News – September 7, 2021

(Juneau) September is Preparedness Month in Wisconsin. Safety officials encourage everyone to take a few minutes to ensure they have the tools needed to respond to potential disasters and emergencies in their community. Dodge County Emergency Management Director Amy Nehls recommends creating an emergency plan and to practice that plan. Nehls says citizens should also prepare an emergency kit with the four P’s: pills, pets, purses and phones.

(Wisconsin) State health care officials are reminding people that it will soon be time to get the 2021 flu shot. They say getting both your flu and COVID vaccines will drastically reduce your chances of having to go to the hospital with a respiratory illness. The demand for the COVID vaccine has gone up a bit since the Pfizer shot was granted full approval by the FDA. – WRN

(Dodge County) In Dodge County, 45.1-percent of the population has received one dose of the COVD vaccine while 42.1-percent have completed the vaccination series. That number is 45-percent in Fond du Lac County, 46.9-percent in Washington County, 47.1-percent in Jefferson County, 56-percent in Columbia County, and 46.1-percent in Green Lake County.

(Wisconsin) The number of Afghan refugees at Fort McCoy is now over 8,000. Officials at Fort McCoy say nearly 88-hundred Afghan refugees are staying there, and spokesperson Cheryl Phillips says up to 13-thousand refugees could be supported. There are currently around 14-hundred soldiers on base helping to support the refugees. Fort McCoy is one of eight U-S military bases offering temporary housing for refugees who are trying to get away from the Taliban. – WRN

(Beaver Dam) Beaver Dam’s Water Utility plans to flush fire hydrants throughout the city beginning today. The flushing will mainly occur between 6am and 3pm Monday through Friday, with weekend flushing as needed. Director of Utilities Rob Minnema says flushing should take just under a month, beginning today and continuing through October 1st.

(Watertown) Watertown’s Water Department also plans to flush hydrants throughout the city. Flushing will mainly occur between 5am and 1pm beginning next Monday (September 13th), with one crew starting on Main Street and a second will begin on Hospital Drive. City officials say flushing will continue that week Tuesday through Friday from 7am to 3pm and the week of September 20th. More information about hydrant flushing or if you experience rusty water is available on the city’s website. A link will be on DailyDodge.com.

(Beaver Dam) Alliant Energy was recently named a Top Utility in Economic Development. The annual list, in Site Selection’s magazine, recognizes companies for their contributions to community development and job creation. It is the third year in a row that Alliant Energy was listed.

(Wisconsin) Students are heading back to school, and it’s important to make sure they stay safe with all those new online devices they might have. State Consumer Protection Administrator Lara Sutherlin says online apps and websites might ask for much more information than they actually need when you are signing up for things. She says it’s good practice for parents to restrict payments on their kid’s digital accounts so that they are not accidentally spending money on apps or games. – WRN