9/26/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
26 September 2024 News
INTERIM REPORT ON ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT SECURITY ISSUED
U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, several other senators, and Senate committees released a bipartisan interim report yesterday on how the U.S. Secret Service handled security during the July 13th assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. The interim report includes key findings and recommendations to address those failures and ensure the Secret Service can effectively carry out its protective mission. The report lists 7 key failures in planning, coordination, security coverage, equipment failure, and more. The report also lists 5 key recommendations. Senator Johnson is the ranking member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. A copy of the 133 page U.S. Governmental Affairs Committee report is available online and a copy of the press release about the report at Senator Johnson’s website.
USSS-HSGAC-Interim-Report.pdf (senate.gov)
Johnson, Peters, Paul, and Blumenthal Release Bipartisan Report Examining U.S. S… (senate.gov)
PESHTIGO MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR
Federal prosecutors recently announced a 24-year-old Peshtigo man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for knowingly persuading a minor to send him sexually explicit video. In his plea agreement and at a sentencing hearing last Friday Zachary Zastawniak acknowledged that he had victimized numerous minors in Oconto County and Northeast Wisconsin by employing coercive techniques to force them to engage in sexual activity. Much of the coercive activity was accomplished using various social media applications. At the sentencing hearing Judge William Griesbach stated Zastawniak repeatedly made “evil decisions” and engaged in “monstrous behavior.” Upon completion of his federal prison sentence, Zastawniak will spend 25 years on supervised release. He will also have to register as a sex offender under state and federal law. The North Fond du Lac Police Department was among the six law enforcement agencies that investigated the case.
FDL COUNTY EXECUTIVE ON LAND SALE
Fond du Lac County Executive Sam Kaufman says what happens to the nearly 12 acres of land, known as the Rugby Field Property, they sold for $2.4 million to CDS Real Estate is out of their hands. The County Board approved the sale to the real estate arm of C.D. Smith Construction at its September 17th meeting. Kaufman says the sale of the land was contingent on zoning from the city. Ideally C.D. Smith could use it to expand from their adjacent property, but that needs rezoning from the City of Fond du Lac. Kaufman says the company still has options if they don’t get the zoning. That would include waiving the rezoning request and sitting on the property until a later date or complying with the zoning and developing it into something else. He says the money from the sale will be used to redevelop the Fond du Lac County campus, formerly the UW-Oshkosh Fond du Lac. Kaufman says C.D. Smith has done so much for the city and county he hopes they will get support for an expansion.
UW SYSTEM STUDY COMMITTEE
The UW System and its future is something a legislative study committee is working on this year. The University of Wisconsin System is requesting an $850 million increase in funding from the next state budget. State Senator Joan Ballweg says enrollment is up, but most of that is for the UW Madison. She says numbers vary for the 13 schools in the system and what remains of the two-year campuses. She says enrollment was up at UW Parkside and UW Eau Claire, but the UW Oshkosh was down by more than 400 students. She says University officials have been trying to right the ship. She commends the philanthropic efforts that have supported students from lower-income families and proposals to freeze tuition. The state lawmaker from Markesan says when it comes to tuition the University of Wisconsin is still among the most affordable in the Big Ten.
MAYVILLE SCHOOL THREAT INVESTIGATION
Mayville Police say they have concluded an investigation into a threat complaint received last Friday via the FBI from an anonymous source. The complaint raised concerns about the safety of Mayville Junior and Senior High School. Police and the FBI conducted a thorough investigation. After extensive inquiries and collaboration with relevant authorities, it was determined that there is no credible threat to the safety and security of the students and staff. Appropriate referrals have been made concerning the individuals involved in the incident.
RIPON COMMON COUNCIL GIVES RIPON MAN A SECOND CHANCE
The Ripon Common Council this week gave a 39-year-old Ripon man a second chance after he was denied a liquor operating license in August. William Koepsel was denied the license because he left out information about previous felony convictions on his license application. He was convicted of a fourth OWI and possession of methamphetamine, both felonies in September of 2019. He told the Council he has cleaned up his act, is working at the Ripon BP, and is helping to support his widowed mother. Council members noted he seemed to have found his place, was trying and wants to keep his job. Mayor Ted Grant said actions have consequences and denial of the license would be one of those consequences. In a pair of 5 to 3 votes the Council at first voted against denying the appeal and then voted to support his appeal.
FDL COUNTY UNITED WAY KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN
The Fond du Lac County United Way kicked off its fall fundraising campaign a couple of weeks ago with the Week of Caring. United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says during the annual week volunteers from some of the organizations they support go to other nonprofits supported by the United Way for a little manual labor to complete projects those nonprofits don’t have resources or time to complete. In the Ripon area participating agencies included Diverse Options and the Children’s Learning Center. Kilawee says this year’s campaign goal is $550,000. The campaign pacesetter is Fox Valley Savings Bank which is celebrating its 90th year in business. She points out that about 1 in 3 people in Fond du Lac County will be benefitting from the services of one of their agencies. You can find out more about the United Way at their website FDL United Way.org.
WAUTOMA STORE SELLS SECOND POWERBALL WINNER THIS YEAR
Wisconsin Lottery officials say the store in Wautoma that sold a Powerball ticket for Monday’s jackpot drawing that won $150,000 was a case of lightning striking twice. Family Fil at W7711 State Highway 21 in Wautoma also sold a $150,000 Powerball winner for the March 30th drawing. The winner Monday night bought a $1 Power Play on the ticket that turned a $50,000 win into a $150,000 because of the 3 times multiplier. Monday night’s winning numbers were 15-21-25-37-45 and the Powerball was 19. No one won the big jackpot that evening. There was no winner last evening so the jackpot for Saturday’s night’s drawing is estimated at $243 million.
RIPON ECYCLING EVENT
The City of Ripon and COM2 Recycling Solutions are teaming up for a free Electronic Recycling Event this Saturday from 8 to 12 pm at Barlow Park. Among the items that will be accepted are computers, laptops, printers, keyboard and mice, fax machines, phones, TVs, Tablets, gaming consoles, DVD Player and VCRs, microwaves, and much more. Donated electronics do not need to be in working condition. Hazardous materials like batteries, paint, or medical waste, nor Freon-containing items like refrigerators, air conditioners or radioactive materials won’t be accepted.
E-Recycling Event on Sat, 9/28 from 8-12PM – What’s New – City of Ripon, Wisconsin
WMC SURVEY SAYS HEALTH CARE COSTS TOO HIGH
According to a survey conducted by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce high health care costs are hurting Wisconsin’s business climate and making employers less competitive. The Wisconsin Employer Survey found nearly half-44 percent of Badger State employers saw health care costs increase by more than 10 percent over the last year. Another 41 percent of businesses saw costs go up between six to 10 percent. Those high costs come at a time when general inflation has increased by more than 20 percent over the last few years-making it more difficult for businesses to invest in their employees and equipment. Fifty-four percent of business leaders said their health care costs are higher in Wisconsin than other states they operate in. Association officials say employers are unified that something needs to be done to bring down high health care costs. The survey was conducted over the first three weeks of July on a variety of topics.
CEO-Survey-Report_Summer-2024_HEALTHCARE.pdf (wmc.org)
UHAUL DEALERSHIP IN BERLIN
U-Haul Company of Wisconsin tells us that Berlin Oil & Shell Gas Stations has signed on as a U-Haul® neighborhood dealer to serve the Berlin community. Berlin Oil & Shell Gas Station at 703 Broadway Street will offer essential services like U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, and moving supplies. U-Haul has teamed with independent dealers to offer rental equipment to do-it-yourself movers since 1945. There are more than 21,000 dealers across the U.S. and Canada. When customers rent from a U-Haul dealer, they are directly supporting an independent small business in their community.
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