Local News Briefs Thursday 4/7/16

Baby On Board

Mom and baby girl are fine after a Washington County woman gave birth on her way to the hospital Monday night. Sheriff’s officials say the 30-year-old father called 911 to report his wife had given birth in their car on the way to the hospital. A deputy intercepted the vehicle and provided an escort until they could get to a Kewaskum Rescue ambulance. Mom and baby daughter Hattie Jae were taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in West Bend. 

Water Main Flushing Next Week In FDL

The Fond du Lac Water Utility has scheduled bi-annual citywide water main flushing starting next Monday in the northeast section of the city. Flushing will continue in the southeast neighborhood on Tuesday, the southwest area on Wednesday morning and finish in the northwest quadrant Wednesday afternoon. Flushing operations will take place each day between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The city is divided into quarters with Main Street, 4th Street and Western Avenue used as boundary lines. If unexpected problems occur, the schedule could extend into Thursday.

Ribbon Cutting At The Treffert Center Today

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at the Treffert Center in Fond du Lac this afternoon. Presenters will include Agnesian HealthCare President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Little, Dr. Matt Doll, and World-Renowned Autism and Savant Syndrome Expert Dr. Darold Treffert.  The Treffert Center will feature the Treffert Library, Treffert Academy, and Agnesian Autism, Behavior and Communication Center. The ceremony at 371 E. 1st Street will begin at 4 p.m.

NFDL Pool Fees Considered

The North Fond du Lac Village Board this week made a couple of changes when it comes to the use of the community pool. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says with the addition of a splash pad they considered whether to charge for the use of the smaller wading pool. He says children 2 and under will be admitted free, but if parents or grandparents who come in with them will be charged a dollar a day. He says they also decided to no longer rent out the pool for private activities. He says it wasn’t cost effective after they paid all their lifeguards and other costs were figured in. Hornung says as part of the improvements they will be adding a pavilion. He says eventually they may rent that out during normal hours the pool operates.

Taycheedah Town Board Race

An incumbent on the Taycheedah Town Board who won reelection this week feels voters heard his message. John Abler and Jim Rosenthal won reelection to the board fending off challengers Bob Norris and David Howell. Abler says he simply emphasized that Norris was trying to take over the board with the help of a friend he recruited to run for the board. Abler also feels the order of placement on the ballot helped him and Rosenthal. He says Norris and Howell had a huge disparity in votes. Rosenthal and Abler each got about 950 votes while Norris finished with 767 and Howell had 591. Town residents took a huge interest in the race with a long line waiting to vote when polls closed and 180 absentee ballots cast.  

New County Board Supervisor Says He Will Be A Strong Advocate For His District

Newly elected Fond du Lac County Board Supervisor Sam Kaufman says he’d like to see more cooperation between city and county government. Kaufman was elected Tuesday to represent the 7th supervisor district. He says he’d like to team up with new 8th District Supervisor Bob Simon to see what can be done about the operation of a County-owned park and campground in the Waupun area. He also feels a better effort could be made on economic development in the Waupun and Oakfield area. He points to the recently announced expansion effort of Alliance Laundry Systems in Ripon. Kaufman says he intends to be a strong advocate for the area he represents on the County Board. He says hopefully the County Board will join the City of Waupun and Village of Oakfield on some projects they might have in mind. Kaufman succeeds Dick Wetzel on the County Board.