10/29/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
29 October 2024 News
BOMB THREAT AT FDL STEM ACADEMY
Fond du Lac Police responded to a bomb threat at the Fond du Lac School District’s STEM Academy at 401 South Military Road yesterday afternoon. A student had discovered a written bomb threat in one of the boys’ bathrooms and brought it to the attention of a custodian. The school was immediately evacuated and additional police officers responded. A primary search found nothing. There was an additional search using two bomb-sniffing dogs, which also found the school safe for return. Fond du Lac Police Captain Robb Duveneck says, “We take all school threats seriously and respond accordingly, and in this case, we took all necessary measures to confidently deem the school safe for students and staff to return.”
FDL SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT UNDER FIRE
Community members spoke during a Fond du Lac School Board meeting Monday night about the way the district superintendent treated middle school staff during a meeting with that staff. Teachers apparently left that meeting with Dr. Jeffrey Fleig (FLAG) visibly upset and hurt by his comments. Educators and parents want a change in leadership. They claim Fleig belittled teachers in meetings, telling some they could be fired at the end of the school year. Complaints were mostly based on an October 15th meeting at Woodworth Middle School. A former 7th Grade teacher at the school, Amy Lubin, says Fleig told teachers the school was an embarrassment to the district and embraced a culture of failures of toxic behaviors. She says Dr. Fleig told the staff half of them would not be renewed or would be transferred to another school after the school year. Monday morning Dr. Fleig told his side on Fond du Lac radio station AM 1170 saying he addressed the teachers because the school failed to meet expectations a year ago and results needed to improve quickly.
BERNIE SNANDERS CAMPAIGNS FOR HARRIS/WALZ IN OSHKOSH
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders campaigned for the Harris-Walz presidential ticket Monday in Oshkosh and Madison. The Vermont Senator encouraged people to get out to vote and vote early. He is backing Harris and Walz for president and vice president this November. Sanders told reporters this is the most consequential election in our lifetime. He said, “I think if you believe in democracy and don’t think it’s appropriate to have a president try to overturn the results of the last election, you have to vote for Kamala. I think that if you believe that women have a right to control their own bodies and not the government you need to vote for Kamala.” Commenting on Sanders’ visit Wisconsin Republicans issued a statement saying, “At every turn over, the last four years, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden have catered to Bernie Sanders and his extreme agenda. Voting for Harris would ensure Sanders’ vision of higher taxes, increased wasteful spending, and an unaccountable bureaucracy is realized.”
BUSY RIPON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
During a busy meeting Monday night the Ripon Common Council tackled 15 different items on its regular agenda and held a closed session. Among the items that were approved was a liquor license for Hy-Vee which purchased Webster’s Marketplace, a bill for the St. Wenceslaus Project, an agreement for tree and stump removal, annual room tax agreements with the Ripon Chamber of Commerce and Ripon Main Street, an ambulance service agreement. They also accepted a state grant for nearly $2 million for the Ripon Public Library Renovation Project. City Administrator Adam Sonntag says with the funds already raised for the library project they will be able to do a project that makes $2.4 to $2.5 million in improvements to the library. The Council also denied a sewer backup claim for a property at 554 Scott Street. The property is owned by Tony Dolgner of Century 21 Properties Unlimited who uses it as an incubator home for people while they are waiting to move into a new home. Dolgner told the Council it cost him over $5,700. The city and its insurer did an investigation and found the backup was likely due to grease and roots in the property’s sewer lateral and was not caused by the city.
FDL COUNTY BOARD BUDGET HEARING
The Fond du Lac County Board will hold a public hearing for the proposed 2025 County Budget tonight. The hearing is at 6:15 pm in the legislative chambers of the City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac. The Board will approve the budget and tax levy during a meeting next week. During tonight’s meeting the board will also consider approving a ten year lease agreement with the City of Ripon for placement of radio communication equipment. The Board will also consider accepting a $150,000 offer to purchase from Meyer Property Group for the purchase of the Portland Street Property in Fond du Lac.
STATE FUNDING FOR A PAIR OF LOCAL PROJECTS
State Senator Joan Ballweg says she was pleased to see both the Boys & Girls Club of the Tri-County Area and the Ripon Public Library awarded large grants for building and expansion projects. Senator Ballweg is a member of the state building commission which voted to approve a $551,000 non-state grant to the Boys & Girls Club for the building of a new facility in Ripon. The Library received just under $2 million in funding from the state’s Department of Administration Flexible Facilities Program. Originally both the Club and the Library were being considered for non-state grants. Ballweg says because both were well-planned, had already fundraised toward the project costs, and were already moving toward or begun the projects-they got approval. Overall between the non-state grants and Flexible Facilities Program over $200 million was awarded to projects across the state.
TOWN SQUARE PARTICIPATES IN ANGEL TREE PROGRAM
Town Square in Green Lake is participating in the annual Green Lake County Angel Tree Program beginning Thursday, November 7th. Kick off your holiday season with an act of kindness and visit the Town Square Community Center at 492 Hill Street in Green Lake to choose an angel. Those interested can find angels on the Christmas Tree in the Town Square lobby any time after November 7th and select an angel. A variety of gift suggestions are listed on the card for participants to choose from. All items purchased must be returned to Town Square by December 1st. “Every year we look forward to participating in the Angel Tree Program,” Kris Anderson, Executive Director commented. There is no need to sign up. Simply stop by Town Square to choose an angel from the tree.
CUB SCOUT HALLOWEEN PARTY TONIGHT
Ripon is fortunate to have three separate scouting troops: Cub Scout Pack 3735, Girl’s Troop 6737, and Boy’s Troop 735. Sharri Dailey of the Scouts of America says the scouting program teaches the scouts skills and is also a great socializing opportunity. She says they still do camping and hold those camps at different sites in the state. She says scouts also still work toward merit badges and some work toward becoming an Eagle Scout. Cub Scout Pack 3735 will be having a Halloween party tonight at Our Saviors United Church of Christ from 6:30 to 7:30. Dailey says the party is open to all kids whether they are a scout or not.
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