Hometown Broadcasting News Monday 11/15/21
15 November 2021 News
Teen Chase Suspect Charged
A 17-year-old Oshkosh man has been charged with fleeing an officer and first degree recklessly endangering safety for leading a Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputy on a high speed chase in the Town of Fond du Lac last Tuesday afternoon. Isaiah Stang (pictured) made his initial appearance in court last Friday. Bond was set at $3,000 cash and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 14th. Speeds during the pursuit on Highway 151 reached 100 miles an hour and Stang allegedly passed multiple vehicles on the shoulder of the road. No one was hurt during the pursuit and no property was damaged. He was also cited for speeding and possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
FDL County Budget And Tax Levy Approved
The Fond du Lac County Board last week approved the 2022 County Budget and a 5-year capital improvements plan. The $49.4 million tax levy is $1.8 million more than the past year’s levy of $47.6 million, but the tax rate of $5.72 is lower than the past year’s rate of $5.81 by 9 cents. Finance Committee Chairperson Marty Ryan told the board they did include 2.5 percent pay raises for employees. That is higher than the 1 percent increase proposed by County Executive Allen Buechel. But Ryan also pointed out employees are paying a higher share for their health care insurance premium. Ryan said the majority of what they do as county supervisors with the budget is make sure they take care of the poorest of the poor in the county. Ryan also said they are still figuring out how they will spend the $20 million the county is receiving in American Rescue Plan Act funds but they have until 2024 to spend the money.
DMO Grants Allow Chambers To Grow
The Ripon and Green Lake Area Chambers of Commerce were among 120 Destination Marketing Organizations across the state awarded $15 million in grants. The Ripon Chamber is receiving $66,545.20 and Green Lake Chamber $52,500 for tourism promotion and development efforts. It’s part of the American Rescue Plan Act funding. Ripon Chamber Executive Director Jason Mansmith says it will allow them to do some new things outside of the funding they normally receive from room tax monies. He says chambers and convention and visitor bureaus suffered in 2020 when things shut down because of the pandemic. Not only were room tax revenues down, but they were not eligible for the first round of recovery money. Mansmith says they saw about a 60 percent reduction in room tax money in the second quarter of last year and a 40 percent decline for the entire year. He notes things are now trending back up.
ADVOCAP Programs Help The Elderly
Officials with ADVOCAP say with the pandemic there continues to be a need for home-delivered meals and hygiene items for the elderly. Amanda Wiechman is an Outreach Specialist for ADVOCAP. Thirty days after someone signs up for meal deliveries she contacts them to see if they need anything else which could include transportation to appointments, grocery delivery, hygiene items and more. She says if they ask for hygiene items they are delivered with the meals. Dawn Paterson is ADVOCAP’s Food Nutrition Director. She says they deliver hot meals 5 days a week and can provide frozen meals for reheating on the weekend. She says they follow daily nutritional recommendations when putting together the meals. They don’t charge for the meals, but work on a donation basis. They do need donations of hygiene products for the elderly as well. To find out more about the ADVOCAP senior meals and hygiene programs call their Neenah office at 920-725-2791.
Checking On Mental Health Coverage During Open Enrollment Period
The Director of Outpatient Behavioral Health for SSM Health’s Treffert Center and Autism Services says during the enrollment period for health insurance people should check to see if their benefits cover mental health services. Dr. Matt Doll says over the last two years more Americans have suffered from the stress of the pandemic and 40 to 50 percent of us may need mental health help. Doll says you need to ask questions about co-pays and out-of-pocket costs if your health insurance coverage is changing. Doll points out that your employer may provide a free program that provides help with mental health issues and SSM Health provides it in a number of schools to students. He also recommends when making an appointment with a mental health provider asking if they accept the insurance you have.
Oshkosh Billing Reminder
The city of Oshkosh Finance Department, including Utility Billing and Collections, will be closed to the public Thursday from 11:30 am to 1 pm for a staff meeting and in-service training. The public is asked to schedule transactions at other times during the day Thursday. Collections and Utility Billing will be available to assist customers up until 11:30 am that morning and after 1pm that afternoon. If a transaction can only be made from 11:30 am to 1 pm a drop box in front of City Hall can be used.
Oshkosh Schools Naming Survey
The Oshkosh community is one step closer to naming its new public middle school, slated to open in the Fall of 2023. Students, families, staff members, and interested Oshkosh community members are invited to cast their vote for one of three finalists, selected based off of previous community submissions. The three finalists are Jessie Jack Hopper an American artist and suffragist; Paul H. Poberezny an American aviator, military veteran, aircraft designer, and entrepreneur; and Vel Phillips a civil rights leader, legal pioneer, and philanthropist. The final naming survey will close at Noon next Monday. The survey link is available on the District’s referendum webpage.
Survey #2: Naming Our New Middle School – Three Finalists Selected (surveymonkey.com)
Thanksgiving Office Hours For FDL County Government Announced
Fond du Lac County has announced the Thanksgiving holiday schedule for its county government offices. Offices in the City-County Government Center, Sheriff’s Office lobby window, Portland Street Annex including the Veteran Services Office, Highway Department, Department of Social Services and the Department of Community Programs will be closed on Thursday, November 25th. The Moraine Lakes Consortium Call Center will also be closed that day and on Friday, November 26th.
Entries Sought For Dickens Gingerbread House Contest
Bakers are being sought for the Dickens of a Christmas Gingerbread House Contest in downtown Ripon. The 31st annual Dickens of a Christmas celebration is December 3rd through the 5th. The planning committee is looking for bakers to create gingerbread creations for the event. Two categories are offered for children 14 and under and adults or family. Parents are welcome to guide their children who enter the children’s category, but they are asked to leave the creativity and most of the construction up to their kids. Two prizes will be awarded in the adult category with 1st place receiving a $150 cash prize. The children’s winner will be awarded $50. All entries along with a $10 entry fee must be delivered to Farrell’s Fine Furnishings at 214 Watson Street by 6 pm on Thursday, December 2nd. The public is welcome to vote for their favorite piece beginning Friday evening December 3rd from 5:30 to 8:30 during the Dickens Holiday Parade. The Gingerbread Houses will remain on display at Farrell’s throughout the Dickens weekend.
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