Hometown Broadcasting News Friday 10/29/21
29 October 2021 News
Some ARPA Funds Will Be Used To Improve Broadband Access
Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel says they will use some of the $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds the county is receiving to provide incentives to internet providers for broadband expansion. He points out that about 10 percent of households in the county have no internet access and a number of others have problems with slower speeds. He says they haven’t made any decisions about how much they will allocate for the effort, but anyone in the county that wants internet access should have a way to accomplish that. Buechel says everyone became more aware about the need for broadband access while children were being taught virtually during the earlier days of the pandemic.
Election Audit Shows Heavy Absentee Voting In November Election
The non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau’s audit of the November 2020 election in Wisconsin turned up some interesting things. The Bureau had 30 different suggestions for the Wisconsin Elections Commission, 18 of them would need legislative action. State Senator Joan Ballweg says they also found out that absentee voting was heavy during that election with four counties experiencing over 70 percent of the vote through absentee voting. The state lawmaker from Markesan says the absentee voting in Fond du Lac and Green Lake counties was much less than that but between 40 and 50 percent of the vote. It was 49.2 percent in Fond du Lac County and in Green Lake County just over 40 percent. The Legislative Audit Bureau also recommended more special elections clerks should be provided in nursing homes.
Second Booster For COVID Vaccine For Immunocompromised
A member of the Ripon Community COVID-19 Task Force says it’s not surprising that a second COVID-19 booster shot will be recommended for the immunocompromised. Jeff Puhlmann-Becker says in most cases the immunocompromised are already waging a battle with something because their immune systems are compromised. He says it’s likely they will be told by their primary care physician when it would be appropriate to get a second booster shot based on CDC and FDA guidelines. The immunocompromised were among the first to get the initial COVID-19 vaccinations.
Unemployment Rates Decline In September
Unemployment rates in Wisconsin dipped in September with many area counties seeing their rates fall to less than 4 percent. According to Federal Labor statistics both Dodge and Fond du Lac counties saw their jobless rates fall to 2.7 percent, while Winnebago County’s rate was 2.8 percent and Waupaca County’s rate was 2.9 percent. Green Lake’s unemployment rate in September was 3.8 percent and Waushara County’s rate was 3.4 percent. Meanwhile the city of Oshkosh had a 2.9 percent jobless rate and Fond du Lac’s rate was 3.2 percent. Unemployment rates declined in all 34 of Wisconsin’s major cities and 72 counties last month.
Free Furniture Or Littering
Police in Ripon say they’ve seen an increase in the depositing of unwanted furniture at curb sides throughout the city. Some may see it as an attempt to help out those that may need furniture, but the department says many of the items can’t be used and should be properly disposed of. Free trash tickets for each household are available from the Department of Public Works. The department says it will enforce the city’s littering ordinance for those who violate it.
Waupun Halloween On Main Traffic Reminders
Waupun Police are reminding residents that Main Street or State Highway 49 from Watertown Street to State Street will be closed Saturday from 1:30 to 4:30 pm for the Halloween on Main event. The detour route from the he east is traveling south on South Watertown Street to East Lincoln Street, heading west to West Lincoln Street, then north on South State Street to West Main Street. The route from the west is in reverse order. There may be no temporary parking posted on South State Street near West Main Street, South State Street near West Lincoln Street, and East Lincoln Street near South Watertown Street to accommodate traffic turning.
Ripon College Merchandise Now Available At Ripon Drug And Ben Franklin
Ripon Drug and Ben Franklin is now the official provider of off-line Ripon College merchandise. The business at 328 Watson Street in downtown Ripon will provide more consistent staffing and hours than were available at the College’s brick-and-mortar store. Because of the business’ close proximity to campus, many students, faculty, staff and alumni already are patrons. Online merchandise remains available on the Ripon College website.
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