1/27/22 Hometown Broadcasting News Friday
28 January 2022 News
Governor Evers Proposes Refund Check
Governor Tony Evers has unveiled an election year plan that would send $150 to every Wisconsin resident. It would also bolster funding for K-12 schools and help defray child care costs. The Democratic Governor released the plan yesterday a day after state budget projections grew by $2.9 billion more than expected just 6 months ago. The governor’s plan would spend $1.7 billion of that state surplus. However, those refund checks aren’t a sure thing. Evers’ plan needs to be approved by the Republican-controlled State Legislature to take effect. Republican leaders Wednesday said they want to use the money for a tax cut next year.
Unemployment Rates Remain Low In December
Unemployment levels in the area last month were for the most part below 2.5 percent. According to federal labor statistics Fond du Lac County’s rate held steady from November at 1.5 percent. Winnebago and Dodge County both had jobless rates of 1.6 percent. Waupaca County had a rate of 1.8 percent, Green Lake and Waushara counties both had rates of 2.4 percent. Dodge, Green Lake, Waupaca and Waushara counties rates were up slightly from November while Winnebago County’s rate remained the same. The city of Oshkosh had a rate of 1.5 percent last month and the jobless rate in Fond du Lac was at 1.6 percent. All 72 counties unemployment rates were lower than in December of 2020.
Ripon Common Council Notes
The Ripon Common Council this week approved the replacement of the City Hall Heating, Ventilating, and air-conditioning equipment and controls. City Administrator Adam Sonntag told the Council that $125,000 had been budgeted for the project and J & H Controls of North Fond du Lac, which has a long history of maintaining the system, had put in the only bid of just under $110,000. The Council also approved a resolution authorizing the construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities on St. Wenceslaus Street. It’s required to help the city get state funding for the $1 million in improvements planned for the street.
State Senate Passes Four Bills Authored By Ballweg
The State Senate this week passed four bills authored by State Senator Joan Ballweg of Markesan. The first extends a tax incremental district in Wisconsin Dells which will aid in development and upgrading of infrastructure. Two other bills streamline and clarify family court processes. The fourth bill would allow a parent to change the last name of their child, who is 14 years old or younger, without the approval of the other parent if that parent was convicted of certain heinous sex crimes or homicide. The bills now go on to the Assembly for consideration before heading to the governor’s desk.
Sturgeon Spearing Season Coming Up
The sturgeon spearing season on the Winnebago system opens on Saturday, February 12th and will run for a maximum of 16 days or until any one of the harvest caps is met. Department of Natural Resources officials say registration stations will be located at the same locations as last year. Stations will once again be operated as a drive-thru only. Spearers are encouraged to remain in their vehicle throughout the registration process. More information about the registration process, including specific station locations for the season is available in the 2022 Winnebago System sturgeon spearing regulation pamphlet which is also available online.
SturgeonSpearingRegs2022.pdf (widen.net)
Ivermectin Ineffective Against COVID
A cardiologist with SSM Health’s Dale Michels Center for Heart and Vascular Care says ivermectin is not a proven treatment for COVID-19. Dr. Tadeo Balderrama works for the center in Fond du Lac. He says ivermectin gained traction through social media and word of mouth. He says it’s an anti-parasitic medication used in animals and humans, but was not meant to treat the coronavirus. He says it can cause other health issues including skin reactions, lymph node inflammation, join pain, fever, low blood pressure, swelling and hepatitis. He says none of the 17 studies done on ivermectin were reliable or showed any effectiveness in treating COVID-19. Dr. Balderrama says on the other hand monoclonal antibody treatment in early stages of the disease and Sotrovimab have shown effectiveness against Omicron to reduce hospitalization.
COVID Causing Inconvenience In Services
Ripon Community COVID-19 Task Force member Jeff Puhlmann-Becker says we are starting to see locally the burden of people getting sick affecting our everyday lives. He says for instance some of the national chains of pharmacies have had to close some of their outlets because they don’t have enough healthy staff to man them. He says other businesses have been affected including restaurants and banks, which have had to change their hours or close temporarily. He urges people to get vaccinated, get the booster and wear face masks out in public. He points out that way if you get sick you are less likely to end up in the hospital.
Hard Work Pays Off For RASD Students
The hard work of students in the Ripon Area School District paid off with some recognition during the last two months of 2021. In November the state’s Department of Public Instruction put out annual school report cards. The District’s schools maintained their 4-star status by meeting, exceeding or significantly exceeding expectations. District Superintendent Mary Whitrock says the focus of the report cards is to find areas to improve so no students are left behind. In December U.S. News and World Report came out with their first ever rankings of the best elementary and middle schools. Four Ripon Schools were among the best; Murray Park and Quest Charter, and the Ripon Middle School and Catalyst Charter. Whitrock says it’s a tribute not only to the students, but their staff, administrators and parents.
Town Square Blood Drive A Success
A blood drive that partnered the Town Square Community Center in Green Lake with the American Red Cross succeeded its goal Wednesday. Town Square officials had set a goal of collecting 25 pints of donor blood and exceeded that by collecting 33 pints of blood which is enough to help save nearly 100 lives. Town Square Executive Director Fran Hill says, “Each pint of blood collected can help save up to three lives and touch the lives of so many more.” The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis its worst blood shortage in over a decade. The shortage is posing a concerning risk to patient care. Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent delays in vital medical treatments.
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