Local News Briefs Wednesday 9/17/14

Winnebago County Sheriff’s officials say a 68-year-old Menasha man died from a medical issue before his car went off Highway 76 in the Town of Menasha late Monday night and hit a fence. He was found dead behind the wheel of his vehicle. He was driving north on Highway 76 when the vehicle went off the road and struck the fence. The vehicle came to rest there. The accident was reported at 11:44 p.m.

Possible Burglary Reported In FDL

Fond du Lac Police investigating a possible break-in stopped a vehicle in the Walgreen’s parking lot on North Main Street Sunday night. Assistant Police Chief Steve Klein says they got a report about a possible burglary in the 300 block of Connell Street shortly after nine that evening. A neighbor saw a couple of people “breaking into the residence,” which was supposed to be vacant. Officers were provided with a vehicle description and pulled it over in the Walgreen’s parking lot. They learned the occupants of the vehicle did have permission to be at the vacant home and released them without charges.

Sheboygan Reckless Homicide Trial Underway

A jury trial is underway in Sheboygan County for a 32-year-old Sheboygan man suspected of supplying the heroin that led to the death of a 30-year-old Sheboygan woman. Travis Tramte is charged with reckless homicide in the July 2013 death of 30-year-old Kathryn Jakimczyk. Tuesday District Attorney Joe DeCecco called a number of witnesses including a Sheboygan Police who responded to the scene. The second day of the trial today will include testimony from Wisconsin State Crime Lab members. The trial is set for four days, but could be handed to the jury for deliberation tomorrow afternoon.

Berlin Man Facing Charges

A 22-year-old Berlin man is facing 6 felony and 6 misdemeanor charges after he was found passed out behind a residence in Ripon last Saturday. Aaron Erdmann was unresponsive when officers arrived in the 300 block of Blackburn Street. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene and he was taken to Ripon Medical Center. Police found controlled substances and drug paraphernalia including pipes and four hypodermic needles at the scene. He was arrested. He was out on bond for criminal charges in Waushara and Green Lake Counties and had outstanding warrants from Waushara County. Tuesday he was charged in Fond du Lac County Court. Bond was set at $20,000 cash. He has a preliminary hearing on Thursday, September 25th.

Waupun Police Dispel Attempted Abduction Rumor

Waupun Police say an older gentleman had no criminal intentions when he asked a 9-year-old girl to look in the trunk on his car last Saturday. The man had a caged raccoon in the trunk. The girl was uncomfortable with his request and told her parents. Police were able to track the man down from a partial description. He was excited about trapping the raccoon and was going to release it in the country. Police say he had no intention of taking the girl.

Highway 23 Improvement Funding Approved

Governor Scott Walker approved $730,000 to improve 4 miles of State Highway 23 from Log Tavern Road to the Fond du Lac/Sheboygan County line in the Town of Forest. Construction will begin on September 22nd and finish by mid-October. Northeast Asphalt of Greenville is the prime contractor. The work includes resurfacing the highway with new asphalt, pavement marking and new signing. Highway 23 will remain open to traffic with flagging operations controlling traffic in the vicinity of the work. Access will be maintained to local businesses, residences and side road, cross traffic throughout the project.

Be Careful Arranging Meets To Purchase Online Products

A Fond du Lac Police Officer says you need to be careful when responding to online ads like those posted on Craig’s List. A 49-year-old Fond du Lac man was recently robbed when he went to a McDonald’s parking lot in Germantown to buy some cell phones that were posted on the website. Fond du Lac Police Officer Steve Olson says he’s used Craig’s List himself. He says you should not arrange a meeting with someone you don’t know in a location you aren’t familiar with in such circumstances. He says if you can manage it try to schedule a meet in a police department parking lot or a safe location and bring someone along.

Groundbreaking Will Be Held This Fall For UW-FDL Student Housing

The Dean of the UW-Fond du Lac says a groundbreaking will be scheduled this fall for the student housing that will be constructed. The Villas at the UW-Fond du Lac will have 84 beds. UW-Fond du Lac Dean John Short says the idea for on-campus housing grew out of a survey they conducted with students. He says some students do rent apartments, but having them on campus will keep them more engaged in learning and on-campus activities. Short says they will have a groundbreaking for the new housing this fall. He says the foundation will be poured this semester, with construction in the spring and the housing opened in time for the fall of 2015.

Salute The Troops Helps Out Veterans In Need

Officials with Salute the Troops in Fond du Lac remind local veterans that they can provide help with a number of needs including helping you pay for your heat this winter if you’re in a bind. Salute the Troops Executive Director Alex Louis says veterans shouldn’t have to go without basic needs. Board of Directors Vice President Richard Feustel says going through the Veterans Administration can have some drawbacks because it takes more time and they need to get all their approvals for paperwork. He says Salute the Troops can cut through some of that red tape and responded more quickly to the needs of local veterans. Recently Salute the Troops helped out a local veteran who was in danger of having his electricity cut off. For more information call (920) 906-6615. 

Delivery Orders For Cops For Kids Brat Fry Needed Today

J & K Summerfield Aligning Service in Fond du Lac will host their 17th Annual Brat Fry Thursday benefiting a Fond du Lac Police Department program. This year the program is Cops for Kids. Police Officer Steve Olson says although the brat fry is Thursday those who would like to pre-order for deliveries need to call in their orders by this afternoon. The Cops for Kids program does a lot to reach out to families and kids in the community. Hours for the brat fry are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Summerfield Aligning is located at 275 North Hickory or the corner of Hickory and Arndt Streets. Call 922-0280 by 5 p.m. 

Wetlands Restoration Educational Program At UW-FDL Tonight

The Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum is offering a special opportunity to learn more about the ecology, appreciation and restoration of wetlands during a program at the UW-Fond du Lac tonight. Wetland ecologist and author Alice Thompson will discuss wetlands restoration and the challenges we face. No pre-registration is necessary for the free wetlands program. It will be given at 7 p.m. in Room UC114. The program will last about an hour.