Hometown Broadcasting News Monday 11/25/19
25 November 2019 News
E coli Outbreak
It’s difficult to get a handle on the number of suspected E.coli cases linked to an outbreak in eight states. Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller updated us recently. The number she attributes is 17. “The question always is how much is that affecting home or local and there are 17 total people that are infected with E.coli in this outbreak that is affecting about eight states.” However Wisconsin Department of Health Officials recently reported as many as 20 cases, but only six have been linked to the national outbreak. Mueller says one thing that is certain is that none of the three cases reported in Fond du Lac County this year had a common link.
Ripon Common Council Preview
The Ripon Common Council tonight will continue discussions about a proposal to build a parking structure where the American House now stands. The proposal from the Ripon-based First Lego League team would include a structure with a rooftop park above it. The Council is still considering the fate of the former American House. The Council will also consider a proposal from Alderman Aaron Becker to change the way Council members are currently paid. It could save the city some money. The meeting is at 7 pm at the Ripon City Hall.
Pay Increase Requested For Corrections Employees
State Senators Dan Feyen of Fond du Lac and Luther Olsen of Ripon were among a group of State Senators and State Representatives that sent out a letter Friday demanding pay increases for correctional employees. The letter was sent to the Joint Committee on Employee Relations urging them to approve a compensation plan for DOC employees. The plan was included in the state budget and includes, two 2 percent increases, a length of service pay progression scale, length of service retention bonuses, retention bonuses, and market wage adjustments. It also increases pay for Psychiatric Care Technicians and Certified Nursing Assistants at DOC facilities.
Deer Donations
Once again this gun deer season hunters who would like to donate their venison to local food pantries can do that by dropping their deer off at a number of meat processors in the state. DNR Conservation Warden Bill Hankee says it needs to be processed through a professional processor and it’s a good program. “So I guess 20 years now we’ve had the deer donation program and you can go to the DNR website and look up participating organizations, local food pantries, processors. Take your deer in have it processed and it will go to somebody that could use the meat.” DNR officials say there are a couple things you have to do first such as field dressing the deer, registering it and writing down your registration confirmation number. Call the processor first and you will have to donate the whole deer to get it processed free. There are processors in Dodge, Fond du Lac, Waupaca and Winnebago counties participating in the program. A complete list is available at the DNR’s website.
Limiting Screen Time Important
A reading specialist with the Ripon Area School District says it’s important to limit screen time for younger children to develop their social-emotion learning skills properly. Jill Puhlmann-Becker says that’s especially true for infants up to two-years-old. “Even with the idea that it is really easy for babies, for really young kids, to play on a screen. So it seems like a really good thing because they look happy, but really that development of face-to-face human talking is much more important in wiring their brains and getting them ready.” She says the district is pushing social-emotional learning and limiting screen time to help kids handle and deal with emotions to have face-to-face interaction and work appropriately with other people.
Collaboration Created To Address Family Violence
The Fond du Lac County Department of Social Services, Solutions Center in Fond du Lac, and Agnesian HealthCare are collaborating to improve the way they collectively address family violence. A memorandum of understanding was signed on October 30th. Those agencies will identify and close gaps in their services to benefit children and families impacted by family violence. Team members will complete cross training to create appreciation and understanding for each other’s roles and responsibilities.
Ballweg Bill Provides Clarification
A bill co-authored by State Representative Joan Ballweg and State Senator Devin LeMahieu was recently signed into law. The bill clarifies the five-day grace period for receipt of real and personal property taxes. There had been differing opinions on what it means when the end of the grace period lands on a weekend. Ballweg says county treasurers came to her office seeking guidance on how to enforce the grace period under the old law. The state lawmaker from Markesan says she’s pleased the bill provided a simple fix.
Thanksgiving Meal Energy Costs
Alliant Energy officials say cooks across Wisconsin will use one universal ingredient to prepare the Thanksgiving meal, energy. When compared to all the other ingredients for the big holiday meal, energy is one of the lowest cost items. It’s estimated for Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin customers, the average electricity cost to make a Thanksgiving meal this year is $1.43. If you are using gas appliances, the cost is 40 cents. Alliant’s estimates are based on how long it takes to cook a 16-pound turkey, mashed potatoes, giblet gravy, dinner rolls, green bean casserole, and two pumpkin pies.
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