Local News Thursday 5/16/13

Fatal Fire In Oshkosh

 

Authorities in Oshkosh say one person died in a fire overnight. It happened in a two family home on Ohio Street. At the time of the fire seven people were at home and six of them made it out of the house safely. The other person was upstairs and was taken to a hospital where they died. Some of the residents were treated at the scene and others at a hospital.

 

Wildfire In Northwestern Wisconsin Mostly Under Control

 

State Department of Natural Resources officials say the wildfire that destroyed over 9,000 acres in Douglas and Bayfield counties is roughly 95 percent under control. Forty-seven structures were lost in the wildfire, including 17 homes, 15 garages, nine out buildings and six others. Meanwhile Governor Scott Walker will tour the area this afternoon. DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp, Wisconsin National Guard Adjutant General Donald Dunbar and Wisconsin Emergency Management officials will accompany him.

DNR Germann Road Fire Webpage

 

Avenue On The Arts Request Goes Before Advisory Park Board

 

To promote tourism and their expansion an official with the Windhover Center for the Arts has suggested a street name change. Windhover Executive Director Kevin Miller says they’d like to change the name Sheboygan Street to Avenue of the Arts for the two block section from Marr to Main. Fire Chief Peter O’Leary says it could result in confusion if they get a call for service and someone refers to the old street name. Miller says it would only affect the addresses for the Windhover, Library and the Elks Club. He says people coming from outside the City to the Windhover get confused because they are told it is on Sheboygan Street. The matter comes before the Advisory Parking and Traffic Board this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. The Board will have to decide what to recommend to the City Council. The City’s Engineering and Traffic Division doesn’t support the request.

 

Berlin Man Makes Initial Court Appearance On Drug Charges

 

A 33-year-old Berlin man made his initial appearance in Fond du Lac County Court this week on three drug charges that stemmed from the search of his tattoo parlor in Ripon. Michael Brajdic is charged with possession of narcotic drugs, cocaine, and drug paraphernalia. All three of those charges carry a repeater enhancer. Charges stem from a search Ripon Police conducted at his tattoo parlor in May of 2011. In February the police department got results from the state crime lab showing that items seized during the search tested positive for the presence of cocaine and heroin. A $2,500 signature bond was ordered and Brajdic will be back in court for a preliminary hearing on June 21st.

 

Petri And Kind Propose Crop Insurance Reform

 

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-A bipartisan push is underway by two Wisconsin Congressmen to reform crop insurance. Republican Representative Tom Petri says current subsides provide incentive for farmers to continue bad practices. He says when you have crop insurance that is subsidized farmers are encouraged to plant on land that is marginal. He says they are basically farming for the insurance. Democratic Representative Ron Kind says currently there are no limits on the amount of subsides a single producer can receive. While fellow lawmakers support the proposal, Kind says there will be strong special interest opposition. Kind says if the farm bill comes to the full House, they would introduce their reform plan as an amendment.

 

FDL County Tourism Revenues Up By 7% In 2012

 

The economic impact of tourism in Fond du Lac County increased by 7.2 percent or about $7.5 million in 2012. Fond du Lac Visitors Bureau President Craig Molitor says once again more than $100 million was spent in the County on tourism. In fact according to figures from the State Tourism Department the direct visitor spending in 2011 was $103.6 million in Fond du Lac County and in 2012 that increased to $111.1 million. Molitor says he’s expecting an even bigger year this year. In Winnebago County last year travelers spent $207.5 million. Visitors in the state generated $1.3 billion in state and local revenue and $977 million in federal taxes.

 

Prevention Efforts Highlighted During National Prevention Week

 

Three area groups are working hard throughout the year to reduce substance abuse and promote mental health. They are Drug Free Communities of Fond du Lac County, Comprehensive Service Integration and Five Counties for Tobacco Free Living. Karen Rucks is the co-chair of Drug Free Communities. She says when it comes to substance abuse reducing accessibility is key. She says that’s why social hosting ordinances have been adopted in communities across the County and by the County itself in an effort to reduce underage drinking. Drug drops work to reduce the accessibility of prescription drugs. Joyce Mann of the Fond du Lac County Health Department says adults providing good role modeling at events where alcohol is served can also be helpful in prevention efforts. She says they have also developed a tool kit for planning community events. She says you can find out more about prevention efforts at the Drug Free Communities Fond du Lac website. This is National Prevention Week.

 

Tavern League Criticizes Lowering BAC

 

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-The Wisconsin Tavern League says a federal recommendation to lower the blood alcohol limit for drunk driving to point-oh-five would put the focus on the wrong problem. League spokesman Scott Stenger says most people arrested for drunk driving have a B-A-C of around point-one-six. He says it’s completely misguided to go after the responsible drinker and not focus on those with high blood alcohol contents and repeat offenders. Stenger says lowering the drunken driving limit would come down hardest on responsible drinkers. He says that will scare people who are responsible and want to enjoy a drink with their fish fry. Stenger says tougher penalties, education, and treatment would be a better way to fight drunk driving.

 

Roberts Elementary School Literacy Night

 

Roberts Elementary School in Fond du Lac will hold their 1st Annual Literacy Night. There will be a buy one get one (BOGO) free Scholastic Book Fair from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria with root beer floats and trail mix to purchase.  EP Direct, Roberts’ Partner in Education, will be setting up an information table, and a representative from the FDL Public Library as well as several teachers will be reading books from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the gym hallway.

 

Free Testing For Dial Gauge Canners

 

Both the Dodge and Fond du Lac County UW-Extension Services are offering free testing for dial gauge canners. Pattie Carroll of the Dodge County UW-Extension Service says it is something you should have checked every year if you are going to do some canning. She says if the dial gauge isn’t accurate it could affect the time it takes for your canning recipe. She says with more people growing their own fruits and vegetables there is an increasing interest in food preservation. Carroll says you can get all kinds of recipes for canning at a UW-Extension website including information for the novice canner. For more information on canning click here:

 

Dine For Disaster Today

 

More than 100 restaurants in Eastern Wisconsin will be participating in the Dine for Disaster event today raising funds for the American Red Cross. Participants will donate a portion of their sales to the Red Cross. Fifteen restaurants will be participating in Fond du Lac where the Dine for Disaster program began six years ago. Participating restaurants in Fond du Lac include; A &W, Backyard Grill & Bar, Boda’s, Duffy’s Steak House, Friar Tucks, Gilles, Gino’s Italian Restaurant, Main Exchange, Mancino’s, Parrot Palms, Philly’s On 4th, Salty’s, Schreiner’s, Sebastian’s, and Rocky Rococo’s.