News

Gov. Evers, WisDOT Announce $1.5 Million Transportation Economic Assistance Grant to Support Nearly 400 Jobs

 
 
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), today announced an over $1.5 million Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) grant to the village of DeForest. The grant will help the village complete the road construction needed to serve the new Kwik Trip Inc. (KTI) distribution center and assist in supporting 398 jobs in South Central Wisconsin.

“This investment will not only benefit Dane County and the surrounding communities, but it will help generate jobs, bring in revenue that will bolster our statewide economy, and benefit communities all across the state,” said Gov. Evers. “I look forward to seeing the results of this project as we continue our work improving and building the 21st-century infrastructure Wisconsin needs to support a 21st-century economy and improve the quality of life for folks across our state.”

The DeForest KTI distribution center is only the second of its kind in the state, with the first located in La Crosse. The project will expand Metro Drive, North Towne Road, and Pepsi Way on the village’s west side. The center will help reduce distribution costs, lower prices for consumers, assist the La Crosse center with growing production and delivery operations, and includes a truck maintenance facility.  

“This project is another example of how TEA grants have helped economic expansions all across the state,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “We are excited to see the village of DeForest succeed with this project and want to thank all local partners involved for their hard work to make this project a reality.”  

The TEA program provides financial assistance to communities to support transportation infrastructure improvements that will help attract new employers or encourage existing employers to expand. Since 2019, the Evers Administration has awarded more than $11.9 million in TEA grants, contributing to an estimated more than 2,294 new jobs. The TEA grant program has also helped retain 5,608 jobs across the state.

“The village of DeForest is grateful for our partnership with WisDOT in providing essential support for one of Wisconsin’s most beloved companiesKwik Trip,” said DeForest Village President Jane Cahill Wolfgram. “Kwik Trip’s new distribution facility and employment campus will bring valuable jobs to the region and spur further economic development, some of the key goals of the TEA grant program.”

“The TEA grant program is a crucial financial investment tool for the village of DeForest to attract great businesses like Kwik Trip,” said DeForest Village Administrator Bill Chang. “The grant award will facilitate the construction of critical roadway infrastructure, ensuring that increased truck traffic is safely accommodated.”

A municipal or county unit of government must sponsor a TEA application. The project must have the local government’s endorsement, and it must benefit the public. More information about the program, including instructions to apply for a grant, can be found here. 
 
An online version of this release is available here.

Lynxx Networks and WSTA Honor Representative Kurtz

 

 

The Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association (WSTA) recognized Representative Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) for his support of public safety and Next Generation 911 (NG911) this week in an award presentation at the Lynxx Networks office in Camp Douglas. Representative Kurtz received the WSTA Excellence in Legislative Leadership Award, recognizing his role in authoring NG911 cost-recovery legislation for telecommunications providers, which was signed into law as 2023 Wisconsin Act 222 in March of 2024.

 

WSTA Executive Director Bill Esbeck said that Kurtz’s leadership was critical in passing this legislation that will allow telecommunications providers to recover their ongoing costs associated with facilitating the Next Generation 911 system. The cost recovery will ensure upkeep of the new system by providing the funding needed for expenses such as equipment, database management, and the routing of the 911 calls – all of which now fall on the state’s telecommunications providers.

 

“Representative Kurtz is a tremendous advocate for both public safety and Wisconsin’s telecommunications providers,” Esbeck said, adding, “he recognizes the critical role telecommunications providers will play in facilitating the future of public safety communications and NG911.”

 

Next Generation 911 is a new emergency calling system that improves the efficiency and accuracy of emergency calls by routing them over a digital, internet protocol (IP)-based system, replacing the analog 911 infrastructure that’s been in place for decades. The transition to this new system requires telecommunications providers like Lynxx Networks to make significant investments in their networks to meet the new technical standards of the NG911 system. While cost recovery is in place for the initial system upgrades, there was no ongoing NG911 cost recovery for service providers for expenses such as equipment, database management, and the routing of the 911 calls. The legislation authored by Rep. Kurtz acknowledges the cost burden that NG911 places on Wisconsin telecommunications providers and allows providers to recover these ongoing costs.

 

Lynxx Networks CEO Scott Perry said having an advocate like Tony Kurtz speaks volumes to the state’s telecommunications providers. Without efforts by Kurtz and others, broadband service providers like Lynxx Networks would carry the weight of the cost of the NG911 system – not only the methods, but also ensuring that equipment powering such an important service is to the highest of standards, Perry said.

 

“Telecommunications companies have the responsibility to provide services to their communities and shouldn’t be expected to carry one hundred percent of the cost burden for upgrades and constant

monitoring of NG911,” Perry said, adding that Kurtz’s pro-active stance communicates both support of the telecommunications industry and the importance of the safety of everyone in the state of Wisconsin.

Thanks to 2023 WI Act 222, the existing 75-cent surcharge on landlines and cell phones (the newly renamed 911 fee) will be used to pay for the NG911 provider cost recovery expenses. The new law allocates $6 million annually for a grant program administered by the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (DMA).

 

For Kurtz, getting the legislation passed was a no-brainer due to the continued need for broadband expansion and connectivity in the state of Wisconsin.

 

“If we think about it, local providers like Lynxx Networks are the ones expanding broadband to our communities,” Kurtz said. “If our local broadband service providers aren’t thriving, our rural communities aren’t going to thrive.”

 

Esbeck said thanks to Rep. Kurtz’s efforts, Wisconsin is among the states leading the charge on NG911 cost recovery efforts for telecommunications providers.

 

“Other states are starting to take steps in this direction, but not every state is taking the path that Rep. Kurtz blazed,” he said.

 

Esbeck echoed Kurtz’s concerns that if service providers are funding the upkeep of the NG911 system, the added expense would detract from continued broadband expansion.

 

“Our members want to focus on expanding their fiber broadband networks and connecting unserved customers,” he said. “If our members aren’t reimbursed for NG911-related expenses in the future, they would have fewer resources to spend on broadband expansion.”

 

WSTA represents the interests of over 70 member telecommunications companies in the state of Wisconsin.

 

Since taking office in 2019, Rep. Kurtz has been a strong advocate for the WSTA, its member companies, and rural broadband expansion in Wisconsin. To lay the groundwork for NG911 cost recovery, Kurtz was involved in the renaming of the Police and Fire Protection Fee as an actual 911 fee, allowing it to be used for 911-related purposes – a change that was reflected in the state’s 2023-2025 Biennial Budget. He also was involved in updating the statues that govern Wisconsin’s Broadband Expansion Grant Program, in legislation that was signed into law as 2023 Wisconsin Act 77.

New Lisbon Woman Found Dead Submerged Vehicle

Free Health Screenings and free healthy breakfast to be held in Elroy.

 

 

Gundersen St. Joseph’s is offering free health screenings as part of their commitment to community health. The screenings will take place at the Elroy Clinic Community Room on November 7. Appointments can be scheduled from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

 

Screenings will consist of a free cholesterol panel and fasting blood glucose test – both of which require a single finger prick of blood and could help indicate unknown health conditions such as high cholesterol or risk of diabetes. Individuals can also have their blood pressure and BMI checked, chat one on one with a diabetes educator, and enjoy a healthy breakfast.

 

The free health screenings are designed to help individuals learn more about managing their health and reducing their risk of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure – all of which can lead to major conditions such as heart disease, stroke, heart attack, chronic kidney disease and more.

 

Cholesterol and fasting blood glucose tests require nine hours of fasting prior to taking the test. Free health screenings last approximately 20 minutes and are by appointment only. There are a limited number of appointments available, so participants are encouraged to call early to schedule their appointment. For more information, or to make an appointment, call (608) 462-4116.

Sauk County Drug Take Back Day Coming Up

 National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 26. Local law enforcement is working with community partners to host three drug take back sites in Sauk County:

  • Sauk Prairie Police Department from 9am – 12pm
  • Spring Green Police Department from 10am – 2pm
  • Plain Municipal Office from 10am – 2pm.

This is an opportunity to get rid of leftover or unwanted prescription or over-the-counter medications.

“People often have unused or expired medications at home and may not know how to get rid of them safely. By dropping off your leftover medications at a drop box location, you protect yourself, family, friends, our community, and the environment,” says Hannah Erdman, a Health Educator at Public Health Sauk County.

All accepted items must be in sealed containers or zip lock bags. For security, people are encouraged to black out their names and other personal information listed on a prescription label with a marker.

Accepted items:

  • Any prescription or over-the-counter medication, including capsules, creams, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, ointments, patches, pills, vials, and liquids in original containers and vapes with removable batteries

Not accepted:

  • Aerosol cans, anything containing blood or bodily fluids, batteries, cosmetics, eyeglasses, household hazardous waste (e.g., paint, pesticides, oil, gas), iodine containing medications, thermometers, personal care products (e.g., shampoo, conditioner, soaps, lotions, moisturizer, sunscreens), vapes/e-cigarettes with built in batteries

 

 

 

 

For residents that cannot attend Drug Take Back Day, medications can be dropped off at year-round drug take back sites at the Ho-Chunk Nation House of Wellness, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department, and police departments in Lake Delton, Reedsburg, Sauk Prairie, Spring Green, and Wisconsin Dells.

In addition, Public Health Sauk County has other options for disposing of unused medications at home:

  • free medication disposal kits and
  • special envelopes to mail your medications to a safe disposal site.

“Safe storage and safe disposal saves lives,” says Erdman. “Make a plan today to get rid of medicines you no longer need.”

 

About Public Health Sauk County

 

Public Health Sauk County supports the well-being of all people in our community. Through wellness programs, environmental health initiatives, and a focus on creating systemic change, we cultivate healthier places and people so that Sauk County can thrive. For more information on our programs and services, visit https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/publichealth.

High-precision, state-of-the-art robotic-assisted general and gynecology surgery is now available in Hillsboro.

Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics is excited to announce the addition of state-of-the-art robotic-assisted general/gynecology surgery to its portfolio of specialty services.

The addition is the latest in a long line of new services St. Joe’s has brought to the community since taking occupancy of its new hospital and clinic facility in June 2020. New services have included the addition of chiropractic care, robotic-assisted knee surgery, oncology, and audiology.

The new robotic-assisted general/gynecology surgery service is possible thanks to the addition of a Da Vinci Xi robotic surgery system from international medical manufacturer Intuitive—a system that has set the standard as the most widely used multiport robotic surgery system in the world.

“The system allows for even greater control and precision when performing surgery,” says Layne Hammer, RN, manager of specialty and surgery at Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics. “We describe this new service as robotic assisted because the surgeon is still controlling the robot from within the operating room.”

“There’s two main pieces to the system. One is a “patient cart” which sits over the patient and has four “arms” which house a broad range of precision tools, scopes, and instruments for a large variety of surgical procedures. The second piece is a “surgeon console” where the surgeon is seated. The surgeon controls the patient cart from the console using crystal clear, magnified 3DHD visioning. This provides the surgeon with greater control and an enhanced view of the surgical site, resulting in better surgical outcomes for patients.”

“We’re very excited to be able to bring this technology to our rural community,” says Kristie McCoic, administrator of Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics. “We are among the first 100 critical access hospitals in the nation to offer this state-of-the-art technology.”

Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hosts Wellness & Wine, Women’s Wellness Night Featuring Renowned Guest Speakers

Join us for a special evening of wellness and inspiration at Wellness & Wine hosted by Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics on October 24, 2024, at Hillsboro Brewing Company. This exciting event will feature wine tasting, local craft vendors, and renowned wellness experts, creating a unique opportunity for attendees to gather, learn, and empower themselves on their wellness journey.

 

The evening will kick off with a social hour from 5 to 6 PM, where attendees can sample wines from wineries within the Driftless Region of Wisconsin and explore offerings from a range of curated local craft vendors.

 

The event will feature three guest speakers. Megan Rorabeck, DPT, author of “Between the Hips,” a practical guide to pelvic health for women. Megan will be joined by her sister, Paige Woggon, Certified Nurse Midwife, to share their expertise on pelvic health, a topic that is crucial for women’s overall well-being.

 

The second half of the evening will feature Dr. Sheila Patel, Chief Medical Officer, Chopra Global. Dr. Patel, who combines the best of conventional Western medicine with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, will speak about the importance of gut health.

 

Tickets are $30 each and available online at https://bit.ly/4ebStYJ. Included in the ticket price is a light buffet.

Join Mile Bluff’s Diabetes Education Team for Expert Advice and Resources

Did you know that 1 in 10 adults worldwide has diabetes? Whether you or someone you love is affected by diabetes, understanding the risks and taking steps for prevention, early detection, and treatment can make all the difference.

 

Mile Bluff’s Diabetes Education Team will be hosting information tables to help answer your questions and provide tips for managing and preventing diabetes. Don’t miss this opportunity to speak with the team and get valuable resources to help manage diabetes more effectively.

 

They will be set up in front of the following businesses located in Mauston.

 

Dollar Tree, located at 754 N. Union Street on:

  • Monday, October 21, from 10:30 am to 12:30

Walgreens, located at 403 Gateway Avenue on:

  • Tuesday, October 22, from 10:30 am to 12:30

 

For more information, call 608-847-1848.

 

To see more events like this, check out the upcoming events page at milebluff.com.

May Juneau County Homicide Details Released

 

On Friday, May 10, 2024, at approximately 10:59 a.m., the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center received a call regarding a male subject not breathing at an address on 11th Avenue in Necedah Township. 

 

Upon arrival, deputies and Mauston Area Ambulance personnel discovered a deceased adult male.  Due to the circumstances surrounding the death, an investigation ensued. 

 

The deceased individual was identified as Daniel J. Asmussen, age 66, of Madison. 

 

As a result of the on-going investigation, Jeffrey W. Crompton, age 65, of Oregon, WI has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Mr. Asmussen. 

 

Mr. Crompton has been charged with the following:

 

  • First Degree Intentional Homicide

 

Mr. Crompton is presently being held in the Juneau County Jail on a $1,000,000 cash bond.  His initial appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 9 a.m.

 

It should be noted that Mr. Crompton is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Mile Bluff Medical Center hosts monthly diabetes discussions

If you are looking for answers and tips on how to live your life to the fullest while managing diabetes, plan to attend this month’s Diabetes Connect. This is a great way to get plugged into all you need to know about diabetes. At this informative and engaging monthly discussion, Mile Bluff’s team of experts will be available to cover a variety of key topics, while you’ll also have the opportunity to connect with others and get tips from those on a similar health journey.

 

This event is free and open to everyone, including individuals with pre-diabetes and diabetes, as well as their loved ones and caregivers. Whether you’re looking to improve your diabetes management or gain a deeper understanding of the condition, these events offer valuable insight toward living your best, and healthiest, life.

 

The next discussion will be held on Thursday, November 7 at 1 pm at Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston.

 

Registration is not required to attend. A virtual option is also available (please call 1 week in advance for details).

 

For more information, call 608-847-1848.

 

To see more events like this, check out the upcoming events page at milebluff.com.

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