2/26/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
26 February 2025 News
RIPON COMMON COUNCIL APPROVES ZONING OVERLAY FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
By a 7 to 1 vote Monday night the Ripon Common Council approved overlay zoning for a 64-unit housing development contingent upon specific stormwater recommendations. The $8.8 million housing development will be located on 6.56 acres of undeveloped city-owned land. It is located between Pleasant Street and Rogers Road, with 3.25 acres preserved for green space. The zoning overlay would be in a R-3 district. The development by S.C. Swiderski would include a mix of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units. The Plan Commission held a public hearing last Wednesday for the project planned for the Sandmar area. Following the hearing, the Commission voted 4 to 2 to in favor of approval of the overlay with the contingencies. Plan Commission member Luke Dretske, who voted against the overlay and lives in the Sandmar area, spoke to the Common Council voicing concerns about stormwater runoff, groundwater, and traffic concerns. Developers have a grading plan to raise the site for proper drainage. City Administrator Adam Sonntag also said the existing retention pond can handle drainage for storm events. Police Chief Bill Wallner also told the Council that his department has long anticipated development of the area and has had conversations about future traffic concerns.
PARDEEVILLE MAN CHARGED FOR FOURTEENTH OWI
A Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy Monday night arrested a 69-year-old Pardeeville man for his 14th operating while intoxicated offense. The deputy pulled Robert Dolgner over for an equipment violation in the Town of Lowville at 9:20 pm. The deputy observed signs that Dolgner was impaired by alcohol. During the subsequent OWI investigation, it was determined Dolgner was under the influence. He was arrested and taken to the Columbia County Jail. He made his initial appearance in Columbia County Court Tuesday. Bond was set at $50,000 cash. He is charged with his 14th OWI, operating after revocation, possession of drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor bail jumping. He has also been cited for possessing open intoxicants in a motor vehicle. He has a preliminary hearing on March 5th. (Columbia County Jail photo).
OSHKOSH VEHICLE BREAK INS
Oshkosh Police are warning residents after seeing an increase in vehicle break-ins. Police are working to identify and apprehend the suspects involved. Meanwhile, they are urging residents to remain vigilant and suggest several things. Remember to always take your keys, lock your vehicles, park in well-lit areas, and promptly report any suspicious activity to the police. They also recommend taking any valuables out of the car or if you leave them in the vehicle not in plain sight. An unlocked vehicle is a crime of opportunity.
SENATOR JAGLER ON GOVERNOR EVERS BUDGET PROPOSALS
State Senator John Jagler says there were no real surprises with the Governor’s state budget proposal last week. The state lawmaker from Watertown says Governor Evers proposed a bloated $119 billion two-year budget. He says it included a number of policy proposals that really need to be debated outside of the budget. Jagler says he and his fellow Republicans are focusing on cutting taxes while the Governor has proposed a budget that includes a $2.4 billion net tax increase. Meanwhile the Governor’s office says his proposal includes nearly $2 billion in broad-based tax relief efforts. Governor Evers is traveling across the state this week to highlight his budget plans.
WAUPUN SCHOOLS REFERENDUM
Officials with the Waupun Area School District are providing drop-in sessions, formal presentations, and hybrid in-person and online sessions about their upcoming April 1st operational referendum. The District is asking voters permission to exceed their revenue cap by $900,000 a year for three years. District Business Services Director Carrie Hintze says it’s actually less than the $980,000 a year voters approved three years ago. District Administrator Steven Hill says one of their big costs is for special education and special needs students, because the state only reimburses school districts for 30 percent of those costs. He cites for example the $500,000 a year it costs them for the needs of six students alone. They are currently providing individualized educations plans for 333 students compared to 210 in 2015. The District has a formal presentation on the referendum at the Waupun Community Center at 1:30 Friday afternoon. More information on the referendum including the schedule for other information sessions can be found on the District’s website.
CAESTECKER AND THRASHER PARTNER ON EXPERIENCE PASSES
Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake has recently partnered with the Caestecker Public Library in Green Lake, to offer Experience Passes to library patrons. For select shows, patrons of the library with a valid library card will have the chance to check out tickets to a performance at the Thrasher at no cost. Jason Mansmith of the Thrasher says six or seven shows are coming up before May that people can pardon the Library pun “check out.” The offer is good on up to four tickets. Thrasher Executive Director Rachael Avery says they are constantly looking for ways to be more accessible to the public, and collaborate with local organizations, with the current Library of Things available at the Caestecker Public Library, this is another great experience to add.
MATT SCHOFIELD PERFORMANCE AT THRASHER POSTPONED TO NEW DATE
Officials with the Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake tell us that the Matt Schofield performance originally scheduled for Friday, March 7th, has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. The concert has been rescheduled for Friday, October 24th. Ticket holders can keep their tickets for the new date or exchange them for an upcoming show. Other options include receiving credit in the form of a gift card to use for a different show or donating your tickets back to the Thrasher and receiving a receipt for tax purposes. You can also receive a refund back to the original payment method if the new date for the show does not work for you.
BENJI BACKER SPEAKING IN RIPON TONIGHT
Benji Backer, founder and current executive chairman of the American Conservation Coalition will discuss his new book “The Conservative Environmentalist: Common Sense Solutions for a Sustainable Future” tonight at 6 pm at Knuth Brewing Company in Ripon. The book talk is sponsored by Ripon College’s Center for Politics and the People and the Ripon College Republicans. Preston Reese-Grimm, a junior political science major and co-president of Ripon College Republicans and Henrik Schatzinger, professor of political science and Center for Politics and the People director, will engage Backer in a fireside chat type of conversation about his recent book. This will be followed by an audience Q&A. Backer is a native of Appleton, Wisconsin. Prior to his talk free pizza will be served at 5:30 pm.
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES
There will be plenty of opportunities to buy Girl Scout cookies in the coming weeks. The Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes are preparing cookie cupboards and warehouses for over one million packages arriving over the next two weeks. Starting, March 7th, Girl Scouts will host cookie booths throughout their communities. Last year, local Girl Scouts sold over 1.6 million packages, donating almost 24,000 packages to women and men serving in the military and to local shelters, frontline workers, and food banks. The cookies are $6 a box. You can order boxes from a Girl Scout you know or go online to find a booth near you. The cookie program runs through March 31st.
STATE PARKS 125TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR
The state’s Department of Natural Resources invites the public to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System by learning about its history of outdoor recreation, tourism and stewardship. Over the last 125 years, Wisconsin’s state park system has grown in both size and opportunity to meet the needs of Wisconsinites and visitors. Governor Evers proclaimed 2025 the “Wisconsin State Park System 125th Anniversary” across the state and invites all residents to join the occasion. The significance of this milestone can be observed in the day-to-day operations of more than 120 properties that make up the state park system. These sites offer visitors a space to improve their health and wellness, build community, learn new skills and spend quality time in the outdoors. You can learn more about the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System and how you can get involved by visiting the anniversary webpage.
Celebrate 125 Years of the Wisconsin State Park System | | Wisconsin DNR
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