(Juneau) Dodge County leaders have set aside a future meeting to discuss how to best allocate the county’s American Rescue Act Funds. The decision to schedule the February 1st meeting was made Monday while the County Board’s Executive Committee listened to Horicon’s request for ARPA funding to help cover costs for a housing project. The meeting will also be open to community and business leaders. Details will be available soon on how those leaders can contact the county to express their interest in ARPA funding. Dodge County is slated to receive just over $17-million-dollars in American Rescue Act Funds.
(Beaver Dam) John “Frank” Ferree was sworn-in Monday night to replace the late Jon Abfall in Beaver Dam’s Third Ward. It was the second time the council voted on the vacancy. Ferree was the top vote-getter last month, but it was later determined that the vote was conducted improperly. The council also considered Douglas Garczynski and Michael Culver. The Ward Three seat will be up for election again in the spring of 2023.
(Beaver Dam) A change in garbage collection days for many Beaver Dam property owners in the New Year. The city enters into a contract with a new company, GFL Environmental, on January 1. Curbside bulk pickup will still be provided twice a year and a manned drop-off truck will be available twice a month. New GFL collection carts will be distributed next week. You can find a map with the new daily pickup routes at DailyDodge.com.
(Beaver Dam) Cash bond was set at $100-thousand-dollars Monday for a Beaver Dam man accused of threatening his fiancée with deadly weapons. Christopher French allegedly held a knife to the victim’s throat. He then reportedly got a handgun, straddled the victim, pointed the weapon at her temple, and said if she were to leave him, he would kill her. French allegedly added that if he did not get the chance to kill her, he would hunt her for the rest of his life. If convicted, the 31-year-old faces over 12 years behind bars. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 16th.
(Beaver Dam) Dodge County’s free walk-in COVID test site will be closing down temporarily after Wednesday. The site, located at 1701 North Spring Street, is staffed by the Wisconsin National Guard through December 8th. County health officials say they are working with the National Guard on extending the site’s operation, but it will be closed in the meantime. The site had closed in July before reopening again in September. Testing is available between 11am and 5pm. No appointments are required but the public is asked to pre-register before they arrive. A link to do so is at DailyDodge.com.
(Oakfield) No humans, animals, or buildings were harmed when cornstalk bales caught fire at an Oakfield farm yesterday morning. Fond du Lac County first responders were dispatched to Joas Farms Pasture Products at W7431 River Road just after 8am. Upon arrival, crews observed flames coming from the bales of cornstalk covering an area of roughly eight feet by 300 feet. It was discovered that the previous afternoon, workers had been burning a pile of garbage and believed that it had burned itself out. Due to high winds overnight, the garbage pile was rekindled and spread to the bales of cornstalk.
