Every year, hundreds of thousands of cabins, cottages and lodges across the northern third of Wisconsin come back to life as their owners commence their annual summertime excursions to their home away from home. A majority are owned by people who live in the region, but one out of five of these owners live in the southern part of Wisconsin, and one in six hail from outside the state.
In a press release, this afternoon Dunn County Public Health Administrator KT Gallagher announced a new COVID-19 Administrative Order. The previous order 20-01 was set to end on May 26. The new order 20-02 extends the order through June 1, 2020 and clarifies the differences between what parts of the order are mandatory and those that are advisory.
The Department of Natural Resources has announced modifications to state park policies in an attempt to open up a little more while preserving the safety of parks employees and visitors.
Beginning Saturday, May 23, all Wisconsin state park system properties will return to regular operating hours of 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Properties will no longer be closed Wednesdays.
In Executive Order 77 Governor Evers has ordered all flags at state buildings be flown at half-staff for Memorial Day, starting at sunrise Monday morning.
We'll be running a live stream tomorrow (Friday, May 22, 1:00 PM) with Veronika Zazovsky, manager of the Menomonie Farmers Market, and Keith Bergeson from the Dunn County Health Department. We'll talk about the changes at the Farmers Market this year, and why there is no ready-to-eat food. Simultaneously broadcast on YouTube and Facebook Live. This is a new experiment. Keep your fingers crossed.
In a press release the Dunn County Fair Board announced that all in-person events for the Dunn County Fair are canceled for 2020. The fair will be limited to youth and 4-H events that can take place remotely.
Today Governor Tony Evers announced a new program to directly pay Wisconsin farmers for losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to increase food security for Wisconsin residents. The Wisconsin Farm Support Program will provide $50 million in payments to Wisconsin farmers and $15 million in payments to combat hunger.
A New York Times article on May 14, 2020 noted that Iowa hog farmers are estimated to euthanize 600,000 hogs in the following six weeks while Minnesota farmers already had killed 90,000 hogs. For these farmers, this pencils out roughly to losses of $96.85 million and $14.53 million respective for Iowa and Minnesota hog farmers (at $57.65/cwt for a 280 lb. hog).
MADISON—Gov. Tony Evers today announced a robust $1 billion statewide effort to support COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, acquisition of needed supplies, emergency operations, and resources for local communities throughout Wisconsin.
The effort is funded by $1.17 billion in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars.
Governor Tony Evers today announced a $75 million program of grants and initiatives to help small businesses get back on their feet and recuperate from losses due to the pandemic. $2500 grants will be available to assist with the costs of business interruption or for health and safety improvements, wages and salaries, rent, mortgages, and inventory. Businesses will be able to apply for grant assistance in early June.
The Eau Claire City-County Health Department has issued a new local health order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The new order is in effect until May 28 and extends the previous health order to provide specific guidance for businesses involving one-to-one services including hair-cutting and other personal services. This order for the first time would allow providing such personal services in the county.
