News 08.16.16
16 August 2016 News
A Ripon company is expanding. The Ripon Common Council approved a loan to Ernessi Organics from the city’s revolving loan fund. The $60,000 loan is about half of what the company needs to expand. City Administrator Lori Rich says it was a unanimous vote by the council, and the City’s Loan Review board is recommending approval. Ernessi Organics grows leafy produce and herbs. In this area, they supply their produces to Websters Market Place in Ripon, Crossroads Market in Green Lake and multiple Festival Food locations.
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An Oshkosh man is going to prison after pleading guilty to multiple child sexploitation charges. 22-year-old Bret D.M. Culver was sentenced to five years in prison and 15 years extended supervision on charges of child sexual exploitation and threatening to injure of accuse of a crime. Seven other counts, including causing a teen to view sexual activity, soliciting a child for prostitution and exposing genitals/private parts to a child were dismissed. According to a criminal complaint, Culver created a fake Facebook account and contacted dozens of females in order to get nude photos of them. Police were aware at least 3 girls were 17, but when asked, Culver stated he wasn’t sure how many of them were under 18. The complain says Culver also offered to pay cash for photos of one female, and threatening to publish a conversation with another if she didn’t send him photos. Culver will also have to register as a sex offender.
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A Fond du Lac man is convicted in connection with a fatal crash four years ago that claimed the life of his friend. At a hearing last week, Richard Hartung pleaded no contest to a charge of recklessly causing great bodily harm. Hartung was initially charged with homicide by reckless use of a vehicle. The crash happened in July of 2012. Investigators say Hartung was the driver of a car that tried to pass a vehicle on Highway 175 south of Fond du Lac, veered off the road to avoid an oncoming vehicle and overturned. A passenger in Hartung’s car was killed. A sentencing hearing will be held this Thursday.
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The federal government is handing out $2 million to cities along the Great Lakes to cut down storm water runoff and improve water quality at beaches. The money will go to 13 cities in Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, New York, and Wisconsin to pay for green infrastructure projects. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the projects are expected to stop or capture 13 million gallons of untreated stormwater from contaminating swimming beaches. In Ohio, funding will go to projects in Ashtabula, Cleveland, Huron, Sandusky and Vermilion. In Wisconsin, the projects are in Algoma, Ashland, Manitowoc, Two Rivers and Wind Point. The rest are in East Chicago, Indiana; Duluth, Minnesota and Evans, New York.
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Jefferson County sheriff’s officials say a pilot suffered injuries when his ultralight airplane crashed and caught fire. Authorities say the Janesville man flying the ultralight took off from the Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport Sunday and began having engine problems. The pilot tried to guide the plane to a smooth field, but was unable to do so and crashed to the ground, causing the ultralight to ignite. Sheriff’s officials say the pilot, 63-year-old Ronald Norton, was able to get himself out of the plane. He was taken to Fort Atkinson Hospital and transferred to St. Mary’s in Madison.
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A Wisconsin man is hospitalized after a jet ski in his driveway exploded. Authorities from Kenosha County said the explosion happened around 9 a.m. Monday outside the man’s Salem house. They believe the explosion occurred due to gas fumes after the jet ski’s ignition was turned. First responders transported the man to a local hospital with severe injuries. He’s been identified as 52-year-old Michael Przlomski. The house suffered minor cosmetic damage. Authorities say the explosion is not considered suspicious.
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