Local News Briefs Friday 1/30/15

UW-Fond du Lac Dean John Short says he likes the president’s idea of providing a free education for those who want to attend a two-year community college or technical school. He says parameters would have to be set and funding determined, but for a lot of people a college education is part of the American Dream.  He says it would help the U.S. compete globally. He says it would also help with workforce development needs and in the future everyone will need some type of post-secondary education.  He says having a college education is likely to open doors to more opportunities in life. Short says you are more likely to be healthy, employed, earn more money, volunteer in your community and be an active citizen. Short says it’s an important idea.

Congressman Grothman Receives Subcommittee Assignments

The House Education & the Workforce and House Oversight and Government Reform Committees named Wisconsin Representative Glenn Grothman to several subcommittees this week. On Education & the Workforce, Grothman has been assigned to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education and the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. On Oversight & Government Reform, Grothman was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Public Assets and has been assigned to the Subcommittee on Government Operations. Grothman said he is already hard at work on important issues for the 6th District. “It is an honor and privilege to be named to these important subcommittees during my first term,” said Grothman. Grothman was also named to the bicameral and bipartisan Joint Economic Committee this week, which reviews economic conditions and recommends improvements in economic policy.

Iron Ridge Man Threatens To Kill Estranged Wife

Bond was set at $25,000 cash this week for a 65-year-old Iron Ridge man who allegedly threatened to kill his wife while holding a handgun to her head. Charles Kaepernick was charged in Dodge County Court with two felony charges armed burglary and threatening to injure with a dangerous weapon. Charges stem from an incident Monday night when the man forced his way into his soon to be ex-wife’s Hustisford home and threatened to kill her. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Thursday. 

System Enhancement Interrupts Some City Of FDL Payment Options

The City of Fond du Lac officials tell us due to a scheduled system enhancement, some City of Fond du Lac payment options will be unavailable beginning Friday, February 6th at 3:30 pm until Tuesday, February 10th at 8:00 am. It will affect all in-person credit card payments and all online water payments made through the City website www.fdl.wi.gov.  Cash and check payments in-person and checks by mail will continue to be accepted without interruption. The City appreciates residents’ patience and understanding during the upgrade.

Dodge County Sheriff Developing Community Relations Initiatives

Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt says he wants to put an officer or team in place to develop some community relation initiatives. He says there are a lot of opportunities for that including establishing a school resource officer program or doing some home security checks. He says he’d like to develop a Citizens Police Academy for the Sheriff’s Department because not every law enforcement agency in the area has one of their own. Schmidt is wrapping up his first full month as the new Sheriff for Dodge County.

Discover Moraine Park Scheduled

As part of Career and Technical Education Month in February, Moraine Park Technical College will invite residents to “Discover Moraine Park” at events on its Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam and West Bend campuses. MPTC Vice-President of Student Affairs Stanley Cram says it’s an opportunity to learn about the type of education you can receive through Moraine Park. Discover Moraine Park will be held on the West Bend campus Tuesday, February 10th, the Fond du Lac campus Wednesday, February 11th, and the Beaver Dam campus on Thursday, February 12th from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dr. Cram says instructors will be on hand, and staff from admissions, financial aid and student services. Those attending will receive a $30 application fee waiver, valid towards associate degree and technical diploma applications. Photo ID will be required. Registration for the event is appreciated by not necessary and can be done at the Moraine Park website.

Brunswick Finishes With Strong Fourth Quarter And Year

Mercury Marine’s parent company, Brunswick Corporation, saw a 7 percent increase in earnings in 2014 compared to the previous year. Brunswick released its fourth quarter and full-year earnings reports Thursday morning. The company reported $3.8 billion in net sales for 2014 compared to $3.5 billion in 2013. Brunswick also had a healthy fourth quarter with net sales and operating earnings both up. The Marine Engine Segment, consisting of the Mercury Marine Group, saw a 10 percent increase in net sales in the fourth quarter or a total of $465 million in sales. Operating earnings were also up for the Mercury Marine Group for a total of $31.6 million. For more click here.

Best City For Football Fans Green Bay Wisconsin

This will probably come as no surprise to Green Bay Packer fans, but according to a WalletHub study the best city for football fans is Green Bay, Wisconsin. The study also found that the viewership for NFL games is three times higher in Green Bay than in Oakland, California. Rounding out the top five cities for football fans were East Lansing, Michigan, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Denver Colorado, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Of the 142 cities ranked in the study Las Vegas, Nevada came in last. For more click here.