Smiles for a Child Update (November 24th)
The Hombres Motorcycle Club and the Ithaca Lions remind families wishing to be served by this year's Smiles for a Child program, to pick up an application at the WCCU Credit Union, Highway 14 East, Richland Center. The applications need to be filled out completely and returned to the WCCU, Highway 14 East. Applications will be available until November 30 or whenever the available number of applications have been handed out, whichever comes first. November 30 is also the date the completed applications need to be returned to the WCCU. The applications are available in the WCCU lobby or the drive-through at the Highway 14 East location through Wednesday. Beginning Friday (November 27), applications will only be available through the drive through as the lobby at the WCCU will be closed to walk-in traffic. The applications include an envelope so that your information remains private. The Hombres and Ithaca Lions are concerned at this time that there are families who are struggling and could be well-served by the program who have not applied. Distribution in December will be a curbside pickup to provide safety for participants. Please help us pass the word.
Wisconsin Nine Day Gun Deer Season Preview
The 2020 Wisconsin Nine Day Gun Deer Season opens Saturday, November 21. WRCO's Morning Show welcomed Wisconsin Conservation Wardens Kirk Konichek and Cody Adams to share important information for all hunters.
Richland County Workforce, Attraction, and Resiliency Survey
Your voice is needed to help Richland County grow stronger. All residents and visitors are asked to contribute their input. The Richland County Workforce, Attraction, and Resiliency Survey is a critical part of developing an economic resiliency plan for the future. The brief survey is available on line until mid January. Click here to access the survey.
Smiles For A Child Update
Here’s an important update for the Smiles program: Applications for families desiring to be served by the program will be available at the WCCU Credit Union starting Monday, November 16. This is a change in location, made necessary by the announcement that Richland County Health and Human Services and the Community Services Building is closed at this time because of the pandemic. The Smiles for a Child applications will be available in the lobby or the drive-through of the WCCU Credit Union in Richland Center. Please note applications will only be available at the WCCU Credit Union offices Highway 14 East near Wal-Mart. Families should return the application in the envelope provided no later than November 30. The applications will first be available Monday, November 16 and will then be available until November 30 or until the all the available applications have been handed out, whichever comes first. The number of applications available will be determined by the dollars donated to fund the Smiles for a Child effort. All families who pick up applications are encouraged to carefully and completely fill out the forms before returning them.
2020 Tribute to Veterans
WRCO Radio was proud to present a special program Wednesday morning, November 11th during the Morning Show. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many Veterans Day programs at local schools had to be cancelled. As a tribute to veterans we broadcast a special Veterans Day program on WRCO.
Richland Hospital COVID-19 Update with Dr Richards and Dr Bard
Richland Hospital Chief of Staff Dr Christine Richards and Richland Hospital Clinic Medical Director Dr Neil Bard discuss COVID fatigue and other important information.
Richland Hospital Coronavirus Update
The Morning Show Friday, October 30th provided an important coronavirus update from the Richland Hospital.
Richland County Receives Government Grant
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a grant to Richland County and the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, to develop an economic resiliency plan that will diversify economic opportunities and reduce future flood impacts on Richland County’s economic base. Anthony Foti was in Richland Center this morning, performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce.
Flooding in Richland County every year from 2016 to 2018 has resulted in substantial damage and cost local governments more than $1 million. Richland County Board Chair, Marty Brewer, said that Lee Shirey asked to speak to the Richland County/Richland Center Ad Hoc Committee about a year and a half ago, which began the ball rolling.
This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019, which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by hurricanes, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, under the Robert T. Stafford Act.
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.
Richland County COVID-19 Testing
Richland County Emergency Management Director, Darin Gudgeon, has announced that Richland County has secured the ability to offer routine free COVID-19 community testing events twice a week at the Richland County Fairgrounds. Testing on Monday’s will be a Richland County event for residents only. The Thursday testing will be a Wisconsin National Guard event and is open to anyone. The Richland County Events are for Richland County residents only who meet specific testing criteria. The Wisconsin National Guard Events are open to Richland County residents and those in surrounding communities, age five and older, who are experiencing one or more symptoms of COVID-19 and for asymptomatic individuals per Public Health recommendations.
National Guard Testing will begin this Thursday and run each Thursday through December 3rd from 9:00 to 4:00. Please note however, that no testing will be done on Thanksgiving, November 26.
The Richland County testing events will be held each Monday from 9:00 to 1:00 through November 23rd.
Appointments are not required, but it is requested that those who wish to be tested pre-register at register.covidconnect.wi.gov. The website allows individuals to register for testing in advance with their personal information and gives them a QR code to scan at the testing site. Individuals who utilize this option will receive an email with their test results rather than a phone call. This website and technology will continue to be utilized at all Richland County community testing events.
Drug Take Back Day
Drug Take Back Day this year is Saturday, October 24. It is a national event offering a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs at locations in communities around the country. Last year’s October Drug Take Back Day brought in almost 442 tons of unused or expired prescription medication and vaping devices.
The Partners for Prevention Coalition and Richland Center Police Department will be working together to reduce prescription drug misuse in Richland County. They will be hosting a local Drug Take Back Day this Saturday from 10:00 to 2:00 at the Richland Center Police Department.
Items that will be accepted are: prescription drugs, over the counter medications, ointments, patches, non-aerosol sprays and inhalers, creams, vials, and pet medications. New this year they will also be accepting vape cartridges, minus the batteries.
Do not bring: illegal drugs, needles, sharps or aerosol cans, mercury thermometers or personal care products or household hazardous waste.
The Partners for Prevention Coalition and the Richland Center Police Department will be accepting items at the Richland Center Police Department this Saturday (October 24) from 10:00 to 2:00. Free medication lock boxes will also be available.
If you are unable to participate in the Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, there are permanent drop boxes available year round to deposit acceptable items. Drop boxes are located in the lobby of the Richland Center Municipal Building, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Viola Village Hall.
