Local News Thursday 4/4/13

Vaccine Policy Changed Again For Public Health Depts

 

Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says federal health officials will allow them to immunize all children for the flu including those covered by insurance this fall. A change in federal policy last fall prohibited health departments from immunizing children and adults with state supplied vaccine if they were covered by health insurance. Mueller says the state has approved a change that will allow them to go into the schools and vaccinate children next fall. She says they will visit 55 schools over a month’s time to perform the vaccinations. The vaccinations will be done at no charge. She says children who are out sick the day they visit that school or don’t have a permission slip signed won’t be able to go to the health department instead to get the vaccine.

 

Neenah Man Committed For 30 Years For Shooting And Paralyzing Brother-in-Law

 

The 26-year-old Neenah man who shot and seriously wounded his brother-in-law on Christmas Eve of 2011 has been committed to a mental institution for 30 years. Winnebago County Judge Thomas Gritton sentenced Christopher Andreas yesterday on four counts of 1st degree recklessly endangering safety. Andreas last month was found guilty, but not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and was convicted of the crimes. Christopher Garland was watching football with his son in the Town of Clayton when Andreas shot and critically wounded him.  Garland was paralyzed as a result of the shooting.

 

Oshkosh Sex Offender Moving

 

Oshkosh Police say a 30-year-old sex offender is moving to 141 High Avenue Apartment A today. Samuel Petrusch was convicted of 2nd degree sexual assault in 2006. His victim was a teenage girl. He used a computer to gain access to the victim’s family. Petrusch will be on electronic monitoring. He is a lifetime registrant of the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registration Program.

 

Two Appointed To NFDL PFC

 

The North Fond du Lac Village Board this week approved two appointments to the Police and Fire Commission. The board approved the appointments of Chuck Bau Jr. and Gerald Bonlander. Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says it will fill two vacancies, one of which was created by the recent resignation of PFC President Mark Vande Berg who retired. He says Vande Berg will be recognized at an upcoming board meeting for his long service on the PFC. Bonlander is a former Fond du Lac police officer. Meanwhile discussion continues about whether the village will continue with the combined Fire Chief and EMS Director position. Gene Prellwitz stepped down from the position in the middle of February.

 

Ripon School Board Incumbents Win Reelection

 

All three incumbents in the Ripon School Board race won reelection Tuesday. David Scott, David Olson and Gary Rodman got the most votes of the six candidates vying for three seats. Scott received the most with 772 votes. We did have the results posted at KFIZ.com yesterday, but didn’t receive official confirmation from District Business Director Rick Ketter until later in the morning.

 

Write-in Wins Waupun School Board Seat

 

The open seat on the Waupun School Board that had no candidates listed on the ballot was won by a write-in candidate. Roger Schregardus who had decided not to run for reelection got the most write-in votes for the seat. His term on the board ends this month and it will be up to him whether he will continue to serve on the board. Waupun Schools Superintendent Tonya Gubin says the position will be filled by board appointment if he decides not to continue serving.

 

Piper Interested In Council Seat

 

A write-in candidate for the Fond du Lac City Council says he will pursue the seat that Council President Jim Sabel recently resigned from. Sabel resigned due to continuing health concerns and the Council later this month will decide whether to fill the seat, which has a year left in its term. John Piper III says he’s interested in pursuing the seat if the board decides to take applicants and make an appointment. Piper got at least 102 write-in votes in Tuesday’s election, but has also run on the ballot for the Council in the two previous years.

 

Governor Maintains Stance On School Voucher Expansion Proposal

 

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-Governor Scott Walker is standing by his state budget proposal to expand the private school voucher program to more Wisconsin cities. The governor’s budget would allow the taxpayer-funded vouchers to be issued in larger districts with multiple failing schools. Republican lawmakers this week floated a possible alternative, in the form of a tax credit for parents with kids in private schools. Walker says it’s worth discussing, but he believes the voucher plan is the right move. The governor says all options will be considered though, as the Legislature continues work on the budget bill. Walker says he believes they are in a good position to get his voucher plan approved, although some tweaks might be needed along the way.

 

FDL HS Principal Commends Police For Handling Of Recent Incident

 

Fond du Lac High School Principal Jon Wiltzius commends the job police did last week when a rumor of a student with a gun at the school caused mass concern. Wiltzius says School Liaison Officer Denny Vokes worked on rumors spread by social networking and word of mouth and didn’t find them credible. Unfortunately the rumors continued to spread. Wiltzius says response by police and school staff was appropriate. Wiltzius says you have a lot of talk at a school with several thousand students and staff and they are able to quell a number of rumors before they ever reach a level comparable to what happened last week.

 

FDL County Clerk Keeps An Eye On Election Legislation

 

Fond du Lac County Clerk Lisa Freiberg says she’s keeping an eye on proposed legislation at the state level that could impact the way elections are being run. She says she and other County clerks are working with legislators to make sure new laws will be voter-friendly. She worked with State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt on a bill that would make it easier for clerks who have to do recounts in elections. Freiberg says she keep monitor some of the newer proposed legislation closer with fewer elections scheduled this year.

 

Utility Work On FDL’s Military Road

 

The Fond du Lac Water Utility is closing the west bound lane of Military Road, just west of the Hickory Street intersection, this morning for utility work. West bound traffic will be detoured south on Hickory Street to Arlington Street and west back to Military Road. East bound Military Road traffic and North/South Hickory Street traffic will not be disrupted. Concrete pavement repairs will be made immediately following utility work. The street is expected to fully reopen next Tuesday.

 

Sebena’s Name Will Be Added To Memorial

 

(Wisconsin Radio Network)-A fallen Wisconsin police officer will be honored on a national memorial after all. Officials with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund have voted unanimously to add Wauwatosa Officer Jennifer Sebena’s name, reversing an earlier decision. Jim Palmer with the Wisconsin Professional Police Association says they are elated by the outcome. Sebena was fatally shot on Christmas Eve while on duty and her husband has been charged with the murder. Her name was originally rejected because the board considered the death the result of a domestic incident. The decision prompted widespread calls for the board to reconsider. Palmer also noted several other officers already on the memorial died under similar circumstances. Sebena’s name will be added to the national memorial during a ceremony in May. It will also be included on Wisconsin’s memorial outside the state Capitol building at around the same time. The vote took place on Wednesday morning.

 

Spring Is An Opportunity For Thieves

 

A Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s official is warning residents to be look out for crimes of opportunity that pop up as the weather improves. Sheriff’s Lieutenant Cameron McGee says unlocked garages and vehicles provide one such opportunity for thieves. He says there are also the home improvement schemes including the people who go door-to-door offering to repave or blacktop your driveway. McGee says if you are going to have that type of work done go with a local contractor or someone that you know. He says if you are suspicious of someone that approaches you offering this type of service give the Sheriff’s Department or local police a call.

 

Nominees Sought For Woman Manager Of The Year Honor

 

It’s not too late to nominate an area businesswoman for Woman Manager of the Year – an honor presented annually by the Fond du Lac Chapter of Women In Management, Inc.  The deadline to apply is April 26.  Candidates can be nominated by their supervisors, co-workers, clients, family members, or others.  The nominee can be employed by an area business in a management role or she can be a business owner.  Presented each June, the award is given to a woman who has made exemplary contributions to her company, employees or clients, and community.  Applicants do not need to be a member of Women in Management. The winner will be announced and honored in June.

To obtain or return a nomination form, email Gail Johnson-Daveau at gjohnson@dentalassociates.com or Dorothy Bliskey at bliskey@charter.net.   Completed forms must be emailed by April 26.  For questions, call 922-4576.

 

Michael McDonald Will Perform At Kohler

 

Five-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist and songwriter Michael McDonald will be performing at the Kohler Memorial Theater on April 27th.  McDonald began his career as a backup singer for Steely Dan. He’s better known for time with the Doobie Brothers. Tickets are available online at www.kohlerfoundation.org or by calling the Kohler Foundation at (920) 458-1972. It will be an 8 p.m. performance.