6/29/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
29 June 2023 News
APPLETON MAN FACING CHARGES FOR FDL COUNTY PURSUITS
A 22-year-old Appleton man is facing stolen vehicle, two counts of felony eluding, recklessly endangering safety, and felon in possession of a firearm charges stemming from two high speed pursuits in Fond du Lac County. It began Wednesday morning when a Sheriff’s deputy spotted a vehicle without headlights on. The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office had put out information about a stolen vehicle heading south on Interstate 41. Twice the vehicle was able to elude pursuits and tire deflation devices, but when the driver turned from Fond du Lac County B onto North Barton Road to avoid one of those devices he crashed at a dead end. He was not injured but the vehicle he was driving had moderate damage. No other property damage or injuries occurred during the nearly 21-mile pursuit. Investigators also found a firearm he allegedly discarded during the chase.
OPERATION DRY WATER
Sheriff’s offices in Dodge and Fond du Lac counties are joining the U.S. Coast Guard, Wisconsin DNR, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and others in the annual Operation Dry Water campaign. It is a coordinated campaign to educate boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Operation Dry Water runs Saturday through Monday. Boaters will see an increase in outreach, education and enforcement surrounding boating under the influence. The mission of Operation Dry Water is to reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water. The Sheriff’s offices will be out educating boaters on ways to stay safe while on the water and will take enforcement action when necessary.
FIRST CASE THIS YEAR OF WEST NILE VIRUS IN A HORSE
The state’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection confirms that an unvaccinated 21-year-old Paint mare in Dunn County has tested positive for West Nile Virus. It is the state’s first confirmed case in a horse this year. Symptoms in horses include fever, incoordination, hind-end weakness, depression, loss of appetite, muscle tremors, teeth grinding, inability to swallow, head pressing, excessive sweating, and going down with an inability to rise. The disease can cause brain inflammation in horses and people, and it is fatal in 30 to 40 percent of horses showing signs of illness. While humans can be infected by West Nile Virus, the virus does not pass directly between people and horses. The only route of transmission is from a mosquito bite.
STATE SENATE PASSES STATE BUDGET
The state Senate Wednesday passed the state’s two-year budget; Senators Joan Ballweg of Markesan and Dan Feyen of Fond du Lac were among those voting for passage. Senator Ballweg, a member of the Joint Finance Committee, says she believes the committee created a responsible budget that makes major investments in the priorities of Wisconsinites. She was pleased with investments in tourism and agricultural industries and also noted the budget provides a $4.4 billion tax cut and increases compensation rates for corrections employees by $344 million. Senator Feyen was also pleased about the tax cut, but also noted an increase of over $1 billion for schools and $1.5 billion for transportation. Senator Feyen says he’s proud of the budget and the investments in Wisconsin.
BUSY TRAVEL WEEKEND
The Wisconsin AAA is expecting more than 1.1 million state residents to take at least one trip of 50 miles or more between tomorrow, and the 4th of July. That’s 48,600 more holiday travelers than the previous record high set last year. National travel figures are also expected to set new records. An estimated 50.7 million Americans are forecast to travel for the holiday weekend. That’s nearly 2.1 million more travelers than last year’s holiday and almost 1.8 million more than the previous high, set back in 2019. Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA says, “Although airfares and hotel rates are more expensive than last year, Americans are still eager to travel. So, expect to see congested roads, busy hotels, and long lines at airports and attractions.”
LITTLE WHITE SCHOOLHOUSE REVIEW
The Little White Schoolhouse in Ripon still has its historic landmark status despite this spring’s move. Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mandy Kimes says the move triggered an automatic review by the National Park Service, but things take time at the federal level. She says while that is happening they are reapplying for the Nation Registry of Historic Places. Kimes says as “The Birthplace of the Republican Party” the Little White Schoolhouse should have its place among national historic places. The Little White Schoolhouse has been owned by the Chamber of Commerce for more than 30 years and the Chamber has maintained it over that time span.
RIPON KIWANIS CLUBS ALL-INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND
Both the Ripon Early Bird Kiwanis and Noon Kiwanis Clubs are collaborating to bring an all-inclusive playground to Riggs County Park. Fond du Lac County will provide $190,000 of the estimated $270,000 cost, leaving the clubs to raise the remaining $80,000. Early Bird Kiwanis Club President Dan Parks says the two clubs were brought together by a bequest to the clubs by Dennis Valstad who was an Early Bird Kiwanis member before his passing in 2019. Parks says the playground and its impact on children and the area are something Dennis would be proud of. The all-inclusive playground would be for children ages 5 to 12, and it would include 43 features for up to 238 users. One of the features of the playground will be the rubberized matting which will be navigable for those with physical challenges or mobility issues. Jeffrey Dodson is the immediate past president of the Noon Kiwanis. He says that will allow grandparents and the elderly to watch children at play as well. More information about the playground and how to donate is available at the Ripon Early Bird Kiwanis website.
All-Inclusive Playground (riponearlybirdkiwanis.org)
WINNEBAGO COUNTY STRUCTURE REVIEW TASK FORCE
Winnebago County Board Supervisor Jacob Floam says the County’s Structure Review Task Force has done a lot of research as it takes a look at reducing the number of standing committees the county board operates with. Floam chairs the task force. He says they currently have 15 standing committees with a goal of reducing that down to nine. They will propose consolidating several committees and boards under the Health and Human Services Board. They will also fit several committees and boards under a new Natural Resources Committee. Other changes proposed include renaming the Personnel and Finance Committee, the Finance and Administration Committee. Some jurisdictions will change with committee changes. The Legislative Committee would become a special committee. Others like the Airport and Solid Waste Committees would remain the same. Floam says once the task force is done they will submit their proposal to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. He hopes they will put it before the County Board for a vote in September.
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