Local News Briefs Friday 10/11/13

A 30-year-old Horicon man has been sentenced to four years in prison for driving drunk and causing a two-car accident on Highway 28 last June that injured the other driver. Kyle Rach was sentenced this week in Dodge County Court after pleading “no contest” to a drunken driving causing injury charge. The accident on June 2nd happened between Mayville and Horicon when Rach rear-ended another vehicle sending it into a ditch. The driver of that other car, 28-year-old Joseph Klatt of Lomira, was taken to a hospital. Rach was also given three years of extended supervision. It’s the fourth drunken driving conviction for Rach.

Governor Proposes $100 Million Property Tax Cut

(Wisconsin Radio Network/WRN Photo)-Governor Scott Walker is asking the Republican-controlled Legislature to move quickly on a proposal that would cut Wisconsin property taxes by $100 million. Walker unveiled the plan Thursday, at a press conference where he was joined by Republican leaders in the Legislature. The governor says the plan would bring “tax relief for working families, for senior citizens, for farmers, and for small business owners across the state,” adding that it would result in the third consecutive year of property tax reductions for a median value home in Wisconsin.

The tax cut would be paid for out of money from a state budget surplus. It would result in property taxes on a median-value home dropping by about $13 on December tax bills, while a projected 2014 increase would be reduced by about $20. When combined with other reforms and property tax controls enacted since he took office in 2011, Walker says the typical homeowner will have saved $680 during his four years in office. The money would be directed at the school aid formula, which would help lower property tax levies.

Democrats expressed some skepticism about the proposal. Assistant Assembly Minority Leader Sandy Pasch (D-Shorewood) says too much remains unknown and “the devils in the details on all of this.” While she agrees with a tax cut in theory, Pasch says she wants to have a better understanding of how the bill would actually impact finances for schools and the state.

Child Credit Protection Act Moving Through State Legislature

A bill co-authored by State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt would protection children from identity theft. The state lawmaker from Fond du Lac says children usually get their Social Security numbers when they are born, but often don’t use them until they get their first jobs when they are teens. He says that’s an appealing target for identity thieves and that’s whey the Child Credit Protection Act was introduced. The bill allows a parent or legal guardian to freeze their child’s credit record. Thiesfeldt says the rate for identity theft for children is 51 times higher than adults. Wisconsin is one of the first states to look into protecting children from that kind of theft. The State Assembly recently passed the bill and it was passed by a Senate committee and awaits for floor action in the State Senate.

Rural Internet Access In FDL County Being Improved

Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation President Steve Jenkins says high-speed broadband access is being improved in rural portions of the County. The FCEDC and County partnered to make sure that would happen. He says it’s important to businesses, residents and students. He says the vast majority of the County will be covered for high-speed internet access once the towers go up. He says that should occur within the next two years. He says the cost of getting that service through a provider should be affordable for residents.

FDL County Highway And Bridge Replacement Project Complete

Fond du Lac County Highway Engineer Ryan Sommer advises us that the County Highway V and County Highway F intersection and river crossing bridge reconstruction project will be complete and open to traffic this afternoon. The project started in early June and included the replacement of an existing river crossing bridge and complete reconstruction of the highways with significant grading work.

Dodge County Sheriff’s Dept Gets Alcohol Enforcement Grant

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department has been awarded a $20,000 grant for drunken driving enforcement. The grant from the state’s Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Safety will be used to pay for deputies’ overtime and to purchase new equipment for improved enforcement. Sheriff Pat Ninmann says, “Driving while intoxicated or impaired is no accident – it’s a crime that kills. Too many people don’t understand it’s a crime to mix excessive alcohol consumption and drive, risking their lives and the lives of other motorists, passengers and innocent bystanders.” 

New Snowmobile Route Approved In Ripon

Ripon’s Common Council this week approved a new official snowmobile route in the city. Ripon City Administrator Lori Rich says member of the Sno-Odders Snowmobile Club approached the Council at their September 10th meeting about the route. She says it would come in on the northwestern trail, cross Hillside Assembly Church’s lot, Oshkosh Street and Redman Drive ending up near Pizza Hut and the Ripon Family Restaurant. She says it would give snowmobilers dining alternatives when they are out on the trails. Ripon Mayor Gary Will is a member of the Snow-Odders Snowmobile Club.

Light Up The Night Domestic Abuse Awareness Event Tonight In FDL

Agnesian HealthCare, the Solutions Center and the UW-Fond du Lac are teaming up on tonight’s “Light Up the Night” domestic abuse awareness event. Tiffany Wiese is the Domestic Violence Program Coordinator for Agnesian HealthCare. She says the “Light Up the Night” program started out years ago to shine a light on the problem of domestic abuse. She says this year they will be at the UW-Fond du Lac Prairie Theatre for the program. The University’s Theatre Program teamed up with them to write and produce “Surviving the Cycle,” which will be performed in the theatre at 6:45 p.m. That may not be suitable for all ages. The event will start with the presentation of the “Those Who Care” Award which will be presented to the Fond du Lac Police Department’s Domestic Violence Intervention Team. The remembrance walk will also be held on the campus with refreshments following at the University Center Commons. The public is welcome.

FDL Public Library Going To The Dogs

The Fond du Lac Public Library is going to the dogs Saturday, well at least for a couple of hours. It’s part of the Fond du Lac Reads program, which this month is “Thunder Dog” about a guide dog and his blind master who he led out of one of the twin towers when they were being attacked during 9-11. Library Community Information Coordinator Terri Fleming says they are asking people to come, sit and stay from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the special dog-themed party which will include a dog-groomer at 11 a.m. People will also be able to hear a presentation on companion dogs at 1 p.m. McGruff the Crime Dog and the library’s own mascot dog Browser will also be on hand. There will be make-and-take crafts and a local children’s author. Fond du Lac Police Officer Ryan Williams and Grendel will also be there. Also Saturday and Sunday $1 will be waived on overdue fines for each pet supply item that is being brought into the library. Items will be donated to the Fond du Lac Humane Society.

New Parade Route For FDL HS Homecoming Parade

The public is invited to come out and join Fond du Lac High School’s staff and students at Fondy High’s homecoming parade, which will be held on Friday, October 18th.  The Fondy High Marching Cardinals and the Sabish, Theisen and Woodworth marching bands will all be performing during the parade. The new parade route with over 25 units will begin at 5:00 p.m. starting from Guindon Boulevard proceeding north on Main Street, turning left on South Street, left on Linden Street, and right on 9th Street ending in the Aquatic Center’s parking lot.