8/9/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
9 August 2023 News
MEGA MILLIONS WINNER IN FLORIDA
The $1.58 billion Mega Millions jackpot Tuesday night was won by someone in Florida, ending a stretch of nearly four months that the jackpot built over. The winning numbers drawn were: 13, 19, 20, 32, 33, and the Mega Ball was 14. The jackpot had gone 31 straight drawings since the last time someone won it. If the winner chooses to go with a lump sum option they will get an estimated $783.3 million otherwise the full amount would be paid out over 30 years.
DODGE COUNTY INJURY ACCIDENT
Dodge County Sheriff’s officials say a Juneau man suffered severe injuries when his pickup truck overturned partially ejecting him from it Tuesday afternoon. Investigators say Andrew Mullin was heading west on County Highway E when he came upon other westbound vehicles that had slowed down due to a vehicle turning into a driveway. Mullin turned the truck sharply to the left into the eastbound lane followed by an overcorrection to the right. That caused the truck to start a clockwise skid and while partially in a ditch, the truck began to overturn. Mullin had to be extricated from the rolled over vehicle. Flight for Life flew him to Aurora Medical Center in Summit. The accident west of Swan Road in the Town of Burnett happened shortly after 3:30 pm.
FOREVER RIPON CAMPAIGN SUCCEEDING
Ripon College is celebrating its second largest fundraising year ever in fiscal year 2023 with almost $19 million in new gifts and commitments. This contributed to Ripon’s Forever Ripon campaign reaching more than $61 million or 82 percent of its $75 million goal by the end of the fiscal year on June 30th. There are still two years remaining in the campaign. The public campaign was announced in April generating significant interest and energy. More than $9 million of support from fiscal year 2023 was pledged between the public launch of the Forever Ripon campaign in April and June 30th. During the quiet phase of the campaign begun July 1st, 2020, the College secured more than $52 million in commitments toward its overall goal. Every Ripon College Trustee has made a gift to the campaign, and 40 percent of alumni have either made a financial commitment since the campaign began or volunteered in some capacity.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATNESS APPROVED FOR J’S BBQ PROJECT
The Ripon Common Council last night approved a certificate of appropriateness for J’s BBQ at 333 Watson Street for the addition of a garage door and new patio area. The Council’s vote was 5 to 2 with a couple of alderpersons voting against because the usual procedure of getting a pass or fail vote from the Historic Preservation Commission on the certificate was bypassed. A couple of key people were not able to attend the Commission’s August 2nd meeting including the applicant who was on vacation and the commission didn’t have enough information. The applicant did talk to City Administrator Adam Sonntag about the project. Due to a time factor the Council approved the certificate. J’s BBQ is reopening on September 7th. Alderperson Ellen Sorensen made sure her motion for approval of the certificate mentioned their approval was non-precedent setting. Alderperson John Splitt who chairs the Historic Preservation Commission took exception to the Commission being left out of the process and voted against the issuing of the certificate. A certificate of appropriateness is needed when a building in a historic district is being improved.
REPRESENTATIVE DALLMAN ON SPECIAL SESSION
State Representative Alex Dallman of Green Lake commented Tuesday on Governor Evers call for a special session regarding workforce challenges. Dallman says, “Yet again, actions speak louder than words. Governor Evers continues to push his left-wing agenda to grow government exponentially, instead of working with the legislature to find a long-term solution that would be better for the people of Wisconsin.” He says it is mind-boggling that the Governor claims he wants to find ways to solve our workforce shortage, but decided to veto the Republican’s Stronger Workforce package that would have helped people return to work from the sidelines, while also reforming social safety nets.
BERLIN SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDING
The Berlin Area School District did see an increase in general aid from the state, but not as much as they had hoped. District Superintendent Emmett Durtschi explains that under a state law if a school district hasn’t passed a referendum in three years or more it is not allowed to receive full state allowed funding per pupil. The Berlin Area School District is one of 19 districts not allowed to increase that limit to $11,000 per pupil. He says they can get the full benefits but only if they pass a referendum. Durtschi says they did cut some bus routes in the City of Berlin, and Federal funds they received during COVID will help them avoid major cuts this school year. He says they will need to pass a referendum before the 2024-2025 school year or face making some major cuts.
WAUPUN STAFFING SURVEY
Waupun Fire and Rescue Chief B.J. DeMaa says a growing problem across the United States is finding staffing for organizations that are made up mostly of volunteers. The city’s Common Council initiated a study to examine staffing models for fire and emergency response service in the community. The Waupun Fire Department currently operates with two full-time and 28 paid-on-call firefighters, has an Emergency Medical Responder program, and a contracted ambulance service. DeMaa says any department or organization that depends on volunteers is having a tough time finding them because of the demand on a person’s time. He says in addition just the basic training involved for a firefighter ranges from 120 to 150 hours, more depending on special training. More information on the study and a public survey can be found on the City of Waupun website. The survey is available through August 23rd.
Waupun Fire Study Community Survey (surveymonkey.com)
LOVE MY LIBRARY
Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mandy Kimes is also serving on a committee for the Ripon Public Library’s Love My Library Business Partnership program. They are asking local businesses to show their support for the library and help them close the first phase of the capital campaign. Kimes says they’ve raised $675,000 of their $800,000 goal for interior improvements to the library. They would like to put the project out for bids next month. For a total gift of $2,000, a local business will receive permanent recognition at the library in a special area along the enlarged windows that will display a stunning view of Silver Creek. For more information on the campaign or how to become a partner contact Desiree Bongers, Library Director, at 920-748-6160.
DONATIONS SOUGHT FOR AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READERS
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office is turning to area businesses asking for help to raise funds to put in automatic license plate readers throughout the county to combat crime. In the past year the City of Beaver Dam had the special cameras installed. Sheriff’s officials say they are starting a trial period with the company that will install 21 cameras throughout the county. After 60 days, they will need to identify what cameras they want to keep in use. The cost per camera is $2,750 a year. The Dodge County Sheriff’s budget only has the capacity for four cameras. The 21 cameras identified are the bare minimum needed for a county of nearly 900 square miles in size. The Sheriff’s Office will be accepting donations through October 20th, before they determine which cameras will be kept. Donations will continue to be accepted after that to maintain the program. All who donate will be publicly recognized via the sheriff’s office app and social media pages.
STATE HIGHWAY 26 IMPROVEMENTS IN FDL COUNTY
Governor Tony Evers recently signed a $1 million contract to replace two structures on State Highway 26 between Fond du Lac County Highway FF and State Highway 23. The project begins next Monday and is expected to finish by the end of October. Work includes replacing a vehicle bridge on State Highway 26 over the West Branch of the Fond du Lac River about 2 miles north of State Highway 23 in the Village of Rosendale and replacing a steel arch pipe culvert approximately 4.5 miles north of the bridge, just south of the State Highway 26 intersection with County Highway FF. Radtke Contractors of Winneconne is the Prime Contractor.
Share |