Local News Briefs Monday 10/14/13

The Executive Director of Salute the Troops in Fond du Lac says they will be stepping out to do what they can during the federal government shutdown to help out area veterans. Dan Manning says they had to cancel last Friday’s Veterans Mental Health Symposium because of the federal government shutdown, but veterans are facing more pressing problems such as delays for pension and disability checks. He says they are looking into ways of helping those veterans. He says they are working on ways to provide substitute forms of income or to cover the cost of rent, food or other needs until the checks arrive again. He says the County’s Veterans Affairs office has also been trying to provide help, but their budget is just about depleted too. He says donations can be made online at the Salute the Troops website or you can give him a call at (920) 204-6615. 

Vets Symposium Casualty Of Federal Government Shutdown

One of the casualties of the federal government shutdown was last Friday’s Veterans Mental Health Symposium at Marian University in Fond du Lac. Salute the Troops Executive Director Dan Manning says about half their speakers are tied to the government. He says they were employed or contracted to veteran affairs and were under travel restrictions. Manning says they will reschedule the symposium and are working with Marian University on that. He says they are looking at different dates and have tentatively chose January 17th.

FDL School Board Preview

The Fond du Lac School Board today will get a report on Project Lead the Way. Project Lead the Way at the high school will be the next step for third through eighth grade students currently involved in the STEM Academy or STEM Institute. The engineering track is currently up and running and the biomedical track begins in the 2014-15 school year at the high school. Four Fondy High School teachers will give the presentation. The board will also get a report from John Williams the Coordinator of Facility Services on the summer projects that were done in the district this past summer. The annual Recreation Department report will also be presented. The board meets at 5 p.m. at the District Administration Center Board Room.

Bill Will Help Fund Municipal Courts

State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt says a bill he authored that would add $10 to municipal court fees for those found guilty of ordinance violations will help fund operating costs for those courts. He says a lot of those 243 municipal courts are struggling to be self-sufficient and have to dip into municipal coffers to operate.He says municipalities need that money for other purposes and if a municipal court fails it means those cases have to be handled by already busy circuit courts. Quite a few municipal judges testified on behalf of the bill including Lakeside Municipal Court Judge Jerry Jaye. Both the Assembly and State Senate overwhelmingly passed the bill, which awaits the Governor’s signature to become law.

FDL Fire Dept Does Over 2,200 Fire Inspections A Year

The Fond du Lac Fire Department conducts over 2,200 fire inspections a year. Division Chief of Fire Prevention Troy Haase says whether they inspect a business once or twice a year depends on the size and how busy they are. He says for instance St. Agnes Hospital and businesses along Main Street get two inspections a year. He says it’s not just about whether a business is fire safe, but also about getting the lay of the land in case they do have to respond to a fire at that address. He says a program also connects them with businesses that do fire alarm and sprinkler system inspections so the fire department has that information when they do their own inspection. Haase conducted a fire inspection at the KFIZ studios just before his on air interview.

Dodge County Sheriff Launching “Coffee With A Cop” Program

Dodge County Sheriff Pat Ninmann says her department will be launching a “Coffee with a Cop” program that will improve the public’s perception about her deputies and law enforcement. The sheriff attended a program in Green Bay this past week to learn more about it. She says it’s just what it says it is a two-hour opportunity to sit down with people and find out more about their concerns. She’s working with Juneau Police Chief Dave Beal on setting up the first “Coffee with a Cop” hoping to launch it in mid-November and eventually offer it throughout the County. She says because of the flexibility of the program it could be held anywhere that serves coffee.

Solutions Center Helps Out Victims Of Domestic Abuse

The executive director for the Solutions Center in Fond du Lac says they helped out 225 victims of domestic abuse last year. Lindee Kimball says unfortunately many of the victims will return home to the abuse they suffered. She says a woman will leave seven times before they finally decide to get out of the situation. She says one of the cases she worked is a perfect illustration of domestic abuse. She says bruises and scars heal before a solution is reached in a case, but a Fond du Lac County judge saw beyond that when the victim she worked with appeared in court for the sentencing of her abuser. Kimball says they work with child and teen advocates and have applied for a grant for a male advocate all in the hopes of ending the cycle of abuse. Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults. This month is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

Scott Street Bridge Closure

The Scott Street Bridge over the Fond du Lac River is closed today for bridge deck and sidewalk repairs and will remain closed for about three weeks. The bridge is located between Brooke Street and Lakeshore Drive. The bridge will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic. A detour route has been marked for southbound Highway 45 traffic from Lakeshore Drive to the west on Scott Street to Peters Avenue, then south to Johnson Street and then east to Main Street. A northbound detour will follow the reverse route. Bus service on Scott Street will be moved to Arndt Street from Brooke Street to Hickory Street.

State Representative Schraa Office Hours

State Representative Michael Schraa will be holding office hours at the Town of Black Wolf Hall from 6 to 7 p.m. He will also hold office hours in four other locations over the next few weeks. Schraa will be at the Town of Nekimi Hall from 6 to 7 p.m. on Monday, October 21st, the Town of Utica Hall from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, November 11th, the Town of Omro Hall from 5 to 6 p.m. on Monday, November 18th, and the Town of Rosendale Hall from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19th. Schraa, who represents the 53rd State Assembly District, says he’s looking forward to hearing from constituents. He will have a limited number of 2013 Blue Books and state maps available at the office hours.