(Watertown) A Watertown teen accused of making threats against her school made her initial appearance in court Monday. Elizabeth Higgins allegedly posted a picture to Snapchat late last week that showed three assault rifles in opened gun cases with a caption that read “yes do not come [to] school tomorrow.” Authorities allegedly tied the account the picture was posted under back to Higgins. Officials with the school, not named in the criminal complaint, where notified and Higgins was brought to the assistant principal’s office before entering the building. Higgins reportedly told police that the photo was fake, and the threat was not legitimate. If convicted, the 17-year-old faces over four years behind bars. A signature bond was set at $1,000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 16th.
(Beaver Dam) Elementary students in Beaver Dam public schools will continue to wear masks. Two weeks ago, the school board lifted the mask requirement for middle and high school students, the only age groups then eligible for vaccinations. Last night the board indicated it would make sense for the elementary mandate to stay in place for now, but the matter should be revisited next month as the vaccinations become more widely available.
(Dodge County) The Dodge County Health Department reported one additional COVID-related death in their Monday update. The total now stands at 230 with 201 confirmed and 29 probable deaths. The seven-day daily average of new cases per 100-thousand people is 40.6, an increase of 10 since Friday and 15 cases above what health officials classify as the “tipping point.” Dodge County remains in the “very high” activity level for COVID according to the Wisconsin Department of Health. So far, 47.6-percent of Dodge County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine while 45.4-percent have completed the vaccination series.
(Milwaukee) COVID vaccines are available for kids in Milwaukee Public Schools. The biggest school district in Wisconsin is teaming-up with the Milwaukee health department to start vaccinating kids between five and 11-years-old starting Monday. Kids wanting a shot need permission from their parents. – WRN
(Portage) The Columbia County Health Department will be hosting several free walk-in COVID vaccine booster clinics in Portage. County health officials say the clinic will be for the one-and-done Johnson and Johnson and Moderna booster shot. Doses are only offered to those 18 and older. The clinics will be at the Human Services Building located at 111 East Mullett Street in Portage. The first clinic will be Wednesday from 11am to 5pm, the second on Friday, November 19th, from 8am to 4pm. More information about the COVID booster shot is available at DailyDodge.com.
(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Fire Department will be holding a pinning and promotional ceremony for several members of their department tonight. Captain Lee Smith will formally be promoted to deputy chief, replacing Matt Christian who retired in May. Two lieutenant’s will receive their additional bugle for being promoted to captain while three firefighter/paramedics will be promoted to lieutenant. The ceremony will be held at 6:30pm in the lower truck room at the fire department. The public is welcomed to attend. Video of the ceremony will be posted to DailyDodge.com shortly after the event.
(Fond du lac) A Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s drone not only located a lost hunter in the Eldorado Marsh Sunday evening, but the hunter was able to follow the drone to waiting firefighters. The 41-year-old Fond du Lac man called the County’s Communications Center around 5:40pm and GPS coordinates from the phone helped to locate him. That was when the drone was deployed. A UTV was utilized to bring the man to safety. Aiding the Sheriff’s Department in the search were the Eldorado and Lamartine Fire Departments. No injuries were reported.
