Local News Briefs Thursday 10/23/14

In other Fond du Lac City Council notes from Wednesday night’s meeting the Council approved a special use permit that will allow for the construction of an 84-bed student housing facility on the UW-Fond du Lac campus. The new facility should be open for student use by next fall. Although the Council delayed action on approving the 2015 City Budget and tax levy it did approve the 2015 Transit System Budget and a 5-year Capital Improvements Plan. An appointment was also approved to the Downtown Architectural Review Board.

Standoff In Larsen Ends With Waupaca Man In Custody

A standoff at a residence on Winnebago County Highway T in Larsen ended just before 1 p.m. Wednesday when a 35-year-old Waupaca man was taken into custody. Sheriff’s officials say he was wanted on two outstanding warrants and will face several new charges as a result of a disturbance at the residence that began at 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The man was treated at Theda Clark Regional Medical Center for chemical exposure and then taken to the County Jail.

Neosho Woman Reaches Plea Agreement In Embezzlement Case

The 48-year-old Neosho woman who allegedly embezzled more than $300,000 from the Country Veterinary Clinic in Rubicon has reached a plea agreement with Dodge County prosecutors. Tracey Grebe pled to one count each of felony theft from a business setting and identity theft charges when she appeared this week in Dodge County Court. Nine other charges were read into the record and dismissed. While working as a bookkeeper for the clinic she failed to make cash deposits, used company resources to pay off personal credit card bills and pocketed more money. Investigators say all told more than $335,000 was taken. She will be sentenced in January.

Kiel Woman Injured In Accident

Sheboygan County Sheriff’s officials say a 35-year-old Kiel woman was injured in a rollover accident south of Batavia Wednesday evening. Flight for Life flew Tracy Steffan to Froedtert Hospital. She was on Highway 28 in the Town of Scott when the accident occurred. She was thrown from the vehicle. Alcohol wasn’t a factor in the mishap.

Sheboygan Police Investigate Strong Armed Robbery

Sheboygan Police are investigating a strong-armed robbery that occurred in the 1900 block of North 9th Street late Tuesday night. It happened shortly before 11 p.m. A man told police two men followed him from the area of Michigan Avenue attacked him and stole some of his property. They were dressed in dark clothing including dark-colored hoodies. Anyone with information should call Sheboygan Police at 920-459-3333.

Jobless Rates Fall

Unemployment rates fell in the City and County of Fond du Lac last month. According to state and federal labor statistics the City’s jobless rate fell from 5.9 to 5.2 percent and the County’s rate went from 5 to 4.4 percent. About 100 jobs were added in the City of Fond du Lac. Department of Workforce Development officials say unemployment rates fell in 31 of the state’s 32 major cities and 70 of its 72 counties.

MPTC Students Getting Medical Assistant Training

A federal grant is helping fund a health care training program at Moraine Park Technical College. MPTC Associate Director of Grants James Huycke says the fourth round of Trade Adjustment Assistance grants the 16 colleges in Wisconsin’s Technical College System are sharing is for something known as the ACT for Healthcare. He says the money will be used to train medical assistants. Huycke says the goal is to move those medical assistants more quickly through the program and connect them to other career opportunities. He says this particular program is designed to connect to a medical office management associate degree program and from there they can work towards a bachelor’s degree in leadership and organizational study.He says it’s estimated across the state about 3,000 people will receive the medical assistant training. MPTC is getting about $650,000 in funding for it.

Arc Of FDL Creates Development Director Position

The Arc of Fond du Lac has hired a Director of Development as it continues to serve people with special needs in the community. It’s a new position for the Arc that Harper Mruk started in at the beginning of last month. She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has a non-profit background. She says that includes work with children and adults with disabilities. One of her stints was with the Boys & Girls Club in Berlin. A family situation brought her back to Wisconsin and it was during that time she had a chance to talk with Arc Executive Director David Boelter. She says after seeing his passion and meeting with his team she knew that’s where she wanted to be. She says the Arc of Fond du Lac advocates for those with special needs, but also looks at the client’s needs, which she says is important to her. The Arc serves more than 750 clients a year. 

House Fires Pose More Challenges For Seniors

A house fire poses different challenges for senior citizens. During the S.A.L.T. or Seniors and Law Enforcement Together program on KFIZ, Fond du Lac Division Chief of Fire Prevention Troy Haase talked about some of those challenges. Haase says you should always plan to have a couple ways out of your home if there’s a fire but they’ve found older residents are accustomed to leaving through the front door). He recommends having a cell phone even a cheap one on hand in case of a fire. He says when it comes to cooking never leave what your cooking unattended. Haase says another particular threat to older residents is extension cords, which could pose a tripping threat. He says smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are also a must.  

FDL Noon Kiwanis Pancake Day

The Fond du Lac Noon Kiwanis host their 55th Annual Pancake Day at the Fond du Lac American Legion Foxhole Bar & Grill today. Hours for the event are from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ann Calnin of the Kiwanis says proceeds from the fundraiser help fund a number of important community projects including the free Learn to Swim lessons at the Fond du Lac YMCA each summer. The Kiwanis also help pay for the Children’s Chorale, the free parenting newsletters for parents of newborns at St. Agnes Hospital, the pediatric ambulance kits and the newborn sleep sacks. She says they get a lot of help putting on the annual Pancake Day. St. Mary’s Springs Key Club will also have a bake sale at the event. Tickets are $7 at the door. The cost for children ages 4 to 8-years-old is $3 with those three and under eating free. In addition to the pancakes the meal will include sausage, applesauce, milk and coffee.