11/14/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
14 November 2023 News
WRONG WAY DRIVER HITS FDL COUNTY SHERIFFS SQUAD CAR
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Sergeant Paul Metzger used his squad car early Sunday morning to block a driver who was driving the wrong way on US Highway 151. Metzger and another deputy were working the scene of a motorcycle crash on Highway 151 northbound north of 4th Street. The motorcycle operator was suspected of going over 100 miles an hour before the crash. He suffered moderate injuries and was arrested for his 3rd OWI. The two deputies were notified by dispatch about the wrong way driver. Sergeant Metzger was able to locate the wrong way driver and blocked the highway. His lights and sirens were activated. The wrong way driver did not stop in time and struck the squad car’s front driver’s side but not at full speed. Subsequently the driver was arrested for suspicion of OWI, reckless driving-endangering safety, along with others charges. Dash cam video of the stop can be seen on the Sheriff’s Facebook page.
LOOSE BULL ROUNDED UP
The aggressive bull that was on the loose in Dodge County over the weekend has been located and is no longer a threat to the rural Reeseville area. The bull escaped from the Milwaukee Stockyards last Friday prompting a warning from Sheriff’s officials saying it had been described as “dangerous” and “not friendly” and that it would charge at people. The Sheriff’s Office thanks the community for their assistance.
MAILBOX VANDALISM REPORTED IN GREEN LAKE COUNTY
Green Lake County authorities are asking for the public’s help in a vandalism investigation. A number of mailboxes were damaged over the weekend in the Town of Berlin. Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call the Green Lake County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-GET-THEM, that’s 1-800-438-8436. You can also text GETTHEM at 847411. Tips may be eligible for up to a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects. You can report your tips anonymously.
RIPON COMMON COUNCIL PREVIEW
The Ripon Common Council tonight will hold a public hearing for the proposed 2024 City Budget and Tax Levy before being asked to approve it. They are looking at a $3.8 million tax levy and an estimated tax rate of $8.93 which could change depending on the outcome of an objection an industrial party had to their assessment from the state. The Council will also consider options to the recruitment of an Assistant Public Works Director. In his report to the City Council City Administrator Adam Sonntag says they received 4 applications for the position and interviews were conducted. He is recommending the position be reopened with potential assistance from a recruiting firm. Sonntag is serving in an interim role until the position is filled. He also says discussion and action related to fireworks for the 4th of July will be placed on the next council meeting agenda. The Council meets at 7 pm tonight in the Council Chambers of Ripon City Hall.
WINTER PARKING RESTRICTIONS
Temperatures may be mild over the next few days, but drivers are reminded that many Wisconsin cities have overnight parking restrictions during the winter. The City of Markesan’s winter parking restrictions went into effect at the beginning of the month. Wednesday parking restrictions begin Ripon, Green Lake, Wautoma, Fond du Lac, and North Fond du Lac. Restrictions begin in Berlin on November 30th and in Waupun and Horicon on December 1st. Some cities do have permits that allow some parking on streets during the winter.
FOURTH ANNUAL RIPON ROAR
The Ripon Education Foundation’s 4th Annual Ripon Roar Week kicked off Monday morning. Cindy Cody is Community Engagement Chairman for the fundraising campaign she says last year during the 25th anniversary of the Foundation they set a goal of 250 donors which they reached. For this year they put that number at 237 or 1 donor for each educator, or teacher and staff member associated with the Ripon Area School District. The money raised by the non-profit foundation goes toward school and classroom related efforts like elementary school tutors, paying for out of the area competitions for school clubs and organizations. Another thing they fund is teacher grants. One grant helped to fund a Kids in the Kitchen course that teaches kids about cooking and how things like following directions, measuring and counting apply to more than a classroom. Donations can be made at the Ripon Education Foundation.org website.
WEATHER CHANGE SHOULD BODE WELL FOR GUN DEER OPENING WEEKEND
Milder weather at the beginning of our week shouldn’t be a problem as thousands hit the woods this weekend for the 9-day gun deer season in Wisconsin. Department of Natural Resources Conservation Warden William Hankee says weather has been good this year for deer movement. He says there are still some standing crops that deer are hiding in, but deer are on the move with the “rut.” Cooler temperatures and a little snow for tracking would seem to be more conducive for the hunt, but Hankee says the cool down from 60 degrees or more mid-week to the upper 40s by Saturday is good. He says after a weather change deer feed more and the “rut” is still going on so they will be on the move again. He says that should bode well for hunters.
BIG MONEY’S IMPACT ON ELECTIONS PRESENTATION AT RIPON COLLEGE TONIGHT
“How to Limit the Impact of Big Money on Our Elections,” featuring George Penn (pictured) of Wisconsin United to Amend, will be presented tonight at Ripon College. The Center for Politics and the People presentation co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Ripon Area will begin at 5:30 pm in Kresge Little Theatre, East Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. Penn will give a short presentation followed by a discussion between Penn and Henrik Schatzinger, professor of political science and director of the Center for Politics and the People, and a question-and-answer session. The Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court decision released in January of 2010 ruled that laws that prevented corporations and unions from using their general treasury funds for independent “electioneering communications” violated the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of speech. Schatzinger says there are two types of campaigns. The candidate’s campaign and those run by outside groups who can make independent expenditures to try and influence an election. Professor Schatzinger is working on a book about the topic. Penn’s group is working to overturn the Citizens United and related Supreme Court decisions.
BUSY TRAVEL FORECAST FOR THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
The AAA Auto Club projects more than 1.1 million Wisconsinites will travel 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. This year’s forecast is the third highest on record, with an estimated 25,672 more holiday travelers than last year. AAA officials say travelers should expect congested roads and longer lines at transportation terminals. Approximately 961,163 state residents will be traveling by automobile this Thanksgiving season. The busiest travel times will be 2 to 6 pm on Wednesday, November 22nd and 3 to 5 pm on Sunday, November 26th.
LIGHTS OF LOVE
The SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital Auxiliary is sponsoring its 36th annual “Lights of Love” program, a living memorial or tribute to friends, relatives or dedicated citizens of the community. Proceeds from this year’s project will help fund the upgrade of equipment used to assist patients securely rise from a sitting position and be transported to a new location. It provides safe movement for the patient and eliminates potential for injury to nursing staff. Lights of Love provide the opportunity for individuals, groups, or businesses to purchase lights in honor or memory of loved ones for a gift of $5 or more. The colored lights on the large holiday tree outside of Ripon Community Hospital shine in appreciation or recognition of a living friend, family member or employee, while white bulbs are in memory of a loved one. The names of these individuals will be published in the Ripon Commonwealth Press. While a tree lighting event will not be held this year, the tree will be lit on Thursday, December 7th. Lights of Love brochures, including donation forms, are available at the hospital information desk and gift shop. For more information, call 920-229-2746.
Share |