6/15/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
15 June 2023 News
FATAL PLANE CRASH IN WATERTOWN
Authorities in Watertown say two people were killed in a small plane crash shortly after nine o’clock Wednesday morning. Watertown Police did not report how many people may have died in the crash at Brandt-Quirk Park at 800 Carriage Hill Drive. However, the Federal Aviation Administration says two people were on board and were killed. The single-engine plane had taken off from Watertown Municipal Airport. Police say there were small fires around the crash site which was quickly extinguished by the city’s fire department. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are leading the investigation with Watertown Police assisting. Others assisting at the scene were the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, Dodge County Office of Emergency Management and Dodge County Medical Examiner.
REPRESENTATIVE DALLMAN VOTES FOR INCREASE IN LOCAL ROAD FUNDING
State Representative Alex Dallman of Green Lake, and Republican members of the Joint Committee on Finance, voted on Tuesday, to invest additional funds into local roads and state highways. The motion, which passed along party lines, invests more than $1.5 billion in new spending in Wisconsin’s transportation budget. The action taken by the JFC is now included in state’s 2-year budget which will need to be voted on by the legislature and signed into law by the governor. The investment by JFC Republicans provides more dollars than Governor Evers for local roads and state highways while borrowing less than the governor in his proposal. The Republicans budget will commit $750 million to local roads and bridges as well as state highway improvements. Representative Dallman says, “I have continued to hear from my constituents across the 41st District about how poor out state roads are and how difficult it is for our local communities to keep up with our failing infrastructure.”
BRANDON POLICING
The Fond du Lac County Board Tuesday night approved creation of an additional Sheriff’s deputy position to provide policing services for the Village of Brandon. The deputy will spend 20 hours a week in Brandon and the rest of time patrolling for the County. County Executive Sam Kaufman says with the retirement of Brandon-Fairwater Police Chief Gary Durkee the Village of Brandon could have ended its police department but they wanted to continue to provide that service and will do so through the County. Kaufman says the deputy will be located in the western part of the county and will be able to respond to emergencies in Ripon and Waupun much quicker. He says the contract with Brandon is for one year with an option to renew for three years. The Village of Fairwater is still weighing its options but the same deputy could also provide policing for them if they choose to go that route.
RIPON COMMON COUNCIL AWARDS BIDS
The Ripon Common Council approved bids for three separate projects this week. RLAM was awarded the State Street Reconstruction Project for a low bid of $846,046.45. The pedestrian bridge on the street will be replaced with a culvert and protective fencing to prevent people from falling along the edge. Egbert Excavating was awarded the Tygert Street Bridge removal project which will include revetment and installation of concrete and asphalt trails. The bid and the two alternates came to $262,627.50. The third bid was awarded for Murray Park Trail improvements including gravel and asphalt trail construction. Northeast Asphalt won that bid for a total of $181,631.70. Each of the bids came in under Engineers’ estimates.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY
The Winnebago County Board’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee has been fine tuning a resolution creating a policy for use of electronic devices for elected officials of the County. County Supervisor Jacob Floam says in particular the policy would be for the devices used by officials like county supervisors who were issued tablets. The policy would outline consequences for misuse of those devices. Floam says supervisors should be held to a higher standard whether it is the care and use of the device or the sites they visit on it. He says the policy could also apply to other county elected officials like the District Attorney, Clerk of Courts, Treasurer or others. Floam says the policy is needed and it is well-intentioned. He says in the past some tablets were returned damaged or weren’t returned at all.
HAZING GEESE IN HORICON
Horicon residents will be hearing screaming fireworks or loud bangs from fireworks over the coming days. No one is celebrating the 4th of July early. The city is seeing its geese numbers increasing. The reason adult geese are molting or shedding their flight feathers and cannot fly. So Horicon’s Public Works Department is using fireworks to haze or scare geese out of the area. The fireworks they are using aren’t just run of the mill. They are specially designed to be launched from what looks similar to a handgun but launches the fireworks 50 to 125 feet and then makes a very loud report. The fireworks are a non-lethal, humane form of hazing for birds and mammals.
BLUE GREEN ALGAE A THREAT DURING THE SUMMER
It’s been a few weeks since temperatures have been warm enough to produce blue-green algae but an official with the Fond du Lac Public Health Department says it can pop up any time during the summer. Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says low wind, warm water, sunlight, and nutrients create blue-green algae. It can be toxic to pets and cause blisters or rashes if it comes into contact with your skin. She recommends washing thoroughly with soap and water if you or your pet gets any of it on you while you are in the water. She says if you get sick from suspected Blue-Green algae seek medical attention right away. If you suspect you or your pet have been poisoned, but aren’t sure call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. You can also report algae-related illnesses to the state by calling 1-608-266-1120.
SSM HEALTH GREATER FDL CONTRIBUTION TO BGCTC
SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac is giving $10,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of the Tri-County Area to help support four robust community programs-Operation Backpack, Coats for Kids, Thanksgiving Meals, and Adopt a Family. The organization’s mission is to improve the lives of children and families. The team offers programs that encompass areas like building life skills, homework help, engaging in STEM or computer science learning opportunities and taking part in physical activities. Ashley Bartol is the director of Development for the Club. She says they provide basic needs to the youth and their families including school supplies, meals, clothing, hygiene bags, and so much more. She says by doing so they are lessening the burden of families which in turn lessens the financial burden of many counties. You can read more by clicking here.
PENIEL WELSH CHAPEL GATHERING
The Peniel Welsh Chapel is inviting area residents to their gathering on Saturday, June 24th at 6 pm. The hour will feature familiar hymns featuring bell ringers from the Covenant United Methodist Church in Fond du Lac, accompanied by piano and directed by Thomas White. There will also be a reed organ with congregational singing. The event will be followed by an ice cream social. A free will offering will be taken. To get to the Chapel take State Highway 26 6.5 miles north out of Rosendale to County Highway FF west, or State Highway 26 south out of Oshkosh to County Highway FF.
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