Local News Briefs Wednesday 7/10/13

 

Funeral services will be held in Fond du Lac today for a 3-year-old boy who died the result of a pool accident last week in Florida. Paul and Michelle Hughes and the family of Zander Hughes will receive friends at the Zacherl Funeral Home from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The funeral service will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate that donations be sent to the Zander Hughes Family Memorial Fund in care of the Fox Valley Savings Bank, 51 East 1st Street, Fond du Lac, WI. 54935. Zander and his family moved to Florida from Fond du Lac in 2011. To see the full obituary click here.   

 

Ripon Man Tries To Flee From Police

 

An 18-year-old Ripon man has been charged with obstruction and felony bail jumping after trying to flee Ripon Police officers last Wednesday. Officers responded to Dustin Thorp’s home about a complaint and found out he was wanted on arrest warrant from the Department of Corrections for a probation violation. He tried to flee on foot, but was caught by officers. Thorp was out on bond on two felony counts of 1st degree sexual assault of a child. During an initial hearing in Fond du Lac County Tuesday on the obstruction and bail jumping charge a $500 cash bond was set. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 25th. 

 

Waupun Woman Accused Of Mistreating Patient

 

(WBEV-Beaver Dam)-A 54-year-old Waupun woman is suspected of mistreating a patient under her care. Mary Jo Kearley has been charged in Dodge County Court with one felony count of Intentional Abuse of a Patient, Likely to Cause Bodily Harm. According to the criminal complaint, Kearley was employed at Bethesda Day Services in Watertown last April when she grew upset with a patient who did not sit down when told. She reportedly grabbed the patient by the hand and slapped her face. Witnesses told investigators that after the incident she said (quote) “I hope that didn’t leave a mark.” During an internal investigation she reportedly said that she just “snapped.”

 

Sheboygan Stabbing Case Dropped

 

(WHBL-Sheboygan)-The case against a Sheboygan man for a fight that occurred in May has been dropped after the victim refused to press charges.  Thirty-three-year- old Ollie Benton had been charged with 2nd degree reckless injury after stabbing 36-year-old Floyd Hooks in the neck with a mop handle. The charge was recently dismissed after Hooks submitted a statement saying he and Benton always fight and argue and that the stabbing was an accident.  In the statement Hooks said, “I love my best friend and am not going to press charges against him.” Hooks was flown to Froedtert following the fight in an apartment.  Benton was facing up to 12 years in prison, if convicted.

 

Washington County Sex Offender Being Released

 

The Washington County Sheriff’s officials say a 26-year-old sex offender is residing at the County Jail in West Bend until he finds a residence and employment. Matthew Davis was convicted in Washington and Rock Counties of 2nd degree sexual assault of a child in 2008, with one count in each county. He will be on probation until July 11th of 2023. Restrictions for his release will include wearing a live tracking GPS unit.

 

Lakeside Diamonds Proposal To Be Taken Up By FDL City Council

 

The Fond du Lac City Council will consider a recommendation this evening to allow the building of two new baseball diamonds in Lakeside Park. Ryan Haus of Fond du Lac Youth Baseball says with more than 800 kids playing baseball in the City they could use the fields. The land the diamonds would be built on is also used during Walleye Weekend by Youth Soccer. Greg Winkler of Fond du Lac Youth Soccer says they had about 400 kids participate this year. He says they aren’t against the proposal, but would have liked to know about the proposal more than a few days before the Advisory Park Board took it up and gave their blessing. Haus is hoping they will work out a solution that will work for everyone. He says the City suggested the site and it would get a lot of use for baseball. He says they are hoping to build the first lighted Little League fields in the City.

 

FDL City Council To Get Update On EAB

 

The Fond du Lac City Council will be updated tonight on the City’s efforts to keep the Emerald Ash Borer from infesting the City’s 7,000 Ash trees. Public Works Director Jordan Skiff will give that update. City Arborist Brian Weed tells us they are monitoring some traps they put up and the Ash trees that they have to remove. He says Fond du Lac County is in a quarantined area for the Emerald Ash Borer because a few years back it was found in trees not far from West Bend. As a result firewood and logs can’t be moved to areas that aren’t under quarantine. Weed says they will be reducing the Ash population in the City that are dying from other reasons or may be too close to power lines. He says they will be replaced by other trees. There’s also a plan to treat some trees in Lakeside Park. Ash trees make up 35 percent of the public trees in the City.

 

Wellness Program Benefits FDL School District Costs

 

Wellness programs are having a positive impact on the Fond du Lac School District’s health insurance costs. The school board this week approved long term disability, life and dental insurance bids that will save the district $173,000. District Superintendent Jim Sebert says they have developed wellness programs that will help them save more money. He says they work with WEA Trust and have partnered with Agnesian HealthCare and the YMCA on those efforts. He says employees and their spouses who take the health screenings and assessments will pay 12 percent of the health insurance costs and 25 percent if they do not participate. Sebert says ultimately the wellness programs are the best way of reducing costs.

 

Armed Guards Posted At Northern Wisconsin Mining Site

 

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-Officials with Gogebic Taconite say there are no plans to remove armed security guards from drilling sites in northern Wisconsin, as the company continues to explore the possibility of building an iron ore mine in the region. Company spokesman Bob Seitz says the armed detail was added after masked protesters attacked drilling sites last month, and will remain because there’s still a threat to workers. Photos released by anti-mining groups show private security patrolling the site, with guards wearing military-style outfits and carrying assault-style rifles. Two northern Wisconsin lawmakers sent a letter to Gogebic this week asking for the removal of those guards.

 

Beloit Home Explosion Caused By Do-It-Yourselfers

 

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-The Beloit Fire department is hoping a Sunday evening explosion will serve as a warning to do-it-yourselfers. Fire Chief Brad Liggett says installing a new gas stove should be left to the professionals. Thirty-three-year-old Tara Purdy and 37-year-old Todd Purdy were seriously injured when the home they rent exploded on Sunday evening. Earlier that day the couple had installed a new gas stove with the help of family members.

 

FDL County Fair A Week Away

 

Fond du Lac County Fairest of the Fair Emily Ries says in the little over a month since being crowned the 2013 Fairest she’s already done quite a bit of work promoting the Fair, which starts next Wednesday. She was at Walleye Weekend, Breakfast on the Farm, did some parades and also visited with some daycare centers to talk to kids about the Fair.She says one of the new attractions at the Fair this year is a birthing center where people can see some animals born and find out more about that process. She says the lineup for this year’s Grandstand entertainment is quite diverse this year, with a tractor pull on Wednesday, July 17th a BMX/ATV/FMX Stunt show on Thursday and Rock ‘n Roll acts on Friday and Saturday. Hinder performs on Friday, Whitesnake on Saturday and the Demolition Derby is on Sunday of the Fair. Also this year the Market Livestock Auction moves to Thursday starting at 4:45 p.m. For more on the Fair click here. 

 

Weather Radios Available

 

Fond du Lac County Emergency Management has NOAA, All Hazards Weather Alert Radios, available at a wholesale cost of $24.90.  These Midland, NOAA weather radios broadcast emergency information direct from the National Weather Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) All Hazards alert, is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather and other emergency information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office.  A NOAA weather radio is an essential tool to keep residents safe during severe weather or other emergencies.  Radios will be available at the Fond du Lac County Clerk’s Office in the Lobby of the Fond du Lac County/City Government Center at 160 South Macy Street.  “All Hazards” messages include:  Natural (e.g., tornado, flooding, high winds, blizzards), Accidents (e.g., chemical release, train derailments, nuclear power emergencies), evacuation information, Amber Alerts and Terrorist attacks.

 

Brandon Meats Earns Championship Honors

 

Alan Feucht of Brandon Meats & Sausage Inc, of Brandon, will be among eight individuals competing for “Best of Show” in the 2013 Wisconsin State Fair Meat Products Contest on August 6th. Feucht has already earned championship honors for the best traditional snack sausage and best specialty cooked bratwurst. The top 20 items will be auctioned off to the highest bidder on Tuesday, August 6th at the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Meat Products Auction at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, Ag Oasis. The special event is hosted by the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation and proceeds benefit the state’s nearly 350,000 4-H youth. To see more about the auction and other championship honors click here.

 

FDL Symphonic Band Performs For Family Night

 

The Fond du Lac Symphonic Band will present their 34th annual Family Night concert at Buttermilk Creek Park tonight at 7:15 p.m. Some of the many features include the popular Teddy Bear parade during the performance of the Teddy Bear’s Picnic. The Russian children’s classic Peter and the Wolf will also be performed. Family movies themes will be heard in Pixar’s Movie Magic and there will be a conducting contest for 8-year-olds. Family night is sponsored by the City of Fond du Lac. In the event of bad weather, the performance will be moved to the County Fairgrounds.