11/13/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
13 November 2024 News
WASHINGTON COUNTY HOUSE FIRE
Washington County Sheriff’s deputies and West Bend firefighters responded to a house fire in the 6700 block of Jansen Drive in the Town of Barton at 4:17 Tuesday morning. A homeowner reported the fire. She was able to safely evacuate from the residence along with three other occupants and their dog. The residence was fully engulfed. Six other fire departments assisted at the scene. No one was injured during the blaze, which severely damaged the home. The cause of the fire is being investigated, but home video surveillance caught the fire starting in the attached garage.
WARRANT ISSUED FOR RIPON MAN
An arrest warrant was issued for a 30-year-old Ripon man this week wanted on charges stemming from a traffic stop in Ripon on June 29th. Charges filed against Antonio Alvarado on Monday include cocaine trafficking, marijuana possession, and two misdemeanor counts of bail jumping. The traffic stop was for an equipment violation. Alvarado was a passenger in the vehicle. He was out on bond at the time and according to the criminal complaint appeared to be impaired. During a search of the vehicle police found a half an ounce of marijuana, three plastic baggies with cocaine in them, prescription and other pills, and 100 $100 bills amounting to $10,000. The money was marked with “For Motion Picture Purposes.” The driver of the vehicle was issued a warning for no lights when required and was released.
FINANCIAL FRAUD SCAM
The Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about financial fraud scams. Scammers have called potential victims pretending to be from the victim’s financial institution. The caller spoofs the phone number from the victim’s bank on the caller ID. During the call the scammer notifies the victim that their bank account was compromised and they need to give them the code that was emailed to them from their bank. Once the code has been given to the scammer, they then access the victim’s bank account transferring out the available funds to another account the scammer has access to. The Sheriff’s Office recommends several courses of action. First do not take immediate action, talk to someone you trust. Do not transfer money or buy a gift card. Be skeptical; if you think your bank is trying to reach you call your branch to verify. Be cautious of any contact claiming to be from your bank, telling you about a problem you don’t recognize. Do not provide your personal information. Finally they recommend not clicking on links or attachments you are sent. Block unwanted calls and text messages.
RIPON COMMON COUNCIL APPROVES 2025 CITY BUDGET
The Ripon Common Council unanimously approved the 2025 City Budget and Tax Levy last night. The tax levy is $3.9 million and the tax rate is about 30 cents higher than the past year at $9.29 per thousand dollars of value on a property. Alderman Mark Denkert complimented the city staff and officials for being able to keep expenditures down to about a 2 percent increase. City Administrator Adam Sonntag said they budget for expenditure restraint and they were able to accomplish that. The Council also approved a fee schedule for 2025 for city permits and services. A memorandum of understanding between the City and Envision Greater Fond du Lac was also approved. Raina Lyman is Envision’s Senior Director of Economic Development. She has spent quite a bit of time in Ripon with businesses and entrepreneurs over the past year. She told the Council she has really enjoyed getting to know Ripon.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE TRI-COUNTY AREA BUILDING CAREER PATHWAYS
The new Workforce Development Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Club of the Tri-County Area says a trades garage and classroom at the facility being built in Ripon will be providing kids training for career pathways. Kara Kinas-Jankowski’s family has a background in skilled trades. She herself has been a heavy equipment operator and other family members have carpentry and plumbing experience. She says the training will give kids options as they consider a career field. She says the garage will include an auto lift and tools for those who want to learn automotive skills. A home façade will provide opportunities for those who want to learn about construction. Director of Operations Amy Pollesch says they will be partnering with businesses and educators. They are also interested in networking with anyone in the community that could provide mentorship in the trades. (Boys & Girls Club photo of Kara Kinas-Jankowski).
DOG RESCUE WAS ALL HANDS
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Captain of Operations Chris Randall says they got a lot of assistance in rescuing 70 neglected dogs from a home in the Town of Calumet last week. He says although you’re thinking of the welfare of the animals they have to be carefully documented because they also could be evidence if there were to be some type of criminal trial. In this particular case investigators found hoarding of dogs that got out of control. Randall says they got assistance from the township and local fire department. Personal Protective Equipment was needed because of conditions at the residence. The 70 dogs were turned over to the Eastshore Humane Association in Chilton. Association officials say the dogs have been groomed and had medical evaluations. (Photo of some of the donations made to Eastshore Humane Association).
ANNUAL SPEAK UP SPEAK OUT REPORT
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of School Safety has released its annual report for Speak Up, Speak Out. It is a free statewide threat reporting tip line available to all Wisconsin schools. According to the annual report for 2023-2024 5,270 tips were received, a more than 40 percent increase from the previous school year. Since the inception of the reporting in 2020, bullying has consistently been the number one tip. Awareness of these incidents helps schools intervene early, before grievances and upsets can lead children down a pathway to violence. From September 1st, 2023 to August 31st, 2024 the Office provided Standard Response Protocol and Standard Reunification Method training to 838 people from 98 public school districts, private schools and tribal schools, 55 law enforcement agencies and 28 other agencies.
NEW LEADERSHIP FOR SSM HEALTH GREATER FDL REGION
SSM Health has tapped Dr. Brent Meier and Shane Smith for expanded leadership roles in the Greater Fond du Lac region. Shane Smith is stepping into a new role as president for SSM Health’s Fond du Lac market, assuming leadership responsibilities for St. Agnes Hospital. He brings to his new role more than 20 years of health care experience as a system leader and administrator, including his previous experience with Mayo Clinic Health System and ThedaCare in Neenah. He joined SSM Health in January as Vice President of Medical Group Operations for the Fond du Lac Regional Clinic. Dr. Brent Meier will oversee SSM Health’s northern region as Clinical Vice President and Market Physician Leader and will serve as Vice President of Medical Affairs for SSM Health’s St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac and Ripon Community and Waupun Memorial Hospitals. He joined SSM Health in December of 2022. Dr. Meier has served as Vice President of Surgical & Acute Care Programs. He held previous leadership positions with ThedaCare in Neenah.
CRIME PREVENTION GRANTS
The Dodge County Crime Prevention Fund Board is taking grant applications for funding for crime prevention programs. Grants will be awarded for up to $10,000. To be eligible you have to meet one of the following criteria. You must be one or more private nonprofit organizations within the county that has its primary purpose preventing crime, providing a funding source for crime prevention programs, encouraging the public to report crime or assisting law enforcement agencies in the apprehension of criminal offenders. Law enforcement agencies within the county that have a crime prevention fund are eligible, if the contribution is credited to the crime prevention fund and is used for crime prevention purposes. A link to the grant application can be found at the Dodge County Sheriff.com website under Dodge County Crime Prevention Fund in the left column. Applications must be submitted electronically to Sheriff Dale Schmidt via email (dschmidt@co.dodge.wi.us). The deadline to apply is January 3rd.
Dodge County Crime Prevention Fund | Dodge County, WI
TOUR OF HOMES RETURNS TO DICKENS
The Tour of Homes returns to Ripon’s Dickens of a Christmas celebration next month. 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 tour went on hiatus last year because they couldn’t find enough homes for the tour. 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. 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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