8/7/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
7 August 2024 News
FORMER WCI WARDEN AND TWO OTHERS ARRAIGNED
Former Waupun Correctional Institution Warden Randall Hepp (pictured) Tuesday afternoon pled not guilty to a charge of misconduct in office. The hearing in Dodge County court lasted only a few moments. He and eight members of his staff are charged with various felonies, including misconduct and inmate abuse, stemming from the deaths of two inmates at the prison since June of 2023. One of them died of a stroke and the other of dehydration. Altogether five inmates have died at the institution over that span of time. The latest was 57-year-old Christopher McDonald. His death was reported Monday. Investigators believe it was suicide. Two others charged in the Waupun prison case were arraigned in Dodge County court yesterday afternoon. Thirty-five-year-old Sarah Ransbottom pled not guilty to a count of misconduct in office. She has a plea and sentencing hearing on September 26th. Thirty-nine-year-old Jamall Russell is charged with misconduct in office and abuse of residents in a penal facility. He also entered not guilty pleas. A scheduling conference for his case is set for September 17th. Hepp will be back in court for a scheduling conference on September 30th. (Dodge County Jail photo)
THEFTS FROM BOATS IN OSHKOSH
Police in Oshkosh are investigating thefts of items from boats located throughout the city. Over the past few weeks, several thefts of fishing gear taken from boats have been reported. Police are encouraging residents to remove items of value from their boats, park their boats in a well-lit area and if possible, park in an area that has video surveillance. Anyone with information about the thefts is urged to call the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you wish to remain anonymous call the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at 920-231-8477.
FDL COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT REVIEW
Two sessions will be held next month to review the 2024 Fond du Lac County Community Health Assessment. The Fond du Lac County Health Department, SSM Health, and Healthy Fond du Lac County partnered on the assessment which is conducted every three years to prioritize top health risks in the county. The first Community Review and Prioritization session will be held Thursday, September 5th from 11:30 am to 1 pm at the Lakeside Park Pavilion in Fond du Lac. A light lunch will be provided. The second session is the following day Friday, September 6th from 7 to 8 am and will be online on Zoom. A link will be sent after registration. To attend either session you need to register online at Survey Monkey.com by Friday, August 30th.
2024 CHA: Data Review & Prioritization Session Registration Survey (surveymonkey.com)
WEST NILE VIRUS DETECTED IN WISCONSIN
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services this week announced the first West Nile Virus infections this year in a healthy blood donor from Washington County, whose blood screened positive for the virus, and a dead bird from Chippewa County. The blood donor is not considered a human case because they never developed any symptoms. The infections confirm that there are mosquitoes infected with West Nile Virus in the state that can transmit virus to other people and animals. To avoid mosquito bites apply insect repellant to exposed skin and clothing. Avoid going outdoors during evening and early morning hours. Wear long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors. Remove stagnant water and empty any containers with standing water in your yard. Change the water in bird baths and pet dishes every 3 days. Mow or trim tall grasses, weeds, and vines.
First Confirmed West Nile Virus Activity in Wisconsin | Wisconsin Department of Health Services
ANNUAL SEWER MAINTENANCE GOING ON IN RIPON
The City of Ripon is conducting its annual sewer maintenance with high-pressure jetting and televising going on this week. The performance of cleaning and inspections of the sanitary sewer system is in the Northeast part of the city. Residents are asked to keep their toilet lids closed during the process to avoid any backflow through drains. The routine maintenance helps prevent future blockages and keeps the sewer lines running smoothly. City officials say during the cleaning process high pressure water jets clean the sewer lines and debris is removed. It takes about 30 minutes per home. Some common issues include temporary odors of water in toilets may occur. The city has more information and tips available online.
NO SHARP TAILED GROUSE HUNTING SEASON
DNR officials say although the spring population survey results indicate a slight increase, the sharp-tailed grouse hunting season remains closed for 2024. Permits and applications will not be available or accepted this year. Each year, the sharp-tailed grouse advisory committee uses spring dancing ground surveys to evaluate the population’s size and recommend a hunting season. Based on the review of spring population data and several other factors concerns remain about the long-term viability of the sharp-tailed grouse population. 2024 will be the sixth year the season has been closed. (DNR photo)
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING ON THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
A Congressional subcommittee Congressman Glenn Grothman sits on looked into wasteful spending by the Department of Defense. Members of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs held a hearing to discuss stronger oversight and enforcement mechanisms, such as increased data of analytic tools. Congressman Grothman says conventional wars are less and less likely to be fought on the ground. He says most of the battle in the Middle East is being waged through missiles and drones. Key findings of the subcommittee’s hearing included the Department of Defense programs have experienced costs overruns and performance issues, and the department has a habit of over-promising and under-delivering new platforms. Congressman Grothman says a mindset has to be changed.
ZIMDARS FARM HONORED FOR 150 YEARS ANNIVERSARY
The Wisconsin State Fair Tuesday morning honored family farms turning 150 and 100 years old this year. Among them was the Zimdars Farm owned by Audrey, David and Steven Zimdars in Ripon. Margaret and Weldon Peterson of Fond du Lac were also honored for their farm. The Zimdars Farm began in 1874 with 80 acres. Today it is 470 acres and has 240 cows. David Zimdars father recently passed away. He was born on the farm and lived his entire 98 years there. David celebrated his birthday earlier this week. David says the real joy of a family farm is working together with the next few generations on the farm including his grandson. Fair officials yesterday honored 51 farms through the Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Program and 74 through the Centennial Farm and Home Program. (Photo courtesy of Rae Nell Halbur. Pictured left to right Audrey, David and Steven Zimdars).
ENVISION FDL COUNTY FAIR RECAP
Envision Greater Fond du Lac Director of Agricultural Programs Amy Ries says quite a few people stopped by the “Moo”turnity Ward and Education Center at the Fond du Lac County Fair last month. She says over 2,000 kids took in the Little Hands on the Farm activities for 3 to 10-year-olds. In addition, they served a lot of milk to people of all ages. They went through 62 gallons of chocolate milk and 30 gallons of white milk; or approximately 1,954 six-ounce cups. One of the main appeals however was the “Moo”turnity Ward where they brought in 15 cows ready to calf. People were able to watch eight newborn calves join the world. Ries says that’s a great experience most people don’t have the opportunity to see. She says 98 percent of the population isn’t connected to agriculture, so the fair is a great way to come in and be educated about it.
GOAT CHEESE FOR A YEAR CONTEST
LaClare Creamery in Malone, Wisconsin is giving away a year’s supply of their award-winning goat cheese through their Goat Cheese for Days Sweepstakes in honor of National Goat Cheese Month. The online contest runs through August 31st. To enter, participants must fill out the entry form with their name, email, and phone number. By doing so they stand a chance to win a generous haul of delicious goat cheese, delivered to their doorstep in quarterly installments, totaling up to 52 delectable selections. No purchase is necessary to enter or win. The contest is only open to legal residents in the continental United States. You have to be 18 years of age or older as of the date of entry. Visit the LaClare Family Creamery.com website to enter the contest and for official rules.
National Goat Cheese Month (laclarefamilycreamery.com)
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