Hometown Broadcasting News Monday 11/16/20
16 November 2020 News
Ripon Dispatch Alternatives Discussed
The Ripon Common Council continues discussions about whether to retain the city’s dispatch center or switch over to Fond du Lac County’s Communications Center. Ripon Police Chief Bill Wallner laid out the alternatives and costs associated with them for the Common Council this past week. He says if there is a switch the time should be soon because the County will be changing its Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System next fall, which would affect the City’s dispatch center if it is retained. Wallner also said there would be a timeline for the transition beginning with the Fire Department by March 1st, the EMS Department by July and the Police Department by next September. EMS Chief John Teachout told the Council he would prefer to retain the city dispatch, while Fire Chief Tim Saul says his department will go with whatever decision the Council makes. There would be a savings to the city by switching to County dispatch in personnel costs, liability, and for equipment and hardware. Chief Wallner did suggest that if the city sticks with its dispatch center the Council should consider a replacement fund for equipment. Mayor Ted Grant said the city would benefit vastly from a switch to the county system.
Oshkosh Man Sentenced On Child Porn Charges
A federal judge last Thursday sentenced a 51-year-old Oshkosh man to 5 years in federal prison for distributing child pornography. According to court records Martin McKeever, a longtime youth hockey and lacrosse coach, possessed and distributed numerous digital images and videos of child pornography. Following his release from prison McKeever will spend five years on supervised release. In addition he will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Study Supports Wearing Of Face Masks
A recent CDC study backs claims that wearing a face mask will provide protection to the wearer. The study followed 1,000 people who usually wore masks and found that there was a 70 percent reduction in infection for those wearing masks even when people around them were not. Ripon Community COVID-19 Task Force member Jeff Puhlmann-Becker says that’s why he’s been preaching about masking-up when you are out in public. “They have found that it is also pretty good at filtration. That wearing a mask even if people around you are not wearing a mask it does have some filtration value so if you’re not wearing a mask and I am and you’re infected it still has value to me.” The CDC also went on to conclude that a 15 percent increase in the number of people wearing masks could save the U.S. economy $1 trillion.
Ripon Roar Days Underway
The Ripon Education Foundation’s first-ever #RiponRoar Days kicks off today giving the community a chance to donate and share what they cherish about the Ripon School District. Donations will help fund the Foundation’s Program Fund, which provides teaching and learning grants, tutoring scholarships, and other grants that expand student learning. Cindy Cody of the Foundation’s Board of Directors says with COVID-19 they’ve opened up the teaching and learning grant application process. She notes that’s resulted in some unique ideas like one from Dale Nehls at Barlow Park/Journey who proposed supplying yoga mats for K-2 students at the school. “So in Phy/Ed he is able to use those for his courses for the things that he is teaching them, but the teachers are also able to keep them in the classroom and use them to help space the kids out appropriately for our time right now.” Information will be shared throughout this week on both the Foundation’s and School District’s Facebook page about giving opportunities, challenges and more. Checks can also be sent to the Ripon Education Foundation at PO Box 395, Ripon Wisconsin 54971.
High Demand Continues For Home Delivered Meals Program
Demand continues to be high for home delivered meals for ADVOCAP’s Senior nutrition program as the pandemic enters a ninth month. Amanda Wiechman is an outreach specialist for ADVOCAP’s Neenah Office, which usually oversees 11 meal sites and 11 home delivery routes for the Omro, Pickett, Winneconne, Oshkosh and the Neenah-Menasha areas. She says because of demand they’ve added an additional home delivery route. “Our numbers every day are just increasing we’ve added an extra route since COVID in our Oshkosh area. It just seems like more and more people are calling every day to sign up for the program.” She says in addition they are supplying bags filled with hygiene items to about 120 out of the 500 households they serve each day. She urges those who would like to know more about the home deliveries to call their Neenah Office at 920-725-2791 and don’t be ashamed to ask for help.
FDL Public Library Changes Service Model
Due to high levels of COVID cases throughout the county and beyond, beginning today the Fond du Lac Public Library will continue to be open as usual on weekends and will be open for curbside pickup of materials during the week. The move is being made for the safety of patrons and staff of the library. All materials available at the main library continue to be available. To pick up a book, DVD or other material, patrons will be asked to place the items on hold via the library’s website, or call the main library at 920-929-7080. Patrons will be notified when their holds are available.
Alliant Energy Foundation Grants Awarded
The Alliant Energy Foundation recently gave out a total of $44,000 in community grants to 17 area non-profit organizations. In Fond du Lac an $8,500 grant went to the Fondy Food Pantry, and $2,500 grants were awarded to the Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac and Fond du Lac Adult Literacy Services. The Oakfield and Lomira Fire Departments each received $1,000 grants and Marsh Haven Nature Center in Waupun was awarded a $2,000 grant. The grants fund projects in four key areas; Hunger and Housing; Workforce Readiness; Environmental Stewardship; Diversity, Safety and Wellbeing.
FDL County Offices Closed For Thanksgiving
Fond du Lac County offices in the City-County Government Center in Fond du Lac, the Sheriff’s Office lobby window, Portland Street Annex including the Veterans Service Office, Highway Department, Department of Social Services and Department of Community Programs will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 26th and 27th for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Moraine Lakes Consortium Call Center will also be closed those days.
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