News – August 4, 2022

(Juneau) The topic of drugs has been a main talking point for the candidates running for Dodge County sheriff. Challenger Mark Colker says Dodge County is ranked third in all the state in overdose deaths per 100-thousand people and calls that (quote) “way out of hand.” Incumbent Sheriff Dale Schmidt says that is false. He says last year the county had 27 overdose deaths which is behind a number of other counties including Waukesha, Dane, Milwaukee, Outagamie, and Brown.

(Portage) Officials in Columbia County are reporting a spike in overdose deaths among their population. The county’s health department notes that oxycodone has been identified as an opioid linked to this increase. Residents are being urged to take important steps to reduce their risk of an opioid related overdose. Free medications that can reverse an overdose are available for pickup. More information is available at DailyDodge.com.

(Fond du Lac) An offender who tried to abduct a 16-year-old girl who was riding her bicycle in a secluded area near Campbellsport twenty years ago is being released from prison. Chad Maertz will be released from Racine Correctional next Tuesday and will be living at 457 Thomas Street in Fond du Lac. Authorities in the city are holding a community notification meeting tonight (Thursday night) at 6pm at the police department.

(Green Lake County) The Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office will be providing security for this week’s County Fair in Green Lake. Authorities say given what has happened around the nation since last year’s fair people will see a few changes, but it is all part of an effort to make sure those attending can safely enjoy the fair and what it has to offer. The Fair kicks off today (Thursday) and runs through Sunday at the Fairgrounds in Green Lake.

(Randolph) The Randolph School District has a new high school principal. The school board recently approved the hiring of Jennifer Kurtz to the position. Kurtz has been an educator and administrator in rural, urban, and suburban education settings. She recently served the school district of Wisconsin Dells as an associate principal.

(Wisconsin) Appointments to get a monkeypox vaccine are filling up quickly as more cases are reported in Wisconsin. The Department of Health Services says that 22 people have tested positive for suspected monkeypox. As of last week, Wisconsin had around 750 doses of vaccine for monkeypox on hand, and vaccination clinics in Madison and Milwaukee have been filled all week. – WRN