10/31/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
31 October 2023 News
CHARGES FILED IN FATAL WAUSHARA COUNTY CRASH
A 60-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man who left the scene of a fatal hit-and-run vehicle crash in the Town of Plainfield last Wednesday was arrested and is being held in the Waushara County Jail. Daniel Sawyer is suspected of hitting another vehicle on State Highway 73 around County Road KK and leaving the scene. The driver of the other vehicle, 67-year-old Deborah Peterke of Hancock, Wisconsin, died at the scene. Her passenger, 63-year-old Lynn Olson also of Hancock, was taken to a hospital for injuries suffered in the crash. Sawyer has been charged with second degree reckless homicide, hit-and-run involving death, second degree recklessly endangering safety, and hit-and-run involving injury. During a bond hearing Monday, bond was set at $75,000 cash and an initial hearing has been scheduled for December 1st. (Waushara County Sheriff’s photo)
NAMES RELEASED IN FATAL DODGE COUNTY ACCIDENT
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of the two people killed in a three-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 151 near Waupun last Wednesday morning. Twenty-five-year-old Danis Vargas Alvarenga was driving a Kia passenger car that was struck head-on by an International box truck and was subsequently hit by a Chevrolet passenger car that was heading in the same direction as the Kia. He was killed in the crash and a passenger in the Kia 28-year-old Yorling Gonzalez Gutierez. Two other passengers in the Kia are still hospitalized and all three people in the Chevy were also taken to hospitals. The truck driver, a 69-year-old Pennsylvania man, was driving the wrong way.
FORMER WAUPUN INMATE SOUGHT IN ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE
Franklin Police in Milwaukee County are looking for a recent parolee from Waupun Correctional Institution that is a suspect in an attempted homicide that occurred early last Friday morning. The victim was stabbed multiple times and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The suspect is 21-year-old Christian Correa who fled on foot prior to officer’s arrival. He was armed with the knife used in the stabbing. He was employed at a McDonald’s in Oak Creek but hasn’t returned to work. He doesn’t own any vehicle and his cell phone has been shut off since the incident. He posted photos on social media of a firearm but it isn’t known if he possesses one. He has a history of resisting arrest, and has made statements that he will “shoot the police.” He also has known mental health issues. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact local law enforcement officials.
IOLA SAND MINE PROJECT
The Waupaca County Planning and Zoning Committee is reconsidering a permit for the Iola sand mine project. The committee met Monday morning to discuss it. The public hearing came after Faulks Brothers Construction filed an appeal of the committee’s initial denial of the conditional use permit to build a sand mine on the Iola Car Show lot. The committee denied the permit by a 3 to 2 vote in August. To be approved the permit must comply with the Town of Scandinavia’s comprehensive plan and they must comply with Waupaca County ordinances. The mine was proposed in order to extract materials for additional parking structures for the car show. Local residents massed opposition to it. It’s estimated the project could take 10 to 15 years. The committee won’t meet on the topic again for several weeks.
OSHKOSH TRICK OR TREATING TONIGHT
Oshkosh Police are reminding residents Trick-or-Treating hours will take place tonight from 5 to 7 pm. Additional officers will be patrolling during that time. Some safety tips they offer include turning on your headlights early to spot kids from further away. Make sure costumes and candy bags or pails are reflective. Costumes shouldn’t drag too far on the ground to avoid tripping. Masks, hats, and shoes should be well-fitting. Motorists should watch for kids. Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs. Be sure to enter and exit driveways safely. Trick or treaters should always use the sidewalk and whenever possible, cross the road at a crosswalk. When in doubt throw the candy out. Avoid candy that has loose wrappings, is completely unwrapped, or has puncture holes.
HEALTH INSURANCE WOES
Fond du Lac County Executive Sam Kaufman says every year the county struggles with health insurance costs for its employees. He says when it comes to attracting new employees and retaining the workers they have wages, benefits, and health insurance are key. This past year they went with Dean Insurance after learning that there insurance carrier at the time was calling for a $2.4 million increase in insurance premiums which the county wouldn’t be able to do without layoffs. But with Dean there were drawbacks because they limited the providers employees were able to use and employees wanted the option to use Aurora, Froedtert, and Children’s Hospital. This year the County will be going with Anthem. Kaufman wants to have the County Board revisit using some of the sales tax revenue to create a Health Insurance Reserve Fund so they have a cushion when premiums go up each year. In other County Board notes the Board will hold a public hearing tonight at 6:30 for the proposed 2024 County Budget. It will be in the legislative chambers of the City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac.
CONGRESSMAN GROTHMAN ON NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
Congressman Grothman says the election of Mike Johnson as 56th Speaker of the House of Representatives during the past week was historic. The election of the Republican from Louisiana as the new speaker came after four others tried to get the necessary majority but fell short. Grothman says he likes Johnson who has less experience than the others who were vying for speaker. Grothman says Johnson is a former constitutional lawyer and man of deep Christian faith. Grothman says it’s a historic vote because they’ve never needed to replace a Speaker of the House in the middle of a two-year term. All 220 Republicans voted for Johnson surpassing the 215 votes needed.
WHITROCK COMMENTS ON HIGH SCHOOL’S NATIONAL RANKING
Ripon Area School District Superintendent Mary Whitrock says they are proud that Ripon High School has earned the national Best High Schools distinction by US News & World Report for the 2023-2024 school year. Ripon High School is ranked #181 out of 574 high schools in the state and nationally at #5,926 out of approximately 17,680 public high schools. Whitrock says the school has been previously recognized by US News. She says the rankings aren’t just based on test scores. State rankings are based on students having the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Ripon High School is 27 percent. Other related criteria includes Ripon’s minority enrollment at 14 percent and 25 percent of students who are economically disadvantaged. National rankings are based on a school’s performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well students are prepared for college.
HUNTING AND TRAPPING SEASONS STARTING IN NOVEMBER
Moving into November the state’s DNR reminds hunters to prepare for the opening of several hunting and trapping seasons. Likewise, those spending time on trails and in the woods should be aware they may encounter more hunters on state properties. Saturday trapping season opens for Beaver in Zones A, B and C, Mink and Muskrat in the Southern Zone, and Otter. On November 13th the trapping season opens for Mink and Muskrat in the Mississippi River Zone. The 9-day Gun Deer season begins November 18th and the Deer Muzzleloader season on November 27th. The statewide turkey season ends November 17th, but zones 1 through 5 will remain open after November 18th. End dates for the seasons can be checked on the DNR’s Season Dates webpage. (Wisconsin DNR photo).
WELSH CHRISTMAS HYMN SING IN REDGRANITE
Everyone is invited to participate in the Welsh Christmas Hymn Sing at the First Congregational Church in Redgranite on Sunday, November 12th at 2:30 pm. The Hymn Sing will be sung in rich four part harmony. It will be directed by Ann Lemmenes with Reverend Tom White at the organ and Lori Page will be the vocal soloist. Refreshments will follow the Hymn Sing. The event is sponsored by Welsh Gymanfa Ganu Association of Wisconsin. The Church is handicapped accessible.
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