6/20/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
20 June 2024 News
FDL COUNTY TRAFFIC PURSUIT
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s officials say a 36-year-old Milwaukee man who fled from a traffic stop last night on Interstate-41 northbound near Lost Arrow Road was wanted on a nationwide felony warrant for over a year. The man was pulled over for an equipment violation and took off while a Sheriff’s deputy was trying to verify the name and age the man had given him. The suspect used a turn around on the interstate to head south on I-41 and continued south into Dodge County. The deputy was eventually able to use a box-in maneuver and high-risk stop to take the man into custody. There were three passengers in the vehicle with him. No one was hurt but there was minor damage to the suspect’s vehicle. The man was on parole for a felon in possession of a firearm incident and was wanted on an active warrant. He provided the deputy with a fake name and date of birth during the initial traffic stop.
JASON LINDEMANN FOUND GUILTY
A Winnebago County jury Wednesday found 53-year-old Jason Lindemann of Oshkosh guilty of fourteen counts related to his involvement driving a powerboat that struck a paddlewheel cruise boat on the Fox River on July 9th, 2022. Lindemann was found guilty of two counts of second degree recklessly endangering safety, eleven counts of failure to render aid after a boating accident resulting in injury, and one count of negligent operation of a boat. Multiple witnesses observed Lindemann consuming alcohol in the hours prior to the crash. Lindemann and his passengers are alleged to have been drinking at the Dockside Tavern immediately before the crash. GPS data from Lindemann’s boat revealed that after leaving the Dockside, the boat traveled under the Oregon Street Bridge and then accelerated rapidly, reaching a top speed of 46 miles an hour at impact. The crash between the 38-foot powerboat and the paddlewheel boat caused significant damage to the paddlewheel boat and led to a variety of injuries for over a dozen of the 44 people who were on board. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 22nd.
COUNTY K QUARRY CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPROVED
The Green Lake County Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee last week approved a conditional use permit for the proposed limestone quarry known as the “County K Quarry.” The meeting Friday was the second for the committee to consider the request from the property owners and Kopplin & Kinas. The first meeting last month ended with the committee postponing a decision to consider additional information that had been introduced. Both meetings were well attended. Following a public hearing at last Friday’s meeting the committee unanimously approved the Conditional Use Permit. It will include 19 conditions, and a technical memo from a hydrogeologist hired by the Green Lake Association and Green Lake Sanitary District. After 20 years the conditional use permit will be reviewed to make sure all the conditions are being met. Much of the original opposition to the quarry was for the same reasons a “Skunk Hollow” quarry request was challenged and was eventually denied. Since the committee’s meeting in May Kopplin & Kinas has worked with the Green Lake Sanitary District, Green Lake Association and Green Lake Conservancy to address some of the concerns about the “County K Quarry.”
UW FDL CAMPUS PLANS UNVEILED
During an informational meeting Tuesday evening Fond du Lac County Executive Sam Kaufman unveiled his plans for repurposing the land and buildings currently being used by the UW-Oshkosh Fond du Lac. Kaufman sees the Prairie Theater and Gymnasium being used as a performing arts/events center and sports complex respectively. Kaufman says other buildings could be used to house the County’s Human Services, ADRC and Land and Water Conservation Department. The state’s Department of Workforce Development is also interested in office space. Other plans include developing Senior Housing and converting the Arts Building into a Law Enforcement Training Center. Some county owned land near the campus would be sold to help finance renovations. He estimated they could generate $6.6 million to $7 million in revenue and $300,000 to $600,000 in rental. Some costs would be offset by selling the Portland Street Annex and the building currently used by Land and Water Conservation. Kaufman says they will need $1.26 million this year to begin the work on the campus, but they will ask the County Board for permission to use $1 million in ARPA funds for some of that. The UWO turns the Fond du Lac County owned buildings and lands back over to the County on June 30th. The campus’s latest enrollment was down to about 200 students.
WAUPUN SENIOR CENTER BUILDING FOR SALE
The City of Waupun is selling the building currently being used as the city’s Senior Center. It is located at 301 East Main Street in the historic central business district. It has three floors. The Waupun Senior Center is using the first floor, and the second floor is vacant. The Waupun Senior Center will be moving into its new facility in the fall when construction is complete. The City of Waupun will consider all development proposals for the building on East Main Street that are compatible with the surrounding commercial business district. Preference will be given to owner-occupied retail or retail tenant space. Developers who would like to be considered must submit a proposal by July 24th. Questions can be directed to City Administrator Kathy Schlieve at 920-324-7912 or via email at Kathy@cityofwaupun.org.
BGCTC BUILDING A MEMBERSHIP IN RIPON
While a new facility is being built in Ripon for the Boys & Girls Club of the Tri-County Area there is a growing list of youth waiting to become members of that facility. Kassidy Walters is the Resource Development Coordinator for the Club. She says they’ve been using the Ripon College campus as a satellite site and have seen a growing membership over the last three years for activities held there. They have seen membership go from 50 kids, to 75, and currently they have over 100 with a wait list. The Capital Campaign for the new Ripon site continues even as it’s being constructed. Walters says those who would like to donate can call their main office in Berlin or visit their website. Once the building is up and running it will serve about 700 kids a year or about 100 to 150 on a daily basis. Club officials hope to have the nearly 40,000 square-foot two-story facility completed by June of 2025.
CONGRESSMAN GROTHMAN ON THE DISINTEGRATION OF FAMILY
Congressman Glenn Grothman says one of the things people express concerns about to him is the breakdown of the American family. The federal lawmaker from Glenbeulah feels that decline began in the 1960’s with the feminist movement and government programs like the Great Society. He says it has continued up to today and he believes even the Black Lives Matter movement has contributed to it. He points out government programs that benefit those on low income, food stamps, provide daycare and even cash are incentives for the one-parent family. He says on top of that is the marriage penalty which takes money away from married couples. Grothman says the one area of diversity, equity, and inclusion where there should be more equality is the two-parent family.
FEDERAL URBAN FORESTRY GRANT APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSES
DNR officials say the application period for a federal urban forestry grant is now closed. DNR staff are reviewing applications and determining awards. Successful applicants will receive a portion of the $4 million available, with project funding requests ranging from $7,000 to $500,000. Sixty-one applications were submitted by villages, cities, counties, tribes and non-profits, totaling more than $16.5 million in requests, far exceeding the $4 million of available funds. The money will go toward work such as removing hazardous trees, increasing the forest canopy through planting, supporting urban forestry workforce development and using trees to reduce urban heat. Applicants will be notified next month of their funding status. In August, successful applicants will receive a grant agreement, and in September, the grant awards will go into effect.
RIPON SENIOR CENTER TAKES DONATIONS FOR CITYWIDE GARAGE SALE
The Ripon Senior Activity Center will be participating in the citywide rummage sale this Friday and Saturday. People can shop in the air-conditioned comfort of the Senior Center at Murray Park Friday from 9 am to 2 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm. Center Director Christine Leusch says today from 8 am to 3 pm at the Center they will be taking donations of items as a fundraiser for the Center. They are looking for clean, gently used items. Among the items they will accept are tools, household items, kitchenware, toys, fishing equipment, camping gear, small appliances, household items, bicycles, home décor, outdoor furniture, children and adult clothing, baby clothes and items, furniture, pet supplies, collectibles, and sports equipment. They won’t be accepting electronics and mattresses. Friday during the rummage sale at the Center, the Ripon American Legion will be holding a brat fry. Proceeds from the brat fry will be going to the Legion.
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