MILWAUKEE (AP) — The City of Milwaukee will soon have a change in leadership. The U.S. Senate on Thursday evening confirmed the nomination of Mayor Tom Barrett to become ambassador to the small European country of Luxembourg. Barrett, who was elected mayor in 2004, did not say when he plans to step down. Common Council President Cavalier Johnson will become acting mayor until a special election can be held to […]
The Fond du Lac city councilmember who was behind the unsuccessful push to build a restaurant near the Lakeside Park Lighthouse is not running for re-election. Ben Giles has filed his non-candidacy papers. Incumbent Arletta Allen, who also supported the controversial alternative master plan at Lakeside Park is also not running for re-election and recently posted on Facebook that she is moving to Texas. Five challengers, Thomas Schuessler, Brett Zimmerman, Jane […]
POUND, Wis. (AP) — A highway in northeastern Wisconsin has reopened, a day after a chain reaction crash in foggy weather killed one driver and caused some train cars to derail. Highway 141 in Marinette County was cleared and open at 12:15 p.m. Thursday. Sheriff’s officials say very low visibility led to the collision involving two dump trucks, a large service van and an Escanaba & Lake Superior train about […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s unemployment rate tied a record low of 3% in November, a number last hit exactly three years ago. The state Department of Workforce Development reported the latest totals Thursday. Wisconsin's rate is below the national unemployment rate of 4.2% for November. The state rate was down from 3.2% in October. Wisconsin gained 12,300 private sector jobs over the month. Department of Workforce Secretary Amy Pechacek […]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A state appeals court has refused to reinstate a permit for a proposed $75 million frac sand operation in western Wisconsin. The ruling Thursday is a victory for environmentalists who have been fighting for years to protect the 16 acres of pristine wetlands. Atlanta-based Meteor Timber has been working since 2016 to gain permission to build a frac sand plant and rail loading facility on a […]
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise the Fond du Lac County Health Department is expanding it's free COVID-19 testing for residents in Ripon. Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says the Health Department is partnering with Accelerated Clinical Laboratories to offer testing every Tuesday beginning December 21 at Alliance Laundry Systems from 10am to 5pm. You do not need to be experiencing symptoms to be tested. The PCR tests are free.
The wind storm damaged the Fond du Lac Lakeside Park Light Show. Parks director John Redmond says the Light Show suffered extensive damage from the high winds Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. The Noon Rotary, along with City staff, are cleaning up and assess the damage the next couple of days. During this time, the light show will not be running. Additional information will be provided once the evaluation is complete.
A wind storm packing wind gusts in excess of 60 miles an hour knocked down trees and power lines, causing scattered power outages throughout Fond du Lac and Dodge counties Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. Fond du Lac County Emergency management director Bobbie Hicken says the top wind gust of more than 65 miles an hour was recorded at around 3am Thursday. The storm damaged the granite slabs on a Quest Interiors display […]
AAA predicts more than 109 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more for the Christmas and New Years holidays an almost 34 percent increase from 2020. State AAA spokesman Nick Jarmusz says the big jump in holiday travel doesn't come as a surprise. Jarmusz says the increase is slightly less than it was for the Thanksgiving holiday. The dramatic bounce-back, 27.7 million more travelers than the 2020 holiday period bring's this year's […]