Local News Briefs Friday 3/11/15

Berlin Woman Suspected Of Embezzling From Elementary School

Green Lake County prosecutors this week filed charges against a 42-year-old Berlin woman suspected of embezzling $30,000 from the Berlin School District. District officials last September contacted Berlin Police after an annual audit revealed missing money in an elementary school’s accounts. As a result of the investigation Torry Putzke is facing two felony charges. She will make an initial court appearance on March 29th. Putzke’s employment with the school district was terminated.

Waupun Man Arraigned On Charge Related To Assault Of Dog

The 56-year-old Waupun man suspected of sexually assaulting a dog in front of a teen was arraigned in Dodge County Court this week. Ronald Mueller pled not guilty to a felony charge stemming from incidents in February of last year. Mueller is now living in an assisted living facility. He will be back in court next month.

Grand Marsh Man Sentenced In Dodge County Sexual Assault Case

A Dodge County judge this week sentenced a 40-year-old Grand Marsh man to 20 years in prison for having sex with an underage girl.  James Schmidt was also sentenced to 15 years of extended supervision and 10 years of probation.  The girl’s mother contacted police in 2012 after reading text messages on her daughter’s phone that tipped her off to the relationship.  Schmidt was arrested the next time he showed up at the girl’s house.

Washington County Accident Causes Cable Outage

Washington County Sheriff’s officials say a 73-year-old Sheboygan Falls woman caused Cable TV outages in the West Bend area Wednesday morning when her vehicle went off State Highway 144 and struck a power pole. The woman suffered only minor injuries. The power pole snapped off. It held wires belonging to WE Energies, Charter Communications and AT&T including fiber optic lines. It took a while to restore services. Investigators say inattentive driving caused the accident.

Drug Free Communities Harm Reduction Efforts Protect Many

One of the pillars of anti-drug efforts for the Drug Free Communities of Fond du Lac County is “harm reduction.” DFC Grant Coordinator Ellen Sorensen says users need protection until they are ready to seek treatment for their addiction. Those who use needles for injecting drugs run the risk of dying from overdose, or contracting HIV or Hepatitis C. She says harm reduction efforts also extend to the family of users. She says they also debated the possibility of a needle exchange program. Sorensen says the unfortunate truth is users aren’t careful about where they get rid of their needles and that can impact anyone who comes across them. She says they could be discarded in a public park you frequent. She says your child or dog could end up stepping on a needle infected with HIV or Hep C.

Walking Tours Could Highlight Historical Properties In FDL

The Community Development Director for Fond du Lac says part of the Historic Preservation Commission’s job is education and outreach about historical properties in the City. Dyann Benson says they need to do a better job of that. She says they will try and do some of that through walking tours. She says a walking tour could incorporate some of the historic church properties in the community. She says Lakeside Park also has some history that people could benefit from through a walking tour. She says brochures would point out some of the highlights.

Daylight Saving Time Reminder

We will be adding an hour to our clocks Sunday when Daylight Saving Time begins. Remember it’s time to spring forward. While you are changing your clocks, check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working right.