2/29/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
29 February 2024 News
TWO CHARGED FOR MURDER IN FDL
Formal charges were brought Wednesday in Fond du Lac County court against a Fond du Lac woman and man suspected of the stabbing death of 33-year-old Ashley Ann Calo of West Bend. Twenty-year-old Annaka Trudell is charged with first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon and being party to the crime of a conspiracy to commit armed robbery with use of force. Twenty-one-year-old Dawson Miller is charged with being party to a crime of conspiracy to commit felony murder, being party to a crime of armed robbery with use of force, and harboring or aiding a felon. According to the criminal complaint Trudell stabbed Calo repeatedly in the chest and arm with a kitchen-type knife after Trudell and Miller made a plan to steal drugs from Calo by pretending to want to buy drugs from her. Police responded to a car crash on North Main Street on February 13th. Before that a witness saw Calo and Trudell wrestling in front of Calo’s car. Trudell was on top of Calo. When the witness pushed Trudell away with his foot he saw a kitchen knife. Trudell ran off. Calo got into her car and said “Let’s get out of here.” He left with her. He told investigators Calo thought she might have hurt her rib and didn’t realize she had been stabbed. As she was driving she passed out. Trudell and Miller are being held in the Fond du Lac County Jail on $2 million and $1 million bonds respectively.
MENASHA MAN SENTENCED ON FEDERAL FIREARM CHARGES
A 26-year-old Menasha man has been sentenced to 14 ½ years in federal prison on firearm possession charges and also acknowledged his role in fentanyl trafficking in the Fox Valley area. According to court records on August 31st of last year, agents searched Gene Wolf’s residence locating three handguns, over 9,000 fentanyl pills, and over $50,000 cash. One of the handguns was a “ghost gun” that was not marked with a serial number. Wolf, a felon with several prior convictions for narcotics trafficking, was prohibited from possessing firearms. Wolf was sentenced yesterday. Among the investigating agencies were the Lake Winnebago Area MEG Unit, Appleton and Menasha Police Departments.
PROPOSED WASTE DIGESTER
Hundreds of residents from Waupaca County’s Town of Lind and surrounding communities packed a meeting yesterday at the Waupaca High School auditorium. They were there to express their thoughts on a proposed waste digester. The meeting focused on amendments to the town’s zoning code and comprehensive plan, which would convert 7.8 acres of agricultural land to industrial land. The board voted to recommend denying both changes. Ron Brooks, owner of Brooks Farm, said, “This digester is about our commitment to continuous improvement in our community.” But other speakers questioned what that progress will cost them and some were concerned about effects on human health. Other speakers were proponents of the digester. Brooks Farm is partnering with Vanguard Renewables for the project, which would turn food waste and manure into renewable energy. They say it will improve air quality and sustainability. The decision on the digester will now go to the Waupaca County Board for their final say.
RECOMMENDATION ON MPQ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
The Ripon Area School District is recommending Jessi Johnson for the Murray Park Quest Elementary School principal position. Pending school board approval she would start on July 1st. Johnson is currently a 3rd grade teacher at Quest Charter Elementary School. Previously, she was a teacher at Murray Park Elementary School. She was the overwhelming choice of the 17-member selection team following two days of interviews over the past two weeks. Eighteen people had applied for the position. Two of the applicants were internal. Through a screening process, six candidates were invited to interview on February 21st. Three candidates were invited back yesterday to participate in a second day of interviews and a Meet & Greet with staff, parents, and students. The Ripon School Board will hold a special meeting next Monday to vote on the recommendation.
MPQ Principal Recommendation Announced .docx (ripon.k12.wi.us)
HAASE LEAVES FDL COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ROLE
Fond du Lac County Communications and Emergency Management Director Amy Haase put in her last day with the county Wednesday. She is leaving to do emergency management in the private energy sector. In her new role she will still be working with her colleagues in Wisconsin counties and the state. Haase became Fond du Lac County’s Emergency Management Director in December of 2022 and prior to that had Emergency Management roles in Dodge County. She succeeded Bobbi Hicken who left Fond du Lac County in September 2022 for a job in private industry. Haase says it looks like communications and infrastructure will move under the supervision of the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office and County Executive Sam Kaufman will act as interim Emergency Management Director until a new full-time position can be created and someone is appointed to the position.
NEW POSITION CREATED FOR CITY OF RIPON
The Ripon Common Council this week approved the creation of a new city position, Communications and Human Resources Generalist. City Administrator Adam Sonntag says it’s a hybrid position that will benefit both the city and its residents. He says it is a better way of keeping residents informed of the city’s business. Sonntag says he has done a lot of the work usually associated with a public relations position including posts to social media. He feels the new position will take some of that burden from him so he can spend more time working on other city priorities. The position will also help with human resource responsibilities including aiding in the hiring process.
NEW LICENSE REQUIRED FOR VAPING DEVICE SELLERS
Officials with Wisconsin’s Department of Revenue remind retailers of cigarettes, tobacco products and electronic vaping devices that the new retail license, form CTV-100, is now available. The form replaces the prior form, Form CTP-200, which is a retail license to sell cigarette and tobacco products. Last December a new state law was signed. Among other changes the legislation subjects electronic vaping devices to the same retail licensing requirements as cigarettes and tobacco products. The legislation also requires the Department of Revenue to create a license application form for all three types of products for use by all villages, towns and cities in Wisconsin. Retailers selling electronic vaping devices that do not currently hold a cigarette and tobacco product retail license from their municipality must obtain a retail license by March 6th. Previously, a retailer selling only electronic vaping devices was not required to have a retail license to sell those products. Existing cigarette and tobacco product license holders must use the new application forms upon renewal of their license as well.
RIPONFEST 2.0 SPAGHETTI DINNER TONIGHT
If you have an appetite for an all-you-can-eat Spaghetti Dinner, the folks of Riponfest 2.0 can accommodate you this evening. The fundraiser for the annual festival will be held at the Ripon Fire Station on Aspen Street. You can dine in or carry out. Serving will be from 4:30 to 7 pm. Howard Stibb of Riponfest says they bartered with the fire department and got permission to use their kitchen and training area for the dinner. In return Riponfest members will work this Sunday when the Ripon Area Fire Fighters Association puts on its annual Chicken BBQ at the fire station. The cost for the Spaghetti Dinner is $12 for adults, $8 for children, and kids under 5 years of age can eat for free. Tickets are available at the door or you can get them in advance at Hair Today and DD Associates in Ripon. This year’s Riponfest 2.0 will be June 28th through the 30th at Barlow Park.
GREEN LAKE DECORATIVE LIGHTING PROJECT
The streets of downtown Green Lake are aglow with progress as the much-anticipated decorative lighting project reaches a significant milestone. On Monday, the installation of decorative lighting began, starting with 8 light poles along Mill Street. Members of Green Lake’s Ad Hoc Economic Development and Revitalization Committee lent their hands to the project, scaling ladders and overseeing the installation process. Chris Foos, Chair of the Committee, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “It’s incredibly exciting to witness the tangible progress we’ve made.” Committee Member Mark Wilton says they drew their inspiration for the chosen design from Ripon, but settled on a spiral effect around the light poles. As the installation progresses, attention now turns to the remaining 26 streetlight poles along Mill and Hill Streets. Those interested in contributing their time to the project are encouraged to email Chris Foos at cfoos@ci.greenlake.wi.gov.
UNITED WAY FRIDAY FIVE NEWSLETTER
Fond du Lac County United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says a good way to stay abreast of United Way, nonprofit, and volunteer organization happenings is to sign up for their free Friday Five newsletter. It is emailed each Friday and as the name implies has five quick shout-outs to United Way efforts or news and events of some of the agencies they support and volunteer organizations. She says right now those who sign up are eligible for a drawing for an overnight stay at the Historic Hotel Retlaw in downtown Fond du Lac. Sign up can be accomplished by visiting the United Way’s website or Facebook page. But sign up fast the drawing for the prize is tomorrow.
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