3/29/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
29 March 2023 News
TRIAL RESCHEDULED FOR RIPON WOMAN SUSPECTED IN DRUG DEATH
A one-week jury trial has been moved to June 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 was scheduled for the week of March 13th but now will begin on June 19th and is scheduled for five days. 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. (Fond du Lac County Jail photo)
PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION FOR FDL MAN SUSPECTED OF ATTACKING MOTHER
The 33-year-old Fond du Lac man suspected of trying to kill his mother with a hammer has entered a not guilty and not guilty by mental disease or defect plea to an attempted first degree intentional homicide charge. Aristotle Wurtz was arraigned in Fond du Lac County court Monday. Judge Anthony Nehls ordered a psychiatric evaluation for Wurtz. Judge Nehls also ordered a review of that evaluation on April 28th. 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. During the January 26th attack the victim was struck in the head about 30 times.
REESEVILLE MAN SENTENCED ON STABBING CHARGE
A 22-year-old Reeseville man has been sentenced to 8 years in prison and 4 years of extended supervision for a stabbing that occurred in Dodge County last August. Jose Damian Pineda was sentenced yesterday on a first degree recklessly endangering safety charge. In January he pled no contest to that charge stemming from a stabbing that occurred on August 6th. Three other charges were read into the record and dismissed during January’s hearing. The victim suffered three serious, but non-life threatening, stab wounds to the head and neck. Damian Pineda admitted to being drunk and angry telling investigators, “I’m not sure what went through my head when I did it.”
PARDEEVILLE MAN ARRESTED FOR FOURTH OWI OFFENSE
A 46-year-old Pardeeville man was arrested last Thursday night in Columbia County on State Highway 33 for his fourth operating while intoxicated offense. A resident called the Sheriff’s dispatch complaining about a vehicle traveling through the City of Portage and then into the Town of Pacific that was exhibiting poor and dangerous driving behavior. A Sheriff’s deputy located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. During contact with the driver the deputy noticed signs of impairment. During the subsequent investigation the deputy arrested Osmar Garcia and took him to the Columbia County Jail.
ORDINANCE ALLOWING DOGS IN RIPON PARKS BEING RETOOLED
The City of Ripon will become more dog-friendly at its parks. The Common Council Monday night considered amending an ordinance to allow dogs in city parks, but sent the ordinance back for a few changes. City Administrator Adam Sonntag says they want to provide more access to residents and their four-legged friends, but there will be some guidelines. He says dogs will have to be on a leash and all waste will have to be picked up. Signage will be put up and bags and waste stations installed. Sonntag says that will cost the city about $2,000. He also noted there will be exceptions for service dogs and law enforcement K9s to be off leash. Alderperson John Splitt felt dogs and their owners should be allowed in cemeteries and that’s one of the changes that will be made. Alderperson Jolene Schatzinger said many people have told her that they wish they could have their dogs in city parks. She says it does increase the quality of life and could promote more tourism. The original ordinance prohibiting animals in certain city-owned areas was passed in 1987.
SENIOR INDEPENDENCE ACT
Congressman Glenn Grothman has introduced the Senior Independence Act. The bill would remove government red tape that is acting as a disincentive for seniors to work. The federal lawmaker from Glenbeulah says, “Many senior citizens who are capable and ready to work are opting to stay home due to restrictive government regulations.” For individuals between the ages of 62 and the full retirement age of 67, $1 is deducted from Social Security benefit payments for every $2 earned above the annual limit. For 2023, this limit is $21,240 annually. In future years, the limit will be adjusted annually based off the National Average Wage Index. Under the Senior Independence Act, this limit would be raised to $30,000 annually. If signed into law, the bill would take effect beginning in 2024. Grothman’s bill has been endorsed by the Association of Mature American Citizens and the National Taxpayers Union.
OMRO AREA COMMUNITY CENTER LOOKING FOR DONATIONS
Officials with the Omro Area Community Center have regained the hope they lost when the city decided not to renew their lease last December. Center President Bob McKay says they are temporarily housed at Bridge of Faith Baptist Church in Omro, but that limits some of the programs and events they can put on. They have an offer on the old Marine Tops building they are hoping to close on May 1st. McKay says it needs a lot of work including the installation of two wheelchair accessible bathrooms and a commercial kitchen. With the renovations they could get back the ADVOCAP Meals for seniors’ program and host some events. They are sorely in need of materials for the renovation and contractors to do the work. McKay says in-kind donations are welcome. Lynn Kromm is the center’s executive director. She says it will be a long process but the passion and excitement are back. She says that certainly wasn’t the case when they got their letter from the city ending the lease. The number to call if you can help is 920-685-0380.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE PLUMER ON ABORTION BILL
State Representative Jon Plumer recently voted with Assembly Republicans to pass a bill that would provide some exceptions to Wisconsin’s 1849 law prohibiting abortion. The overturning of Roe versus Wade opened the door for states to consider any laws they had on their own books. Plumer says he is unapologetic about being pro-life but realizes in some circumstances abortion should be permissible. He says he has four daughters and nine grandchildren and cherishes human life, but he says in cases of the rape of the mother, and rape and incest there should be discussion. The state lawmaker from Lodi says the State Senate doesn’t want to take up the bill the Assembly passed so he hopes there will be some negotiation over it. Plumer says abortion is a subject that won’t go away and it will take compromise to reach a middle ground.
DEADLINE FRIDAY FOR JOAN BALLWEG LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP
State Senator Joan Ballweg reminds high schools seniors that Friday is the deadline to get your application in for one of her leadership scholarships. Up to twelve $500 scholarships will be awarded. Scholarship eligibility is open to all graduating seniors continuing their education in a 2-year technical college program or a 4-year bachelor’s degree program. Students must graduate with at least a 3.0 average on a 4.0 grade point scale and reside in the district. Ballweg says her scholarship also gives weight to students taking leadership roles in their community. She says volunteering isn’t what it once was and it is hard to find people willing to serve as a volunteer firefighter, EMT, or help out a service club or organization. She says volunteering is all about taking leadership. Scholarship packets are available in area high school guidance offices or on the Senator’s website.
HOLLY LUEHRING JOINS MORAINE PARK FOUNDATION BOARD
The Moraine Park Foundation Board recently welcomed Holly Luehring, senior director of marketing and communications at Michels Corporation to the board. She will serve three three-year terms. Luehring graduated from Moraine Park in 1997 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Marketing. She began her career at Michels Corporation in 2000 as an intern and has grown through various roles. She is actively engaged in many aspects of cultural development for the Fond du Lac community. She serves on the YMCA’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Charity Club. Luehring was the recipient of the Moraine Park Technical College Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2019.
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