Local News Briefs Friday 7/24/15

A 71-year-old Sheboygan man was killed in a two-vehicle accident near Sheboygan Falls Thursday night. According to the State Patrol a 23-year-old Cleveland man was driving his pick-up truck west on Sheboygan County Highway J in the Town of Sheboygan Falls when he failed to stop for a stop sign at State Highway 32. His truck collided with a southbound Chevy convertible driven by the victim. The 1968 Chevy spun sideways after the collision and came to rest in a ditch. The pick up driver was not hurt. The accident occurred shortly after 7 p.m.

ConAgra Provides Official Notice On Ripon Cookie Facility Closing

ConAgra Foods has provided written notice to the state’s Department of Workforce Development about its previously reported closure of its cookie facility located at 420 E Oshkosh Street in Ripon. The closing will affect approximately 285 positions. Job eliminations will begin as early as October 17th and will continue over the next several months. The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board is providing services to affected workers.

County Executive Displeased With UW Administrator Cuts

Fond du Lac County Executive Director Al Buechel says he’s extremely disappointed that the UW-Fond du Lac may lose its dean and other administrators because of budget cuts. The UW System will be doing a regional realignment of its leadership cutting 83 administrators in the process. Buechel says they would hate to lose Dean John Short who has taken an active role in the community including chairing the Lakeside Park Exploratory Committee. He says his protests to the UW Chancellor didn’t have any impact. Buechel says the work Short and other administrators do in the community creates positive public relations for the university and that will also be lost with the cuts. He says while he and other county officials may not like the UW System’s decision they still have a commitment to the community to provide continuing support to the Fond du Lac campus.

Bill Would Name FDL Post Office After James Maggie Megellas

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson has introduced federal legislation that would name the Fond du Lac post office for Lt. Col. James “Maggie” Megellas.  Lt. Col. Megellas served with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division during World War II, participating with distinction in battles such as the assault on Anzio, Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge. To date, Megellas is recognized as the most decorated officer in the history of the 82nd Airborne Division. Megellas received the Distinguished Service Cross and multiple awards each of the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Now 98 years old, Megellas continues to inspire Americans through lectures and other appearances. Sen. Johnson said, “It is a privilege to recognize a Fond du Lac native who is truly one of the finest among us. Lt. Col. Megellas’ heroic actions helped ensure the liberation of Europe and our nation’s continued freedom.” Fellow Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin and Texas Senator John Cornyn are co-sponsors of the bill.

Waupun Man Arraigned On Child Sexual Assault Charge

The 26-year-old Waupun man facing a child sexual assault charge was arraigned in Dodge County Court this week. Robert Moungey pled not guilty to the charge he’s facing.  According to an alleged note his wife, Cassandra Scheuers gave police, Moungey had pornographic images of minors on his computer.  She also claimed that he engaged in inappropriate acts with an infant and forced her to have similar contact with a toddler.  Scheuers is also facing charges and will be back in court in September. 

Facilitator For Lakeside Park Exploratory Committee Enjoyed Her Work

The facilitator for the Lakeside Park Exploratory Committee says she enjoyed her work helping the committee come up with recommendations for possible future uses in the park. Diana Tscheschlok  says that providing help to non-profit and government groups at no cost is part of the service the UW Extension provides. She says she was inspired by what the committee was able to accomplish. She says she knew going into her role as a facilitator that she had been given a sacred trust knowing the way that people feel about the park. Tscheschlok was presented with a key to the City when the committee gave its final report to the Fond du Lac City Council.

Finding Jobs For The Disabled

The Assistant Deputy Secretary of the state’s Department of Workforce Development says there are jobs for the disabled if employers are willing to work with them. Dave Anderson says their Division of Vocational Rehabilitation works with employers to make opportunities available. He says they see if there is a way that they can connect with people with disabilities to meet their needs and there are all kinds of programs to help companies do that. Anderson says another program that assists the disabled in finding work is called Project Search, which trains high school students. He says he’s been to a number of graduation ceremonies for those students who have worked their way through the program and finds it inspiring. Anderson says the job placement for the kids in Project Search is phenomenal. He says currently there are seven Project Search programs around the state, but that number is being expanded to 27 sites.

MPTC Offers Agribusiness Degree Through Partnership

Moraine Park Technical College will be partnering with Lakeshore Technical College to offer an agribusiness degree. Fred Rice is the Dean of Applied Technologies and Trades at MPTC. He they’ve lacked agribusiness offerings at the college, but will be making up for that now with new offerings. He says the degree will actually come through Lakeshore Technical College, but all the courses can be taken at any of MPTC’s three main campuses in Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam or West Bend. He says you can take courses in just about any subject that pertains operating a farm or agribusiness. He says that would include soil science, crop production and management, livestock management, pest control and on the business side sales, marketing and business plans.

Rummage Sale Benefits United Way

The Fond du Lac Area United Way will benefit from a rummage sale at the Senior Center in Fond du Lac today. Hours for the sale are from 8 a.m. to noon with all proceeds benefitting the United Way. Donuts, subs, chips, coffee and soda will also be available.