12/12/22 Hometown Broadcasting News Monday
12 December 2022 News
Fatal Fire In Watertown
Three people lost their lives during a house fire in Watertown early Friday morning. Watertown firefighters were dispatched to the 100 block of Western Avenue just after 12:30 am. The home was engulfed in flames with the residents still trapped inside. Firefighters tried to rescue those residents, but were driven back by the intense heat, smoke and flames. Fire crews worked inside and outside of the home to extinguish the blaze. The Watertown Fire and Police Departments, and the State Fire Marshal’s office are investigating the cause of the fire.
Eldorado Man Arrested Following Traffic Chase
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s officials say a teen being pursued by a Sheriff’s deputy Sunday night turned off his head and tail lights while trying to get away. Shortly before 8:30 a deputy tried to pull over a vehicle for a speeding violation on County Highway C near Forest Avenue Road in the Town of Lamartine. That kicked off a 5.5 mile pursuit. The chase continued on County Highway C through Eldorado and then went north on Townhall Road where the teen pulled over. The driver and lone occupant, an 18-year-old Eldorado man, was taken to the County Jail on charges of eluding a law enforcement officer and 2nd degree recklessly endangering safety. He also received several traffic citations. No one was injured during the pursuit and no property was damaged.
Trio Of Viruses Circulating
Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says people need to take precautions with a trio of dangerous viruses circulating. She says COVID-19, RSV, and the flu all have similar symptoms and they can all be deadly especially for the chronically ill or who have other health risks. In the case of COVID and the flu there are vaccines which could help prevent you from catching them or at the very least lessen the impact they will have on you if you contract them. RSV is something children usually catch before they are 2 years old, health officials in Wisconsin are seeing more than the usual number of cases this year. It can also affect the elderly. Mueller recommends staying away from holiday gatherings where you know or suspect someone ill may be attending. Prolonged exposure to someone that has one of those viruses will increase your chance of getting it yourself.
Risky Driving Behaviors Increase
A new AAA report reveals that unsafe driving behaviors increased from 2020 to 2021. The increase comes after three years of steady declines. According to the new study, the rise in risky behaviors included speeding, red-light running, drowsy driving, and driving impaired due to cannabis or alcohol. The most alarming increase was among drivers admitting to getting behind the wheel after drinking enough that they felt they were over the legal limit which saw an increase of nearly 24 percent. Meanwhile, traffic fatalities have increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 42,915 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2021. That’s a 10.5 percent increase from 2020 when there were 38,824 fatalities. Dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, alcohol impairment, and non-use of seatbelts account for a considerable proportion of the increase fatalities.
Oshkosh City Taxes Due
The City of Oshkosh will be mailing out real estate and property tax bills this week. The city encourages residents to mail in their tax payments or use the drop box outside the main doors at City Hall. Residents are also encouraged to use the online payment option. Payments can be made in person at City Hall if necessary. Business hours at City Hall are 8 am to 4:30 pm weekdays. City Hall will be closed on December 23rd and 26th, and on January 2nd. In addition the City is designating Community First Credit Union and Associated Bank as authorized payment locations for in person payments through January 31st.
Pelosi’s Time In Democratic Leadership Role Waning
Nancy Pelosi’s two decades of leading Democrats in the House will be coming to a close soon, but her successor may be more liberal than she was. Congressman Glenn Grothman, a Republican, says the federal lawmaker from California helped to grow government, which in turn led to the inflation we are currently seeing. He says if her goal was to make more people dependent on government she succeeded in doing that. But Grothman says Pelosi isn’t quite as liberal as her likely successor in leading House Democrats. He believes Pelosi is in the conservative half of Democrats in Congress today. New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries has widespread support from Democrats in replacing Pelosi, including Pelosi herself. Grothman says Jeffries falls within the more liberal third quarter of the Democratic Party.
Waupun Business Alliance Ribbon Cutting
The Waupun Business Alliance, an extension of Envision Greater Fond du Lac, recently hosted their official ribbon cutting at their new office in downtown Waupun. Earlier this year, the Waupun Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors unanimously supported the transition of the Chamber to the Waupun Business Alliance. The transition will provide increased value, resources, and opportunities to businesses throughout the Waupun area. The alliance will focus on leveraging resources for members and work more collaboratively for the growth of the Waupun community. In addition to the change in organizational structure, the Waupun Business Alliance and Envision recently established a new office at 10 West Main Street in Waupun. The new space is open Tuesday mornings 8 am to 12 pm and Thursday afternoon 1 to 5 pm. Individual appointments can also be scheduled.
Another Busy Weekend Coming Up At The Thrasher Opera House
The Thrasher Opera House has been a busy venue for holiday entertainment in the past weekend. There were concerts by Rachel Icenogle, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, and Robin Spielberg Spirit of the Holiday last week. This week offers three concerts. The Alley Cats will perform at 3 and 7 pm on Saturday. Thrasher Executive Director Rachael Avery says they are a quartet with musical harmony, but also a sense of humor. Then Sunday at 2 pm the Fox Cities Swing Band will give a free performance in what is being billed as a “Gift to the Community.” Avery says Thrasher Board of Directors member Steve Yeomans approached her about having the band do a concert. For tickets to the shows call the Thrasher box office at 920-294-4279 or visit the Thrasher’s website.
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