4/25/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
25 April 2023 News
DESPONDENT ARMED MAN IN FDL
Fond du Lac Police used less-than-lethal 40 millimeter sponge rounds and negotiations to reason with a 23-year-old Oconto man walking in a city street with a pistol in his hand. It happened at the intersection of Marquette Street and East Merrill Avenue about 3:15 Monday afternoon. The man was talking on the phone with Fond du Lac County Communications when officers arrived. When they tried to talk to him he had walked into an open parking lot and yelled at them to shoot him. When he began walking in the direction of a nearby school that still had students present officers responded with the Bearcat armored vehicle. Sponge rounds were deployed, negotiations continued and he was eventually taken into protective custody. Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue paramedics evaluated him and afterwards he was placed in emergency detention.
MAN CHARGED FOR ASSAULT AND VEHICLE THEFT IN WAUPUN
A 29-year-old man is facing three felony charges in Dodge County for a robbery that occurred in Waupun in March of last year. Andrew Davis is charged with robbery with use of force, strangulation, and bail jumping. According to the criminal complaint police were called to 241 South Madison for a complaint about an assault and stolen vehicle. Davis was identified as the attacker. The victim told investigators Davis asked for a ride but the victim said no because Davis had taken his truck the week before. The victim recovered it that time. During the assault Davis allegedly had the victim in a head lock and wrestled him to the ground. When he began to lose consciousness Davis took his keys and drove off in the vehicle. An initial court appearance is scheduled for May 17th.
HOUSE FIRE IN WASHINGTON COUNTY
Firefighters in Washington County responded to a house fire in the 5800 block of Hillcrest Drive in the Town of Addison late Monday morning. The homeowner reported smoke was coming out of the basement and everyone was out of the residence. Seven fire departments responded to the scene. When the first deputy arrived fire was seen coming from a dryer vent with heavy smoke coming out of the home. A second deputy used a fire suppression tool knocking down the fire in the basement. Allenton firefighters used a second fire suppression tool. The fire was brought under control, containing it to the laundry room and a bedroom above. The house sustained severe heat, smoke, and water damage, but remained intact. The time of the fire call was 10:40 am.
BUDGET LISTENING SESSIONS
As a member of the Joint Finance Committee and individually State Senator Joan Ballweg attended 16 separate public listening sessions on the proposed two-year state budget over the last few months. Four of those were as a member of the JFC, 10 she held herself in the 14th State Senate District, and the Green Lake Chamber of Commerce and City of New London held their own. She says four major concerns came out of those listening sessions. She says a lot of people want a bigger slice of shared revenue. Childcare, more funding for K-12 schools and requests for some of the surplus funding the state received from the federal government are all near the top of the list. The state lawmaker from Markesan says if they can keep to the schedule the state budget will go to the floor by mid-to-late June with the Governor receiving it by the end of June.
FAILED REFERENDUM COULD LEAD TO CUTS IN SERVICE
Failure to pass a referendum that would have allowed the City of Berlin to levy an additional $250,000 a year in property taxes for operational expenses will lead to cuts in services. City Alderman Luke Dretske says proposed cuts were not an empty threat the city was using to gain support for the referendum. He says the city is operating at about a $300,000 deficit and cuts will have to be made. He says the swimming pool operates at a deficit every year and could be on the cutting block. The city loses about $120,000 a year operating the pool. He says everything is fair games when it comes to the cuts including staff. Other items that may be considered include shared ride taxi service, sidewalk repair work, and eliminating recreation activities.
WEATHER SPOTTER TRAINING
The National Weather Service, in conjunction with Fond du Lac County Communications and Emergency Management, will be hosting the annual storm spotter training. The session will run from 6:30 to 8:30 pm on Tuesday, May 2nd, at the Town of Lamartine Municipal Building in Oakfield. Training will be led by a meteorologist from the National Weather Service and is free and open to the public. It is highly recommended for members of law enforcement, fire service, EMS, dispatchers and other first responders and amateur radio operators. Pre-registration is not required. The training provides information on severe weather safety, as well as, the differences between watches and warnings. Information will be presented on how to help the National Weather Service as a trained spotter.
NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK
The Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office is recognizing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with a display located on the first floor lobby of the City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac. District Attorney Eric Toney says, “2023 is the three year anniversary of the constitutional amendment known as ‘Marsy’s Law’ taking effect in Wisconsin.” Marsy’s Law expanded crime victim rights helping level the playing field between defendants and crime victims, including ensuring crime victim’s voices are heard like never before in Wisconsin courtrooms. Toney says this is an important week to recognize the impact crimes have on victims and survivors as we look to educate the public on the rights they have as a crime victim.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Moraine Park Technical College recently announced 49 construction and industrial trade apprentices received the 2023 Tools of the Trade scholarships from Ascendium. Each apprentice receives $2,000 to use toward the purchase of equipment, tools and clothing, tuition and more. Apprenticeships are training programs that provide learners with on-the-job experience and classroom instruction. Many apprentices complete their programs and secure employment with businesses in the Moraine Park district. Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald says Ascendium has been a long-time partner of the college. She says their continued support has helped MPTC students focus on continuing their education-so they can secure in-demand jobs. This year Ascendium has awarded 771 scholarships totaling over $1.5 million to apprentices across the Wisconsin Technical College System.
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