1/25/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
25 January 2024 News
DENSE FOG ADVISORY
A Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until 9 am this morning. Counties included in the advisory include Calumet, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago. Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.
SUSPECT IN WRONG WAY FATAL ACCIDENT BACK IN COURT
The 47-year-old Neenah man facing four counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle for a fatal wrong-way crash that killed four siblings in Waupaca County was back in court this week. During Tuesday’s hearing the defense for Scott Farmer requested a preliminary hearing. Prosecutors are planning to call one witness during the preliminary hearing which Farmer’s defense believes will last about an hour. The defense waived time limits for the hearing because the victims’ family is out of the country burying their loved ones. During the December 16th crash on Highway 10 in Weyauwega Daniel, Fabian, Lillian and Daniela Gonzalez died when their SUV was hit by a wrong way driver. All four siblings are originally from Ecuador. Farmer is charged with their deaths, operating with a revoked license causing death, and his fifth OWI.
HOUSE FIRE IN GREEN LAKE COUNTY
The Markesan Fire Department responded to a house fire at W1827 Lakeview Road in the Town of Green Lake shortly before noon Tuesday. When fire crews arrived fire was found on the west side of the house and at the peak of the house. Everyone was out of the house and no one at the scene was injured, but two dogs perished in the fire. The fire was quickly knocked down. The ceiling also had to be opened up to extinguish a fire in a void above the ceiling. Firefighters were on the scene for about three hours. Jerry Lenz owns the property. There was significant fire, water, and smoke damage throughout the home. Six people were displaced by the blaze. It is believed the origin of the fire was a dishwasher which was running when a resident left the home. In addition to the Markesan Fire Department, eight other fire departments assisted or lent support at the scene.
TAYCHEEDAH INMATE CHARGED WITH CELLMATE’S MURDER
A 28-year-old inmate at Taycheedah Correctional Institution has been charged with first degree intentional homicide for the death of her cellmate. Taylor Sanchez is suspected in the beating death of 68-year-old Cindy Schulz-Juedes who was found unresponsive in her cell last July. In October 2021 a Marathon County jury found Cindy Schulz-Juedes guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and resisting or obstructing an officer. In June of 2022 she was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Her husband, Kenneth Juedes was found shot to death in August of 2006. He was 58-years-old at the time. Criminal charges were not filed until 2019. Taylor Sanchez has multiple convictions for battery to prisoners. According to the criminal complaint Sanchez told officers she was hearing voices telling her to kill Schulz-Juedes. The criminal complaint against Sanchez was filed Tuesday. An initial hearing is scheduled for next Monday.
OSHKOSH VEHICLE DAMAGE AND ENTRIES
Oshkosh Police are investigating damage to vehicle complaints and auto thefts. They involve Hyundai and Kia vehicles. Police are encouraging residents to park vehicles in well-lit areas in areas under video surveillance or in locked garages when possible. They also encourage vehicle owners to lock car doors and keep their vehicle keys with them at all times. There are also several products on the market that help add an extra layer of security: steering wheel lock with brake lock, club steering wheel lock, tire lock. GPS tracker for vehicle and an anti-hacking key fob case. Owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles can contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151 or Kia at 1-800-333-4542 to see if their vehicle qualifies for theft deterrent software or the steering wheel lock.
RIPON HOUSING PROGRAMS
The Ripon Common Council this week approved allocating $69,000 for its Sandmar Lot and Exterior Home Repair housing programs. City Administrator Adam Sonntag told the Council the city has $327,000 available for the programs. The Council approved allocating $44,000 for the development of four homes in Sandmar and $25,000 would be used for repairs to five qualifying homes. With TID District 5 closing this year the city will gain another $180,000 for housing programs so at the close of the year they would have nearly $400,000 available. Sonntag says the Sandmar developer has increased the price per lot to $29,500 with the city providing a grant of $22,000 per sale. In addition qualifying lot buyers who build a single-family home on them will receive a grant for as low as $7,500 to construct the home. Sonntag says the city made Sandmar a priority for its housing program because there weren’t a lot of homes being built there.
MARK FRANZEN BECOMING CHAIRMAN OF RIPON COLLEGE BOARD
Mark Franzen a member of the Ripon College Class of 1983, of Paradise Valley, Arizona and Green Lake, Wisconsin, will begin his term as the new chair of the Ripon College Board of Trustees at the February board meeting. Since joining the board in 2010, Franzen has held numerous leadership positions including chair of the Committee on Academic Affairs, Board secretary and membership on the Executive Committee since 2016. Franzen retired in 2021 as the managing director of Milliman IntelliScript, formerly IntelRx. IntelliScript is the leading provider of risk management software for the U.S. life and health insurance sectors. With his wife, Janice Heinz Franzen also of the Ripon College Class of 1983, he has supported numerous major initiatives at Ripon College. Most recently, he and his wife were lead donors for the current renovation and expansion of the Franzen Science Center, which broke ground in April of 2023 and is expected to be completed late this year. You can read more about Franzen, his accomplishments and contributions at the Ripon College website.
Mark Franzen ’83 to begin term as chair of the Ripon College Board of Trustees | Ripon College
YEAR OF THE WORKER
During his State of the State speech Tuesday night Governor Tony Evers declared 2024 “The Year of the Worker.” The Governor acknowledged the workforce shortage. State Senator Joan Ballweg says that’s been a problem for several years and will continue to be as more baby boomers retire. The state lawmaker from Markesan says we have shortages in nearly every career field. Governor Evers pointed with pride to the record low unemployment rate of 2.4 percent last April and how the state’s labor force participation rate is consistently above the national average. Ballweg says unfortunately the labor force participation rate has also been falling because some people are basically sitting on the sidelines, taking part-time work, or taking cash-paying jobs and aren’t counted in. Governor Evers says to address the labor shortage we have to find a long-term solution to child care, expand paid family leave, and invest in public education at every level.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors recently passed its 5-year Capital Improvement Plan. Supervisor Jacob Floam says typically they end up borrowing $10 million to get a year’s projects done. This year they may end up borrowing more because they also need to replace an old firehouse at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. It is the oldest current firehouse in town and they also need to purchase a new fire truck for the station. The county will use some of its American Rescue Plan Act funds to offset the cost of the firehouse and truck. Floam says they also included a facilities study in the plan which will be performed in-house. He points out that some of their legacy buildings like the County Administration Building and Human Services also are in need of repairs.
RIDE UNITED
The Fond du Lac County United Way is expanding its Ride United program to the Ripon area. United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says the national United Way program launched the program at the beginning of the pandemic as a way of getting people around to necessary medical or other appointments if transportation was a challenge for them. In the Fond du Lac area they have provided bus tokens, cab vouchers, and even gas cards for the program. Kilawee says they are just starting the program in Ripon and have gotten the school district involved to get people to appointments, get to school, get home, to after-school, and extracurricular activities. She says Ride United isn’t meant to take someone to work, but there are plenty of acceptable reasons such as for a work interview, for a physical needed for a job, or to buy supplies needed for a job. She says for now those in the Ripon area who want a ride from the Ride United program can call the school district or 2-1-1. Any churches, agencies, or groups that would like to become involved should call Kilawee at their office in Fond du Lac. Their phone number is 920-921-7010.
BEE WINNER CHRISTIE BROSSARD
Christie Brossard, an SSM Health Pharmacy pharmacist in Waupun, has been named the newest recipient of the Be Exceptional Everyday or BEE Award. She was nominated by a colleague. The colleague detailed the length Brossard went to after hours to deliver a bubble pack of medication to a patient who couldn’t make it to the pharmacy. The colleague also said, “Christie has gone out of her way countless times to make sure our patients get the best care.” The BEE Award is specifically designed to recognize non-nursing staff members who demonstrate great teamwork and communication skills, collaboration, professionalism, exemplary service, and a commitment to excellence.
Share |