1/24/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
24 January 2025 News
NATURAL GAS OUTAGE IN WAUPACA
Officials in Waupaca had to shut off a gas main in an area around North Street last night after a natural gas line was damaged. The City of Waupaca and Waupaca Area Fire District issued a press release saying shutting off the gas main would result in a loss of natural gas services like heating impacting 202 homes. Emergency personnel went door to door in the affected area to notify residents. The shutdown affected residents South of Leighton, North of Granite Street, East of Bailey Street, and West of Pleasant Street. Because temperatures dropped below zero overnight residents relying on natural gas for heat were encouraged to relocate. The Recreation Center on School Street was opened as a warming shelter. Gas service was restored overnight. (City of Waupaca image).
UPDATE ON FATAL FDL COUNTY ACCIDENT
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s officials say an argument between passengers in a car that stopped on the median side of Interstate 41 southbound Wednesday night led to the death of a 14-year-old boy. The boy had gotten out of the vehicle and was killed when another southbound vehicle hit the stopped vehicle and then him. Sheriff’s officials say those in the vehicle that pulled over to the median included the driver 59-year-old Glenn Wheaton and front seat passenger 31-year-old Desmond Wilson both of Detroit, Michigan and the two rear seat passengers the boy and a 15-year-old girl. The driver of the second vehicle was 20-year-old Evan Finnegan of Wauwatosa. The accident is still being investigated and Finnegan has cooperated with that investigation.
ARSON SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR LOMIRA HOUSE FIRE
Dodge County deputies arrested a 21-year-old Lomira man Thursday afternoon suspected of setting fire to a two-story home in the 900 block of Main Street in Lomira. The Sheriff’s Dispatch Center got numerous 911 calls about the fire. Witnesses told dispatchers a suspicious man was at the location just before the fire. There were no occupants in the home, but two dogs were safely removed. The suspect was booked into the Dodge County Jail for arson. Nine fire departments, Lomira first responders and Mayville EMS responded to the scene. The Sheriff’s Office and State Fire Marshal are investigating the fire.
POWERBOAT OPERATOR ORDERED TO PAY RESTITUION FOR CRASH WITH PADDLEWHEEL BOAT
The 54-year-old Oshkosh man who drove a powerboat that struck a paddlewheel cruise boat on the Fox River has been ordered to pay over $11,700 to the victims of that crash. A Winnebago County judge made that ruling this week for Jason Lindemann. Last August Lindemann was sentenced to five months in jail, three years of probation, and 150 hours of community service. Last June a jury found him guilty of 14 different charges stemming from the July 9th, 2022 boat crash. Multiple witnesses saw Lindemann drinking alcohol in the hours prior to the crash. Lindemann and his passengers were drinking at the Dockside Tavern immediately before the crash. GPS data from Lindemann’s boat revealed that after leaving the Dockside, the boat traveled under the Oregon Street Bridge and then accelerated rapidly, reaching a top speed of 46 miles an hour at impact. The crash between the 38-foot powerboat and the paddlewheel boat caused significant damage to the paddlewheel boat and led to a variety of injuries for over a dozen of the 44 people who were on board.
DODGE COUNTY ICAC INVESTIGATIONS
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office Thursday highlighted its work with the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and some of the arrests that resulted from that partnership in 2024. Last year the three detectives working on those investigations received 19 Cybertips provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Out of those tips the level of investigation rose to the point where seven residential search warrants were executed throughout the county. Arrested and charged with possession of child pornography were 19-year-old Kaden Mueller of Lomira, 23-year-old Dylan Kutz of Hartford, 28-year-old Jose Zuber of Beaver Dam, and 22-year-old Kolin Rank of Randolph. In addition a child pornography possession charge was referred to the district attorney’s office against 26-year-old Anthony Patroelj of Beaver Dam. He is currently being held on other, similar charges in the Dodge County Jail.
MURRAY PARK QUEST UNIFICATION
During their meeting Monday the Ripon School Board approved the Quest Elementary Charter School Governance Council’s request to not renew the charter agreement which sunsets at the end of this school year. The Board also approved Murray Park as the one intermediate school for Grades 3 through 5 beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. Staffing for the unified school will largely stay the same based on student needs and class sizes. All current services such as Special Education, Intervention, English Language Learners, and Gifted and Talented will continue as in the past. The Quest Garden and greenhouse will be used by all students and staff. Parents will be able to continue to be involved with the school through a parent school organization.
Ripon School Board Approves One 3-5 School 1-21-25
CONGRESSMAN GROTHMAN ON OFFICE FIRE
Congressman Glenn Grothman hasn’t been back to his district office in Fond du Lac since an arson suspect set a fire to the side of the building early last Sunday morning. He understands what damage was done and is grateful to those who reported it so quickly and the Fond du Lac Police and firefighters for their quick response. He points out if the fire had gone on for 15 to 30 minutes it could have done some real damage to the building. The 19-year-old Menasha man who is suspected of setting the fire allegedly told police he did it because he doesn’t like Grothman, and wasn’t happy that the congressman voted “Yes” for a ban on TikTok. Congressman Grothman says ironically a day later President Trump put a stop to the ban after he was sworn into office. The federal lawmaker from Glenbeulah says he’s glad no one was injured fighting the fire or in the office at the time that it happened.
FDL COUNTY JAIL CONSIDERATIONS
Fond du Lac County Executive Sam Kaufman says there will be many things to consider while the county considers building a new jail. He says location and costs will be major factors, but if they move to another site they have to consider what they are leaving behind. If they opt to build a whole new justice center that includes relocating the courts, court offices, and district attorney’s office they have to consider costs of renovating those areas and or the cost of tearing down the current jail. He says another option if they relocate is to renovate the current jail for another use if they opt not to have the building razed. Next month the jail ad hoc committee will give a two-hour presentation on their conclusions to the full county board.
SENATOR JOHNSON NAMED CHAIR OF POWERFUL SUBCOMMITTEE
U.S. Senators Rand Paul and Gary Peters, chairman and ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, this week named Senator Ron Johnson as the chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Senator Johnson says he’s honored to serve as chair of the powerful committee. He added, “This subcommittee’s investigatory record spans decades and its reputation for conducting thorough oversight and exposing wrongdoings is unparalleled.”
KRUG COMMENTS ON GOVERNOR’S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
State Representative Scott Krug commenting on Governor Tony Evers State of the State Address Wednesday evening says, “Unfortunately, we hear more of the same from Governor Evers.” Krug, who represents the 72nd State Assembly District, says Governor Evers proposed more unsustainable spending, more growth in government, and tried taking credit for tax cuts he opposed and vetoed. Krug says the tax burden on Wisconsinites is the lowest it’s been in half a century thanks to more than a decade of hard work, prudent budgeting, and tax cuts passed by Republicans in the Legislature. Krug says the people of Wisconsin want more solutions and accountability, not more unchecked and unsustainable growth in government.
PREVENTING FALLS
The Trauma Program Coordinator for SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac says there are some easy steps you can take to help prevent falls in your home. Kelly Faymoville works out of St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac. She says for older adults most accidental falls occur within the home. She says rearranging things in your home to be easier to reach and grab bars are a few ways to fall-proof your home. She says items should be put on lower shelves in the kitchen and adding grab bars around your tub and toilet will be helpful. Other tips include anti-slip mats in the shower and bathtub, and checking medications that could cause drowsiness and dizziness. She also recommends using higher wattage lightbulbs in areas that may not be well lit like hallways and stairwells. She says a lot of falls occur at night when someone may be going to the bathroom. Night lights may help until you get to a light switch.
ALICE APPLICATION DEADLINE APPROACHING
There is a week left for people with a passion for promoting agriculture to apply to be the 78th Alice in Dairyland. Applicants must also be female, Wisconsin residents, and at least 21-years-old. The one-year, full-time, contractual position starts July 7th. The chosen candidate will travel extensively. The annual salary is $45,000 and includes holiday, vacation, and sick leave, and use of a state vehicle. To apply, provide a cover letter, completed application form, resume, and contact information for three professional references and email them to DATCPAlice@wisconsin.gov by 4:30 pm next Friday. Application materials are available on the Alice in Dairyland website. Qualified applicants will have a preliminary interview on February 22nd at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Madison Office or via Microsoft Teams. The Alice in Dairyland Finals will be held in Crawford County May 15th through the 17th.
Becoming Alice | aliceindairyland
Share |