1/8/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Monday
8 January 2024 News
DODGE COUNTY TRAFFIC PURSUIT AND FATAL ACCIDENT
A 27-year-old Hartford man was killed in a crash Sunday evening while fleeing from Dodge County Sheriff’s deputies. Just before 6 pm a deputy tried to pull over a vehicle after a resident reported a possible impaired driver. The vehicle had also failed to stop for Washington County Sheriff’s deputies. The deputy tried to pull the vehicle over on State Highway 33 near State Highway 67. The driver fled south on Highway 67 at speeds in excess of 100 miles an hour. It turned west on County Road S, continued north on Horseshoe Road and failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle went into a ditch and struck a tree. Deputies rendered aid and tried life-saving measures. The driver died at the scene of the crash. He was the sole occupant of that vehicle.
WASHINGTON COUNTY PURSUIT
A 43-year-old Rockford, Illinois man wanted on two warrants from Illinois and for a high-speed chase with Washington County Sheriff’s deputies and State troopers was captured after another high-speed chase Thursday. Sheriff’s officials say the man was able to allude them and the State Patrol during a pursuit last Tuesday and was subsequently spotted at a Town of Addison business late Thursday morning. That led to another pursuit. Tire deflation devices were deployed, and one partially disabled the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect continued to flee from officers and intentionally drove westbound against traffic in the eastbound lanes of State Highway 60 and Franklin Drive in the City of Hartford. Due to the extreme danger to the public, the suspect’s vehicle was intentionally struck by a deputy to stop his dangerous driving behavior. The suspect’s vehicle became disabled, and he fled on foot. With the assistance of Hartford Police K9 Flash, the suspect was successfully taken into custody. He was taken to the Washington County Jail.
FDL COUNTY DRIVE SOBER RESULTS
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office arrested fourteen people suspected of operating while under the influence during the recent Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign. The effort was conducted between December 15th and New Year’s Day. Deputies also issued citations for thirty-three speeding violations, and 46 operating after revocation or suspension violations. They also made thirty-eight drug arrests, 30 felony arrests, and 34 misdemeanor arrests. Lieutenant Eric Halbach says, “Every impaired driving arrest has the potential to save lives on our roads, so we are committed to continuing these efforts throughout the year.” Halbach says impaired driving is preventable. If you plan to drink, identify a sober designated driver, or find an alternative way home. Use a rideshare service, mass transit, or a taxi. Protect yourself and your passengers every time you travel, buckle up and put the phone down.
FDL COUNTY DA SHARES STORY ABOUT HIS HEART CHALLENGES
Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney says if not for the death of a friend from a heart attack in 2018 he would have ignored his own cardiac problems. Dennis Krueger was the County’s Deputy District Attorney who passed away suddenly from a heart attack. Krueger lived in the Ripon/Green Lake area. Toney had open heart surgery before Thanksgiving to replace a heart valve that was destroyed by a bacterial infection in his blood. He says when he began feeling fatigued and showing other symptoms, he thought back on what happened to Dennis and got himself checked out. At 39-years of age and having run seven marathons Toney was used to an active lifestyle. Since his surgery he was able to run in a 5K race over the New Year’s weekend. He says thanks to the excellent care he received at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac he’s getting back on track. He is also busy sharing his story to help others. He has been pleasantly surprised how people are comfortable sharing their own health stories with him. He says you have to be an advocate for your own health.
NEW GRADUATION REQUIREMENT
Berlin Area School District Superintendent Emmett Durtschi says the district is getting ready for a state-mandated high school graduation requirement. The new law requires a high school student to complete one-half credit of personal financial literacy in order to graduate. The requirement takes effect for high school students that graduate in 2028. The course must include, at a minimum, the following topics: financial mindset, education and employment, money management, saving and investing, credit and debt, and risk management and insurance. Berlin Schools Superintendent Emmett Durtschi feels teaching kids how to handle their day-to-day finances and even long term finances is a good thing. The new law is based on legislation crafted by State Representative Alex Dallman and State Senator Joan Ballweg.
QUITTING SMOKING AND VAPING
If quitting smoking or vaping was a New Year’s resolution don’t be disappointed if the first attempt doesn’t accomplish your goal. Johanna Brotz is the Tobacco Prevention and Control Coordinator for Fond du Lac County. She says it is a hard habit to break. For that reason they recommend starting off with nicotine replacement therapies or NRT’s such as patches, lozenges, and gums which they consider a harm reduction tactic. She says the NRT’s are a short term solution designed to get you off tobacco and once you have then you have to ween yourself off of the NRT’s. Brotz points out the Wisconsin Quit Line can be helpful and at the beginning of this year will supply you with 8 weeks of NRT’s for no cost. They can be called at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, that’s 1-800-784-8669. She also recommends setting a quit date and removing any triggers or activities that you usually associate with smoking.
FREE FISHING WEEKEND
The state’s Department of Natural Resources is hosting a Free Fishing Weekend Saturday and Sunday January 20th and 21st. No fishing license or trout and salmon stamps are required. Anglers can fish in state waters where there is an open fishing season. All other fishing regulations apply, including limits on the size and number of fish that can be kept and any seasons when anglers must release certain fish species. As a reminder, anglers cannot fish spring trout ponds during the winter Free Fishing Weekend. Remember, no ice is 100 percent safe. Always tell someone where you are fishing and when you’ll return before heading out on the ice. Also, check in with local bait shops for current ice conditions. If conditions are questionable, opt to cast to open water from shore.
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