3/14/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
14 March 2025 News
LUNAR ECLIPSE AND BLOOD MOON
This is a cell phone photo of the moon early this morning. There was a total lunar eclipse around 1:30 am followed by a Blood Moon when the moon appeared to be blood red in color. Night owls and early risers were treated to the rare incident.
MOPED DRIVER IN CRITICAL CONDITION FOLLOWING ACCIDENT IN NFDL
A moped driver struck by a pickup truck in the Village of North Fond du Lac last evening is in critical condition after being flown to a regional hospital. North Fond du Lac Police got a call from Fond du Lac County Dispatch at 5:35 pm Thursday about the accident at the intersection of Chapman Avenue and Marcoe Street. Police learned the pickup was heading west on Marcoe Street disregarding a stop sign at Chapman Avenue. The truck struck a moped in the intersection causing substantial injuries to the moped’s driver. The two males in the truck have cooperated in the investigation. Impairment is not believed to be a factor in the accident. North Fond du Lac Police were assisted by the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, North Fond du Lac EMS and Fire Department, the State Patrol, and Neenah Police.
TWO SHOOTING INCIDENTS IN OSHKOSH WEDNESDAY NIGHT NO ONE HURT
Police in Oshkosh responded to two separate weapons incidents in the 1100 block of Cherry Street and 300 block of Dove Street Wednesday evening. Numerous gun shots were reported on Cherry Street at 5:45 pm. As a result, police located several individuals inside a vehicle and found a handgun and marijuana inside it. Another possible suspect fled on foot and wasn’t located. Officers and investigators conducted a search of a residence and located another handgun and marijuana. A 19-year-old Neenah man was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon, marijuana possession, and felony bail jumping. A 16-year-old Oshkosh boy is being referred to the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office for marijuana trafficking and possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18. No one was injured. At 10:35 pm officers were dispatched to another weapons call in the 300 block of Dove Street. Numerous gun shots were reported. Witnesses saw an unknown suspect firing several shots at a residence and flee in a vehicle. No one was injured. It is unknown if the two shooting incidents are connected.
RIPON POLICE ARREST PLAZA BOWL BREAK IN SUSPECT
Ripon Police Wednesday arrested a 34-year-old Ripon man for the break in at Plaza Bowl Bowling Alley. The break in was last Saturday at the business located at 1216 West Fond du Street or State Highway 23 in Ripon. Police Chief Bill Wallner says they developed the suspect based on a follow up investigation and information tips to the department. Wednesday the suspect turned himself into police, and later admitted to breaking into the business and stealing items. He was transferred to the Fond du Lac County Jail. More information will be released when the criminal complaint is issued.
FDL SEX OFFENDER ARRAIGNED ON TAMPERING CHARGE
The 56-year-old Fond du Lac sex offender who cut off his GPS monitoring device in January and left Fond du Lac County was arraigned this week. Chad Maertz pled not guilty to a felony charge of tampering with a GPS tracking device. On January 28th officers and Detectives learned Maertz purchased a rental car. They entered the vehicle information into the Flock license plate recognition camera system. With assistance from Germantown Police, Washington County Sheriff’s deputies, and the State Patrol he was taken into custody at a Walmart in Germantown without incident. Maertz was convicted on December 18th, 2002 of attempted forceful abduction of a child for trying to kidnap a teenage girl in southeastern Fond du Lac County. In February of 2003 he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was released from prison on August 2nd, 2023 and has been living in Fond du Lac since then. Currently he is incarcerated at Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun. A plea and sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 10th and if Maertz maintains his innocence a trial would be scheduled.
RESOURCES FOR COMBATING SEXTORTION
The state’s Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is providing online safety with tips for talking to kids about safe online practices as sextortion cases increase throughout the country, including in Wisconsin. Authorities have seen a dramatic increase in online enticement, which is a broad category that includes sextortion cases. Financial sextortion, where the offender demands money from the person, is more prevalent, and teenage boys have been the most common targets. Sextortion can have tragic consequences for victims including mental health crisis and suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, the National Suicide Hotline is 988. You can call or text to reach a mental health professional. Tips for teen victims of sextortion and for parents on how to talk to their kids about it are available online at the Wisconsin DOJ website.
CHECK FIRE DANGER LEVEL FIRST
Spring wildfire season is upon us and the state’s Department of Natural Resources is urging the public to check the fire danger level online before conducting outdoor burning activities. Nearly 170 wildfires have burned over 450 acres already this year, according to the DNR; four times more than a typical year at this time. Dry weather and gusty winds are expected today, leading to the potential for increased wildfire activity. Burn permit suspensions will be in effect in several southern and central Wisconsin counties. The main cause of wildfires this time of year is burning brush and leaf piles, and debris burning conditions continues to be the Number 1 cause of wildfires in Wisconsin. (Waupun Fire Department photo).
RELIEF FOR THOSE WITH BLADDER AND BOWEL CONTROL ISSUES
A urologist with SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic says for those with overactive bladder and bowel incontinence issues the hardest part is taking the first step to do something about it. Dr. Erin Salter says it is a quality of life issue. It’s estimated that one in six adults suffer from an overactive bladder and one in 12 adults experience bowel incontinence. Salter says they like to start with a referral from a primary care physician and they will begin simply. Diet and lifestyle changes, medicines, and exercise and training may provide the needed relief. If that doesn’t work there is an FDA-approved therapy device that stimulates the nerves which can correct the bladder functions. Dr. Salter says SSM Health will be offering a live event from 6 to 7 pm on Wednesday, April 2nd at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac for those who would like to know more. Seating is limited, but you can also attend virtually via Zoom.
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