Local News Briefs Friday 5/29/15

The executive director of an environmental group whose lawsuit halted funding for the Highway 23 expansion project between Plymouth and Fond du Lac says it’s a simple case of justifying numbers. Steve Hiniker of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin says Federal Judge Lynn Adelman sided with them a week ago last Friday because the state’s Department of Transportation couldn’t justify traffic project numbers. He says the project was authorized before a needed study for federal funding could be done. He says the judge wanted to see justification for the traffic projections. Hiniker says the lawsuit isn’t just about a 4 lane highway for Highway 23. He says it could have huge ramifications for projects across the state because flawed traffic projections are a way the Department of Transportation has been able to justify spending millions of dollars extending roads. There’s a status conference in the federal case next Monday.

Neenah Man Suspected Of Using Social Site To Meet Teens For Sex

Acting on a Cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department was able to arrest a 29-year-old Neenah man who was trying to pay for sex with minors on a social media site. An investigator with the Sheriff’s Department posed as a 15-year-old girl and initiated a conversation with the suspect Nicholas Camargo. Camargo allegedly proposed meeting to have sex at park in the Village of Winneconne. He drove to the park on Monday and was arrested there. Camargo made his initial appearance in Winnebago County Court Thursday. He was charged with causing a child to view sexual activity and using a computer to facilitate a sex crime. Bond was set at $3,000 cash. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Thursday.

Green Lake County Crime Of The Week

Green Lake County Sheriff’s officials are looking for the person or persons who removed road signs from Rustic Road in the Town of Seneca. Taken in late April or early this month were a JCT, END, arrow symbol, and Rustic Road and arrow symbol signs. Three Rustic Road logo signs were also taken. The signs and labor to re-install them will cost more than $500.00.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Green Lake County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-438-8436. Tips may be eligible for up to a cash reward for information leading to arrest or recovery of property.

Horicon City Council Accommodates John Deere Expansion Project

A multi-million dollar expansion effort at the John Deere Horicon Works got a boost this week when the Horicon City Council approved the creation of a new Tax Incremental Finance or TIF District. John Deere plans to expand its west side plant, which could be a $25 to $35 million effort that could create 50 to 75 new full time jobs. The TIF would help with infrastructure costs needed for the expansion. City officials say they will learn from John Deere in August if the project is a go and if it is it could start in October.

Mission Of Mercy Dental Coming To FDL

Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller reminds residents about the upcoming Wisconsin Dental Association Mission of Mercy that is coming to Fond du Lac over Walleye Weekend. She says they only pick one city to do the free dental care in. They will be at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds Expo Center on Friday and Saturday June 12th and 13th. She advises being there early with things starting at 5:30 each of those mornings. She says you will need to fill out a medical form. She says they will do just about every type of dental care. She says they will do fillings, cleanings, extractions, and dental partials depending on what’s needed. She says they will also provide information for after care is that needed. Mueller says they could use some volunteers for those days and if you’re interested give the Health Department a call at (920) 929-3085.

Donald Driver At Riverside Elementary Today

Students at Riverside Elementary in Fond du Lac will be treated to some time with the Green Bay Packers all-time leading receiver Donald Driver this afternoon. As part of the Driven to Better Health program the Dancing with the Stars champions will spend an hour with students in the school gymnasium from 1 to 2 p.m. Driven to Better Health is a school and family wellness partnership between Children’s Hospitals of Wisconsin and Donald Driver to encourage health eating habits and increased physical activity among children and their families.

NFDL HS Graduation Sunday

Seniors at the Horace Mann High School in North Fond du Lac will graduate during a 1 p.m. ceremony this Sunday. District Superintendent Aaron Sadoff says the kids need to realize the ceremony isn’t just about them.  He says it’s about their families and everyone who has invested in them and it’s not an end, but a beginning. Sadoff will be giving a commencement address. He says he will talk about tenacity and sticking with things. He says they also have to realize that they have to work for everything that they are not entitled to anything. He says one of lesson kids learn after they graduate is that the hard work is just beginning.

FDL County Veterans Service Office At Minimal Staffing Next Week

While the Fond du Lac County Veterans Service Office staff is getting training next week, the office will be at minimal staffing. Only one person will be in the office while other staff members attend a week-long training conference. Staffing for the office will return to normal on Monday, June 8th. The Fond du Lac County Veterans Service Office thanks the public for their understanding.

St Baldricks Event In FDL Saturday

There have been a couple changes for the annual St. Baldrick’s event in Fond du Lac this year. Organizer Robin Schroeder says they moved it from March to May and from a Sunday to a Saturday. It will be held at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds Expo Building this Saturday. She says one thing remains the same people will be giving up their hair in return for donations to benefit childhood cancer research.The day will be broken into two parts with events for all ages from noon to 4 p.m. Then from 6 p.m. to Midnight there will be music, shows by Comedy Sports beer pong and other more adult activities. You can learn more about the activities lined up for the St. Baldrick’s event in Fond du Lac at their Facebook event page.