1/21/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday
21 January 2025 News
EXTREME COLD WARNING CONTINUES
The Extreme Cold Warning issued by the National Weather Service continues until noon today. Among the counties included in that warning are Calumet, Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Sheboygan, Washington, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago counties. Dangerously cold wind chills could reach as low as 40 below zero, which can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. A Cold Weather Advisory will go into effect at noon today and run through midnight for Calumet, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago counties. Wind chills for the advisory could reach 20 to 30 below zero. For cancellations and delays go to Hometown Broadcasting.com and click on the weather tab. You will see school closings on the scroll down menu which is where you will find the closings.
EXTREME COLD WEATHER TIPS
Ready Wisconsin has some recommendations for handling the extreme cold we are faced with. Among their tips are to know the signs and symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia. Cover exposed skin to reduce risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Reduce outdoor activities for your family, including pets. Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing instead of a single heavy layer. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellant. Wear a hat, mittens, and sturdy waterproof boots. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs. Follow safety precautions when using space heaters, a fireplace, or woodstove to heat your home. Keep space heaters three feet away from anything that can burn. Keep anything that can burn three feet away from a fireplace, or wood-burning stove. If you lose heating, move into a single room. At night, cover windows and external doors with extra blankets or sheets. Check on family, friends, and neighbors who may need extra help.
FROZEN PIPE ADVICE
The City of Fond du Lac has issued some good tips about thawing frozen pipes during this extreme cold weather spell. They recommend applying heat to the section of frozen pipe using an electric hair dryer, or by wrapping an electric heating pad around the pipe. Do not use a torch, kerosene or propane heater, or any open flame. If it is determined that the underground water line is frozen outside of the building, contact your city or village water department. Other tips include making sure the basement area temperature is above freezing, insulating pipes or faucets in unheated areas, utilizing heat tape on pipes in crawl spaces and other unheated areas.
BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICES
The Ripon Common Council last week approved new building inspection and electrical fees something which hasn’t been done in more than eight years. City Administrator Adam Sonntag says when the city was looking at hiring a new building inspector it considered splitting the position and the costs with the city of Waupun, but they realized it wouldn’t achieve what they wanted to accomplish. They ended up going with Stephanie Potter of MSA. She works Monday and Thursdays from 9 to 11 am. As for the new building inspection fees Sonntag some are 5 to 10 percent more than before, but others are as much as 50 percent lower.
CROSSING GUARD APPRECIATION WEEK
They aren’t likely to be out today due to the extreme cold temperatures and school cancellations, but this is Crossing Guard Appreciation Week in Wisconsin. Fond du Lac Police officials say it is a good time to recognize and honor the contributions of these dedicated individuals who play a critical role in ensuring the safety of our children. Adult school crossing guards assist thousands of students across the area in grades 4K through 8th grade each day that school is in session ensuring safe passage of the youngest and most vulnerable pedestrians-children walking between home and school.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS NIGHT
A Mental Health Awareness Night will be held during the Boys Basketball games between Ripon and Berlin at the Ripon High School Gym on Tuesday, February 4th. The Junior Varsity game is at 5:45 pm and the Varsity game at 7:15 pm. The night will support both Berlin and Ripon students. Ripon Schools Superintendent Mary Whitrock says there will be activities at halftime and throughout the night. There will be a 50/50 raffle and raffle baskets at halftime, there will be providers with information and booths, and there will be “Mental Health Matters” t-shirts to commemorate the evening. Whitrock says we do a lot to take care of ourselves physically, but it is also important to take care of our mental/emotional wellbeing as well.
TWO HEALTH FOUNDATIONS COMBINE
In its nearly 90 years history, SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital programs and services have been supported by The Foundation for Ripon Community Hospital. During that time, the foundation has striven to enhance the health of the people of the greater Ripon area by lending its financial support to the hospital. Since Ripon Medical Center, as it was known then, became a part of Agnesian HealthCare and now SSM Health, both the Foundation for Ripon Community Hospital and the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation have utilized the same team and resources for all their ongoing fund-raising needs. Over the past year, staff-in conjunction with both foundation boards of directors-have been planning to transition the Foundation for Ripon Community Hospital to become a part of the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation. The transition became effective on January 1st following approval by both boards of directors. To ensure the needs of the Ripon community are represented, two positions are being added to the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation Board of Directors with Ripon specific representatives. Gary Born and Elizabeth Roy will be filling those positions and will remain in place as future board member transitions occur.
MAYVILLE FIRE CHIEF RESIGNING
Mayville’s Fire Chief, Brad Marx recently announced he is resigning. Mayor Rob Boelk says Marx will be sadly missed. Marx has been the fire chief in Mayville for more than a decade. His resignation takes effect on July 10th. Mayville’s Police and Fire Commission will soon start the search for a new fire chief.
DIRECT FILE
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue is excited to share that Direct File, the new free option for filing federal taxes is available for Wisconsin taxpayers. The individual income tax filing season begins on January 27th. Direct File is a free IRS program that offers a safe and secure way for eligible Wisconsin taxpayers to file their federal income tax returns electronically. Direct File integrates seamlessly with WisTax, DOR’s free online tax preparation software for filing Wisconsin state taxes. Both platforms are fast, secure, easy to use and mobile-friendly. Direct File, automatically imports the verified information from your federal return to WisTax, eliminating the need to complete W-2s, 1099s, and additional forms twice. Not only does this save time; it reduces the likelihood of errors making it among the fastest refund options available. Direct File is available to many taxpayers but it’s important to check your eligibility and register first. Visit the IRS’s Direct File page for detailed information, including eligibility requirements, filing instructions and helpful resources.
IRS Direct File for free | Internal Revenue Service
AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR
Moraine Park Technical College will host a Health and Wellness lecture series every Thursday in February from 6 to 7:30 pm. The events are free and will be held at the College’s West Bend Campus. The series, titled And a Healthy New Year, will showcase Moraine Park’s Health and Wellness experts, along with partners from Aurora, Froedtert and Elevate. Each week will focus on a different topic to provide members with informative and educational tools to improve their lives. They will feature informative presentations, an opportunity for Q&A and a healthy food demo. Seating is limited, and registration is strongly encouraged. For more information on the event or to register visit the Moraine Park website.
West Bend Lecture Series 2025 – Moraine Park Technical College
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