1/2/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
2 January 2025 News
FDL POLICE INVESTIGATING SHOOTING INCIDENT
Police in Fond du Lac are investigating a shooting that occurred between two vehicles in the city New Year’s Eve in the area of South Brooke Street and Western Avenue. At 11:46 pm Tuesday officers responded to a 911 call about possible gun shots being heard on South Brooke Street near Western Avenue. Callers described seeing several vehicles in the roadway and believed that shots had been fired from at least one vehicle in the direction of the other vehicle. The suspect vehicles fled before officers arrived. Officers found evidence that a shooting had occurred between two vehicles and also located video footage of the incident. Possible bullet holes were located in a nearby residence. No one was injured inside the residence. No other injuries or property damage was reported to police or to local hospitals.
WASHINGTON COUNTY INJURY ACCIDENT
Washington County Sheriff’s officials say a man and a woman were arrested following a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of County Trunk P and County Trunk NN in the Town of West Bend Sunday night. A southbound vehicle collided with an eastbound vehicle that failed to yield at the intersection. The driver of the southbound vehicle suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The 51-year-old Town of Trenton Woman driving the eastbound vehicle was arrested for operating while impaired causing injury. A charge of being armed while intoxicated is being referred against her 44-year-old male passenger. The intersection was closed for approximately five hours.
BRUSHING SCAM
Wautoma Police are warning residents about a brushing scam. This past week a resident received a package with unidentifiable contents and a QR code. They say it is a scam where the sender is hoping you scan the QR code or search to find where the package or gift came from. This may lead you to a malicious website designed to steal personal information from your phone. They say if you receive such a package, do not scan the QR code and dispose of the items.
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT RECALL
Just after Christmas a Fond du Lac playground equipment manufacturer voluntarily issued a recall for Inclusive Orbit merry-go-rounds. BCI Burke issued the recall on December 26th. According to information in the recall the space between the rotating platform and the stationary outer rim can leave a gap that narrows too much, posing a crushing hazard to children. Owners of the equipment can contact BCI Burke for an inspection and free on-site repair. The firm has received reports of two incidents of fingers getting trapped in the gap between the rotating platform and the outer rim, resulting in two finger crushing injuries. The equipment was sold from April 2019 through October of 2024. About 415 of the units were sold in the United States and six in Canada. More information about the recall can be found on the BCI Burke website.
SHAWN KARSTEN LEAVING RIPON COLLEGE
Shawn Karsten, vice president for advancement, marketing and communications and chief of staff, will leave Ripon College to join XPRIZE Foundation. A 2009 Ripon alumnus, he will remain in his role at Ripon College through February 1st after serving the institution for more than a decade. As vice president for advancement, Karsten led the “Forever Ripon” campaign, the largest fundraising campaign in College history, to unprecedented results with a current campaign total of $117 million. He also contributed to the success of the Ripon Fund, the development of Ripon College’s Strategic Plan, and as chief of staff and a member of the administrative council; he worked closely with the board of trustees and served as a trusted advisor, key communicator and strategic partner for President Victoria Folse. Ripon College is partnering with WittKieffer, an executive search firm with specialization in higher education, for a national search to fill his role. You can read more about Karsten at the Ripon College website.
Ripon College Vice President Shawn Karsten leaving Feb. 1 | Ripon College
GROTHMAN BILL PROTECTS JOBS
Congressman Glenn Grothman introduced a bill last month that would protect employment opportunities for those with cognitive and other disabilities. The bill 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. Congressman Grothman says 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.”
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FOOD PROGRAM
Volunteers are needed once a week for a food distribution program at the Ripon Schools. Fond du Lac County United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says the Fondy Food Pantry has partnered with the Ripon Area School District to distribute food to students eligible for free and reduced lunches to get them through the weekend. Volunteers are needed every Thursday to pick up the food at the Fondy Food Pantry in Fond du Lac and bring it to three schools in Ripon. Kilawee says the volunteers enjoy the work which benefits students. The food is all prepackaged and placed in bins for transportation. It would be about a two-hour commitment. Kilawee says those who are interested in volunteering or those who would just like to know more can call the United Way Office at 920-921-7010.
CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS
The Celebration of Lights in Oshkosh will be returning to Menominee Park in the future. Oshkosh City Councilman Jacob Floam says it isn’t just a Christmas season event, taking all year to plan and raise funds for. This was the 23rd year of the Celebration of Lights. In 2023, the event attracted over 22,000 vehicles, filled with family and friends who were amazed to see ¾ million twinkling lights. This year the Celebration of Lights included a 100-foot tree, one-hundred twenty plus trees filled with lights. Sculptured scenes, animated light displays, visits with Santa, special event nights, wagon rides, and much more. Floam says the past two years the EAA Grounds hosted the event due to work which was being done on Pratt Trail in Menominee Park. Tuesday was the last night for the Celebration of Lights for the season.
QUITTING SMOKING
If quitting smoking or vaping was a New Year’s resolution don’t be disappointed if the first attempt doesn’t accomplish your goal. Johanna Brotz is the Tobacco Prevention and Control Coordinator for Fond du Lac County. She says it is a hard habit to break. For that reason, they recommend starting off with nicotine replacement therapies or NRT’s such as patches, lozenges, and gums which they consider a harm reduction tactic. She says the NRT’s are a short-term solution designed to get you off tobacco and once you have then you have to ween yourself off of the NRT’s. Brotz points out the Wisconsin Quit Line can be helpful and at the beginning of this year will supply you with 8 weeks of NRT’s for no cost. They can be called at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, that’s 1-800-784-8669. You can also text “READY” to 200-400. Youth and young adults, aged 13 to 26 can use the program Live Vape Free. Live Vape Free is a text-based nicotine cessation program free to Wisconsin residents. To participate in Live Vape Free, text VAPEFREE to 873376 or go online to Live Vape Free.com.
PWC EVENT AT THE DANDELION FARM
The Professional Women’s Connection will kick off the New Year with an engaging and inspiring event at The Dandelion Farm in Berlin, hosted by owner Deidre Sauer. It will be Thursday, January 16th from 5:30 to 7 pm and will feature an exclusive Store and Spa Tour. The Dandelion Farm is a beacon of sustainability and wellness. Their organic, homemade products are crafted using the highest quality ingredients. From goats milk lotions and soaps to bath bombs, massages, and a variety of wellness therapies. Socializing and check-in will start at 5:30 pm and the program runs from 6 to 7 pm. It will be held at The Dandelion Farm, 120 West Huron Street Berlin. The cost to attend is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. RSVPs are required and can be made at PWC.org. Please RSVP by Tuesday, January 14th at noon.
Professionals in Workers’ Compensation
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