3/28/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
28 March 2025 News
STABBING SUSPECT CHARGED
Bond was set at $25,000 cash this week for a 31-year-old Fond du Lac man suspected of a stabbing at Lori’s Bar and Grill in the Town of Lamartine last Friday. William Wadusky, Jr is charged with felony counts of physical abuse of an elder-intentionally causing bodily harm, substantial battery intending bodily harm, and a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct. All three charges have enhancers for use of a dangerous weapon. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Thursday. According to criminal complaint Wadusky, a dishwasher at Lori’s, and the 62-year-old victim a part-time cook there had a disagreement Wadusky wanted to air it in front of the bar’s patrons. Later in the kitchen area the victim was stabbed seven times with a steak knife. The victim was taken to St. Agnes Hospital where he was treated for stab wounds to the head, neck, right shoulder, and ribs. Two of the bars’ patrons took Wadusky to the ground and held him there until Sheriff’s deputies arrived. According to the complaint Wadusky had made disruptive and erratic statements prior to the stabbing. Feeling threatened the victim tried to call the Sheriff’s non-emergency line prior to being attacked. (Fond du Lac County Jail Photo).
OSHKOSH HOUSE FIRE DISPLACES THREE
No one was hurt during a house fire in Oshkosh late Thursday morning, but three people were displaced. Firefighters were called to a fire at 307 West 9th Avenue just after 11 am. Smoke was coming from the second floor when fire crews arrived. The blaze was contained to the second floor which sustained major smoke, heat and fire damage. There was water damage to the first floor because of firefighting efforts. The house was deemed uninhabitable displacing a family of three. The American Red Cross is assisting them. The cause of the fire is being determined.
SCHABUSINESS FOUND COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL
The 27-year-old Green Bay woman sentenced to life in prison for the 2022 murder and dismemberment of a Green Bay man has been found competent to stand trial for attacking a guard at Taycheedah Correctional Institution. A competency report was filed for Taylor Schabusiness on March 17th and yesterday Fond du Lac County Judge Anthony Nehls found her competent as a result. She is charged with battery by prisoners stemming from an incident at the women’s prison last July 24th. According to the criminal complaint Schabusiness lunged at a nurse who was trying to remove a staple from Schabusiness’s arm in a medical room at the prison. The guard, a sergeant at TCI, intervened and was allegedly hit with a small metal table the nurse was using. Pepper spray was used to subdue Schabusiness. Later the victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. She told the investigating Fond du Lac Police Officer she had been hit in the head, suffered bruised ribs, and a sore arm in the attack. The nurse was able to make it safely out of the room during the struggle which was caught on the victim’s body camera. A preliminary hearing is scheduled in the case next Friday.
DODGE COUNTY SEX OFFENDER SENT BACK TO TREATMENT FACILITY
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt says Wednesday a Dodge County judge signed an order sending a 41-year-old sex offender back to the Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Facility in Mauston. Garon Leitzke was removed from the residence he has been living at in rural Brownsville on February 20th by the Department of Corrections Division, Division of Community Corrections. Leitzke failed to comply with rules set by his Probation and Parole Agents. Leitzke had been living at a residence on State Highway 49 since last September 5th. A former Dodge County judge granted a petition in April of 2006 finding Leitzke to be a sexually violent person and sentenced him to a secure mental facility. In May of 2002 Leitzke was convicted of first-degree sexual assault of a child and repeated acts of sexual assault of the same child and was subsequently convicted of first-degree sexual assault of a child in March of 2006.
ATTEMPTED MURDER SUSPECT ASKS FOR COURT TRIAL
The 19-year-old Fall River man charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide for stabbing and running over a girl in Beaver Dam has chosen a court trial rather than a jury trial if needed. Dylan Lenz was in Dodge County Court for a final pre-trial hearing Wednesday when the request was made. The judge rather than a jury would determine guilt or innocence in a court trial. There is still the possibility of a plea and sentencing hearing depending on doctors’ reports and additional information. The court trial is scheduled for June 19th and 20th. Lenz faces a total of five charges including four felonies. According to the criminal complaint police were called to the Walmart parking lot in Beaver Dam on October 15th of 2022 for a hit and run. The victim suffered critical and life-threatening injuries and was taken to the UW Children’s Hospital in Madison. Lenz told investigators he stabbed her in the right shoulder with a box cutter and when she got out of his vehicle he chased after her running over her when she tripped and fell.
FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED FOR FIFTH OWI
The State Patrol late last night arrested a 56-year-old Orlando, Florida man suspected of his fifth OWI offense. A State Trooper was traveling north on Interstate 41 in Fond du Lac County south of State Highway 151 at 11:22 pm when the trooper saw a speeding vehicle and pulled it over. The trooper observed Kumar Singh showing signs of impairment and saw open intoxicants in the vehicle. After a short investigation Singh was arrested for his fifth OWI and was taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail.
STATE BUDGET WORK
State Representative Alex Dallman says the Governor’s proposed State Budget turned over to the Joint Finance Committee will look very different from the finished version. This is the second State Budget the lawmaker from Markesan has worked on as a member of JFC. Dallman says the state has a $4 billion surplus, but the Governor’s budget proposal would turn that into a $2 billion deficit. He says the state is doing pretty well and Republican state lawmakers want to maintain that momentum. He says they would like to find a way to put more money into the pockets of retirees and give tax cuts to others and increase funding to education. He says there is still some COVID funding available for the state that they should invest in maintaining our roads and bridges. The Joint Finance Committee will be holding four public hearings around the state on the proposed budget starting next week in Kaukauna and West Allis.
GROTHMAN LEGISLATION WOULD RESTORE FEDERAL PROGRAM
Congressman Glenn Grothman has introduced the Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act. The bill permanently reinstates the Payroll Audit Independent Determination program, which allows businesses to quickly resolve wage discrepancies for workers. Initially launched under the Trump Administration in 2018 the PAID program returned four times the amount of back wages to employees, when compared to traditional investigations. The bill is supported by the National Retail Federation, HR Policy Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business, International Franchise Association, and Institute for the American Worker. The federal lawmaker from Glenbeulah says, “By permanently restoring this program, we provide employers with an efficient way to fix mistakes and ensure workers receive their rightful wages without unnecessary litigation or penalties. This is especially helpful for small businesses, who can’t afford litigation because many are already operating on razor thin margins.”
FREE STORM SPOTTER TRAINING
The National Weather Service, in conjunction with Fond du Lac County Emergency Management, will be hosting annual storm spotter training. The session will run from 6:30 to 8:30 pm on Tuesday, April 8th, in the Legislative Chambers of the Fond du Lac City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac. Training will be led by a meteorologist from the National Weather Service and is free and open to the public. It is highly recommended for members of law enforcement, fire service, EMS, dispatchers along with other first responders such as public works and amateur radio operators. Anyone who has interest in learning more about severe weather is encouraged to attend. Pre-registration is not required. The training provides information on severe weather safety, as well as, the difference between watches and warnings. Information will be presented on how to help the National Weather Services as a trained spotter, including what needs to be reported to the NWS and how to submit reports.
INTEREST RATES FOR HOME BUYERS LIKELY TO REMAIN STEADY
A local realtor says if you’re waiting for interest rates to drop before you buy a home it could be a long wait. Tony Dolgner of Century 21 Properties Unlimited in Ripon says a 6 or 7 percent interest rate is solid compared to highs near 15 percent at one time and the last few years there has been speculation that it is going to drop further than it is now. He says it may never get down to 3 percent again. Still he says some bankers have gotten creative with incentives if someone wishes to finance the purchasing of a home. He encourages people to stay local with their banking. He says right now it is a seller’s market and they can typically sell a home in 5 to 10 days after it is listed. His company is full service for both buyers and sellers dealing with residential, commercial, secondary homes, Lake Frontage, recreational lands, and agricultural properties. Century 21 Properties Unlimited is located at 1194 West Fond du Lac Street in Ripon. You can also call them 920-748-2865.
Ripon, WI Real Estate Office | CENTURY 21 Properties Unlimited
EATS FOR THE ARTS RESTAURANT DAYS
Eats for the Arts Restaurant Days, an initiative from the Thrasher Opera House, will kick off next Thursday and continue through Sunday, April 13th. The event will feature 17 participating restaurants around the Green Lake area with a portion of proceeds benefitting the Thrasher Opera House. Eats for the Arts Restaurant Days also celebrates the culinary excellence in Green Lake and surrounding areas. Thrasher Director of Development Katie Menting says they are thrilled to bring the community together again through great food and local support. Participating businesses in Green Lake include; The 300 Club, Adam’s Rib, Chops, Goose Blind Bar & Grill, Oakwood Bar & Coffee Lounge, Oakwood Restaurant, Sassafras Coffee, Walk the Dog and Waves Pub and Grill. Participating restaurants in Ripon include; J’s BBQ, Knuth Brewing Company, Fox and Crow, Mr & Mrs P’s, and The Public House. Other participating businesses include AJ’s Riverside in Berlin, Horseradish Kitchen + Market in Princeton, and Oyster Crackers in Montello. Information and more details, including hours and menus of participating restaurants, are available at the Thrasher website.
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