Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday 5/7/20
7 May 2020 News
COVID 19 Battle Becoming More Political
A member of the Ripon Community COVID-19 Task Force says it’s sad to see politics muddy the purpose of those trying to prevent the spread of the global pandemic and safely reopen businesses. Jeff Puhlmann-Becker also sits on the Reopen Fond du Lac Task Force. He says essentially the two task forces are trying to accomplish their tasks with safety being the common denominator, but nationally people are becoming frustrated with the isolation and not being able to get back to work and you’re seeing more issues arise with that. “What a month ago was unity and we’re all in this together has started becoming political infighting and open up faster, and protesting at the state house, and not wearing masks, and Confederate flags in some cases.” He says at a time when we should be working together people are starting to choose sides, which makes it more difficult to accomplish what has to be done.
State DWD Awarded COVID 19 Dislocated Worker Grant
The Federal Labor Department has awarded Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development $999,000 in initial funding as part of a COVID-19 Dislocated Worker Grant. The award was made last week in response to the state’s $3 million request. The grant funds will be distributed to participating Wisconsin workforce development boards to create temporary jobs for laid-off workers whose businesses have been impacted by the public health emergency. Those laid-off workers will assist non-profit charitable organizations that provide humanitarian assistance to community members in need or assist local public health departments in education efforts about preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Fire Damages FDL Apartment
Fond du Lac firefighters quickly extinguished a fire on a second floor balcony at the Lakeside Garden Apartments in the 600 block of East Scott Street late Tuesday morning. No one was hurt during the blaze which caused smoke and heat damage to one of the units in the 8-unit apartment complex and there was smoke damage throughout the second floor. Tenants of the apartment damaged by the fire were displaced until repairs can be made. The cause of the fire is still being determined.
Waupun Police Seeking Suspect
Waupun Police are looking for a man about 60 years of age who exposed himself to a woman or girl at a city laundromat last month. It happened on Tuesday, April 21st between 7:45 and 8:15 p.m. at the Southside Laundromat at 703 South Watertown Street. The victim told officers the man was about 5 foot 10 inches tall, with a thin build and shorter white or gray hair and he had a narrow face. He also walked with a limp. He also wore gold framed eye glasses with square lenses with rounded edges. Anyone with information should call Waupun Police at 920-324-7903.
Firefighting In The Age Of COVID 19
Waupun Fire Chief B.J. DeMaa says even when they respond to fire calls they try and stay within the guidelines of the social distancing requirements and trying to prevent the spread of COVID-19. He says it depends on the call for instance they would handle things differently for a marsh fire like last week then they would a structure fire. “To the extent that we are able to across any type of call we do look at that. You know do need to have the same numbers of individuals going into a building that we normally would.” He says if they are staged at a scene they try to keep them a safe distance away and if there’s an opportunity to have firefighters wear a mask instead of a breathing apparatus they will take it. DeMaa is also the Emergency Management Director for Waupun.
Tools To Thrive
The Coordinator of the Destination Zero Suicide Prevention Initiative says maintaining your mental health is more important than ever to help get you through the current pandemic. Tammi Kohlman is with Comprehensive Service Integration of Fond du Lac County. She says May is National Mental Health Awareness Month and they are highlighting five “Tools to Thrive” on the CSI website this month. “Simple steps or basic steps that people can take to try and improve their mental health overall as well as our current situation.” Those five practical tools include owning your feelings, finding the positive after loss, eliminating toxic influences, creating healthy routines, and supporting and connecting with others. She says it’s normal to feel stressed or anxious in times of uncertainty.
Kohler Company Announces Temporary Shut Downs
Sheboygan County largest employer temporarily shut down its operations this week to make adjustments as demand slows for its products during the COVID-19 outbreak. Kohler Company Monday announced the shutdown of its foundry and ceramics divisions as its operations are adjusted in Wisconsin and globally. A union official says the foundry should reopen next week and the ceramics division the week of May 18th. Most of the company’s divisions are operating under a 32-hour work week.
FDL County Food Drive
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a food drive next week to help those in need. They are seeking donations of non-perishable food items, hygiene products and or monetary donations. All donations will go to Fond du Lac County area food pantries. The drop-off location is the Sheriff’s Office on the first floor of the city-county building in Fond du Lac.
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