3/22/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
22 March 2024 News
TRIAL SCHEDULED FOR RIPON MAN SUSPECTED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER
A jury trial has been scheduled for a 45-year-old Ripon man suspected of stabbing and beating a 35-year-old man with a pipe last November. During a status hearing for Carlos Mendez-Villegas in Fond du Lac County court yesterday, his attorney Dan Kaminsky asked for a jury trial and raised self-defense issues. Mendez-Villegas is charged with attempted first degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless injury and aggravated battery. According to the criminal complaint on November 18th Mendez-Villegas went to an apartment building in Ripon and confronted the victim about a girlfriend he had dated for several years, but was now dating the victim. The victim suffered a laceration to his forehead and a puncture wound to his lower abdomen, both of which required several stitches. The jury trial is scheduled for five days beginning August 19th. A status hearing in the case is scheduled for July 15th. Kaminsky is a former Fond du Lac County District Attorney.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY FATAL ACCIDENT UPDATE
Winnebago County Sheriff’s officials say the person killed in a single vehicle accident at County Road CB and Rockwood Lane in the Town of Neenah Wednesday morning was a Neenah High School student. Employees of a nearby business witnessed the accident and began life-saving-measures on 16-year-old Olivia Witkowski immediately. Those efforts were continued when Sheriff’s deputies and first responders arrived. She was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was taken to a local hospital where she died. The accident was reported at 10:30 am. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
CHILD NEGLECT SUSPECT BACK IN COURT
A preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for the 39-year-old Two Rivers man who was caring for 3-year-old Elijah Vue when the toddler was reported missing on February 20th. During a hearing in Manitowoc County court yesterday the defense was granted more time to prepare for a preliminary hearing and motions for bond reduction and dismissal of a chronic neglect of a child charge since counsel had just recently been appointed for Vang. The preliminary hearing was rescheduled for April 4th. Meanwhile Vue’s mother, Katrina Baur, will be in Manitowoc County court this afternoon. She will be arraigned on chronic neglect of a child, obstructing an officer, and neglecting a child charges. Search efforts continue for Vue who has been missing for a month.
BOND REDUCED FOR HIT AND RUN SUSPECT
During a hearing in Fond du Lac County court Thursday bond was reduced for a 19-year-old West Bend man facing a hit-and-run causing great bodily harm charge. Jatziel Pabon Encarnacion allegedly hit and dragged the body of 19-year-old Taya Grimes of Hartford three miles from the scene of the original accident. The charge he faces is related to a second person he hit at that scene who was in the roadway and was struck in the head. Grimes was driving a vehicle that rolled over ejecting herself and three others. Investigators suspect she was dead before Pabon Encarnacion’s vehicle hit and dragged her. She and her passengers were coming from an underage drinking party. According to the criminal complaint Encarnacion was spotted drinking at that same party. Pabon Encarnacion’s bond was reduced yesterday from $250,000 to $50,000 cash. A status hearing in the case is scheduled for next Friday.
WAUPUN THEFT SUSPECTS SOUGHT
Waupun Police are looking for the public’s help in finding two women who stole merchandise from a Kwik Trip at 800 West Main Street early the morning of March 8th. Both were carrying larger purses and proceeded to place merchandise in their purses as they walked about the store. One of them paid for some of the items she collected, while the other fled from the store without paying. Both were seen walking or jogging east of the store. Photos of the two suspects were released. Anyone who has information about the suspects should contact Waupun Police Officer Alex Warner at 920-324-7903.
SENATORS BALLWEG AND FEYEN BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW
Governor Evers signed 54 bills into law yesterday including seven authored by State Senator Joan Ballweg and four authored by State Senator Dan Feyen. Feyen’s bills had to do with business, investment, and economic development. The Senator from Fond du Lac says, “I am excited we were able to get these important bills across the finish line this session.” Among the bills authored by Senator Ballweg was one that helps with the decommissioning of a power plant in Columbia County, another that will help manufacturers like the Waupaca Foundry to transport pig iron, and a bill that will assist cheese makers by expanding the definition of liquid dairy products that can be hauled. The state lawmaker from Markesan says, “Many of the bills signed today came from ideas in the 14th Senate District and will support our communities, business and local governments.”
CITY OF GREEN LAKE REFERENDUM INFORMATION SESSION SATURDAY
Officials with the City of Green Lake will host an information session Saturday on their upcoming referendum. The referendum question asks voters for permission to increase the tax levy limit from $1.5 million to $1.9 million for 2025, and on an ongoing basis, include the increase of $790,314 for each fiscal year going forward. A yes vote would allow the City to meet existing and future Public Safety and Public Works service levels. It would allow for inflationary increases in essential maintenance and capital improvement projects that are needed. It would also allow the City to correct a misallocation made years ago and adjust the operating levy limit to the appropriate baseline going forward. The information session on the referendum will be at the Caestecker Public Library tomorrow from 10 am to noon.
HOME SALES STALLED
A local realtor says home sales have leveled off a bit while the Fed keeps interest rates at a high level. An official with the Federal Reserve this week gave a statement that progress toward lower inflation has stalled, but they are still anticipating three rate cuts by the end of the year. Tony Dolgner of Century 21 Properties Unlimited says their inventory is down while interest rates remain high. He says when they put a home on the market there is usually more than one offer on it. However, he says the time when offers were way over the asking prices has stopped. He says sellers are still getting a good price for their home. His office has agents that work across the area as far south as Portage, but they recently sold homes in New London and Waterloo. Primarily they do business in Ripon, Berlin, Markesan, Waupun, Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, and other local cities. Dolgner celebrated 25 years as a realtor in February and in May will have been with his office in Ripon 16 years. He says if you’d like to know more call his office at 920-748-2865 or visit their website.
Ripon, WI Real Estate Office | CENTURY 21 Properties Unlimited (c21.com)
WALSWORTH PRINTING IN RIPON HIRING
Walsworth Printing in Ripon is hiring, they have the flag up at their facility at 656 South Douglas Street and they welcome anyone that wants to walk in and ask for an application. Kelly Mundell is the Human Resources Manager at Walsworth. She says employees are paid well and receive good benefits. They currently have five shifts available including the option of working four ten-hour days which gives you more time off. She says because it is manufacturing work you need to be able to stand on your feet for long periods of time. She has a role in the hiring process. She says if you’re enthusiastic, ask good questions, and are interested in growth opportunities you are just the kind of person they are looking for. Mundell says applications are also available on their website.
Job Opportunities (paycomonline.net)
WORK PROGRESSING ON OMRO COMMUNITY CENTER
An official with the Omro Area Community Center says they have made some progress in remodeling the building they will be using for the center. Board President Bob McKay says they are temporarily housed at Bridge of Faith Baptist Church in Omro, but are making progress on remodeling the old Marine Tops building they purchased. An anonymous donor gave them money for the down payment and they received an ARPA grant to remodel the building. He says they took a land contract for six years. The City of Omro didn’t renew the center’s lease in December of 2022, which set things in motion for a new location. McKay says he wants to see things through which means paying off the mortgage on the building they purchased. Those who would like to contribute toward the center can send donations to 131 East Main Street, Omro, Wisconsin 54963.
MURRAY PARK TRAIL BUNNY HOP
The Ripon Early Bird Kiwanis and Ripon’s Parks and Recreation Department are partnering for the Murray Park Trail Bunny Hop Sunday at the park. It’s from 1 to 2:30 pm and it is for children 2 to 10 years old. Parks and Recreation Director Ashton Zeien says in the past they’ve done a drive through event at Barlow Park, but this year’s version is more interactive for the children. There will be 15 booths children can collect goodies from. They will be helped along by signage on the trail and will get a little exercise along the way. There is no cost for kids to participate. She says the Easter Bunny will be there along with a full contingent of mascots including Webbie from Webster’s, the Ripon High School Tiger, the Ripon College Red Hawk, and Olaf.
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