life landing. He says they will also have activities for the kids and a visit by Sparky. He says kids can try on firefighter gear, see their equipment, there will be temporary tattoos, stickers and coloring books.

Light refreshments will be served.

FDL Police Forum Tonight

The Fond du Lac Police Department’s Central District Command will host a public forum at the police station on North Main Street tonight. The meeting will be from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room. The forum is an opportunity for anyone living in the Central District to discuss crime issues. Land Lords are also encouraged to attend.

Marian Art Students Recognized

The Northeast Chapter of Wisconsin Visual Artists announced the award of merit prizes to three Marian University students. Marian students receiving awards include: Ashley Backes of Bowler, a double major in psychology and expressive and therapeutic arts; Ciara Sarauer of Ripon, an expressive and therapeutic arts major; and Christine Newman of Sheboygan, a graphic arts major. Each student will receive a gift of $100 and a year’s membership in the Wisconsin Visual Artists organization.

Walking Taco Lunch Benefits United Way

The Fond du Lac Area United Way will benefit from a Walking Taco Lunch at the Fond du Lac City-County Government Center today. The tacos will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first floor for $3 each. A generous donation from Festival Foods made the lunch possible. The Fond du Lac County Employee United Way Committee is sponsoring the lunch.