5/14/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
14 May 2025 News
SENTENCING SET FOR FDL WOMAN CONVICTED OF MURDER AND ATTEMPTED ROBBERY
A sentencing date has been set in Fond du Lac County Court for the 21-year-old Fond du Lac woman who stabbed 33-year-old Ashley Ann Calo of West Bend to death while trying to rob her. Annaka Trudell will be sentenced on July 25th for first-degree reckless homicide and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. She was convicted of the charges last Friday. Twenty-two-year-old Dawson Miller is also facing charges stemming from Calo’s stabbing death on February 14th, 2024. He is charged with felony murder, robbery and other charges. His 5-day jury trial is set to begins October 6th. According to the criminal complaint Trudell stabbed Calo with a kitchen-type knife during an argument in a fast-food parking lot. Calo was murdered during a drug transaction in which Trudell was attempting to purchase 57 “Percocet” pills from Calo. The stabbing occurred with Calo’s young child in the vehicle. The child wasn’t harmed. Trudell and Miller allegedly planned to steal drugs from Calo by pretending to want to buy pills from her. An autopsy revealed Calo had been stabbed at least twice and once through the heart and lung.
RIPON COMMON COUNCIL CHOOSES DESIGN OPTIONS FOR HWY 23 PROJECT
The Ripon Common Council last night chose four design options for the State Highway 23 improvement project in 2030. Option 1B was chosen for West Fond du Lac Street from Union to Jackson Street. It will feature two-way left turn lanes and dedicated bike lanes on both sides. Option 1D for Jackson Street from West Fond du Lac to Blackburn Street will have on street parking with dedicated bike lanes on both sides. Option 2C was chosen for Metomen Street to St. Wenceslaus Street and Sullivan Street to Douglas Street. There will be no parking along that stretch with bike lanes on both sides. Option 2B was chosen for St. Wenceslaus to Sullivan Street. Parking will only be allowed on the south side of the street with bike lanes on both sides. The public will have another chance to comment on the project during an informational meeting this winter or early next year. Mayor Ted Grant commented that it has been shown that bike lanes slow traffic and add safety for bicyclists. Others commented that bicyclists would use the lanes and that they tend to use nearby neighborhoods instead now to avoid traffic on State Highway 23.
STATE ASSEMBLY PASSES HEALTHCARE OPTION LEGISLATION
The State Assembly yesterday passed bipartisan legislation to protect more affordable healthcare options. State Representative Scott Krug says, “Access to quality and affordable healthcare options are critical for those here in the 72nd Assembly District and across Wisconsin.” The legislation will protect Direct Primary Care which is an arrangement where an individual receives their healthcare on a subscription or direct payment basis with their provider. It does not go through the traditional health insurance process. By reducing administrative and other over-head costs, this can help reduce the overall price-point for the patient for many services.
FDL COUNTY SINKHOLE FIXED
The Fond du Lac County Highway Department yesterday fixed a sinkhole that developed on County Highway V between Eden and Fond du Lac. Officials think the hole resulted due to a joint failure or potential old culvert failure of an extension of an old tunnel that was under the original highway between two quarries. The quarries were located on either side of the highway. The hole was filled and patched. Highway Department officials will be monitoring the area for settling and may need to fix it in the future when the culvert ultimately continues to collapse and the road settles.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller feels the theme for Mental Health Awareness Month this month is appropriate. It is, “Turn your struggles into strengths. Let’s build hope together.” Mueller says sometimes you just need to share your story, and when you do you will find out that you’re not alone others may be going through the same thing. She notes as we age, we may experience life changes that impact our mental health and overall physical health. She recommends focusing on emotional well-being and physical health which can open doors to a brighter future. Children and youth can also experience mental health problems. Signs include sleeping too much or too little, talking about fears or worries, changes in eating habits, having frequent tantrums, doing poorly in school, and having difficulty with friendship.
NAMI | Mental Health Support, Education & Advocacy
MURRAY PARK INFIELD REPLACEMENT PROJECT UNDERWAY
The Murray Park quad baseball diamonds in Ripon are getting a facelift. City Parks and Recreation Director Ashton Zeien says excavation work began yesterday. Fill will then be put in and in the end it will look more like a softball diamond than a grass infield baseball diamond. She says it will allow the city to host more baseball and softball tournaments. The Ripon Common Council last month awarded Hutchinson Property Services of Sturgeon Bay the contract for a low-bid of $95,200. The City had only budgeted $75,000 for the project, but a boiler replacement project for City Hall is being delayed to make up the difference in cost. Improvements to the infields will address persistent turf and maintenance issues, enhance field safety, and allow for greater flexibility in field use.
PROTECTING YOURSELF ON SUMMER TICKETED EVENT PURCHASES
Some good news for those planning to purchase tickets for summer events, the Federal Trade Commission’s Junk Fee rules go into effect over the next few days. That means businesses will be required to disclose total prices upfront, including in advertisements-meaning no ‘hidden’ fees for entertainment and sporting events. Michelle Reinen is the Administrator for the state’s Division of Trade and Consumer Protection. She says three things to practice when purchasing tickets for ticketed events are; Purchase directly from an official vendor, use a credit card, and know the refund policy. Reinen says to keep in mind that sometimes an event is cancelled due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. Wisconsin has a law that applies to refunds. More about that can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection website.
RIPON COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE
SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital is hosting a community blood drive from 11:30 am to 4 pm on Thursday, May 29th in a mobile donor bus parked near the Emergency Room. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Donors will get a choice of an electronic gift card, a charitable donation to a Good Giving Partner, or bonus points to ImpactLife store. Donors should eat before donating and bring a photo ID. Appointments can be made online at Blood Center.org.
SALUTE THE TROOPS ANNUAL RACES
Salute the Troops will host their 14th annual races, including a 10K, Dobogai Memorial 5K, Brandon Michael Memorial Ruck March, and kids’ fun run, on Saturday, May 24th. The event will begin on Oven Island at Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac. Proceeds will benefit veterans and their families in the Fox Valley. Salute the Troops Executive Director Jason Turner says the annual event is a staple of Salute the Troops. This year they have replaced the half marathon with a 10K. Salute the Troops seeks to support local service-members, veterans, and their families through financial assistance, resource brokering, and supportive programming. It also creates awareness, delivers education, and fosters camaraderie. More information about volunteering or registering for the races can be found on the Salute the Troops website.
Annual Races | Salute The Troops
OSHKOSH MEDIA RECEIVES MIDWEST RECOGNITION
Oshkosh Media division, the media arm of the City of Oshkosh, has received nine awards in Wisconsin Community Media’s annual Best of the Midwest Media Fest. The Media Fest held on May 1st is an annual competition open to community media centers and their producers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas. At the same event, Assistant City Manager John Fitzpatrick received the “Friend of Access Award”, recognizing his over 25 years of support for community media in Oshkosh. Oshkosh Media and its staff received three Awards of Excellence or Gold awards, three Awards of Achievement or Silver awards, and three Awards of Merit or Bronze awards. You can read more about those achievements at the city’s website.
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