6/8/23 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
8 June 2023 News
COUNTERFEIT PILLS CAUSING MORE DEATHS IN WINNEBAGO COUNTY
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s and County Medical Examiner’s Office says they have seen a spike in overdoses where counterfeit pills have been associated with the deaths. Counterfeit pills may contain lethal amounts of fentanyl or methamphetamine and are extremely dangerous because they often appear identical to legitimate pills, and the user is likely unaware of how lethal they can be. They say specifically in the area they are seeing M30’s that are testing positive for fentanyl and they are lethal. The Medical Examiner’s Office confirms that of the 15 overdose deaths so far this year, 12 are attributed to fentanyl, with another 7 pending that are suspected to be fentanyl overdoses, more tragically, the victims are younger. Sheriff’s officials say with the wide availability of opioid antagonists like Narcan there have been dozens, or perhaps hundreds of additional overdose events that could have been deaths associated with the counterfeit pills.
LITTLE WHITE SCHOOLHOUSE AGAIN TOPIC AT RIPON HPC MEETING
The move of Ripon’s Little White Schoolhouse dominated the public comment section of the Ripon Historical Preservation Commission meeting last night. It was the second straight month speakers criticized the handling of the move and the possible loss of Federal and State Historical designations. Several speakers last evening criticized the Commission’s lack of action prior to the move. In particular they said the Commission needed to issue a certificate of appropriateness for the move and none was issued. One speaker said that was a violation of the Commission’s own code of ethics. A couple speakers also said any improvements being made at the Little White Schoolhouse’s new location and any activity there should cease and desist until matters could be sorted out. The Commission had intended to discuss the possibility of putting together a letter to the Chamber of Commerce supporting the move, but put that discussion off until next month. (Pictured at previous location.)
STATE ASSEMBLY PASSES FINANCIAL LITERACY BILL
A bill requiring one-half credit personal financial literacy for high school graduation passed in the Wisconsin State Assembly by a 95 to 1 vote yesterday. State Representative Alex Dallman of Green Lake an author of the bill voted in favor of it. He says, “Recent surveys have shown that 78 percent of adults are living paycheck to paycheck and do not have a personal budget. Instead of sending our next generation into the real world without any knowledge of how to save, manage, and invest money, we must require this sort of education to start in high school.” The bill requires teaching students about the importance of growing their savings, balancing a budget, and how loans and other financial tools work. The legislation had broad bipartisan support, receiving 60 co-sponsorships from state representatives and senators.
PLUMER ADVOCATES FOR HIGHWAY 113 PROJECT
State Representative Jon Plumer recently sent a letter to Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson urging the DOT to expedite part of the Highway 113 project in Columbia County. That was after the DOT announced a delay for part of the scheduled repair. The project spans from the City of Lodi through the Town of Lodi, and finishes in Merrimac. The state lawmaker from Lodi says he understands the need for the City of Lodi to complete its utility work, but the stretch of road is in extremely poor shape especially in the Town of Lodi and needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Plumer says delaying the project for another year is a disservice to those who utilize the road and negatively impacts commerce and quality of life in the region. He urged the Secretary to have his department consider any available options to get the project, or portions of the project, moving as soon as possible.
HIGHWAY 23 IMPROVEMENTS IN GREEN LAKE AND MARQUETTE COUNTIES
Governor Tony Evers recently signed a $4.9 million contract to improve State Highway 23 between County Highway C and Canal Street in Marquette and Green Lake counties. Work begins on Monday, June 19th. State Highway 23 will be open to traffic with flagging operations accompanying any lane closures that are needed. Access to local residences will be maintained during construction. Construction is scheduled for completion in September. Northeast Asphalt is the prime contractor for the project. Crews will resurface the highway and add paved shoulders. Two culverts will be replaced, one culvert will be reset and guardrail will be replaced over Baker Creek.
MILLION DOLLAR POWERBALL WINNER IN FDL
The $1 million Powerball winning ticket sold at the Festival Foods store in Fond du Lac for Monday night’s drawing was not the store’s first big winner. An Associate Manager at the store on East Johnson Street says they couldn’t be happier about selling the ticket. In 2020 the store sold a $1 million scratch-off ticket. In the past five years they have also sold winning scratch-off and lotto tickets of $30,000 and $10,000. The winning numbers for Monday night’s Powerball drawing were 2-31-45-46-49 and the Powerball was 20. The winner has 180 days to come forward and claim their winnings.
RECORD BREAKING YEAR FOR STATE TOURISM ECONOMIC IMPACT
Governor Tony Evers and Department of Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers say the state saw a record-breaking year in 2022 for its tourism industry. According to economic impact data, the tourism industry generated $23.7 billion in total economic impact, surpassing the previous record year of $22.2 billion in 2019. All 72 counties experienced an increase in total tourism economic impact. The total economic impact for Winnebago County was $522 million up nearly 14 percent. For Fond du Lac County the impact was $274 million, for Green Lake County $62 million, for Dodge County $171 million. Waupaca County enjoyed a total tourism economic impact of $160 million and Waushara County $120 million. Tourism supported 174,600 part-time and full-time jobs across the state and generated $1.5 billion in state and local tax revenues in 2022.
Economic Impact (travelwisconsin.com)
BERLIN AREA SCHOOLS SURVEY
Results are being tabulated for a school climate survey conducted for the Berlin Area School District this spring. School Perceptions the same firm that did a survey leading up to the district’s referendum in April conducted the survey. District Superintendent Emmett Durtschi says the company will be doing future surveys for them too. He says the recently completed survey was for district staff and parents who have children in the schools from 4th grade on up. Durtschi says because it was his first year as superintendent it will act as a base line for future surveys on how they are doing providing educators and students with what they need. He says it is important to get feedback on how they are communicating with educators and students and what improvements can be suggested.
HEAT AWARENESS TIPS
With summer just getting started two Fond du Lac County officials have some advice for when it gets really hot. Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says it is important to be well hydrated, otherwise you could fall prey to heat exhaustion or stroke. Other tips include staying in a cool area indoors, wear light-colored light weight clothing, use sunscreen, check on loved ones and elderly neighbors, eat lightly, and never leave a child or pet in a hot car. Communications and Emergency Management Director Amy Haase says if heat indices get up around 100 degrees a heat advisory will be issued ahead of time and for excessive heat above that there will heat watches and warnings. Wednesday was Wisconsin Heat Awareness Day.
DOGS ALLOWED IN RIPON PARKS
Ripon became a little more pet friendly this spring by amending an ordinance allowing people to bring their dogs into city parks and cemeteries. Police Chief Bill Wallner says that convenience for dog owners does come with a few rules though including having to pick up your dog’s waste. Dogs have to be on leashes, and there are restrictions on how close they can be to public buildings, athletic fields, playground structures and other locations posted by the city. The ordinance is posted on waste stations the parks department put in the parks. The stations have bags and a receptacle to place the waste into. The new ordinance has been in effect for nearly two months.
ENVISION HIRES OFFICE MANAGER
Envision Greater Fond du Lac has hired Michelle Muche as the Executive Assistant and Officer Manager for its Fond du Lac office. In the role Muche is responsible for supporting Envision’s leadership team and the Board of Directors. She will also serve as the office manager, providing front office reception and office support to the entire team. Michelle most recently served as a License Practical Nurse with SSM Health. She holds both an associate degree from Moraine Park Technical College as a Medical Secretary, as well as a LPN diploma.
Share |