2/4/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
4 February 2025 News
SEX OFFENDER RELEASED TO FDL COUNTY RESIDENTIAL FACILITY
Fond du Lac Police and the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office are releasing information about a violent sex offender who will be living at the residential facilities set up for sex offenders on the County Highway grounds at 1830 Hickory Street in Fond du Lac. Forty-nine-year-old James Broeders will be on GPS monitoring and the grounds he is living on is frequently visited by Sheriff’s deputies. Broeders was convicted in Fond du Lac County in 2000 of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. In 2004 he was convicted of fourth-degree sexual assault. The victim was a 13-year-old girl. He knew both girls. In 2007 he was convicted of being a sexually violent person and was sentenced to a secure mental facility.
NAMES RELEASED IN FATAL UTV ACCIDENT ON LAKE WINNEBAGO
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s officials have released the names of a 67-year-old Town of Taycheedah man who died and a 56-year-old Fond du Lac man who suffered hypothermia after the UTV they were on went into open water on Lake Winnebago Saturday afternoon. The older man was Clay Creighton of the Town of Taycheedah, and the UTV driver was Michael Huffman of Fond du Lac. After they were rescued and taken to St. Agnes Hospital, Creighton died there and Huffman was treated for hypothermia. The two men had been in the icy waters for about 20 minutes before bystanders noticed them and helped them out. Both men were wearing seatbelts but did not have helmets or floatation devices. The crack in the ice was marked with Christmas trees, but unfamiliarity with the safety measure was a factor in the accident. The incident is being investigated by the Sheriff’s Office and Wisconsin DNR.
911 SERVICE OUTAGES
The Green Lake and Waushara County Sheriff’s Office have experienced some 911 service outages over the last day. The outage in Green Lake County was only partial and those who cannot reach 911 are being asked to call 920-294-4000. Some cellular providers worked while others did not. Meanwhile, the issue affecting the Waushara County Sheriff’s Office 911 and non-emergency phone lines was resolved shortly after 3:30 this morning. That issue was due to a fiber cut in the Deforest area.
STATE DEFENDING LEAD AND COPPER RULE IMPROVEMENTS
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul recently joined a multistate coalition to intervene to defend the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. The new rule went into effect on December 30th, replacing the first Trump Administration’s rule, which had weakened existing drinking water standards for lead exposure. The current rule strengthens the original Lead and Copper Rule by implementing more stringent standards to ensure safe drinking water, most importantly a requirement for water systems to replace lead pipes nationwide within 10 years. The rule is being challenged by American Water Works Association. Kaul says reducing lead in our drinking water shouldn’t be controversial. Kaul says it is a common sense rule that helps protect people’s health and should remain in place.
FDL COUNTY SHERIFF’S DRUG BUSTS HIGHLIGHTED
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department recently highlighted some of the significant drug busts that resulted from routine traffic stops. Nine people ranging in age from 32 to 61 years of age were arrested during four traffic stops in less than a month’s time from November 19th through December 16th. Those arrested were both men and women from Appleton, Green Bay, Wausau, Milwaukee, and Shawano County. Stops were made for speeding, a suspended license, and an equipment violation. A total of 202 grams of various colors of fentanyl and 31 grams of methamphetamine were seized during the arrests. Drugs were hidden on persons, in a glove box, in a candy bag, and in one case in the engine compartment in a black magnetic box. Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt says in most cases the suspects were traveling from Milwaukee to sell the drugs further north. He says it’s disturbing to see the variety of colors and forms of fentanyl they are starting to encounter, as drug traffickers change colors and consistencies as a marketing tool to stand out from the crowd. (Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s photo).
OSHKOSH SCHOOLS REFERENDUM INFORMATION SESSIONS
The Oshkosh Area School District invites community members to learn about the upcoming $197.8 million capital referendum, designed to improve student safety and learning spaces while maintaining a zero dollar increase to the debt levy. To ensure the community is fully informed the district has scheduled a series of information and Q & A sessions. These events will give residents the opportunity to ask questions and gain a thorough understanding of the referendum projects and the potential impact. Six information presentations and four Q & A sessions have been scheduled at schools and sites in the community. Additionally, district leaders are regularly presenting to community organizations and groups. To help keep the community informed, the district has launched a dedicated referendum webpage. The website provides full details about the referendum, frequently asked questions, information session details, and other important information related to the district’s facilities planning efforts. The public can also call the district at 920-424-0395.
Referendum 2025 – Oshkosh Area School District
AM RADIO IN VEHICLES BILL
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and a bipartisan group of colleagues Friday introduced a bill that would require automakers to keep AM radio accessible in all of their new passenger vehicles, including electric vehicles at no additional charge. The legislation comes as many major automakers are removing AM radio from their new vehicles. Senator Baldwin says, “Wisconsin families across the state, especially those in our rural and farming communities, depend on AM radio to receive critical emergency alerts and high-quality local news.” She added that she is proud to work with Democratic and Republican colleagues to stand up for the Americans who want and rely on AM radio to do their jobs, stay safe, and keep in touch with their local communities. If enacted, the bill would require the Department of Transportation to issue a rule requiring new vehicles to maintain access to broadcast AM radio at no additional cost to the consumer and provide small vehicle manufacturers at least four years after the date DOT issues the rule to comply. The bill also requires automakers to inform consumers during the period before the rule takes effect, that the vehicles do not maintain access to broadcast AM radio.
WAUPUN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL DONATION TO FOOD PANTRY
SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital Medical Staff recently donated $5,000 to the Waupun Food Pantry. According to Feeding America, 49 million people in the United States relied on food banks and other programs to help put food on the table in 2022. Waupun Memorial Hospital President DeAnn Thurmer says, “I am so proud of how the SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital Medical Staff is so engaged and supportive of our community, and this donation is just one example.” She added that they appreciate the role Waupun Food Pantry plays in the community. Thurmer points out it is a collective effort to counter the effects of food insecurity.
DEADLINE COMING UP FOR UNITED YOUTH GRANTS
Fond du Lac County United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says time is running out for nonprofits interested in applying for their United Youth Grants. The grants are funded by the United Way, the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, and the Fond du Lac Exchange Club. She says $9,000 is available with recipients receiving $1,000 to $1,500 for organizations that serve children or families. The United Youth Advisory Board is made up of high school juniors and seniors, two of whom are Ripon High School students. She says for the youth serving on the board they have to make tough decisions because they receive more applications for funding than they can award. The deadline to apply is this Friday. Applications are available on the Fond du Lac County United Way website.
ENVISION ANNUAL MEETING AWARDS
Nominations are being taken for the awards given out at Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s Annual Meeting. Envision CEO and President Sadie Howell says they’ve opened up the nomination process to the public this year. In addition to the Allen J. Buechel Lifetime Achievement Award, the other awards include; Volunteer of the Year; the Eden-Schneider Award; Business Excellence Award; Entrepreneur of the Year; and Young Professional of the Year. The nomination forms can be found on the Envision Greater Fond du Lacc website under the About tab.
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