Local News Briefs Tuesday 12/17/13

The 33-year-old Fond du Lac man who was injured when his snowmobile ran into an ice shove on Lake Winnebago Sunday afternoon was an off-duty Fond du Lac Police Officer. Brian Bednarek called 911 and told Calumet County Sheriff’s officials he believed he may have broken ribs. He had been snowmobiling with his brother, but his brother who was snowmobiling ahead of him didn’t realize he had run into trouble. A DNR plane was used to locate Bednarek because of “white out” and open water conditions on the lake and he was brought back to shore using the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Amphibious Rescue airboat. Bednarek is in good condition at St. Agnes Hospital.

Beaver Dam Lake Rescue

Dodge County Sheriff Pat Ninmann is commending those who rescued a 32-year-old Beaver Dam man from Beaver Dam Lake early Saturday morning after his ATV hit open water and sunk. Raymond Cody was standing on top of the ATV trying to keep his head above water when a Fox Lake police officer arrived and used a thermal imaging camera to locate him 300 yards off a landing.  A roped flotation device was used to pull Cody out of the water. A nearby neighbor also assisted with the rescue. He was taken to Beaver Dam Community Hospital for treatment. Cody was also arrested for operating an ATV while intoxicated.  In addition to the Sheriff’s Office and Fox Lake Police, Beaver Dam Fire Department personnel and the Department of Natural Resources officials responded to the scene.

Snowmobile Administrator Says Ice Conditions Are Never Reliable

The Snowmobile and ATV Administrator for the Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Law Enforcement says state residents should never take ice conditions on lakes and rivers for granted during the snowmobile season. Gary Eddy says a fatal accident on the Crawfish River in Dodge County over the weekend was the result of a snowmobiler hitting open water something the group had encountered passing through the area earlier. He says while overnight temperatures have been perfect for making ice lately there’s still a lot of open water and ice that’s not firm. A 33-year-old man’s ATV went through the ice on Beaver Dam Lake last Saturday and he had to be rescued. Also this past weekend a 33-year-old Fond du Lac man was hurt when he hit an ice shove on Lake Winnebago with his snowmobile and was hurt. Eddy says ice heaves are something the Lake is known for. He says you can check with bait shops, fishing clubs, the Sheriff’s and DNR offices to find out where those bad areas are.

Cooperation Results In Peaceful Outcome During Standoff Incident

A Fond du Lac police officer involved in last week’s standoff incident at the Elms Trailer Court says it took a good deal of cooperation between different departments for a peaceful outcome. Officer Steve Olson is a member of the department’s SWAT team. He says it was the first time they used the department’s new armored vehicle and there were three at the scene including the Fond du Lac County and Winnebago County Sheriff’s Departments. He says without all three they would have really had issues. He says to be honest they were fortunate they had a good outcome given all the things that could have happened. He says their negotiating team should be commended for the work they did. Forty-year-old Shannon Rogler of Fond du Lac will make his initial court appearance this morning on charges stemming from the incident.

Ripon Watson Street Recovery Effort

Things are beginning to get somewhat back to normal for Ripon following the tragic fire on Watson Street last week that displaced families and businesses. The Watson Street Fire Recovery Committee issued an update reporting that response to the victims’ needs has been amazing. Families displaced by the fire have secured housing, but Jason Mansmith of the Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce says they will continue to have needs well into the New Year. He says right now they need cash donations. An account was established at Horicon Bank. Mansmith says most of the businesses affected by the fire have reopened with the exception of the Sub Shop and Memory Photography.He says they are still overwhelmed by the generous outpouring of donations for the needy in the wake of the fire. For more about the recovery efforts click here.

Mega Millions Fever

With more than a half a billion dollars on the line ticket sales are brisk for tonight’s Mega Million lottery drawing. Carissa of Korneli’s says sales for the Mega Million have been steady at their three locations in Fond du Lac and North Fond du Lac. She says they’ve been especially busy at their store at 506 South Main Street in Fond du Lac the former Ma & Pa’s location on the Miracle Mile, which saw a $208 million Powerball winner in 2006. Lottery officials now estimate that tonight’s drawing will be worth about $586 million.

Major Drug Dealer Charged In Sheboygan County

(WHBL-Sheboygan)-A Cedar Grove man who has allegedly been dealing in cocaine and prescription drugs for years is now facing numerous drug charges and a long time behind bars.  Forty-eight-year-old Lyle Lay was arrested recently and was formally charged on Friday with 19 drug-related counts.  According to the criminal complaint, drug officers have been watching Lay since May of 2011.  The 24-page criminal complaint lists numerous occasions during that time when undercover officers have allegedly purchased cocaine or Oxycontin pills from Lay.  In one instance an agent witnessed him snorting cocaine.  In another, one of his customers had to be treated by paramedics after overdosing on Oxycontin.  Authorities said Lay was going to Milwaukee twice a month to get cocaine.  One informant told investigators he had been buying cocaine from Lay for at least 10 years.  Bail was set at a half-million dollars on Friday and Lay remains in the county jail, awaiting a preliminary hearing which is set for Friday.

Grand Opening For Riverside Senior Apartments In FDL Today

The public is invited to the grand opening for the new Riverside Senior Apartments at 47 North Macy Street this morning at 11 a.m. The new 46-unit affordable senior housing development sits on what used to be the Rent-It Shop property. In addition to the apartments it includes the Commonwealth Coffee Company & Deli located on the first level. Jason Leffel is the Senior Vice President of Operations for Commonwealth. He says the Coffee Company will be carrying Boar’s Head gourmet meats. He says as with other Commonwealth projects they are all about revitalizing the downtown. He says they are looking for people interested in being tenants of the new Riverside Senior Apartments and they will be open for tours during the grand opening.

FDL County Board Preview

The Fond du Lac County Board holds its final meeting of 2013 Tuesday night. The Board will be asked to approve health contracts with the state Department of Heath for a little over $448,000 and a more than $116,000 grant for the tobacco control and prevention program the County coordinates. Also during the meeting supervisors will consider approving a contract with the union for social service employees and set fees for county parks and campsites. The board meets at 7 p.m. at the City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac.

Nominations Being Accepted For FDL HS Distinguished Alumni Award

Nominees are being taken for the Fond du Lac High School’s Distinguished Alumni Award. High School Principal Jon Wiltzius says they are looking for nominees who attended either Fond du Lac High School or Goodrich High School. He says they recently finished their Distinguished Alumni Wall, which is in their commons area. He says nomination applications have to be returned by the end of next month. This past year the Inaugural alumni award winners was inducted into their Wall of Fame. You can get a nomination application and learn more about the nomination process at the school district’s website under the Staff tab.