Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday 5/20/20
20 May 2020 News
Portage Man Charged With Reckless Homicide In Drug Death
A 28-year-old Portage man is facing first degree reckless homicide and other charges for allegedly supplying the heroin that led to the overdose death of a Columbia County man. Samuel Osornio was arrested by Columbia County Sheriff’s detectives Monday. He’s facing the reckless homicide charge, heroin trafficking charges, and probation violations. Osornio was on probation with the Department of Corrections for narcotic possession charges when he allegedly supplied the drugs that led to the death of 45-year-old Town of Fort Winnebago man on February 7th.
Missing Absentee Ballots Estimates Released
The Wisconsin Elections Commission this week released an estimate of the number of requested absentee ballots from last month’s election that voters in the Fox Valley never received. According to the report released Monday about 1,600 ballots were found in tubs in a U.S. Postal Service facility in Milwaukee. The commission was unable to get any answers from the U.S. Postal Service about the ballots. State Senator Dan Feyen alerted the commission about the ballots the day after the election. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson both called for an investigation. The commission meets today and will discuss lessons learned from holding the April 7th election during the coronavirus pandemic.
Federal Help For Manufacturers
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin announced Tuesday that the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity will receive $1.5 million for manufacturers to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds come as part of the coronavirus stimulus bill Congress passed in March. Center Executive Director and CEO Buckley Brinkman says the additional funding will allow them to help more manufacturers chart their way out of the unprecedented downturn.
Fentanyl Use A Concern
Ripon Police Chief Bill Wallner says a recent increase in drug overdoses that led to an investigation also saw an increase in the use of an even more dangerous drug. He says search warrants led to seizure of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin, but they’ve also come across fentanyl which is ten times more toxic than heroin. “We’ve seen some increase in fentanyl issues mixed in with that which is very dangerous stuff not only for the people that are abusing that, but for first responders as well. Any time you have fentanyl on the scene it can be extremely dangerous for all the parties involved.” He says drug users don’t always know that the drugs they are using have fentanyl mixed in with it. Fentanyl is also dangerous for first responders and law enforcement officers because it can be absorbed through the skin and breathed in through the air.
Resources Available For Safe Business Openings
Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says resources are available to ensure businesses reopening during the pandemic do it safely for the sake of their customers and staff. She says her department working in partnership with Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s Reopen Fond du Lac County Task Force developed a blue print for how to do that, which is available at both of their websites. She says not all businesses are ready to open yet, but those who are want to do if safely. “But if you are ready and you feel that you can take that next step to ensure you are not only protecting your staff but as well as those customers let’s let them work through that process because we know that sooner than later those businesses will open.”
For Envision Resources click here.
For FDL County Health Resources click here.
Child Care An Issue As Wisconsin Gets Back To Work
A member of the Ripon Community COVID-19 Task Force says the child care picture this summer remains unclear as Wisconsin slowly reopens during the global pandemic. Jeff Puhlmann-Becker says there are a lot of variables. “The variables about child care are just overwhelming in terms of whose coming back. Will parents feel comfortable sending kids back into a group setting? Are parents still going to work at home? Is Grandma enjoying the kids at her house every day?” He says other questions have to do with whether there will be summer camps and if organizations like the Boys & Girls Club and Y-M-C-A’s will continue their offerings. The state’s Department of Children and Families was recently approved to begin a $51 million payment program to support Wisconsin’s early care and education community. Funding is from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act monies.
Webster’s Returns To Regular Hours
Webster’s Marketplace in Ripon will be returning to their regular hours this Thursday. Special hours were put in place due to the COVID-19 outbreak and guests in the store were limited to 50 at one time. The first hour of the day from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. was also reserved for older shoppers. According to the store’s website Webster’s returns to regular hours Thursday, which are from 5 a.m. to Midnight with most vulnerable shoppers encouraged to shop from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. They will still be limiting the number of shoppers in the store, but to 75 guests at one time. Other safety measures designed to protect staff and guests from the coronavirus will remain in place. The store also has pick-up and delivery options.
No Garbage Or Recycling Collection In Oshkosh On Memorial Day
Oshkosh residents are being reminded that there will be no garbage or recycling collection next Monday due to the City’s observance of Memorial Day. Collections for the remainder of next week will be one day later. Garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Friday, May 29th is being moved to Saturday, May 30th. Regular services will resume on Monday, June 1st. In addition the City’s yard waste drop-off center will be closed next Monday. Residential curbside brush collection for June will take place on the regularly scheduled garbage collection day the week of June 1st through June 5th.
Shop Small Live 2 In Ripon Saturday
Ripon Main Street will be staging a second Shop Small Live event this weekend. The initial effort involved a dozen businesses in Downtown Ripon on Saturday, May 2nd. Downtown Manager Craig Tebon says the first event went well and the second is scheduled for this Saturday, May 23rd from 9 to 11 a.m. This one will also involve ecommerce, which opens up shopping opportunities to a wider audience. The event will be carried on Facebook Live and will feature short live videos. To participate visit the Shop Small Live 2 event page on Facebook on the Downtown Ripon and Ripon Wisconsin pages. Click the Interested-Going tab to be kept up to date with participating shops and receive a reminder when the event starts.
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