8/29/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
29 August 2023 News
BOND REDUCTION REQUEST FOR MAN WHO CRASHED INTO FDL VERIZON STORED DENIED
A Fond du Lac County judge Monday denied a request for a reduction in bond for the 20-year-old Oakfield man who crashed his vehicle into a Verizon Store in Fond du Lac. The attorney for Benjamin Ayer felt $10,000 cash was sufficient bond for Ayer who has no previous record. But Judge Andrew Christenson kept Ayer’s bond at $300,000 cash. The April 27th accident left six people injured one critically. According to the criminal complaint Ayer told an officer at the scene he was huffing air duster from a canister in the parking lot of a restaurant on Rolling Meadows Drive before heading up the road and losing control of his vehicle ultimately crashing it through glass walls of Verizon’s showroom. Ayer will be back in court on October 3rd.
MARKESAN MAN CHARGED FOR DODGE COUNTY HIT AND RUN CRASHES
Dodge County prosecutors have charged a 24-year-old Markesan man for leaving the scene of a traffic crash in Beaver Dam. Yonatan Martinez allegedly crashed into car on West Third Street at a high rate of speed, left the scene and crashed into a parked car. He was eventually stopped near the corner of East Maple and North Spring Street. A preliminary breath test put his blood alcohol content at more than two times the legal limit. He is charged with hit and run involving injury and causing injury-operating while under the influence, and resisting. He will be back in court for a preliminary hearing on Thursday.
DRIVE SOBER ENFORCEMENT EFFORT CONTINUES
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office is among the law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin and the nation participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign that runs through Labor Day. Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt says they anticipate more people will be out for final summer trips and they want to make sure every traveler can get to their destination safely. The emphasis is on getting impaired drivers off the roads. Sheriff Waldschmidt encourages drivers to make smart decisions and choose not to drink and drive. He says they will have deputies ready to stop risky driving behaviors. Residents are urged to use a designated driver, or find a safe alternative way home if they’ve been drinking or are impaired. Other tips include buckling up, putting your phone down, eliminate distractions, and watch your speed.
RIPON COMMON COUNCIL NOTES
The Ripon Common Council last night approved a 5-year contract with Waste Management to continue to provide the city with recycling collection services. Waste Management’s proposal was one of three the city received. Mayor Ted Grant felt the proposal was at the top of the pack. GFL and Harters also submitted proposals. Starting next year the current recycling collection rate of $12.75 a quarter or $4.25 per month for residents will increase to $15 per quarter or $5 per month. The Council also approved a $1.1 million bond issue. Of that $500,000 will be used to help pay for the State Street and Tygert Street Bridge improvement projects. Some of the money will also help with debt obligations from 2017 borrowing. The Council also approved limited bow hunting within the city limits for a group of local hunters known as “Team Ripon.” During the past 16 years the team has removed 198 deer, which helps to curb deer damage.
LOCK DOORS REMOVE VALUABLES
A number of area Sheriff’s Departments have been reporting car, house and garage entries where valuables have been taken. In most instances doors were unlocked and valuables were left in plain sight. Green Lake County Chief Deputy Matt Vande Kolk says if you lock doors and remove the valuables the would-be thief or thieves will likely move on to somewhere else where the owner isn’t as vigilant. He does encourage residents to call the Green Lake County Crime Stoppers phone number 1-800-GET-THEM, that’s 1-800-438-8436 if you see a crime or know about one they’ve released information about. He says in addition to being eligible for a reward you may prevent others from becoming crime victims. You can also text GETTHEM at 847411.
RIPON SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR LIKES NEW ROLE
Ripon’s new Senior Activity Center Director says after moving to Ripon from Idaho in the past year she wanted to get involved in the community and she feels her new role with the center is a good fit. Christine Leusch has over 30 years of experience in fundraising and non-profit management and her last job involved working with senior citizens. She holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial design from Syracuse University. Her most recent experience was with organizations like United Way and Easterseals-Goodwill working directly in senior services and support. Leusch says she would like to hear from senior citizens about what they would like to see the Senior Center offer in the way of programs and trips. People can stop by the Center at Murray Park or give her a call at 920-471-1636.
EFFORTS TO SAVE THE BERLIN POOL COULD BE COSTLY
Berlin City Alderman Luke Dretske says it may be costly to try and save the city’s swimming pool. He says the city is trying to figure out how people can donate to a Save the Pool effort, but after a tour of the pool he got some insight on just how much will be needed to do that. Some cosmetic changes are needed in the front of the building and over the years a dip developed in the pool where one end of the pool is higher than the other and water is draining from the pool. Some equipment also needs to be replaced. Dretske says the city knew when it put in the pool years ago it was going to operate at a loss of about $100,000 a year. He says it may cost as much as $2 million to make necessary repairs and continue to operate the pool. Dretske believes it would be best to take the issue to referendum to see if residents really want to make that kind of investment at the cost of raising taxes.
SENATOR BALLWEG ON THE IMPACT OF THE NFL DRAFT
State Senator Joan Ballweg was among those that attended NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s (pictured) visit to Packer’s Training Camp two weeks ago. Ballweg chairs the Senate’s Committee on Agriculture and Tourism and also serves on the state’s Building Commission. The NFL Draft will be hosted by Green Bay and Lambeau Field in 2025. Ballweg says that’s a major “get” for Green Bay and Wisconsin. The economic impact is expected to be $94 million across Wisconsin and $20 million in the Green Bay area. The television exposure will also have an impact with an estimated 70 million people watching the draft worldwide. Ballweg says the state is providing $2 million in funds to help Green Bay stage the NFL Draft.
HOOK AND LINE LAKE STURGEON SEASON STARTS SATURDAY
The state’s Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that the inland hook and line season for lake sturgeon will take place September 2nd through September 30th on certain waters. Anglers interested in harvesting a lake sturgeon must have their general 2023 fishing license and a valid hook and line lake sturgeon tag. Licenses and tags may be purchased online through Go Wild or from licensed vendors. All licenses and regulations apply. The DNR reminds anglers that only one fish may be harvested per season and must have a minimum length measurement of 60 inches. Anglers who harvest a lake sturgeon must validate their tag immediately upon harvesting the sturgeon before moving it and register the harvested sturgeon at a designated registration station. (DNR photo)
RIPON LABOR DAY REMINDERS
City offices in Ripon will be closed next Monday for the Labor Day holiday. There will be no DPW services, including garbage pickup. Monday’s garbage will be picked up on Tuesday, September 5th. Recycling for the west side will also be altered; pickup will be on Thursday, September 7th.
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