Local News Briefs Tuesday 1/19/16

FDL High School Evacuated For Fire Alarm

Students at the Fond du Lac High School had to stand out in the cold during below zero wind chills after someone pulled a fire alarm at the school early Monday afternoon. Messages were sent to parents and guardians explaining what happened. Principal Michelle Hagen recorded one message that was sent out to smart phones. Someone pulled a fire alarm in the Math pod shortly after noon. District Health and Safety Coordinator Marian Sheridan says because there was no immediate threat of fire in the building students were brought back inside within several minutes. They were offered the opportunity to see a school nurse if there were concerns of exposure. Sheridan says about eight students went to see the nurse, but all returned to their classrooms. High school administration worked with Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue who indicated the evacuation of the building was required and appropriate.

Oshkosh Woman Found Frozen To Death In Milwaukee

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office says a 21-year-old woman who froze to death after leaving a house party in Milwaukee this past weekend was from Oshkosh. She has been identified as Elizabeth Luebke. A passerby discovered her about 9 a.m. Sunday morning on some steps outside a house and called 911. The Medical Examiner’s report says she wasn’t dressed properly for wind chills that got down to 30 below zero. She had gone to Milwaukee to attend a concert and went to the house party afterwards.

FDL Man Charged For Fight With Girlfriend

A 22-year-old Fond du Lac man was recently charged for a domestic disturbance. Police says they got a 911 call shortly after 1 a.m. last Friday morning. An argument between 22-year-old Eddrick Washington and his 30-year-old live-in girlfriend got physical. She was allegedly struck in the face and when she grabbed a phone to call police he allegedly ripped the phone out of the wall and grabbed a knife and held it to her neck. He’s been charged with 2nd degree recklessly endangering safety, intimidating a victim, battery and disorderly conduct. Bond was set at $500 cash. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 18th.

New Well In FDL Will Come On Line This Summer

The City of Fond du Lac will bring a new well on line late this summer. Public Works Director Jordan Skiff says they’ve been drilling Well #27 on the east side of Lakeside Park and will be testing it. He says a well house will be put up around it this summer. He says they will also run it through the rest of their water infrastructure for treatment. He says the well house should be aesthetically pleasing and will feature restrooms. He says the restrooms will be open year round and should fill a need for more restrooms in that part of the park. Skiff says they currently have 17 wells. He says the new well and wells built off Arndt Street about a year and a half ago are meant to replace wells that have declined in water production.

Sturgeon Spectacular

The president of the Fond du Lac Area Convention and Visitors Bureau hopes the Sturgeon Spectacular will become more than just a winter event. Craig Molitor says it will surround the opening of the sturgeon spearing season, but events will be held both off and on the ice. He says a hockey game, ice kitting and other events will be held on the ice. He says downtown Fond du Lac will also host a variety of activities. He says there will be a chili crawl, bars will be hopping with activities, and THELMA will be hosting a concert. Molitor says winter festivals can be great, but they are hoping the Sturgeon Spectacular will become an annual event that will make the Fond du Lac area a destination and more than a regional draw. The Sturgeon Spectacular will be held February 12th through the 14th.

Ignite Business Success

A collaborative program in Fond du Lac County is helping aspiring entrepreneurs. Jim Cleveland is the vice-president of business and community competitiveness for the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation. He says Ignite Business Success works because it is a collaborative effort that involves 17 organizations including FCEDC. He says it was developed a little over a year ago and gives entrepreneurs the resources they need to develop their ideas. He says the Ignite Fond du Lac County website is a good place to start if you would like to find out more about the program.

Home Sales Increased In FDL County In 2015

Sales of existing homes in Fond du Lac County increased by 11.2 percent in 2015 compared to 2014. According to the Wisconsin Realtors Association the median price of a home was down last year by two-tenths of a percent. As for the month of December home prices were up by a tenth of a percent, but home sales increased by 32.1 percent compared to December of 2014. WRA officials say homes sales across the state were up by 11.4 percent in 2015 compared to 2014 and the median price of a home increased by 5.1 percent. For more click here

Applicants Being Sought For Elections And Ethics Commissions

Applicants are being sought for appointment to the newly created Ethics Commission and Elections Commission. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Assembly Speaker Robin Voss are requesting applications from former county clerks and former judges who would like to be included in the recommended pool of candidates for the governor to consider for his appointment to each of the commissions. Commission members are asked to serve five-year terms. Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and at least three references.  Applications for the Elections Commission should be submitted to:

ElectionsCommission@legis.wi.gov  

Applications for the Ethics Commission should be submitted to:

EthicsCommission@legis.wi.gov  

All applications must be received by the close of business this Friday.

Appointees may begin duties on February 1.

Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the offices of the Assembly Speaker and Senate Majority Leader.

Openings On Moraine Park District Board

Moraine Park Technical College is accepting applications for three spots on the Moraine Park District Board. Those openings are for: an employer member, employee member and additional member. Each opening is for a three-year term of office that expires June 30th of 2019. Applications will be accepted through February 5th. Application materials may be obtained from the County Board Chairperson or Clerk of any of the following counties:  Calumet, Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Sheboygan, Washington, Waushara, and Winnebago, or by contacting Jodie Schneider, Moraine Park Technical College, 235 North National Avenue, P. O. Box 1940, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 54936-1940, telephone 920-929-2127, email jschneider@morainepark.edu.   

All completed applications should be addressed to Mr. Mike Staral, Secretary, Moraine Park Technical College District Board, 235 North National Avenue, P. O. Box 1940, Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1940.