1/10/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
10 January 2023 News
FDL County Chase
Three Milwaukee residents were taken into custody by Fond du Lac County authorities following a high-speed chase on Interstate 41 involving a stolen vehicle. It started out early Monday morning when a Fond du Lac Police officer tried to pull over the stolen vehicle in Fond du Lac. The vehicle headed south on I-41 reaching speeds of 100 miles an hour, A tire deflation device was successfully deployed and the vehicle came to a stop in a rest area south of Lomira. The driver, a 24-year-old Milwaukee man, fled on foot but was caught a short time later. He was arrested on felony charges of fleeing and eluding, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, operating a vehicle without owner’s consent, two counts of obstructing and misdemeanor bail jumping. He was also wanted on a couple of warrants. The passengers, an 18-year-old Milwaukee man was arrested on an obstructing charge, and a 15-year-old Milwaukee girl was a runaway. Fond du Lac Police were assisted by the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Patrol.
Sex Offender Released From Prison Now Living In FDL
Fond du Lac Police are advising residents that a 29-year-old sex offender is now living at 358 Evergreen Avenue. Jason Bunkert served 7 years in prison for third degree sexual assault and sex with a child 16 years or older charges. In 2014 he was convicted in Fond du Lac County court of third degree sexual assault and in 2016 of three counts of third degree sexual assault and six counts of sex with a child 16 years or older. He victimized minor female acquaintances on multiple occasions. Bunkert will be on GPS monitoring. Bunkert was incarcerated at Oshkosh Correctional Institution.
Ripon Appoints Parks and Recreation Director
The City of Ripon has appointed Ashton Zeien as its Parks and Recreation Director. City Administrator Adam Sonntag says, “Her energy and experience as a Parks and Recreation Director set her apart in a deep applicant pool. She was our top choice and we are fortunate to have her join our team.” Zeien comes to Ripon from the City of Juneau, Wisconsin where she served as the Parks and Recreation Director for a year and a half. She holds a bachelors’ degree from the UW-Whitewater in Health, Human Performance, and Recreation. As Parks and Recreation Director for Ripon she will oversee all park operations and maintenance, recreation programming from youth to senior activities, and all park planning initiatives. The 2023 Ripon city budget included a full-time Parks and Recreation Director, which came as a recommendation from last year’s parks master planning project. Zeien will start her new role on February 1st.
Ripon Common Councilwoman Resigning
The Ripon Common Council tonight will be asked to consider the process to replace District 2 Alderperson Paige Kane who is resigning from the Council. In a letter to City Administrator Adam Sonntag and the Common Council Kane explains that she and her family are moving out of town. Her resignation will take effect on February 28th. Kane also serves as the Chair of the Board of Public Works. She says it has been an honor and a privilege to serve alongside her fellow Council members for the past three years. She also encourages residents of District 2 to step up and fill her vacant seat. During the meeting the Council will also consider contracts for the Public Works Facility Project Design and Construction services and for the State Street Bridge Replacement Project Design services. The meeting is at 7 pm in the Council Chambers of the Ripon City Hall.
Oshkosh Fire Department Had Record Number Of Calls For Service
The Oshkosh Fire Department responded to a record number of calls for service in 2022. For the first time in the department’s history it responded to over 10,000 calls for service. The official number was 10,405, which averages out to 29 calls per day. It was an increase of 8 percent since 2021 and 15 percent overall since 2019. Fire Chief Mike Stanley says, “The City of Oshkosh’s population continues to increase, and as a large number of the population ages, I foresee a continued increase in demand for our services.” He says they will use risk-reduction programs to attempt to reduce the number of incidents by preventing them in the first place. Stanley says they will continue to add value to the community by providing a wide array of emergency services with skill and compassion.
Snow Storm Before Christmas Handled Well
Fond du Lac County law enforcement, highway crews, and emergency responders did a good job handling what was tossed at them during a snow storm just prior to Christmas Day. Fond du Lac County Communications and Emergency Management Director Amy Haase says they were well prepared and caught a break with snow accumulations not quite reaching what was predicted. She says drifting and some ice did cause a few issues. Haase says they know what to expect from Wisconsin winters and have grown accustomed to a few winter storms each season that will pack a punch. Sheriff’s deputies, highway crews, and EMS did have one heroic rescue responding to a snowed in residence in the Town of Alto Christmas Day for a man in his seventies who amputated two fingers while trying to clear snow plugged in his snow blower.
Live Vape Free
Fond du Lac County Tobacco Control and Prevention Coordinator Johanna Brotz says vaping is a real threat to the health of youth and adults who take it up. Brotz says the tobacco industry continues to target future users. Juul Labs, the vape pen maker, reached a $1.2 billion settlement in lawsuits which found the company in part aimed its products at teenagers. Brotz says vape use among youth has reached epidemic proportions. She says it was found that Juul used social influencers to target youth and candy flavored vaping cartridges are no mistake. Last month the state’s Department of Health Services launched its Live Vape Free program which youth can access by texting “VAPEFREE” to 873373 or adults can access online.
Health Portal (myquitforlife.com)
ThedaCare Accreditation
The ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah Bariatric Program, in a partnership with Surgical Associates of Neenah, has been recognized a nationally reaccredited program meeting the highest standards for patient and safety. Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program, a joint Quality Program of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery issued the reaccreditation. Accredited centers offer preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for patients with obesity. ThedaCare is one of 12 comprehensive bariatric surgery centers in Wisconsin, and has been an accredited center since 2006. ThedaCare was one of the first hospitals in the state to receive the accreditation status. The ThedaCare Bariatric Program coordinates care to help patients feel supported in all parts of weight loss.
Young Professionals of FDL
Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s program Young Professionals of Fond du Lac is always looking for new members. It’s for young professionals from 21 to 40 years of age. Chris Vitton is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Fond du Lac. He is with the Young Professionals program and says it has been a way for him to meet and network with others like himself. He feels it has been beneficial. He says people can find out more about the program on the Envision Greater Fond du Lac website. He says quite a few companies are corporate members who cover their employees membership costs. On Thursday, January 19th the Young Professionals will gather at South Hills Country Club in Fond du Lac to honor their Future Five and the Young Professional of the Year. Those who would like to attend should register by tomorrow on the Envision website.
Share |