8/23/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
23 August 2024 News
DODGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S SQUAD CAR HIT BY PASSING MOTORIST
Dodge County Sheriff’s officials say a deputy involved in a traffic stop on County Highway E Thursday morning was seated in a squad car when another vehicle hit the squad and the vehicle that was pulled over for a traffic violation. It happened at 8:06 am on County Highway E between County Highway I and State Highway 26. The deputy was taken to a hospital for medical attention and EMS checked on the driver of the pickup truck that was struck. The driver of the striking vehicle was not injured. No one was seriously injured. There was damage to the squad car’s lower’s driver side and the rear of the pickup truck that was stopped for the traffic violation. The State Patrol is investigating the incident. Sheriff Dale Schmidt says the incident is a reminder of how important it is to reduce distractions while driving and the state’s move over law. (Dodge County Sheriff’s photo).
JASON LINDEMANN SENTENCED
The 54-year-old Oshkosh man who drove a powerboat that struck a paddlewheel cruise boat on the Fox River on July 9th, 2022 has been sentenced. Jason Lindemann was in Winnebago County court Thursday afternoon for the sentencing hearing. He was sentenced to five months in jail and three years of probation. In June a jury found him 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 were 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. Lindemann will also have to perform 50 hours of community service for each year he is on probation.
NO AVIAN INFLUENZA IN WISCONSIN
Over the past 30 days, the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratories has confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or H5N1 in 22 dairy herds in five states including Michigan and South Dakota. To date there have not been any Aviation Influenza detections in Wisconsin cattle, poultry, or wildlife with the genotype associated with dairy cattle detections in other states. Four human cases have been reported in the United States following exposure to dairy in cattle. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services continues to encourage those who work with animals or materials that could be potentially infected with novel influenza A viruses to take appropriate precautions and wear personal protection equipment according to CDC guidance.
BEACH AND BOAT LAUNCH CLOSINGS
The Green Lake County Public Health Department is advising the public that Soldiers and Sailors Park Beach and the County Highway K Marsh boat launch on Green Lake are closed. Both areas have Blue-Green algae blooms with green appearances, that tested positive for Anatoxin-a. County Highway K Marsh boat launch area has been closed since August 13th. Blue-Green algae can make people sick if they swallow, touch or breathe in droplets from contaminated water.
STATE HIGHWAY 91 PROJECT ONLINE MEETING
The state’s Department of Transportation will hold a live, online construction information meeting to discuss the State Highway 91 project in Winnebago County. The project begins on September 3rd and is between State Highway 44 and the west Winnebago County line. Roadway resurfacing of State Highway 91 will be within the towns of Algoma, Nekimi, Utica, Omro, Rushford and Nepeuskun. State Highway 91 will be closed and detoured for structure work starting September 3rd. The detour will use County Highway M and State Highway 44. The online information meeting will be via Microsoft Teams next Thursday at 3 pm to participate go to the DOT’s State Highway 91 website and click the ‘Join Meeting’ link at the top of the page at the time of the meeting. There is also a conference call number for audio-only it is 608-571-2209. The phone conference ID is 775898796.
WIS 91- Winnebago County – Bridge and Culvert Rehabilitation (511wi.gov)
THERESA MARSH WILDLIFE AREA DRAWDOWN
The state’s Department of Natural Resources announced they will conduct a full drawdown at Theresa Marsh Wildlife Area in Washington and Dodge counties. Water reduction began in mid-July, and water levels will be lowered gradually until a full drawdown is achieved in late August. The drawdown is necessary to complete construction and repairs on the wildlife area’s main dike, which impounds approximately 1,500 acres of water. The 1-mile dike and associated dam, first constructed in 1968, are located at the outlet of the East Branch of the Rock River on the northwest side of the property. Construction on the dike is planned to occur from September through November. Hunters should plan to target ducks during the early teal season and look for water levels to improve in November, as re-flooding provides more open water, cover and food resources for mid-to late-season migrants. The DNR reminds those using the Marsh to be mindful of the limited road access in the construction area and to follow posted signage indicating temporary parking and travel routes.
Photo credit: DNR-Angela Rusch
BACK TO SCHOOL SOON
The Ripon Area School District will welcome back students on Tuesday, September 3rd, but next week will still be a busy one for returning students. District Superintendent Mary Whitrock says by law they can’t start classes until after September 1st and the 2nd is Labor Day. Next Monday from 4 to 6 pm there is an open house at the Middle and High Schools and Tuesday an open house from 4 to 6 pm at the elementary schools. Whitrock says they will have orientations for the students next Thursday and Friday with half of the alphabet on one day and other half on Friday. She says it gives students a chance to bring their school supplies, get familiar with their schedules, and middle school students will learn how to use their lockers.
SKATEBOARD PARK ENHANCEMENTS
Ripon City Administrator Adam Sonntag says he is surprised as anyone that the City was able to pick up six pieces of equipment off Facebook Marketplace to enhance the skateboard park at Selfridge Park. Sonntag says they got the equipment for a little over $6,000, but the equipment is actually worth tens of thousands of dollars. The equipment was purchased from the city of Zion, Illinois. He explains that Zion is making improvement to a park and the contractor for that project put it on Facebook Marketplace. The equipment will enable Ripon to almost triple the size of the existing skateboard park which is also used by BMX bikers and scooter users. Sonntag says they are planning more enhancements to Selfridge Park next year.
STUDENT ANXIETY OVER RETURNING TO SCHOOL
A psychotherapist with SSM Health in Fond du Lac says there are things parents can do if they think their child is experiencing anxiety about returning to school. Ed Jelicka is also a former school counselor. He says a new grade, classroom; teacher can all bring on some stress for kids. He recommends parents set aside some time during the day to talk with their kids about how things are going. He suggests removing any distractions during that time so you can really listen. He says some anxiety can occur during the summer months as students anticipate returning to school. Setting up a meeting with a school counselor during the summer may be beneficial as well. Jelicka says extracurricular activities through schools such as music, athletics, or clubs will help students become more engaged and melt away some of that stress too.
EAA AVIATION MUSEUM SPEAKER SERIES
The EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh will remember 9/11 as part of their Aviation Adventure Speaker Series this fall. Presentations take place in the Founder’s Wing at the EAA Aviation Museum. All presentations start at 7 pm. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase. The September 11th program, “EAA Remembers 9/11,” will feature members of the New York Fire Department who were there on September 11th, 2001. The October 10th program will feature Captain Richard Koehler speaking about “Flying the A-6 Intruder,” and “The Quest for Speed” on November 21st will feature Skip Holm a former military pilot and air racer. Other programs this fall include EAA Space Day on Saturday, October 12th, Christmas in the Air on Saturday, December 7th, and the Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet on Friday, December 13th.
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