After a quiet period for the last few weeks...Fond du Lac police say a home invader is back at it. Deputy Police Chief, Kevin Lemke, says two homes were targeted early Wednesday morning in the area of Woodland Avenue and Sunset Circle. Lemke says in one incident the burglar entered through an unlocked back door, grabbed a wallet and left. In the other incident the person tried unsuccessfully to gain access by cutting a window screen. Lemke says it appears these latest home invasions may be related to at least a half dozen home break-ins about three weeks ago. Anyone with information is asked to call police.
7-30-10 fdl police looking for suspicious vehicle
Fond du Lac police are investigating a report of a suspicious vehicle on the west side of town. Deputy Police Chief, Kevin Lemke, says two young women reported the driver of the small blue-colored pick-up truck appeared to be following them and then stopped as they were walking along Hickory Street near Taylor Park this week. When the driver got out of the truck the women ran the other way and later called police. The incident happened shortly after midnight Wednesday morning. Lemke says anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the police department.
7-30-10 lakin foreclosure settlement
The Fond du Lac city council vice president says he is not losing his home to foreclosure. Tim Lakin says the matter has been settled after the reinstatement of the mortgage loan. Its the second time this year a civil suit related to a foreclosure action on Lakin’s property had been dismissed. Lakin says his financial problems show that he is not immune to the economic slowdown. "It will be closed shortly...its just a matter of the paper catching up with the case," Lakin said. "This goes to show, Greg, that I'm not immune to the economy and the business climate in this state." Lakin says unlike many residents who are struggling to make ends meet...he was able to sell a couple of businesses he owned to pay his obligations. Lakin is running against Jeremy Thiesfeldt for the Republican nomination for the 52nd Assembly District. But Lakin says his personal financial troubles shouldn’t be seen as a negative in his bid for the state legislature. Lakin made the comments on AM 1170’s Between the Lines program.
7-30-10 dodge county man convicted in drunk driving fatal
A Randolph man involved in a one vehicle traffic accident in Dodge County that killed his friend has pleaded no contest to a charge of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. 23 year old Anthony Crescio entered the plea in Dodge County Circuit Court. A charge of knowingly operating with a revoked license causing death was dismissed and read into the record. Crescio was driving drunk in December when his vehicle spun out of control on a curve and rolled over in a ditch on Highway 73 in the town of Westford. A passenger in the car, 22 year old Dustin Vredevelde was killed in the accident. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for October 14th.
7-30-10 sharpe swearing in ceremony this weekend
Fond du Lac County’s newest circuit court judge will officially be sworn into office during a special ceremony this weekend. Retired judge, Steven Weinke, will administer the oath to new judge, Gary Sharpe, during a ceremony Sunday at the Windhover Center for the Arts. "Well, you know, I have a lot to learn...I have a lot of work to do but I'm very excited," Sharpe said. Sharpe says he has been preparing to assume the gavel since he was elected to the post four months ago. The swearing in ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 Sunday afternoon.
7-30-10 waupun main street project
Waupun city officials are planning now for a major street project that’s still several years down the road. City Administrator, Kyle Clark, says the project would involve reconstructing Main Street starting at State Street and going west. "The Department of Transportation is looking for some direction as far as existing parking along the street, and whether or not the city wishes to do the project in one year or break it up into two or more years," Clark said. The Waupun Common Council discussed the matter during a committee of the whole meeting this week.
7-30-10 pallet fire
TOWN OF WILSON, Wis. (AP) — Fire officials say a blaze that destroyed a pallet manufacturer in Sheboygan County may have been deliberately set. A fire swept through Lakeshore Pallet's four buildings overnight Wednesday. A fire official says the fire appeared to have started in three spots at the pallet maker, raising suspicion about its cause. Fire and rescue crews from 16 communities were called to the manufacturer in the Town of Wilson.
7-30-10 high speed rail
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state of Wisconsin has received another portion of the $810 million in federal stimulus money that will go toward building a high-speed rail line between Madison and Milwaukee. Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the $46.5 million in funding on Thursday in Watertown. The state previously received a $5.7 million payment. The governor says more than 5,500 people will be put to work building the rail line and constructing new stations along the route, including one in Watertown. Construction of the rail line is expected to begin later this year. It's expected to be done in 2013. Republican candidates for governor have said they oppose the project and would stop the work if elected. Doyle says that's unrealistic. Doyle was a guest on AM 1170 WFDL's Between the Lines program.
7-30-10 election fraud
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's attorney general says he is expanding an effort to investigate and prosecute cases of election fraud statewide. J.B. Van Hollen, a Republican, said Thursday his office is joining forces with 11 district attorneys to expand an existing task force that has filed charges against several individuals in Milwaukee County. He says the group will help ensure uniform statewide enforcement of election-related laws, sharing information and strategies to fight problems like felons who vote, individuals who vote twice and voter registration fraud. Van Hollen says some district attorneys have not made those crimes a priority, in part because they are unfamiliar with the election laws and understaffed.
7-30-10 expensive picture with the president
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Getting your picture taken with President Barack Obama when he's in Milwaukee next month won't come cheap. Obama is appearing at a fundraiser for Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. His campaign sent an e-mail to supporters on Thursday saying that getting a picture taken with the president can be done with a simple $10,000 donation. Want a picture and name recognition? That's going to take $14,800 in donations. No location has been named yet for the Aug. 16 fundraising lunch. Barrett or Obama supporters who want to get in on the cheap can buy a ticket now for a mere $250. Obama also plans to hold an event that same day related to the economy. It will be his fourth visit to Wisconsin since taking office in 2009.
7-30-10 school mascots
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — All 35 Wisconsin schools with nicknames that relate to American Indians may be forced to prove how they are not discriminatory under a proposal being considered by the state's education department. A new Wisconsin law gives the Department of Public Instruction the ability to bar schools from using race-based logos and mascots if a complaint is filed and the terms or images in question are determined to be discriminatory. The department held a hearing Thursday on a host of rules related to how the law will be enforced. The department wants to list all the names and mascots it deems to be discriminatory and then require districts to prove they are not. That list would cover all of the race-based nicknames currently used by Wisconsin schools.
7-30-10 record size trout
RACINE, Wis. (AP) — A brown trout weighing almost 42 pounds has been confirmed as a Wisconsin record. It shatters the previous record by almost five pounds and could also be a world record. The state Department of Natural Resources confirmed Thursday the fish weighed 41 pounds, 8 ounces. That tops the previous record of about 36½ pounds, set in 2004. Roger Hellen of Franksville landed the fish July 16 while angling in the Lake Michigan waters north of Racine. The 39-year-old says it took half an hour to reel it in. He says when he got it in the boat he was more exhilarated than exhausted. Hellen is asking the International Game Fish Association to confirm it's a world record. The association's website says the current record is 41 pounds, 7 ounces.
Wisconsin DNR: http://dnr.wi.gov/
International Game Fish Association: http://www.igfa.org/
7-30-10 energy tour
UW Extension offices in Fond du Lac and Green Lake counties are hosting a Local Energy Tour this upcoming weekend to illustrate how energy use is a serious economic concern for not just the nation...but state and region as well. Extension Community Educator, Diana Tscheschlok, says in 2008 Wisconsin residents spent $22.5 billion dollars on imported fossil fuels. She says that equates to $9000 per household leaving the state every year. The bus tour will stop at six sites including Mercury Marine to see the company’s central compressor and back-up generators. Tscheschlok says the Wildlife Acres subdivision is an example of how the built environment can adjust for energy production. The tour will also visit a home powered by a geothermal pond. The tour is this Saturday, July 31st from 8:30am to noon. 7-30-10 governor seeks applicants for dodge county district attorney
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle announced today that he is seeking applicants for appointment as district attorney in Dodge County. The appointment will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of District Attorney William Bedker. The new district attorney will begin serving in August. An applicant must be a member in good standing of the Bar of the State of Wisconsin and must reside in Dodge County at the time the appointment becomes effective. Those interested may obtain an application form from:
Office of the Governor
Attention: Libby Gerds, Appointments Director
PO Box 7836
Madison, WI 53707-7863 Elizabeth.Gerds@wisconsin.gov
Completed applications should be returned to Libby Gerds at the above address no later than Thursday, August 5, 2010. Potential applicants with questions about the appointment process may call Libby Gerds at 608-266-1212.
7-30-10 governor seeks applicants for winnebago county judicial vacancy
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that he is seeking applicants for appointment as circuit court judge in Winnebago County. The new appointment will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Winnebago County Circuit Court Judge Bruce Schmidt. An applicant must be a member in good standing of the Bar of the State of Wisconsin and must reside in Winnebago County at the time the appointment becomes effective. Those interested may obtain an application form electronically from:
Office of the Governor
Attention: Libby Gerds, Appointments Director Libby.Gerds@wisconsin.gov
608-267-7888 (fax)
Completed applications should be returned to Libby Gerds no later than Wednesday, August 4, 2010. Potential applicants with questions about the appointment process may call Libby Gerds at 608-266-1212.
7-30-10 petri to host grants and small business conferences
Noting that the federal government offers a myriad of programs which can help local governments, small businesses and nonprofits leverage their limited resources to successfully meet their various needs, Rep. Tom Petri is hosting two conferences in August: "Government Grants and Programs Conference," which will take place from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm on Thursday, August 12, 2010, at Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) at 1290 North Avenue in Cleveland. LTC is conveniently located off of U.S. Highway 43 between Sheboygan and Manitowoc. "Assistance to Small Business," which will take place from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm on Monday, August 16, 2010, at Moraine Park Technical College at 235 N. National Avenue in Fond du Lac. Both conferences will feature specific workshop sessions for local government, businesses and nonprofits. Throughout each program, panel presentations will provide opportunities for those who have been successful in capturing federal dollars to share their tips and ideas. Space is limited and registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration fee includes materials, morning refreshments, and a luncheon. The deadline for registration is August 6, 2010. More information can be found in the Upcoming Events section at Petri's website at http://petri.house.gov or by calling his Fond du Lac Office at (920) 922-1180 or toll free at (800) 242-4883.
7-30-10 new computers for kids at fdl public library
April Vermillion of Fond du Lac, mother of three girls – Ellison, 7; Ava, 5; and Ivy, 3 – thinks the Fond du Lac Public Library’s new Early Literacy Stations are “awesome.” “I love that they’re built just for kids,” she said while stopping in the Children’s Room on Thursday. “They have bright graphics, the desks are just their size, the buttons are color-coded and even the mouse is just right for their small hands.” The Vermillion girls were spending time on the new computers playing games they probably didn’t recognize as educational. The stations are for ages 2 to 10 and are packed with age-appropriate programs that were selected by development specialists, educators and families. Kids wear earphones connected to the computer so they have a one-on-one link with what’s happening on the screen. Kids can choose from more than 50 programs in English and Spanish on topics that include math and problem solving, reading and phonics, science and nature, music and arts and writing and computer skills. The Early Literacy Stations are free and located in the Children’s Room at the library. Library summer hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. 7-30-10 fdl county taxes due by july 31st
Fond du Lac County Treasurer, Julie Hundertmark reminds Fond du Lac County residents that the second installment of 2009 property taxes is due on or before July 31, 2010.
Payments should be made payable and mailed to:
Fond du Lac County Treasurer
P.O. Box 1515
Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1515
A postmark (not metered mail) will determine timely payments. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if a payment receipt is requested. The County Treasurer’s Office is located in the City-County Government Center 160 South Macy Street. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 7-30-10 street closure
On Monday August 2 the Department of Public Works will close N. Military Rd. from McWilliams St. to Cotton St. for sanitary sewer repairs. No detour will be constructed for this project. The street is scheduled to be reopened by the end of the workday on Friday, August 6.
7-30-10 county highway w closure
County Trunk Highway (CTH) W from CTH WH to CTH WW in the Village of Mt. Calvary and Town of Marshfield was closed to thru traffic Wednesday, July 21 for construction. Construction is expected to last about a month, weather permitting. The Fond du Lac County Highway Commission will replace culverts and guardrail, pulverize and resurface the highway. The highway is closed to thru traffic, but open for local traffic. The highway is detoured via CTH WH and CTH WW. For updates and more information on other County Highway construction projects, go to the Fond du Lac County Highway Construction Projects web page at http://www.fdlco.wi.gov/Index.aspx?page=1112.
