The homicide trial of a 62-year-old Kenosha man enters its second week in Fond du Lac County. Dennis Brantner is accused of killing 18-year-old Berit Beck of Sturtevant in July of 1990. Prosecutors could rest their case on Thursday, at which time the defense would start calling witnesses. Last Friday prosecutors decided against calling County Medical Examiner Douglas Kelley. Beck was on her way to a work seminar when she stopped in Fond du Lac . Her van was found in a K-Mart parking lot and her body the following month in a ditch outside of Waupun.
Winnebago County Sheriff’s officials have arrested a man they believe is responsible for the armed robberies of seven convenience stores. A search warrant was executed Friday afternoon and the man was taken into custody on a probation violation. He was taken to the County Jail. Charges are pending. Sheriff’s officials say their investigation is just beginning.
Thirty-two Fond du Lac County municipalities are receiving recycling grants from the state. The City of Fond du Lac is receiving over $149,000, the Village of North Fond du Lac more than $15,500, and the City of Ripon over $25,000. Over 1,000 local governments in the state will be receiving nearly $18 million in recycling grants.
Fond du Lac County ’s Highway Safety Coordinator says drivers will be dealing with improvements to two sections of Highway 23 on the east side of the Fond du Lac over the next four to five months. Sheriff’s Captain Rick Olig says improvements are already being made to an interchange so there aren’t problems with trucks hauling wind towers. He says truckers have problems trying to make turns at the Highway 23 and Highway 151 interchange. He hopes the project will fix that problem. Also coming up in September the DOT will be putting in slotted left turns lanes at Highway 23 and County Highway K.
Congressman Glenn Grothman says he’s pleased he got to vote against congressional pay raises. He says we really aren’t over the recession yet and some congressmen have lost touch with those who are having a tough time making a living. He says those congressmen are isolated from what average people have to deal with because their salaries are generous. He says it is the sixth straight year Congress hasn’t gotten a bump in pay.
Some students in the Fond du Lac School District did take something home this summer, but it wasn’t homework. District Superintendent Jim Sebert says they allowed students to take a book home. He says they allowed students to take home books from school libraries for the summer. He says it is something they’ve been increasing over the years. He says it is nice for kids who don’t have access to books at home.
It may be the first day of summer, but registration for fall classes at Moraine Park Technical College begins tomorrow. Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald says more in demand courses fill up quickly. She says it’s better to sign up sooner than later. She says you can register face-to-face or online. Baerwald says you can register weekdays at their campuses in Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac and West Bend except Fridays because their campuses are closed on Fridays in June and July.
For the fifth consecutive year, Agnesian HealthCare has been recognized for its efforts to promote physical activity and health in the workplace by the American Heart Association as a “Start! Fit-Friendly Companies.” Regionally, the association recognized 287 companies in 2016. More than 595,000 employees participated in the programs.