(Lomira) A signature bond was set at $50,000 Monday for the father charged for his role in mistreating a child that died in Lomira two years ago. Frank Pleester of Milwaukee reportedly knew that Jamie Hildebrandt was physically abusing the child but failed to act before she stepped on him in 2020 which resulted in the infant’s death. She said she forgot the child was on the floor. Pleester allegedly admitted in a text conversation with Hildebrandt’s sister that he knew she was neglecting the child. If convicted, the 35-year-old faces just over 18 years behind bars. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 15th.
(Jefferson) A former Jefferson County man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempted child enticement. Marc Bennett, formerly of Jefferson, started communicating online with someone he believed was 12-years-old earlier this year. During these interactions, the 43-year-old expressed his desire to have sex with the girl. He traveled to her home and was arrested by an undercover cop. Bennett, who was a former Wisconsin Department of Administration employee, displayed his work badge and claimed he was attempting to save a victim of human trafficking.
(Wisconsin) Area law enforcement agencies are ramping up patrols as part of a nation-wide effort to end drunk driving. The annual Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is underway and runs through Labor Day. Last year in Wisconsin, there were over 63-hundred alcohol-related crashes, including 166 deaths. Alcohol contributed to more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities. Tips to help mitigate impaired driving crashes include identifying a sober designated driver, buckling up, and downloading the free “Drive Sober” app that features a “find a ride” option.
(Juneau) The Dodge County Highway Department will be chip sealing several highways beginning Tuesday. The highway department says this maintenance is necessary to protect the road surface from deterioration through oxidation. As a result of the sealcoating process, there will be loose gravel chips on the road surface. Highway department officials ask motorists to use an alternate route during sealcoat application, if possible. Work is slated to be completed in about a month. A list of the highways being chip sealed is available at DailyDodge.com.
(Beaver Dam) The Moraine Park Technical College District Board has approved the final language for a $55-million-dollar referendum that will appear on the November ballot. The referendum would allow Moraine Park to borrow funds to update and expand district facilities to meet the needs of business and industry in the region. Under the proposed facilities enhancement plan, annual property taxes would increase by 21-cents per $1,000 of property value or $21 per $100,000 of property value for no more than 20 years.
