(Madison) Governor Tony Evers is encouraging Wisconsin residents to support local businesses, safely, as the holiday shopping season ramps up amid the coronavirus pandemic. Evers says for many small businesses, the holiday season is a major source of their income. And for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, the governor is encouraging everyone to shop small, shop local and shop safely, using curbside pickup or online shopping. This year’s holiday shopping season is especially important for local retailers who’ve struggled during the pandemic. -WRN
(Dodge County) Wisconsin health officials are reporting 5,095 positive coronavirus cases in Thursday’s daily update. There are 74,658 active cases in the state, a decrease of 575 from Wednesday. The state reported 62 deaths bringing that total to 3,240. Dodge County has experienced 70 deaths, and 8,149 cases to date. Washington County reported one death yesterday while two were reported in Jefferson County and four in Fond du Lac County.
(Beaver Dam) A Reeseville man was convicted Wednesday of trying to run from police while in custody. Ricky Hardy pled guilty to one felony count of Escape and had a misdemeanor Obstruction charge dismissed. Hardy ran from a residence in Reeseville when officers came to arrest him on a parole violation. After being taken into custody, Hardy was transported to the Beaver Dam Hospital where he again fled but gave himself up a short distance later. The 41-year-old was placed on probation for three years.
(Beaver Dam) A Waupun woman is facing charges in Dodge County Circuit Court for allegedly kicking a police officer and spitting on hospital staff. Brittney Belden was reportedly driving under the influence when she was arrested on November 14. Belden reportedly refused a preliminary breath test, as well as field sobriety testing, and started shouting expletives at authorities as she was taken into custody. While being escorted to a hospital room for a blood draw, Belden reportedly kicked one officer multiple times. Later she allegedly spat in a nurse’s face. If convicted, the 26-year-old faces up to over six years in prison.
(Juneau County) A conservation warden with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been arrested for being armed while intoxicated. Authorities say the case involving Warden Michael Weber was not domestic violence. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is handling the case after it was handed off by Juneau County due to a conflict of interest. Authorities got involved after a 9-1-1 hang-up call while a husband and wife were arguing. A disorderly conduct complaint has been referred to the Monroe County District Attorney for possible charges. -WRN
(Beaver Dam) The contract has been extended for Beaver Dam’s Community Development Manager but not without debate from city officials. The economic development role is tasked with attracting new businesses and residents to the city. At the most recent council meeting, Alderman Ken Anderson accused the (quote) “mayor and her cronies” of failing to revisit the contract in April, as required in the ordinance. Alderwoman Jaci Shelton disagreed and noted that Anderson, who is chair of the city’s Administrative Committee, was just as responsible as anyone for the oversight. Anderson said committee chairs should not have to track every contract noting that is the responsibility of department heads. In the end, the contract was extended with two dissenting votes.
(Madison) The Better Business Bureau is warning people with student loan debt that scammers are using the recent settlement made by Navient to try to get people’s money. Scammers are calling people claiming to be from that company and claiming they can forgive some or all of their debt…if they pay them a new fee every month. The BBB recommends people who get such a call to just hang up and look elsewhere for official loan forgiveness programs. -WRN
