School Announcement for Friday, October 30th

The River Valley School District has announced that, due to a water main break on the Spring Green campus, there will be no school for all students, Friday, October 30. This includes all virtual students. Classes will resume on Tuesday, November 3, as scheduled. A reminder that there is no school on Monday, November 2, as this is a scheduled teacher in-service day. High school students are reminded that teachers will be available via email Friday for questions regarding work due for the end of the first quarter. If students need to turn in work, the High School building will be open from Noon until 4:00. The football game scheduled for against Mineral Point Friday evening at 7:00 will be held as scheduled.

Dodgeville at Richland Center High School Football October 23rd

WRCO Sports featured Friday night football as Richland Center hosted Dodgeville for its Homecoming football game October 23rd.

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 Center at Dodgeville High School Volleyball October 22nd

WRCO Sports featured Thursday night WIAA Tournament Volleyball on the air as Richland Center traveled to Dodgeville on October 22nd.

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 3^rd 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 23^rd.

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.

Richland Center at River Valley High School Football October 18th

WRCO Sports featured Friday night football on the air as Richland Center traveled to Spring Green to take on River Valley October 18th.