3/23/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
23 March 2023 News
OSHKOSH MAN’S CONVICTION UPHELD IN BABY SON’S DEATH
A state appeals court Wednesday upheld the Winnebago County court conviction of a 32-year-old Oshkosh man who shook his 7-week-old son to death. In June of 2020 Cory Lyons was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 20 years of extended supervision on a first-degree reckless homicide charge stemming from the death of his son. According to the criminal complaint the child’s mother left him with Lyons on November 29th of 2018 when she went to work. Lyons told authorities he became frustrated with the baby’s crying and shook the infant five or six times not supporting his head while he was doing it. An autopsy found the child died of brain injuries. In an 18-page decision the appeals court said Lyons statements to police were voluntary and there was no coercion. Lyons is currently incarcerated at Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution.
DODGE COUNTY WALKAWAY GONE AGAIN
A Dodge County judge Tuesday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a 35-year-old Huber inmate who failed to return from a medical appointment last month. Andrew Zirbel was taken into custody on February 20th the same day the Sheriff’s Office asked for the public’s help in locating him. The Horicon man was subsequently charged with escape-civil arrest and was scheduled for a plea and sentencing hearing on Monday. But he failed to show up for the hearing. Zirbel’s last known residence was in the City of Beaver Dam on West Burnett Street, but he also could be at a residence in the City of Waupun. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should not have contact with him. Call the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office at 920-386-3726 or your local law enforcement agency.
STATE ASSEMBLY PASSES CRIME LEGISLATION
State Representative Jon Plumer joined his Republican colleagues in the State Assembly Wednesday to pass crime legislation that is tougher on crime and criminals. The state lawmaker from Lodi says, “To often, we see soft-on-crime judges and DA’s in Wisconsin letting dangerous criminals out on our streets when they should be kept in jail.” The legislation doubles penalties for reckless driving, creates a mandatory minimum sentence for violent felons that illegally possess a firearm, and holds the parole board publically accountable. It also defines “violent crime” and “serious harm” for the constitutional amendment on bail reform that is on the April 4th ballot.
ROLLING MEADOWS GOLF COURSE AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORT PRESENTED
The Fond du Lac County Board Tuesday night received a report from the ad hoc committee put together to take a look at ways to make the county-owned Rolling Meadows Golf Course profitable. County supervisors had no questions about the report, but County Executive Sam Kaufman commended the committee on its work. Kaufman says accounting changes suggested for management of the golf course made a difference. He says the course showed a profit of $40,000 in 2022 without any subsidizing of money from the county sales tax. The committee also recommended continuing to operate the course, look into taking over food and beverage operations, and renovating the clubhouse for year round use to host events.
RIPON SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES SECOND SRO POSITION
The Ripon Area School District Board this week unanimously approved the addition of a second school resource officer. Since the District and the City of Ripon split those costs the District is waiting to see if the Common Council will follow suit and approve the positon at their meeting on Tuesday. District Superintendent Mary Whitrock says they did have an additional officer in the schools at one time providing education and training. She says the SRO position has evolved a bit to include focuses on mental health and prevention efforts. If the Common Council approves the position that officer would begin on May 1st shadowing current SRO Lindsey Michels for the rest of the academic year which runs through June. The second SRO would work on their own, but also in conjunction with Officer Michels.
RIPON EXPANSIONS PRAISED
Envision Greater Fond du Lac President and CEO Sadie Vander Velde says Ripon has a pair of exciting projects where old buildings are getting facelifts and new use. She says in both cases it involves people heavily invested in the community. Vander Velde says Knuth Brewing Company will be making good use of the former American House on Watson Street once that project is complete. The other project is spearheaded by Ripon native Justin Krueger who bought the former Extreme Auto Body and Towing property on East Fond du Lac Street in a Sheriff’s sale. It is being converted into a second location for S.C. Machining and Manufacturing whose main location is in Oshkosh. That Ripon location could create up to 16 full-time jobs.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY SPENDING ARPA MONEY
The Winnebago County Board approved six resolutions at their meeting Tuesday night for spending some of the American Rescue Plan Act funds allotted to the county. The county created the Spirit Fund for the purpose of using those funds. County Supervisor Jacob Floam says one resolution committed $2.7 million in funds for new radios for all county departments in particular the Sheriff’s Department. Another $925,000 was committed to the purchase of an emergency generator for the Sunnyview Expo Center. Floam says they realized the need when a tornado happened during EAA AirVenture a couple years ago. Supervisors also approved allocating $145,000 to each of the 15 townships in the county. He says that money can mean a lot to a township, like the Town of Black Wolf which is splitting the $1 million cost of a new fire truck with the Fond du Lac County Town of Friendship.
MOMENT OF SILENCE REQUESTED
Fond du Lac County Executive Sam Kaufman is asking county residents to observe a moment of silence Monday to honor the late County Executive Allen Buechel. Buechel died last March from a heart attack. He was 74-years-old. Kaufman is asking county residents to commemorate the anniversary of Buechel’s death by observing a moment of silence at 4:15 Monday afternoon, “To honor Allen’s legacy and his more than 46 years of public service to Fond du Lac County.” Buechel spent just over 29 years serving as county executive, the longest serving county executive in the state. For the 17 years prior to that he was a Fond du Lac County supervisor.
NEBAT ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS
National Exchange Bank & Trust Chairman of the Board Peter Stone Wednesday announced that James Chatterton, president and COO, will retire from the bank after 35 years of service, and Eric Stone, current CEO, will assume the President/CEO combined role. Chatterton has been the Chief Executive Officer of American Bank for 17 years, before becoming president of National Exchange Bank & Trust when the two banks merged in 2016. Eric Stone is currently the Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board for National Exchange Bank & Trust and the President of NEB Corp., the holding company for National Exchange Bank & Trust. In addition Nicole Wiese is promoted to Chief Operating Officer, Steve Holz to Chief Lending Officer, and Tami Christian has been named Chief People Officer.
THIS IS WINNEBAGOLAND
Beginning April 1st, visitors to the Oshkosh Public Museum will find a new long-term exhibition to explore: This is Winnebagoland! The Lake Winnebago region, once promoted as a recreational paradise called Winnebagoland, is home to timeless adventure! Exhibitions Curator Emily Rock says the new long-term exhibition celebrates unique regional traditions like ice boating and sturgeon spearing while exploring what makes ‘Winnebagoland’ a great place for leisure activities in the past and present. This is Winnebagoland is part of the ongoing complete transformation of the Museum’s second-floor gallery spaces. Following opening day of the new exhibition, other sections of the Museum’s second floor will close and enter the next phase of the project.
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