8/4/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
4 August 2023 News
TWO DROWN IN THE WISCONSIN RIVER
Recovery efforts resume today on the Wisconsin River in Columbia County for the body of one of two swimmers who drown in the river Thursday afternoon. Sheriff’s officials say their dispatch center received a 911 call shortly before 4 pm about two swimmers in the river in the Town of Caledonia who had gone underwater and not resurfaced. A number of resources responded to assist in a rescue. As time went on it became a recovery effort. The Sheriff’s dive team recovered the body of one of the swimmers Thursday evening, but the search had to be suspended due to darkness. The recovery effort for the other swimmer resumes today.
GERALD TURNER SEEKS RELEASE FROM SECURE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY
Wisconsin’s so-called Halloween Killer is seeking to be released from a secure mental health facility. Seventy-four-year-old Gerald Turner is being kept at the Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center in Mauston. A petition to be released from there last year was denied, but a jury trial is scheduled next April to decide whether he should be released back into the community. He was convicted of the Halloween 1973 rape and murder of 9-year-old Lisa Ann French in Fond du Lac. She was trick-or-treating that night in Turner’s neighborhood. Turner completed his prison sentence in 1994. His parole was revoked in 2013 for possessing sexually-explicit material. He completed that sentence in 2018 but was found to be a sexually violent person and has since then been at a supervised living facility.
NEW CHARGES FILED AGAINST FDL WOMAN IN TEEN’S DEATH
Fond du Lac County prosecutors have refiled charges of procuring alcohol for a minor resulting in death against a 27-year-old Fond du Lac woman suspected of selling alcohol to a teen involved in a double fatal accident. The amended charges against Sanju Paudel now carry the modifier of “as a party to a crime.” One of the original charges against her was dismissed last month “without prejudice” which allowed prosecutors to file amended charges. Paudel allegedly sold 16-year-old Tommy Koenigs beer and rum. Less than 12 hours later he and two other teens were involved in a vehicle crash on Golf Course Drive. The crash resulted in the deaths of Koenigs who was driving and a passenger 16-year-old Nevins Zoch. Koenigs was driving under the influence when the car he was driving crashed into a tree on January 21st. Paudel will be arraigned on August 28th.
MAN SENTENCED FOR WAUPUN AUTO THEFT
The 29-year-old man who stole a vehicle from a man in Waupun after choking the man to the edge of consciousness has been sentenced to prison. Andrew Davis was sentenced in Dodge County court Wednesday on felony theft and bail jumping charges. A charge of strangulation and suffocation was read into the record and dismissed. Judge Martin De Vries sentenced Davis to 18 months in prison and 18 months of extended supervision. After he gets out of prison Davis will have to pay nearly $25,000 in restitution. Charges stem from an incident at 241 Madison Street in Waupun on March 15th of last year. Davis is currently incarcerated at Jackson Correctional Institution in Black River Falls.
UW OSHKOSH ANNOUNCES CUTS
UW-Oshkosh officials are planning to lay off employees, offer early retirement deals and impose furloughs as they deal with a projected $18 million deficit. Chancellor Andrew Leavitt announced the moves Thursday. Leavitt’s plan calls for cutting around 200 staff and administrators which will be achieved through a combination of layoffs and early retirement buyouts. Employees will also have to take furlough days starting this fall, with higher-paid employees taking longer furlough periods. During a news conference Leavitt said, “We need a new, bold action to reduce expenses.” He says their approach faces reality head-on. Ten of the UW System’s 13 four-year campuses are expected to face a combined $60 million deficit by next summer. UW leaders blame declining enrollment, a lack of state funding and a seven-year tuition freeze that drained their reserves.
PER PUPIL AID INCREASES FOR RIPON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Ripon Area School District is seeing a nice increase in it’s per pupil aid from the State of Wisconsin this school year. District Business Manager Jonah Adams says they were allowed to see it increase to $11,000 per pupil, which works out to about $951. That’s about a 9.5 percent increase. Adams says that works out to an increase of about $341,000 more for the district. Overall the district’s new revenue for the 2023-2024 school year is going up about $900,000. Adams notes that will allow them to provide additional student support in their efforts to be one of the best school districts in the state. It will be a couple months before the district gets an equalized value report from the state, but Adams says they should be able to keep their tax rate at $8.15.
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY REMINDERS
For its Law of the Month the Wisconsin State Patrol has chosen to emphasize school bus safety as schools prepare to welcome back students. Despite many safety measures, there are about 600 crashes involving school buses every year in the state. Drivers are urged to use extra caution around school buses. Vehicles should stop at least 20 feet away from a bus when red warning lights are flashing. Slow down when amber lights are flashing, which signals the bus is about to stop. Yield to pedestrians who have a walk signal or green light, or those who are crossing a road with no signals. Motorists should always follow directions from a school crossing guard. Parents on the other hand should teach their children to look both ways before crossing the street, follow instructions from bus drivers and crossing guards, stay at least three big steps away from the curb while waiting for a school bus, and make sure the bus driver can see them when crossing in front of a bus.
WALK AND ROLL SATURDAY IN RIPON
Area residents are invited to participate in the Ripon Noon Kiwanis Club’s “Walk & Roll” event at Ripon’s Village Green tomorrow morning at 9 am. The event will raise funds for and awareness about an all-inclusive playground that will be constructed at Riggs County Park. There will be a short course suitable for participants of all abilities and ages. The club used to host the Doug Lyke runs, but that lost momentum during the pandemic. Ed Schrader of the club says the “Walk & Roll” in a way is a tribute to that legacy, but it is also a family event that kids can get involved in. There will be a rolling skills challenge course setup under the pergola and a selfie station. A free will offering for participation would be appreciated.
HUNTER SAFETY COURSE BEING OFFERED IN FDL
A Hunter’s Safety course will be offered in Fond du Lac this month starting August 15th at the Izaak Walton League club house. Classes will be on Tuesdays August 15th and 22nd, and Thursdays August 17th and 24th from 6 to 8:30 pm. There will also be a field day on Saturday, August 26th. Two veteran hunter safety course instructors Bob Haase and Don Burger are involved in the course which will be in-person. Haase says the courses were offered on-line during the pandemic, but he believes students benefit from having a person there who can show them things and answers their questions. Burger says students pick things up quicker if they get the hands-on experience. Registration for the course begins next Monday at the Fond du Lac Recreation Department at 72 West 9th Street across from Fruth Field. The Izaak Walton League club house is located at N6491 County Road K in Fond du Lac.
LAKEAPALOOZA COMING TO GREEN LAKE NEXT MONTH
Area residents are invited to join in the fun for the annual LakeApalooza Community Street Dance on Saturday, September 2nd in Green Lake. The fun begins at 3 pm downtown in the parking lot of the American Legion. Live music by Gizzae kicks things off at 3 pm, pipes and drums entrance by Clan Donald, and the Davidson County Band at 7 pm. There will be many food truck choices including Osorio’s, Caribbean Taste, and Jamie Beach & Adams Rib BBQ. A full bar will be available outside the American Legion Post 306. For more details you can visit www.visit greenlake.com. The event is rain or shine.
Share |