Hometown Broadcasting News Friday 5/15/20
15 May 2020 News
Task Force On Reopening FDL County
Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s Reopen Fond du Lac County issued an update Thursday on the State Supreme Court’s reversal of the Safer at Home order. District Attorney Eric Toney says his office will not be enforcing any violations of the Safer at Home orders and will be dismissing any currently-filed violations. Meanwhile Envision President and CEO Sadie Parafiniuk says although all businesses can open immediately if they so choose, not all businesses will be or are willing to open immediately. She says some will need time to plan and prepare their stores and employees to return to work.
State Representative Joan Ballweg On State Supreme Court Decision
Republican legislators who challenged the extension of the Governor’s Safer at Home order only got a partial victory from the State Supreme Court. The court did strike it down by a 4 to 3 vote. State Representative Joan Ballweg of Markesan says the point was the Governor‘s emergency powers are limited to 60 days. “There was no question that the Governor’s emergency powers lasted for 60 days. Those 60 days ended on Monday and so the extension that went through Memorial Day Weekend is what we were questioning.” But Republican leaders were also asking for a 6-day stay so they could work with the Governor’s administration to come up with something to put into place to help with the Back to Business transition. Ballweg says they are recommending businesses and residents use the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s Best Practices guidelines for dealing with COVID-19 during the transition. She says ultimately it is up to the public when they want to return to a business.
Back To Business
Ripon Police Chief Bill Wallner says in the wake of the State Supreme Court striking down the state’s Safer at Home order extension they will not be enforcing that order any longer. He says unless the Fond du Lac County Health Department issues some type of order they will let business proceed. But they will make sure their officers and first responders take precautions in interacting with the public while COVID-19 remains a threat. “Our dispatchers will continue to ask certain questions when a call comes in for a call for service concerning COVID-19 just for the safety of all of our first responders in the community whether it’s police, fire or EMS that’s important.” Chief Wallner says the high court’s decision is exciting news because businesses and manufacturers have had a difficult time over the last few months. Fond du Lac County rescinded its public health order Thursday.
State Supreme Court Decision Clarified By RASD
The Ripon Area School District Thursday sent out a communication to family and staff clarifying how the State Supreme Court’s striking down of the extension of the Safer at Home order affects the district. Specifically schools will remain closed through June 30th. The Saturday, May 23rd High School Graduation will involve a caravan similar to the Be the Light caravan that was held for spring sports athletes. Also Summer School will be held virtually June 15th through July 16th Mondays through Thursdays. Sign up for Summer School can be done at the district’s website.
Isolation Tiring
A member of the Ripon Community COVID-19 Task Force says people have been growing tired of being cooped up at home with the Safer at Home orders. Jeff Puhlmann-Becker says if you’ve been with family at first it was fun, but the long period of isolation was bound to wear out its welcome with anyone. “It felt like you were camped out in a winter storm or something, but now it is really an inconvenience, our businesses aren’t open, people are suffering financially and then they go out and eight people get it at a party and we go we still can’t do this so we are pushed back in our homes and we’re tired of it. I get it, absolutely.” The Wisconsin Supreme Court Wednesday struck down the state’s Safer at Home order.
Police Week Observed
Due to the current global health crisis the annual Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony in Fond du Lac isn’t being held. Departments from across Fond du Lac County usually attend that ceremony during this National Police Week. But Ripon Police Chief Bill Wallner says his department is honoring those who lost their lives in the line of duty in other ways. “Citizens that may drive the City Hall might notice that we National Law Enforcement Memorial Flag flying this week. Flags will be at half-staff on Friday and all of our officers are wearing memorial bands across their badges just to remember those officers that have made the ultimate sacrifice.” Also members of the Ripon Police Department’s Police Union made a donation to the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Death Response Team, a group of dedicated professionals that assist agencies across the state when an agency has suffered a line of duty death.
Mercury National Walleye Tournament Cancelled
Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac announced this week the cancellation of its National Walleye Tournament. The event was scheduled to take place on Lake Winnebago the weekend of June 12th through the 14th and is run out of Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac. Concerns over the pandemic led to the tournament’s cancellation. It’s part of Walleye Weekend, which organizers had decided to move to August.
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