Local News Briefs Friday 5/1/15

Police have arrested a woman suspected of stealing a century-old chalice from a church in Ripon. The chalice went missing after a woman went to the church to pick up some gas cards last week. St. Catherine of Siena employees recognized her and gave Ripon Police her name. Police found the 100-year-old chalice and other items at the woman’s home. The chalice was originally donated to the church in honor of a World War I veteran who was killed in action. The woman is being held on a probation hold at the Fond du Lac County Jail. 

WEDC Merger Talks Criticized

State Senator Rick Gudex is criticizing two Democratic state lawmakers for calling upon him and the Governor to abandon plans to merge two state ageicies.  State Representative Peter Barca and Senator Julie Lassa demanded plans be abandoned to merge the WEDC and WHEDA into the Forward Wisconsin Development Authority. Gudex says that demand comes before the administration, agencies and stakeholders have had an opportunity to layout the many benefits of merging the two agencies.  He says, “I believe that the public supports the idea of transparency and input. Being targeted for wanting an open debate is disturbing. Ironically, the minority party has asked for public input in the past, and tried to tear this administration down with negative public statements at the same time, while we introduce a bill that will allow for public input on the proposed merger.” He says the proposed stand-alone bill provides the vehicle for a public hearing, adds to the transparency and will ultimately allow the Legislature to make the right decision regarding this merger.

Testing Of New Election Equipment Successful

New election equipment for Fond du Lac County is a step closer to being certified. County Clerk Lisa Freiberg says the equipment was tested in both Fond du Lac and Winnebago Counties Wednesday. She says it will allow elections clerks to wirelessly send results to the County Clerk’s office on election night instead of using the old analog phone modem system, which caused some problems. Freiberg says its digital. She says several poll sites in the County were used during the testing. She says that included the County Fairgrounds in Fond du Lac and in the Towns of Oakfield and Rosendale. She says a public test was also held in Madison last week. Freiberg says based on the testing the state’s Government Accountability Board will be recommending certification of the equipment to its board, which meets on June 17th. She says the GAB has been trying to certify the equipment over the past three years. Fond du Lac County has been waiting for certification before purchasing the new equipment.

Drug Drop Boxes A Safe Way To Dispose Of Old Medications

On the heels of this week’s heroin summit in Fond du Lac the Drug Free Communities of Fond du Lac County is reminding residents about drug drop boxes. Many heroin habits start with the abuse of opioids like hydrocodone and oxycontin, some of which you can find in medicine cabinets. Amy Sebert of Drug Free Communities says in the past they held drug drop off days, but they are steering away from that. She says the old drugs may be a temptation for others who visit or even live in your home. The drug drop-off boxes provide a safe way for disposal of the prescription drugs and keep them out of landfills and groundwater. She says if you’re going to drop some off bring them in their original containers and once you get there place them in a zip lock bag and into the box. Liquid medications should remain in original bottles. She says there are six drug drop locations in the County. They are in Fond du Lac, Campbellsport, North Fond du Lac, Ripon, Waupun and Oakfield. The locations at the Fond du Lac and Ripon Police Departments are open 24/7. The locations in Campbellsport, North Fond du Lac, Oakfield at the village halls and the Waupun Police Department are open business hours.

Lemonade Day Saturday

About 40 lemonade stands will be located at businesses in Fond du Lac and Lomira for Saturday’s Lemonade Day. Jeff Stueber of Moraine Park Technical College says it’s another first for the City. Fond du Lac will be the first City in the state to participate in the national event that runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. He says the elementary school kids participating in the day had to learn some of the basics about business. He says MPTC will be sponsoring four of the stands. MPTC is collaborating with the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce on the day. One of the kids participating in a booth at Horicon Bank has already learned about diversifying. She says they will also offer flavor additives, brownies, popcorn, cookies and muffins. A map is available at the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce showing the location of the stands or you print one off an online website for the day. 

FDL Evening Kiwanis Members Visit White House

Two long time members of the Fond du Lac Lakeside Evening Kiwanis Club were among members of 34 clubs who visited the White House this week. Club Past President Brian Olson says it was to be part of the Kiwanis International’s participation in a Community Leader Briefing to discuss the issues impacting communities. Club members Steve Kindschuh and Dan Weninger were chosen for the trip to the nation’s capitol. He says Kindschuh is a former Lt. Governor for the State of Wisconsin Kiwanis and Weninger is long-time secretary for the club. He says the Fond du Lac Lakeside Evening Kiwanis Club was selected to participate because the club has been effective at improving communities through a signature service project. Fond du Lac Lakeside Evening Kiwanis Club’s signature service project is the Worlds Largest Walleye Fish Fry.  He says the Fish Fry help them fund other charitable efforts such as providing iPads for autistic children.

Bird Walks In FDL Today And Tomorrow

Fond du Lac Bird City chapter will hold bird walks in the City tonight and tomorrow. Bryan Lenz is the Director of Bird City Wisconsin. He says the City is one of 91 Bird Cities across the state. He says they began the program in 2010. He says Wisconsinites love birds and conservation. Laura Degolier is with the Fond du Lac Bird City chapter. She says they will be doing bird walks tonight at 6 p.m. at the Camelot Business Park and tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Greenway and at 1 p.m. at Lakeside Park. She says to look for the Bird City Flag. She also says they have a limited number of binoculars for those who would like to borrow them during the walk. She says even if you’re a novice at bird watching they will have an experienced bird watcher who will lead the walks and point out what is of interest.

Buechel Stone Recognized

Buechel Stone Corporation of Fond du Lac was among the winners of the 2015 Family Business First Awards of Northeast Wisconsin. The 19th annual awards were presented this past week in Neenah during a forum. Company winners and their leading family members were recognized. Other businesses honored were Faulks Brothers Construction and Perfect Patterns.