Sex Offenders Moving To New Locations -- 7/30/2013

Two convicted child sex offenders are moving to new locations in the city

of Fond du Lac today.  Police say 46 year old Darin Klumpyan is now living at

a residence at 457 Thomas Street  where he has resided in the past.

Klumpyan served seven years in prison for sexually assaulting a 15 year old girl.

Twenty six year old Allen Sabel has moved to an apartment at 186 East

Johnson Street.  When Sabel was 13 years old he repeatedly sexually assaulted an eight

year old boy and in addition has three juvenile adjudications for sexually assaulting

minors. 

New Goat Farm Opens Near Pipe -- 7/30/3013

A national award-winning maker of goat’s milk cheese, has opened a new 35,000-square-foot farmstead dairy plant, retail store and café.

 LaClare Farms , Owned by the Larry and Clara Hedrich family of Chilton are opening a new facility. The facility includes a milking parlor with housing for 600 milking goats. It is located near the northeast Fond du Lac County community of Pipe at County Trunk HH.

The LaClare goat dairy is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. Visitors can see the goat-milking process at 4:30 p.m. each day. The entire facility, including the milking parlor, dairy processing plant and cheese aging rooms, is visible through public viewing windows.

Former Travel Agency Owner Found Guilty -- 7/30/2013

Former Dodge Country Travel Agency Owner Deborah Paul was found guilty in Dodge County Court of felony theft in October 2012, but delays due to the woman’s health forced several postponements over the past nine months and taxed the patience of victims.

Among several victims who spoke out at Paul’s sentencing hearing was Ann Marie McLean of Waupun, who said she and her husband saved for years to take a vacation to Alaska in their retirement. The couple paid $11,498 for the trip an entire year before the departure date. The McLean’s also paid $876 to Paul to cover a second trip.

7-27-13 fire department demonstrates residential sprinkler system

The Fond du Lac Fire Department wants residents to know that residential sprinkler systems can save homes and lives.  On Friday firefighters conducted a live side by side demonstration at the corner of Division and Lincoln Streets…two blocks east of a new Habitat for Humanity home.  Fire prevention specialist Troy Haase says the new Habitat home on South Hickory Street will be equipped with an  automatic residential fire sprinkler system.  All labor costs, materials and system design was donated.

7-27-13 st marys springs to apply for expanded school voucher program

Fond du Lac’s  St. Mary’s Springs Academy has announced that they will apply to participate in the expanded private school voucher program.  Director of Enrollment Emily Salm says the decision to apply was made after reviewing all aspects of the program.  "We're thrilled to be able to give parents the opportunity to provide their children with a Catholic education that maybe they've never been able to consider before,"  Salm told AM 1170 WFDL's Between the Lines program.  Salm says in order to become a choice school, St. Marys Springs must process as many applications from eligible families as possible.  All applications must be submitted between August 1^st and August 9^th. 

An informational session will be held starting at 6:30pm on Tuesday July 30^th at the Holy Family Church Parish Hall.  The Vice President of School Choice Wisconsin, Terry Brown, will be on hand to explain the program and answer questions.

7-27-13 rodgers says braun lied to him

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says he was "shocked" when his friend Ryan Braun admitted he violated baseball's rules against using performance-enhancing substances.

Rodgers says the Milwaukee Brewers slugger "looked me in the eye" and it "didn't feel great being lied to like that." He says he's disappointed.  Braun has accepted a season-ending 65-game suspension. He and Rodgers are friends, and a Milwaukee restaurant is named after the Wisconsin stars. Rodgers defended Braun on Twitter last year, saying he would bet his salary that his friend was clean.  On Friday at training camp, Rodgers says he was simply "backing up a friend" then. Rodgers says they've spoken since Braun's admission.  Rodgers also says he "believes in forgiveness" and moving forward, though Braun has a tough task ahead of him.

7-27-13 brewers fan asked to leave miller park

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A Milwaukee Brewers fan says she was asked to leave Miller Park because she had made some changes to her Ryan Braun shirt. Karen Eidem says security tapped her on the shoulder while she was standing with friends at the ballpark Wednesday night. Eidem had changed a couple letters on the back of her Brewers shirt to make it read 'Fraud' instead of Braun because of the slugger's recent suspension.

7-27-13 man convicted of stealing from church

An Ixonia man will spend some time in jail for stealing thousands of dollars from an Ashippun church.  At a plea and sentencing hearing Wednesday, 62 year old James Schlieve pleaded no contest to a charge of theft of a business setting in Dodge County Circuit Court.  Nine other counts of theft of a business setting and four counts of misappropriating identifying information to obtain money were dismissed and read into the record.  Judge Andrew Bissonnette handed down a withheld five-year probation sentence along with a year in jail.  Schlieve was accused of taking 162 thousand dollars from an endowment fund he helped manage for Zion Lutheran Church in Ashippun.  He allegedly used the money for daily expenses.  Court records indicate that restitution has been paid in full.  Schlieve must also pay $4,100 in fines and fees and complete 150 hours of community service.

7-27-13 woman convicted of torturing stepdaughter sentenced

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A judge has sentenced a Wisconsin woman accused of torturing her teenage stepdaughter and starving her down to 68 pounds to five years in prison. The Madison woman pleaded no contest in April to first-degree recklessly endangering safety and causing mental harm to a child.

7-27-13 fdl liquor license ordinance change proposed

The Fond du Lac Alcohol Licensing committee will consider proposed ordinance changes when it comes to renewing liquor licenses at its meeting Monday afternoon.  The proposed change comes after the Fond du lac city council voted last month to renew the historic Retlaw hotel’s alcohol and liquor licenses.  The city had threatened not to renew the licenses because the hotel was several months delinquent on its taxes and utility fees owed to the city.  In the end the hotel paid its bill and its licenses were renewed.  To prevent this from happening in the future city manager Joe Moore

is recommending changing city ordinance to read that no license would be granted if the applicant owes the city money.

7-27-13 old refigerator contest

FRANKLIN, Wis. (AP) — The old refrigerator in your garage or basement could be worth $1,000.

Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program is offering $1,000 to the person who turns in the oldest refrigerator in the state. The contest is meant to encourage households to recycle old, energy-inefficient appliances.

Thus far, it has collected about 11,000 refrigerators. The goal is to recycle 16,000.  About 20 percent of Wisconsin homes have a second refrigerator and many are energy wasters.

7-27-13 night deer hunting trial ends

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A federal trial over whether Wisconsin's Chippewa tribes can hunt deer at night has wrapped up but a decision isn't likely for months.  The state Department of Natural Resources has long banned night deer hunting deer out of safety concerns. The Chippewa agreed to abide by the prohibition when they were hashing out hunting and fishing rights in front of U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb two decades ago.  The tribes now contend they should be allowed to hunt at night because the DNR has allowed night hunting to contain chronic wasting disease and let hunters kill wolves at night this past fall.

Crabb listened to both sides' arguments during a weeklong bench trial that ended Friday. Crabb didn't rule, instead giving the attorneys until mid-September to submit final briefs.

7-27-13 state capitol protesters arrested

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Seventeen protesters have been arrested on the third day of a crackdown for gathering in the Wisconsin state Capitol without a permit. Governor Scott Walker's administration said today that 17 citations were issued during the event and 14 more will be sent to people for participating based on video evidence recorded since Wednesday.

7-27-13 convicted child sex offenders moving to new locations in fdl

Two convicted child sex offenders are moving to new locations in the city of Fond du Lac.  Police say 46 year old Darin Klumpyan will be moving to a residence at 457 Thomas Street next week where he has resided in the past.  Klumpyan served seven years in prison for sexually assaulting a 15 year old girl.  Twenty six year old Allen Sabel will be moving to an apartment at 186 East Johnson Street.  When Sabel was 13 years old he repeatedly sexually assaulted an eight year old boy and in addition has three juvenile adjudications for sexually assaulting minors. 

7-27-13 abandoned vehicles

During the month of August Fond du lac police will be searching city streets for abandoned vehicles.
A vehicle is determined “abandoned” when it is left unattended on any street or public or private property without the permission of the owner for more than 72 hours.    The abandoned vehicle will be towed and impounded and the city will dispose of vehicles that are not claimed.  If there is an abandoned vehicle in your neighborhood call police at 906-5555.

7-26-13 campbellsport man sentenced in dog attack incident

A Campbellsport man convicted of torturing teenager he thought was stealing from him is going to prison.  Fond du lac County Circuit Court Judge Gary Sharpe sentenced Richard Lisko to six years in prison followed by six years extended supervision.  The District Attorney's Office was asking for a prison sentence of between 12 and 15 years.  In May a Fond du Lac jury found Lisko guilty of reckless injury and false imprisonment.  Sheriff’s Lieutenant Cameron McGee says Lisko ordered his pet Pit Bull to bite Joel Kennedy Jr. and then tied a dog leash to Kennedy’s legs and hung the teen upside down from a wood beam on his front porch.  "The situation started off bad with Lisko accusing (Joel) Kennedy's son of stealing prescription medication.  It went to worse when Lisko started interrogating young Mr. Kennedy and it got ugly when he (Lisko) put his dog on him and had the dog bite,"  McGee said.  Before he was sentenced Lisko apologized for his actions. 

7-26-13 fdl man arrested following foot chase

A Fond du Lac man is being held in jail on a probation violation following a foot chase with police.  Assistant Police Chief Steve Klein says officers were called to the Northway Motel Wednesday.  Klein says when officers arrived the suspect took off on foot.  Klein says the 28 year old man tried to jump a fence near Highway 41…apparently with the intent of trying to elude police by running across the highway, but was taken into custody.  The suspect was transported to the Fond du lac County Jail.

7-26-13 fdl woman faces animal neglect charges

A Fond du lac woman has been charged after ten puppies were revmoved fromher home earlier this month.  Thirty two year old Stacy Checolinski faces ten counts each of neglecting to provide proper drink to confined animals and failure to provide proper indoor animal shelter ventilation.  The puppies were found in a tarp covered crate in the backyard of an 8^th Street home earlier this month when there was hot and humid weather.  Fond du lac Animal Shelter manager Renee Webb says the puppies are lucky to be alive.  Webb says the puppies would have probably died in another half hour if they hadn’t been rescued.  Checolinski is scheduled to make her initial Fond du lac court appearance July 30^th.   Meanwhile  Webb says the puppies are continuing to recover at the animal shelter.

7-26-13 fd forest mall younkers redevelopment

The Fond du Lac community development director says a redevelopment project on the east end of the Forest Mall is long overdue.  Wayne Rollin tells AM 1170 WFDL's Between the Lines program the owner of the east end of the mall is working on a redevelopment plan for the Younkers building and property to the east.  Rollin says two un-named restaurants are slated for construction on the frontage road along West Johnson Street and the parking lot will be reconstructed.  Sources say one of the restaurants is a Panda Express.

7-26-13 fdl part of alliant led streetlight pilot program

Alliant Energy is bringing energy-efficient technology to Fond du lac streetlights.  Alliant spokesman Scott Reigstad says approximately 30 streetlights in Fond du Lac will be replaced over the next few
weeks with LED units as part of a pilot project to test the performance of LED technology.  The new streetlights are being installed along Martin and Fond du Lac Avenues near the fairgrounds. Reigstad says the current streetlights in Fond du Lac and throughout most of the state are high pressure sodium lights.  The majority of these lights feature 100-watt or 150-watt equivalent compared to 80-watt units for the new LED streetlights.

7-26-13 state income tax cut

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The $650 million state income tax cut signed into law last month won't automatically result in higher pay checks for Wisconsin taxpayers.  That's because the state is not changing paycheck withholding tables to reflect the new lower rates. Unless taxpayers fill out the necessary paperwork for employers to withhold less, they won't see the benefit of the tax cut until they file taxes in 2014.  Todd Berry, president of the nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, says the state has historically not adjusted withholding tables so it can collect more in taxes to pay its bills during the year.

Berry says the average taxpayer has between 15 percent and 25 percent more withheld by the state for income taxes than is necessary.

7-26-13 state workers-pay raise

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Democratic state senator is upset that a 1 percent pay raise approved by the Legislature for state employees will not cover those still in a union contract.  Sen. Jon Erpenbach on Thursday sent a letter to Gov. Scott Walker on Thursday asking that Walker take steps to make sure the raise apply across the board.  But Walker's spokeswoman Jocelyn Webster says the governor made clear in a letter to state employees last month that the 1 percent increase was only for eligible state employees. She says those eligible are only those not currently represented by a union.  Erpenbach says if Walker doesn't take action, he hopes the Legislature addresses the issue this fall.

7-26-13 capitol protesters

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Scores of protesters have returned to the Wisconsin Capitol rotunda a day after police launched another crackdown on them. Protesters have been meeting in the rotunda during the noon hour nearly every day for the last two years to sing anti-Republican, pro-organized labor songs. Yesterday police launched a crackdown on them, arresting nearly two dozen of them for not having a permit to gather in the building.

7-26-13 john deer anniversary

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Thousands of people are expected to gather in Horicon this weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the John Deere lawn-and-garden tractor.  The model 110 tractor was first made at John Deere Corp.'s Horicon Works factory in 1963.  It is a miniature version of a regular tractor, with attachments that include a plow for planting.  The company made 1,000 of the smaller tractors the first year as a way to test the market. In 2010, the plant made its 5 millionth garden tractor.  The weekend celebration will include factory tours, garden tractor displays, a daily tractor parade and a swap meet.

 

7-25-13 vandezande resigns

Fond du Lac city councilmember Rob VandeZande has resigned, effective immediately due to a family medical issue.  VandeZande made the announcement at Wednesday night’s city council meeting.  VandeZande was first elected to the council in 2010 and was re-elected in 2012.   He says its been a great learning experience.  "Learning the ins and outs of how the city is run.  The city has gone through a big transition in the last three and a half years with having Tom Herre as the city manager to the hiring of Joe Moore, going through the wage scale situation and dealing with Act 10  brought down by the state, tough budget times,"  VandeZande said.  "Its been tough but its been fund."    The council will decide whether to appoint someone to fill the vacancy or leave the position open until the election next April.

7-25-13 fdl budget update

The Fond du Lac city manager says the 2014 budget will include no major changes in service levels or the reduction or elimination of existing services.  The Fond du lac city council was provided with a budget update at their meeting Wednesday night.   City manager Joe Moore says due to changes in collective bargaining and a new wage and salary schedule, personnel costs are projected to decrease by an estimated $117,000.  Moore says the reality of some of the adjustments made to balance this year’s budget  are beginning to sink in with Fond du lac residents.  "We've had some complaints about charging at the bulky waste site, about our inability to cut brush on the banks of creeks and rivers as quickly as we normally would have, complaints this winter-we were lagging behind in our ability to plow snow in the timing the citizens would have expected and all of those things go back to having a few less people on hand to do the job,"  Moore told WFDL news.  "I don't expect us to take any more personnel reductions, as a matter of fact it won't be in the budget."

Moore says the budget includes an increase of nearly $66,000 to fund five additional Community Service officers and increase the hours of two existing summertime CSOs in the police department.  The budget will not include any water or wastewater utility rate increases.  Approximately $600,000 in general fund balance will be used to help balance the budget.

7-25-13 city of fdl assisting downtown arts center project

The city of Fond du Lac is assisting in the renovation project at the downtown Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts.  A public hearing was held at Wednesday night’s council meeting on the issuance of up to four and a half million dollars in industrial revenue bonds for the project.  Community Development Director Wayne Rollin says the project is already having a positive economic impact.  "There have been investments made based on the expectation that the Thelma will be there and will expand and continue to be a presence in the community,"  Rollin told WFDL news.  The Fond du lac city council is expected to give final approval to the Issuance of the IRBs at a future meeting.

7-25-13 waupun woman charged with striking developmentally disabled person

A Waupun woman is accused of striking a developmentally disabled person in the face.  Fifty four year old Mary Jo Kearley is charged in Dodge County Circuit Court with intentionally abusing a patient under her care.  According to a criminal complaint Kearley works at  Bethesda Day Services and was eating lunch when a female patient  tried to grab her food.  According to the complaint Kearley grabbed the patient’s hand and slapped her in the face.  Kearley told police she just snapped. 

7-25-13 thompson joins bipartisan policy center

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Former Republican Governor Tommy Thompson has joined the Bipartisan Policy Center to work on a project recommending ways to contain health care costs. The center bills itself as the only Washington-based think tank actively promoting bipartisanship. The center announced today that Thompson will work on the health care project alongside former Democratic U.S. Senator Tom Daschle and Republican Senators Bill Frist and Pete Domenici.

7-25-13 capitol police cite protesters

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican Governor Scott Walker's administration says Capitol Police cited nearly two dozen people who gathered in the building's rotunda to sing. Department of Administration spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis says 22 people received citations for not having a permit. Three of the 22 received two citations. One person was also cited for disorderly conduct for allegedly spitting on a singer. The singers have been meeting in the rotunda almost daily for two years to protest Republican policies.

7-25-13 selig defends baseball drug policy

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is defending the league's fight against performance-enhancing drugs. Selig was at Milwaukee's Miller Park today for a youth event. He said he couldn't discuss the investigation surrounding the now-closed Biogenesis clinic that resulted in a season-long ban for Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun.

7-25-13 fdl-dodge county jobless rates up

Local unemployment rates have inched up in the latest reporting period.  The city of Fond du Lac’s jobless rate for June stands at 8.2-percent.  That’s up from 7.5 percent in May.  The Fond du lac County rate increased four-tenths of a percent to 6.8 percent.  In  Dodge County the June unemployment rate is 7.6 percent…up from seven percent in May.

7-25-13 brandon man charged with owi homicide

A Brandon man has been charged in connection with a fatal owi crash in Barron County.  Sixty two year old Gary Clark is charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle and homicide by negligent use of  a vehicle.  According to a criminal complaint Clark ran a stop sign in the town of Clinton July 22^nd colliding with a vehicle killing a passenger.  Clark told officers he blacked out prior to the crash and doesn’t remember what happened.  His blood alcohol level measured .098 percent.  Clark said he had two beers before the crash.

 

 

7-24-13 lone star tick

University of Wisconsin researchers say a new species of tick may be making its home in Wisconsin.  The Lone Star ticks usually live in the southeastern and eastern parts of the country but have been increasingly appearing in Wisconsin. State epidemiologist Zip Johnson says 12 of the ticks have been found In  Dane County this summer.  Johnson says the Department of Health Services is monitoring for human cases.  "We need to have people help us if they see these type of ticks to contact the lab, send them in for identification and testing,"  Johnson told AM 1170 WFDL's Between the Lines program.   "That's the only way that we would be able to understand what's happening if we have some kind of a tick surveillance.  Its very important."   Johnson says before saying the ticks have been established in Wisconsin researchers will need to see all three of the tick’s life stages, larval, nymphal and adult in the same area for several years…criteria that haven’t yet been met.

7-24-13 wi housing sales continue to soar

Wisconsin home sales rose an impressive 11.4 percent in the first six months of the year.  Wisconsion Realtors Association President, Mike Theo, tells AM 1170 WFDL's Between the Lines program in June alone, Wisconsin home sales were up 3.1 percent compared to a year ago.

Theo says median prices also continued to increase.  Theo says while higher prices impact housing affordability, homes in Wisconsin remain a good value.  "I'd say they're going very,very strong and our prediction is its going to be that way through the balance of the year," Theo said.

7-24-13 great lakes budget

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A subcommittee in the Republican-controlled U.S. House is proposing the steepest cut in spending on a far-reaching Great Lakes environmental cleanup program since it was established in 2009.  The panel approved a bill Tuesday that would spend just $60 million on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, nearly 80 percent less than the $285 million in this year's budget.

The program is designed to make progress on some of the region's most longstanding ecological problems, such as invasive species, harbors polluted with toxic sediments, harmful algae blooms and loss of wildlife habitat.  Leaders of groups that support the initiative say the cut would devastate a program that has enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress.  The bill also proposes an 80 percent cut in a loan fund for local sewer system upgrades.

7-24-13 lottery audit

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A new report shows Wisconsin lottery sales increased nearly 11 percent over the past five years.  The Legislative Audit Bureau released a study Tuesday that shows sales grew from $494.7 million in fiscal year 2007-08 to $547.6 million in fiscal year 2011-12.  The report attributes the jump to increased sales of $20 instant games, the addition of the Mega Millions game and an increase in Powerball ticket prices from $1 to $2 in January 2012.  Lottery expenses totaled $391.2 million in fiscal year 2011-12, including $320 million in prices. State law mandates at least 50 percent of lottery sales go back to players as prize payments. The payout percentage in 2011-12 was 58.5 percent.  The report also found lottery proceeds provided $708 million in relief from 2007-08 through 2011-12.

7-24-13 stomach bug outbreak

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 200 people in at least four states have come down with a stomach bug that could be linked to foodborne illness.   The Centers for Disease Control says the cyclospora infection causing diarrhea and other flu-like symptoms has been reported in Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, and Wisconsin. The CDC said eight people have been hospitalized and the reported illnesses occurred from mid-June to early July.  The Food and Drug Administration is investigating the cyclospora infections, which are most often found in tropical or subtropical countries and have been linked to imported fresh produce in the past.

The illness is usually spread when people ingest foods or water contaminated with feces. The agency said it isn't yet clear whether the cases from all of the states are linked.

7-24-13 walker-wedc bill

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker has signed into law a bill that bans Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. employees and board members from negotiating contracts that might benefit them.

Walker signed the bill Tuesday during a WEDC board meeting in Green Bay.  The new law prohibits WEDC board members and employees with a monetary interest in a contract from participating in the deals or exercising any discretion on it.  Walker says the law provides clear direction and adds increased transparency and accountability.  The governor and the Republican-controlled Legislature created WEDC in 2011 to help the governor meet his campaign promise to create 250,000 private-sector jobs. But the agency is reeling after an audit revealed it hasn't followed state law, adequately tracked loans and sometimes gave money to companies that didn't qualify.

7-24-13 senator ellis faces challenger

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic state Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber is challenging Republican Senate President Mike Ellis for the seat he's held in the state Senate since 1982. Schaber, of Appleton, announced her campaign today. It marks the first time Ellis has had a Democratic opponent since 1998.

7-23-13 kennedy sentence

A New Berlin man convicted for his role in a dog attack incident near Campbellsport that injured his son will not go to prison.  Instead Fond du Lac judge Peter Grimm ordered 18 years on probation and an additional six months in the county jail for  43 year old Joel Kennedy on charges of substantial battery, not reporting a crime and reckless injury.  In February Kennedy received a six month jail sentence and three years probation on a false imprisonment count related to the case.   Kennedy is the victim’s father and investigators say he stood by and did nothing to stop Richard Lisko from ordering his Pit Bull to attack Kennedy’s son.   Before he was sentenced Kennedy made a brief statement.  "I know what I did was wrong  and I apologize," Kennedy said.   But in handing down his sentence Judge Grimm pointed out that Kennedy suffers from an autism disorder and  "didn’t act rationally because he was paralyzed with fear."    The judge said the case was all about Lisko who is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday.

7-23-13 ripon man saves oshkosh motorcyclist from oncoming train

A Ripon man is credited with saving the life of a motorcyclist after the Oshkosh man crashed his motorcycle on a set of railroad tracks in Oshkosh over the weekend.  Oshkosh police say on Saturday afternoon  a 34 year old Oshkosh man was speeding on Broad Street when he failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed.  The man landed on the railroad tracks in the path of an oncoming train.  Police say a 24 year old Ripon man who was stopped for the train saw the crash and pulled the unconscious motorcyclist off the tracks with the train just 20 feet away.  The motorcycle operator was transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

7-23-13 braun suspended for the rest of the year

NEW YORK (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun avoided a 50-game suspension before last season, but he wasn't as fortunate this time.  Major League Baseball has suspended the 2011 National League MVP without pay for the remainder of the season. It is the first penalty of baseball's investigation of players reportedly tied to a Florida clinic accused of distributing performance-enhancing drugs.

Braun will miss the final 65 games for the Brewers, who were 13 ½ games out of a playoff berth when the suspension was announced.  MLB Commissioner Bud Selig cited Braun for multiple "violations" of baseball's drug program and labor contract. Braun issued a statement indicating he had made some mistakes in the past and is willing to accept the consequences.  Major League Baseball attempted to suspend him for an elevated testosterone level following his MVP season of 2011, but an arbitrator overturned the penalty because Braun's urine sample was not handled as specified by baseball's drug agreement.

7-23-13 fdl water well update

Construction of a new water well on Fond du lac’s north side is moving forward.  Public Works director Jordan Skiff says the city has an accepted offer to purchase the property in the area of Arndt Street and North Park Avenue east of the Boyle home.  Skiff says construction would begin this year with the well pumping water late next year.  Skiff says the new well is necessary to increase the city’s drinking water capacity.

7-23-13 nfdl police department drug drop off box

Coming off another successful Drug Take Back event this spring, the North Fond du Lac Police Department is offering its own Drug Drop Box.  Village police chief Darren Pautsch admits he is surprised at the amount of unused prescription medication that has been disposed of locally at the drug take back events over the past few years.  Pautsch says there is no question in his mind that the event has had a positive impact in reducing the amount of prescription medication getting into the wrong hands.  The Drug Drop Off box is located at the North Fond du lac police department and will be  available to local residents during normal business houors Monday through Friday.  A 24-7 drug drop off box is also located in the Fond du Lac police department parking lot.

7-23-13 back to school supply drive

A consortium of churches and local agencies are working to provide needed supplies forat-risk  students as they go back to school this fall.  A back to school supply drive is underway  in Fond du lac with several drop off sites around the community to help students whose parents or guardians are under employed, unemployed or economically disadvantaged In some way.  Fond du Lac Salvation Army social services director Ron Jacobson says registration is underway for the August 24^th distribution.  Three Fill the Bus campaigns are being held the next three weekends…this Saturday from 9am-3pm at Walmart, Friday August 2^nd at Walgreens on Pioneer Road and Friday August 9^th at Shopko.  Families that qualify will be assigned a specific shopping time on Saturday

August 24^th at the Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club.

7-23-13 kelley's creamery featured on good morning america

A Fond du Lac County secret is a secret no more.   In observance of National Ice Cream month, Kelley’s Country Creamery  was featured Monday on Good Morning America.  Co-owner Karen Kelley says she was very honored to have been chosen for the opportunity.  Kelley Creamery was one of three ice cream shops from across the country chosen to appear on the show Monday morning.  "The experience has just been absolutely wonderful,"  Kelley told AM 1170 WFDL's Between the Lines program about 15 minutes after appearing on live national television.  "The Good Morning America team, the people that were assisting us, to the anchors, everybody has just been fantastic."   Kelley's  Creamery is entering its fourth year in business.

7-23-13 food stamp trafficking

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker has signed into law a measure designed to help crack down on food stamp trafficking.  The bill that passed with bipartisan support in the Legislature would expand definitions in state law of what constitutes illegal food stamp trafficking.  Walker signed it privately in the Capitol on Monday.  The law brings Wisconsin into line with the federal government's new expanded definition of food stamp trafficking. That refers to the illegal buying, selling or transferring of food stamp benefits for cash or other unlawful purposes.  Trafficking occurs in most cases when food stamp recipients sell their benefit cards online and in the open market and then apply for free replacements.  In any given month about 15 percent of Wisconsin's population, or 850,000 people, receive food stamp benefits.

7-23-13 legislative fundraising

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin state Assembly Republicans have outraised their Democratic counterparts so far this year and have more than three times as much cash on hand.  Reports filed Monday show the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee raised nearly $223,000 over the first six months of 2013. That compares with just $119,000 raised by Democrats over the same time.  But Democrats spent four times as much as Republicans in the first half of the year. Assembly Republicans report having $270,000 cash on hand compared with just $73,000 for Assembly Democrats.  The Committee to Elect a Republican Senate says it raised about $153,000 through June and had nearly $124,000 on hand. Senate Democrats had yet to file their report.  The fundraising covers the period the Legislature was considering passage of the state budget.

7-23-13 walker-fundraising

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Governor Scott Walker has raised $3.5 million in the first six months of the year as he prepares for his 2014 re-election campaign. Walker reported his latest fundraising numbers today. No Democratic candidate has officially announced they will challenge Walker, although former state Commerce Department Secretary Mary Burke is seriously considering getting in the race.

7-23-13 state confirms 1st human case of west nile virus

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin health officials have confirmed the state's first case of West Nile virus in a human this year. They say the virus was diagnosed in a Dane County resident. Last year, 57 cases of West Nile virus infection were reported among Wisconsin residents.

7-23-13 grandma drummer

LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) — A white-haired, bespectacled drummer from Wisconsin is a hit online, with more than 2 million views of her solo jam session at a local music shop. The video was posted on YouTube by the Coalition Drum Shop in La Crosse. The clip is called Grandma Drummer, and although 63-year-old Mary Hvizda (VIZ'-dah) really isn't a grandma, she's embracing the celebrity status generated by her drumstick-twirling performance.

7-23-13 uw wisconsin quarterback mugged

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin quarterback Tanner McEvoy is back with the team after being mugged in Madison over the weekend. The Badgers say McEvoy suffered minor injuries and his wallet, watch and iPhone were stolen early yesterday. He resumed team activities today. The Badgers say police believe the mugging was random and are investigating.

7-22-13 emergency street repairs

The City of Fond du Lac Department of Public Works would like to inform the  motoring public of emergency pavement repairs in the westbound lanes at the intersection of Johnson Street and Marquette Street.   The first lane to be repaired will be the north lane of westbound Johnson St. Later in the day the south lane will be repaired. At all times, at least one lane of westbound traffic will remain open. The repair work is expected to be completed by the end of the day today with closure barricades being removed early evening.

7-22-13 overturned rape conviction

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A man whose conviction for a 1991 rape was overturned is staying at a Madison homeless shelter.  Joseph Frey received a 102-year sentence for the attack on a University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh student.  The now 54-year-old was freed this month after new DNA tests matched evidence to a man convicted of sexually assaulting two sisters in Fond du Lac but has since died.   Frey also can't afford medication for a degenerative bone disease, blood clots and other health problems.  Wisconsin Innocence Project attorney Tricia Bushnell, who helped exonerate Frey, says the state doesn't provide social services like they would for someone released on a mandatory release date.  If he's lucky, Frey will qualify for the maximum $25,000 the state can award to the wrongfully convicted.

7-22-13 kellley creamery featured on good morning america

ABC’s Good Morning America asked viewers to e-mail fun things to do in summer; many viewers said ice cream shops. Kelley Country Creamery, located in Fond du Lac, Wis., is one of three ice cream shops chosen to appear on the show Monday morning.   “We feel very honored to have been chosen for this opportunity,” says Karen Kelley, co-owner of the Kelley Country Creamery, along with husband, Tim and their five children. “We wish to thank the anonymous person who e-mailed our name to the show.”   The Kelley family will fly to New York City for the show. They sent a variety of their ice cream flavors to the show. The flavors will be sampled live on the Monday morning show. A film crew spent Friday afternoon at the Creamery capturing footage for the interview.

7-22-13 wage growth-reaction

The president of the Fond du lac County Economic Development Corporation admits he was a bit surprised to see Fond du lac at number four on a list of the top ten metro areas in the country for wage growth.  The Wall Street Journal report says San Francisco is number one, followed by Vero Beach, Florida, Midland, Texas and then Fond du lac.  FCEDC president Steve Jenkins says it’s a very enthusiastic indicator that we’re coming out of the recession and seeing growth in the manufacturing sector.  Jenkins describes Fond du lac’s manufacturing sector as strong and improving.

7-22-13 trayvon rally

MILWAUKEE (AP) — About 500 people have rallied in downtown Milwaukee to protest the outcome of the Trayvon Martin shooting case.  A series of speakers outside the Federal Court building Saturday, including politicians and religious leaders, called on the U.S Department of Justice to file civil rights charges against George Zimmerman in the death of Martin.  The Reverend Al Sharpton's National Action Network organized "Justice for Trayvon" rallies and vigils outside federal buildings in over 100 cities Saturday.  A Florida jury acquitted Zimmerman of all charges in the March 2012 shooting of the 17-year-old Martin, who was unarmed. The former neighborhood watch leader claimed self-defense, while others contend Martin was targeted because he was black.

7-22-13 toddler death update

DRESSER, Wis. (AP) — The pastor of a Wisconsin family whose 2-year-old boy was found dead in the trunk of a car says the toddler had the keys to the car with him.  The Rev. Rick Van Gundy of St. Peter's Community Church in Dresser says he got the information from the family of Isaiah Theis.  He says  Isaiah had several sets of keys with him when a deputy found his body Wednesday in the trunk of a car on his parents' property, where the boy's father runs an auto repair business.  Preliminary autopsy results say Isaiah likely died of hyperthermia due to the heat.  Polk County investigators have not yet said how Isaiah got in the trunk when he disappeared Tuesday night from his home near Centuria in western Wisconsin.

7-22-13 milwaukee man re-charged in fdl heroin overdose death case

A day after charges were dismissed on a motion by the prosecutor new charges have been filed against a Milwaukee man in connection with the heroin overdose death of a Fond du lac woman.
Roy Whitelow made his initial Fond du lac Circuit Court appearance Friday on chages of first degree reckless homicide in the death of Heather Fugate.  Charges were dismissed the day before after the prosecution did not file the information in the case before the 30 day time limit.  Whitelow is accused of supplying the heroin that led to Fugate’s death.  Judge Gary Sharpe set cash bail at $400,000.  District Attorney Eric Toney had requested a million dollars cash bail.  Whitelow also faces charges of battery to a law enforcement officer, accused of attacking a jailer.

7-22-13 sentencing delayed for convicted armed robber

Sentencing for a Janesville man convicted of participating in an armed robbery in Fond  du Lac has been delayed until he gets a new attorney.  Twenty seven year old Ian Koch was scheduled to be sentenced this week, but said he was unhappy with his defense attorney and wanted new representation.  Koch was convicted by a Fond du Lac jury in April of party to the crime of  armed

robbery.  Koch and Luis Rivera were accused of robbing a man at gunpoint in the Briarcrest apartments parking lot November 30^TH. 

7-22-13 fdl natural gas leak forces neighborhood evacuation

Nobody was injured following a natural gas leak in Fond du lac.  Firefighters were called to the scene at 40 Sunset Circle shortly after 1:30pm Friday.  A construction company was working in the area
when they struck a one inch gas line.  Nearby residents were evacuated for a short period of time until the area was determined to be safe.  Alliant Energy responded and located a feeder line to clamp off the leak.  Alliant remained on the scene to remedy the problem and restore service for residents in the neighborhood.

7-22-13 correctional officers vote for new representation

The head of a new union representing prison guards says he’s pleased with a vote to drop
membership in the once-powerful Wisconsin State Employees Union but concerned about the low number of officers who actually voted.  The Wisconsin Association for Correctional Law Enforcement will represent the state's 5,900 security and public safety workers.  Brian Cunningham tells AM 1170 WFDL's Between the Lines program the new union will soon need to recertify under a provision in the law that requires annual approval by 51 percent of members.  "I think what people should take away from the statistics are that there's a lot of apathy out there.  That's less than half of the bargaining unit that voted one way or another,"  Cunningham said.  "I think its that apathy that's going to be our biggest overcome in the future."  About 22,000 members belonged to the WSEU before a 2011 state law ended collective bargaining for most state employees and made union membership optional. WSEU membership has since dropped below 10,000 members. Cunningham says he expects WSEU will challenge the vote in court.

7-22-13 two people treated for heat related illness at fdl county fair

The extreme heat and humidity has taken its toll at the Fond du lac County Fair.  Initial indications are that the unbearable heat has affected attendance and Fond du lac County Sheriff’s captain
Rick Olig says at least two fairgoers were treated for heat related illness.  "They did have two people go down, one was an elderly person and one was a 16 year old that went down because of the heat,"  Olig said.  "I was out there on Wednesday  for just a little while.  When you went into some of the (service club) stands it was not too bad.  When you have some shade it was okay but walking the midway area it was just really hot."   

7-20-13 heat-related deaths in milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee authorities are investigating three suspected heat-related deaths as a heat wave broils the city.  The Milwaukee County medical examiner's office says two of the victims are men, ages 71 and 79. Their bodies were found in separate houses Friday.  In both those cases, the medical examiner says the houses were sealed with no fans on and no air conditioning in the house. The other victim is a 44-year-old man. He was found unresponsive in an alley Wednesday evening and pronounced dead in an intensive-care unit Thursday.  The Milwaukee Health Department is reminding people to take care of each other during the hot weather.  The National Weather Service says Milwaukee has recorded four consecutive days of highs in the mid-90s. The heat index has been more than 100 degrees.

7-19-13 correctional officers vote in favor of reorganizing under new union

WFDL news has learned that Wisconsin  correctional officers have voted to reorganize under the organization created by the union’s former local officers.  Fifty three percent or 1548 Department of Corrections security and public safety employees voted to reorganize under the Wisconsin Associaton for Correctional Law Enforcement.  1108 employees voted in favor of AFSCME.  The voting by mail started June 28^th and concluded Thursday.   WACLE interim president Brian Cunningham said earlier that the safety of the correctional officers was at stake on who would represent them on  collective bargaining and workplace issues.  Local Wisconsin State Employees Union groups had filed a lawsuit against WACLE organizers in Winnebago County Circuit Court after several of them transferred about $100,000 in member dues into separate accounts.  Cunningham says the move was made to protect the money.

7-19-13 fdl ranked 4th in the country in wage growth

The city of Fond du Lac is listed as one of the top ten metropolitan areas across the United States where wages are soaring.  The report on YahooFinance.com Is based on figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  According to the report Fond du lac is number four on the list with a one year wage growth of 10.6 percent, an average weekly wage of $811 and unemployment rate of 6.1 percent.  Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel says the wage growth locally is attributed to the area’s

manufacturing sector.  "That is significant, that puts us in 4th place nationally,"  Buechel told WFDL news.  The communities on the list ahead of Fond du lac are Midland, Texas at number three, Vero Beach, Florida at number two and San Francisco at number one.  Rounding out the top ten are Provo, Utah, Odessa, Texas, Cheyenne, Wyoming, Dalton, Georgia and Topeka, Kansas.

7-19-13 wisconsin unemployment rate down

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's unemployment rate dipped slightly in June, continuing a three-month slide.  New figures the state Department of Workforce Development released Thursday show the state's unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in June. That's down from 7.0 percent in May and 7.1 percent in April.

The national unemployment rate in June was 7.6 percent.  The state gained 17,500 jobs during the month, including 7,200 positions in the leisure and hospitality sector. The manufacturing industry added 1,500 jobs.  The June numbers are preliminary and subject to revision.

7-19-13 fdl county highway committe supports park and ride lot

The Fond du Lac County Highway Committee is in support of a new park and ride lot.  The committee has approved a resolution in support of the state Department of Transportation  construction of a park and ride lot with the proposed Highway V and 151 Bypass interchange.  Highway Commissioner Tom Jahnke says if it happens construction is still a couple years out.

7-19-13 fdl county board of health approves wind turbine study resolution

The Fond du lac County Board of Health is asking the state to fund a comprehensive study to determine if wind turbines can have an adverse impact on human health.  At their meeting this week the board voted unanimously in favor of a resolution asking the state to do the study after several residents in the town of Marshfield complained that wind turbines have negatively affected their health.  "There's not convincing evidence yet that makes it an absolute yes and so further study needs to happen,"  County Executive Al Buechel said.  "Its not only the wind turbines in Wisconsin where the people are demonstrating these kinds of problems, its around the country." 
Buechel says the full county  board will take up the resolution  at a future  meeting.  

7-19-13 fdl bicycle enthusiasts push for bike trail loop around the city

A group of Fond du Lac bicycle enthusiast are leading the effort to create a bike trail that makes a complete loop around the city of Fond du Lac.  Public Works Director Jordan Skiff says his neighbor John McDowell helped facilitate a meeting this week to discuss the matter.  "The general areas that we are talking about are the Prairie Trail from the south part of the city to the Peebles Trail, and then to bring the Peebles Trail toward Lakeside Park, through the park over to the Brooke Street Trail and then to take that south to the Pioneer Trail that's being constructed and then to take the Pioneer Trail to the east to eventually connect up again with the Prairie Trail,"  Skiff said.  Skiff says the good news much of the loop is already complete.  Skiff says the city has been working over the past several months on drafting a  bike-pedestrian  plan.

7-19-13 bail bond hearing for three armed robbery suspects

Three men arrested but not yet charged in connection with a gas station robbery in Taycheeda are still in custody.  Bail bond hearings were held Thursday in Fond du lac County Circuit court for Alexander Noedel, Trevor Van Buren and Mathew Bingen. The three remain in the Fond du lac County Jail on $500 cash bond.  They have not yet been charged in connection with the armed robbery of the E J Mobil gas station on Winnebago Drive.  The robbery was  reported shortly after 1pm Sunday.

7-19-13 fdl police investigating strong armed robbery

Nobody was injured in a strong armed robbery in Fond du Lac.  Police say the incident happened shortly before 3pm Wednesday in the area of 5^th and Ellis Streets.  The victim, a 39 year old woman and her 63 year old mother both from Fond du lac and both wheelchair bound were traveling east bound on the south side of 5^th Street when they were approached by three white males.  One of the males grabbed the victim’s purse off her lap and took off running.  The three suspects are described as white males between 18 and 20 years of age.  Anyone with information is asked to call Fond du lac police at 906-5555.

7-19-13 milwaukee man says he shot 13 yr old boy as "justice"

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A Milwaukee man on trial for killing his 13-year-old neighbor last year says he shot the boy as "justice" because he suspected the teen had stolen weapons from him. Seventy-six-year-old John Henry Spooner declined to testify in the first half of his trial. In that phase a jury convicted him of first-degree intentional homicide. The trial advanced to a second phase to this week to determine his mental competence at the time. Spooner took the stand today against his attorney's advice.

7-19-13 body of missing toddler found in trunk of car

BALSAM LAKE, Wis. (AP) — An investigator says he wishes searchers had thought earlier of forcing open the trunk of a car where a western Wisconsin toddler was found dead. A deputy found the body of 2-year-old Isaiah Theis (teyes) in the trunk of a car at his parents' home near Centuria last night. The father repairs cars there and the vehicle belonged to a customer.

7-19-13 selling state property

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — One of Wisconsin's largest real estate developers took his interest in buying several public buildings straight to the top, writing to Gov. Scott Walker.  Records obtained by The Associated Press show developer Terrence Wall last month told Walker he was interested in buying several prominent state office buildings in Madison.  Wall wrote to Walker about the same time the state was considering a change proposed by the governor that would allow state property to be sold without bids. It passed as part of the state budget over Democrats' objections that it would open the door to political cronies cutting special deals.    Walker's spokesman, Tom Evenson, says to his knowledge no one replied to Wall's letter.

7-18-13 wfdl news sweeps associated press awards

WFDL News Awards-2012…Associated Press

First Place..     Best Enterprise Reporting for series of stories about

                          controversy surrounding the FDL County District Attorney

First Place…     Best Series Reporting for ongoing coverage of  Fond du Lac County District Attorney

First Place …    Best Continuing Coverage for best overall election coverage in 2012

First Place…     Best Hard News  for coverage of the tragic death of a Fond du Lac priest

First  Place…     Best Spot News  for coverage of downtown FDL fire

First Place…      Best Feature for story about a Fond du lac sexual assault victim who uses a
                            service dog for therapy

Awards-2012  Wisconsin Broadcasters Association

First Place…        On Scene Coverage of fire that destroyed a  downtown FDL business

Second Place…. Best News Writing for feature on Wounded Warrior Josh Wege

Second Place…  Hard News/Investigative for series of stories  involving  Fond du lac

                              County District Attorney

7-18-13 bird tests positive for west nile virus in fdl county

The Fond du Lac County Health Department reports a dead crow found in Fond du Lac County on July 10, 2013 has tested positive for West Nile virus.  This is the first bird that tested positive for West Nile virus in Fond du Lac County since surveillance for the mosquito-transmitted virus began May 1.  “The positive bird means that residents of Fond du Lac County need to be more vigilant in their personal protective measures to prevent mosquito bites,” states Kim Mueller, Health Officer.
“West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes acquire the virus by feeding on infected birds.  Fond du Lac County residents should be aware of West Nile virus and take some simple steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites,” Mueller says. “The West Nile virus seems to be here to stay, so the best way to avoid the disease is to reduce exposure to, and eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes.”    The Fond du Lac County Health Department recommends the following:

·        Limit time spent outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
·        Apply insect repellant to clothing as well as exposed skin since mosquitoes may bite through clothing.
·        Make sure window and door screens are in good repair to prevent mosquito entry.
·        Properly dispose of items that hold water, such as tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or discarded tires.
·        Clean roof gutters and downspouts for proper drainage.
·        Turn over wheelbarrows, wading pools, boats, and canoes when not in use.
·        Change the water in birdbaths and pet dishes at least every three days.
·        Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs; drain water from pool covers.
·        Trim tall grass, weeds, and vines since mosquitoes use these areas to rest during hot daylight hours.
·        Landscape to prevent water from pooling in low-lying areas.

The majority of people (80%) who are infected with West Nile virus do not get sick. Those who do become ill usually experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle ache, rash, and fatigue. Less than 1% of people infected with the virus get seriously ill with symptoms that include high fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, disorientation, mental confusion, tremors, confusion, paralysis, and coma. Older adults (age 50+) and those with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of developing central nervous system illness that can be fatal.  The Department of Health Services has monitored the spread of West Nile virus since 2001 among wild birds, horses, mosquitoes, and people. During 2002, the state documented its first human infections and 52 cases were reported that year. During 2012, 57 cases of West Nile virus infection were reported among Wisconsin residents, the highest annual number of cases reported since surveillance began in Wisconsin. West Nile virus infections in humans have been reported from June through October; however, most reported becoming ill with West Nile virus in August and September. The Wisconsin Division of Public Health will continue surveillance for West Nile virus until the end of the mosquito season. To report a sick or dead crow, blue jay, or raven, please call the Dead Bird Reporting Hotline at 1-800-433-1610. For specific questions about West Nile virus surveillance in Fond du Lac, call the Fond du Lac County Health Department at 920-929-3085.   For more information on West Nile virus: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/ArboviralDiseases/WestNileVirus/Index.htm