Local News Briefs Tuesday 11/5/13

The two Fond du Lac police officers injured when their squad cars collided last Friday night responding to a call for emergency assistance from other officers who were handling a fight will be off duty for a while. Officers Melissa Sprangers and Kristen Kachelmeier were treated at St. Agnes Hospital and released. Assistant Police Chief Steve Klein says the call in the area of 9th and Main involved two women who were fighting. He says the police response was the result of a 911 hang up call in which the dispatcher could hear yelling and screaming in the background. When officers arrived there were five others watching the fight. He says when the officers tried to take one of the women into custody the others began advancing towards them and they called for emergency assistance. A 19-year-old woman was arrested for obstructing and resisting, and disorderly conduct. Klein says the two injured officers will be out for a period of time with their injuries. The State Patrol is investigating the accident.

Open Beer During NFDL Trick Or Treating

North Fond du Lac Police Chief Darren Pautsch told the Village Board last night that they had some issues with adults during trick or treating hours on October 27th. Chief Pautsch says some of the adults escorting children on their trick or treating rounds were carrying open beers with them. One person was cited for having open intoxicants. Pautsch also told the board that they got unverified reports that some people were handing out beers to adults when they came to their doors. He says they will try and get the word out prior to next Halloween that it’s not legal to do that. He says other than that there were no issues with trick or treating in the village.

Mercury Loan Being Reconsidered

Fond du Lac County supervisors tonight will be asked to approve a $10 million loan to Mercury Marine. Supervisors will be asked to amend the 2009 agreement the company has with the County, City, and Fond du Lac Economic Development Corporation. That agreement called for a $50 million loan from the County with the FCEDC administering the County’s loan. County Executive Al Buechel says it won’t extend the sunset date for the County sales tax created for the original loan. He says the loan and sales tax will both be done in December of 2021. He says Mercury met a goal of 2,900 jobs with its expansions and the new loan will include credits of a $1,000 per job for up to 300 new jobs that could be created. He says Mercury now employs 3,033 workers. He says the new loan buy equipment for addition that was put up east of Pioneer Road. Nineteen of 25 supervisors will have to vote in favor of the loan to approve it.

Survey Will Impact Oakfield School District Referendum

Oakfield School District voters are weighing in on what type of referendum if any the school district will be putting before voters next February or April. District Superintendent Sue Green says they recently mailed out a survey with four options on it. She says they will likely make decisions this month on what they will do about a referendum. Green points out a four-year referendum for operational costs ends at the completion of the current school year.  Each option in the survey would have a different impact on the school district operations and maintenance of facilities ranging from not doing a referendum to allowing the district to borrow up to $1.1 million a year for three years. That option would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $213 in additional school property taxes a year. Other options would also be for three years at $1 million a year and $900,000 a year respectively. That would amount to $165 and $116 a year on a $100,000 home.  

Chicago Man Pursued Across Sheboygan County

(WHBL-Sheboygan)-A Chicago man will face numerous charges after leading law enforcement on a vehicle chase across Sheboygan and Sheboygan County Monday afternoon. Sgt. Matt Spence, of the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department, said a deputy tried to stop a vehicle around 2:25 p.m. driven by the 29-year-old on South Business Drive near Weeden Creed Road on Sheboygan’s south side.  The man, wanted for bail jumping and other offenses, had fled the Sheboygan County Courthouse on foot and tried to avoid law enforcement with a motor vehicle in the city. The traffic stop failed, and the male led authorities on a pursuit southbound on I-43.  It ended when the vehicle lost control and crashed just after it crossed the Sheboygan/Ozaukee county line. The man was treated on the scene for minor injuries and then taken into custody.

Marsh Fire Spread Due To Dry And Windy Conditions

An official with the Town of Calumet Fire Department says a recent marsh fire demonstrates how dry and windy conditions can affect a fire in the fall. About 80 acres of cattail marsh burned on Saturday, October 26th in the township. Calumet firefighter Jason Freund says the cattails got up under an ATV starting the fire. He says more than a dozen fire departments from multiple counties fought the blaze, which spared buildings and property. He says they also appreciate the businesses that provided food, refreshments and other assistance during the fire.

Scott Street Bridge Reopens This Afternoon

The Scott Street Bridge over the Fond du Lac River, which has been closed for bridge deck and sidewalk repairs the past three weeks, will be reopened this afternoon. City of Fond du Lac officials say it will reopen to traffic after 3 p.m. this afternoon.

New DA Appointed In Manitowoc County

Governor Scott Walker Monday appointed career prosecutor Jacalyn LaBre to serve as Manitowoc County District Attorney following Mark Rohrer’s election to the Circuit Court. Governor Walker says, “Jacalyn LaBre is an experienced leader with a strong commitment to justice.” LaBre has served as an assistant district attorney in Racine County since her graduation from law school. Her work as a prosecutor has earned her awards from the Racine Police Department (2008) and the Racine County Metro Drug Unit (2003). She is a current board member for the Wisconsin District Attorney’s Association and Wisconsin Narcotics Officers Association. LaBre is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (1995) and Marquette University Law School (1998). She serves as a foster parent for Racine County.

Centro Moving To Beaver Dam

(WBEV-Beaver Dam)-A new company is assuming ownership of the former Green Giant property in Beaver Dam this month. Centro Incorporated manufactures custom-molded plastics products for the agricultural, lawn and garden, construction and recreational vehicles. Officials with the North Liberty, Iowa-based company say it is a multi-million dollar investment. Centro has a manufacturing facility in Horicon but it is landlocked so the company decided to expand into Beaver Dam. Centro President and CEO Brian Olesen says operations are expected to begin in early 2014 with improvements and added manufacturing capacity in place by midyear. The expansion is expected to create up to 71 new jobs over the next few years as a mix of new and experienced workers report to the Beaver Dam facility. The company is eligible for $235,000 in tax credits through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Centro will be moving into nine acres off of Green Valley Road and North Spring Street. The Horicon facility will remain in operation.

Springs Sneak Peak On November 15^th

Area 7th and 8th graders can get a sneak peak at the type of education they will receive from St. Mary’s Springs Academy’s High School on Friday, November 15th. Emily Salm is the Director of Enrollment and Retention at Springs. She says the event that runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day is open to anyone from the area. She says they will have different activities for 7th and 8th graders. Seventh graders will visit different classrooms and 8th graders will take the ACT Explorer test. Salm says it’s a good way to get a feel for what the campus has to offer.

Wendt Elected President Of the Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association

A former official with the Fond du Lac Fire Department has a new post at the state level. Tom Wendt who retired last March as the Division Chief of Fire Prevention for the City’s Fire Department was recently elected President of the Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association during a conference in Green Bay last week. Wendt was with the Fond du Lac Fire Department for 35 years. Facebook photo.