1/10/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
10 January 2025 News
NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING FOR 39TH PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER
A National Day of Mourning was held Thursday for 39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter who recently passed away at the age of 100. There was no mail service and stock markets were closed due to the observance. Jimmy Carter was laid to rest in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Five U.S. Presidents attended the funeral services. The Carter Center posted a photo of this painting on their Facebook page captioning it simply, “Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Reunited.” They were married for 77 years.
OSHKOSH SCHOOLS REFERENDUM
The Oshkosh School Board Wednesday approved a resolution to place a $197.8 million capital referendum on the April 1st ballot. The referendum will give residents the opportunity to vote on Phase 2 of the district’s four-phase facilities consolidation plan, which was developed with extensive community input and refined last month to address newly identified airport zoning requirements. Key components of Phase 2 include: construction of a new consolidated middle school at the Shapiro site, additions and renovations at Carl Traeger, Franklin, and Oakwood Elementary Schools, conversion of Perry Tipler Middle School into a pre-kindergarten and recreation department. Additional components include a new auditorium addition at Oshkosh North High School and air conditioning at Emmeline Cook, Lakeside, and Read Elementary Schools. The plan maintains the district’s core commitments; ensuring improved student safety and student services, maximizing operational efficiency through strategic consolidation, and maintaining a zero-dollar tax increase.
FDL ARSON SUSPECT IN COURT
A preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for the 61-year-old Menasha man suspected of setting a fire in Fond du Lac that led to serious injuries for a 16-year-old girl. Mike Perez is charged with arson of a building, first-degree reckless injury, four counts of criminal damage to property, and mistreatment of animals causing death. All seven felony charges stem from a fire in the 200 block of Packer Street on September 23rd. Investigators believe the fire was started by an improvised incendiary device. The teen suffered spinal injuries and burns when she fell from a second story window trying to escape the fire. Two pets were also lost in the fire. A preliminary hearing in Fond du Lac County Court is scheduled for February 14th. He was in court for a hearing Thursday. Perez is currently incarcerated at Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun. (Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue photo).
OSHKOSH FIRE CHIEF LEAVING
Oshkosh Fire Chief, Mike Stanley, has accepted the position of Deputy Fire Chief with the city of Greely, Colorado. He will continue as Oshkosh Fire Chief through January 29th. Oshkosh Interim City Manager John Fitzpatrick noted that, “Mike shared with me that although this was a difficult personal and professional decision for him, the opportunity with the city of Greely will allow him to best assist a number of his family members that reside in his home state of Colorado.” Chief Stanley has served as the Oshkosh Fire Chief since 2018. Prior to that, he worked in various positions for the city of Aurora, Colorado, with his most recent assignment being the Operations Division Commander, where he oversaw the Medical Branch and all Emergency Services for the 400 member Aurora Fire Department.
TRIPLEDEMIC
An emergency department physician with SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital says they are used to seeing surges in illnesses like the Flu, COVID, and RSV but not altogether at once. Dr. Jason Geiger says some are calling it the “Tripledemic,” but they have been able to handle the surge at the ER in Ripon. Dr. Geiger urges people to be vaccinated against those diseases. He says most of those flu cases they are seeing are because a person was unvaccinated against it. He says in addition to those they’ve also seen a surge in norovirus cases or the stomach flu, which does usually occur in the winter. Dr. Geiger recommends eating healthy, exercise, and thorough hand washing as prevention measures. He says if you do get sick stay home from work or school.
OVERDOSE AID KITS IN FDL COUNTY
There are now eight Overdose Aid Kits or OAKs installed in the Fond du Lac area. ADVOCAP, Holy Family Warming Shelter, Fond du Lac County Health Department, and local parents affected by overdose collaborated with the nonprofit organization Clinton Foundation to install them. County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller talked about what each kit contains. They have Narcan kits, fentanyl test strips, and a list of resources available to those with substance issues. ADVOCAP Executive Director Tanya Marcoe says they have two kits, one in their lobby and one on their back porch. The one in back will be available 24/7. Locations in Fond du Lac County that are hosting OAKs include: ADVOCAP, Beacon House, Brother Town Nation, Critter Junction, Holy Family Warming Shelter, Hope Lutheran Church, Rainbow Bridge, and the Sippel Funeral Home in St. Cloud.
OPIOID SETTLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS SOUGHT
Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services is asking state residents to weigh in on how best to use the state’s share of state fiscal year 2026 opioid settlement funds to reduce harms associated with opioid use disorder, identify potential barriers and existing needs/service gaps, and in turn, save lives. Residents can make recommendation in an online survey launched Thursday which is open until February 28th. While data for 2024 has yet to be finalized, 2023 data shows there were 1,421 opioid overdose deaths in Wisconsin compared to 1,464 in 2022. That reflects a decline in overdose deaths seen across the nation and shows community efforts recommended by the people of Wisconsin and funded with settlement dollars are saving lives. The DHS awarded agencies in communities across the state more than $21 million from the state’s latest share of opioid settlement funds from October through December of 2025.
Opioid Settlement Public Input Survey
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS WEBINAR
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents that the Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force will be hosting a Human Trafficking Awareness Webinar on February 4th from 1 to 3 pm. Registration is open to members of the public who would like to learn more about sex and labor trafficking, understand what human trafficking can look like, and how to connect survivors with resources in Wisconsin. Registration is available online. The 90 minute basic training is open to members of the public that would like to learn more about human trafficking. Human Trafficking impacts all genders, ages, and nationalities. Awareness is key in identifying all forms of trafficking and providing services to survivors of the crime.
Registration – Human Trafficking Awareness Webinar
STATE REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN PETERSEN SWORN IN FOR ANOTHER TERM
State Representative Kevin Petersen of Waupaca was sworn in this week to a two-year term representing the 57th Assembly District. In addition he was unanimously elected by both parties to serve as the chamber’s Speaker Pro Tempore. The Speaker Pro Tempore presides over the State Assembly legislative sessions and requires a keen knowledge of the Assembly Rules. Representative Petersen will also serve on several committees, including the Committee of Review of Administrative Rules. Representative Petersen says, “This session I will continue to address the challenges that face our state including returning the surplus back to the taxpayers of our state.” He adds he will serve the people of the district with honor and advocate for central Wisconsin values within state government. His office can be reached by calling 608-237-9157. He can also be followed on Facebook. Before redistricting he represented the 40th State Assembly District and was first elected to the State Assembly in 2006.
WINTER ICE SKATING OPENS AT MENOMINEE PARK
Winter ice skating starts tomorrow for the outdoor skating rink at the Menominee Park Zoo in Oshkosh. Weather permitting hours for the rink are 12 to 4 pm Saturdays and Sundays through February. The Lake Fly Café will serve as a warming shelter, and weekend skate hours will remain open as conditions permit. On the weekend, free skate rentals from Dr. Eric’s Skate Club will be available to the public. The public is welcome to skate on the rink in conjunction with the extended Menominee Park Zoo hours of Monday through Friday from 10 am to 2 pm. The warming shelter and free skate rentals will not be available on weekdays. The outdoor rink will only be open when weather and ice conditions permit. Closures will be announced on the Menominee Park Facebook page.
EAA AVIATION MUSEUM SPEAKER SERIES
Programming for the new year is in full swing at the EAA Aviation Museum with events ranging from guest speakers to hands-on activities for all ages. Most events are included with regular museum admission, while EAA members can always attend free of charge. The museum’s monthly speaker series’ events return starting next Thursday featuring F-14 Tomcat pilot Hermon C. Cook III. The February 20th program will feature Captain Richard Koehler who will talk about his experiences flying the A-6 intruder, a Navy attack aircraft, during the Vietnam War. On March 20th Anita Mack will share her story of what it was like to serve as a member of the first all-female C-130 crew in combat. All speaker series events begin at 7 pm and are free to attend for EAA members and $5 for nonmembers.
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