Monday 1/7/19
7 January 2019 News
Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over Results Announced
Twenty-four people were arrested during the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement effort over the holidays in Fond du Lac County. According to Sheriff’s Captain Bill Tadych there were also 16 drug arrests, 4 felony arrests, and 5 misdemeanor arrests during the effort which ran December 14th through January 1st. Also during those traffic stops citations were issued for 9 seat belt violations, 180 speeding violations, 44 operating after revocation or suspension violations, and 5 traffic sign or traffic light violations. In addition to the Sheriff’s Department police departments from the City and Town of Ripon, Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, Oakfield, Brandon, Rosendale, Campbellsport, and Waupun participated in the enforcement campaign.
Fatal Accident Stats
Green Lake County Chief Deputy Sheriff Mark Putzke says they’ve been fortunate over the past two years to have had no fatal traffic accidents. He asked the state for numbers since 2000 and three times during that period there were no fatal traffic accidents during a year. “We had a high of four in 2009. 2008 there were zero and then “17” and “18” there were also zero. Our average is right about 2 1/2 to 3 per year.” He says top factors in their fatal accidents over the years have been failure to have control and driver condition. Inattentive driving was a close third. Putzke says drug and alcohol use and fatigue were some of the conditions that affected drivers.
Sheriff Fink Comments On Transition
Outgoing Fond du Lac County Sheriff Mick Fink is confident in the people who will take over the department with his retirement. Chief Deputy Ryan Waldschmidt was elected Sheriff in November and will be sworn in today. Kevin Galske will be the Chief Deputy, Bill Tadych Captain of Operations, and Captain Jim Borgen will be the Jail Administrator. Fink says it is a good group. “There is a real talented group that I think can carry on you know we always called it the image and tradition of the place. We really are proud of what we accomplished.” Over the last 32 years Fond du Lac County has had three Sheriff’s, Jim Gilmore, Gary Pucker and Fink. Gilmore served 12 years, Pucker 8 years and Fink 12 years.
Milwaukee Woman Allegedly Smuggled Drugs Into Waupun Prison
Dodge County prosecutors have charged a 54-year-old Milwaukee woman for allegedly trying to smuggle drugs into Waupun Correctional. According to the criminal complaint Lori Ann Neumann dropped two balloons into an inmate’s coffee cup during visitation New Year’s Day. One had marijuana in it and the other contained cocaine. She’s free on a $1,000 signature bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled next month.
Congressman Seeks Medal Of Honor For FDL WWII Hero
Congressman Glenn Grothman has introduced legislation to award Fond du Lac native James “Maggie” Megellas the Medal of Honor. The bill authorizes and requests President Donald Trump to award Megellas with the United States’ highest military honor for the courage he showed during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Grothman says Megellas saved countless lives during the battle and stopped the advance of enemy troops without thought of his own life. There have been several previous attempts to get Megellas the Medal of Honor including legislation introduced by Grothman and Senator Ron Johnson and former Congressman Tom Petri. Megellas is a Ripon College graduate and was the first president of the Fond du Lac City Council.
Busy Year For The Ripon Area Chamber Of Commerce
The executive director of the Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce says if he has to sum up the year they had in 2018 one word comes to mind. “Four letters B-U-S-Y, busy. It is a constant stream of things coming in and out of our office. Of course we are already planning Dickens for 2019. We work on that 12 months out of the year.” Jason Mansmith says all of their entertainment is planned for Septemberfest they are ready to go on that. He notes Cookie Daze is planned and ready. There’s a Wine Walk coming up, and a few other things too. He describes 2019 as looking pretty fantastic.
Diggers Training Session
Contractors, excavators, builders, landscapers, municipal workers and utility workers are encouraged to attend the Diggers Hotline 2019 Excavator Safety Awareness Program. Diggers Hotline and the Damage Prevention Council of Wisconsin are holding a series of safety meetings throughout the state. They promote safe digging practices and emphasize the importance of calling 811 before you dig. Upcoming sessions include sessions in Fond du Lac and Oshkosh on Tuesday, January 22nd at 7 am and 5 pm respectively. To attend register online at diggershotline.com. Alliant Energy is a participant in the sessions.
Senator Feyen Schedules Town Hall Meeting
State Senator Dan Feyen of Fond du Lac will be hosting a Town Hall meeting in the Town of Empire this Wednesday. The Senator will be available to talk with constituents from the 18th Senate District about issues that are important to them and to field requests for assistance on state issues. The meeting is from 6 to 7 pm at the Empire Town Hall. Senator Feyen will also be meeting with the town board members to gather input on their priorities for the 2019-20 state budget and legislative session.
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