Hometown Broadcasting News Friday 3/19/21
19 March 2021 News
Former Waupun Inmate Changes Plea On Attempted Murder Charge
A former inmate at Waupun Correctional Institution changed his plea Thursday in Dodge County court on attempted first degree intentional homicide charges for stabbing a corrections officer at the prison on Christmas Eve in 2019. Forty-one-year-old Greg Phillips pled not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to the attempted murder and battery charges. Phillips is now being housed at Green Bay Correctional. He allegedly stabbed the guard with a shank in the recreational area at Waupun Correctional. The officer was stabbed 13 times. A scheduling conference in the case will be held on April 19th.
Soap Sales Scam Suspects Identified
Police in Chilton say two men and a woman who were trying to get into homes by offering homemade soap demonstrations have been identified. Police posted several photos of a blue van and a couple of the subjects on their Facebook page, which paid off in tips. The company that sells the soap was informed they needed a permit to sell the product door-to-door in Chilton and that people were complaining about some of the sales tactics the trio was using. The suspects were not showing company IDs as they should have and were trying to pass off bottles of “Downy” and “Fabulouso” dish soap as homemade soap. Chilton Police are not aware of anyone who let them into their home.
Vandalism At Oshkosh Park
The Oshkosh Parks Department is reporting another incident of vandalism in the community parks. In particular vulgarities were etched on a pay station at a boat launch. Officials say the screen and surfaces of the pay station were severely scratched. Parks Director Ray Maurer says they haven’t decided how to repair the unit yet, but he estimates the cost will be at least $400. A report was filed with the Oshkosh Police Department and he urges anyone who sees suspicious activity in the parks to call the Police Department’s non-emergency phone number 920-236-5700 to report it.
FDL County Board Approves Grant Application Submission
The Fond du Lac County Board approved a resolution this week allowing county officials to apply for a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant from the DNR to reimburse the county for about half of the cost of purchasing land on the Niagara Escarpment. The land in the Town of Taycheedah was purchased last year for $360,000 to be used as a county conservation area. County Board Chairman Marty Farrell informed the board that if the grant is successful $178,000 of the cost will be repaid to the county’s general fund. Money from that fund, the reserve sales tax fund, and the previous sale of the Calvary Marsh paid for the purchase.
Weighing The Risks
Ripon Community COVID-19 Task Force member Jeff Puhlmann-Becker says even though the CDC is changing some of its guidelines for restrictions during the pandemic businesses, groups and organizations have to decide whether those restrictions should be stronger. For example the recommendation for social distancing has been cut back from at least 6 feet to 3 feet. Puhlmann-Becker says the task force for his church decided to go with the original recommendations now that people are being allowed to go back to church instead of holding virtual services. He says his church task force decided to require the wearing of masks, at least 6 feet between pews and some of the original guidelines.
Project Could Impact Endangered Species
The DNR is taking comments on a proposed permit for the North-South Bike Trail construction project in Columbia County that may result in the incidental taking of a rare lizard and turtle. The Village of Poynette is proposing installation of an 8-foot paved bike path in the County Road Q and CS right-of-way between Bluebird Circle and South Main Street. It’s not likely to appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival or recovery of the state-endangered glass lizard and ornate box turtle. Comments on the project can be sent to DNR Conservation Biologist Rori Paloski through April 15th. His address is 101 South Webster Street, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, Wisconsin 53707 or email rori.paloski@wi.gov.
Dog Rescued From Thinning Ice
Man’s best friend got a little help from man when a dog got stranded on the ice on a retention pond in the Neenah-Menasha area Thursday. Neenah-Menasha Fire and Rescue rescued the little guy and returned him safely to his owner. Firefighters wearing cold water suits and gear crawled out on the thinning ice to get the dog, which wasn’t able to get off the ice.
Poy Sippi Chicken BBQ Saturday
The Poy Sippi Volunteer Fire Department will hold their annual Chicken BBQ Dinner Saturday at 4 pm at the fire station. Jen Hahn is one of the organizers. She says it is one of their biggest fundraisers of the year and this specific event will help to purchase equipment for the volunteers who go out on medical calls for their fire and rescue department. It’s a drive through event and she recommends getting there early because the food goes fast. For $10 you get a half-chicken, baked potato, roll, apple sauce, pickle and bottle of water.
Cabin Fever Reliever Vendor Fair
The Coloma Business Association will be sponsoring a cabin fever reliever vendor fair. The free community event will be on Saturday, March 27th from 9 am to 3 pm at the Anna Follett Memorial Center in Coloma. You will be able to find everything from woodcrafts to massages, and even alpaca fiber. Lunch will be provided and COVID precautions will be in place. Proceeds from the vendor booth fees will benefit the Coloma Library Summer Reading Program. For more information or to participate contact Brenda at the Coloma Village office.
Share |