News 02.01.17
1 February 2017 News
A Lomira woman convicted in connection with a fatal traffic crash in Fond du lac County is ordered to pay restitution. Fond du lac judge Dale English ordered Heather Cleveland pay $10,000 in restitution to the family of the victim and the insurance company. The 28 year old Cleveland was sentenced last June to three years in prison and two years of extended supervision after she was convicted of homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle. The fatal crash happened in June of 2015. Investigators say a year ago Cleveland was texting on her cellphone minutes before her SUV slammed into the back of a pick-up truck that was stopped on Highway 23 waiting to turn left onto Willow Road. The pickup was pushed into the path of an oncoming vehicle driven by 63 year old Linda Trotter of Ripon. Trotter was pronounced dead at the scene.
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A former University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh business officer accused of illegally transferring millions from the university to its foundation claims the Board of Regents never objected to the moves. The regents have sued UW-Oshkosh former Chancellor Richard Wells and former Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Thomas Sonnleitner alleging they illegally transferred $11.3 million to cover construction projects between 2010 and 2014. Sonnleitner claimed in filings Monday that he briefed the regents on three projects in 2010 and 2013. The foundation’s president offered to discuss more details during the 2013 meeting but the regents declined due to time constraints. A report shows UW System Vice President of Finance Debbie Durcan sat on the foundation’s board and didn’t object to the university-foundation relationship.
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Fox Cities public schools are having a hard time finding enough substitute teachers. Neenah Joint School District spokesman Jim Strick says the district has about 20 spots to fill every day as teachers call in sick or take personal days. Filling day-to-day holes is harder than finding long-term subs when teachers take a leave of absence or have a child. Appleton Area School District human resources director Julie King says it’s easier to fill a spot at middle or high schools, where teachers with a period to prepare lessons can step in if needed. King says the shortage isn’t due to more teachers being sick, but retirements over the past several years that have allowed the district to hire young educators, who are more likely to take time off for maternity or paternity leave.
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More details are emerging about a bill that would allow opioid addicts to be involuntarily committed. The measure’s authors, Rep. John Nygren and Sen. Alberta Darling, began circulating the bill for sponsors Monday. The bill would extend the same procedures in place to involuntarily commit alcoholics to drug users. Three adults could petition for involuntary commitment by alleging the user displays self-control, is dangerous and is a child or indigent. The petition also would have to include affidavits of personal knowledge of the allegations’ basis. A judge would have to set a preliminary hearing and if probable cause is found a full hearing would follow. The bill is one of a dozen anti-opioid measures Gov. Scott Walker wants lawmakers to pass in a special session.
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More than 300 private schools have signed up to participate in one of Wisconsin’s three voucher programs next school year. State Department of Public Instruction officials said Tuesday that 163 schools registered to participate in the statewide program by the Jan. 10 deadline, including 11 schools that had previously participated in the Milwaukee or Racine voucher programs and 31 first-time applicant schools. DPI officials said 127 schools registered to participate in the Milwaukee voucher program, including five new schools and one school currently participating in the Racine program. Twenty-three schools registered to participate in the Racine program, including four new schools. One of those schools is currently in the statewide program.
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Current and former state leaders are kicking off a yearlong celebration of the Capitol building’s centennial by remembering those who designed, constructed, served, visited and protested there over the past 100 years. Gov. Scott Walker joined with three former governors, state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and seven former speakers, current and former lawmakers and other dignitaries at a celebration in the rotunda Tuesday. Walker says he can remember the first time he came to the Capitol as a fourth grade student on a tour. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson calls the Capitol the “center of democracy,” ”the people’s house” and “the most beautiful building we have in the country.” The kick-off ceremony is the first of several events being planned for this year to celebrate the building’s birthday.
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