6-3-14 fdl wastewater treatment plant director retires

A longtime Fond du Lac city employee is stepping down.  Wastewater treatment plant operations manager John Leonhard is retiring after 30 years of service to the city.  "Its been a great place to work, have had real good communication witth all the staff over the years, its been my pleasure to work with five different city managers, four different public works directors and I'm leaving on a high note,"  Leonhard said.  "Its been a happy career."  Leonhard was recognized at last week’s city council meeting.

6-3-14 manure spill update

For the first time since an estimated 50,000 gallons of manure spilled from a large Fond du Lac County dairy farm into a nearby creek there is some good news.  Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says test results from county wells at Camp Shaganappi and Columbia Park have come back negative for any contamination.  Mueller says the DNR felt it was very unlikely that the manure would contaminate

private wells in the area.  Mueller says heavy rain over the last couple of days may actually help flush the contaminated surface water into Lake Winnebago.  Meanwhile Mueller says signs warning people to stay out of the water remain posted at Camp Shaganappi and Columbia Park.

6-3-14 water main flushing

The city of Fond du lac’s bi-annual citywide water main flushing is  underway.  Water Operations manager, Kathy Scharf, says the flushing  began Monday in the southeast section of the city and will continue

in the northeast neighborhoods Tuesday, the southwest area Wednesday  morning and finish in the northwest quadrant Wednesday afternoon.  Scharf says the flushing is designed to improve the overall water quality.

Scharf says during hydrant flushing there may be a slight discoloration of water,  but poses no health risk. However you should not do laundry or use automatic ice machines until the water runs clear from your tap.

6-3-14 ag race

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Three Democrats, one Republican and one Libertarian have filed to run for Wisconsin state attorney general.  Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, Jefferson County District Attorney Susan Happ and state Rep. Jon Richards of Milwaukee are all vying for the Democratic nomination. Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel is the only Republican in the race.

Thomas A. Nelson, Sr., filed to run as a Libertarian.  The Government Accountability Board is scheduled to meet on June 10 to certify the list of candidates for the Aug. 12 primary.  The winners will face each other in the Nov. 4 general election.  The seat is open after Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen decided against seeking a third term.

6-3-14 state offices

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Even though the offices have lost nearly all their powers, interest remains high in running for secretary of state and treasurer.   Five secretary of state candidates and seven for treasurer filed signatures by Monday's deadline to get on the ballot. The Government Accountability Board was accepting challenges to the signatures until Thursday and meeting June 10 to certify candidates for the Aug. 12 primary. The general election is Nov. 4.  In the secretary of state race, incumbent Doug La Follette was the only Democrat to file.  Two Republicans, a Constitution Party candidate and a Libertarian also submitted signatures.  In the treasurer's race, Republican incumbent Kurt Schuller isn't seeking re-election.  Two Democrats, two Republicans, a Constitution Party candidate, a Libertarian and a Green Party candidate all filed as well.

6-3-14 hulsey gets on ballot

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Longshot Democratic gubernatorial candidate state Rep. Brett Hulsey has filed signatures to put him on the ballot against the presumed nominee Mary Burke.  Hulsey was among the candidates who filed their papers Monday, the deadline to submit signatures required to get on the Aug. 12 primary.  The Government Accountability Board will review the signatures, and challenges, and then determine at its June 10 meeting who will be on the ballot.  Hulsey says he turned in 2,300 signatures. He needs 2,000.  Gov. Scott Walker's campaign submitted his signatures on Monday and Burke turned hers in last week.  A third lesser known Democrat, Marcia Mercedes Perkins, also filed signatures but the GAB did not immediately have a total count.

6-3-14 heroin overdose death-oshkosh

OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) — Oshkosh police are investigating the suspected heroin overdose death of a 22-year-old woman.  Police were called to an Oshkosh home late Friday night when the mother was unable to contact the woman inside the home. Officers entered the victim's bedroom and found her dead.  Police say a 22-year-old man from Oshkosh was arrested Saturday night and taken to the Winnebago County Jail on a probation hold.  No charges have been filed. The woman's name was not released.