News

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.

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.

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.”

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.