News – December 10, 2022

(Watertown) Three people were killed in a house fire in Watertown early yesterday (Friday) morning. The Watertown Fire Department was called to the 100 block of Western Avenue around 12:36am. Upon arrival, crews found the home engulfed in flames and personnel were told that residents were still trapped inside. Firefighters attempted to rescue those still inside the structure but were driven back by the intense heat, smoke, and flames. Crews worked inside and outside to extinguish the blaze. The Watertown Police Department has confirmed that three people perished in the fire. Authorities are not releasing their names or ages at this time. The cause of the fire is under active investigation by the Watertown Fire and Police Departments along with the State Fire Marshall.

(Fond du Lac) A Fond du Lac man suspected of fatally shooting another person has pleaded not guilty to First-Degree Intentional Homicide and felon in possession of a firearm charges. Timothy Brown was arraigned earlier this week in Fond du Lac County court on charges stemming from the August 20th shooting in Fond du Lac that killed 40-year-old Brandon Johnson. According to the criminal complaint, the two men were at a bar early that morning and got into an argument. Brown reportedly shoved Johnson and shortly afterward they left the bar. Surveillance video and audio indicate four shots were fired in a minute’s time. The shots were fired at close range. Police were able to recover clothing the 32-year-old wore that night and match Johnson’s DNA to a red stain on Brown’s shoes. Brown will be back in court for a status hearing on January 24th. He is being held in the County Jail on a $1-million-dollar cash bond.

(Wisconsin) About 200 American Red Cross employees in Wisconsin are threatening to go on strike. The union accuses Red Cross officials of refusing to bargain in good faith. They say management canceled or rescheduled 21 meetings, and at the one they did attend …workers were told there was not money for wage increases. Management says the Red Cross does provide competitive wages and has offered bonuses and new paid family leave benefits. They add there’s a plan in place to continue meeting blood needs of hospitals if there is a strike. The union says if an agreement is not reached by December 15th, they will not be working the annual holiday blood drive in Madison on December 23rd. – WRN

(Beaver Dam) There is another new restaurant coming to the city of Beaver Dam. The International House Of Pancakes could be open as early as the spring of 2023. Realtor Robert Ballweg confirms the Wednesday closing on sale of the former Applebee’s restaurant off North Spring Street. Beaver Dam is seeing a number of chain restaurants opening their doors in the city. Jersey Mike’s sandwich shop is now open in the former Papa Murphy’s storefront in the strip mall off Frances Lane. Nearby, signage is already up for the Noodles and Company moving into the former jewelry store.  The Pizza Ranch is expected to open before Christmas in the former Ponderosa on North Spring Street. In the Park Village Shopping Center, ground has been broken for a Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins in a new building between McDonalds and Shopko.

(Beaver Dam) Wayland Academy will be hosting their 58th Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols tomorrow (Sunday). The show is a non-denominational music service featuring singing of Christmas carols, hymns, and choral music performed by Wayland’s students and faculty. The service will begin at 4pm tomorrow in the Kimberly Chapel on the Wayland Academy campus located at 101 North University Avenue. It is free and open to the public. Parking is available on University Avenue, on Franklin Street, and in the Field House parking lots.   

(Lebanon) A church in Lebanon will host a food pantry distribution event this coming week. The monthly Ruby’s Pantry Food Distribution will be at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on W4661 County Road MM on Tuesday (December 13th). The cost is $25 per share and those going can purchase more than one. Organizers say each share may not be identical but will contain at least $100 to $150 worth of groceries. Residents are asked to have exact change ready. The event gets underway at 3:30pm and continues to 6pm or until all 336 shares are gone. To enter, drive through the fire station parking lot directly from Highway R to get in line for distribution.

(Columbus) A Columbus hospital has received a generous donation. The Prairie Ridge Health Foundation received a $5,000 check from Farmers and Merchants Union Bank. The money was given in support of the foundation’s annual fundraising campaign to purchase new Pulmonary Function Testing equipment for use by Prairie Ridge Health’s Raspatory Therapy and Occupational departments.