Local News Briefs Saturday 2/8/14

Is there a 300 pound sturgeon under the ice of Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes just waiting for a very lucky spearer? DNR Sturgeon Biologist Ryan Koenigs says the state record sturgeon was speared on Lake Winnebago in 2010 and it was a 212 pounder and there are bigger fish in the system. Koenigs says they know of a 240 pound sturgeon they tagged a couple years ago during the spawning season. Veteran sturgeon spearers featured in the documentary “The Frozen Chosen” have speculated that it’s just a matter of time before they do see a 300 pound sturgeon speared and pulled up through the ice.

25th Annual Sturgeon Stampede Kiteboarding Classic

Area residents are invited to attend the 25th anniversary of the “Sturgeon Stampede Kiteboarding Classic” on Lake Winnebago today and Sunday. Carrie Stellenworth of the Fond du Lac Convention and Visitor’s Bureau says it started out with ice sailing and kite boarding, but has grown into a festival over the years. She says it includes stupid human tricks, ice bowling, broomball and they have people coming from as far away as the Baltics and Canada. There will be plenty of food, beverages and a bonfire. The festival is located on Lake Winnebago-off the Fishermans Road landing, which is 1/2 mile off the shore of Lake Winnebago, and six miles north of Highway 23, right off Highway 151.

Rapids Man Bound Over In Dodge County Court

A 26-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man suspected of sending explicit photos on the Internet to what he thought was a 14-year-old boy waived his preliminary hearing in Dodge County Court. Bryce Lenz has been bound over for trial. The boy he allegedly sent those photos to was actually a Beaver Dam Police officer. He was responding to an online ad. Lenz is being held in the Dodge County jail on $10,000 cash bond and will be arraigned later this month.

West Bend Man Charged With Child Porn Possession

Child pornography possession charges have been brought against a 28-year-old West Bend man. Eleven counts have been brought against Sean Benson who had an initial hearing in Washington County Court this week. State Justice Department agents and West Bend Police partnered on an investigation that turned up 10 explicit images and one video on a cellular phone belonging to Benson. According to the criminal complaint he admitted to downloading and viewing the child porn. Bond was set at $1,000 cash and another hearing has been scheduled for February 24th.

UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Praised

UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Richard Wells has earned the praise of State Representative Michael Schraa. Wells is retiring in August. Schraa says there are some who have criticized Wells and the UW-Oshkosh Foundation for getting involved in a hotel project, but a lot has been accomplished for the UW-Oshkosh during his tenure as Chancellor. He says that includes a bio-digester at the Rosendale Dairy and expansion at the UW-Oshkosh including a new welcome center. The state lawmaker from Oshkosh says his relationship with Wells since being in office has been marked by open and candid communication and a shared goal of creating a better Wisconsin.

NFDL Village Board Webcast At Next Meeting

The first effort to webcast the Village of North Fond du Lac’s Board meeting this past week didn’t materialize. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says they were experienced some problems with the Internet that day and weren’t able to live webcast the meeting Monday. He says they will give it another shot during their February 17th meeting. He says it will be a nice option for people who don’t get Charter cable channels or can’t attend the meetings in person. He says in addition to the webcast the meetings will be available as a podcast on the Village’s website.

Presentation ON Bullying, Cyberbullying And Youth Depression In NFDL Sunday

The North Fond du Lac School District and Police Benevolent Association are sponsoring the presentation, “Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Youth Depression” Sunday night at the Horace Mann High School Auditorium.  John Halligan’s presentation is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Halligan’s son, Ryan died by suicide in October of 2003 after he was bullied by classmates at school and online. He was 13-years-old. North Fond du Lac Schools Superintendent Aaron Sadoff says it will be a powerful presentation. It’s a presentation for adults. Halligan will give a presentation for students during the school day Monday.