3/1/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
1 March 2024 News
WASHINGTON COUNTY FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
Washington County had its first fatal traffic accident of the year Wednesday night. A 23-year-old Germantown woman was killed when the vehicle she was in went into a ditch on Division Road north of State Highway 60 in the Town of Jackson. Sheriff’s officials say the responding deputy found the vehicle in a ditch and the woman was outside of it unconscious and unresponsive. When Jackson Fire and Rescue arrived they determined she had died from her injuries. According to the preliminary investigation she was heading southbound on Division Road when her vehicle went off the west shoulder, overcorrected back to the east and crossed the northbound lane of traffic. It then entered the east ditch and overturned. She was thrown from the vehicle. She was the lone occupant. The accident was reported shortly before nine o’clock Wednesday evening.
DODGE COUNTY ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE SUSPECT PLEADS NGI
The 18-year-old Fall River man charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide for stabbing and running over a girl in Beaver Dam has changed his plea to not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Dylan Lenz originally pled not guilty to the five charges he faces when he was arraigned in Dodge County court in January of 2023. The judge agreed to a mental evaluation for Lenz and a telephone scheduling conference has been scheduled for the case on April 4th. According to the criminal complaint Dylan Lenz told investigators he had been entertaining thoughts of “murdering people.” Police were called to the Walmart parking lot in Beaver Dam on October 15th of 2022 for a hit and run. The victim suffered critical and life-threatening injuries and was taken to the UW Children’s Hospital in Madison. Lenz told investigators he stabbed her in the right shoulder with a box cutter and when she got out of his vehicle he chased after her running over her when she tripped and fell. In addition to the attempted homicide charge, he is charged with aggravated battery, first-degree reckless injury, hit and run involving great bodily injury, and battery.
SUN PRAIRIE MAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO VEHICULAR HOMICIDE CHARGE
The 36-year-old Sun Prairie man suspected of causing a crash that killed a horse and buggy operator was arraigned in Dodge County this week. Eric Schmoldt pled not guilty to a charge of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle. On September 10th of 2021 Sheriff’s deputies responded to a crash scene on Highway 16/60 near County Highway J in the town of Lowell. According to the criminal complaint they found a mangled horse drawn buggy and a damaged SUV. Schmoldt, said he had lowered his visor because of the sunlight. He said he couldn’t see a lot and thought he had hit a speed limit sign. Schmoldt allegedly sent a text message just moments after the crash saying, “just got into another car accident…this time it was my fault.’ The SUV had struck the horse and buggy while trying to pass it. A telephone scheduling conference for the case is set for May 1st.
RIPON MAN FACING DOMESTIC ABUSE CHARGES
A 24-year-old Ripon man is facing charges for allegedly strangling a woman during a domestic abuse incident in the 500 block of Watson Street last month. Marco Puente made his initial appearance in Fond du Lac County court on Tuesday. He is charged with strangulation and suffocation, battery, disorderly conduct, and three counts of bail jumping. Bond was set at $2,500 cash. According to the criminal complaint the victim told Ripon Police Puente had been drinking and told her he was going to care for her and heal her from the spirits that were harming her. He asked her for a hug and that’s when he allegedly pinned her against a kitchen counter and began choking her. She told police she did not struggle to breathe, but a witness told police the victim told him she couldn’t breathe, to the point where she would lose consciousness. The victim confirmed that during a subsequent interview with police. She also told police during that interview that as Puente went up to his room he yelled out, “It’s your time to die, you need to die.” He also allegedly stated, “I’m going to kill you.” Puente was out on bond on three Fond du Lac County court cases. A court condition for release on one of the cases was that he has no contact with the victim.
FUNDRAISING CONTINUES FOR ALL-INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND
The Ripon Early Bird Kiwanis and Ripon Noon Kiwanis continue fundraising efforts to make an all-inclusive playground at Riggs County Park a reality. The cost of the project is $270,000 with Fond du Lac County kicking in $190,000. That left $80,000 for the two clubs to raise. Ripon Noon Kiwanis Club President Gary Rodman says after the clubs successfully raised money for a splash pad, they needed to expand on that offering. That’s when the idea for an all-inclusive playground was born. Rodman says the playground would be something anyone with disabilities or physical limitations can enjoy whether that is a child, a parent, or a grandparent. The playground will be home to over 40 features and the poured, rubberized safety surface will ensure the playground will be ADA-accessible. More information about the playground or donating is available at either clubs’ website.
All Inclusive Playground (riponnoonkiwanis.org)
REPRESENTATIVE DALLMAN ON IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE
This past month, 41st State Assembly District constituents who represent the agriculture community visited the Wisconsin State Capitol. They advocated for various issues affecting the agriculture industry during Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s annual “Ag Day at the Capitol” and Wisconsin Future Farmers of America celebrating National FFA Week. State Representative Alex Dallman met with various groups to discuss these issues. The state lawmaker from Green Lake says, “One of my favorite times of the year is getting to meet and hear from constituents throughout the agriculture community.” He added that agriculture is one of Wisconsin’s biggest economic industries and he is proud to support all agriculture in the state. According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, agriculture contributes over $104 billion to the state’s economy annually and provides over 435,000 jobs.
AI TASK FORCE MEETING IN OSHKOSH
The Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence will be meeting in Oshkosh next Monday. The meeting will be held both in-person and online. Speakers will include Anupam Khare, senior vice president and chief information officer of Oshkosh Corporation, and Amanda Ballantyne, executive director of the AFO-CIO Technology Institute. In addition to their presentations four breakout sessions will be held. Khare’s presentation is entitled “Artificial Intelligence: Automation’s Next Frontier.” Ballantyne’s presentation is entitled “AI Insights from the AFL-CIO.” DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek, who chairs the task force, says they are seeking ideas and opportunities to harness AI technologies and strengthen Wisconsin’s workforce for the 21st century and beyond.
GREEN LAKE COUNTY BOARD QUORUM DISCLAIMER
Green Lake County Supervisor Luke Dretske says he’s not comfortable with a quorum disclaimer the County Board passed at its meeting last month. The disclaimer will be used on meeting notices advising the public that a quorum or majority of county board members may be sitting in on meetings of various committees the county supervisors are members of. Dretske, who is attending law school, says the board members other than committee members may be sitting in on meetings to gather information and aren’t involved in actual votes, but he feels the public deserves more than a blanket statement on meeting notices. The Green Lake County Board passed the quorum disclaimer by a 13 to 2 vote at their February 20th meeting. A quorum exists when a majority of members of a board or committee attend a meeting or function.
ARBYS GRANT PAYS OFF OASD STUDENT LUNCH DEBTS
The Arby’s Foundation this week presented leaders of the Oshkosh Area School District with a $74,704 grant. Oshkosh was the only school district in the state to receive funds as part of the Foundation’s nationwide commitment to payoff school lunch debt. Oshkosh’s own Arby’s franchise leaders celebrated the generous donation with officials of the school district during the presentation on Tuesday. The funds will eliminate outstanding school meal debt for families in need across the district’s schools. Sixteen of the Oshkosh Area School District’s 19 schools currently participate in the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Community Eligibility Provision. The program provides universal free breakfast and lunch for all students based on a school’s high-poverty status. However, past-due lunch balances still followed students even after their schools joined the provision. The Arby’s grant eliminated all past debt.
FDL DOCK SPIDERS NEED HOST FAMILIES
The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders begin their 8th season on May 27th, but right now they are looking for families who would be willing to host the college players that make up their roster. Jim Misudek is the team’s general manager. The Dock Spiders play in the Northwoods League which is a development league for the majors. He says they need host families in the Greater Fond du Lac area that would be willing to put players up during the season. Misudek says the families develop a close relationship with the players they host. He says host families are well-compensated with complimentary tickets, giveaway items, discounts at the team store, and other perks. Those who might be interested in being a host family can get details on the Dock Spiders website under the “Community” tab. Over 325 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball.
Dock Spiders Seeking Host Families – Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (northwoodsleague.com)
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