7/12/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
12 July 2023 News
WAUSHARA COUNTY PALLET FIRE
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources gave an update Tuesday on the Pallet Fire in Waushara County, southeast of Coloma. Officials say the fire is 99 percent contained. Three primary structures and 17 secondary structures were lost. The cause of the wildfire is debris burning. The DNR used infrared/satellite technology and location points taken on the ground to determine the size of the fire which was roughly 830 acres. The figure may be updated. Eight firefighters have been injured fighting the blaze. They were treated for heat and smoke exposure. The Pallet Fire travelled northeast and burned in pine and mixed hardwoods along Cumberland Avenue and north of Highway 21. DNR officials say fire danger remains high across many parts of the state due to dry conditions. (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources photo).
RIPON MAN CHARGED FOR DISTURBANCE AT LOCAL BUSINESS
A 54-year-old Ripon man has been charged with felony bail jumping and disorderly conduct for allegedly showing up at a business and making threats. According to the criminal complaint a woman had broken up with Timothy Dummer. He had texted the woman last Thursday referencing large and small caliber guns. Family members had been involved in the breakup and a couple of them worked at a business where Dummer showed up last Friday. Dummer had previously worked there and was asked repeatedly to leave and police were called. At one point while arguing with the owner about leaving Dummer placed a wooden stick on a countertop. The woman did not know what his intentions were and he left the business. When police arrived they handcuffed him but had to threaten to use a taser on him because he did not cooperate and said police were not going to arrest him. Dummer was out on bond from a Green Lake County case where he is charged with felon in possession of a weapon. His initial appearance in Fond du Lac County court was Tuesday. Bond was set at $750 cash and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for September 22nd. (Fond du Lac County Jail photo).
ARRAIGNMENT FOR MAN SUSPECTED OF TAKING VEHICLE IN WAUPUN
The 29-year-old man facing three felony charges in Dodge County for a robbery that occurred in Waupun was arraigned yesterday. Andrew Davis pled not guilty to charges of robbery with use of force, strangulation, and bail jumping. According to the criminal complaint on March 15th of last year police were called to 241 South Madison for an assault and stolen vehicle. Davis was identified as the attacker. The victim told investigators Davis asked for a ride but the victim said no because Davis had taken his truck the week before. The victim recovered it that time. During the assault Davis allegedly had the victim in a head lock and wrestled him to the ground. When he began to lose consciousness Davis took his keys and drove off in the vehicle. A plea and sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 2nd. Davis is currently incarcerated at Jackson Correctional Institution in Black River Falls.
FORMER WAUPUN INMATE CHARGED FOR PRISON ATTACK
A former Waupun Correctional inmate is suspected of choking a prison staff member. David Walton is charged in Dodge County court with felony Battery by Prisoner and a count of Strangulation/Suffocation stemming from the August 2021 incident. The 35-year-old allegedly attacked a nurse in a health services room while he was receiving medication. According to the criminal complaint Walton locked the door and pulled out a shank. He grabbed her by the throat and started choking her. The victim claims he pulled an alarm system she wore off her during the attack so she couldn’t push the panic alarm. A guard patrolling the area heard a muffled scream and with additional staff helping made entry into the room securing Walton. An initial court appearance is scheduled September 5th.
RIPON COMMON COUNCIL TWEAKS ORDINANCES TO ENSURE UNOBSTRUCTED SIDEWALKS
The Ripon Common Council last night approved the amending of two city ordinances to make sure people walking through the downtown have enough space to pass through sidewalk cafes and store displays on sidewalks. Signs, goods and displays could not extend more than 3 feet from the store and at least 3 feet of sidewalk would have to be unobstructed. Sidewalk cafes cannot be more than 5 feet from a curb and again there must be at least 3 feet of open and unobstructed space on the sidewalk. The Council was informed that store and shop owners were in favor of the tweaking of the ordinances and the Council unanimously passed them. The Council also approved selling a small parcel of land to Ripon College for $1. The land is a pathway that will be used near the College’s new stadium. Mayor Ted Grant says Ripon College has been using and maintaining the pathway for years. The Council approved the sale unanimously.
TOXIC EXPOSURE SCREENING AND MINI FAIR FOR VETERANS SATURDAY
Veterans are invited to the PACT ACT Toxic Exposure Screening and Mini Fair Day at the Tomah VA Medical Center this Saturday. It will run from 11 am to 4 pm in front of Building 400. Isaac Clein is a Toxic Exposure Screen Navigator for the VA. In August of last year the PACT ACT was enacted providing health care benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other exposures. Clein says many veterans may not be aware of the benefits or are not aware they may have been exposed. The Mini Fair will include information about Veteran benefits and Tomah VA programs and provide access to County Veteran Service Officers. Clein says there will also be activities for kids, music, and lunch will be available. The event is free. It is recommended attendees bring lawn chairs with them. Clein says the screening will allow veterans to get information about benefits and start down the road to enrolling for them. There are deadlines next month for intent to file and back dating for benefits. More information is also available by calling 1-608-372-3971.
GOOD FAITH
State Representative Alex Dallman says Republicans this session decided to negotiate in Good Faith when it came to working on the state budget and other issues. The state lawmaker from Green Lake says what they heard during town hall meetings and public hearings by the Joint Finance Committee for the budget is that state residents wanted more cooperation between the parties. He says they argued in Good Faith about the Milwaukee Pension issue, the Milwaukee Brewer stadium issue, shared revenue and education. But he says despite the Governor insisting on doing something about state roads and promising a tax cut for the middle class he used his veto pen to increase property taxes for school funding and cut proposed increases for general transportation aid. Representative Dallman is a member of the Joint Finance Committee.
GRANT APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED
Grant applications are being accepted for grants from the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin. Nonprofit agencies, government entities, and charities can apply for up $25,000 in grants until July 31st. Marlee Samuels is the Donor Services Director for the Foundation. She says grant awardees must be doing something that will benefit a community in either Portage or Waushara counties. Mission areas the proposed programs must benefit can be in Arts and Culture, Education, the Environment, helping people, and Wellness. Applicants can apply online at CFCWI.org or can call 715-342-4454 for more information. Notices will be sent out to grant applicants in September telling them whether they were awarded a grant or not. The Foundation will hold a celebration on September 14th at the World War II Memorial Building in Wautoma to celebrate 15 years of awarding grants.
HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE INCREASE FOR NONRESIDENTS
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is increasing fees for many nonresident hunting and fishing licenses as a result of the final 2024-2025 budget enacted by Governor Tony Evers last week. The fee changes range from $5-$40 and are only for nonresidents. Licenses for the 2023-2024 season are valid through March 31st, 2024. The last time license fees for residents or nonresidents increased was 2005.
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