News – January 7, 2022

(Juneau) The Dodge County Executive Committee recently discussed employee recruitment challenges. County Administrator Jim Mielke brought the matter forward as a possible recurring agenda item for the executive committee to review. There have been talks in other committees over difficulties filling county-level positions including correctional officers at the jail and certified nursing assistants at Clearview. The executive committee pointed out that the cost of living is less in Dodge County than in other areas which could be used to advertise openings. The matter will be brought back for discussion at future meetings.

(Clyman) The Clyman-Reeseville-Lowell Fire Department are looking for firefighters. The three agencies, which were entirely volunteer based, recently merged into one entity after struggling for years to find willing and able bodies. According to state statute, Wisconsin fire departments must maintain a roster of 30 volunteers or be at risk of getting shutdown. Each station alone struggled to hit that number, but after the merger they now have over 50 members combined. The stations Fire Chief Eric Howlett says even though they are in a better position staffing wise than they were weeks ago, they are always looking for people to join. Links to more information as well as contact details can be found at DailyDodge.com.

(Fond du Lac) Envision Greater Fond du Lac says six employers have taken advantage of their Worker Relocation Incentive Program so far. The program gives businesses the opportunity to offer potential employees from outside of the county up to $15,000 in incentives to relocate. The organization’s Director of Business Services Bernadette Ericksen says if an employee continues to work and live in the county for at least a year the employer will get half of that incentive back through the program. She says they have a pool of $300,000 in funds to back the program.

(Juneau) The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a Publishers Clearing House scam that has surfaced in the area. A citizen reported getting a call from someone claiming to be with the online sweepstakes company claiming they had a new BMW and the winning check to deliver. Schmidt says this was obviously a scam and the thief was likely going to ask the citizen for personal information or a fee to get the imaginary BMW and winning check. The sheriff advises everyone to follow one simple suggestion when getting these calls: hang up and move on with your day. Also, the Publishers Clearing House never identifies a winner over the phone or social media, and no one will be asked to pay a fee to claim a prize.

(Waupun) SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac Region are modifying their visitor guidelines as COVID cases increase. Starting Monday, patients can designate one visitor only for the duration of their stay. There will only be one primary support person in the Woman and Infants wing. No visitors for COVID positive patients. Compassionate care exceptions may be made in end-of-life situations. Visitors must be over the age of 18 and everyone will be asked to complete a screening prior to entry. Masks will be required during the duration of a visit. The new guidelines apply to all locations, including clinics and hospitals. They do not apply to long-term care facilities.

(Green Bay) Someone in Green Bay has hit it big, thanks to the Powerball lottery. The winning ticket, sold at a Citgo station on Packerland Drive, was one of two tickets that correctly picked the jackpot on Wednesday night. The two winners will now have the option to split a $450-million-dollar cash payment. No one has come forward to claim the prize.