Hometown Broadcasting News Friday 7/24/20
24 July 2020 News
Ripon Receives Grant For Ernessi Farms Expansion
The City of Ripon is receiving a $190,000 state grant to help in the renovation of the former Marketfresh Grocery Store into an indoor urban vertical farm produce operation with the potential for retail operations and a future rooftop garden. The Community Development Investment Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation will support the expansion of Ernessi Farms urban vertical farm produce operation using the vacant space. Mayor Ted Grant says the new locations should be a great fit for Ernessi Farms. Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jason Mansmith says the grant will allow Ernessi Farms to become the biggest indoor vertical farm operation in the state. Ernessi Farms sells products to local and regional grocery stores and restaurants and utilizes services from several local businesses.
To read more click here.
Ripon Septemberfest Cancelled
The committee that organizes Septemberfest in Ripon has decided to cancel the event due to safety concerns with the current pandemic. Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jason Mansmith says it wasn’t a decision they took lightly. “We have met with our committee and have decided to cancel that event for this year coming up on September 19th just due to our COVID concerns and the inability to really kind of socially distance at the event with the Car Show and those kinds of things.” He says on the other hand all of the bands they had booked for this year have agreed to book for next year’s event. Mansmith says the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter, which usually does a Dog Walk in connection with Septemberfest has decided to make that event virtual.
Real Numbers COVID 19
A member of the Ripon Community COVID-19 Task Force says experts believe the number of actual people who have had the coronavirus might be ten times what is being reported in the U.S. “The CDC is now saying that they are estimating the actual numbers might be 10 times higher than the reported numbers.” Jeff Puhlmann-Becker says he watched a report the other day with Dr. Richard Besser the Director of the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation. Dr. Besser says we are not at a point where we’ve reached a ‘herd-immunity’ with the pandemic. Meanwhile there is still concern over ‘Super Spreader’ events like large political rallies, concerts, and outdoor gatherings. Experts still recommend wearing a face mask, social distancing, washing your hands, and staying home if you’re sick.
Congressman Glenn Grothman On Another Stimulus Bill
Congressman Glenn Grothman says there probably will be another stimulus bill passed in the next few weeks. “It looks like if we do pass one the low side will be another $1 trillion and it could be quite a bit more, but I guess I would have to say I’d be surprised if we don’t vote on something within the next two weeks.” The federal lawmaker from Glenbeulah says the new agreement will likely extend unemployment benefits, but he believes it will be around $400 a week instead of the $600 people are currently receiving. Grothman notes they’ve already passed more than $3 trillion in stimulus packages.
Berlin Man Facing Theft By Contractor Charges
A 26-year-old Berlin man is facing theft by contractor charges in Dodge County for taking down payments on two roofing jobs and not completing any of the work. Marcus Reinford does business as ‘Roofmaster of Wisconsin.’ According to the criminal complaint he took a $10,000 down payment on one job and a $4,500 down payment on another failing to do any work on either job. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to get the down payments back from him. Reinford allegedly admitted to administrators getting the money, but not doing any of the work. His initial court appearance is scheduled for August 10th.
John Burke Inmate Charged With Escape
A 35-year-old inmate at John Burke Correctional Center in Waupun is facing a felony escape charge in Dodge County for failing to return a prison transport van he was supposed to pick up other inmates in. Last May Joshua Bonin was supposed to pick up two inmates working at Taycheedah Correctional in Fond du Lac, but ditched the van at the Walmart Store in Fond du Lac. Surveillance cameras at the store caught him on video changing his clothes before entering the store. Deputies returning the prison transport van took Bonin into custody when they spotted him walking on Military Road in the city. He had planned to hitch a ride on a train and leave the state. His initial court appearance on the escape charge is September 8th.
June Unemployment Rates Fall
Unemployment rates in June fell below double-digits for most Wisconsin counties. According to federal labor statistics the jobless rate for Fond du Lac County dropped by 3 percent to 8.3 percent in June. Marquette County was at 8:3 percent and Green Lake County at 8 percent. Meanwhile Dodge County at 7.3 percent, Waupaca County at 7.1, Waushara County at 7.5, and Winnebago County at 7.7 percent were all below 8 percent. Lafayette County had the lowest unemployment rate at 5.7 percent and Menominee County the highest at 20 percent.
To read more click here.
Share |