KFIZ News Saturday 10/24/16

Waupun Inmate Arraigned On Battery Charge

The Waupun Correctional Institution inmate accused of punching a correctional officer in the face pled not guilty when he was arraigned this week in Dodge County court.  Corby Collins told investigators that the May incident was the result of the officer having sexually assaulting him. The 26-year-old has a plea hearing set for December 8.

Waupun Man Pleads To Suffocating Girlfriend

Sentencing has been set in Dodge County court for a 27-year-old Waupun man who this week pleaded no contest to suffocating and strangling his girlfriend. Christopher Schuett will be sentenced on January 19th. According to the criminal complaint he hit and choked her when she tried to kick him out of her house the past June. Four other charges brought against him were read into the record and dismissed.

Hartford Man Sentenced On Fleeing Charge

The 24-year-old Hartford man who turned a first date into a high speed chase with Washington County deputies avoids a jury trial by pleading to a felony fleeing an officer charge. Eric Chapman was sentenced this week in Washington County court to five months in jail. He was on a date with a 19-year-old Germantown woman who urged him to slow down. A Sheriff’s deputy clocked him doing over 90 miles an hour on Highway 175, which led to the pursuit. Chapman had been scheduled for a November 8th jury trial.

Traffic Lane Restriction On East Scott Street

Fond du Lac’s Public Works Department tells us there will be single traffic lane restrictions on East Scott Street at the intersection of Garfield Street beginning Monday. East and westbound traffic lanes will be moved to the south lane of traffic. The lane restriction will be in place to allow utility work to be completed. The street is expected to re-open to regular traffic on Wednesday, November 2nd.

Warming Shelter Permit On FDL City Council Agenda

The Fond du Lac Plan Commission this week approved a special use permit to allow the Salvation Army to use their gymnasium as a warming shelter for the homeless this winter. Community Development Director Dyann Benson says it will allow the Solutions Center to continue providing that service without interruption for a tenth year. The St. Paul’s Cathedral site used over the past nine years no longer works for those purposes. The City Council will need to approve the special use permit as well at their meeting Wednesday night. The shelter will be open nights from November 1st to March 31st.

NFDL Village Board Hears About Budget Changes

The North Fond du Lac Village Board this week heard presentations from village department heads on the 2017 Village Budget. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says 6 or 7 department heads came in and highlighted some of the changes from the past year. He says the board members had already been supplied with copies of the budget. He says this year they are looking at a small increase in the tax levy, but are waiting on a few numbers to come in before they have an accurate number on the proposed increase. He says at this point the proposed increase is 2 percent.

Grothman On Passing Of Rick Gudex

Congressman Glenn Grothman says he was saddened by the recent death of State Senator Rick Gudex. Grothman says Gudex was a real public servant putting in time on the Mayville City Council, Eden Village Board, and Fond du Lac City Council before being elected to the State Senate. Grothman also served in the Senate during part of Gudex’s term. He says Gudex always tried to do the right thing. He says Rick Gudex was genuine and if everybody in the State Legislature and Congress was like Gudex, we would be better off. He says whatever Gudex touched he did well at. Funeral services were held for Gudex this past week.

United Way Campaign Making Progress

The Fond du Lac Area United Way’s fall fundraising campaign has raised about a quarter of their $760,000 goal. United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says they are making progress towards their goal, which will help fund 26 different agencies. She says are at about 26 percent of the goal or about $200,000.

MPTC Pink Pumpkin Event A Success

Moraine Park Technical College’s third annual Great Pink Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk was a great success. The event was held at the Fond du Lac campus last Saturday. Moraine Park Vice President Jim Eden says about 500 people participated or volunteered for the event.  Proceeds go toward helping cancer survivors. Eden says because of that they will be able to donate $8,000 to Breast Cancer Recovery, which allows women battling cancer to attend the Infinite Boundaries Wellness Retreat.  He says they also give out multiple $1,000 scholarships to students impacted by Breast Cancer.