Local News Briefs Friday 1/31/14

Fond du Lac Assistant Police Chief Steve Klein says there’s nothing suspicious about the death of a 40-year-old man who was found dead in an apartment on Morningside Drive Wednesday. He says there were no signs of foul play and they are waiting on autopsy findings and toxicology testing for a cause of death. The man had no pulse and was not breathing when paramedics showed up for the call. 

Fatal Accident In Dodge County

One person was killed and two injured in a head-on crash a couple miles northwest of Juneau Thursday afternoon. Dodge County Sheriff’s officials got a call about the accident on State Highway 33 in the Town of Oak Grove about 1 p.m. The driver in one vehicle was killed and two people in the other vehicle were taken to a local hospital. Roadways were snow-covered and slippery at the time of the accident.

One Killed And Two Injured In Winnebago County Accident

One person was killed and two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash late last night on Highway 45 in the Town of Black Wolf. Winnebago County Sheriff’s officials say it happened just before 10 p.m. A driver heading south lost control and went into the northbound lane. A northbound vehicle with two occupants struck the southbound vehicle broadside. The southbound driver was killed and the two occupants in the northbound vehicle suffered non-life threatening injuries and were taken to a hospital. Snow-covered roads and speed were factors in the crash. 

Name Released In Fatal Sheboygan County Chase

The State Patrol has released the name of the 49-year-old Germantown man who was killed trying to flee from Sheboygan County Sheriff’s deputies Wednesday night. Steven Lutz was driving erratically when deputies tried to pull him over. They found out he was also wanted on a misdemeanor warrant. Rather than pull over he chose to flee and the pursuit exceeded speeds of 100 miles per hour. It ended after he hit a utility pole and was ejected from the vehicle.

Murder In Sheboygan

A Sheboygan man has been murdered and a 17-year-old male relative is in custody facing a murder charge.  Captain Jim Veeser said police were contacted early Thursday morning by a woman who was concerned about the whereabouts of her ex-husband.  Veeser said officers then accompanied her to the man’s home in the 2100 block of Meadowland Drive and discovered the man dead and a 17-year-old family member in the home.  He said it appears the man was the victim of an assault.  Veeser said the teen was arrested and is currently in custody for first degree murder.  An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday afternoon. 

Rapids Man Sent Sex Photos To BD Police Officer

A 26-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man is being held in the Dodge County Jail on a $10,000 cash bond after sending explicit photos on the Internet to what he thought was a 14-year-old boy. The boy that Bryce Lenz allegedly sent those photos to was actually a Beaver Dam Police officer. He was responding to an online ad. Lenz was arrested Monday and has been charged with four felonies and one misdemeanor. He had his initial hearing on Wednesday and will be back in Dodge County Court for a preliminary hearing next Thursday.

FCEDC Celebrates Annual Meeting

The Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation celebrated 25 years of success and looked toward the future during their annual evening at the UW-Fond du Lac last night. FCEDC President Steve Jenkins says future success will depend on “adaptability, innovation, focus, commitment and hard work.” The evening also featured Governor Scott Walker who talked about his “Blueprint for Prosperity” and gave the gathering an update on the propane shortage. Mercury Marine was recognized for their 75th Anniversary. Dan Vande Zande the 2013 Chair of the FCEDC presented Mercury Marine Chief Financial Officer Steve Cramer with a special plaque honoring the company. Two videos were also shown. About 250 people attended the FCEDC Annual Meeting.

First 25 years video.  

The Future video. 

Starting March 1st Evictions Will Be Quicker

Changes to state law are simplifying the Sheriff’s Departments’ roles in eviction proceedings. Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Captain Rick Olig says beginning March 1st when a deputy shows up to evict a person they are there to evict the person and not them and their belongings. He says the landlord will be able to keep the property and can do with it what they will if arrangements haven’t been made. He says it will speed up eviction proceedings. Olig says there are other changes too including shortening the notice of eviction in small claims court from 8 days to 5 days. He says renters will also have less time to challenge the eviction through a jury trial.

Thiesfeldt Supports Bills That Try To Reduce Heroin Deaths

State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt of Fond du Lac says he supports a package of bills that tries to reduce the number of heroin-related deaths in Wisconsin. He says unfortunately the drug has made a strong comeback from the 1970’s when its use was more prevalent. State Representative John Nygren of Marinette and Senator Sheila Harsdorf of River Falls authored the package of bills. Thiesfeldt commends Nygren whose own daughter has had battles with heroin use. One of the bills in the package is called the 911 Good Samaritan bill and would give limited immunity to a person who calls for help for someone who has overdosed. Thiesfeldt says the tradeoff is that it could save lives. The State Assembly passed the bills two weeks ago and a Senate committee heard testimony on them this week.

Strong Finish For 2013 For Brunswick And Mercury

Mercury Marine’s parent company, the Brunswick Corporation, reported strong earnings in the fourth quarter of 2013 and for the entire year. According to the earnings report released Thursday operating earnings for Brunswick were up by 12 percent last year. Net sales were $3.8 billion with $304 million in operating earnings. Net sales for the fourth quarter were up by 9 percent. In the Marine Engine Segment, which is primarily the Mercury Marine Group, net sales for the fourth quarter were $423.5 million up 5 percent from the fourth quarter of 2012. Operating earnings for the Marine Group in the last quarter were $18.1 million. For more click here.

FDL Brewfest Saturday

Fond du Lac Brewfest celebrates its 5th year at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds Expo Center Saturday. Hours for the event are from 2 to 6 p.m. Organizer Jay Humfeld says a number of microbreweries and home brew clubs will be competing for best microbrew. He says they will be featuring 27 breweries and 11 home brew clubs from throughout Wisconsin. He says those attending will be able to sample from hundreds (240) of beers. This year’s event will also be benefitting Salute the Troops of Fond du Lac. There will be a wing eating contest and Liquid Courage will be performing. Save $10 on the cost of ticket by purchasing them ahead of time at the KFIZ/K107.1 studios in Fond du Lac. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door. You can also purchase them at The Cellar and Buffalo Wildwings in Fond du Lac, the Ice Chest in Waupun, and O’Marro’s in Oshkosh.