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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/03/31/fond-du-lac-county-hold-june-7-special-election-new-executive/7229148001/
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Fond du Lac County to hold June 7 special election to fill Allen Buechel's county executive seat
FOND DU LAC - A special election will be held June 7 to choose a new county executive, the Fond du Lac County Board decided Wednesday night.
This will be the first change in leadership since 1993, when voters first elected Allen Buechel, who died Sunday at 74 after an apparent heart attack.
Per state statute, the county board chair will serve as county executive until a special election is held, so current Chair Martin Farrell, of Ripon, is in charge for now.
Prospective candidates could start taking out nomination papers Wednesday and have until 5 p.m. April 12 to return them with 500 signatures. If a primary is needed, it will be held May 10, according to Wednesday's meeting agenda.
The elected executive would fill the rest of the term, which expires April 15, 2025, according to the agenda.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/action-advertiser/2022/04/04/johnson-street-pioneer-road-projects-affect-traffic-fond-du-lac/7255708001/
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Attention drivers, road projects will affect traffic in Fond du Lac
FOND DU LAC - Several reconstruction projects will begin this month in Fond du Lac.
Some projects will affect traffic, requiring road restriction, closures and detours, according to the Paul DeVries, Fond du Lac's director of public works.
Here's a summary:
Johnson Street Mall Intersections
Schedule: Construction April 4 through June – Stage 1 Median
Description: The city has awarded the project to Vinton Construction. The project includes reconstruction of the median, turn lanes and install traffic signals at the west entrance to the mall.
Traffic impacts: Johnson Street will remain open to two-way traffic; Stage 1 will reconstruct the median turn lanes at the east and west entrance. Stage 2 will reconstruct the west entrance to the mall and install signals.
Pioneer Road from Johnson Street to Forest Avenue
Schedule: Construction April 4 through October
Description: Fond du Lac County awarded this project to Mashuda Contractors. The reconstruction of Pioneer Road includes curb and gutter, new storm sewer, water main, street lighting, multi-use trail, and installation of traffic signals on Pioneer Road between KFC and Faros.
Traffic impacts: Pioneer Road will be open to local traffic only during construction. Right-in/out access only from Johnson Street to Pioneer Road is required to construct the utilities and roadway. A signed detour for Pioneer Road will be County OOO (Scott Street) to County VVV (Rolling Meadows) to County D (Military Road).
City of Fond du Lac Concrete Rehabilitation
Schedule: Construction April 4 through June
Description: The city has awarded the project to Vinton Construction. The project includes various concrete pavement, storm inlet and manhole rehabilitation work.
Streets where repair work will occur:
- East Harbor View Drive from North Main Street to Northgate Street
- Mohawk Avenue from East Harbor View Drive to its end with Stow Street
- Garfield Street from East Harbor View Drive to Northland Avenue
- Northland Avenue from Allen Street to Garfield Street
- West Arndt Street from North Seymour Street to North Hickory Street
- North Seymour Street from West Arndt Street to State 23
- North Seymour Street from Thomas Street to West Division Street
- Forest Avenue from West Pioneer Road to South Seymour Street
Traffic impacts: The above street will have partial closures and lane restriction.
Military Road from Western Avenue to Superior Street
Schedule: Construction April 11 through October – Stage 1 Military Road/Western Avenue intersection
Description: The Wisconsin Department of Transportation awarded this project to Vinton Construction. The reconstruction of South Military Road includes reconstruction of the street and utilities, addition of bike lane and construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Military Road and Ninth Street.
Traffic impacts: Military Road will be closed to through traffic. Additionally during Stage 1, the intersection of Military Road and Western Avenue will be closed. Signed detours will be in place for motorists to follow.
2022 Annual Street & Utility Project
Schedule: Mid-April through October
Description: The city has awarded this project to Don E. Parker Excavating. The project includes the reconstruction of the street and utilities. The street in the annual reconstruction project include:
- North Butler Street from Russell Street to Portage Street
- South Bell Street from Bragg Street to Forest Avenue
- Grove Street from Hillcrest Lane to Seymour Street
- Second Street from Vincent Street to DeNeveu Creek
- East Division Street Bridge over DeNevue Creek Water Bore
- Eighth Street Water Main Replacement
Traffic impacts: These streets will be closed to through traffic.
Johnson Street and Pioneer Road intersection
Schedule: Construction June 1 through mid August – Stage 1 Median
Description: WisDOT awarded this project to Vinton Construction. The project includes reconstruction of the islands and traffic lanes including signals and multi-use path.
Traffic impacts: The intersection of Johnson Street and Pioneer Road will remain open to two lanes in each direction on Johnson Street, with lane restrictions. Right-in/out access only from Pioneer Road to Johnson Street is required to construct the intersection and limited full closure of Johnson Street and Pioneer north required for concrete pavement installation and signal construction.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/04/05/wisconsin-experts-talk-referendum-process-cities-school-districts/6689008001/
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Why can't we vote on that? Wisconsin experts explain why some issues go to referendum, others don't
FOND DU LAC – Since 2018, voters in Fond du Lac County's various municipalities have seen 23 referendum questions on their ballots. Some, however, wish there were more.
Not every financial or legislative matter goes to referendum. But, why not?
In a basic definition, a referendum asks the voters to approve something, Curt Witynski, deputy executive director of League of Wisconsin Municipalities said. The reasons a municipality would put a question to vote, however, vary widely.
Some state laws require issues to go to referendum — for instance, a city needs permission to raise the property tax levy, such as when Fond du Lac voters approved a $1.3 million increase to hire and equip more public safety personnel last year.
Referendums are often referred to as either "advisory" or "binding," but generally are advisory unless a statutory or local requirement to make them binding, according to the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.
Exceeding the levy limit is binding, due to state statutes, but proposing an ordinance controlling the use of pesticides on lawns would be an example of an advisory referendum, Witynski said.
Sometimes, with enough support from their neighbors, a municipality's citizens can use the referendum process to incite change by themselves.
"There is a whole other world in referenda when citizens use what we call the initiative process," Witynski said. "But the use of the initiative process only applies to certain cases."
According to state statute 9.20, a petition for a proposed ordinance or resolution can be filed with the municipal clerk, as long as it is valid and has a number of signatures equal to "at least 15% of the votes cast for governor at the last general election."
This process only applies to cities and villages, and can only address legislative proposals, rather than administrative decisions.
Additionally, an initiative cannot repeal or conflict with an existing ordinance, which City Attorney Deb Hoffman explained when the city council rejected petitions filed by a group of citizens back in October 2020 regarding Lakeside Park.
The proposed ordinances called for referendum questions on developing and leasing two sections of Lakeside Park — Oven Island and the lighthouse peninsula — and both surpassed the necessary signature count of roughly 2,500.
However, a resolution had passed earlier that year accepting development plans and concepts, and instructing city staff to start planning to implement them.
The last time Fond du Lac successfully held a referendum from the initiative process was in 1982 and also involved Lakeside Park: voters turned down private development in the park and passed Ordinance 1859 barring future development without referendum.
However, this ordinance was not part of the city code when it was re-codified in 1993, Hoffman said in 2020.
Using the initiative process doesn't always trigger a referendum, as a council can choose to pass the ordinance without an election, Witynski said.
No matter the type of referendum, municipalities are obligated to follow the petition and regular election procedures required by the Wisconsin Election Commission. Local officials receive information on referendums in the League of Wisconsin Municipalities handbook.
How do school districts differ in their referendum processes?
School districts in Wisconsin can put forward two types of referendums, both involving money, and voters may see them more often as schools address financial difficulties, according to Dan Rossmiller, director of government relations for the Wisconsin Association of School Boards.
The first type requires a school district to ask for voter permission before borrowing money above a certain amount — typically $1 million, depending on the district — and is used similarly to a mortgage on a house. The money is usually used for construction of new buildings or maintenance of existing ones.
The second type requires a referendum to increase property taxes above the state-imposed limit to increase funds, much like the requirement for individual municipalities.
This can be limited to a certain number of years, or be a permanent increase in property taxes, Rossmiller said.
The Fond du Lac School District's 2019 referendum asked voters' permission to issue $98.5 million in general obligation bonds to improve district schools, an example of the first type of referendum.
A more recent project, the incoming turf field at Fond du Lac High School will be funded by the district's existing fund balance, so a referendum was not necessary.
Wisconsin school districts have, recently, faced financial difficulties for a variety of reasons, including revenue not keeping up with inflation, teacher and staff shortages and declining enrollment.
"There is a pent-up demand for schools to catch up to inflation," Rossmiller said. "If you have a classroom of 12 kids rather than a classroom of 20, you still need a teacher, you still need to heat the classroom and you need to hire a bus driver to take them to school."
Costs do not decrease if revenue decreases, he added.
Smaller, rural school districts in particular face declining enrollment to a level that referendum elections are necessary to keep facilities functioning or to modernize buildings to attract more families to enroll their children.
For instance, Rosendale-Brandon School District asked voters this year to approve a tax increase so the district can afford nearly $30 million to renovate its classrooms and buildings.
Similarly, Oakfield School District asked voters for permission to borrow $16 million to improve district facilities.
While two-thirds of Wisconsin school districts face declining enrollment, some districts in the remaining third still find themselves outgrowing their schools or needing to modernize old buildings with evolving technology.
No matter the reason, a referendum is put in front of voters because the local school district board felt it was in the best interest of the students, Rossmiller said.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/04/05/fond-du-lac-city-council-spring-election-2022-results/7192841001/
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Voters send 4 newcomers to Fond du Lac City Council seats in spring 2022 election
FOND DU LAC – All new faces will join the Fond du Lac City Council, voters decided Tuesday.
This spring, four city council seats opened up: council president Kay Miller reached her term limit; council member Donna Richards was up for reelection; and council members Arletta Allen and Ben Giles decided against running another term.
On the ballot were Richards, Kenneth Cassaday, Jane Ricchio, Thomas Schuessler, Thomas Strizek and Brett Zimmermann.
According to Tuesday's unofficial election results, Schuessler earned the most votes with 2,952. The other three seats went to Zimmermann with 2,920 votes, Ricchio with 2,147 votes and Cassaday with 2,103 votes.
Strizek received 1,923 votes, and Richards received 1,901.
Cassaday ran his campaign on flood abatement and drawing people to Fond du Lac and its businesses.
Ricchio's priorities during the campaign were flood mitigation, development of the Saputo Property and use of COVID-19 relief money.
Schuessler's priorities include public safety and city growth, and he plans to seek change in city government so councilmembers represent city wards rather than the city as a whole.
Zimmermann's priorities include better service hours for public transportation, expansion of downtown partnerships and keeping the pools open all summer.
City Council members serve two-year terms on the seven-person board, and are paid $5,000 a year; the president is paid $6,000.
For more Fond du Lac County election results, click here.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/04/05/fond-du-lac-county-board-and-court-spring-election-2022-results/7192829001/
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Voters send 2 incumbents, 4 newcomers to serve on Fond du Lac County Board
FOND DU LAC – Two incumbents and four newcomers were voted onto the Fond du Lac County Board, according to Tuesday's election results.
Of the board's 25 supervisory districts, six had contested races. Those races are as follows: Timothy Bachleitner and Katherine Griffith in District 1; James Will and incumbent Karen Madigan in District 3; Clint Kieler and incumbent Ken Depperman in District 10; Scott Rodman and Mitch Swanson in District 18; Tiffany Brault and Gabriel Cadena in District 20; and Angela Luehring and incumbent Marilyn Hammond in District 25.
Incumbents Martin Farrell in District 1, Thomas Kitchen in District 18 and Lisette Aldrich in District 20 did not seek reelection. Hammond, who took the District 25 seat after Monica Walk resigned, ended her campaign and told The Reporter she was no longer running.
According to Tuesday's unofficial election results, supervisor seats belong to Griffith in District 1, incumbent Madigan in District 3, incumbent Depperman in District 10, Rodman in District 18, Brault in District 20 and Luehring in District 25. The breakdown of votes is as follows:
- Timothy Bachleitner: 348
- Katherine Griffith: 429
- Karen Madigan: 735
- James Will: 260
- Clint Kieler: 336
- Ken Depperman: 364
- Scott Rodman: 183
- Mitch Swanson: 127
- Tiffany Brault: 241
- Gabriel Cadena: 119
- Angela Luehring: 236
- Marilyn Hammond: 175
Incumbents in districts 2, 4-9, 11-13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 24 ran unopposed. District 14 incumbent Robert J. Giese and District 22 incumbent Brian Kolstad did not seek reelection, and District 16 incumbent Brooke Hills no longer lives in the district due to redistricting.
Taking the incumbents' places unopposed are Michael F. Conley in District 14, Anne Price in District 16 and Caroline Janke in District 22.
Supervisors serve two-year terms and receive $3,000 in compensation, with the chair receiving an additional $2,000 and vice chair $500.
RELATED:Fond du Lac County to hold June 7 special election to fill Allen Buechel's county executive seat
Fond du Lac County judgeships
Fond du Lac County Circuit Court had three judgeships open this spring.
Judge Peter Grimm, who presides over Branch 2, and Judge Paul Czisny in Branch 5 announced their plans to step down from the bench.
Judge Tricia Walker, whom Gov. Tony Evers appointed in November 2020 to Branch 4 after Judge Gary Sharpe retired, ran unopposed and kept her seat.
Deputy District Attorney Doug Edelstein of Fond du Lac ran for Branch 5, and Fond du Lac attorney Laura Lavey ran for Branch 2.
Circuit court judges serve six-year terms and earn $147,535 annually.
As for Wisconsin Court of Appeals judge, District 2 incumbent Lori Kornblum was up against Maria Lazar. According to Tuesday's unofficial results, Lazar won the county with 6,813 votes to Kornblum's 6,736 votes. However, there are 12 counties in the race.
For more election results across the county, click here.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/04/05/fond-du-lac-school-board-spring-election-2022-results/7192858001/
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Incumbents sweep Fond du Lac school board elections; Rosendale-Brandon referendum fails, Oakfield's passes
FOND DU LAC – Fond du Lac School District voters reelected incumbents to their school board seats, but Rosendale-Brandon School District voters turned down nearly $30 million in improvements during Tuesday's election.
The Fond du Lac area saw two major school board races: the Fond du Lac School District and North Fond du Lac School District.
Fond du Lac School Board
Four seats were open for Fond du Lac School Board, with five names on the ballot: Antonio Godfrey Sr., Ish Harris, Tim Weddle and incumbents Brittany Hoerth and Todd Schreiter.
According to Tuesday's unofficial election results, Hoerth received the most votes with 4,178. Schreiter was next with 4,010 votes, followed by Godfrey with 3,285 and Weddle with 3,142.
Harris received 2,075 votes.
Three of the seats are three-year terms, and the fourth seat is a one-year term. Weddle, with the fourth highest number of votes in this election, will get the one-year seat.
School board members are paid an annual salary of $1,600. The president receives $1,800.
North Fond du Lac School Board
The ballots for North Fond du Lac School District voters showed Samantha Kolitz, Richard Mathy, Tera McCarthy, Shannon Zupke and incumbents Jonathan Goeckerman and Terry Jaeger in the running for three open seats.
Goeckerman and Jaeger were appointed last fall to fill vacant seats after two members resigned, and both ran to keep their seats.
The new and returning members on North Fond du Lac School Board are as follows, in order of votes received:
- Terry Jaeger, 623 votes
- Jonathan Goeckerman, 587 votes
- Richard Mathy, 518 votes
Zupke received 501 votes, Kolitz recieved 407 and McCarthy received 384 votes.
Rosendale-Brandon School District Referendum
Voters in the Rosendale-Brandon School District area had the opportunity to vote on a referendum proposing to renovate district buildings and reshuffle students to address student enrollment issues.
It failed with 773 votes in favor and 959 opposed.
Without voters' support this year, the board will seek more community feedback about what amount voters would support. However, the district said time is an issue due to the threat of rising interest rates and construction costs.
The referendum question read as follows: "Shall the School District of Rosendale-Brandon, Fond du Lac and Winnebago Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $29,770,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school building and facility improvement project consisting of: construction of additions and renovations at Laconia High School to accommodate middle and high school students, including renovations to career, technical and agricultural education areas; renovations to Brandon Elementary School and the current Rosendale Intermediate School; district infrastructure, capital maintenance and site improvements; and acquisition-wide safety, security, building of furnishings, fixtures and equipment?"
Oakfield School District Referendum
Oakfield School District also sought to pass a referendum seeking funds to improve district facilities, which passed with 449 votes in favor and 391 opposed.
The referendum question read as follows: "Shall the School District of Oakfield, Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to issue, pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $16,000,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a district-wide school facility improvement project consisting of: district-wide safety and security, building infrastructure, capital maintenance and building systems improvements; construction of an addition for classrooms and renovations at the Middle/High School; renovations at the Elementary School; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment?"
For more results on county races, click here.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/sports/nfl/2022/04/07/fond-du-lac-native-robert-windsor-retires-nfl-indianapolis-colts/9493611002/
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Fond du Lac native Robert Windsor retires from NFL after two seasons with Indianapolis Colts
Robert Windsor is calling it a career.
The former Fond du Lac football standout and Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle announced his retirement in a Twitter post Wednesday evening.
Windsor, 25, was drafted by Indianapolis in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was cut toward the end of training camp in September, but returned to the practice squad. He had two tackles during the regular season.
Injuries derailed him in 2021 and he spent the entire season on injured reserve.
RELATED:Life-changing year at Penn State has prepared Fond du Lac grad Robert Windsor for the NFL
RELATED:Fond du Lac grad, Penn State star Robert Windsor's NFL dream closer with scouting combine days away
"Nine months ago, I had two major surgeries – one on my hip and one on my groin," Windsor wrote on Twitter. "Both were extensive, and the recovery process has been an arduous one. After months of rehabbing, I'm still not where I need to be to compete on the football field. I have been playing football for 17 years. Up until this point, football has been my identity and how I receive my self-worth. With that being said, this has been one of my most challenging years yet. If I've learned anything from football, it's that pain ultimately leads to growth. This pain has forced me to look within myself and find out who I am without the game I have loved and played my whole life with."
Windsor, a 2015 Fond du Lac graduate, had 38 tackles and five sacks for the Cardinals in the fall of 2014. He committed to Penn State the following January and had solid junior and senior campaigns with the Nittany Lions in which he totaled 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss.
"I am eternally grateful for everything football has given me, and for those who have helped me grow along the way," Windsor added in the Twitter post. "I want to thank the Colts organization for taking a chance on me in the 2020 draft. I wish I still had more to give to the game that has given me so much, but sadly things don't last forever and my time to retire has come. I am entering this phase of life with gratitude and ready to start my journey to self-discovery and healing."
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2022/04/07/milk-specialties-global-evacuates-factory-after-chemical-gas-leak/9500990002/
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Chemical gas leak from Milk Specialties Global factory forces evacuation of plant, neighborhood in Fond du Lac
FOND DU LAC – The city's hazardous materials crew worked for over five hours Thursday to stop a chemical leak at the Milk Specialties Global factory that forced the evacuation of the plant and the neighborhood.
Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue announced Thursday evening that they safely plugged the leak with no injuries.
The incident started at 11:38 a.m. when fire crews responded to a report of a gas plume emitting a cloud with a yellow hue into the air from the factory, located at 325 Tompkins St., according to Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue.
The building, filled with 90 to 100 employees, was evacuated.
At 3 p.m. Thursday, Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue Chief Peter O'Leary said two hazardous materials crews entered different parts of the building to try to locate and stop the source, with a third team preparing to go in.
"Their hazmat suits are actually able to shoot and show video back to the outside to help, so the people from Milk Specialties are able to provide them some information about what they're seeing and where they think they should go to get the leak stopped," O'Leary said.
The fire department said that while the exact concentration and type of gas is unknown, it is believed to contain chlorine.
As of 3 p.m., O'Leary said the gas started to dissipate and was "not nearly what it was earlier." However, an active leak remained inside the building, and measuring the quantity of gas continuing to release into air has been difficult with the overcast, rainy weather, he said.
At 4:30 p.m., Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue posted on Facebook that hazmat crews "have made several entries into the building and continue to work on mitigation efforts. The plume has greatly dissipated but there is still a leak."
Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue shared updates about the hazardous materials situation as it unfolded on Facebook and Twitter. The department shared a map for a mandatory evacuation area around the factory, which included areas south of Ruggles Street, north of Grove Street and east of South Hickory Street.
Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue has since given the all-clear for people to return to the mapped area.
"We understand that today’s event disrupted many people’s daily routines and (halted) railway traffic for several hours," O'Leary said in a statement. "Safety always has to outweigh the inconveniences these types of event place on us all. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and understanding."
The cause of the leak remains unknown. O'Leary said an investigation will occur in the coming days.
The Fond du Lac Police Department and City Public Works assisted Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue during the incident.
Contact Kelli Arseneau at 920-213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/04/13/fond-du-lac-county-executive-race-has-one-candidate-waupun-attorney-sam-kaufman/7303276001/
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Fond du Lac County Board supervisor is sole candidate for county executive seat in June 7 election
FOND DU LAC – Fond du Lac County supervisor Sam Kaufman of Waupun will be the lone name on the ballot to replace Allen Buechel as county executive in the June 7 special election.
Kaufman was the only person to turn in his papers with the necessary signatures by Tuesday's deadline.
The election was announced after Buechel died last month after holding the job since 1993.
Kaufman is an attorney with Vande Zande & Kaufman LLP and serves as the District 7 supervisor on the Fond du Lac County Board, as well as serving on the Waupun Town Board.
According to his candidate website, Kaufman's priorities include economic and workforce development through present and possible future corporate relationships, and attracting families and workers to the county.
He also plans to prioritize support to public safety, fiscal responsibility and capital improvements.
As an elected executive, Kaufman would fill the rest of Buechel's term, which expires April 15, 2025.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/04/15/waupun-crash-us-151-injures-motorcycle-rider-fond-du-lac-county/7330468001/
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US 151 crash leaves motorcycle rider with potentially life-threatening injuries
TOWN OF WAUPUN - A 39-year-old man from Horicon has potentially life-threatening injuries after the motorcycle he was riding crashed with another vehicle Thursday night, the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office said Friday.
The sheriff's office was dispatched around 10 p.m. Thursday to the scene of a reported crash at U.S. 151 and County AS.
The Horicon man was taken via medical air transport to a hospital for further treatment, the sheriff's office said. He was arrested on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
The other driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, a 49-year-old Brandon woman, was taken by ambulance to a hospital for possible minor injuries.
U.S. 151 northbound was shut down for five hours. The crash is under investigation, the sheriff's office said.
Contact Rebecca Loroff at 920-907-7801 or rloroff@gannett.com.
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20220416
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/04/19/lomira-community-theatre-brings-wizard-oz-fond-du-lac-area/7355788001/
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Fond du Lac-area community actors bring 'The Wizard of Oz' to life this weekend in Lomira
LOMIRA - Audience members can follow the yellow brick road this weekend to see Fond du Lac area actors perform Lomira Community Theatre's 2020 spring play — finally hitting the stage after a pandemic-related hiatus.
The group will present "The Wizard of Oz" at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the gymnasium of Lomira Elementary School, 1030 Fourth St., in Lomira. A matinee performance is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.
The show follows the plot of the 1939 film, as Dorothy Gale and her dog, Toto, are swept up in a cyclone to the Land of Oz and meet the Wicked Witch of the West, the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Cowardly Lion on their way to the Emerald City in a quest to get back home to Kansas.
Both the musical and the film were adapted from the first novel of L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz series from 1900.
Leading the cast is Oakfield's Allessandra Gourlie, 16, as Dorothy Gale, under the direction of Michael Detert, of Fond du Lac.
RELATED:Attention drivers, road projects will affect traffic in Fond du Lac
RELATED:Fond du Lac County Board supervisor is sole candidate for county executive seat in June 7 election
Mary Lynn Schraufnagel and David Wright play Aunty Em and Uncle Henry, while Adam Wright, Steve Berres and Rob Peterson play Cowardly Lion, Tinman and Scarecrow, respectively.
The rest of the cast includes Debbie Serwe as Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West, Ray Woznick as the Wizard of Oz, Melanie Feucht as Glinda the Good Witch of the North and Rosie the dog as Toto. They are accompanied by local children playing the Munchkins.
Tickets are sold at the door, with discounted tickets for students and children 18 and younger, and seniors over the age of 65. Children age 3 and younger get in free.
For more information, visit lomiracommunitytheatre.com.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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Mother of 'Baby Theresa' pleads guilty to concealing death of child
JUNEAU – The mother of a newborn baby who was found dead in rural Dodge County 13 years ago has pleaded guilty to concealing the death of a child.
Karin S. Luttinen, 46, of Milwaukee, entered a guilty plea Monday in Dodge County Circuit Court.
Authorities found the infant's body concealed in a garbage bag in the woods near the village of Theresa on April 29, 2009. An autopsy performed the following day found no evidence that the baby was murdered, and found that the cause of death was "fetal demise," meaning the baby likely died before or during childbirth.
The infant was nicknamed "Baby Theresa" for the nearby community, and was given a funeral May 11, 2009. At that time, authorities were not able to locate any of the baby's family members.
In 2014, the Dodge County Sheriff's Office and district attorney filed a charge against the then-unknown mother's DNA, which prevented the six-year statute of limitations on felony cases, allowing the case to remain open. In 2021, Luttinen was identified as the mother of "Baby Theresa."
Luttinen's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 5.
The following information comes from a criminal complaint, in which police documented information Luttinen shared in 2021:
Luttinen and the baby's father had been in a relationship since 2002 and lived together in Shorewood during Luttinen's pregnancy in 2008 and 2009.
Luttinen told police no one was ever aware that she was pregnant, including the baby's father. Luttinen said she did not know she was pregnant at first, then questioned if she might be but thought she was in denial. She said she was "a lot bigger" back then.
Luttinen told police that she believed she was pregnant toward the end of her pregnancy "but her mind was not grasping the concept," the criminal complaint said.
Luttinen could not recall what day she gave birth, but knew it was after her own birthday, April 13. She delivered the baby herself, in the bathroom of the Shorewood home. Luttinen told police she was in intense pain for about 30 minutes, and believed she passed out while giving birth.
Luttinen said she delivered the baby in the bathtub. The baby was delivered face-down into the tub that was filled with water, with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. After giving birth, Luttinen estimated she blacked out for about 15 minutes. She told police she never heard the baby cry or saw her move.
After she came to, Luttinen said she put the body of her newborn baby into a garbage bag, which she placed in her purse, then got into her car and drove "aimlessly." She then came to "an unknown area" where she placed the baby's body. Luttinen said she was by herself and it was light outside when she left the baby in the woods.
Luttinen did not seek medical help before or after the pregnancy. She told police she did not watch the news and was unaware when authorities found the baby's body.
According to the criminal complaint, a forensic pathologist could not determine if "Baby Theresa" died before birth or shortly after, nor what exactly caused the baby's death.
RELATED:Mother charged with concealing death of child in 2009 'Baby Theresa' cold case
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.
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Fond du Lac City Council picks Patrick Mullen as president; Sam Kaufman to lead County Board
FOND DU LAC - This spring's election has ushered in a new term for both city council and county board, with brand new leadership positions.
Fond du Lac City Council and Fond du Lac County Board both met Tuesday night to swear in new members elected on April 5 and vote in a new city council president and county board chair.
The city of Fond du Lac is also seeking citizens interested in serving on several city boards and commissions, with positions available later this month.
Mullen moves from VP to president on city council
At the council's organizational meeting, members voted Patrick Mullen as council president.
Mullen was elected to council in 2021 and was previously vice president.
Replacing him as vice president is Keith Heisler, who was also elected in 2021.
New councilmembers Thomas Schuessler, Brett Zimmermann, Jane Ricchio and Ken Cassaday were also sworn in at Tuesday's meeting.
The new members replace Arletta Allen, Ben Giles, Donna Richards and former council president Kay Miller.
With vacancies on several city boards and commissions starting April 30, the city is seeking residents willing to serve and fill those seats, according to a press release from the city clerk's office.
Positions are available on Advisory Park Board, Board of Appeals, Historic Preservation Commission, Redevelopment Authority Board and City Plan Commission.
Advisory Park Board has two vacancies for members with an interest in the city parks' use and operation who are available at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of every month.
Board of Appeals has two vacancies and entails considering requests for exceptions or variances to the zoning ordinances in special circumstances where a property does not completely comply with city regulations. The board meets at 3 p.m. on the first Monday of every month.
Historic Preservation Commission has two vacancies for members with knowledge of the historical, architectural and cultural traditions of the city. The commission would advise City Council on research, inspection and investigation of potential landmarks and meets at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month.
Redevelopment Authority Board has one vacancy and involves advising City Council, the city manager, and the director of redevelopment on public programs and projects that enhance the community. It meets at 7:30 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month.
City Plan Commission has one vacancy and entails updating the master plan for the physical development of the community, recommending programs, advising the council on various petitions and land transactions and approving certified surveys and Special Use Permits. The commission meets at 5:30 p.m. on the Monday after the second Wednesday of each month.
Volunteer applications are available at the clerk's office in the City County Government building, 160 S. Macy St., and on the City Boards page of the city's website. Finished applications can be submitted in person or mailed to the clerk's office, or emailed to City Clerk Maggie Hefter at mhefter@fdl.wi.gov.
More information is available on the city website.
Kaufman, who is also running for County Executive, wins board chair
At the county board of supervisors meeting, supervisors elected Sam Kaufman as board chair.
Kaufman has served as supervisor of District 7 since 2016, representing the Waupun area.
District 23 supervisor Martin S. Ryan was elected first vice-chair, and District 11 supervisor Steven A. Abel was elected second vice-chair.
RELATED:Voters send 2 incumbents, 4 newcomers to serve on Fond du Lac County Board
In a previous meeting, former chair and acting county executive Marty Farrell recommended appointing Director of Administration Erin Gerred as Interim County Executive until after the June 7 special election as one of his final actions on county board.
Gerred, who has been a county employee since 2007 and has served her current position since 2010, will fill the role of Allen Buechel after his sudden death last month.
Kaufman is the only official candidate for the county executive position. After the election, he would fill the rest of Buechel's term, which expires April 15, 2025.
In addition to his position on county board, he is also a partner attorney with Vande Zande & Kaufman LLP and serves on the Waupun Town Board. According to his candidate website, he plans to prioritize economic and workforce development, public safety, fiscal responsibility and capital improvements.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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Detours got you down? Fond du Lac road work promises improvements, makes way for Meijer, Kwik Trip
FOND DU LAC – Fond du Lac residents may need to find alternative routes to work, school or the store the next few months, but they're in for a safer, smoother ride in the long run.
Road construction signals the start of warmer weather, and the county is in for a lot of it as Johnson Street and Pioneer Road make improvements ahead of the addition of Meijer and a new Kwik Trip.
Safety measures are also in store for Johnson Street and Military Road, and new pavement will be added county-wide.
Updates on city projects will be posted weekly on the city website, alongside a map showing affected streets.
Johnson Street, Pioneer Road will see majority of road work
Johnson Street currently has lane restrictions at the Forest Mall intersections after construction began earlier this month to improve traffic safety and flow between North Pioneer Road and North Peters Avenue.
Through June, Vinton Construction is reconstructing the median turn lanes at the two mall entrances, according to the city website and Public Works Director Paul Devries.
Next, the west entrance — which has the higher crash rate of the two entrances — will get more reconstruction, as well as traffic signals to ease delays and left turns.
The city invested $1.5 million for these improvements, part of a development agreement with mall owners ATR Corinth which the city entered into in late 2020.
The agreement also includes $3.5 million in financial assistance to developers through TIF district income as ATR Corinth continues to work with major Midwestern grocery retailer Meijer. The store will serve as a retail anchor in the razed portion of the mall property.
At the same time as the Johnson Street work, construction began on Pioneer Road, between Johnson Street and Forest Avenue, and will continue through October.
This reconstruction includes curb and gutter, new storm sewer, water main, street lighting, multi-use trail, and installation of traffic signals on Pioneer Road between KFC and Faros.
As the road is only open to local traffic, signed detours will redirect motorists from County OOO (Scott Street) to County VVV (Rolling Meadows) to County D (Military Road).
Once complete, this work will open the way for Kwik Trip to build its planned new location on the former Schreiner's property, which was announced early last year.
From June through part of August, Johnson Street and Pioneer Road will see even more construction. Vinton Construction, contracted by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, will reconstruct parts of the intersection of the two streets, including the islands, traffic lanes, signals and multi-use path.
Drivers should expect lane restrictions and limited full closures.
Further east, the State 23 project expanding the highway into four lanes from Sheboygan County P to U.S. 151 east of Fond du Lac is expected to conclude this year.
According to the 511 project overview from the DOT, current work in the Fond du Lac County portion of the project includes improving and resurfacing the stretch of road between U.S. 151 and Seven Hills Road in the town of Empire. Intersecting roads will close as the work continues.
Military Road faces the beginning of new improvements
Construction started last week for Stage 1 of planned improvements to Military Road between Western Avenue and Superior Street.
The full project entails reconstructing the street and utilities, adding a bike lane and constructing a roundabout at the intersection of Military Road and Ninth Street, according to the project overview on the city website.
Through October, Military Road will be closed as crews work on the Western Avenue intersection.
A signed detour will direct southbound drivers east on Second Street, south on Main Street and west on Ninth Street to Military Road. The detour for northbound is the opposite, starting at Ninth.
According to the public involvement presentation on the city website, the area of Military Road is in poor condition, with cracks, potholes, and curb ramps and crossings that don't meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
With the nearby school, park and trails, the improvements will enhance the safety and convenience of traveling by car, bike or foot.
The project is partially funded by the DOT's Surface Transportation Program - Urban, which allocated federal funds to support transportation projects.
The Ninth Street roundabout will be part of Stage 2 improvements.
Fond du Lac undertakes street and utility reconstruction, concrete rehabilitation
Annual street and utility reconstruction will close various city streets to through traffic over the next several months for replacement of sanitary sewers, water mains and services, storm sewers, curb and gutter, pavement and street lighting.
The work impacts North Butler Street from Russell Street to Portage Street, South Bell Street from Bragg Street to Forest Avenue, Grove Street from Hillcrest Lane to Seymour Street, Second Street from Vincent Street to DeNeveu Creek and the East Division Street Bridge.
Water main replacement on Eighth Street is also included in the project.
Concrete rehabilitation is in progress on city streets through June, which entails various concrete pavement, storm inlet and manhole rehabilitation work. Drivers can expect partial closures and lane restrictions, according to the city website.
Affected streets include East Harbor View Drive from North Main Street to Northgate Street, Mohawk Avenue from East Harbor View Drive to Termini, Garfield Street from East Harbor View Drive to Northland Avenue, Northland Avenue from Allen Street to Garfield Street, West Arndt Street from North Seymour Street to North Hickory Street, North Seymour Street from West Arndt Street to State 23, North Seymour Street from Thomas Street to West Division Street and Forest Avenue from West Pioneer Road to South Seymour Street.
Fond du Lac County highways will see work, too
Several county highways are scheduled for work this year for pavement replacement:
- County G: 3.3 miles from State 23 to South Street through the towns of Forest and Marshfield.
- County K: 0.65 miles from U.S. 151 to County WH in the town of Taycheedah.
- County SS: 1.06 miles from U.S. 45 to State 67 in the towns of Auburn and Osceola.
- County V: 4.6 miles from County B to Reinhardt Road in the towns of Eden and Fond du Lac.
- County VV: 3.64 miles from Sullivan Drive to County OO in the city of Fond du Lac and town of Fond du Lac.
- County W: 3.52 miles from Mushroom Road to State 23 in the town of Forest.
More information on county highway projects is available on the county website.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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Update: Woman released from hospital, search for man continues after canoe capsized on Fox Lake
Editor's note: The story was updated Friday morning.
FOX LAKE – The search for a missing man continued Friday after a canoe capsized Thursday afternoon sending two people into the water of Fox Lake, according to the Dodge County Sheriff's Office.
A woman was injured in the incident. She was treated and released from the hospital Thursday evening, the sheriff's department said. The man is still missing.
Search efforts continued Friday, but due to impending hazardous weather, a full-scale search operation will begin when it is safe for dive teams to work, officials said. The forecast calls for showers Friday, wind gusts as high as 30 mph, and possible thunderstorms after 4 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee.
The Dodge County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call shortly before 12:30 p.m. Thursday that reported a capsized canoe with two people in the water, yelling for help, near the north shore of Fox Lake.
According to the sheriff's office, deputies located the woman above water, but could not locate the second individual. The woman, from rural Fox Lake, was rescued from the water and sent to a hospital for treatment.
As of 2:40 p.m. Thursday, an active search was underway for the man, who is also believed to be a resident of rural Fox Lake, officials said. As of 6 p.m., the sheriff's office had no additional information to report.
The search for the man continued until sunset on Thursday evening with the cooperation of multiple first responder agencies and the Department of Natural Resources.
Neither person was wearing a life jacket, according the sheriff's office.
The sheriff's office said high winds made conditions not suitable for a canoe or kayak on the lake.
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/crime/2022/04/22/man-found-guilty-homicide-2020-fond-du-lac-drunk-driving-crash/7416670001/
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Man found guilty of homicide for a 2020 drunken driving crash that killed his 21-year-old passenger
FOND DU LAC – A man was found guilty of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle for a 2020 incident that killed a 21-year-old passenger in his vehicle.
David G. Worley, 30, of Theresa, entered a no-contest plea Friday at a hearing in Fond du Lac County Circuit Court. A no-contest plea is not an admission or denial of guilt, but does not contest the facts behind a charge.
A five-day jury trial had been set to begin Monday.
The fatal crash occurred around 4:25 a.m. Sept. 15, 2020, when Worley failed to stop at a red light at Main and Johnson streets in Fond du Lac. Worley's vehicle struck an ambulance transporting a patient.
Worley's passenger, Jonathan K. Bruemmer of Fond du Lac, died in the crash. Worley had to be extricated from the vehicle and was transported by helicopter to Theda Clark Regional Medical Center in Neenah for life-threatening injuries.
Three people inside the ambulance — a 35-year-old man, a 42-year-old man and a 76-year-old man — all had injuries that were non-life-threatening from the crash.
According to the district attorney's office, a hospital blood test after the crash found Worley's blood alcohol content at 0.213%. The legal BAC limit for operating a vehicle in Wisconsin is 0.08%.
Worley is in custody at Fond du Lac County Jail. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 7. According to the district attorney's office, Worley faces a presumed minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to 15 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision, with a fine of up to $100,000.
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.
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Early-morning blaze in Fond du Lac leaves three Bank Street families homeless, fire officials say
FOND DU LAC - One person was taken to the hospital after inhaling smoke and two firefighters were slightly injured early Sunday in a house fire at 23 Bank St.
The residents of the home were displaced by the fire, which was reported shortly after 2 a.m. So were people living in neighboring homes, which sustained "moderate to major" fire damage, according to officials.
The first firefighters on the scene reported heavy fire throughout the 2½-story house.
Officials said high winds in the area made it difficult for firefighters to battle flames at the houses on either side of the burning home.
National Weather Service figures reported winds of 16 mph shortly after the fire was discovered, with gusts up to 37 mph at nearby Fond du Lac County Airport.
Off-duty fire crews, as well as those from departments in neighboring communities, were called in to assist with firefighting efforts and in providing coverage elsewhere in the city.
The two injured Fond du Lac firefighters were able to return to work.
RELATED: Fond du Lac house fire sends woman to hospital, causes 'substantial damage' to home
RELATED: Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue Chief Peter O'Leary to retire this spring after 13 years with the city
Contact Doug Schneider at (920) 431-8333, or DSchneid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @PGDougSchneider.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2022/04/25/high-winds-pause-search-missing-canoeist-fox-lake-dodge-county-wisconsin/7437931001/
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High winds hamper search for missing canoeist on Fox Lake in Dodge County
FOX LAKE - High winds over the weekend hampered the search for a missing canoeist on Fox Lake.
Officials resumed search operations Saturday, but due to high winds, the dive and boat teams called off the search around 4:30 p.m., according to a news release from the Dodge County Sheriff's Office.
Officials stated that the search for the missing man would continue, but they did not give an update on when they would resume operations.
"This is a result of wind weather conditions forecast over the next several days, which make it difficult to predict what search techniques may be feasible without putting divers at risk," the sheriff's office said in the news release.
Wind speeds of 10-15 miles per hour are forecast for the Fox Lake region over the next two days, according to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee.
Around 12:30 p.m. Thursday, officials responded to a 911 call reporting a capsized canoe on Fox Lake and two people yelling for help in the water near the north shore.
A woman from rural Fox Lake was rescued and sent to a hospital; she was treated and released Thursday evening. The other canoeist, a man, is still missing.
More:Update: Woman released from hospital, search for man continues after canoe capsized on Fox Lake
Emergency workers from several counties and jurisdictions have conducted searches for the man, but wind conditions on Friday made the lake unsafe for dive teams.
The sheriff's office continues to withhold the names of the people involved in the incident at the request of immediate family members.
Contact Rebecca Loroff at 920-907-7801 or rloroff@gannett.com.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2022/04/25/phillys-4th-fond-du-lac-sells-winning-lottery-ticket-100-k/7443817001/
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Another lottery winner from Fond du Lac: Philly's on 4th Grocery and Deli sells winning ticket for $100,000
FOND DU LAC - Philly's on 4th Grocery and Deli, 321 Fourth St., sold an All or Nothing winning lottery ticket for $100,000.
The winning ticket was announced Saturday night, according to a news release Monday from the Wisconsin Lottery.
In recent years, Philly's has also sold a winning $1 million scratch game ticket, two Badger 5 jackpots and a scratch ticket for $10,000. When the store was called Ma's and Pa's, it also sold winning lottery tickets of $6.5 million in 1994 and $208.6 million in 2006.
"We've just had winner after winner," said Philly's owner Pat Moses in the news release. "We're kind of a lucky store."
The numbers drawn from the Saturday All or Nothing Evening draw were 1-2-5-6-11-12-13-17-19-21-22. The winning ticket matched none of the 11 numbers. Players choose 11 numbers from 1 to 22. They can win the top prize by matching all of the 11 numbers or none of them.
More:Philly's Grocery & Deli, outside Fond du Lac's Miracle Mile, sells winning $1M scratch game ticket
More:Powerball fever wears out Miracle Mile workers
Contact Rebecca Loroff at 920-907-7801 or at rloroff@gannett.com.
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Local businesses rally behind 11-year-old Mason Jerman as he relearns to walk after 2018 brain injury
FOND DU LAC - After a brain injury in 2018, 11-year-old Mason Jerman of Fond du Lac is relearning to walk, and local businesses are rallying to give him a helping hand.
In November 2018, Mason came down with a normal cold, but then was diagnosed with pneumonia MRSA at the hospital. While getting treated, complications occurred in the procedure, and he came out the other side with a brain injury, his mom, Lisa Jerman, said.
The "happy, sassy, crazy" boy has had a long journey from then on, as he relearns how to talk and regains his motor functions, she said.
Brain injuries are slow-healing and unpredictable, but Mason has been working hard and making progress these past few years through weekly occupational and physical therapy, as well as speech therapy.
"A year ago, I don't think anyone would have thought he could have gotten this far," Jerman said.
Mason is able to stand upright with the help of a gait trainer, but an 11-year-old is difficult to carry, so it takes two to three people to help him into the trainer and get him walking. With the recommended amount of time he should be walking every day, Jerman and her husband, Johannes Jerman, started looking for a way to fulfill that time in a way that was easier for both Mason and his support team.
Julie Jacobs, Mason's physical therapist at his school, found the Trexo, a robotic system that can connect to his gait trainer and assist his walking.
The Trexo Home in particular has an adjustable gait pattern, speed and level of assistance through a tablet that needs training to use, according to the Trexo Robotics website.
However, the device costs over $39,000, and since it's considered a new product, insurance companies are reluctant to cover any of it, according to a Go Fund Me Jerman started to raise the money. Mason's family has yet to hear either approval or denial.
Jacobs reached out to a few businesses, including Tammy Boudry of Boudry Dental.
Boudry was the family's dentist even before Mason's brain injury, so in many ways, she went through the journey with them, Jerman said.
Boudry helped launch #MasonStrong Day and opened appointments in her office for April 28, from which every dollar made will benefit Mason, including profits from every dental cleaning, exam, filling and whitening.
After the announcement, local businesses started pouring in their support in, too, creating their own offerings for April 28.
As of Thursday, these Fond du Lac area businesses include Create Salon, En.courage Nutrition, Annie's Fountain City Café, Love Cassidy, Gathered Roots and Hometown Nutrition.
Also, occupational therapist April Stolte of Boudry Therapy and Rehab joined the cause, spreading the word to her patients in Washington, Waukesha and Ozaukee counties.
Jerman was surprised and grateful for the support and encouragement for Mason as word got around about his journey.
"We were handed a ridiculously horrible, frightening nightmare, and we're making lemonade out of this," she said.
Mason may have a full team behind him and a community cheering for him, but at the forefront is his family, including his two brothers — 14-year-old Jack and 11-year-old Peter — who support him and "(make) him laugh uncontrollably," Jerman added.
"Mason is definitely one of the strongest kids I've ever met in my life," she said. "He's very brave — he's been through too much life already in his short life."
Fond du Lac area businesses offer support through Mason Strong Day April 28
In addition to Boudry Dental's initiative, each business participating in Mason Strong Day Thursday has a different contribution to offer for the day.
Create Salon and Spa, 432 Prospect Ave. in North Fond du Lac, will donate profits from cuts and waxes done from 5 to 7 p.m.
En.courage Nutrition, 74 S. Main St., will serve a special purple drink in honor of Mason and donate the profits from it.
Annie's Fountain City Café, 72 S. Main St., will donate $1 for every LegendaryGary cookie sold.
Love Cassidy sells accessories for pets and their owners, and will donate the proceeds from every purchase made on the website lovecassidystore.square.site. Also, the store will launch a special purple dog bandana on that day.
Gathered Roots, 15 N. Main St., will donate the money from all coffee sales and tips.
Hometown Nutrition, 293 W. Scott St., will donate $1 from every shake sold.
Stolte at Boudry Therapy and Rehab will donate $100 from every purchase of her Safe and Sound Listening Program from April 12 through April 28. The program uses modulated music in a multi-sensory approach to improve a patient's regulation, attention, social and emotional difficulties, according to her website.
Anyone wishing to support Mason can visit these businesses Thursday or donate to the Mason Strong Go Fund Me page, which is at nearly $13,000 of its $40,000 goal as of Thursday.
"We truly appreciate all the love and support, prayers and encouragement from everyone with us on this journey," Jerman said. "It's gotten us through this."
To follow Mason's journey, his family created the Mason Strong Facebook page with updates on his progress.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
More:Take a springtime coffee tour through Fond du Lac, starting with newest venture Beans & Bites
More:Notice the Ukraine flag on Johnson Street? Holiday Automotive shows support with a $10,000 donation
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Body found on Lake Winnebago shoreline is 57-year-old Fond du Lac man
Larry Gallup
Fond du Lac Reporter
FOND DU LAC - The body found partially submerged along the Lake Winnebago shoreline Sunday has been identified as a 57-year-old Fond du Lac man, Fond du Lac County Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt said Monday.
Waldschmidt said the man's name will be released after his family has been notified. Waldschmidt said an autopsy showed no sign of injury or trauma and that foul play isn't suspected. He added that the investigation remains open.
The man's body was found about 4 p.m. Sunday along the shoreline on Lakeshore Drive in Friendship.
Contact Larry Gallup at (920) 996-7216 or lgallup@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @LarryGallup.
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St. Mary's Springs Academy to present 'How to Succeed in Business' in Fond du Lac this weekend
FOND DU LAC – For its spring show, St. Mary's Springs Academy will perform "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," a catchy musical that shows the power relationships between men and women in the corporate setting.
The comedy musical will be performed 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday in the North Fond du Lac High School Performing Arts Center, 325 McKinley St.
The show follows J. Pierrepont Finch as he navigates the 1960s corporate world at the World Wide Wicket Company and quickly climbs the corporate ladder with the help of a book called “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” according to director Christa Lewis.
Finch's coworkers in the show include Rosemary, who tries to win his heart, as well as Hedy La Rue, Mr. Bratt and the overwrought boss Mr. Biggley.
Under the direction of Lewis, the St. Mary Springs Academy's show will star Gavin Rose as Finch. The full cast includes Matti Putzer, Cohen Dalzell, Grayson Feucht, Karla Chavez, Matthew Padillo, Jack Feudner, Ally Ullenberg, Teresa Brunette, Andrew VanderGrinten, Katherine Peters, Sean Sheehy, Cain Neumann, Gavin Twohig, Leo Freund, Hazen Norton, Parker Gorske, Natalie Feudner, Cristina Lopez, Cecilia Wagner and Olivia Ahlstrom.
Behind the scenes, the technical crew consists of Taylor Nelson, Rees Rademann, Reo Huh, Shane Kaminski, Emmie Pierret, Donovan Cox, Sophie Gorske, Colin Twohig, Elijah Skiff, Adam Janssen, Grace Meyer, Anna Willis and Emily Hahn.
Academy students, alumni and area community members will perform in the pit orchestra, conducted by Andrea Pannier. These crew members include Tiffany Dolan, Andrew Skiff, Phil Schmahl, Paul Thompson, Denise Snopek, Justin Eversono, Diego Besne Padilla, Devin Winkel, Vincent Vanderscherurn, James Jewson and Julia Laituri.
Written by Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows, the original How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying debuted on Broadway in 1961 and was notably revived for its 50th anniversary in 2011 with Daniel Radcliff in the leading role.
Tickets for this weekend's show are available at hometowntickets.com and at the door, with discounts available for students and seniors.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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Downtown Fond du Lac's Cellar District, Bespoke Salon earn statewide Main Street Awards
FOND DU LAC – Downtown Fond du Lac businesses and individuals have been showered with state and local awards this month.
The Wisconsin Main Street awards, hosted by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., returned to an in-person ceremony Friday night at the Hotel Retlaw to honor downtown projects and volunteers across the state.
Among the awards, The Cellar District, 40 E. Division St., was a co-winner for best new business.
The restaurant opened last fall inside the former Immanuel Trinity Lutheran Church. It serves farm-to-table dishes, taking fresh, local ingredients to achieve its goal of revolutionizing the dining experience.
Bespoke Salon, 20 N. Main St., took home the award for best façade rehabilitation under $20,000 for the face lift property owners Jesse and Sara Houle gave the business exterior, including new paint, doors and the awning.
Bespoke opened a year ago with the team behind Texture Salon and offers haircuts and styles, as well as makeup with select stylists.
Downtown Fond du Lac also won best cooperative business marketing campaign for its Market Bucks from the Fond du Lac Farmers Market last year, and Fondue Fest was a co-winner for Best Special Event.
The downtown Mural Project, an objective to highlight local art and artists, was an honorable mention for Best Public Improvement Project.
Among the 2021 Wisconsin Main Street volunteers of the year was Kristen Quam of Fond du Lac, and two area downtown executives were recognized for milestones in exemplary service: Amy Hansen for serving Fond du Lac for 15 years, and Craig Tebon for serving Ripon for 30 years.
Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership recognizes businesses at a local level
Earlier this month, the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership recognized several downtown businesses and achievements at its annual meeting.
Last year, 20 new businesses opened downtown, contributing to a drop in the downtown vacancy rate from 10.2% in 2013 to 4.6% now, according to a news release from the partnership.
A prequel to their Wisconsin Main Street wins, Bespoke Salon earned the exterior design of the year award and The Cellar District won the public-nominated new business award.
The Cellar District also received recognition for interior design of the year. Owners Sara Palas and Brandee Alexander gave the building enhanced lighting, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, new seating and a large custom mural.
Quam preceded her Wisconsin Main Street volunteer of the year award with the partnership's friend of downtown award for her time on the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership Board of Directors. She recently completed her time as president and also served on the executive and marketing committees.
The partnership's volunteer of the year award for 2021, meanwhile, went to Rachel Peichl McGee, who assists with registration at both annual wine walks, serves as a crossing guard for the Monster March and volunteers as a block captain for Fondue Fest. She has also assisted with the partnership's social media management through administration and creative content.
The downtown legacy award, annually showcasing a downtown name that's been in business for at least 50 years, went to Joe's Fox Hut for 2021. Joe Clohesy founded the business in 1962 and started serving pizza in 1970 the same pizza that has been voted Fond du Lac's best for 17 years in a row.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
More:St. Mary's Springs Academy to present 'How to Succeed in Business' in Fond du Lac this weekend
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Fond du Lac man found dead on Lake Winnebago shoreline identified
FOND DU LAC – The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office has identified the 57-year-old Fond du Lac man found dead along the Lake Winnebago shoreline as Thomas D. Williams.
The circumstances surrounding Williams' death remain under investigation, Fond du Lac County Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt said Tuesday.
Williams's body was found partially submerged in the water along the shoreline on Lakeshore Drive in Friendship around 4 p.m. Sunday. An autopsy found no signs of injury or trauma, and the sheriff's office said no foul play is suspected.
Detectives determined Williams was still alive in early April, Waldschmidt said.
The sheriff's office is asking that anyone who had any contact with Williams since April 1 or who has any information that might be helpful to the investigation call the Fond du Lac County Law Enforcement Tip Line at 920-906-4777 and leave a message. A detective will follow up, and callers may remain anonymous, Waldschmidt said.
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2022/05/06/search-fox-lake-missing-man-ends-rescued-woman-identified/9676460002/
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Man's body recovered from Fox Lake on Thursday, 2 weeks after canoe capsized
FOX LAKE - The body of a man was recovered from Fox Lake about 8 p.m. Thursday, according to the Dodge County Sheriff's Office.
The man's identity is being withheld pending positive identification by the Dodge County Medical Examiner’s Office.
A male canoeist has been missing since April 21 after a canoe capsized on Fox Lake. One woman was rescued, and she has been identified as Alicia Johnson, 34, from rural Fox Lake. She was treated at a local hospital and released that evening. The second boater, a man, could not be found during the initial water rescue. There was no visibility in the water that day, according to the news release.
Weather conditions made searches in some of the following days "dangerous and difficult" for dive personnel, but the sheriff's office also said that the dive teams resumed searches when weather permitted.
During the two weeks of the search, agents of the sheriff's office said it conducted daily searches on the lake's surface and underwater with sonar devices, marking points for divers to investigate later.
"This is certainly a very emotional and difficult incident for all involved and we are thankful for all who assisted in this lengthy search," the sheriff's office said in a news release.
Dive teams, fire departments and paramedics from multiple counties assisted the Dodge County Sheriff's Office and Fox Lake first responders, along with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and many volunteer groups.
The case is still under investigation. The man's identity is being withheld pending positive identification by the Dodge County Medical Examiner’s Office.
This story will be updated.
Contact Rebecca Loroff at 920-907-7801 or at rloroff@gannett.com.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2022/05/11/fire-destroys-barn-cattle-tuesday-fond-du-lac-county-town-eden/9728764002/
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Cattle killed, barn destroyed in fire Tuesday in Fond du Lac county town of Eden
Rebecca Loroff
Fond du Lac Reporter
TOWN OF EDEN - Firefighters from multiple counties extinguished a large barn fire Tuesday afternoon, according to a news release from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office.
At 3:26 p.m., the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office and the Eden Fire Department were dispatched to a barn fire at N4334 Pine Road in the town of Eden.
By the time emergency responders arrived on the scene, the barn was engulfed in flames. The fire started on the western end of the building, quickly spreading through the entire barn. The barn is a total loss, along with an unknown number of cattle, according to the Sheriff's Office. No firefighters were injured.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Contact Rebecca Loroff at 920-907-7801 or rloroff@gannett.com.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2022/05/13/vehicle-hits-kills-man-near-eldorado-van-dyne-woman-arrested-wisconsin/9759724002/
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Fond du Lac County woman accused of hitting, killing Van Dyne man while driving under the influence
ELDORADO - A 58-year-old man from Van Dyne was killed Thursday after he was hit by a vehicle in an apparent drunken-driving crash, according to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office.
At around 12:36 p.m., dispatchers received a call about a man lying injured on Korth Road near Ridge Road in Eldorado. First responders tried to resuscitate the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff's office said.
After an investigation, a 61-year-old woman from Van Dyne was arrested. She faces possible charges of causing injury while operating under the influence and causing death while knowingly operating with a revoked license. She is being held at the Fond du Lac County Jail.
The man's and woman's names were withheld pending notification of their families and the investigation's conclusion, according to the sheriff's office.
Contact Rebecca Loroff at 920-907-7801 or rloroff@gannett.com.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/05/11/aaron-sadoff-hired-fond-du-lac-area-foundation-executive-director/9729988002/
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Fond du Lac foundation welcomes North Fond du Lac's Aaron Sadoff as new executive director
FOND DU LAC – A familiar face will find a new role next year as North Fond du Lac school leader Aaron Sadoff sets to transition as executive director of Fond du Lac Area Foundation.
Sadoff, superintendent of the School District of North Fond du Lac, will officially take on the role Jan. 1 after serving the school district for 13 years, according to a news release from the foundation.
The position opened after Joe Braun resigned at the end of last month, after 20 years with the foundation and four as executive director. He made this decision in favor of a different career opportunity that will give him more time for family and travel, he said in an April news release.
David Hornung, a foundation board member, stepped up to interim director during the search to replace Braun, and he will continue in the role for the rest of this year.
Sadoff is a Gulf War Veteran with a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Marian University alongside his superintendent license.
As superintendent for North Fond du Lac, he helped create the Oriole Nation Booster, which raises over $80,000 every year for students, contributing to academic, athletic, club, music and other art experiences.
During his time with the district, enrollment grew and a $29.5 million referendum funded a new elementary school and district-wide building updates. Sadoff also advocated for public influencing changes for the area and beyond and helped create a culture focused on people and the whole student, earning the Wisconsin State Superintendent of the Year award in 2019.
“We have a motto in North Fond du Lac: 'Working Together for the Success of All,'" Sadoff said in the release. "I look forward striving for this motto throughout the greater Fond du Lac community."
Formed in 1975 as a way to give back to the community, the Fond du Lac Area Foundation staffs six employees with more than 475 funds and more than $70 million in assets. Regional affiliates include the Oakfield Community Fund and Horicon Family of Funds, according to its website.
"(Sadoff's) track record of success, diverse range of personal and professional talents, and indomitable spirit make him the best fit for the organization’s continued success,” Hornung said.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/05/13/bird-electric-scooters-bring-new-transportation-option-fond-du-lac/9733694002/
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A flock of Bird scooters has landed in Fond du Lac. Here's what you need to know
FOND DU LAC – If you need a lift this summer, Fond du Lac is the latest city in the region to roll out rentable electric scooters.
The City Council approved an ordinance last month regulating the use and rental of electric scooters in Fond du Lac, and greenlit Bird Rides Inc. to bring 50 to 75 rentable scooters to the city as part of its app-based scooter sharing program.
The scooters launched Thursday, aiming to bring a flexible transportation option to city residents and visitors while replacing gas-powered car trips.
"Whether going to downtown or Lakeside Park, residents and visitors will now have a new way to get there,” City Manager Joe Moore said. “We expect the arrival of tThe scooters launched Thursday, aiming to bring a flexible transportation option to city residents and visitors while replacing gas-powered car trips.he scooters to bring economic impact to our city, with riders more likely to shop at local businesses.”
Customers can locate the nearest scooter through the Bird Rides Inc. app, rent it by the minute and leave it at their destination point, as there are no fixed locations where rides must begin and end.
The program brings no cost to the city, and a fleet manager with Bird will be responsible for charging the battery-powered scooters off-site and removing them from places that are not appropriate.
The scooters can be used anywhere in the city, whether a rider needs to get to Marian University on the east side or the industrial park on the southwest side.
However, riders must be over 18 years old, stay off the sidewalks and only ride with one person per scooter. They are also recommended to wear helmets.
First-time users can use the "warm-up" mode on the app to get used to the scooter before increasing speed, but the scooters are automatically set to a maximum speed of 15 mph.
Some areas of the city are off-limits, including the two downtown parking ramps, and the zones are enforced with a geofencing feature programmed in the scooters.
According to Community Development Director Dyann Benson, if a rider goes beyond the geofence boundary into an off-limits area, the scooters will get "really, really, so painfully slow that you just want to get back into the boundary so that you can go the appropriate speed limit," effectively annoying the user until they get out of the off-limits area, she said.
Additionally, the rider will be charged for that time and will not be able to terminate the ride.
For special events like Walleye Weekend or Fondue Fest, the city can work with Bird and alter the geofence temporarily so scooters cannot go into those areas during the events.
Though a fleet manager will monitor the scooters, riders need to park their scooters at proper locations so they are not in the street, in parking lanes or anywhere that blocks pedestrian traffic.
This is enforced through the app: Riders have to take a picture of where they left the scooter, and if it's not parked appropriately, the app will not let that user end their ride.
"Is it a perfect system? No, probably not, but certainly enough to be a detriment to those who think that they'll just throw things caddywhompus," Benson said.
The more you use the scooters, the more they learn
While the city is starting out with less than 100 scooters, the number might change in the future depending on ridership demands.
The scooters are seasonal and licensed, so they will be around until the weather starts getting cooler, then they will "nest" until next season, according to Benson.
If the city and riders have a good experience this year, then the license will continue into next year and the scooters will return. If they are not a good fit for Fond du Lac after all, then there won't be a need to reissue the license.
RELATED:Love 'em or hate 'em: Appleton residents air strong, colorful views of Bird electric scooters
The Bird system will learn about ridership demand, based on where rides are starting and ending, so more scooters could eventually be introduced to higher-demand areas, and the geofence could be adjusted to account for problem areas that arise.
The city did not go into this partnership lightly, community director says
According to Benson, Bird approached city officials late last summer to feel out the opportunity for e-scooters in Fond du Lac, and the process from there was slow and deliberate.
Several surrounding communities — Appleton, Green Bay, Beloit, Wauwatosa, Whitewater and Racine — already introduced the scooters to their residents, and they were surveyed on their experiences.
RELATED:Bird electric scooters could expand their range to Neenah, Menasha and perhaps Fox Crossing
RELATED:Bird expands scooter, e-bike rentals in Green Bay after hugely successful pilot last summer
The survey responses included in the April 13 City Council agenda showed mainly favorable reception to the Bird scooters.
Some challenges included getting residents used to the scooters and enforcing the regulations, but the communities also said Bird was responsive to concerns and helped them resolve those issues.
As for safety, Appleton reported four scooter accidents, Beloit reported nine scooter-related emergency room visits and Racine reported four accidents — one of which ended up with a hospital visit.
Instead of the city, Bird would be liable for accidents, and users get a liability waiver before their ride.
The Police Department has been a part of the conversation from the first step, and while Bird does everything it can on its end to make sure riders are being safe and appropriate, it can involve the department if repercussions are needed, Benson said.
For communities that found issues of underage riding, Bird implemented license-scanning in the app to check age. As for riding under the influence, the app has cognitive questions to determine potential impairment, Benson said.
Bird also provides social media tips for safe riding, which the city and the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership will share.
For more information on Bird scooters, visit bird.co.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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Delayed by pandemic, Aurora Health Center expansion moves along with inpatient, emergency services
FOND DU LAC – Construction is set to begin on new hospital and emergency facilities in Fond du Lac, and Advocate Aurora Health anticipates accepting inpatients by 2024.
The expansion of Aurora Health Center, 210 Wisconsin American Drive, was announced in 2020 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 70,000-square-foot project is now estimated to cost $74 million and will add an eight-bay emergency department and 10 new patient beds, for a total of 185,000 square feet of clinical space, according to a news release from Advocate Aurora.
For a particularly local touch, the center entrance will feature stonework inspired by "the Ledge" — the portion of the Niagara Escarpment that runs through Fond du Lac — aiming to encourage positive imagery for the patients.
Renamed to Aurora Medical Center – Fond du Lac, the new facility will partner with Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh and extend health care access to Fond du Lac and beyond.
Clinicians will be able to perform surgical procedures that require overnight stays, such as hip or knee replacements.
However, more advanced centers, such as the Oshkosh location, will continue to take care of sub-specialty procedures, including labor and delivery, cardiac catherization and stroke interventional procedures.
Jeff Bard, president of Advocate Aurora Health's North Wisconsin Patient Service Area, said with many Fond du Lac patients traveling for health care services, he believes the hospital could better serve them by offering convenient options nearby.
“Having access to high-quality health care locally is crucial,” he said.
The hospital will continue offering virtual care and in-person visits, and the expanded access to specialty care will address a growing number of patients receiving health care services with short-term or no overnight hospital stays.
Advocate Aurora Health is a founding sponsor of the Healthier Hospitals Program and aims to create operational efficiencies, sustainable environments and safer and more favorable patient outcomes as part of its commitment to sustainable practices and wellness initiatives.
For more information on Advocate Aurora Health, visit aurorahealthcare.org.
More:A flock of Bird scooters has landed in Fond du Lac. Here's what you need to know
More:Fond du Lac foundation welcomes North Fond du Lac's Aaron Sadoff as new executive director
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/life/2022/05/18/fond-du-lac-don-gorske-has-had-big-mac-nearly-each-day-50-years-guinness-world-record-title/9821166002/
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Fond du Lac's world record McDonald's Big Mac eater crosses 50-year mark with no plans of slowing down
FOND DU LAC - "Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame-seed bun" — that's what Don Gorske's been eating twice a day for 50 years.
It all started May 17, 1972, when Gorske's father sold him his first car, and the first thing he did with it was drive to McDonald's on Military Road and eat nine Big Macs, according to The Reporter archives.
From then on, he strived to eat at least two Big Macs a day, amounting to 32,944 of the sandwiches in his lifetime, as of Wednesday, and earning him the Guinness World Record title of most Big Mac burgers eaten in a lifetime since 1999.
He told The Reporter on Wednesday that eating the burgers is just as easy as it was back then.
"Maybe because I'm older, two fill me up more than they did in the '70s," he said.
Gorske has kept track of his eating habits and as many receipts and sandwich containers as he could all these years, and keeps memorabilia in the form of two displays.
One display holds the approximately 50 iterations of the Big Mac container, while the other includes the calendar from when he first started keeping track of his burger consumption and a comic from his 25-year anniversary, showing him eating his 15,000th Big Mac and having a heart attack.
Gorske would go on to double that number — and then some.
To celebrate his 50th year Tuesday, he held a party at the Military Road McDonald's, where he showed off his display with fans, including a busload of Kiel High School students.
Gorske's only missed eight days of burger-eating, most famously when he drove through a snowstorm in 1982, only to find McDonald's was closed. He also skipped the Big Mac on the day his mother died, as a way to honor her.
In 1997, The Reporter heralded him on the front page as "the man who flipped Big Mac records on their buns" as he celebrated his first 25 years and nearly 15,000 Big Macs. News of his commitment to the burgers went global.
Gorske's eaten a Big Mac in all 50 states and even Canada, but he still frequents the Military Road McDonald's — where it all began.
Friends and family would also bring him Big Macs from other countries, doing their best to keep them fresh on the trip home. But even without refrigeration, Gorske ate them anyway.
Over the years, he's been on numerous talk shows, including the "Rachael Ray Show," "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "Oprah." He was also featured in the documentary film "Super Size Me," which is often shown in high school health classes to warn about the health risks of eating fast food.
"I have no goal. I'll eat Big Macs until I die," Gorske said. "My wife says if she has to put them in a blender, it's over. But I don't think it'll get that far."
RELATED:Fond du Lac's Don Gorske eats milestone 30,000th Big Mac
RELATED:Big Mac maniac gets visit from Guinness Book of World Records
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/05/17/waupun-man-found-guilty-2019-beating-death-75-year-old-woman/9805010002/
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Waupun man found guilty in 2019 beating death of 75-year-old grandmother despite blaming cartel
FOND DU LAC - A Waupun man was found guilty in the 2019 homicide of his 75-year-old grandmother, despite his claims that the "cartel" was responsible.
Gregory A. Spittel, 33, was convicted of second-degree reckless homicide in addition to battery or threat to law enforcement, resisting an officer, disorderly conduct, and possession of both cocaine and drug paraphernalia, according to the Fond du Lac County District Attorney's office.
Following a neighbor's report the morning of Aug. 24, 2019, Waupun police found Carole Foreman beaten and in a pool of blood in her basement. She died at the hospital four days later.
Court records said the home that morning was in disarray, and Spittel was drinking and yelling at police after they arrived. According to the criminal complaint, Spittel attacked Foreman the night before because she provided information to police which caused Spittel to face drug charges and lose custody of his children.
RELATED:Waupun man charged with threatening police in drunken rage, while elderly woman lay injured
RELATED:Waupun man charged in beating death of 75-year-old grandmother
During the six-day trial before Judge Paul Czisny, Spittel's defense claimed the cartel was responsible for the murder, but the jury didn't agree, according to the district attorney's office
Fond du Lac and Dodge county sheriff’s offices, Fond du Lac police, the Wisconsin Crime Lab and the Fond du Lac County Medical Examiner assisted Waupun police with the investigation.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 20.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/money/2022/05/19/hobby-lobby-fond-du-lac-opening-completes-shopko-site-redevelopment/9825796002/
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Hobby Lobby is now open in Fond du Lac's former Shopko, joining Big Lots, Taco John's
FOND DU LAC – After a little over a year since the announcement, one shuttered business has become two major retailers.
Hobby Lobby, 618 W. Johnson St., opened May 13, completing the redevelopment of the former Shopko site announced early last year. Big Lots shares the property, with Taco Johns in the outlot.
Oklahoma-based Hobby Lobby sells crafting and home décor products, including fabric, needle art, custom framing, home accents, jewelry making, scrapbooking and paper crafting supplies. Fond du Lac is the 23rd location in Wisconsin — the previous-closest location was Oshkosh.
Corta Development and NETSREIT Corp. split the 102,000-square-foot big box store for the two retailers, aided by a $150,000 city investment, funded as a forgivable loan at 2% interest, with 20% forgiven each year over a five-year period. The city’s investment is secured with a mortgage against the property.
Big Lots was the first store to open, welcoming customers at the end of last year and celebrating its grand opening in February. Taco Johns followed in March.
Hobby Lobby is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. For more information, visit hobbylobby.com.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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Cedar Grove man flown to hospital with serious injuries after motorcycle crash in Fond du Lac County
AUBURN – A 54-year-old Cedar Grove man was seriously injured Saturday afternoon in a motorcycle crash in the Town of Auburn.
According to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office, the Fond du Lac County Communications Center received a call about the crash on County Highway GGG near Forest Lake Road around 12:12 p.m.
The sheriff's office said the motorcycle operator was not conscious or alert, and was flown by medical helicopter to ThedaCare.
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office is investigating the crash. Initial investigation found that the man was operating the motorcycle too fast around a curve and tried to brake but lost control. He then traveled across the roadway, struck a fence and several trees before coming to rest in an embankment, the sheriff's office said.
The man was not wearing a helmet and was traveling above the 35 mph speed limit at the time of the crash, the sheriff's office said.
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/05/23/chilton-man-dies-fond-du-lac-county-crash-town-forest-dump-truck/9899504002/
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Chilton motorcyclist dies in two-vehicle Fond du Lac County crash
Fond du Lac Reporter
FOND DU LAC - A 67-year-old Chilton man died Monday in a two-vehicle crash on County G in the town of Forest, the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office said.
The sheriff's office got a call on the crash about 11 a.m. Its preliminary investigation shows that a dump truck on northbound County G was attempting to turn left onto Chickadee Drive when a motorcycle driven by the Chilton man, also on northbound County G, tried to pass the truck on the left and struck its rear driver's-side tires. The truck driver was uninjured.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/entertainment/2022/05/25/juneteenth-celebration-fond-du-lac-kicks-off-june-4-taylor-park-ebony-vision/9829056002/
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Juneteenth celebration in Fond du Lac kicks off with food, live entertainment June 4 in Taylor Park
FOND DU LAC – Over a decade strong, Juneteenth festivities in Fond du Lac will kick off early next month.
Ebony Vision's 14th annual Juneteenth Celebration invites the community to enjoy live music, food, children's activities, raffles and community vendors from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 4 at Taylor Park, 115 S. Hickory St., in Fond du Lac.
Juneteenth is sometimes known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day or America's Second Independence Day, and celebrates the abolishment of slavery, according to Ebony Vision.
General Gordon Granger went to Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 to issue freedom with General Order No. 3, over two years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Many accounts claim to explain why the full liberation took so long, but the actual truth is still unknown, according to Ebony Vision.
Wisconsin became the 34th state to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth in 2009, and last year, President Joe Biden signed a bill to recognize it as a federal holiday.
"As a federal holiday, Juneteenth is supported not only as a tribute of African American freedom, but as an example and encouragement of self-development and respect for all cultures," Ebony Vision said in a press release. "It promotes and cultivates knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture."
As a local nonprofit, Ebony Vision aims for unity and inclusiveness in Fond du Lac and beyond through education and celebration of African American culture, and recognizing when the country made a stand to do what was right is significant to that mission.
"It is important that we share and grow with the community as well as have a voice in the community that we live in," the press release said.
Four major sponsors of the festivities are the Fond du Lac School District, SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac Region, the Fond du Lac Police Department/Cops for Kids and Kapco, which sponsors Ebony Vision's youth programs.
For more information, visit the Ebony Vision Facebook page or ebonyvisionfdl.org.
More:Lakeside Park lighthouse area to get pavement update, but some trees will be replaced
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/05/24/fond-du-lac-lakeside-park-lighthouse-area-get-pavement-facelift/9891310002/
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Lakeside Park lighthouse area to get pavement update, but some trees will be replaced
FOND DU LAC – Lakeside Park's lighthouse peninsula is set to get a facelift — and while there are no new structures planned, a few trees will need to be replaced.
With the pavement on Lighthouse Drive deteriorating, $210,000 is slated in this year's capital improvement plan for repaving, and Public Works Director Paul DeVries put two options in front of the Advisory Park Board Monday.
Both options included an 18-foot drive lane, angled parking by the marina, two parallel parking stalls near the lighthouse, green space and access to the lighthouse compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The option the board chose included extending the lakefront parking lot west into the green space, which means cutting down and replacing some of the trees. The board added to its motion that the impact on the trees would be minimized as much as possible.
Green space in the area will not decrease, but will shift, according to the plan.
RELATED:Food trucks, walleye and pride are just some of the ways to enjoy Lakeside Park this summer
The other option would have taken away 14 parking stalls facing the lake, making up for it with parallel parking in front of the lighthouse and along the drive's exit, though not along the lake.
Based off public feedback, the plans' main goal was to address pedestrian and bicycle safety. More information on both plans is available on the meeting agenda.
Also at Monday's meeting, the board welcomed new members James Misudek, John Papenheim and Dale Albrandt. It voted Amy Schingen as board chair and Papenheim as vice chair.
Meanwhile, Fond du Lac City Council will discuss Wednesday the feasibility study on the pedestrian bridge in Lakeside Park.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2022/05/27/silver-alert-issued-north-fond-du-lac-63-year-old-man/9970023002/
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Silver Alert issued in North Fond du Lac for 63-year-old man
Kelli Arseneau
Fond du Lac Reporter
NORTH FOND DU LAC – The Wisconsin Department of Justice issued a Silver Alert in North Fond du Lac Friday evening for a 63-year-old man.
James G. Holmes was last seen walking away from his residence 10 p.m. Wednesday at the 1100 block of Wisconsin Avenue.
He was wearing red and black pajama bottoms, a long-sleeve blue shirt and a black and green jacket.
Holmes is 5 feet 9 inches tall and 170 pounds, with green eyes, and a medium length brown and gray hair with a brown and gray "scruffy" beard.
Anyone with information is asked to call North Fond du Lac Police Department at 920-905-5555
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2022/05/31/3-lake-winnebago-water-rescues-reported-over-memorial-day-weekend-fond-du-lac-sheriffs-office/7451930001/
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There were 3 Lake Winnebago water rescues over Memorial Day weekend and everybody was taken to safety
FOND DU LAC - The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office assisted in three water rescues on Lake Winnebago over Memorial Day weekend, helping a total of 11 people to safety.
A pontoon boat carrying nine people partially sank after running aground around 8 p.m. Sunday on the west side of the lake near Fraction Island in the town of Friendship, the sheriff's office said.
On Memorial Day, authorities also assisted in rescuing a capsized sailboat on the east shore in Calumet County, as well as a flipped canoe near the town of Fond du Lac. Each boat had a single occupant, the sheriff's office said.
The pontoon and the sailboat were recovered and taken ashore. No one ended up in the hospital as a result of these incidents, but the man in the flipped canoe was arrested Monday night on suspicion of operating a boat while intoxicated, the sheriff's office said.
Contact Rebecca Loroff at rloroff@gannett.com or 920-907-7801.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/education/2022/05/31/fond-du-lac-high-school-classes-canceled-after-shooting-threat/9999252002/
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Fond du Lac High School classes resume Wednesday, day after cancellation due to shooting threat on social media
FOND DU LAC - Fond du Lac High School classes resumed Wednesday after a shooting threat that canceled classes Tuesday, with an increased police presence on campus.
Part of that increased police presence involved a police dog search of the school parking lots, which sent the school into temporary lockdown, according to the Fond du Lac Police Department.
Tuesday's cancellation came after students received a school shooting threat through Snapchat on Monday, superintendent Jeffrey Fleig said in a letter to parents.
Fleig said the cancellation was due to "the late notice of the potential threat and the events have occurred over the past two weeks."
Fond du Lac police traced the threat to three Fond du Lac High School students, along with one male subject who was attributed to making the comment, police said Tuesday evening. After interviewing the individuals, police determined the threat was unsubstantiated and no evidence of danger existed.
Police received notice of the threats around 3:30 p.m. Monday. According to police, a student said that while walking through a hallway Thursday, she heard a male subject say he had a gun. The student said she did not see any weapon or hear any specific threats to harm anyone, and did not report the comment to any staff or law enforcement. It was brought to police's attention after a Snapchat circulated with the information Monday.
According to Fond du Lac police, the police department continues to work closely with the Fond du Lac School District to ensure safety and will have an increased presence at all Fond du Lac schools Wednesday.
Police encourage students and families to immediately report any suspicious activity or potential act of violence to authorities rather than spread information to others.
Contact Rebecca Loroff at rloroff@gannett.com or 920-907-7801.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/education/2022/05/31/north-fond-du-lac-school-district-seeking-new-superintendent/9965283002/
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North Fond du Lac School District seeking new superintendent amid Sadoff's departure
NORTH FOND DU LAC - The School District of North Fond du Lac is looking for a new superintendent.
Fond du Lac Area Foundation hired current superintendent Aaron Sadoff as executive director, effective Jan. 1, after Sadoff served the district for 16 years.
The North Fond du Lac School Board will work with a CESA 6 team to find someone new for the role, and posted the position Friday on Wisconsin Education Career Access Network and the Wisconsin School Leadership Center.
The board welcomes input from families, staff and community members on what skills, values, experience and priorities they'd like to see in the next superintendent.
If the board members are satisfied with the applicants after June 9, they will interview three finalists June 20.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/06/01/fond-du-lac-public-library-eliminates-late-fees-reading-materials/9827002002/
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Reading at the Fond du Lac Public Library just got even cheaper as late fees are eliminated
FOND DU LAC - If fear of late fee shame is keeping you from checking out library books, you won't have to worry anymore.
As of June 1, the Fond du Lac Public Library has gone fine-free on reading materials, and existing fines for books and more are forgiven, just in time for summer reading.
The "Free to Read at FDLPL" initiative removes thousands of dollars in overdue fines, as well as barriers to literacy, so readers won't have to worry about money if they want to enjoy a book.
"We really do want to eliminate that stigma of 'I'm not going to go to the library, they're going to charge me,'" Lori Burgess, the library's assistant director of operations, said. "No, we're not going to charge if people want to read."
Library Director Jon Mark Bolthouse added that while fines are annoying to some, others are put off from the library entirely because of them, and the goal of the initiative is to provide equal access.
Previously, the library would block patrons after they've accrued $10 in fines, which is significant to people and families who have to choose where every dollar goes.
"For those families, we're eliminating that need to make that choice so they can continue to use the library and spend the money where they need to," Bolthouse said.
Now, families can go home with an armload of books, and readers can take their books to bed, at the kitchen table and all over the house without having to worry about missing one for an extra few days when they return that same armload, Burgess said.
"We're not going to penalize families for reading, wherever they happen to be," she said.
Fine-free libraries have been rolling through the country for years, and cities and universities — including the city of San Francisco and Syracuse University in New York — have studied the effects, finding that people use the library more often and even return materials sooner than the due date.
Other libraries in the region have previously gone fine-free, including Oshkosh Public Library, Chilton Public Library and Appleton-area libraries.
Ripon Public Library has a fine forgiveness program, inviting readers under 16 years old to forgive $5 in fines for every hour they read.
Book items are fine-free, but CDs, DVDs still held to their due dates
Materials going fine-free from now on include books, audiobooks, Playaways, book kits and magazines. Graphic novels, board books and books in Spanish are also considered books in the eyes of the initiative.
When checking out materials, patrons will continue to see due dates and renewal options on their account.
For non-reading materials, fines have been simplified: late fees for DVDs and CDs will be 50 cents per day, and equipment and WISCAT interlibrary loans will be $1 per day.
What if you lose a book?
Lost or damaged materials cost libraries significantly more to replace than late materials, so patrons will still be financially responsible in those situations.
With due dates still in place, readers will still have the usual 21 days to return or renew their book. A book will be considered lost 30 days after the due date.
Summer Reading Program entices all to beat the reading slump
The library's annual Summer Reading Program tackles the summer reading slump from June 1 through Aug. 14, and this year's theme is “Read Beyond the Beaten Path.”
Participants of all ages can record time they read this summer either online through fdlpl.beanstack.org, or on a paper card from the library, and earn rewards for every five hours they read, up to 20 hours.
Parents reading to their children can count those minutes for both themselves and the child, giving both the chance to earn Faris Gourmet Popcorn treats and coupons to Chapter 52 bookstore.
Readers also get a chance to win a grand prize at the end of the program.
Summer events alongside the program include animal-related education, weekly story times, crafts and more.
For example, Zoozort will show children exotic animals June 15, and though the Winged Wonders Live Raptor Program June 29, they will see specifically large birds, like owls and hawks. Children's performer David Landau will also visit July 13, along with Mad Science Milwaukee, which provides children with interactive science experiences.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/money/2022/06/02/ssm-health-heart-center-fond-du-lac-announces-expansion/9930274002/
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The Michels family lost its patriarch to a heart attack. Now, they're giving $3 million toward SSM Health's expansion
FOND DU LAC – One in three Wisconsin deaths are caused by heart attack or stroke, and SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac Region is taking a new step to expand heart care services available in the city.
The SSM Health Dale Michels Heart & Vascular Care center, 420 E. Division St., will spend the next year undergoing an $8.5 million dollar expansion to accommodate its growing list of physicians and heart services.
Additions will include a Cardiac Electrophysiology Lab, three new preparation and recovery rooms, a new private consultation room, renovated reception area, expanded employee spaces, a semi-private family waiting area and other aesthetic improvements.
Construction will start Monday, and the Michels family donated $3 million of the cost — their second donation to the center honoring the late Dale Michels, then-owner and president of Michels Pipeline Construction, Inc.
In 1998, Michels suffered a heart attack at home in Brownsville, and needed a Flight for Life helicopter to take him from St. Agnes Hospital to a Milwaukee heart center that could provide the care he needed, according to Michels's son and current Michels Corporation president Pat Michels, who spoke during the May 25 announcement at the hospital.
However, freezing conditions didn't favor the helicopter that night, and one of the engines wouldn't immediately start. The heart surgery Michels needed immediately upon arriving in Milwaukee was successful, but he suffered a stroke and later died from complications.
"If we would have had the Dale Michels Heart Center at that time, he'd probably still be here," Pat Michels said.
The hospital launched the heart center in 2006, then called Dale Michels Center for Heart Care, in an effort to avoid situations like his. The Michels family donated $1.5 million.
Now, the center provides all structural heart procedures except transplants and performs more than 500 electrophysiology procedures per year, according to SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac Region.
"While the rapid growth and advancements of our cardiovascular program would be an outstanding accomplishment for any community of any size, it's particularly impressive for a smaller community like Fond du Lac," Agnesian HealthCare Foundation Executive Director Shawn Fisher said at the announcement.
Cardiologist Tadeo Diaz Balderrama added that while it is unusual for a city the size of Fond du Lac to have heart care options at this level, every patient that received help has been a neighbor, sibling, parent or a son or daughter that didn't have to travel for care.
Heart procedures have grown more advanced since 2006, and the expansion aims to reduce wait times for patients and offer comprehensive heart care locally.
The first of the additions will be the family waiting space, featuring five semi-private areas for families to wait if a loved on is in the ICU or undergoing a procedure.
Kevin Michels, vice president of Michels Corporation and another son of Dale Michels, is a patient of the center and was able to get a stent close to home before his condition grew too serious, he said at the announcement.
"How many other people have enjoyed maybe a longer life with their spouse or family member because they can come right here in Fond du Lac?" he said.
For more information, visit ssmhealth.com or the SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac Region Facebook page.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/crime/2022/06/02/fond-du-lac-county-man-charged-threatening-shoot-legislators/7489994001/
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A 72-year-old Fond du Lac County man is accused of threatening to shoot state legislators
FOND DU LAC – A 72-year-old Taycheedah man is charged with making a terrorist threat after officials say he threatened to shoot Wisconsin legislators who vote to pass a bill allowing teachers to be armed in schools.
James R. Stearns made his initial appearance Thursday in Fond du Lac County Circuit Court. According to the Fond du Lac County District Attorney's Office, Stearns was taken into custody May 27.
The charge is based on two emails Stearns allegedly sent in late May. According to the district attorney, one email was sent to a radio host, in which Stearns stated he would purchase "the most powerful" gun he can, travel to Madison and shoot legislators who vote to arm teachers. The other email was allegedly sent to a Wisconsin legislator, stating that if the legislator passed legislation to arm teachers and school staff members, "people will hunt you down and your family like animals."
According to a criminal complaint, while speaking to officers before his arrest, Stearns said he "did not understand the seriousness of the threat and the way it was being taken."
The court ordered a $4,000 cash bond with conditions that Stearns has no contact with the legislator, does not possess any dangerous weapons or ammunition and does not use the internet.
“Political disagreement is healthy but we will never tolerate threats of violence, whether directed at our schools, students, government, groups, or individuals in our community," Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney said in a statement. "We will seek to hold those accountable that seek to intimidate, create fear or disrupt our communities through threats of violence.”
The charge of terrorist threats to cause an interruption of government operations is a felony in Wisconsin. If convicted, Stearns could face a fine of up to $10,000 and up to three years and six months in prison.
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case. Stearns is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing July 29.
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/06/02/fond-du-lac-county-special-election-decide-county-executive-tuesday/7470163001/
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Fond du Lac County's special election is Tuesday. Here's where, and how, to vote for county executive
FOND DU LAC - While Sam Kaufman is the only official candidate on Tuesday's ballot for county executive, county residents are still encouraged to get out and vote.
Kaufman is a Waupun-based attorney looking to be the first new county executive in almost 30 years. He is the Fond du Lac County Board chair and District 7 supervisor, and also serves on the Waupun Town Board.
Allen Buechel served as county executive from 1993 until he died at age 74 in late March.
As an elected executive, Kaufman would fill the rest of Buechel's term, which expires April 15, 2025.
Local officials and organizations are rallying to get voters engaged in the special election, including State Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt and the Waupun Chamber of Commerce.
"Please don't assume that he will automatically be elected just because he is the only candidate on the ballot," Thiesfeldt wrote on Facebook Tuesday.
The city of Fond du Lac will temporarily have fewer polling places for Tuesday's election, moving residents in wards 1 through 16 to the City/County Government Center, 160 S. Main St., in rooms F, G and H, according to City Clerk Maggie Hefter.
This means that voters whose regular polling place is the Fond du Lac Masonic Center, Sacred Heart School, Fire Station No. 1, Lakeside Park Pavilion, the police department, Senior Center, Aquatic Center or the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Fond du Lac campus will instead cast their votes in the government center on Tuesday.
The polling places at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds will stay the same.
Early, in-person voting ends Friday, and the city clerk's office will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents in the rest of the county will need to check with their municipal clerk for voting availability.
If voting for a write-in candidate, only registered write-in candidates will be counted, according to state law.
For more information on the election, your polling location and how to register to vote, visit myvote.wi.gov. Additional information on Kaufman can be found on samforfdl.com.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/entertainment/2022/06/03/hedwig-and-angry-inch-tour-fond-du-lac-county-bars-month/7485053001/
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'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' is coming to a different Fond du Lac County bar every weekend in June
FOND DU LAC - A Broadway show in a Fond du Lac County bar? This month, Fond du Lac audiences are in for a unique rock experience as local actors take their next musical on the road.
Impact Theater Company will bring "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" to a different Fond du Lac area venue every weekend of June, starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Hive, W4786 State 23.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch follows Hedwig, a genderqueer rock musician, as she recounts her life story through a concert tour in America — from childhood abuse in East Berlin to gender reassignment surgery with unexpected results and a disastrous marriage to an American soldier — all while her tour dates align with those of rock star and former love Tommy Gnosis.
The music, written by Stephen Trask alongside John Cameron Mitchell's script, shows inspiration from musicians such as Lou Reed, David Bowie and Iggy Pop.
Director Bree Gens saw and admired the show in Milwaukee in 2019, with its notable humor and vulnerability as Hedwig's story unfolds.
Long before its 2014 Broadway revival starring Neil Patrick Harris, the show was workshopped at the SqueezeBox in New York for years, and opened at a hotel near Broadway because the crew couldn't find a theatre to perform in.
"That was similar to our experience, so we decided to get creative," Gens said. "I thought, considering the nature of the show, that it would be a really cool show to move to different bars — we could work with other businesses and reach different audience members."
Impact Theater Company formed in 2019 "to impact the community by giving a voice to all groups of people through fearless theatre."
It debuted with a Carol Crawl that same year and then performed its first show, "We Are; We Will" in Annie's Fountain City Café in early 2020. During the pandemic, its virtual play "Six Feet of Distance Apart" kept audiences entertained in their homes.
The most recent in-person production was "Heathers: The Musical" last fall at Goodrich Little Theater.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch will star Raymond Sartler as Hedwig and Nicholas Lamers as Yitzhak, Hedwig's backup singer and husband.
A portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit Pride Picnic, and the June 24 performance will feature members of Pride Picnic selling merchandise and providing information and resources.
Here's where to watch 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch'
The show runs about 75 minutes long with no intermission, and is recommended for audiences age 18 and over due to mature themes.
Tickets are available at hometowntickets.com/impact. Performance days and venues are as follows:
- 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Hive, W4786 State 23
- 7:30 p.m. June 10 and 11 at 2.0 Ale House, 65 N. Main St.
- 8 p.m. June 17 and 18, and 2 p.m. June 19 at The Heist, 114 Watson St., Ripon
- 8 p.m. June 24 at Top Shelf, 90 S. Main St.
For more information on Impact Theater Company, visit its Facebook page.
More:Juneteenth celebration in Fond du Lac kicks off with food, live entertainment June 4 in Taylor Park
More:Food trucks, walleye and pride are just some of the ways to enjoy Lakeside Park this summer
More:Markets, music and mmm... cheese: 6 ways to enjoy downtown Fond du Lac this summer
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/sports/high-school/track/2022/06/03/sydney-arndt-gianna-trotter-of-fond-du-lac-aim-for-wiaa-state-track-and-field-titles-at-uw-la-crosse/7495775001/
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Sydney Arndt, Gianna Trotter have state track and field aspirations after 'terrible' experience in 2021
FOND DU LAC – The Fond du Lac girls track and field team is well-represented at this year’s WIAA state track and field championships hosted by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
A total of 17 Cardinals will travel for the two-day event, which starts Friday, led by a pair of seniors – Sydney Arndt and Gianna Trotter – both of whom are favorites to bring home an individual title in at least one of their respective events.
At last year’s state meet, Arndt – who will attend North Dakota State University in the fall – placed second in the 100-meter hurdles, third in the 300-meter hurdles and sixth in the long jump. This year, she’s the second seed in the 100 and sixth seed in the 300 hurdles with qualifying times of 14.58 and 46.12 seconds, respectively. She’s also qualified for the long jump again and will be participating in the 4x200 relay event.
Trotter, a two-sport athlete who will attend Minnesota State-Mankato, has secured spots in both the triple jump and discus events – the latter of which she is the heavy favorite to bring home first place after qualifying with the best distance of 149 feet. Not only is that a personal record for Trotter, it’s better than her closest competition by a whopping 15 feet, three inches.
“I expect them to go there with a lot more experience than they had last year, and I know they’ve learned from some of the mistakes we had from all the rain,” said head coach AJ Hollanquest. “They’re both rated really high and I think they’ll do well. Hopefully they get on the podium, that’s the goal for them.”
MORE:Ripon senior Celina Lopez looking to leap into state track and field history in final season
MORE:Here are 11 athletes to watch at the WIAA state track and field meet in La Crosse
MORE:'Marty is Fond du Lac baseball': Paulsen retires after leaving 54-year impact on city baseball
Due to monsoon-like conditions at last year’s event and the COVID pandemic of 2020, Arndt and Trotter are more determined than ever this weekend to wrap up their high school careers by bringing home some hardware.
“I would say, overall, state for me last year was terrible,” Trotter said with a chuckle. “With both of my events overlapping, not knowing how to go about that was stressful. With the rain, we had to throw in a discus ring with water up to our ankles and I did not have my throwing shoes. I had regular tennis shoes on. Between the instant switch – the quick change in the moment – as well as it downpouring and throwing against the wind, not being able to get a grip, it was all very frustrating. Then all the frustration just got into my head. Every year, besides my freshman year, has been a terrible state meet with either the rain or COVID interfering. So I would say the pressure is on, but I’m definitely ready. I feel great about state this year.”
Arndt has similar feelings of optimism toward this year’s meet and is determined to make up for the less-than-favorable conditions from a year ago.
“Last year was very stressful,” said Arndt. “You couldn’t get warm, or stay warm, before your events and trying to stay dry was just pointless, so it was rough. I’m excited for the nice weather Friday, at least. I feel a lot of pressure for this weekend, more than normal, but I’m definitely excited and I’m ready.”
No matter what happens this weekend, Arndt said her excitement doesn’t end at state as she’s looking forward to her future competing at NDSU.
“I’m really excited, ready to branch out and try new things. I think it’ll be interesting to be around a new dynamic and new people,” said Arndt.
Trotter, who will compete in volleyball and track at Mankato, said she’s used to the busy schedule and is up for the challenge the next level will bring.
“I’m just prepared to do whatever my first year,” she said. “I know I’m going to be busy all year-round with both sports overlapping, but I would say I’m ready for that since I’ve been doing it for the past however many years. I don’t think it’ll be much different than what I’m already used to.”
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2022/06/05/fond-du-lac-area-man-jailed-after-threatening-shoot-state-officials/7522202001/
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Fond du Lac County man jailed after threatening to shoot officials who support arming teachers
FOND DU LAC - A Fond du Lac County man was jailed on Thursday on a felony charge that he made a terrorist threat to shoot any lawmaker who votes to support arming teachers and other school personnel.
James R. Stearns, 72, of Taycheedah, was held in lieu of $4,000 bond after emailing a host at Milwaukee radio station WTMJ saying he would "purchase a gun, the most powerful I can purchase, and go to Madison and shoot as many people who vote for this law as I can before someone shoots me," Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney said in a statement issued to media.
He vowed in his mail that he was "more than willing to go down in a blaze of glory" to oppose a law that, if adopted, "would be the worst possible thing our country/state would ever see."
He also sent a threatening email to a specific legislator, saying the lawmaker would "be a dead man in 60 days of passing that legislation." Toney did not name the lawmaker, nor did he file a charge in connection with that threat.
Toney, who is a candidate for Wisconsin attorney general, acknowledged that "political disagreement is healthy," but said authorities would not tolerate threats of violence against individuals, schools or government.
"We will seek to hold those accountable," Toney said, "(who) … intimidate, create fear or disrupt our communities through threats of violence."
Stearns is next scheduled to appear in court at 2 p.m. on July 29 for a preliminary hearing.
Stearns' emails were sent in late May, according to Toney. He was taken into custody on May 27, one week before a different man in a separate case is believed to have fatally shot a retired Wisconsin judge who had once sentenced him to prison, then shot himself in the judge's home. Authorities said the judge may have been on a "hit list" the man carried that apparently included the names of two Democratic governors and a Republican U.S. Senator: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
More:North Fond du Lac School District seeking new superintendent amid Sadoff's departure
Contact Doug Schneider at (920) 431-8333, or DSchneid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @PGDougSchneider.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2022/06/08/menasha-man-killed-in-fond-du-lac-county-collision-identified/7551491001/
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Menasha man who died in motorcycle-dump truck collision in Fond du Lac County has been identified
Rebecca Loroff
Fond du Lac Reporter
FOND DU LAC - Officials have identified a 67-year-old man who died when his motorcycle was in a collision with a dump truck on Fond du Lac County G.
Michael P. Lotzer, from Menasha, was killed when his motorcycle hit the dump truck's tires. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office said.
More:Chilton motorcyclist dies in two-vehicle Fond du Lac County crash
Contact Rebecca Loroff at 920-907-7801 or rloroff@gannett.com.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/06/08/fond-du-lac-county-two-vehicle-crash-kills-pine-river-man/7557922001/
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Pine River man dies in two-vehicle crash in Fond du Lac County
SPRINGVALE – A 54-year-old Pine River man died Wednesday morning in a two-vehicle crash.
According to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office, the Fond du Lac County Communication Center received a call about the crash on County M, north of Davis Road, around 8 a.m.
An initial investigation found that an SUV driven by a 20-year-old Brandon woman was headed north on County M when it crossed the centerline and hit a southbound vehicle. The SUV traveled to the east shoulder of the roadway, where it stopped. The vehicle that was struck went into the west ditch and struck a utility pole.
The driver of the southbound vehicle was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the sheriff's office. The SUV driver was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.
The sheriff's office isn't releasing the name of the driver who was killed, pending the notification of family members.
MORE:Menasha man who died in motorcycle-dump truck collision in Fond du Lac County has been identified
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/06/07/fond-du-lac-hold-two-primaries-fall-2022-election/7467682001/
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Two Fond du Lac races have primaries for the fall election: Here's who's running
FOND DU LAC - Voters in the Fond du Lac area are poised for two primaries in August, according to nomination papers filed with the state elections commission.
Senate District 13 and Assembly Districts 39, 41, 42, 52, 53 and 59 are up for election for Fond du Lac County voters. County races are set for sheriff and clerk of circuit court, though both incumbents are unopposed.
Two assembly incumbents, meanwhile, are not running for re-election: Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt of the 52nd Assembly District will step away after this term, and Timothy Ramthun of the 59th Assembly District is running for governor.
Both assembly districts will have a primary Aug. 9 to decide which candidates will vie for the open seats in the Nov. 8 general election.
The deadline for candidates to submit nomination papers to the state was 5 p.m. Wednesday. Here are races and candidates voters will see on fall ballots, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. An * indicates a race that will require a primary; (i) denotes an incumbent:
Senate District 13
- Republican John Jagler (i), Watertown
39th Assembly District
- Republican Mark L. Born (i), Beaver Dam
41st Assembly District
- Republican Alex Dallman (i), Green Lake
42nd Assembly District
- Republican John Plumer (i), Lodi
- Democrat Theresa Mary Valencia, Lodi
52nd Assembly District*
- Republican Robert P. Thresher, Fond du Lac
- Republican Donald R. Hannemann, Fond du Lac
- Republican Lawrence Foster, Fond du Lac
- Republican Jerry L. O'Connor, Fond du Lac
- Democrat Joe Lavrenz, Fond du Lac
53rd Assembly District
- Republican Michael Schraa (i), Oshkosh
59th Assembly District*
- Republican Vinny Egle, Kewaskum
- Republican Ty Bodden, Hilbert
Fond du Lac County Sheriff
- Ryan F. Waldschmidt (i)
Fond du Lac County Clerk of Courts
- Ramona Geib (i)
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/06/08/sam-kaufman-voted-fond-du-lac-county-executive-seat/7552494001/
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Newly voted Fond du Lac County executive intends to build on Allen Buechel's legacy
FOND DU LAC – Sam Kaufman is the first new county executive in almost 30 years.
According to the unofficial results from Tuesday's election, Kaufman earned 5,447 votes, out of a total of 6,548 voters that took to the polls in an 11% voter turnout, according to County Clerk Lisa Freiberg.
Two registered write-in candidates vied for the seat: Tiffany Brault and Rick Gedemer. Across the county, Brault brought in 949 votes, and Gedemer brought in 66 votes.
Kaufman is a Waupun-based trial attorney and partner in the law firm of Vande Zande & Kaufman, LLP. He brings leadership experience from serving on the Fond du Lac County Board, Waupun Town Board and as vice president of the Fond du Lac County Town Association.
Allen Buechel, the longest-serving county executive in the state, died in March. He was first elected in 1993, and previously served on county board for 17 years, equipped to lead the county into the 21st century.
After working with Buechel, Kaufman wrote on his campaign website he intends to build on Buechel's legacy and work closely with the county municipalities and the community to solve any issues the county may face.
His priorities include economic and workforce development through present and possible future corporate relationships, and attracting families and workers to the county.
Kaufman will be sworn in 11 a.m. Thursday in the Legislative Chambers of the City County Government Center, 160 S. Macy St. He will fill the rest of Buechel's term, which expires April 15, 2025.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/06/10/fond-du-lac-city-council-discusses-proposed-park-development-ordinance/7553146001/
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Fond du Lac City Council gives first look at proposed ordinance on development in parks
FOND DU LAC – The city council has taken the first steps in a "deliberately slow process" to create a city ordinance on Lakeside Park, council president Patrick Mullen presented Wednesday.
The council discussed — but took no action on — two draft ordinance options at Wednesday's meeting. One option, available on the meeting agenda, would require public notice and input for any proposal involving a private entity creating or entering into a new long-term lease agreement of five or more years to construct a building in a city park.
The alternate option would prohibit the city from creating or entering into such an agreement.
At the meeting, Mullen offered a compromise between the options: if the council wants to approve a proposal for a long-term lease in the construction of a new building, then the proposal would "automatically go to referendum."
The public would have time to get informed on the proposal and make the ultimate decision on the project, he said.
With that option well-received by council, a future draft may specify that "automatically going to referendum" would mean in the next scheduled election, while adhering to ballot deadlines, and not result in a special election.
All versions of the ordinance were designed to not affect current leases and activities in the parks, Mullen said.
The proposed ordinance was created to address a council initiative to prevent long-term lease agreements with private entities in city parks without a referendum.
Last year, city council voted to terminate an agreement with a group of local business leaders collectively called Lakeside Forward, who aimed to build a multipurpose building with an eatery on the lighthouse peninsula in Lakeside Park.
The plan, which was called the "alternative master plan," also included adding an amphitheater and ice rink elsewhere in the park, but met with opposition from a collective of citizens.
"The alternative master plan was the most controversial topic in 40 years," Mullen said. "(The ordinance) would not have prevented Lakeside Forward from making their proposal, but it would have required that proposal to be approved by the voters before it could move forward."
Heisler added that with the division the alternative master plan caused, the only way to "heal" was to give everyone a vote and a voice.
Before a charter ordinance can pass, the council will need to agree on the wording of the ordinance, then provide notice of and hold a public hearing. Someone can file a written objection to the city clerk's office on or before the hearing, and the council would then have to hold the charter ordinance for 60 days before acting.
With no objections, the council could then vote on the ordinance at the next council meeting after the hearing, and would need a two-thirds vote before the ordinance could publish.
It would then have 60 days to go into effect, unless city electors file a valid petition with the requisite signatures forcing it to referendum.
City Attorney Deb Hoffman will use council input to adjust the wording of the proposed ordinance before it comes back to council. It will likely be another input item before council takes the next step, she said at the meeting.
Councilmembers Thomas Schuessler and Ken Cassaday were absent from the meeting, but will be able to provide input in the next meeting.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/06/13/miracle-league-eyes-fond-du-lac-accessible-baseball-complex/7553126001/
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Miracle League complex would bring accessible baseball, playground to Fond du Lac children
FOND DU LAC – An accessible recreation option is in the future for Fond du Lac-area children, according to a baseball league that provides athletic opportunities for people with disabilities.
Miracle League of Fond du Lac plans to create a park and playground at Plamore Park, 495 W. Division St., accessible for everyone of varying abilities, according to the city of Fond du Lac Facebook page.
The park would feature a custom-designed Miracle League baseball field with a cushioned, rubberized and completely flat surface to prevent injuries and optimize use for people who are visually impaired or use mobility devices.
Miracle League and its field would support players with cognitive and physical disabilities and visual and hearing impairments, paired with a "buddy" to play baseball together, according to the Miracle League of Fond du Lac website.
The Fond du Lac complex would also add an equally accessible, all-inclusive playground and a multi-purpose court for alternative activities, such as basketball or pickleball. A small parking lot, restrooms and concession area are also planned.
The complex was designed to support many disabilities, including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, visual impairments, hearing impairments, muscular dystrophy, autism, Down syndrome and amputations, among others.
The national Miracle League opened its first complex in Georgia in 2000 and now has over 300 organizations in America, Puerto Rico, Canada and Australia.
Fond du Lac's chapter is offered by the nonprofit Brooke Industries Inc. The city council approved the recreation complex in 2017 and the league has been fundraising ever since.
The 2022 city budget allocated up to $1 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act money to build the complex this year, deputy comptroller Tricia Davi said in December.
A public information meeting will present the plans at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Lakeside Park Pavilion, 71 Promen Drive.
A timeline for construction is not yet available, but site plans and more information are available at miracleleaguefdl.com.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2022/06/14/oakfield-oaks-take-regis-wiaa-state-baseball-tournament/7616984001/
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'We are definitely the underdogs': Oakfield baseball relishes chance to pull state tournament upset
OAKFIELD – For the first time since 2017, the Oakfield baseball team has qualified for the WIAA state baseball tournament and will play Wednesday at 8 a.m. at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute.
This will be the Oaks’ seventh state tournament appearance. Oakfield has previously claimed a pair of state championships, winning titles in Class C in 1984 and 1986. After finishing third in the North Division of the Trailways Conference, its return to the state tournament is the result of a 13-6 win over Iola-Scandinavia in the Rosholt sectional final.
The Oaks (17-5), who have won six games in a row, face a tough task against the top seed in Division 4, the Regis Ramblers (21-1) from Eau Claire. The Ramblers’ only loss came nearly a month ago on the road in a nonconference contest against St. Croix Falls – a 2-0 shutout.
“We are definitely the underdogs,” said Oakfield head coach Aaron Schepp. “We like that though. Regis was just at state last year as a Division 3 team, so their players have that experience. A lot of the guys on this team were watching at sectionals and state the last time we made it. They were motivated by seeing that. Now they get to play for, and have a chance to win, a state championship. Very few people thought we would do this, but we always believed we had a chance.”
Oakfield hasn’t won a game at state since winning the title in 1986. Brian Sabel, now an assistant coach and father of first-team all-conference utilityman Hunter Sabel, has fond memories from when he and his teammates brought glory to the village 36 years ago. He says one of the keys to winning it all is living in the moment and enjoying it with your best friends.
“The biggest thing I would say is the team chemistry,” said coach Sabel. “They can razz each other, but in the end they all get along. I told the boys that they will never forget this, and that 30-some years later I still talk to my friends about how fun of a season it was going to state. My hope is that they also will enjoy this as much as we did.”
Hunter Sabel, a sophomore who prefers pitching and playing shortstop, said his focus is dialed in on simply being better than the other team on any given day, while also helping his teammates improve at their game.
“We always play as a team and we always bring lots of energy from the dugout,” he said. “Once we get to state, all we have to do is play better than the team we're playing that day. Our hitting was great in the sectional games, so we are capable of winning these next two games.”
Coach Sabel proudly commented on his son’s positive attitude and humble personality.
“He is enjoying playing the game,” said coach Sabel. “He is a quiet kid, but I probably know him better than anyone and he really loves the game. He is extremely proud of this team and I really enjoy coming home after a game and listening to him talk about how one of his teammates played, and what they did. The excitement in his eyes when he says something like, ‘Did you see the shot Bailey ripped?’ or ‘Did you see the play that Mitchell made?’ It makes me proud of him. He is a little shy when someone talks to him about his own accomplishments.”
Coach Schepp noted that, despite being an underclassman, Hunter has received a considerable amount of respect from his teammates due in part to his work ethic.
“Hunter quietly goes about what he does,” said Schepp. “He gives 110% all the time in everything he does. The kid has a motor that doesn’t stop. He is a leader by example.”
Oakfield boasts three additional all-conference players this season. Sophomore catcher Bailey Schepp joined Sabel on the first team, while senior pitcher Matt Stahmann and junior infielder Cael Sabel – no relation to Hunter – were both voted to the second team.
Stahmann, one of five seniors on the team, said claiming a state championship “would be the perfect way to end my career at Oakfield.”
“It would mean so much to Oakfield baseball as well,” Stahmann added. “It would be a dream come true.”
He isn’t the only dreamer on the team. For Schepp, who not only shares first-team accolades with Sabel but also his humble mindset, it already feels like he’s living out a fantasy.
MORE:'Marty is Fond du Lac baseball': Paulsen retires after leaving 54-year impact on city baseball
“Feels like a dream,” Schepp said of making it to state. “I’m super pumped and I’m more than ready to take the field with the guys. All-conference was never a goal of mine. All I worry about is performance and if I perform like I know I can, all-conference was going to come. It’s always been a goal of mine to be a better leader. Leadership is huge and something every team needs. Captains were picked early in the season and it was me, Hunter and Matt. Matt is filling the role of being a leader better and better each day. Hunter is our leader by example. I have been more of the vocal leader trying to encourage and get the guys going. Leadership started off slow in the beginning of the season, but it is coming around now.”
The combination of a boost in leadership and increased energy all coming to fruition at the best possible time is, in part, what makes this team a contender that shouldn’t be overlooked.
“We’ve had a lot of guys have really good seasons,” said coach Schepp. “The guys who played last year have all improved on their performances in some way or another. Mitchell Moser, as a freshman, has come in and filled his role. He’s been asked to play third, shortstop, catcher and pitcher and he’s done very well. He has hit well for us in the two spot. We have also seen some nice things from two other freshmen, Davis Dercks and Owen Lawson.
“These guys are all good friends and have competed together in both basketball and football over the last two years. They have been through ups and downs. They have each other’s backs. They have become a family. A very goofy one at times.”
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/06/14/fond-du-lac-fire-rescue-gets-new-chief-erick-gerritson-promotion/7624525001/
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Assistant Chief Erick Gerritson promoted to Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue chief
FOND DU LAC - After an almost two-month process, Erick Gerritson has been selected as the new Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue chief, according to a news release from City Attorney Deb Hoffman.
The Police & Fire Commission chose Gerritson as a finalist out of nine candidates that had applied from throughout the United States and Canada.
His final interview was Tuesday, and the commission made its decision with the help of fire chiefs of Oshkosh, West Bend and Sheboygan who sat in on the interview, as well as results from two public surveys.
Gerritson was previously assistant chief of operations and has been serving as interim fire chief since April.
Peter O'Leary retired this spring after 13 years as fire chief and 30 prior years in fire service.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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'Quite an accomplishment': State semifinal loss doesn't detract from Oakfield's great season
GRAND CHUTE – The first Division 4 state baseball semifinal game started at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
The Regis bats finally woke up at 10 a.m.
The Ramblers scored two runs in the fifth inning and then scored 11 runs in the sixth inning to end the game, beating Oakfield 14-4 at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
Oakfield, which scored four runs in the top of the fourth to go ahead 4-1, finishes the season with a 17-6 record. Regis improves to 22-1 overall.
“I was just happy the way our guys battled early on in that game,” Oakfield coach Aaron Schepp said. “Once we got that lead, I thought we kind of relaxed a little bit. Regis is a heck of a team and we knew eventually they were going to have their inning. We just were hoping it wasn’t as big as it was right there. But proud of the guys and how they battled all season.”
Oakfield trailed 1-0 in the fourth inning before scoring four runs. The Oaks loaded the bases with one out off Cole Selvig, who was relieved by Zander Rockow.
Bailey Schepp was hit on the helmet with a pitch to bring in the tying run. After a strikeout, Hunter Sabel drilled a ball into the gap in left-center for a double to clear the bases and give the Oaks a 4-1 lead.
The Oaks loaded the bases again later in the inning but couldn’t push across another run.
“We had opportunities earlier in the game where we could have added on to our lead and tacked on and we didn’t do that, and that kind of hurt us at the end,” Coach Schepp said.
Matt Stahmann, the Oakfield starting pitcher, acknowledged the 4-1 lead might have left the Oaks a little too confident against the No. 1 seed.
“A lot of guys thought we had it,” he said. “I said, ‘It’s not over yet.’ But I’d say we kept it cool for the most part. We were confident, not too confident.”
Stahmann pitched into the sixth inning, recording one out, and left with one runner on base and his team still leading 4-1.
Bailey Schepp and Sabel tried to close out the inning for the Oaks in relief, but the Regis bats awoke and they combined to give up eight hits and 10 runs in the final inning.
The go-ahead run scored on a bases-loaded wild pitch, Caden Weber hit a three-run double off the base of the wall in left field and Mason Kostka added a two-run home run in Regis’ big inning.
“They were a great hitting team,” Stahmann said. “They were big. They just found the gaps. … They hit the ball well. They were a great team. It was a great game. One rough inning. But they were a good team, so nothing to complain about.”
Oakfield was held to three hits by Selvig and Rockow, who combined to strike out nine batters but also walked nine as the Oaks stranded 10 runners on base.
Sabel had two hits and Davis Dercks had the other hit for Oakfield, which was the No. 4 seed but entered the state tournament on a six-game winning streak.
RELATED:'We are definitely the underdogs': Oakfield baseball relishes chance to pull state tournament upset
“Quite an accomplishment for these boys,” Coach Schepp said. “Any time you get to state and you’re one of the top four teams in the state, you’ve got to be happy about that. We’re disappointed how the day went for us, but there’s only one team at the end holding up the gold ball and everyone else is disappointed.”
Stahmann, one of five seniors on the Oakfield roster, was happy to finish his career at the state tournament and is confident the Oaks will be back.
“It meant everything. I love the team. We’re all close,” he said. “Oakfield is a small town, so we’re all close. The young guys, we really got close this year with them. Took them under my wing and helped them out. They’ll be good in the future.”
Contact Mike Sherry at msherry@postcrescent.com. Follow him on Twitter @MikeSherry14.
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Fond du Lac Community Theatre will present 'Mamma Mia!' to kick off summer. Here are the details
FOND DU LAC - Pop music from the 1970s, an island setting and an air-conditioned theater are in the cards for anyone in Fond du Lac looking for entertainment as summer starts.
Fond du Lac Community Theatre will present "Mamma Mia!" at 7:30 p.m. June 23 through 25 and 2 p.m. June 26 at the Fond du Lac High School Performing Arts Center, 801 Campus Drive.
Through the music of Swedish group ABBA, the show follows Sophie on a fictional Greek island as she tries to find her birth father before her wedding — and brings home three men from her mother's past.
Under the direction of Maggie Patton and Mary Runde, 35 cast members will bring the story to stage, with new and familiar faces after a two-year performance hiatus, according to the organization. The show was postponed twice due to the pandemic, and also had to move from Goodrich Little Theatre.
"Despite the hiatus, the venue change, and cast and production team changes, I think we are blessed to have a fabulous group of folks working together to make our vision finally a reality," Runde said.
Runde and Patton have worked together in five other shows since their first collaboration in 2004, from "The Littlest Angel" to "Cinderella."
Tickets for "Mamma Mia!" are available at hometowntickets.com or at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts.
Season tickets are available on the Fond du Lac Community Theatre website, and are guaranteed to those who order before July 30. Season ticket holders get priority seating choice and reduced ticket prices to upcoming shows "Our Town" in November, "Disenchanted!" in February and "The Spongebob Musical" next June.
The 2022-23 season also includes a bonus production of "Footloose" in September and encore show "Newsies Jr." in July 2023.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
RELATED:'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' is coming to a different Fond du Lac County bar every weekend in June
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69-year-old Waupun man dies in motorcycle crash
WAUPUN – A 69-year-old man died in a motorcycle crash in Waupun Friday evening.
According to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office, the communications center received a call about a crash on Savage Road, north of Heideman Road, around 6:30 p.m.
An initial investigation shows the motorcycle crossed the centerline while traveling south on Savage Road. The driver overcorrected, causing the bike to go into the west ditch, where it rolled multiple times before coming to rest on the side of the road, according to the sheriff's office.
The motorcycle operator, from Waupun, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet. Speed and alcohol were not contributing factors to the crash, according to the sheriff's office.
The sheriff's office is not yet releasing the victim's name, pending notification of family members.
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/education/2022/06/24/fond-du-lac-school-district-board-member-tim-weddle-resign/7714614001/
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Fond du Lac School District board member Tim Weddle declares resignation effective July 7
FOND DU LAC - As of July 7, Tim Weddle will no longer be a Fond du Lac School District Board member, the district announced Thursday.
Weddle, who was elected in April, said in his resignation letter that he purchased a home outside of the district and no longer meets the residency requirement to serve on the board.
"It has been an absolute pleasure working with the board and administration," he said in the letter. "I am excited to see what the future holds for the Fond du Lac School District."
The board will provide more information on the process to fill Weddle's seat at a later date.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
More:Fond du Lac Community Theatre will present 'Mamma Mia!' to kick off summer. Here are the details
More:Fond du Lac County Board looks to fill District 7 seat after Kaufman's rise to county executive
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/education/2022/06/24/matt-mineau-appleton-new-north-fond-du-lac-school-district-superintendent/7714597001/
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North Fond du Lac School District hires longtime Appleton principal as new superintendent
NORTH FOND DU LAC - Longtime Appleton school leader Matt Mineau is now the new North Fond du Lac school district's superintendent, the district announced Thursday.
The board unanimously chose Mineau, and pending a contract review Monday, he will start July 1. He succeeds Aaron Sadoff, who last month accepted the executive director role at Fond du Lac Area Foundation.
“I’m looking forward to partnering with the North Fond du Lac community as together, we will ensure success for all our students — academically, emotionally, mentally and physically,” he said in a press release from the district.
Mineau brings to the role a history and political science degree from University of Wisconsin- Madison — where he was assistant drum major for the UW Marching Band — and nearly 20 years of education experience in Wisconsin. As of 2018, he has a doctorate of education in leadership, learning and service from Cardinal Stritch University.
He started out teaching social studies at Brookfield Central High School and Green Bay Preble High School before moving into school administration as an associate principal at Green Bay East High School.
In 2007, Mineau moved to the Appleton Area School District, starting as principal of Tesla Engineering Charter School and associate principal of Appleton East High School. For the past 11 years, he has been principal of Appleton East High School and Appleton eSchool.
Mineau's past achievements include expanding "Sources of Strength" for improving student mental health throughout Appleton School District, and helping create an "Advisory Time" program for intervention, support and planning for the future.
He also led the shift to standards-based grading at Appleton East High School, and during the pandemic, he addressed learning challenges in collaboration with secondary principals to add graduation coaches, alternative scheduling options, credit recovery opportunities and instructional coaches and interventionists.
The board hired Cooperative Educational Service Agency 6 to aid in the search, hiring and onboarding processes.
More:Fond du Lac Community Theatre will present 'Mamma Mia!' to kick off summer. Here are the details
More:Fond du Lac foundation welcomes North Fond du Lac's Aaron Sadoff as new executive director
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/06/23/fond-du-lac-county-board-seeks-replacement-vacant-district-7-seat/7710927001/
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Fond du Lac County Board looks to fill District 7 seat after Kaufman's rise to county executive
FOND DU LAC - Fond du Lac County Board Chair Steven Abel is accepting applications for the District 7 chair on the board of supervisors, he announced Thursday.
District 7 covers the village of Oakfield, Ward 1 of town of Oakfield, Wards 1 and 2 of town of Waupun and Wards 10 through 12 of the city of Waupun. The district map is available by request from the Fond du Lac County Clerk's Office.
Sam Kaufman resigned from the seat effective June 9 to serve as county executive. The chosen member will fill the rest of the seat's term, which expires April 16, 2024.
Candidates for the position must be U.S. citizens age 18 or older and have a residence in the district. Those interested can send a resume and cover letter with their name, address and phone number to the Fond du Lac County Clerk, PO Box 1557, Fond du Lac, WI 54936 or email to lisa.freiberg@fdlco.wi.gov.
The deadline for applications is July 6.
For more information on the board or district, contact County Clerk Lisa Freiberg at 920-929-3000.
RELATED:Assistant Chief Erick Gerritson promoted to Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue chief
RELATED:Fond du Lac Community Theatre will present 'Mamma Mia!' to kick off summer. Here are the details
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2022/06/26/motorcycle-crash-leaves-waupun-man-21-serious-injuries/7742784001/
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Strong winds, lack of motorcycling experience combine to cause crash that seriously injures Waupun man
WAUPUN - A motorcyclist was seriously injured Sunday afternoon when his bike left Fond du Lac County M and overturned several times in a ditch, ejecting the rider.
The 21-year-old man from Waupun suffered serious injuries, Sheriff's Sgt. Andrew Kohlmann said. The motorcyclist was flown to Theda Care Regional Medic Clinic–Neenah by ThedaStar helicopter after the crash, which was reported about 4 p.m.
Sheriff's officials said the man had been northbound on M near Amity Road in Waupun when he lost control of the motorcycle. Strong winds and the rider's lack of motorcycle experience contributed to the crash, Kohlmann said.
Officials said the rider had been wearing a helmet with a full-face shield.
Contact Doug Schneider at (920) 431-8333, or DSchneid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @PGDougSchneider.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/06/27/future-fisk-fireworks-fire-sky-risk-low-funding/7710947001/
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Fisk Fireworks’ final fête? Small community known for big spectacle struggles with funds
UTICA - Next year, Fourth of July may be a little quieter in Winnebago County.
Every year on July 3, the unincorporated community of Fisk, located about five miles southwest of Oshkosh, puts on a "Fire in the Sky" fireworks show to crowds of spectators from across the area, funded entirely by donations.
This year, the volunteers are significantly short of their goal, with only $355 of the $10,000 they need to put on the show, according to the Give Send Go listing as of noon, Friday.
The 2022 show is still on, but according to the Fisk Fireworks Facebook page, the first year the organizers have to pay out of pocket will be the last year of the show. Mike Christianson, one of the organizers, said donations are accepted through the end of July to reimburse the cost of the show.
"We raise it all on our own, and (the cost) just keeps going up," Christianson said.
The shooters and clean-up crew do the work for free, and the money instead covers the fireworks, insurance and port-a-potties, he said.
Every year, an additional goal is to fund a 16-inch shell, if the funds raised surpass the year's need. The largest shells the show uses are 10 inches, according to the Give Send Go listing.
The tradition started with Tommy Dodd, volunteer fireman and honorary Fisk mayor, working alongside a team consisting of mostly firemen from the Utica Fire Department. Christianson took over when Dodd developed glaucoma and couldn't shoot.
"The show's been here forever," Christianson said. "I've been shooting fireworks since I was about 18."
Community donations have funded the show ever since Dodd died in 2014.
New for this year is sponsorship opportunities: local businesses that donate will be displayed at the parking entrance.
This year's show starts at dusk July 3. Parking is available at the Utica Fire Department, with limited street parking available.
The fireworks shoot up behind town hall, and are lit by hand with a flare, rather than electronically.
"It's a little old fashioned, but we like it that way," Christianson said.
RELATED:Here's how Fond du Lac, Dodge county communities are celebrating Independence Day
RELATED:Assistant Chief Erick Gerritson promoted to Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue chief
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/06/28/reporter-wins-awards-wisconsin-newspaper-association-contest/7726912001/
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The Reporter's award-winning journalists bring home five honors for work from 2021
FOND DU LAC - The Reporter has received five Wisconsin newspaper awards for its reporting on local business, political history, environmentally-conscious farming and a local teen who landed a patent for a new fishhook.
The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation Better Newspaper Contest awards were presented Friday during the foundation's annual banquet in Madison. The awards honor newspapers from across the state, divided into classes by readership size, in a variety of categories, including reporting, photography, advertising, design and more. Stories up for consideration at this year's awards were published between September 2020 and August 2021.
Daphne Lemke received a first-place award and a third-place award for her work, and Sharon Roznik received two first-place awards and one third-place award.
Roznik, who has since retired, won a top award for a deep-dive on the history of the Republican Party amid former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in February 2021. Western Fond du Lac County factors in to the history of the political party, as a small white school house in Ripon is widely considered the party's birthplace. Roznik won in the Localized National Story category.
"A wonderful perspective and commentary on our current political climate and how we can learn from the past," judges wrote. "The parallels drawn between the circumstances that brought about the formation of the party and climate it finds itself in today were very well composed."
Roznik also won first place in Environmental Reporting with a story focused on farming tactics undertaken in the opposite end of Fond du Lac County, along the east side of Lake Winnebago. The story discussed no-till farming methods, planting of cover crops and the use of low-disturbance manure injection, and she spoke with those behind the efforts.
Meanwhile, Roznik's third-place win was for a feature story on a Fond du Lac STEM senior who landed a patent for a fish hook design that doesn’t let worms get away.
Lemke's first-place award was is for business coverage, based on a selection of her reporting on Fond du Lac County's economy. The pieces highlighted were:
- One year later: Here are 9 Fond du Lac businesses that closed, and 5 that adapted, during the pandemic
- Fresh faces, convivial spaces: Fond du Lac’s young workers are key to the city’s vibrancy. How do we keep them?
- Readers urge culturally focused efforts to keep young workers in FDL."
"This was a very well done, expansive look at labor and wellness challenges for one community," judges wrote. "It did a great, original job explaining the impact of the pandemic but also challenges that existed before and were exacerbated by it. The author’s efforts in explaining why keeping young workers in the area is important was clear and effective. The articles were well sourced, tightly written and flowed nicely together despite being separate stories."
Lemke also took third place in the daily newspaper division's "Rookie Reporter of the Year" competition, for which reporters early in their careers are judged in only daily and nondaily categories, rather than by newspaper size.
Of her work, judges wrote: "While this is a rookie reporter nominee, the depth of stories she is handling is not rookie reporter stories. She has written stories which take a lot of research, finding about facts, and putting all that information into stories. The stories are not easy to write for general interest. A good reporter now and appears to be one who will continue her work."
In addition to her wins in Fond du Lac County, Lemke also won two awards for stories she wrote while working for one of The Reporter's sister newspapers, the Door County Advocate.
Her story "Amidst Door County's rich tourism industry, working families struggle to find suitable, affordable housing" received first place in Enterprise/Interpretive Reporting. Lemke also shared a second-place award in Business Coverage with fellow reporters Chris Clough and Isabel Koyama. Stories recognized as part of this award were:
- "Wisconsin Dells, Door County tourism is surging, but businesses are struggling to find employees" by Lemke and Koyama;
- "The Dorr Hotel in Sister Bay honors Door County’s Scandinavian heritage, aims for younger guests" by Lemke and Clough; and
- "Room tax, short-term rentals: Here's what could change for Door County tourists as economy, environment shifts" by Lemke.
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin wins six statewide awards
In addition to the local awards collected by The Reporter, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin won six statewide awards, including three firsts. Here's more about those awards:
• Network staff, as a group, claimed first place in the Community Engagement Award Daily Division category for its school COVID-19 crowdsourcing. The judge wrote of the project: “This is a clear example of the good newspapers are capable of fighting for on behalf of their communities. The easy-to-navigate database, accompanied by an explanatory, detailed story on the situation, certainly gave parents and community members tools they were missing to make the best decisions for their health and safety. I have no doubt this project was successful in building community trust.”
• Reporters Natalie Brophy and Nusaiba Mizan won first place in the Ongoing/Extended Coverage category for their article series “Businesses say finding employees is their top headache. This series explores the trends behind Wisconsin’s workforce woes.” The judge wrote: “Such a timely series. Many have hear about the worker shortage, but this gives an easy-to-understand look into the intricacies of what is actually happening and what some of the proposed solutions might entail. Wonderful work.”
• Reporter Madeline Heim won first place in the Coronavirus Coverage category for her articles “As Wisconsin hospitals fill up with COVID patients, front-line workers sound the alarm” and “Contact tracers were supposed to be key players in fighting COVID-19. But as Wisconsin’s cases surge, they’re overwhelmed.” The judge wrote: “Madeline Heim takes a deep dive into pandemic coverage, providing readers of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin with in-depth coverage and personal stories of the public health emergency. The quality of her work, and obvious time and energy invested into her articles, shows. Congrats.”
• Reporter AnnMarie Hilton took third place in the Feature Story (Non-profile) category for her story “Everything you need to know about Wisconsin’s water towers: The good, the ‘evil,’ and the people who swim in your drinking water.” The judge wrote: “Through superb story-telling and fun anecdotes, this piece made waters towers — water towers! — one of the most interesting things in your town.”
• Reporters Jeff Bollier, Brophy and Mizan won third place in the Enterprise/Interpretive Reporting category for their series “Unaffordable: No place to call home.” The judge wrote of the series: “Ambitious project that used situations of a cast of characters as the vehicle to tell a story about the cost of housing. Those voices and their individual set of circumstances made the entire series of stories approachable and relatable. Nice concept, excellent execution.”
• Reporter Frank Vaisilas, a Report For America corps member who covers Indigenous affairs for the network, was awarded honorable mention in the Investigative Reporting category for his story “American Indians incarcerated at among highest rates in Wisconsin, as many as half the inmates in some jails.” The judge wrote: “Excellent piece which illustrates the difficulties experienced by an often under-represented group of people. Author demonstrates strong research and storytelling skills. Solid piece.”
The Reporter thanks its readers for their continued support, and aims to continue to serve Fond du Lac County and the surrounding communities with top-notch local journalism. To submit a tip for consideration or join the conversation, email news@fdlreporter.com.
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin staff contributed to this report.
Reach Taima Kern at tkern@gannett.com or 920-907-7819.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/06/30/father-sippel-celebrates-75-years-priest-near-100th-birthday/7711098001/
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This retired Fond du Lac priest celebrated 75 years since ordination. Next? His 100th birthday
FOND DU LAC - He was born before the Great Depression and, 100 years later, he still offers Mass.
Fr. Edward Sippel this weekend celebrated his 75th anniversary of his ordination into priesthood, in the same year that he turns 100 years old.
"Many remember him for playing a prominent role in major milestones of their lives — weddings, baptisms, funerals, First Communions, and Confirmations," the church said in a news release.
A special Mass Saturday at Holy Family Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, recognized both achievements and a lifetime of religious leadership and learning.
Archdiocese of Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki could not attend in person due to a wedding, but passed along a message and gift for Sippel through Fr. Jim Lobacz, the archdiocese's vicar for senior priests.
"A lot has changed since 1947, both in the church and in our world," Lobacz said on behalf of Listecki. "But one thing that has not changed is your call, your fidelity. The people benefitted by your ministry over the years are countless."
Sippel was born in Fond du Lac on July 2, 1922, and raised in a religious-centered household, where parents Louis and Della Sippel encouraged making a difference in the community, including through volunteer work at St. Vincent de Paul.
"I had so many great examples, and the first were my parents," Sippel told The Reporter in 2017.
He attended high school at St. Lawrence Seminary in Mount Calvary and, inspired to enter priesthood, studied at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee.
He was ordained June 7, 1947, and served in West Allis, Racine, Milwaukee and Waukesha. He also taught high school religion at various schools in Milwaukee and Waukesha.
Sippel returned to Fond du Lac in 1971 to serve at St. Patrick Parish, which later became part of Holy Family Catholic Community. He was a distinguished figure at the church, and a familiar face for important events in church members' lives.
"You get a great deal of personal satisfaction through this kind of work," he said before his retirement in 1991. "I look back and am pretty happy with the way I spent my life. We all have a need to feel needed, and being in this line of work satisfies that need."
Since his retirement, he's maintained his parents' legacy and continued to serve the community, offering Mass when he's called upon and having acted as chaplain at the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.
He also has helped maintain the garden at the congregation, as well as the Fond du Lac Community Garden and his own garden.
A recording of Saturday's Mass is available on the Holy Family FdL YouTube channel.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/education/2022/07/06/fond-du-lac-school-board-seeks-fill-board-vacancy-tim-weddle/7819581001/
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Fond du Lac School Board is seeking a replacement for Tim Weddle's seat; here's how to apply
FOND DU LAC - The Fond du Lac School District Board is accepting letters of interest through July 15 to fill board member Tim Weddle's vacant seat.
Weddle announced his resignation last month after moving out of the district.
The new member would fill the position until next spring's election, and applicants must be United States citizens, age 18 or older and live within the school district.
The board is looking for someone student-centered, community-minded and collaborative to fill the seat, with good listening and communication skills, flexibility and an eagerness to learn.
Meetings are held at 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, but applicants should also be willing to attend any special meetings as necessary, and participate on committees, attend school district functions and be visible in the schools.
Letters of interest should include the applicant's background, qualifications and desire to serve on the board. They must be received by 4 p.m. July 15, addressed to Linda Uselmann, Clerk Fond du Lac District Board of Education c/o Superintendent's Office, 72 W. Ninth St., Fond du Lac, WI 54935.
Interviews are tentatively planned for late July after the board reviews applications. Questions about the board or process can be directed to Board President Mark Henschel, 920-907-1608 or Superintendent Jeffrey Fleig, 920-906-6502.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/crime/2022/07/06/appleton-22-year-old-sentenced-20-years-prison-fatal-fond-du-lac-county-crash/7824039001/
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Appleton 22-year-old sentenced to 20 years in prison for 2020 Fond du Lac County crash that killed 2 people
FOND DU LAC – A 22-year-old former Appleton resident was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison for a 2020 drunken-driving crash that killed two passengers and injured two others.
In May, Samuel J. Coppersmith was convicted of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, two counts of injury by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle causing great bodily harm and knowingly operating a motor vehicle while suspended and causing death.
Following the 20 years in prison, Coppersmith will have seven years of extended supervision, followed by three years of consecutive probation, according to the Fond du Lac County District Attorney's Office.
The single-vehicle crash occurred around 9:14 p.m. July 19, 2020. Coppersmith, 20 at the time, was driving north on Interstate 41 and lost control of the vehicle, which rolled over just south of Townline Road in the town of Friendship.
Two passengers died: Malik Bridges, 22, and Nana Yaw Yeboah, 49, both of Appleton. Two other passengers, a 19-year-old woman and a 26-year-old woman, were injured.
A blood test taken the night of the crash measured Coppersmith's blood alcohol concentration at 0.122%, while a second test later that night measured 0.097%, according to the district attorney's office. Blood-test results also found 2.3 micrograms per liter of Delta-9 THC in Copperfield's system.
"This was a horrific crash in which lives are forever changed based on the actions of this defendant to drink, use marijuana and get behind the wheel of a vehicle," District Attorney Eric Toney said in a statement. "This sentence will not bring back those that were killed or take away the injuries and anguish from the victims and their families, but I hope it serves as a strong deterrent and message not to drink or use drugs and get behind the wheel of a vehicle.”
RELATED:Appleton driver charged with vehicular homicide in crash that killed two passengers
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/crime/2022/07/07/fond-du-lacdeputies-made-3-drug-busts-seized-marijuana-cocaine-fentanyl-interstate-41/7828490001/
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Fond du Lac County deputies make 3 drug busts on I-41 during last week of June, seize large amounts of marijuana, cocaine and fentanyl
FOND DU LAC - Three traffic stops on Interstate 41 resulted in five drug-related arrests during the last week of June, the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
On three separate days that week — June 28, 29 and 30 — deputies pulled over vehicles on I-41 for equipment, registration and speeding violations, only to find that each of these vehicles was carrying drugs, the sheriff's office said.
A Milwaukee man was arrested after resisting police June 28, two Appleton men and one Racine man were arrested June 29, and another Milwaukee man was arrested June 30. All face drug-related charges and were taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail, authorities said.
During that week, deputies seized 86 grams of cocaine, 64 grams of marijuana and 1,032 fake oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl. Later testing by the Drug Enforcement Administration revealed that 40% of the pills they tested contained a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl, the sheriff's office said.
The drugs "were likely being transported here for distribution just prior to the holiday weekend," the sheriff's office said, noting that the pills could have caused a number of overdoses.
Contact Rebecca Loroff at 920-907-7801 or rloroff@gannett.com.
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https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/07/06/alligator-found-long-lake-weekend-fond-du-lac-county-wisconsin/7824176001/
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An alligator that was found at a lake in Fond du Lac County awaits its owner at an animal rescue
OSCEOLA – Is someone missing an alligator?
A small American alligator, just about 2 feet long, caught the attention of some local kids along Long Lake on Saturday before it was handed off to Osceola Boat Patrol, then the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and finally J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue, according to the rescue director, John Moyles.
Now it sits at the rescue waiting to be claimed, and after a week, it will be surrendered to an accredited sanctuary.
Moyles said the alligator could have escaped its home as a pet or from a cage in someone's yard, or someone who couldn't or didn't want to care for it anymore may have left it behind.
This is the rescue's fourth alligator, and most of the time, the animals are surrendered from people who became overwhelmed with the care needed.
"While (alligators) make great pets, they don't make great pets for everyone," Moyles said.
With few laws on dangerous or exotic pets in Wisconsin, regulations are mostly up to individual municipalities. For instance, in Menasha, where the rescue is located, alligators are legal if they are smaller than 30 inches. In Appleton, however, they are illegal.
"Chickens are still illegal, but we can have 30-inch alligators,” Moyles said of Menasha's laws.
The "level of care" concern is the reason Moyles will surrender the alligator to a sanctuary after a week if it is unclaimed instead of adopting it out.
J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue takes in surrendered aquatic pets, but is also is part of a network of rescues that can handle other types of animals. Moyles said if there's a pet an owner can't take care of anymore, even if it's not aquatic, he and the rescue can help get it where it needs to be.
Moyles, who has worked in the pet industry since 1996 and has an education background in natural resources, began working with Sea Grant on exotic pet surrender events in the Fox Valley, which invited people to drop off pets they were no longer going to care for rather than releasing them into the wild. He then started J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue in February 2020 in an effort to help rescue more animals.
For more information on J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue, call 920-419-8839.
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
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