4/16/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
16 April 2024 News
FORMER FDL WOMAN SENTENCED FOR HER ROLE IN FATAL ACCIDENT
The 45-year-old former Fond du Lac woman convicted in Green Lake County of causing a fatal traffic accident has been sentenced to 8 years in prison and 4 years of extended supervision. In January Jessica Knueppel of Sparta pled guilty to second degree reckless homicide and second degree recklessly endangering safety charges. A charge of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle was read into the record and dismissed. Charges stemmed from a fatal accident on State Highway 23 near Green Lake County Highway W that occurred on September 29th, 2021. Fifty-one-year-old Steven La Tour of Appleton was killed in the crash. Investigators determined Knueppel’s SUV crossed over the centerline striking the SUV driven by La Tour head on. Green Lake County District Attorney Gerise LaSpisa says Knueppel ran another vehicle off the road moments before the fatal crash. A blood test revealed impairing substances including methadone and clonazepam in Knueppel’s system. (Green Lake County Sheriff’s photo).
MARKESAN SHED FIRE
Six fire departments responded to a shed fire at W1251 State Highway 44 in Markesan Saturday night. Markesan Fire Department officials say when they arrived there was heavy smoke and fire showing from the 40 by 60 foot shed. Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire. No firefighters or individuals at the scene were injured. Many items in the shed were a total loss. A cause for the fire was not given. The time of the fire call was 6:35 pm.
OSHKOSH PUB CRAWL ARRESTS
Oshkosh Police made several arrests during a Pub Crawl Saturday night. Just after 9:30 they were dispatched to a large physical disturbance involving 100 people. Several gunshots were heard while officers were on the scene. They found several shell casings and a half hour later took a 20-year-old Oshkosh man into custody on several charges including first degree recklessly endangering safety. No one was injured and no property damage was reported. Oshkosh police responded to approximately 100 calls in the area of the Pub Crawl event. Five men were arrested including the Oshkosh man who fired the gun. Officers wrote 48 citations including 3 for underage drinking and 39 for open intoxicants.
BARABOO MAN ARRESTED FOR ERRATIC DRIVING AND BEHAVIOR
A 38-year-old Baraboo man is facing multiple charges for drunken and reckless driving and several other incidents Sunday. Other drivers reported Zachery Jefferson’s erratic driving on State Highway 33 in Columbia County. Later a Town of Caledonia resident returned home to find Jefferson going through his vehicles. Jefferson fled the scene and drove through the Sky High Campground going through a basketball and volleyball court. When he crashed his vehicle, he tried to steal a golf cart, but by that time Sheriff’s deputies were on the scene and they took him into custody. It was learned he had stolen property from residences in the area as well as the vehicle he was driving. He was taken to the Columbia County Jail. He is facing OWI, second degree recklessly endangering safety, stolen vehicle, theft, attempted theft charges and probation violations. No one was injured during the various incidents. (Green Lake County Jail photo).
REORGANIZATIONAL MEETINGS
Those elected to city or common councils, and county boards will take the oath of office and be seated at a number of reorganizational meetings today. County Board of Supervisors’ meetings will be held in Dodge, Green Lake, Fond du Lac, Waupaca and Waushara counties today. The Green Lake County Board will also consider appointing Nita Krenz to an open seat representing District 15. During the County Board meetings chairperson, and vice chairpersons will be elected, and committee assignments considered. The Ripon Common Council will hold its organizational meeting tonight at 7 pm.
PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR’S WEEK
The Fond du Lac County Communications Center is among those throughout the country being recognized during Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week which runs through this Saturday. The Sheriff’s Office oversees the 911 dispatch center. It serves all the communities in Fond du Lac County, including 18 fire departments, six ambulance services, 11 first responder groups, and 11 law enforcement agencies throughout the county. On average, the Fond du Lac County Communications Center receives over 517 administrative and emergency calls per day. Sheriff’s Captain Eric Halbach says dispatchers play a critical role in emergency services. He adds, “Their ability to stay calm under pressure and make split second decisions can make all the difference in life-threatening situations.” The Fond du Lac County Board has designated this week as Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week.
HIRE ME NOW EVENT COMING UP IN GREEN LAKE
The Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the Hire Me Now Job Fair at the Heidel House Hotel & Conference Center on Thursday, April 25th. It is for students and adults looking for a job and businesses looking for summer or year-round help. Chamber Executive Director Lisa Meier says they started the event three years ago with an American Rescue Plan Act grant and it has taken off since. The expo is open to students from 8th grade through college in the morning session, and adults in the afternoon session. Meier and Chamber Event Coordinator Angie Evans say it’s a great way for businesses to fill openings or recruit for future openings too. For more information or to register go to Visit Green Lake.com or contact the Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at 920-294-3231.
BOX OF HOPE GETTING STEADY USE
Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mandy Kimes reminds residents about the Box of Hope located at Traded Treasures and Food Pantry that contains essentials that can help someone in need. It contains toiletries, feminine hygiene products, oral hygiene products, diapers, wipes, gloves, and socks, and a list of places people can go to for further help. Kimes was part of a Leadership Fond du Lac team that set up the program with Hope on the Block. She says the box outside Traded Treasures is available 24/7 and it has been getting steady use since it was installed. Kimes says they recently got a nice contribution from St. Peter’s Church which did a drive to stock the box. Donations can be dropped off at Traded Treasures in Ripon, but Kimes says what they really need is for someone to set up an annual drive to keep the box stocked.
DEB’S STORY
On this National Healthcare Decisions Day SSM Health’s Deb Toth will be doing what she has for a long time, helping people out with advance directives like healthcare power of attorney and living wills. She is an Advanced Care Planning Specialist and has been doing it for a long time. Deb says it got personal when a friend died at a young age and the family struggled with an end-of-life decision about life support. She says when she got home she asked her husband to never prolong her life if she couldn’t make the decision herself. He balked at that, but her kids said they would abide by her wishes. SSM Health will be helping people out with their advanced directives at the Ripon Senior Center today from noon to 3 pm, and St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac and Waupun Memorial Hospital from 10 am to 2 pm.
OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM DIRECTOR LEAVING
The Oshkosh Public Museum’s Director Sarah Phillips, has accepted the position of Director of the Idaho State Museum at the Idaho State Historical Society. She will continue at the Oshkosh Public Museum through May 10th, where she has provided oversight of the exhibitions, programs, presentations, and staff. The Oshkosh Public Museum, which represents the history and heritage of Oshkosh and the Lake Winnebago region, is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year. Oshkosh City Manager Mark Rohloff says, “Someone with Sarah’s skills set is unique, and it is obvious that the state of Idaho thinks so as well.” He added that in her time with the city and the Oshkosh Public Museum, she has energized the Museum and highlighted the many assets of the Museum.
WILD ROSE FISH HATCHERY OPEN HOUSE
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will be hosting a spring open house at Wild Rose Fish Hatchery Education Center in Wild Rose from 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday, May 4th. The free event will give attendees a chance to celebrate the annual spring sturgeon spawn and learn more about Wisconsin’s oldest fish species. The open house will include activities for people of all ages, including casting instruction, fish identification, and following the sturgeon migration journey to spawning areas. Other hands-on activities include printing fish on tote bags, learning how to build a spinner and making a clay sturgeon. Attendees can also tour the original 1908 hatchery and explore the modern operation. The Education Center will provide guided tours from DNR staff every 45 minutes, with the last tour departing at 2 pm. The Wild Rose fish hatchery is a cool and cold-water hatchery that raises brown and rainbow trout, coho, and Chinook salmon, Great Lakes spotted muskellunge, walleye and lake sturgeon.
OASD DERBY DAY GALA
The Oshkosh Area School District Education Foundation invites the public to attend its 2024 Fundraising Gala on Friday, May 3rd at The Waters. The year’s “Derby Day” themed event promises an evening of celebration, great food, and more – all to benefit Oshkosh K-12 career and technical education students, staff, and programs. The gala will feature Kentucky Derby-inspired features including a heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet, a student-made dessert bar, cash bar, student showcase, and robotics demonstration. Derby attire is encouraged or business casual dress is welcomed. Tickets are $100 and all proceeds will support career and technical education students, staff, and programs. A “Gala Wish List” has also been compiled allowing donors to directly fund needed equipment and resources. Tickets and information are available by visiting the Oshkosh Area School District website.
OASD Education Foundation Fundraising Gala – Oshkosh Area School District
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