Local News Briefs Tuesday 1/21/14

Fond du Lac Police set a perimeter up around a home in the 500 block of Emma Street when they got a call about a 33-year-old Fond du Lac man with a loaded handgun Sunday night. Assistant Police Chief Steve Klein says they got a call about from a 33-year-old Fond du Lac woman who said her husband had come home drunk and was throwing things around. He then loaded a handgun and was walking around with it. Police set a perimeter up around the home and the Department’s Bearcat armored vehicle was brought in to standby. A communications officer was able to talk the man into putting down the gun and coming out of the home to surrender to officers. The man was arrested for disorderly conduct, battery, criminal damage to property, 2nd degree endangering safety and endangering safety by intoxicated use or possession of a firearm charges. The victim suffered cuts to her hands and a 2-year-old in the home wasn’t injured. Police were only on the call for about 15 minutes.

Plymouth Police Investigate Human Trafficking Case

(WHBL-Sheboygan)-Plymouth Police are investigating a possible human trafficking case following a series of events Monday that included a three hour stand off. Deputy Chief Chris Ringel said it began when the department got word of a 16-year-old black female wandering the streets confused around 2:45 a.m.  Based on her response to their questions, they determined her reason for being in the city was possibly due to human trafficking. Ringel says the investigation led to officers going to a residence around 7 a.m. to arrest a 25-year-old Milwaukee man for an outstanding burglary warrant.  Contact with the subject was unsuccessful and entry to the residence was not gained.  After it was learned the man was armed most of the time, the police called in the Sheboygan County SWAT Team to assist.  A perimeter was set up and lasted until the wanted man was taken into custody around 10 a.m.  Ringel said a 24-year-old black male from Milwaukee was also arrested on a charge of human trafficking.  The 16-year-old victim was being held on a juvenile warrant out of Milwaukee. 

Suicidal Subject At Lomira Fast Food Restaurant

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department responded to reports of suicidal subject at a fast food restaurant in the Village of Lomira. The manager of the McDonalds on East Avenue called authorities around 8:30 p.m. Sunday night reporting that a man came into the restaurant stating that he was going to kill someone, then locked himself in the bathroom. When a deputy arrived on scene, the subject urged the deputy to shoot him. He was taken into custody and turned over to Fond du Lac County officials. Earlier in the evening Fond du Lac authorities had been asked to check on his welfare.  He was taken to the Fond du Lac County Health Care Center. 

FDL Police Find Missing Sheboygan Woman

A missing 84-year-old Sheboygan woman was found in Fond du Lac yesterday. The woman, who suffers from dementia, was reported missing by a family member to the Sheboygan Police Department just before 10:30 a.m. She was headed to Glenbeulah see a relative, but didn’t show up. Police say just before noon she pulled over in Fond du Lac to ask for help. Fond du Lac Police were contacted and a dispatcher remembered that a bulletin had been issued earlier by Sheboygan Police earlier.  An officer responding to the scene realized the woman matched the description in the bulletin.

Senator Gudex Would Like To See Some Of State Surplus Returned To Tax Payers

State Senator Rick Gudex says he would like to see some of the projected state budget surplus returned to tax payers. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau last week released a report saying the state could end the two-year budget cycle with a $911 million surplus. The state lawmaker from Fond du Lac says some of that should be returned to state residents. He says the state shouldn’t be in a hurry to use up that surplus though.He says some of the money will go into the state’s rainy day fund and a portion should also be used to shore up the structural deficit. Gudex says the State Assembly and Senate have different philosophies on how much should be returned to taxpayers, but Governor Walker will give them his ideas during tomorrow night’s State of the State Address.

FDL City Council Agendas No Longer Being Delivered

Fond du Lac City officials are going a little more paperless as they discontinue supplying agendas for City Council meetings. In the past packets were delivered to the City Council and Media via courier. Dave Zittlow the Manger of Information Technology Services for the City says the use of new agenda management software for the City’s website allows them to post the agendas and supporting documents in greater detail. He says City residents can get information on how to view those documents through the Frequently Asked Questions section at the bottom of their homepage or through the calendar near the top of the page. http://www.fdl.wi.gov/

More Road Salt Needed For Season

It’s been a taxing winter so far for the City of Fond du Lac’s road salt supply. Public Works Director Jordan Skiff says half way through the season they’ve had to order more. Skiff says usually they are able to make it through a whole winter without having to replenish their salt supply. He says on the other hand they haven’t had to put their plows on the road as much this season.

Roundabout Discussion Heats Up

The executive director of the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership says discussions about roundabouts in the downtown are heating up. Amy Hansen says she’s neutral on the subject, but originally roundabouts were discussed when the DFP comprehensive plan was approved by the City Council in 2010. The plan mentioned the possibility of a roundabout at Merrill and Main and there’s been discussion about one at Western and Main as well. She says discussion about the roundabout proposal for Merrill and Main heated up two weeks ago when the City Council approved an agreement with the state’s Department of Transportation for a $2.7 million project on North Main from Merrill to Johnson. Hansen says she’s looking forward to the improvements that will be made when the project begins in 2020. A roundabout at Merrill and Main is a possibility for that project. 

Volunteer Center Opens Office In Ripon

The Volunteer Center of Fond du Lac County has opened a satellite office in the Ripon School District’s Murray Park Quest Elementary School. Nancy Zompolas the executive director of the Volunteer Center says they are reconnecting with agencies and people in Ripon as they get the office opened up. She says it’s easier to make that connection with people if you have a presence in the community. She says that’s especially true as they with non-profit agencies and volunteers. Hours for the Volunteer Center’s Ripon office are from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each Wednesday.

Anti-Bullying Presentation At FDL Middle School

Sabish Middle School parents are invited at attend an anti-bullying presentation at the Sabish gym tonight at 6 p.m. Eric Timm will be putting on the presentation entitled PAINTING HOPE using his artistic and story-telling talents to present a powerful message about various aspects associated with bullying. Eric is a much sought-after speaker who has a remarkable ability to present truth through art in ways that incorporate humor and hold the attention of audiences.