Local News Friday 6/21/13

USS Cole Lawsuit Reinstated

 

A lawsuit filed by families of 17 sailors killed in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole has been reinstated by a federal appeals court. One of the sailors killed was Marc Nieto of Fond du Lac. Thursday the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s dismissal of the lawsuit against Sudan. A U.S. District judge had ruled that the families could not seek damages for emotional distress because they had already won an earlier judgment for compensatory damages. In a unanimous decision the appeals court disagreed. They ruled a law passed in 2008 by Congress while the first lawsuit was still on appeal specifically allowed the families to file the second lawsuit.

 

Sheboygan Teen Found Guilty Of Murder

 

(WHBL-Sheboygan)-Fourteen-year-old Nathan Paape of Sheboygan has been found guilty of being party to the crime of first degree murder in the death of 78-year-old Barbara Olsen of Sheboygan Falls.  The jury of 9 men and 3 women deliberated for just under two hours before reaching that verdict. Paape and 14-year-old Antonio Barbeau bludgeoned Olsen – Barbeau’s great grandmother – to death with a hatchet and a hammer in her home in Sheboygan Falls last September.  During the 3-day trial, it was brought out that they needed money to run away. District Attorney Joe DeCecco said it was the right verdict for what he described as a horrendous crime that the two committed together. Paape is facing a life sentence but, since he is a juvenile, he must be eligible for parole at some time.  Barbeau has already pled no contest in a plea bargain which, if accepted, would keep him in prison for 35 years before being eligible for parole.  Paape will be sentenced on August 13th – one day after sentence is handed down for Barbeau.

 

Reeseville Man Arraigned On Child Porn Charges

 

The 32-year-old Reeseville man charged with ten counts of possession of child pornography entered “not guilty” pleas when he was arraigned in Dodge County Court this week. Adam Rogers allegedly downloaded images from a Canadian website used to evaluate whether those types of images are illegal. An analysis of his computer found the images. According to the criminal complaint he claimed he built the computer from old parts and the images must have been on the hard drive from the previous owner. Rogers is being held in the County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond. The charges carry a combined maximum sentence of 250 years in prison.

 

Sheboygan Robbery Suspect Makes Initial Court Appearance

 

Sheboygan County officials have charged a 20-year-old Milwaukee man for his role in the May 16th United One Credit Union robbery. Sean McCarthy made his initial court appearance Thursday morning.  He faces one count of robbery of a financial institution.  According to the criminal complaint, he was identified on a Facebook post holding a large sum of cash two days after the robbery.  Authorities arrested him at his residence June 18th. Investigators are close to identifying a second suspect.  That person is incarcerated for a different unrelated offense, but has not been charged for the robbery yet. 

 

Gudex Happy To Be Before FDL City Council Again

 

State Senator Rick Gudex says he was happy to be before the Fond du Lac City Council again. Last week he gave the Council an update on the state budget. He says he was particularly pleased to inform them that funding will be included for an interchange at County Highway V and an overpass at County Highway T along the Highway 151 bypass. He and State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt fought to have the funding included. He says the projects that start in 2015 will benefit areas of Fond du Lac and the townships hoping for growth and better access to the City. Gudex says he was also happy to talk to the Council about $1 billion in tax cuts in the state budget. Gudex served as president of the Fond du Lac City Council for several years before having to resign last December to take his seat in the State Senate.

 

FDL Fire Chief Talks About Relationship With The Media

 

Fond du Lac Fire Chief Peter O’Leary and a couple of Green Bay television reporters will team up today to give a presentation to the state Fire Chiefs Association entitled “You, Me and the Media.” He says the relationship between fire departments and the media doesn’t need to be adversarial.

He says in the case of KFIZ they do a lot of interviews about prevention efforts and they know who they are talking to when they get a call at a fire scene. He says they will have a practical exercise at the conference where they will project the image of residential fire on a screen and then have a fire chief volunteer to answer questions from reporters. He says a good relationship between fire department officials and reporters can be mutually beneficial.

 

Brat Fry Benefits Free S.P.I.R.I.T. Riders Today

 

The Executive Director of Free S.P.I.R.I.T. Riders says they have been receiving donations and support since a pit bull attacked six of their horses on June 10th. Mary Narges says some of that support is from other therapeutic riding centers. Free S.P.I.R.I.T Riders is a therapeutic horsemanship program for those with cognitive and physical disabilities. Four of the injured horses required stitches. She says their liability insurance doesn’t cover the horses’ injuries. She says it covers people injuries, but she feels horses are possessions and their possessions were harmed so they are looking into that. Those who would like to send donations can send them to Free S.P.I.R.I.T. Riders at P.O. Box 1291, Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1291. You can also help out by supporting a brat fry this afternoon the Bright Beginnings Academy will be holding for them. The Academy is at 363 South Main Street in Fond du Lac and the brat fry is from 3 to 6 p.m.

                

Windhover Center Membership Hits Record Number

 

The Windhover Center for the Arts in Fond du Lac, which has embarked on a major expansion and renovation project, has a goal of reaching 1,000 members. Windhover Executive Director Kevin Miller says they have almost reached 800 members this month. He says they’ve had as many as 500 members in the past. He says the increase is due to having staff dedicated to handling membership and an increase in communications with current and past members, and with people who attended events at Windhover in the past. He says Windhover also has never increased its membership dues. A couple or family can join Windhover for a very reasonable rate of $60 per year. However, that will change June 26 to reflect the added amenities occurring in the downtown arts center. One of those added amenities for the newly designed arts center will include outdoor concerts with the street as the venue. Major acts will perform. Members of the art center will learn first which performers are coming to Fond du Lac. Members will have the ability to purchase tickets before nonmembers and the tickets will be discounted. Members will also be able to visit the new two-level art gallery, the Contemporary Wing, at no cost. To become a member of the Windhover, go to www.windhovercenter.org.  and click membership or call (920) 921-5410.

 

Town Of Metoman Gets Recycling Bins Through Grant Program

 

Metomen, the smallest township in Fond du Lac County, has received a grant from Keep America Beautiful, a program of the Anheuser-Busch Foundation. The grant provides 25 recycling bins to be loaned out free of charge for gatherings such as ball games, family reunions, 4th of July picnics and other events.  Individuals as well as non-profit organizations are able to borrow the bins, which have a wire framework and fold for easy transport. The containers are covered and hold plastic bags. Borrowers place them near a trash barrel to collect aluminum cans, bottles, and plastics numbered 1 and 2. Then, as coordinator Marilyn Perr explains, “You can recycle everything at the Town of Metomen garage or through the curbside collection in your own area. Some organizations keep the aluminum separate and make a little cash for their group. We do need people to clean the lids and return the empty bins within 48 hours of their event.” Already the Fairwater Lions and Rosendale Lions have arranged to use them. To borrow Keep America Beautiful bins, call (920) 748-2928 or 346-7152. Someone will return your call within 24 hours.

 

Edge The Ledge Sunday

 

Agnesian HealthCare’s “Edge the Ledge” Adventure Race is this Sunday at Kiekhaefer Park in Taycheedah. It’s a three-mile adventure race featuring challenging, creative and fun obstacles. Obstacles include, but are not limited to: lateral tire hopping, water crossings, wall leap, hurdle maze, balancing planks and climbing the famous “Edge” overlooking Lake Winnebago. Participants finish by crawling through a mud pit. The course winds through Kiekhaefer Park. There are also children’s races. The cost to enter is $15 each and $10 each for more than two children. Participants will receive a T-shirt, sport bag and medal. To register, visit agnesian.com or call Midwest Sports Event at 1-800-429-8044.