4/24/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
24 April 2025 News
BEAVER DAM WOMAN FACING CHILD PORN POSSESSION CHARGES
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 39-year-old Beaver Dam woman for possession of child pornography. Angela McKay’s arrest is the culmination of an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation that originated in the town of Beaver Dam that happened after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Charges were requested from the Dodge County District Attorney’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and was assisted by the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations Digital Forensics Unit. (Dodge County Jail photo).
UNATTENDED COOKING FIRE IN FDL
Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue responded to an unattended cooking fire in an apartment at 405 North Peters Avenue shortly after 5:30 last evening. Battalion Chief Ben Stephany says the fire was extinguished before fire crews arrived. Two fire suppressors installed above the stove activated and extinguished the fire. Damage was contained to the stove and cabinets above it. Without those fire prevention canisters the fire would have spread quicker and caused more damage. Fire crews checked for extension and cleared the apartment of smoke. The apartment had no working smoke detectors. Firefighters installed 2 new smoke detectors in the apartment. (Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue photo).
RIPON MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING FROM CONVENIENCE STORE HE WORKED FOR
A felony theft charge has been filed against a 34-year-old Ripon man who allegedly stole money and lottery tickets from the Shell gas station in Ripon he worked at in early 2023. Robert Budnick will make his initial appearance in Fond du Lac County Court on the charge on June 10th. According to the criminal complaint an employee of the store made the complaint to Ripon Police after reviewing documents from Budnick’s shifts and store surveillance. The thefts occurred between January 23rd and March 7th of 2023. Budnick allegedly stole $662.28 in cash and $2,015 in lottery tickets without paying for them. During the investigation Budnick wrote out a statement saying he was sorry for the thefts.
WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK
Governor Tony Evers and the state’s Department of Transportation have proclaimed this week as Work Zone Awareness Week. For 25 years, National Work Zone Awareness Week has marked the start of the road construction season across the country, promoting road worker safety and cautious driving in work zones. This year’s national awareness week theme is ‘respect the zone, so we all get home.’ This year alone, the DOT anticipates more than 400 state highway and bridge improvement projects across Wisconsin. Preliminary data shows more than 2,150 crashes were recorded in Wisconsin work zones in 2024, resulting in 10 deaths and more than 750 injuries. From 2020 to 2024, Wisconsin work zones saw more than 10,300 crashes causing 56 deaths and more than 3,600 injuries. Speeding, tailgating and distracted driving remain common factors in a majority of crashes. Drivers for their part are being asked to drive safely, leave the phone alone, move over, or slow down when you see workers and vehicles with flashing lights along the highway.
MARCH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES DOWN IN 75 PERCENT OF WISCONSIN’S COUNTIES
Unemployment rates decreased in 54 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties in March, stayed the same in seven counties, and increased in the remaining 11 counties. According to Federal labor statistics the jobless rate in Dodge and Winnebago counties last month was at 3.1 percent and it was at 3.2 percent in Fond du Lac County. The unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent in Waupaca County, was at 4 percent in Green Lake, and decreased to 5 percent in Waushara County. The cities of Oshkosh and Fond du Lac also saw a decrease in their jobless rates to 2.9 and 3.7 percent respectively.
RIPON IN FILL HOUSING PROGRAM
The City of Ripon has added a new housing development program to its housing tool chest. The In-fill Housing Development Program is aimed at encouraging the construction of new single-family homes and duplexes on vacant and under-utilized residential lots in established neighborhoods. City Administrator Adam Sonntag says the program will provide a reimbursement of up to $10,000 per unit to assist with utility connection and permitting costs for new residential construction. He says it will fulfill a need suggested by the housing study. The Common Council’s recent approval of the program allocated $50,000 from the TID Housing Extension Fund, which has an available balance of $658,000 following the closure of TID #6. There are approximately 105 vacant residential lots within the City of Ripon that remain undeveloped. More details about the program are available on the City’s website.
New In-fill Housing Development Program – What’s New – City of Ripon, Wisconsin
REPRESENTATIVE DALLMAN ON UI FRAUD BILLS
State Representative Alex Dallman voted with colleagues Tuesday to pass a package of workforce and unemployment insurance bills. The state lawmaker from Markesan says, “UI benefits should be for those Wisconsinites who are in need of help temporarily while they find employment.” He says they should not be misused. One bill eliminates waste, fraud, and abuse in Wisconsin’s UI program by implementing updates. Another bill gives employers a process to report UI claimants who “ghost” required job interviews in order to receive UI benefits. Dallman says there are thousands of available jobs across Wisconsin and employers are constantly looking for able-bodied adults to fill the positions. The bills now head to the State Senate for its consideration.
GREEN LAKE BETTER TOGETHER
Area residents are invited to attend Green Lake-Better Together, a special evening dedicated to celebrating the power of connection, creativity, and conversation within the community. The inspiring event will take place on Thursday, May 22nd at 5:30 pm at Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake. Admission is free to all. Jason Mansmith of Thrasher says the evening is being presented by Mike & Jill Havey, whose commitment to community connection continues to make a lasting difference. Producer Nate Lehner’s 10-minute video focuses on the incredible work local organizations have been doing on behalf of others. Lehner will offer behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the project and the stories that inspired it. Local organizations highlighted in the video will have representatives on hand to talk with the public.
DIVERSE OPTIONS
Now in its 50th Year, Diverse Options in Ripon has an environmentally friendly program that allows people to donate the plastic bags they receive at grocery stores and other shops. Mary Robichaud of Diverse Options says they have a collection bin in their lobby. They take the plastic in which is repurposed into benches that people can sit on. They have two of the benches at their Ripon location. She says they will accept soft plastics like bread bags and produce bags as well. Diverse Options had three volunteer groups participating in Earth Day this week picking up trash around the Little White Schoolhouse and ThedaCare. Diverse Options will have an open house from 4 to 7 pm next Wednesday at their location in Ripon.
OASD ROBOTICS TEAM FUNDRAISER
The Oshkosh Area School District’s award-winning robotics team, Baksteen Valken, will showcase their innovative technology and host a fundraising event tomorrow as they prepare to represent Wisconsin at the prestigious American Robotics Tournament in New Jersey. The community is invited to attend the Baksteen Valken Robotics Showcase and Raffle at Perry Tipler Middle School Friday evening. Doors open at 6:15 pm with the program beginning at 6:30 pm and raffle drawings at 7:20 pm. The team qualified for nationals after winning top honors at regional and state competitions.
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