7-2-14 manure spill update-water testing done

A month after a major liquid manure spill at a Fond du lac county dairy farm the Fond du lac County Department of  Public Health says no additional water testing is necessary.  On May 26^th an estimated 50,000 gallons of liquid manure spilled at Lake Breeze Dairy into nearby Pipe Creek…making its way into Lake Winnebago.  Public health officer Kim Mueller says the surface water of Pipe Creek has been tested three times along with surface water tests at various places along the creek, in the marina and along a beach area.  There has been no evidence of wells being affected by the spill.  Mueller says fluctuating levels of bacteria in Pipe Creek, up and downstream of the spill, is not unusual and no additional testing is needed, as the creek has returned to its usual state. Signage along the creek will remain up for the remainder of the year.

7-2-14 fdl man convicted in heroin overdose case

A Fond du Lac man accused of helping to supply the heroin that led to the death of a Fond du Lac County man has reached a plea deal.   At a hearing Tuesday in Fond du Lac County Circuit Court Jason Van Norman pleaded no contest to charges of first degree reckless homicide and delivery of heroin.  Other drug related counts were dismissed and read into the record.  A pre-sentence investigation was ordered.  Van Norman  was accused of supplying the heroin that led to the death of Devin Perry.

7-2-14 fbi:heroin abuse getting worse in wi

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The FBI says heroin abuse seems to getting worse in Wisconsin as abusers seek a cheaper alternative to prescription pills such as Vicodin and Percocet. Law enforcement officials have seen a spike in heroin usage since about 2008. The FBI says heroin apparently arrives in Wisconsin by way of Minneapolis, Chicago, and Rockford, Illinois. One hit costs $12 to $15 in Milwaukee and about twice that, due to supply and demand, in the Green Bay area.

7-2-14 oakfield man sentenced in owi injury crash

A Dodge County judge has placed an Oakfield man on probation and ordered he spend time in jail for an owi injury crash last summer  Dodge County Circuit Court judge Brian Pfitzinger placed 52 year old Bryan Novak on probation for two years with six months conditional jail time for the June 2^nd crash that injured a Mayville woman.  According to a criminal complaint Novak collided with a vehicle after running a stop sign at a town of Leroy intersection.  His blood alcohol level measured nearly three times over the legal limit.

7-2-14 fetal pain bill

The outgoing director of Wisconsin Right to Life says she is hopeful the group’s No. 1 priority next session will be approved.  Barbara Lyons says the “fetal pain bill” would ban abortion after 20 weeks. "The bbasis for the prohibition would be that science has proven that an unborn child at that age can feel extreme pain from the abortion procedure,"  Barbara Lyons said.  Lyons says the bill will take priority over two other WRTL-backed bills that didn't pass the Senate.   One sought to allow mothers, fathers and grandparents to sue physicians who perform an abortion based on the sex of the fetus. Another sought to ban abortion coverage through insurance plans for public employees along with exempting faith-based groups from a state law requiring policies that cover prescription drugs also cover contraceptives.   Similar bans have been struck down in states like Idaho, Georgia and Arizona. In the Arizona case, the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year declined to review the appeals court decision. 

7-2-14 civil service

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker's administration is looking at ways to streamline hiring for state jobs to help cope with a looming wave of retirements.  Department of Administration spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis says the agency is querying other state agencies to understand why the hiring process can sometimes take as long as four months and find ways to tighten the timeframe.

She insists the administration has no intention of weakening the process for awarding civil service jobs, which are supposed to be based on merit rather than political ties.  But union leaders are still stinging from Walker's law stripping most public workers of nearly all their union rights. They say they don't trust the administration and speeding up the hiring process could lead to more political patrons landing state work.

7-2-14 fourth of july weather outlook

After a stormy start to the week and near record rainfall last month…things are looking up for the 4^th of July weekend.  Back to back storms toppled trees and power lines in southern Wisconsin and flooded streets.  But National Weather Service meteorologist Denny Van Cleve says the forecast looks great

for people planning picnics and watching fireworks shows across the state.  "No chance of precip and a good amount of sunshine,"  Van Cleve told AM 1170 WFDL's Between the Lines program.  Highs in the mid 60s, so come the evening of the 4th we should have temperatures in the mid to upper 60s, nice and cool, maybe even get a blanket for you."

7-2-14 severe weather-wisconsin

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Crews are working to restore power to thousands of customers left without electricity after storms battered southern Wisconsin.  At least 115,000 customers of Milwaukee-based We Energies were without power at the peak of the outage.  We Energies spokesman Rick White says power has been restored to more than 80,000 customers, but about 36,000 customers were still without electricity Tuesday morning.  White says Monday's storm damaged 29 power poles. He calls it the utility's worst outage in a decade.  Across the rest of southern Wisconsin, Madison-based Alliant Energy says about 1,500 customers remained without power early Tuesday, down from a high of 10,000.

7-2-14 colfax tornado damage

COLFAX, Wis. (AP) — A weak tornado that struck last week caused more than $1 million in damage to Colfax schools and the district's athletic complex.  The Chippewa Herald reports the tornado touched down briefly twice Friday before reaching the building housing the elementary, middle and high schools.  Besides causing significant roof damage to the building, the tornado also took out two storage sheds in the athletic complex as well as damaging fences, dugouts, bleachers, grounds and trees.  A couple of big vent covers were ripped off the school roof, leaving holes for rain to pour into the building. Some carpeting and windows will need to be replaced.  School Superintendent William Yingst says the goal is to repair all the damage before the start of the football season and the new school year.

7-2-14 state sell-off

UNDATED (AP) — The state Department of Administration has put together a list of state properties that could end up for sale.  The list DOA sent to the state Building Commission on Monday includes underused acreage at the Department of Transportation's Hill Farms building in Madison; a hangar at Dane County Regional Airport; telecommunications infrastructure around the state; Ethan Allen School, a now-shuttered juvenile prison in Wales; the Badger Road State Office Building in Madison; facilities for the developmentally disabled in Union Grove and Chippewa Falls; and heating and cooling plants around the state.  DOA Secretary Mike Huebsch said no decisions on selling or leasing the assets have been made.  The 2013-15 state budget required DOA to create an inventory of state assets that could be sold or leased in the next biennium.

7-2-14 marian university names new athletic director

Jason Bartelt has been named as Marian University’s Director of Athletics. Bartelt will oversee the Athletic department and its strategic plan, represent Marian with all NCAA, NACC and NCHA relations, manage Marian’s athletic facilities and all 19 varsity sponsored programs in the Athletic department.  “Marian University is honored that Jason has accepted the position as our Athletic Director,” said George Koonce, Jr., Ph.D., vice president for advancement of Marian University. “His knowledge, enthusiasm and leadership will continue to inspire our student-athletes with a holistic experience that is rich in the Marian tradition.”  Bartelt has served Marian for more than 13 years, and has served as interim director of athletics, assistant director of athletics for athletic facilities and as head baseball coach. While at Marian, Bartelt has overseen the construction of Herr-Baker Field, Marian’s baseball stadium, and the addition of Lenz Field House, Marian’s state-of-the-art indoor practice facility. Bartelt has coached more than 70 All-Conference players, three All-Region honorees and one Academic All-American student-athlete. Prior to coming to Marian, Bartelt served as the assistant baseball coach, sports information, and Wehr Center building supervisor at Lakeland College.  Bartelt earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and a secondary Bachelor of Science degree in Biology Education from Lakeland College.

7-1-14 o'leary named fire chief of the year

Fond du Lac Fire Chief has earned the distinction of the Wisconsin Fire Inspectors’ Association 2014 Fire Chief of the Year.  Peter O’Leary was recognized at the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Fire Chiefs’ Association Saturday in Milwaukee.  O’Leary was nominated by several members of his department and was ultimately selected by the Inspectors’ Association.  “I cannot adequately express the level of personal gratitude I have for this incredible recognition,” said, O’Leary. “For my entire career I have tried to make a difference through education and prevention and I share this honor with every firefighter who works to make their communities safer.”  O’Leary began his fire service career in 1979 and has worked in fire departments in Illinois, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin.   

7-1-14 severe weather-wisconsin

 SULLIVAN, Wis. (AP) — Severe thunderstorms packing high winds and heavy rain have downed trees and power lines all across southern Wisconsin.  Winds gusted as high as 78 mph near Lancaster in Grant County in the southwest corner of Wisconsin as the storms began sweeping from west to east Monday afternoon. Trees were toppled from Grant County to the Milwaukee area. Street flooding hit Madison.  We Energies reports more than 90,000 customers lost power in the greater Milwaukee area, and around 9,000 Alliant Energy customers lost power across the rest of southern Wisconsin.
The National Weather Service also said Monday that its survey team confirmed that an EF-2 tornado tracked through Iowa County and an EF-1 tornado hit rural Dane County on Sunday evening. Both damaged trees and buildings but caused no injuries. 

7-1-14 birth control ruling-wi reaction

Reaction in Wisconsin is mixed to a Supreme Court ruling that says corporations can hold religious objections that allow them to opt out of the new health law requirement that they cover contraceptives for women.  The justices 5-4 decision Monday is the first time that the high court has ruled that profit-seeking businesses can hold religious views under federal law.  And it means the Obama administration must search for a different way of providing free contraceptives to women who are covered under objecting companies’ health insurance plans.   Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health Executive Director, Sara Finger, says the

ruling is an attack on women's health.  "Shocked and outraged,"  Finger told AM 1170 WFDL's Between the Lines program.  "This is a really sad day for women's health and employees.  Not what we expected, not what we had hoped."   Wisconsin Right to Life director Barbara Lyons says the ruling   “… is a huge victory in protecting  freedoms and conscience rights.,”   Lyons says business owners and taxpayers should not be forced to pay for procedures or drugs which are  morally objectionable to them. 

7-1-14 convicted child sex offenders to be released from prison

Two child sex offenders are being released from prison this month and will be living in Fond du lac.  Codie L. Richey is being released from prison Tuesday after serving 7 1/2 years in prison for 2nd degree sexual assault of a child.  Police say Richey sexually assaulted a  13-year old female acquaintance with force.

Elijah G. Thomas is being released from prison July 8th after serving additional prison time for rule violations while on extended supervision.  Thomas was released back into the community on September 6, 2011 after serving 5 years in prison for sexually assaulting 13- and 14-year-old female acquaintances.  Thomas was also convicted of disorderly conduct after exposing himself in public.  Thomas and Richey will be residing at 457 Thomas Street.

7-1-14 convicted sex offender-change of address

The Fond du Lac Police Department has been notified of a change of address
for a convicted sex offender.  Police say Jacob Schwendimann was recently released from prison after being convicted for failure to provide information to the Sex Offender registry as required by law. He was originally placed on probation but had subsequent revocations that resulted in him being sentenced to prison. 
Schwendimann has a number of juvenile adjudications for child sex assault in Washington County. He was also convicted in 2009 of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor in Ohio. The victim was a cooperative teenage female that he met on the internet.   He is not required to register for this offense.  Jacob Schwendimann is currently living at 111 S. Main St. #3, in the City of Fond du Lac. He is on extended supervision with the Division of Community Corrections until November 2015 and is subject to sex offender rules of supervision until that time.

7-1-14 liquor license request-police recommend denial

The Fond du Lac Alcohol and Licensing committee has tabled a request for a liquor license for a Fond du Lac tavern.  Fond du Lac police are recommending denial.  Assistant Police chief Steve Klein says Edward Daniel of West Bend lied on his liquor license application about previous drunken driving convictions.  "The applicant has four prior owi convictions and on the questionairre that goes out with all the applications one of the questions states have you ever been convicted of any crimes?  He indicated no,"  Klein said.  Daniel wanted the license to open a pub at the former JR’s Sports Bar on North Main Street.

7-1-14 car vs. tractor

No serious injuries when a car collided with a farm tractor in Dodge county over the weekend.  Dodge County Sheriff Pat Ninmann says the accident happened Saturday on County Highway R near county road

EM.  "The tractor was northbound on R, a Toyota Prius behind him that was going to pass but the tractor was making a left hand turn.  The car t-boned the tractor,"  Ninmann told WFDL news.

7-1-14 lawnmower accident-update

A week after he was run over by a lawnmower a Brownsville toddler continues to recover at Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee.  Dodge County Sheriff Pat Ninmann says the three year old boy is listed in serious condition at the hospital.  Ninmann says the child was severely injured when he was accidentally run over by a lawnmower operated by his grandfather at a Highway 175 residence in the town of Lomira last Tuesday.

The sheriff says the child is lucky to have survived.

7-1-14 boat patrol back to be out in force during july 4th holiday

No citations for drunken boating were issued during a weekend crackdown by the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department boat patrol.  Sheriff’s captain Rick Olig says strong winds and high waves kept

recreational boating acitivity to a minimum over the weekend.  Olig says the boat patrol will be out in force again this weekend for the July 4^th holiday.

7-1-14 missing wedding ring found

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin woman who lost her diamond wedding ring five years ago had given up all hope of finding it after searching high and low. It turns out her mischievous dog had it all along. Lois Matykowski, of Stevens Point, was eating Popsicles two weeks ago when she noticed her granddaughter's 10-year-old mutt the family calls the "food burglar" had swallowed one whole. Two days later, Tucker vomited, revealing her missing ring.

6-30-14 wet farm fields

Federal agriculture officials say the recent unrelenting storms caused widespread crop damage in

Wisconsin and kept farmers out of their fields…a Fond du Lac County extension agent describes the conditions locally are "brutal."  A new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says 21 percent of the state's corn crop is in fair or poor condition. The crop report says there were less than two days that were suitable for field work across Wisconsin last week.  Fond du Lac County Crops and Soils agent Mike Rankin says fields in Fond du Lac County are a wreck.   Rankin says Fond du Lac County has received about ten inches of rain this month including more rainfall Sunday night and in the forecast for tonight.  Strong wind and hail accompanying the storms damaged crops in Grant, Green and Dane counties.  But,  Rankin  says the biggest culprit was the persistent downpours that caused flooding, ponding and soil erosion.  

6-30-14 4th of july travel

AAA projects more than 40 million Americans will celebrate the July 4^th  holiday with summer getaway.

A Triple A survey shows 41 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the holiday weekend, a 1.9 percent increase over last year.  In Wisconsin AAA projects 872,000 motorists a 2.2 percent increase.  AAA spokesperson Pam Moen says the majority of travelers, more than eight in 10

will travel by automobile, the highest level since 2007.  On the downside, Moen says travelers will likely pay the highest gas prices for Independence Day in six years.

6-30-14 41 rollover investigation

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a fatal rollover accident on Highway 41 that claimed the life of a 22 year old Lomira man.  Jeffrey Thill died from injuries suffered in the crash earlier this month in the southbound lanes of 41 south of Highway B.  Sheriff’s captain Rick Olig says Thill veered to the right and overcorrected before rolling over.  A passenger, 21 year old Katelyn Freund, of North Fond du Lac received non life threatening injuries.  Olig says investigators want to know if the passenger played any role in the accident.

6-30-14 corrections pay

Wisconsin corrections officers say they shouldn't have to wait any longer to get the one percent raise given to all other state workers a year ago, but a spokeswoman for the Walker administration says the raise won't be provided for now because the workers' union status is currently under dispute.  A spokeswoman for the state Department of Administration and its Office of Employment Relations, said that workers could receive back pay once the issue of the union status is resolved.   Stephanie Marquis says if the workers are found not to belong to a union they would get a lump sum payment back to June 29^th because they would be covered under the compensation plan.  Brian Cunningham is the president of the Wisconsin Association for Correctional Law Enforcement union.  Cunningham told AM 1170 WFDL's Between the Lines program says he believes its "retribution for us having the gall to certify as a union."  Last year, a union for corrections officers broke off from the larger state employees to form the separate Wisconsin Association for Correctional Law Enforcement. The Association won state recognition in July 2014, only to lose their certification election less than four months ago.  Voters supported the new union 813-43, but lost the vote because Act 10 requires that the union receive a majority of votes from the 5,400 workers eligible to be in the union. Most of those workers didn't vote.

6-30-14 waupun pool open

A new swimming pool in Waupun is officially open.  Waupun mayor Kyle Clark says the pool opened

last week at the county park.  Clark says the pool is 10,000 square feet...a slightly smaller version of the

Fond du lac County Fairgrounds Aquatic Center.  He says the pool is a great feature for Waupun and residents in that area of the county.

6-30-14 jury trial set for beaver dam man

A five day jury trial has been set for a Beaver Dam man facing child pornography and sexual assault charges in Dodge County Circuit Court.  27 year old Jason Neitzel is charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography, one count of first degree sexual assault of a child, and one count of child sexploitation.  The trial is scheduled to start November 3^rd.  A criminal complaint says following a search warrant, authorities found images and bookmarked websites of child pornography on Neitzel’s cell phone.

6-30-14 new book details infamous avery case

MILWAUKEE (AP) — An eastern Wisconsin man's conviction for killing a photographer on Halloween 2005 after being released from prison for a rape he did not commit was one of the most dramatic criminal cases in state history.  Almost a decade later, the story of Steven Avery's wrongful conviction in 1985 and the murder of Teresa Halbach have been detailed in a book authored by a prosecutor in Manitowoc County.  The book, "The Innocent Killer," will be released August 7th by the American Bar Association.  Halbach's brother, Mike Halbach, is unhappy that someone would try to profit from his sister's death.  Assistant District Attorney Michael Griesbach says his intent in writing the book was so future prosecutors were "more aware of the enormous responsibility they will possess."

6-28-14 fdl county sheriff's boat patrol out in force this weekend

The U.S. Coast Guard, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office Boat Patrol are coordinating efforts to step up enforcement of drunken boating as the July Fourth holiday approaches.  They're calling it Operation Dry Water. Beginning this weekend, law enforcement will be on the water randomly checking for intoxicated drivers. The legal blood alcohol limit for operating a boat is the same as driving a car — 0.08.  Sheriff’s Lieutenant Bill Tadych says drunken boating has consequences, including loss of boating and driving privileges and even jail time.

6-28-14 attempted homicide charge dismissed against fdl woman

A Fond du lac woman convicted of attempting to kill her six year old daughter and injure her boyfriend no longer faces an attempted homicide charge.  On Friday Fond du Lac County Circuit Court judge Robert Wirtz dismissed a charge of attempted first degree intentional homicide against Kenna Bowe.  Bowe is still scheduled to go on trial August 4^th  on a charge of first degree recklessly endangering safety.   Bowe was serving a 14 year prison sentence when she withdrew her no contest plea  in February.   She was also granted supervised visitation with her daughter.   According to court records a toxicology expert testified at a post conviction motion hearing in December that the victim could not have died from the amount of narcotics administered.   According to a criminal complaint Bowe forced her young daughter to swallow what doctors descriobed as a potentially lethal dose of sleeping pills and attempted to stab her live-in boyfriend.  The child survived and the boyfriend received superficial wounds to his hands.  Police say Bowe was depressed because she had lost her job and was breaking up with her boyfriend.  She had no prior criminal record.

6-28-14 bond set at $1 million for ex cop charged in deaths of two women

ELKHORN, Wis. (AP) — Bond has been set at $1 million for a former police officer suspected of killing two women and hiding their bodies in suitcases dumped in rural Wisconsin.  A judge set the cash bond during a hearing Friday for 52-year-old Steven Zelich, agreeing with prosecutors that it was needed to protect the public.  Zelich, who lives in West Allis, Wisconsin, was charged Thursday with two counts of hiding a corpse in Walworth County. He appeared on video for the hearing but didn't speak.  Zelich's lawyer, Travis Schwantes, asked for a far lower bond, noting his client hasn't been charged with homicide.  But District Attorney Daniel Necci says he expects homicide charges to be filed where the women were killed. Investigators allege the women were killed elsewhere in Wisconsin and in Minnesota.

6-28-14 man suspected of killing two women appears in court

ELKHORN, Wis. (AP) — A former police officer suspected in the deaths of two women whose bodies were stuffed into suitcases and dumped along a rural Wisconsin road resigned from his department a few months after an incident involving a prostitute.  That's according to records the West Allis Police Department released Friday.  A police report says a woman told officers in May 2001 that she met Steven Zelich in a bar, went home with him and tried to flee when she thought she heard him get out handcuffs.  The report says Zelich said the woman tried to steal from him and their struggle was his attempt to get the money back.  Zelich resigned from the department in August 2001.  His attorney, Travis Schwantes, said he had not seen the report and could not comment.

6-28-14 green lake county shooting incident

Three people are arrested following a shooting incident in Green Lake County.  Police say a 20-year-old man was shot early Wednesday morning at a location in Markesan.  Investigation shows a group of people had gathered around 2 a.m.; one individual pulled out a gun, and then allegedly shot the victim.  The victim was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.  Police say alcohol and drugs were a factor in the incident.   

6-28-14 july 4th concert at buttermilk

  The Fond du Lac Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dale Shipe, will present its traditional Americana Concert at Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac on Friday, the 4^th of July, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Erected and donated to the community by William McDermott, the Lakeside Park bandstand has been home to Fourth of July band concerts since 1901. It was named in honor of longtime Military Band leader Joseph Schmitz in 1968 and placed on the local registry of historic landmarks in 1973.  Vocalist Eva Thelen will be featured on several selections including God of Our Fathers, This Land is Your Land, Armed Forces Salute, and a medley of BeeGee’s tunes. The band will perform Dawn of a New Day by American band composer James Swearingen and Amber Waves of Grain by James Curnow. Medleys include American folk songs, river songs and a collection of pop tunes titled Themes Like Old Times. Also on the program are the Bugle Call Rag, America, and two Sousa marches: Washington Post and Stars and Stripes Forever.   The Band’s performance will be followed by fireworks on the lakefront at 9:45 p.m.. The Symphonic Band’s summer concerts in Fond du Lac are sponsored by the City of Fond du Lac, and a free-will offering will be received to assist with summer concert expenses. 

6-28-14 downtown fdl bicycle races

Bicyclists race through downtown Fond du Lac Friday afternoon.

6-28-14 governor-investigation

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Two unnamed people involved with the investigation into Gov. Scott Walker's recall campaign and a host of conservative groups are asking a federal court judge to issue an order designed to further protect their identifies.  Attorneys for the unnamed people filed a request with U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa late Thursday asking that they be notified before any more documents in the case are made public. Last week a federal appeals court judge unsealed more than 250 pages, despite objections from the unknown people.  Prosecutors have said in court filings that they were looking into alleged illegal campaign activity involving Walker's campaign and conservative groups during the 2011 and 2012 recalls.  An attorney for the lead prosecutor released a statement Thursday saying Walker was not a target of the probe.

6-27-14 plea deal in fdl county heroin overdose death case

A plea  deal is in the works for a Fond du Lac man accused of helping to supply  the heroin that led to the death of a Fond du Lac County man.   WFDL news has learned Jason Van Norman is expected to enter a plea next Tuesday avoiding a trial That was scheduled to begin next month.   Van Norman is charged with first degree reckless homicide and delivery of heroin. He is accused of supplying the heroin that led to the death of Devin Perry.

6-27-14 bucks take parker

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks have taken forward Jabari Parker with the second overall pick in the NBA draft, a pivotal selection for a team in transition.  The one-and-done Duke star immediately becomes a face for an organization with new ownership seeking to invigorate its fan base following a franchise-worst 67-loss season.  The 6-foot-8 Parker has been lauded for his maturity and offensive skills. He would join 19-year-old forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAHN'-ihs ahn-teh-toh-KUHN'-poh) and Brandon Knight as promising team cornerstones.  General John Hammond likes Parker for his ability to fit into multiple positions in the frontcourt. Parker's defense, though, is considered a work in progress.  Parker figures to have an easy transition in Milwaukee. He's from nearby Chicago, and former Blue Devils assistant Steve Wojciechowski is now head coach at Marquette.

6-27-14 operation dry water

The Wisconsin DNR is joining other groups and local law enforcement in sending a message that alcohol and boating don’t mix.  The DNR in conjunction with local authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard and National 

Association of State Boating Law Administrators will be on the water this weekend for Operation Dry Water.  DNR Boating Safety Administrator, Roy Zellmer, says boating under the influence is a primary contributing factor in nearly 1 in 5 boating fatalities nationwide.  Zellmer says intoxicated boating is just as dangerous if not more dangerous than drinking and driving a car.  With that being said Zellmer says it is legal to have open intoxicants while operating a boat.  "Its one of those things that frankly can be mitigated by the operator of a motor boat of reduced alcohol consumption and awareness.  It can be mitigated by having a designated operator,"  Zellmer told AM 1170 WFDL's Between the Lines program.  This weekend boaters will see more officers on duty distributing public education and arresting those who are operating a boat while legally intoxicated.

                  

6-27-14 local group not giving up the fight to save the historic retlaw theatre

The Fond du lac Redevelopment director says a project that involves tearing down the downtown Retlaw Theatre is still moving forward despite a local group’s effort to save the historic building.  The Friends of the Retlaw group held a meeting this week at the public library in an effort to rally support .  But Fond du Lac Redevelopment director Diane Benson says a development firm is moving forward with plans to convert the building into office and apartments and demolish the historic theatre for parking.  "I think from the city perspective Commonwealth has the accepted offer, the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the request for the demolition as well as the exterior alterations and authorized the demolition to proceed, " Benson told WFDL news.  "So from our perspective the project is moving forward."   Benson adds that she believes estimates of about $9 million to renovate the building are accurate despite claims from the Friend’s group that it could be done for much less than that.

6-27-14 lakeside park committee

The Fond du Lac Public Works director says he believes the Advisory Park Board should play a role after a committee is formed to study potential commercial development at Lakeside Park.  The Fond du Lac city council this week tabled discussion on how a 15 member committee should be selected until their next meeting.  Forty one people have applied to serve on the 15 member committee.  Meanwhile Skiff apprised the advisory park board of the situation at their meeting earlier this week.  "Just about everybody that I've heard from wants to include the park board in a very significant way in this discussion regardless of  how the committee is formulated or used,"  Skiff told WFDL news.  

6-27-14 local group to file petitions calling for constitutional amendment

A local grassroots organization wants a referendum on the fall election ballot calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to regulate the flow of money to elections.   Three thousand signatures collected by the group Move to Amend will be filed with the Fond du Lac city clerk’s office Friday asking the city council to place a resolution on the November 4^th ballot.   Fond du lac resident Judy Goldsmith is one of dozens of

local residents who are part of a grassroots movement to amend the U.S. Constitution regarding election donations.  Wisconsin Move to Amend supports a constitutional amendment that reads inalienable rights belong to human beings and that money is not a form of protected free speech under the First Amendment and can be regulated in political campaigns.  She says citizens are losing representation.   Goldsmith says huge corporate donations, many from out of state have too much influence on elections at the local, state and national level.  She says the local movement shows that people care.

6-27-14 walker reaction

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Governor Scott Walker says a statement from the attorney for a special prosecutor looking at activity by his recall campaign and conservative groups helps set the record straight. Today's statement from attorney Randall Crocker says Walker is not a target of the investigation and no conclusions have been made about whether there's enough evidence to charge him or anyone with a crime. Crocker represents lead prosecutor Francis Schmitz.

6-27-14 governor investigation-prosecutor says no conculsion on walker's activity

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The attorney for the special prosecutor investigating Gov. Scott Walker's campaign and conservative groups says no conclusions have been made about whether there's enough evidence to charge him or anyone with a crime.  Thursday's statement from attorney Randall Crocker also says that Walker himself was not a target of the investigation and has never been served with a subpoena.  Crocker represents lead prosecutor Francis Schmitz.  The probe was halted last month by a federal judge. A court document Schmitz wrote in December and made public last week identified Walker as being part of an alleged criminal scheme to evade campaign laws.  Crocker says the document was a legal argument for further investigation, not a determination that criminal charges were warranted against Walker or anyone else.

6-27-14 burke hits walker in new ad

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic candidate for governor Mary Burke is launching a new ad attacking Gov. Scott Walker for being a part of what prosecutors call a criminal scheme to evade campaign laws.

Walker has not been charged as a part of the investigation, which two judges have halted. Prosecutors are appealing those decisions.  Burke said last week that she would not make the accusations against Walker a focus of her campaign. But on Thursday she planned to launch a new television ad in the Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Wausau, and La Crosse markets criticizing Walker's alleged role in what prosecutors call a "criminal scheme."  Wisconsin Republican Party director Joe Fadness says Burke wants to distract voters from her own record as a part of Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle's administration.

6-27-14 sheboygan powerball winner

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) — Q Mart is apparently a lucky spot in Sheboygan County.  Another $1 million winning Powerball lottery ticket has been sold in the county — the second at a Q Mart there within a month.  The Wisconsin Lottery says the latest winning ticket for Wednesday's Powerball drawing was sold at Q Mart in Sheboygan. The first winner was sold at Q Mart in Kohler.  Winners have 180 days to claim their prizes.

6-26-14 ripon woman killed in three vehicle crash

On Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at 2:31 pm the Fond du Lac County 911 Center  received a report of a 3 vehicle crash on Hwy 23 at Willow  Rd in the Town of Ripon.  Preliminary investigation indicates a westbound pickup truck was stopped waiting to turn left onto Willow rd when it was rear ended by another westbound SUV.  This impact caused the westbound pickup truck to travel into the eastbound lane, colliding headon into an eastbound vehicle.  The driver of the eastbound vehicle, a 63 year old Ripon woman, was killed at the scene.   The victim has been identified as Linda Trotter of Ripon.  The driver of the westbound SUV,  25 year old Heather Cleveland of Fond du Lac sustained life threatening injuries and was flighted to Theda Clark Medical Center.  The driver of the westbound pickup truck, 33 yr old Waylon Zrinsky of Ripon, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene.  Responding  agencies:  Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, Ripon Fire Dept and EMS, Brandon Fire Department, Flight for Life, Wisconsin State Patrol, Fond du Lac County Highway Department, Rosendale PD, Town of Ripon PD and City of Ripon PD.  The crash remains under investigation by the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office.

6-26-14 car plows into steers

The driver of a car received non life-threatening injuries  after he struck and killed six steers on a Fond du Lac County highway early Wednesday morning.  Sheriff’s Captain Rick Olig says the incident happened about 1:30am on County Highway G north of Highway T south of St. Cloud.  Olig says the driver may have avoided more serious injury because he was wearing a seatbelt.

6-26-14 toddler lawnmower accident victim recovering at children's hospital

The Dodge County sheriff says a little boy who was run over by a lawnmower is expected to survive.  The three year old boy was severely injured including the loss of a hand when a lawnmower operated by his grandfather accidentally backed over him Tuesday afternoon.  Dodge County sheriff Pat Ninmann says the quick response from rescue personnel including Flight for Life helicopter saved the boy’s life.  The child is being treated at Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee.

6-26-14 moped accident injures dodge county woman

A Dodge County woman was seriously injured in a moped accident Tuesday night.  Dodge County Sheriff Pat Ninmann says the accident happened on a county road in the town of Neosho.  "We received a report of a female operating her moped and what happened is she got off to the side of the road and lost control," Ninmann told WFDL news.  The woman was flown by helicopter to the hospital.  Ninmann says it’s a serious reminder that its important to wear a helmet.

6-26-14 pick-up truck strikes pedestrians near country usa

Three people were injured, one seriously in a pick-up pedestrian accident near Country USA in Oshkosh.

The accident happened shortly after 10pm Tuesday on Highway 44 southbound at Washburn Avenue near Oshkosh.  Investigators say the 17 year old pick up driver struck three pedestrians walking on Washburn Avenue.  A 23 year old Wautoma man was transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries.

6-26-14 budget overview

The Fond du lac city manager says the city’s debt service will be driving next year’s budget.  City manager Joe Moore presented a 2015 budget overview at Wednesday night’s city council meeting.  "I think the overall tax levy for the city needs to increase between four and five percent,"  Moore said.  "That's driven by net new construction, in other words, new buildings that have been built around the city."   Moore says the city's debt is going down but the city's debt payments for the next three years are going up.  Moore says small tax increase is necessary to maintain existing programs and services.

6-26-14 local unemployment rates down

Unemployment is down in most Wisconsin cities and counties in May.  The state Department of Workforce Development reported Wednesday that unemployment rates in May either decreased or remained the same in 23 of the state's 32 largest cities.  Unemployment rates dropped in 69 of 72 counties and remained unchanged in the other three.  The city of Fond du Lac’s jobless rate in May was six percent…down from 6.3 percent in April.  The Fond du lac County jobless rate fell three tenths of a percent to 5.2 percent.  In Dodge county the May unemployment rate was

5.8 percent…down from 6.2 percent in April.  Wisconsin's monthly unemployment rate in May was 5.7 percent, the lowest it's been since October 2008.  Racine had the highest unemployment rate of any city at 9.7 percent, followed by Beloit at 8.9 percent.  Menominee County had the highest rate for any county at 15.1 percent, followed by Iron County at 11.3 percent.  Dane and Pierce counties were the lowest at 3.8 percent.

6-26-14 historic tax credit

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state's chief jobs agency has hit the pause button on a historic tax credit program because it's proving to be more popular, and therefore more expensive, than predicted.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. notified co-chairs of the Legislature's budget committee on Monday that the program would be put on hold while a review is undertaken.  Gov. Scott Walker in December signed a bill into law that expanded the program but did not place a cap on how many credits could be handed out in any given year.  It was estimated that credits would hit $4 million in the first year. But Reed Hall, secretary and CEO of WEDC, says that projects for more than $35 million have come in for certification.

6-26-14 hospital penalties

JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) — Sixty five hospitals from all corners of Wisconsin could face federal penalties for high rates of complications and infections.  Hospitals on the list include ones in virtually every part of the state including Appleton, Wausau, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Madison, La Crosse, Rhinelander and Racine.  Nationally, there are 761 hospitals on the preliminary list compiled by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of those that could be penalized.  Some of the hospitals on the list could avoid penalties after the agency does more analysis.  Those that still have poor scores by October will lose 1 percent of their Medicare payments from October through September 2015.

6-26-14 platteville tornado

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (AP) — The tornado that hit the University of Wisconsin-Platteville last week damaged at least four buildings and an athletic stadium, and the chancellor says repairs could cost more than $10 million. Chancellor Dennis Shields says today officials hope to have the buildings repaired by August 15th.

6-26-14 fdl county drug court grant

Fond du Lac County has received a state grant for its new drug court program.  The county has received a $47,000 grant from the state’s Treatment Alternatives and Diversion program also known as TAD.

The program is designed to address non-violent offenders who are at a higher risk of re-offending.

6-26-14 dove and teal seasons

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board has approved an early teal hunting season and an extended dove season.  The board voted Wednesday to offer the early teal-only duck hunting season beginning in September 2014. The board also approved adding 20 days to the end of the current 70-day dove hunting season, ending it on Nov. 29 instead of Nov. 9.  The early teal season will take place before the regular duck season and run from Sept. 1 through Sept. 7. Only blue-winged and green-winged teal may be hunted and there will be a daily bag limit of six.  Kent Van Horn, the Department of Natural Resources migratory game bird ecologist, says duck hunters have been asking for the changes for years.  There are about 130,000 migratory bird hunters in Wisconsin.

6-26-14 wolf hunt

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's wolf hunt will be more than 40 percent smaller this fall.  The state Natural Resources Board voted Wednesday to set a quota of just 156 wolves for the third year of the hunt, down from 275 last year.  The DNR could reduce the quota even more depending on how many wolves the state's Chippewa tribes say they want to kill in the ceded territory.  Wildlife officials say the reduction is needed because the overall wolf population is decreasing. The number of wolves in the state this past winter was 18 percent less than in 2013.  Interested hunters must apply for a license by Aug. 1 and the season begins Oct. 15 and will run until the quota is met for the end of February, whichever comes first.

6-26-14 pig virus vaccine

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The federal government has given conditional approval to the first vaccine licensed to fight a deadly pig virus. Porcine epidemic diarrhea has killed millions of baby pigs since it showed up in the United States last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture gave conditional approval last week to a vaccine produced by Iowa-based Harrisvaccines.  

6-25-14 fdl county armed robbery suspect convicted

One of four men arrested following a home invasion in Fond du lac County has been convicted.  Derrick Johnson pleaded guilty in Fond du Lac County Circuit Court to an amended charge of party to the crime of armed robbery, and 2^nd degree reckless injury and no contest to 1^st degree reckless injury.  Charges of burglary while armed,  a second count of reckless injury and theft were dismissed and read into the record.   A pre-sentence investigation was ordered.  A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 12^th.  Johnson and three other individuals were accused of robbing a couple at their town of Auburn home on Double D road last December.

6-25-14 fdl house fire

On 06-25-14 at 12:26 a.m. the Fond du Lac Fire Department responded to 132 E. Cotton St. for a reported house on fire. An alert neighbor noticed smoke coming from a second floor window and called 911.  When police arrived, they saw smoke coming from the residence and checked to see if anyone was home. Fire crews arrived quickly and made an initial interior fire attack. The bulk of the fire was near a dishwasher and some of the structure surrounding it on the first floor. After further investigation it is believed that an electrical issue inside the home is what may have caused the fire. As a precaution Alliant Energy secured both electrical and gas services.  The residents were not home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries.  “The alert neighbor who witnessed seeing smoke coming from the house probably prevented a much more devastating outcome”, said fire chief Peter O’Leary.  The residents are staying overnight with friends until an electrician can assess the condition of the home’s electrical system.  Fond du Lac police provided assistance with traffic and on-scene management.  

6-25-14 lawnmower accident seriously injures brownsville toddler

A Brownsville toddler was seriously injured after being run over by a riding lawnmower.  Dodge County Sheriff Pat Ninmann says the dispatch center received a call that a three year old boy was struck by a lawnmower at a town of Lomira residence off Highway 175.  Initial reports indicate that the young child ran toward the lawnmower,  as the child’s grandfather was making a backing maneuver, striking the child.  The child suffered severe injuries  including a severed hand and was transported to the hospital via Flight for Life helicopter.   Sheriff Ninmann states “The accident is not suspicious in nature, and our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the young child and family”.  

Assisting the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office was Lomira Police Department, Brownsville Fire and First

 Responders, Mayville EMS, Theresa Fire, and Flight For Life.

                      

6-25-14 two seriously injured in hwy 33 accident

Two Dodge County residents were seriously injured in a three vehicle collision in Dodge County.  Sheriff Pat Ninmann says the accident happened on Highway 33 near Sunset Road in the town of Oak Grove Tuesday.

Ninmann says a Beaver Dam man was transported to Beaver Dam Hospital with serious injuries and later flown by helicopter to UW Hospital in Madison.  A Mayville woman was transported to Beaver Dam hospital with serious injuries.  A third person from Beaver Dam was not injured.

6-25-14 planned parenthood closing

A spokesperson for Planned Parenthood says the organization is concerned that some women may not get the services they need when the Fond du Lac clinic closes this fall.  Planned Parenthood announced last week the Fond du Lac family planning health center is closing September 25^th due to state budget cuts.

Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Tanya Atkinson says patients impacted by the closure will be referred to clinics in West Bend and Oshkosh.  "It was a really, really tough decision for us,"  Atkinson told AM 1170 WFDL's Between the Lines program.  "...its been here for 36 years serving the community."  Atkinson says she’s concerned some of those patients may no longer receive the help and care they need.   Atkinson says in addition to family planning the local center also caught and referred patients for unmanaged and undiagnosed chronic illnesses.

6-25-14 budget overview

The Fond du lac city council will get its first taste of next year’s budget at their meeting Wednesday night.  City manager Joe Moore and Director of Administration Hal Wortman will present a 2015 budget overview.

in a memo to the council Moore says goals for the budget  include maintaining services, protecting the city’s bond rating, reducing personnel costs, controlling  operating costs and reducing debt levels.  The council will hold budget workshop sessions in the fall with budget adoption slated for October 22^nd.

6-25-14 operation dry water

The Wisconsin DNR is joining other groups and local law enforcement in sending a message that alcohol and boating don’t mix.  The DNR in conjunction with local authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard and National 

Association of State Boating Law Administrators will be on the water this weekend for Operation Dry Water.  DNR Boating Safety Administrator, Roy Zellmer, says boating under the influence is a primary contributing factor in nearly 1 in 5 boating fatalities nationwide.  Zellmer says intoxicated boating is just as dangerous if not more dangerous than drinking and driving a car.  With that being said Zellmer says it is legal to have open intoxicants while operating a boat.  This weekend boaters will see more officers on duty distributing public education and arresting those who are operating a boat while legally intoxicated.  Zellmer was a guest on AM 1170 WFDL's Between the Lines program.

                  

6-25-14 fireworks law

With  the July 4^th holiday right around the corner local law enforcement says there always seems to be confusion surrounding Wisconsin’s unique law regarding fireworks.  Waupun police chief Dale Heeringa says

in Wisconsin just because you can purchase illegal fireworks doesn’t give you permission to light them off. Chief Heeringa says basically any firework that explodes or leaves the ground is illegal.  According to the National Fire Protection Agency there were 9.600 fireworks-related injuries in the United States last year.  Fireworks were also responsible for nearly 18,000 fires causing $32 million in property damage.

6-25-14 travel scheme

APPLETON, Wis. (AP) — It could take up to two years before hundreds of Wisconsin residents lured into a travel scam will recover any of their losses.  The elaborate travel scheme shut down this year by the state Department of Justice scammed 884 people in Wisconsin. Outagamie County Circuit Judge Dee Dyer ordered the scammer, "Going Places Travel," to pay a penalty of $3.8 million.  The company mailed postcards to hundreds of thousands of people inviting them to a presentation in exchange for free trips. Participants are urged to buy a travel club membership. The "free" trips are handled by a third party and generally never materialize.  Dee Mosher, of Neenah, says she and her husband charged $4,000 to their credit card for a membership, a move that caused them headaches with six collection agencies over four years.

6-25-14 stripper's labor lawsuit

LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) — An exotic dancer is suing a Fountain City strip club, accusing owners of violating state and federal labor laws by failing to paying dancers hourly wages and overtime. Elizabeth Mays claims the owners of 4 Mile Gentlemen's Club charged a "stage fee" of $5 to $27 and forced dancers to perform, even when the club was near empty and the customers weren't tipping.   The complaint filed May 30 also says the four owners exert "substantial control" over dancers' work schedules, what clothing they wear and the types of dancing allowed.  The complaint says Mays was fired this year, after demanding receipts for the fees she paid.

6-25-14 judge threatened

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A convicted felon has been charged with threatening a circuit court judge by leaving a series of threatening and harassing voicemails on her office phone after the judge ruled against him in a small claims case.  Charges were filed Tuesday in Dane County against George W. Bennett, of Madison.  The criminal complaint alleges Bennett made the threats after Dane County Circuit Judge Rhonda Lanford ruled against him June 6.  Bennett faces charges of battery or threat to a judge, telephone harassment, disorderly conduct and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The complaint says Bennett has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 1990, when he threatened to kill two state troopers. A judge Tuesday ordered a mental health evaluation to determine if Bennett was competent to stand trial.

6-25-14 12 yr old stabbing victim continues recovery

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — The 12-year-old Waukesha girl who was stabbed last month by two classmates fixated on a fictional horror character has recovered enough to go to the movies with her father.  The girl's family released a statement Tuesday saying she continues to deal with physical and emotional challenges, but she has a "courageous heart." The family has asked that the girl's name not be revealed.  She was stabbed May 31 by two other 12-year-olds. The suspects face hearings in adult court next week.  The victim's family had asked supporters to send the girl purple hearts, reflecting her favorite shape and color. The say she's received thousands from across the nation and world, and the family is overwhelmed by the response.  Supporters have also donated nearly $50,000 to help with medical bills.

6-25-14 lakeside park study committee applicants-list

The City Council on June 11, 2014 voted to form a Lakeside Park Exploratory Committee consisting of 15 City of Fond du Lac residents. The City of Fond du Lac has received 41 applications to serve on this committee. At the end of business today the following have submitted their applications:
Billy Belongia                    Johnathan Braker
Patrick Caulfield               Dennis Comeaux
Sara Cujak                         Ruth Dauterman
John Dobyns                    Deborah Doll
Kris Fehrenbach               Velesca Fleschman
Stephanie Fox                  Louise Gudex
Amy Hansen                     MJ Hart
Brian Kolstad                    Ray Lapierre
Anthony Leon                   Paul Levandowski
Lori Anderson Lurvey       Jennifer Matteson
Joan Cunningham               Shawn McCrary
Craig Molitor                      Jennifer Neibauer
Nick Nell                            Heather Pedersen
David Pergande                  Jane Ricchio
John Short                            Sarah Spang
Anthony Steffen                     Douglas Teletzke
Anna Thomas                         Samuel Tobias
Luke Wacek                          Debra Wamser
James Wamser                        Mary Wilcox
John Zettler                             John Zorn
Amy Samens              

6-24-14 school newspaper censorship policy

A UW Oshkosh journalism professor says he hopes the Fond du Lac School Board does the right thing  and reverses a censorship policy implemented earlier this year by the superintendent.   The policy was implemented in March following an article in the high school newspaper titled “The Rape Joke.”  The school board  reviewed that policy in a workshop session Monday night and an internal committee is recommending an open public forum approach.  UW Oshkosh journalism professor, Vince Filak says the decision by the superintendent to censor the final edition of the student newspaper backed the kids into a corner giving them no time to even discuss why he was doing this.  The superintendent made changes to several stories in the final Cardinal Columns publication including changing a headline and quote in a story about a teen parent.

6-24-14 fdl school district censorship policy

A Fond du Lac school board member says wonders where the superintendent is finding time to review and make changes to articles in the high school newspaper?   Mark Jurgella is reacting to the latest episode in the district’s new censorship saga involving the Cardinal Columns student newspaper.  "I don't think thats the way we want to go about doing business with our newspaper,"  Jurgella told WFDL news.  "I don't know that superintendents have that much time to be involved in student newspapers to this degree."  Jurgella says if there is any oversight by administrators it should be minimal.  The school board held a workshop session Monday night to discuss the issue.

6-24-14 pioneer road-next phase

Construction is expected to begin in three years on the third phase of the Pioneer Road reconstruction project.  Public Works Director Jordan Skiff says the project will involve the reconstruction of Pioneer Road in front of Mercury Marine.  Skiff says there is a possibility of a roundabout on Pioneer Road and Military Road.  Construction is slated to begin in 2017.

6-24-14 highway 45 rehabilitation project

A major rehabilitation project on Highway 45 in Fond du lac County is slated to begin in a few years.  The Fond du lac County Highway Commission discussed the project at their meeting last week.  Highway Commissioner Tom Jahnke says the project covers Highway 45 between Eden and Fond du Lac.  "There will be some modification to the intersections at Highway H, they're going to do some realignment of that intersection plus portions in the village Eden are getting completely reconstructed,"  Jahnke told WFDL news.  The project is scheduled for 2018.

6-24-14 supreme court-abortion

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has turned down Wisconsin's bid to begin enforcing a state law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, while a legal fight over the law plays out in lower federal courts.  A federal judge is weighing a challenge to the law from Parent Parenthood and others which claim that it would amount to restricting access to abortions in Wisconsin because of the difficulties doctors would face in getting the hospital privileges.  U.S. District Judge William Conley is not expected to rule on the lawsuit before July, but he placed the law on hold last summer. The federal appeals court in Chicago upheld Conley's action.  The justices did not comment Monday in declining to get involved in the case.

6-24-14 wi governor-investigation

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A central argument in Gov. Scott Walker's defense against allegations that he was part of a nationwide criminal scheme to break campaign laws is that those going after him are Democrats on a partisan witch hunt.  But Walker ignores the fact that Republican prosecutors are also involved in the probe.  The investigation was launched by a Democratic district attorney in Milwaukee and two judges have rejected arguments made by prosecutors and put the investigation on hold pending appeals.  But the special prosecutor hired by a bipartisan group of district attorneys and nonpartisan panel of retired judges to lead the investigation is a Republican who says he voted for Walker. And the federal judge who issued a ruling halting the probe in May was appointed by a Republican president.

6-24-14 wi campaign finance

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A federal lawsuit has been filed challenging a Wisconsin state law that limits the amount of money candidates can collect from political action committees.  The CRG Network, a political action committee that works to elect conservative candidates, filed the lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee against the state Government Accountability Board, which enforces election law.

CRG argues that its First Amendment rights to free speech and free association have been denied because of limits the state places on PAC contributions.  A spokesman for the state board being sued noted that the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the law in question in 1990.  But the lawsuit says subsequent U.S. Supreme Court rulings related to campaign finance limitations make the earlier state Supreme Court case irrelevant.

6-24-14 home sales down again

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Home sales in Wisconsin have declined for a fifth month in a row.  The Wisconsin Realtors Association said Monday that home sales were down 6.9 percent in May, compared to the same month a year earlier.  That's not all bad news.  Steve Lane is chairman of the association's Board of Directors. He says the state economy appears to be improving and unemployment is lower, and that can affect home sales.  Homes that are selling are commanding a better price. The median price in May was $150,000, up 3.8 percent from May 2013.  Wisconsin Realtors Association President Michael Theo also says lending reforms may have slowed the market.  Nationally, home sales were down 7 percent in the first four months of 2014 compared to the same time in 2013.

6-24-14 storm chasers

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — There's a new state law that aims to protect homeowners against unscrupulous contractors who offer to repair the sort of storm damage that occurred last week in southern Wisconsin.  The law's provisions seem to protect insurance companies as much as homeowners. But Sandy Chalmers of the state's consumer-protection agency says preventing insurance fraud helps consumers as well.  Fraudulent contractors, so-called "storm chasers," descend on storm-ravaged areas and offer cheap rates, often assuring the homeowners the work will be covered by insurance. Then they do shoddy work or disappear with the money, and the homeowner later finds out insurance won't pick up the tab.  The law limits what contractors can offer, and gives consumers to right to cancel contracts if insurers deny their claims.

6-23-14 governor makes stop in fdl

Wisconsin governor Scott Walker predicts a close race, but says ultimately he will come out on top when voters realize they are better off then they were four years ago.  Walker made the comments during a stop at

Fond du Lac County Republican party headquarters over the weekend.  Walker is facing a challenge from former Wisconsin Commerce Secretary Mary Burke. Walker told supporters in Fond du Lac he needs there help to get him re-elected.  "Its reinforcing the grassroots supporters here to point out that they're the ones who are going to help us get that message out,"  Walker told WFDL news.  "That if we get the message out that life is better off today than it was four years ago and will be even better four years from now, I think its very important that we share that message with voters."  Walker and Burke also attended the Fond du Lac County Breakfast on the Farm Sunday.  Burke says Wisconsin has created fewer jobs than other Midwest states in the last four years and that the governor has fallen well short of his promise to create 250,000 jobs at the end of his first term.

6-23-14 miss wisconsin crowned

OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) — A Holmen woman who took home the Miss Wisconsin crown has become the first person to hold the title twice.  Raenna Johnson was named Miss Wisconsin on Saturday night in Oshkosh.  It's a repeat — of sorts — for Johnson.  Back in 2011, she was named first runner-up to Laura Kaeppeler. But then Kaeppeler went on to win the Miss America pageant — so Johnson assumed the Miss Wisconsin title in January of 2012.  Pageant rules allow women who ascend to state titles to compete again after skipping a year. That's what Johnson did.  The 24-year-old Johnson graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this year. She studied communications and women's studies. She'll compete in the Miss America pageant in September.

6-23-14 coast guard rescues

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard has rescued four people from Lake Michigan in two separate incidents.  The first happened Friday about 7 p.m. near Kenosha. A sailboat had capsized, stranding two people in the water.  A rescue boat and helicopter were dispatched to the scene. The boat crew rescued one person and the other swam about 100 yards to shore. The Coast Guard says one person was treated for mild hypothermia.  About 30 minutes later, boaters near Two Rivers radioed for help after their boat started taking on water. Another boat crew responded with a pump that crew members used to clear the water. The crew then escorted the vessel to a marina, where it was removed from the water.

6-23-14 motorcycle-horse accident

Two people were seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Fond du lac County.   Rescue personnel were called to the scene on  Highway 45 at Northwestern Ave. in the Town of Friendship Saturday morning.  When deputies arrived they learned that a motorcycle operated by a  57 yr. old Fond du Lac man, was traveling northbound on Hwy 45 when he lost control avoiding a horse that was running in the roadway.  As a result of the accident, the operator and his 53 year old female passenger were ejected from the motorcycle.  Both parties received severe head injuries as a result of the accident. The male party was taken to Theda Clark Hospital for treatment of his injuries while the female was taken to St. Agnes Hospital for her injuries. Both subjects were not wearing helmets. The investigation is continuing. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Van Dyne First Responders and Fire Department, Theda Star Helicopter, a NFDL Ambulance and a City of Fond du Lac Paramedic Unit.

6-23-14 lomira man dies from injuries in rollover crash

A 22 year old Lomira man has died from injuries suffered in a one vehicle rollover accident on Highway 41 in Fond du Lac County.  Jeffrey Thill died Friday at Theda Clark Regional Medical Center in Neenah.    The accident happened a week ago in the southbound lanes of 41 south of Highway B.  Investigators say Thill veered to the right and overcorrected before rolling over.  A passenger, 21 year old Katelyn Freund, of North Fond du Lac received non life threatening injuries.

6-23-14 motorcycle fatalities

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (AP) — Two motorcyclists have died in separate crashes on Wisconsin roadways.  On Saturday night, a 36-year-old man was killed when he struck a deer while riding on westbound Interstate 90/94 near Wisconsin Dells. Authorities say Todd Hughes of Glenbeulah was ejected from his Harley Davidson when he hit the deer at about 10:30 p.m., and was pronounced dead on the scene.  A 21-year-old Pewaukee man also died Saturday night when his motorcycle left the roadway on Highway 16 near County Highway JJ in Waukesha County. The accident happened about 7:30 p.m. The man's name hasn't been released.

6-23-14 bobcat season

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Hunters and trappers will get a chance to go after bobcats in southern Wisconsin this fall.  The state Department of Natural Resources already offers a bobcat season in northern Wisconsin. This fall the agency will run a season south of Highway 64. Both seasons will run concurrently in two parts, from Oct. 18 to Dec. 25 and Dec. 26 to Jan. 31.  Permit applications for the southern region are due Aug. 1. Applicants will have to note which region they want to hunt or trap in as well as what time period. Permits will be awarded through a lottery.

6-20 Planned Parenthood To Close In Fond du Lac

Planned Parenthood says it will shut down its clinic in Fond du Lac on September 25th.  C-E-O Teri Huyck blamed the closure on the governor and Legislature.  Majority Repubilcans voted last year to eliminate a million dollars in reproductive health care funding in the current state budget.  The G-O-P has been working to put curbs-and-controls on abortion facilities in the last session.  But Huyck says the Fond du Lac clinic does not provide abortions -- and neither did the other four Planned Parenthood facilities that have closed in the last two years due to a lack of state funds.  Huyck called the Fond du Lac closure a loss for families who rely on the agency for cancer screenings, health exams, birth control, and treatments for sexually-transmitted diseases.  She says the Fond du Lac facility served about 11-hundred patients each year -- and they'll be referred to the group's closest clinics in Oshkosh and West Bend

6-20 Oshkosh Corp Job Fair

Hundreds of workers laid off by Wisconsin's maker of military vehicles are getting lots of help in finding new jobs.  The Oshkosh Corporation held a job fair yesterday, where 29 companies sought people for a total of 16-hundred openings.  In April, Oshkosh announced the layoffs of 700 hourly employees and 60 salaried workers due mainly to the scaling back of U-S military operations in Afghanistan.  Now, the company says the total number of layoffs should be around 535 after many employees took early retirement.  The job fair focused solely on production workers.  

6-19-14 weather update

Weather Update: Cleanup continues this afternoon from this morning’s storms that hit southern Wisconsin. Early this morning a cluster of showers and thunderstorms developed west of I-35. The majority of the winds produced were 40 to 55 mph at the most, but with moist soils, some of these winds knocked down trees and power lines.
Wednesday Storm Damage: The National Weather Service has confirmed it was straight line winds or a microburst from a thunderstorm that occurred in the Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove areas this morning. Dane County Emergency Management reported trees on five vehicles and five homes in Sun Prairie. The City of Milwaukee reports 80 damaged trees. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) initiated overflows early Wednesday in order to prevent basement back-ups. All Black River State Forest ATV and UTV trials, along with Jackson County Trails are temporarily closed due to the heavy rains.
Tuesday Storm Damage Update: Officials at Country View Elementary School estimate the cost to repair storm damage repair will be between $3 million and $4 million. Contractors have already begun the clean-up process and hope to have repairs completed by the first day of school on September 2^nd.
Power Outages: As a result of this morning’s storms, more than 17,000 customers were without power.   Numbers are steadily dropping as crews work to restore power. Currently about 9,000 customers are without power – mainly in the Madison area.

Flooding: . Two rounds of very heavy rain affected a stretch from Trempealeau county eastward through northern Adams county, prompting flash flood warnings. Those warnings have expired.

Looking Ahead: The National Weather Service forecasts another round of strong to severe storms to move across Wisconsin during the mid-evening and overnight hours.   Additional rounds of thunderstorms could bring heavy rain and a risk of flash flooding. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect in western and south central Wisconsin until Thursday morning. Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) will monitor state lakes, rivers and streams carefully over the next several days. WEM has received no requests for assistance but will stay in contact with our county and tribal emergency management partners across the state.