12/18/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
18 December 2024 News
APPLETON MAN FOUND DEAD IN LITTLE LAKE BUTTE DES MORTS
Winnebago County Sheriff’s officials tell us a 63-year-old Appleton man was found dead with his vehicle in the icy waters of Little Lake Butte des Morts Monday afternoon. The County’s Communications Center received information from the Menasha Police Department that a vehicle was submerged under the ice about 30 yards out from the 9th Street Boat Ramp. Members of the Sheriff’s Dive Rescue/Recovery Team and investigators responded. Kurt Stadtmueller and his vehicle were subsequently removed from the water. He had last been seen last Wednesday and was reported as a missing person. There was no evidence of trauma, but the cause of death remains under investigation by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and the Medical Examiner’s Office, pending autopsy results.
UPDATE ON ABUNDANT LIFE SHOOTING
There are new updates in the Abundant Life Christian School shooting. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes says authorities are working to verify a document some on social media are referring to as a manifesto written by the shooter, 15-year old student Natalie Rupnow. “The process for doing that is looking at original documents that may have been taken from the suspect’s home, looking at information that may be on laptops or on computer to determine if this document originated from our suspect.” Barnes also clarified that the original 9-1-1 call came from a 2nd grade teacher, not a 2nd grade student. A student and teacher were killed in Monday’s shooting and six others wounded. Two remain in critical condition. It is believed Rupnow took her own life minutes into the shooting. Chief Barnes says it appears the motive was a combination of factors. He says they are talking to students to understand whether bullying was one of those factors. (Wisconsin Radio Network contributed to this story).
SEX OFFENDER MOVES BACK TO FDL
Fond du Lac Police are advising residents that a 50-year-old sex offender has moved back to the city and is now residing at 391 North Pioneer Road. Joseph Shrum will be on extended supervision until November 8th, 2038, and will be on GPS monitoring the rest of his life. In January of 2010 he was convicted of causing mental harm to a child, and two counts of exposing a child to harmful material. In February of 2011 he was convicted of five counts of possession of child pornography. He served 12 years in the state prison system until he was released on November 1st, 2022. He previously was released into the city but was temporarily transferred outside the city last February.
FDL MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN FLEEING AN OFFICER CASE
A 45-year-old Fond du Lac man charged with first degree reckless homicide in a man’s drug overdose death pled guilty to unrelated charges in Fond du Lac County Court yesterday. Julio Batista pled guilty to fleeing an officer, fentanyl trafficking, and felony bail jumping charges. Two other bail jumping charges were read into the record and dismissed. Charges were from an incident on August 9th of last year. The first degree reckless homicide charge stems from a drug overdose death in the Village of Eden on May 22nd of last year. According to the criminal complaint several anonymous sources provided information that Batista had been selling fentanyl and crack cocaine throughout the county. Investigators were able to link Batista to the victim. Fond du Lac County Chief Medical Examiner Adam Covach found the victim’s cause of death to be a combination of “alcohol, cocaine, and fentanyl toxicity.” An injection mark was found in the victim’s right arm during an autopsy. A jury trial is scheduled for that case next March.
GROTHMAN BILL PROTECTS JOBS FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL ABILITIES
Congressman Glenn Grothman has introduced a bill that would protect employment opportunities for those with disabilities. The Continuing Opportunities for People with Disabilities to Excel Act would stop a proposed rule from the Department of Labor which could lead to the closure of Community Rehabilitation Providers. Those providers include agencies like Brooke Industries, Incorporated in Fond du Lac, Diverse Options in Ripon, Ascend Services, Incorporated in Manitowoc, and Northwoods Incorporated of Wisconsin in Portage. On December 3rd the Department of Labor took action to phase out the issuance of 14(c) certificates. If finalized the rule would be devastating for families and CRPs around the country that rely on these certificates for functional employment opportunities. Without these certificates, individuals with disabilities could be forced into day services or worse, remain completely isolated at home. Congressman Grothman says, “Few things are more inspirational than seeing the pride of work that is evident in the men and women working in organizations like these.”
ENVISION GREATER FDL YEAR IN REVIEW
Envision Greater Fond du Lac CEO and President Sadie Howell says they spend time at the end of year reflecting on the past year’s accomplishments as members get ready to renew their memberships in January. She says they have a lot to be proud of. Their advocacy efforts included affordable housing and childcare. Howell notes their media relationships are also strong whether it is doing interviews on the radio, having articles mentioning Envision in publications like Insight or Business News, or the presence they have on social media. She says they also have a strong connection with eighth grade and high school students through apprenticeship and mentoring programs with local businesses. Howell is also proud of their entrepreneurship program. Raina Lyman runs that for Envision. Howell says Lyman has had a good connection with Ripon offering businesses and entrepreneurs’ advice and technical support while keeping office hours in the city twice a month.
NFL DRAFT IN GREEN BAY AN OPPORTUNITY
State Senator Joan Ballweg urges the state, its residents, and businesses to capitalize on Green Bay’s hosting of the NFL Draft in April. Ballweg chairs the Senate’s Agriculture and Tourism Committee. She says nearly a quarter million people will be visiting during the draft with visitor numbers higher during the first day when the top picks are made. She says the weekend of the NFL Draft will also be busy because that is when more families can attend the Lambeau Field Atrium, the Pro Shop, and other attractions of the storied franchise. Senator Ballweg says Packer fans are excited about the current season and how far the team might make it into the playoffs. She says that success could translate to enthusiasm about attendance opportunities during the NFL Draft.
511 WISCONSIN WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS UPDATED
The state’s Department of Transportation yesterday announced new winter road condition categories to better reflect current conditions on roads across the state. The categories are now: Normal, Partially Covered, Completely Covered, Travel Not Advised, and No Report. The information streamlines the categories and makes it easier for motorists. Drivers are encouraged to “know before you go” with 511 Wisconsin, online at 511wi.gov or via the mobile app. 511 Wisconsin first launched 15 years ago in 2009, and the free travel information system has evolved over the years with its web and smartphone capabilities. On 511 Wisconsin, users can access live streaming video through hundreds of traffic cameras across the state and winter road conditions for more than 14,000 miles of roadway.
DICKENS RECAP
The Executive Director of the Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce says the city once again put its best foot forward for the 34th Annual Dickens of a Christmas celebration the first weekend of the month. Mandy Kimes says there were plenty of different activities connected to Dickens including the Holiday Parade of Lights, Living Windows, the Tour of Homes, the Gingerbread House Contest, the Enchanted Forest, and more. She says communities across the state stage Christmas themed events, but things like Living Windows are something unique to Ripon. She says businesses benefit from Dickens, but so too do clubs, organizations, and nonprofits like the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter which has an annual bake sale.
OASD FOUNDATION BENEFITS FROM JIMMY JOHNS
For the third consecutive year, Jimmy John’s in Oshkosh is stepping up to support Oshkosh public school students. Tomorrow the community is invited to make a difference simply by enjoying a delicious meal. Jimmy John’s will generously donate 10 percent of net sales to the Oshkosh Area School District Education Foundation. The dollars raised will support students’ basic needs, and vital resources to enhance students’ educational experiences. Both Jimmy John’s locations in Oshkosh are participating in the community giving event, which runs from 10 am to 9 pm on Thursday. Stop in at either Oshkosh location or place an order for delivery.
ETHICAL HUNTER AWARD
The state’s Department of Natural Resources is accepting award nominations for the 2024 Wisconsin Ethical Hunter Award. Nominees are selected based on exceptional moral actions and character while out in the field. Established in 1997, the award recognizes a hunter whose action is symbolic of Wisconsin’s hunting heritage. Examples of award nominations can include helping other hunters find lost game, assisting novice hunters or protecting natural resources. Any hunter or non-hunter can nominate a licensed Wisconsin Hunter for the award for their actions during the 2024 calendar year. Written nominations must contain the name, address and telephone number of the witness or witnesses, or the person must be aware of the behavior which led to the nomination. The public is encouraged to submit nominations for consideration for the award. Nominations must be submitted by mail or email by January 25th. They should be sent to April Dombrowski, Recreational Safety Outdoor Skills Public Safety Resource Protection, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2421 Darwin Road, Madison, WI 53704-3109 or email April.Dombrowski@wisconsin.gov.
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