6/28/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
28 June 2023 News
FDL COUNTY CHASE SUSPECT CHARGED
Bond was set at $50,000 cash for a 47-year-old New Berlin man who led Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputies during a high-speed chase that ended in a high-risk traffic stop on State Highway 175 early Saturday morning. Jeffrey Ionescu made his initial court appearance Monday on a felony fleeing charge and misdemeanor charges for his 3rd OWI and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was allegedly going over 100 miles an hour on Interstate 41 in the Town of Byron when a deputy tried to pull him over. Ionescu will be back in court for a preliminary hearing on July 6th. (Fond du Lac County Jail photo.)
FDL MAN CHARGED FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND VEHICLE CHASE
The 27-year-old Fond du Lac man suspected of fleeing police in a vehicle and foot chase following a domestic violence incident in the city Saturday night has made his initial appearance in Fond du Lac County court. Jacob Cohen is charged with strangulation and suffocation, vehicle operator fleeing an officer, battery, and resisting or obstructing an officer. The victim, a 20-year-old Fond du Lac woman, was taken to a hospital by a family member. During Cohen’s initial hearing yesterday bond was set at $10,000 cash and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for September 14th. During the vehicle pursuit through southwest portions of the city speeds reached 60 miles per hour. Cohen was taken into custody inside a home in the 400 block of Ann Street. (Fond du Lac County Jail photo).
OSHKOSH COMPUTER SCAM
Oshkosh Police are warning residents about a scam that has seen a number of victims. The victim receives an alert on their computer. The alert prompts them to call a phone number. The alert indicates there is some sort of problem with the victim’s computer, bank account or other account. When the victim calls the phone number provided on the alert a scammer may convince the victim to give them access to the victim’s computer, obtain banking information for the victim, or convince the victim to provide money to resolve the issue. The scammer may manipulate what the victim sees on their computer. The scammer then may convince the victim they need to provide additional funds to overcome the scam which occurred. The victim may be convinced to send money to the scammer via a cashier’s check, cash, or to deposit funds into a Cryptocurrency or Bitcoin ATM. Oshkosh Police urge residents not to respond to these types of alerts.
BERLIN MAN ARRAIGNED ON TWELFTH OWI CHARGE
A 52-year-old Berlin man was arraigned Tuesday in Waupaca County court on his 12th operating while intoxicated offense. Scott Hein pled not guilty to the OWI charge. According to the criminal complaint police were called to a Hardee’s in Waupaca on March 25th after a worker noticed “open intoxicants” in Hein’s car, plus Hein was slurring his speech leading the employee to believe he may be intoxicated. When an officer arrived the officer saw several empty beer cans and bottles in Hein’s vehicle. Hein told the officer he had two beers in Manawa about four hours earlier. Hein’s OWI convictions date back to 1990 the most recent was in 2013. He was sentenced to four years in prison for that conviction.
RIPON COMMON COUNCIL HIRES ORGANIZATIONAL CONSULTANT
The Ripon Common Council this week approved hiring a consulting firm to provide some organizational services for the city. The Council approved the hiring of Allyson Brunette Consulting for $3,465.66. The firm provides a Civic Health Check™ which includes an organizational wide questionnaire and a 90-minute Mission, Vision and Values Workshop for department heads and council members. City staff recommended a consulting service feeling the organization of the city is severely lacking in having established expectations for mission, values and vision. During the Council’s meeting it was pointed out that an outsider’s perspective is incredibly valuable at times and that the organizational upgrade could help the city in the future when it comes to new positions that might be needed. The project could take 6 to 8 weeks and could begin as early as the week of September 11th.
RIPON AWARDED VIBRANT SPACES GRANT FOR VILLAGE GREEN PROJECT
Ripon was recently awarded a $50,000 Vibrant Spaces grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to fund the beautification and revitalization of the Village Green. The grant program is designed to help cities and towns revitalize underused spaces to build community and attract future residents. Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC, says, “These grants will help communities create new gathering places in thriving downtowns to draw residents, visitors, new businesses and investments.” Ripon Mayor Theodore Grant says the Village Green beautification project highlights the joint commitment of Ripon Main Street and the city to elevating the downtown and making it an even greater destination. The cost of the project is approximately $200,000 with Main Street securing a $50,000 Vibrant Spaces grant to help offset expenses. The goal is to raise $75,000 through sponsorships and donations, and sponsorship of the Gathering Space/Plaza is still available. Donations can be sent directly to Ripon Main Street or made online through GoFundMe. (Ripon Main Street photo.)
Fundraiser by Craig Tebon : Village Green Gathering Space (gofundme.com)
MORE PAY FOR CORRECTIONS OFFICERS INCLUDED IN STATE BUDGET
State Senator Joan Ballweg says the state’s Joint Finance Committee included $344 million in the state budget to increase the compensation rate for Department of Corrections’ workers. She says that will help with job retention and recruitment. Starting pay would be $33 an hour with more for those who are already employed. Ballweg points out some prisons in the state have job vacancy rates of 40 to 50 percent. That includes Columbia Correctional in Portage and Waupun Correctional in Waupun. She says on the other hand because of the lack of corrections officers some state prisons have had to limit vocational training and therapy for inmates that need it. The state lawmaker from Markesan says they’ve even had to serve meals to inmates in their cells because there are not enough guards to supervise during meal times.
MERCURY RACING ANNOUNCES POWERBOAT POKER RUN IN OSHKOSH JUNE 2024
Mercury Racing has announced plans to host the first Mercury Racing Owners Poker Run in Oshkosh next June. The four-day event will be organized with support of the Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau and veteran event planner Shannon Radtke. Tentative dates are June 20th through June 23rd, 2024. Preliminary event plans include a multi-stop powerboat poker run on the Lake Winnebago basin with a live sandbar concert, a street parade for powerboats, a street dance, and Mercury Racing factory tours. The event is intended to be family friendly and inclusive of all boats and boaters-powered by Mercury Racing. Mercury Racing General Manager Stuart Halley says, “The 50-year history of Mercury Racing started right her in Oshkosh on the banks of the Fox River, so this seems like the perfect place for the Wide Open crowd to gather for an event that will offer something for the entire family.”
LITTLE WHITE SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUM DIRECTOR IMPRESSES
Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mandy Kimes says they are so fortunate to have Steve Arbaugh as the museum director for the Little White Schoolhouse. Arbaugh was appointed last month. Kimes says Arbaugh brings experience with him including being administrator of the Ripon Historical Society. Kimes says she’s impressed with what Arbaugh was able to do with the Historical Society’s visitor experience, their social media presence, and their website. She says although Arbaugh works for the Schoolhouse part-time he’s already bringing great ideas. During his career, he has worked with both for-profit and non-profit organizations, ranging from startups to large corporations. Steve and his wife Cathylee have been residents of Ripon for the past six years, having previously owned a home in Marquette County for 23 years.
FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF FARMLAND A CONCERN
A bill co-authored by State Representative Jon Plumer would limit foreign ownership of Wisconsin farmland and processing plants. The state lawmaker from Lodi says to him foreign actors buying up farmland and processing plants is a huge national security issue. Representative Plumer and State Senator Rob Stafsholt authored a bill that limits foreign ownership of agriculture land at 50 acres. Plumer doesn’t feel there are any practical reasons for foreign government to own farmland or processing plants in Wisconsin. He notes a similar bill is making its way through Congress. Plumer represents the 42nd State Assembly District and Senator Stafsholt the 10th State Senate District.
FDL POLICE DETECTIVE RECOGNIZED FOR HER COMPASSION
The Fraternal Order of Eagles awarded Fond du Lac Police Detective Kristina Meilahn their Officer of the Year Award in Madison last Saturday. Detective Meilahn was recognized for advancing the Department’s Peer Support Program, efforts in building the department’s resources for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and for the authentic relationship she has developed with an autistic individual who still stops by the police station on North Main Street each week. Detective Meilahn had an extra special guest at the awards banquet in Madison, Isaac who continues to visit the Fond du Lac Police Station each week to perform a new song. (Fond du Lac Police Department photo.)
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