Local News Briefs Saturday 3/21/15

The Waupun Common Council adopted a resolution this week opposing elimination of the Local Government Property Insurance Fund, a plan used by around 1,000 Wisconsin municipalities. Waupun Utilities and City Finance Director Jared Oosterhouse says Waupun has $85 million dollars in assets insured through the state-backed insurance fund; $38 million in city assets and another $47million through the utility. The city pays around $50,000 each year for insurance and while there are no cost projections yet, Oosterhouse anticipates a significant impact on the city budget. The proposed state budget would eliminate the insurance fund.

BD Man Bound Over For Trial On Child Shaking Charge

The 21-year-old Beaver Dam suspected of violently shaking an infant has been bound over for trial. Raymond Keyser waived his preliminary hearing in Dodge County Court this week. He entered a not guilty plea when he was subsequently arraigned on a charge of child abuse recklessly causing great harm. The charges stem from an incident on February 15th when an 8-month-old infant Keyser was looking after had to be flown to the UW-Hospital in Madison. A team there determined the child had been shaken or slammed down on a soft surface like a mattress. Keyser told investigators a different story. 

New Software Will Enable NFDL Residents To Place Work Orders On The Village Website

The North Fond du Lac Village Board this week approved the purchase of “work order” monitoring software. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says the software will allow people to report problems they might experience or see out the community and report it on the Village’s website. He says Village management would then decide whether it’s a legitimate request and how to assign it. He says in the future if someone has to replace their refuse containers for instance they will be able to do that on the Village’s website.

Ripon TID Extended For A Year

The Ripon Common Council recently decided to extend the life of Tax Incremental Finance District #1 by a year. The TID was supposed to close out in May, but under state law the life of a TID can be extended by a year if 75 percent of the money normally generated by taxes in the district is used towards some type of affordable housing program. City Administrator Lori Rich says they will set up a revolving loan fund to help those who are eligible to make improvements to their home. She says they will have about $178,000 available for the fund.

Gudex Says Walker Can Run For Governor And Campaign For President

With Governor Scott Walker making more campaign appearances for a potential presidential run some critics are saying he’s not taking care of business back home. State Senator Rick Gudex says Walker will always have his critics, but can run a campaign and take care of his duties as Governor without giving up the office. He says there’s not much going on in the state legislature during the summer months, which will allow the governor to make more campaign appearances. Gudex says once work is done on the State Budget he does expect Walker to step up his run for president.

Boating Safety Class In Dodge County

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office Recreation Patrol will be hosting a Boat Safety Certification Class this spring.  The three day class will be held at the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office Training Room in Juneau.  Safety certification is required for anyone born after 1988 to legally operate a motorized boat or personal watercraft in Wisconsin waters.  The course will run from May 20 through May 22 from 5pm to 8pm each night.  Cost of participation is ten dollars and enrollment can be completed by contacting Deputy Scott Petrack at the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department.