Hometown Broadcasting News Friday 9/24/21
24 September 2021 News
COVID Impacting Ripon And Waupun Hospitals
COVID-19 cases have doubled in the area over the last few weeks taxing hospitals staff and filling beds in their regular wings and intensive care units. DeAnn Thurmer (pictured) is the President of the Ripon Medical Center and Waupun Memorial Hospital. She says they have to prioritize who they see in their emergency departments so they are asking people to see their primary physician or urgent care if it is not an emergency. She says if they need to hospitalize someone, but don’t have the beds to do it they will check with other SSM Health facilities in the area to see if they have room. Thurmer stresses that most of the people that do have to be hospitalized haven’t been vaccinated so she urges residents to get the COVID vaccine and wear masks if possible.
Delta Variant Does Not Discriminate
Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus does not discriminate it will attack the vaccinated and those who are not. She says it is such a virulent strain that it is putting those fully vaccinated against the virus in hospitals as well. She says the difference is those who are vaccinated are still less likely to become sick or become as seriously ill as those who are not vaccinated. She stresses that if someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19 with the Delta variant it will likely spread to others living with you as well.
COVID Testing In Markesan
A free mobile COVID test center will be located in the rear parking lot the Markesan City Hall today and next Tuesday. It’s being provided through the CDC, partnering with ETrueNorth and Thedacare. Hours both days are 8 am to 4 pm. It is a drive-up testing clinic so you do not need to pre-register; just show up and the employees on site will walk you through the process.
FDL Man Charged With Voter Fraud
A 63-year-old Fond du Lac man has been charged with election fraud for voting in last November’s election when he wasn’t qualified to do so. The charge against Daniel Holz is a Class I Felony and he is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on October 12th in Fond du Lac County court. Holz was convicted of his sixth OWI offense in 2019 and was sentenced to 30 months in jail, 5 years of extended supervision, and 5 years of probation. According to the criminal complaint when he was convicted Holz was given a written notice that he couldn’t vote until he’s “satisfied all sentences and terms of probation on all felony cases” and his civil rights are restored. District Attorney Eric Toney says,” This prosecution is not suggestive that the election was stolen but elections are the cornerstone of our democracy and the integrity of our electoral process must be protected at every turn.” If convicted Holz faces imprisonment up to 3 years and 6 months and/or a fine up to $10,000.
Counterfeit Bills Show Up In The Kingston Area
Investigators in Green Lake County are looking for some tips after several incidents where counterfeit $100 bills have showed up. Sheriff’s officials say on three different occasions in recent months the phony bills have turned up at locations in the Kingston area. Investigators are hoping tips and information will help them identify the source of those fake $100 bills. Anyone who would like to report information on those crimes or any other and remain anonymous should contact the Green Lake County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-438-8436 or text GETTHEM at 847411. Tips may be eligible for up to $1,000 cash reward if it leads to an arrest of any suspects.
Burglary Suspect Sought In Waupaca County
The Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a burglary that occurred at the Shamrock Heights Golf Course on Old Highway 45 in New London early last Saturday morning. Surveillance cameras show a white man with a goatee, approximately 5 foot 7 to 5 foot 10 inches tall force entry into the premises where he took an undisclosed amount of money from tills and gambling machines. Photos of the suspect can be seen at the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Facebook page. The suspect may be responsible for other recent burglaries in the area. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Timothy Myers at 715-258-4466. Anonymous tips can be called in to the Waupaca County Crimestoppers at 1-800-258-9955.
Unemployment Rates Mostly Unchanged
Sixty of Wisconsin’s 72 counties saw unemployment rates decline or remain the same in August. According to Federal Labor statistics Dodge County’s rate of 3.3 percent, Fond du Lac County’s 3.5 percent, Green Lake County’s 4.6 percent, and Waushara County’s 4.1 percent jobless rates were all unchanged from the end of July. Waupaca County and Winnebago County both had a 3.6 percent jobless rate for August, but Waupaca County’s rate was down slightly while Winnebago County’s rate inched up a bit. Among area cities Fond du Lac’s unemployment rate of 4.1 percent was down slightly while Oshkosh’s rate of 4 percent was up from 3.6 percent the previous month.
Harvest Fest Returns To Green Lake This Weekend
Harvest Fest in Green Lake kicks off with an Oktoberfest at The Tap tonight. Tuba Dan’s Band will perform polka music from 6:30 to 9:30. Saturday will bring a full schedule of activities. Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lisa Meier says they will have about 90 vendors on hand for the Craft Fair that runs from 10 am to 4 pm both Saturday and Sunday. They are also bringing in an extra stage to accommodate musical performers. Other fun includes a classic car show, cornhole tournament, and of course the parade in Downtown Green Lake Saturday afternoon at 4 pm. There will also be a food court tent with food and beverages. The full schedule of activities can be seen at the Chamber’s website.
Festivals in Wisconsin – Green Lake, WI | GLACC (visitgreenlake.com)
Grant Enhances FDL County Sheriff Drone Fleet
The Fond du Lac Area Foundation has awarded the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office with a $15,000 Impact Grant. The grant will allow the sheriff’s office to purchase a new drone, expanding their fleet to two units for search and rescue missions. Additionally, the grant will fund enhancement capabilities for both the new and existing drones, including spotlights for nighttime searching and a payload delivery system to distribute items such as floatation devices, tourniquets, cell phones, and other life-saving items to victims in critical incidents. Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt says they are thankful for the support. The new drone will bring the sheriff’s office total drone fleet to three.
Share |