11/7/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
7 November 2023 News
OSHKOSH MAN CHARGED IN WAUPACA COUNTY HIT AND RUN DEATH
Bond has been set at $150,000 cash for a 20-year-old Oshkosh man who hit and killed a pedestrian helping out a motorist in Waupaca County on October 29th. Seventy-seven-year-old Gerald Pagel died at the scene of the crash on County Highway W near Brehmer Road in the Town of Caledonia. Meanwhile the driver that struck him, Evan Barnick, fled from the scene. Barnick made his initial court appearance Monday and waived his right to a preliminary hearing. He pled not guilty to charges of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, hit and run involving death, first degree recklessly endangering safety, his 3rd OWI, operating while revoked, and failing to have an ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle. A status conference is scheduled in the case for December 19th.
CORN SPILLED ON STATE ROAD 44 IN WINNEBAGO COUNTY
A stretch of State Highway 44 in Winnebago County’s Town of Nekimi was closed for about two hours last evening while the road was being cleaned up following a three-vehicle accident. No one was hurt in the collision, but a semi-tractor trailer carrying corn byproduct spilled some of its load on the road. Sheriff’s officials say the county highway department, and fire departments from Nekimi and Utica cleaned up the spill. The Oshkosh Fire Department Ambulance also responded to the scene. The incident happened at 5:35 pm.
HORICON HIGH SCHOOL BOMB THREAT
Students and staff at the Horicon High School were released early and evening events were cancelled after a bomb threat was discovered on a wall in a bathroom Monday. Horicon Police worked with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a search of the school. Nothing suspicious was located. Horicon Schools Superintendent Rich Appel sent out a message to families about the threat. He asked parents to contact the school district if their children shared information with them that they had knowledge about the incident. The potential bomb threat was discovered towards the end of the school day.
TYSON FUN NUGGETS RECALL
Tyson Foods is voluntarily recalling approximately 30,000 pounds of frozen, fully cooked chicken “Fun Nuggets.” The “Fun Nuggets” were sold to retailers in 29-ounce packages. No other Tyson brand products are affected. A limited number of consumers have reported finding small, pliable metal pieces in the product. The product was produced at one location on September 5th. It has a best buy date of September 4th, 2024. The product was shipped to distributors in Alabama, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin for further distribution to the retail level. More information on the recall is available at the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service website.
FDL COUNTY BUDGET TO BE APPROVED
The Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors is expected to approve the 2024 Fond du Lac County Budget and a 5-Year Capital Improvements Plan tonight. Overall the budget is $152 million with a proposed tax levy of $51.4 million. The tax rate of $4.75 is down from $5.21. The Board will also consider approving a resolution authorizing the use of $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for reconstruction of County Highway SS from State Highway 67 east to County Highway G. That would reduce the amount of borrowing needed in the 2023 adopted Fond du Lac County budget. County Executive Sam Kaufman is also recommending the appointment of Geri Vanevenhoven as Director of the County’s new Human Services Department. The Board meets at 6 pm in the Legislative Chambers of the City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac.
PFAS SAMPLING RESULTS
The state’s Department of Natural Resources recently released the results of a study conducted to understand the extent of PFAS contamination in shallow groundwater throughout Wisconsin. PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products, including non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays and certain types of firefighting foam. In the summer and fall of 2022 the DNR collected 450 samples from private wells. Most private wells sampled had PFAS concentrations below current Wisconsin Department of Health Services health recommendations, and overall, the numbers of areas in Wisconsin with significant PFAS contamination were limited. The DNR’s groundwater study shows roughly 7 in 10 private wells contain one or more PFAS, but only 1 in 100 contains levels above DHS current health guidelines.
PFAS Ambient Shallow Groundwater Study | | Wisconsin DNR
GREEN LAKE ASSOCIATION SALT WATCH
It’s been a busy year for the Green Lake Association and its efforts to protect the water quality of Green Lake will continue this winter. Some of the efforts the association has been involved in include the removal of 5,200 pounds of carp from the County Highway K Marsh, carp are a source of phosphorous which promotes algae production and limits oxygen in the lake. They also saw hundreds of boats use the newly installed boat wash station at Dodge Memorial Park. This fall there was the Rake for the Lake effort which involved 85 volunteers in Green Lake and Ripon. Taylor Haag is the Watershed Engagement Manager for the Association. She says this winter they are asking volunteers to participate in Salt Watch supplying them with sampling kits to monitor the use of road salt. She says they would like people to use salt sparingly on their sidewalks and driveways. One teaspoon of road salt pollutes 5 gallons of water. Increased salt concentrations can hurt aquatic life. The association encourages the use of other methods to reduce slippery surfaces.
211 WISCONSIN HELPLINE
The Executive Director of the Fond du Lac County United Way says the 211 Wisconsin Helpline is one of the state’s best kept secrets. Amber Kilawee says 211 fills a niche for health and human services emergencies and needs. She notes it can really be useful for getting help or tracking down resources during a natural disaster. During the pandemic the Department of Health and Human Services used it a lot to provide information on stimulus checks, how to track down test kits and vaccines, and more. Recently the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline celebrated a significant milestone. The free and confidential service supported by a grant from the Department of Health Services and managed by 211 Wisconsin debuted in October 2018 as part of efforts by state officials to reduce drug overdoses. Since then staff has answered 31,591 calls, texts, and chats from all 72 Wisconsin counties and nine of the 11 federally recognized Tribal nations with members in Wisconsin. The contacts have led to 78,646 referrals.
RIPON COLLEGE THEATRE PUTS ON THE TIN WOMAN
A cast that includes Ripon College students and veteran players from the Ripon Area Community Theatre will be putting on performances of the drama “The Tin Woman” next week at the College’s Benstead Theatre. It is based on a true story of a young woman who received a heart transplant at the young age of about 30. As she copes with her second chance at life she meets with the donor’s family. The donor Jack Borden died in an automobile accident and his father and mother Hank and Alice, and sister Sammy are still coping with his loss. Brian Reilly plays Hank who has a sarcastic way of dealing with things. Holly Sina plays Hank’s wife Alice. Holly says Alice is a complex character who badly needs Hank’s support in dealing with her own grief. The play’s director is Robert Amsden who says the drama is laced with humor and a positive outlook. Performances will be Wednesday through Saturday, November 15th through the 18th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are free and are available by emailing Boxoffice@ripon.edu. More information about the play and cast is available at the Ripon College website.
‘The Tin Woman,’ play featuring student, community performers, opens Nov. 15 | Ripon College
TOWN SQUARE COMMUNITY CENTER ONLINE AUCTION
Town Square Community Center is hosting its annual online auction through Wisconsin Surplus Online Auction. The auction features a vast array of items generously donated and is live now through next Monday morning at 10:40 am, at which time the staggered ending will start. Items available for bidding include: a Blodgett Commercial Oven, Recurve Bow, Weber Grill, Kayaks, Water Skis, Exercise Equipment, Store Displays/Racks, and so much more. A complete list, photographs, and details of the items can be found online. Philip Burkart, the contact person for the auction says, “All auction items are sold as is, where is, how is.” He adds there are some great deals but cautions you make sure to read all guidelines on the auction website closely. Auction items can be viewed online at Wisconsin Surplus.com. Proceeds benefit the Town Square Community Center in Green Lake. To read more click here.
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