4/17/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
17 April 2025 News
ARKANSAS MAN BACK IN WISCONSIN FACING CHILD ABDUCTION CHARGES
The 40-year-old Cabot, Arkansas man who was traveling with a pregnant Beaver Dam teen is back in Wisconsin facing charges. Gary Day was booked into the Dodge County Jail Wednesday afternoon on child abduction and child enticement charges and will make an initial court appearance today. Day and 17-year-old Sophia Franklin were the subjects of Amber Alerts in Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Missouri. Day is believed to be the father of Franklin’s unborn child. Day was arrested at a Love’s Truck Stop in Sarpy County, Nebraska by Sheriff’s deputies after a tip was made to 9-1-1 on April 3rd. Franklin has since been reunited with her family. Day was facing misdemeanor charges in Nebraska which were dropped to help expedite his return to Wisconsin. The initial Amber Alert in Wisconsin was issued on February 3rd. Franklin was 16 years old and three months pregnant at the time.
GEORGIA MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING FROM RIPON NURSING HOME PATIENT
Ripon Police signed a criminal complaint Wednesday against a 47-year-old Lilburn, Georgia man accused of stealing nearly $41,000 from the bank account of a nursing home patient in Ripon. According to the criminal complaint police were alerted about Michael Murphy’s alleged thefts by a Senior Social worker with the Fond du Lac County Aging and Disabilities Resource Center. Murphy had the power of attorney for the victim and nursing home bills were not being paid. According to the criminal complaint money taken from a Marine Credit Union account was spent on other expenses by Murphy and equaled $40,686.32. Transactions took place at various locations between Wisconsin and Georgia and included ATMs, grocery stores, payments on credit cards, vacations, airline tickets, and dining out. Ripon Police were aided in their investigation by Gwinnett County Police in Georgia. According to the criminal complaint Murphy and his wife told investigators Murphy had lost his job and they had intended to pay back the account. Murphy had allegedly taken $20,000 from the sale of the victim’s home and placed it in a money market account to earn interest. The thefts allegedly occurred between July 14th of 2022 and November 20th of 2023 when Murphy’s power of attorney was ended. The nursing home was allegedly owed nearly $16,000.
FORMER RIPON BOYS BASKETBALL COACH BACK IN COURT
A status hearing is scheduled May 28th for the former Ripon High School varsity boys’ basketball coach accused of having sex with a student. Mihai Schnell-Harrison was in Fond du Lac County Court for a hearing in his case. He is charged with felony counts of child enticement-sexual contact, sexual assault of a student-by school staff, exposing genitals, possession of child pornography, and exposing a child to harmful materials. His attorney, Kirk Everson, told the court the case is nearing a resolution, but he asked for more time to reach out to an expert. According to the criminal complaint Schnell-Harrison and the victim met in a group-chat online, but they moved their chats to Snapchat. Their chats became more graphic and sexual in nature. They eventually began exchanging nude photos of themselves. Ultimately, they met last November 6th and had sex. The victim was 16 years old. Schnell-Harrison at first told Ripon Police he didn’t know the victim wasn’t 18. A school district official told investigators Schnell-Harrison was still employed as the head basketball coach when he met with the student.
RIPON TRESPASS INVESTIGATION
Ripon Police are thanking the public for helping them identify a person concerning a trespassing issue in the city. They have since been in contact with him and removed photos of him posted Wednesday morning on their Facebook page because their investigation has concluded. The original post included information that he was traveling on a bicycle headed south on Ransom Street and the department’s phone number for tips.
KAUFMAN SWORN IN FOR ANOTHER TERM AS COUNTY EXECUTIVE
Prior to the Fond du Lac County Board meeting Tuesday evening, County Executive Sam Kaufman was sworn in to a new term in office. This time it is for a full four-year term. Kaufman won a special election for County Executive in June of 2022 following the death of County Executive Allen Buechel that March. Kaufman served the remainder of Buechel’s term. Kaufman says being sworn in as County Executive is an honor and a privilege. He says the County has a great Board of Supervisors and although they are not always on the same page they are all working for the betterment of the County. Kaufman was unopposed in his bid for reelection.
CAMPBELLSPORT FIRE AND EMS CLASSES
Campbellsport Volunteer Fire Department Chief Craig Olson has been working with the Campbellsport School District and Moraine Park Technical College to create new opportunities for high school students interested in fire and emergency medical services. The new program offers hands-on training and classroom education for students seeking to serve their communities through careers in emergency services. Already three students from Campbellsport High School are enrolled in the program, which provides foundational skills in firefighting and EMS, setting them on a path toward future certification and service. The students are gaining real-world experience while still in high school. Chief Olson says the program is not only about training. He says, “It’s about building a pipeline of passionate, capable individuals who can one day serve on the front lines of emergency response in our community.” The initiative is also part of a broader effort to strengthen community engagement and volunteer recruitment for the Campbellsport Volunteer Fire Department. Moraine Park is bringing its educational expertise to the classes that include both theoretical and practical components, giving students a taste of what it’s like to be a firefighter or EMS provider.
DRAFTING OFF THE NFL DRAFT
The NFL Draft won’t be the only draft being staged in Green Bay next week. Economic Development officials will be gathering to meet with site selectors for businesses from throughout the country hoping to persuade them to choose their communities to relocate or expand their business to. Envision Greater Fond du Lac CEO and President Sadie Howell is one of those who will be attending. She says the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and New North put the opportunity together. Howell says they are hoping that the amenities such as those in Fond du Lac County will attract businesses. She says just like NFL teams during the draft they hope to be building toward a more promising future.
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER TABBED FOR MPTC
Ryan Reigle, chairman of the board and CEO of Regal Ware, will serve as Moraine Park’s keynote speaker at the spring of 2025 commencement ceremony on May 17th. Regal Ware is a privately held, family-owned company headquartered in Wisconsin. Since joining Regal Ware in 2007, Reigle has held various key roles, including division president of Saladmaster, where his guidance led to a significant sales increase. His leadership further expanded as he assumed positions in Regal Ware as senior vice president of sales, president and CEO, and ultimately chairman and CEO in 2023. Reigle says he is deeply honored that Moraine Park Technical College asked him to say a few words to the 2025 graduating class of next-generation leaders.
HOUSING COALITION SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING IN RIPON
The Winnebagoland Housing Coalition, Ripon/Green Lake Subcommittee invites everyone to a powerful follow-up session on Wednesday, April 30th from 3 to 4:30 pm at the Ripon Public Library in the Silvercreek Room. The action-focused gathering is designed to provide hands-on training and practical tools for those who want to make a difference in the lives of individuals facing housing instability, financial hardship, or other crisis situations. Participants will learn how to respond effectively and compassionately to people in need. They will also gain a deeper understanding of local resources, referral pathways, and support options. Admission is free. If you plan to attend RSVP via Eventbrite by searching for the event “Responding to Rural Homelessness” and sign up.
GENEALOGY PROGRAM PROVES POPULAR
The Ripon Public Library’s Adult and Teen Librarian is excited about a new Genealogy program at the Library. Susie Menk says people using the library can now access Ancestry.com at the Library. It is one of the online genealogy programs they have made available for users. She says people can find out more about Ancestry.com and similar resources during their third and final Genealogy 101 program on Saturday, May 31st at 1 pm. Lara Grant the Ripon Historical Society genealogist is leading the program. Menk says the program has proven to be pretty popular so they are thinking about offering it again in the fall. She says those who are interested in attending the final session of the course should give her a call at the Library at 920-748-6160.
WAUPUN COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE
SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital will be hosting a community blood drive from 11 am to 3 pm next Wednesday in the Marsh Conference Room. Appointments are preferred. Donors will get a choice of an electronic gift card, a charitable donation to a Good Giving Partner, or bonus points to the rewards store. Donors should eat before donating and bring a photo ID. The last date to donate elsewhere is February 26th. To schedule an appointment, visit Bloodcenter.org or email smurthy@impactlife.org.
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