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DCF head reflects on first year

August 10, 2009 By

The Secretary of the state Department of Children and Families says the agency has accomplished much in its first year.

Governor Doyle launched the agency last summer, with the goal of restructuring how the state provides assistance to families. Secretary Reggie Bicha says they've been working to streamline the bureaucracy of state services, improve access for low-income families, and improve the use of technology.

Bicha says one major achievement was the creation of an online public database of licensed child care providers. It allows parents to look up facilities in their area, along with any violations or enforcement actions taken by the state. Bicha says it's proven quite popular, with over 1.5 million hits in the last year.

DCF hopes to further expand the database to include ratings of child care providers, so parents can see the types of services they provide. Bicha says the state funding to expand the database also includes resources to help low-scoring facilities improve the quality of their care.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:06)

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Not too many seatbelt violations yet

August 10, 2009 By

Apparently there hasn’t been a rash of tickets issued in Wisconsin for not being buckled up, although traffic safety officials are hoping Wisconsin’s new primary enforcement seat belt law will get more people to “click it.” Lieutenant David Pabst of the State Patrol says compliance in Wisconsin has been running around 74 percent, well below the national average.”I think we’ll get up to the (national average of) 83 percent,” says Pabst. ” People are going to realize that they can get stopped merely for not wearing a seatbelt. You can save your life just by clicking.” The law took effect July 1st, but Pabst doesn’t think a rash of tickets have been handed out so far.

Submitted by John Colbert, WIBA

Filed Under: Transportation

Brewer bats silent against Astros

August 10, 2009 By

Yovani Gallardo did his job, holding the Houston Astros to 2-runs, but the Milwaukee Brewers ace didn't get any offensive support in a 2-0 loss to the Astros. 

Geoff Blum clubbed a 2-run homer in the 4th inning, giving lefty Wandy Rodriguez all the offensive support he would need in winning his 6th straight game (11-6).  Rodriguez worked 7-shutout innings before giving way to the bullpen. 

The Brewers left 12 runners stranded and were 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position.  Several times, the Brewers hit balls deep into the outfield, only to see Houston centerfielder Michael Bourn run them down.

The loss dropped the Brewers a game under .500 and 6-games behind the front running St. Louis Cardinals in the Central Division race.  Today is an off day. The Brewers host San Diego beginning tomorrow night.

 

Filed Under: Brewers, Top Story

Blood donors needed … for pets

August 10, 2009 By

Animal blood donors are desperately needed.

It’s not something we think about, but pets need blood when they get injured or sick just as their owners do. And, summer seems to be the busiest time.

“People are out and about, and animals are out and about. So we’ll see a lot of injuries, animals being hit by cars, dog bites, cat bites, things like this where they’ll require blood products.”

Milwaukee ER Veterinarian Marla Lichtenberger, DVM, says in addition to summer injuries, pets require blood for illnesses, just as people would. The owner of Milwaukee Emergency Center for Animals says she started out using blood donated from the pets of hospital staff members, but that’s not enough for the 24/7 hospital and critical care facility.

“Because of the large numbers of patients that we’re seeing, we have a large number of patients that are requiring blood products. And even animals like we have had some cases of a ferret and even a rabbit that needed blood, too.”

Blood can be stored for about 30 days, while plasma can be stored for up to a year — frozen plasma for up to five years. Lichtenberger urges people to consider donating the blood of their healthy cat or dog to help reduce the shortage. Her hospital makes it worth your while. As you help other animals, each donor pet receives a free health exam and full blood work-up for every donation. In addition, there is a $25 hospital credit given for each donation. Check with your local veterinarian for donation locations.

Criteria to donate blood:

  • Cats and dogs need to be younger than 8 years old.
  • Animals must be healthy
  • Cats must weigh more than 10 pounds.
  • Dogs must weigh more than 50 pounds.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:42 mp3)

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Human Interest

Blood donors needed … for pets

August 10, 2009 By

Animal blood donors are desperately needed.

It's not something we think about, but pets need blood when they get injured or sick just as their owners do. And, summer seems to be the busiest time.

"People are out and about, and animals are out and about. So we'll see a lot of injuries, animals being hit by cars, dog bites, cat bites, things like this where they'll require blood products."

Milwaukee ER Veterinarian Marla Lichtenberger, DVM, says in addition to summer injuries, pets require blood for illnesses, just as people would. The owner of Milwaukee Emergency Center for Animals says she started out using blood donated from the pets of hospital staff members, but that's not enough for the 24/7 hospital and critical care facility.

"Because of the large numbers of patients that we're seeing, we have a large number of patients that are requiring blood products. And even animals like we have had some cases of a ferret and even a rabbit that needed blood, too."

Blood can be stored for about 30 days, while plasma can be stored for up to a year — frozen plasma for up to five years. Lichtenberger urges people to consider donating the blood of their healthy cat or dog to help reduce the shortage. Her hospital makes it worth your while. As you help other animals, each donor pet receives a free health exam and full blood work-up for every donation. In addition, there is a $25 hospital credit given for each donation. Check with your local veterinarian for donation locations.

Criteria to donate blood :

  • Cats and dogs need to be younger than 8 years old.
  • Animals must be healthy
  • Cats must weigh more than 10 pounds.
  • Dogs must weigh more than 50 pounds.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:42 MP3)

Filed Under: Health & Medicine
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