10/28/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Monday
28 October 2024 News
FDL MAN CHARGED FOR SHOOTING
Bond has been set at $500,000 cash for a 52-year-old Fond du Lac man suspected of shooting a man in the parking lot of a couple of businesses in downtown Fond du Lac on Sunday, October 20th. Luis Guzman-Romero made his initial appearance in Fond du Lac County court Friday on 11 different charges including first-degree reckless injury, aggravated battery, four counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, and more. Police and Fire and Rescue responded to the parking lot of Hopper Screen Printing and Embroidery and Fast Taco early that morning for a report of a fight. Minutes later officers found a 24-year-old Fond du Lac man in the parking lot with a gunshot wound to his shoulder/arm area. He was taken to St. Agnes Hospital and was subsequently flown to a trauma center. Police say the fight was over a woman. Guzman-Romero will be back in court for a preliminary hearing on December 19th.
MISSING KAYAKER SEARCH TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
The search for a kayaker missing for 77 days on Green Lake has been temporarily suspended. Green Lake County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Matt Vande Kolk says they haven’t given up yet on the search for 44-year-old Ryan Borgwardt of Watertown. The best chance they have to locate Ryan’s body is through the towable sonar used by Bruce’s Legacy and Recovery Service. Bruce’s is currently busy with another effort in Wyoming. Vande Kolk says the cooler water temperatures are keeping the body from surfacing. He points out they have searched over 1500 acres on the west end of Green Lake and they need to now look at what they can do moving forward. Ryan went kayaking on Sunday, August 11th and failed to return that night. An initial search found the overturned kayak with a life jacket attached. Since then a water bottle, a tackle box and a fishing rod belonging to Ryan have also been found.
CAR DEER CRASHES ON THE RISE
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has begun its daily deer movement report reflecting car- deer accidents that occur during the “rut.” The reports are posted each morning around 10 am with a 1 to 5 star rating system. The more stars the more accidents that were reported. Sunday the deer movement rating was 2 out of 5 due to 3 cardeer accidents. Saturday morning they reported 4 car deer accidents during the previous 24 hours. Last Friday the state’s Department of Transportation issued a news release urging drivers to be on the lookout for deer during October and November when deer movement is at its peak. They also released a list of the Top Ten counties reporting the most car-deer crashes during 2023. Waukesha County had the most with 836, but Fond du Lac County had the eighth most with 571 and Winnebago County with the tenth most with 476.
RONY’S RECRUIT FUNDRAISER HITS ITS GOAL
The Ripon Police Department hit their goal this past week in the Rony’s Recruit fundraiser. The effort was for the purchase of a new K9 to succeed K9 Rony who is retiring after eight years with the department. Ripon Police Chief Bill Wallner says they can now have Officer Brandon Howell go to pick out a new dog in the next week. He says the dog and Howell, who will be the dog’s handler, will get training and the new K9 will join the police department in the middle of January. Chief Wallner says they had already decided to pick out a new dog in November or December so reaching their fundraising goal before that was a happy coincidence. He says they are extremely grateful to everyone who donated during the fundraising but raising funds to maintain the K9 program is an ongoing effort so donations will continue to be accepted.
MARKESAN SCHOOLS REFERENDUM
The Markesan School District will be asking voters on November 5th to approve a $26 million school facility improvement referendum. Those improvements would include an addition and renovations at the Elementary School, including for classrooms, art, music, special education, the library and offices. That would include making the building more ADA compliant. At the Middle/High School renovations would be made for a secure entrance. District Superintendent Jason Breaker says they need that additional security to protect students and staff. There would also be district-wide capital maintenance, building infrastructure and site improvements, and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment. If approved the referendum would increase the district’s mill rate by $2.58 per thousand dollars of value on a property. Breaker says they did some comparisons when planning the referendum and what they are doing is similar to what Rosendale-Brandon did when voters in that district passed a $35 million referendum.
OASD TAX LEVY DECREASE
The Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education has approved a substantial decrease in the school tax levy for 2024-2025. The Board voted to reduce the overall school tax levy by 5 percent compared to the 2023-2024 school year, resulting in a $3.5 million decrease in the total levy. District officials say the tax levy reduction was made possible through two key factors. There was an increase in state aid resulting from the District’s proactive approach to debt management, specifically through the strategic prepayment of debt. The other factor was decreased operational costs achieved through consolidation savings from Phase 1 of the District’s four-phase facilities plan. District Superintendent Dr. Bryan Davis says, “This substantial tax levy reduction reflects our commitment to responsible financial management while continuing to advance our educational mission.”
MORATORIUM ON UTILITY DISCONNECTION APPROACHING
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission is encouraging electric and natural gas utility customers with outstanding bills to either make payment arrangements with their provider, or apply for financial assistance, before the annual winter heating disconnection moratorium begins. State law prohibits utilities from disconnecting essential services to residential customers during the moratorium period. Every year, from November 1st to April 15th, utilities are prohibited from disconnecting utility service for nonpayment when it is used for home heating. Customers that are currently disconnected must make arrangements to restore service because utilities are not required to reconnect service until payment arrangements have been made. Customers should contact their utility provider to make a payment or arrange a payment plan. More details are available at the Wisconsin PSC website.
TOUR OF HOMES SET FOR RIPON’S DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS
Six homes will be featured in the Tour of Homes on Saturday, December 7th from 10 am to 4 pm during Dickens of a Christmas in Ripon. Ripon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mandy Kimes says, “The six homes of the tour give a perfect opportunity to get an inside look at what makes Ripon so special.” Tour tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the tour. Advance tickets can be purchased online on Eventbrite or at the Ripon Chamber of Commerce office. This year’s homes include: The Arnetveit’s at W13827 Skyline Circle, the Becker’s at 121 West Thorne Street, the Clements’ at 903 Nordane Avenue, the McCarthy’s at 536 Watson Street, the Peer’s at 500 Eureka Street, and the Reeves’ at 954 Watson Street. As a special bonus: the Pedrick-Lawson House, First Congregational Church and the Little White Schoolhouse will also be open for tours during the duration of the event and do not require a ticket. Ripon’s 34th annual Dickens of a Christmas celebration is Friday through Sunday December 6th through 8th. The Tour of Homes is being sponsored by Century 21.
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