12/16/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Monday
16 December 2024 News
HAM FOR THE HOLIDAYS HANDED OUT AT HY-VEE IN RIPON
The Hy-Vee store in Ripon gave out 200 Hormel Hams to those in need Saturday. The Ripon Police Department, Ripon Area Fire District, and Ripon Guardian Ambulance helped with the distribution. Now in its eighth year, Hams for the Holidays, is a collaborative effort with Hormel Foods to help fight food insecurity in communities served by Hy-Vee stores. The Ripon Hy-Vee is one of 18 stops that Hy-Vee made across its eight-state region delivering 5,000 total hams. (Ripon Area Fire District photo).
FIRE REPORTED IN FDL
Fond du Lac firefighters quickly extinguished a fire at a home at 718 Martin Avenue early this morning. Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue was dispatched to the home at 1:36 am for a report of garbage cans on fire outside of the home. When crews arrived, they found two large garbage cans on fire next to the house. The fire extended to the side of the home damaging siding and utilities. The fire was quickly knocked down and there was no extension inside the residence. No injuries were reported. The cause and origin of the fire is being determined. (Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue photo).
NINE MILE TRAFFIC PURSUIT IN WINNEBAGO COUNTY
A 38-year-old Vesper man was arrested in Winnebago County late last night following a 9-mile chase. According to the State Patrol Joshua Fuller was suspected of stealing a vehicle and firearms in Wood County. A citizen called in a driving complaint at 11:20 pm of a vehicle matching the description of the stolen vehicle. At 11:40 pm a State Trooper initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 41 and Winnebago County Highway G, but the driver Joshua Fuller didn’t stop and exhibited poor driving behavior. A Grand Chute Police Office successfully deployed a tire deflation device and Fuller was taken into custody in Outagamie County. He was arrested for his Fourth OWI offense, eluding a traffic officer, and several warrants. The Wood County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the stolen vehicle and firearms complaints. Fuller is being held in the Winnebago County Jail.
SEXUALLY VIOLENT OFFENDER SEEKING RELEASE FROM STATE TREATMENT FACILITY
A three-day jury trial has been scheduled in Fond du Lac County Court for a sex offender trying to be released from a state treatment facility for sexually violent offenders. Fifty-three-year-old James Thelen had petitioned the court for release from the Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center in Mauston. The trial is set for April 28th through the 30th. Thelen was convicted in Fond du Lac County Court in October of 1999 of first-degree sexual assault of a child. In November of 2010 he was convicted of being a sexually violent person. That also happened in Fond du Lac County Court. A probable cause hearing was held this past Wednesday, during which the jury trial was scheduled.
DRIVE SOBER CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY
The Wisconsin State Patrol is joined by law enforcement agencies throughout the state stepping up patrols to stop impaired driving during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. The national effort began Sunday and runs through New Year’s Day. With the holiday season approaching and celebrations in the works, drivers are urged to plan for a sober ride ahead of time. Impairment can cloud judgement, so designate a sober driver prior to celebrating. If you are the designated driver, take that responsibility seriously. If you’re hosting a gathering, consider how your guests will get home. Identify rideshare options before you get to the celebration. During the last holiday season, there were 393 crashes involving impaired drivers in Wisconsin. Those incidents killed 12 people and injured 197 others.
RIPON WELCOMES TWO NEW KEY HIRES
The City of Ripon over the past few weeks has brought on two new administrators, both with plenty of experience in their fields. The Ripon Common Council last week approved the hiring of a new Finance Director/Assistant City Administrator. City Administrator Adam Sonntag says Shawn Lanser is incredibly qualified with 25 years of experience in government accounting including 19 years with the City of Glendale as Deputy City Administrator/Finance Director. In addition Alex Coggeshell was recently hired as Library Director. Sonntag says both will have brief periods of orientation to get to know people they will work with and the community. Coggeshell went through that orientation over the past week to 10 days. Sonntag says Lanser will go through something similar, but because of the holidays it might take longer for him to meet with key people in the community. Lanser starts with the City today.
ROSENDALE BRANDON SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION PROGRESS
The superintendent of the Rosedale Brandon School District says construction of a new wing and renovation at Laconia High School is progressing. Wayne Weber says in March students and staff will move into the new addition which will allow the renovation of the current high school for eventual use by Middle School students. Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts, as well as their office staff will be moving into that new wing at the high school. He says progress has been made at the Rosendale Intermediate School too and they hope to be able to get into at least one section of that school so they can make renovations to other classrooms that need it. The additions and renovations were approved by Rosendale-Brandon School District voters during an April 2023 referendum. Work will also continue at the Intermediate School with hopes that all the work will be completed by the fall of 2025.
DURTSCHI WILL NOT SEEK SECOND TERM ON BERLIN CITY COUNCIL
Berlin Schools Superintendent Emmett Durtschi will be shedding one of his two roles in local politics in the coming New Year. He will continue to serve as the Berlin Area School District Superintendent, but has decided not to run for reelection to the Berlin City Council. His current term representing Ward 2 ends in April. Durtschi says it wasn’t an easy decision for him to make, but it will give him more time to be with his family. He says he’s glad he still has a few months left on the City Council. He is proud to have had a role in hiring the City’s new City Administrator Jessi Balcom. Balcom begins for the City of Berlin on January 6th. Durtschi was elected to the Berlin City Council in April of 2023 for a two-year term.
HOLIDAY TRAVEL
Wisconsinites are expected to travel in record numbers for the year-end holiday period from Saturday, December 21st to Wednesday, January 1st. AAA predicts 2.39 million state residents will travel 50 miles or more from home. That’s 76,278 more travelers than the previous record high, set last year. Nationwide, AAA predicts 3 million more travelers than last year. An estimated 119.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more. Travel volume is being driven by consumer spending as inflation continues to moderate. Strong employment continues to drive wages with inflation leveling off, consumers are expected to spend nearly 5 percent more than last year as incomes rise at a similar level.
OSHKOSH CITY REAL ESTATE TAXES
The City of Oshkosh began mailing out real estate tax bills Friday. The city encourages residents to mail in their tax payments or use the drop box outside the main doors of City Hall. Residents are also encouraged to use the online payment option. Payments can be made in person with cash or check at City Hall if necessary. City Hall’s business hours are 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. City Hall is closed on December 24th, 25th, and January 1st. In addition the city is designating Community First Credit Union and Associated Bank as authorized payment locations for in-person payments through January 31st. Tax payments must be made during regular business hours in the credit union and bank lobbies only. In order to be credited with a 2024 tax payment, the payment must be received, paid in person at any location, or placed in the drop box located by the main entrance to City Hall by December 31st.
Online Bill Pay – City of Oshkosh
CONGRESSMAN GROTHMAN RECOGNIZED
Congressman Glenn Grothman, a member of the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus, was recently recognized for his leadership on issues relating to higher education and support of independent colleges and universities. Barbara Mistick, president of the National Association of Independent College and Universities says, “Representative Glenn Grothman has been an active and influential lawmaker on higher education issues since his arrival in Congress.” The five-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives was presented with a framed replica of his Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus Member Spotlight by Mistick during a meeting on Capitol Hill. He serves on the House Committees on Education and Workforce, Oversight and Accountability, and Budget. He also serves as chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs.
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