Local News Briefs Thursday 7/3/14

The State Patrol is trying to educate driver about the danger of passing large trucks on Highway 26 in Fond du Lac County. Inspector Scott Hlinak says they recently did an enforcement effort with the aid of a plane on that stretch of highway. He says they recently stopped a driver who was doing 92 miles per hour passing traffic south of Rosendale trying to avoid getting stuck behind a truck. He says it’s safer to wait because if you’re heading south of Rosendale you have Highway 151 with its 65 mile per hour speed limit and in Rosendale you have a stop light coming up. Hlinak recommends drivers map out their course and familiarize themselves with it on the internet before taking to the road this holiday weekend.

Slowdowns And Backups Expected On I-43 And US 41 In Brown County

The state’s Department of Transportation reminding motorists heading north for the 4th of July Holiday weekend that there is the potential for slowdowns and backups on I-43 and US 41 in Brown County.  While the roads are open to traffic, travel could be affected. US 41 – due to construction on US 41 throughout Brown County, lane changes, narrower lane widths, lack of road shoulders in various locations combined with peak traffic volumes will slow traffic. I-43 northbound – Slowdowns and backups will most likely occur where I-43 northbound merges with WIS 172 during peak traffic times. Travelers should allow extra time and can check online for real-time traffic information, including travel times, lane closures and incidents, at Wisconsin 511 online (www.511wi.gov) or by calling 511 on a phone.

Governor Comments On School Aid

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-While about half of the school districts in the state are expected to receive higher state aid payments this year, many districts are still seeing less money than they did before Governor Scott Walker took office. Still, Walker says tools districts received under his Act 10 reforms are helping them use that money more effectively. He says districts are getting more money than they did last year. He says more of that will spent on kids in the classroom rather than on overhead. Even though state funding for schools has dropped, Walker says graduation rates, ACT scores, and fourth grading reading scores have all been up since he took office.

Ten Tons Of Hazardous Chemicals Collected During FDL County Clean Sweep

Fond du Lac County UW-Extension officials say the Clean Sweep held on May 3rd collected more than 10 tons of hazardous chemical waste from households, farms and businesses. Two hundred households throughout the County brought potentially dangerous items to the County Fairgrounds. A waste management company sorted the items and disposed of them safely, keeping them out of County drains and landfills. “We all end up breathing chemicals burned in a barrel, and waste in a landfill can seep into our water supply,” explains Noreen O’Brien, a natural resources educator with UW-Extension. “The damage can be life-threatening. We thank the residents who made the effort to keep these things out of our drains and landfills.”   It’s the largest amount of hazardous waste ever collected by a Clean Sweep in this area. The collection was funded by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection and Fond du Lac County.

County Weather Service Proves Accurate

Fond du Lac County Communications and Emergency Management Director Jim McNabb says when it comes to weather forecasting the County is in a bit of a no man’s land. He says we are on the southern boundary of the National Weather Service’s Green Bay office and the northern boundary of their Sullivan Office. He says that’s reflected somewhat in TV forecasts. McNabb says that’s why his County office subscribes to a service that can be geographically specific. He says he can get information from the service on a desktop or get it on a flat screen TV at the County’s Communication Center and stay on top of the weather as it’s approaching. In fact the information he had on Tuesday’s storm proved to be considerably accurate about when the storm would move into the County and the wind speeds.

Flyover Sunday In FDL

Fond du Lac residents will be treated to a flyover this Sunday. Retired Navy Lieutenant Commander Ron Roen arranged the flyover of the AT-6 about 2:30 that afternoon. He says it will be coming in from the south over Veterans Park. It will be flown by Commemorative Air Force-Wisconsin Wings Gary Otto. It will fly north to Lakeside Park and will make several passes before heading back down Main Street. He says it’s a single engine plane with Navy markings on it. Roen says he’s grateful to BMO Harris and the Fond du Lac Holiday Inn for sponsoring the flyover.

Mayville, Town Of Sheboygan Awarded State Trust Fund Loans

At their July 1st meeting, the state’s Board of Commissioners of Public Lands approved slightly more than $5.75 million in State Trust Fund Loans to support nine municipal projects and one school project in Wisconsin. Among those projects the City of Mayville in Dodge County was awarded a State Trust Fund Loan of $660,000 to finance TID #5 development incentives. Also the Town of Sheboygan in Sheboygan County was awarded a loan of $2 million to help finance construction of a road.

Agnesian HealthCare’s Heroes In Action Part Of Celebrate Waupun Festivities

Agnesian HealthCare is inviting area residents to their “Heroes in Action” program during Celebrate Waupun events today. It’s from 4 to 7 p.m. just west of Schlieve Field in Waupun. There’s an opportunity to meet physicians from the Waupun Memorial Hospital Emergency Department and receive a free Agnesian HealthCare drawstring backpack for a chance to win an iPad mini. Heroes in Action will also feature the Waupun Police Department, Lifestar Emergency Medical Service, Dodge County Sheriff’s Department, Waupun Fire Department, Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department and the Flight for Life helicopter.  There will be an opportunity to see the equipment they use is serving the public. The Flight of Life helicopter is scheduled to land at 5 p.m. in Schlieve Field for tours depending on the weather and if they are not out on a call.

Marian Autism Presentation Recognized

Marian University’s Alpha Delta Theta was recently awarded the Kappa Delta Pi Professional Development Chapter Program Award for their work with the 7th annual Dr. Darold Treffert Lecture Series, entitled “Beyond Autism: Celebrating the Strengths of Individuals with Disabilities.” The presentation was a joint effort between Marian University’s Alpha Delta Theta and the Agnesian Beyond Boundaries of Autism (ABBA). Presenters featured Dr. Treffert, as well as Vivian Hazell and Dr. Matthew Doll from ABBA. Dr. Doll says, “It was quite an honor to have been part of this panel of experts on autism and present to the education community and general public on such an important topic as autism with the focus on individual’s strengths.” ABBA’s services are available for individuals of all ages and their families struggling with the symptoms of autism.  Marian’s Alpha Delta Theta chapter was one of nine honored recipients of this award by Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education. This award is designed to recognize chapters for demonstrating excellence in programming by completing at least one outstanding professional development program.