Local News Briefs Friday 9/13/13

The 20-year-old former Ripon College student who took nude videos of women who were showering at the school has been sentenced to a year in jail and three years of probation. Demetrious Moll was sentenced in Fond du Lac County Court Thursday morning on four counts of capturing an image of nudity. Ten other counts of the same charge were read into the record and dismissed. The St. Louis, Missouri man used his cell phone to record the video. Seventeen files were found on his computer containing the videos. Moll has been banned from the Ripon College campus.

 

Hartford Man Sentenced For Church Vandalism

 

(WBEV-Beaver Dam)-A Hartford man will spend four months in jail with work release privileges for causing $85,000 in vandalism to a church. Joshua Wendt had previously entered a “no contest” plea in Washington County Circuit Court to a felony charge of Criminal Damage to Religious Property and had a second felony count dismissed. Wendt told officers he was out drinking with friends – but he did not remember anything from the early morning hours on March 15 when the vandalism took place. Prosecutors quoted Wendt as saying he woke up from a “crazy dream” in which he was breaking windows in a church and shooting a fire extinguisher. First Baptist Church in Hartford had damage to stained glass windows, plus various items inside.

 

Sheboygan County Car Thefts

 

Sheboygan County Sheriff’s officials are investigating a series of auto thefts and items taken from cars. Captain David Adams says four vehicles were stolen in the last two months in the Cascade, Elkhart Lake, Howards Grove and the Sheboygan Falls areas.  Three were found abandoned in the City of Milwaukee, while a red 2003 Dodge Caravan remains missing. Debit and credit cards were also taken in 16 other incidents and used in the City of Milwaukee. Adams says two handguns were also stolen from a vehicle. In most incidents the vehicles were unlocked and stolen vehicles had keys in them. Sheriff’s officials are looking for any information on the crimes.

 

Sheboygan Man Charged For Mini Mart Burglary

 

(WHBL-Sheboygan)-A Sheboygan man has been charged for attempting to rob a Random Lake convenience store last month.  Forty-year-old Robert Seidler Jr. made his initial appearance in Sheboygan County Court Thursday.  He faces charges of attempted burglary, criminal damage, and possession of burglarious tools for his alleged actions the early morning of August 21 at the MSM Mini Mart. According to the criminal complaint, surveillance video caught a male subject trying to use a claw hammer to enter the business, but fled after an alarm was activated.  The same day law enforcement released the video and a still photo of the subject, an anonymous tip came in suggesting it was Seidler.  A sister of Seidler and a neighbor to Seidler’s mother confirmed the identity of the subject in the video as him. When asked about his actions, he denied doing anything and repeatedly said he did not remember that night due to drinking. He is free on a cash bond and will be back in court for a preliminary hearing next Thursday.

 

FDL In Solid Financial Condition For 2014 City Budget

 

During a presentation to the Fond du Lac City Council on the 2014 proposed budget City Manager Joe Moore this week said the City is in solid financial condition and will be able to provide essential services. Council President Sam Meyer says that’s in great part due to the hard work of City staff.That’s after several years of difficult budgets. Moore did add one mission to the budget and that has to do with the threat of the Emerald Ash Borer on the 7,000 ash trees in the City and trees on private property. He’s proposed increasing the tree care budget to $110,000 for removal and treatment of ash trees. As for the timeline on the City Budget there will be a public hearing at the Council’s September 25th meeting and the Council will adopt the 2014 Budget, Tax Levy and 5-year Capital Improvement Program at their October 23rd meeting. Specifics on the budget are available at the City’s website. http://www.fdl.wi.gov/   

 

NFDL Begins Process To Vacate Lakeshore Drive Railroad Crossing

 

About a dozen people turned out this week as the North Fond du Lac Village Board introduced a resolution to vacate the Lakeshore Drive railroad crossing. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says about half of those people are concerned about closing off access to the Village, but he says it’s already very limited by train traffic at that crossing. He says it won’t cost much to put up barriers and signs to vacate the street. A public hearing will be held at the board’s October 21st meeting and the board will then consider approving the vacancy, but Hornung says it will be at least a day after that before train horns for trains approaching the crossing will be silenced.

 

County Reminds Townships About Refuge Payments

 

A couple of townships in Fond du Lac County will be getting reminders from the County that they have to share U.S. Fish and Wildlife refuge payments with the County. County Executive Al Buechel says the payments are made in-lieu of taxes and don’t amount to much. He says the Towns of Oakfield and Rosendale have made the payments, but the Towns of Waupun and Lamartine have not. He says the Town of Oakfield receives the most because it has the most land in the refuge of the four. He says it’s a matter of principle because the money isn’t that much. He says the biggest amount owed is just over $300. The County’s Finance Committee approved sending out the reminder notices this week. 

 

Speakers Hold The Attention Of United Way Breakfast Gathering

 

About 130 people attended the Fond du Lac Area United Way’s kickoff breakfast for its fall fundraising campaign Thursday morning. The event was held at the Marian University Stayer Center dining room. United Way Executive Director Tina Potter says each kickoff breakfast spotlights a couple of United Way agencies and people who have benefitted from those services. One of those services is the Badgerland Youth For Christ’s Teen Parent program. She says Tabitha, a single mother, told her story to the gathering. ASTOP’s protective behaviors program was also highlighted. She says Alex, a victim of sexual abuse, told her story which held the unwavering attention of those in the room. This fall the United Way hopes to raise more than $740,000 for the agencies that provide support to thousands in the community.

 

Open House And Ribbon Cutting Saturday For Waupun School

 

Officials in the Waupun School District are inviting area residents to the open house at the Meadow View Primary School Saturday. There will also be a ribbon-cutting for the former Jefferson Elementary School. Waupun Schools Superintendent Tonya Gubin says the school has been extensively remodeled and renovated. She says it was the result of a land swap with the City, which included giving the former Meadow View Primary School to the City where some new development now exists. She says new Meadow View houses about 280 students and is getting some good use. The open house will be from 9 a.m. to Noon with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be available including cake.

 

Fill The Boot Raises Over $12,000 In FDL

 

Last month’s “Fill the Boot” effort Fond du Lac firefighters held to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association was very successful. Jason Roberts of Fond du Lac Firefighters Local 400 informed the City Council this week that they were able to reach their goal. Roberts says the generosity of those who gave to effort amounted to over $12,000 ($12,389). He says the money will stay in the area paying for things like summer camp, vaccinations and special equipment. He says they are thankful to the citizens of Fond du Lac for their generosity.

 

Immigration Reform Discussion

 

United for Diversity will be hosting a community discussion on immigration reform next Monday evening at the Fond du Lac Public Library. During the 6 p.m. event residents will discuss ways they can support the growing Hispanic community in Fond du Lac. In Congressman Tom Petri’s most recent congressional survey 56 percent of respondents stated they support a pathway to citizenship. The meeting is open to the public. There will be a translator available at the meeting.