Obesity, access to mental health services, alcohol use and abuse and dental care for Medicaid recipients are the top health concerns in Fond du lac county. That according to new data from the 2014 Community health assessment. The results were unveiled at a meeting of the Healthy Fond du Lac County 2020 Steering committee. Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says illegal drug abuse, specifically opioids-heroin is a major concern. Mueller […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Democrats say Republicans will have to compromise to fill holes in the state's budget. Democratic members of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee commented Wednesday after it was announced that there would be no additional state revenue. Democrats say Republicans should prioritize funding for K-12 education, the University of Wisconsin System and long-term care for the elderly and disabled. Democratic Sen. Lena Taylor says Gov. Scott […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos isn't saying whether Gov. Scott Walker's $300 million cut to the University of Wisconsin System can be reduced given new revenue forecasts. Vos said Wednesday that Walker's $127 million cut to K-12 public schools will be closed, and his second priority is reducing borrowing to pay for roads. He didn't mention UW during comments at a transportation officials event. But Republican Rep. […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says expanding the private school voucher program probably can't be done as Gov. Scott Walker has proposed. Vos commented on the issue Wednesday after a new revenue forecast predicted no growth in the next two years above previous projections. Walker proposed lifting the 1,000-student enrollment cap in the statewide voucher program, with funding for the expansion coming from public school districts […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Senate has approved a bill that would phase out Wisconsin's SAGE program. The Student Achievement Guarantee Program provides aid to schools if they maintain an 18-to-1 or 30-to-2 teacher-student ratio for low-income students in kindergarten through third grade. Schools enter into five-year contracts under the program. The bill would prohibit new SAGE contracts or renewals beyond one-year extensions for deals that expire this spring. […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Senate has approved a bill that would allow Wisconsin transportation officials to raise the speed limit on some roads to 70 mph. The bill would permit the Department of Transportation officials to raise the limit to 70 mph on roads they deem fit. The proposal would prohibit DOT from going to 70 on four-lane roads with at-grade access, however. The Senate passed the measure […]
Thirty-one teachers in the Fond du Lac School District were recently recognized for their 25 years of service to their students, our schools, and the community. This celebration of dedication took place at the District’s 25 Year Awards Banquet on May 4 at the Knights of Columbus. Highlights of the evening included favorite memories shared through brief stories read by Superintendent Dr. James Sebert. Shown here are: (first row L-R) […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin lawmakers have pushed forward a measure that would restrict products available to food stamp recipients. The Assembly's public benefit reform committee approved the bill Wednesday on an 8-6 vote. It would require food stamp recipients to use at least two-thirds of their monthly benefits to purchase nutritional foods such as beef, chicken and fresh produce. Users would be barred from buying crab, lobster, shrimp and […]
A man from the Netherlands accused of stalking a Fond du Lac High School student he had an overseas online dating relationship with faces additional charges. Hendrikus Descendre made his initial Fond du Lac court appearance Tuesday on two counts of identity theft to harm a person’s reputation. Bail was set at $50,000 cash. Descendre was earlier charged with stalking. Police say Descendre flew from the Netherlands to Wisconsin and […]