Local News Briefs Tuesday 6/9/15

The Fond du Lac School Board approved a 1 percent increase in pay for 27 administrators last night. The increase totals $25,360.82. The increase would be for the 2014-15 school year that ends at the end of this month. The board also approved an increase for breakfast and lunch prices. The increase will be 5 cents for breakfast rates and 10 cents for school lunch. School Board members Kathy Nagle said it’s not something the board likes to do, but the increase is tied to federal funding and was required. The board also approved an increase in facility rental rates.

Two Arrested During Noise Complaint In FDL

While investigating a noise complaint at the Willow Village Apartments in the 400 block of West Scott Street early Monday morning Fond du Lac Police officers found a man bleeding from the head. Assistant Police Chief Steve Klein says officers heard a disturbance in the parking lot and came across two men, one had a baseball bat. The tail light of a vehicle had been smashed out and one of the men was bleeding from the head. They said they had been playing baseball and the man who was bleeding said he got hit with the ball. It was 2:14 in the morning. Police arrested a 27-year-old old Fond du Lac man for disorderly conduct and a 24-year-old man for disorderly conduct and obstruction.

Portion Of FDL County Road T Closed

The portion of Fond du Lac County Road “T” starting at County Road “W” in Dotyville and heading east to County Road “G” will be closed starting today.  The closure is expected to last approximately two weeks for culvert replacement work.  The road will reopen upon completion of the culvert work a second closure will follow later this summer for the replacement of the pavement.  The detour route of County Road “W” to State Road “23” to County Road “G” will be marked for both closures.

Cascade Woman Sentenced In Dogs Death

The 40-year-old Cascade woman who allowed a dog to die after abandoning it at her former home has been sentenced to probation. A Sheboygan County Judge recently sentenced Kimberly Fidlin to six years of probation. She will also have to perform 75 hours of community service. Fidlin was found guilty last month of intentionally abandoning an animal, and of failing to provide food and adequate shelter. Her home was foreclosed on and someone from the mortgage company found the dead 8-year-old dog in it. Fidlin told investigators she could not afford veterinary care for the dog.

Waupun Superintendent On State Budget Challenges

The superintendent of the Waupun School District says this year’s state budget is having a big impact on public school districts across the state. Tonya Gubin says even with state funding staying the same in the first year of the budget expenses are going up for districts and they will have to dip into their fund balance to balance their budget. She says a lot of school districts will have to do the same. She says she won’t be cutting staffing, because they have no place to cut. She says they’ve been doing that since Act 10. Gubin says unfortunately other proposals in the state budget are also making it difficult for public schools to operate. She says that includes new proposals on teach licensing and school vouchers. She says things are getting a little out of hand in Madison as far as operating a school district.

Blue Green Algae Could Be A Problem Again This Summer

It’s a little early in the season, but blue-green algae blooms could crop on Lake Winnebago in the next few weeks with hot and drier weather. It’s something the Fond du Lac County Health Department warned residents about during our last 4th of July.  Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says it looks like mats or paint on the surface or water. She says when the blooms start to die there’s usually a foul smell that goes with it. She recommends thoroughly rinsing yourself and your pet off when you swim in a lake or water body. She says blue-green algae can cause skin irritation and other more serious problems if you ingest it. Such as vomiting, diarrhea, itchy eyes and skin and it can be toxic to pets. If you do accidentally ingest it and begin experiencing problems call your health care provider or the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. If your dog or pet ingests it check with your veterinarian.

Graduated Drivers License A Good Thing

A school resource deputy with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department says the graduated licensing requirement for new drivers is a good thing. Deputy Dean Schelinske says the instructions for those drivers are listed on the back of their licenses and instructional permits which give details on the hours they are permitted to drive, how many people they can have in the vehicle and more. He says driving isn’t about entertaining friends, which is something teens have to learn. He says the whole object of the graduated licensing program is to keep the focus on driving and being safe. Schelinske also reminds young drivers that drunken driving laws apply to all drivers. He says other drivers will tend to see younger drivers more out and about during the summer months.

Mercury Marine Will Provide Boat Demo Rides At Walleye Weekend

Mercury Marine and local boat dealers will provide boat demonstration rides at this weekend’s Walleye Weekend Festival in Fond du Lac. The demo rides will depart from the dock area on the channel surrounding Oven Island in Lakeside Park between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. The rides provide an opportunity to experience the newest Mercury Marine engines and several new boats. Participating boat dealers include MW Marine of Hales Corners, Boat Doc of Lomira, Mr. Marine of Fond du Lac, Wendt’s Marine of Van Dyne and Sport O Motive of Appleton. The boats available for rides include Ranger, Triton, Skeeter, Warrior and Nitro brands, all powered by Mercury engines. All participants must be at least 16 years old. Experienced drivers will conduct the demo rides, and Mercury ambassadors will be on hand to assist and answer questions. All participants must sign safety waivers. Life jackets will be provided and must be worn at all times while onboard the boats.

Cow Parade Comes To Breakfast On The Farm

The Cow Parade is coming to Fond du Lac County’s Breakfast on the Farm.  The Fond du Lac Area Agri-Business Council Breakfast on the Farm Committee and Agricultural Ambassador program teamed up to institute Fond du Lac’s own version of the “cow parade”. Twenty-five “cows” were distributed to teachers, grades 4K – fifth grade throughout the greater Fond du Lac area. Schools decorated the cows in various themes to display at Breakfast on the Farm. Visitors to the Breakfast will be able to vote for their favorite cows and winning schools will receive prizes. The Breakfast will be held at the Michels Farm on Butternut Road in Lomira on Sunday, June 28th from 8 a.m. to noon. The cow parade is sponsored by Drexel Building Supply, Hillside Dairy and Ruedinger Farms, LLC.