Local News Briefs Wednesday 6/10/15

A 40-year-old Fond du Lac woman and her teenage son were found safe Monday, after they went missing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee.  Authorities say Christy Barns and her 16-year-old son Casey texted family members Sunday night to say they were lost.  Rangers found their vehicle in the Clingman Dome’s area of the Smoky Mountains’ park Monday morning and started a ground search. They were found about 2 p.m. that afternoon along the Forney Creek Trail.

Big Pot Bust In Winnebago County

Winnebago County Sheriff’s officials this afternoon will hold a press conference to release more details about a large marijuana bust. A recent investigation resulted in the seizure of 475 plants and 43 pounds of marijuana from a residence in the County. One person is facing charges of maintaining a drug trafficking place and trafficking more than 10,000 grams of marijuana.

Oshkosh Death Investigation

Oshkosh Police are investigating the death of a 33-year-old man who was a patient at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute. Police were sent to a medical call at Sherman Hall South at about 8:35 last Friday night.  When they arrived, medical staff was working on reviving the man.  He was transported to Aurora Hospital.  About 5 a.m. Saturday he died.  An autopsy was completed, but information has not been released about the findings of the examiner.

FDL Man Sentenced To Jail For Sexual Assault

A 21-year-old Fond du Lac man who sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl in a bathroom at the public library has been sentenced to 9 months in jail. Fond du Lac County Judge Dale English this week sentenced Edmund Banach on a charge of having sex with a child 16 or older after Banach pled no contest to the charge. An obstruction charge was read into the record and dismissed.  Assistant Police Chief Steve Klein says the victim and the suspect were familiar with each other. The incident happened on March 29th.  

FDL City Council Preview

Pedal pubs wouldn’t be allowed in the City of Fond du Lac under a proposed ordinance. City Attorney Deb Hoffmann will talk to the City Council tonight about a new state law that allows the use of pedal pubs or quadricycles, a multi-person bicycle that holds up to 12 riders with a driver who steers. Under the new state law passengers would be able to consume up to 36 fluid ounces of alcohol during a drive. A local business owner would like to bring one to the City, but City staff is recommending against it. The Council will also consider a resolution which would allow the City to participate in a legal challenge to Saputo Cheese’s opposition to the State Boards of Assessors equalized value of its personal property used for manufacturing in the City. If successful with its petitions before the state’s Tax Appeals Commission, Saputo would see more than a $1.1 million drop in that value, which would affect the City. The Council meets at 6 p.m. at the City-County Government Center.

Teachers Migrating To Other Districts

Fond du Lac Schools Superintendent Jim Sebert says there’s no cause for concern on the number of teachers that have left the high school or the district over the past few years. He says the atmosphere has changed since Act 10 and prior to that there wasn’t a lot of moving around. He says districts are able to offer more money based on teaching credentials and rather than travel people are working closer to home. Sebert says in the past they’ve had a lot of teachers who did commute to Fond du Lac. He believes the district is still a good place to work. Theisen Middle School teacher Ted Eischeid talked to the school board Monday night about retiring after 25 years of teaching in the district. He said in first 21 years with the district there was a very cooperative relationship between teachers and the district, but that changed with Act 10.

UW FDL Express Admission Day

The UW-Fond du Lac will hold its Express Admission Day today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dean John Short says no appointment is necessary. He says a recent USA Today article spotlighted how employers are once again paying for better educated workers. He says there Express Admission Day is a good opportunity for people who are considering furthering education or a change in their life or field. He says counselors will be available to help you out. They will help with the online applications, answer questions about tuition, fees, requirements, financial aid and even give you a tour of campus. The only thing you will need is $44 for the application fee and your social security number.

Wisconsin State Button Society Show In FDL This Weekend

The Wisconsin State Button Society’s Show will be at the Retlaw Plaza Hotel in Fond du this weekend.   Dusty Krikau, the Director of Communications and Special Events for the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership, says they will be here from Thursday through Saturday, 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday night there will be a special presentation and reception. Judy Jungen will present “Button Glow-Vaseline Glass.” There is a $15 cost. The reception is from 6 to 8 p.m. and Jungen’s presentation will be followed by a silent auction. You can find out more about making reservations for that at the DFP website. On Saturday morning from 10:30-11:30am, a discussion of the educational exhibits will take place in the Showroom. There will be many buttons for sale by dealers. In addition there will be a judged button competition.

Disabled Veteran Fishing Event At Lakeside Park

Area disabled veterans are being offered a chance to go fishing on Lake Winnebago and enjoy breakfast and lunch at no cost through a program being offered by the Fond du Lac Chapter of Fishing Has No Boundaries and the Mercury Marine Military Veterans Network. Joe Jakubicz of Mercury Marine came up with the idea for the fishing event on Saturday, June 27th, which begins at Lakeside Park’s Oven Island. The trip includes more than fishing with breakfast, lunch, bait, a boat captain or guide, use of a boat, giveaways and door prizes.Veterans will be responsible for getting their own fishing license. He says it doesn’t matter how good you are at fishing, they can accommodate you. The day runs from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can sign up at Summit Automotive, Merlin Auto, Tuffy’s Outpost or Steve’s Military Surplus in Fond du Lac. Sign up will be accepted through next Tuesday.

Local Student Gets Badgerland Financial Scholarship

Badgerland Financial recently awarded 22, $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who will be pursuing their interest and studies at a short course, technical/trade school or university this fall. Among the local students receiving a Badgerland Financial Scholarship is Matthew Kramer a recent Campbellsport High School graduate. He is the son of Leo and Kris Kramer of St. Cloud. Matthew plans to study Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls or Madison.

 “These scholarship recipients exemplify the heart and work ethic of rural Wisconsinites we are proud to work with every day,” said Diane Cole, CEO of Badgerland Financial.