1/29/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Monday
29 January 2024 News
DRUGS NOT HIDDEN WELL ENOUGH IN FDL COUNTY TRAFFIC STOP
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s K9 Rip aided in a traffic stop Friday night that resulted in the recovery of a large quantity of “M-30” suspected fentanyl pills. A State Trooper had pulled over a vehicle and K9 Rip and his handler were asked to assist. The dog during an open-air sniff alerted there may be drugs. The 30-year-old Milwaukee man driving the vehicle had the drugs concealed in a small black box with a cord attached to it that was tucked under the front passenger-side headlight. Two magnets were glued to back of the box, allowing it to cling to the metal in the engine compartment. Inside the box was a large quantity of “M-30” suspected fentanyl pills. The man is currently serving a sentence and on parole for burglary and auto theft. He has a pending case in Brown County for fentanyl trafficking. He was arrested and taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail pending an additional fentanyl trafficking charge. (Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s photo).
FATAL FARM ACCIDENT IN WASHINGTON COUNTY
An accident on a Washington County farm claimed a life Saturday afternoon. Shortly before 2 am the County’s Communications Center received a 911 call from a farm on County Highway E near Highway CC. Deputies and Hartford Fire and Rescue responded to the scene. First responders located the victim and determined the person had died from their injuries. Sheriff’s detectives and the medical examiner’s office are investigating. The death appeared to be accidental in nature and foul plays is not suspected. The Allenton Fire Department also responded with special equipment to assist the Hartford Fire Department.
DODGE COUNTY CHASE REACHES SPEEDS OF MORE THAN 130 MPH
Dodge County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 21-year-old DeForest man following a 10 mile long pursuit involving extremely dangerous and reckless speeds early Sunday morning. It happened just before 2 am when a deputy saw a car going over 80 miles an hour on State Highways 16 and 60 a few miles east of Columbus. The speed limit is 55 and the deputy tried to stop the car. The car accelerated to speeds in excess of 130 miles an hour, and continued heading east. The deputy briefly lost sight of the car and stopped pursuing, however another deputy responding to assist found the car and was able to stop it. The driver, Payton Lopez, was arrested and is being held in the Dodge County Jail pending charges from the District’s Attorney’s Office for felony fleeing and marijuana possession. A 19-year-old woman who was a passenger in the fleeing vehicle was released from the scene without charges.
SCAMMER USES DEPUTY’S NAME
Winnebago County Sheriff’s officials say someone identifying themselves as Lieutenant Chris Braman called a county resident Friday morning saying the person missed a subpoena for court and she now had to pay money via Bitcoin transfer to resolve the issue or serve 14 days in jail. The Sheriff’s Department does have a Lieutenant by that name and although the story may have sounded real it was a scammer. Real law enforcement officers “might” leave you a phone message but would never insist upon payment of money over the phone. If ever in doubt, look up the phone number for yourself, call that number and inquire.
ROCKFORD MAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING COLUMBIA COUNTY TRAFFIC CHASE
A 19-year-old Rockford, Illinois man is facing felony fleeing and cocaine possession charges for a high-speed chase on U.S. Highway 151 in Columbia County late last Tuesday night. Mario Gonzalez was speeding when a Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy tried to pull him over near mile marker 117. Gonzalez briefly pulled to the shoulder of the road before leaving the area at a high rate of speed. During the pursuit speeds reached over 100 miles an hour. The pursuit on Highway 151 northbound entered Dodge County where a deputy successfully deployed a tire deflation device. Gonzalez gave up and was taken into custody. He is also facing his first operating while under the influence charge and received traffic citations for underage alcohol consumption and speeding. During his initial court appearance bond was set at $1,000 cash and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Wednesday. (Columbia County Jail photo).
STAY OFF THE ICE
Green Lake County Chief Deputy Sheriff Matt Vande Kolk says with the recent thaw the ice is not safe on area lakes and water ways. Vande Kolk says during a typical winter Big Green sees a lot of ice fishing and other winter recreation. He says they also use it for cross country skiing, snowmobiling and other activities. He says it is important for people to recognize we are not having a typical winter and ice activities may not be advisable for quite some time. The Sheriff’s Office does have snowmobile patrols during the winter and a couple of weekends ago did have some patrols. Vande Kolk says there were a couple of crashes, but nothing significant and no major injuries were reported. Temperatures will continue to be above freezing this week.
RIPON WATER TOWER DESIGN
Ripon City Administrator Adam Sonntag says the Common Council next month will make a decision about what design to put on a water tower that will be repainted and recoated. He says there was a survey people could respond to and the two preferred designs were a standard script with Ripon Wisconsin on it, and a two-sided design featuring the Ripon Tigers and Ripon Red Hawks. Other designs getting votes included lone designs for the Ripon Tigers, Ripon Red Hawks, and the Little White Schoolhouse. He says the project is being bid and if the Council doesn’t like the design they could go with another design but it would have to be done as a change order. At least three Council members and members of the public expressed a preference for something featuring the Little White Schoolhouse. Sonntag says the city had asked the Chamber of Commerce to submit ideas for a design featuring the Little White Schoolhouse. He says you have to remember the water tower is spherical shaped and the more detailed the design the harder it is to make out.
RANDALL PROMOTED TO FDL COUNTY SHERIFF’S CAPTAIN
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Captain of Operations William “Bill Tadych” retired this past week after 32 years of dedicated service. Lieutenant of detectives Christopher Randall has been appointed captain of operations and will serve as the division commander of sheriff’s office law enforcement services. Captain Randall started his career with the Sheriff’s Office in September of 2005 as a correctional deputy. He was promoted to patrol deputy in January of 2008, and in 2013 he was assigned to the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group-Drug Unit as a narcotics investigator. In April of 2106, Randall was promoted to detective and held that position until his promotion to lieutenant of detectives in April of 2019. Last Monday he was promoted to the rank of captain of operations. Captain Randall’s experience includes serving as a field training officer for new correctional and patrol deputies. He was a longtime member of the SWAT team and served as a SWAT operator, less-lethal instructor and assistant SWAT team commander. He also holds a variety of training and certifications related to high level criminal investigations. Captain Randall holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. (Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s photo).
FORFEITURE AND FINE COLLECTIONS
U.S. Attorney Timothy O’Shea says the Western District of Wisconsin collected nearly $7.6 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2023. Of that amount $5.8 million was collected in criminal actions and $1.7 million was collected in civil actions. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs. Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Western District of Wisconsin, working with partner agencies and divisions collected more than $1 million in asset forfeiture actions during the last fiscal year. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
RSV VACCINE AND BABIES
A pediatrician with SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic says there are a couple of ways to protect babies from severe RSV. Dr. Andrea Aul works out of Ripon Community Hospital three days a week. She says the best way is for pregnant women who are 32 to 36 weeks pregnant to receive the vaccine themselves, which will be passed along to the fetus. Other forms of protection include giving babies younger than 8 months an RSV antibody. A dose of RSV antibody is also recommended for children between the ages of 8 and 19 months entering their second RSV season if the child has chronic lung disease from being born prematurely, is severely immunocompromised, has cystic fibrosis who have severe disease, or are American Indian or Alaska Native children. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine which option is best for you and your baby.
LAW ENFORCEMENT SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The Dodge County Executive Law Enforcement Association, an association made up of law enforcement executives including Dodge County police chiefs, prison wardens, the district attorney, the sheriff, and other leaders recently announced a scholarship opportunity of $2,500. The money was graciously donated by Napolean Chevrolet Buick GMC in Beaver Dam. The scholarship is aimed at supporting local high school seniors or college students who are residents of Dodge County. The program is specifically tailored for those pursuing a degree in criminal justice or a related field at an accredited university or technical college. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled as full-time students. The deadline to apply is March 15th. Applications are available on the Dodge County website.
Dodge County Executive Law Enforcement Association | Dodge County, WI
WINTER FLIGHT FEST
The annual Winter Flight Fest will bring family activities and the popular skiplane fly-in to the EAA Aviation Museum on Saturday, February 10th from 8 am to 4 pm. The day is designed for all ages and is a family-friendly series of activities through the museum at its Pioneer Airport facility in Oshkosh. Among the highlights included with regular museum admission that day are the Wright Flyer simulator, paper airplane launcher, aviator Bingo, pararescue challenge, Indoor model airplane flying, and rotorcrafting. The fly-in is weather permitting with a makeup date scheduled for Saturday, February 17th in the event of a cancellation.
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