News 11.29.16
29 November 2016 News
Two people are arrested following a high speed chase in Fond du Lac County. Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Sgt. Nick Kahnke says on Saturday evening, the Sheriff’s Office received a request from the Ripon Police Department to help stop a vehicle they were pursuing. The vehicle left Ripon, traveled to County Highway M and at that point Ripon police stopped their pursuit. Kahnke says a Fond du Lac County Deputy then spotted the vehicle and attempted to make a stop on Center Road. The chase continued another 14 miles until a deputy used his squad car to force the vehicle off the road in the area of County Highway TC and State Highway 26. The driver, a 23-year-old Waupun man, fled on foot and was apprehended a short time later. An 18-year-old female passenger from Pine River was also taken into custody for an outstanding warrant. The driver is being held on felony charges of knowingly fleeing an officer and 1st degree reckless endangering of safety. He also faces charges of resisting, possession of THC, operating after revocation, and speeding.
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Two building projects are underway at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, but crews haven’t broken ground on a third that officials originally expected to finish this month. The construction of the Intramural Recreation Field Complex, a 4.35-acre facility for sports, will now begin in 2017. The $6.4-million complex includes a building for bathrooms and storage, a warm-up field, and a “super” field for soccer, rugby, lacrosse, flag football, and softball. It will be covered with a dome to allow for winter use. It’s the second time the project has been pushed back. Nathan Scott, director of student recreation, says this delay was due to the approval process to break ground. The State Building Commission approved it in December, and the Oshkosh Common Council approved it in October.
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Menasha aldermen have rejected a proposal to require homeowners to replace lead service lines on their property at their own expense, saying it’s unacceptable. Property owners could’ve paid between $800 and $2,500 to replace the lines, even though the city has received a $300,000 state grant to help reimburse property owners for some of the costs. Water utility manager Tim Gosz says the utility plans to pursue more grant funding for 2018. Menasha Utilities officials estimate there are 1,200 to 1,500 lead service lines on private properties. Lead service lines have been in the spotlight since scientists found Flint, Michigan, residents were exposed to elevated lead levels, which can cause significant health risks.
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Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos wants to make it clear that there are “No Easy Answers” for solving the state’s $1 billion transportation budget deficit. That’s the title of a 27-page document Vos distributed to Republican Assembly members in advance of the next legislative session, laying out possible solutions to the funding shortfall. Figuring out what to do about Wisconsin’s crumbling roads, and massive ongoing highway projects in the most populated parts of the state, is expected to be one of the most difficult issues the Legislature faces next year. Gov. Scott Walker says he doesn’t want a gas tax or vehicle fee increase. But Vos and other Republicans have said it’s irresponsible to delay projects and borrow as much as Walker wants.
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Homelessness in Wisconsin declined by more than double the national rate this year according to figures from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Wisconsin Public Radio reports that homelessness across the state was down about 6 percent this year compared to 2015. Department spokeswoman Gina Rodriguez says the number of people in Wisconsin who are chronically homeless has dropped by about 62 percent since 2010. She says the overall decline shows government efforts across the state focused on reducing chronic homelessness are paying off. Wisconsin Coalition Against Homelessness executive director Joseph Volk says he continues to worry about homeless youth in the state. He says families with children need more attention even though helping groups is more challenging than individuals.
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The Green Bay City Council is considering banning hard liquor sales at convenience stores. Another proposal before the council would give city leaders greater authority to revoke liquor licenses. Alderman Randy Scannell says the lack of a city policy has led to a piecemeal approach to granting licenses. Since October, the council has denied three requests by convenience store owners to sell liquor, while approving two others. The owners who didn’t get licenses said the decisions put them at a competitive disadvantage. Alderman Guy Zima is leading the push to limit liquor sales and has promised to vote against any new license requests. He says too many places sell alcohol, and that’s impacting the quality of life in city neighborhoods.
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