Hometown Broadcasting News Monday 12/30/19
30 December 2019 News
High Speed Chase Spans Two Counties
A 28-year-old Green Bay woman is facing felony charges for leading Fond du Lac and Washington County Sheriff’s deputies and the State Patrol on a high speed chase that spanned two counties and 25 miles. The pursuit on Interstate 41 began in Fond du Lac County’s Town of Byron early Saturday morning and reached speeds up to 105 miles an hour. Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s officials say they tried tire deflation devices to put an end to the pursuit. “Tire deflation devices were deployed at several locations, but were unsuccessful in slowing the vehicle. Ultimately the driver of the vehicle stopped on Interstate 41 near Pioneer Road in Washington County, where deputies had another tire deflation device set up.” A 27-year-old Bonduel woman who was a passenger in the suspect’s vehicle is also facing several charges. No one was injured and no property was damaged.
FDL Man Pleads Not Guilty To Arson Charges
A 58-year-old Fond du Lac man accused of setting fires in a vacant home and the basement of his apartment waived his preliminary hearing in Fond du Lac County court last Friday. Merlin Jolin then pleaded not guilty to arson, burglary, second degree recklessly endangering safety, and criminal damage to property charges. He allegedly set cardboard boxes on fire in a vacant home on Allen Street and is suspected of setting fires in the basement of his apartment on Merrill Street about two weeks ago.
Attack At WCI Being Investigated
The state’s Department of Corrections says an inmate at Waupun Correctional assaulted a staff member at the prison Christmas Eve. The staff member was taken to a local hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries. An improvised weapon was used in the attack. The facility was placed in lock down due to safety and security concerns. The DOC and Dodge County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the attack.
Columbia County Walkaway Back In Custody
Columbia County Sheriff’s officials have arrested a 34-year-old work release inmate that failed to return to the County jail. Marcos Antonio Avila was supposed to report back by 7 am the morning of Monday, December 9th. He was taken back into custody just before 2:30 last Friday afternoon. Avila was serving a six month sentence for domestic disorderly conduct and battery to police charges. Prior to his sentencing he was living in Portage.
Montello Man Arrested For Seventh OWI
A 69-year-old Montello man was arrested for his seventh operating under the influence incident last Friday afternoon in Columbia County. A caller told the Sheriff’s dispatch that a vehicle heading north on Highway 22 in the Town of Lowville was unable to stay in its lane and was traveling at varying speeds. When he was stopped Donald Joseph Siebert failed field sobriety testing. Authorities believe his impairment was due to a substance other than alcohol. He’s being held in the Columbia County Jail pending his initial court appearance.
Drive Sober Continues
Drivers are reminded that the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign runs through this Wednesday, New Year’s Day. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department and law enforcement agencies throughout the state are participating in the effort to keep impaired drivers off the road. Fond du Lac County Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt is encouraging drivers to use a designated driver or Safe Ride program rather than get behind the wheel when they are impaired. “When it comes down to how you are going to get home we want people to make the conscious decision to have an alternative plan. Have a designated driver know what your options are for taxi cabs, know what your options are for who you can call for a ride so that you are not getting behind the wheel while you’re intoxicated.” Last year in Wisconsin, alcohol-related crashes resulted in 160 deaths and nearly 3,300 injuries.
Unemployment Rates Increase Slightly In November
Unemployment levels increased slightly for most area counties in November, but held steady for Fond du Lac County at 2.5 percent. According to federal labor statistics Dodge and Winnebago counties both had jobless rates of 2.7 percent. Waupaca County’s rate increased to 2.8 percent. Meanwhile Green Lake, Marquette, and Waushara counties each had a rate of 3.4 percent. The cities of Fond du Lac and Oshkosh both saw their unemployment rates hold steady last month at 2.7 percent.
County by County Jobless rates click here.
City And County Office Closings For New Years
A number of city and county government offices will be closed both Tuesday and Wednesday for the New Year’s holiday. In Fond du Lac County and Green Lake County that includes county offices. The Fond du Lac County Highway Department will be closed on New Year’s Day. The Moraine Lakes Consortium Center is closed both days and Fox River Industries is closed through New Year’s Day as well. City of Ripon offices will be closed both days. Waushara County offices are closed Wednesday.
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