Local News Briefs Tuesday 7/29/14

The state’s Department of Natural Resources has ordered the Lake Breeze Dairy in Malone to make improvements to its monitoring systems after the Memorial Day manure spill. About 50,000 gallons of manure was spilled making its way into Pipe Creek and eventually Lake Winnebago. DNR officials say a “notice of violation” was issued and state and dairy staff met to discuss the problem. As a result Lake Breeze has revised its spill response plan. They also agree to do a better job monitoring spreading operations, will limit application of manure after dark and will improve checking of manure lagoon levels. The DNR has not asked the Department of Justice yet to file lawsuit for monetary penalties.

Oshkosh Battery Suspect Turns Himself In

Oshkosh Police says a suspect in a battery at a restaurant has turned himself in. The incident happened early the morning of July 4th. The suspect punched two men before he left the restaurant. Both victims received treatment for facial injuries at Theda Clark Regional Medical Center. Police released video and a description of the suspect Monday morning. The suspect turned himself in later in the day.

Sheboygan House Fire

(WHBL-Sheboygan)-A Sheboygan woman was alerted by a passerby Monday morning and escaped her burning home.  The Sheboygan Fire Department was dispatched to the two-story home shortly after 7 a.m.  Shift Commander Gary Kolberg said firefighters encountered heavy flames in a front bedroom and extinguished them before they could get into the walls or ceiling.  He said the woman who owns the home was alerted when she heard the passerby pounding on her front door and got out safely, but a dog and a bird perished.  Kolberg said firefighters were able to locate two cats in the upstairs and resuscitated them.  He said there was extensive smoke damage to both stories.  So far, the cause of the blaze remains undetermined.

BD Man Who Burglarized Former Sheriff’s Home Sentenced

The 45-year-old Beaver Dam man who broke into former Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls Fox Lake home has been sentenced. Scott Schonitzer was recently sentenced to four years in prison and seven years of extended supervision. Last December Nehls newly-deputized son caught Schonitzer in his parent’s home while he was there to pick up some ice fishing equipment. He was off duty at the time. Stolen cash and the former sheriffs Smith & Wesson were reportedly found in Schonitzer’s pocket. A restitution hearing will be held in September.

Waupun Woman Pleads To Burglary Charge

The 23-year-old Waupun woman who broke into homes to steal jewelry and prescription drugs recently pled guilty to a burglary charge. Robyn Slock was facing felony charges in Dodge County Court for last fall’s break-ins. Her sentence was withheld and she got five years of probation. The victims in one burglary suspected that Slock stole their jewelry and prescription drugs. Officers contacted a local jewelry store and learned she had attempted to sell the items there. She later consented to a police search of her residence and authorities found prescription pill bottles that belonged to a second victim.  

Partial Bridge Closure In Lakeside Park

Fond du Lac’s Public Works Department is advising us of the partial closure of the Promen Drive Arch Bridge east of the Lakeside Park Pavilion. The partial closure will began this morning and will remain closed approximately one week. Repairs to the bridge will be done between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., to minimize traffic using the bridge.  The north lane of the bridge will be closed during bridge repair work hours, however two-way traffic will be allowed alternating use of the single remaining lane; flagmen will not be provided. Promen Drive will re-open to normal traffic daily after 1:30 p.m. and throughout the weekend.

Well City FDL Initiative

The Fond du Lac Area Businesses on Health or FABOH is hoping enough businesses will adopt a wellness workplace initiative to earn the City a Well City designation. Larry Richardson of FABOH says there are a lot of benefits for employees and businesses. He says there are less employee absences, employees are more productive and get along better with other employees. He says for businesses they will end up spending less on the health plan. He says there are a lot of things an employer can do like establish a wellness library, hold lunch and learns, fitness challenges and begin weight loss programs. He says Society Insurance and CitizensFirst Credit Union are the first businesses in Fond du Lac to earn Well Workplace Designations, but they have 26 businesses enrolled in the initiative. He says people who would like to know more should visit the wellcityfdl.org website. 

Drivers Asked To Look Out For Traffic During Upcoming Road Races In FDL County

An official with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department reminds motorists to be on the lookout over the next few weekends for some road racing events. Sergeant Jeff Bonack says one of the events is this Saturday. The Fond du Lac Running Club is putting on the inaugural Hot Trot, a 15k run that starts and ends at the North Fond du Lac High School. He says there will be signs, some cones out and deputies working the race route. The race kicks off at 7:30 a.m. Then on Sunday, August 17th there’s the 90-mile Race the Lake bicycling event. Bonack says they will have 8 to 10 extra deputies working during that race around Lake Winnebago. He says it’s a great event for the community.

Andy’s Climb For Hospice

The 52-year-old Fond du Lac man who hopes to reach the peak of Mt. Everest next spring says everything came together for the attempted climb. Andy Land is the Director of Hospice and Palliative Care Services for Agnesian HealthCare. He will be raising awareness and funds for Hospice hoping to raise up to $1 million. He says hospice and his climbing have been very intertwined in his life over the years. Land says he found out last New Year’s that an older brother who was dying of a respiratory disease was going to pay the $50,000 needed to make the climb. He says he was both saddened and grateful of learning of that generous gesture. Land says the highest mountain he’s climbed so far was just under 23,000 feet. He says there are a lot of people who don’t make it much beyond base camp at Mt. Everest before calling it quits. He says in one area you have to use aluminum steps ladders bound together over deep and dangerous crevasses. He says people who would like to know more about his climb should visit the climbingforhospice.org website.

GOP Congressional Debate In FDL Tonight

Fond du Lac County’s Republican Party will hold a 6th Congressional district debate in Fond du Lac tonight. It will be at the Goodrich Little Theater with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the debate beginning at 6:30 p.m. The 90 minutes debate will feature three panelists.  Among the candidates who have agreed to participate are State Senators Joe Leibham and Glenn Grothman and State Representative Duey Stroebel. People can meet the candidates in a gathering at the local headquarters after the debate. It’s located at 810 S. Main Street in Fond du Lac. Both events are free.