Local News Briefs Friday 1/24/14

The 30-year-old Fond du Lac man accused of stealing more than $114,000 while working for a computer company in the area will likely be standing trial. District Attorney Eric Toney says there was no resolution to the case during a plea and sentencing hearing fo Christopher Gustavus when he appeared in Fond du Lac County Court this week. Gustavus is charged with 85 counts of misdemeanor theft and a felony count of misappropriating identity for the purpose of financial gain. According to the criminal complaint he used a company credit card and through the use of a PayPal account was able to use money he transferred from the computer company to purchase items for himself. The thefts occurred from August of 2011 through last April. A jury trial had originally been scheduled to begin on March 5th, but that was prior to this week’s hearing. The dates for that trial have since been removed from the state’s online circuit court access program.

Fatal Accident In Washington County

A 55-year-old Sheboygan County man was killed when he was pinned between a truck and trailer during a two vehicle accident in Washington County Thursday afternoon. Washington County Sheriff’s officials say the accident happened on County Highway A east of County Highway M in the Town of Farmington. When a deputy arrived he found the Sheboygan County man pinned between the truck and an attached trailer. The man was dead. The truck driver was stopped and he was outside of it between the truck and trailer when a car ran into the back of the trailer. The 28-year-old West Bend woman driving the car was flown to a hospital by Flight for Life helicopter. The accident was reported at 3:44 a.m.  It was Washington County’s first fatal traffic accident of the year.

Sex Trafficking Charges In Plymouth Incident

Two Milwaukee men have been formally charged with trafficking a child after their arrest on Monday in the city of Plymouth.  Twenty-four-year old Arin Ames-Clark and 25-year-old Sean Lewis made their initial appearance in Sheboygan County Court Thursday morning and demanded preliminary hearings, which were set for next Wednesday.  Both men are being held on $20,000 and $25,000 cash bond.  They were arrested early Monday after Plymouth police found a 16 year old girl wandering the streets at 3 a.m.  According to the criminal complaint, she told officers she had been living with Ames-Clark for the last three weeks.  She said they came to Plymouth where he told her to have sex with Lewis saying, “Go do your job.  I need some money.”  She said she saw Lewis pay Ames-Clark.  Ames-Clark admitted he brought the girl to Plymouth to have sex, but he thought she was 19 – and he denied trafficking her for sex.  Both men are being held in the county jail awaiting the preliminary hearing.  They face up to 40 years in prison if convicted.

Winter Weather Advisory Drivers Reminded To Go Slow

With more snow on the way a state trooper is asking drivers to slow down and use more caution when the snow is mixed with bitter cold temperatures. A Wind Chill Advisory gives way to a Winter Weather Advisory that runs until 12 a.m. Saturday. Trooper Scott Hlinak says just a little snow the other day during bitter cold temperatures led to a lot of accidents. He says people shouldn’t become complacent. He says it’s the motorists who don’t slow down that make it dangerous for others on the road and a half an inch of snow in icy conditions can make a big difference in one’s safety. He says even when it’s sunny with the salt spray on windshields visibility can be a problem. He says if your windshield washer fluid freezes up even throwing a little snow on your windshield can help remove that salt spray.

Gudex Bill Allows Tax Credit Transfer

A Bill authored by Senator Rick Gudex that allows the transfer of certain tax credits between businesses is making its way through the state legislature. The bill was passed unanimously by the State Senate this week and is on its way to the State Assembly. It requires that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation authorize the transfer of tax credits if the business meets certain conditions. Gudex says the bill will allow businesses who qualify for tax credits to make better use of them. The state lawmaker from Fond du Lac says under the bill start up businesses could make better use of the tax credits to offset some of their costs. He says the use of those tax credits will be done with transparency because its taxpayer money that is being used. The bill goes to committee in the Assembly on February 5th and could be passed by the full Assembly before the end of February.

FDL Re-codification Update

Fond du Lac City Attorney and Human Resources Director Deb Hoffmann this week gave the City Council an update on the City’s Re-Codification efforts. She says the newest draft is much smaller than the old draft, but still lengthy with 240 code sections. The City’s code includes charter ordinances, city ordinances and zoning ordinances. She says the newest draft of the City’s codes will go before the Plan Commission for approval and a recommendation on March 17th. A public hearing will be held on it at the Council’s March 26th meeting and it will go before the Council in April. She says copies of the new codes are available on compact disc at the City Clerk’s Office and the Fond du Lac Public Library for public viewing.

Common Core Forum In FDL Cancelled Will Be Rescheduled

The forum on Common Core Educational Standards sponsored by the Fond du Lac Area Retired Educators Association and Support Our Schools-Fond du Lac scheduled for next Monday has been cancelled due to the severe cold. Earl Jewett informs us that the forum that was to be held at the Theisen Middle School will be rescheduled.

NFDL Village Board Meetings Live Webcasts

North Fond du Lac Village Board meetings may soon be seen through a live webcast. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says it’s something the board wants to give a try. He says they will give it a try on their website for six months. Although it’s not set yet the first webcast of a North Fond du Lac Village Board meeting could happen as early as their next meeting on February 3rd. The webcast would be in addition to their live broadcasts on Charter Cable Channels 21 and 980.

Funeral Set For Slain Purdue Student

More than 120 people attended a prayer service Wednesday night for the 21-year-old West Bend man shot and killed a Purdue University this week. The service for Andrew Boldt was held at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in West Bend. According to Father Nathan Reesman who spoke on behalf of the family, Boldt attended the parish’s school for his last few years of grade school. Boldt was the son of James and Mary Boldt of West Bend and graduated from Marquette University High School in 2010. Visitation will be held at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in West Bend from 3 to 6:30 p.m. next Tuesday with a funeral mass following at 7 p.m.

Purdue Shooter Pleads Not Guilty

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-A not guilty plea has been entered on behalf of a Purdue University student accused of killing a fellow student from Wisconsin. A magistate entered that plea on behalf of Cody Cousins at an initial court proceeding. He’s being held without bond, and a tentative trial date has been set for April 22nd on a murder charge in the Tuesday death of 21-year-old Andrew Boldt of West Bend. Boldt suffered gunshot and knife wounds, a motive has not been mentioned. Police found Cousins sitting on the ground with his hands behind his head outside the Electrical Engineering Building on the West Lafayette campus. Witnesses told police they saw a man stab and shoot Boldt. There’s also video showing Cousins’ presence in the building.

Horicon Bank Purchasing Green Lake Branch

Horicon Bank has announced it is going to purchase the Baraboo National Bank’s Green Lake branch. The announcement was made by bank president Frederick C Schwertfeger. With government approval the sale should close this spring. With the purchase, Horicon Bank’s assets will grow to about $600 million. It will have locations in 11 communities including Fond du Lac, Ripon and Oshkosh.