Local News Briefs Wednesday 11/12/14

Washington County authorities saying a missing 88-year-old Town of Barton man was found dead in a wooded area last night. Family at 7702 Town Hall Road reported him missing just after 7 p.m. last night. They told Sheriff’s deputies he’d left the residence on foot. Kewaskum and West Bend Fire Departments and West Bend Police aided in the search. His body was found shortly after 9 p.m.

Five Hurt In Washington County Accident

Five people were injured when a 20-year-old West Bend Woman tried to make a “U” turn at the intersection of Washington County Highway Z and Paradise Drive Tuesday afternoon. Her vehicle was hit by a Washington County Taxi minibus. She was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in West Bend and then flown to Froedtert Hospital with serious injuries. The 52-year-old West Bend woman who was driving the minibus and her three passengers were taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital with minor injuries. The accident in the Town of West Bend was reported at 5:15 p.m.

Meth Lab Investigation In Oshkosh

Oshkosh Police and the state’s Department of Justice DCI agents are investigating a meth lab in the 800 block of Franklin Street. The investigation began Tuesday at 815 Franklin Street; it’s about a block away from the residence where Ricin was discovered on October 31st. The area was closed off while equipment needed for the investigation was brought in.

Sheboygan Couple Charged For Leaving Daughter Out In The Cold

(WHBL-Sheboygan)-A Sheboygan couple faces child neglect charges for leaving their two-year- old daughter out in the cold while they were in an alleged drunken state. Sheboygan Police found the child, 35-year-old Robert Alegria and 34-year- old Brandy Dickey passed out or sleeping on the 8th Street bridge Sunday.   After waking the three, officers found out they had been out fishing in the area and that Alegria and Dickey had been drinking at a tavern.  The girl was taken to Memorial Medical Center for observation, and told officers she had been outside for a long time and felt cold.

Highway 41 Move Over Law Enforcement Effort

The State Patrol and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office team up Thursday to enforce Move Over Law violations on Highway 41 and other busy highways in Winnebago County. The law requires drivers to shift lanes if possible or slow down in order to create a safety zone for a law enforcement vehicle, tow truck, ambulance, fire truck, highway maintenance vehicle or utility vehicle that is stopped on the side of a road with its warning lights flashing. The effort comes with winter arriving soon, when road conditions become more slippery. “Law enforcement officers are well trained and equipped to protect themselves. But their only defense against being hit by a fast-moving vehicle is in the hands of the driver,” says Winnebago County Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Anthes. “Failure of motorists to create a safety zone by moving over or slowing down is one of the major reasons that motor vehicle crashes kill more law enforcement officers on duty than any other cause.”

Preliminary Set For Berlin Murder Suspect

The 33-year-old Berlin man accused of killing his estranged wife and her boyfriend will be back in Green Lake County Court for a preliminary hearing on December 2nd. . Nicholas Tuinstra is suspected of murdering Melissa Tuinstra and Justin Daniels at their apartment building in Berlin on September 27th.  Nicholas and Melissa Tunistra had filed for divorce days before the murder. Tuinstra is facing two counts of 1st degree intentional homicide. A million cash bond was set when he made his initial appearance on the charges at the beginning of last month.

FDL City Council Preview

The Fond du Lac City Council will consider approving the proposed 2015 City Budget and Tax Levy tonight. The Council delayed action on the budget at it’s last meeting after hearing from State Senator Rick Gudex and State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt who felt a 5.4 percent increase in the tax rate was too much of a burden for property taxpayers. They urged the City to use some of the $1.5 million in undesignated funds in the City’s fund balance to lighten the load. But Director of Administration Hal Wortman cautioned against using the entire $1.5 million saying the tax levy for debt service will continue to increase and the City could get into a cycle of ever increasing budget deficits, which would mean cutting services. The $22.8 million tax levy would mean a tax rate of $8.93 per thousand dollars of value on a property and increase of 45 cents or 5.4 percent. Also tonight the board will get an update on the work the Lakeside Park Exploratory Committee has been doing. The Council meets at 6 p.m. at the City-County Government Center.

Veterans Housing Assistance

Help is available for veterans who are in need of housing or rental assistance. Angela Kalsbeek is the case manager for the Center for Veterans Issues Support Services for Veterans and Families Program. She says a lot of employment opportunities hinge on housing, but some veterans may have issues that makes it tough to be employed or find housing. Fond du Lac County Veterans Service Officer Rick Patton says programs are available to help out veterans with rental assistance, but veterans shouldn’t wait until they are too far behind because financial assistance is limited. Kalsbeek says there are eligibility requirements including economic-based requirements for the Support Services for Veterans and Families Program, but they can help, but it won’t solve all of the veterans’ problems. Those who would like to know more can contact Kalsbeek at (920) 906-4779 or Patton at (920) 929-3120.

Senator Gudex Elected Senate President Pro Tempore

State Senator Rick Gudex was recently elected the President Pro Tempore in the Wisconsin State Senate. He says the President Pro Temp is similar to a vice president in that he would preside over the Senate proceedings if Senate President Mary Lazich is unable to. The state lawmaker from Fond du Lac says he will have to learn more about the rules on the Senate proceedings, but he is looking forward to his new role. Gudex says running for Pro Temp was something other senators encouraged him to do. He says in the upcoming session there should be plenty of opportunities for him to preside over Senate proceedings.

New Voting Equipment Proposed For Inclusion In 2015 FDL County Budget

Money likely will be included in the 2015 County Budget to upgrade the County’s voting equipment. County Executive Al Buechel says the equipment especially the software for it is outdated. He says the equipment still works, but is becoming more difficult to fix when there is a problem. The cost is close to $400,000, but a federal grant for $48,000 will bring the price down to $350,000 which will include everything including what townships need as well. He says it’s hoped they will be able to go wireless instead of depending on modem, which would allow faster posting of results on the County’s website. The new equipment wouldn’t be used until the primary election in February of 2016. 

Meeting Scheduled In Ripon On Hwy 44 Improvement Project

State Department of Transportation officials will host a meeting next Tuesday at the Ripon City Hall to discuss improvements that are planned for a five mile stretch of State Highway 44. The meeting will be from 5 to 7 p.m. with a short presentation at 5:15.  The project area will be from 300 feet northeast of Douglas Street in Ripon to 500 feet over the Winnebago County line. Construction is scheduled for 2016. It will include adding passing lanes. The meeting will be held as an open house and the public can attend at their convenience. 

Soup Is On For The United Way

Soup is on for a couple of fundraising events for the Fond du Lac Area United Way this week. Wednesday Guaranty Title Service in Fond du Lac will be hosting its 3rd Annual Chili and Chicken Noodle Soup Sale luncheon. Then Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 1st Floor of the Fond du Lac City-County Government Center there is a soup luncheon and raffle drawing. There’s a choice of soup or chili. The raffle drawing is for a 32 inch flat screen TV. United Way Executive Director Tina Potter says you can’t go wrong no matter, which soup event you choose. She says both are reasonably priced.