KFIZ News Friday 8/19/16

Possible Retlaw Hotel Economic Impact Twenty Million Dollars Plus A Year

The reopening of the Retlaw Hotel in downtown Fond du Lac next year will have a major impact on the area. Dennis Doucette will manage the hotel. He says it will mean job creation and visitors. He says it will create about 140 jobs and in addition the hotel expects to bring about 40,000 visitors to the downtown. Co-owner Steven Frantz says they also hope to partner with other businesses downtown. He says not all of their guests are going to want to eat in their hotel restaurant. He says they won’t be putting together a restaurant plan that will compete with Fat Joe’s, Theo’s or others. He says it would be convenient for their guests to eat elsewhere and have that cost put on their bills, which the hotel could do through signing agreements with other businesses. Doucette says with their business model they hope to have a $20 million plus impact each year on the economy.

Dodge County Board Authorizes Pay For New Sheriffs Record Management System

The Dodge County Board this week authorized paying for a new records management system for the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Dale Schmidt says they will make payments on the Spillman Technologies System over the next three years. He says it comes to $1.1 million or more. He says there is no cost to police agencies in the County that will also use the system except for training which will be done next year. He says in 2019 there will be a small fee for maintenance of the system. He says the new system will be implemented by early 2018. He says a number of law enforcement agencies across the country use it. It will replace the New World Records Management System, which has caused a number of problems with since it went live in 2013.

Electric Rates Increasing In Waupun

A utility rate increase approved by the state’s Public Service Commission will be adding a dollar to the monthly electric bills for the typical residential customer in Waupun. That increase, the first in six years, goes into effect next month. The utilities in Waupun are owned by the City.  The increase in electric rates is expected to add over $130,000 a year to the City’s revenue.

Volunteers Needed For Back To School FDL Distribution Saturday

Back to School Fond du Lac still needs volunteers if you would like to help out with Saturday’s distribution at the Boys & Girls Club. Fond du Lac Salvation Army Social Services Director Ron Jacobson says you can find out more by going to backtoschoolFDL.org. He says there is a volunteer link at the top of the page. He says 997 children registered for the program this year. He says not everyone who is eligible for it or needs it has registered. Hours for the distribution are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., but volunteers can choose from shifts of 8 a.m. to noon and 11:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Heroes Horses And Hogs Saturday In FDL

Open Road Harley Davidson in Fond du Lac will host the 8th Annual Heroes, Harleys and Hogs Saturday. Sarah Dowidat of Open Road says it raises money for local veterans. She says this year it will benefit the American Legion Riders and the Fond du Lac County Disabled American Veterans. She says it allows Harley Davidson and Ford Mustang owners to do something to benefit American veterans. There will be live music by Panic Station, a presentation by Quilts of Valor, food made by Casa del Tequila. There is no cost to attend. She says they have other ways of raising money for the veterans including a 50/50 raffle, sponsors, and a portion of the beverage sales. Hours for Heroes, Horses, and Hogs are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Senator Fitzgerald Holding Office Hours At Dodge County Fair

State Senator Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald will be holding office hours at the Dodge County Fair this afternoon. The state lawmaker from Juneau will be in the Republican Party Booth from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Fitzgerald says the Dodge County Fair is a great local tradition and he’s looking forward to meeting constituents and hearing their comments and concerns.