News – July 9th, 2022

(Fond du Lac) Two people from Fond du Lac have been charged in connection to a homicide that occurred in the city last fall. Julius Freeman Jr. and Eric Perry are facing felony counts of First-Degree Intentional Homicide and Armed Robbery, both as a Party to a Crime. The 22-year-old Freeman Jr. and the 28-year-old Perry were arrested last year on probation warrants and have remained incarcerated ever since. Fond du Lac Police were called to the 300 block of 8th Street just before midnight last October 17th. Upon arrival, officers found 26-year-old Benzel Rose deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. Both Freeman Jr. and Perry are expected to make their initial appearances in court on Monday. Anyone with information about the investigation, they are asked to contact the Fond du Lac Police Department (at 920-322-3721). Contact details is available at DailyDodge.com.

(Beaver Dam) A Madison man charged with running from Dodge County authorities entered into a plea agreement this week. Conan Fox pled guilty to a felony count of Fleeing and misdemeanor charges of Resisting. The court found the defendant guilty of the misdemeanor’s but placed Fox into a deferred prosecution agreement. Meaning Fox will avoid a felony record if he stays out of trouble while on probation for two years. The 24-year-old ran from deputies after getting clocked going 20-miles-per-hour over the posted speed limit on Highway 151 last September. 

(Beaver Dam) A Juneau man guilty of not returning a rental car was sentenced to five years in prison this week. Gregg Mitchell failed to return his rental to the Beaverland Parkway’s Enterprise in June of 2019. Four days after reporting the vehicle stolen a month later, deputies located it behind Mitchell’s apartment building. The 50-year-old was also placed on extended supervision for three years. 

(Racine) Investigators say they have finished their probe into an officer-involved shooting in Racine in May. The district attorney in Racine County will now decide on what, if any, charges to file. Racine Police say one of their officers shot and killed Da’Shontay King after he refused to drop his weapon, then made a move which forced the officer to fire. King’s family is asking to see the body camera footage, so they can know for sure what happened. – WRN

(Green Lake County) Green Lake County Chief Deputy Sheriff Matt Vande Kolk says they have been fortunate over the years to get good tips for their Crime Stoppers program. Crimes like a recent theft and a burglary resulted in video surveillance photos shared through the program to generate tips. Vande Kolk says if you do see something that seems suspicious report it because what you might not think is important could lead to solving a crime. He says they have had a very strong relationship with their communities, and it is not something they take lightly. He says when it comes to tips for the program, “help us help you.” Tips can be reported anonymously to the Green Lake County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-438-8436 or text GETTHEM at 847411.

(Wisconsin) The State Supreme Court has ruled that absentee ballot drop boxes are not allowed under Wisconsin law. In a 4-3 decision, Justice Brian Hagedorn ruled on the side of the court’s conservative justices that the Wisconsin Elections Commission was in error when it allowed the use of those drop boxes during the pandemic. The ruling means ballots must be dropped off at the clerk’s office or mailed. The court declined to rule on whether or not other people can help deliver those ballots. – WRN

(Dodge County) Dodge County’s COVID community level is the low category. Dane and Washington counties are in the medium level while all other surrounding counties are in the low category. So far, 52.8-percent of Dodge County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine while 50.7-percent have completed the vaccination series. Twenty-eight-percent have received an additional booster dose.

(Wisconsin) Republican candidate for Governor Rebecca Kleefisch wants to put the state on a path towards no income tax. Kleefisch says if elected, she’d call for a flat tax rate in the next budget. The former lieutenant governor faces pipeline construction executive Tim Michels of Lomira and state Representative Tim Ramthun in the August primary. Kleefisch spent about an hour answering questions from voters during a meeting at the Marathon County Republican Headquarters in Kronenwetter Thursday afternoon. – WRN

(Waukesha) The Dancing Grannies plan to return to the Waukesha Christmas parade this year. Three members of the much-loved amateur dance troupe were killed by an S-U-V at last year’s parade, one was a former Beaver Dam educator. Three other people also died and dozens more were injured. Dancing Grannies members say it’s important to go back to Waukesha and to perform in the parade again. – WRN

(Madison) Public Health Madison Dane County has closed the beaches along Lake Monona. County staff say there are high levels of E. coli in the waters near the beaches, likely due to recent heavy rains and runoff. That, coupled with warmer temperatures made the waters dangerous for swimmers. The rest of Madison’s beaches are currently safe for swimming. You can check beach closures on the county health department website at Public Health M D C dot com. – WRN

(Green Lake) A couple of area communities that had to postpone their fireworks displays on the Fourth of July due to weather concerns will have them tonight (Saturday night). In Green Lake, the fireworks will be at dusk Saturday at Deacon Mills Park where there will be live music starting at 5:30 pm. Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lisa Meier says to be sure to bring your lawn chair, blanket, or come by boat, to view the spectacular display over the waters of Big Green Lake. For Ripon, the event will take place at Barlow Park in conjunction with Riponfest. The fireworks will also be launched at dusk from Barlow Park which is located on Ripon’s south side near the intersection of Griswold and Watson Street.