Local News Briefs Monday 3/21/16

Milwaukee Woman Competent To Stand Trial In FDL County Drug Death

A 53-year-old Milwaukee woman was recently found competent to stand trial for a heroin-related death in Fond du Lac County. Andrea Griffin was found competent during a hearing to be tried on 1st degree reckless homicide and heroin trafficking charges. Charges stem from the August 22nd, 2014 death of Carolyn Tries. According to the criminal complaint Tries died in the 200 block of Sheboygan Street in Fond du Lac from drugs she bought from Griffin. A plea and sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 2nd.

Washington County House Fire

Fire damaged a home in Washington County’s Town of Trenton Sunday night. The homeowner at 577 Paradise Drive told Sheriff’s deputies he was trying to repair a fuel oil furnace when it started on fire. The fire was contained to the basement area, but there was heavy smoke damage throughout the home. Seven fire departments battled the blaze. No injuries were reported. The fire was reported shortly after 9 p.m.

Naked Man Causes Disturbance On Highway 441

Appleton Police say a naked 18-year-old Neenah man walking in the northbound lanes of Highway 441 Sunday morning caused a disturbance. The first came of numerous 911 calls came in around 6:47 a.m. The man tried to pull a 22-year-old Appleton woman from her vehicle. Police found him in the roadway near an off-ramp. The man was having some mental issues and yelled at officers to “shoot him.” Police used a taser on him. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

In Lieu Of Wind Farm Study

Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel says the state didn’t exactly follow through on the County’s request for a comprehensive study on how wind farms affect residents’ health. Money was included in the state budget, but was taken out by the Joint Finance Committee. Buechel says they passed the buck to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission. He says the PSC was ordered to evaluate all the other studies that have been done since a study was done in 2014. He says they did report back to the legislature. He says he got a copy of the report, which includes copies of wind turbine studies done in other countries as well. He says there was no strong evidence that wind turbines affect human health. He says there are annoyance issues involving sleep disturbance, noise and other issues, but no strong evidence linking wind turbines to human health issues.

Waupun Memorial Hospital Addition Another Investment In Community Needs

A spokesperson for Agnesian HealthCare says they have made quite an investment in Waupun Memorial Hospital and their clinics in the City in the past few years. Shelly Haberman says it started with a new surgical area. She says it has improved their efficiencies and they added a 2 story clinic so their doctors are located at the hospital. She says the lower level of the hospital was also renovated. She says they are now offering wound care services and people can get high level wound care at Waupun Memorial Hospital. She says the recently announced $23 million addition will add even more features including 21 new patient rooms. She says it’s the continued evolution of putting together a hospital that addresses the community’s needs now and into the future.

Veterans Group Therapy Session Being Offered

Starting April 1st and every first Friday of the month after that group counseling will be available to Fond du Lac County veterans. County Veterans Service Officer Rick Patton says the Veterans Center in Milwaukee has a counselor who comes to Fond du Lac every Friday and that counselor has agreed to run a veterans support group once a month. He says it should help veterans with post traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders. Patton says sometimes people find more comfort in meeting as a group rather than on a one-on-one basis. He says it’s nice to be able to offer area veterans this service. He says those who would like to participate should give him a call at (920) 929-3120. The group support session will be the first Friday of every month from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

LeMahieu Voter Registration Bill Signed Into Law

Governor Walker recently signed one of State Senator Devin LeMahieu’s bills into the law. The bill will create online voter registration and clean up voter rolls. LeMahieu says the online voter registration won’t be available until the spring of next year. He says when the bill was first introduced it got bi-partisan support, but Democrats pulled back on their support and the bill passed on a party line vote. He says something they refer to as ERIC or the Electronic Registration Information Center will help them do records and data checks to clean up voter rolls and eliminate duplicate records.

Income Tax Assistance Available At Moraine Park

If you need help with your income taxes students in classes at Moraine Park Technical College’s Fond du Lac and West Bend campuses maybe able to help. Lisa Pollard, associate dean of Information Technology and Business, says each Thursday through April 14th students in an applied income tax class provide tax assistance. She says it’s done through the VITA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and students prepare taxes at no cost. Derrick Ludtke is one of the students. He says every year there are changes to taxes and they have a book they refer to for the changes. Pollard says people will have to bring a few things with them to get the free tax help. She says forms, identification, last year’s tax return, current tax documents, photo ID, Social Security Card, and proof of health insurance. The income tax help is available Thursday from 12:30 to 3 p.m. in Room o-204 in Fond du Lac and Room L-102 in West Bend except this Thursday because the campuses will be on spring break. You must make under $54,000 a year or be disabled to be eligible for the free help.

Byron Historical Society Annual Meeting Tonight

The Byron Historical Society’s annual meeting tonight at 7 p.m. will feature Byron Historical Society members Wayne King and Maureen Betz sharing the stories of Byron’s fallen World War I soldiers in France. The event is open to the public.  The program will include photographs of King and Betz’s visit to France in 2014 where they followed in the footsteps of four Byron soldiers who died on the battlefields: Nels Anderson, John Bohan, Glenway Raulf, and Walter Soles.  The presentation will also feature photographs and stories related to the five World War I American Cemeteries in France. In addition, maps and other research on Fond du Lac County’s soldiers in World War I will be on display.  The evening will begin at 7:00 pm with a short meeting prior to the program. The Byron Town Hall is located at N3097 Hwy. 175, Byron. For additional information or questions on the program, contact byronhistorical@att.net or call 920-922-5351.

Rosenow Scholarship Available

The Rosenow Elementary School PTO is offering two scholarships of $500 each to graduating seniors who have attended Rosenow Elementary School and who plan on continuing their education at either a college or technical school.  Applications may be obtained from the Fond du Lac High School, WLA, and St. Mary’s Springs guidance departments, or from the Rosenow School office. Applications must be submitted to the Rosenow School office by the end of the school day on Friday April 22nd.  Please contact the Rosenow School office at (920) 929-2996 if you have any questions.