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News 01.25.18

25 January 2018 News


The Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer says she hopes to know later this week whether the flu season locally and statewide has peaked. Kim Mueller says the number of flu cases in Fond du lac County is up dramatically over last year at this time. Mueller says this year there have 271 cases for influenza A and eight for influenza B and over 1500 people have been tested for the flu. That compares to just 15 positive influenza A cases last year and zero for influenza B and 500 people tested. Mueller says if you are sick stay home until you are well so you don’t spread the virus to co-workers. Its not to late to get a flu shot.

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The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a hit and run driver. Sheriff’s captain Ryan Waldschmidt says the crash happened Friday night on Highway 151 near Highway WH. Waldschmidt says one vehicle pulled over to the side of the road to avoid hitting a deer when it was struck by another vehicle that fled the scene. Waldschmidt says the hit and run vehicle was described as an older model, white colored car, that would have drivers’ side damage following the crash.

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Gov. Scott Walker is proposing a new $50 million annual investment in rural economic development projects. Walker announced the proposal Wednesday, hours before he was to deliver his State of the State speech. He says the new money would primarily be used to stimulate private investment, improve productivity and fill open jobs in rural parts of the state. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation would be in charge and the money would be distributed through existing programs. Eligible projects would have to be in counties with a population density of less than 155 people per square mile. Walker says 56 of the state’s 72 counties would meet that criteria. Walker also announced creation of a $200,000 scholarship fund to encourage students to take agriculture courses at a state technical college or the University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture.

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The state Assembly has approved a Republican bill that would limit rental property inspections and make evicting tenants easier. The chamber approved the bill 58-34 Tuesday. It now goes to the state Senate. Under the bill, local governments could conduct rental property inspections only in blighted and high-complaint areas. If an inspection doesn’t reveal a violation inspectors couldn’t return to the property for five years. Local governments also would be prohibited from inspecting rental property that’s less than eight years old. Court-ordered eviction stays for tenants applying for emergency assistance would be limited to 10 days, a landlord or tenant waiver of a violation of a rental contract couldn’t be a defense in an eviction case. Owners of historic properties would be allowed to make repairs using modern materials and landlords couldn’t discriminate against potential tenants who need emotional-support animals.

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