Here is what's playing this week on Eye on Oshkosh...

Be sure to join us starting Monday, May 7 when Cheryl and Dan talk with Angie McCarthy, executive director of the Day by Day Warming Shelter. She’ll explain how the first season went, how many people they served in the first season, if there were any problems as some in the community suspected there might be, what their plans are for the next season, and what people can do to help them now and later. In the second half, Al Wenig, director of recreation for the Oshkosh Area School District’s recreation department stops by to talk about the department’s summer programming, who it’s geared toward and how community youth, as well as adults, can get involved.

In the Oshkosh area, "Eye on Oshkosh" can be seen Mondays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 6 p.m. Check with your local cable company or its TV listings for replay times in other, more outlying areas. “Eye on Oshkosh” also may air at times other than just those listed. Check the guide on your cable access channel for other days and times, as well. Eye on Oshkosh is copyrighted and any unauthorized copying or use of any portion of the program is strictly prohibited by law.

News release: April traffic fatalities

Last month tied for the fourth safest month of April in terms of traffic deaths since the end of WWII

Last month, 41 people died in 35 crashes on Wisconsin roadways, which tied it for the fourth safest month of April in terms of traffic deaths since the end of World War II, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).  The safest month of April since the end of World War II occurred in 1998 with 34 traffic fatalities, and the deadliest April was in 1977 with 113 fatalities.

Traffic fatalities last month were three more than in April 2011 but seven fewer than the five-year average for the month of April. As of April 30, a total of 152 people have died in Wisconsin traffic crashes this year, including 13 motorcyclists and nine pedestrians.  Traffic deaths through April were 24 more than the same period in 2011 but one fewer than the five-year average.

“Traffic deaths so far this year continue to be higher than the same period last year in large part because of unbuckled drivers and passengers who sustained fatal injuries while being ejected with tremendous force from a vehicle or tossed around violently inside it during a crash,” says State Patrol Maj. Sandra Huxtable, director of the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety. “To prevent deaths and injuries, law enforcement agencies from all over Wisconsin will be out in force to crackdown on unbuckled motorists during the annual Click It or Ticket mobilization from May 21 to June 3. Whenever officers observe unbelted drivers and passengers, they will stop the vehicle and issue citations.  Officers are serious about safety belt enforcement because lives are destroyed, families are devastated, and society suffers substantial economic losses when people are needlessly killed or seriously injured in crashes because they were not wearing a safety belt.”

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NOTE: View this document on the Web at www.dot.wisconsin.gov/news/index.htm and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WisDOT. 

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Wisconsin State Patrol Law of the Month: May 2012

Drivers must yield to pedestrians

Motor vehicles on average kill approximately 50 pedestrians and injure more than 1,300 each year in Wisconsin. To prevent these needless deaths and injuries, Wisconsin law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians:

§  Who have started crossing an intersection or crosswalk on a walk signal or on a green light if there’s no walk signal.

§  Who are crossing the road within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection where there are no traffic lights or control signals.

§  When a vehicle is crossing a sidewalk or entering an alley or driveway.In addition, drivers may not legally overtake and pass any vehicle that has stopped for pedestrians at an intersection or crosswalk.

Drivers who fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians who are legally crossing roadways may be issued citations that cost approximately $175 to $232 (depending on the type of violation) along with four demerit points assessed on their license.  The cost of a fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians citation increases if it’s the second violation within one year. A citation for passing a vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians costs $326 with three demerit points.

“To avoid hitting pedestrians, drivers must slow down and pay attention, so they can safely yield the right of way” said Lieutenant Tony Burrell of the Wisconsin State Patrol Northeast Region, Fond du Lac Post. “Drivers should be particularly alert in areas where children often cross roads, such as near schools, parks, playgrounds and residential neighborhoods. Pedestrians also must be cautious, and they should not suddenly move into the path of a vehicle that does not have sufficient time and distance to yield. While using their cell phones and other electronic devices, pedestrians should not become so distracted that they fail to pay attention to the traffic around them.”

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View this document on the Web at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/news/law/index.htm

City of Oshkosh Flooding Recedes - Thursday, 5/3/12 3:30 pm

Oshkosh, Wis. – The flooding caused by recent storms has now receded on City of Oshkosh streets, with the exception of the following areas: Ohio Street between 9th and 10th, South Main Street between 18th and 24th and Westfield and Taft. The Oshkosh Police Department has also indicated trucks should use 6th Avenue (East or West) for a truck route, and should not attempt to use Ohio Street. City crews are working to clear these streets as soon as possible.

Please do not call 911 to report flooding unless your basement appliances are submerged or otherwise underwater. Do not attempt to enter basement areas to address these issues.

The Oshkosh American Red Cross Office is providing people with free basic clean-up kits. These kits include a bucket, rubber gloves, hand brush, plastic tarp, cleaner/degreaser, bleach, sponge and mop. Those interested should call (920) 231-3590.

The City of Oshkosh would like to thank Oshkosh residents for their patience and
assistance during this incident.

Habitat for Humanity update

Those of us at Habitat would like to thank the following for assisting in a Neighborhood project this afternoon. 

The Boys and Girls Club

The Oshkosh Police Dept
The City of Oshkosh
Several neighbors in the Near East Neighborhood.

A few weeks ago Habitat was contacted by the city who advised us there had been some yard work done at a property on Grand St that was not done properly. After speaking with the planning dept. it was agreed Habitat would assist in correcting the problem.

One of Habitats goals with our new Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative is to engage the community and ask for assistance on projects. 

We first contacted Sgt Schuldes and asked him if he could put us in touch with someone from the Boys and Girls Club to see if they would be able to help. Tiffany was more than willing to help out. 

We also contacted Thatcher Peterson who lives in the area. He also was more than happy to help. 

A few days before the project, Thatcher and I walked around in the neighborhood passing out pamphlets and making contact with people in the 500 blk of Grand St. We explained what we were doing and advised people to feel free to come and assist. 

The project consisted of planting several shrubs, planting a tree, roto-tilling, spreading dirt, moving a couple yards of wood mulch, spreading grass seed and preparing some wood surfaces for paint.

Along with both homeowners, Tiffany showed up with a 1/2 dozen kids from the Boys and Girls Club. Sgt Schafhauser showed up with Officers Pechacek and Achterberg. Thatcher showed up as did some other neighbors from the neighborhood. Some of the neighbors provided tools that we did not bring or did not have enough of.

It took about 2 1/2 hours to finish the project which the homeowners were very happy with. The only issue we had with the entire project was one of the volunteers thought Thursday was Friday and originally showed up a day ahead. Now that is enthusiasm !

While the city could have pursued enforcement of the violation, correcting the problem was a much better solution. We thank the city for their patience in allowing us time to coordinate  this project.

Habitat thanks all of you!

 
Steve Kaiser
Habitat Board Member 

Oshkosh Police Dept Safety City Program Registration Now Open

The Oshkosh Police Department has provided hands-on safety education to nearly 2,000 children through the summer Safety City program since 2004. Funding for the initial development of the program was provided by the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Hiwela Youth Fund, Mercy Health Foundation, Aurora Health Foundation and many individual donors.  The program continues to receive donations from individuals, civic organizations and businesses. A nominal registration fee is charged to participate.

The program will run June 11-July 26 with four weeks for 4-6 year olds and two weeks for 7-9 year olds. Safety City provides hands-on safety education using interactive and classroom activities.  Safety City for ages 4-6 incorporates a portable neighborhood with streets, traffic signs, bikes and pedal cars.  Safety City for ages 7-9 incorporates activities appropriate for the changing developmental stages of elementary school-age children and includes a bike rodeo and supervised bike ride. All the safety education is provided by law enforcement officers, classroom teachers and other community partners. Fox Valley Technical College Oshkosh Riverside Campus is the location for the program. Participants receive a t-shirt, bike helmet and snacks.

New this year is a partnership with the Oshkosh Area School District summer school program for the 4-6 year old sessions.  Parents had the opportunity to register their child for Safety City as part of the four-week Getting Ready for Kindergarten or Getting Ready for First Grade summer school program.  However, participation is open to any Oshkosh-area child.

Day Cares are welcome to arrange participation in the program as a field trip option and should contact Community Programs Coordinator, Dorry Wilner for details. Volunteers are welcome and must complete a Volunteer Application. Parents can register their child for the program directly with the Oshkosh Police Department. For registration forms and more information visit the Department website www.oshkoshpd.com or 236-5714.

PLEASE NOTE: June 18 and June 25 sessions for 4-6 year olds are full.  July 9 and July 16 for 4-6 year olds and June 11 and July 23 sessions for 7-9 year olds are open for registration NOW.

New Law Enforcement Career Exploration Summer Camp for High School Youth Offered in August

Area Law Enforcement Agencies, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Continuing Education and the Scouting Learning for Life Explorer program have partnered to offer a new residential summer camp program for high school-age youth interested in law enforcement careers.  For more information:

Here is a link to the microsite for the Law Enforcement Camp: http://www.uwosh.edu/llce/conted/youth/law-enforcement-camp.

The short link is www.uwosh.edu/camps.