9/22/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
22 September 2023 News
MISSING PICKETT MAN’S WIFE UNEXPECTEDLY PASSES AWAY
There’s a new wrinkle in the continuing search for a missing 65-year-old Pickett man. Winnebago County Sheriff’s officials say after Wayne Siems went missing last Friday morning his wife unexpectedly died, which he might not be aware of. An extensive search of the rural areas surrounding Siems residence yielded no further evidence of his whereabouts. He left the home with no medications, no phone, no wallet, and left his vehicle at the residences. Siems had recently purchased 3 boxes of ammunition. He is still missing and is without critical medications for heart conditions and other ailments and has a pacemaker. He was upset over recent legal issues. Anyone who encounters him is asked to exercise caution. If you’ve seen him, contact the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office at 920-236-7367.
PORTAGE WOMAN CHARGED FOR CHILD’S OVERDOSE
Portage Police and Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence in the 600 block of East Howard Street Tuesday night for a two-year-old that had overdosed on opioids, had no pulse and wasn’t breathing. Officers were able to bring the child around after administering two doses of Narcan. The child was taken to a hospital in Madison. The call was followed up with execution of a search warrant that yielded suspected fentanyl, marijuana, narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and cash. A 33-year-old Portage woman, Iris Salas Aguila was subsequently charged with child neglect, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, and drug trafficking charges. (Columbia County Sheriff’s Jail photo).
SOFTBALL GAME WILL BENEFIT FAMILY OF FOUR YEAR OLD BATTLING BRAIN CANCER
Proceeds from a charity softball game in Beaver Dam Saturday will benefit the family of a four-year-old boy who is battling brain cancer. Maverick Matuszeski is the son of Mitchell Matuszeski who is the EMS Chief for Ripon Guardian Ambulance. Maverick won’t be at the game because he is currently receiving treatment in Tennessee, but his siblings will be throwing out the first pitch. The game is between Beaver Dam Police and Dodge County Sheriff’s Department softball teams and will be played at 12:30 pm at the Beaver Dam Athletic Field West Diamond. The event will run from 11 am to 3 pm and will also feature: patrol squads and fire vehicles on display, concessions, raffles, and mid inning fun and games for kids. The game benefits Beaver Dam Police and Dodge County Sheriff’s charities each year and proceeds will go toward helping Maverick’s family during his battle with brain cancer.
CHILDCARE CONCERNS
State Representative Jon Plumer believes the Childcare Reform package passed by the Assembly last week is preferable to what Governor Tony Evers had in mind. The Governor wanted to use $340 million in one-time federal funds for pandemic relief to create an ongoing program. Republicans instead came up with a package that creates a Childcare Reimbursement Account that lets families pay for childcare pre-tax. A new revolving loan fund would give childcare facilities the ability to expand capacity, and more money was included in the state budget for childcare programs. Plumer says they wanted to give the childcare industry some relief and provide help to parents looking for childcare. The state lawmaker from Lodi says the government’s job is not to watch other people’s kids. State legislators this week gaveled in and gaveled out on a special session Governor Evers called that would have among others things addressed the childcare issue.
BASD FOCUS PROGRAM
Moving the administration offices for the Berlin Area School District to the commons area in the high school has given the district a site in those former offices for their alternative high school program. District Superintendent Emmett Durtschi says they have about 25 students, mostly juniors and seniors, in the Focus program. He says it is for students who struggle in a regular classroom and are in danger of being credit-deficient from graduating high school on time. They have two teachers and an assistant for the program and can also meet needs for special education services. Durtschi says they are going to be creative around the students so that they have a positive high school experience and may also have post-secondary options.
CWC OPEN HOUSE AND AUCTION
The Central Wisconsin Christian School in Waupun will have an open house for their $11 million expansion Saturday. The open house is from 10 am to 1 pm at the school at 301 Fox Lake Road in Waupun. Ground was broken on the 31,000 square foot addition in August of 2022 and construction was completed last month. The expansion includes a 7,000 square foot lab for the school’s AgProTech program, expanded elementary classrooms, and a Discovery Center. Last year 5,000 square feet was added to the middle school to accommodate enrollment growth. Director of Advancement Gregg Zonnefeld says their Wild West Auction is tonight at the school with a meal from 4:30 to 6:15 pm and the live auction at 6:30. Meals ordered ahead are $15 or $20 at the door. Last year’s Harvest Auction raised over $200,000.
Central Wisconsin Christian Schools – Wild West Auction 2023 (bidpal.net)
MUSIC A PLENTY AT GOLDEN DAYS HARVEST FEST
Golden Days Harvest Fest in Green Lake kicks off tonight with music by Midnight Train at the Town Square Tap from 6 to 9 pm. In fact, there will be quite a bit of music during the 35th annual event this weekend in addition to the food, beverages, harvest of bargains, craft fair, farmer’s market, parade, and other activities lined up. Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lisa Meier says after the parade Saturday at 4 pm a local band will perform on the main stage That’s What She Said. Prior to that performance musical groups will include Dennis of Swing Crew, Driftwood, and Curley & the Key. Sunday brings the Classic Car Show, more activities for adults and kids, and musical performances from Jim N’ Nancy, Guy Parker, and a polka band New Generation. A complete list can be found at the Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce website Visit Green Lake.com. (Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce photo).
HEALTHY LIVING WITH DIABETES PROGRAM
A six-week session of the Healthy Living with Diabetes program will be offered in Fond du Lac starting next month. The program gives participants strategies for managing diabetes including techniques to deal with symptoms and information about health eating, appropriate use of medication, exercise and working effectively with health care providers. Participants learn to make realistic, achievable action plans, share their experiences and help each other solve problems. The program will be offered each Wednesday, October 11th through November 15th from 9 to 11 am at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac. It is free to attend, with a suggested donation of $10 for the work book. To register for the program contact Raine Bleecker at the Fond du Lac County Health Department by calling 920-906-5547 or email her raine.bleecker@fdlco.wi.gov. The program is being offered by the County Health Department, SSM Health, and the Fond du Lac Family YMCA.
RIPON HIGH SCHOOL 2023 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
Ripon High School Thursday announced the winner of its 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award, John Erickson a member of the Class of 2004. He’s gone from growing up in Ripon, Wisconsin to serving as Mayor Pro Tempore in the City of West Hollywood, California. Along the way he has been able to make a difference in creating a more just, tolerant, and diverse world. In high school he was an exceptional athlete and had musical and thespian talents as well. At UW-Oshkosh he learned the importance of living his true self and became the first openly LGBTQ+ athlete on campus as a member of the volleyball team. After graduation his studies continued at Claremont Graduate University in California. He was selected to intern for the West Hollywood City Council while he was attending Claremont. You can read more about John’s accomplishments in our story at Hometown Broadcasting.com.
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