Local News Briefs Saturday 5/23/15

Fond du Lac firefighters put out a grass fire Thursday afternoon near the 9th Street Bridge. Fire and Rescue officials say the fire near the Fond du Lac River looks like it was intentionally set. The time of the fire call was 5:30 p.m.

Home Advantage With WLA Proposal

The Director of Communications and Mission Advancement for Winnebago Lutheran Academy says they have some high hopes with a proposal to lease a portion of McDermott Park from the City of Fond du Lac. WLA is proposing building three athletic fields and a parking lot, which could also benefit the City. Pastor John Boggs says it would also benefit their soccer and softballs teams that have to practice or play their games elsewhere. He says their soccer team has to cross Johnson Street to practice at a nearby school and the girls softball team plays their home games in St. Peter. Two open houses were held at WLA this week to share with neighbors the proposal.

New MPTC President Happy To Participate In Graduation Ceremony

Moraine Park Technical College’s new president, Bonnie Baerwald, says she was happy to participate in last weekend’s commencement ceremony at the Fond du Lac High School Field House. More than 250 graduates participated in the ceremony, although there were a total of 770 who graduates with applied science degrees and technical diplomas. She says she was proud of the 2015 graduating class. The commencement speaker was Agnesian HealthCare CEO Steve Little.

Old Ambulance Serves Red Cross Well

An official with the Red Cross says they appreciate the cooperative partnership they have with Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue. Steve Hansen says they certainly appreciated the nearly $6,000 check they got from Fond du Lac Firefighters Local 400 from the proceeds of this year’s brat fry. But he says in the past they got an old ambulance from the department, which they make the most at disaster scenes including fires. He says with it they can got to disaster scenes and help victims or for that matter supply firefighters battling a fire with a refreshment or beverage.

Kangaroo Incident Leads To Look At Beaver Dam Ordinance

Beaver Dam’s Administrative Committee is recommending changes to a city ordinance governing service animals. The city made national headlines in February after police responded to a complaint that a woman brought a kangaroo wrapped in a blanket into McDonalds. The woman claimed the kangaroo was a service animal that helped her cope with emotional distress, and she provided a doctor’s letter to back her case.  Currently the city’s ordinance allows “a guide dog, signal dog or other animal.” Police Chief John Kreuziger says it’s obvious the ordinance needed some clarification.  The Beaver Dam Common Council will approve the amended ordinance next month.

Business Friends Of The Environment

Nine companies have received the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce prestigious Business Friend of the Environment. Among the area companies that were among the 2015 winners in the Sustainability category were Oshkosh Defense and Masters Gallery Foods of Plymouth. Meals on Wheels of Sheboygan County won in the Environmental Stewardship category.  Awards were presented at a luncheon in Waukesha. You can see the complete list at wmc.org. 

Salute The Troops Run In FDL Today

Area residents are being reminded that the Salute the Troops half marathon and 5K will be held today in Fond du Lac. There will be temporary lane closures as the runners make their way through Fond du Lac beginning at 7 this morning. and ending around 10:30. Traffic into Lakeside Park with be limited until 10 a.m. as well. Drivers are urged to watch for runners on the roads, slow down and give them room.