1/24/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
24 January 2023 News
Suspected FDL County Drug Dealer Arraigned
One of the suspected ringleaders of a drug distribution operation busted in Fond du Lac County was arraigned Monday. Twenty-nine-year-old Melvin Kemp of Westland, Michigan pleaded not guilty to charges of manufacturing and delivery of amphetamine and narcotics. Kemp is being held in the Fond du Lac County Jail on a $500,000 cash bond and will return to court on March 29th for a status conference in his case. Kemp was one of ten people connected to the delivery and distribution of more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of $1 million in 2022, as well as the early stages of a fentanyl distribution operation.
Oshkosh Police Trying To Identify Owner of Dead Dog
The Oshkosh Police Department is investigating the discovery of a dead dog in the 3900 block of Oregon Street. At 8:19 Monday morning officers were sent to a multi-tenant property. Staff from the property management company called police to report they had found a dead dog inside of a dumpster. The dog was female, tan in color, possibly a Terrier mix. Officers are trying to identify the owner. Anyone with information is asked to call Oshkosh Police at 920-236-5700 or the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at 920-231-8477 if you wish to remain anonymous.
Funding For Ripon Housing Programs Approved
The Ripon Common Council last night approved this year’s funding for two housing programs. The Council budgeted $60,000 for the Sandmar Lot Sale Program and $65,000 for the Exterior Home Repair Program. The Sandmar Program offers qualifying applicants a grant for a vacant single-family residential lot for as low as $5,000 to construct single family homes. The Exterior Home Repair Program gives homeowners an opportunity to receive up to a $5,000 grant they would not have to repay for home repairs that extend the life of their home. Improvements could include wheelchair ramps that make a home more accessible for those with disabilities. City Administrator Adam Sonntag says more than $467,000 is available to the city to fund those programs and the Build Ripon Program. The Council decided to discuss the Build Ripon Program at a later date. Those with questions about the Sandmar Lot Program and Exterior Home Repair Program should contact Sonntag at the Ripon City Hall or by calling 920-748-4914.
Dodge County Treasurer Vacancy Filled
The Dodge County Board recently filled an upcoming vacancy for the County Treasurer’s position. Current Treasurer Patti Hilker earlier this month announced she was retiring and her last day would be on April 3rd. During a recent Dodge County Board meeting supervisors approved the appointment of Chief Deputy Treasurer Kris Keith to fill Hilker’s position. Keith has worked for Dodge County for about six years and has a degree in accounting. She will take over as treasurer on April 4th and will serve out the remainder of Hilker’s term which runs through January of 2025. County Treasurer is an elected position.
State of the State Address
Governor Tony Evers will give his State of the State Address tonight. State Senator Joan Ballweg says one of the things the Governor will talk about is what to do with a nearly $7 billion surplus. The state lawmaker from Markesan says there has been talk about giving more shared revenue to counties and municipalities. She says inflation has impacted everyone and driven up the cost of doing business for municipalities and schools. She says another thing that needs to be sorted out is using some of those surplus state budget monies to sustain municipalities and schools once the millions of dollars in COVID relief from the federal government dry up. The Governor’s State of the State Address will be delivered tonight at 7pm.
Ripon Senior Center
City officials in Ripon held a ribbon-cutting for the new Grace and Lloyd Mitchel Senior Activity Center last night. Afterwards there was an open house for the $2.4 million facility and cake was served. Center Director Noreen Johnson says they aren’t quite all moved in to their new digs at 338 Murray Park Drive yet. She says they will be splitting their time between the old and new centers for a while with the new center open during the afternoons. Johnson works part-time as Center Director. She says new Parks and Recreation Director Ashton Zeien will be working in the new center with her and since Zeien is a full-time worker they will be able to keep the new center open longer. Zeien starts on February 1st. Johnson anticipates they should be all moved in by February 10th.
McCarthy Speaker Vote Took Longer Than Expected
Congressman Glenn Grothman says a bad precedent was set when it took so many votes to approve Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House. The federal lawmaker from Glenbeulah says usually a private vote by the parties is taken where everybody agrees and then when they get to the floor the vote is unusually a formality. But this time 21 Republicans held out trying to gain leverage for better committee assignments. He says it is a bad precedent to set because anytime a vote comes up that might be somewhat controversial some Republicans might hold out once again hoping to leverage something out of McCarthy that will benefit them. Grothman says the GOP can’t afford too many members breaking from the party on close votes.
State Bar Recognizes Senator Ballweg
State Senator Joan Ballweg is being awarded the State Bar of Wisconsin Legislative Oversight Committee Scales of Justice Award. She is being recognized for playing a significant role as a senate sponsor for multiple family law initiatives that ensures Wisconsin citizens can more easily navigate the often complicated and intimidating court system. During the previous legislative session the state lawmaker from Markesan worked on legislation requiring the annual exchange of financial information to determine family support, child support or maintenance. Other legislation she had a hand in allowed court commissioners to address stipulated final legal separation hearings and modification to legal custody or physical placement contingent upon a future event.
Venhuizen Named Young Professional of the Year
The Young Professionals of Fond du Lac have named Jon Venhuizen of SIA Insurance Services of Waupun their Young Professional of the Year. He was honored during the Future 5 Awards banquet held last Thursday in Fond du Lac. Venhuizen says he is humbled to be recognized and included in such an outstanding group of his peers. Venhuizen is a Partner and Financial Consultant at SIA Insurance Services and is involved in many different organizations in the Fond du Lac area including Pillar & Vine, Waupun Kiwanis Club, and Fondy 100 Gives. He is also a Fond du Lac County Board Supervisor serving the Waupun and Oakfield areas. He currently lives in Waupun with his wife and two children.
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