3/4/24 Hometown Broadcasting News Monday
4 March 2024 News
RIPON CDBG GRANT APPLICATION
The Ripon Common Council last week approved a resolution which allows the city to submit an application for a Community Development Block Grant for the Hamburg and Hennie Street project. The city qualifies for the grant because it met the low-to-moderate income criteria for that area of the city. City Administrator Adam Sonntag says they are looking at a utility reconstruction and road project that will cost $1.5 to $2 million. Depending on the cost the city could receive a $500,000 to $1 million grant if it is awarded. Sonntag says the infrastructure part of the project is important because Hamburg has a small water main and lead service lines that need replacement. He points out they will do the project next year if the grant is awarded or within a few years if it is not because they already have the project being designed.
RIPON CANDIDATES’ FORUM
The League of Women Voters of the Ripon Area is hosting a Candidates Forum Wednesday night at 7 pm in the Council Chambers of Ripon City Hall. Candidates for mayor, city council, and school board were invited to participate. The event will be taped and broadcast on the Ripon Channel. Among those who have agreed to participate are Mayor Ted Grant, and District 1 Alderperson candidate Mark Denkert, incumbent District 3 Alderperson Dave Gallops, and incumbent District 4 Alderperson Jolene Schatzinger. Ripon Area School Board candidates Katie Grady, Lori Machmueller, and Kelly Nielsen will also be participating. Each candidate will be given two minutes for opening remarks then questions will be taken from the audience. They will have two minutes to answer each question. Candidates will be given one minute for closing remarks. The Spring Election is on Tuesday, April 2nd.
CONGRESSMAN GROTHMAN INTRODUCES COMPETENCY BASED EDUCATION BILL
Congressman Glenn Grothman is among several federal lawmakers who introduced bipartisan legislation, which will assist universities in cultivating learning environments that will allow students to learn at their own pace. That type of learning is called competency-based education or CBE. Congressman Grothman says, “Competency-based education offers a transformative approach to higher education, addressing the staggering student loan debt crisis that burdens so many graduates. By allowing students to progress at their own pace and demonstrate mastery of subjects, CBE programs enable them to complete degrees in significantly less time with less debt.” The University of Wisconsin is a leader in CBE. The bill has received support from the Western Governors University, Capella University, Higher Learning Advocates, and the Center for Higher Education Policy and Practice at Southern New Hampshire University.
GREEN LAKE LIGHTING PROJECT
A decorative lighting project in downtown Green Lake should be wrapping up in the next week. It was a project the Green Lake Ad Hoc Economic Development and Revitalization Committee came up with. They were inspired by Ripon’s lighting on Watson Street, but because the street layout in Green Lake is different they are unable to string the LED lights across the top of the street. Instead they went with a spiral effect around the poles. Committee member Mark Wilton says the color of lights can be changed depending on the season, which is done by a remote control. For example they can be green or green and orange during St. Patrick’s Day. Wilton says most of the time they will be white and bluish and the lights won’t come on until after sunset. Committee Chair Chris Foos says if anyone would like to help in putting up the lights they call and leave a message for him at the Green Lake City Hall. That phone number is 920-294-6912.
RIPONFEST STAGING
One of the organizers for Riponfest says the annual festival will be laid out a little differently at Barlow Park this June. Howard Stibb says they will have the usual attractions including a flea market and food trucks. Stibb organizes the car show for Riponfest. Last year was the first year for the car show at Barlow Park and it attracted 194 vintage automobiles. There will also be fireworks and entertainment. Stibb says rather than use a flatbed from a semi-truck for a stage they will make use of the pavilion. A tent will be put in behind the baseball diamond, which will house their beverage area. Riponfest 2.0 will be June 28th through the 30th.
WAUPUN NURSE A DAISY AWARD WINNER
Heather Abel a Medical/Surgical nurse at SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital has been named a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses winner. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and their families every day. Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. Abel was nominated by a patient’s family. They wrote in part, “Heather was grandpa’s nurse a few times, and each time she spent some extra time with him and our family, to either explain things, answer questions, or just reminisce with us. We felt so welcomed and at home.” Abel was recognized during a brief ceremony.
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