3-4-14 sand mine legislation

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Republican bill that would exempt existing sand mines from new regulations is getting a cool reception from minority Democrats on the Legislature's mining committees. The Assembly and Senate mining committees held a joint hearing on the bill today. The panels' Democrats complained the bill would prohibit local governments from regulating new mining technology and imposing new health regulations if studies show the mines contribute to lung disease.

3-4-14 embattled assembly majority leader

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker says he "definitely" thinks Republicans are correct in removing Rep. Bill Kramer as majority leader of the state Assembly amid sexual harassment allegations. Assembly Republicans planned to vote tomorrow on removing Kramer as majority leader, the second highest post in the Assembly. Kramer has not commented on the allegations that he groped a woman and verbally abused another one while in Washington for a fundraiser. Kramer's chief of staff says he will not be at the vote because he is in treatment.

3-4-14 house fire

Two people were injured in a fire that destroyed a Fond du lac home.  Firefighters were called to the scene at 394 Ruggles Street shortly after 8:30am Monday.  Fire Chief Pete O’Leary says firefighters had to rescue a woman who was trapped inside the home.  The woman and her husband were transported to the hospital.

O’Leary says it appears a faulty space heater started the blaze.  As has been the case all winter long firefighters were battling temperatures In the single digits with below zero windchills.

   

3-3-14 business burglary spree

Two Fond du Lac men accused of participating a business burglary spree have been bound over for trial.

Anthony Buechel and James Meisner both waived their preliminary hearings Friday.  Buechel is charged with five counts of burglary,  six counts of theft, five counts of bail jumping and two counts of criminal damage to property.   Meisner is charged with a total of 28 counts of burglary, theft, criminal damage to property

and bail jumping.  The two are accused of burglarizing several businesses including taverns in the city of Fond du Lac and Fond du Lac county.

3-3-14 plea deal in bingo hall theft

A Fond du Lac woman accused of stealing money from a bingo hall has been convicted of a lesser charge.

As part of a plea agreement 61 year old Donna Shady was convicted of two misdemeanor counts of theft.

She was originally charged with felony theft in a business setting.  Judge Gary Sharpe placed Shady on probation and ordered that she pay restitution.  Shady was accused of  stealing nearly $3000 from Brothertown Nation while working as a volunteer at its Winnebago Drive bingo hall. According to a criminal complaint Shady used a Brothertown Nation debit card to purchase food and other items  last December and January.

3-3-14 brownsville man suffers severe burns

A Brownsville man has been flown by helicopter to the hospital after reportedly suffering severe burns.
The  Flight for Life helicopter was called to the Zinkes Farms at W6458 County Trunk Y around noon Monday for a report of a man who sustained severe burns to his legs when his pants started on fire. The incident remains under investigation.

3-3-14 child car seat safety

The Wisconsin AAA says new car seat labeling is a step in the right direction to reduce child injuries.  AAA spokesman Nick Jarmuscz says caregivers, unaware of weight limit restrictions, may be unknowingly exceeding weight limits by neglecting to factor in their child’s weight along with  the increasingly heavy car seat.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has revised weight limit labeling for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children-installed car seats to include both the weight of the child and the car seat itself.  Jarmusz says clear labeling is a step in the right direction but standardization of equipment and proper education of caregivers remain the priority.