Hometown Broadcasting News Friday 11/19/21
19 November 2021 News
Wisconsin Unemployment Rate For September Adjusted
Wisconsin’s unemployment picture was rosier in September than the jobless rate indicated. The state’s Department of Workforce Development says rates for Michigan and Wisconsin were adjusted after the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics discovered a “data distortion.” After being stuck at 3.9 percent for several months the September unemployment rate was 3.4 percent and in October it hit 3.2 percent the lowest rate in the state since pre-pandemic numbers early last year. DWD officials say non-farm jobs in October decreased by 1,000 while private-sector jobs increased by 2,000.
Child Care Initiative
Fond du Lac County is participating in a child care initiative with several other area counties. Jim Cleveland is the Vice President of Economic Development for Envision Greater Fond du Lac. He points out quite a few people ended up staying at home from work during the earlier days of the pandemic to take care of their children who were participating in virtual learning. As a result many are having difficulty finding child care so they can return to work. Cleveland says their first effort in the initiative is to assess the need through a survey in the Lake Winnebago region of the top employers. Once they know what they need they will apply for grants with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Economic Development Authority for capital to come up with solutions. He says that could take several forms including brick and mortar facilities or providing assistance to train more people for child care. Among the counties participating in the child care initiative are Fond du Lac, Calumet, Dodge, Outagamie and Winnebago.
Ripon Area United Way Campaign Underway
The Ripon Area United Way’s campaign this year will benefit 17 non-profits-16 organizations and one program. Jeff Puhlmann-Becker is the President of the United Way’s Board of Directors. He says 95 cents of every dollar goes to those organizations to fund programs they provide in the community. He says for example Diverse Options uses the money to fund a program that allows life coaches to teach their clients how to independently do vacation events like go to a Milwaukee Brewer’s game, while the Family Resource Center provides a child’s car seat program and ASTOP provides someone to go into classrooms to teach about services available to sexual assault victims. There are several ways to give you can send a check to the Ripon Area United Way, PO Box 71, Ripon, WI 54971 or visit their Facebook page or their website Ripon Area United Way.org. This year’s United Way goal is to raise $80,000.
Thanksgiving Day Fire Safety Tips
There are steps you can take to make sure your Thanksgiving holiday is not marred by fire. Thanksgiving Day is the leading day for U.S. home cooking fires. Ripon Area Fire District Chief Tim Saul says if you are going to deep fry a turkey make sure it is thoroughly thawed and keep a fire extinguisher handy just in case. The National Fire Protection Association also has these tips; never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop, when cooking a turkey remain at home and check it regularly, keep things that catch fire at least three feet away from the cooking area, always cook with a lid beside your pan, and keep kids at least three feet away from the stove. According to the association on Thanksgiving Day alone, an estimated 1,400 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments in 2019.
Replacing Damaged Trees
Thanks to Alliant Energy and the Arbor Day Foundation 200 trees are being given out in Ripon and Brandon to help restore the canopy destroyed by storms in July. All 200 trees were reserved online and some of the trees were distributed yesterday at Ripon College in the Willmore Center parking lot. More will be distributed there tomorrow from 12 to 2 pm. Ripon city officials estimated the cost of cleaning up from those summer storms was $50,000 the bulk of that was from the removal and chipping of damaged trees.
Thanksgiving Travel Tips
The AAA says nearly 48.3 million Americans will hit the road this Thanksgiving. Yet some may travel in a vehicle that isn’t ready for an extended road trip. The AAA estimates 400,000 Americans will need roadside assistance during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The three most common issues are dead batteries, flat tires, and lock outs. Nick Jarmusz of the AAA says most vehicle problems could be prevented with a pre-trip vehicle inspection. Officials say the top five items on your auto checklist should be tires, the battery, brakes, fluids, and wiper blades.
Inflation Hits The Cost Of A Thanksgiving Meal
The cost of a Thanksgiving meal is up more than 17 percent this year, according to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. The farm bureau’s Marketbasket survey found dinner for 10 will cost you $71.49. That’s a 17.25 percent increase from 2020 when the cost was $60.97. The survey looks at the price of 15 popular food items served at Thanksgiving dinner. When it comes to the driver of the cost increase, the bird is the word. The price of a turkey is up 40 percent per pound in Wisconsin. That’s due to inflation, more people eating at home, demand prediction and supply chain issues. The average price nationally for a Thanksgiving meal is estimated to cost $68.72.
Thanksgiving Meal Price Increases for 2021 – Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (wfbf.com)
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