KFIZ News Friday 12/16/16

Milwaukee Woman Sentenced For FDL Shoplifting And High Speed Chase

The 39-year-old Milwaukee woman who led police on a high speed chase after shoplifting at the Forest Mall in Fond du Lac has been sentenced to prison. Fond du Lac County Judge Peter Grimm sentenced Laquonish Harris this week to three years in prison and six years of extended supervision. Harris stole from the Kohls’ Department Store in early September. When police tired to stop her she got on I-41 and was going over 100 miles an hour. She was eventually arrested in Germantown. She pled no contest to battery to firefighters, fleeing an officer and retail theft charges.

Suspect In Fox Lake Womans Death Arrives Late For Hearing

The 36-year-old Fox Lake man suspected of killing his girlfriend showed up late for a hearing in Dodge County Court Wednesday. LaVerne Ware Jr. posted a $200,000 cash bond earlier this week and didn’t show up on time for the hearing. A warrant was issued for his arrest and the hearing was rescheduled for later in the day when his bond was reinstated. For now he’s charges with hiding the corpse of 27-year-old Sesalie Dixon. She was found dead of gunshot wound to the head in the cab of Ware’s pickup truck. The case will be reviewed next Wednesday and a preliminary hearing is scheduled next Thursday.

Barn Fire In The Town Of Lowell

Fire destroyed a barn in the Town of Lowell Wednesday night. A passer-by saw flames and notified the property owner at N3485 County Road K. Reeseville Fire officials say the structure was fully involved by the time they set up to put out the blaze. Ten fire departments fought the fire. The cause is still being determined, but might have been a tractor stored in the barn or an extension cord connected to a tank heater used to warm the tractor.

FDL Community Christmas Dinner

The 16th Annual Fond du Lac Community Christmas Dinner will be held at the Eagles Club Hall on Christmas Day. Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hall at 515 North Park Avenue. Mike Turk is one of the organizers of the dinner. He says deliveries will be available. He says they will deliver up to four meals per residence. Those who would like to arrange transportation to the dinner or have deliveries made should call (920) 278-7222 by next Friday. Transportation and deliveries are available in Fond du Lac and North Fond du Lac. The dinner is open to anyone who is alone, unable to prepare a meal or just wants to share the day. Organizers will also be providing meals for the homeless staying at the Salvation Army’s warming shelter that day.

For more on the dinner click here.

Holiday Pet Safety Reminders

Dr Marty Greer of Veterinary Village in Lomira says there are steps you can take to make sure your pets have a safe and happy holiday. She says while it may not be convenient if they get into gifts of meat and cheese, other edibles can cause them harm. She says macadamia nuts, chocolates, grapes, raisins, and sugarless gums can be toxic to pets. She says tinsel on Christmas trees can damage a pet’s intestines if they swallow it. She says extension cords should also be protected from pets. Greer says you also have to be cautious with floral arrangements because mistletoe, holly berries and even types of lilies can be toxic to pets.

United Way Update

The sale of gift certificates to three popular local restaurants will help boost the Fond du Lac Area United Way’s fundraising totals this weekend. United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says they are making progress on their $760,000 goal. She says they are at 71 percent or about $541,000. This weekend the sale of gift certificates to Salty’s, Sebastian’s, and Friar Tuck’s restaurants will help raise money for the United Way. For each of the gift certificates sold, Progressive Investors will be donating $2 to the United Way. The sale of the certificates begins today.

Toy Safety

An official with the state’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has some tips for those considering toy purchases for Christmas. Frank Frassetto says do a little research and make sure the items you are considering aren’t on a recall list. He says you can usually find that information on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website. He also suggests making sure the toy isn’t flammable. Frassetto also recommends making sure toys that need batteries or have small attachments that could be swallowed don’t get into smaller hands. Finally he suggests making sure the toy is an age appropriate gift.