7/3/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Monday
3 July 2023 News
CHEMICAL LEAK AT MILK SPECIALTIES IN FDL
Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue responded to Milk Specialties on Tompkins Street Friday morning for a report of a yellow smoke plume. It was by the shipping docks where chemicals are unloaded from semi-trucks. Nobody was injured during the chemical leak. A Hazardous Materials Team was dispatched, and the building was evacuated. Investigators say there was a major failure in a hose which resulted in nitric acid being sprayed onto storage drums of surfactant and animal by-product. That created a violent reaction creating the plume. Fire Department officials credit a truck operator’s quick actions shutting off equipment to prevent spread. The Haz Mat team was on the scene for about 5 hours. An environmental company took care of the clean-up.
DODGE COUNTY JAIL WALKAWAY FOUND COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL
The 36-year-old Beaver Dam man that walked away from the Dodge County Jail has been found competent to stand trial. In late April the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office was notified that Michael Kirk, a Huber inmate, failed to report back to the jail from work release. According to the criminal complaint law enforcement learned that day Kirk had been fired from his job and wasn’t authorized to be released. Sheriff’s officials were tipped off the next morning that Kirk was staying in a room at the Holiday Express in Beaver Dam. Kirk barricaded himself in his hotel room when they contacted him. A negotiator talked him out of the room a little over three hours later. Kirk was serving time in jail on felony bail jumping and criminal damage charges.
CAR ENTRIES IN BEAVER DAM
Police in Beaver Dam say they received 10 complaints last week about unlocked vehicles that were entered during the overnight hours. Thieves took wallets, change and anything else they found of value. Police say for each person who calls in a complaint there are probably five more that don’t which means its likely 50 or 60 vehicles were entered. They urge residents to take their valuables out of their car at night and lock them up. They say the vehicle entries are a crime of opportunity and thieves may pull on hundreds of door handles on cars parked in the street, driveways, and even garages before they find an unlocked vehicle.
LAID OFF ARAMARK WORKERS FIND NEW JOBS
The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board offered to lead rapid response efforts for 86 Aramark workers laid off in Fond du Lac. The company provides food and concessions for the Fond du Lac School District which voted last month to end its food service contract with Aramark effective the end of last month. Nearly all impacted employees will be retained by the incoming food service provider, Chartwells. Chartwells expects 84 employees to accept roles offered with them Two management staff were not offered roles with Chartwells but will seek other roles within Aramark. A typical rapid response effort includes discussions about retraining and available job search benefits, a private job fair, and more. The services are free.
HWY 113 PROJECT MOVED UP
Last month State Representative Jon Plumer sent a letter to Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson urging the DOT to expedite part of the Highway 113 project in Columbia County. That was after the DOT announced a delay for part of the scheduled repair. The project spans from the City of Lodi through the Town of Lodi, and finishes in Merrimac. Secretary Thompson got back to him and the DOT will be moving forward with a portion of the project between Highway J and Merrimac in Columbia County. Work is expected to start this summer instead of next fall. Plumer says if you can’t drink a cup of coffee going over a road it is pretty bad shape. Plumer chairs the Assembly’s Transportation Committee and as such has had a lot of interaction with Secretary Thompson.
BADGER BOYS
Berlin Common Council member Luke Dretske has not forgotten his days participating in Badger State Boys. The program used to be held at Ripon College but is now staged in Eau Claire and was held a couple of weeks ago. In addition to serving on the Berlin Council Dretske is a Green Lake County Supervisor and ran for the State Assembly when he was a Ripon College student. Badger State gives boys a taste of the government process and grooms future leaders. Dretske says he returns every year to act a counselor. Each year about 800 boys participate in the program. Dretske says he’d like to see more participation from students in Berlin where he grew up.
NEW DEPUTY FOR GREEN LAKE COUNTY
The Green Lake County Sheriff’s Department this past month swore in a new deputy. Deputy Luke Meyer joins the Sheriff’s Office after six years with the Berlin Police Department. Chief Deputy Matt Vande Kolk says they are happy to have someone with Meyer’s experience join their team and grateful for Berlin Police Chief Brian Pulvermacher supporting the transition. Vande Kolk says thankfully the Berlin Police Department was able to find someone to fill in for Meyer’s absence. He also points out that with the Sheriff’s Office Meyer will have additional opportunities. (Green Lake County Sheriff’s photo).
HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSINGS
Fond du Lac County offices are closed for the 4th of July Holiday. The City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac, Sheriff’s Office lobby window, Department of Social Services, Portland Street Annex and Highway Department will be closed all day today and tomorrow. The Moraine Lakes Consortium call center will have normal business hours today, but will be closed all day July 4th. City of Ripon offices are closed Tuesday and there will be no garbage pickup. Tuesday’s garbage will be picked up on Wednesday. The recycling pickup is altered with east side pickup on Thursday. The City of Oshkosh will have no garbage or recycling collection tomorrow. Collections for the remainder of the week will be one day later.
WAUPUN NURSE WINS DAISY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Lorna O’Donovan a registered nurse at SSM Health Waupun Memoria Hospital has received the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes nurses who have devoted their life’s work to the compassionate care of others. Award recipients are nominated for their dedication to nursing through active mentoring, role modeling, advocating for their patients and promoting the positive image of nursing. Lorna has over 29 years of experience in nursing. Nomination comments described her as a kind respectful person, skilled nurse and team player, and being observant. You can read more about her award in our story at Hometown Broadcasting.com.
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