11/21/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
21 November 2024 News
PRESS CONFERENCE WILL PROVIDE UPDATE ON RYAN BORGWARDT CASE
The Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office will hold a press conference today to give an update on the search for Ryan Borgwardt who faked his own death in a kayaking accident on Green Lake in August. A recent press conference at the County Justice Center in Green Lake revealed the 45-year-old Watertown man had faked his own death leaving his capsized kayak in the lake. Authorities searched the lake for 56 days eventually concluding that his body was not in the lake. With the help of state and federal partners, Sheriff’s investigators learned he had planned his disappearance taking out a new passport, life insurance policy, looked into transferring funds to foreign banks, and had communicated with a woman from Uzbekistan. At the press conference in Green Lake on November 8th Sheriff Mark Podoll said they believed Borgwardt was in Eastern Europe. Today’s press conference is at 10:30 am. The Sheriff’s Office is hoping to stream today’s press conference on their Facebook page.
JURY TRIAL SCHEDULED FOR FDL MURDER SUSPECT
The 20-year-old Fond du Lac woman suspected in the stabbing death and attempted robbery of 33-year-old Ashley Ann Calo of West Bend was in Fond du Lac County Court this week for a plea hearing. Annaka Trudell maintained her innocence and a 5-day jury trial will start next May 19th. She is charged with first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon and being party to the crime of a conspiracy to commit armed robbery with use of force. Twenty-one-year-old Dawson Miller is also facing charges stemming from last February’s stabbing death. According to the criminal complaint Trudell stabbed Calo with a kitchen-type knife during an argument in a fast-food parking lot. Trudell and Miller allegedly made a plan to steal drugs from Calo by pretending to want to buy pills from her. An autopsy revealed Calo had been stabbed at least twice and once through the heart and lung. A 5-day jury trial is scheduled next September for Miller.
WOMAN ARRESTED FOR FIRING GUN IN NFDL APARTMENT
North Fond du Lac Police and Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 400 block of Harrison Street in the Village Wednesday morning for a gunshot complaint. Prior to officers’ arrival, the County Dispatch Center advised officers they had received a 911 call from a man reporting a gun had been fired in an apartment, and he had kicked in the suspect’s door. The man reported there were no injuries. A woman was taken into custody for disorderly conduct and possession of a firearm while intoxicated. Police say it was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public.
PUBLIC HEARING ON FDL COUNTY BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS
The state’s Department of Transportation will hold a live, online public meeting today about proposed improvements to the Fond du Lac County Highway OOO bridge over Interstate 41. The meeting is at 5 pm and can be accessed online through Microsoft Teams by computer or mobile device. For audio-only call conference phone number 608-571-2209, the phone conference ID number is 624 435. Proposed improvements to the bridge include two alternatives redecking or reconstruction. During the meeting project engineers will share maps, displays, and exhibits. A question, answer and comment period will follow.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation I-41 & County OOO – Fond du Lac
SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT CARDS
The state’s Department of Public Instruction says 94 percent of public school districts met, exceeded, or significantly exceeded expectations on district report cards for the 2023-24 academic year. Overall ratings were similar to the 2022-23 academic year. There were 1,939 report cards produced for public schools this past school year. Of the scored public school report cards 1,622 met, exceeded, or significantly exceeded expectations which works out to 84 percent. There were 418 private schools participating in a Private School Choice Program for the 2023-24 academic year. Of scored private school report cards, 152 met, exceeded, or significantly exceeded expectations, which work out to 85 percent.
IMPROVEMENTS SLATED AT SELFRIDGE PARK
Ripon Parks and Recreation Director Ashton Zeien says residents will see some nice improvement to Selfridge Park in 2025. Last week the Common Council approved spending nearly $217,000 with Gerber Leisure Products for all-inclusive playground equipment at the park. Zeien says it will replace what they have there now except for a swing set. It includes a structure for 2 to 5 year olds, a structure for 5 to 12 year olds, a set of swing sets, an interactive panel, and other features. Earlier this year the state awarded a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant to the city for $468,240 to improve the park. Zeien says the improvements that will pay for include an ADA accessible path along the shoreline, a new shelter, shoreline restoration, benches, ADA accessible fishing pier, and a kayak launch. The city had applied for another grant to pay for the new playground equipment.
MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT SCAMS
The Administrator for the state’s Division of Trade and Consumer Protection warns those on Medicare or applying for it to be aware of possible scammers during the open enrollment period which runs through December 7th. The open enrollment period allows beneficiaries to make changes to their Medicare plans. It’s also a time when you can change your Medicare Advantage or Part C and prescription drug insurance or Part D plans. Michelle Reinen says scammers know that and call so they can “renew your coverage.” She says your coverage is automatically renewed, but they are fishing for information from you. She says that will include asking you for your Medicare number, credit card numbers, address, and other billing details. She says some will pose as an insurance agent or broker offering you a too-good-to-be-true deal on supplemental insurance, but don’t fall for it. She says less frequently you might get a door-to-door solicitor posing as someone from Medicare or another government agency.
BEAR HARVEST NUMBERS
The state’s Department of Natural Resources recently announced preliminary results for the 2024 bear season. This fall, bear hunters harvested 4,285 bears during the five-week season, a rebound from the below average harvest of 2,922 bears taken during last fall’s bear season. The 2024 bear season ran from September 4th to October 8th. A total of 11,501 bear hunting licenses were awarded to hunters through the license lottery system. DNR large carnivore specialist Randy Johnson says there was more natural food availability this year for bears. He says other factors for the increase in the harvest include last year’s low harvest and bears entering dens in excellent body condition last fall.
CHILDREN’S LEARNING CENTER BENEFITS FROM THE UNITED WAY
The Children’s Learning Center in Ripon is one of the agencies supported by donations to the Fond du Lac County United Way. Past funding from the United Way has helped staff for the center to get up-to-date training for taking care of children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 12-years-old. Center Director of Operations Ashley VandeBerg says United Way funding will also help them expand their infants unit which takes care of infants from 6 weeks to a year of age. She says they are in need of equipment and infant items for that unit. Community donations will also assist the expansion effort. Donations to the United Way can be made several ways. You can go to their website FDL United Way.org. You can text FDL United to 26989, or you can mail in a donation to Fond du Lac County United Way, 74 South Main Street, Suite 201, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, 54935.
THRASHER OPERA HOUSE WINTER/SPRING SEASON ANNOUNCED
The Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake has announced its Winter/Spring Season. Look for an amazing mix of talented performers coming to their stage. From beloved returning favorites to fresh new artists, this season promises something for everyone. Executive Director Rachael Avery couldn’t be more excited saying, “We can’t wait to kick off a season full of energy and variety-offering everything from blues to bluegrass, Celtic to String Bands, and so much more.” Tickets go on sale today. Check their website Thrasher Opera House.com or call 920-294-4279. You can see the full schedule by clicking here.
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