3/1/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
1 March 2023 News
Two Suspects In Green Lake County Murder for Hire Plot Bound Over for Trial
Two Berlin men suspected of trying to hire a hit man to kill a relative have been bound over for trial. Sixty-two-year-old Joseph Hoppa and his 39-year-old son Jason Hoppa were in Green Lake County court yesterday for a preliminary hearing. A Sheriff’s detective testified, and Judge Mark Slate found probable cause that a felony had been committed and the crime probably was committed by Joseph and Jason Hoppa. Arraignment has been scheduled for April 18th. The two allegedly tried to hire a hitman to kill the victim for $40,000. Prosecutors suspect the two were angry about the victim inheriting most of a relative’s estate. Both are charged with solicitation of first-degree intentional homicide. Joseph Hoppa faces six additional counts of felon in possession of a firearm. (Joseph Hoppa pictured above).
Jury Trial Scheduled For Ripon Woman Charged With Reckless Homicide
A one-week jury trial is scheduled this month for a 55-year-old Ripon woman charged with first degree reckless homicide for a fentanyl overdose death that occurred in the City of Ripon on March 5th of 2020. Carla Endeward is currently incarcerated at Taycheedah Correctional Institution. Her trial in Fond du Lac County court is scheduled for March 13th through the 17th. According to the criminal complaint she waited more than an hour before getting a neighbor to help take the victim who died to a hospital. An autopsy found cocaine, fentanyl and other drugs in the victim’s system. She is facing charges for three other overdoses that occurred but the victims in those incidents were successfully revived. She allegedly helped the two male victims get the drugs that led to their overdoses.
Tips Still Sought on Catalytic Converter Thefts
Green Lake County Chief Deputy Matt Vande Kolk says their Crime Stoppers program is still looking for tips about some catalytic converter thefts that occurred in January just outside of Green Lake. Sometime between the evening of January 9th and early morning hours of January 12th catalytic converters were stolen from two U-Haul trucks at ACE Island in Green Lake. The thief or thieves returned the evening of January 16th and took catalytic converters from four more U-Haul trucks. Vande Kolk says they see a slowdown in crimes reported to the Crime Stoppers program during the winter months. He says they would like to get to the root of the catalytic converter thefts, but will take tips about any suspicious activity or apparent crimes. Anyone with information is urged to report it to the Green Lake County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-GET-THEM, that’s 1-800-438-8436. You can also text GETTHEM at 847411. Tips may be eligible for up to a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects. You can report your tips anonymously.
RHS Principal Candidate Meet and Greet
The Ripon Area School District is hosting Meet & Greet sessions with the four finalists for the Ripon High School Principal position. The sessions will be held today and tomorrow at the Ripon High School Community Room from 3:15 to 4:15 pm each afternoon. Attendees should enter the building through door S1. The Search Committee held first round interviews on Wednesday, February 22nd and invited the finalists back for second interviews, writing activities, student-led tours, lunch with school board members, and the meet and greet sessions for parents, students and other stakeholders. Students, staff, parents, and community members are encouraged to attend and meet the candidates. Refreshments will be served. A final candidate could be brought before the Board of Education for approval this month.
Oshkosh Bridge Alternative
The state’s Department of Transportation tells us a high-level fixed bridge on a partially offset alignment is the preferred design alternative in the ongoing Oregon/Jackson Street Bridge Environmental Study. The study was launched to address noted deficiencies in the aging Oshkosh structure. The DOT chose Alternative 4M after years of coordination and outreach with stakeholder groups, businesses, industry, the public; and city leaders. It was chosen among dozens of alternatives. The preferred alternative will offer improved safety for all users, improved traffic flow for boat passage, and other benefits. It is expected to last 75 years and the price range of $19 to $23 million for the fixed bridge is lower than the $20 to $25 million more it would cost for a lift bridge. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2028. The new bridge would be owned and maintained by the City of Oshkosh.
Winnebago County Committee Restructure
The Winnebago County Board last night approved a resolution to create an ad hoc Structure Review Task Force to review the committee structure for the county. County Supervisor Jacob Floam says Winnebago County has 16 standing committees one of the highest in the state. By comparison Fond du Lac County only has 5 standing committees. Floam is on the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee which submitted the resolution to the board to create the task force. He says the task force will come up with some options for the board that could include folding some of the standing committees into others. He says what they have now isn’t working because some issues bounce around from committee to committee tying up staff and supervisors’ hours and it is also confusing to the public when they are trying to follow a particular issue.
FDL County Clean Sweep
Fond du Lac County’s Land and Water Conservation Department will hold a hazardous chemical waste collection or clean sweep on Saturday, May 6th. It is for household and agricultural chemical waste and is open to all Fond du Lac County residents, farms, school districts, and small businesses. The County Highway Department at 1820 South Hickory Street in Fond du Lac will host the collection from 9 am to noon that Saturday. The fee for residents and farmers is $5 per vehicle, payable by cash only. The fee for small businesses differs. Households do not need to pre-register. Farms, small businesses and school districts must pre-register by April 28th. More information is available on the Land and Water Conservation Department’s webpage on the county’s website.
Hazardous Waste Clean Sweep | Fond du Lac County (wi.gov)
UScellular Wisconsin Investments In 2022
UScellular made a $254 million investment in its Wisconsin network in 2022. That includes $68 million in network upgrades and 5G modernizations that enhanced connectivity across the state and $186 million in 5G spectrum that will bring additional customer benefits in future years. UScellular also provided $203,400 in funding to non-profits and youth organizations across Wisconsin. Eight Wisconsin non-profits also received a combines $825,160 worth of hot spots and service to help youth connect to the Internet as part of the company’s After School Access Project. In addition UScellular invested $1.7 million in its Wisconsin retail stores in 2022.
Ripon Chamber Director Impressed With Her First Polka on Ice
Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mandy Kimes took in her first Polka on Ice event this past month on the Village Green in Ripon. She’s originally from Illinois and says it was an opportunity to submerse herself in Wisconsin culture. She enjoyed both Copper Box and Mechanic Street which includes former members of Avalanche Lilly. She says dancing to the polka music provided her with a nice cardio workout. In addition to live entertainment there was handcrafted artisan beer, a tent with heaters, and ice skating. Kimes says the heated tent kept people comfortable while they enjoyed the music and beverages. Knuth Brewing Company presented the event. The Village Green is privately owned by Ripon Main Street.
Share |