Local News Briefs Saturday 7/27/13

On the eve of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture, Congressman Tom Petri sends a letter to the new U.S. Department of Transportation urging him to reconsider the FAA’s decision to charge the EAA for the cost of additional air traffic controllers at the event.  The federal lawmaker from Fond du Lac spoke with Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma who told him Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx was considering reversing the Federal Aviation Administration’s position on charging for air traffic controllers at fly-in events.  “I understand the budget constraints all of us are working under, but the sudden decision to no longer support the EAA as has always been done in the past is misguided and shortsighted,” Petri said in the letter. EAA officials had sent a partial payment under protest to the FAA. The FAA wanted $447,000 for the air traffic controller services. Petri also questions whether the fuel taxes paid by general aviation pilots attending AirVenture that go into the Aviation Trust Fund offset much of the costs of providing air traffic control at the event.  Petri previously chaired the House Aviation Subcommittee. AirVenture starts Monday.

 

Oshkosh Robbery Suspect Arrested

 

Oshkosh Police say a 54-year-old Oshkosh man has been arrested in connection with a robbery at the Marathon Gas Station on Oshkosh Avenue Thursday night. Shortly after the robbery Neenah Police located the suspect’s vehicle at a Neenah motel. A search warrant was obtained and the suspect was taken into custody. Several items from the robbery were recovered. The man is being held on a probation violation as the investigation continues.

 

Waupun Man Reaches Plea Agreement In Drunken Driving Injury Case

 

A 44-year-old Waupun man has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors over charges from a drunken driving accident in Waupun last March that injured two people. Matthew McDowell was in Dodge County Court this week for a preliminary hearing, which he waived. His lawyer said a plea agreement had been reached. A plea and sentencing hearing has been scheduled for September 10th.  According to the criminal complaint McDowell drove his pickup truck through a stop sign on Fond du Lac Street and hit a passenger car. The two occupants of that car suffered severe injuries.  McDowell left the scene, but a witness took down his license plate and made out the business name on the side of the truck. Prosecutors say McDowell’s blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit at the time of the crash.

 

New Habitat Home Features Home Sprinkler System To Prevent Fires

 

Fond du Lac has the distinction now of having two homes built by Habitat for Humanity of Fond du Lac County that has a home sprinkler system. Friday a press conference was held at the newest Habitat Home at 16 South Hickory Street to talk about the importance of having a sprinkler system in your home. Fire Chief Peter O’Leary. All labor costs, materials and design of the system were donated. The new home will be dedicated during a ceremony at 9 a.m. this morning. The public is invited.

 

Charity Theft Suspect Arraigned

 

The 45-year-old Harford man suspected of taking nearly $13,000 in charitable donations targeted for the Alzheimer’s Association and Children’s Hospital was arraigned in Washington County Court this week. Anthony Langlois pled not guilty to two felonies and four misdemeanor charges. Sheriff’s officials conducted an investigation into his activities. He allegedly collected a total of 637 donations for the Alzheimer’s Association Southeast Wisconsin Chapter and Briggs & Stratton’s Run & Walk for Children’s Hospital. Langlois deceived individuals and businesses claiming he was with the charities. A 3-day jury trial is scheduled to start at the end of September.

 

Website Has More Info On FDL County 2020 Initiative

 

Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller (MILLER) says a new website is one way to find out about the Health Fond du Lac County 2020 initiative. She says they are trying to do something about obesity, dental health access, mental health and alcohol use and abuse. She says at the website you will find details on the initiative, a calendar of health events in the area, an informational blog and more. The site is livingwellfdl.org.

 

OBGYN Services Return To RMC

 

One of the features that the new Ripon Medical Center will have when it opens is OBGYN services. Ripon Medical Center Chief Operating Officer Catherine Vergos says they incorporated that into plans for the new 120,000 square foot facility that is being built off Eastgate Drive in Ripon. She says they haven’t provided that type of service in the last ten years, but now they have a new OBGYN doctor and will build two labor and delivery rooms, a nursery and have other services for new babies. The new hospital will open in late summer or early fall of 2014.

 

EAA Stay Takes Planning

 

When it comes to booking rooms for the annual EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh many of those attending do it right after EAA. AirVenture spokesman Dick Knapinski says just about every means of housing is used for the fly in. He says people stay at campgrounds, rent houses, stay in hotel and motel rooms, dorm rooms at Marian University in Fond du Lac and Ripon College, and of course on the grounds themselves. About half a million people attend AirVenture each year. AirVenture begins Monday at Wittman Regional Airport and runs through Sunday, August 4th.

 

Amazing Race For MPTC Students

 

Moraine Park Technical College will incorporate some of the popular TV show The Amazing Race during their student orientation welcome days next month. MPTC President Sheila Ruhland (REW-land) says it will help create an awareness of campus facilities, services, clubs, book stores and more. She says students will compete as teams, there’s no cost but people should register at the MPTC website. She says The Amazing Race Days will be held on the MPTC campus in Beaver Dam on August 13th, West Bend campus on August 14th, and the Fond du Lac campus on August 15th.