Local News Briefs Wednesday 7/3/13

For the first time in nine years the Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce is looking for a new Executive Director. Chamber Board of Director’s President Joan Karsten says the Chamber and Executive Director Paula Price have mutually agreed to part ways. Karsten says in February they approved a new strategic plan and as part of that will look at a new job description for the executive director. In the interim, Jason Mansmith, the Marketing and Events Coordinator will be the point of contact for the Chamber. Karsten says he’s done a great job since starting for them a little over a month ago. She says the board will discuss the timeline for their search when they meet on Thursday, July 11th. Karsten says they are thankful to Price for her years of service to the Chamber and community and wish her the best. Price was with the Chamber for 16 years serving as executive director since May of 2004.

 

Washington County Home Invasion

 

A Washington County Sheriff’s deputy took a home invasion suspect into custody at gunpoint early Monday morning. It happened on Skyline Drive in the Town of Richfield. Sheriff’s officials say a woman was watching a move when she noticed a man in the bushes outside her window. When she asked him what he was doing there he made some sexually suggestive remarks. She dialed 911 and woke her husband. Before the deputy arrived the man tried to kick in a front door cracking the door. He shouted to be let in that he was “Jesus.” The woman’s husband leaned into the door to keep the man out and engaged him in conversation until the deputy arrived and took the suspect into custody. The suspect, a 29-year-old Town of Erin man, told investigators he was led there and reported seeing demons. He may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time. He has a criminal history and is a mixed martial arts fighter. He was detained at mental health facility and will be facing criminal trespass, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct charges.

 

Seizure Leads To Accident

 

No one was injured when a 31-year-old Fond du Lac man suffered a seizure and hit three cars on South Main Street. According to police reports it happened last Thursday. The man was driving on South Main near 7th Street when he hit two parked cars near Domino’s Pizza, then hit a lit sign pole in front of the restaurant, went over a landscape structure and then struck another car on 8th Street. No one was injured in the accident. The man had 8 and 13-year-old boys in the car with him. He was cited for operating after suspension. 

 

Cheese Truck Overturns

 

Sheboygan Police say a semi truck carrying 40,000 pounds of cheese overturned because it was going too fast when it took the off-ramp from northbound I-43 trying to get to Highway 23 last night. A 61-year-old Plymouth man was driving the truck and suffered some scrapes and cuts. Police cited him for traveling too fast for conditions and failing to secure his load. The cheese had to be loaded onto another truck. The ramp the truck overturned on was closed for about five hours.

 

OWI Enforcement This Holiday Weekend

 

Law enforcement officials in Fond du Lac County will be out in force this 4th of July weekend cracking down on impaired drivers. Sheriff’s Lieutenant Bill Tadych says the Sheriff’s Department won’t be using extra deputies for the effort other than for park patrol. He says they will also have deputies patrolling Lake Winnebago looking for impaired boaters. He says one deputy will be patrolling the parks particularly Roosevelt and Columbia Parks. Sheriff’s officials are urging residents to use a designated driver, take a taxi or have a sober family member if you plan to drink this holiday weekend.

 

Leave The Fireworks To The Professionals

 

The Division Chief of Fire Prevention for the Fond du Lac Fire Department is asking people to leave the big fireworks to the professionals. Troy Haase says as most people know there’s a rule of thumb for what’s legal and what’s not if it explodes or flys up in the air it’s not legal. He says even something as simple as a sparkler can easily burn a child or start a fire. He says any fireworks used around or by children should be supervised. As for the fireworks that do fly up in the air and explode, Haase says those should be left up to the professionals who put on fireworks displays.The fireworks display sponsored by Festival Foods at Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac will begin around 9:45 tomorrow evening.

 

Fale Enjoying Role As Marian University’s Interim President

 

Marian University’s Interim President is enjoying his new role. Bob Fale began on June 17th filling the void while the search for a new president is conducted. Dr. Steven DiSalvo left at the end of May to become president of a college in New Hampshire. Fale was running his own healthcare consulting firm when he got the call from Marian. Prior to that he served as President and CEO of Agnesian HealthCare until February of 2012, a position he held for nearly 16 years. He says since both Agnesian and Marian are connected to the Sister of St. Agnes he was somewhat familiar with Marian officials. He says his role now is to further students’ education. Fale says the students’ energy and enthusiasm for their education is infectious.

 

Conservation Warden Says Let PFD’s Do Their Job

 

In the wake of the tragic death of a wind surfer on Lake Winnebago last weekend a DNR conservation warden is urging people to use personal floatation devices if they are out on the water this 4th of July holiday weekend. Conservation Warden Al Erickson of Fond du Lac says Ronald Sandven of Sheboygan Falls wasn’t wearing a PFD in what appears to be a drowning. According to Wisconsin law you have to have them with you, but don’t have them on unless you’re under 13 years of age and are on federal waters which Lake Winnebago is. He says PFD’s can’t help you if you don’t wear them. He also urges boaters not to drink too much if they are operating watercraft or have someone sober drive that craft.

 

For Many The 4^th Begins Wednesday

 

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-This will be a short week for most, with the Fourth of July falling on Thursday. Pam Moen of Wisconsin Triple-A says many will be going somewhere. She says just 41 million people in the U.S. will be traveling this holiday weekend and in Wisconsin that number is just under 870,000 people. That’s down about 1.3 percent from last year. Moen says the heaviest travel day will be today.

 

Brat Fry For Pet Therapy Services

 

When it comes to a local therapy dog program man’s best friend is a brat fry this week. Sassu Enterprises Pet Therapy Services is holding a fundraising brat fry at Kountry Korners in Lomira each day this week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. William Krause (KROW-zee) started his pet therapy service with one dog, Sassu. Now he has 10 and his dogs help people with anxiety and their mental health. He says they visit hospitals, assisted living centers, rehabilitation and nursing homes and houses. Krause says they are still waiting to hear on their 501c3 status from the IRS so until then brat frys are their best way of raising funds. Today through Saturday there will also be carnival rides available at the brat fry. Those who would like to find out more about the pet therapy services can do so online.