Local News Briefs Saturday 10/26/13

The 27-year-old Janesville man who participated in an armed robbery at the Briarcrest Apartments parking lot in November of 2011 has been sentenced to 8 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision. Ian Koch was in Fond du Lac County Court this week for a plea and sentencing hearing. He was involved in the robbery of a man at gunpoint. Thirty-two-year-old Luis Rivera of Fond du Lac was sentenced to 5 years in prison for his involvement in that crime. The two were also involved in robbing the PLS Loan Store on North Rolling Meadows Drive a couple of days before that. Rivera got 10 years in prison for that. 

Mass Casualty Training In Washington County

It may look like the real thing, but don’t be fooled by a heavy presence of law enforcement, fire and rescue and emergency management officials in Washington County this morning. A mass casualty exercise will be conducted from 7 a.m. to noon at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church on County Highway NN. Officials from Washington, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee and Waukesha Counties will be participating in the exercise. County Highway NN from State Highway 144 to Arthur Road will be closed down during the exercise. A detour will be posted.

Leibham Will Face Democratic Challenge For State Senate Seat

A Democratic challenger has come forward to face State Senate Joe Leibham of Sheboygan next fall.  Martha Laning of Plymouth made her announcement this week as supporters watched at the intergenerational facility in Plymouth she helped to build.  She said this experience and other life skills make her an ideal problem solver for the state legislature. Laning’s decision to run also is based on recent decisions and actions of current legislators that she says show that the time has come for a change. Laning said she needed to announce her candidacy now so that she had enough time to campaign and fundraise against Leibham, who has held 9th District Senate seat since 2002.

Creating An Awareness About Manufacturing Jobs

State Senator Rick Gudex says one of the aims of the governor’s workforce development initiatives is to create more awareness about manufacturing jobs. He says part of that is to change the perception about those jobs. He manufacturing jobs are no longer the dirty, tedious jobs that people imagine they are. He says they are high paying jobs and technology has really changed those jobs. He says there is a need for high skilled employees and engineering in particular is a high demand field.

New Register Of Deeds Introduced

Fond du Lac County Board members got a chance to meet the County’s new Register of Deeds this week. County Executive Al Buechel says Governor Walker appointed Shawn Kelly to the position in late August to fill the void created by the death of Register of Deeds Patricia Kraus. Buechel says Kelly worked at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh as the controller for 16 years working for the vice president of finance. The Board this approved Kelly’s appointment to the Land Information Council, but Kelly also used the opportunity to introduce himself.

Virtual Welding Allows MPTC Students To Learn

Virtual welding simulation stations at Moraine Park Technical College’s Jackson Regional facility in Washington County are allowing students to learn how to weld without the costs of materials or safety risks. Marcia Arndt is the associate dean of manufacturing for MPTC. She says virtual welding stations also allow students to image welding in a variety of locations. She’s tried it herself and says it’s almost like a video game. A $647,000 U.S. Department of Labor Grant allowed them to purchase the two stations.

Open House And Dedication For Oshkosh School

The Oshkosh School District will hold an open house and dedication for the new Oaklawn School Sunday. Hours for the event are from 1:15 to 3 p.m. it will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:15 and a dedication to follow in the gym. State Superintendent Tony Evers is one of the many dignitaries who will be in attendance. There will be tours and refreshments.