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Wednesday 9/19/18

19 September 2018 News


Operator In Fatal Boat Crash Was Not Intoxicated

Although a report by a state lab showed both boat operators in a fatal boat crash on Lake Winnebago last month had been drinking an attorney for one those operators says their client was more than three times under the legal limit for intoxication. Kim Laabs was operating a boat that 26-year-old Lauren and 20-year-old Cassie Laabs were thrown out of resulting in their deaths. The blood test was taken 2 1/2 hours after the two boats collided. A report states the Laabs’ boat was traveling between 10 to 20 miles an hour and the other boat was operating between 21 to 40 miles an hour when they collided. Investigators say no one in either craft was wearing a life preserver during the August 18th crash.

Waupun Cleanup Effort Continues

Waupun Publick Works crews remain busy picking up brush and debris from curbsides more than two weeks after straight line winds caused considerable damage. That service will continue for the immediate future. The city’s annual bulky waste pickup October 8th through the 10th is also expected to help residents. Residents are being allowed to place damaged items curbside on normally scheduled garbage pickup day. The National Weather Service did confirm a tornado on Hemp Road near Waupun on August 28th. Waupun Utlities is also making final repairs to local infrastructure.

FDL Man Appears On Bomb Threat Charge

An initial hearing was held this week for a 22-year-old Fond du Lac man facing a felony charge in Dodge County Court for allegedly threatening to blow up the Fox Lake company he works for. Juan Gonzalez was released on a $1,000 signature bond and will be back in court for a preliminary hearing on November 8th. A Sheriff’s deputy investigated the threat at Karavan Trailers August 23rd. According to the criminal complaint Gonzalez allegedly warned two other employees not to come back to work the next day because he was going to blow up the building. A human resources official for the company got wind of the conversation and reported it to the deputy. Workers who had the conversation with Gonzalez told the deputy he seemed serious when he made the threat.

NBEAT Purchasing Two Banking Centers

National Exchange Bank & Trust headquartered in Fond du Lac has reached an agreement with Wisconsin Bank & Trust, a subsidiary of Heartland Financial USA, to purchase the assets of two of its banking centers in Chilton and Elkhart Lake. National Exchange Chairman of the Board Peter Stone made the announcement Tuesday. All current banking center employees will be retained by National Exchange Bank & Trust. National Bank & Trust banking services in Elkhart Lake will be combined into the current Wisconsin Bank & Trust facility, which will allow for the addition of drive-up services for current National Exchange Bank & Trust customers. The Chilton office will remain open as a National Exchange Bank & Trust office. Regulatory approval is pending, but the transaction should be complete in the first quarter of 2019.

Brake Safety Week

Wisconsin State Patrol inspectors are taking part in in a commercial motor vehicle inspection effort this week during “Brake Safety Week.” It’s sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and the goal is to identify vehicles with brake-related safety and violations and, if necessary remove them from highways until necessary repairs are made. State Patrol Captain Brian Ausloos says large trucks require about twice the stopping distance compared to most cars. Last year, the State Patrol weighed more than 2.6 million commercial motor vehicles and completed more than 37,000 commercial motor vehicle inspections.

Well Water Testing For Town Of Empire

Timing is running out for Town of Empire families that would like to get their private wells tested through a UW-Fond du Lac County Extension program. Natural Resource Educator Diana Hammer says bottles for the testing can be reserved online, but they are going fast and they have a limited capacity. Families can also contact Empire Town Clerk Mike Morgan at 920-948-3828. Water samples can be taken to the town hall the evening of Monday, October 15th or between 7 and 8:30 am on Tuesday, October 16th for testing. Results will be explained in detail during a public education meeting on November 14th.


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