10/25/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
25 October 2023 News
FDL MAN SUSPECTED OF THROWING CONCRETE AND STONES AT POLICE FOUND NOT COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL
The 41-year-old Fond du Lac man who tossed chunks of concrete and stones at Fond du Lac police officers last February has been found not competent to stand trial. During a hearing Monday in Fond du Lac County court Judge Andrew Christenson ordered Eric Tolonen to be committed to a state facility for treatment. Police originally suspected him of being party to a murder. On February 15th police spotted Tolonen on a bicycle and he began throwing chunks of concrete at them and a squad car, and refused to obey their orders. They used a 40 millimeter sponge round to knock him down to the ground and finally take him into custody. Tolonen had faced disorderly conduct, two counts of battery, attempted battery, obstructing an officer, and criminal damage to property charges.
RIPONFEST FIREWORKS PROPOSAL DISCUSSED
City of Ripon officials are asking for public input as they consider a request from the organizers of Riponfest to move the 4th of July fireworks to the three-day festival at the end of next June. Spectrum Carnival, which provides carnival rides and attractions at Riponfest, has a scheduling conflict and to accommodate the carnival Riponfest will have to be moved to the last weekend in June next year. The carnival representatives say it works better for them if there are fireworks. Riponfest officials have offered to contribute $3,000 toward the cost of putting on the fireworks if the city will move them to Riponfest. The Common Council discussed the pros and cons of the proposal during their meeting Monday. Pros include the possibility of attracting more people to the city for Riponfest and the fireworks and the contribution toward the cost of fireworks. Among the cons Mayor Ted Grant says once they move the fireworks to a different date it would be very difficult to get the same fireworks vendor if they want to move the fireworks back to the 4th of July in the future. Another consideration is moving the fireworks from Murray Park to Barlow Park. The Council will continue discussions on the proposal at an upcoming meeting but hope to have more public input before that.
DRUG TAKE BACK DAY SATURDAY
The state’s Department of Justice is reminding residents that this Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day. More than 140 events are planned across Wisconsin with more than 270 participating law enforcement agencies, where Wisconsinites are encouraged to dispose of unwanted and unused medications. Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal. Here’s what you are allowed to bring prescription and over-the-counter medications, capsules, creams, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, ointments, patches, pills, and vials. Liquids must be in their original container, Pet medications are accepted. Vape pens are accepted with the batteries removed. Other e-cigarette devices are accepted with the batteries removed. Make sure you remove the label from prescription pill containers or black out that information. Loose pills should be placed in a zip-top bag. Drug drop box locations in Fond du Lac County include police departments in Brandon, Campbellsport, Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, Oakfield, Ripon, Rosendale and Waupun. You can also find them at Ripon Community Hospital, St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, Waupun Memorial Hospital, Hayat Pharmacy in Campbellsport, Walgreens on North Main Street in Fond du Lac, and Walmart in Fond du Lac.
CLOSING OF UWO FDL CAMPUS FOR CLASSES DISAPPOINTING FOR STUDENTS
Fond du Lac County Executive Sam Kaufman says a decision by the UW-Oshkosh to end in-person classes at the Fond du Lac campus next June was a possibility, but might have been avoided. Kaufman says when the UW System consolidated its two-year campuses into regions with a four-year school as the hub for that region they should have looked at restructuring the two-year schools. He feels they should have offered more technical education courses. Kaufman says when the UW System announced an $18 million deficit it was a matter of time before they started closing their two-year campuses. He feels sorry for the students. He says the UW-Oshkosh won’t be leaving the Fond du Lac campus because they have a lease with Fond du Lac County until 2042. Kaufman says the County will be able to use the campus for other purposes after they know how much space the UW-Oshkosh will continue to use. The UW Extension will remain on campus.
VEHICLE VERSUS DEER ACCIDENTS
According to statistics from the state’s Department of Transportation over the past 5 years, over 17,525 deer are killed annually by vehicles on Wisconsin roadways. Green Lake County Chief Deputy Matt Vande Kolk says October and November when deer are in the rut is when they see the most vehicles versus deer accidents. He recommends slowing down and if you have a deer dash into your vehicle’s path brake, don’t swerve so you are less likely to be injured yourself. Other tips include being especially vigilant in early morning and evening hours when deer are most active. If you see one deer, watch for more. Deer seldom run alone. Last year in Wisconsin 5 people were killed in vehicle versus deer accidents and 537 people were injured.
MULTI FACTOR AUTHENTICATION A GOOD IDEA
The Administrator for the State’s Division of Trade and Consumer Protection recommends multi-factor authentication to give your accounts a boost in security to thwart cyber criminals. Michelle Reinen says hackers may be able to figure out your passwords, but if you have a multi-factor authentication it adds an extra layer of security for your login. The multi-factor authentication usually involves sending a one-time code to your smartphone or asks you to push a button to confirm it is you. Reinen says it may seem inconvenient but only adds a few seconds of time to your login process. October is Cybersecurity Awareness month.
CHILDRENS FLU VACCINE CLINIC IN FDL
If your child missed the flu vaccination clinics in Fond du Lac last week put on by the Fond du Lac County Health Department there is another opportunity tomorrow. Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says they will be offering the flu vaccine at the Health Department in the City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm but you do need to make an appointment. The phone number to call to make an appointment is 920-929-3085. The vaccine is available for any children 6 months to 18-years-old. They must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must sign a consent form and be present during the vaccination.
DILLENBACK JOINS REGIONAL CLINIC IN WAUPUN
The SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic in Waupun is welcoming Brandon Dillenback, a family medicine nurse practitioner. He is now accepting patients. As a nurse practitioner, Dillenback offers a full range of diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services. He diagnoses and treats a variety of health conditions, prescribes medications, and provides patient education. Dillenback earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degree in nursing-family nurse practitioner from the University of Rochester. Outside of his clinical practice, Dillenback enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He enjoys fishing, working out and most sports. To schedule an appointment, call the Fond du Lac Regional Clinic at 920-324-6801.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE RIPON AREA ANNUAL HOLIDAY GALA
The League of Women Voters of the Ripon Area will be hosting their Annual Holiday Gala meeting on Thursday, November 9th. The event will begin with a social hour at 5:30 pm at Vines and Rushes in Ripon. A buffet dinner will follow at 6:30 pm. The program will begin at 7 pm. The program will be about running for public office. The panel for that program will include Fond du Lac County Clerk Lisa Freiberg, Ripon City Clerk Naomi Miller, and Ripon Alderman David Gallops. The cost of the meal is $20. Members of the public are encouraged and welcome to attend. League officials are asking people interested in attending to RSVP on or before Thursday, November 2nd, via email or you can call 920-960-3397.
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