2/19/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
19 February 2025 News
COLD WEATHER ADVISORY ENDING THIS MORNING
The Cold Weather Advisory continues for the area this morning. For Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, and Marquette counties it continues until 10 am with wind chills as low as 25 below zero. For Calumet, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago counties it ends at 9 am with wind chills reaching as low as 25 below zero. The bitter cold could cause frost bite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS
Incumbent State Superintendent of Schools Jill Underly survived a challenge by two opponents in yesterday’s primary election and moves on to the April 1st general election. Underly received over 177,000 votes. Private school advocate Brittany Kinser garnered nearly 161,000 votes and will face Underly in the spring election. Rural school superintendent Jeff Wright received nearly 128,000 votes but was eliminated from the race with his third place finish. In the race for Winnebago County Executive former State Representative Gordon Hintz got 7,127 votes and in April will face incumbent county executive Jon Doemel who received 3,912 votes. Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz finished out of the running with 3,281 votes. In a Fond du Lac County race for two seats on the Calumet Town Board those advancing to the spring election were Tom Bartel (153 votes), Ben Burlingham (115), Eric Redandt (96), and Linda Baxter (54 votes). Seven people ran for three seats on the Theresa Village Board in Dodge County. Those advancing to the April election include Patrick Bodden (82 votes), Jame C. Polster, Jr. (79), Shawn Krapfl (74), Robin L. Billings (58), David Fewless (38), and Linda Herman (32 votes).
WAUPACA MAN WHO SLAMMED INTO SCHOOL BUS CITED FOR CRASH
A 30-year-old Waupaca man whose pickup truck slammed into the back of a stopped school bus in the Waupaca County’s town of Royalton last week has been issued four citations for traffic violations. The bus was stopped to let off children when the pickup hauling a trailer hit it. Two students just got off the bus; one was in the act of getting off the bus and was still on the bus when the crash occurred. No one was seriously injured. According to court records Jordan Gilbo was cited for reckless driving endangering safety, failure to stop for a school bus, operating while suspended, and non-registration of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer or other vehicle. He faces nearly $1,700 in fines.
BUG TUSSEL PROJECT IN FDL COUNTY COMPLETE
It’s been years in the making, but Bug Tussel wireless has completed its fiber optic and fixed wireless projects in Fond du Lac County. Envision Greater Fond du Lac CEO and President Sadie Howell says that’s signified by a Green coverage map meaning the entire county has access to wireless broadband service. Howell says putting in the underground fiber optic and fixed wireless on towers is referred to as the “Middle Mile” with the “Final Mile” what connects to homes and businesses. She says people are not obligated to go with Bug Tussel as their provider, they can choose their own. She says ultimately it means whether you work at home remotely or are a farmer in a field you can have access to the wireless technology. She notes some of work on the “Middle Mile” ran from Rosendale north around the City of Ripon, went down to Fairwater, Brandon, Alto, over to Ladoga, Rogersville, and around the City of Waupun.
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN RIPON
Ripon City Administrator Adam Sonntag feels the City is making strides in its efforts to provide more housing. He notes one of the issues is affordability. One project on Scott Street will be able to offer single family homes for about $250,000 versus others going for $350,000 to $400,000 in other areas of the City. Sonntag says developers are interested in Ripon. He points out Sandmar has 14 homes going up after sitting mostly undeveloped for years. A Housing Study and Market Analysis presented to the Common Council last week suggested the need for 50 additional housing units over the next five years and 200 over the next 10 to 15 years.
FOX CITIES EMPLOYMENT FAIR
The annual Fox Cities Employment Fair will be held Tuesday, March 18th from 10 am to 2 pm at the Fox Cities Exposition Center in Appleton. The annual region-wide hiring event is sponsored by the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board. The first step in putting on a top-notch job fair is having the right employers. If your employer is interested in being part of the job fair visit the Development Board’s website. Click on the “Job Fairs” area for registration information. Interested job seekers should visit the same web site for event details. In addition to this fair, other hiring events scheduled for spring include the April 2nd Fond du Lac Regional Job Fair and the May 7th Oshkosh Area Employment Fair.
SAFE DRINKING WATER LOAN NFDL APPLICATION
The state’s Department of Natural Resources tells us the Village of North Fond du Lac is an applicant for funding through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program to improve its public drinking water system. The project includes the replacement of lead services lines throughout the Village of North Fond du Lac. 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 Safe Drinking Water Loan Program has determined that the project will not result in significant adverse environmental effects, and no further environmental review or analysis is needed before proceeding with funding the project. The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding this decision and the potential environmental impacts of the project. Comments must be submitted by March 4th. Details on how to do that can be found at the DNR’s website.
MISS OSHKOSH SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION
The Miss Oshkosh Scholarship Organization will soon name its 2025 Miss Oshkosh and Miss Oshkosh’s Teen to represent the community for the next year. The contest is also an official local preliminary to the Miss Wisconsin and Miss Wisconsin’s Teen competitions to be held in June in New Berlin. The competition to name both titles will start at 7 pm March 1st at the Alberta Kimball Auditorium at Oshkosh West High School. Seven area women are competing for the title of Miss Oshkosh, and eight young ladies are vying for the title of Miss Oshkosh’s Teen. Tickets are $20, cash or check only, and are available at West Pointe Bank in Oshkosh. Tickets will also be available at the door, cash or check only.
PWC MARCH PROGRAM ABOUT J’s BBQ
The Professional Women’s Connection in Ripon invites members and guests to an exclusive evening of inspiration, leadership, and mouthwatering barbecue at The Pit Stop on Thursday, March 20th from 5:30 to 7 pm. Guests will hear the remarkable journey of J’s BBQ, a business started with a $30,000 Good Samaritan loan and transformed into a Midwest culinary powerhouse. From a small-town eatery welcoming all walks of life to a booming catering business feeding the National Guard, corporate events, and families across the region, J’s BBQ has built a respected, sought-after brand fueled by passion, resilience, and community spirit. Attendees will enjoy a delicious J’s BBQ dinner while the owners share their experiences-the challenges, the triumphs, and the leadership lessons that turned their dream into a registered trademarked brand. The cost to attend is $20 for members and $25 for guests and includes dinner and a cash bar. Advance registration is required. Please RSVP online at PWCWI.org by Tuesday, March 18th at noon.
Share |