News 04.19.16
19 April 2016 News
Ripon Medical Center (RMC) earns designation as a Level IV Trauma Care Facility from the State of Wisconsin Department of Health. Public Relations Director, Shelly Haberman, says as a Level IV Trauma Care Facility, RMC has Emergency Department physicians and nurses available 24 hours a day with support from comprehensive medical and surgical services at its Parkside Street location. They also provide advanced trauma life support prior to patient transfer. RMC Chief Operating Officer Katherine Vergos says having high quality services is vital to the community, and they are proud to have earned the designation. State Trauma Facility designations are valid for three years, and hospitals must reapply after the three year period.
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Two people are seriously injured following a motorcycle crash in Winnebago County. The accident happened Sunday around 7:30pm on Highway 45, near Highway 10. Investigation shows the operator of the motorcycle, a 40-year-old Menasha man, went off the roadway and crashed. The operator and his passenger, a 33-year-old woman, suffered serious injuries. The Sheriff’s Office says speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash.
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Oshkosh Police are investigating a report of shots fired in the 1600 block of Oregon Street. Police say they found several shell casings in the area early Sunday morning just after 2:30, but no shooter or damage to property. There was no report of injuries. Beyond a few witnesses who said they heard gunshots, police were unable to gather any more information. If you know anything about the shots fired, call Oshkosh Police at (920) 236-5703. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477. You may be eligible for a cash reward.
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An annual tradition that thrills sightseers is underway. Sturgeon spawning on the Wolf River and upper Fox River has begun. According to DNR sturgeon biologist Ryan Koenigs, the spawning run started Monday morning on the Wolf River. Koenigs says people can expect to see sturgeon spawning in Shawano later this week. Fish have already been visible in Shiocton and New London. Over the weekend, crews were able to collect 13 fish from the upper Fox River. Koenigs says they collected eight fish at Princeton and five at Berlin on Sunday. Koenigs says he’s also heard reports of spawning on the Little Wolf River in Manawa.
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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says the risk for a brush fire spreading out of control is high in every county. The DNR’s Aaron Young says his crews are responding to an average of five fires a day. Young says most have spread from a property owner’s brush fire. He says April is the busiest time of the year with warmer temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions. The DNR is also concerned about fires at campgrounds and state parks. More than 100 camp sites were filled at Governor Dodge State Park over the weekend. So far, the DNR hasn’t issued any restrictions on camp fires. Burning brush and leaves is banned in many counties however, while the fire risk is high.
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State health officials say people are unlikely to contract the Zika virus from mosquitoes in Wisconsin this summer, but they can’t rule it out. Mosquitoes most likely to carry Zika generally are found in the southern U.S. But the estimated range of one species reaches as far north as southern Wisconsin. Health officer for the state Department of Health Services, Karen McKeown, says that the risk of acquiring Zika from a mosquito bite in Wisconsin “is really not a concern at this point.” But McKeown says people are encouraged to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. U.S. health officials says there is no longer any doubt the Zika virus causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads and other severe brain defects.
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