12/17/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
17 December 2024 News
FDL COUNTY BRIEF PURSUIT AND ARRESTS
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputies late Monday morning arrested a 27-year-old Oshkosh woman after a brief chase on US Highway 151 in Fond du Lac. A deputy had pulled over the vehicle on US Highway 151 just north of County Highway D in the Town of Fond du Lac for a traffic violation. During the course of the traffic stop the vehicle took off. The deputy used a maneuver to cause the fleeing vehicle to spin out bringing the pursuit to an end. There was minor damage to both vehicles during the pursuit which was just under a mile. The woman was taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail on charges of felony fleeing, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, marijuana possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was out on bond through Winnebago County on domestic battery and disorderly conduct charges. Her passenger a 31-year-old Oshkosh man was also taken to the jail on several charges. He was also out on bond from Winnebago County but for methamphetamine possession.
FLEEING DRIVER ENDS UP IN THE BARABOO RIVER
Columbia County Sheriff’s officials say while aiding the State Patrol on the pursuit of a vehicle Monday morning, the fleeing vehicle went into the Baraboo River. The Sheriff’s Office was asked to assist at 10:21 am with a driver entering the county from the west on I-90/94. The vehicle was traveling on the wrong side of the interstate and driving recklessly. While deputies were responding they learned the vehicle had gone into the Baraboo River at the Fox Glen Wayside. The driver tried to flee on foot. Deputies found him in the water. The river was extremely cold and partially frozen. A deputy threw a rescue dive device to the man who was clinging to a submerged tree. After 10 to 12 minutes in the freezing cold water, deputies and state troopers were able to pull him to safety. He was turned over to EMS and the State Patrol. (Columbia County Sheriff’s photo).
FIRE DAMAGES TWO STRUCTURES IN JUNEAU
Firefighters in Dodge County responded to a house fire in Juneau Saturday afternoon. It was at a residence in the 200 block of North Main Street. Initial reports indicated smoke and flames showing on the backside of the residence. While Juneau Fire was responding a 2nd structure was reported on fire. Crews were able to rescue a dog from the residence. Both structures experienced heavy fire, smoke and water damage and were deemed uninhabitable. The cause of the fire is under investigation but does not appear suspicious in nature. Thirteen fire departments and five EMS units responded to the call. Fire crews were on the scene a little over three yours. (Beaver Dam Fire Department photo).
NFDL TRAFFIC STOP RESULTS IN MARIJUANA ARREST
North Fond du Lac Police officers Friday night stopped a vehicle on Prospect Avenue for not having its headlights illuminated at night. Two adults and a child were inside the vehicle. During the course of the stop it was discovered that there was close to 6 pounds of marijuana in the vehicle and about $3,700. After an investigation the driver was arrested on drug-related charges. The investigation is ongoing. (North Fond du Lac Police photo).
THIRTY YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE
When the New Year rolls around for the first time in about 30 years Joan Ballweg of Markesan won’t be affiliated with a political role. She is currently the State Senator for the 14th District, but lost her reelection effort for the newly redistricted 14th. She began in politics on the local level winning a spot on the Markesan City Council and served two terms as Mayor. When Luther Olsen won the 14th State Senate seat that left his seat representing the 41st State Assembly District open and she won that serving as a State Representative for 16 years before winning her current seat in the Senate four years ago. She says during her time in the State Assembly and Senate 106 of her bills were signed into law. Some of her bills that made it into law included a one-day fishing license, helping the Thrasher Opera House with a liquor license issue, and providing amnesty for students so they could report being sexually assaulted after going to an underage drinking party. Senator Ballweg says over the years they helped out constituents with thousands of requests especially during the COVID pandemic.
RIPON WHEEL TAX
The creation of a wheel tax for City of Ripon residents wasn’t something city officials took lightly. City Alderwoman Ellen Sorensen says over the next six years they have $13 million worth of major street and road projects they will be doing, but that doesn’t take care of streets in neighborhoods with less traffic that also need to be addressed. The wheel tax will generate money for a segregated fund that will allow for that kind of maintenance. City Administrator Adam Sonntag says it was a more reasonable alternative than pulling funds from other accounts, making job cuts, assessments, or increasing the tax levy. The wheel tax goes into effect on April 1st. More information can be found about it on the City’s website.
Wheel Tax Update for City Residents – What’s New – City of Ripon, Wisconsin
OPENING FOR RIPON SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR
Ripon Senior Center Director Christine Leusch is leaving at the end of the week to take a full-time job in a related field. That leaves an opening for her position with the Senior Center. Leusch says it is a great job that is a lot of fun and connects seniors with the resources they need and provides some fun activities for them. Its 26-to-29 hours a week. She says you do have to have some organizational skills, the ability to put together activities and an activity calendar, post on social media, and put together a newsletter. The job also entails doing some work as Recreational Assistant. Details on the position and how to apply can be found on the Ripon City website.
Join Our Team – City of Ripon, Wisconsin
GIFT EXCHANGE SCAMS
The Administrator for the State’s Division of Trade and Consumer Protection warns about participating in online gift exchanges. Michelle Reinen says “Secret Santa” and “White Elephant” events with friends and family members are generally safe but an online gift exchange is a prime opportunity for scammers. She says it may sound like fun but the real goal is to get your name, address, and possibly a friend’s contact information so they too can join the “gift exchange.” She says a red flag is if they ask you to send a gift to a “Secret Sister.” Gift exchange schemes work similar to a chain letter scam or pyramid scheme by taking advantage of honest consumers. She recommends avoiding gift exchanges with strangers, especially if they ask you to recruit new members or promise more gifts if you do. If you become suspicious of a scam, stop participating right away.
URBAN FORESTRY GRANTS AWARDED
Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recently announced the Urban Forestry Grant Program recipients for the 2025 grant year. The funding is for projects consistent with state and national goals for increasing urban forest canopy. Through the grant program, nearly $630,000, which includes $70,000 in federal funding, will be awarded to 43 applicants to support new, innovative projects to develop sustainable urban and community forestry programs. Among this year’s recipients the City of Berlin is receiving $5,000 for abatement of diseased trees, the City of Oshkosh is getting $25,000 to develop an Urban Forestry Management Plan for the City, and the Village of Pardeeville is receiving $5,000 for public and private tree maintenance.
CHILD CARE CHALLENGES HIGHLIGHTED
The Fond du Lac County Child Care Network hosted an event last Wednesday to discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding childcare. Angela Schmitz, Owner/Director of Lily Pad Learning Center, highlighted the importance of accessible, affordable, and quality childcare for families, businesses, and the broader economy. Key issues identified included affordability, accessibility, and quality. When federal relief ends in June, centers may face tuition increases of 10 to 20 percent, putting quality care out of reach for many families. More than half of Wisconsin is classified as a “childcare desert,” where demand significantly exceeds supply. Low wages and high turnover rates among childcare teachers jeopardize the quality of care provided. Wisconsin Early Childhood Needed is urging the state to invest $2 billion to stabilize and strengthen the childcare system.
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