4/22/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
22 April 2025 News
OSHKOSH HOUSE FIRE CLAIMS A LIFE
One person died from injuries suffered in a house fire in Oshkosh Sunday afternoon. The Oshkosh Fire Department responded to the 1600 block of Burdick Street just before 12:30 pm for a structure fire. When crews arrived there was heavy smoke and fire. A neighbor told firefighters two people lived in the home. Fire crews found one person in the home and transported them to a local hospital where the person died. The other person wasn’t home during the fire. There was heavy smoke and fire damage to the home. The cause of the blaze is still being determined. Town of Algoma, Fox Crossing, and Town of Oshkosh Fire Departments assisted in the response.
COLUMBIA COUNTY FATAL ACCIDENT VICTIM IDENTIFIED
Columbia County Sheriff’s officials have identified the 62-year-old rural Pardeeville man killed in a crash on April 12th after fleeing from a hit and run accident. Michael O’Neil was driving a passenger car that crashed on Highway 16/51 at the Duck Creek bridge in Portage. He died at the scene. Deputies learned the car was southbound on Highway 16/51 and tried turning onto Suburban Heights Road, striking a Jeep that was stopped at the intersection. O’Neil left the scene of that initial crash. He headed north on Highway 16/51 and struck the bridge over Duck Creek in the Town of Pacific. Occupants of the Jeep were taken to a hospital for treatment of their injuries. Sheriff’s officials believe intoxication, speed and lack of seatbelt use were factors in the crash that killed O’Neil.
TWO WAUSHARA COUNTY FELONS SENTENCED ON FEDERAL FIREARM AND DRUG CHARGES
A federal judge in Green Bay last week sentenced two previously convicted felons from Waushara County for trafficking methamphetamine and firearms, including machine guns. Judge William Griesbach sentenced 37-year-old John Taylor to eight years in prison and five years of extended supervision, and 31-year-old Allison Mundt to seven years in prison and five years of extended supervision. According to court records, in March and April of last year, investigators learned Taylor and Mundt, previously convicted felons living in Waushara County, were offering firearms for sale. Controlled purchases of firearms and methamphetamine were arranged from Taylor and Mundt. That culminated in a search warrant. In all, the investigation recovered approximately 35 firearms, including machine guns, short-barrel rifles, short-barrel shotguns, and pistols, some with no serial numbers. Officers also seized drum magazines and other high-capacity magazines, over 1,700 rounds of ammunition, and an ounce of methamphetamine intended for distribution. The case was investigated by the Waushara County Sheriff’s Department, Lake Winnebago Area MEG Unit, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
OSHKOSH MAN ACCUSED OF PRODUCING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
A Federal Grand Jury has indicted a 43-year-old Oshkosh man who allegedly, produced child pornography. According to the unsealed document Bradley Hounsell used the internet between November 4th and November 8th, 2023 for the purposed of transporting child pornography. If convicted of the offense he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment and up to 30 years of incarceration. He may also be fined up to $250,000 and would be required to register as a sex offender. The case was investigated by the FBI with the assistance of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.
LAST DODGE COUNTY GENTLEMEN’S CLUB CLOSED
Dodge County Sheriff’s officials learned this past Friday that a local company aided in closing the final Dodge County Gentlemen’s or Strip Club. Most recently it went by the name Elite Entertainment. The final closing is a result of the sale of the property on Friday. A sign was displayed on the building following the sale indicating that it was “Closed Forever.” The new owner contacted the Sheriff’s Office with information that the strip club in Juneau was purchased for the purpose of shutting it down and turning it into a place of worship, healing, and counseling. This will include offices for Chris Jansen Ministries, whole life healing counseling, Vine and Branch management, and more. The Sheriff’s Office says while this certainly does not end opportunities for criminal operations of human trafficking and sex trafficking, this is a significant development. (Dodge County Sheriff’s Office photo).
MEETING ON STATE HIGHWAY 23 PROJECT TO BE HELD IN RIPON TONIGHT
The state’s Department of Transportation will hold a public involvement meeting about the 2030 State Highway 23 improvement project at the Ripon City Hall at 5 pm tonight. Improvements will be made on West Fond du Lac Street between Union Street and Jackson Street, on Jackson Street between West Fond du Lac Street and Blackburn Street, and on East Fond du Lac Street between Metomen to east of Douglas Street in the city of Ripon. Ripon City Administrator Adam Sonntag says for a project of this magnitude you have to get on the DOT’s 7-year planning list and that was a battle, but it is needed. He says the state will be footing about $4 million of the cost but the City’s share for infrastructure improvements is also costly at another $3 million or so. During tonight’s meeting there will be a project presentation at the beginning. A short question-and-answer period will follow the presentation. Attendees will also have the opportunity to speak individually with the project team.
CARE PORTAL PROGRAM
Fond du Lac County Executive Sam Kaufman says he’s pleased Fond du Lac County is now participating in the Care Portal program. Care Portal is a private agency that partners with county foster care programs to supply the needs of foster care parents for things like bedding, beds, clothing and financial needs. Kaufman, who has been a foster care parent himself, says Fond du Lac County is only the second County in Wisconsin to join the program. The Care Portal has built a base of support that includes individuals, churches, and corporations. Kaufman says the entire state of Florida has partnered with the Care Portal. He’s hoping more counties in Wisconsin will see it is a program that fulfills the needs of foster care programs and the children they care for. Juneau County was the first Wisconsin county to implement the program.
OSHKOSH CORRECTIONAL JOB LAB
The state’s Department of Corrections recently opened its newest job lab at the Oshkosh Correctional Institution. The job labs are a collaboration between the DOC and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development to offer job readiness services to incarcerated individuals prior to their release to the community. The lab at Oshkosh Correctional is a mobile unit, and was previously located at New Lisbon Correctional Institution, which has since created a permanent space. Last month, the first Oshkosh Correctional clients were able to access the job lab, creating Job Center of Wisconsin accounts, and searching for open employment opportunities. The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board is providing staffing resources in the lab. Individuals at Oshkosh Correctional will be able to receive assistance with resume development, career assessments, job searching and applications, and interviewing skills. Further, clients may have an opportunity to interview for jobs prior to release. During the first quarter of 2025, 681 persons in DOC care have received services in the institution-based job labs throughout the state.
STATE PATROL AWARDS
The state’s Department of Transportation honored Wisconsin State Patrol troopers, inspectors and civilian staff for outstanding service at the State Patrol Award Ceremony held Friday in Wisconsin Dells. This year 39 awards were presented. Governor Tony Evers joined DOT leaders and spoke at the ceremony. Honored from the Fond du Lac State Patrol Post for Commendable Service were Sergeant Jennifer Austin and Lieutenant Luke Newman, for Meritorious Service Troopers Cole Glassford and Anthony Rader, and with the Superintendent’s Commendation Trooper David Welling.
Wisconsin State Patrol Awards program
RESEARCH MAKES BOOK CLUB DISCUSSIONS MORE INTERESTING
The Ripon Public Library’s Adult and Teen Librarian says she likes to do her research before they tackle a book for the Adult Book Club at the end of each month. Susie Menk is currently studying up for “Surviving Savannah” at the end of May which is historical fiction that takes place around the time of the Civil War. For a book about a ship and its travels that involved finding maps so she could show book club members where the ship had traveled. She says sometimes the research turns into a labor of love, for instance in researching for David Baldacci’s “The 620 Man” she wanted to be able to tell readers about different elements of a good mystery and some of the plot devices writers like to use. For more about the Book Club visit the Ripon Public Library’s website.
BOOK CLUB | Mad Honey | Ripon Public Library
LEGENDARY GRUMMAN FIGHTER AIRCRAFT COMING TO EAA
Four legendary fighter aircraft produced by Grumman will be among the highlights of the warbirds gathering and air shows during EAA AirVenture this July. The Air Legends Foundation will bring the four Grumman aircraft including a Wildcat, Hellcat, Tigercat, and Bearcat to Oshkosh for AirVenture week. During various times, the airplanes will be parked on Boeing Plaza, showcased in the EAA Warbirds of America area, and flown during the daily afternoon air shows as the “Flight of the Cats.” Exact dates and times of those appearances will be announced as they are finalized. The 72nd edition of the annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention will be held at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh July 21st through the 27th.
RCH AUXILIARY ANNUAL FLOWER SALE
The SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital Auxiliary is hosting its ninth annual spring flower basket sale from 9 am to 5 pm on Monday, May 5th and Tuesday, May 6th or until supplies run out. The sale will be outside near the hospital’s main entrance. The sale will feature a choice of high-quality 10-inch hanging baskets of Begonias, Sun and Shade Combos, Fuchsias, Geraniums, Impatiens, Petunias or Lantanas in various colors that are specifically grown for Wisconsin’s climate. There will be no pre-orders. Cost is $28 each. Cash, checks and credits cars will be accepted. All proceeds will support SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital programs and services. For more information call 920-229-9827.
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