Local News Briefs Thursday 11/13/14

The search of an Oshkosh residence Tuesday led to the arrest of two Oshkosh residents suspected of making methamphetamine. Oshkosh Police and agents from the state’s Department of Justice DCI executed the search warrant at a home in the 800 block of Franklin Street. Police stopped a vehicle that left the residence and a 34-year-old man and 30-year-old woman were arrested on meth trafficking and manufacturing charges. The woman was also arrested for marijuana possession, obstructing and officer charges and on two warrants. Both were taken to the Winnebago County Jail.  A hazardous materials clean-up crew arrived from Chicago and removed the materials used in the methamphetamine process. 

Oshkosh Vehicle And Burglary Suspect Arrested

Police in Oshkosh say they were able to arrest a 20-year-old man they’d been looking for in connection with the theft of a vehicle from the Oshkosh YMCA last month. Nicholas Rost was arrested at a residence in the 600 block of Bowen Street Monday. Rost was also arrested for several other burglaries that occurred in the City. He was taken to the Winnebago County Jail. Police thank all those that gave information that led to his arrest.

Theft Charges Referred

Oshkosh Police are referring charges against three Milwaukee women suspected of stealing jackets from the Skier’s Outlet in Oshkosh on September 20th. The suspects are 23, 26 and 28-years-old. Theft charges have been referred against them to the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office. The women allegedly sold the jackets after they took them.

Ripon Bond Issue

The Ripon Common Council this week approved a $5.1 million bond issue that will finance street improvement projects and refinance some old debt. Ripon City Administrator Lori Rich says from time-to-time their financial advisor reviews the City’s debt issues and advised them of the opportunity. She says the bond issue will refinance two bond issues from 2004 and 2007 and will pay for street improvements to Thomas Street this year and Watson Street next year. Rich says the bond sale will be next month on December 9th and the refinancing will save them about $123,000.

Waupun Common Council Ponders 2015 City Budget

Officials in Waupun are hoping to keep the City’s tax rate at the same level when they finalize the 2015 City Budget at the beginning of next month. Mayor Kyle Clark discussed the budget and tax levy during the Common Council’s meeting this week. The proposed tax levy is $2.6 million. Clark says they are hoping to trim about $48,000 from the budget, which would keep the City tax rate at $6.50 per thousand dollars of value on a property. A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held on December 1st and the Common Council is expected to approve it that same night.

Gudex Confident Republicans Will Hold On To 20^th State Senate Seat

State Senator Rick Gudex of Fond du Lac is fairly confident Republicans will be able to hold on to the 20th State Senate seat. Current Senator Glenn Grothman of Campbellsport will have to give up the seat to take his place representing the 6th Congressional District. That means a special election for the seat, which Grothman usually won by a wide margin. Gudex says he’s fairly certain the seat will be retained by the GOP. He says Governor Scott Walker can’t set a special election until Grothman resigns from the Senate to take his seat in Congress. State Representative Duey Stroebel of Saukville and Ozaukee County Board Chairman Lee Schlenvogt have already announced they will run for the seat. Both are Republicans. Stroebel chose not to run for reelection to the State Assembly deciding to run for the 6th Congressional District seat instead, but lost in the primary election to Grothman.

FDL County Offices Closed For Thanksgiving

A number of Fond du Lac County offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th to observe Thanksgiving. Those will include County offices in the Fond du Lac City/County Government Center, the Sheriff’s Office lobby window, the Portland Street Annex including the Veteran Services Office, the Highway Department, the Department of Social Services and the Department of Community Programs.

1^st Annual Honoring Our Veterans Dinner Tonight

The Executive Director for Salute the Troops of Fond du Lac says she’s pleased with the number of people who have reserved seats for their 1st Annual Honoring Our Veterans Dinner. The dinner will be held at the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts tonight. Alex Louis says they didn’t know what to expect for attendance given it’s the first time they’ve sponsored such an event, but 100 people have signed up. She says Fond du Lac City Manager Joe Moore will act as emcee for the event and there will be entertainment a barbershop quartet will perform. Salute the Troops serves over 8,000 veterans in Fond du Lac County with things like utility bills, rental payments and other needs. They hope to expand their program into Sheboygan County.