11/28/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
28 November 2023 News
KAYAK FOUND IN SEARCH FOR MISSING KAYAKER
Searchers found the kayak belonging to a missing kayaker on Lake Butte des Morts early Monday afternoon and continued the search for the missing 41-year-old man. Family members reported Michael Iriarte had launched a kayak in the area of Sammers Bay to go fishing near Terrell’s Island and was last seen around 3 pm Sunday. When he did not return they notified the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. Multiple agencies have been participating in the search, which will continue today. Iriarte was last seen wearing a blue and gray life jacket, a dark blue jacket, dark-colored pants, brown boots, a facemask, and hat. (Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office photo).
RIPON MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE INTENTIONAL HOMICIDE
Bond has been set at $1 million cash for a 45-year-old Ripon man suspected of stabbing and beating a 35-year-old man in the head with a pipe. Carlos Mendez Villegas made his initial appearance Monday in Fond du Lac County court on attempted first degree intentional homicide and aggravated battery charges. According to the criminal complaint on November 18th Villegas went to an apartment building at 721 Thorne Street in Ripon and confronted the victim about a girlfriend Villegas had dated for several years, but was now dating the victim. The victim suffered a laceration to his forehead and a puncture wound to his lower abdomen, both of which required several stitches. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for December 7th.
RIPON PASSES SEX OFFENDER CHILD SAFETY ZONES ORDINANCE
The Ripon Common Council last night passed an ordinance establishing sex offender child safety zones. Police Chief Bill Wallner told the Common Council that the city has a history of working with the state’s Department of Corrections when it comes to sex offender placement. He says unfortunately the city is perceived as a place other counties and communities can dump their sex offenders because the city doesn’t have an ordinance to protect itself. Wallner points out sex offenders usually are placed in local hotels and there have been violations because some offenders have had access to child pornography. He says things came to a head a couple weeks ago when Marathon County tried to place a sex offender in Ripon who had a history of sex offenses against children. Wallner told Marathon County officials he would fight that placement and go public with it, which changed their minds. The ordinance would establish 1,000 foot minimum residency standards from schools, churches, parks and other areas frequented by children and 100 foot minimum safety zones where a sex offender could be. The ordinance would not affect sex offenders currently placed in the city.
OSHA FINES SUAMICO ROOFING CONTRACTOR
A Suamico roofing contractor faces more than $180,000 in fines after OSHA accused the company of repeatedly failing to protect employees and subcontractors from deadly fall hazards. According to a U.S. Department of Labor press release after an Overhead Solutions LLC manager attended an on-site training discussion on fall hazards on May 25th, federal workplace safety inspectors observed the company’s employees working about 30 feet above ground on a Menasha apartment complex roof without adequate fall protection. There was another violation 13 days later at a project site in Appleton. The company has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
OSHKOSH POLICE DOG MOURNED
Police in Oshkosh are mourning the passing of Police K9 Magic. Magic became unexpectedly ill during the past weekend and it was discovered that she had cancer surrounding her heart and other organs. Medical staff determined that there was nothing further that could be done to help Magic recover so she was euthanized to end her pain. The Golden Retriever was almost 4 years old and was acquired by the Oshkosh Police Department in March 2022 from Journey Together. Magic was the department’s therapy dog and she helped provide emotional support to both members of the community and officers. Magic had 364 deployments during her 20 months of service with the department. (Oshkosh Police Department photo).
K9 KAI INTRODUCED
Prior to the Thanksgiving holiday the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office introduced their new K9 Kai to the public as they toured senior living facilities for the “Singing with Seniors” holiday program. Chief Deputy Matt Vande Kolk says Kai and his handler Deputy Wallace will primarily be responsible for drug searches during traffic stops, school searches, and building searches. He says if a trained K9 does an open air sniff on a vehicle and alerts to possible drugs that gives them the probable cause needed to search a vehicle. He says Kai can also be used for tracking and protecting his handler like Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s K9 Iro did during an incident in Fond du Lac last month. Kai will also be present at community events to meet the public like he was for “Singing with Seniors.” Vande Kolk says he was a big hit during that event. (Green Lake County Sheriff’s photo).
FALLS PREVENTION
A nurse practitioner with SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital says there are things you can do to prevent falls as you get older. She says a couple of classes are offered at the Ripon Senior Activity Center that might be helpful. Paula Kasuboski says the Young at Heart program is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 in the morning. They use exercise bands and work on balance, strength and flexibility.There is also a Chair Yoga Class on Monday mornings from 9 to 10 am where they also work on flexibility and balance. Kasuboski says other things can affect your balance and lead to falls such as side effects of medications, having fallen within the past year, hearing and vision. She recommends having your vision and hearing checked once a year. She points out a lot of falls occur at night so she suggests using night lights and getting rid of throw rugs.
CANDY CANE DAY
Ripon’s Parks and Recreation Department and Ripon Public Library will be getting in the spirit of the season with an event for younger children next month. Candy Cane Day will be held at the Ripon Senior Activity Center on Thursday, December 21st from 4 to 5:15 pm. Parks and Recreation Director Ashton Zeien says it is for pre-k to 3rd graders. There is no cost for the event. There will be crafts, story time, snacks and everything will be based on Candy Canes. Registration is required by December 14th. Sign up is online at Ripon recdesk.com.
Program: Candy Cane Day (recdesk.com)
MPTC EMERGENCY DISPATCH PROGRAM
Moraine Park Technical College is now accepting applications for the new Emergency Dispatch certification program. Starting Spring 2024, students can enroll in classes online and at the Fond du Lac campus. Students in the program can expect to learn about the roles of a communications officer and the technology used at an emergency dispatch center. Graduates with an Emergency Dispatch Certificate can qualify for jobs such as 911 Dispatcher, Communications Officer, Communications Specialist, Dispatcher, Public Safety Dispatcher, and others. Local wage data for the Fond du Lac metro area shows a median hourly wage of $22.44 and an annual salary of $46,670. Upon successful completion of the program, students may use their 9 credits to continue down the Criminal Justice program pathway and earn their associate degree from Moraine Park.
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