8/19/22 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
19 August 2022 News
Waupun Inmate Gets Additional Time For Beating Prison Guard
The Waupun Correctional Inmate found guilty last month by a Dodge County jury of beating a prison guard was sentenced Thursday. Timmy Johnson was sentenced to five years in prison and three years of extended supervision. He was already serving 50 years for a string of violent crimes and the new sentence will be added to that time. Johnson, who is 34-years-old, attacked the guard on June 8th of 2019. The catalyst for Johnson’s attack was his efforts to hide his medication from guards. He struck the victim in the head over 20 times. Officers had to use pepper spray and wrestle Johnson to the ground to stop the attack. The officer was seriously injured but was back on the job several days later. Johnson has been an inmate at Waupun Correctional since 2014.
Appropriate Use
Ripon’s City Administrator says the city is excited about the redevelopment of the former Kmart building on West Fond du Lac Street. Adam Sonntag says there had been interest and discussions since the store closed in December of 2019 but nothing materialized. The City’s Plan Commission approved a conditional use permit for the building this week. Local developer Tom Rogers told the commission at this time there is interest in locating three storefronts, a church, and some warehousing in the building. Sonntag says Rogers took him on a tour of the building last week and it’s a huge space to fill. He says it is an appropriate use for a building of that size.
Harbor Freight Tools Coming To Fond du Lac
A long vacant commercial building site in Fond du Lac is getting new use. Harbor Freight Tools announced this week it will be opening a new store at 335 North Pioneer Road this fall. That was the site formerly used by Best Buy which closed in November of 2015. Construction has already begun on the site for Harbor Freight Tools new store using local workers and companies from the surrounding Fond du Lac area. Company officials say the store is expected to bring between 25 to 30 new jobs to the community. Harbor Freight has over 25,000 Associates and more than 1,300 locations nationwide.
School Bullying
The Manager of Autism Services for the Treffert Center says it might be wise to have a talk with your kids about bullying and its impact before they head back to school. Megan Puddy of SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac Region says bullying isn’t just physical anymore; there is verbal taunting and cyberbullying as well. She suggests finding an appropriate way to introduce the concept of bullying to your child and have a heart-to-heart talk with them reassuring them they have your love and support. She says you can also check with the schools to see what resources they have, with mental health care and health care providers. Another option is to use SSM Health’s Outpatient Behavioral Health Department at 920-926-4200.
FDL Police Add Fourth K9
The Fond du Lac Police Department has added a fourth K9 to its ranks. Jesus is a 16 month old German shepherd born in Bulgaria. The dog was initially trained in Hungary and then transferred to Jessiffany Canine Services in Iron Ridge, Wisconsin where it was paired with Officer Ben Hardgrove. Jesus is a dual purpose police dog trained in drug detection, tracking, and protection. Officer Hardgrove recently celebrated his 18th year of service with the Fond du Lac Police Department. He brings K-9 handler experience to his new partner and also is a member of the SWAT Team as a Tactical Operator. Jesus’s first day on the streets was Thursday.
Ripon Septemberfest Rolling Out Of Summer
Septemberfest in Ripon will have some added attractions when it rolls around on Saturday, September 17th. Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mandy Kimes says they will have the car show, live music, and plenty of food. There will be additional family-friendly activities added to the venue. That will include a chalk walk for kids, face-painting, bike stroll out to Vines & Rushes Winery and back. Kimes says they will also have a mascot dance party and instead of wrapping up the day at 4 pm the Kiwanis will be hosting a showing of the film “Cars” on the Village Green to cap things off.
Fairs Continue
The second day of the Waushara County Fair brings more animal judging, the beef show at 5 pm, a performance of the Alright Band in the Music Hall at 7 pm, and a truck pull also at that time. On Saturday there’s the Lena Mini Rod and Lawn Mower Pulls at 1 pm, the Wild Rose Community Band performs in the Music Hall at 5 pm, and truck and tractor pulling at 7 pm sponsored by the Waushara Argus and The Bug WAUH 102.3 FM. Things wrap up on Sunday with more fun and a Demo Derby at 5 pm. The Dodge County Fair also continues today at the County Fairgrounds east of Beaver Dam.
RCH Auxiliary Mum Sale
The SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital Auxiliary will hold its fifth annual fall mum sale from 9 am to 5 pm on Monday, September 12th and Tuesday, September 13th at the hospital’s main entrance. The sale will feature a choice of high quality, 8, 10, and 12-inch mum plants in various colors. The 12-inch mums will be multicolored. A new addition this year will be 14-inch combinations of mums and grasses. Prices start at $12 each. Cash and checks will be accepted, but no credit cards. All proceeds will support Ripon Community Hospital programs and services.
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