Local News Monday 5/20/13

Sunday Accident

 

Two Fond du Lac men were hurt in a two-vehicle accident in Fond du Lac early Sunday afternoon. According to the State Patrol a pickup truck driven by 23-year-old Jeffrey Keys of Fond du Lac was heading west on Highway 23 and was slowing to turn left onto West Lane when it was hit from behind by a pickup driven by 57-year-old Timothy Fashun of Eldorado. Keys’ truck skidded into the ditch and rolled over ejecting his passenger 27-year-old Michael Henke of Fond du Lac. Keys was taken to St. Agnes Hospital and Flight for Life flew Henke to Theda Clark Regional Medical Center. Both suffered non-life threatening injuries. The accident was reported at 12:30 p.m.

 

FDL Man Charged For Hitting Pedestrian

 

Bond was set at $25,000 cash when a 47-year-old Fond du Lac man was charged in Fond du Lac County Court for hitting a 46-year-old Fond du Lac woman with his car and critically injuring her. Aarron Schmitz Sr. was charged last Friday for the May 14th accident on Winnebago Drive. According to the criminal complaint a witness who was walking behind Traci Luther saw Schmitz vehicle swerve and then veer right towards her and that Luther never had a chance to react because it happened so fast. Luther suffered major head trauma, bleeding of the brain, a broke leg, broken jaw, broken ribs, cuts and bruises. Schmitz told Sheriff’s investigators he was coming back from his roofing job in the Kiel area and fell asleep at the wheel. He was taking Albuterol and Dayquill tablets to help with pneumonia. However, he also admitted he had smoked three large cigar sized marijuana “doobies” and drank a liter of Kessler’s whiskey the night before. He also admitted that normally he stops at a friend’s home on his way back from Kiel, but chose not to because he was tired and wanted to get home. Schmitz has a preliminary hearing Friday.

 

Sheboygan Robbery Suspects Sought

 

Sheboygan Police are continuing their investigation of the armed robbery which occurred Thursday afternoon at the United One Credit Union on Superior Avenue. Sheboygan Police Captain Steve Cobb said the surveillance video is up on the Police Department website. It shows the two masked suspects, one of them with a gun, demanding money.  Police says the suspects fled in a gold or tan colored mid-2000’s Chevrolet Impala or Malibu with tinted windows, silver wheels, and no front plate.  Sheboygan Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying either the suspects or the owner of the vehicle.

 

 

Click It Or Ticket Underway

 

Law enforcement agencies across the state including the Fond du Lac, Green Lake, and Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Departments are participating in the Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement effort that kicks off today. It runs through June 2nd. Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Captain Rick Olig says they issued 750 citations for seat belt violations last year in the County. Also 10 of the 22 people killed in traffic accidents in the County in 2012 weren’t buckled up. He says that’s almost half and it would be more than half if you eliminated the motorcycle fatalities from that number. He says the 750 people they cited for seat belt violations last year was just the tip of the iceberg because deputies can’t tell who is wearing seating belts when they zip by on Highways 41 and 151 and other highways.

 

FDL County Highway VV And Hickory St Intersection Work Begins

 

Fond du Lac County Highway Commissioner Tom Janke says they’ve been notified that the reconstruction for the intersection of CTH VV (West Pioneer Road) and Hickory Street has been moved up in the schedule.   Starting today only north and south bound through traffic movements on Hickory Street will be allowed.  Demolition of the intersection will start today weather permitting preventing vehicles from traveling onto CTH VV (W. Pioneer) from any direction.  CTH VV (W. Pioneer Road) will be closed west of the intersection of Hickory Street and continue to be closed east of the intersection of Hickory until further notice. 

 

FDL City Council Could Make History With Vacancy Vote

 

It would appear that the Fond du Lac City Council won’t be unanimous when it votes to fill a vacancy on the Council this week. The Council met last Friday and took another straw vote on the three finalists Karyn Markel, Lynn Farr and Ron Schmitz. Councilmen Rob Vande Zande and Gary Miller switched their votes. Vande Zande switched his vote from Ron Schmitz to Lynn Farr and Miller from Farr to Merkel. Merkel now has the backing of five of the six Council members, but Vande Zande said he will likely stick by his vote for Farr when the Council takes an official vote Wednesday. Council President Sam Meyer says he’s pleased with the process they’ve taken to fill the seat. He says 14 applicants may be the most ever that have applied for a Council seat, but they will also have three women on the Council which is also a bit of history.

 

FDL Fire Dept Starts New Initiative

 

The Fond du Lac Fire Department had just introduced the press to a new safety initiative last Friday when they got a call for a fire at 478 West Scott Street. It was an unattended cooking fire in the same apartment complex where the same type of fire displaced 25 residents. This time the fire department got there before any major damage could be done. They returned later that day to place door hangars in the neighborhood giving fire safety tips and reminders. Fire Chief Peter O’Leary says it’s a new program they are doing. He says the door hangars will have more impact in neighborhoods where there’s a fire because of the heightened awareness. He says they have developed a home safety fire check list for homes that want to do a fire inspection as a follow up to the door hangars. Firefighters will also have batteries for smoke alarms or can install new alarms in a home that agrees to have the inspection. O’Leary says the new program is a good idea.

 

St. Joseph Convent In Campbellsport Closing

 

The closing of the St. Joseph Convent in Campbellsport will have an economic impact on the Village. Village Board President Patrick Twohig says it’s well-maintained and employs about 125 people. It’s also home to 90 nuns. Strategic planning and research showed the keeping the facility open would be too expensive. Twohig says the order is closing the facility and will consolidate what is has to Milwaukee. It will close at the end of next year. The convent was established in 1874.

Eating Together Keeps Families Healthy

 

During the recent Mental Health Awareness and Prevention Weeks local officials suggested one easy way to keep your relationship with your children healthy. Becky Holzman is the Deputy Program Director of Fond du Lac County Department of Community Programs. She says that suggestion is to have the family eat together three or more times a week. She says research has shown that leads to decreased anxiety, depression alcohol and drug use, delinquency, and increased academic performance. She says people don’t seem to have the time anymore, but family meals play an important role in good mental health. She also recommends talking with your child or children on a daily basis.

 

Lt. McGee Awarded For Work With Victims And Families Of Fatal MC Accident

 

Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Cameron McGee was recently recognized for his work with the victims and families of victims of the multiple fatal motorcycle accident on Highway 151 last Memorial Day weekend. The Wisconsin Victim Witness Professionals recognized McGee with their Law Enforcement Award last Thursday in Sheboygan. Sheriff’s Captain Rick Olig accompanied McGee and his wife Rachel Peichl McGee to the ceremony. Beyond the professional relationship with the victims McGee and his wife also developed personal relationships with the families. Olig says he saw first hand at the ceremony how touched the Victim Witness Professionals were when information was read about how McGee had worked with the accident victims and their families. He says McGee now realizes what an impact he had.

 

Early Registration Deadline For Half-Marathon

 

Half Marathon There’s still time to register for the Salute the Troops half-marathon and save a little money on the registration fee. The half-marathon, 5K run/walk and kid’s half-mile run will be this Sunday at Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac. Salute the Troops Executive Director Dan Manning says they have nearly 250 people registered for the second annual event, although last year it was a 5K event. He says registration ends at midnight tonight if you want to save some money on the registration costs and guarantee you will be getting a t-shirt. He says otherwise the cost is the same as the day of the race, which is more. He says people from several areas of the country will be participating in the half-marathon, the only half-marathon in the County this summer. You can register at the Salute the Troops website or learn more by calling Manning at 204-6615.