Local News Briefs Thursday 12/5/13

The initial hearing for a 37-year-old Fond du Lac woman accused of shooting her husband to death and dumping his body in some woods in Milwaukee was nearly delayed Wednesday morning. That’s because prosecutors brought up a possible conflict of interest with the public defender’s office. District Attorney Eric Toney says they have a potential witness list of 40 people who could be called. Assistant District Attorney Dennis Krueger said the public defender’s office may have represented some people on the list in prior or current cases. A key witness is Benjamin Bobo who allegedly witnessed Eve Nance brandish a gun toward her husband Timothy Nance, the victim, in a 2008 incident. Public Defender Margaret Vinz said that she had talked with Mary Wolfe who runs the public defender’s office in the County and Wolfe said just because there was prior representation doesn’t mean there’s a conflict of interest. Judge Gary Sharpe said for purposes of the initial appearance there was a full disclosure by the prosecution and the hearing could proceed. He set bond at $300,000 cash.

Information Sought In Waupun Hit And Run

Waupun Police are asking for the public’s help to find the person who was involved in a hit and run during the Avenue of Angels holiday parade Tuesday night. It happened in the rear of the St. Joe’s parking lot. A green pickup truck was parked facing east on E. Franklin St near the driveway to the church. Police say it looks like a vehicle/float turned into the lot striking the legally parked vehicle. Investigators found white paint transfer on the truck. Anyone with information is asked to call the Waupun Police Department at 324-7911.

BadgerCare Extension Approved

The State Assembly yesterday approved an extension of BadgerCare for 72,000 people. The bill grants an extension of health care coverage to a portion of the Wisconsin Medicaid population until March 31st. State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt of Fond du Lac cited problems with the Obamacare website saying, “As a state, this is an appropriate move to protect our citizens from losing coverage due to a lack of planning and execution from the Obama Administration.” State Representative Gordon Hintz of Oshkosh says, ““Wisconsin’s Republican Leadership should have made their policy decisions based on what is best for Wisconsin citizens, instead of pandering to the Tea Party votes. Now we have struggling families that will not be receiving the health benefits they were promised they would receive by January 1, 2014.”

Information Meeting On State Highway 26 Improvements

The state’s Department of Transportation will host a meeting next Tuesday in Rosendale to give the public more information about a reconstruction project for a 15-mile stretch of Highway 26. The project will involve improving the state highway from Cattaraugus Road in the Waupun area north County Highway FF. The meeting will be at the Rosendale Village Hall from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

FDL City Councilwoman Seeks Full Term

Fond du Lac City Councilwoman Karyn Merkel has announced her candidacy for the Council. She was selected by special appointment last June, but the term for the seat expires next April. She says she’s gained a lot of experience in her 6 months on the Council. She says she values the input residents have given her as a Council member. Merkel is Billing Manager at Charter Communications’ Fond du Lac-based national Call Center with responsibilities for more than 100 employees. She says it makes for an interesting situation juggling a full time job with her commitment to the Council, but she does like it. In addition to her City Council role, she has served as commissioner for the Redevelopment Authority, and currently serves on the boards of the Advisory Park, Fond du Lac Festivals, and is a member of International Rotary, and Friends of the City of Fond du Lac Senior Center.

New FDL Benvenuto’s Open

The Benvenuto’s Italian Restaurant inside the Fond du Lac Holiday Inn officially opened this week. Todd Winkler is the President and COO of Wisco Hotel Group that owns the Holiday Inn. He says people will enjoy the food and the new look of the restaurant, which is located where the former Duffy’s Steakhouse was inside the hotel. He says they were thinking of making a change for quite a while. The bar from the restaurant has also been extended out into the lobby for the comfort of guests and those visiting for conferences and conventions. Winkler says with the new restaurant people will also see the quality of their banquet offerings improved. More improvements are on the way as a new Holiday Inn Express will be built near the Holiday Inn and the hotel’s conference center will be expanded to 16,000 square feet.

Registering Ahead Of Election Days To Vote Recommended

Fond du Lac County Clerk Lisa Freiberg suggests that those who aren’t registered to vote do so prior to elections. She says the legality of a voter ID law is still being determined and she sat in on one of the court hearings in Milwaukee. She says even if the law is upheld waiting to register until Election Day means additional times at the poll for you and others who are waiting to vote. She says when you do register you need proof of residency, which could be a bill, a driver’s license or one of 12 different forms of identification that’s acceptable. Freiberg says today they can even look at one of your bills on a smart phone as a proof of residency. She says not every state allows Election Day voter registration.

Can’t Depend On Snow Sled Dog Race Saturday

Rabies survivor Jeanna Giese is gearing up for a sled dog race this weekend. The Fond du Lac woman who survived rabies in 2004 says she participated in the Can’t Depend On Snow Sled Dog Race for the first time last year. It will be held this Saturday at the Rolling Meadows Golf Course from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jeanna says she was one of the kids that benefitted from the race, which raises money for the Make A Wish Foundation. There will be all kinds of racing and even an opportunity for man and dog to get a ride on a sled. There will also be pictures with Santa, a silent auction and more. There is no cost to attend. Those who would like to know more should call Mike or Laura Schwandt at (920) 924-0132.

Purrfect Performance Of Christmas Songs For Calumet Fire Dept

A California a capella group will perform on behalf of the Town of Calumet Fire Department this weekend. The Alley Cats will be performing at Maximillian’s Sunday at 4 p.m. Jason Freund of the Fire Department says unlike their last appearance the Alley Cats will be mostly singing songs of the season given the time of year. He says the money raised from the event helps them purchase equipment they use to battle fires. He says a 4-or-6 wheeler might have come in handy when they were fighting a marsh fire a couple months ago. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at Maximillian’s in Mount Calvary. You can also contact Freund at 979-6623 for tickets or more information. There is a limit of 300 tickets. For more information click here.