Local News Briefs Wednesday 7/31/13

A 47-year-old Berlin man previously charged by Green Lake County authorities for child enticement now faces charges in Fond du Lac County Court. Kenneth Hoffman was charged Tuesday with exposing genitals to a child and possession of child pornography. Bond was set at $10,000 cash and a preliminary hearing is set for September 5th. He’s currently being held in the Green Lake County Jail. In May Hoffman was charged in Green Lake County in connection with a child enticement case. He allegedly posed as a photographer promising to advance a young girl’s modeling career if she allowed him to take nude photos of her. After taking the photos he gave her the option of another photo shoot or having sex with him in return for the nude photos. He has a preliminary hearing in the Green Lake County case on August 12th.

 

Woman Assaulted In Berlin Park

 

Berlin Police are looking for a man who assaulted a 19-year-old woman in a bathroom at the North Shelter House in Riverside Park Sunday evening. Authorities say it happened shortly after 7 p.m. The woman entered the bathroom and was approached from behind. She was pushed up against a wall and groped over her clothing. The suspect then left the scene. He was described as being heavy set, with bad body odor, and the smell of alcohol on his breath. The victim wasn’t able to see the suspect’s face or clothing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Berlin Police at (920) 361-2121.

 

Plymouth Felon Sentenced For Weapons Possession

 

(WHBL-Sheboygan)-A Plymouth man who was arrested with a virtual arsenal in his car last April has been sentenced to prison. Thirty-year-old Rafael Montanez was arrested in connection with a disturbance which occurred in the city of Sheboygan after deputies stopped his car in the Plymouth area.  Inside the car they found five handguns – two of them fully loaded – a rifle, a sawed off shotgun, body armor, an electronic stun gun, knives, a leather club and several boxes of ammunition.  Montanez is a convicted felon who had spent two years in prison. He was sentenced recently in Sheboygan County Court to 2 years in prison to be followed by 3 years on extended supervision on three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

 

County Sales Tax Helping Fund Economic Development And Pay Down Debt

 

Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel says the sales tax created to help fund a loan for Mercury Marine is having several positive impacts. He says Mercury Marine has been doing well, but the money is also being used in part to fund other economic development efforts in the County. Buechel says as a result hundreds of other jobs have been created and retained. He says specifically it has helped create 401 new jobs, retain 234 jobs and led to $40 million in capital improvements.  It’s also helping pay down the County debt, which otherwise the County would have to levy for. Buechel says these days businesses have to think globally and quite a few in the County are marketing their products globally whether it is Mercury Marine, Wells Manufacturing, Alliance Laundry Systems or others.

 

NFDL School District Looking For Middle School Principal

 

The North Fond du Lac School District has been addressing some hiring issues while students have been off for the summer. The school board last week hired Jennifer Gilbertson for the 5 Year-Old Kindergarten program at the Early Learning Center. District Superintendent Aaron Sadoff says they have 90 kids in their 5K program. The board also accepted the resignation of Middle School Principal Bill Paris. Paris is originally from Marinette and found another job in Menominee, Michigan. Sadoff says they will take their time in the search for a new principal for the Bessie Allen Middle School to make sure they get the right person for the job.

 

Senator Grothman Suggests Changes To Absentee Voting

 

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-State Senator Glenn Grothman of West Bend wants some changes, to absentee balloting in nursing homes. He says they have had reports about residential facilities and in particular that some residents might be somewhat suggestible. Current law requires election clerks provide just 24 hours notice of such absentee balloting. Grothman wants that increased to 72 hours – and wants to allow observers from both political parties to watch the process. The proposed bill one of two from Grothman on absentee balloting. Another would restrict in-person applications vote absentee ballot to Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

 

Oshkosh Corporation Releases Earnings Report

 

Oshkosh Corporation released its third quarter earnings report Tuesday reporting a net income of $148.4 million compared to $77.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. Consolidated net sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 were $2.20 billion, an increase of 2.1 percent compared to the prior year third quarter. Officials say higher sales in the Company’s access equipment segment were largely offset by an expected decline in defense segment sales. To see the full report click here.

EAA Fireworks Something Special

 

Planes aren’t the only things you’ll see during the night time air shows at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. There’s also a fireworks display, one of the biggest in the nation. EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski says it rivals some of the best. He says the fireworks displays will be after the night air shows tonight and Saturday night. Both those shows will include the “Wall of Fire.” Also Wednesday night at the Phillips 66 Plaza there’s a 6:30 p.m. concert by Chasin’ Mason and Aaron Tippin.

 

FDLPL Phone Problems

 

The Fond du Lac Public Library was having problems with its main phone number late yesterday afternoon. That number is 929-7080. If people have issues getting through today they are asked to call the Main Desk at 322-3920, the Help Desk at 322-3929, the Children’s Desk at 322-3940 or the Reference Desk at 322-3930.

Paperless Vehicle Registration Renewal

 

People who prefer to go “paperless” now have the option of getting their annual vehicle registration renewal notice through the state electronically. Mitchell Warren is with the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles he says it’s another way the DMV is working to make life easier for customers. He says now you have the option of getting the notification through an email. To do that you will have to go to the DMV website and use the ‘eNotify’ link. He says to be careful to make sure you go to the right website. He says there are some unofficial websites. He says you can avoid that by looking for the dot-gov website address. People interested in the electronic service are asked to sign up at least three months before their license plates expire. Last year in Wisconsin, over one million vehicle registration renewals were done online.

 

Taylor Park Will Host National Night Out

 

The annual National Night Out crime prevention and safety night will be held in Fond du Lac at Taylor Park next Tuesday night. Division Chief of Fire Prevention Troy Haase says quite a few entities including the police and fire departments will be involved in the evening. He says kids will be able to check out a fire engine and ambulance. Haase says there will even be an opportunity for kids to get a free swimming pass by going to different information tables and getting a card filled out.