KFIZ News Tuesday 12/20/16

Initial Resolution For Borrowing For Capital Improvement Projects On FDL County Board Agenda

The Fond du Lac County Board will hold its final meeting of 2016 tonight. Amid the appointments, grant acceptances and other businesses is an initial resolution to borrow over $50 million for capital improvement projects over the next five years. County Executive Al Buechel says the biggest of those projects is a new highway garage in Fond du Lac in 2021. He says it is a $22 million project and there are several highway projects as well. He says another project includes the County’s share of costs for putting a railroad overpass over County Highway N north of North Fond du Lac and south of Van Dyne. He says the railroad would be able to park trains without interrupting traffic on County Highway N and other intersections. Buechel says passing the resolution doesn’t commit the County to borrowing for those projects. He says that is done as the projects come up and the County can also use sales tax money or the tax levy to pay for the projects. The board meets at 6 p.m. at the City-County Government Center.

Agreement With Employees Union On FDL County Board Agenda

The Fond du Lac County Board tonight is expected to approve a two-year agreement with a union for Sheriff’s office employees. The item was on a previous board agenda, but further talks were needed. County Executive Al Buechel says that agreement is now ready for approval. He says there were some questions representatives of the union wanted to discuss and a meeting was held earlier this month to work out the issues. He says they are now ready to settle. The board will also be asked to approve the acceptance of three grants for the Health Department. Together those grants total nearly $638,000. The board meets at 6 p.m. at the City County Government Center in Fond du Lac.

Former Wayland Academy Instructor Sent To Prison

The former Wayland Academy Instructor who had sex with a 16-year-old boy on the campus in the fall of 2015 has been sentenced to prison for four years. Twenty-four-year-old Adam Hechimovich  of Mayville was recently sentenced in Dodge County Court. He will be registered as a sex offender and after his prison term will be on extended supervision for 11 years and probation for 5 years.

Pole Barn Fire In Washington County

Seven fire departments battled a pole barn fire in the Town of West Bend Sunday morning. Washington County Sheriff’s officials say a passerby notified them of the fire in the 4500 block of Hillcrest Drive shortly before 8 a.m. The fire was quickly brought under control but caused $100,000 worth of damage to the structure and its contents. The blaze likely started in an area where a tractor was parked. The fire is not considered suspicious.

FDL Police And Cops For Kids Adopt Families For Christmas

Christmas came a little early for 55 families in the Fond du Lac area. Last Friday Fond du Lac Police and the Cops for Kids Foundation held their annual Adopt a Family for Christmas distribution. Police delivered food and gifts to families in need this holiday season. Police Officer Erik Foster says the holidays aren’t easy for everyone. He says it is the police department’s way and Cops for Kids’ way of trying to improve this time of year for some people. He says Officer Ragan Pecore puts a lot into organizing the annual program, including making sure gifts are appropriate for different family members.

Tom King Retires From FDL County Sheriffs Department

Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Deputy Tom King retired last weekend after 32 years with the department. He started out working in the jail, but spent 29 years of his time with the department patrolling the County’s roadways. King says he was going through his records as he prepared for retirement and supervisors’ comments about his work ethic were complimentary. He says the comments said he had a good attitude and that was something he continued to try and maintain throughout his career. He says he will be doing something else now that he is retired, but doesn’t know yet what that is. He says he can’t imagine doing something part time and having as much fun as he had with the Sheriff’s Department for 32 years. King’s departure from the Sheriff’s Department is memorable. He took the traditional ramp walk despite Saturday’s inclement weather.

UWO Midyear Commencement Ceremony Rescheduled

The UW-Oshkosh has rescheduled its Winter Commencement for January 21st. The Midyear Commencement Ceremony scheduled for this past Saturday was cancelled due to a winter storm. UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Andy Leavitt said in a statement he heard loudly and clearly the alternatives offered to that ceremony were not enough. January 21st is the end of the UW-Oshkosh’s current semester and the Midyear Commencement Ceremony will be held then at the Kolf Physical Education Center. Details of that ceremony will be released soon.

B2B Directory Now Available

Officials at the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation say the first comprehensive Business to Business Directory for the entire County is now available.  The directory will allow consumers and businesses alike to more easily find a local source for goods or services rather than going outside the County. In addition to the Business to Business Directory, the FCEDC also has available the Suppliers Directory geared toward the manufacturing community.  Manufacturing companies are able to look at local companies for sourcing materials or parts to promote growth and realize internal gains in shipping costs. 

To browse the directory click here.

FDL Area Association Of Commerce Gift Certificates A Gift Giving Option

If you are running out of gift ideas an official with the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce says consider buying Association of Commerce gift certificates. Bernadette Seefeld says you can support local businesses and the person receiving the certificate can redeem them at any time. She says a lot of businesses accept them and you can purchase them in any denomination. The only catch is you only a few days left this year to purchase them because the Association’s office will be closing for the holidays. They will be closed this Friday through Monday, January 2nd. She says if you can’t stop by their office you can call them at (920) 921-9500 or email them.