1/17/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
17 January 2025 News
GOODBYE MR. BASEBALL
Tributes continue to pour in for legendary Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker, known simply as “Mr. Baseball,” who passed away at the age of 90. Uecker’s family issued a statement saying, “It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Bob. To many, he was an announcer and entertainer whose humor and voice transcended the game, but to us he was so much more.” Former Brewers owner and Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said, “I am heartbroken with the loss of my lifelong friend, Bob Uecker. I can’t begin to describe how much he meant to me, let alone what his loss is for Brewer fans, the state of Wisconsin and countless others worldwide.” Brewer’s player Christian Yelich said, “No words will really do you justice but I kind of think that is how it should be.” Governor Tony Evers issued a statement saying, “For more than 50 years, Bob brought the magic of the ballpark to life for so many, and I am sure I speak for Brewers fans everywhere when I say we gladly would have had him for 50 more.” In honor of “Mr. Baseball,” American Family Field was dark last night but highlighted with blue lighting and a picture of Bob Uecker on the scoreboard that posts information and highlights. (Milwaukee Brewers photo)
Brewers Facebook tribute video.
FIRST CHILD FLU DEATH OF THE SEASON
The state’s Department of Health Services has confirmed the first pediatric influenza-associated death in the state for the 2024-2025 flu season. Nationwide 16 children have died from the flu. State Health Officer Paula Tran says, “Respiratory viruses remain a significant health concern, especially in children. If you or your loved ones have not received your flu or COVID-19 vaccine yet this season, it’s not too late.” Other than vaccination the DHS recommends washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth, stay home and away from others if you feel sick. Other tips include avoid being around others who are sick or have flu symptoms, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and encouraging children to do the same. Another prevention method is wearing a high-quality mask around others to prevent the spread of respiratory illness.
BIRD FLU UPDATE
The state’s Division of Animal Health yesterday issued an update on the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or bird flu caused by the influenza virus H5N1. Since December 12th there have been three cases in Wisconsin poultry flocks. In the past 30 days, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed 62 cases of H5N1 in livestock in two states. The state’s Department of Health Services advises those working with animals to take precautions and wear personal protective equipment per CDC guidance. Producers and processors can request PPE from the DHS medical stockpile. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the public health risk from H5N1 detections remains low.
What Workers Should Know About Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
FDL MAN PLEADS TO RECKLESS HOMICIDE CHARGE
A 48-year-old Fond du Lac man yesterday pled no contest to a first-degree reckless homicide charge for a fentanyl overdose death that occurred in the city on January 5th, 2021. Fond du Lac County Judge Douglas Edelstein ordered a pre-sentence investigation for Michael Kimmons who will be sentenced on March 28th. According to the criminal complaint the victim, a Fond du Lac man, was found dead on a bed in the bedroom of the upper level of a residence. He was clutching a cell phone in one hand. A forensic analysis of the cell phone by the State’s Division of Criminal Investigation found messages on the phone between the victim and Kimmons talking about purchasing heroin. On January 4th Kimmons took the victim to buy drugs and later they went back to Kimmon’s residence to do the drugs, which Kimmons received a portion of. Later the victim went home and died. District Attorney Eric Toney credited the Fond du Lac Police Department for their investigation of the case saying they helped, “take another drug dealer off the streets.”
JURY TRIAL SCHEDULED FOR FDL ATTEMPTED MURDER SUSPECT
A five-day jury trial has been scheduled for a 40-year-old Fond du Lac man suspected of shooting a man in the city of Fond du Lac last September. Miguel West is charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon and felon in possession of a firearm, both with repeater enhancers. The trial is scheduled for September 8th through the 12th, with a motion hearing on May 13th. Police and Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue were sent to the area of 1st Street and Adams Street the evening of Saturday, September 28th for reports of gunshots. About five minutes later officers found a 48-year-old Fond du Lac man who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his left leg and left arm a few blocks away on South Portland Street. An officer applied tourniquets to stop the blood loss. Early the next morning West turned himself in to police. The victim identified West as the shooter. West is being held in the Fond du Lac County Jail on a $750,000 cash bond.
WAUPUN SCHOOLS REFERENDUM
The Waupun School Board this week unanimously approved a resolution to place an operational referendum on the April 1st ballot. The referendum will ask taxpayers to authorize the District to exceed the state-imposed revenue limit by $900,000 annually. The request is for three years beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and ending with the 2027-2028 school year. It is for non-recurring purposes including operational and maintenance expenses to maintain facilities and small class sizes, to sustain and expand educational programming, and to pay salaries and benefits. Over the coming months, the District will host multiple, community information sessions to provide details about the proposed plan, answer questions, and encourage feedback. For more information about the referendum, including session dates and additional resources visit the District’s website or contact the district office at 920-324-9341.
CESA 6 SCHOOL FUNDING DISCUSSION
Berlin Schools Superintendent Emmett Durtschi says a Legislative Breakfast hosted by CESA 6 in Oshkosh last week was beneficial. He explains that district superintendents get together about once a month at CESA 6. During the state’s biennial budget process it gives them a chance to talk with state legislators about the budget. In addition last week’s breakfast included Congressman Glenn Grothman, a representative from US Senator Ron Johnson’s office, and State Schools Superintendent Jill Underly. Durtschi says they also had breakaway sessions where groups of superintendents met with one of the legislators. He says for more rural school districts it was an opportunity to talk about their unique funding challenges. He says for the Berlin School District and several others at his table a higher than average percentage of students with disabilities also represents a funding challenge. He says Underly, who is running for reelection, is proposing more funding for those districts. Durtschi says right now they only get reimbursed for about 30 percent of those costs.
UNITED WAY RIPON COMMITMENT
As the Fond du Lac County United Way’s 2024 fundraising campaign comes to a close United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says they remain committed to the Ripon area. The Ripon Area United Way merged with the Fond du Lac Area United Way two years ago. Kilawee says they’ve maintained a strong presence in Ripon attending and participating in events and even becoming a Chamber of Commerce member. Kilawee says the partnership they have with the agencies they brought over two years ago from Ripon stands strong, firm, and committed. Some but not all of those partners include Diverse Options, Traded Treasures and Food Pantry, the Boy and Girl Scouts, the Vacation Summer Bible School and others that can be found on their website. The 2024 campaign goal was $550,000. The campaign closes out next Wednesday. They are currently about $40,000 shy of their goal, but there is still time to give.
AG FUNDING BENEFITS 30 WISCONSIN PROJECTS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service Thursday announced it is partnering with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to award $23.2 million for 30 projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program. Those projects and the previously announced 41 equipment grants total 71 projects in Wisconsin funded through RFSI to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain while strengthening local and regional food systems. Among the Wisconsin grant recipients is Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative in Waupaca which will build out its existing warehouse and trucking fleet, optimizing distribution routes. This improvement will benefit an estimated 250 local and regional producers. It will be used to focus distribution efforts to distressed communities, schools, and early childhood education programs, and smaller-scale grocery and food service buyers.
REESEVILLE APPLYING FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER LOAN
The state DNR tells us the Village of Reeseville in Dodge County is applying for funding through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program to improve its public drinking water system. The project includes replacing the water main on Garfield Street and lead service lines in the village. Activities related to the project are minor actions for which no environmental analysis is required. However, following the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program federal requirement an environmental review must be conducted before funding the project. The program has determined that the project will not result in significant adverse environmental effects, and no further environmental review or analysis is needed before proceeding with funding the project. The public in encouraged to submit comments regarding this decision and the potential environmental impacts of this project. Comments must be submitted by January 29th. More information about how to submit the comments is available on the DNR’s website.
VENHUIZEN GRADUATES FROM US CHAMBER PROGRAM
Joe Venhuizen, Vice President of Membership & Resource Development for Envision Greater Fond du Lac, recently graduated from a professional development course offered through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He graduated from the Institute for Organizational Management completing 96 credit hours of course instruction in non-profit management. Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Institute’s curriculum consists of four weeklong sessions at four different university locations throughout the country.
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