10/20/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
20 October 2023 News
FDL SHOOTING INVESTIGATION AND IRO UPDATE
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation has released more information about last Saturday morning’s deputy involved shooting in Fond du Lac. At 5:55 am Fond du Lac Police and Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a disturbance involving weapons in the 500 block of Drury Place in Fond du Lac. Deputy Blaine Evans, a 5 year veteran of law enforcement, encountered 34-year-old Kyle Massie who was inside a vehicle. Shortly after gunfire was exchanged. Massie was wounded and first aid was rendered, but Massie died at the scene. Sheriff’s K9 Iro was also shot and seriously wounded. The DCI is leading the investigation into the shooting. Reports will be turned over to the Fond du Lac County District Attorney. Meanwhile K9 Iro’s recovery at a veterinary hospital continues. Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt says Iro is walking on his own, unassisted, and continues to get stronger every day. His right rear leg remains in a hard cast to help the healing process with a goal of regaining more function as he continues his rehab.
FDL WALMART THEFT SUSPECTS CHARGED
Three Michigan men who strong armed a Walmart associate while allegedly stealing $3,600 worth of Apple watches from a Walmart store in Fond du Lac have been charged. Jaylon Autry, Ricky Bell, and Antonio Butler were charged in Fond du Lac County court Tuesday with felony retail theft, use of force and disorderly conduct. Butler is also charged with battery. They range in age from 22 to 24 years old. Bond for each man was set at $100,000 cash. All three have preliminary hearings next Thursday. They were arrested Tuesday in the parking lot of a Walmart in Whitewater.
ROSENDALE SCHOOLS PUT IN HOLD IN PLACE DURING SEARCH FOR SUSPECT
Students and staff at Rosendale Intermediate and Laconia High School went into a hold in place precaution just before 3 pm Wednesday afternoon while police searched for a suspect in a criminal damage to property case. A Rosendale Police officer chased the man into a wooded area in between both schools east of the football field. He was later seen running on Center Road and was taken into custody. The two schools were allowed to resume normal activities. The man had been told in court that day that he was facing 70 days of sanctions.
COMBINE FIRE
Fire departments from Lamartine and Oakfield responded to a combine fire at W8329 Vielbig Road in rural Oakfield Thursday afternoon. Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters were dispatched to the fire at 1:16 pm. No one was injured and no one was inside the combine at the time of the blaze. The combine was in a corn field when the fire began.
RIPON COLLEGE PARKING AGREEMENT APPROVED BY RIPON COMMON COUNCIL
During a brief meeting Wednesday the Ripon Common Council approved a parking agreement with Ripon College that will allow the college to use a portion of the city cemetery for overflow and game day parking for Hopp Stadium. City Administrator Adam Sonntag told the Council that the college won’t be charging for the parking and will be responsible for any damage that is done, and waste removal and cleaning of the parking area. He says the city probably won’t be using any of that property for the next 10 to 20 years. He also said that tailgate parties won’t be allowed on the property. He says the college has other areas that are more appropriate for that. The agreement is for a period of three years and the college won’t be charged any rent, fees or taxes. Ripon College will be celebrating the grand opening of Hopp Stadium tomorrow hosting a women’s soccer match with Monmouth College at 9 am and a football game with Lake Forest College at 1 pm.
POWERBALL WINNER IN FDL
Wisconsin had two big lottery winners Wednesday night with a $350,000 Super Cash ticket sold in Big Bend and a $100,000 Powerball winner sold in Fond du Lac. Both winning tickets were sold at Kwik Trip stores. It was the second time the store in Big Bend had sold a large winner with a $10,000 Mega Millions ticket sold there last January. The Powerball winner sold at the Kwik Trip store at 158 North Main Street in Fond du Lac matched four of five numbers and the Powerball. Because the ticket included the $1 Power Play the $50,000 prize increased to $100,000 when the 2X multiplier was drawn.
PORTAGE FIRE CHIEF RECOGNIZED BY STATE ASSEMBLY
State Representative Alex Dallman of Green Lake presented Portage Fire Chief Troy Haase with the 2023 First Responder of the Year Award for the 41st Assembly District this week. Haase was surrounded by his family during the ceremony in the Wisconsin Assembly Chambers. Dallman says, “With over 30 years of fire service experience, Chief Haase is very deserving of this award.” In 1990 Haase began his career as a firefighter and EMT in Portage before pursuing other leadership opportunities across Wisconsin. In 2018 while with the Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue Department Haase was named Wisconsin Fire Inspector of the Year. He returned to Portage in 2020 to become Fire Chief. In addition to honoring first responders from across Wisconsin Tuesday, the State Assembly passed a resolution recognizing the day as First Responders Appreciation Day in the state. (Representative Alex Dallman photo).
FDL COUNTY BUDGET ADDRESS
Fond du Lac County Executive Sam Kaufman this week presented the County Board of Supervisors the proposed 2024 County Budget. Overall, the budget is $152 million with a proposed tax levy of $51.4 million. The tax rate of $4.75 is down from $5.21. Kaufman says the county faces the same challenges as businesses when it comes to workforce recruitment and retention, childcare, and health insurance. He says county, municipal, and business partnerships are important and Envision Greater Fond du Lac plays a role in that. Kaufman says each year the cost of health insurance for the county goes up by $300,000 to $800,000. This year the county will be switching from Dean to Anthem for its health insurance. Kaufman is also proposing the county use some of its sales tax revenue to create a health care reserve fund, so employees won’t have to shoulder so much when health insurance premiums go up. The County Board is expected to approve the 2024 County Budget and Tax Levy during their November 7th meeting. A copy of Kaufman’s budget address is available on the county’s website. (Fond du Lac County photo).
2024 Budget Message | Fond du Lac County (wi.gov)
CONGRESSMAN GROTHMAN ON TEXAS WALL
Congressman Glenn Grothman says putting up 20 more miles of wall in Texas to keep illegal immigrants from crossing the border is a small start but not enough of one to really solve the problem. The Biden Administration approved putting up the additional 20 miles of wall. Grothman says if Joe Biden is going to run for reelection he knows allowing all those illegal immigrants in the country is unpopular. The federal lawmaker from Glenbeulah says Trump handled things correctly by not allowing immigrants to enter the country without a hearing, which is really what President Biden should be doing as well. Grothman says anyone working for the Border Patrol will tell you that those hearings are more important than building a wall.
RIPON TEEN A PRESENTER FOR GIRLS ON THE FLY
Ripon High School junior Caroline Reabe will be one of the presenters at tomorrow morning’s EAA “Girls on the Fly” program at the EAA Education Center in Oshkosh. “Girls on the Fly” is designed for 60 girls in grades 6 through 12 to help them discover more about the possibilities of aviation. Dick Knapinski of EAA says not as many girls are as fortunate as Caroline, whose father and grandfather both are or were aviators. Her Dad is an aerial spray applicator for agriculture. Caroline’s presentation on becoming a pilot who can solo will be about 8:30. Knapinski says they will also have a number of flight-related activities such as Young Eagles flights, the Red Bird flight simulators, hands-on aviation technology and more. However, this session is full up so any girls that want to participate will have to wait until the next session which will be April 6th.
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