Local News Briefs Friday 10/31/14

Fond du Lac County authorities have filed charges against a third person suspected of supplying the heroin that led to the overdose of a Town of Springvale man two years ago. Sixty-six-year-old Alonzo Cornelius of Milwaukee now faces 1st degree reckless homicide and heroin trafficking charges as a repeater for the October 2012 death of Devin Perry. Forty-year-old Jason Van Norman of Fond du Lac and 27-year-old Joshua Mulder of Waupun are facing similar charges. Van Norman pled no contest to the charges he faces in July and has a motion hearing on November 26th. Mulder was sentenced in August of 2013 to 5 years of probation and 315 days in jail on a heroin trafficking charge, but still faces the 1st degree reckless homicide charge and has a status conference on that next March. Cornelius is currently serving time for a heroin trafficking conviction in Milwaukee.

Waupun Man Arrested

Waupun Police arrested a 21-year-old Waupun man on disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstructing charges Wednesday afternoon. Police say it began with a 911 hang up call to the County Dispatch Center. Police went to the residence where the call was made and saw a vehicle driving away. An officer made contact with the vehicle and smelled marijuana. The driver became uncooperative and began fighting with officers. A couple of the driver’s friends who were in the area tried to intervene with officers.  They backed off after being told several times to leave the area. The man was taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail.

Oshkosh Marijuana Bust

The Oshkosh Police Drug Task Force and Crisis Reaction Team served a drug warrant Thursday morning in the 1800 block of Mc Curdy Street. As a result a 51-year-old man was arrested on marijuana manufacturing and maintaining a drug house charges. Both charges are felonies. He was taken to the Winnebago County Jail.  During the execution of the warrant marijuana plants, marijuana and cash were seized. The warrant was served about 9 a.m.

Man Who Killed West Bend Man Commits Suicide

The man convicted of killing a West Bend man on the Purdue University campus has killed himself. Twenty-four-year-old Cody Cousins was found dead in his prison call in Indiana. He was serving a 65 year prison sentence for the shooting death of 21-year-old Andrew Boldt last January. Indiana Corrections officials say Cousins was not on suicide watch. Boldt was a teaching assistant who would have graduated this past May.

Social Security Benefits Increase In January

Those receiving Social Security benefits will see an increase beginning in January. Fond du Lac County Senior Benefits Specialist Julie Hilbert delivered that news on KFIZ’s Morning Show. She says the increase will be a 1.7 percent increase for anyone receiving Social Security benefits. She says there will also be no increase in the Medicare Part B premium. She says some of those receiving benefits may see a change in benefits because of the increase. She says that would primarily for those who are reviewed for housing issues or are on the food share program, but they also try to do a cost of living adjustment. Hilbert says in 2015 the earning limits for those collecting social security will also increase.

Farmers Market Grant Will Help Promote Move

The Director of Marketing and Special Events for the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership says a federal grant will help them promote the Farmers Market’s move to Main Street next year. Sadie Parafiniuk says the DFP surveyed those involved in the market and the DFP membership about a possible move. She says when they found out most were in favor of the move they applied for a grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The DFP was awarded a $60,505 grant to promote the move. The Downtown Farmers Market at the City-County Government Center at Western and Macy ended last week and has moved indoors for the winter. It moves to the former Antique Mall at 90 South Main Street this Saturday. Hours for the market are from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Daylight Saving Time Smoke Detector Reminder

With the end of Daylight Saving Time this Sunday comes a reminder to replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Fond du Lac Division Chief of Fire Prevention Troy Haase says smoke detectors should be tested on a monthly basis to make sure they are working properly. He says landlords have to supply smoke detectors for renters, but it’s up to the renter to change the battery and make sure they are working. He says the fire department has a limited supply of smoke detectors for those who can’t afford them. Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday morning. Everyone is supposed to set their clocks back an hour. 

Fall Driving Reminders

An inspector with the State Patrol’s Fond du Lac Post reminds drivers that they need to be a little more aware of road conditions as we transition from fall to winter. Scott Hlinak says frost and wet leaves in the fall can make roads slick. He says the glare from the sun coming up can also be a hazard for drivers. He says to make sure your sun visor isn’t cluttered with mail and have a pair of sunglasses handy. Hlinak says it’s also a good time of year to make sure your car is ready for the winter by having it checked to make sure it’s running properly. He says your oil, tires and battery should be checked.

United Way Campaign Update

The Fond du Lac Area United Way’s campaign is off to a good start. United Way Executive Director Tina Potter says they’ve raised just over $238,000 of their $745,000 goal. She says they are about $60,000 ahead of last year’s pace. She says part of that is attributable to the donations from their pace setters Brenner Tank and Fives Giddings & Lewis. She says Fives is about $3,000 ahead of what they gave last year and Brenner doubled their donations. She says industry as a whole is recovering nicely from the downturn in the economy several years ago. She says they also appreciate efforts like that of the Blue Goose Coffee House last Friday, which donated all their sales. That came to about $600.

Free Flu Shots For Veterans In FDL Sunday

Area veterans are invited to get free flu shots at the American Legion Post in Fond du Lac this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is for all past military veterans from all branches of military service. To qualify for the free flu shots you must show proof of your veteran status. The event is being sponsored by the American Legion Post, Salute the Troops of Fond du Lac and Walgreen’s.

Ripon And Marian Ranked Among “Smartest” Schools

The Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation drew our attention to the fact that Ripon College and Marian University have been ranked among the “smartest” 1,339 colleges and universities in America. The rankings were compiled by a Duke University researcher, using data gathered by U. S. News & World Report that focused on ACT and SAT scores. It was recently reported by Business Insider and Psychology Today. Ripon College ranked 352nd and Marian University ranked 725th. “Having higher education institutions of this caliber in Fond du Lac County is an asset”, says Steve Jenkins FCEDC President.  “As the national and local economies evolve, institutions such as Ripon College and Marian University will provide a pool of talented professionals and innovators in the community required for economic growth and prosperity.” More information on these rankings may be found by clicking here.

Waupun Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Love Lights On Sale

The Waupun Memorial Hospital (WMH) Auxiliary is now selling Love-Lights with proceeds helping to support Auxiliary service projects for the hospital. This year’s proceeds will help to sponsor an item to enhance the healing environment at Waupun Memorial Hospital. The Auxiliary’s Love-Lights program offers a living memorial or tribute to friends, relatives or dedicated citizens of the community. Donors and names of those honored will be displayed in the hospital lobby throughout the year. Donation coupons are available at Waupun Memorial Hospital’s Gift Shop and Volunteer Desk, or donations can be sent to Waupun Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Love-Lights, 88 Meadow View Circle, Waupun. Please note name(s) in memory or honor of. The Love-Lights tree will be lit in front of the hospital during the entire month of December.