News – October 27, 2022

(Waukesha) The defendant in the Waukesha Christmas Parade attack trial was convicted Wednesday morning. A jury found Darrell Brooks guilty on six counts of First-Degree Intentional Homicide for driving his SUV into a crowd during last November’s parade. Six people were killed – including a former Beaver Dam educator – and dozens more were wounded. The 40-year-old was also found guilty on 61 counts of Recklessly Endangering Safety and six counts of Hit and Run.

(Lomira) A father charged for his role in mistreating a child who died in Lomira over two years ago is heading to trial after probable cause was found during his preliminary hearing Wednesday. 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. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for January 4th.

(Waupun) Six homes and a dialysis center in Waupun needed to be evacuated Wednesday afternoon due to a natural gas leak. The Waupun Fire Department was called to 10 Beaver Dam Street around 2:11pm for a gas line that was struck by a piece of construction equipment. Alliant Energy was able to control the leak within 40 minutes. There were no injuries.

(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Police Department has a message of Halloween safety this weekend. Lieutenant Jeremiah Johnson encourage parents to go with their kids trick or treating. If they cannot, then Johnson recommends having a safety conversation about crossing streets or staying with a group of friends. There will be extra law enforcement presence out in the city during trick or treating hours which runs from 4pm to 6pm Sunday.

(Wisconsin) The state’s Department of Corrections is again working with law enforcement this Halloween to conduct random home visits of registered sex offenders. These checks will happen in communities across the state during local trick-or-treating hours.

(Dodge County) Residents in Dodge County will see an uptick in ATV and UTV vehicles traveling on authorized road routes starting Thursday through Saturday. It is part of the 15th Annual ATV/UTV Charity Ride benefiting Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. Other impacted counties include Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, and Washington. Over the past 14 years, the event has donated over $199-thousand-dollars to charity. More information is available at DailyDodge.com.