Local News Briefs Monday 7/8/13

A former Fond du Lac family is asking for help to bring their 3-year-old boy back to Fond du Lac for a funeral and burial after a tragic accident in a pool in Florida. Three-year-old Zander Hughes died last Tuesday. His parents are Paul & Michelle (Snyder) Hughes. Zander is the grandchild of former Deacon Larry Hughes and Sharon Hughes and Daniel Snyder of Fond du Lac. The family moved to Florida in 2011. Fundraisers are being planned including a motorcycle poker run by the Top Hats Motorcycle Club on July 20th. The cost is $10 per person or $15 per couple. Sign up for the Poker Run will be between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Shack Sports Bar at W4768 Highway 23 by Aurora. A fund is also set up; The Zander Hughes Family Memorial Fund at Fox Valley Savings Bank at 51 East First Street in Fond du Lac.

 

Sheboygan Garage Fire

 

The Sheboygan Fire Department battled a detached garage fire on the city’s west side last Friday afternoon. Fire Department officials say it took about 90 minutes to put out the blaze that damaged at two-car garage. Heat from fire also caused damage to two nearby homes and a detached garage. Damage estimates were put at $50,000. The cause of the fire is being determined.

 

FDL School Board Preview

 

The Fond du Lac School Board this afternoon will hear a report on the use of seclusion and physical restraint in the school district. The annual report is a new state requirement and will be the first time the board has heard this type of report. Also during the meting the board will consider approving an increase in rental rates for district facilities, revisions to handbooks for employees and consider bids for long term disability and dental insurance. Following the 4:30 p.m. meeting the board will tour Fruth Field to see recent improvements. The board’s meeting is at the District Administration Center Board Room at 72 West 9th Street.

 

Answers Sought Over FAA Fee For AirVenture Traffic Controllers

 

Congressman Tom Petri says he’d like to get some answers from the Federal Aviation Administration on why they are charging fees to the E-A-A for air traffic control services for this year’s AirVenture. E-A-A officials this past week filed an appeal in federal court over the $447,000 bill they received from the F-A-A. The federal lawmaker says essentially pilots are being asked to pay twice because they already pay for those types of services through fuel tax costs.

He says the aviation community is upset over the fee and what it might mean in the long run. Petri says the F-A-A hasn’t given him an answer yet on what legally authority they have to do this.

AirVenture begins in Oshkosh on July 29th.

 

Water Lateral Repair Coverage May Not Be Needed

 

Fond du Lac Water Utility officials are urging residents to check with their insurance agent or to check their coverage before investing in an insurance policy that covers water lateral repairs. HomeServe USA Repair Management Corporation mailed out n advertisement to a number of City residents soliciting insurance coverage for water laterals. City officials say that residents are responsible for lateral repairs between the City’s right-of-way and their house. However they advise checking with their insurance agent to see if they are already covered for repairs or to see if it is warranted. Also check the fine print on your policy. There are nearly 14,000 water service connections in the City of Fond du Lac and typically about 10 to 15 per year require repair work on the private side. HomeServe is not affiliated with the City. Officials say residents should research HomeServe on the Better Business Bureau website.

 

Waupun Schools Start New School Year With Balanced Budget

 

After years of budget deficits the Waupun Area School District hopes to turn things around.

District Superintendent Tonya Gubin says a balanced budget is one of her goals and they enter the new school year with a balanced budget. She says that hasn’t come easy. She says they are excited about having a balanced budget for the 2013-14 school year. She says they had to reduce staff and not fill positions after retirements. The Waupun School Board will hold a workshop tonight. They meet at 6 p.m. at the Education Service Center in Waupun.

 

Financial Abuse Of Elders Starts Out Innocently

 

An official with Fond du Lac County’s Aging and Disability Resource Center says one form of elder abuse starts out innocently enough. Social worker Sue Ellen Miller says financial abuse can start out simple, but can escalate. She says the victim eventually will become panicky because their resources are dwindling and they may not have enough to meet their own expenses. When the victim does speak out that will likely be to a family member or neighbor. Miller says sometimes it will affect a person’s health and a physician might notice it. She says there are other signs of financial abuse not just physical ones. She says they will stop doing some things they enjoy; they might not be buying as many groceries or won’t go to eat. They also may be giving out lavish gifts when they haven’t in the past. For more about elder abuse call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 929-3466.

 

Marian President Search An Opportunity

 

Marian University’s Interim President says the search for a new president offers a couple of opportunities. Bob Fale began his role as Interim President at the school on June 17th. The university was expected to take up to a year to find a new president. Fale says the trustees have the opportunity to fashion criteria for the type of person they want to lead the school. He says it’s also an opportunity for the successful candidate to lead a great school. Marian’s last president, Dr. Steven DiSalvo, left at the end of May to become president of a school in New Hampshire.

 

Lake Winnebago Forecasts Now Available

 

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-Boaters planning a trip out on to Lake Winnebago can now get a better idea of what water conditions will be like. The National Weather Service started offering a new forecast for the lake this week, which will predict wind and wave information. Jeff Last is a meteorologist in the Green Bay NWS office. Last says fisherman and recreational boaters have been asking for a Lake Winnebago forecast for years. It will be posted on the Green Bay office’s website.