KFIZ News Friday 12/30/16

Three Apply For County Supervisors Vacancy

Three people have applied for the seat on the Fond du Lac County Board that Brenda Schneider is leaving behind to become County Treasurer. County Clerk Lisa Freiberg says those people are Bill Gius who works for Country Consulting, John Rickert who retires from the Fond du Lac Public Works Department today, and John Slotten who is Senior Pastor at Essential Rock Church. Others have until Tuesday at 5 p.m. to apply with the County Clerks Office.

In other county notes County Executive Al Buechel has filed the appropriate papers to run for another term as County Executive. That included 500 nomination signatures.

Police Officer Saves Two From Town Of West Bend House Fire

A West Bend police officer is being credited with saving two people during a house fire on Silver Lake Road in the Town of West Bend late Wednesday night. When the officer arrived the house was engulfed in flames and the 83-year-old homeowner and his son were stuck in the threshold of the home were the homeowner had fallen. The officer was able to get them out. All three were taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in West Bend for treatment for smoke inhalation. The older man also suffered some burns. The home and its contents were a total loss.

Sheboygan Falls Fire

Fire caused significant damage to a garage and home in Sheboygan Falls Wednesday afternoon. When firefighters arrived at the home on Sheboygan County Highway M heavy flames were coming from the garage and the blaze was spreading to the home. The resident of the home and their dog safely escaped. No one was injured during the fire, which was reported about 5:15 p.m.

Burglar Discovered In Town Of Lebanon Home

Dodge County Sheriff’s officials are looking for a man who was discovered rifling through the belongings in a Town of Lebanon home Tuesday afternoon. The woman who lives in the home arrived at the residence to find the man going through a file cabinet. He told her he had been let inside the home, which wasn’t true. He fled in an older model red sedan. He was described as a white man, six-feet tall, skinny with brown balding hair.

Drive Sober Or

North Fond du Lac Police Chief Darren Pautsch is asking people to have a plan if they will be drinking somewhere other than home this New Year’s Eve. Pautsch says there is nothing wrong with having a few drinks to usher in the New Year, but not if you are going to get behind the wheel afterwards. He asks people to think about having a designated driver drive for them, take a taxi, stay overnight where you are drinking or avoid drinking somewhere other than your home. The North Fond du Lac Police Department is one of seven police departments in the County and the Sheriff’s Department, which is participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement that runs through Sunday.

Drug Abuse Will Continue To Impact Families And County Resources In 2017

Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel says 2017 should be a good year for the County. But he says growing opioid and drug abuse continues to be a drain on families and the County’s resources. He says families, schools, the courts, the jail, social services and other agencies have to deal with the impact drug abusers are having on everyone. He says it is sad when drug abuse breaks up a family. Buechel also sees some positives for next year. He says the Highway 151 Bypass is finally complete. He says that is good news for drivers in the County. Buechel also says county supervisors this fall passed a budget that will continue the services the County offers.

NFDL Schools Superintendent Optimistic About State Budget

The superintendent of the North Fond du Lac School District feels there will be a change in the way state lawmakers budget for public schools during the next state budget. Aaron Sadoff says you can’t continue to take money out of the same pot while expanding the number of schools you fund. He says adding school vouchers and choice added students to the funding mix while not increasing the funding. He says you can’t maintain the same quality of resources for all students that way. He also feels the way that student achievement is measured will change. Sadoff says with No Child Left Behind the focus was on reading and math scores, but getting students career and college ready and the co-curriculars those students take should also be considered.

Senator Feyen Gets Committee Assignments

The new Senator for the 18th State Senate District will be chairing the Senate’s Economic Development, Commerce and Local Government Committee. Dan Feyen will also serve as co-chair for the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions. He also has been assigned to the Universities and Technical Colleges; Financial Services, Constitutional and Federalism; and Workforce Development, Military Affairs and Senior Issues committees. He was also named to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald announced the appointments Wednesday.

City And County Offices Closing Early Today

County and City offices in Fond du Lac will be closing by noon today for the New Year’s holiday and will be closed until Tuesday. The City’s Municipal Service Center and the Sheriff’s lobby/records office will be closing at 11 a.m. Fond du Lac Transit will be operating all day today, but will be closed on Monday. The Senior Center will be closed Monday and the Library closes at 4 p.m. tomorrow and will be closed Sunday as well.

Teen Photo Contest

The Fond du Lac Public Library’s Teen Photo Contest is entering its third year. The contest challenges teens to submit photos in three categories: Black and White, Shadows and Anything Goes. The photographer who submits the photo judged best overall will win a grand prize $250 Amazon gift card. The contest is open to teens who attend school in Fond du Lac County in grades six through 12. Deadline to enter is April 1st. Entries will be displayed in the library’s Langdon Divers Gallery in May. Full contest rules and guidelines are available at the library’s website or by calling (920) 322-3940.