Local News Briefs Friday 4/29/16

WCI Inmate Arraigned For Attack On Guard

A 36-year-old inmate at Waupun Correctional Institution who allegedly attacked a corrections officer was arraigned in Dodge County Court this week. David Czapiewski pled not guilty to a felony battery charge. He allegedly kicked the officer multiple times in February 2015 as staff was trying to restrain him in his cell.  The officer was injured. Czapiewski will be back in court June 21.

Return Of The IRS Phone Scam

Green Lake County Sheriff’s officials are warning residents about another round of the IRS phone scam. Residents are receiving recorded messages saying the IRS has a warrant for them and will be sending someone to arrest them unless they pay a certain amount of money. Sheriff’s officials are advising residents who receive such calls not to call the number back or send money. They say the IRS does not contact residents by phone.

Groundbreaking At Mercury Marine Today

Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac will be holding a groundbreaking ceremony for another expansion effort today. Mercury officials say they will be adding and additional 50,000 plus square feet to their global headquarters for additional manufacturing capabilities. State Senator Rick Gudex and State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt are among the local dignitaries invited to the noon event.

High School Graduation Rates In FDL County Higher Than State Average

Fond du Lac and other public school districts in Fond du Lac County had higher four year high school graduation rates in 2015 than the state average of 88.4 percent. According to the state’s Department of Public Instruction Fond du Lac’s graduation rate was 88.9 percent. North Fond du Lac (91.4), Rosendale-Brandon (90.7), Oakfield (96.6), Campbellsport (94.8) and Waupun (91 percent) all had higher graduation rates than the state average. Only the Ripon Area School District at 87.2 percent was just under the state average. Some students took five and six years to graduate upping the total graduation rates for districts into the 90-plus percentiles.

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Survey Helping Shape Waupun Schools Referendum

Residents in the Waupun School District are getting the opportunity to help fashion a referendum that will be placed before them in November. The school district this week mailed out a survey. District Superintendent Tonya Gubin says their Facilities Advisory Committee has come up with a base plan for a $36.8 million referendum. She says they want to gauge the support for different items that are included in the base plan. Residents have until May 16th to complete survey. Gubin says there’s also an online version, but you need to get a code word from the district office to take it. She says the facilities committee will use the survey to revise the base plan for the referendum if needed. Results of the survey will be released during a meeting at the Rock River Intermediate Auditorium at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 23rd.

Mercury Marine Earnings Up In First Quarter

Mercury Marine and its parent company, the Brunswick Corporation, both saw sales increase during the first quarter of the year compared to the first three months of last year. Brunswick sales were up by 9 percent and operating earnings increased by 13 percent. Meanwhile the Mercury Marine Group reported sales of $595.5 million up 6 percent from the first quarter of 2015. Brunswick net sales for the first quarter topped $1 billion.

Beacon House Benefit Auction Sunday

The 18th Annual Benefit Auction for the Beacon House is coming up Sunday at the Cow Palace at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds. Mary Gerlach of the Beacon House says doors will open at 10 a.m. so people can preview items for the live auction. She says people can also start bidding on silent auction items. She says the live auction will begin at noon and should wrap up from 4 to 4:30. She says Beacon House is a recovery program for women with addiction issues. It’s a 90 day residential treatment facility for women with alcohol or drug addiction issues. She says pregnant women are a priority for the Beacon House. Over 100 baskets will be auctioned off during the silent auction. There’s a raffle with a top prize of an Apple watch and $1,000 in cash and also a candy raffle. Hughes Candy will be sold with a top prize of a SMART Tv. You can learn more about the auction and the items that will be auctioned off at the Beacon House website.

For more on the auction click here.

Lemonade Day Coming Up

Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce officials say about 170 area grade school students will be participating in the Lemonade Day on Saturday, May 7th. Lisa McArthur of the AC says over 50 Lemonade stands will be operating from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those stands will be located in Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, Campbellsport, Eden, Waupun, Lomira, Brownville, Knowles, Taycheedah and Lake Mills. She says you can find a map detailing where the stands are located at the AC website or pick one up at the AC’s office on North Main Street in Fond du Lac. McArthur says there will even be a contest to judge the best tasting lemonade. She says that will be held at Moraine Park Technical College with culinary students picking the winner.

For more on Lemonade Day click here.