Local New Briefs Wednesday 2/5/14

Washington County Sheriff’s officials say a 20-year-old Town of Hartford man died Tuesday afternoon after being stabbed in the chest and his 17-year-old brother is being held in the County Jail on a murder charge. At 1:55 p.m. a 911 caller told a dispatcher there was an argument between the two brothers at a Town of Hartford residence and the 17-year-old stabbed his brother. The victim was taken to Aurora Medical Center in Hartford and subsequently flown to Aurora Medical Center in Summit. Sheriff’s officials found out about 5 p.m. that the victim had died. The teenage suspect is charged with 1st degree reckless homicide while armed. 

Two People Killed One Injured In Manitowoc County Crash

(WHBL-Sheboygan)-A Sheboygan man and Manitowoc man are dead and a Sheboygan man injured due to a one vehicle accident along the Sheboygan-Manitowoc county line Tuesday morning. Manitowoc County Sheriff’s officials said a 2006 Dodge truck was heading east on County Line Road just east of Highway 42 around 2:30 a.m. when it lost control, left the roadway, overturned and struck a nearby tree and house. The 27-year-old driver, Justin Wieberdink of Sheboygan, and a 26-year-old passenger, Jonathan Inggram of Manitowoc, died due to injuries from the accident.  A 29-year- old Sheboygan man suffered an incapacitating injury, and was flown to Theda Clark Medical Center for treatment.

Waupun Woman Charged For Burglaries

Three felony burglary charges have been brought against a 23-year-old Waupun woman for break-ins that occurred over a two-day period last September. Robyn Slock is suspected of taking jewelry and prescription drugs during those break-ins. She made her initial appearance on the charges in Dodge County Court this week. A $1,000 signature bond has been set and a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 27th.

Voluntary Layoffs At Oshkosh Corporation

Oshkosh Corporation has announced the voluntary layoff of 60 employees for 60 days. Company officials say with less production of military vehicles they have too many workers in some of their departments. The employees who volunteered for the layoff could be recalled if production picks up. Otherwise they are expected to return to work in mid-April.

Dodge County Declares State Of Emergency Over Propane Shortage

(WBEV-Beaver Dam)-Dodge County Board Chairman Russell Kottke has declared a state of emergency because of the propane shortage. Governor Walker announced a similar declaration last month.  Emergency Management Director Amy Nehls is urging everyone who uses propane to be proactive in helping conserve the current supply. She asks residents to make reasonable adjustments on their thermostat, especially when no one is home, closing vents in unused rooms. Also, hold-off on ordering more fuel until your tank is 30-percent full or less; but do not wait until the tank is almost empty. Nehls also suggests alternative heating sources including wood or pellet stoves or electric space heaters.  She also suggests checking in on neighbors, especially the sick, disabled or elderly. Those affected by the rising propane cost should contact the Dodge County Energy Assistance Office in Beaver Dam to see if you are eligible for assistance.  The Dodge County Energy Assistance Office in Beaver Dam: (920) 887-7990 or (800) 506-5596.

Rosendale Gets State Trust Fund Loans

The state’s Board of Commissioners of Public Lands Tuesday approved two State Trust Fund Loans totaling $57,000 to the village of Rosendale to purchase a squad car and finance street construction. It was part of more than $1.45 million in loans the board approved.  Among the other loans the board approved was more than $1 million for the development of TID #3 in the Village of Elkhart Lake in Sheboygan County and $120,000 to allow Washington County’s Town of Trenton to purchase a snow plow.

State Rep. Schraa Favors Elimination Of Bogus Phone Fee

State Representative Michael Schraa says he supports legislation from State Senator Joe Leibham that would eliminate a “police and fire protection” fee from phone bills. He says the 35 to 75 cent per phone per month fee is misleading because it is used to backfill payments to local governments. He says that fee adds up depending on how many phones you have. The state lawmaker from Oshkosh says the fee was added to every resident’s phone bill during the Doyle Administration and adds up to about $50 million a year. Under Leibham’s bill the “police and fire protection” fee and a county fee would be eliminated in exchange for 40 cent per month per telecommunication device. That money would be used to establish a comprehensive statewide emergency 911 program and provide local grants for the improvement of 911 services.

Thiesfeldt Holding Town Hall Meeting In FDL

State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt will be holding a town hall meeting in Fond du Lac tonight. He will be open to discussing various concerns, ideas, and state government related issues. It will be the last town hall meeting before the current session concludes. The meeting will be at the Fond du Lac City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac at 160 S. Macy Street in the legislative chambers. It will start at 5:30 p.m. and run until about 7 p.m.

Common Core Forum In FDL Rescheduled

The public forum in Fond du Lac on Common Core Standards that was recently cancelled due to bitterly cold weather has been rescheduled. The Fond du Lac Area Retired Educators and Support Our Schools Fond du Lac will hold it at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 17^th in the McLane Meeting Room at the Fond du Lac Public Library. Panelists will include representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, North Fond du Lac Schools Superintendent Aaron Sadoff, and language arts and mathematics consultants. Panelists will discuss the history, purpose, and funding for the Standards, as well as provide an overview for their implementation, assessment, and challenges.  Specialists will discuss both the mathematics and language arts applications. The event is free and open to the public.

Project Linus Tie Blanket Event At MPTC Tonight

The Kiwanis Satellite Club at Moraine Park Technical College is partnering with Project Linus and welcomes the community to participate in a Tie-Blanket event today. It’s from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in rooms A-1102 and A 103 at the Fond du Lac campus. Project Linus distributes handmade blankets to children going through a scary moment in their life. “It can be anything from an illness to an emotional crisis, our goal is to provide comfort for children in need,” said Chapter Coordinator Penny Kollmansberger. Last year they handed out more than 1,300 blankets. Anyone who can tie a knot is invited to join in the fun.