Local News Briefs Wednesday 12/10/14

The 20-year-old Waupun man charged for injuring a passenger while driving drunk last April has pled to a lesser charge. Donovan Bostwick was facing two OWI Injury charges in Dodge County Court, but pled to on OWI 1st charge on Monday. A passenger suffered a concussion in the accident. Bostwick’s preliminary breath test was more than twice the legal limit for intoxication (.171). He will have to pay nearly $10,000 in restitution and fines and court costs.

Sheboygan Shooting Suspect Arrested

Sheboygan Police say a 22-year-old man suspected in a double shooting last month has been taken into custody. The man was picked up by Milwaukee Police Tuesday afternoon and was taken to the Sheboygan County Jail. A 25-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were shot during the November 29th incident. Both were taken to hospitals. An investigation into the shooting is continuing and charges are pending against the suspect.

Oshkosh PD Participating In Booze And Belts Campaign

The Oshkosh Police Department will be one of the many law enforcement agencies that will be participating in the “Booze and Belts” traffic safety campaign when it kicks off this weekend. Police will be out in force to crack down on drunken drivers and unbelted motorists. So far this year nearly 470 motorists have lost their lives on Wisconsin highways. Many of the crashes could have been avoided had someone not gotten behind the wheel impaired or was not wearing their seatbelt. The mobilization runs from Friday through Saturday, December 20th.

Cat Burglar Takes Two Kittens

There’s a cat burglar on the loose in Washington County who literally lived up to the title cat burglar by taking two kittens from the County’s Humane Society. Humane Society officials say two kittens known as “Big Mac” and “Chicken Nugget” were taken sometime last Thursday afternoon while the shelter was preparing for a holiday event. “Big Mac” is a male cat and “Chicken Nugget” a female. They have been spayed and neutered. The three month old kittens are siblings. Humane Society placed a pet carrier outside the shelter in the town of Polk hoping they would be returned anonymously.

FDL City Council Preview

The Fond du Lac City Council tonight will be asked to approve an ordinance to help out the repurposing of the former Nielsen Building in downtown Fond du Lac. To help with Redevelopment Revenue Bonds for Marian University’s project the property needs a blight designation. It’s considered blighted because it has been under-utilized for years. The proposed bonds would be for $4.2 million. Marian plans to use the property for its nursing school and lease space to Agnesian HealthCare’s IT program, and Nielsen. Also tonight the Council will present several proclamation’s including to the St. Mary’s Springs Academy for their recent State Football Championship and to City Inspector Guy Fox who retires from the City at the end of the year after 26 years with the City. The meeting is at 6 p.m. at the City-County Government Center.

Four New Electives Approved For FDL High School

Fond du Lac Schools Superintendent Jim Sebert says district officials are excited about four new electives that will be offered as half-credit courses at the high school in the 2015-16 school year. The Social Studies Department will offer Character Development and Leadership Course 2. The Business, Marketing and Information Technology Department will offer three new courses including a Sports and Entertainment Marketing course that Sebert says will harness promotion of their own sports and entertainment events. There’s also Advanced Personal Finance and Focus on Careers courses. Sebert says career planning is important. The school board approved the new courses during their meeting Monday night.

Mercury Marine Propeller Milestone Reached

Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac this week celebrated the casting of its 2.5 millionth stainless steel propeller. Simultaneously, Mercury is celebrating its famed investment cast facility’s 40th year of producing the finest boat propellers in the world. The plant opened in 1974. The most recent propeller innovation produced by Mercury is the extremely successful and popular Enertia ECO prop, which delivers 10 percent improved fuel economy at cruising speed, while still maintaining exceptional performance and durability. “This is a remarkable and important milestone in Mercury’s history,” said John Pfeifer, president of Mercury Marine. “We lead the propeller industry because we have the best people, the best designs and the best materials. We’re very proud of the products that come from Mercury’s investment cast facility.” Mercury’s props are designed by a team of engineers with more than 160 years of combined propeller design experience. Mercury’s stainless steel propellers are designed for outboard engines ranging from 9.9 to 300 horsepower, and all sterndrive engines.

Tobacco Control Official Finds Lower Smoking Rates Encouraging

The Tobacco Control Coordinator for Five Counties for Tobacco Free Living says a survey which shows the adult smoking rate is at an all-time low is encouraging. Sandy Bernier says it’s good to hear that 18 percent of adults are smoking down from 2 percent in 2012. She says the rate remained stagnant for about five years. She says the state’s smoke free law and increased cigarette taxes were effect in reducing that rate. She says smoking rates remain high from some groups 33 percent of low-income residents or those who have less than a high school degree smoke. She also is pleased that sales of tobacco to youth declined to 6.4 percent in 2014 compared to 7.3 percent in 2013. She says that’s good news because their goal is to prevent kids from ever experimenting with tobacco.

Senator Johnson Facebook Discussion On Immigration And Border Security

Senator Ron Johnson will host a one-hour Facebook Q&A this afternoon beginning at 2 p.m. It’s the senator’s first Facebook Q&A. He remarked, “Social media allows me to stay connected with Wisconsinites while I’m in Washington – to keep them updated on what I am working on and to keep me informed on what issues are concerning folks in Wisconsin.”  He will be discussing Immigration and border security. Those with Facebook accounts are invited to log in and like his Facebook page if they would like to participate in the discussion. 

Shopping Tips Offered

A Fond du Lac Police officer offers some tips for online shopping this Christmas season. Officer Steve Olson says online shopping can be safe if you follow a few guidelines. He says if you’re using a credit card either shopping in stores or online use it as a credit card not a debit card. He says that way if someone is able to get the numbers for your card and uses it you will only be liable for $50. He says when it comes to online shopping never online shop through public Wifi where there’s a chance someone could land on your account. He also says to work with a secure sight, which usually has a closed lock symbol or has an s after the http in the internet address line.He also recommends a good anti-virus program and fire wall for your computer. Olson says you should also check your credit card statement when you receive it to make sure there aren’t purchases on it that you didn’t make.

Registration Being Accepted For Childrens Museum Noon Years Eve

If your kids missed out on the Christmas Around the World celebration at the Children’s Museum in Fond du Lac last weekend there’s another holiday event coming up there at the end of the month. Museum Executive Director Andrea Welsch says kids sure had a good time visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Right now they are taking registration for their popular “Noon Year’s Eve” event on December 31st. Katie Zurawski the Museum’s Communications and Event Specialist says lunch for that event will be divided between two different times. She says you can register for a 11:30 a.m. lunch or 12:30 p.m. lunch. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day. The cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. To register call 929-0707.