3/28/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
28 March 2024 News
FDL MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER
Charges have brought against the 50-year-old Fond du Lac man suspected of stabbing his wife during an argument at their home on County Road K last Friday. Fermin Teodoro Lopez-Mendoza is charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, mayhem, first degree reckless injury, and aggravated battery. According to the criminal complaint he stabbed the victim in the stomach three times. One of wounds was deep and lacerated her liver. She also suffered defensive wounds to her hands trying to grab the serrated steak knife Lopez-Mendoza was using. The victim was taken to the hospital for surgery. She spoke to a Sheriff’s detective at the hospital and told him Lopez-Mendoza had an extensive history of domestic violence and the family wanted him out of the residence. He also allegedly nearly backed over another member of the family while leaving the residence in his vehicle. Lopez-Mendoza was picked up the next day during a traffic stop in Ozaukee County. Cash bond was set at $2 million during his initial court appearance in Fond du Lac County court Wednesday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 4th. (Fond du Lac County Jail photo).
WRONG WAY DRIVER CHARGED FOR HEAD ON COLLISION IN WAUPACA COUNTY
Bond has been set at $25,000 cash for a 36-year-old Neenah man for allegedly driving the wrong way in Waupaca County causing a head-on collision that led to injuries for three passengers in his vehicle and one person in the other vehicle. Daniel Pachecobolanus was charged yesterday with three counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety and one count of operating while intoxicated causing injury. It is his first OWI offense. The head-on collision happened Monday night on U.S. Highway 10. According to the criminal complaint Pachecobolanus told investigators at the scene he had four beers before he drove. He said his friends had too much to drink so he decided to drive. They were on their way to Oshkosh after dining at a restaurant north of Weyauwega. He will be back in court on April 9th.
FDL COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER PROMOTIONS
With the transfer of the Fond du Lac County Communications Center to the Sheriff’s Office a couple of Sheriff’s officers have new responsibility. The County’s Communication Service Administrative Review Board unanimously recommended Sheriff’s Lieutenant Eric Halbach to lead the county-wide communications center. He has been promoted to captain of administration and will serve as division commander of the sheriff’s office communication center. In addition Lieutenant Brennan Wagner will transfer to the communications division as a second in command. Captain Halbach started his career with the Sheriff’s Office in November of 2001 as a correctional deputy and worked as a patrol deputy, sergeant, and was promoted to patrol lieutenant in August of 2018.Lieutenant Wagner is a Fond du Lac native and began his career with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office in 2013. He has served as a patrol deputy, field training officer, patrol sergeant, and was promoted to lieutenant of technology last February. You can read more about them in our story at Hometown Broadcasting.com.
VERGOS APPOINTED NFDL POLICE CHIEF
The North Fond du Lac Police and Fire Commission this week appointed a village police officer and former Sheriff’s deputy as the new police chief. Pete Vergos has been serving as the active chief since former Chief Darren Pautsch retired after more than 30 years with the village in January. Vergos had worked for the North Fond du Lac Police Department from 2003 to 2008 and left to join the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office. He served as a deputy for 13 years and returned to the North Fond du Lac Police Department two years ago. His first day as chief will be next Monday.
GRANTS FOR SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction Wednesday announced it has allocated nearly $12 million in federal funds to school districts across the state to help meet their unique mental health challenges. The Stronger Connections competitive grant is part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act legislation President Joe Biden signed into law in June of 2022. Grant funding will provide the opportunity for school districts to implement more interventions and services. Among the 40 grant recipients are the Berlin Area School District, Ripon Area School District, Montello School District, and Weyauwega-Fremont School District.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES UP IN ALL COUNTIES FOR FEBRUARY
Unemployment rates for area counties increased by a half-percent or more last month. According to Federal labor statistics the jobless rates in February were at 2.7 percent in Fond du Lac County, 2.8 percent in Winnebago County, and 3.1 percent in Dodge County. Waupaca County’s jobless rate was 3.6 percent, Green Lake County’s was 3.9 percent, and the rate for Waushara County stood at 4.4 percent at the end of February. The City of Oshkosh had a 2.7 percent unemployment rate last month and Fond du Lac’s rate was at 3.2 percent. Officials with the state’s Department of Workforce Development say jobless rates were up in all 72 counties in February.
ALLIANCE LAUNDRY SYSTEMS HIRING
Alliance Laundry Systems in Ripon is hiring first and second shift workers, and there are open leadership and maintenance roles. Hailey Brandsma is a talent acquisition specialist with Alliance she says they have factory floor openings available for a variety of tasks. There are customer service, finance and other openings as well. Employees work four 10-hour days and have benefits from their first day of work. Other perks include 401 K and employees get a price break on the Speed Queen washers and dryers that are made. They also have internship and coop programs and are looking for summer help, which could assist college students looking for a summer job. Applications are available on the Alliance Laundry Systems website. They also have walk-in Wednesdays the first and third Wednesday of the month from 10 am to 2 pm for those who want to pick up or fill out an application in person.
RIPON NOON KIWANIS COSPONSORING COMMUNITY ART SHOW
Entries are being taken for a Community Art Show in Ripon. Ripon Noon Kiwanis and Ripon College Circle K will host the show at the Ripon High School Commons on Saturday, April 13th from 5:30 to 7 pm. The Ripon Noon Kiwanis are in the midst of a year-long celebration of their 100th Anniversary. Each month they are sponsoring or co-sponsoring a community event. Past President Gary Scholtens says the Community Art Show gives them a chance to showcase area artists in whatever form their art takes. Categories include drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, pottery, and fiber. Groupings for the show include Kindergarten through 2nd grade, 3rd through 5th grade, 6th through 12th grade, College to Adult. There will be a three-member panel of judges with prizes awarded. There’s no cost to enter, but a photo of your artwork should be emailed to riponnoonkiwanis@gmail.com by Friday, April 5th. You can also get an entry form and details at the Ripon Noon Kiwanis website.
April – Community Art Show (riponnoonkiwanis.org)
RIPON PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES
Ripon Public Library Adult and Teen Services Librarian Susie Menk says a library card could be the most important you own. It’s free and Menk says it will open up a world of reading, viewing, and learning opportunities for you. It gives you access to all the hard reading material, DVDs, audio books, and online resources. They also have a digital library known as Libby where you can access audio books, eBooks, movies, music, and more. Menk says she teaches an online digital library type of class every other month. Libby is available as an app. The library offers special programs and regular programs as well like Monday Matinees and Story Time. A program next month is entitled Unlock the Key to Online Learning. There’s even a page on the Library’s website where you can get a library card.
Home | Ripon Public Library (riponlibrary.org)
PUBLIC SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING AT RIPON COLLEGE
The Society of Physics Students and the Ripon College departments of physics and education will hold a public viewing event for the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th. The community is invited to attend the event sponsored by the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium. Those interested can stop by Memorial Green outside of Pickard Commons anytime between 11 am and 2 pm, or while supplies last, to pick up a free set of eclipse viewers and learn about the science of eclipses and about safe eclipse viewing, and to explore a variety of physics demonstrations. Although Ripon is not in the “path of totality,” the eclipse maximum for this area will take place at 2:07 pm local time.
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