12/19/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
19 December 2024 News
SHOOTING INCIDENT IN OSHKOSH
Oshkosh Police are investigating a shooting that occurred last night in the 1000 block of Michigan Street. They were dispatched just before 9:30 pm to a report of multiple gunshots in that area of the city. Once on the scene officers found evidence that gunshots had been fired. There were no known injuries related to the incident. Police say it appears to have been an altercation between two groups of people. The investigation is ongoing and investigators are working to identify potential suspects and witnesses.
FORMER RIPON HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL COACH ARRAIGNED
The former Ripon High School varsity boys’ basketball coach accused of having sex with a student was arraigned in Fond du Lac County Court yesterday. Mihai Schnell-Harrison pled not guilty to felony counts of child enticement-sexual contact, sexual assault of a student-by school staff, exposing genitals, possession of child pornography, and exposing a child to harmful materials. According to the criminal complaint Schnell-Harrison and the victim met in a group-chat online, but they moved their chats to Snapchat. Their chats became more graphic and sexual in nature. They eventually began exchanging nude photos of themselves. Ultimately they met on November 6th and had sex. The victim is 16-years-old. Schnell-Harrison at first told Ripon Police he didn’t know the victim wasn’t 18. A school district official told investigators Schnell-Harrison was still employed as the head basketball coach when he met with the student. Schnell-Harrison’s next court appearance is scheduled for February 17th.
FORMER FDL CITY COUNCILWOMAN INDICTED ON ARSON CHARGES
A federal grand jury this week returned a four count indictment against a 43-year-old Fond du Lac woman suspected of setting fire to her own restaurant. According to the indictment Arletta Allen on October 10th, 2021 damaged the restaurant known as “A Family Affair Soulfood Kitchen” by setting fire to it. It alleges she schemed to defraud Germantown Mutual Insurance Company by setting fire to the restaurant in Fond du Lac. It further alleges she lied to law enforcement officers who were investigating the fire about her activities and location prior to the fire. The former Fond du Lac City Councilwoman is charged with arson of a commercial building, wire fraud and attempted wire fraud, arson in connection with a federal felony, and making false statements to law enforcement.
WASHINGTON COUNTY SHOP FIRE
Firefighters in Washington County responded to a fire at a shop on Church Road in the Town of Jackson Tuesday afternoon. The property owner called 911 reported the shop was filled with equipment and several small explosions had occurred. The man, who is in his 80’s, suffered minor burns. He was welding in the shop when a small explosion ignited his clothing. Without access to a phone he drove to a neighboring home to call for help. Sheriff’s deputies and Jackson Fire Department found the 30 by 30 foot detached shop fully engulfed in flames. Seven other fire departments were dispatched. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures, including the residential home on the property. The outbuilding and its contents are considered a total loss. EMS treated the injured property owner at the scene and took him to a nearby hospital.
OSHKOSH CITY MANAGER SEARCH
The City of Oshkosh is moving closer to announcing its next City Manager. Oshkosh City Councilman Jacob Floam says the nationwide search yielded more than 30 candidates. That was narrowed down to eight and then four finalists. The four finalists were brought to Oshkosh last month for a tour of the city and interviews with three panels. Each of the finalists, Robert Cowell, Rebecca Gill, William Jones, and J Carter Napier had more than 20 years of experience in municipal government leadership roles. Floam says given their experience and different parts of the country they hail from it was obvious Oshkosh has something special to offer them. Oshkosh City Manager Mark Rohloff is retiring effective January 3rd. Rohloff has served as Oshkosh City Manager for the past 16 years.
MAYVILLE SAFE DRINKING WATER LOAN APPLICANT
The DNR tells us the City of Mayville is applying for funding through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program to improve its public drinking water system. The project includes treatment upgrades at well #2, well #3 and well #5 in the city. Activities related to the project are minor actions for which no environmental analysis is required; however following the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program federal requirement, an environmental review must be conducted before funding the project. The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding this decision and the potential environmental impacts of this project. Comments should be submitted by January 1st. More information on how to submit comments is available at the DNR’s website. Based on the comments received, the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the funding process.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
One of the programs donations to the Fond du Lac County United Way supports provides weekend food bags to kids in need in the Ripon Area School District. Emmy Jess is the Director of Pupil Services for the school district. She says United Way was able to provide support through the Food for Thought program. Amana Eake is a school counselor at Murray Park Quest. She says not only is the program needed, but it is one that students look forward to. About 100 bags are handed out to students K-8 each week. The bags provide food for the weekend and are delivered right to the students’ lockers. United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says they know that 41 percent of families in Ripon live in poverty and for some food insecurity is a real issue. Jess says they prioritized families that qualify for free or reduced lunches, but they made all families aware of the Food for Thought program.
CHRISTMAS TRADITION OR RISKY BEHAVIOR
A Christmas time tradition for some can be a health hazard for others. One such tradition is “Cannibal” Sandwiches. It usually consists of raw ground beef, salt and pepper or other spices for seasoning, slices of onion, and bread. Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says you are running a risk with uncooked meat. She says people with comorbidities or multiple health conditions could come to more harm eating the uncooked meat if it has been infected by bacteria. That would include younger kids or older adults who have underlying conditions. Mueller says often food borne illnesses are introduced by the person handling the food preparation. She says to be safe work with clean surfaces when preparing meat and make sure to thoroughly wash your hands before and after.
OSHKOSH GARBAGE AND RECYCLING HOLIDAY REMINDER
Due to the observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, there will be no garbage or recycling collection in Oshkosh on Wednesday, December 25th and Wednesday, January 1st. Collections for the remainder of the week will be one day later. Garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Friday, December 27th will move to Saturday, December 28th. Garbage and recycling scheduled for Friday, January 3rd will move to Saturday, January 4th. Regular services will resume on Monday, January 6th. Additionally the City’s yard waste drop-off center located on West 3rd Avenue will be closed for the holidays on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24th and 25th, and Wednesday, January 1st. Residential curbside Christmas tree collection will take place on the regularly-scheduled garbage collection day the weeks of January 6th through January 10th and January 20th through January 24th.
FOCUS FORWARD BREAKFAST
Young Professionals of Fond du Lac recently hosted its 4th annual Focus Forward: Navigating the Next Chapter event. The event was formerly known as the Young Leaders Breakfast. Focus Forward connects young professionals in Fond du Lac County with high school students to share ideas, impart wisdom, and develop relationships that will support the continued growth of the Fond du Lac County workforce through round table discussions. At the 2024 event, 160 area high school students from 10 different schools registered for Focus Forward, having an opportunity to connect with 57 young professionals representing 44 different businesses and a variety of industries, including business, arts, engineering, skilled trades, and health care. Young Professionals of Fond du Lac is an Envision Greater Fond du Lac program.
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