9/19/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
19 September 2024 News
FDL COUNTY BOARD APPROVES LAND SALE AND OFFICE LEASE
The Fond du Lac County Board this week approved a pair of resolutions that will help with the transition of the former UW-Oshkosh Fond du Lac to the Fond du Lac County campus. By a 22 to 3 vote the board approved the sale of nearly 12 acres of vacant land for $2.45 million to CDS Real Estate, the real estate arm of C.D. Smith Construction. Supervisor John Rickert said it was the right thing to do given C.D. Smith’s history of backing both the City of Fond du Lac and Fond du Lac County. County Executive Sam Kaufman says money from the sale will help with transition and operational costs for the Fond du Lac County campus which benefits both city and county taxpayers. The Board also unanimously approved a 5-year lease agreement with Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development for office space in the former campus administration building.
VICTIMS OF CHILD ENTICEMENT SOUGHT FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY INVESTIGATION
Columbia County Sheriff’s officials believe more young girls in the county were victims of a 42-year-old Pardeeville man charged with using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and child enticement. Michael Larson was arrested after two girls came forward and reported they were victims of inappropriate sexual communication. During his initial court appearance Tuesday, he was charged with two counts each of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and child enticement-sexual contact. Bond was set at $100,000 cash. Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to contact Sergeant Wesley Austin-Nash or Detective Emily Leland at 608-742-4166. (Columbia County Jail Photo).
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WARN OF ARREST SCAMS
A couple of area law enforcement agencies are warning about scam calls made to residents. Winnebago County Sheriff’s officials say someone has been using Captain Todd Christie and Detective Sergeant Brian Hammen’s names asking for money to settle “legal matters.” Fond du Lac Police say a scammer claiming to be Sergeant Johnson with their department is involved in a more complicated scam telling the person they are calling that they need to take a sample of their DNA and a warrant has been issued for their arrest. The scammer asks for larger sums of money and gives details about the Fond du Lac area and the process of DNA submissions. They also spoof the Fond du Lac Police Department’s main phone number to fool caller ID. Both departments say they would not call to solicit money, gift cards, or another form of payment.
OSHKOSH POLICE NEW THERAPY DOG
The Oshkosh Police Department has added a therapy dog to succeed K9 Magic, who passed away in late 2023. K9 Gema is a trained, two-year-old Yellow Labrador who will provide emotional support to both community members and police officers. She will be working with the department’s Behavioral Health Officer Scott Sopata who has been responding to behavioral health related calls since October of 2021. Gema is a very friendly dog. She will bring a sense of calm to high stress situations. Gema was trained through a program called Journey Together. Journey Together Service Dog Incorporated is a nonprofit charitable organization in Oshkosh that trains service dogs to help people diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Dogs are placed at no charge with qualified Wisconsin residents who are 18 years or older. (Oshkosh Police Department photo)
OSHKOSH HOUSING GETS HUD FUNDING
The Housing Authority of the City of Oshkosh is among the public housing agencies awarded funding by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to reduce potential health hazards in public housing. The money can be used to reduce health hazards like lead-based paint, carbon monoxide, mold, radon, and fire safety. The Housing Authority in Oshkosh received $223,594 in funding. HUD funded 36 awards totaling $87.7 million across the nation.
RIPON PUBLIC LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S LAST DAY FRIDAY
After 19 years with the Ripon Public Library Director Desiree Bongers is leaving. An open house will be held for Bongers from 2 to 6 pm at the Library Friday afternoon. The celebration will be in the children’s area. It will include cake, punch, video and a formal presentation at 5 pm. Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mandy Kimes says Bongers has done a wonderful job for the library and the community. Kimes says libraries provide a lot more services to a community than just lending reading materials. Bongers will start her new job next Monday as Winnebago County Clerk of Courts. She lives in Oshkosh. The City of Ripon is searching for a new library director. In the interim the Ripon Public Library board has named Ben Sprague as interim director. He is the library’s circulation manager but is assuming additional duties during the interim.
MONTELLO AMONG GOVERNOR EVERS BACK TO SCHOOL VISITS
Governor Tony Evers concluded his annual statewide K-12 back-to-school tour this week. He says, “As a former science teacher, principal, superintendent, and state superintendent, I am beyond excited to be celebrating my 48th back-to-school season by visiting with Wisconsin students, educators, staff, and administrators across the state.” On Friday, September 6th, the governor visited the Montello School District where he was joined by District Administrator Elizabeth Calnin, seventh through 12th-grade principal Yedda Olson, and other school officials. The tour included visits with a 6th grade math class, a kindergarten math class, and an 11th grade American government class. The high school juniors had an opportunity to ask the governor questions in the American government class.
WINTER STORAGE CHECK FOR LICENSING
With winter eventually coming Wisconsin’s Department of Trade and Consumer Protection urges residents to make sure the storage for hire service they pay to store their boats, recreational vehicles, and other items is properly licensed. Public warehouse keepers are licensed by DATCP and include many types of businesses that store a variety of items for individuals and other businesses. Michelle Reinen is the Administrator for the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection. She says people that use such warehouses would include a warehousing company that handles product distribution: a moving company that stores household goods: a vehicle dealership or service center that provides off-season storage for boats, RVs, or powersports vehicles: or even a farmer who offers an empty barn, shed, or field as a storage space. She suggests considering your storage requirements when selecting a public warehouse keeper. She says you can check the DATCP website to download a list of licensed public warehouse keepers.
ENVISION 90 BY 90 PROGRAM IN RIPON FRIDAY
Envision Greater Fond du Lac CEO and President Sadie Howell says their “90 by 90” business planning program for small business owners and entrepreneurs has their next quarterly session over the next few weeks. Envision Small Business and Entrepreneurship Director Raina Lyman oversees the 90 minute workshop that help businesses plan out their next 90 days of business. Howell says sometimes businesses get too caught up in the day-to-day and end up working in the business instead of working on the business. Howell says Lyman purposely scheduled this month’s sessions to help businesses with their planning for the upcoming holiday season. The program will be offered at the Ripon City Hall Conference Room Friday morning from 8 to 9:30 am. The 90 by 90 program will also be held in Campbellsport next Monday, Waupun next Tuesday, and Fond du Lac on Monday, September 30th. Those who would like to register for the program can do so at the Envision website’s Events calendar.
Events (envisiongreaterfdl.com)
Share |