12/5/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
5 December 2024 News
WEATHER RELATED CALLS FOR SERVICE
Yesterday afternoon’s high winds and snowy conditions caused issues on area roadways. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office says from 1 to 8 pm Wednesday they responded to 41 crashes, 16 runoffs, and 13 disabled vehicles. The County Communications Center handled 370 inbound phone calls, and created 189 calls for service. Deputies, detectives, administrators, and even the Sheriff himself were out helping motorists. The Sheriff’s Office thanks Fire and EMS Departments, City and County snowplows, and towing companies for their collaborative efforts.
HEARING SCHEDULED FOR FORMER RIPON FIRE CHIEF
Former Ripon Area Fire District Chief Tim Saul has been formally charged with three counts of credit fraud-use to defraud for allegedly using a Fire District credit card to make thousands of dollars in personal purchases. The 55-year-old Ripon resident is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Fond du Lac County Court on Monday, December 23rd at 3 pm. District Attorney Eric Toney says the matter is expected to resolve that same day with a sentencing. All three charges are Class A misdemeanors. If convicted Saul could receive up to 9 months in prison and $10,000 in fines for each count. The court could also order restitution. According to the criminal complaint charges made on the credit card over a 7-year period from January 1st, 2016 to December 31st, 2022 amounted to nearly $43,000. Among the credit card charges listed were expenditures for the trips to two Wisconsin Dells water parks, the Chicago Cubs, hotel stays out-of-state, an AirBnB in California, and for his wife’s business. Saul was hired as Ripon’s Fire Chief in 2013 and held that position until he suddenly resigned in December of 2022.
FDL MAN PLEADS TO CHARGES STEMMING FROM GANG RELATED SHOOTING
One of the two Fond du Lac men suspected of a gang related shooting last year has been convicted. Twenty-year-old Lamarion Moore was in Fond du Lac County court for a plea hearing Monday. He pled guilty to an amended charge of first degree reckless endangering safety with a dangerous weapon and four bail jumping charges. He will be sentenced on December 19th. Moore and 18-year-old Adamite Willey were both originally charged with attempted first degree intentional homicide for a shooting at a Fond du Lac gas station on May 23rd of 2023. No one was injured in the shooting, but bullets struck the car a person was sitting in seven times. According to the criminal complaint the shooting was in retaliation for a shooting at the Maplewood Commons Apartments on May 7th of last year which left 20-year-old Tatyanna Zech dead and several wounded. In April Willey pled no contest to an amended charge of first degree recklessly endangering safety and was placed on probation for four years. Parise Larry Jr. and Antonio Johnston are charged with Zech’s homicide. Both have jury trials next February. The two shootings were connected to a beef between two gangs.
RIPON SCHOOLS NAMED AMONG BEST
Four schools in Ripon have earned the Best Schools distinction from US News & World Report for the current school year. It is the second year Quest Elementary School, Murray Park Elementary School, Ripon Middle School, and Ripon High School have received the recognition. Out of 1,002 Wisconsin-ranked schools, Quest was ranked 48th, Murray Park 171st, and Ripon Middle School ranked 165th out of 545 middle schools in the state. Quest has 139 students, Murray Park 173 students, and the Middle School 302 students. Ripon Schools Superintendent Mary Whitrock says, “The Ripon School Board and leadership teams are so proud of and thankful for our students, staff, and families for the commitment to raising achievement.” You can read more about the schools recognition by US News & World Report at the Ripon Area School District website.
Press Release RMS MPQ US News World Report 24-25.pdf
BILL HONORING WISCONSIN STATE TROOPER TREVOR CASPER SIGNED INTO LAW
On November 25th President Joe Biden signed into law Congressman Glenn Grothman’s bipartisan bill to name the U.S. Post Office on Fremont Street in Kiel the “Trooper Trevor J. Casper Post Office Building.” The bill was introduced in September 2023 and was backed by the entire Wisconsin Congressional delegation. While speaking on the House floor during the bill’s introduction Congressman Grothman said, “Trooper Casper’s life was tragically cut short in 2015 as he became the youngest police officer to be killed in the line of duty in our state’s history.” He added, “Renaming this post office in his honor serves as a lasting tribute to this young man who was unwavering in his commitment to keeping our streets safe.” Trooper Trevor Casper was shot and killed in a fatal exchange of gun fire with a murder and bank robbery suspect in Fond du Lac on March 24th of 2015. The suspect was also killed in the gun battle. Kiel was Trooper Casper’s hometown. A date hasn’t been set yet for a renaming ceremony at the Kiel Post Office.
WISCONSIN LEADS THE NATION IN THE NUMBER OF DAIRY GOATS
State Senator Joan Ballweg says she was privileged to speak to a group of about 100 women from across the United States last month at LaClare Creamery in Malone about Wisconsin Agriculture. The Creamery known for its goat cheese and other products hosted Wisconsin’s American Agri Women chapter meeting celebrating the American Women in Agriculture group which has its 50th Anniversary this year. Ballweg says she and others at the gathering learned from LaClare owners that Wisconsin leads the nation in the number of dairy goats with 74,000. Ballweg says by comparison Wisconsin has about 1.25 million dairy cows, but it should be proud of the role goats’ play in the state’s agriculture and dairy community.
BGCTC FIFTH ANNUAL HOLIDAY TELETHON
The Boys & Girls Club of the Tri-County Area will hold their 5th Annual Holiday Telethon next Tuesday at their headquarters in Berlin. The telethon will run from 5 to 8 pm that evening. Kassidy Walters is the Club’s Resource Development Coordinator. She says funds raised during the telethon go toward operational expenses and programs so the telethon is designated as “unrestricted.” She says kids coming to the club after school get a warm meal, a safe place to go, homework help, learning programs, and there is an unmet needs program. She says the theme for this year’s telethon is “50 K in the 50 States.” Walters says she will be posting video to their Facebook page during the event with kids letting viewers know when a donation has been made from another state. The number to call to make a donation that evening is 920-658-5225.
GIRL SCOUTS AND THE FDL COUNTY UNITED WAY
An official with the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes says their affiliation with the Fond du Lac County United Way supports their general operations for year-round programming for girls. Missy Brozek is the Brand and Communications Director for the Girl Scouts regional program. She points out they have 10 to 12 troops in the Ripon Area with about 100 scouts and 50 volunteers. She says recently their girls have been involved in holiday-related philanthropic efforts including doing a pet supply and food drive for the Second Chance Rescue and making Christmas wreathes for an assisted living facility. She says the girls are also looking forward to participating in Dickens of a Christmas this weekend with the parade and Living Windows. She says the Girl Scouts also partner with other Ripon organizations like the Library, Kappa Delta Sorority of Ripon College, the Kiwanis, the Boys & Girls Club, and others. She says through those efforts the girls are building skills and learning about philanthropy.
WAUPUN SCULPTURE FUNDRAISER
An effort to purchase the iconic Rosie the Riveter sculpture currently on loan to the City of Waupun is near a match in funds to buy it. The nonprofit Create Waupun has been championing the cause. To date, $9,800 of the $15,500 in match funds with National Rivet & Manufacturing Company has been raised. The goal is to raise $31,000 to purchase the sculpture and $5,700 needs to be raised for the remainder of the match. The sculpture is known as “We Can Do It” and is a reminder of the vital contributions women have made, both historically, and in contemporary society. According to Bur Zeratsky, President of National Rivet, “Waupun was a major hub for rivets critical to the war effort.” Those interested in donating toward the purchase of the sculpture can visit Horicon Bank at 807 West Main Street in Waupun or can donate online. Donations made before December 31st are tax-deductible.
We Can Do It! Community Challenge
MPTC EARNS BEST FOR VETS RECOGNITION
Moraine Park Technical College has earned the fifth spot on the Military Times Best for Vets college rankings as a Midwest, 2-year College. The honor recognizes colleges across the country for their commitment to educating and providing opportunities to America’s veterans. Moraine Park has made the list for more than nine years and serves as one of two technical colleges in Wisconsin to earn a place on the list. The College also ranked #26 among all colleges and universities in the Midwest.
Moraine Park Earns Best for Vets Distinction – MPTC Today
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