Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday 6/11/20
11 June 2020 News
Ripon Common Council Notes
The Ripon Common Council is considering helping out bars and restaurants affected by a drop off of business as a result of Safer at Home orders issued because of COVID-19. Specifically they are thinking of prorating those businesses’ liquor license fees. The fees run from July 1st to June 30th each year. Many businesses were closed or limited for more than two months. An initial proposal was to reduce those fees by prorating them for 60 days. Most of the license fees have already been collected and the exact percentage that would be deducted from the fee is still being considered. Council member James Werch said he’s like to see something done to help those businesses. The Council will revisit the issue at their June 22nd meeting.
The Ripon Common Council this week rescinded the city’s COVID-19 Employee Policy, which was put in place during the Governor’s Safer at Home order. Steps will still be taken to protect employees and they are still covered under federal law. The Council also approved a resolution to discontinue and vacate Akin Street. City Attorney Lud Wurtz says there is still one more step in the process before that small section can be turned over to the two property owners affected by the decision.
Flash Flooding In FDL County
Tropical Storm Cristobal impacted Fond du Lac County yesterday with heavy rain contributing to street and road flooding. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department took a number of calls between 4:30 and 7 pm Wednesday for flooding and weather-related issues, most in the Fond du Lac area. High water on roadways and a culvert washout near Oakfield were reported. The water receded after the rain let up. During that time frame the National Weather Service had issued a Flash Flood Warning for Central Fond du Lac County that included Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, Saint Peter, Lamartine, Oakfield, and Byron.
Winnebago County Fair Cancelled
The Winnebago County Fair Board of Directors this week announced the cancellation of this year’s fair, which was scheduled for August 5th through the 9th. Board officials say they spent many hours over the last two months researching and debating the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the community. Their decision was arrived at following health and safety discussions with partners involved in and impacted by the fair. They say the ultimate goal of a County Fair is to bring the community together in celebration and education. The Winnebago County Fair is a 165 year tradition.
Dodge County Fair Also Cancelled
You can add the 2020 Dodge County Fair to the list of County Fairs being cancelled due to health and safety concerns about the coronavirus. Fair Board members consulted with stakeholders in the fair including county leaders and health officials in making what they term the most difficult decision the board has ever made. The Dodge County Fair had been scheduled for August 19th through the 23rd. The 2021 Dodge County Fair will be held August 18th through the 22nd.
Weather Spotters Role
Fond du Lac County Emergency Management Director Bobbi Hicken says weather spotters still play an important role in helping determine whether a tornado warning should be issued. She says in the past they used to report to county emergency management officials, but now they report their information directly to the National Weather Service, which then issues the warning. “What the spotters are trained to do is if they are observing any weather that needs to be reported they go directly to the National Weather Service and they have a special phone number that is specifically for spotters.” She says meteorologists with the National Weather Service have the training and the knowledge needed to make the right decision about issuing a warning. She says it also saves time having weather spotters report directly to the National Weather Service.
COVID 19 PSA Winner Announced
Marcel Hones and Chris Lyke and the Lyke family won first place in the Ripon Community COVID-19 Task Force Public Service Announcement contest. There were 7 video entries, but their PSA about the importance of wearing a face mask, hand washing, and education about the virus took the top spot. Task Force member Jeff Puhlmann-Becker says every member of that family had a role in the video. “They say I care about it because this, I care because that, I learn about it because I care about my neighbors and then their Grandmother and Grandfather are also living with them and I care about it because of Grandma and Grandpa that’s why we care about COVID-19 and wearing face masks.” The video is featured on the Task Force’s Facebook page.
Second Application Period Begins For Child Care Counts Funding
The state’s Department of Children and Families awarded just over $32 million to 2,367 early care and education providers through the first period of the Child Care Counts: COVID-19 Emergency Payment Program. The application window for the second period of funding opened Tuesday and runs through June 19th. The payment program is broken into three smaller programs targeted at the most common circumstances early care and education providers are facing in the wake of the public health emergency. The third and final application period is June 29th through July 10th. Providers can apply online now for the second period.
Hot Car Safety Tips
Wisconsin Emergency Management officials remind drivers to never leave a child or pet in a car during hot weather. On an 80-degree Fahrenheit day, temperatures in a vehicle parked in direct sunlight can climb almost 20 degrees in 10 minutes. Leaving a window cracked is not enough. Andrew Beckett of the agency says it’s best to leave your dog at home on hot days rather than in a hot vehicle while you’re running errands. “Leave the pet home during this time of year. Don’t bring the dog with you to run errands. Even if you think you’re leaving the car on with the air-conditioning going what happens if the car stalls off while you’re inside the store for 20 minutes. That could be extremely dangerous for that pet or even leaving a child inside a vehicle.” Another tip he offers is “Look before you Lock” or check the vehicle to make sure everyone is out before you lock it to avoid an unnecessary tragedy.
WMMB Directors Elections
(Janet Clark)
The state’s Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection recently certified the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board election results for the 2020 Board of Directors. There were 12 candidates running for 9 positions representing 9 districts throughout the state. Among those elected was Janet Clark of Rosendale who will represent District 16 representing Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Marquette counties and Mark Crave of Watertown who will represent District 19 representing Columbia and Dodge counties. The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board does business as Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
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