12/14/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
14 December 2023 News
UW REGENTS APPROVE REPUBLICAN DEAL ON PAY RAISES AND CONSTRUCTION FUNDING
Last night the Universities of Wisconsin regents approved a deal with Republican lawmakers that limit diversity positions in exchange for employee raises and funding for construction projects. Wednesday evening regents approved it by a vote of 11 to 6 just days after voting down the proposal 9 to 8. Governor Tony Evers released a statement saying, “I am disappointed and frustrated with this result, this proposal, and the process that led up to this point.” State Representative Alex Dallman of Green Lake also released a statement saying, “I am glad to see that some Regents came back to the table and finally put the people of Wisconsin over politics and partisanship.”
FDL COUNTY CHASE SUSPECT CHARGED
The 21-year-old Fond du Lac man who led authorities on a 14-mile traffic chase in and around the City of Fond du Lac last weekend, was in court for an initial appearance Wednesday. Jair Williams faces seven different charges including first and second degree recklessly endangering safety, two counts of felony fleeing, two misdemeanor counts of bail jumping, and battery to a law enforcement officer. He and a 19-year-old woman who was his passenger bailed out of the vehicle as it was going into a marsh alongside Interstate 41. During his hearing in Fond du Lac County court yesterday bond was set at $50,000 cash for Williams and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 7th. Williams was also cited for several different traffic violations. The woman who was with him during the pursuit was charged with resisting or obstructing an officer. (Fond du Lac County Jail photo).
DRIVE SOBER ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN STARTS TOMORROW
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office is stepping up enforcement to get impaired drivers off the roads this holiday season. Starting tomorrow through New Year’s Day, the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office joins law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin and the nation for the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over holiday enforcement campaign. The campaign takes place over the holidays to prevent impaired driving crashes and ensure everyone can celebrate safely. During the last holiday season, there were 470 crashes across the state that involved an impaired driver. During the same period, there were 25 impaired driving crashes resulting in 8 injuries and 3 deaths in Fond du Lac County. Sheriff’s Lieutenant Eric Halbach says the emphasis is on saving lives. He says everyone can help by identifying a sober designated driver or finding a safe ride home. If you suspect a driver is impaired call 911. Provide as much detail as possible on the driver, vehicle, and location. Some bars and restaurants have programs to provide patrons a safe ride home. Buckle up and put your phone down, every trip, every time.
RIPON HOUSING PROGRAM
Ripon City Administrator Adam Sonntag gave the City Council an update this week on the city’s housing programs. Ripon has three housing programs; the one that has drawn the most interest is the Sandmar Lot Housing Grant program which gives grants to develop the lots. There is also the Ripon First Housing Program which gives out forgivable loans of up to $5,000 for first time homeowners and there is an exterior home repair program. Sonntag says last year 5 new homes averaging $274,000 in cost were built in Ripon. This year 13 single family homes were built averaging $345,000 in cost. He says the problem is affordability. He says many wage earners in the community can’t afford a home that is $350,000. Fond du Lac County Supervisor Kat Griffith who represents a portion of the Ripon area says not much is being done at the county level about the housing crisis. She’s encouraged by what the City of Ripon is doing and hopes it will become an inspiration for other communities in the county. She says the county has some catching up to do. Meanwhile Sonntag says with retiring TID districts, funds available for the City’s housing programs should increase to $400,000 to $500,000 over the next two years.
POLICE CHIEF CHANGES
A couple of area police departments are seeing changes at the top as we move into a New Year. During next Tuesday’s North Fond du Lac Police & Fire Commission meeting the Commission will consider appointing Pete Vergos as Interim Police Chief while the city looks for a chief to succeed Darren Pautsch who is retiring on January 2nd. Pautsch has been with the department 30 years becoming Chief in July of 2011 when Bill Lamb left to become Fond du Lac’s Police Chief. Meanwhile, in Waupun Deputy Chief Jeremy Rasch was sworn in Tuesday night as Interim Police Chief. Chief Scott Louden left the department at the beginning of the month for another opportunity. (City of Waupun photo showing Interim Police Chief Jeremy Rasch being sworn in).
PROPERTY TAXES MAILED OUT IN OSHKOSH
The city of Oshkosh put real estate and personal property tax bills in the mail Tuesday. City officials encourage residents to mail in their tax payments or use the drop box outside the main doors of City Hall. Residents are also encouraged to use the online payment option. Payments can be made in-person with cash or check at City Hall if necessary. City Hall will be closed on December 25th and 26th, and January 1st. In addition Community First Credit Union and Associated Bank have been designated as authorized payment locations for in-person payments through January 31st. In order to be credited with a 2023 tax payment, the payment must be received, paid in person at any location, or placed in the drop box by the main entrance to Oshkosh City Hall by December 31st.
City of Oshkosh – Online Bill Pay
FDL COUNTY UNITED WAY SUPPORTS ASTOP
One of the longest associations the Fond du Lac County United Way has had with an agency it supports has been with ASTOP in Fond du Lac. ASTOP is an acronym for Assist Survivor Treatment Outreach and Prevention. It dates back to 1992 and provides assistance and support for victims of sexual abuse or assault. Isabel Williston is ASTOP’s Executive Director. She says they do provide a lot of outreach to schools, groups, and at events. In Ripon their prevention educators have done presentations in all the schools and Ripon College. Williston says they also provide advocates’ to victims who report the assault and during any legal proceeding that may follow that. United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says their long history of supporting ASTOP is because of the education prevention programs the organization puts on. Kilawee says one of United Way’s main pillars is education. ASTOP has a 24 hour crisis line. The phone number is 920-926-5395.
GROTHMAN VOTED TO GET RID OF SANTOS
Congressman Glenn Grothman says he’s glad fellow House members voted to get New York Congressman George Santos out of Congress. Grothman says it wasn’t something he wanted to consider, but eventually he voted to get rid of Santos. The federal lawmaker from Glenbeulah says Santos lied to get into office and once there started using political contributions for personal expenses on things like pornographic websites and Botox. Grothman says Santos also conspired with a staffer to have the staffer pose as a staffer for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy to gain even more contributions. He says Santos was an embarrassment for the Republican Party. He also believes the Democrats have their own problems with New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez who some believe should also be expelled.
EXPERIENCE RIPON APP
Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mandy Kimes says they continue to roll out their new phone app, Experience Ripon. It was launched during Septemberfest and Dickens of a Christmas at the beginning of the month saw more of it. She says in the New Year they will have a campaign to incentivize people to use the free app. Part of that effort will include gift card giveaways. She says it is a nice resource for those who want to know what is going on, where it is going on and when changes are made during a scheduled event. She also points out that it is digital which is something people who are going paperless appreciate. The Experience Ripon app is available at phone app or play stores.
ENVISION AG AMBASSADOR PROGRAM AWARDED
Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s Ag Ambassador Program directed by the Agri-Business Council received the 2023 Classroom Agriculture Literacy Leadership Award on December 3rd. The award was established last year to honor the ongoing work of volunteers who continually contribute leadership in advancing agriculture literacy through shared time, talents and creativity. Envision Director of Agriculture Programs Amy Ries says it is an honor to receive the award. She says, “We truly enjoy visiting classrooms to educate students about where our food comes from and the producers who make it.” The Ag Ambassador program is geared toward children in grades 4K through 8th grade.
Share |