12/12/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
12 December 2024 News
FIRE DAMAGES DETACHED GARAGE IN FDL COUNTY
Firefighters were able to save a detached garage on Davis Road before fire could substantially damage it and items inside it Wednesday evening. A 911 call to the Fond du Lac County Communications Center from the property owner reported the fire at W11079 Davis Road in the Town of Springvale. Rosendale Fire Department, and fire departments from Lamartine, Eldorado, Brandon-Fairwater, Waupun, RIT team 1, plus Ripon Ambulance, and Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched. Heavy smoke was coming from the garage when they arrived. The fire was extinguished before the 26 by 80 foot garage and items inside it were substantially damage. The wood frame roof was damaged. Property owner Michael Montey told deputies he had stoked a wood stove inside the garage earlier in the evening. He then left the property. When he returned he found a wood pile near the stove had caught fire in the garage. No one was injured during the fire, which was reported at 5:49 pm.
OFFICER INVOLVED DEATH INVESTIGATION IN OSHKOSH
Wisconsin’s Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation has released more information about an officer involved death investigation in the City of Oshkosh. At approximately 11:10 Tuesday night police officers received a 911 call of a stabbing near the 400 block of West 10th Avenue. When they arrived they found a victim outside who had been stabbed. Officers entered the residence where they encountered a person who was armed with a bladed weapon. The person failed to comply with orders from an officer to drop the weapon and one of the officers discharged their firearm, striking the person. While officers performed lifesaving measures, a second stabbing victim was found in the residence. Both stabbing victims and the suspect were taken to a local hospital. The suspect died at the hospital. Involved law enforcement officers were placed on administrative leave. They were wearing body cameras during the incident. The DCI is leading the investigation.
WAUPUN INVASION OF PRIVACY INVESTIGATION
Waupun Police Wednesday revealed details about an invasion of privacy investigation that led to charges against a 28-year-old Milwaukee man who allegedly used a cellular phone to record a 14-year-old girl and adult woman in a women’s bathroom. The incident happened on September 28th at a business in the 900 block of East Main Street. Officers identified the suspect as Demarius Glover-Smith. Officers were familiar with him from past law enforcement contact. He was taken into custody in an adjacent business and transported to the Dodge County Jail. During a subsequent investigation a warrant was obtained for Glover-Smith’s two cell phones. Nearly 4,800 files were found consisting of various forms of pornography, erotica, bestiality, and images of Glover-Smith following females around in businesses taking suggestive photographs of them. Two other victims from Waupun were identified. He is charged with six felonies and will be arraigned on January 7th.
CALUMET COUNTY VEHICLE ENTRY SUSPECT ARRESTED
An 18-year-old Menasha man made his initial appearance in Calumet County Court yesterday on charges stemming from thefts from vehicles in the Village of Harrison in early and mid-November. Tristan Backus faces 16 charges for thefts, burglary, criminal damage to property, and more for the vehicle entries at residences near the Firelane area on the north shore of Lake Winnebago. A $7,500 cash bond was set and the initial appearance will continue during a hearing on January 8th. Sheriff’s investigators were watching him when he left a residence in the City of Menasha Monday and arrested him at a gas station. A search warrant was obtained for a residence in Menasha and investigators recovered stolen property. Sheriff’s deputies were assisted by Menasha Police.
AGREEMENTS FOR RIPON PUBLIC LIBRARY IMPROVEMENTS APPROVED
The Ripon Common Council this week approved two agreements related to the Library improvement project. One is for architectural services with Plunkett Raysich Architects and the other with MSA for grant administration services. City Administrator Adam Sonntag told the Council that with a nearly $2 million grant and donated funds they will be doing more than the original estimated costs of $1.7 million during the project. An official with Plunkett Raysich said that in addition to improvements they will be replacing some of the building service equipment due to its age. It was also an opportunity for the Council to meet new Library Director Alex Coggeshell (COG-shell). She said from what she’s seen of the library the improvements are needed and will help with things that weren’t kept up over the years. She also told the Council she has been busy getting out in the community to meet people and familiarize herself with library partners and supporters. One of the conditions of the grant for the library improvements is that construction has to begin by next July 1st, but the City is hoping to start construction by no later than June 15th.
CHANGES TO RAFD FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES
The President of the Governing Board for the Ripon Area Fire District says changes have been made to their bylaws and financial accounting procedures. Former Fire Chief Tim Saul is charged with three counts of credit fraud-use to defraud for personal charges he made to a fire district credit card amounting to nearly $42,000. Board President Ellen Sorensen has a background as an administrator for several counties including Fond du Lac. When she was elected to the Ripon Common Council and joined the RAFD Board she sought a change in their financial procedures. She says changes were made and now at least four different people review financial charges and the accounting. She and RAFD Treasurer Doug Iverson have to sign any checks that go out except for payroll. The credit card used by the former chief was closed and a new one issued with a $10,000 spending cap. Sorensen says normally that credit card would be used for incidental charges to the fire department.
BEST SCHOOLS RECOGNITION A COLLABORATIVE ACHIEVEMENT
The Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Ripon Area School District says they are very pleased that four of their schools earned the Best Schools distinction from US News & World Report for the current school year. It is the second year Quest Elementary School, Murray Park Elementary School, Ripon Middle School, and Ripon High School have received the recognition. Chrissy Damm says it was a collaborative effort involving the students and their families, district staff and leaders that led to raising achievement. Out of 1,002 Wisconsin-ranked schools, Quest was ranked 48th, Murray Park 171st, and Ripon Middle School ranked 165th out of 545 middle schools in the state. Quest has 139 students, Murray Park 173 students, and the Middle School 302 students.
COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY
ThedaCare officials are asking for public input on a survey for a community health needs assessment. The assessments are traditionally done every three years and provide a roadmap for health organizations to focus their resources and talents on the greater needs of communities. This year, partners are working together to gather community data and insights through a well-being survey. The survey is available in several languages including English, Hmong and Spanish and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Anyone 18 or older living in Calumet, Green Lake, Marquette, Menominee, Shawano, Outagamie, Waupaca, Waushara or Winnebago counties is asked to take the survey between now and January 17th. The survey is available at Survey Monkey.com. The answers will help shape future community health plans which can help improve a person’s life and make communities a better place to live.
CHRISTMAS TREE SAFETY TIPS
An official with Wisconsin Emergency Management says more important than how your Christmas tree looks this holiday is how you decorate and maintain it in a safe manner. Katie Rousonelos recommends watering your tree regularly and if it is artificial to look for the “Fire Resistant” label. She says pets may be tempted to drink the water you provide for your tree so be careful about adding preservatives to that water. Other safety tips include placing trees at least three feet away from heat sources, such as a heater or fireplace. Never string together more than three sets of incandescent lights and never overload electrical outlets. Be sure to turn off all lights on trees and other decorations when going to bed or leaving the house. Unplug extension cords when they are not in use.
FUTURE FIVE RECIPIENTS NAMED
The Young Professionals of Fond du Lac, an Envision Greater Fond du Lac program, has announced the Future 5 Award recipients. Amber Bodart works as a Branch Manager for Verve a Credit Union. Ashley Deiler is employed as a Mortgage Loan Officer for National Exchange Bank & Trust. Mollie Petrie is the Operations Manager for Saw & Tool. Brittany Lynch works as Director of Human Resources for The Commonwealth Companies, and Joshua Wilsmann is a Senior Engineer at Excel Engineering. The award is presented to five area young professionals aged 21 to 40 who are presently growing and excelling in their respective fields. A total of 24 nominees were considered representing 18 different companies. The recipients and nominees will be recognized on Thursday, January 16th at South Hills Country Club in Fond du Lac.
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