Wisconsin News and Sports
The Rock County sheriff’s office is investigating the death of a Janesville man. Commander Tom Gehl says 36-year-old Christopher Kealy was found after a short search Sunday afternoon. His family had reported him missing after he had gone hunting west of Janesville. Gehl says Kealy had suffered a gunshot wound which appears to be accidental, although the investigation into the death is not complete.
WCLO’s Beth Wheelock submitted this report
Despair has turned to hope in a matter of days for those trying to locate a warming shelter for the homeless in Fond du Lac. Solutions Center Executive Director Lindee Kimball says the Parish Council of St. Paul’s Cathedral voted unanimously Sunday to make their St. Ambrose building available to shelter the homeless overnight during the winter months. She says they also learned that Agnesian HealthCare is awarding them a $10,000 matching grant to help with expenses.
Someone has already anonymously given $5,000 towards that match. Kimball says the St. Ambrose building will work out great because it’s across the street from the Solutions Center women’s shelter and just down the street from their administrative offices. There’s still plumbing and electrical work needed for the building and it needs proper zoning from the city. Last Wednesday night the Holy Family Parish Council voted to support the Solutions Centers efforts, but preferred the warming shelter not be located at the Parish’s old St. Joseph Church.
KFIZ’s Bob Nelson submitted this report
The state Department of Health Services expands the H1N1 vaccination group to include healthy school age children and young adults. Seth Bofelli with DHS says that move comes after a survey of private and public health care providers. “What we found was that private health care providers – doctors’ offices, clinics and hospitals – they have about a week’s supply,” said Bofelli. “They’re primarily focusing on those with underlying health conditions, whereas the public providers have a little more vaccine available.”
AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:68 MP3)
Based upon the H1N1 vaccine supply and feedback from providers, Wisconsin is returning to the original CDC target group recommendations. Even though the numbers of cases of H1N1 appear to be decreasing here and nationwide, Boffelli said it’s a good idea to get the vaccine, and a seasonal flu vaccine as well.
There is still not enough H1N1 vaccine to open vaccinations to the general public statewide at this time. DHS continues to monitor the vaccine supply and will continue to expand the vaccine groups as quickly as possible.
Blood donations to the Red Cross typically drop off this time of year, but the need stays the same. Sarah Stevermer with the Badger Chapter of the American Red Cross says donations have been down recently, whether because of the flu season, or the economy. And this time of year, donations typically drop off. “Over the holidays, there’s a lot of people traveling, and right now we’re being confronted with the cold and flu season so people aren’t feeling well,” notes Stevemer. “There’s less people donating blood, yet the amount of blood we need every day doesn’t change. To find out where you can donate, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE, or check the web.
Promoting early holiday shopping is one way retailers are trying to adapt to the down economy, according to an expert at the Wisconsin School of Business. “This week there are many, many firms both online and in the brick and mortar stores saying ‘come on out.” says Deborah Mitchell, Executive Fellow, Center for Brand and Product Management at UW-Madison. Many of these promotions would traditionally begin the day after Thanksgiving.
Mitchell says companies are even using the term “black friday” with their customers which was traditionally a term among industry insiders meaning for the heaviest day of sales allowing a company to get into-the-black, from-the-red.
Mom-and-pop stores in Wisconsin have added challenges, according to Mitchell, such as the minimum mark up law, which requires companies to hike their prices a certain percentage above wholesale. However she says the “conscious consumption” of buying local, along with goods, service and relationships not seen with big box stores could give Wisconsin retailers an advantage.
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