Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday 10/13/20
13 October 2020 News
Governor’s COVID Order Questioned
The State Legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules took up Governor Evers Emergency Order #3 yesterday having to do with limiting capacity of public gatherings to no more than 25 percent of a room or building’s total occupancy. State Representative Joan Ballweg co-chairs the committee. She says it hurts bars and restaurants in particular, which were already affected by the Governor’s previous Safer at Home order. She says the legislature is taking the position that like the State Supreme Court ruling on the Safer at Home extension the Department of Health and Services doesn’t have the authority to do these rulings statewide. “One way or another this is not going to be enforced just the masked mandate is not enforced in most areas and we will just move forward and like I said it will probably end up in a law suit.” She says the City of Milwaukee, Dane and Milwaukee counties already have stricter rules in place and Milwaukee is choosing not to enforce the Governor’s order.
Judge Sides With Mask Order
A Polk County Circuit Court judge has denied a request to temporarily block Governor Tony Ever’s emergency order that requires people to wear face masks in public places. Judge R. Michael Waterman Monday denied a motion for a temporary injunction. Judge Waterman said the plaintiffs in the case “don’t ask to preserve status quo; they ask to change it.” Governor Evers hailed the ruling as a victory in the state’s fight against COVID-19 . The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, which filed the lawsuit against the Governor’s Executive Order 90 on behalf of three residents, says it will appeal the decision. On September 22nd the Governor extended the mask order until November 21st.
Oshkosh Man Makes Initial Court Appearance On Elder Abuse Charges
A 58-year-old Oshkosh man charged with elder abuse for allegedly stealing over $427,000 from a 92-year-old nursing home resident made his initial appearance in Winnebago County court Monday morning. A signature bond was set for Terry Lynn Culver who will be back in court for another hearing on November 12th. State Attorney General Josh Kaul says the charges against Culver are the result of a joint elder abuse and tax fraud investigation by the state’s Department of Justice and Revenue Department. According to the criminal complaint Culver had power of attorney for the victim who was forced to move into a nursing home. Culver allegedly used the victim’s money on home improvements, at bars and restaurant, and casinos. He also sold pieces of the victim’s real estate and took possession of the victim’s house. False tax returns were also filed for five years.
Ripon City Administrator Recruitment Process
The Ripon Common Council tonight will consider approving the city administrator recruitment schedule put together by Public Administration Associates, LLC. The Council will have two options to choose from with each timeline just a little different for a winter recruitment process. Under one the finalists would be invited to the city for interviews the week of January 25th and under the other February 16th and 17th. Option one would have the new administrator start on March 15th and under option two March 18th. Current City Administrator Lori Rich is retiring in April. The Ripon Common Council meets at 7 pm in the Council Chambers of the City Hall.
Bridge Project Approved For Menasha
Governor Tony Evers has signed a $33 million contract to replace the Racine Street Bridge in the City of Menasha in Winnebago County. The contract begins today and construction should finish in late 2022. Traffic impacts will include a full bridge closure in the fall of 2021 to the fall of 2022. Lunda Construction Company from Black River Falls is the prime contractor. The project includes replacing the Racine Street Bridge with a new lift bridge that is located along the east side of the existing bridge. It also includes new roundabouts at the Racine Street intersections with Main Street on the north side of the river and Ahnaip Street on the south side of the river.
Drug Take Back Day Scheduled In Ripon
Ripon will get an early jump on Wisconsin’s Prescription Drug Take Back Day next week. Most participating law enforcement agencies will be conducting their take-back programs on Saturday, October 24th. Ripon Police Chief Bill Wallner says they partner with the Fond du Lac County Opioid Initiative and will hold their drive-up drug-take back effort on Wednesday, October 21st. It will start in the back parking lot of the police department that morning. “What we are going to do that week is on October 21st we’re going to do actually a drive-up drug drop. Again with the COVID issues we kind of amended things a little bit. That morning we will do a drive-up for maybe an hour or an hour and a half in the back of the parking lot for the police department.” He says that same day they will also conduct drug take-backs at the Willow Brook Apartments and then Russell Manor. He says they will be putting out information later on specific times for the take-back program.
Kitchen Fire Safety Tips
The National Fire Protection Association’s theme for the recent Fire Prevention Week was “Serving Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.” Home cooking represents the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Ripon Area Fire District Chief Tim Saul says one common mistake is leaving cooking oil or grease heating to long causing a fire. He says keep a lid handy to place on top of the pan to put out a fire or have an extinguished under the kitchen sink. “Either put a lid on it, never put water on it obviously water is going to make the fire spread it will be almost like an explosion. Obviously a fire extinguisher in your kitchen is best second to putting a lid on it.” He says it’s better to call 911 and let the fire department do their job. Other fire safety tips for the kitchen include keeping a close eye on what you’re cooking, keeping anything that can catch on fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains-at least three feet away from your stovetop. You should also avoid cooking if you’re sleepy or have been consuming alcohol.
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