8/2/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
2 August 2024 News
ARREST IN FDL ARSON INVESTIGATION
Fond du Lac Police have arrested a 16-year-old Fond du Lac boy suspected of setting a fire in the concession stand restroom at the Fond du Lac High School on June 5th. The teen is being charged with first-degree recklessly endangering safety, felony criminal damage to property, and arson. He is currently being held at the Fond du Lac County Secure Detention Center. The fire was investigated by Detective Lee Mikulec. Fond du Lac Police Chief Aaron Goldstein says, “From the onset of this senseless and dangerous crime, Detective Mikulec worked tirelessly to ensure those involved would be held accountable.” He added they were also grateful for their partnership with the Fond du Lac School District. The concession stand building sustained significant soot and smoke damage during the fire.
MORE BLUE GREEN ALGAE DETECTED IN GREEN LAKE
The Green Lake County Health Department has confirmed blue-green algae blooms for a toxin at the County Highway K Marsh Boat Landing and Hattie Sherwood Beach. They have also been notified of the same presence of algae at the Dodge Memorial County Park Beach. As a result of the current water conditions, County Highway K Marsh Boat Landing, Hattie Sherwood Beach, and Dodge Memorial County Park Beach will be closed until further notice. Blue-green algae blooms can be toxic. To keep yourself and your pets safe avoid swallowing lake water and touching algal scums. Keep pets away from the water and do not let them drink water containing blue-green algae. Be alert and avoid water that looks like pea soup or spilled paint, is discolored or has colored streaks, and has surface scums, mats, or films.
WASHINGTON COUNTY MURDER INVESTIGATION
Washington County Sheriff’s officials have taken a 41-year-old Richfield man into custody for the death of a 42-year-old Washington County woman. The homicide investigation started shortly after 4 am Thursday morning when deputies were dispatched to the 3500 block of Pleasant Hill for an abandoned 911 call. They found the victim dead and apprehended the suspect at the scene. The victim and suspect knew each other. No other details about the death or investigation were released. With the suspect in custody there is no ongoing threat to the public.
CDBG GRANTS ANNOUNCED
Thursday Governor Tony Evers announced the award of $20.7 million in grants to 22 municipalities for public improvement projects across Wisconsin. Earlier this week the City of Ripon announced it had received a $1 million Community Development Block Grant Public Facility grant. It was among the 22 municipalities and will use the money for the reconstruction of Hamburg Street and Hennie Street. Other area cities or villages receiving $1 million CDBG grants include Beaver Dam, Campbellsport, Horicon, and Princeton. The grants are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
RIPON FIRE AND EMS CONSOLIDATION ASSESSMENT
Ripon Guardian Ambulance EMS Chief Mitch Matuszeski says it will take about six months for Public Administration Associates of Whitewater to complete an assessment for a possible consolidation of Fire and EMS services in Ripon. Once that is complete they will make their recommendations to the Ripon Common Council. He says combining services and creating full-time firefighter/paramedic positions would take care of some staffing issues and eliminate duplication of staffing. He notes it would also be easier to recruit for positions. Matuszeski says it would also help them tackle the increasing number of calls for service. He says at the rate they are going this year they will end the year with more than 1,800 calls for service which is about double what they saw ten years ago. The Ripon Area Fire District recently did some strategic planning that recommended consolidation. Many cities including Waupun are looking at the same challenges and solution.
BIG NEED TO IMPROVE AGRICULTURAL ROADS IN THE STATE
State Senator Joan Ballweg says she’s pleased money is being awarded through Wisconsin’s Agricultural Roads Improvement Program but was hoping to see more awarded for roads in the 14th State Senate District. Governor Tony Evers announced the initial round of grant winners on July 24th with $50 million going to 37 projects in 28 counties across the state. Senator Ballweg says just over $763,000 was awarded to the Village of Windsor in Dane County to improve North Meixner Road, but that was it for communities in the 14th. The state lawmaker from Markesan says there is an additional $100 million in the state budget for the next round of funds in the program. She says there is a need out there, they received application requests for more than double the $150 million they budgeted for the program. Projects in the program are aimed at improving rural roads and bridges that are critical to moving and transporting products, crops, and livestock.
GREEN LAKE COUNTY 911 OUTAGES
Green Lake County Chief Deputy Sheriff Matt Vande Kolk asks that residents have patience while the Communications Center transitions to a Next Generation 911 service. He says it will cut down on the number of service outages they have with their current provider Brightspeed. Through AT&T and Wisconsin’s Department of Military Affairs, Green Lake County has received a sizable grant to upgrade its 911 service. He says it is something they have been working on since 2022. Twice last month there were outages. He says those outages are based on geography and their service provider. He says they have been transparent with the public about the outages. The Sheriff’s Office has its Next Generation 911 equipment in place, but there are so many agencies going through upgrades that they are basically waiting in line to get the switch flipped.
RIPON COLLEGE ANNOUNCES THE RIPON COMMITMENT
Ripon College this week introduced its latest financial aid opportunity, The Ripon Commitment, which entirely covers or greatly reduces tuition and fees for incoming, Wisconsin resident students. Designed with two layers-including one that is income-driven-The Ripon Commitment helps ensure students throughout the state of Wisconsin have access to the higher education experience provided by Ripon College. Ripon College President Victoria Folse says, “The Ripon Commitment opens doors for students in Wisconsin who may have thought higher education at a private school was out of reach.” The Ripon Commitment will become available to students in the fall of 2025. More details about the program are available at the Ripon College website.
SIXTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATES FORUM SCHEDULED
The League of Women Voters of the Ripon Area and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin have invited candidates running for the 6th Congressional District seat to participate in a forum at the end of the month. It will be held Wednesday, August 28th at 7 pm in the Ripon City Hall Council Chambers. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Candidates for the 6th Congressional District are incumbent Republican Glenn Grothman and challenger Democrat John Zarbano. The event will be taped and broadcast on the Ripon Channel YouTube page. Screened questions from the audience will be given to the candidates by the moderator. Candidates were sent an invitation in early July and have until August 8th to respond whether or not they will participate.
SCOOPING THE LOOP AND FIREWORKS IN RIPON SATURDAY
Ripon’s Independence Day Firework display, which was postponed due to weather-related concerns, will be held tomorrow night at dusk at Barlow Park. The fireworks will follow the annual Scooping the Loop event. The park is located on Ripon’s south side near the intersection of Griswold and Watson Street. Scooping the Loop is a time honored tradition in Ripon. For decades, local residents came together to drive their vehicles through the downtown historic district and meet up with friends. The activity was banned from the community in 1992, but it has been brought back and this will be the 6th Annual Scooping the Loop event since its return. It will be from 5 to 8 pm with the fireworks following at dusk at Barlow Park. Scooping the Loop participants are asked to obey all traffic laws. Burnouts and open intoxicants are prohibited.
FIESTA AT THE FAIRGROUNDS CONTINUES
The Green Lake County Fair continues today at the County Fairgrounds in Green Lake. Among the highlights today are a performance by the Swing Crew Band at noon, the Midway opens at 2 pm, there is a truck and tractor pull at 6:30, and the Livestock Auction is at 7 pm. Saturday has a full day of activities including the Demolition Derby at 6 pm and a performance by Jordan Blanchard at 6:30 pm. The Fiesta at the Fairgrounds continues on Sunday. For a full list of fair activities visit the Green Lake County website.
Green Lake County Fair – Green Lake County, WI (greenlakecountywi.gov)
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