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Friday 10/5/18

5 October 2018 News


Former UWO Student Files Lawsuit Against UW System And Former Professor

A civil lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court this week by a former UW-Oshkosh student against the UW System Board of Regents and a former UWOshkosh art professor who the university determined sexually harassed her. The lawsuit contends the UW System and former professor Michael Beitz violated the former students rights under Title IX (9) and the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. According to the student’s complaint the university, “acted with deliberate indifference to Beitz’ sexual harassment of the plaintiff.” The former student is seeking compensation from both the UW System and Beitz for physical and psychological injuries, medical and educational expenses and other damages. It is also asking the court to rule the victim faces sexual harassment discrimination and unlawful retaliation.

Twelve Arrested After Year Long Drug Investigation In Waupaca County

Twelve people were arrested in Waupaca County following a year long drug investigation. The Sheriff’s office announced the arrests this week. Undercover officers and confidential informants were used to gather evidence. Controlled buys were used to purchase heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs. Those arrested ranged in age from 19 to 50-years-old. Nine of those arrested and charged were from Waupaca.

Former Reeseville Man Sentenced For Illegal Sales Of Firearms

A Dodge County judge this week sentenced a former Reeseville man to six years in prison for illegal sales of firearms. Fifty-eight-year-old Kirk Bintzler was found guilty of two felony charges and eight others were read into the record and dismissed. In April of 2016 the Sheriff’s SWAT Team recovered approximately 35 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition from Bintzler’s Reeseville property during the execution of a search warrant. He purchased some of them through straw purchases at guns shows. A confidential informant purchased multiple guns from Bintzler over the years. After his prison term Bintzler will be placed on extended supervision for six years..

Community Invited To Take Back The Night Event

Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services will host Green Lake County’s “Take Back The Night” program next Thursday night at Playground Park in Green Lake. The event that invites the community to take a stand against domestic violence will run from 6 to 7:30 pm. Green Lake County Chief Deputy Mark Putzke says unfortunately they do see batteries, physical altercations and even murders going on in the community connected to domestic abuse. He says, “I’m aware that Captain Kevin Block of the Berlin Police Department will speak on a double homicide, domestic involved, that would have happened in Berlin a few years back.” Putzke says the event is meant to show support, draw attention, and help prevent domestic abuse incidents.

FDL County Board Of Health Supports Resolution Asking For Medicinal Marijuana Study

Fond du Lac County’s Board of Health this week took a couple of different stances on efforts to legalize the use of marijuana for adults. The board voted 6 to nothing against a resolution that would put an advisory question on the April ballot and also voted 6 to nothing for a resolution that would ask the state legislature to do a study on the medicinal benefits of marijuana. County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says the resolution on medicinal qualities of marijuana is something board member Marty Ryan came up with. She’s pleased with the outcome of both votes. She says, “What happened is what I guessed would have happened and what I hoped would have happened. So to me that was all real good.” Both resolutions will be considered by the County Board.

Oshkosh Choosing Rental Housing Inspection Method

Officials in Oshkosh the public to weigh in on a proposal for a new rental housing program. The City hopes to implement the new program next year. a program requiring regular mandatory inspections was suspended earlier this year because it did not comply with new state law. Right now the city is only inspecting rental properties it has received complaints about or tenant approved inspections of properties that have been deemed unsafe or unsightly. The city also inspects the exterior of properties. City officials want people to choose which of the current inspection methods they prefer.

Oshkosh Area School District Receives Second School Safety Grant

The Oshkosh School District was notified this week it received a second grant from the Wisconsin Department of Justice for school safety improvements. The District will receive nearly $550,000, which will be used to provide mental health awareness training for District staff and additional security upgrades. The District received a school safety grant in June for almost $460,000 and used those funds to enhance security practices and procedures throughout the District. Specific enhancements included the expansion of the District’s video surveillance system and the addition of shatter-resistant film to windows.

Grothman Campaign Ad Highlights Disability Bill Push

The first TV ad for Congressman Glenn Grothman’s reelection effort featured Yael Kerzan a woman with disabilities who has been working with Grothman to promote a bill that would remove limits on workplaces for people such as herself. Grothman says places like Green Valley Enterprises in Beaver Dam and Brooke Industries in Fond du Lac hire people like Yael. But an Obama-era rule limits workplace choices for people with disabilities. Grothman’s bill would change that. He says, “In Wisconsin right now you can not work at these facilities right after age 21 unless you first try and fail toward three places in the community.” He points out Yael’s disability has not hampered her desire to help others, while remaining an active, contributing member of the community.


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