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Slow down and take it easy around farm equipment during the harvest, says Farm Bureau

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More farm equipment is going to be out on county roads as the fall harvest continues, and farmers are asking people to slow down and take it easy.

Farm Bureau member Shane Goplin says that there’s never a good reason to pass a vehicle in a no passing zone, even if it’s a slow moving vehicle. 

“I’ve had instances where I was even making a right-hand turn and somebody passed me on the left over a blind Hill and it just sent cringes down my neck. You don’t know what’s coming around that corner, or over that hill and it could be dangerous, no doubt!”

Goplin says that if there is an issue, that farmers will try to make space for someone so that they can be properly passed but that drivers just need to have patience. 

“I’m constantly looking for a place where I can get off on a road or where I can get myself off a hundred percent off the road so they can pass.”

State law makes it illegal to pass a farm tractor or hauler in a no passing zone, but Goplin says that ought to just be good common sense in the first place. 

Trump pledges federal money to assist Kenosha

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President Donald Trump said federal funding will be provided for Kenosha, to help the city and its businesses recover from last week’s looting and damage following the shooting of Jacob Blake by a Kenosha police officer.

“We will provide one million dollars to the Kenosha law enforcement so that you have some extra money to go out and do what you have to do,” Trump said on Tuesday.

“I’m also providing nearly four million dollars to support these small businesses that I talked about today, that got burned up, burned down.”

Trump also promised “over 42 million dollars to support public safety statewide.” He said that would go to law enforcement, as well as for additional prosecutors and resources to provide services to crime victims.

 

Two arrested for OWI after weekend boat crash on Lake Butte Des Morts

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A boat collision that sent eight people into the water near Lake Butte Des Morts over the weekend resulted in no serious injuries – and two being arrested for OWI.

Winnebago County Sheriff’s Patrol Captain Greg Ciancolo says alcohol wasn’t the only factor.

“Both boats in this scenario did have legal lighting on them, but certainly being on the waterway at night, depth perception becomes an issue as well as reaction time.”

A larger boat was going just 2-3mph when it was hit by a much faster, smaller vessel – which ended up on top of it.

Be safe with your fireworks this coming Fourth of July Weekend

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We’re coming up on the Fourth of July and Wisconsin Emergency Management is reminding people to be safe with store bought fireworks.

Spokesman Andrew Beckett says you need to not only keep your fireworks safe and sane, you need to ensure that they’re allowed where you live.  

“Many communities have pretty strict bans on what is allowed within a municipality or even within a county so you want to make sure that you are observing what is allowed in your area.”

Beckett reminds people to only buy fireworks from reputable sellers and to make sure that kids aren’t using fireworks without supervision. 

“In the state last year there were 91 emergency room visits from people who were injured because of fireworks. Nationally we’re looking at an average of about 180 people a day who go to the emergency room.”

As always, be mindful of where you’re using your fireworks and that people are staying clear and enjoying themselves from a distance.

“It’s something to take very seriously and ensure that you’re using safety. You’re not putting other people or yourself at risk just because you’re celebrating.”

Find more safety tips at Ready Wisconsin.

National Guard ends public safety deployment in Wisconsin cities

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The Wisconsin National Guard has concluded its public safety mission in the state’s largest cities. Governor Tony Evers’ office said Tuesday that nearly 1,500 Guard personnel were mobilized, beginning May 30 in Milwaukee.

The Guard completed its work there on Monday, along with Madison, Green Bay and Racine. The mission in Kenosha wrapped up last week.

All the deployments came at the request of local officials in response to urban violence and looting that was largely separate from peaceful protests over the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

Remnants of Tropical Storm Cristobal to dump heavy rains across Wisconsin

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Wisconsin will be seeing the remnants of Tropical Storm Cristobal moving through the state.

National Weather Service meteorologist Logan Lee says we should expect to see extended amounts of rain and possible severe weather through Wednesday. 

“One to three inches of rain especially across parts of Southwest Wisconsin through Central Wisconsin and there could be localized pockets of more than that.”

Lee says we’ll see the perfect conditions for flash flooding and possible tornadoes. 

“We’re kind of getting that influx of the tropical moisture and the remnants of that tropical system so it’s a really juicy environment for heavy rain.”

Lee says it’s a good idea to have your weather radio running or have access to other ways to get storm alerts in the case that a tornado forms or if there’s flash flooding in your area.

National Weather Service to investigate weekend tornado spottings

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It could be Tuesday before we know more about storms that cut through Rock and Grant counties on Saturday.

A tornado was reported near the Interstate in Beloit on Saturday. The Lancaster Fire Department reported a funnel cloud as well.

Teams of National Weather Service investigators will look at damage on Tuesday, and try to figure out exactly what kind of storms hit those areas.

DNR cautions of continued high wildfire conditions

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Despite scattered rain showers this weekend, elevated fire conditions continue today through Wednesday. That’s especially true in northern Wisconsin, where the fire danger is high to very high due to low relative humidity and slower progression of green-up. Fires under these circumstances can start easily and spread quickly.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources responded to 16 wildfires over the weekend and now anticipate a slightly longer than average fire season.

COVID-19 deaths now at 14 in Wisconsin, first death reported in northern Wisconsin

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The death toll from COVID-19 is now up to 14.

New deaths were reported in Milwaukee, Ozaukee and Iron Counties. That death in Iron County was also the first positive detection in the county.

The Department of Health Services says the total number of confirmed cases is also up to 842, but is probably a lot more. Dr. Ryan Westergaard says that the likely total number of people with the infection could be up to 10 times as many people, but that most people who have the disease are not being tested for it. 

All of the state’s counties are listed as having a high chance of infection at this point. Dane County health officials put out an alert on Friday stating that community spread is in place in the county, and that anyone who ventures out into public should assume they’re being exposed to COVID-19.

 

Gov. Evers confirms first two deaths from COVID-19 infection

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State health officials and the Governor’s office are confirming the first deaths of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Governor Tony Evers and staff from the Department of Health Services confirmed Thursday night that two people have died from the COVID-19 coronavirus.

One of the victims was a man in his 50’s from Fond Du Lac County. The other victim was a man in his 90’s from Ozaukee County.

Evers says that his heart goes out to the families of the victims, and to everyone who’s dealing with the infection in Wisconsin. “We are committed to fighting the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin. Together we will get through this historic health challenge.”

Over 150 people have tested positive for the virus in Wisconsin as of Thursday afternoon.