(Wisconsin) The situation at many Wisconsin hospitals remains critical due to COVID-19 according to Department of Health Services Secretary designee Andrea Palm, who says Wisconsin is still at a critically high disease activity level. Palm says 34-percent of hospitals report a current critical staffing shortage and 40-percent project that they will have a critical staffing shortage within a week. – WRN
(Wisconsin) A coronavirus relief package from the Wisconsin Legislature will have to wait until next year. Incoming Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu says he does not plan to bring the Senate back for an extraordinary session in December. Lawmakers are set to return to Madison in January. LeMahieu says he’s not yet reviewed the entire package of relief legislation from Assembly Republicans. Governor Tony Evers says the next round of coronavirus aid needs to come from Congress. – WRN
(Dodge County) Wisconsin health officials are reporting 4,618 positive coronavirus cases in Thursday’s daily update. There are 64,646 active cases in the state, a decrease of 1,280 from Wednesday. The state reported 60 deaths bringing that total to 3,562. Dodge County has experienced 75 deaths and 8,622 cases to date.
(Wisconsin) Wisconsin is among 43 states asking Congress to extend federal pandemic relief funds known as the CARES Act. It expires December 30th. Attorney General Josh Kaul joined the bipartisan group of attorneys general Monday. The letter sent to Congress asks the spending deadline for COVID-19 relief funds to be moved to the end of next year. The two-point-two-trillion-dollar economic stimulus bill was passed last March. Kaul says the December 30th deadline made sense, initially, but the ongoing pandemic shows that the relief should be continued. – WRN
(Waupun) A Burnett man was charged yesterday (Thursday) with burglarizing a bar in Waupun. Terry McCubbins, who worked at the establishment as kitchen help, allegedly took roughly $2,500 in September. Security footage reportedly captured McCubbins wearing the same exact clothing he wore during the crime as he did while working his previous shift. When questioned, McCubbins initially denied his involvement but later allegedly admitted his actions. If convicted, the 44-year-old faces no more than 12-and-a-half years in prison. An initial appearance is scheduled for December 21st.
(Jefferson) Authorities in Jefferson County are searching for a classic car that was stolen. Sheriff’s deputies took report Wednesday that a fully-restored 1969 Red Chevy Camaro was taken from the Township of Jefferson on Highway 18. The vehicle’s registration is 69-CMR0. The suspect also took numerous tools. Anyone with information is asked to reach out to law enforcement. Contact information along with photos of the Camaro can be found with this news story at DailyDodge.com.
(Wisconsin) The State Supreme Court has decided against taking up President Trump’s lawsuit against the state’s election results. In a 4 to 3 decision, the court said that they would not hear the President’s challenge. Swing justice Brian Hagedorn sided with the liberals on the court, and said that the President needs to go through the normal court process in county courts first, before bringing the case to the Supreme Court. Attorneys for President Trump say the campaign will file lawsuits in both Dane and Milwaukee Counties. – WRN
(Beaver Dam) There is no Beaver Dam Holiday Parade but there is still plenty going on. Santa will be seeing children on Saturday from the drive-thru of Summit Credit Union from noon-to-3pm and BMO Harris Bank from 5:30pm-to-7pm. There will also be holiday giveaways for kids at several locations in Beaver Dam, including Slumberland Furniture, Beaver Dam Cinema, the Family Center, Martial Arts America and Tower Lanes. The theme of the Downtown Decorating Contest is “holiday sparkle.” The Dodge County Center for the Arts has opened their annual holiday gift gallery. The 2020 Red Kettle Concert has gone virtual this year, streaming on Facebook Sunday, hoping to raise money with online donations as there are no bell ringers this year. And of course, there is the Christmas Lights Display at Swan City Park sponsored by the Rotary beginning each night at dusk.
