Local News Briefs Saturday 1/9/16

Fourth Body Recovered In Fatal Canoe Accident

Authorities say the body of a fourth man from Illinois has been recovered from the fatal canoeing accident in Walworth County. The victim has been identified as 21-year-old Patrick Wetzel. Wetzel and three others went out in a canoe on Mill Lake in East Troy early Sunday morning. They had been drinking. The bodies of the other three were recovered on Sunday and Monday. 

West Bend Man Facing Additional Child Porn Possession Charges

A 46-year-old West Bend man serving time for a child pornography possession conviction in Dodge County has pleaded not guilty to similar charges in Washington County. Richard Keller is charged with nine child pornography possession charges and nine felony bail jumping charges. This week he entered not guilty pleas to all 18 charges. Images of young girls were found on his computer in October of 2013. Keller is also facing similar charges in Ozaukee County as well. That case has been scheduled for a jury trial later this month. His next Washington County court appearance is set for February.

Waupun Man Pleads To Sexual Assault Charge

A 27-year-old Waupun man this week was found guilty of having sex with a 14-year-old girl. Corey Teachout pled “no contest” to a 2nd degree sexual assault of a child charge in Dodge County Court. His sentencing has been set for March 30th. Teachout told police he had contact with the girl, but thought she was 16-years-old.

NFDL Village Board Weighs Options For Wading Pool

North Fond du Lac Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says village residents will see some improvements to the village wading pool this summer. He says the village board has been considering replacing the wading pool with a splash pad, but there are still a number of parents whose children enjoy the wading pool. He says the board this week approved a contract with a firm that will design three options for the wading pool. One design would have some water features, another would expand it with a splash pad, and a third would be just for a splash pad.

Congressman Grothman On North Korea And The Bomb

Congressman Glenn Grothman says there should be some concern over the testing of an H-bomb by North Korea this week. He says first of all we still need to determine whether there really was testing. He says if it did happen it does pose a threat. He says it’s a scary thing and hopefully China will step up, but North Korea has a leader who obviously doesn’t care about the economic fallout from such an action. The federal lawmaker from Glenbeulah says we will probably see more economic sanctions coming against North Korea from countries in that region. He also says North Korea has a dangerous leader and anytime someone has nuclear bomb capability there’s a possibility of mistakes being made.

No More Mickeys

Fond du Lac County Clerk Lisa Freiberg says people can still vote for Mickey Mouse if they want to, but election clerks no longer have to count them as write-in votes. She says one of the best election laws to come down the past few years does away with counting write-in votes for fictional characters or celebrities who wouldn’t consider running for local office. She says the only write-in votes they have to count are those for people who actually registered as a write-in candidate.

Dodge County Trail Ambassador Program Launched

With the snowmobile season approaching the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Dodge County Association of Snowmobile Clubs in establishing a Trail Ambassador Program.  Members from the club have volunteered to assist with monitoring the 400 miles of trails that are in Dodge County.  The ambassadors will patrol the trails to discourage irresponsible behavior through education, assist all trail users and assist with search and rescue.  Ambassadors will not be performing enforcement functions, but rather aiding law enforcement by educating the public. 

Snowmobile ATV Trail Closed

Dodge County snowmobile and ATV trails are closed. Officials say the ATV trail along the Wild Goose State Trail is closed to protect the unfrozen surface beneath. But colder temperatures are expected to start the week, which could lead to the trail being reopened. All snowmobile trails in Fond du Lac County are also closed.