3-10-10 lead investigator says city mis embezzlement investigation should wrap up this week....charges could still be several days away
The lead investigator in the Fond du Lac Management Information Systems embezzlement case says he hopes to wrap up the investigation this week. North Fond du Lac Police Sergeant, Brian Liethen, says he expects to forward almost all of the information to the District Attorney’s office by Friday. "I anticipate turning over the remainder if not all the reports and documents we've accumulated in the case, and I expect to have that with him (district attorney) by the end of this week," Liethen told WFDL news. Charges are probably still several days, if not at least a few weeks down the road. Liethen says the District Attorney will have a lot of information to look over before making charging decisions. Liethen says overall the investigation went very smooth and very detailed. "A very complex situation, it was pretty well dissected and I believe we have a pretty good picture of what went on," Liethen said. When asked if he is convinced there was embezzlement Liethen said "yes." Liethen says the investigation focused on three MIS employees, a former employee and two outside vendors. He says there was no evidence uncovered that the scam involved anybody else...or other government employees outside MIS. Police say the employees used taxpayer money to make fraudulent purchases of mostly electronics items for their personal use. Liethen says the dollar amount is still in the $100,000 dollar range...but could grow.
3-10-10 arson fire suspect appears in court
A man accused of intentionally setting a fire that destroyed the Fond du Lac bowling alley he owned made his initial court appearance Tuesday morning. Forty six year old, Lyle Huss, is charged with arson of a building. He was arrested last week for the arson fire at the Last Stop Bar and Lanes on West Division Street. Fond du Lac Deputy Police Chief, Kevin Lemke, says Huss admitted to setting the fire. Lemke says Huss told investigators he was having financial problems. "Investigators had discovered lots of details that really led us to believe that Mr. Huss was involved in setting the fire," Lemke said. "A lot of it stems from his public comments he made at a city council hearing over the smoking ban that he was going to be running into some financial problems, and we look at the information about the fight that occured earlier that evening at the bowling alley and the information just led to the owner causing this fire." Huss is free on a five thousand dollar signature bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 8th. 3-10-10 fire chief says arrest and charge shows how hard it is to cover up an arson
The Fond du Lac Fire Chief says an arrest in connection with the fire that destroyed a Fond du Lac bowling alley shows how difficult it is to try and hide an arson. The owner of the Last Stop Bar and Lanes, 46 year old Lyle Huss, was arrested last week less than 48 hours after the fire was reported. "I'm thankful nobody got hurt, I'm thankful the neighborhood was protected," Fire Chief, Peter O’Leary, said. "If there are people that feel this is the kind of crime that is easily hidden, I think this is proof to them that indeed our team of investigators are very talented and they have quite a few resouces to help determine the cause and origin of the fire." O'Leary says an arson fire has far reaching impact beyond the damage to the building. "The firefighters, emergency workers, all the people in the neighborhood...our safety is huge...so if someone takes a deliberate act of starting a fire that kills a firefighter or police officer...that person could be charged with murder."
3-10-10 fdl pastor accused of embezzling from church makes court appearance
A pastor accused of stealing money from his Fond du Lac church made his initial court appearance today. The Reverand Stuart Zak is charged with misdemeanor theft. He is free on a $500 signature bond. He is accused of stealing as much as $10,000 over a 10 year period from from holiday offerings at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Police say Zak paid back the church by taking out a $10,000 loan. He wrote a letter of apology to the church and has resigned his position. A plea and sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 26th.
3-10-10 brandon man accused of stealing more than $500 worth of groceries
A Brandon man is charged with misdemeanor theft after attempting to steal groceries from Ripon Pick N Save. 42-year-old Anthony J. Barba is due back in Fond du Lac County Circuit Court March 16th for an initial appearance. A criminal complaint says Barba left Pick N Save with two carts of groceries, totaling around $550. When confronted by police, Barba admitted to taking the groceries without paying. If convicted, Barba faces up to $10,000 in fines and nine months imprisonment.
A Fond du Lac city councilmember is withdrawing a resolution to encourage the county board to support a sunset date for a countywide sales tax. Jeremy Thiesfeldt says he initiated the resolution because there didn’t seem to be any momentum to eliminate the tax when the Merc Marine loan is paid off. But now Thiesfeldt says it seems the county board is serious about setting a repeal date...and so he is removing his resolution from tonight’s city council agenda. Responding to criticism that the city council shouldn’t be getting involved in county board business. ""I'm not going to deny that it certainly wouldn't be inaccurate if you called it intrusive, I understand that, but I feel that the sales tax is unprecedented and sometimes unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures." Thiesfeldt is also a Republican candidate for state Assembly.
3-10-10 sales tax to go into effect next month
The Fond du Lac County Executive says he wouldn’t be surprised if there is a rush to purchase some big ticket items with a new sales tax going into effect next month. The half cent sales tax goes into effect April first. "So you've got a few days to make your major purchases yet," County Executive Al Buechel said. Buechel says he believes there will probably be some people that will make some big ticket purchases like cars and appliances before the sales tax takes effect. "If you buy $1000 worth of appliances, its going to be another five bucks," Buechel said. Buechel also says he thinks there will be great pressure on the county board to set a sunset date for the sales tax because this is an election year. The board will vote on setting a repeal date of 2021 at their meeting next week. The county board approved the sales tax to pay for a 50 million dollar economic incentive package to keep Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac.
3-10-10 fdl council considers industrial revenue bonds for ymca project
The Fond du Lac City Council is being asked to approve the issuance of industrial revenue bonds for a 15 million dollar YMCA expansion project. The council will consider two resolutions at their Wednesday meeting. Community Development Director, Wayne Rollin, says although the YMCA project is not a traditional industrial project, federal law permits the use of these bonds for recreation projects of this sort.
3-10-10 oshkosh corp contract
The Oshkosh Corporation received two more orders to make military vehicles. One of them is from Egypt, which will pay 29-million-dollars for over 75 trucks designed to transport fuel. Those units are called Heavy Expanded Military Trucks. Also, the U-S Army has placed another 35-million-dollar for upgrades to the trucks made by Oshkosh for use in Iraq and Afghanistan. The firm will provide equipment for protecting soldiers from roadside bombs. 3-10-10 one person injured in multiple vehicle accident on hwy 41 in wnnebago county
One person is injured after a multiple vehicle accident on US Highway 41 in Winnebago County. Winnebago County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jeff Gruss says the accident happened Sunday afternoon on US 41 Northbound, near county highway II. Gruss says a pick up truck, driven by 27-year-old Raymond Farr of Neenah, was traveling north when some furniture feel out of his truck. A 19-year-old Neenah male slowed to avoid the furniture and was struck from behind by a 39-year-old Michael Schlaak of Appleton. The 19 year old was transported to Theda Clark Medical Center with minor injures. Farr was cited for failure to secure a load.
3-10-10 health care costs
WAUWATOSA, Wis. (AP) — Patients would get more information about how much it costs to receive treatment under a bill that has been signed into law. Under the new law signed Tuesday by Gov. Jim Doyle, doctors, nurses, dentists, chiropractors, pharmacists and other health care providers will have to supply the median-billed charge for a service upon request. Hospitals will be required to list charges for treating 75 conditions they handle most frequently. Also, insurers will have to provide an estimate of out-of-pocket costs. Doyle says the new law will help people better understand their health care costs before making important treatment decisions. A similar proposal in Congress has been introduced by Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Wis.
3-10-10 governor's race
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is discounting Scott Walker's claims that he can create 250,000 jobs within four years if elected governor. The Democratic gubernatorial candidate said during a campaign tour of Madison businesses on Tuesday that the Republican Walker picked an arbitrary number for the sake of a campaign statement. At the same time, Barrett says it's reasonable to expect the state can add 180,000 jobs over the next three years. To do that, Barrett says Wisconsin must accept $810 million in federal stimulus money to build a high-speed rail line between Madison and Milwaukee. Walker, who is Milwaukee County executive, has spoken out against the rail line saying it will cost taxpayers too much in ongoing costs and not create enough jobs.
3-10-10 soldier's misrepresentation
NEW LONDON, Wis. (AP) — The U.S. Army says a soldier who returned to a hero's welcome in Wisconsin misrepresented his rank, badges and the origin of his injuries. About 60 veterans and well-wishers greeted Spc. Jordan Olson with American flags and balloons at the Outagamie County Regional Airport Saturday. Olson was back in the Fox Valley to be treated for injuries he said he received in a roadside explosion in Afghanistan. But, the Army says Olson was not injured in combat. When Olson returned he told the Appleton Post-Crescent that he was a sergeant. The Army says Olson is a specialist and has not been authorized to wear the Combat Action Badge he had, or a Parachutist Badge from the 82nd Airborne Division. A phone number for Olson has been disconnected. 3-10-10 deer management meeting
HORICON – Once again, the Department of Natural Resources will host an Open House here to present information on deer management, herd status and hunting in most of Dodge County. The Open House will be held on Monday, March 15, at 5:30 p.m., in the Auditorium of the Horicon Marsh Education Center, N7725 State Highway 28, Horicon. DNR wildlife biologist Brenda Kelly, Horicon, will focus on the 2009 deer harvest and season summary for deer management unit (DMU) 68B, encompassing Dodge County north of State Highway 60. The biologist will also show a video covering updates on deer management, hunter involvement in deer management, new research initiatives, communications and the DNR’s proposed chronic wasting disease (CWD) management plan. Kelly emphasizes that the Open House is aimed primarily for those persons who hunt, reside or are interested in the deer herd status of DMU 68B. For more information, contact Kelly at 920-387-7882.
3-10-10 suicide prevention training
On Wednesday, March 10, 2010, a free training on suicide prevention strategies will be conducted by the Comprehensive Service Integration (CSI) Project. Kay Blankenship, Licensed Professional Counselor and TeenScreen Coordinator from the Fond du Lac Area TeenScreen Program, will present “Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR): Ask a Question, Save a Life” from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Fond du Lac School District Administration Center, 72 W. Ninth Street, Fond du Lac. The basics of QPR are easily learned and, like CPR, may save a life. QPR teaches people to recognize warning signs, clues, and suicidal messages to prevent suicide. Recognizing warning signs for suicide is everyone’s responsibility. Kay Blankenship, TeenScreen Coordinator, states, “Learning how to ask someone about suicidal thinking may save a life.” Presentation participants will learn to ask questions about thoughts, feelings, and plans for suicide, listen without fear or judgment, offer hope and alternative solutions, and assist an at-risk person in getting the help they need. According to Mental Health America, in Wisconsin, suicide is the second leading cause of death for 15 – 24 year olds. Results of the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) and Health Experience and Attitudes: A Survey of Fond du Lac School District Students - 2009, twelve percent of youth seriously considered suicide and six percent of youth attempted suicide within the past year. Everyone, especially people who work with children and their families, is welcome to attend. Space is limited. Please register in advance online at www.csifdl.org or by contacting Mary Gescheidle at (920) 906-6700 extension 4703.
3-10-10 several vaccines offered at no cost for adults
The Fond du Lac County Health Department is pleased to announce it can now offer Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Varicella (Chickenpox), and HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccinations to Fond du Lac County adults free of charge at any of its regularly scheduled immunizations clinics. The MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine) Tdap and Td (Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis) vaccines continue to be free for adults. HPV vaccine is recommended for both females and males. It is given in a 3 dose series, and is approved for ages 9 to 26 years of age. The vaccine prevents disease from HPV types 16 and 18 which cause 70% of cervical cancer cases and HPV Types 6 and 11, which cause 90% of genital warts cases. Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine is given in a 2 dose series and prevents the disease of chicken pox. Hepatitis A is a 2 dose series to prevent hepatitis A liver disease. Hepatitis A is spread by close personal contact with a person infected with the virus or by eating food or drinking water contaminated with hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for anyone who wants to protect themselves from Hepatitis A, but especially for people traveling outside of the county to areas where Hepatitis A disease is more common such as Mexico, South or Central American Asia, Africa and eastern Europe. Hepatitis B is a three dose series to prevent Hepatitis B liver disease. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with blood or body fluids of a person infected with hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B disease increases a persons chance of dying from cirrhosis or liver cancer. Employers who need to provide Hepatitis B vaccine to at risk employees are still required to pay $30.00 per dose. Darlene Hanke is a Public Health Nurse with the Fond du Lac County Health Department, 160 South Macy Street, Fond du Lac, WI., 54935. For further information contact the Fond du Lac County Health Department at 920-929-3085 or1-800-547-3640, or visit www.fdlco.wi.gov.
3-10-10 meeting scheduled for winnebago drive project
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDOT) Northeast Region in Green Bay is announcing a public information meeting concerning the reconstruction of Winnebago Drive from Luco Road to Sandy Beach Road. It is scheduled for Thursday, March 11 at Moraine Park Technical College, Room A 102/A 103 in Fond du Lac. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Please park in the O parking lot and come in the O-1 entrance. WisDOT staff will provide information on the sequencing of construction, traffic control and answer questions. Moraine Park Technical College is wheelchair accessible. People who are deaf or hard of hearing and require an interpreter may call Kim Rudat via the Wisconsin Telecommunications Relay System (dial 711). Please call at least three days in advance.
3-10-10 fdl city council forum
Six candidates are vying for four open City Council seats in the April 6 municipal election. The Fond du Lac Public Library, in cooperation with local media, will hold a candidates’ forum at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 16. The candidates will face questions from a panel of local journalists in a session moderated by Marty Ryan, former councilman and council president. The candidates have been asked to address their backgrounds, qualifications, personal histories and reasons for seeking local office. The public is invited to submit questions to the candidates in advance. To submit a question, visit the library’s website, www.fdlpl.org, and click on “City Council Candidates’ Forum.” You will be directed to an online form. The submitted questions will be provided to the journalists, who will have the opportunity to use the questions at the forum. The forum is open to the public. After the event, the forum podcast will be posted on the library’s website.
3-10-10 theisen talent show for haiti relief
Theisen Middle School students will be using their talents and skills for various performances that will be dedicated to raising money for the American Red Cross: Haiti Relief Fund. Please join these students on Thursday, March 11 for shows at 3:15 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the show are $1.00 for students and $3.00 for adults.
3-10-10 habitat for humanity events
Rolling Along with Habitat for Humanity – Family Roller Skating Event - March 19 at the Spectrum Entertainment Center from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Everyone is invited, to a Roller Skating event for the whole Family! Rolling Along with Habitat will include a fun filled evening with skating, door prizes, and skating contests. This event will also have a Silent Auction and raffles geared toward kids. For only $5 admission price includes: skate rental, and door prize ticket. All money raised through this event will be donated to: Habitat for Humanity of Fond du Lac County. Come and join the fun with kids and adults of all ages at the Spectrum Entertainment Center.
Groundbreaking Ceremony – 245 7th Street, FDL – April 10th, 2010 Noon to 1:00. The community is welcome to join Habitat for Humanity along with its partner family, local dignitaries, staff and volunteers as ground break for the Moss Family’s new home. This ceremony is for the first build site for the 2010 build season; check our website for the future date of our second groundbreaking for the 2010 build season. Sign up now to volunteer at information@habitatfdl.org.
Windows of Opportunity event – Closing Reception – April 9th at Windhover. Join us on April 9th for the Windows of Opportunity Closing Event and bid on your favorite pieces from the exhibit from 5 to 8 p.m. A silent auction will be featured along with live music and refreshments. To view the items, please check out our website at: www.habitatfdl.org.
3-10-10 women's fund honors lent as 2010 woman of the year
“In 2007 the Women of Achievement award was established to honor and recognize local women who through visionary thinking, entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, philanthropy, and tireless efforts have made a significant difference or greatly enhanced the quality of life in our community.” The Women’s Fund of the Fond du Lac Area Foundation will be hosting is sixth annual luncheon on Thursday, April 8th. This year’s theme is “Connecting Women . . . Creating Change”. The Women’s Fund is a permanent endowment established to fund programs and projects that support women and girls in our community. The Women’s Fund grants focus on education, leadership, and economic self-sufficiency, which have been identified as critical components in helping women to succeed. At its annual luncheon Thursday, April 8, the Women’s Fund of the Fond du Lac Area Foundation will be honoring Barbra Lent for her visionary thinking, entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, philanthropy, and tireless efforts which have made a significant difference and greatly enhanced the quality of life in our community. “Lent was a unanimous selection for her generous philanthropic support, visionary thinking in helping to start many Fond du Lac area programs,” says Ellen Sorensen, Fond du Lac Area Foundation Women’s Fund, board president. “Her leadership to many organizations, and her unbelievably tireless efforts in working to improve the quality of life for so many is what we will be celebrating!” Past recipients of the “Women of Achievement” award are Virginia Gilmore, Mary Fran Merwin, Ruth Michels, Dr. Joan Regan, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Agnes and Shelley Stayer. The Women’s Fund invites the public to attend its sixth annual luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 8 at the Holiday Inn, Fond du Lac. Registration and social will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch and a brief program. Tickets are still available at $30 per person and can be reserved calling (920) 921-2215.
3-10-10 student art on display at city county government center
Over 150 pieces of artwork from students in Grades K-5 in the Fond du Lac School District will be on display in the lobby area of the City/County Government building in recognition of March's designation as Youth Art Month. The public is invited to view the creations of these budding artists Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In celebration of Youth Art Month, artwork created by middle school and high school students will be on display at both the Gallery and Frame Shop (94 South Main Street) and at the Public Library throughout the month of March. The Public Library's hours are: Monday-Thursday - 9 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Friday - 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Saturday - 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.; and Sunday - Noon - 4 p.m.
3-10-10 fdl police citizens academy
The Fond du Lac Police Department is currently accepting applications for its Citizen's Police Academy that will start on April 1, 2010. The Citizen's Police Academy is a program designed to give participants a working knowledge of the Fond du Lac Police Department. It is not a "training" class, but it is an exciting informational class. It is a behind-the-scenes look at the Fond du Lac Police Department. The Citizen's Academy program was designed under the premise that an informed community is a safer community. Informed and educated citizens will be more supportive of police officers and the Department, and they will be more proactive within their own neighborhoods. The Citizen's Academy consists of a series of classes and discussions held once a week on Thursday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It is hoped that all graduates of this class will get to know more about the men and women who are protecting their community and why they make the decisions they do while performing that duty. An application can be picked up at the Police Department or downloaded here. Application Deadline is March 12, 2010 For more information contact Captain Steve Klein (920) 322-3709
3-10-10 fdl school budget forum
The second of two community forums to receive public input on the Fond du Lac School District budget. Forums will be held this month. The forum will be held Thursday March 11th at Theisen Middle School. Meanwhile, Superintendent, Doctor Jim Sebert, says more than 70 people on 15 budget teams had a kick off meeting last month to begin discussing the budget. Sebert says the challenge will be making up a projected 1.7 million dollardeficit without significant cuts to staff and or programs. 3-10-10 fdl county sheriff's department law of the month
All law enforcement officers are trained and equipped to safely handle an array of dangerous situations. However, when officers are standing or parked on the side of the highway for a traffic stop or to assist a motorist, they are virtually defenseless against the constant danger of being hit by vehicles traveling at high speeds just a few feet away. To help protect law enforcement officers, emergency responders, road maintenance workers, and others who work on the side of roadways, Wisconsin has a Move Over Law. The law requires drivers to shift lanes or slow down in order to create a safety zone for a squad car, ambulance, fire truck, tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle that is stopped on the side of a road with its warning lights flashing. Drivers have two options for creating a safety zone. If the road has more than one directional lane, like the Interstate, and you can switch lanes safely, you must move over to vacate the lane closest to the law enforcement or other emergency vehicle. If the road has a single directional lane or you can't safely move over, you must reduce your speed. Violating the Move Over Law can be expensive as well as dangerous. A citation costs $263 with three demerit points added to your license. Signs to remind motorist about the Move Over Law are posted on highways near main entry points to Wisconsin. They read: "STATE LAW. MOVE OVER OR SLOW DOWN FOR STOPPED EMERGENCY VEHICLES." Failure of motorists to move over or slow down is one of the major reasons that motor vehicle crashes kill more law enforcement officers on duty than any other cause. Obeying the Move Over Law will help protect motorists as well as our officers from needless crashes.
Have a Safe Month,
Sheriff Mick Fink
3-10-10 fdl police department law of the month
March is a month well known in the State of Wisconsin as a month that can bring a wide range of different weather. It can be 70 degrees and sunny one day to blizzard-like conditions the next. Because of the possibility of snow, sleet or rain on any given day, it is imperative for motorists to keep their registration (license) plate clean of debris, ie., dirt, snow, etc. Law Enforcement Officers check license plate registration information on a daily basis and keeping your license plate visible and free of debris not only assists law enforcement officers in doing their job, it’s the law. Wisconsin State Statute 341.15(3)(c) states: A person who operates a vehicle with a registration plate in an illegible condition due to the accumulation of dirt or other foreign matter, is subject to a forfeiture between $63.60 and $200. During the month of March, Fond du Lac Police Officers will be paying particular
