3/20/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
20 March 2025 News
ATTORNEY FOR ERIK METZIG WITHDRAWS FROM THE CASE
The 27-year-old Fremont man who murdered his parents in their Town of Wolf River home in March of 2023 has a new lawyer. During a motion hearing yesterday in Winnebago County Court, Erik Metzig’s attorney Timothy Edward Hogan said he now had a conflict in the case. The court granted his motion to withdraw and a Green Bay attorney will now represent Metzig. During a hearing last month a motion was made to withdraw Metzig’s no contest pleas to a pair of first-degree intentional homicide charges. According to that motion he is claiming he was a victim of sexual assault and that is the reason he killed his parents. Metzig had entered the no contest pleas last August, but he hasn’t been sentenced yet. A status conference is scheduled in the case in May. Metzig shot his parents to death, 72-year-old David Metzig and 71-year-old Jan Metzig, on March 18th of 2023. They were found dead of gunshot wounds during a welfare check. He was living with them at the time of the shooting.
FDL COUNTY BOARD APPROVES JAIL BUILDING CONSULTANT
Following a healthy debate Tuesday night the Fond du Lac County Board voted down a motion to send back to committee a resolution for a consulting agreement for a new jail. The Board ultimately approved the resolution to hire The Samuels Group to assist in the County evaluation for the construction of a new jail facility and/or renovation of the existing County Jail facility. County Executive Sam Kaufman says some supervisors questioned why the County needs a consultant when at this point there is no jail building project. But he says The Samuels Group is very experienced at county jail projects and knows what the state wants to see in such projects. He says it is still too early to throw around potentials costs for the jail project. Kaufman clarified for the Board Tuesday night that if he thinks the project will put the County in financial jeopardy, he will veto whatever is approved. The reason, it could result in major cuts to a lot of their budgets and departments to make things work.
SPECIALIZED TRANSIT GRANTS ANNOUNCED
Governor Tony Evers and the State’s Department of Transportation announced Wednesday over $6.3 million in funding to 58 agencies across the state through the Specialized Transit Program to improve local transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The joint federal and state program provides grants to help with specialized transportation services such as mobility management, operating assistance, and vehicle purchases. Among those receiving the grants locally are Dodge, Fond du Lac, and Waushara counties, Disability Services Incorporated, Lakeside Packaging Plus, Lutheran Socials Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, St. Coletta of Wisconsin, and The Arc Fond du Lac. A complete list of the grant award winners is available online.
2025 Section 5310 (Cycle 49) grant awards
DODGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE PARTNERS WITH LOVE LOGAN FOUNDATION
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce a collaborative public awareness campaign with the Love, Logan Foundation to educate the community about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills. Vehicle graphics featuring a “One Pill Can Kill” message can be seen on the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office vehicle driven by Lomira School District Resource Officer Jay Thielmann. The intent of the eye-catching graphics is to be seen throughout the community, helping to spread the critical message. Westphal Printing in Brownsville helped to design and install the graphic. The Love, Logan Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by Erin and Rick Rachwal from Pewaukee in memory of their son, Logan, who tragically lost his life to fentanyl poisoning on Valentine’s Day, 2021. The Love, Logan Foundation is dedicated to saving lives through educational and awareness initiatives in schools and the community, especially related to fentanyl and counterfeit pills. The One Pill Can Kill public awareness campaign was created by the Drug Enforcement Agency to highlight the significant surge in counterfeit pills that are killing unsuspecting Americans at an unprecedented rate. (Dodge County Sheriff’s photo).
FUNDRAISING DEADLINE FOR WAUTOMA YMCA POOL
A fundraising deadline to include a pool in the construction of a YMCA in Wautoma is only days away. The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin was able to raise $10 million for the construction of a YMCA in Wautoma. Another $4.5 million needed to be raised for a pool to go with it. The Foundation created a fund for the Friends of the Waushara Community YMCA to take donations for a pool. Lani DeMars of the Foundation says it would be more cost effective to build both at the same time. At this point $1.5 million needs to be raised or pledged by next Wednesday. After that the pool becomes a second phase, and becomes more expensive to build. Donations can be made on the Foundation’s website. Ground will be broken for the new YMCA in Wautoma in July. With a 13 month build the YMCA will be completed in the summer of 2026.
Friends of the Waushara Community YMCA
STATE SENATE PASSES TESTING REVISION BILL
Tuesday, the State Senate passed Assembly Bill 1, reforming how the state evaluates and reports student achievement on the Forward Exam and school district report cards. The legislation was in response to the controversial change made by State Superintendent Jill Underly and the Department of Public Instruction last year to the process. State Senator John Jagler, who chairs the Senate’s Education Committee says, “When we raise expectations for our kids they achieve more, simple as that.” The state lawmaker from Watertown added that the DPI gave very complicated explanations in committee, trying to defend what they did, but all their experts missed the point. He says we need to raise standards, not lower them. The bill now goes to Governor Evers for his signature or veto.
STATE ASSEMBLY PASSES LEGAL STATUS BILL
Two area state legislators Tuesday voted to pass Assembly Bill 24 which requires Wisconsin sheriffs to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE. Currently law does not require sheriff’s departments to cooperate with ICE when an individual’s legal status is unverified. State Representative Alex Dallman says he was proud to vote in favor of a bill that ensures criminal illegal immigrants are kept off our streets. State Representative Scott Krug also voted in favor of the bill. He says, “Keeping our communities safe will continue to be a top priority.” The bill requires Sheriffs in Wisconsin to request proof of legal presence status from individuals who commit a felony and are held in a county jail. It also mandates that sheriffs comply with detainers and administrative warrants from the Department of Homeland Security. Failure to comply results in a loss of shared revenue funding for that county. The bill now heads to the State Senate.
IN-PERSON ABSENTEE VOTING IN RIPON
City of Ripon officials have reminders for absentee voters. You need to register before you can request an absentee ballot. You can request an absentee ballot online at My Vote. WI. Gov. Photo ID is required with your absentee ballot request. In-Person Absentee voting can be done by visiting Ripon City Hall through March 28th. Office hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 4 pm. There will be extended hours until 5 pm on Friday, March 28th. Tuesday, April 1st at 8 pm is the deadline to return an absentee ballot. Ensure your completed absentee ballot is mailed or delivered to your municipal clerk by the deadline. Hours for in-person absentee voting with other municipal clerks may vary so check with your clerk.
PAYPAL INVOICE SCAM
Because it’s a popular online payment option, scammers use fake PayPal pitches to try and lure consumers to them. Michelle Reinen is the Administrator for the State’s Division of Trade and Consumer Protection. She says they have received complaints about fake PayPal invoices emailed to consumers. One consumer received a convincing invoice for a cryptocurrency purchase they did not make, and it included a customer service number they were encouraged to call if they did not recognize the purchase. The number was not for PayPal’s actual customer service department-and was likely a fake number set up by the scammer. She says if you get such an email, and you think it could be legitimate go to PayPal’s website and contact the company’s help center. Scammers try all sorts of variations of this scam to convince consumers to send them money, personal information, or private data such as bank account numbers or account login details. Reinen says never click on a link if you receive that type of email.
FDL COMMUNITY THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE
Fond du Lac Community Theatre is again offering a Memorial Scholarship to students who qualify. Application forms are now available and can be found in the guidance offices at all area high schools, universities, and technical colleges, as well as on the group’s website. The scholarship was established to honor the dedicated men and women who share their time and talents in Fond du Lac Community Theatre. The scholarship also acknowledges and supports youth involved in the Theatre’s theatrical productions. Applicants should be high school seniors or students currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning who wish to continue their studies. Students must have been involved in at least two Fond du Lac Community Theatre productions and are asked to list any type of involvement in these productions including but not limited to: performer/stage, musician, technician, or crew. The scholarship is $1,000 and will be awarded at the annual meeting in July. All applications must be postmarked by April 25th. Applications can be mailed to: FDLCT Memorial Scholarship Committee, PO Box 855, Fond du Lac, WI 54935.
Scholarships – Fond du Lac Community Theatre
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