Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday 10/8/20
8 October 2020 News
Wisconsin Opens Field Hospital At State Fairgrounds
State health officials Wednesday announced they have opened a field hospital at the state fairgrounds near Milwaukee to deal with the surge of COVID-19 cases that is overwhelming hospitals. Wisconsin ranks third in the country in the number of new daily cases per capita. The spike is being attributed to schools, colleges and universities reopening, and the public growing tired of wearing masks and social distancing. In addressing the situation Governor Evers said, “We hoped this day wouldn’t come, but unfortunately, Wisconsin is in much different, more dire place today and our healthcare systems are beginning to become overwhelmed by the surge of COVID-19 cases.” He says the alternative care facility will take some of the pressure off our healthcare facilities.
Pole Shed Fire
Fire destroyed a pole shed and its contents in the Town of Alto last evening. Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s officials received a 911 call just after 7:30 about the fire at N2910 Marshview Road. The 60 by 80 foot pole shed and its contents, farming equipment and hay bales, were destroyed by the blaze. No injuries were reported. Nine fire departments responded to the fire. The fire is not considered suspicious, but is being investigated. Donald and Linda Schultz own the property.
Juneau Man Sentenced To Prison For Causing Fatal Accident
The 49-year-old Juneau man that drove on a suspended license when he caused a fatal traffic accident was sentenced yesterday in Dodge County court to 10 years in prison. Robert Underwood was found guilty during a court trial in July. He told investigators that he was coughing and choking before he abruptly crossed the centerline on State Highway 60. The September 2017 crash killed the other driver Beverly Vincent, and sent her passenger Bryan Vincent to a hospital with serious injuries. At the time of the accident Underwood’s license was suspended due to a speeding ticket. Underwood was involved in two separate accidents causing injuries to other people within the year leading up to the fatal accident.
Trump Stay At Walter Reed Could Have Served As Wakeup Call
Ripon Community COVID-19 Task Force member Jeff Puhlmann-Becker says he was hoping President Trump testing positive for the virus would serve as a wakeup call. He says instead Trump’s short stay at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was used as a way for the President to play up his warrior image. “But I did hope that Trump had enough of an experience that he came out and said ‘this is real, this is serious let’s do something about it.’ Because if he’s one of the people that said oh it’s no worse than a cold then we would just perpetuate this problem.” Puhlmann-Becker says the image of President Trump standing on a balcony at the White House and removing his face mask also goes against the advice of most medical experts. He also notes that the care the President received at Walter Reed by an army of doctors and experimental drugs is not something every American has access to when they get sick.
Arrest Warrant Issued For Waupun Man
An arrest warrant was issued this week for a 28-year-old Waupun man who failed to show up for an initial appearance in Dodge County court on a felony fleeing charge. The charge stems from a traffic stop on August 16th on Highway 151 when Timothy Savannah was pulled over for speeding in a construction zone. A Sheriff’s deputy could smell marijuana and noticed Savannah’s eyes were blood shot. When asked to step out of the vehicle Savannah sped off instead. There was a pursuit, but it was eventually called off on State Highway 33. DOT records also indicated Savannah was supposed to have an ignition interlock device installed in the vehicle.
FDL County Sheriff Warns Of Scam
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputies this past week have responded to a number of fraud and theft complaints preying on the victims’ fears of their personal information being compromised or tied to criminal activity. Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt says scammers call the victims and tell them there are arrest warrants or crimes connected to them and payment is requested via their bank information or through the purchase of gift cards. He says no law enforcement officer would call you to collect payment for any matter including criminal activity or an arrest warrant. Waldschmidt says the scams are often specific to the victim and may seem legitimate, but they are not. He recommends hanging up the phone.
Ripon Police Dog Back On The Job
(Ripon Police Department photo)
Ripon Police Chief Bill Wallner says they are happy their K9 Rony was able to successfully recover from multiple surgeries following an in the line of duty injury this past spring. The police dog suffered what amounted to a herniated disc while pursuing a domestic abuse suspect while assisting Town of Fond du Lac Police and the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department. Wallner says often when a police dog suffers that type of injury they have to be retired, but Rony is back on the job. “Happy to report that he is back to work things are going well, getting back into the flow of things, doing some additional training with him just to make sure we are up and ready to go. I think he was excited to get back to work and the officers were certainly excited to have him back.” The surgeries and medical care came to about $6,000, but a recent fundraiser at Webster’s with donations from the Sweet and Saulty Ice Cream truck and a $1,000 donation by Webster’s managed to raise $4,100. Anyone that would like to help defray some of the remaining cost can drop off their donation at the Ripon Police Department.
Ripon Fire Department Celebration Of National Fire Prevention Week Limited By COVID
(Ripon Area Fire District photo)
The Ripon Area Fire District hasn’t had many opportunities this year to do fundraisers or public relation type activities with the public because of the pandemic. Fire Chief Tim Saul says they had to cancel the usual open house they put on for National Fire Prevention Week, which was this week. “We are cancelling our open house, which in my four year career here I never thought there would come a day where we can’t have an open house where we can’t do this and can’t be out in public. It really hurts the guys enjoy it, I enjoy it.” But the department was able to stage a brat fry last Saturday to raise money to finish the Firefighters Memorial Wall in front of the fire station and also got out to the Village Green with the Police Department to give things away and pass out safety material in connection with a week-long celebration of National Night Out.
Highway Shop Open House Cancelled
With the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Dodge County, the Highway Commission has decided to cancel the Open House event at the Reeseville Highway Maintenance Shop on Saturday. Commission officials say they would like to have the facility available for residents to view and to learn about their operations, but the timing isn’t good for public gatherings. The Commission may schedule a similar event next spring.
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