Monday News 2/18/19
18 February 2019 News
Waupun Woman Pleads To Federal Tax Fraud Charges
A 48-year-old Waupun woman is facing up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for preparing and filing false tax returns. Kimberly Bagneski recently pleaded guilty to federal tax fraud charges. She filed 20 federal income tax returns seeking more than $90,000 in refunds claiming false deductions and tax credits. Most of the fraudulent tax refunds were diverted to bank accounts she controlled. Bagneski will be sentenced on June 13th. She’s also suspected of filing at least 19 false state returns.
Colorado Man Sentenced For Dodge County Accident
A 28-year-old Loveland, Colorado man was recently sentenced to six years in prison and four years of extended supervision for a Dodge County traffic incident in which two passengers were injured. Steven Cummings was driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway and overturned before striking a utility pole. One passenger suffered numerous broken bones and the other lost his sight and several toes in the August 2017 accident. During the sentencing District Attorney Kurt Klomberg said that driving high like Cummings presents a substantial risk to the public. Cummings was also ordered to pay nearly $19,000 in restitution.
FDL County Board Tables Redistricting Resolution
Fond du Lac County supervisors last week tabled a vote on a resolution that would create a nonpartisan procedure for the preparation of legislative and congressional redistricting plans. The vote was 12 to 8, but five supervisors couldn’t attend the meeting. Those that did wanted to see an amendment to the resolution in writing before they voted on it so a vote on the resolution was tabled until the County Board’s April meeting. Supervisor Sam Kaufman doesn’t feel a nonpartisan procedure is needed. He says the courts act as the checks and balances for redistricting. “The reality is that even with this type of an agency you‘re still going to have court battles and challenges that go on. The fact remains that we have a system of checks and balances right now.” Supervisor Tom Kitchen noted that 41 other Wisconsin counties have passed similar resolutions. He says a similar system in Iowa has worked well for years.
Lakeside Municipal Court Gets Underway In Ripon
Seven people made initial appearances during the first session of Lakeside Municipal Court in Ripon last Thursday. Ripon Police Captain Troy Damsteegt says 65 people were on the docket for non-criminal traffic and ordinance violations and two of them were required to be there. “And what that means is it could mean that people either paid their citation ahead of the court date or they could enter a not guilty plea through the mail as well. So it either means they entered a not guilty plea through the mail to the court or they paid the citation straight up front.” He says there was a smaller docket, but that was good because it was the city’s first Lakeside Court appearance in Ripon and it got their feet wet.”
Drug Enforcement Grants
Law enforcement agencies and drug enforcement groups in 48 Wisconsin counties will be receiving state grants to help them fight drug trafficking. That includes $50,000 grants for the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force, the Lake Winnebago Area MEG Unit, and South East Area Drug Operations Group. The Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force includes law enforcement partners in eight counties including Green Lake, Marquette, Waupaca and Waushara counties. The Lake Winnebago Area MEG Unit includes Sheriff’s Offices in four counties including Fond du Lac and Winnebago counties, and ten police departments including Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, and North Fond du Lac. The South East Area Drug Operation Groups includes law enforcement in five counties including Dodge and Jefferson.
Special Needs Therapeutic Program Could Be Resurrected
A Fond du Lac man who founded a therapeutic program involving Clydesdale horses would like to resurrect the program. Tim Wiskow had to put the Whisper Hill Clydesdales Special Needs program for people with cognitive and other disabilities and challenges on hold. Over the past few years he’s been battling a life-threatening illness that required four stomach surgeries. Sue Reich of Fond du Lac is a volunteer for the program and also found it helped her relieve issues with stress. “I definitely figured out why he does what he does because his animals have helped me through some challenging times, just being out there with them gives you a sense of calm and relaxation. It’s hard to put into words, but it is amazing.” A fundraiser was held in Fond du Lac over the weekend to help Wiskow out with medical bills. His Clydesdales are currently in foster care.
Berlin Area School District Food Pantry Awarded Grant
The Green Lake County/Ripon Community Foundation has awarded the Berlin Area School District a $4,000 Green Lake Basic Needs Fund grant to expand and improve the District food pantry. The money will be used to purchase a chest freezer so the pantry can offer a wider variety of food items including meat, poultry, venison, milk and bread. High School Guidance Counselor Ann Ragus says the middle and high school offices collects food donations from anyone that would like to give and food drives are held throughout the school year. Anyone with a student in the district is invited to use the food pantry; income verification is not required. If area businesses are interested in partnering for the food pantry, they can contact Carrie McCarthy, Family and Community Partnership Coordinator, at (920) 361-2441 ext. 2153.
Share |