5/24/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
24 May 2023 News
FDL DEATH INVESTIGATION
Fond du Lac Police are investigating a death in the city. Police says a person was doing yard work in the 500 block of West Scott Street and discovered a body in a wooded area behind a residence early Tuesday afternoon. Detectives responded to the scene to look into the circumstances that led up to the death of the individual. The Fond du Lac County Medical Examiner’s Office also responded and will perform an autopsy today to determine the cause and manner of death. The identity of the person also has to be established. Anyone with information related to the incident or who believes they have information is asked to call Detective Vance Henning at 920-322-3725 or the Crime Alert line at 920-322-3740. Callers can request to remain anonymous.
ACCIDENTAL 911 CALLS
Green Lake County Sheriff’s officials say their Communications Center is receiving more accidental 911 calls than ever. It is believed that the cause of it is the Emergency SOS features on cell phones and the newest operating systems as well as 911 features on smartwatches and other devices that people don’t know they are activating. Officials say there are a couple of things you can do. If you accidentally call 911 stay on the line and answer the dispatcher’s questions. If you hang-up you will be called back. You are asked to answer that call because all 911 calls are assumed to be for emergencies. You are also asked to familiarize yourself with your devices. One of the common 911 accidental dials is due to putting a phone in a cup holder because the side button on the phone pushes on the edge of the cup holder. You may be able to change the settings on your phone to reduce the chance of dialing 911 accidentally. Sheriff’s officials say they are on pace this year to double the number of accidental 911 calls they received last year.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY FATAL ACCIDENT BEING REVIEWED
The Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office continues to review a case in which a 29-year-old Oshkosh woman struck and killed a pedestrian with her vehicle on New Year’s Day. Shanelle Hofacre was cited for the crash in which she refused to take an intoxication test. Monday she pled no contest to a charge of refusing to take an intoxication test after arrest and her driver’s license was suspended for a year. The crash happened about 4 am New Year’s Day in the Town of Omro and claimed the life of 24-year-old Brandon Todd. He died at the scene. A passerby called the accident in. Hofacre was allegedly found passed out in a vehicle that struck him just up the road in a pole building. Keys to the vehicle were on her. She did not cooperate in giving her version of events. During Monday’s hearing a prosecutor referred to an “underlying homicidal review” in the case.
RIPON COMMON COUNCIL AMENDS EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
By a 7 to 1 vote Monday night the Ripon Common Council amended the City of Ripon Employee Handbook. The Council discussed and approved a minimum pay for two hours when an employee is called in after regular hours. They would also be paid time and a half on weekends. The handbook also includes a section about personal posts on social media. The City is trying to protect itself from posts that would be detrimental to the city or abusive. City officials say it is essential in the world of social media we are in today. The Council also discussed a policy that prohibits city employees from smoking or vaping on city property or in city vehicles. Employees are allowed to do that on their breaks and the city has some designated areas for it. Mayor Ted Grant says the issue was brought up by members of the public that didn’t feel it was appropriate for city employees to be seen smoking or vaping on city property or in city vehicles.
PFAS
Wisconsin’s Joint Finance Committee last week voted to put $125 million into a trust fund to tackle the problem of PFAs or “forever chemicals” in our drinking water. State Senator Joan Ballweg and State Representative Alex Dallman are members of the JFC. Ballweg says in the last budget they included funding for fire departments so they would stop using firefighting foams that include PFAs. The state lawmaker from Markesan says PFAs are a threat to our state. Representative Dallman of Green Lake says PFAs have been more of a problem for northern cities in our state, but testing is spotty so we don’t know exactly how big of a problem it is. Some of the money in the trust fund will be to study the problem, but it could also be used for testing and mitigation.
LITTLE WHITE SCHOOLHOUSE MAYBE OPEN FOR MEMORIAL DAY
Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Director Mandy Kimes says they are hoping to have the Little White Schoolhouse open for tours this Memorial Day weekend. New sidewalk was supposed to be laid Tuesday at the schoolhouse’s new location. Kimes says they’ve been busy with other improvements too, but the visitor center that will use the former Marine Credit Union building won’t be ready until next year. Meanwhile the review of the schoolhouse’s national historical designation due to the move may take a while to happen. Kimes say they are thinking about hiring someone to prepare an application for the National Register but they are still trying to find out what the review process is going to be for their landmark designation.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY BECOMES A SELF GOVERNING COUNTY
The Winnebago County Board recently approved an ordinance invoking the authority of a state statute to make Winnebago County a self-governing county. County Supervisor Jacob Floam says the recommendation came out of a task force reviewing the county’s per diem policies and the Judiciary Committee. He says it makes Winnebago County the 53rd of the state’s 72 counties to become self-governing. Floam says it gives the county a degree of administrative home rule. He says for now they will be able to close some loopholes on their per diems, but in the future they will have the power to do other things including stagger terms for county supervisors and decide how to fill vacancies on the county board.
NEW DIRECTOR OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS FOR OSHKOSH SCHOOLS
Erin Kohl is being recommended to serve as the Oshkosh Area School District’s newest director of elementary schools. The District’s Board of Education will consider the appointment during their May 31st meeting. If approved Kohl’s appointment will begin on July 1st. She currently serves as the principal of Oshkosh West High School and has served the Oshkosh school district and community for nearly 30 years. She began her educational career as an elementary teacher at Webster Stanley Elementary and Sunset Elementary.
OSHKOSH HOLIDAY GARBAGE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION
The Oshkosh Sanitation Division is reminding residents that due to the City’s observance of Memorial Day, there will be no garbage or recycling collection on Monday. Collections for the remainder of the week will be one day later. Garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Friday, June 2nd moves to Saturday, June 3rd. Regular services will resume on Monday, June 5th. Additionally, the City’s yard waste drop-off center will be closed for the holiday on Monday.
SALUTE THE TROOPS RACE EVENTS SATURDAY IN FDL
Salute the Troops in Fond du Lac will host their annual half marathon, 5K, ruck march, and kids’ fun run Saturday. The event will begin on Oven Island at Lakeside Park. Proceeds will benefit veterans and their families in the Fox Valley. The annual event will feature a half marathon, the Dobogai Memorial 5k run/walk, and the Brandon Michael Memorial Ruck. The Fox Valley Savings Bank Kids Fun Run for children 12 and under is only $10 and includes activities throughout the race. For entrance fees and race registration visit the Salute the Troops website. Vicky Supernand of Salute the Troops says the annual event is a staple for Salute the Troops.
Salute the Troops (runsignup.com)
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