Tuesday 11/20/18
20 November 2018 News
Menasha Man Pleads Not Guilty To Child Neglect Causing Death Charge
The 29-year-old Menasha man whose 18-month-old son died after an apartment building fire has pleaded not guilty to a charge of neglecting a child with the consequence being death. Vernon Williams was arraigned in a Winnebago County courtroom Monday morning. The fire happened on September 6th at an apartment building in the 100 block of First Street in Menasha. According to the criminal complaint a 3-year-old found a lighter and set a blanket on fire while Williams was sleeping. Two children escaped the fire, but couldn’t carry the baby. A neighbor woke Williams who went back into the house to try and save the child. The baby boy was taken to a hospital and later transferred to Children’s Hospital of Milwaukee where he died four days later. A pretrial conference is scheduled for January 28th.
Holiday Travel Reminders
The state’s Department of Transportation says the peak travel times for Thanksgiving holiday travelers will be noon to 8 pm Wednesday and again on Sunday. They also remind drivers about increased deer activity especially during the early morning and early evening hours. DOT Secretary Dave Ross says the State Patrol and other law enforcment agencies will be out enforcing traffic laws and assisting stranded motorists. You can also check Wisconsin’s 511 website for updated winter road conditions.
CWD A Concern
One of the biggest changes to deer hunting regulations this fall is the prohibition of deer baiting and feeding in Fond du Lac County. DNR Conservation Warden Bill Hankee says that’s because CWD was found in deer in nearby Washington County. “That’s due to Chronic Wasting Disease being discovered actually over in Washington County, but within eight miles of the boundary of the county.” Hankee says those who would like to have their deer tested for CWD can take them to the DNR Service Center in Oshkosh or their nearest DNR Service Center.
FDL County Highway Projects
Fond du Lac County Highway Commissioner Tom Janke says his crews were able to make improvements to county highways in the southwest quadrant of the county this year. “We basically had all our crews concentrate on Highway M in Waupun, Highway AW in the Town of Alto was a major reconstruct project, Highway AS in Alto, Highway JJ.” He says bigger projects next year will include work on County Highways C in the Town of Lamartine, Highway S in the Town of Auburn, Highway HH in the Town of Calumet, and Highway UU in the Towns of Eden and Empire. They will also have a major project with County Highway V in Fond du Lac.
LIFE FDL County Goals
Officials involved in the release of a new online data tool in Fond du Lac County hope it will help non-profits, the business community, and government entities build programs and initiatives that will make a positive difference in the community. L.I.F.E. or Local Indicators For Excellence Fond du Lac County is the result of a collaboration between the Fond du Lac Area United Way, Fond du Lac Area Foundation, and Envision Greater Fond du Lac. United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says it compares the County to Sheboygan and Manitowoc counties and counties in Illinois, Iowa, and Ohio. “But really compares Fond du Lac County to counties that were very similar to us in size, demographic, economic make up, areas that people would have similar hobbies and areas of interest.” Kilawee says the data can be used in helping write for grants and make more of an impact on the community for those using it. L.I.F.E. Fond du Lac County can be found online.
Dickens Hallmark Worthy
This year’s “Dickens of a Christmas” will be the 28th annual event. Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jason Mansmith says one of the newer activities connected with the weekend long event December 7th through the 9th is Fezziweg’s Festival. “In all honesty Fezziweg’s Festival was created when we moved “Living Windows” from Friday to Saturday a few years ago and we wanted to make sure if people showed up on Friday and they didn’t know about the changes they had something to do.” He says one of the highlights of Fezziweg’s Festival is the Fruit Cake Toss. He also tells us that this year’s “Living Windows” theme is “Santa’s Village.” “Dickens of a Christmas” recently merited a mention in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article titled “5 Hallmark Worthy Wisconsin small towns to visit during the holidays.” More information about “Dickens of a Christmas” can be found at the Chamber’s website.
WMH Cardiac Rehab Program Certified
The Cardiac Rehab program at Waupun Memorial Hospital has been certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The hospital was recognized for its commitment to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of care. Cardiac rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular concerns and pulmonary issues recover faster and improve their quality of life. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling, and support for patients and their families.
Holiday Office Hours
Green Lake and Waushara County offices will be closed this Thursday and Friday to observe the Thanksgiving holiday. In Green Lake County that will include the Government Center, County Highway Department, and Fox River Industries. Normal hours will resume next Monday.
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