1/19/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
19 January 2024 News
FIRE DESTROYS LARGE BARN NEAR CAMPBELLSPORT
Fire destroyed a large barn near Campbellsport Thursday afternoon. A passing snowmobiler called the fire in at W4027 Swallow Lane in Fond du Lac County’s Town of Ashford. Sheriff’s deputies and Campbellsport and Eden Fire Departments initially responded to the scene. The County’s Communications Center relayed information that a Skid Steer inside the barn was on fire. When emergency personnel arrived the barn was fully engulfed in flames. Due to size and severity of the fire 16 other fire departments responded to the scene. The barn, skid steer and other equipment inside, and a nearby building were destroyed by the blaze. The property owner, Karl Gudex, and passing snowmobilers were able to safely get 72 cattle out of the lower barn. No one was injured. The cause of the fire is believed to be a faulty block heater located on the skid steer. The fire is not considered suspicious.
FDL POLICE OFFICER SAVES SUICIDAL MAN
Police in Fond du Lac Thursday afternoon responded to the 300 block of North Peters Avenue for a report of a man pouring gasoline on himself. Police located the 40-year-old Outagamie County man standing near a puddle of what was believed to be gasoline. He started a fire that spread to his lower extremities. An officer quickly grabbed him by and arm and pulled him into a nearby snowbank. The officer then threw snow on the man extinguishing the fire. Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue paramedics treated him for his injuries and took him to St. Agnes Hospital for his burn injuries. The police department’s Community Response Social Worker went to the hospital to help the man with supports and services.
OSHKOSH MAN CONVICTED OF DRUNKEN DRIVING HOMICIDE
The 57-year-old Oshkosh man charged with drunken driving homicide for a Fond du Lac County accident last January that killed a 58-year-old Waukesha man and seriously injured a 62-year-old Waukesha woman has been convicted. Brian Sippel was in court Thursday. He pled no contest to one count each of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle. Five other charges were read into the record and dismissed. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 19th. By pleading to the charges Sippel avoided a four-day jury trial scheduled to begin February 26th. Charges stemmed from a January 14th, 2023 accident on Highway 151above Interstate 41 near the on ramp to I-41. His pickup truck was traveling at highway speeds as it approached stop lights and struck two vehicles from behind that were stopped for the lights.
FDL COUNTY BOARD APPROVES SALES TAX ADVISORY RESOLUTION
The Fond du Lac County Board this week approved an advisory resolution regarding the use of revenue generated by the county sales and use tax for property relief. At some point the county may have to tap into that to pay for increases in county employee wages and benefits. Supervisor Michael Will tried to add an amendment to the resolution which would limit the amount the county could use to do that. County Executive Sam Kaufman told the board there has never been a limit on how the sales tax revenue could be used. He says the sales tax is primarily used for capital improvement projects and approval of the amendment would send the wrong message to employees. Kaufman says if they intended to use some of the sales tax revenue for employee wages and benefits it would be part of the annual budget and Supervisors would be able to allow or reject as they always have. He says eventually they will have to tap into it especially with rising health care insurance costs. The board voted down Will’s amendment 19 to 5 then passed the original advisory resolution on a 23 to 1 vote.
ROSENDALE BRANDON SCHOOL BOARD OPENING
The Rosendale-Brandon School Board has an open board seat for a candidate from the Brandon area. Those interested in filling the remainder of the seat’s term which runs until April of 2025 should submit a letter of intent to Wayne Weber, Superintendent, at 300 West Wisconsin Street, Rosendale, Wisconsin 54974 or via email (webeway@rbsd.k12.wi.us ). The letter of intent should include your interest in being on the board, a biography, a statement of special interest, and/or qualifications for Board membership. Letters of intent must be received no later than 4 pm on January 31st. Candidates may be interviewed by the Board with special consideration given to the candidate’s interest and devotion to public education and willingness to give time and effort to the work.
DNR AND MADD TEAM UP FOR SNOWMOBILE SAFETY
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Mothers Against Drunk Driving are teaming up to promote a safe snowmobile season and educate state residents on the dangers of operating a snowmobile while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. More than 200,000 registered snowmobiles hit Wisconsin’s 25,000 miles of groomed trails each winter. In the early months of 2023, there were 16 fatal snowmobile crashes, with 10 involving alcohol. The DNR and MADD want to share these safety tips about snowmobiling. Don’t drive impaired. Take a snowmobile safety training course. Stay on the trail or stay home. Watch the weather and check trail and ice conditions before riding. Never ride alone. Dress for safety and survival. Slow down. Stay to the right on trails. Be extra careful when riding on ice-covered lakes and rivers. More information about snowmobile safety is available on the DNR’s website. (DNR/istock photo)
DNR Partners With MADD To Promote Snowmobile Safety This Winter | Wisconsin DNR
OSHKOSH SENIORS CENTER OPEN HOUSE
Those aged 50 or older looking for results from their fitness program are invited to check out the Oshkosh Seniors Center’s Fox Fitness Center during an open house next Thursday from Noon to 3 pm. They can see the facility’s fitness equipment, watch class demonstrations, and chat with community partners. Center partners will share wellness information during the event, and visitors can sign up for door prizes. Network Health, the Oshkosh Fire Department, Fusion Footwear, and Winnebago County Health Department are just a few of the community participants. The Center staff will be available to help attendees check their Medicare B coverage for fitness benefits. Many of these plans cover the cost of using the fitness facility and taking classes.
MY FREE TAXES
The Executive Director of the Fond du Lac County United Way is inviting residents to take advantage of a free tax preparation service to do their income taxes. Amber Kilawee of the United Way says their three main goals are health, education, and financial stability. She believes saving money on doing your own state and federal income taxes through My Free Taxes.com will save people money that can’t afford having them prepared. She says anyone making less than $60,000 a year can have their income taxes done through the site. She says you do it yourself but are guided through what you need to know by retired tax preparers. Kilawee says if your taxes aren’t too complicated it’s a great service, she uses it herself. The IRS begins accepting income tax returns on January 29th.
MyFreeTaxes by United Way | MyFreeTaxes
GIRL SCOUT COOKIE TIME
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is underway and runs through March 31st. Missy Brozek of the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, which covers 58 counties in Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, says there will be no increase in prices this year. They will remain at $5 a box or $6 if you prefer gluten free. She says selling the cookies has changed a little over the years and they still do door-to-door sales and set up booths at grocery stores, but they also have online or digital platforms for sales. All net proceeds from cookie sales stay local. Brozek says that pays for things like Girl Scout camps, travel experiences, Girl Scout properties, and they have a financial program for families of Girl Scouts who might not be able to pay for memberships, uniforms, or to go to camp. The theme for this year’s sale is Unbox the Future. If you know a Girl Scout you can reach out to them to find out how they are selling cookies or online order them through the Girl Scout Cookie Finder. Last year the Girls Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes sold 1.7 million boxes of Girl Scout cookies.
How to Buy Cookies | Girl Scouts
Share |