KFIZ News Friday 10/7/16

Fair Board Asking For Extension On Loan

The Fair Board is asking Fond du Lac County for two more years to pay off a $50,000 loan. County Executive Al Buechel says the no-interest loan was given to the fair in 2012. The Fair Board has paid back $15,000 of the loan. He says they ran into some weather during this year’s fair and weren’t able to make a payment. The UW-Extension Education, Agriculture and Recreation Committee this week approved the loan extension with a recommendation to the County Board to do the same when they meet November 1st. Buechel says there is plenty of competition for offering big name entertainment at summer events. He says around that time the fair is also competing with Country USA and Rock USA for entertainment. He says many county fairs are refocusing on family entertainment and getting back to the basics of promoting agriculture and 4-H.

Randolph Man Suspected Of Punching Police Chief

Charges have been brought against a 20-year-old Randolph man who punched the Randolph Police Chief in the face. It happened in May when the police chief was taking Brandon Washburn to Winnebago Mental Health Facilities. The chief was placing Washburn in handcuffs when Washburn hit him. Threatened with a taser Washburn calmed down and was taken to the facility without further incident. He is suspected in a Cambria break-in. His initial court appearance in Dodge County court is scheduled for October 17th.

Judge Denies Serial Killer Request For Release From Mendota

A Washington County Judge has denied the request of a 69-year-old serial killer to be released from the Mendota Mental Health Institute. Alvin Taylor has spent 28 years in Mendota for killing four men in the mid-1980s in Wisconsin and Minnesota. One of the victims was from Washington County. Taylor was found not guilty of the crimes because of mental disease or defect. Judge Andrew Gonring felt Taylor was still a threat to harm others.  Judges in Dunn and Eau Claire also would have needed to approve Taylor’s release.

Oshkosh Police Arrest Teenagers For Car Thefts

Three Three teenagers were arrested in Oshkosh for stealing vehicles during the first two weeks of September. Oshkosh Police say two 18-year-old Oshkosh men and a 16-year-old boy from Neenah were arrested. They were referred to the District Attorney’s Office and Juvenile Intake respectively. The stolen vehicles were left unlocked with the keys inside the vehicle or left in the ignition. Since September 12th four more vehicles have been stolen.

Oshkosh West Student Causes Disturbance

Oshkosh Police arrested a student at Oshkosh West High School Thursday who caused a disturbance at the school on Wednesday. The student was referred to Juvenile Intake for disorderly conduct. The school is handling further sanctions of the student internally. The nature of the disturbance was not elaborated on.

NAMI Benefits From United Way Funding

One of the goals of the Fond du Lac Area United Way is to build a healthier community. NAMI Fond du Lac is one of the agencies the United Way helps to fund. Dale Hans is the president of the NAMI Board of Directors. He says they are somewhat new to being a United Way agency. He says they’ve received the funding for the past two years, which helps fund their signature program. He says it really helps push the education, support, and advocacy forward for family members and consumers who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness.  Hans’ son Tony was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Hans says NAMI programs helped his family cope with Tony’s illness. Hans says people with mental illness are suffering from a health condition. He says there illness is not a result of personal weakness, lack of character or a poor upbringing. NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This week is Mental Illness Awareness Week.

Drug Drop Boxes Added

Drug Free Communities of Fond du Lac County officials say two new drug drop boxes have been added bringing the total for proper disposal of old or used medications to eight in the county. The new drug drop boxes are located at Agnesian HealthCare in Fond du Lac and Waupun Memorial Hospital. The boxes are located just off the lobbies in the main hallways near the pubic elevators.  Access to boxes is seven days a week from 5:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. in Fond du Lac and 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in Waupun.

Human Trafficking Prevention Efforts To Be Discussed In FDL

Residents in the Fond du Lac area can find out Saturday what is being done to prevent human trafficking locally. “How to Make Fond du Lac a Traffic Free Zone” is a half-day educational event that will be held at Moraine Park Technical College’s Fond du Lac campus tomorrow from 9 a.m. to noon. The Keynote speaker is Elizabeth Marczak who will be speaking about how fair trade helps combat the global crime of human trafficking. There will also be a panel discussion on statewide and community efforts. Fair Trade vendors and some nonprofit partner organizations will also have booths. October is Fair Trade Month.