2/23/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
23 February 2024 News
ELIJAH VUE SEARCH UPDATE
There is a new development in the disappearance of a three-year-old Two Rivers boy. Elijah Vue’s mother Katrina Baur was taken into custody early Wednesday morning on a possible charge of being party to the crime of child neglect. Jesse Vang, who according to court records has an address that matches where the toddler was last seen, is also facing a possible child neglect charge. Both Vang and Baur are expected to be in Manitowoc County court at 12:45 this afternoon for a bond hearing. Two Rivers Police say in their search for Elijah Vue they have searched areas such as local rivers and landfills. Police Chief Ben Meinnert says they will leave no stone unturned. Elijah was last seen near 3900 Mishicot Road in Two Rivers. He is white, 3 feet tall, 45 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes and a birth mark on his left knee. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the tip line at 844-267-6648 or Two Rivers Police at 920-686-7200.
DRUG CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST TWO ALLEGEDLY TIED TO OVERDOSE DEATH
Pending more serious charges two people allegedly tied to death of a 33-year-old West Bend woman in Fond du Lac have been charged with drug charges. Bond was set at $2,500 cash for 20-year-old Annaka Trudell on being party to the crime of marijuana possession. She has a preliminary hearing next Friday. Meanwhile a cash bond of $5,000 has been set for 21-year-old Dawson Miller of Fond du Lac who faces multiple charges including narcotics possession and obstructing an officer. He has a bail/bond forfeiture hearing on March 11th. Police have referred a reckless homicide charge against Trudell in the death of Ashley Calo of West Bend. She was found slumped behind the steering wheel of her car when it crashed in Fond du Lac on February 13th. It struck landscaping bricks and came to rest atop a cluster of bushes. She was unresponsive and died later at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac. Prosecutors allege Dawson may have assisted Trudell in a drug transaction that resulted in Calo’s death. He allegedly admitted to hiding Trudell’s clothing. At the time of his arrest he had her ID and credit cards. On the referred charges Trudell’s bond was set at $2 million cash and Millers at $1 million cash.
STATEWIDE FRAUD ALERT
Due to the use of two charities names in a fraud crime, the Chippewa Falls Police Department Thursday issued a statewide alert on the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network. Two men solicited bank employees and patrons in downtown Chippewa Falls to purchase small candy bars for $10. They claimed to be affiliated with the Boys & Girls Club out of Chicago and the Building Brighter Futures organization, which was found to be untrue. One man was identified as Chris Jefferson from Illinois and other gave a fake name. A photo of the suspects was released. Anyone with information is being asked to contact Chippewa Falls Police at 715-726-2706.
NEW OFFICERS REDUCES DOC STAFFING VACANCIES
More than 200 new correctional officers will soon begin work at Wisconsin Department of Corrections facilities statewide as efforts to recruit and train security staff gain momentum. The DOC continues to see record-setting numbers of officers graduate from its six-week training academy known as the Facility Staff Training and Support Program. The 214 graduates were celebrated at a graduation event held Wednesday at Madison College. The latest influx of staff will further decrease the DOC’s vacancy rate among correctional officers and sergeants, which was as high as 35 percent in August of 2023. Currently the vacancy rate is 26 percent, which does not account for the incoming recruits. The latest class will add staff to facilities with the highest vacancy rates, including 21 new officers at Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution, nine at Waupun Correctional, nine at Fox Lake Correctional, and six at Green Bay Correctional. Waupun Correctional continues to receive 33 officers from other facilities through the Supplemental Staffing Plan.
KEYESKI REAFFIRMS FOR STATE ASSEMBLY
Sarah Keyeski recently reaffirmed her Democratic candidacy for the 42nd State Assembly District following Governor Evers signing new legislative maps into law for Wisconsin. The geographic lines for the 42nd Assembly District have been reconfigured and now include DeForest, Lodi, Columbus, Rio and Poynette. She previously declared her run last November under the old district maps. She is known for her work creating and leading the Lift Lodi community volunteer program. The program cultivates a sense of community through a devoted day of volunteer service in the Lodi area. She is a mental health counselor with over 20 years of experience, a local business owner, and mother of six children. Among the issues she is concerned about are; freedom of reproductive care, Medicaid expansion, the availability of Child Care, and workforce housing. The 42nd Assembly District is currently represented by Republican Jon Plumer who is also from Lodi. More information about Keyeski is available on her website.
WINTERFEST IN GREEN LAKE SATURDAY
WinterFest arrives in Green Lake tomorrow without a surplus of snow or enough ice for the trout derby, but plenty of fun activities to keep folks entertained. It’s a fundraiser for the Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and something for people to do during the waning days of winter. Activities kick off at noon in Deacon Mills Park, in downtown Green Lake. Chamber Executive Director Lisa Meier says there will be a heated tent at the park and plenty of activities for everyone. Activities will include a cornhole tournament, horse drawn wagon rides, a bonfire, food, beverages, a raffle and live music with Bradley Spurger and the 2 AM Band performing. To learn more about WinterFest visit the Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce website or call 920-294-3231.
RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES WILL BE ON THE RISE AGAIN
An Infection Preventionist with SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac says recent cases of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV have decreased but she doesn’t expect that decline to continue. Miki Gould says the respiratory illnesses tend to see up and downs depending on the season and holidays where we gather indoors. She says when spring weather comes and we get outdoors there will be another decrease in cases. In the meantime she recommends the same steps that were taken during the height of the COVID pandemic to avoid getting any of the respiratory illnesses. That includes covering your coughs and sneezes, wearing face masks when you are sick, thoroughly washing your hands, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and getting regular vaccinations. Mainly she recommends taking good care of yourself.
RIPON NOON KIWANIS SPONSOR SPAGHETTI MYSTERY DINNER
To celebrate their 100th Anniversary the Ripon Noon Kiwanis Club is holding a different community event each month. In January there was sledding on a ski hill, this month they teamed up with the Library for cookies, cozies and cocoa. On Sunday March 3rd they are partnering with the High School Key Club for a Spaghetti Mystery Dinner at the Ripon High School Commons. It has a 1920s Speak Easy theme and period dress is encouraged. As for the Mystery part of the dinner Ripon Noon Kiwanis President Gary Rodman says you may want to bring a few dollars, because elements of the dinner such as plates or eating utensils might not be included when you’re seated. Rodman says money raised from the event will go to the Ripon Area School District Students Needs Fund which helps students whose families can’t afford some essentials like hygiene items or school supplies. Tickets for the Spaghetti Mystery Dinner are available on the Eventbrite website. Dinner hours are 5:30 to 7 pm.
Mystery Spaghetti Dinner Tickets, Sun, Mar 3, 2024 at 5:30 PM | Eventbrite
ENDANGERED RESOURCES TAX DONATION
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources encourages the public to give back to nature by donating to the Endangered Resources Fund on their Wisconsin income tax form. The Endangered Resources Fund supports many of Wisconsin’s rarest plants and animal species. It has helped protect and restore some of the last remaining populations of declining species and special habitats like remnant prairies and oak savannas found in Wisconsin’s state natural areas. In other cases, the funds have helped support species for which Wisconsin may be an increasingly important stronghold. The fund also helps the DNR care for habitats these plants and animals call home. To make a donation, look for “endangered resources” in the “donations” section on your Wisconsin income tax form. (DNR photo).
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