Local News
KFIZ News Thursday 12/1/16
Former Waupun Man Pleads To Sex Crime Charges
A 44-year-old former Waupun man has pled “no contest” to charges of child enticement and causing a child under 13 to view or listen to a sex act. Michael LaFond of Madison entered the pleas during a hearing in Fond du Lac County Court this week. Judge Gary Sharpe ordered a pre-sentence investigation. Four other charges were dismissed. LaFond was armed with a revolver pointed at his head and a pistol when Waupun Police entered his home last January to gather evidence in a sex crimes investigation. He ended up turning over the guns to the officers.
Convicted Burglar Faces New Charge In Dodge County
Dodge County prosecutors have charged a 23-year-old Waupun man for breaking into a home to steal money and jewelry. Joshua Gierach is facing a burglary charge stemming from the burglary of a home in Waupun in July. He told police he pawned the jewelry, but denied stealing $800 in cash. His initial court appearance is scheduled for December 22nd. He is currently serving time at Dodge Correctional after violating probation on a previous burglary conviction.
Wisconsin GOP Files Complaint Over Recount
The Republican Party of Wisconsin Wednesday filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission alleging collusion between Jill Stein and Hillary Clinton on the state’s recount of Presidential voting. Pat Garrett is a spokesman for the Wisconsin GOP. He says Clinton is the one that benefits from the recount, not Stein. He says the recount is a complete waste of time and is a desperate political stunt by the left. He says no one from the Stein or Clinton campaign has articulated what it is truly about or what was wrong that would justify such a recount. He says Clinton’s campaign has become more involved in the recount day-by-day. He says Clinton has deployed staff to Wisconsin and her lawyers have joined frivolous lawsuits such as the lawsuit that tried to force a hand recount. The recount in Wisconsin begins today.
Grothman Questions DEA Officials Over Management Of Confidential Sources
Congressman Glenn Grothman had the opportunity Wednesday to question DEA officials about the management of confidential sources. A recent audit of the program showed that from 2010 to 2015 more than 9,000 confidential sources received $237 million in payment from the DEA. During a hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Grothman questioned Inspector General Michael Horowitz about informants searching parcel packages for money and drugs. Grothman says the DEA was giving out payments to do something that would be unconstitutional if their employees did it. Horowitz said they were potentially incentivizing individuals to essentially act as their arm. DEA Chief of Inspections Rob Patterson told Grothman they are still having some of the same problems found in a 2005 report concerning incomplete reports from the informants. Patterson told Grothman they now have a headquarters review process to make sure all of the information fields in reports are filled in.
To see the questioning click here.
NFDL School Report Cards
Schools in the North Fond du Lac School District met the state’s expectations on recent report cards required by the Department of Public Instruction. District Superintendent Aaron Sadoff says when the report cards were originally issued the impetus was to be punitive, but that attitude has changed. He says now it is like a flashlight showing what schools and districts look like compared to everybody else. He says overall the three schools in the North Fond du Lac district are meeting what is expected of them. He says Bessie Allen Middle School is exceeding expectations, the Friendship Learning Center is meeting expectations, and the Horace Mann High School is meeting few expectations primarily due to all juniors having to take ACT testing. Sadoff says their goal is to have all of their schools exceed expectations on the report cards by 2019.
Young Professional Winner Urges Others To Get Involved
The winner of the Young Professionals of Fond du Lac’s Young Professional of the Year Award urges others to get involved in their community. Holly Luehring is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Michel’s Corporation. She says it’s an honor to win that award and be named among the Future 5 Award winners. Luehring also serves on the Fond du Lac Festivals and YMCA’s Board of Directors and is involved in the Charity Club. She says her work with the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce to develop the Fond du Lac Marketing Professionals group also was important. In addition to Luehring, Theresa Goebel-Menting owner of Sweet N Easy Events, St. Mary’s Springs Academy President Kelly Norton, Sarah Spang of the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation and Katie Tank of Agnesian HealthCare were Future 5 Award winners.
Ho Ho Hotline
Starting today Santa and Mrs. Claus will be taking phone calls from children through the Fond du Lac Senior Center’s Annual “Ho Ho Hotline” Program. It is available weekdays only from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. through Friday, December 23rd. With adult permission, children can call the North Pole and talk to the jolly couple about their gift wishes. Either Santa or Mrs. Claus will be available to answer phone calls. To reach Santa or Mrs. Claus on the “Ho Ho Hotline,” please call (920) 322-3637. It is a free program.