News 2008-05-28 Andanh.com

Highway 151 Bypass options revised, realigned Tue, 27 May 2008 20:42:00 CST
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation unveiled several modified options for the route of the Highway 151 Bypass and threw one alternative out altogether Tuesday. DOT staffers led by project manager Paul Vraney met with stakeholders a group of interested local officials and business owners to discuss the tweaked options for the future highway, which included some surprises. In addition to stakeholders, a standing room only crowd packed the meeting room at University of Wisconsin Fond du Lac eagerly awaiting more news of the highway projects that could reshape development in the area. Two of the eight proposed options went under the DOTs knife during recent weeks and emerged with facelifts, including Alternative A3. That plan charts the path of the middle section of the Bypass from County Trunk V to Highway 45. In response to pressure from the Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors and Fond du Lac City Council, DOT staffers plotted three possible courses for a frontage road north of the Bypass starting near Mustang Lane and connecting County Trunk V and Highway 45. The DOT also displayed two slightly different courses for the freeway that would realign it eastward. The realignments are designed to reduce the number of homes and properties that would be affected by the thoroughfare, Vraney said. The DOT also reduced the number of options for the middle segment of the Bypass by tossing out Alternative D2, which came under fire early on from subdivision residents who would have lost homes under the plan. We heard a lot of negative comments about that option and after considering them very intently, it has been dismissed, Vraney said. Challenges facing the other remaining option, Alternative B1, were also considered. Both Fond du Lac Police Chief Tony Barthuly and County Sheriffs Capt. Dean Will members of the stakeholders group raised objections to Alternatives B1 and D2. In terms of emergency access, A3 is the only option that addresses public safety, Barthuly said. We spent a lot of time with our command staff kicking these around. DOT staffers also presented significant revisions to Alternative 23-7, one of three options being considered for the east segment of the Bypass. Alternative 23-7 recently came under fire from homeowners and others who objected to its course through the Niagara Escarpment. The modified option takes the freeway north and south of previous proposed routes in various places. The modified roadway could also accommodate an interchange at County Trunk T. Again, Vraney said the changes were made in order to avoid sensitive areas of the Niagra Escarpment, including a creek, and to reduce the amount of land the DOT would need to purchase in order to build it. As the DOTs corridor study moves forward, project staff will continue to refine the alternatives and review environmental issues. After Tuesdays meeting, DOT staff members stayed to talk to residents and answer questions.

PHOTOS SMS vs. Laconia baseball Tue, 27 May 2008 18:44:00 CST

In Your Opinion: Parking meters Tue, 27 May 2008 18:39:00 CST
The following is a sampling of comments received by The Reporter after we asked readers to comment on parking meters and downtown parking. A few years back I wrote to the opinion page about the cost of upkeep for them. I tried to contact the city about this but never have gotten a response from them. I would also like to know the meter maids yearly take home pay, my guess with insurance its about $28,000 a year. With the cost cutting at the Fond du Lac Health Care Center that you never read or hear about, the answer to this would be interesting. I would bet that parking meters are more costly than theyre worth. Somebody in the city building is making money from these and its not the taxpayers The books should be open and cost and upkeep should be front page next to the yearly intake from the meters. My guess is nobody there will man up (or woman up) because the money made from them is going somewhere it shouldnt. Frank A. Butler Jr., Fond du Lac We built a great big library and put parking meters all the way around it, parking meters on First Street for Fox Valley Savings and True Value Hardware, but no meters on Main Street. I dont think thats fair. Now you have to pay to read a book. Harold Kryzyanowski, Fond du Lac I think there should be free parking at the public library. I have used public libraries in many towns and I have never had to pay to park. Most city and county facilities have parking lots without meters. You can also park for free at the post office and all the local schools. It seems inconsistent to me to charge the public to park at the library but not at the other public institutions. I have taken children to the library for story hour. You cant always plan how long you will be in the library when you are with a 2 year old. I have gotten tickets because I was not able to get out and feed the meter. I have also spoken with parents who have had the same experience. The library is a great place for the children and it should be available to everyone. Public libraries are free, right Barbara Kalwaitis, Fond du Lac I have had a lot of bad experiences with the parking meters. I do not shop downtown, go to the library, the hardware store, or enjoy any of the other great places of this city that has parking meters. I find them a real public nuisance. I went to the library to check out some books. I put some money into the meter, almost 20 minutes worth of time. I thought I would have enough time to check out books and get out. There was a long line after I found my choice books and I found out that my library card had expired. All these events lead me to a parking ticket on my windshield for expired parking. Another ticket that I received was for a take-out order at a Chinatown Kitchen restaurant the very next day. I went in to pick up my order so I only put enough money in to pick up my order and I believe at the time it was for five minutes. So I received another ticket for a lousy few minutes. I do not understand why you cannot even enjoy a library without having to pay for parking or go to a restaurant without getting a ticket. It is ridiculous. I wish this city would let the people enjoy the better parts of our city without the fears of getting tickets for situations that are uncontrollable. I worked for a local hotel and found many customers complaining about the very same things. The tourists say there is not a good place in this town that is not marked by a parking meter. Some of the regulars even had the same things happen to them and avoid places that have meters. It is hard to find good parking anywhere in this town that is close to downtown without having to park in front of a meter. Local businesses, tourists, and even the locals suffer from parking meters. Eric Diels, Fond du Lac In response to the parking meters, I feel stupid because I always forget to put money in them. I have gotten a couple of tickets in the last year. Not because I try to get away with not paying, or I let them expire. Its simply because I forget. Emily Hoyt, Rosendale I think parking meters are a throwback to the past. They have made me keep change in my car to feed the meters. No it doesnt stop me from shopping downtown. Id have to see some figures to see what their actual financial contribution is. Richard Gaston, Fond du Lac Im a senior citizen and never had a ticket in my life. Im with State Farm and Im a safe driver. I parked in the lot at the UPS Store, and I went in there. I wasnt in there for more than five minutes. I came back out and I had a ticket and the meter wasnt even expired yet. Thats why I dont shop in Fond du Lac. Evonne Bolduc, Fond du Lac I despise parking meters and will park up to three blocks away to avoid them, like the plague. I dont agree with parking meters because they dont take debit cards and I rarely have cash on hand. We have a cash-less society. Dave Allman, Fond du Lac While I dont have any parking meter stories for Fond du Lac, I do for when I was a student at UWM. Only a few of the meters there were long enough to allow 6 to 8 hours of quarters/coins to be put into them. Tickets for violations were expensive (to a student) $20 or so. In the winter, the way students solved this with the old mechanical meters was to put the quarters in your mouth and hold them out in the cold for a few seconds before shoving them into the machine, where they FROZE IT and you got a whole days parking for .50 cents or so Necessity is the mother of invention Scot Mortier, Fond du Lac I really hate the meters in front of the public library. Every time I go it cost me at least $1 and I have to watch the clock as the meter person checks the lot frequently for expired meters. I really do not want to pay for a ticket because I was enjoying my time at the library. Also this lot has very few public meters it is mostly reserved parking so people often ride in a circle waiting for an open space. As a public place why cant there be free parking at the library Janice Lanser, Fond du Lac

Horicon man charged in teen heroin overdose case Tue, 27 May 2008 15:27:00 CST
JUNEAU A Horicon man who admitted to giving heroin to a 16-year-old Mayville girl who overdosed on the drug in March has been charged. Charles H. Johnson, 22, was charged with one count of manufacture and delivery of heroin Tuesday in Dodge County Circuit Court. If convicted, Johnson faces up to 12 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Johnson told investigators he met the teen on her MySpace.com Web page. He admitted they spent time together in person, according to the criminal complaint. The girl told police she purchased a small Ziploc bag containing a small amount of powered heroin from Johnson on March 16 in Horicon. Later that night, the teen snorted too much of the drug and stopped breathing. Her parents discovered her lying on the floor in her bedroom and called 911, according to the complaint. Mayville police officers responded to the scene and began administering CPR until rescue personnel arrived. The girl was transported to St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac. She has since recovered, according to the report. Johnson denied selling the drug to the girl and told investigators he gave her the heroin and told her to only do a little at a time. When told the girl had almost died as a result of the drug, Johnson responded, I mean it would suck (if she died), but something happens, it happens, according to the report. Police were able to track text messages on the victims cell phone, leading to the arrest of Johnson.

Gas tops $4/gallon in Wisconsin Tue, 27 May 2008 14:50:00 CST
MADISON With gas now averaging more than $4 per gallon in Wisconsin, AAA Wisconsin reminds consumers of gas-saving tips and Web sites dedicated to fuel information. The statewide average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas first topped $4 on Sunday, and today is at $4.02, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report. Local average prices within the state range from the high of $4.14 in the Milwaukee area to the low of $3.94 in La Crosse. Todays national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.94. Wisconsin is one of 11 states and the District of Columbia now averaging more than $4 a gallon for gas, said AAA Wisconsin Regional President Tom Frymark, citing the AAA Fuel Gauge Report. Our state gas tax and the higher cost of reformulated gasoline required in southeastern Wisconsin are the major factors contributing to our above-average prices. AAA began posting localized fuel information on the Internet in 2000, and now has two sites devoted to fuel issues as well as other online tools for consumers. Perhaps the best-known Web site is AAAs Daily Fuel Gauge Report (www.aaafuelgaugereport.com). The site a natural extension of the reports AAA has issued in some form since the 1970s averages prices paid at 100,000 gas stations across the country and posts national, state and local averages daily for each of the major grades of gasoline. AAA Fuel Cost Calculator (www.aaafuelcostcalculator.com) helps users understand and budget for the amount of fuel they are likely to use on a long-distance trip. After entering the trips origin and destination, and the type of vehicle being driven, the site calculates the miles driven, the amount of fuel that will be used and the cost. AAAs online trip planning tool, TripTik Travel Planner found at www.AAA.com, includes location and fuel pricing information for more than 100,000 U.S. gas stations. Using the planner, travelers can note the locations of convenient fuel stops along their driving route. AAA provides fuel-saving tips and advice to consumers through its AAA Gas Watchers Guide. Some tips from the guide include: Slow down. For most vehicles, fuel economy drops off significantly when traveling more than 60 miles per hour. As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas. Avoid quick starts and sudden stops. They waste fuel, are harder on vehicle components and increase the odds of a traffic crash. Lighten your vehicle by cleaning out the trunk, cargo areas and passenger compartments. A heavier vehicle uses more fuel. Stick to a routine maintenance schedule. Keeping tires inflated, moving components properly lubricated and ignition and emission systems operating properly will help ensure maximum fuel efficiency and extend the life of your vehicle. Consolidate trips and errands to cut down on driving time and miles traveled. When possible, combine them with your daily commute. Comparison shop by phone or online if possible before heading out on the road. If you own more than one vehicle, use the more energy-conserving vehicle as often as possible. If you are going somewhere new, get a map first from an online source such as AAA TripTik (www.AAA.com). Getting lost wastes gas as well as time. Keep your eyes open for low fuel prices but dont waste gas driving to a distant filling station to save a few cents. More detailed information for saving fuel and money can be found in the AAA Gas Watchers Guide, which is available at local AAA Wisconsin offices or online at www.aaanewsroom.net (follow links to fuel related materials). AAA Wisconsin, which serves more than 618,000 members, offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than 50 million members in the United States and Canada.

PHOTOS: Storms hit Iowa, Minnesota Tue, 27 May 2008 14:09:00 CST

PHOTOS: Two Rivers Memorial Day ceremony Tue, 27 May 2008 12:57:00 CST

Restaurant and bar changes keep city busy Tue, 27 May 2008 12:32:00 CST
Changes in the citys restaurant and bar business will keep the Fond du Lac City Council busy this week. Council members will consider granting three liquor licenses and a permit to sell alcohol at Lakeside Park at a meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, in Legislative Chambers of the City County Government Center, 160 S. Macy St. Mark and Patty Trepanier have asked the city for a liquor license in their bid to purchase Whispering Springs Golf Club, 380 Whispering Springs Drive. In their license application, the Trepaniers said they plan to make minor changes to the operation of the golf course, including offering a weekend brunch, according to city records. No objections to the couples application were raised during meetings with the Alcohol Licensing Committee and other city officials including Fond du Lac Police Chief Tony Barthuly. The Trepaniers have owned and operated Backyard Bar and Grill in Fond du Lac since 2004 and before that owned and operated Sunset Supper Club. City Council members will also considering granting an alcohol license to Michael Clausen of Clausen Investments LLC. He plans to open a corner store at 18 E. Division St. the former site of Robs Styling Salon. In his application, Clausen said he plans to operate The Corner Hub as a mini-convenience market that would sell pizza, sandwiches, soups, deli meats and cheese and other items such as beer, wine and soft drinks. The store would also have a walk-up window. Also on the agenda, is a liquor license change at Shooters Club, 101 N. Main St. Kiel resident and business owner Larry Schuricht is in the process of purchasing the downtown staple from owner Thomas Butzen. Schuricht said he plans to fix up the building and expand the operations food service, according to city documents. John Hoekstra, longtime Shooters Club manager, sent a letter asking the city to deny Schurichts license request. The letter questions Schurichts plans for the bar. City and police officials have not objected to any aspect Schurichts plans. Schuricht said he has not met Hoekstra and said the allegations are motivated by jealousy and anger because Hoekstra stands to lose his job. I dont have any problems with my bars, Schuricht said, pointing to two taverns he owns in Kiel and Manitowoc. Hoekstra could not be reached for further comment on Tuesday. Also on the agenda, is a request from the Fond du Lac Evening Optimist Club to sell alcohol at Lakeside Park Oven Island on June 15 during its annual Fathers Day car show.

FdL police bike auction Wednesday Tue, 27 May 2008 12:09:00 CST
The Fond du Lac Police Department will hold its spring bike auction Wednesday. The auction will take place in the Fond du Lac Police Departments west garage, 126 N. Main St., according to a Police Department news release. Doors will open at 4 p.m. for people to view the bikes and the auction will get underway at 4:30 p.m., according to the release. About 75 to 100 bikes will be available.

Wisconsin grandma wins burger showdown. Tue, 27 May 2008 11:58:00 CST
APPLETON A grandmother from Rhinelander is the winner of Applebees Big Burger Showdown. Barbara Estabrook and her Grilled Apple Bacon White Cheddar Melt creation were selected from thousands of other burger entries by a panel of judges including celebrity chef Tyler Florence, host of Food 911 and Tylers Ultimate. Estabrook won a trip to New York City and $5,000. Her burger will also be a featured menu item in 41 Applebees Neighborhood Grill Bar restaurants across Wisconsin. The Applebees location on East College Avenue in Appleton, which is the location which Estabrook entered her burger recipe, will host a dedication ceremony in Estabrooks honor to officially announce her burgers presence on Applebees menu. Estabrook is a retired real-estate agent with a black belt in karate. She is a mother of five children and grandmother of five. She enjoys dining at Applebees with her 92-year-old mother. We do a lot of burger grilling on our deck during the summer, so my creativity with burgers drew me to the contest, she said. Estabrooks Grilled Apple Bacon White-Cheddar Melt is flavored with tart apple rings, crisp, apple-smoked bacon, aged white cheddar cheese, thinly sliced sweet onion, balsamic vinegar and a red lettuce leaf.

Large FdL fight results in arrests Tue, 27 May 2008 11:28:00 CST
A large fight involving several people, some with crowbars, led to four arrests early Saturday. Police were called to 88 E. Second St. around 2:30 a.m. Saturday to break up the brawl, said Lt. Steve Klein of the Fond du Lac Police Department. An officer used pepper spray on some of the individuals to get the situation under control, he said. Four people were arrested, he said. More information was not immediately available.

2 boys accused of starting fires at FdL High School Tue, 27 May 2008 11:26:00 CST
Two teens could face charges for starting fires last week in a Fond du Lac High School bathroom. The 15-year-old boys were apparently starting pieces and rolls of toilet paper on fire in the bathroom before putting the small blazes out, according to a Fond du Lac Police Department report. A teacher walked in at 2:30 p.m. May 19 and noticed a burning smell, according to the report. The boys said they were skipping class at the time, according to the report. Charges against the boys of negligent handling of burning materials will be referred to juvenile intake.

3 FdL men arrested for car entries Tue, 27 May 2008 11:21:00 CST
Three Fond du Lac men allegedly covered two miles of city streets on foot early today, entering cars and stealing items inside. The men two 19 and one 20 were arrested in the 100 block of Walnut Street shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday, said Lt. Steve Klein of the Fond du Lac Police Department. The men said they started going into unlocked vehicles near Seventh Street and Park Avenue and proceeded down city streets in search of other unlocked vehicles, Klein said. An officer with his K-9 responded to Walnut Street and found the men. The officer warned the men that he would release his dog if they chose to run, Klein said. They were arrested, he said. Officers found a stereo, laptop and loose change on the men at the time of their arrest, Klein said.

Patriotic public invited to school program Tue, 27 May 2008 10:50:00 CST
Students at Rosenow School, 351 Weis Ave., will present a breakfast and program for veterans, service personnel, people who serve the community and patriotic citizens 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 30, in the school gymnasium. The All-American Appreciation and celebration of love of country will be presented by Alice Johannes Grade 1 students and Heather Meiers Grade 3 students, according to a school press release. Anyone interested in attending should RSVP to the school at 929-2996 by Thursday.

Girl, 3, hit by car in Kewaunee County Tue, 27 May 2008 00:26:00 CST
PIERCE TOWNSHIP A 3-year-old girl was struck by a vehicle Monday afternoon in Pierce township in Kewaunee County, the Kewaunee County Sheriffs Department reported.

Boat strikes, injures Sheboygan fisherman Mon, 26 May 2008 23:53:00 CST
A boat struck and seriously injured a Sheboygan fisherman Monday afternoon on the Fox River in Oshkosh.

CSA celebrates 150 years Mon, 26 May 2008 23:00:00 CST
About 500 people turned out Sunday as the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes celebrated its 150th anniversary with an open house at the convent, 320 County Trunk K.

Masked robber demands money from gas station worker Mon, 26 May 2008 23:00:00 CST
RANDOLPH Dodge County authorities are looking for a masked man with a gun who held up a Randolph gas station early Monday.

Police: Sleep disorder may be cause of accident Mon, 26 May 2008 23:00:00 CST
A driver crashed into the back of another car Sunday after falling asleep behind the wheel.

Heroes lauded at Fond du Lac Memorial Day celebration Mon, 26 May 2008 23:00:00 CST
A few thousand people gathered along Main Street in Fond du Lac Monday to talk with friends, spend time with family and honor Americas fallen soldiers.

1 hurt after car, truck collide Mon, 26 May 2008 23:00:00 CST
TOWN OF LEBANON A 20-year-old Fox Lake woman was injured when her car collided with a truck in the town of Lebanon.

Stranger at the door ends up in hospital Mon, 26 May 2008 23:00:00 CST
TOWN OF TRENTON A Dodge County woman called police early Saturday morning to report that a strange man came to her door claiming he was supposed to report for work.

Sen. Kohl keeps pick a secret Mon, 26 May 2008 23:00:00 CST
WASHINGTON Wisconsin Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold are among the 200 or so Democratic superdelegates still on the fence as Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama battle for the partys presidential nomination.

Waupun tavern may lose liquor license Mon, 26 May 2008 23:00:00 CST
WAUPUN The liquor license of a Waupun tavern that served the alcohol to a Waupun man who died on his 21st birthday may be in jeopardy.

Store brings catalog wares to life Mon, 26 May 2008 23:00:00 CST
RIPON Every day when Robyn Mockus goes to work, shes whisked away to the splendors of Asia and Europe.

Youth Baseball Picture Day set for May 31 Mon, 26 May 2008 23:00:00 CST
Fond du Lac Youth Baseball will hold its annual Picture Day celebration on Saturday, May 31, at the Youth Baseball Complex next to Woodworth Middle School off Fourth Street.

Agnesian offers sports program Mon, 26 May 2008 23:00:00 CST
Area middle school, high school and college athletes have the opportunity this summer to improve their strength, speed and power through Agnesian HealthCares SPEED (Sports Performance Enhancement and Explosive Development) program.

Starz take to the dance floor at Walleye Weekend Mon, 26 May 2008 23:00:00 CST
Walleye Weekends annual Dancin with the Starz competition will take place Sunday, June 8.

Madison brat fests 191,000 tops record Mon, 26 May 2008 23:00:00 CST
MADISON The Worlds Largest Brat Fest in Madison got a little larger this weekend.

Highway 45 closures announced due to construction Mon, 26 May 2008 15:58:00 CST
Construction along U.S. Highway 45 will impact drivers beginning Tuesday, May 27.

PHOTOS: More Memorial Day parade Mon, 26 May 2008 12:51:00 CST

PHOTOS: Memorial Day parade Mon, 26 May 2008 12:33:00 CST
Fond du Lac area residents watch and participate in the Memorial day parade held Monday on Main Street.

Westfield man dies in one-vehicle crash Mon, 26 May 2008 15:51:00 CST
A Westfield man was killed in a one-vehicle crash early Monday morning in Marquette County.

UPDATE: Woman, 41, charged with sexual assault of 13-year-old boy Tue, 27 May 2008 16:03:00 CST
Police discovered relationship after boy pulled over for driving on U.S. Highway 41.

Boys accused of starting fires at high school Tue, 27 May 2008 18:07:00 CST
Two teens could face charges for starting fires last week in a Fond du Lac High School bathroom. The 15-year-old boys were apparently starting pieces and rolls of toilet paper on fire in the bathroom before putting the small blazes out, according to a Fond du Lac Police Department report. A teacher walked in at 2:30 p.m. May 19 and noticed a burning smell, according to the report. The boys said they were skipping class at the time, according to the report. Charges against the boys of negligent handling of burning materials will be referred to juvenile intake.

Man stabbed with scissors during domestic dispute Tue, 27 May 2008 18:07:00 CST
GRAND CHUTE A young man was taken to an Appleton hospital today with stab wounds he suffered in an apparent domestic dispute.

Appleton mayor Tim Hanna hospitalized Tue, 27 May 2008 17:20:00 CST
APPLETON Mayor Tim Hanna has been hospitalized since the weekend for an undisclosed medical emergency, but a city spokesman said he will return to work next week.

bSpotlight letter: /b City should slow down on water treatment tower Tue, 27 May 2008 15:37:00 CST
The old Oshkosh water treatment plant tower is prominent, tall, free standing, with classic style architecture, and has a powerful appearance as well a function as a navigational aid, showing those on Lake Winnebago and the shore the way to a safe haven in Oshkosh. It deserves to be preserved and it will soon become a potent symbol for Oshkosh and its residents and visitors. Suburbs and track developments all over the country are constructing clock towers and other prominent tall structures to give their town a symbol that people can call theirs. Here we have one that we can call ours and the powers that be including those above them want it down At least get some definite figures of what the cost will be, etc., if that is the true problem.Lets preserve this magnificent landmark bDelano E. Zimmerman /bNeenah

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