8/30/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
30 August 2023 News
BOND ADJUSTED FOR BERLIN MAN SUSPECTED OF HIRING HITMAN
Bond was adjusted Tuesday for one of the Two Berlin men suspected of trying to hire a hit man to kill a relative. Sixty-two-year-old Joseph Hoppa and his 39-year-old son Jason Hoppa (pictured) allegedly tried to hire a hitman to kill the victim for $40,000. Prosecutors suspect the two were angry about the victim inheriting most of a relative’s estate. Both are charged with solicitation of first-degree intentional homicide. Yesterday bond was adjusted down from $50,000 cash to $30,000 cash for Jason Hoppa during a hearing in Green Lake County court. A number of no contact provisions remain in place including no contact with his father Joseph Hoppa and no contact with the victim or his children. Jason and Joseph Hoppa will both be back in court for a status hearing on September 12th.
IOLA COUPLE SUSPECTED IN DAUGHTER’S DEATH MAKE INITIAL COURT APPEARANCE
The Iola couple charged with neglecting a child causing death for the June 12th death of their 2-year-old daughter made their initial appearances in Waupaca County court. A $5,000 signature bond was set Tuesday for both 27-year-old Emily Ferg and 30-year-old Cody Deschler. Both also requested hiring their own attorney. Ferg’s initial appearance was adjourned to October 10th and Deschler’s to September 26th. Prosecutors allege the couple knew a homemade bed was unsafe for the toddler that became stuck between the slats and died. The couple was taking a nap in another room when it happened and had a TV on in the child’s room. An autopsy determined she died from asphyxiation.
INJURED PARAGLIDER VERY FORTUNATE
Fond du Lac County Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt says a 34-year-old Fond du Lac man is fortunate he was able to call 911 after his paraglider crash landed in a cornfield in the Town of Taycheedah Monday evening. Waldschmidt says it was a beautiful day and several powered paragliders were up in the air. This particular paraglider experienced engine trouble and went down in a cornfield. The Sheriff says the man broke both legs and it is incredible as badly injured as he was that he could make an emergency call. Deputies used GPS from the man’s phone to pinpoint where he was. Waldschmidt credits a Good Samaritan for using a farm tractor to knock down the stalks and pave a path in the corn to the injured paraglider. First responders were able to get to the man. A ThedaStar helicopter flew him to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah.
FORMER FDL WOMAN AVOIDS PROSECUTION FOR BURGLARY
A 34-year-old Portage woman suspected of breaking into a Watertown home last year has reached a deferred prosecution agreement with Dodge County prosecutors. Alyssa Cruz recently pled no contest to a burglary charge and a criminal damage to property charge was read into the record and dismissed. If Cruz lives up to terms of probation for a year she will avoid being prosecuted for the felony charge. She was suspected of causing over $50,000 in damage during the April 9th, 2022 break-in. The victim identified the former Fond du Lac woman as a likely suspect. According to the criminal complaint furniture, mirrors, and televisions were smashed. Pots and pans were emptied out of cabinets, and a section of fence was damaged. Cruz allegedly told investigators she was angry but not with the victim. A restitution hearing is scheduled for September 18th.
RIPON CITY BUDGET PREVIEW
Ripon City Administrator Adam Sonntag gave the Common Council an update on the 2024 City Budget Monday night. Sonntag says the City is in a good spot in preparing the budget. He noted the City is receiving $361,284 in additional revenue from the state for a total of $1.84 million. He says while that is a good amount it will not make a major impact with rising costs. He also pointed out it was too early in the budget process to know whether the past year’s mill rate of $9.04 will increase or by how much. Sonntag did share some good news with the Council saying the City has been awarded a $418,000 Stewardship Grant for improvements to Selfridge Park. He recommended accepting it. Sonntag says the money could be used to put in kayak launches, fishing piers, and other improvements at the park. He told the Council it was the first Stewardship Grant he knows of the community has received. He also informed them one of the purchases they are considering is new radios for police and ambulance services. Sonntag says that will cost the city more than $250,000.
NEW SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER IN RIPON
The Ripon Police Department and Ripon Area School District enter a new era of cooperation this fall with the addition of a second school resource officer. Officer Brad Rasmussen will join Officer Lindsey Michels at the Ripon Schools. Officer Michels says they’ve had a great relationship with the School District and the addition of Officer Rasmussen adds a new chapter to that history. She says it will continue to build on the positive interactions with kids. Officer Rasmussen has been with the Ripon Police Department for about three years primarily as an investigator and a drug recognition expert. Before that he was with the Waupun Police Department for three years. He says he has his own children and is looking forward to being able to have a positive impact on other kids’ lives.
GREEN LAKE COUNTY BOARD APPROVES AED REQUEST
The Green Lake County Board this month approved using American Rescue Plan Act funds for the purchase of automated external defibrillators or AEDs for use throughout the county. By a 17 to 1 vote county board supervisors approved the purchase of 32 AEDs for $59,360. County Supervisor Luke Dretske says County Emergency Management Director Gary Podoll sent out a survey to city halls, village halls, town halls, senior citizen centers, libraries, VFW and American Legion Halls, Churches, Schools and County Buildings. Seventy-eight survey requests were sent out with 75 responses. Dretske says being that one of the county supervisors suffered a cardiac event during a meeting and an AED saved his life the request for AEDs really hit home for the board. Dretske says the purchase will benefit residents of Green Lake County.
FDL COUNTY BOARD VACANCY
Fond du Lac County Board Chairman Steve Abel is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the county board. The person appointed to the board will fill the unexpired term of Ann Price. Her resignation takes effect tomorrow. She represents District 16, which includes wards 2-6 in the Village of North Fond du Lac. Her term expires next April 15th. Those interested in serving on the board should send a resume and cover letter to the Fond du Lac County Clerk Lisa Freiberg at PO Box 1557, Fond du Lac, WI 54936. Applications will be reviewed beginning September 6th. That review will continue until the position is filled. To apply you have to be at least 18-years-old, a U.S. citizen, and must live within the Fond du Lac County 16th Supervisory District.
DOT ADA TRANSITION PLAN
The state’s Department of Transportation invites residents to review and offer comments on the agency’s 2023 Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan. The plan shares information on the department’s efforts to continually improve accessibility throughout the state highway system including roadside facilities, navigability within public rights of way and public input processes. The public comment period runs through Wednesday, September 27th. The plan is available on the state DOT’s website. The public is encouraged to review the plan and submit feedback via the online comment form.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (wisconsindot.gov)
MERCURY MARINE LAUNCHES TWO MORE ELECTRIC OUTBOARD MOTORS
Mercury Marine yesterday introduced the Avator™ 20e and 35e electric propulsion systems. The new models join Mercury’s electric propulsion lineup alongside the award-winning Avator 7.5e outboard, which launched at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. Two more electric outboard products will be unveiled in the coming months as Mercury advances on its commitment to be the leader in electric propulsion. The 20e and 35e outboards are now available for order.
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