2/1/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
1 February 2024 News
OSHKOSH BOMB THREAT UPDATED
A criminal complaint for a 65-year-old Clintonville woman says she was trying to get the attention of the FBI when she called in a bomb threat to a synagogue on Oshkosh’s Algoma Boulevard Monday night. Pauline Beyer was hoping the FBI would help her get out of her house because she claimed she was being held hostage by police. According to the criminal complaint a woman called the synagogue and spoke to a religious leader telling him, “I’m going to bomb your church in 2 hours.” That religious leader called police. Neighboring homes were evacuated and an explosives-sniffing K9 was brought to the scene. A Winnebago County investigator got a call from Beyer, who said police had reached out to her and she was calling about the bomb threat. Beyer said she made the bomb threat to get the FBI to come to her house. She claimed she was being held hostage in her home by the Clintonville Police Department. She said calls to Waupaca County 911, Aging and Disability, and other agencies weren’t helping. Beyer made her initial appearance in Winnebago County court yesterday. Bond was set at $5,000 cash and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for next Thursday. She is charged with making a bomb threat.
MILWAUKEE MAN WITH HIDDEN STASH OF FENTANYL PILLS CHARGED
The 30-year-old Milwaukee man arrested last Friday night after police found fentanyl pills in a box hidden under a headlight in his vehicle made his initial appearance in Fond du Lac County court yesterday. Devontay Bostick faces five felony charges including fentanyl trafficking. Bond was set at $30,000 cash and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 18th. The State Patrol pulled Bostick over on a traffic stop and asked for help from the Sheriff’s Office’s K9 Rip and his handler. The dog alerted on the vehicle during an open-air sniff indicating the presence of drugs. A small black box containing “M-30” fentanyl pills was found tucked under the front passenger-side headlight. The box had magnets and a cord attached to it. (Fond du Lac County Jail photo).
DOC EASES RESTRICTIONS ON MOVEMENT AT TWO STATE PRISONS
The state’s Department of Corrections continues to ease restrictions on movement at Waupun Correctional Institution and Green Bay Correctional. The two prisons have been in some form of lockdown for months, as the state works with staffing issues. That led to protests at both prisons. Yesterday the DOC lifted the administrative rule suspension at Waupun Correctional related to personal hygiene. DOC officials say there has been an influx of security staff that graduated from a training academy late last year. Nearly 300 new corrections officers have been added to state institutions. That has lowered the DOC’s vacancy rate among correctional officers and sergeants from 35 percent in August to 26 percent as of January 13th. The DOC anticipates another record-setting graduation this month.
STATE HIGHWAY 22 PROJECT MEETING IN MONTELLO
The state’s Department of Transportation will be holding a public involvement meeting to discuss options for State Highway 22 between State Highway 23 and Park Street, in Montello in Marquette County. The meeting will be next Tuesday at 5 pm at the Montello City Hall. A brief presentation is scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm. The remainder of the meeting will follow an open house format. The purpose of the proposed project is to repave the road, repair or replace curb and gutter and replace curb ramps. The project also proposes reconfiguring the intersection of State Highways 22 and 23 to allow for easier movement of large trucks and agricultural equipment. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2027.
FISH REFUGE MEETING
The state’s Department of Natural Resources will host a public hearing on an emergency and proposed permanent rule to establish fish refuges in Milwaukee, Outagamie, and Waupaca counties. The proposed rule would also establish a statewide mechanism for implementing temporary fish refuges. Fish refuges ae designed to protect fish from overharvest, especially in locations where they congregate to spawn. The emergency rule creates a year-round refuge on the Milwaukee River, encompassing the Kletzch Park Dam fish passage, prohibiting fishing in the fish passage and the immediate vicinity. The proposed permanent rule would continue the Milwaukee River fish refuge. It would also create additional seasonal refuges in spawning marshes connected to the Wolf River in Outagamie and Waupaca counties to protect spawning walleye. The virtual meeting will be held next Monday at 5:30 pm. More information on the meeting, including the Microsoft Teams meeting link, can be found on the DNR’s meetings and hearings calendar.
TAX CUT PACKAGE
A pair of Republican state lawmakers are pleased the legislature was able to pass a package of bills last week that will provide tax relief to those on a middle-class income and retirees. State Representative Alex Dallman of Green Lake says some senior citizens are part-time Wisconsin residents because they move to other states that don’t tax on retirement income for a majority of the year to take advantage of that tax situation, Under one of the bills up to $150,000 in retirement income would be excluded from taxation for joint filers. It would apply to those over the age of 65. The exclusion would be $75,000 for a single filer. State Representative Jon Plumer says there is also a cut for those in the middle-class tax bracket averaging $454 per filer. Other bills addressed expanding the married couple and childcare tax credits.
VIDEO SURVEILLANCE HELPS IDENTIFY THIEVES IN MARKESAN
Video surveillance cameras in Markesan helped identify a man and woman involved in liquor thefts at the city’s Piggly Wiggly and Citgo stores last month. Markesan Police posted photos of the suspects and their vehicle on their Facebook page and had the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network post them as well. Green Lake County Chief Deputy Sheriff Matt Vande Kolk says the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network or WICAN System sends out notifications and photos statewide to law enforcement and retail stores, which in this case led to tips identifying the suspects. Vande Kolk says the use of video surveillance in stores helps to minimize those types of crime, but they still need the public to come forward with their tips to lead to apprehensions. Anyone who may have a tip or information about a crime can also call the Green Lake County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-GET-THEM, that’s 1-800-438-8436. You can also text GETTHEM at 847411. Tips may be eligible for up to a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects. You can report your tips anonymously.
FDL COUNTY UNITED WAY INTRODUCES COMMUNITY IMPACT STRATEGIST
The Fond du Lac County United Way is filling the void created by the dissolution of the Drug Free Communities of Fond du Lac County Coalition. United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says they were part of that coalition and also provided funding to it. She says a community health assessment and plan subsequently showed a need to continue the work of the coalition. On December 1st Jeanette Morales started as the Community Impact Strategist for the United Way and Drug Free Communities Grant Coordinator. She will be handling outreach and programs such as the distribution of narcan kits and a pouch for disabling prescription medication at community events and programs. Morales is getting acquainted with Fond du Lac County communities including Ripon in an effort to revitalize the coalition. She formerly worked with a domestic violence program advocating for victims. Much of that violence was fueled by alcohol and substance abuse. Those who would like to have Morales do a presentation for their group, school, or church should contact the United Way office in Fond du Lac by calling 920-921-7010.
RIPON HS DRAMA CLUB PERFORM INTO THE WOODS
The Ripon High School Drama Club will be performing their spring musical Into the Woods this month at the High School Auditorium. It features Tony Award Winning music. The story revolves around a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child: Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. During their adventure they run into other storybook characters. Performances are Thursday and Friday, February 15th and 16th at 7 pm, and Saturday, February 17th at 2 and 7 pm. Tickets are available for $10 for General Admission, $5 for Students and Children. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or in person at the box office at each performance.
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