Hometown Broadcasting News Wednesday 6/24/20
24 June 2020 News
Recovery Numbers For COVID 19 Positive Inmates Strong
The state’s Department of Corrections says as testing of inmates and staffs at its facilities continue, updated numbers show a vast majority of those diagnosed with COVID-19 in those institutions have recovered. Of the 12,552 tests administered 268 inmates tested positive for the virus and 261 of those have recovered. There are 6 active cases. Waupun Correctional had the most cases with 228 inmates testing positive. Meanwhile 66 staff members tested positive and 63 of them have recovered. There are 3 active cases. Mass testing was completed at 22 of the DOC’s 37 facilities.
Redgranite Quarry Closed Indefinitely
(Redgranite Quarry Facebook photo)
The Redgranite Village Board Monday voted unanimously to close the Redgranite Quarry. The vote during the special meeting was 6 to nothing and the closing takes places immediately and will be in effect until further notice. The quarry has been a favorite swimming spot for locals for years, but there have been issues with the trash people leave behind at the quarry, parking and social distancing during the current pandemic. The quarry had been closed during Safer at Home orders, but when the State Supreme Court overturned them the village board voted to reopen it. Village officials say hundreds of people have been showing up each day to swim, many from out of town.
Alto Fair Cancelled
Bigger summer events have been cancelled in Wisconsin because of the threat of COVID-19, but now one of the best little fairs is also a casualty. The Alto Fair Board recently announced the cancellation of the 74th Annual Alto Fair, which was scheduled for August 12th and 13th. Fair Board members say it was a difficult decision to cancel the fair, which has been held every summer since 1946. The Fair will be commemorated on Saturday, August 8th with a fireworks display at the fairgrounds that evening. The public is invited.
FDL School Board Hires Interim Superintendent
The Fond du Lac School Board this week approved the hiring of the District’s Human Resources Director Sharon Simon as interim superintendent. After 11 years with the Fond du Lac School District, Superintendent Jim Sebert is leaving to take a similar position with the Waukesha School District. His last day will be June 30th. The Fond du Lac School Board officially accepted his resignation. Simon’s hiring as interim superintendent gives the board and district more time to look for a permanent superintendent.
Food Distribution Program Meets Needs
(Photo taken by Bruce Link)
The Farmers to Families Food Box program distributed 200 cases of food to needy families at the Ripon High School Tuesday. Amy Pollesch is the Executive Director of Traded Treasures Thrift Stores and Community Food Pantry. She says with the pandemic those families who were on the edge of need have been pushed over it and the fear of not having enough food is a legitimate concern. “I think one of the things that we’ve seen with the COVID outbreak is that families that in the past that have lived paycheck to paycheck are finding themselves right now in a situation of instability where they are food concerned.” The Food Box program was also in Berlin Tuesday and Green Lake Monday.
Patience Required
The President and CEO of Envision Greater Fond du Lac is asking people to have some patience when it comes to small businesses rebounding from the pandemic. Sadie Parafiniuk says in smaller operations the owners tend to fill multiple roles and aren’t just employers. “Give some businesses some grace especially the smaller ones that are trying to bring staff back and do it right. Sometimes you are the everything, you are the chief cook and bottle washer.” She says there are a lot of guidelines they have to follow to keep employees and customers safe, plus there could be inventory issues due to product and material availability.
Trauma Informed Care
The Director of Head Start and Family Development for ADVOCAP says their staff is being trained in trauma informed care. Hillary Guenther says with COVID-19 some families are going through a lot with increases in suicides, substance abuse, and domestic violence. She says that’s something they have to be sensitive to because when a child is enrolled in Head Start they assess the whole family to determine their needs. “We are here for families to link them with resources, set goals if they want to get into whatever they feel would be a better situation and help the children work through that as well.” She says trauma can affect the way children learn and how they progress through their life. She says that social-emotional component can be huge. To find out more about ADVOCAP’s Head Start program call Lorri Bohn at (920) 922-7760 extension 3544.
GOP Fundraisers Scheduled In Ripon
Ripon the Birthplace of the Republican Party is getting a little more attention from the local GOP. A couple of campaign events will be hosted in the city over the coming weeks. A fundraiser for incumbent State Senator Dan Feyen will be held at Vines and Rushes Winery at 5:30 this evening. Tickets are available through the Feyen for Senate campaign. Feyen represents the 18th State Senate District. Also in Ripon on July 9th from 5:30 to 7 pm Tall Paul’s will host a “Pints and Politics” event for the Republican Party of Fond du Lac County.
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