Local News Thursday 4/18/13

NFDL Woman Pleads To Reckless Homicide Charge In Drug Death

 

The 29-year-old North Fond du Lac woman suspected of selling the heroin to a 23-year-old Fond du Lac man that caused his death has pled guilty to a 1st degree reckless homicide charge. Fond du Lac County Judge Gary Sharpe accepted a guilty plea from Juliann Bliefnick during a plea hearing this week. A second charge of heroin trafficking was read into the record and dismissed. Tyler Hass died at his mother’s home in November of 2011. A sentencing hearing hasn’t been scheduled yet.

 

Allenton Man Facing Marijuana Trafficking Charges

 

A 30-year-old Allenton man chose the wrong time to smoke marijuana. A Washington County Sheriff’s deputy noticed the smell of burning marijuana when the deputy showed up to deliver a citation to Justin Straub. Straub was nervous and acting suspicious. Asked about the marijuana Straub admitted he had some inside, but wouldn’t allow the deputy in.   A search warrant was obtained by the County’s drug unit. The unit found evidence of marijuana trafficking in the apartment including a half pound of marijuana and nearly $37,000 in cash. Straub’s vehicle was also seized. It contained marijuana and items related to marijuana production. He was charged yesterday with Marijuana trafficking, maintaining a drug place, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a $10,000 signature bond and will be back in court on May 22nd. He’s still on probation for a 2011 marijuana trafficking conviction.

 

Oshkosh Half-Marathon Security

 

Oshkosh Police say they’ve been advised the Oshkosh Half-Marathon will continue as planned on Sunday. Police will be working with event coordinators to maintain security at the event. Oshkosh Police issued a statement yesterday saying their thoughts and prayers are with the City of Boston and its citizens, the victims and the victim’s families after the heinous terrorist attack that occurred during the Boston Marathon on Monday.

 

FDL County Board Approves Participation In Regional Loan Fund Program

 

Fond du Lac County supervisors this week approved participating with 8 other East Central Wisconsin counties to start a regional loan fund for business development. Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation President Steve Jenkins told the County Board by developing a regional fund they will be able to loan larger amounts of money to businesses for development, from $200,000 to $500,000. County Executive Al Buechel says federal Community Development Block Grant money given to the counties will be used, but without restrictions such as those imposed by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department. It would similar to the revolving loan fund program the FCEDC has. He says together the 9 counties would have a pool of $22 million in what will be known as the East Central Wisconsin Loan Fund, Inc. He says it will benefit businesses trying to expand or grow. Jenkins told supervisors the program will be modeled after the FCEDC’s revolving loan fund programs and the FCEDC will pursue being the regional administrator for the program. 

 

New Superintendent Tabbed For Ripon School District

 

An administrator with the Green Bay Area School District has been selected as the next superintendent for the Ripon School District. The Ripon School Board has chosen Dr. Mary Whitrock who currently works for the Green Bay Area School District at their Chief Academic Officer. Current Ripon Schools Superintendent Richard Zimman says she has 18 years of experience in education; nine as an administrator and nine as a teacher. He says as a former principal and with her current role in Green Bay as Chief Academic Officer she has experience with working with a budget. Zimman’s contract will run through June 30th. He says he will stay active and he and his wife will be able to travel. Whitrock is married. She and her husband have five children. She will take over as Ripon Schools Superintendent on July 1st. Zimmaan has been with the district for nine years.

 

NFDL Board Stays With Solid Waste Ordinance

 

The North Fond du Lac Village Board this week decided to stay with the solid waste management ordinance it has for multi-family refuse collection. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says a duplex owner two weeks ago complained about the policy that requires duplex owners who don’t live in the duplex to contract with a private contractor for trash collection. He says after some discussion the board opted to stay with the ordinance that it currently has on the books.

 

Interim Chief Deputy Chosen For Dodge County Sheriff’s Dept

 

Dodge County Sheriff Pat Ninmann has named an interim Chief Deputy while the civil service process for selecting someone for the position proceeds. Scott Smith has been named interim Chief Deputy. He’s been the department’s Communications Director for the past few years. Applications for the full-time position are being accepted until April 23rd. Applicants will be tested and Ninmann will get to select a Chief Deputy from the top three candidates.  Longtime Chief Deputy Blaine Lauersdorf retired last Friday. A decision on a permanent Chief Deputy is expected to be made by the middle of next month.

 

Saputo Cheese Laying Off Workers At New London Plant

 

Saputo Cheese has announced it will be laying off 22 of its employees at its New London cheese plant on May 5th.  A change in plant operations is the reason for the layoffs. Company officials say a call-back list is being put together for those being laid off and those employees will be able to transfer to other Saputo Cheese plants with job openings. Saputo has other plants in the state including Fond du Lac and Green Bay. It also plants in other parts of the country.

 

Mock Tornado Watch And Warning Moved To Friday

 

The mock tornado watch and warning drill that was supposed to be held this afternoon has been moved to Friday at the same time due to the possibility of severe weather and tornadoes in Southeast Wisconsin today. Fond du Lac County Communications and Emergency Management Director James McNabb says the watch will be issued at 1 p.m. and the warning at 1:45 p.m. He says they will sound tornado sirens during the drill. He says people are encouraged to practice their emergency drills during the mock tornado warning. McNabb says in the event of a real tornado it’s best to seek shelter in the inner most room at the lowest level, with no glass or expansive ceilings. Over the last 30 years Fond du Lac County has had 26 tornado events with 1 death and 14 injuries.

 

Another Round Of Weigh In On Winnebago Hearings

 

here will be a second round of public meetings giving people the chance to “Weigh in on the Winnebago Waterways.” Meetings are scheduled in Menasha, Fond du Lac, Chilton and Winneconne April 29th through May 2nd. The meeting in Fond du Lac will be in the Large Group Instruction Room at the U-W Fond du Lac on Tuesday, April 30th from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Anyone who uses Lake Winnebago or one of the lakes in system, owns a business along the lakes or has an opinion is welcome to attend that meeting or one of the others. If you can attend but want to give your input visit the Winnebago Waterways website.

 

Monday, April 29th 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Menasha Public Library

 

Wednesday May 1st 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Quinney Fishing Club

W 5604 Quinney Road

Chilton

 

Thursday, May 2nd 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Winneconne High School.

 

FDLCT Stages Secrets Every Traveler Should Know

 

The Fond du Lac Community Theatre will poke fun at the hassels of travel during their performance of the off Broadway production “Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know The Hit Musical Comedy Revue.” The first performance is tonight at the Goodrich Little Theatre in Fond du Lac. Director Therese Burazin says if you’ve traveled you will enjoy the production. Matt Rodenkirch is one of the 12 performers in the musical. He says he hates to travel and audience members will be able to relate to some of the numbers on stage. Performances are tonight, Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., and there’s a Matinee Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at Wegner Office Supply in Fond du Lac and at the door.  

 

Opportunity Center Volunteers Needed At FDL Public Library

 

The Fond du Lac Public Library’s Opportunity Center is looking for volunteers. The Center is a free computer lab resource where under- and unemployed people can get help looking for work, writing resumes and researching employers. Volunteers will work one-on-one with users, many of lack computer skills. Volunteers must have experience with Microsoft Office Suite, have basic internet searching and emailing skills, can work with a diverse population and are willing to commit to a regular schedule. Training is provided. Many current volunteers are retired supervisors or human resource professionals, but that level of expertise is not required. Persons interested in volunteering at the Opportunity Center should contact Annette Clark at clark@fdlpl.org or (920) 322-3936.

 

Boater Safety Course Offered

 

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office will be offering a Boater Safety Course next month at the City-County Government Center. Course dates are Tuesday and Thursday May 7th and 9th, Tuesday and Thursday May 14th and 16th, and Tuesday May 21st from 6 to 8:30 those evenings. Students have to attend all five nights. It’s preferred that those taking the court be from 10 to 15 years of age. The cost is $10. For more information on pre-registering and what you need to do that visit the Sheriff’s website.