4/15/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Monday
15 April 2024 News
HIGH SPEED PURSUIT IN DODGE AND FDL COUNTIES
A 23-year-old Middleton man is facing charges for a 28.5-mile chase in Dodge and Fond du Lac counties that reached speeds over 130 miles an hour. Dodge County Sheriff’s officials say Gregory Pauly almost struck several other motorists trying to elude law enforcement. The pursuit Saturday evening started when a Dodge County Sheriff’s deputy tried to pull over a speeding vehicle on US Highway 151 northbound near East Salem Road in the Town of Calamus. It ended when a state trooper used a driving maneuver to stop the BMW Pauly was driving. He was taken into custody for fleeing or eluding an officer and second degree recklessly endangering safety. Assisting the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office were Beaver Dam Police, Waupun Police, the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, and State Patrol. (Dodge County Jail photo).
VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER
Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources says an elevated fire danger continues across the state as dry, windy, and warm conditions persist. They are asking the public to avoid all outdoor burning. Burn permits were suspended in 41 counties Sunday. Saturday, 37 fires burned over 300 acres, the single most active wildfire day this year. As of early this morning Calumet, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago counties were among the counties in the state with a very high fire danger. Columbia, Dodge, and Washington counties had a high fire danger.
MOTORCYCLIST INJURED IN WAUPACA COUNTY ACCIDENT
Waupaca County Sheriff’s officials say a motorcyclist was injured after striking a deer on Silver Creek Road near the Town of Bear Creek early Sunday morning. A ThedaStar helicopter flew the motorcycle operator to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah. The bike was heading west on Silver Creek Road when it struck the deer. The accident was called in at 2:06 Sunday morning. The Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Bear Creek Fire Department, Clintonville Ambulance, and ThedaStar Helicopter.
OSKOSH DRUG BUST
Police arrested two men in Oshkosh following the execution of two search warrants in the 700 block of Franklin Street Thursday. As a result, a 32-year-old Oshkosh man is facing charges of cocaine trafficking, marijuana possession, drug paraphernalia possession, and a probation violation. A 37-year-old Oshkosh man was arrested for cocaine trafficking and drug paraphernalia possession. Oshkosh Police and the Lake Winnebago Area MEG unit partnered on the execution of the drug search warrants.
WAUPUN DRUG BUST
Waupun Police have referred drug trafficking and possession charges against a 20-year-old Waupun man following the execution of a search warrant in the 1000 block of Rock Avenue on Friday, April 5th. The incident started out as a check welfare complaint. Officers seized 45 grams of controlled substances, 2.5 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, and drug paraphernalia. Charges referred to the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office include maintaining a drug trafficking place, marijuana trafficking and possession, psilocybin possession, and drug paraphernalia possession.
SEXUAL ASSAULT CONVICTION
Green Lake County District Attorney Gerise LaSpisa says a 38-year-old man from Mexico convicted of sexually assault a 7-year-old child will likely be sent back to Mexico after serving a 20-year prison sentence. Edgardo Contreras-Ornelas was sentenced on April 1st to the prison term and 9 years of extended supervision. In December a Green Lake County jury found him guilty of two counts of 1st degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 and 1 count of child enticement. LaSpisa says it takes a team effort to ensure child abuse victims’ voices are heard and justice is done. The Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Berlin Police Department investigated the case.
GREEN LAKE CHAMBER LOOKING FOR THEIR NEXT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lisa Meier is leaving the organization and returning to Discover Wisconsin. She says it will allow her to cut back on her hours, work remotely, and enjoy time with family. Meier joined the Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce in 2020. She grew up in the Berlin, Green Lake, and Ripon Area. She says it is a beautiful community and she’s both excited about her next opportunity and sad about leaving the Chamber this Friday. She says the Executive Director position will keep her successor on their toes. The Executive Director position is posted on the Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce website.
SSM HEALTH PARTICIPATING IN NATIONAL HEALTHCARE DECISIONS DAY
SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac is highlighting the importance of advance healthcare decision making during National Healthcare Decisions Day tomorrow. SSM Health will be providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends, and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives like healthcare power of attorney and living wills. Deb Toth is an Advanced Care Planning Specialist with SSM Health she says if you plan to execute a healthcare power of attorney at the event make sure you have at least three people in mind you would want to make decisions for you and their contact information. She says if you are not listed as an organ donor on your driver’s license that is something you should also consider expressing your wishes about. Locations for tomorrow’s event include the Fond du Lac Family YMCA from 8:30 am to 12 pm, the Ripon Senior Center from noon to 3 pm, St Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac from 10 am to 2 pm, and Waupun Memorial Hospital from 10 am to 2 pm.
PRESCRIBED BURNS MISCONCEPTIONS
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service public information officer Dan Bell says he’s happy to volunteer information about prescribed burns so people better understand why they are done. Last week both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin DNR had prescribed burns on the marsh on the same day. Bell says prescribed burns stimulate the growth of native prairie grasses and flowers by removing non-native and invasive trees, shrubs, and grasses. The burns also improve habitat for birds and wildlife. Bell has a long history of working prescribed burns and when he was younger worked along the fire line. He says during that 25 years he doesn’t know of a bird or animal that was harmed by one of the burns including burns out west during major wildfires. Of the 70,000 acres in the Refuge they burn off about 3,500 to 5,000 acres in prescribed burns every year.
WORK ZONE SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK
Fond du Lac County Highway Commissioner Tom Janke wants to remind everyone that highway construction has started throughout the county and the State of Wisconsin. This week is National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week. The theme is Work Zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever. Janke says, “Highway workers, emergency response and businesses who service both the highways and the traveling public, work very hard on keeping our highways operating, and just like you, they want to make it home at night to their families.” Over the past five years, there have been more than 11,000 crashes in Wisconsin work zones causing 63 deaths and more than 4,300 injuries. Among the recommended safety tips are eliminate distractions, expect the unexpected, slow down, give yourself room, allow about three seconds of braking distance, be patient, plan ahead, and follow the move over law. Wednesday, April 17th is “Go Orange Day” in which people are asked to wear something orange in support of highway safety.
FREE SPEECH DISCUSSION RESCHEDULED
A panel of Ripon College students will discuss free speech on campus this Thursday. The Center for Politics and the People presentation will begin at 6:30 pm in Kresge Little Theatre, East Hall, on the campus. Admission is free and open to the public. The sponsor of the event is the Student Advisory Board of the Center for Politics and the People. Panelists will discuss Ripon College speech regulations, topics that should or should not be restricted, and potential consequences for violating college free speech policies. Panelists include Levi Keen of Twin Lakes, Isaac Tomaschefsky of Green Bay, Hannah Brockman of Sun Prairie, and Eugene Hinton of St. Francis, Wisconsin. The discussion was originally scheduled for last Thursday, but had to be rescheduled due to scheduling conflicts.
NO MOW MAY RETURNS TO OSHKOSH
No Mow May, a conservation initiative that encourages people to decrease law cutting on their property as a way to provide food and nectar for bees and other season pollinators, returns to Oshkosh next month. During that time the city will relax enforcement of the long grass and weed cutting ordinance for registered participants. Registration is now open for Oshkosh property owners who wish to participate. Participation is voluntary and free of charge, but registration is required. The registration deadline is May 1st. Properties not registered for the program will be subject to regular penalties for long grasses or weeds. Property owners may register through a link on the city’s website which can be accessed through the “Hot Topics” section or by using the “Connect Oshkosh” app for mobile devices.
DEADGRASS SHOW AT THRASHER CANCELLED
The show for String band Deadgrass which was scheduled to play at the Thrasher Opera House on Friday, May17th has been cancelled. Thrasher Opera House officials say ticket holders can contact their office for exchanges, refunds, or donations.
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