Lantern Project: Since October 2013, Hope House has joined with other domestic violence programs around the state by implementing the Lantern Project. For our part in this statewide project, we added to the lamppost in front of Hope House a purple wreath. We will turn on the light for a week every time there is a death related to domestic violence in Wisconsin. We will post information online about the person that was killed. If you drive by our building and see our lamppost on, please reflect on the deadly impact that domestic violence has on our communities.
Obituary: "Christopher Dale Richardson 'Po Boy' age 42 of Rio, WI formerly of Urbana, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 in Rio, WI. He was born on September 21, 1972 in Urbana, IL to Ivan and Mary (Zindars) Richardson. He graduated from Urbana High School In 1990. He married Gae Duderstadt on November 15, 1997 and they moved to Wisconsin. Together they had two beautiful sons, Carson and Conner Richardson.
Chris owned a very successful catering business, Po' Boys BBQ & Catering in Rio, WI that continued to grow over the years. He could take an idea or dream and turn it into a realty. He was successful in anything he set out to do. He was ambitious, motivated, confident and always had a positive attitude. He had such a way with people and you couldn't help but like him as soon as you met him. Chris worked hard and he played hard.
Chris had a zest for life and lived it to the fullest. He always saw the glass as 'half-full.' He had such a sense of humor and quick wit and would always have a joke or story to tell. He lived for adventure and was always up for anything. He couldn't wait for the opening day of snowmobile season. He loved going out to Colorado and Wyoming with his buddies to go mountain sledding. Most of all, he loved spending time with his boys. Whether it was taking off in the motorhome for a trip, going snowmobiling, ATVing, boating, floating down the river, snow skiing or just staying home playing board games and cards. Anyone who knew Chris knew how competitive he was in the games Monopoly, Risk and Settler's of Catan. The boys loved spending time with their Dad and they were the love of their Dad's life.
Chris is survived by his parents Ivan and Mary Richardson of Urbana, IL, his two sons Carson and Conner of Rio, WI and their mother Gae Richardson of Rio, WI, whom he remained very close to and had a strong bond with. He is also survived by two brothers, Brian (Tami) Richardson of Homer, IL, Brad Richardson of Urbana, IL. and nieces and nephews Brandon, Cedar, Tucker, Catherine, Drew and Quinn Richardson"...Read more
Chris owned a very successful catering business, Po' Boys BBQ & Catering in Rio, WI that continued to grow over the years. He could take an idea or dream and turn it into a realty. He was successful in anything he set out to do. He was ambitious, motivated, confident and always had a positive attitude. He had such a way with people and you couldn't help but like him as soon as you met him. Chris worked hard and he played hard.
Chris had a zest for life and lived it to the fullest. He always saw the glass as 'half-full.' He had such a sense of humor and quick wit and would always have a joke or story to tell. He lived for adventure and was always up for anything. He couldn't wait for the opening day of snowmobile season. He loved going out to Colorado and Wyoming with his buddies to go mountain sledding. Most of all, he loved spending time with his boys. Whether it was taking off in the motorhome for a trip, going snowmobiling, ATVing, boating, floating down the river, snow skiing or just staying home playing board games and cards. Anyone who knew Chris knew how competitive he was in the games Monopoly, Risk and Settler's of Catan. The boys loved spending time with their Dad and they were the love of their Dad's life.
Chris is survived by his parents Ivan and Mary Richardson of Urbana, IL, his two sons Carson and Conner of Rio, WI and their mother Gae Richardson of Rio, WI, whom he remained very close to and had a strong bond with. He is also survived by two brothers, Brian (Tami) Richardson of Homer, IL, Brad Richardson of Urbana, IL. and nieces and nephews Brandon, Cedar, Tucker, Catherine, Drew and Quinn Richardson"...Read more
Rio Man Behind Hostage Situation Identified: UPDATED: Thursday, July 2, 2015 --- 6:21 p.m.
"Authorities have identified the Columbia County man accused of holding his girlfriend hostage, then firing at deputies before killing himself Wednesday afternoon.
Sheriff Dennis Richards says 42-year-old Christopher Richardson, of Rio, led deputies on a chase after his girlfriend called 911 and told authorities Richardson had duct taped her, and held her for up to two days.
Court documents obtained by NBC 15 News shows a similar situation happened in September 2014. Richardson's girlfriend told deputies he had duct taped her, beat her and threatened to kill her. He was charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer. The case was still open.
Officials with Columbia County Sheriff's Office confirmed the same girlfriend was involved in both incidents.
Friends of Richardson's say he was a well-known, and well-liked business owner in Rio. He operated 'Po Boys' catering business.
'I'm sure everybody feels just the same that I do. Just very shocked,' his friend, Jody Smith said.
Now, the small community of 1,000 residents is trying to heal.
'I don't know how we're going to go on. Obviously we will, but it puts us in a tough spot... We've had a lot of positive things [in Rio] and it just makes you think about things day to day,' said Mark Watters, owner of Mark's Market in downtown Rio"...Read more
"Authorities have identified the Columbia County man accused of holding his girlfriend hostage, then firing at deputies before killing himself Wednesday afternoon.
Sheriff Dennis Richards says 42-year-old Christopher Richardson, of Rio, led deputies on a chase after his girlfriend called 911 and told authorities Richardson had duct taped her, and held her for up to two days.
Court documents obtained by NBC 15 News shows a similar situation happened in September 2014. Richardson's girlfriend told deputies he had duct taped her, beat her and threatened to kill her. He was charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer. The case was still open.
Officials with Columbia County Sheriff's Office confirmed the same girlfriend was involved in both incidents.
Friends of Richardson's say he was a well-known, and well-liked business owner in Rio. He operated 'Po Boys' catering business.
'I'm sure everybody feels just the same that I do. Just very shocked,' his friend, Jody Smith said.
Now, the small community of 1,000 residents is trying to heal.
'I don't know how we're going to go on. Obviously we will, but it puts us in a tough spot... We've had a lot of positive things [in Rio] and it just makes you think about things day to day,' said Mark Watters, owner of Mark's Market in downtown Rio"...Read more
RSS Feed