2/27/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
27 February 2024 News
FDL MAN BOUND OVER FOR TRIAL ON HOMICIDE CHARGES
The 18-year-old Fond du Lac man who was on the run for four months last year while fleeing from murder charges in Fond du Lac County, has been bound over for trial. Antonio Johnston was in court for a preliminary hearing last Friday. Johnston and 15-year-old Parise Larry, Jr. are suspected in a shooting at the Maplewood Commons Apartments in Fond du Lac on May 7th of last year. According to the criminal complaint they were confronting someone there and 20-year-old Tatyanna Zech who was taking out garbage was hit by gunfire. She died and several others were wounded in the gang-related shooting. Johnston has been charged with eight felonies including first -degree intentional homicide and attempted first-degree intentional homicide. All eight charges are enhanced with modifiers for use of a dangerous weapon and violent crime in a school zone. The shooting took place near Pier Elementary School and Theisen Middle School. Johnston will be arraigned on March 21st. Larry will be arraigned one day later. (Fond du Lac County Jail photo).
JURY TRIAL SCHEDULED IN RECKLESS HOMICIDE CASE
A four-day jury trial has been scheduled for a 50-year-old Fond du Lac man facing a first degree reckless homicide charge for allegedly supplying the drugs that led to a fatal overdose for a Fond du Lac resident. Fredrick Ware is also facing two counts of heroin and one count of cocaine trafficking. Two different trial dates are scheduled March 11th through the 14th with an option to hold it April 8th through the 11th. He is being held in the Fond du Lac County Jail on a $250,000 cash bond. According to the criminal complaint Ware supplied the drugs that led to the victim’s death on February 15th of 2022. An autopsy determined the victim died of alprazolam, fentanyl, and methamphetamine toxicity. Other charges stem from two controlled drug buys orchestrated by a Fond du Lac Police Detective who also is a member of the Lake Winnebago Area MEG Unit, and a traffic stop. (Fond du Lac County Jail photo).
TWO CHARGED IN TODDLER’S DISAPPEARANCE
The mother of Elijah Vue, Katrina Baur, and Jesse Vang were charged in Manitowoc County court Monday. Baur is charged with being party to the crime of neglecting a child under 6 years old, not resulting in harm. She is also charged with two misdemeanors of resisting or obstructing an officer. Vang is charged with neglecting a child under 6 years old, not resulting in harm. According to the criminal complaint against Baur, Vang was the caregiver who called police last Tuesday morning to report Elijah missing. Vang told police he took a nap at 8 am and brought the boy into the bedroom with him, but when he woke he couldn’t find the child. Vang said he was in a relationship with Baur. She had been staying with him recently and he was helping with Elijah’s care. Baur had left the child with Vang on February 12th and intended to pick him up last Friday. She wanted Vang to teach her son “to be a man.” Vang told investigators Elijah was left with him as “punishment” for his bad behavior and he was trying to make Elijah understand “going home is like a privilege for him.” Vang said Elijah was afraid of him, but changed that to Elijah “respects me.” Baur and Vang are being held in the Manitowoc County Jail on $15,000 and $20,000 cash bonds respectively. Elijah remains missing.
FDL MAN SENTENCED ON ANIMAL MISTREATMENT CHARGES
A Fond du Lac man pled no contest to three counts of intentionally mistreating animals yesterday in Fond du Lac County court. Six others charges against Kou Vang were dismissed on prosecutor’s motions. Thirty day jail terms on each of the three counts were imposed and stayed in favor of a year’s probation. Charges stem from incidents in December of 2017. Vang’s sentencing occurred on his 34th birthday.
HIGH WILDFIRE DANGER
The state’s Department of Natural Resources is asking the public to stay vigilant and avoid burning because of high fire danger statewide. Lack of snow cover and accumulated rain statewide are causing an early start to Wisconsin’s wildfire season. Over the past weekend alone, the DNR responded to 15 wildfires burning nearly 30 acres. To help keep state residents safe, the DNR asks you to avoid all outdoor burning, including limiting the use of campfires and bonfires. Be sure to discard hot ashes from woodstoves or fireplaces in a metal container until cold. Outdoor enthusiasts should also use caution with off-road vehicles or equipment that can create a spark and start a fire. So far in 2024, the DNR has responded to over 50 fires burning 160 acres; the 10-year average is three wildfires burning two acres. The majority of these recent wildfires have been related to debris burning.
RIPON MAYOR’S VETO STANDS
An effort to override Ripon Mayor Ted Grant’s veto of adding the words Birthplace of the Republican Party to the Industrial Park Water Tower during its rehabilitation, has failed. Ten speakers on both sides of the issue spoke during the public comment section of the Common Council meeting last night on the subject. Some felt it celebrates the Little White School House and part of the city’s history and that the veto itself made the issue political. Alderman John Splitt said the city has always maintained that it wanted and needed more visitors and that the $2,500 it would cost to put Birthplace of the Republican Party on the water tower was a cheap form of advertising. But other Alderpersons who originally voted in favor of it two weeks ago soured on the option because the issue had become political. Six of the eight Common Council members needed to vote against the veto to override it, but the Council voted 7 to 1 to maintain the veto.
REDISTRICTING CHANGES
Under new redistricting maps signed into law by the Governor last week, State Senator Joan Ballweg would no longer continue to represent Ripon, Green Lake and other areas the 14th State Senate District currently covers. The state lawmaker from Markesan says the 14th will shift further south. It will cover DeForest in Dane County, most of Columbia County, the Dells, Sauk and Richland counties. Meanwhile, Ripon and Green Lake, most of Fond du Lac County, and Marquette County would be in the 13th State Senate District. Senator John Jagler currently represents the 13th State Senate District. The 13th isn’t up for election this fall, but the 14th State Senate seat is. Ballweg would have to move to continue to represent the 14th after the fall election.
OSHKOSH ROAD AND SIDEWALK ASSESSMENT ALTERNATIVES
The City of Oshkosh will make some decisions soon about how it replaces assessments for road and sidewalk improvement projects. City officials have been looking at a combination of funding sources. One is implementation of a $35 per vehicle Vehicle Registration Fee or wheel tax. The other is charging a portion of street improvements to the city’s water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer utilities. That would result in an increase to each utility bill. Altogether, the funding sources would provide the needed $3.75 million annually for road and sidewalk reconstruction. Winnebago County Supervisor Jacob Floam, who is running for Oshkosh City Council, says there are pros and cons with the wheel tax. He says special assessments would go away. Those who received special assessments for projects in 2021 and 2022 would still have to pay them off because the cutoff date would be 2023. Floam says not everyone is in favor of a wheel tax as witnessed by results of an Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce survey. The city had three information sessions on the issue at the end of last month and the beginning of this month.
FDL COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES OFFICE EXPANDS AVAILABILITY
Fond du Lac County’s Veteran Services Office has expanded their availability and accessibility to areas of the county outside of the city of Fond du Lac monthly. Senior Benefit Specialist Rachael Peschke will be working at the Ripon Public Library on the first Monday of every month from 9 am to 4 pm. Benefit Specialist Nicole Russell will be working at the Waupun Public Library on the first Thursday of every month from 9 am to 4 pm. Starting tomorrow County Veteran Services Officer Dave Tellefsen will be working at the Municipal building in Campbellsport the last Wednesday of every month from 8:30 am to 4 pm. Tellefsen says he has a very capable staff and they can help veterans that may have issues with their claims for benefits. For more information call the Fond du Lac County Veteran Services Office at 920-929-3117.
ALLIANT ENTERGY CONTRIBUTIONS TO COMMUNITIES IN 2023
Nearly $11 million and over 72,600 volunteer hours were collectively contributed in 2023 by Alliant Energy and the company’s charitable foundation, employees and retirees to communities in Iowa and Wisconsin. Among the giving and volunteering efforts over $795,000 in donations went to emergency services, playgrounds and disaster preparedness programs. Many first response organizations including police and fire departments, received vital new or upgraded equipment through over $45,000 in safety grants across 44 communities. The pursuit to plant one million trees by the end of 2030 came close to the halfway point, with over 463,000 trees planted in Iowa and Wisconsin since July 2021. Over 100 students received scholarships with contributions totaling more than $136,500 to offset tuition and student loans. Support to combat food insecurity in Iowa and Wisconsin reached a milestone amount of $515,000 at Drive Out Hunger.
BEE AWARD WINNER RECOGNIZED AT RIPON COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Jeanne Payton, an SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital volunteer, has been named the newest recipient of the BEE or Be Exceptional Everyday Award. Payton serves at the hospital’s gift shop and Mobile Meals program, as well as the Ripon Community Hospital Auxiliary. Payton’s nomination shared, “Jeanne Payton has shown her dedication and kindness countless times since we’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with her. Jeanne started volunteering in May 2021 and has given more than 600 hours of her time to the hospital since.” It went on to say, “When the Ripon Surgery team’s leader asked if someone could make children’s surgical hats, Jeanne happily volunteered. She created a pattern and provided the first batch of hats that were such a success we now have sewers using Jeanne’s design to make hats for all the hospitals in our region.” 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.
Photo caption: Jeanne Payton (center), an SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital volunteer, receives a BEE Award from Jason Blonigen and Barb Van Egtern, SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac Volunteer Services leaders.
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