1/3/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
3 January 2025 News
OAKFIELD MAN WHO CRASHED INTO VERIZON STORE CONVICTED
The 21-year-old Oakfield man who crashed his vehicle into a Verizon Store in Fond du Lac in April of 2023 has been convicted of charges stemming from that crash. Yesterday in Fond du Lac County Court Benjamin Ayer pled no contest to eight counts including intoxicated use of a controlled substance-marijuana causing great bodily harm, four counts of second-degree reckless endangering safety, possession of drug paraphernalia, marijuana possession, and operating while intoxicated causing injury. Ayer faces a maximum possible sentence of 27 years in prison. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date has been scheduled for February 14th. The crash injured six people, including a 29-year-old woman who was pinned under the car. According to the criminal complaint Ayer told an officer at the scene he was huffing compressed gas from air duster canister in the parking lot of a restaurant on Rolling Meadows Drive before heading up the road and losing control of his vehicle ultimately crashing it through glass walls of Verizon’s showroom. (Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue photo).
TRAFFIC FATALITIES FOR 2024
Entering this past holiday weekend the State of Wisconsin was on pace to finish with less deaths on its highways then it experienced in 2023 and the lowest total in five years. As of Sunday the state had recorded 553 traffic fatalities compared to 564 in 2023 and the lowest since 2019 which had 550. As for area counties Fond du Lac County had 12 compared to 19 in 2023 and Winnebago County 14 or two more than the previous year. Dodge County with 17 deaths finished ahead of the 11 recorded in 2023. Two people died in traffic accidents in Green Lake County compared to one the year before. Waupaca and Waushara both had 3 deaths finishing lower than in 2023 when Waupaca County had 6 and Waushara County had 8. The five-year average for Wisconsin is 578 deaths. (Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office photo from 7/8/24).
OVERDOSE AID KITS DONATED
Officials at ADVOCAP in Fond du Lac say the community has received a generous donation of Overdose Aid Kits. The kits are being donated to organizations by local family members who lost loved ones to an opioid overdose. The kits provide resources at no cost to the community to access. They are a tool that will be used to combat the opioid crisis and will provide immediate assistance to residents who are in need or at risk of overdose. According to the Fond du Lac County Suicide and Overdose Death Review Team annual report there were 24 overdose deaths in the county in 2023. Fentanyl was present in 87 percent of overdose deaths.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES UP SLIGHTLY IN NOVEMBER
Unemployment rates were up slightly in area counties in November. According to Federal Labor statistics the jobless rate held steady at 2.3 percent in Winnebago County. It was also at 2.3 percent in Dodge County and 2.4 percent in Fond du Lac County. Waupaca County’s unemployment rate was 2.5 percent; it was at 2.7 percent in Green Lake County, and 2.9 percent in Waushara County. The jobless rate in the City of Oshkosh in November was up slightly to 2.6 percent, but held steady in Fond du Lac at 2.9 percent. The state’s Department of Workforce Development says unemployment rates stayed the same in 12 counties in November and increased in the other 60 counties in the state.
NEW RIPON COLLEGE VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE
Dr. Audra Hoffman was recently appointed as Ripon College’s new vice president for finance, bringing more than 20 years of experience to her position. Hoffman most recently served as Director of Financial Planning & Analysis at Froedtert Health in Milwaukee, where she specialized in capital planning, as well as strategic and financial modeling. In her new role at Ripon College, Hoffmann plans to lead the College’s financial strategy with the student experience at the forefront, aiming to introduce a fresh perspective to revenue generation and to attract more students to the campus. Ripon College President Victoria Folse says they are pleased to welcome Dr. Audra Hoffmann to Ripon College. Folse added, “She is a bold leader who will be a valuable thought partner and an important member of our executive leadership team.” Dr. Hoffmann began her new role with Ripon College on December 16th.
Audra Hoffmann named Ripon College’s vice president for finance | Ripon College
CHILD CARE CONCERNS
The president and CEO of Envision Greater Fond du Lac says even if you don’t have children in child care you should be concerned about the lack of affordable child care. Last month the Fond du Lac County Child Care Network hosted an event to discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding child care. Highlighted were the importance of accessible, affordable, and quality child care for families, businesses, and the broader economy. Sadie Howell of Envision says the closing of a child care center in Fond du Lac led to struggles for those being served by the center. She says finding reliable and safe child care is a challenge which has a trickledown effect that could impact you if a parent isn’t able to show up for work to take care of a child affecting a service you may rely on. When federal relief ends in June, child care 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 “child care desert,” where demand significantly exceeds supply.
PROPOSED CONSERVATION RULE DROPPED
Congressman Glenn Grothman and the House Natural Resources Committee had a role last month in an effort to get the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to withdraw a proposed rule that would have stripped conservation decisions from Wisconsinites. If it had been finalized, the rule would have made sweeping changes to the ability of refuge managers to utilize key management tools. Congressman Grothman says each spring the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and DNR propose and review new conservation rules and it’s a system that has worked well for years. The federal lawmaker from Glenbeulah says both sides of the aisle recognized the rule was overreaching. He added, “The benefits of our greatest conservationists and American farmers will remain where they belong, on the ground in our local towns.”
ROSENDALE BRANDON YOUTH APPRENTICESHIPS
The superintendent of the Rosendale-Brandon School District says they’ve benefitted from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s expansion of youth apprenticeships over the past few years. Wayne Weber says the fields the DWD opened to the apprenticeship programs has increased the number of high school students who get credit, work toward certificates, and get paid on the job during their apprenticeships. He points out they used to have five or six students participating in a good year to having 40 students participating this year. He says they even have six students apprenticing with the school district as educational assistants. Another student apprenticing with C.D. Smith is working on their school construction projects. Other businesses participating from the Rosendale-Brandon area include Mueller’s, Bluemke’s, Ahern, and others.
INLAND TROUT SEASON REMINDERS
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that they will be able to target any of Wisconsin’s inland trout species using artificial lures only starting tomorrow through May 2nd, on designated early season trout streams. Any trout caught during this time will need to be immediately released. All anglers are encouraged to practice responsible catch and release and reduce their reel and handling time with the fish as much as possible. Anglers will be able to keep the trout they catch once the general hook and line season opens on May 3rd, provided bag limits and length requirements are met. Anyone wishing to participate in the season will need a 2024-2025 fishing license and an inland trout stamp, which are both good until March 31st, and can be purchased online through Go Wild or at one of many license sales locations throughout the state. After April 1st, anglers will need a 2025-2026 fishing license and inland trout stamp. (DNR photo).
ALICE IN DAIRYLAND APPLICANTS SOUGHT
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection invites individuals with a passion for promoting agriculture to apply to be the 78th Alice in Dairyland before the end of the month. Applicants should have an interest in Wisconsin agriculture, public speaking experience, and at least three years of experience, education, or training in communications, marketing, education, or public relations. Applicants must also be female, Wisconsin residents, and at least 21-years-old. The one-year, full-time, contractual position starts July 7th. The chosen candidate will travel extensively. The annual salary is $45,000 and includes holiday, vacation, and sick leave, and use of a state vehicle. To apply, provide a cover letter, completed application form, resume, and contact information for three professional references and send them to DATCPAlice@wisconsin.gov by 4:30 pm on January 31st. Application materials are available on the Alice in Dairyland website. Qualified applicants will have a preliminary interview on February 22nd at the DATCP Madison Office or via Microsoft Teams. The Alice in Dairyland Finals will be held in Crawford County May 15th through the 17th.
Agricultural Marketing | Alice in Dairyland | Wisconsin; US
RADON TEST KITS AVAILABLE
January is Radon Action Month. Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless, colorless radioactive gas that causes lung cancer. One in ten homes in Wisconsin has high radon levels. Now is the best time to test your home for radon, and it’s easy. During this month, the Fond du Lac County Health Department is offering half off short-term radon test kits. If you return your packaged and labeled test to the Health Department by Noon on January 14th or 28th, February 11th or 25th, March 18th, or April 8th you will receive free shipping. Visit the Health Department on the 3rd floor of the City/County building from 8 am to 4 pm weekdays to purchase one for just $5. Radon test kits must be set 48 to 72 hours or 2 to 3 days prior to returning.
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