Local News Wednesday 3/13/13

Oshkosh Bank Robbed

 

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a white man who robbed the BMO Harris Bank at 2100 Omro Road in Oshkosh about 11 a.m. Tuesday morning. He entered the bank and gave the teller a hand written note demanding money. No weapons were displayed and no threats were made. Sheriff’s officials say he left the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. He was wearing sunglasses, a tan baseball cap with a camouflage bill, a blue or black sweater with red and white rectangles on the chest, blue or black wind pants with white strips, and possibly hiking boots. They also gave a physical description. They say he’s 35 to 40 years old, appears to have a mustache, and weighs 225 to 240 pounds. You can see photos of him here at KFIZ and more photos at the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Facebook page.  Anyone with information should contact Detective Sergeant Chris Braman at (920) 236-7370 or the Patrol Sergeants desk at (920) 236-7316.

 

Bond Reduced For Campbellsport Man Facing Drunken Driving Homicide Charges

 

 

Bond has been reduced for the 24-year-old Campbellsport man suspected of driving drunk last September and causing an accident that claimed the lives of two Eden residents and resulted in serious injuries for their 13-year-old daughter. Bond was previously set at $50,000 cash, but was reduced to $10,000 cash for Daniel Shea during a hearing in Fond du Lac County Court Tuesday. Shea was already out on bond. A pleas hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, March 28th. Shea was allegedly drunk when he drove over the centerline on Highway 45 near Kewaskum last September 13th and hit another vehicle. Seventy-three-year-old Paul and 59-year-old Joanna Grahl were killed in the accident. Thirteen-year-old Esther Grahl was taken to Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee. According to the criminal complaint Shea told authorities he had been drinking and may have been texting at the time of accident. Shea said he was on his way to a baseball game in Kewaskum.

 

Appeals Court Won’t Stay Judge’s Decision On ACT 10

 

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-A state appeals court has rejected a request to stay a Dane County judge’s decision that found portions of Governor Walker’s collective bargaining law unconstitutional. The state had asked the appellate court to put the ruling invalidating portions of Act 10 on hold while it appeals the decision. The three-judge panel said it saw no basis to justify blocking the order, which was issued by Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas last September. The ruling struck down portions of the law by overturning restrictions on collective bargaining for some school and local government workers. State Department of Justice spokeswoman Dana Brueck  said the agency was disappointed the Court of Appeals turned down the request. DOJ could now ask the state Supreme Court to weigh in, although a decision on that has not been made.

 

 

Richfield Man Arrested For Threatening To Kill Wife

 

Washington County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 75-year-old Richfield man for allegedly threatening to kill his wife and another woman last weekend. When deputies arrived at a home on Mayfield Road 61-year-old Barbara Middleton told them her husband Phillip had swung a thirty inch edged weapon at them. They were able to take it away from him and fled the home. They called 9-1-1. She also told investigators that he had armed himself with a 30 gauge rifle, but she knew it wasn’t loaded and wrestled it away from him. Phillip Mayfield was drunk and irrational when deputies arrested him. He’s facing possible charges of disorderly conduct, recklessly endangering safety and intoxicated use of a firearm.

 

FDL City Council Preview

 

The Fond du Lac City Council Wednesday night will review the Alcohol Licensing Committee’s recommendation to not suspend the liquor license of the owners of the Retlaw Hotel. City staff is now asking the Council to revoke North Main Hospitality’s licenses over delinquent debt owed to the City. The Council will have the options of revoking the license, suspending it or accepting the Alcohol Licensing Committee’s recommendation for no suspension. Also during the meeting the Council will be asked to approve some revisions to the employee handbook. The Council meets at 7 p.m. at the City-County Government Center.

 

Theresa Man Charged For Hiding Knife In Stabbing

 

A 22-year-old Theresa man has been charged in Dodge County Court for his role in the stabbing of a 21-year-old Campbellsport man last month. It happened during a party in Theresa. Nicholas Isken allegedly provided the knife the victim was stabbed with and for that he’s been charged with being party to the crime of aggravated battery. The victim was stabbed and suffered a collapsed lung while trying to break up a fight. The man who allegedly stabbed him Conrado Garza, and the host of the party, Matthew Hecker, are also facing charges and will be back in court later this month. The knife was not recovered.

 

Plea In Violent Attack Of Theresa Woman

 

The 50-year-old Washington County man who violently attacked his former girlfriend last September at her home in Theresa has pled “guilty” to several charges stemming from the attack. Charles Maier of Colgate pled to a felony and two misdemeanor charges when he appeared in Dodge County Court Monday. Two other charges were read into the record and dismissed. The victim was struck nearly 20 times during the attack. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 29th.

 

Alcohol Abuse Costs State Nearly $6.8 Billion A Year

 

(Wisconsin Radio Network)- A new report tries to put a price tag on alcohol abuse in Wisconsin. The study by Health First Wisconsin estimates excessive drinking costs the state nearly $6.8 billion a year. Executive director Maureen Busalacchi says those costs are seen in several areas, with lost productivity taking up the largest share. Busalacchi says the total breaks down to about $1,200 per resident. She notes there’s also a human toll brought on by excessive alcohol use. She says 1,500 Wisconsin residents die every year from alcohol-related causes. Busalacchi says the report should serve as a call to action for state and local officials to consider measures aimed at reducing alcohol abuse such as sobriety checkpoints. She says that would help police target drunk driving, a major factor identified by the report. For a copy of the report click here.

 

FDL Fire Dept Division Chief Retiring Successor Chosen

 

 

The Fond du Lac Fire Department’s Division Chief of Fire Prevention will be retiring at the end of the month. Tom Wendt has been with the department for 35 years. He says a successor was picked from a pool of people who had applied for the position from across the state. Troy Haase who has been with the Fond du Lac Fire Department for 15 years will take over the reigns for Wendt on April 1st. Haase says it will be a different role for him and he still has a lot to learn about his new job. He says it will mean fewer hours and will give him more time to spend with his family, but he will remain quite busy with the job. As for Wendt he will be honored with a City Council proclamation tonight thanking him for his service with the department. He retires on March 29th.

 

Forum At UW-FDL For City Council Candidates

 

The UW-Fond du Lac will host a Fond du Lac City Council candidate forum at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26th in the Prairie Theater.  The UW-Fond du Lac Student Government Association is sponsoring the forum. A media panel including KFIZ News Director Bob Nelson will ask questions. Mike Mentzer, retired managing editor of The Reporter and currently an associate lecturer at UW-Fond du Lac, wills serve as the forum moderator. UW-Fond du Lac Dean John Short says they are happy to provide such forums. Questions will be taken from the audience if time permits. City Council candidates invited to participate include; Catherine Block, Rebecca Lunde-Ross, Dan Manning and Samuel Meyer. There are three City Council seats open for election.

 

FDL School District Officials Attending WASB Capitol Day

 

Fond du Lac School District Superintendent Jim Sebert and School Board President Elizabeth Hayes will get to bend the ears of state legislators during the Capitol Day put on by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards today at the State Capitol.  Sebert says it’s a chance to learn more about the proposed state budget meet with state legislators and advocate for public education in light of the proposed expansion of school choice and vouchers. Fond du Lac is one of nine districts included in the Governor’s budget proposal for the expansion of school choice.

 

FDL School District Stays In Touch With State Legislators

 

Fond du Lac Schools Superintendent Jim Sebert says the district is staying in touch with the area’s state legislators. He says he and School Board President Elizabeth Hayes recently spoke with one State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt and State Senator Luther Olsen visits the district on Thursday. Senator Olsen serves on the Senate’s Education Committee. Sebert says State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt and Senator Rick Gudex are also slated for visits to the district later this month. Today Sebert and Hayes will attend the Wisconsin Association of School Boards’ Capitol Day at the State Capitol when they will also have an opportunity to meet with state legislators.

 

School Choice Information Event In FDL

 

A group that would like to see the state’s school choice voucher program expanded to Fond du Lac will host an event at Marian University’s Stayer Center this evening. Sean Twohig is a Fond du Lac School Choice supporter. He says a panel of experts will be available to answer questions. Three experts familiar with Milwaukee’s School Choice program will give brief presentations and then answer audience questions. The three are from School Choice Wisconsin, Hispanics for School Choice, and Americans for Prosperity. There is no cost to attend the event, which will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

 

Weather Spotter Training Thursday Night In FDL

 

Marian University in Fond du Lac will host a weather spotter’s training class at the Stayer Center Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. Rusty Kapela of the National Weather Service’s Sullivan/Milwaukee office will be the instructor for the free training. Fond du Lac County is located within the Sullivan reporting area. The training session is a rare opportunity given federal funding cutbacks. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend.