Hometown Broadcasting News Friday 7/31/20
31 July 2020 News
Clarifying Ripon Back To School Plan
The Ripon Area School District’s Roadmap to Re-entry Plan is well-though out, but has raised some questions for parents. District Superintendent Mary Whitrock says they will be putting out some information to help those who don’t quite understand the plan for the return to school during the pandemic. “There are so many components to it that even parents that have seen the plan are still asking questions, which is great and we appreciate those and we’re putting together two documents to help them understand a little bit more.” Whitrock says they hope to have students returning to school September 1st, but the pandemic is a fluid situation and that is still a month away. Information on the Roadmap to Re-entry Plan is available at the district’s website under the families tab.
COVID Vaccine Possibility
There was promising news this week about two drug manufacturers with possible vaccines for COVID-19. Ripon Community COVID-19 Task Force member Jeff Puhlmann-Becker says the potential vaccines are being fast tracked. “And there are risks in going so fast, but the risk of waiting seems to be much greater if we don’t have a vaccine. But then we get a vaccine out there and my understanding is other manufacturers have already agreed to help produce this vaccine once somebody comes up with it because the greater good is getting the vaccine out there not just one manufacturer trying to make it.” He says the government will likely make sure the vaccine is free because otherwise you would be creating a have and have not situation for people that can’t afford it and you would still have people walking around spreading it.
Short Lived Taste Of Freedom
A 40-year-old Madison man just released from Dodge Correctional Institute Wednesday morning is facing new charges after a domestic violence incident and a chase with Dodge County Sheriff’s. Deputies responded to Highway 151 near County Highway C in the Town of Trenton for the domestic violence call. A woman had gotten out a vehicle, which left her behind. A deputy spotted the vehicle, but it fled striking a motorcycle during the pursuit. When the vehicle got to Lowell it went onto a lawn near an intersection and crashed into several small trees. The driver Equon Hopkins fled on foot, but was caught a short time later. He was treated for minor injuries at a hospital in Columbus and was then taken to the Dodge County Jail. Among the charges he’s facing are eluding an officer, hit and run attended vehicle, endangering safety by reckless driving, domestic battery and he was cited with traffic violations as well.
Lomira Woman Arraigned On Charge From Child’s Death
The 33-year-old Lomira woman charged in connection with her three-year-old child’s death was arraigned during a hearing in Dodge County court this week. Jamie Hildebrandt pled not guilty to a charge of neglecting a child with a consequence of death. During the investigation into the child’s death last March she allegedly admitted to stepping on her son after laying him on the bathroom floor to reach for more diapers, forgetting he was there. An autopsy concluded the toddler died of multiple blunt force injuries to his head, chest and back. Hildebrandt told investigators she didn’t call 911 because she thought he was okay. She remains in the Dodge County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond.
Janet Planet At Thrasher
Veteran vocalist Janet Planet and pianist John Harmon will be performing at the Thrasher Opera House tonight during an intimate evening of jazz standards and original compositions. Only 30 people will enjoy the show in what is being described as cocktail style seating. Planet is fine with that arrangement. “I like the set up I mean they are going to be setting up more of cocktail tables kind of like a club in New York, which really cool and John and I will be featuring pretty heavily material from our latest release” Face masks will be worn and hand sanitizer will be available. Tickets are available for the 7:30 pm performance through the Thrasher website.
Scooping The Loop 2
The 2nd Annual Scooping the Loop event returns to downtown Ripon Saturday, August 8th. Cruising was banned in the city in 1992, but last year the City Council changed the ordinance allowing it for a special event. Ripon Main Street Executive Director Craig Tebon says the event was a tremendous success. The event will be from 5 to 9 pm and all traffic laws will be strictly enforced. Tebon says for the safety of participants and downtown merchants they are asking participants to wear a face mask during the event and to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
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