Local News Briefs Monday 6/23/14

As they were serving eggs and sausage at the Fond du Lac County Breakfast on the Farm Sunday the importance of agriculture wasn’t lost on competing governor’s candidates. Governor Scott Walker says agriculture is next to manufacturing the largest part of the state’s economy; a $60 billion industry. He says agriculture is growing under his administration. Burke says she’s concerned about the lost off arms in the state. She notes nearly 9,000 farms have been lost over the last five years. Candidates for the 6th Congressional District race also were out in full force at the breakfast.

Passenger’s Role In Fatal Accident Being Investigated

Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s officials are investigating how much of a role a passenger had in a fatal rollover accident on Highway in the Town of Byron last week. The driver of the vehicle, 21-year-old Jeffrey Thill of Lomira, died last Friday morning at Theda Clark Regional Medical Center. He was flown there after the accident. Thill lost control and rolled the vehicle over in the median. Sheriff’s Captain Rick Olig says a witness told investigators the car was going very fast and Thill’s passenger may have yanked the steering wheel to the right while he was driving. He says they are investigation how much of a role 22-year-old Katelyn Freund of North Fond du Lac had in the crash. Thill was thrown from the car because he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Olig says speed, seat belt use and possibly alcohol all may have had roles in Thill’s death. Freund was buckled up. She was taken to St. Agnes Hospital where she was treated and released. Olig says a deputy may have seen part of the accident, but it took a while to find Thill in the high grass of the median. It was the County’s first fatal traffic accident of the year.

Today Is Deadline To Apply For Lakeside Park Exploratory Committee

Today is the deadline to get applications in if you are interested in serving on a Lakeside Park exploratory committee. City Manager Joe Moore says beginning this Wednesday the City Council will begin making decisions on selecting people for the committee. He says the Council will set a few parameters for the committee, but only on its officer structure and when it might meet. The committee will discuss possible development, a subject a City Council member brought up. Moore says there is no development offer on the table. He says development for the park is something that really hasn’t been discussed for 30 years so there’s no real time frame or deadline for when the committee will make recommendations to the Council.

FDL School Board Preview

The Fond du Lac School Board when they meet this afternoon will consider one final budget adjustment for the 2013-14 school year. It’s something the district does this time of year to reflect actual revenues and expenditures. The board will also consider the CESA 6 contract for the 2014-2015 School Year and consider appointing Frank Endejan as the expulsion hearing officer for the next school year.  The board meets at 5 p.m. at the District Administration Center Board Room on West 9th Street in Fond du Lac.

Lakeside Park Development On Advisory Park Board Agenda

The Fond du Lac Advisory Park Board tonight will be updated on a couple of items related to Lakeside Park. Public Works Director Jordan Skiff will give the board an update on the forming of an exploratory committee on possible development. Park Superintendent John Kiefer will also review the parking agreement the City has with the Fond du Lac Yacht Club. The meeting is at 5:30 p.m. in meeting rooms D and E of the City-County Government Center.

TID Development On NFDL Agenda

The North Fond du Lac Village Board will hold a special meeting tonight. The board will meet in closed session to discuss Tax Incremental District #2 Development. They will adjourn after the discussion. The meeting is at 6 p.m. at the Municipal Building in North Fond du Lac.

Ripon Superintendent China Bound

Ripon Schools Superintendent Mary Whitrock is part of a contingent of educators making a trip to China for professional development. She says she will be making the trip with Middle School Principal Tom Hoh and two dozen other educators from across the county. She says the trip is being paid for by an Education First scholarship to take the trip to learn about China’s schooling, education and the country. She says during the trip they will visit a few cities and will have a chance to do a little sight seeing. She says they will visits some schools and visit sites like Tiananmen Square, The Great Wall, and the Forbidden City. She says they may even be able to recruit some exchange student opportunities during the 10 day trip. Whitrock says they will also experience a Peking duck dinner.