1/31/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
31 January 2023 News
More Snowmobiling Deaths Reported
The state’s Department of Natural Resources Monday reported four snowmobile deaths that occurred over a four-day span. Last week, after the first two of the four deaths occurred bringing the total at the time to five, the DNR warned riders about the number so far. Two more since Friday pushed the total for this month to seven. The first two in the latest series of snowmobile fatalities both happened on Thursday when a 59-year-old woman rearended another snowmobile in her group, near Phelps in Vilas County. That same day, a 57-year-old man died after his snowmobile was hit by a pickup truck when he was crossing a road in Oneida County. The next day a 41-year-old rider died in Oneida County when he missed a curve and crashed into a tree. The final death happened on Sunday when a 54-year-old man also did not take a curve properly and hit a tree in Arbor Vitae in Vilas County. All four crashes are being investigated. (DNR Photo)
Oshkosh Man Injured In UP Accident That Claimed Two Lives
A high school basketball game in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula between teams from Escanaba and Sault Ste. Marie was cancelled at halftime when it was learned a couple whose son was playing in the game were killed in a traffic crash. Gerald and Tara Weaver of Escanaba were killed when a semi-truck crossed over the center line on U.S. 2 in Garden Township and hit their SUV head-on Friday afternoon. A 54-year-old Oshkosh man in another SUV was injured when he struck the end of the semi’s trailer. Two other vehicles collided trying to stop, but no one was injured in the second crash. The Weavers were on their way to the Sault to see their son Lukas play basketball. A number of fundraisers are trying to help out the family. In addition to Lukas, the Weavers had two other children Noah and Sophia.
Waupaca County Family Files Lawsuit Against Fleet Farm
A family in Waupaca County is suing Fleet Farm for the wrongful death of their son, two years after the 16-year-old died by suicide. In December of 2020 Ryan Ames stole a handgun and ammunition from the Fleet Farm he worked at before returning home and shooting himself with the gun. His parents, Bruce and Bambi Ames, say that while Ryan was employed at Fleet Farm, he was given “unfettered, unsupervised, and unmonitored access to firearms and ammunition.” The lawsuit was filed in Waupaca County last month. The family claims the Midwest retailer negligently caused the death of their son by not properly securing or monitoring the guns. The lawsuit also claims that Ryan told more than one coworker that he planned to harm or kill himself. In a statement the family says Ryan was receiving treatment that they are heartbroken and their lives have been changed forever.
Lake Winneconne Search
Rescuers were out on the ice of Lake Winneconne looking for a missing snowmobiler Sunday night. Shortly after 5 pm the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and several area fire departments responded to a report about a snowmobile without an occupant in an area of thin ice on Clark’s Bay. A local resident familiar with ice conditions was concerned a person might be in danger. An ice rescue was initiated. After a thorough search, nothing was located to indicate anyone was in trouble. The Sheriff’s Department thanks the Winneconne Poygan Fire District, Town of Winchester Fire Department, Boom Bay Volunteer Fire Department, Poy Sippi Volunteer Fire Department, and Gold Cross Ambulance for their participation. The Sheriff’s Drone Team also responded.
Schraeder Leaving Diverse Options
Longtime Diverse Options President and CEO Al Schraeder will be leaving the organization on Friday, March 3rd. The Diverse Options Board of Directors announced the change Monday morning. Schraeder has been with the organization in Ripon for 27 years, but in mid-December was offered an opportunity with Mission Services as Vice President. Schraeder says after much thought, discussions with his wife and family, and much prayer, he decided the new opportunity was one he wanted to pursue. He says he has enjoyed his tenure with Diverse Options immensely. Diverse Options Board President Bill Boutwell says it is hard to imagine the organization without Schraeder but the work that he and his team have done over the years have created a strong organization with a strong mission, values, and beliefs. The Board has formed a search committee and will begin to look for a new President and CEO immediately.
Debriefing Held For Those Responding To Tragic Accident
A debriefing was held last Thursday to help Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, first responders, and anyone who held a role in responding to an accident in the Town of Taycheedah that claimed the lives of two teens. County Sheriff’s Ryan Waldschmidt says they hold confidential meetings known as Critical Incident Stress Management meetings with a mental health professional to help responders cope with the loss. He says even though Fond du Lac County has a population over 100,000, lives intersect and it is difficult for deputies, firefighters and first responders not to have a connection to those lives and the 16-year-old girl who survived the tragic crash. Waldschmidt says even if deputies, firefighters, and first responders didn’t know Nevins Zoch or Tommy Koenigs they may have children their age or their kids might have known them.
Senior Center Transition
A period of transition continues for the Ripon Senior Activity Center as they continue their move to their new building at Murray Park. Center Executive Director Noreen Johnson says they hope to have the official opening on Friday, February 10th when they will be having a luncheon. She says they have been waiting for some audio and visual equipment to be installed and that should happen at the beginning of next week. They will have the Grace and Lloyd Mitchell Senior Activity Center open afternoons this week. She also thanks all of those who attended their ribbon-cutting at the new center last week. Mayor Ted Grant and City Council, and city staff were present for the ceremony. Johnson estimates just under 100 people showed up for the ceremony, open house, cake and punch.
Berlin Referendums
Voters in Berlin in April will be asked to approve referendums from the City and the School District. City Alderperson Luke Dretske says the City will be asking for permission to levy an additional $250,000 a year in taxes to make up for reduced revenues. Dretske says he voted no because they didn’t look at all of their options including cuts. Dretske says the City may have to come back to taxpayers with another referendum in a couple of years if they don’t solve their revenue issue. He believes bringing new construction to the North Industrial Park would be a way of doing that. Meanwhile the school district will be asking to exceed its revenue cap by $2.5 million a year for five years and for permission to borrow up to $20 million to make improvements to Clay Lamberton Elementary School and the high school.
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