Local News Monday 11/2/15

FDL County Budget

Fond du Lac County will continue to make improvements at Harbor Haven Health and Rehabilitation in 2016. For the second phase of improvements $1.5 million will be included in the budget and in 2017 an additional $750,000. County Executive Al Buechel says when its finished they will have 33 private rooms, which will bring in more Medicare patients and cut costs on the state’s bed taxes. The total number of beds will be reduced from 117 to 85. Also included in the budget is $25,000 to do a Lake DeNevue drainage plan, which Buechel says is needed so they can do something about flooding that impacts some residents. The Fond du Lac County Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2016 Budget tomorrow night at 7:30 at the City-County Government Center.

Waupun Police Short Staffed

Waupun Police Chief Dale Heeringa says it’s becoming more difficult to fill vacancies on his department when they occur. He says it’s not a problem that is unique to his department, but something police departments across the country are having. He says vacancies create overtime issues, which does affect the City’s budget. He says their budget is huge for patrol overtime this year because they are short-staffed. He says they used to see twice as many people apply for their vacancies, but no more. He says they are still an attractive place for people who want a career in law enforcement, but the last vacancy they got 35 to 42 applicants when they used to get as many as 80. He says they do keep eligibility lists, but the good candidates are often snatched up by other police departments.

United Way Funding Important For BBBS Program

Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director Tammy Young says Fond du Lac Area United Way funding provides a big chunk of their budget for the year. It helps fund efforts like their one-to-one mentoring program. She says it matches up adults with kids for several hours a month. She says that relationship is important for children who get to see another side of life and maybe one that’s better than the one they are used to. She says really its about being a big friend to a kid. She says the United Way funding they receive is important. She says it provides 17 percent of their budget and without they couldn’t help kids. If you would like to know more about the Big Brothers Big Sisters program give them a call at 922-8200 or stop by 448 South Military in Fond du Lac.

Fire Training In Waupun Tonight

The former Waupun Area Clinic adjacent to Waupun Memorial Hospital will be used for fire training tonight for the Waupun Fire Department. The building a 14 Beaver Street will be filled with non-toxic smoke to create conditions firefighters would expect to encounter during a real structure fire. Training is slated from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fire Captain Mike Beer says, “We are grateful to the team at Waupun Memorial Hospital for their willingness to work with us on this.”

Future 5 Winners Announced

The Young Professionals of Fond du Lac recently announced the recipients of the 2015 Future 5 award.  Five individuals have been recognized for their outstanding growth, service and leadership in their professional careers and in the Fond du Lac community.  The 2014 Future 5 recipients are: Jenna Floberg of Agnesian HealthCare’s St. Francis Home, Tony Goebel of Goebel Insurance and Financial, Ryan Haase of Society Insurance, Amy Jessen of Michels Corporation, and Jenny Knuth of wisent.com. The Future 5 award recipients will be recognized at the Young Professionals of Fond du Lac Annual Meeting on Thursday at Whispering Springs Golf Course in Fond du Lac.  Additionally, of the Future 5 award recipients, the 2015 Young Professional of the Year will also be revealed at the Annual Meeting.

Fundraiser For Reading Program At FDL Restaurant Tonight

The Wisconsin Bookworms program will benefit from a fundraiser at the Pizza Ranch in Fond du Lac tonight. Ten percent of all restaurant sales between 4:30 and 8 p.m. will go toward the program that helps 4 to 5 year olds in Head Start develop a love of reading. The restaurant is on West Johnson Street across from Menard’s.