4/7/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Monday
7 April 2025 News
FIRE DAMAGES FDL HOME
Fire damaged a 4-unit multi-family residence at 156 West Division Street in Fond du Lac Saturday afternoon. Firefighters were dispatched shortly after 2 pm and encountered moderate conditions showing from the rear of the residence when they arrived. The fire was found in the basement and quickly extinguished. The fire extended into the first floor kitchen walls causing significant damage to the kitchen area. The home was occupied at the time and the residents called 911 to report the fire. They were able to escape without injury. Smoke detectors were found at the scene of the fire, but none of them were in working condition.
FDL COUNTY PURSUIT AND ARREST
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 45-year-old Milwaukee man following a 3 ½ mile chase in Fond du Lac Friday night. The suspect fled from a traffic stop and unsuccessful taser deployment. During the pursuit the suspect’s vehicle struck two roundabouts and there was minor damage to Sheriff’s squad cars that used PIT maneuvers to eventually stop the suspect’s vehicle. The man was taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail on charges of felony fleeing, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, felony bail jumping, and criminal damage to property. He was out on a $500 cash bond for a felony fleeing charge in Brown County. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Fond du Lac Police, the State Patrol, and Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue.
SEARCH CONTINUES ON WISCONSIN RIVER FOR MISSING CHICAGO MAN
Efforts continue on the Wisconsin River in Columbia County to recover the body of a missing 20-year-old man from Chicago, Illinois. Wisconsin Dells Police say Francesco Di Filippo was one of three boaters thrown into the river when their boat capsized south of the Kilbourn Dam Thursday afternoon. One person was able to swim to shore. Francesco and 75-year-old Luis Di Filippo of Chicago, Illinois disappeared under the surface of the water. Luis’s body was recovered Friday afternoon. Police say 18 miles of shoreline were searched by boat from the Kilbourn Dam Sunday. Search efforts have been hampered by the current flowing from the dam which have made it too risky for dive teams or to use underwater drones.
TAYLOR SCHABUSINESS BOUND OVER FOR TRIAL
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputies were ready for trouble when a 27-year-old Taycheedah Correctional Inmate lunged at her attorney during a preliminary hearing Friday morning. Taylor Schabusiness was carried from the court room by her arms and legs and later while the convicted murderer from Green Bay sat in restraints in another room the hearing was continued via Zoom. Probable cause was found to bind her over for trial and during a subsequent arraignment a not guilty plea was entered on her behalf to the felony charges she faces stemming from her attack of a corrections sergeant at the prison last July. Schabusiness was sentenced to life in prison for the 2022 murder and dismemberment of a Green Bay man. 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. Schabusiness had previously attacked an attorney representing her in Brown County Court while she was being prosecuted for the Green Bay man’s murder.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES INCREASE SLIGHTLY
Unemployment rates increased slightly for area counties in February. According to Federal Labor statistics Winnebago County’s rate increased to 3.2 percent, Dodge County’s to 3.3 percent, and Fond du Lac County’s to 3.4 percent. The jobless rate for February in Waupaca County was 3.7 percent, 4.8 percent in Green Lake County, and 5.4 percent in Waushara County. The state’s Department of Workforce Development reports that the unemployment rate decreased in 10 counties, remained the same in four, and increased in 58 of the state’s 72 counties. The jobless rate in the city of Oshkosh remained the same at 2.9 percent in February, but increased to 4 percent in Fond du Lac.
WAUPUN MAYOR’S VETO MAY STAND UP
Waupun Mayor Rohn Bishop believes his veto of the Vanderwalle and Associates Scope of Services for an affordable housing strategy for the city will stand. He says the Common Council may not have enough votes to override it. Bishop says there simply wasn’t enough time last month between when the Council got is meeting package containing information about the study and the Council meeting itself for the public to review and get in their thoughts. He says residents want more housing but also are concerned about what type of housing that might be. He says nobody wants low-income government subsidized housing coming into the city, they would rather see something market-based. The study would cost $15,000 and Bishop feels they already have a pretty good idea about what they need in the way of housing. But he remains open-minded about having the study done.
ORAL HEALTH MONTH
Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says April being Oral Health Month it is important to make sure your dental health is good. The County Health Department has their Save a Smile program that provides preventative and restorative dental services for county residents, ages 18 and under, on Badger Care or Medical Assistance. The program also assists adults on Medical Assistance with urgent dental needs. Mueller says if you don’t have good dental health the rest of your health can suffer as well. She recommends brushing twice a day, flossing, and using mouth wash. Consequences of poor dental health may include cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer.
YOUTH TURKEY HUNT
The state’s Department of Natural Resources reminds families, mentors and young hunters that there is still time to plan and participate in the 2025 statewide youth turkey hunt Saturday and Sunday. Each year, the youth turkey hunt gives hunters under 16 the opportunity to feel the excitement of turkey season and gain valuable hunting experience before the regular turkey season begins. Youth hunters must have a spring turkey license, wild turkey stamp and valid harvest authorization. All of these are available online through Go Wild or at any license sales agent around the state. During two-day youth hunt the bag limit is one male or bearded turkey. To participate in the mentored hunt program, youth hunters must be accompanied by a qualified adult 18 years of age or older. An adult cannot accompany more than two youth hunters at one time. Only one youth hunter can follow the mentored hunting program if the adult is attending to more than one youth hunter.
FRIENDS OF THE RIPON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOOK SALE
Friends of the Ripon Public Library will hold their annual used book sale at the library this Thursday through Saturday. Youth Services Librarian Linda DeCramer says in addition to getting great bargains on books there will be a seed swap Friday and Saturday. All seeds must be labeled. Also happening this Saturday at the Library from 1 to 3 pm is the Earth Day Fiber Fest. DeCramer says those attending are asked to bring in quilting scraps and Fabric artists from Bungalow Quilting and the Quilted Underground will help participants craft a variety of delightful items, including bookmarks, tassels, bunting, pom poms, coasters, and jewelry. You can get more information about the Friends of the Ripon Public Library book sale including sale times and prices at the Ripon Public Library website.
Book Sales | Ripon Public Library
SAMARITAN CLINIC CASH RAFFLE
Tickets are now on sale for the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation’s annual Samaritan Cash Raffle, with the top prizes of $50,000. The 2025 drawing is scheduled for noon on Wednesday, May 14th on the SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac Facebook page. First prize is $50,000: second prize, $10,000: third prize, $5,000: fourth & fifth prize, $2,500: sixth to 10th prize, $1,000: and 11th to 20th prize, $500 each. The SSM Health Samaritan Clinic-which opened in 1992-provides health care to around 500 underinsured patients annually. The clinic is funded in part by donations through the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation and Samaritan Cash Raffle proceeds. Tickets are now available for $50 each, four for $150 or nine for $300. Tickets must be purchased in person by cash or check. Tickets can be bought at a number of Fond du Lac and Waupun Area businesses and at SSM Health hospital information desks including St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac and Ripon Community Hospital.
Photo caption: Adam and Jill Stone (left), and Emily and Dr. Trevor Walker are serving as the 2025 Agnesian HealthCare Foundation annual Samaritan Cash Raffle co-chairpersons. Tickets are on sale now. Learn more at ssmhealth.com/cashraffle.
PASSION PLAY
Immanuel United Methodist Church in Ripon will put on their fourth annual presentation of the passion play, “Who Is That Man,” on Palm Sunday, April 13th. The play, based on a script written and directed by the church’s praise worship leader, Christina Muenchow, features her husband, electric guitar-playing Al Muenchow, in the role of Jesus Christ. A cast of over 40 from the congregation and community will tell the story of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, his teachings, his arrest, his death and resurrection through song, acting, and audience participation. Shows are at 2 and 7 pm and everyone is welcome!
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