9/30/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Monday
30 September 2024 News
MISSING KAYAKER SEARCH CONTINUES
Green Lake County Sheriff Chief Deputy Matt Vande Kolk says they will continue their search for a missing kayaker on Green Lake for the foreseeable future. He says they use a drone search every morning that the weather allows. He says Bruce’s Legacy and Recovery Service which has been using towable sonar to search for 44-year-old Ryan Borgwardt of Watertown has been very helpful. Vande Kolk notes most times a body fills with gas as it decomposes allowing it to rise to the surface of a lake. He says the lake with maximum depths of over 230 feet, the cold temperatures at those lower depths and pressure, a body may never surface, which makes what Bruce’s is able to do so valuable in the search. Ryan went kayaking on Sunday, August 11th and failed to return that night. Vande Kolk says they remain hopeful they can find his body and bring the family some closure.
WHEEL TAX DISCUSSED BY RIPON COMMON COUNCIL
During a workshop last week on the proposed 2025 City Budget, the Ripon Common Council talked about the possibility of a wheel tax. City Administrator Adam Sonntag says it is one of the things they considered including in their financial management and capital improvement planning, but didn’t. He says one of the biggest complaints they get is about the condition of streets. If the city decided to go with a wheel tax the revenue would go into an enterprise fund for those purposes. The City would be able to do more milling and overlays of more streets annually. The wheel tax would be assessed as part of the annual vehicle registration fee vehicle owners in Ripon pay to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The DOT would collect that tax and send it back to the City. There are over 6,300 vehicles registered to Ripon residents. There are currently 41 cities in Wisconsin that have a wheel tax.
WAUTOMA SCHOOLS REFERENDUM INFORMATION SESSION HELD
The Wautoma Area School District and Board of Education recently held the first of three Community Information Sessions at Wautoma High School. During the session, attendees learned more about the upcoming referendum, including what’s on the ballot, project details about how the proposed plan impacts every building and every child, and the tax impact for the $39.8 million referendum. The presentation specifically provided information about the proposal to close Riverside Elementary and restore the property to greenspace, and addressing necessary district-wide capital maintenance. Other information was about constructing secure entries at Redgranite Elementary, Parkside School and Wautoma High School; converting Parkside into an Early Childhood through 5th grade elementary school; and adding a 6 through 8th grade addition to Wautoma High School. The next information session will be Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 pm at Parkside School.
WAUPACA PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE PROJECT GETS FUNDING
Governor Tony Evers and the state Department of Transportation recently announced more than $32 million in federal funding for 56 local improvement projects across Wisconsin over the next four years through the Transportation Alternative Program. The goal of the projects is to support initiatives that help create or enhance opportunities for safe, non-motorized transportation, such as bike and pedestrian trails and facilities, sidewalks and “Safe Route to School” initiatives. Among the projects awarded funding, the City of Waupaca is receiving $972,700 for the Waupaca Riverview Pedestrian Bridge. The project is to replace and construct an ADA-accessible pedestrian and non-motorized access bridge between Schwenn/Lions Park and 105 Jefferson Street. This facility will replace a 50-year-old dilapidated footbridge that has been closed at the location since 2010.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FOOD PROGRAM
Volunteers are needed once a week for a food distribution program at the Ripon Schools. Fond du Lac County United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says the Fondy Food Pantry has partnered with the Ripon Area School District to distribute food to students eligible for free and reduced lunches to get them through the weekend. Volunteers are needed every Thursday to pick up the food at the Fondy Food Pantry in Fond du Lac and bring it to three schools in Ripon. The food is all prepackaged and placed in bins for transportation. It would be about a two-hour commitment. Kilawee says those who are interested in volunteering or those who would just like to know more can call the United Way Office at 920-921-7010.
RIBBON CUTTING FOR WAUPUN SCULPTURES COLLECTION
Waupun will be holding a ribbon-cutting event Saturday for the city’s expanded sculpture tour. The event will be from 10 am to 2 pm and will be a celebration of the new art installations and the grand opening of the food truck alley, funded in part by a Vibrant Spaces grant from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Five new sculptures with a historical connection to Waupun were put up in the downtown over the past Summer. Jeni Maly is a local business owner and art teacher in the Waupun Area School District. She also created a nonprofit Create Waupun with a sole focus of obtaining sculptures and murals for the betterment of Waupun. An affiliation with the Eau Claire Sculpture Tours is bringing rotating art exhibits to Waupun. The Waupun Common Council chipped in by committing $5,000 in room tax money to have the bases built for the five sculptures. More details about the celebration can be found at the Discover Downtown Waupun website.
CARDS BY CHRISTMAS
The Cards by Christmas program, with a team of nearly 150 crafters, will present the Wounded Warrior Project Card Making Benefit on Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. It will be held at the Cards by Christine Studio at 575 East 11th Street in Fond du Lac. Six holiday inspired cards can be made for a minimum $40 donation. Card making, raffle baskets, a bake sale, featured presenters, and more will be part of the program. Attendees will have the opportunity to make or receive 6 holiday inspired greeting cards and further support the cause. No card making experience is needed. The Stampin’ Up! Organization is supporting the cause by making a donation of $10,000 which includes a philanthropic donation, supplies, guidance, and promotion. Christine Bertram, owner of Cards by Christine, says their goal is to raise $30,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project. More information about reserving cards and card kits or raffle tickets can be found on the Cards by Christine website or you can call 920-960-4390.
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