News 06.12.18
12 June 2018 News
Ripon’s Common Council will discuss the possibility of going to at-large representation during this evening’s Council meeting. The Council had previously discussed the issue in July of last year. They wanted to wait until after April’s election to see how many candidates ran for office. Currently there are four districts with two aldermen for each district. With at-large representation there would be no districts and Council members would represent everyone in the City. The Council will meet at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Ripon City Hall.
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Two former University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh top officials have pleaded not guilty to charges of misconduct in office in connection with a financial scandal involving some building projects. Former Chancellor Richard Wells and Vice Chancellor Thomas Sonnleitner are each charged with five counts which allege they improperly managed university funds for five projects. Prosecutors say the defendants overstepped their authority and violated state law. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 3½ years in prison. Wells and Sonnleitner made their pleas in Winnebago County Circuit Court Monday. The projects included the renovation of a hotel and convention center and a sports complex, and the construction of a new alumni center and two bio-digesters. The UWO Foundation filed for bankruptcy in 2017 leaving state taxpayers on the hook for more than $11 million in project loans.
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The name of a motorcyclist killed in a one vehicle accident in Waushara County is released. Waushara County Sheriff Jeffrey Nett says 20-year-old Justin D. Ida of Wild Rose was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Ida was wearing a helmet and speed may have been a contributing factor. The crash happened Saturday afternoon just before 3:00pm on 23rd Road, north of Apache Ave, in the Town of Springwater. It remains under investigation.
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Voters will cast their ballots in two special elections in the state today. Republican Jon Plumer will face Democrat Ann Groves Lloyd for the seat representing the 42nd State Assembly District that Keith Ripp gave up when he was appointed to a job in the state Agricultural Department last fall. There is also an Independent in the race Gene Rubenstein. The district includes portions of Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Columbia, Dodge, and Marquette counties. Voters also will choose the successor to State Senator Frank Lasee in tt State Senate District #1. He also was appointed to a cabinet post. Candidates for the seat are Republican State Representative Andres Jacque and Democrat Caleb Frostman the executive director for the Door County Economic Development Corporation.
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Fond du Lac state representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt says Fond du Lac County will receive money to help replace a couple of bridges. Thiesfeldt says Wisconsin will receive $227 million in new federal funding for roads and bridges, including the largest Infrastructure For Rebuilding America grant in state history. Local bridges targeted for replacement include the Division Street bridge over the west branch of the Fond du Lac River in the City of Fond du Lac, and the Oak Grove Road bridge over the south branch of the Rock River in the Town of Alto. Planning will begin pending approval from the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee.
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