2/24/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
24 February 2023 News
FDL Man Charged With Attempted Murder
Bond was set at $1 million cash this week for a 33-year-old Fond du Lac man suspected of trying to kill his mother with a hammer. Aristotle Wurtz was charged Monday with attempted first degree intentional homicide, use of a dangerous weapon. According to the criminal complaint Wurtz told Fond du Lac Police detectives his parents were “Being mean to God.” He admitted trying to kill his mother by hitting her in the head with a hammer and wanted to kill his father too. The victim was struck in the head about 30 times. According to the complaint Wurtz suffers from schizophrenia. A preliminary hearing is set for March 3rd. (Fond du Lac County Jail photo.)
FDL Man Charged For Throwing Chunks of Concrete At Police Officers
Bond was set at $2,000 cash this week for a 40-year-old Fond du Lac man who tossed chunks of concrete and stones at police officers who were trying to take him into custody on February 15th. Eric Tolonen is suspected of being party to a murder. Police spotted him on a bicycle last week and he began throwing chunks of concrete at them and a squad car, and refused to obey their orders. They used a 40 millimeter sponge round to knock him down to the ground and finally take him into custody. He is charged with two counts of battery or threat to a law enforcement officer, attempted battery, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and criminal damage to property. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Thursday.
Slippery Roads
Fond du Lac County residents seemed to heed warnings about traveling during this week’s snowstorm. The Sheriff’s Office handled the bulk of its calls for cars in the ditch, traffic assists, and weather-related accidents Wednesday afternoon and evening. From Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning deputies responded to about 13 calls for cars in the ditch, four calls for traffic assists, and four traffic accidents. Two of the traffic accidents were for jackknifed semis, one a piece on U.S. Highway 151 and Interstate 41. The area received from 8 to more than 12 inches of snow from Tuesday night to mid-day Thursday.
Ripon 4K Program Transition
The Ripon Area School District Board of Education this week reviewed a proposal to shift four-year-old kindergarten to a full-day program. Currently, the District’s 4K students attend a two hour and 45 minute program 5 days a week. The District has 64 students enrolled in its half-day 4K program. An additional 19 students are enrolled in 4K through ADVOCAP Head Start, a full-day program for low-income students. Both of the District’s 4K teachers lead instruction for two half-day sections while the Head Start program has a full-day program four days per week. The proposal calls for increasing the 4K school day from half days every day to four full days per week and supporting Head Start as it transitions to offering only a 3-year-old program. All four sections of 4K would be located at the Barlow Park/Journey Elementary School building.
Former Governor Tony Earl Dies
Governor Tony Evers announced yesterday the passing of former Governor Tony Earl. After suffering a stroke this past weekend Earl was hospitalized, spending his remaining days surrounded by his daughters and close family. Earl, who was 86 years old, served as the 41st governor of the state from 1983 to 1987. Governor Evers has ordered U.S. and state of Wisconsin flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of former Governor Earl’s service and contributions to the state. Flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset next Friday.
EO187-FlagHalfStaffGovernorEarl.pdf (govdelivery.com)
BGCTC Capital Campaign
The Boys & Girls Club of the Tri-County Area is hoping to quickly raise the remaining $2.5 million in a $10 million capital campaign to build a facility in Ripon. Club CEO Jason Presto says they would like to break ground in May, but it has always been their philosophy to have the money in hand before launching such an effort. He says they are much more than a place kids can go after school or when school is out. They provide meals, child care, address the opioid crisis, offer mentoring and further educational efforts. Drew Diedrich is a member of the Clubs Board of Directors. He says donations for the capital campaign are tax deductible and don’t have to be given all at once. They can be given over a span of years. Donations to the capital campaign can be made on the club’s website or by mailing them to P.O. Box 344, Ripon Wisconsin 54971.
Heart Month
A cardiologist with SSM Health’s Fond du Lac Regional Clinic says the American Heart Association chose February as American Heart Month to draw attention to cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in the nation. One in three deaths can be attributed to it. Dr. Tadeo Balderrama says not exercising, eating right and ignoring other medical issues can contribute to the risk of suffering a heart attack. He says it is important to have a yearly check up with your primary care physician who may identify a potential problem. He says another doctor he works with at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac is now offering coronary CT scans which is a great way to assess coronary disease without having to go through an invasive test.
American Heart Association | To be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives
Green Lake Winterfest
After the last few days organizers of Green Lake’s 2nd Annual WinterFest and Trout Fisheree Derby Saturday don’t have to worry about a lack of snow for events. The Derby will be held on Big Green Lake. Allison Gohlke of the Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce says they have a number of nice prizes for winners in the Derby. A number of other activities are planned for Deacon Mills Park running from Noon until 9 pm. There will be kids’ pond hockey, ice skating, a cornhole tournament, vintage snowmobile exhibit, sled dog demos, there will also be horse drawn wagon rides. Chamber Executive Director Lisa Meier says they will have music with Bradley Spurger performing from 1 to 4 pm and Vitamin R from 4:30 to 8 pm. That will be done in the comfort of a heated tent. You can find a complete list of activities by going to Visit Green Lake.com.
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