Local News Wednesday 6/19/13

Naming Policy Item Removed From FDL County Board Agenda

 

Fond du Lac County Board Chairman Marty Farrell announced at last night’s meeting that a resolution amending the County’s naming policy had been pulled from the agenda. The committee that had asked to place it on the Board’s agenda wanted more time to consider it. The policy prohibits the naming of any county-owned building after any individual living or dead. There is an effort to try and name a transitional housing facility for young adults after former County Social Services Director Kim Mooney who died last July. Also during the meeting the County was presented with the Healthiest Companies in America 2012 Award from Interactive Health Solutions. The County’s wellness program also won the award last year. The award was presented to only 73 companies across the country. 

 

Neenah Man Charged For Chase With Baby In The Vehicle

 

The 45-year-old Neenah man who had his 10-month-old child in his SUV when he led a state trooper on a chase that reached speeds up to 90 miles per hour last Saturday night has been charged. Barrington Daniel made an initial appearance in Winnebago County Court yesterday on 1st degree recklessly endangering safety and fleeing an officer charges. Bond was set at $7,500 cash. The child was taken from his mother who has custody of the child. The chase concluded when Daniel got stuck in a ditch trying to run parallel to a train on East Lone Elm in the Van Dyne area. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 27th.

 

Sheboygan Woman Charged For Pushing Woman Off 2^nd Story Porch

 

The 38-year-old Sheboygan woman suspected of pushing a Grafton woman off a 2nd story porch told investigators she “has a lot of anger in her.” Bond was set at $15,000 cash for Sara Huston when she appeared in Sheboygan County Court yesterday on a 1st degree reckless injury charge. According to the criminal complaint she and the 43-year-old victim were at a man’s residence in Sheboygan when the incident occurred. The man told authorities the two women were on the porch when he saw Huston push the victim over the edge of the roof. The victim suffered fractured vertebrae, which is a life threatening condition.  All three had been drinking and officials say Huston was intoxicated. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday.

 

West Allis Man Charged With Tobacco Product Violations

 

State Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says the state’s Department of Justice has filed complaints in Milwaukee and Sheboygan Counties against a 40-year-old West Allis man charging him with multiple counts relating to tobacco product violations. Mohammad Siddiqui operates three stores that sell tobacco products, two in Milwaukee County and one in Sheboygan County. According to the criminal complaints he brought numerous tobacco products into Wisconsin from Illinois.  The Illinois distributor was not licensed, and no tax was paid on any of the tobacco products.  The complaints allege that he brought more than $260,000 in tobacco products into the state.  He also failed to maintain proper records of tobacco product purchases and failed to pay tobacco product taxes.

 

New Hotel And Assisted Living Center Ask For Special Use Permits

 

A new hotel site and a future commercial development were some of things the Fond du Lac Plan Commission took up at their meeting this week. City Principal Planner Joellyn Dahlin says a new 4-story 91-room Holiday Inn Express will be going up between the current Holiday Inn and the Comfort Inn. Construction will be next year. Dahlin says once it’s completed the current Holiday Inn will be improved and rebranded. The commission is recommending to the City Council approving a special use permit for the project. The commission is also recommending a special commercial zoning designation once a 14.7 acre piece of property is annexed into the City that currently at Prairie Road and East Johnson Street. She says that project will include dedicating land for public right-of-way for the extension of Country Lane south of Highway 23 or East Johnson Street. The commission is also recommending approval of a special use permit for a 20-bed assisted living facility that will be built at 450 West Arndt Street.  

 

Koehler New NFDL EMS/Fire Dept Manager

 

The North Fond du Lac Village Board this week approved the hiring of an EMS and Fire Department Manager. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says they wanted to try something different because in the past they’ve had difficulty keeping a combined Fire Chief and EMS Director.

Only one person applied from within the department for the EMS/Fire Manager job, which has less responsibility than a Fire Chief and EMS Director’s position. Hornung says they were hoping Steve Koehler would apply for the job. Koehler has 12 years of experience with the Fire Department. The board also approved the hiring of Cassie Mueller as a basic EMT.

 

Structural Deficit Report Premature

 

State Senator Rick Gudex says a report that the state will be facing a structural deficit of about half a billion dollars in a couple of years is a bit premature. He says that number doesn’t reflect the revenue the state will also be receiving at the time. He says the state’s proposed budget includes $651 million in income tax cuts and he says it’s hoped in a couple years that similar revenue circumstances will exist. He says the state does have a rainy day fund of a couple hundred million dollars, but they’d like to maintain that for real emergencies.

 

Off Duty Ripon Police Officer Aids In Arrests

 

A Ripon Police officer is being commended for aiding in an arrest while off-duty last Sunday. Police Captain Bill Wallner says Sergeant John Teachout saw a man and woman going through vehicles in a car lot on the west side of the City. He contacted police and kept an eye on the two. Teachout followed them when they left car lot and as they were turning around in a driveway he blocked their vehicle and identified himself as a police officer. When other officers arrived they found items taken out of the vehicles in the car lot. Both were taken into custody on theft charges. Wallner says Sergeant Teachout should be commended for watching out for the community even when he was off-duty.

 

Eighteen Arc Of FDL Athletes Compete In Wisconsin Special Olympics

 

The Arc of Fond du Lac sent athletes to the Wisconsin Special Olympics in Stevens Point earlier this month. Brian Ruch is with the Arc’s Community Enrichment program. He says their athletes trained hard and gave it their best effort. Eleven of their athletes participated in track and field events and seven in swimming. He says one of their swimmers fractured his foot, but still competed and won a silver medal. He says they get more than just the thrill of competing out of the Special Olympics. Ruch says they build self-confidence and learn about teamwork. He says his group actually cheered on athletes from other agencies. Ruch says a couple of their athletes qualified for the National Special Olympics and they are checking into what needs to be done to get them there.

 

Senator Johnson Staff Hours In Area Today

 

Staff for U.S. Senator Ron Johnson will be holding mobile office hours in several locations in the area today. They will be available at the Oakfield Village Hall from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and the Brownsville Village Hall from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. The office hours allow constituents to meet with the Senator’s staff to request assistance with a federal agency or regarding other federal matters.

 

Youth Volunteer Fair

 

Kids age 9 through high school can sign up for summer volunteer projects at the Youth Volunteer Fair at the Fond du Lac Public Main Library downtown today from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Agencies offering volunteer opportunities include American Red Cross, Free SPIRIT Riders, Woodlands, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Ruby’s Pantry and Fountain View Care Center. Additional agencies are expected. Students are welcome to visit each organization’s table to get information on volunteer opportunities and requirements. The event is free; no registration required. The fair is sponsored by the library and the Volunteer Center of Fond du Lac County.