Local News Briefs Saturday 4/19/14

A Winnebago County woman is facing a number of animal mistreatment charges after deputies responded to a call about a horse that was loose in the Town of Clayton Thursday morning. The call was to a residence on County Highway T where a deputy found multiple horses and dogs being kept in deplorable living conditions. A search warrant was obtained. As a result 51-year-old Susan Wiedman was arrested and charged with 7 felony and 16 misdemeanor counts of animal mistreatment. She was taken to the County Jail.

Michels Won’t Seek Congressional Seat

A Republican who ran for the U-S Senate a decade ago says he will not run for the open House seat in his home district.  Construction company owner Tim Michels says the Sixth Congressional District seat given up by 35-year incumbent Tom Petri of Fond du Lac is quote, “not the right opportunity at this time.”  Michels said he’s flattered to be mentioned as a possible replacement for Petri, who announced a week ago that he will not run for re-election.  Two other Republicans have said they will run — state Senator Glenn Grothman of West Bend and state Representative Duey Strobel of Cedarburg. 

Dodge County Sheriff’s Annual Report Released

According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department’s annual report both violent crimes and property crimes were down last year.  Violent crimes dropped from 27 in 2012 to 17 in 2013; in 2011 there were 14 violent crimes reported. Last year was the second lowest year for violent crimes in the past five years. Property crimes dropped from 307 in 2012 to 226 last year, the same total as 2011 which was the lowest in the last five years. Operating While Intoxicated citations increased by five-percent over the two-year period. There was also a 12-percent increase in speeding tickets issued and a nearly three-percent drop in motor vehicle accidents. To see the report click here.

NOAA Weather Radios Available Through County Clerk’s Office

With Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week coming up next week Fond du Lac County Communications and Emergency Management Director Jim McNabb reminds residents about the convenience of owning a NOAA Weather Radio. They are available at the County Clerk’s office for $28 including tax. He says they are handy because they let you know when there is a severe weather watch or warning. Next Thursday afternoon there will be a statewide tornado drill with a mock tornado watch at 1 p.m. and a mock tornado warning issued at 1:45 p.m.

Arbor Day Celebration Next Friday At Lakeside Park

Fond du Lac Public Works Director Jordan Skiff says he looks forward to the City’s Arbor Day Celebration at Lakeside Park every year. This year’s celebration is next Friday at the pavilion beginning at 1 p.m. The ceremony will include Lakeshore Elementary School 3rd graders participating in a tree planting ceremony. Skiff says it’s always exciting to see the excitement of the students and how they are learning about the value that trees bring to a community. Also during the ceremony there will be an awards ceremony and Tree City U.S.A. presentation to the City. The City has been a Tree City U.S.A. participant for 25 years now. The public is welcome to attend.

Newsboys Concert Drumming Up Interest

The pastor of a new church in downtown Fond du Lac says there’s excitement building over a concert by a Christian music group that’s coming to town May 2nd.  Pastor John Slotten of the Essential Rock Church says they are happy to have the Newsboys coming to perform. The concert at the Lighthouse Christian Church will be at 7 p.m. that evening and will feature the Newsboys, Rapture Ruckus, 7eventh Time Down and Bob Lenz. Ticket information is available at the Lighthouse Christian Church website. 

FDL Man Completes Navy Basic Training

Navy Seaman Recruit Cruz Immel recently completed basic training at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. He is the son of Leah Immel of Fond du Lac. The basic training program is eight weeks long. Immel is a 2013 graduate of Fond du Lac High School.