Local News Briefs Thursday 8/20/15

Dodge County Sheriff’s officials have ruled out foul play in the death of a Reeseville man who was found slumped over the wheel of his vehicle on County Highway K this week. After a preliminary investigation it’s believed the man died of natural causes. The vehicle was parked along the side of the road in the Town of Shields Monday afternoon.

Remaining Pool Hours Announced

Fond du Lac’s Parks Department tells us Taylor Pool will have extended hours on this Friday adding an open swim from 6 to 8 p.m.  The pool will have regular hours through Sunday. Taylor Pool will be closed for the season starting next Monday. Meanwhile the Fairgrounds Aquatic Center pool will be open between the hours of 12:00 pm and 8:00 pm through today. Unfortunately, due to life guard staffing, the Fairgrounds Aquatic Center will close on Friday at 4:00 pm for the remainder of the season.

Home Sales Up In July

The median price of an existing home dipped in Fond du Lac County last month, but sales of those homes were up. According to the Wisconsin Realtors Association the median price of a home in the County was down by 4.3 percent, but sales of homes were up by 70 percent compared to July of last year. By comparison sales of existing homes in the state were up by nearly 17 percent last month and the median price of those homes was up by 3.8 percent. For more click here.

Phony Fire Inspector Reported In FDL

The Division Chief of Fire Prevention for Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue is cautioning business owners to be on the lookout for someone posing as a fire inspector for the City. Troy Haase says some of their fire inspectors got funny questions while conducting an inspection at a local business. He says the business owner wanted to know if they always came in uniform and with official paperwork and IDs. They quickly learned why the business owner was so curious. The business owner told them someone had been in there saying they were with the fire department and needed to do an inspection, but didn’t have any official paperwork and weren’t wearing a department uniform. Haase says their inspectors always wear a department uniform when they are doing an inspection. He says if someone is posing as a fire inspector they have other non-legitimate reasons for being there, perhaps even criminal. He says if you’re unsure ask to see ID.

FDL County In Good Financial Shape

Fond du Lac County is in good financial shape according to an annual audit report County supervisors heard this week. Bryan Grunewald of Schenk CPA’s gave the annual finance report for 2014. He says the County’s fund balance is a very solid amount. He says they consulted with the Government Finance Officers Association and different bond rating agencies and the amount of fund balance is considered a very solid benchmark. Grunewald also says the County added $290,000 to its working capital for the highway department to finish with a total $3.2 million in working capital. He says that’s a strong amount compared to what other counties they work with have available to them. He says they work with 31 different counties. He says the County finished 2014 with $69 million in long-term debt, which is considered a low. Grunewald says on the other hand the County will pay off the majority of its debt over the next five years. He says 67 percent of the principle balance on that debt will be paid off, which he says is a very strong repayment schedule.

Meeting Held On Proposed Ladder Truck For NFDL Fire Dept

About 20 people turned out for a meeting in North Fond du Lac Tuesday night to discuss the proposed purchase of a new ladder truck for the fire department. Village Trustee Tammy Keller chaired the meeting, which was also attended by the Village’s new Fire Chief Richard Zmuda. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says Zmuda needs time to get up to speed on the ladder truck request. Hornung says they are actually considering getting the truck from a Fox Valley company that specializes in specialized vehicles like fire trucks. Pierce Manufacturing is currently demonstrating a new model. He says it’s actually in the price range the village was considering. He says the 100 foot truck would cost between $800,000 and $850,000 depending on how many bells and whistles it comes with. More meetings will be scheduled on the proposed purchase.

Mt Everest Quake Survivor Wishes He Had Time To Do More Public Presentations

The Fond du Lac man who survived an earthquake while climbing Mt. Everest this spring says he’s given four public presentations on his adventure. Andy Land was scaling the mountain in an effort to raise funds and awareness about hospice. He says he was quite pleased that the first presentation at Marian University on his ordeal was standing room only. He’s done three other presentations since then and gotten other requests. He says it’s a matter of finding time to coordinate it all. One of the people he met on his way down the mountain was a young girl who tried to impress him with how much English she could speak and write. A second earth quake in Nepal destroyed her village and Land feared she was dead, but found out she survived. The girl and her family are living in a tent waiting out monsoons to rebuild their home. Land says in his public presentations he talks about his experiences in a way that people can relate to it in their own lives.

FDL Area Foundation Celebrates 40 Years Of Giving

The Fond du Lac Area Foundation’s annual “Celebration of Giving” dinner has 40 years worth of accomplishments to celebrate when it’s held at the South Hill Country Club next month. Foundation Executive Director Sandi Roehrig says she wishes their original board of directors knew how much the Foundation has accomplished. The Wednesday, September 9th dinner will feature annual awards, which are being kept under wraps until the celebration. Roehrig says they only gave out one grant in their first year. She says that $350 grant went to the United Way. She says thanks to generous donations and endowments they have given out over $14 million in charitable grants over the years and the funds and support they have today have an estimated market value of more than $30 million. To make reservations for the dinner call the Foundation at 921-2215. Reservations should be made before Friday, September 4th.

FDL Symphonic Band Performing In Lomira Tonight

The Fond du Lac Symphonic Band will visit Lomira for its 30th annual summer performance tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the park shelter at Sterr Park.  The concert will feature American pop music, patriotic selections, polkas and waltzes and more. The Village of Lomira provided funding for the concert. The Friends of the Lomira Public Library will provide a food concession.