5/26/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
26 May 2023 News
SEARCH FOR FDL MURDER SUSPECT CONTINUES
The search continues for a 17-year-old Fond du Lac man suspected in a fatal shooting at the Maplewood Commons Apartments in Fond du Lac on May 7th. Antonio Johnston is still at large. He and 14-year-old Parise Larry Jr. are facing charges for the shooting that left 20-year-old Tatyanna Zech dead and several others wounded from stray bullets. According to the criminal complaint the two had a beef with one of the victims and showed up at the apartment complex while a group was outside barbecuing. Meanwhile Larry was supposed to have a preliminary hearing in Fond du Lac County court yesterday, but the hearing was rescheduled for June 9th to allow him more time to find a lawyer. Larry is being held in the Fond du Lac County Jail on a $1 million cash bond.
IOLA MAN SUSPECTED OF SETTING FIRES
A 30-year-old Iola man is facing more than 20 criminal charges for allegedly setting fires in northwestern Waupaca County during the evening of April 12th and morning of April 13th. David Engel-Deford faces seven felony charges and 14 misdemeanor charges for fires set on private property and land owned by the DNR. According to the criminal complaint Engel-Deford’s vehicle was spotted near one of the fires. The fires burned about 10 acres. They also destroyed personal forest property and damaged electrical infrastructure. When questioned about the fires, Engel-Deford at first denied setting the fires but subsequently admitted being responsible. He allegedly told investigators he started the fires with a lighter and a small propane torch. He will be back in court next Tuesday.
BRANDON FAIRWATER POLICE CHIEF GARY DURKEE RETIRING
Brandon-Fairwater Police Chief Gary Durkee will be retiring next Friday. In a letter to Brandon and Fairwater residents posted on the department’s Facebook page Thursday Durkee says he has struggled with some significant medical issues. He went on to say he has come to terms with the fact that he can no longer do the job that he loves and has accepted that it is time for him to retire. Durkee talked about how much he enjoyed the job and the support he has received doing it. Chief Durkee says Brandon has a bright future and will be contracting its police protection services with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office. He says Fairwater is in the process of determining the direction of their police protections services. (Brandon-Fairwater Police photo).
SEVEN POLICE OFFICERS INJURED DURING WISCONSIN DELLS RESTAURANT MELEE
Seven police officers were injured trying to arrest three out-of-state men who were out of control at a Wisconsin Dells restaurant last Sunday morning. Officers on foot patrol were sent to Tug’s Kitchen at 1:25 am for several customers who were confrontational with employees and were refusing to leave. A Wisconsin Dells police officer and Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy were battered while trying to remove the three unruly patrons. As the incident escalated a number of officers were sent to assist. The three men Sharnice Teague and Kenneth Magee from Illinois, and Demetrice Coleman from Iowa were arrested and charged for the incident. They have made their initial appearances in Columbia County court and posted $500 cash bonds. The three men and seven police officers who suffered minor injuries during the incident Sunday morning were treated at the scene.
INFORMATION SOUGHT ON TRUCK
The Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a pickup truck hauling farm equipment that may have been responsible for damaging several mailboxes. The truck is described as a black-colored newer model Chevrolet Silverado 4-door diesel. It was pulling 2 large pieces of John Deere farm equipment. The equipment may have damage on the passenger side. It was seen traveling through the Ogdensburg area on Wednesday around 3:30 pm. Surveillance photos of the truck and equipment can be seen at the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Facebook page. Anyone with information is asked to call Deputy Malueg at 715-258-4466. Refer to case number W22-09633. You can remain anonymous.
RIPON PUBLIC LIBRARY PLANNING PROCESS
Officials with the Ripon Public Library are encouraging the public to take an online community survey or get a paper copy at the library to help them with their strategic planning process. There will also be a community conversation about the Ripon community and the library taking place via Zoom on June 8th at 5:30 pm that people can sign up for online or you can give the library a call at 920-748-6160. Those who would like to comment but won’t be able to attend can click on the form for the Zoom meeting and answer the questions on the last page. People interested in following the progress of the Ripon Public Library’s planning process can subscribe to the library’s newsletter or follow the library on social media for updates.
RESTORING FDL’S VETERANS PARK
Fond du Lac County Executive Sam Kaufman says he’s looking forward to restoration and renovation work being done at Fond du Lac’s Veterans Park. Kaufman says he often visits the park next to the City-County Building at lunchtime. He feels it is another gem for the county and not enough people are aware of the memorial plaques for the county’s veterans in the park. He says those plaques have been covered by grass and buried over time. Kaufman says the county is working with a veteran’s group to redesign the park. Kaufman says some of the work they want to do is take care of overgrown trees and plant new ones, make the stage area more ADA compliant for use by our older veterans, repaving areas, and creating memorials in the walkaways to different branches of service. Veterans Park will host Fond du Lac’s Memorial Day Ceremony next Monday.
POWELL SPRING TOURS
The Green Lake Conservancy will have free tours of their latest land acquisition, land along Powell Spring, on Saturday, July 1st from 9 am to noon. Powell Spring is a unique property critical to the environmental health of Green Lake, with its own natural beauty and unique history. The Conservancy is a non-profit land trust established in 1995 to purchase lands for public preservation. About 20 properties have been purchased over the years. Mark Lindquist is with the Conservancy. He says Powell Spring is named after James Powell a British settler who purchased 80 acres in 1835 to set up a trading post and blacksmith business. Lindquist says Native Americans had been using the same spot for a trading center for thousands of years. During the July 1st event the Conservancy will provide shuttles from the entry road on the north side of County Highway K between Brooklyn G Road and Craig Road. The site is located not far from the Intersection of County Roads K and A. Volunteers will host tours and there will be an information booth.
STROKE AWARENESS MONTH
Two officials with SSM Health Agnesian Hospital say there are things you can do to reduce your risks of suffering a stroke. Agnesian Hospital is a Primary Stroke Care Center. Renae Patrick is a Neurology Nurse Practitioner. She says there are a number of risk factors including high blood pressure and sleep apnea that you can do something about. Other risk factors include irregular heart rhythm, smoking, diet and exercise, high-cholesterol, weight and obesity. Stacey Sesing is a Stroke Coorinator. She says when it comes to a stroke remember the pneumonic Be Fast with the B standing for balance which is affected by a stroke. The E stands for the eyes because you could suffer double vision or loss of vision in one eye. F stands for Face because a stroke can cause droopiness in appearance. A stands for arm because one could become weaker. S stands for speech which may get slurred or sound confusing. Sesing says the last letter T for time is the most important because the quicker you call 911 or get someone to an emergency room they might be able to reduce or reverse the effects of a stroke. Women, African Americans and Asian-Americans are more likely to suffer strokes. May is Stroke Awareness Month.
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