3/19/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday
19 March 2025 News
WINNECONNE MAN ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES
Winneconne Police got help from the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group-Drug Unit to execute a search warrant at a residence in the 400 block of South 2nd Avenue in the Village as part of a drug investigation. The MEG unit was asked to assist because of the occupant or occupants of the residence were known to possess firearms and due to the close proximity of Winneconne Elementary School. The school was placed in a soft lockdown during the search. As a result of the search 50 used syringes were located, and several contraband items including a small amount of methamphetamine. Firearms were also located. A 44-year-old Winneconne man was taken into custody on a probation hold. Charges of methamphetamine possession, possession of THC second offense, and drug paraphernalia possession are being sought from the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office. The man was on probation from a prior methamphetamine conviction. (Winneconne Police Department photo).
HUMAN SKELETAL REMAINS IN WAUSHARA COUNTY IDENTIFIED
The Waushara County Sheriff’s Office tells us skeletal remains found last Thursday afternoon have been positively identified. They were identified with the assistance of the Waushara County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigation Monday. The identity of those remains was not revealed. The Waushara County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received a call at 5:19 last Thursday afternoon about human skeletal remains found in the area of County Road EE between Blackhawk Avenue and 26th Court in the Town of Leon. In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, Medical Examiner’s Office and DCI, the State Patrol, and State Crime Lab have assisted in the investigation.
THREE COUNTY HIGH SPEED PURSUIT
A 31-year-old Menomonee Falls man is facing charges after leading Sheriff’s Departments from Dodge, Fond du Lac, and Washington counties on a high-speed pursuit Tuesday afternoon. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office asked for the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office’s help in trying to stop a vehicle they wanted on felony fleeing and eluding charges. A Sheriff’s Sergeant spotted the suspect’s vehicle heading south on State Highway 175 near County Highway F in the Town of Byron. That led to a pursuit into Dodge County that went through Lomira. Dodge County Sheriff’s deputies joined the pursuit at that point. The suspect eventually pulled over on State Highway 175 near County Highway AH in Dodge County. The Menomonee Falls man was taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail where he is being held on charges of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, felony fleeing and eluding, misdemeanor bail jumping, operating while intoxicated third offense, and a probation hold. He is on probation for felony fleeing and eluding. The pursuit covered 9 miles. No one was injured and no vehicles were damaged. The State Patrol also assisted in the pursuit.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SENTENCED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER IN FDL COUNTY
The 51-year-old Fond du Lac man who tried to kill his wife last March has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision on an attempted first-degree intentional homicide charge. Fermin Teodoro Lopez-Mendoza was sentenced in Fond du Lac County Court yesterday. Since he was the subject of an ICE detainment Lopez-Mendoza is expected to be deported at the conclusion of his sentence. District Attorney Eric Toney says Lopez-Mendoza was in the country illegally from Mexico. According to the criminal complaint Lopez-Mendoza’s family was kicking him out of their home on County Road K on March 22nd, 2024, after a long history of domestic violence. He argued with his wife and at some point, stabbed her with a kitchen knife over six times. She had surgery at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac for the life-threatening injuries. Lopez-Mendoza fled the residence in his vehicle and was picked up the next day during a traffic stop in Ozaukee County.
JURY SCAM HITS COLUMBIA COUNTY
Columbia County Sheriff’s officials are warning residents that the jury scam has hit the county again. This time, the scammers are calling as Detective Josh Rider. The department does have a Detective Josh Rider but he is not the one calling and telling people they missed jury duty and asking for their credit card information to pay a citation. The Sheriff’s Office won’t call you from a random number if you miss jury duty. Anytime they call it would be from 608-742-4166. If there is ever a doubt you’re speaking with an actual Sheriff’s Office employee, ask to call back, and call their dispatch number 608-742-4166, extension 1, and ask for that person.
REPRESENTATIVE DALLMAN STATEMENT ON BIG ISLAND WILDFIRE
State Representative Alex Dallman issued a statement Tuesday regarding the 700-acre plus Big Island Wildfire in Green Lake County that broke out Monday afternoon. The state lawmaker from Markesan says, “I am very grateful to hear that the recent fire in the White River Marsh State Wildlife Area in Green Lake County has been fully contained and no injuries were reported.” He added, “I want to thank the countless firefighters and first responders for their quick response in containing the fire. I am closely monitoring the current status of the cleanup and the investigation into the cause.” The 39th Assembly District is currently in a “very high” fire danger category.
HALT FENTANYL ACT
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin this week voted to pass bipartisan legislation to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, putting the drug on par with the deadliest and most dangerous substances. The federal lawmaker from Madison says, “When it comes to confronting the opioid epidemic, to me and so many families in every corner of our state, it’s personal. With fentanyl, one pill can kill, and we need to be giving our law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on suppliers who traffic fentanyl into our communities.” The HALT Fentanyl Act would permanently classify street versions of fentanyl as Schedule I substances, ensuring clear and enforceable penalties under the Drug Enforcement Administration. Data shows the number of fentanyl overdose deaths in Wisconsin grew by 97 percent from 651 in 2019 to 1,280 in 2021.
WASHINGTON COUNTY NOW PROVIDING TEXT TO 911 SERVICE
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is now offering Text-to-911 service for residents and visitors to the county. The new service will allow individuals who are unable to make a voice call to 911 to send a text message during an emergency situation. The Text-to-911 service is particularly useful for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities, as well as for those in situations where speaking aloud could put them in danger. The Sheriff’s Office says to keep a few things in mind. Call if you can text if you can’t. Provide your location. Keep it simple. Text-to-911 cannot receive pictures or videos. It is for emergencies only and it will take longer.
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ENROLLMENT DEADLINE
The Administrator for the state’s Division of Trade and Consumer Protection reminds residents that the open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage health and prescription coverage ends March 31st. Michelle Reinen says Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies and can differ from Medicare and from each other. She says there can be differences in in-network coverage, out of pocket costs, and referral policies for specialists. During Medicare Advantage open enrollment, consumers can switch from their current Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan, return to original Medicare, or join a separate Medicare drug plan. Reinen says do your research and get things in writing. She says you need to consider whether your primary doctor or doctors will be in-network, will your costs change, will your prescriptions be covered, and will you need prior authorizations to get the care you need. Consumers can find out information about their coverage options from an unbiased source at Medicare. Gov and by calling 1-800-MEDICARE, that’s 1-800-633-4227.
WINTER UTILITIES MORATORIUM ENDING
Waupun Utilities is urging electric customers who are behind on their bills to contact the utility and use various payment options to avoid service disconnection. Wisconsin’s moratorium on residential service disconnection ends April 15th. After that date, utilities statewide may begin to disconnect service to customers who are past due on bill payment. To learn more about payment options call Waupun Utilities at 920-324-7920. The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program provides bill pay assistance to help income-eligible residents with heating costs, electric costs and energy crises. For more information call 1-866-432-8947. Residents experiencing hardship can also seek assistance through Home Energy Plus as well. Their phone number is 1-800-506-5596.
ZACH BEASOM ENVISION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Small business owners and entrepreneurs in Ripon, Waupun, and Campbellsport will have the opportunity to meet with Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s new Economic Development Coordinator on a regular basis. Zach Beasom will connect small businesses and start-ups with expert advice, mentoring, and hands-on account support. He will also introduce entrepreneurs to cutting-edge tools and trends and organize workshops and networking events. He will be holding office hours in Ripon the first and third Tuesday of the month, Waupun the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, and Campbellsport the first Thursday of the month from 8 am to 4 pm. He can also be reached by calling the Envision Offices at 920-322-8681 or you can get his email address off the Envision website. Beasom most recently held the position of Member Advocate with Verve, a Credit Union. He attended the UW-Oshkosh and has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Economics.
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