News – November 14, 2019

(Juneau) The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about a phone scam with the perpetrators claiming to be with their department.  The caller claims to be “Major Walker” or “a judge” or some other high-ranking official, providing fake phone numbers, which they answer as the Sheriff’s Office, and apparently even have voice mail. The caller makes false claims about there being an arrest warrant, or that jury duty was missed, to scare people into making payments. Sheriff Dale Schmidt says his office will never call a citizen and ask them to pay for a warrant over the phone.

(Markesan) Markesan Police are warning residents about a scam in which the caller poses as a DEA agent. The caller will tell the person they are being investigated for drug smuggling or money laundering. They will ask for personal information such as social security numbers, on the number of bank accounts you have how much money is in each and may ask for money to prevent your arrest. Police say it is a total scam and two residents got calls Tuesday from scammers trying to perpetrate the scam. The actual DEA issued a press release about the scam earlier this year.

(Waupun) The Waupun Common Council unanimously adopted their 2020 budget this week. The operations budget of $5.9-million dollars includes a tax levy of just under $3.19-million, which is a $90-thousand dollar increase, or 3.25-percent, from the previous budget. $300-thousand is earmarked for street projects. The mill rate is 35-cents higher for Waupun residents in Fond du Lac County at $7.69 per thousand while Dodge County residents will see an increase of 15-cents to $7.59. Equalized property values are up five-percent in Waupun.

(Waupun) The Waupun Common Council next month will consider an ordinance allowing ATV’s on all city streets. That after the council was unable to get the votes to pass the measure this week. Efforts failed to prohibit riding between midnight and 6am and also between 10pm and 6am. The mayor cast two-tie breaking votes against the measures before casting a tie-breaking vote in favor of bringing the ordinance back for a final vote next month.  If approved, ATV’s would be able to operate on all city streets except county and state highways or connecting highways with a speed limit above 35-miles per hour.

(Waupun) A community event in Waupun tonight aims to show the dangers surrounding drug addiction. Rise Together is a non-profit group focused on preventing addiction through education and engaging the public. The program will feature several national advocates who will discuss important topics including bullying and suicide prevention. The Rise Together presentation is at the Waupun High School at 6pm.

(Juneau) The Dodge County Sheriff is criticizing attempts by Dodge County Board supervisors to trim up to a half-million dollars from his department’s budget. On Tuesday, the county board adopted the 2020 budget which included several amendment recommendations to trim the sheriff’s office budget.  Dale Schmidt says in a press release that a half-million dollars in cuts would have had a significant impact on the public safety services provided in the county. The only resolution that passed removed $74-thousand from the patrol division. Schmidt says the cut will limit the ability of his staff to properly respond to calls for service and conduct proper drug investigations.

(Berlin) The 21-year-old Berlin man who took a 15-year-old Ripon girl with him to Arizona is facing 12 charges, none related to that incident. The FBI found Talin Ross and the missing girl in Arizona last week. Before that, federal agents were already investigating Ross. Charges filed this month in Fond du Lac County court include two counts of child sexual exploitation and ten counts of possession of child pornography.

(Kenosha) The Kenosha County Chairman will make his initial court appearance next week Friday on retail theft charges. Daniel Esposito was arrested on November 2nd at his home for allegedly taking three containers of roof coating from Menards without paying.  Esposito told investigators that he had a receipt for the coating, but was not able to find it.