Local News Briefs Saturday 7/5/14

Fond du Lac County Clerk Lisa Freiberg says there will be a bit of a learning curve for County supervisors and City Council members next month following the upgrade of audio and video equipment in the legislative chambers. During the upgrade work this month the City Council will hold their meetings at the Fond du Lac Public Library and the County Board is expected to cancel its monthly meeting. Freiberg says she’s asked that additional Information Technology personnel be on hand for the board’s August meeting. She says it addition to a busy schedule the 25 supervisors will be learning how to use new microphones and a new voting system. The upgrade includes new large flat screen TVs in the chambers and high-definition cameras for broadcasting of the meetings.

Sheboygan County Crime Of The Week

Sheboygan County authorities are looking for the public’s help for a burglary that occurred at a bicycle shop in the City of Sheboygan. Police responded at 5:19 a.m. on June 24th for the break-in at Johnny’s Bicycle Shop in the 1000 block of Michigan Avenue. The suspect forced entry into the building and took a blue and white Fuji Nevada 1.9 Mountain Bike with disc brakes along with a Sunlite Recumbent bike rack from a window display.  Surveillance video is available on the Sheboygan Police Website. If you have information you are asked to call the Crime Stoppers program at 1-877-283-8436.  You will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward up to $1000.  http://www.sheboyganpolice.com/

MPTC Addition Construction Underway

Moraine Park Technical College President Sheila Ruhland says it’s nice to see construction underway on the new addition at their Fond du Lac campus. Groundbreaking was held early last month for 5,212 square-foot addition that will include a more defined entrance and student services center. Ruhland says anyone that wants to stop by and watch the progress of the construction is welcome to do so. She says it’s been a few years since they’ve undertaken any major remodeling. An additional $204,100 will furnish and equip the addition. The project has a targeted completion date of November 28th and it will be open to student use next January.

Guarding Against The West Nile Virus

Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says the County has bee fortunate enough to avoid its first report of a dead bird with West Nile virus so far this summer. She says a couple of dead birds were dropped off at the health department, but after testing it was determined that they were negative for the mosquito-borne illness. She recommends using mosquito repellant if you’re going to be outdoors for any extended time this holiday weekend. She also says to make sure there is no place in your yard where standing water can become stagnant and become likely breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Dodge, Sheboygan and Washington Counties have all had reports of dead birds with West Nile virus.

Flyover In FDL Sunday

In a tribute to those who have or are serving in our armed forces there will be a flyover in Fond du Lac Sunday. Retired Navy Lieutenant Commander Ron Roen arranged the flyover of the AT-6 about 2:30 tomorrow afternoon. He says it will be coming in from the south and flyover Veterans Park. Commemorative Air Force-Wisconsin Wings Gary Otto will be flying the single engine plane with Navy markings. It will continue to fly north to Lakeside Park and will make several passes before heading back down Main Street.. Roen says he’s grateful to BMO Harris and the Fond du Lac Holiday Inn for sponsoring the flyover.

Cell Phone Inattentiveness

An official with the Wisconsin State Patrol says although cell phones can be used in cars they are becoming bigger factors in driver inattentiveness. Inspector Scott Hlinak says it’s something troopers see a lot of people driving with cell phones in their hands. He says while they may see what’s in front of them people using cell phones aren’t always aware of what’s going on around them, which isn’t a good way to drive on multi-lane highways like Highways 41 and Highway 151. He says if you have to make a call make it quick or pull over and place the call. He says driving and trying to carry on a conversation on a cell phone can be a dangerous combination. He says with all the technology in cars these days drivers have too much to distract their attention.