Local News Briefs Saturday 8/8/15

A former Ripon woman has been charged for her role in the armed robbery of a man at her apartment last month. Nineteen-year-old Arizona Duket made her initial appearance in Fond du Lac County Court Friday. The robbery occurred while she was living in the 400 block of Spring Street. She’s facing two felony and four misdemeanor charges including harboring a felon and obstruction. A man was lured to the apartment where he was robbed at gunpoint of his money. Three men were also arrested in connection with the incident. Duket will be back in court on August 21st for a preliminary hearing. 

Home Sprinkler System Appreciated In Habitat Home

Habitat for Humanity of Fond du Lac County will hold the dedication ceremony for their 26th home today at 10 a.m. The Morris family will be living at 596 South Main Street. The public is welcome to attend. One of the features of the home is a home sprinkler system. Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue and J. F. Ahern held a press conference at the home site Friday morning. This is the fourth Habitat home in as many years that they partnered on to install a home sprinkler system. Habitat Executive Director Paul Osterholm introduced the two young boys who will be living in the home with their mother and thanked those involved in putting in the sprinkler system.

Cookie Recall

A Sheboygan bakery is voluntarily recalling some of its frozen cookies because they may contain coconut, which can cause serious reactions in people who are allergic to it. Johnston’s Bakery Inc. is recalling its #240 Ranger Cookies. The product was processed using coconut, a known allergen, but was labeled as macaroon on the label. No illnesses have been reported from consuming this product.  The product is safe to consume by those who do not have an allergy or intolerance to coconut. The #240 Ranger Cookies are sold frozen in Wisconsin and were purchased by consumers on or before August 4, 2015. Consumers who have any of these products may return them to the place of purchase or discard them.

Election Law Change

Fond du Lac County Clerk Lisa Freiberg worked with some local state legislators on changing a few election laws. She says one of the changes will allow clerks to register voters on Election Day, something that couldn’t previously be done. She says she worked with State Senator Rick Gudex and State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt and their staff to make it possible for municipal clerks to register voters on Election Day. She says the only time a clerk wouldn’t be able to register voters is if that clerk is running for office themselves. Then another election worker would have to do the registration.

Square And Round Dance Convention Going On

An official with the Fond du Lac Area Convention and Visitors Bureau says events like the 56th Wisconsin Square and Round Dance Convention at the Horace Mann High School in North Fond du Lac are good for the area economy. CVB President Craig Molitor says it’s the first time the Fond du Lac area has played host to the event. He says it brought hundreds of people to the area who normally wouldn’t come here. He says there are a lot of people in town spending money, which is good for the economy. He says it’s been great getting to know the organizers of the convention. Hour each day are from 9 a.m. to about 10 or 11 p.m. Highlights include their big show on tonight at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. there will be an inspirational hour with old-fashioned gospel music. 

Fire Truck Purchase Aided By State Trust Fund Loan

The Town of Metomen is getting some help from the state in purchasing a new fire truck. The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands this week approved a $200,000 State Trust Fund Loan to help with the purchase. Overall the board approved $23.4 million in loans for 29 different projects.

Brat Fry In Ripon Supports Scholarships And Other Programs

The Ripon Medical Center Auxiliary will host a brat fry at the Ripon Pick n’ Save Sunday. The brat fry is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or the brats are sold out. The money raised from the brat fry will support area student scholarships for graduating seniors interested in pursuing an education in the healthcare field and support the programs of Ripon Medical Center.