Monday News 5/20/19
20 May 2019 News
Appleton Shooter Was Out On Bond
The 47-year-old Wausau man that shot and killed Appleton firefighter Mitchell Lundgaard was out on bond in a Fond du lac County drug case. Ruben Houston was released from the County Jail May 4th after posting a $500 cash bond. Houston’s bond was originally set at $5,000 cash, but County Judge Gary Sharpe allowed it to be reduced to the lower amount at a May 3rd hearing. Houston posted bond the next day. Houston was shot by Appleton Police during the same incident that claimed Lundgaard’s life. He died later at a hospital. Appleton Police Officer Paul Christensen and bystander 30-year-old Brittany Schowalter were shot by Lundgaard during the incident. Chritensen and fellow officer, Sergeant Christopher Biese each fired at least one shot at Lundgaard. They have been place on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
Click It Or Ticket Gets Underway
With the Memorial Day weekend coming up at the end of the week, law enforcement officials from throughout the state launch the “Click It or Ticket” campaign today. It will run through Sunday, June 2nd. Wisconsin DOT Secretary-designee Craig Thompson says the state’s current seat belt use rate of 89 percent is among the highest ever for Wisconsin. Yet failing to fasten a seat belt is among the most common traffic violations with nearly 51,000 convictions last year. When the state’s primary seat belt law went into effect 10 years ago the seat belt use rate was 74 percent.
Crime Stoppers Program A Success
The National Crime Stoppers program Green Lake County is involved in has been very effective over the years. The national program began in 1976 and Green Lake County joined it in 1993. Green Lake County Crime Stoppers President Kurt Rabenhorst says during a conference he recently attended he found out just how effective. “Cases cleared by Crime Stoppers 15,114, arrests 13,939 and payouts nationally since Crime Stoppers inception $1,917,527.” Chief Deputy Sheriff Mark Putzke says most people are not looking for a reward when they call or text in a crime tip to the program. He says about 70 percent go uncollected. The program is funded by donations and fundraisers such as a brat fry that was held in Berlin over the weekend.
Merkel Receiving Leadership Award
Former Fond du Lac City Council President Karyn Merkel has been named as the 2019 recipient of the Donald G. Jones Leadership Alumni Award. She will be presented with the award during a ceremony tomorrow at the Hotel Retlaw in Fond du Lac. The award was created in 2001 and honors the former area businessman who played a major role in founding and supporting the Leadership Fond du Lac program. Merkel continues to serve on the City Council and has served on a number of boards and will become president of the Fond du Lac Rotary next month.
Applications Being Taken For Marquette County District Attorney
Governor Tony Evers is taking applications for Marquette County District Attorney. The appointee will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of District Attorney Chad Hendee, whose resignation takes effect July 31st. That person will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term, which ends in January of 2021. Applications must be submitted by the end of this month. To get an application go to the Governor’s website and click on “Apply to Serve.”
Memorial Day FDL County Office Closings
The county offices in the Fond du Lac City/County Government Center, the Sheriff’s Office Lobby Window, the Portland Street Annex including the Veteran Services Office, the Department of Social Services and the Highway Department will be closed all day next Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Also next Monday the Moraine Lakes Consortium will be closed all day.
Yard Sale Safety Tips
The administrator for Wisconsin’s Trade and Consumer Protection Division says it’s best to do a little research before you shop for bargains at a yard or garage sale. Lara Sutherlin says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission does scores of recalls for toys and other products each years. “Toys at a yard sale for children you should also look to see if there have been any product recalls because when you buy items like that on a second hand market you are not going to be able to avail yourself to any product recalls.” Actually the Consumer Product Safety Commission has an app at their website you can download on your smart phone to check for recalls. Sutherlin also cautions to check anything you are considering purchasing that requires batteries for corrosion and any electrical items for frayed wiring.
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