Local News Briefs Monday 10/6/14

Fond du Lac’s Public Works Department tells us there will be two street closures due to the City’s Manhole Rehabilitation Project.   The west traffic lane and parking on South Park Avenue will be closed to southbound traffic between Guindon Boulevard and 21st Street. The closure will begin tomorrow and continue through Friday. Traffic will be detoured on 9th Street, west to Main Street, then south to Pioneer Road, then east to Park Avenue. Northbound traffic will not be impacted.  In addition the south side of West Arndt Street between Doty and Macy Streets will be closed to eastbound traffic. That closure begins this morning and is planned to reopen on Thursday. There will be no signed detour route during the closure. Westbound traffic will not be affected.

Sorensen Named New Grant Coordinator For Drug Free Communities

Ripon native Ellen Sorensen has joined Drug Free Communities of Fond du Lac County (DFC) as the new Grant Coordinator.  Sorensen returns to Fond du Lac County having spent several years working in administrative capacities at both Brown and Marinette Counties.  The past two years she has dealt with issues of drug use and chaired the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee of Marinette County. Janet Lloyd, who has served DFC since 2006 as Grant Coordinator has announced her resignation to join the Lakeland Care District.  “Janet has been a champion of the program and has provided a steady hand in the growth of the Drug Free Communities,” shared Marian Sheridan, Coordinator of School Health and Safety Programs and Director of Drug Free Communities.  “She will be greatly missed.” Sorensen is excited to join the coalition which seeks to create healthier children today for a healthier community tomorrow.

Recent Amber Alert Put Some People Off

A number of people were awakened by the smart phones a little over a week ago when an Amber Alert was issued in connection with a double murder case in Berlin. The missing girl was found safe with her grandparents. Fond du Lac Police Officer Steve Olson says Amber Alerts grew out of the abduction and murder of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman in Arlington, Texas in 1996. Broadcasters and law enforcement got together come up a way to let the public know when a child goes missing. He says some fashion of Amber Alert is now in all 50 states and it’s been a success saving the lives of 495 kids. Olson says some people were put off by the recent Amber Alert when it was issued early that morning. He says there is a way of disabling the alerts through your phone settings, but remember Amber Alerts are about finding a missing child and endangered child.

Former Plymouth Youth Pastor Charged With Child Pornography Possession

(WHBL-Sheboygan)-Child pornography possession charges have been brought against a former youth pastor in Plymouth. According to the criminal complaint, a search warrant was executed last week at the residence of 53-year-old Calvin Gideon based on results from an undercover investigation started in July.  At first Gideon denied having anything to do with child porn, but later said he had been downloading such images for ten years. He led authorities to a cabin he owns in Sturgeon Bay where laptops, flash drives and storage devises had at least 15 videos and images of children ages 4 to 11 performing sexual acts.  Gideon claims he could have up to 1,000 child porn items. He was recently fired from St. John the Baptist Church in Plymouth. He faces up to 25 years in prison for each felony.

Emergent Technology Center

Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership Executive Director Amy Hansen says the development of an Emergent Technology Center in Fond du Lac gives the community something other cities don’t have. She says there are three components to the center. The first is training in the newest technologies. She says there will also be co-working space to fine-tune ideas and products. She says the third thing is Emergent Labs, a12-week course that is already underway where products are developed for marketing. She says it’s a seed accelerator.

Benson Takes Over As Community Development Director

Fond du Lac’s just-retired Community Development Director says his successor should do a fine job for the City. Wayne Rollin retired last Friday after 34 combined years with the City and County, the last 24 years with the City. He says Redevelopment Planner Dyann Benson takes over today as the City’s Community Development Director. He says it’s an opportunity to downsize the development department. He says Benson has been with the City a few years and has plenty of experience in development. He says her challenge will be to continue to make sure development projects precede in a responsible fashion.

Summerfield Brat Fry For Cops For Kids A Success

Last month’s brat fry at J & K Summerfield Aligning Service in Fond du Lac for the Cops for Kids Foundation was a success. Police Officer Steve Olson says they thank everyone who bought a brat or a hamburger, Summerfield and others who made it possible. He says they made over $3,300 and that will go a long way in improving the lives of youth in Fond du Lac County. It was the 17th annual event hosted by Summerfield.

FDL Fall Leaf Collection Starts Monday October 20^th

Fond du Lac’s Fall leaf collection will begin two weeks from today on Monday, October 20th. Fond du Lac Public Works Director Jordan Skiff says once again residents will be able to follow the progress of the leaf collection on the City’s website. Skiff says it is an expensive operation because they have entire crews that devote their time to leaf collection for about six weeks, plus the cost of fuel for the collection. More information on the annual leaf collection will be released soon. 

Waupun Bulk Pick Up This Week

Bulk Item Pick-Up is scheduled this week in Waupun. Bulk items will be picked up on your normal trash pick-up date. Items are not to be placed on the curb more than 24 hrs before your scheduled pick-up date. If you have questions about what will/will not be picked up, call Advanced Disposal Services at 1-800-387-0949.

Blood Pressure Clinic Cancelled

The blood pressure clinic scheduled for Wednesday November 5th at National Exchange Bank at 130 S. Main Street in Fond du Lac has been cancelled. Free blood pressure clinics – through Agnesian HealthCare’s Journeys are offered on a walk-in basis at the National Exchange Bank from 9 to 11 a.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. For more information, call Journeys: a health resource center at (920) 926-4960.