Hometown Broadcasting News Friday 2/14/20
14 February 2020 News
Ripon Considering Multiple Financing Options For Street Projects
If things fall into place the city of Ripon will be able to do $3 million in street projects without having to dip into its general fund. Dave Rasmussen of the consulting firm MSA filled the Common Council in this week about possible financing for the projects for Russel Drive and Vermont/Parkway. Closing money from the city’s revolving loan fund for economic development, grants, loans from state programs some of which are forgivable, and money from Tax Increment Finance District 9 would pay for it all. Mayor Gary Will told the Council it was really amazing to see what MSA came up with thanks to their expertise. There are still surveys and other paper work that have to be completed and approved before the projects are a go.
Beaver Dam Murder Suspect Will Be Psychologically Evaluated
During a motion hearing this week a Dodge County judge granted a request to have a 32-year-old Beaver Dam man suspected of murder psychologically evaluated. Ulisses Medina Espinosa has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental defect to the shooting death of his ex-wife Stacia Hollinshead. She and their daughter were visiting the girl’s grandparents in Beaver Dam last March when the shooting occurred. Medina Espinosa’s lawyer is arguing that exposure to toxic chemicals at work may have been a factor. A 5-day jury trial is scheduled to start June 1st. Hollinshead was an Assistant State Attorney in Dekalb County, Illinois.
Theresa Man Convicted Of Child Sexual Assault
A 62-year-old Dodge County man this week pleaded “no contest” to a first degree sexual assault of a child charge. Chris Christianson of Theresa entered the plea during a hearing in Dodge County court Wednesday. A pre-sentenced investigation was ordered and he will be sentenced on April 27th. The assault occurred while the girl was visiting the area last August. The victim was under the age of 13.
Sex Offender Moving To Oshkosh
Oshkosh Police say a 41-year-old sex offender will be released from Oshkosh Correctional and will be moving to 1105 A Jefferson Street in Oshkosh next Tuesday. Mathew Stahmann was convicted in Buffalo County in 2008 of exposing a child to harmful materials, and in Winnebago County in 2009 of causing a child to view or listen to sexual activity and second degree sexual assault of a child. The victim was a 15-year-old girl he knew. Stahmann will be on electronic monitoring and will be under the supervision of probation and parole until January 15th of 2036.
Flood Insurance Important
Fond du Lac County Communications and Emergency Management Director Bobbi Hicken says now is the time to get flood insurance to protect you and your property against possible flooding this spring. Hicken says she can’t stress that enough. “What really needs to happen and the most important thing people can do right now because it is time sensitive is look into flood insurance. Even if you don’t live in a flood plain you can still get flood insurance.” She says the reason for the urgency is because there is a 30-day waiting period from the time you get the policy and when it goes into effect. Hicken says you can check with your insurance agent or go to the National Flood Insurance program website for more information. Last March 14th there was spring flooding in the county especially in the Fond du Lac area.
Wisconsin Sturgeon Population Something Special
The Senior Sturgeon Biologist for Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources says they have something special in the lake sturgeon population on the Lake Winnebago System. Ryan Koenigs says we are the only state where lake sturgeon are not a threatened or endangered species. He says he’s been to national and international conferences and other people are envious of what Wisconsin has. “People around the world are pretty jealous about the sturgeon resources we have in Wisconsin most notably here on the Winnebago System. We have one of the strongest lake sturgeon populations in their native range.” Koenigs that success can be attributed to resource management and conservation efforts that include partnering with fishing clubs like Sturgeon for Tomorrow. He says even sturgeon spearers are willing to live with tighter restrictions on the sport if it benefits the sturgeon population. The sturgeon spearing season reaches its half-way point this weekend on Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes.
Webster Stanley Diversity Event
Webster Stanley Elementary School in Oshkosh will host its first annual Read Your Heart Out diversity celebration this afternoon. It’s from 12:15 to 2:30 pm at the school and will feature guest readers from the community including representatives from the Oshkosh Boys & Girls Club, the UW-Oshkosh Human Services and Music Department, and ArtsCore. Activities will include a drum circle, art-based projects, storytelling, and more. The event is being held in honor of Black History Month and National African American Parent Involvement Day.
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