Local News
Local News Saturday 3/16/13
Appeal Denied In Cold Case Murder Conviction
The conviction of a 55-year-old Randolph man in a 33-year-old Columbus murder case has been upheld by a state appeals court. Curtis Forbes was convicted in 2010 of beating, stabbing and strangling death of 18-year-old Marilyn McIntrye. She was killed in her Columbus apartment in 1980. The cold case was reopened in 2009 thanks to blood evidence, which led to Forbes conviction. Forbes was a friend of McIntyre’s husband. The appeals court issued its decision on Thursday. The case was the focus of a “48 Hours Mystery” program on CBS-TV in 2011.
St. Patrick’s Day Parades
You can look for the KFIZ/K107.1 vehicle in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. If you miss that parade in Downtown Fond du Lac, you could catch the parade in Dundee at noon Sunday. It’s the 22nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dundee for what organizers term the shortest parade. Make sure you aren’t drinking and driving before or after the parades. Law enforcement agencies in Fond du Lac County are cracking down on drunken drivers this weekend.
St. Patrick’s Day Safety
Law enforcement in Fond du Lac County aren’t the only ones concerned with your safety during this St. Patrick’s Day Weekend. Tom Wendt is the Division Chief of Fire Prevention for the Fond du Lac Fire Department. Part of his job has to do with safety. He cautions people to be aware of traffic while they are watching the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Fond du Lac. He says that’s especially important if you’re drinking and need to walk across a busy street. Wendt says it’s also a good idea to know where your exits are if you step into a crowded bar or restaurant, just in case of fire or an emergency.
Fair Grandstand Headliners Announced
The Fond du Lac County Fair will feature the Rock acts Hinder and Whitesnake during the Fair in August. The news was announced on the Fair’s Facebook page. Whitesnake was popular during the 1980’s, while Hinder is a current popular band. This year’s Fair is July 17th through the 21st at County Fairgrounds in Fond du Lac.
6 Area Mercury Facilities Recognized For Safety Efforts
Brunswick Corporation recently announced the recipients of its safety award program for 2012. Four facilities received the Chairman’s Safety Award, the company’s highest. Among those four were Mercury Marine Plant 98 in Fond du Lac and Mercury Marine Racing in Taycheedah. In addition 28 facilities were recognized with Distinguished Awards for their 2012 safety performance. Among them were Mercury Marine Plant 4 and Mercury Marine Engineering Plant 12 in Fond du Lac and Mercury Maine Plant 33 in Oshkosh. For the full press release click here.
Historic Preservation Efforts In Ripon Rewarded
Four people were honored this past week at the Ripon Common Council meeting for historic preservation efforts. Grant and Betsy Stanfield received one for a residential effort and Scott Kearney and Mary Flanagan for a commercial effort. City Administrator Lori Rich says both efforts were noteworthy and its hoped will inspire more historic preservation efforts in Ripon.
Groundwater Awareness Week Wrapping Up
An official with the Fond du Lac County UW Cooperative Extension Service says the weather we’re getting now is one of the reasons National Groundwater Awareness Week is scheduled for this week. Diana Tscheschkok says snow is melting and spring begins in a few short days, at least on the calendar. She says that’s why they are reminding private well owners to have their wells tested. Wells should be tested at least every 15 months. Sample bottles and instructions are available at the County Health Department offices.