6/21/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
21 June 2024 News
COPS & BOBBERS
Posted on the Waupaca Police Department Facebook page:
Last Saturday morning the Waupaca Police Department and WI DNR hosted Cops & Bobbers. The event paired an elementary or middle school aged child with an officer for an educational fishing experience. The weather was perfect and everyone had a blast! We hope to continue this community event every year.
We would like to thank our sponsors that helped make this possible. Creative Converting, Walleyes for Kids, Domino’s, Scheels, Memories by Dawn, Waupaca Rental Center, Minnow Mike, and Clintonville PD. (Waupaca Police Department photo).
TWO HURT IN TOWN OF RIPON CRASH
Both drivers were injured in a two vehicle collision on State Highway 23 east of Brandon Road in Fond du Lac County’s Town of Ripon Wednesday morning. Town Police Captain Howard Stibb says thirty-four-year-old Chris Frederickson of Fond du Lac signaled to turn into a driveway. His vehicle was struck from behind by another car driven by Tonya Johnson of Sussex. Both vehicles ended up in ditches and Johnson’s came to rest against a storage shed. Both were taken to Ripon Community Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The accident is still under investigation. The accident was reported at 7:33 Wednesday morning.
RIPON ODYSSEY ACADEMY PRINCIPAL RESIGNING
Parents of students at Odyssey Academy in Ripon were informed Thursday that Principal Rebeca Miller is resigning from her position. In a statement from Jolene Miller an executive assistant to Ripon Schools Superintendent Mary Whitrock parents were told Miller is stepping down from the principal’s position after 5 years. Miller shared, “Due to the demands of my family, I am not able to meet any onsite requirements of my position.” She went on to say she was honored to have worked with the children, family, and staff of Odyssey Academy. Miller says she looks to continue to work in education in a virtual capacity in the future. The goal is to have a new principal in place by August 1st. Odyssey Academy parents were invited to share their input during the selection process for the next principal. (Ripon Area School District photo).
DISCUSSION ON RIPON EVENT BARN REQUEST ADJOURNED TO JULY
The Ripon Plan Commission this week adjourned discussion about a rezoning and conditional use permit request for an events barn at 835 Liberty Street to its July meeting. A number of neighbors spoke in opposition to Wayne Chaney’s request for what would be known as the Ripon Event Barn. If granted the two barns would host conferences and weddings. Neighbors cited concerns about traffic, alcohol use, noise, fencing, and more. Chaney says he would like to host a dozen or more events a year at the location. He said he would comply with city ordinances. City Attorney Lud Wurtz and City Administrator Adam Sonntag brought up a change in state liquor law that takes effect in 2026. It will limit the number of such events to six a year unless a liquor license is obtained. Wurtz felt since Chaney’s attorney couldn’t be present at Wednesday’s meeting that discussion should be adjourned to the Plan Commission’s next meeting. Commission members agreed voting to adjourn that discussion to their July meeting.
WAKE SURFACING TOWN ORDINANCES DISCUSSED
The controversial wake boating ban in Waupaca County’s towns of Farmington and Dayton were discussed during a joint meeting of the two town boards Wednesday night. The two townships are partnering to enact a new ban on wake boating after the original ordinance was reversed. The Town of Farmington banned wake-enhanced boating on Round and Rainbow lakes last January but the town board reversed that decision in April. An ad hoc committee recommended both town boards combine efforts to create an identical ordinance. A few of the lakes being considered are in both towns. Wednesday night public input was heard on the issue. Wake surfers use special tanks to create larger wakes than other boats. Opponents say it’s caused problems with safety and the environment. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress took a recent poll showing overwhelming support for limits on wake surfing. Board members are working with the DNR and local law enforcement on ordinances. Meanwhile the towns of Dayton and Lind will hold another public hearing next Tuesday at 5 pm to take more testimony.
POSSIBLE RESOLUTION REACHED IN KATRINA BAUR CASE
The lawyer for the mother of 3-year-old Elijah Vue spoke in Manitowoc County court Thursday of a possible resolution in her case. Thirty-one-year-old Katrina Baur is facing child neglect charges. Her lawyer mentioned in court yesterday a possible resolution but said he needed to speak to Baur first. Baur and her boyfriend Jesse Vang both face charges for the missing toddler’s alleged treatment. Vue was staying with Vang when he was reported missing on February 20th. Vue had been missing for four months now. No one has been charged in connection with his disappearance. Baur will be back in court for a scheduling conference on July 1st. Vang has a status conference in his case next Friday.
FDL COUNTY BOARD APPROVES POSITIONS FOR FOND DU LAC COUNTY CAMPUS CONVERSION
The Fond du Lac County Board this week unanimously approved a pair of resolutions for the conversion of the UW-Oshkosh Fond du Lac campus back to a county owned and financed property. The pair of resolutions create a Campus Event and Recreation budget, a part-time position of Prairie Theater and Event Center Manager and a part-time Gynasium Manager. Salary and fringe benefits for each position would come to just under $40,000 a year to be paid for by rental incomes and the county’s salary and fringe benefit contingency account. Supervisor Tiiffany Brault who went to the UW Fond du Lac fondly remembers how busy the theater and commons were and believes they can be again. Brault also asked about how capital improvements for the gymnasium would be paid for and County Executive Sam Kaufman reiterated the goal is for it to become self-sufficient and pay for the improvements or payback borrowing for them. The board also unanimously approved using $500,000 in ARPA funds to make building improvements at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds.
ADVICE ABOUT AVOIDING WRONG WAY DRIVERS
Following a wrong way driving incident early last Saturday morning the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office is offering advice on keeping yourself safe while driving on a divided highway. That advice includes staying in the right lane whenever possible. Be alert for oncoming wrong way drivers including those entering from crossroads. Be prepared to merge to the right shoulder if you see a wrong way driver approaching. Call 911 to report the wrong way driver and be specific about your direction of travel and the direction of the travel of the wrong way driver. The wrong way driving incident last Saturday involved a vehicle traveling west in the eastbound fast lane of Highway 10 near County Highway F. Weyauwega Police and Waupaca County Sheriff’s deputies were able to successfully stop the wrong way driver. That driver was arrested on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence and was cited for OWI and driving the wrong way on a divided highway.
INDEPENDENCE DAY TRAVEL
AAA projects Independence Day travelers will set new records both nationwide and in Wisconsin. More than 70.9 million people around the U.S. are expected to travel 50 miles or more away from home. Nearly 1.6 million of those will be Wisconsin residents. AAA’s Independence Day travel forecast measures domestic trips of 50 miles or more during a 9-day period from Saturday, June 29th to Sunday, July 7th. Despite concerns about inflation, total travel is increasing on growth in consumer confidence, wages, and continued strength in consumer spending. Consumers are expected to increase spending by 5.5 percent compared to a year ago. Consumer confidence was up in May, and Wisconsin gas prices last month averaged $3.34 a gallon, 13 cents less than a year ago. The worst times to travel by car before and on July 4th are between 2 and 7 pm. Drivers should hit the road in the morning, and travelers returning on Monday, July 8th should avoid rush hour traffic in the morning and afternoon.
PARKING FOR SUNDAY’S BREAKFAST ON THE FARM
Fond du Lac County’s 35th Annual Breakfast on the Farm is coming up Sunday at the Abel Dairy Farm at W4050 County Highway UU in Eden. The breakfast is from 8 am to Noon. It is put on by Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s Agri-Business Council. Amy Ries is Envision’s Director of Agricultural Programs. She says the easiest way to get there is to take U.S. Highway 45 to County Highway UU. Only handicap parking will be available on the farm, but there will also be shuttle service from Aurora Medical Center in Fond du Lac and the Campbellsport High School. A special parking lot is also available for those with handicaps. Abel Dairy Farm boasts a dairy herd of 4,200 cows on 3,000 acres. Tickets for the Breakfast are $10 for adults, $8 for children 6 to 12, and children five and under will be admitted free. They are available in advance at the Envision offices in Fond du Lac, also on their website, Eden Café, Eden Meats, and Fond du Lac area banks.
RIPONFEST A WEEK AWAY
Riponfest returns to Barlow Park in Ripon a week from today. It will run Friday through Sunday, June 28th through the 30th. Howard Stibb of Riponfest says they are holding it a little earlier this summer to accommodate the carnival that provides rides and attractions at the park. He notes last year the owner of Spectrum Carnival in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was able to get Riponfest on their calendar because there were five weekends in July, but this year the only opening he had was at the end of June. Stibb says it is important to emphasize they are not associated with the Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce, any other organization, and they do not get funding from the City of Ripon. He says they hold fundraisers to finance the carnival, fireworks, music, and other activities they put on during Riponfest and they have from 50 to 60 generous sponsors.
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