Local News Briefs Friday 1/10/14

The firing of four shots in downtown Fond du Lac recently after bar hours could have had a more tragic outcome. Assistant Police Chief Steve Klein says they usually have officers in the area as the bars are closing and that happened to be the case on December 28th in the area of Main and West 2nd Streets. Officers saw men running in the area including the suspected shooter. He says its fortunate that a passerby wasn’t seriously injured if not for the thick belt buckle that deflected a bullet. Klein says if not for the early hour there was the potential for a more serious outcome. The suspected shooter 34-year-old William Wilcox of Fond du Lac was in Fond du Lac County Court for a preliminary hearing Thursday afternoon. He was bound over for trial.

Bomb Threat Suspect Competent To Stand Trial

The 32-year-old Markesan man suspected of multiple bomb threats and officiating youth sports despite his sex offender status has been found competent to stand trial. Aaron Schreiber agreed with a Dodge County judge this week that he is competent to stand trial on 41 felony charges. Last November Schreiber allegedly phoned in 15 phony bomb threats in Beaver Dam, Fox Lake, Ripon and Waupun with the majority of them in Waupun. Investigators eventually traced the calls to Schreiber’s cell phone and he was brought in for questioning and allegedly admitted to his actions. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next month. 

Calumet County Judge Sentences Elderly Child Molester

A 73-year-old Seymour man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 4-year-old child on at least 3 occasions. A Calumet County judge Thursday sentenced Norbert DeGroot to the prison term and 10 years of extended supervision. According to the state Attorney General’s office in sentencing DeGroot Judge Jeffrey Froehlich describes DeGroot as the “monster that haunt’s children’s dreams.” The sexual assaults occurred from January of 2006 through May of 2006.

Mayville Man Pleads To Charge From Stunning Of Wife

The 42-year-old Mayville man who used a stun gun on his wife during a Packers-Bears game last November has pled “no contest” to a disorderly conduct charge in Dodge County Court. John Grant entered the plea during a hearing Thursday and has to pay a fine including courts cost of $568 in the next two months. The charge stemmed from an incident that happened at a bar in Mayville on November 5th.  Grant’s wife told police he had used the stun gun on her three times outside a bar. The two had made a bet on the outcome of the game. She’s a Packer’s fan and he’s a Bear’s fan. They agreed the loser would be stunned, but she told police she didn’t think he would actually do it.

Bond Reduction Denied For Nehls’ Residence Burglary Suspect

The bond for the 45-year-old Beaver Dam man suspected of breaking into the Fox Lake home of former Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls will remain at $300,000 cash. Nehls newly deputized son caught Scott Schonitzer in his father’s home last month. A handgun belonging to Nehls and cash were found in Schonitzer’s pocket. Schonitzer had requested a reduction in bond, but a judge denied that request. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, January 23rd.

New Sheboygan Fire Chief

(WHBL-Sheboygan)-Sheboygan has a new fire chief.  The Police and Fire Commission met this week and selected Michael Romas, the Assistant Fire Chief in Milwaukee, to succeed Jeff Hermann.  Hermann retired at the end of the year after 30 years on the department – the last four as chief.  Romas, who was one of 6 finalists for the job, comes to Sheboygan after 30 years with the Milwaukee Fire Department.

Governor Attending Annual FCEDC Evening

Governor Scott Walker is among those expected to attend the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation’s 25th Annual Evening at the UW-Fond du Lac at the end of the month. FCEDC President Steve Jenkins says the cost for attending includes a standup buffet and the opportunity to do some networking with others attending. He says registration begins at 5:30 p.m. with networking and the buffet until 6:15, then there’s a short program. You can find out more by calling the FCEDC office at (920) 929-2928 or in the events section of their website. 

Hospitalizations For The Flu Increasing

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-Wisconsin has seen a recent dramatic increase in the number of hospitalizations resulting from the ‘flu.’ Tom Haupt is state epidemiologist. He says the increases in hospitalizations due to the flu have increased statewide with the highest percentages in the southeastern part of the state where the highest population is. There have already been 565 influenza-associated hospitalizations reported since October 5, with 22 percent admitted to the ICU and 9 percent requiring ventilation.

United Way Within $8,200 Of Goal

With about a week to go in the campaign the Fond du Lac Area United Way is within reach of its $740,000 goal. They need to raise an additional $8,200 to reach their goal. United Way Executive Director Tina Potter says the funds go to agencies that help thousands of people in the community. Allocations will be decided on at the end of the month for those agencies and a new goal will be set for this fall’s campaign. Potter says they usually don’t increase that goal by much. If they make their goal it would be the third year in a row for the United Way. To donate to the United Way stop by or mail them to 74 South Main Street, Fond du Lac, WI. 54935. You can also donate them online at the United Way’s website.

Martin Luther King Jr Interfaith Prayer Breakfast At Marian

Marian University will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on Monday, January 20, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in the Sodexo Dining Room in the Stayer Center. The program features interfaith prayers, a guest speaker, a musical presentation and the presentation of the 2014 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spirit Award. Honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has been a tradition of Marian University and the Fond du Lac community. This event is open to the public; however, registration is requested. The cost is $12 for an individual or $95 for a table of eight. The cost for those who are not registered will be $15 at the door. The deadline for registration is next Monday. Participants attending the breakfast are asked to bring a monetary gift or non-perishable food items to the breakfast. All items will be given to the Fond du Lac Food Pantry.

Veterans Mental Health Symposium

Veterans and those who provide services to them are invited to attend a Veterans Mental Health Symposium at Marian University’s Stayer Center in Fond du Lac today. It’s being put on by Salute the Troops of Fond du Lac. Dan Manning, executive director of Salute the Troops, says they have some good speakers lined up. Check-in, registration and breakfast are at 8 a.m. then the County’s Director of Administration Erin Gerred will welcome attendees at 8:40 a.m. The first session will start at 9 o’clock. Fond du Lac City Manager Joe Moore and Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch will speak over the lunch hour. Cost for the symposium varies depending on whether you’re a veteran or picking up continuing education credit. It’s free for veterans who can not pay for it. For more information check the Salute the Troops website.