http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/jfcphoto-s5.jpgReport shows state's former generally accepted accounting principles deficit eliminated at the end of fiscal year 2019-20 for the first time since Governor Thompson.

MADISON – Gov. Evers announced on Tuesday that he is appointing Elizabeth Rohl to the Pierce County Circuit Court. Rohl will fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Joseph Boles.

“Elizabeth Rohl will be a tremendous asset to Pierce County on the bench. She brings a wide range of experience with her and, having grown up in River Falls, she knows the community well,” said Gov. Evers.

Rohl, who lives in River Falls, is an assistant corporation counsel for St. Croix County, where she represents the county in court and performs a variety of transactional work. In this role, she represents the county in involuntary mental commitments, termination of parental rights cases, child support enforcement matters, and public records compliance. Rohl previously was an assistant district attorney and worked in private practice.

“I am extremely pleased that Elizabeth Rohl has been appointed by Gov. Evers to succeed me as Pierce County Circuit Judge,” said Judge Boles. “I am certain that she will serve the citizens of Pierce County with a high degree of dignity, respect for the rule of law, and respect for each and every individual who appears in her court. Elizabeth Rohl is an outstanding choice to serve as circuit judge.”

“I am honored and grateful that Gov. Evers has selected me to fill Judge Boles seat,” said Rohl. “Judge Boles is irreplaceable, but I am looking forward to serving the people of Pierce County and doing my best to live up to that legacy. I am committed to upholding a judicial system that is fair and unbiased and will strive to make a positive impact on our community.”

Rohl graduated from River Falls High School. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and her law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/icefishing-river-s5.jpgIce fishing to snowshoeing, cross country skiing to snowmobiling, Wisconsinites have many options to choose from to enjoy the outdoors while also preventing the spread of COVID-19.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-vaccine-shipmt-s5.jpgModerna, second FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine deemed safe and effective, should begin arriving at hospitals and clinics across the state this week.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/emergency-shelter-appleton-s5.jpgWHEDA Foundation grants will help people all around Wisconsin with emergency shelter, transitional residences, and extremely low-income housing.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/congress-deal-121920-thill-s5.pngDemocrats reach agreement with Republicans and the White House on emergency coronavirus relief and omnibus budget package.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-vaccine-shot-s5.jpgFederal officials indicate Wisconsin will receive less Pfizer vaccine doses than expected.

West Allis clinic will offer treatment for mild to moderate cases to help prevent serious illness.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that the Alternate Care Facility (ACF) in West Allis will be opening an outpatient Bamlanivimab Infusion Clinic Tues., Dec. 22, 2020. Bamlanivimab was authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients. The clinic will be open seven days a week, except for Christmas Day and New Years’ Day.

“We opened the alternative care facility to make sure folks can get the care they need and relieve some of the stress on our hospitals,” said Gov. Evers. “We are always open to new ways we can evolve the ACF to meet Wisconsin’s needs and opening this new infusion clinic is another piece to that puzzle.”

Bamlanivimab works by helping to bridge the gap between a new virus entering the body and the body’s creation of antibodies to fight it off. This drug contains man-made antibodies that mimic the antibodies present in patients who recover from COVID-19 and could give the body more time to learn how to make its own antibodies. The goal of infusing Bamlanivimab is to limit the amount of virus in a patient’s body to help prevent serious illness from COVID-19.

The ACF Bamlanivimab Infusion Clinic will have the capacity to serve up to 84 patients per week, and will be set up in a separate area, distant from the ACF’s inpatient area. The ACF infusion clinic will only accept patients directly referred from a health system or individual hospital. No walk-in appointments will be offered.

This treatment option is recommended only for people with COVID-19 who are over the age of 12, have had mild to moderate symptoms for 10 days, and preferably 4 days, or less, and are at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. Banlanivimab is not for people who are already hospitalized or require oxygen therapy due to COVID-19. The ACF infusion clinic will only be treating adult patients, with priority given to those 65 and older or meeting other criteria putting them at high risk of developing serious illness.

Find the latest information about Wisconsin's COVID-19 response on the DHS COVID-19 webpage, and follow @DHSWI on Facebook and Twitter, and @dhs.wi on Instagram.

Our veteran community in Wisconsin is at its best when organizations work together to provide care and assistance to our nation’s heroes says Gov. Evers.

MADISON —​ Gov. Tony Evers today with Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Secretary Mary Kolar announced $620,940 in grants were awarded to 16 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide financial assistance, entrepreneurship training, or other services to Wisconsin veterans and their families.

“Our veteran community in Wisconsin is at its best when organizations work together to provide care and assistance to our nation’s heroes,” Gov. Evers said. “Especially after a difficult year for all of us, when many of our most vulnerable veterans are hurting, it is critical that we support these important organizations that can serve as a lifeline to veterans and their families.”

Since starting in 2015, the WDVA’s grant programs have awarded more than $1 million in funding to organizations that have a goal of ensuring Wisconsin veterans and their families are properly cared for, and more than $770,000 in funding to non-profit organizations that provide entrepreneurship or technical, business, or other assistance to veteran entrepreneurs to improve employment outcomes.

“By supporting these 16 organizations through the WDVA’s Non-profit Grant and Entrepreneurship Grant programs, we are further honoring our commitment to service and maintaining Wisconsin’s status as a national leader in offerings to veterans and their families,” Secretary Kolar said. “We must ensure we take care of those who have sacrificed so much in our defense and provide them with the tools and resources they need to prosper.”

The WDVA is proud partners with these and other community and nonprofit organizations across the state, forming a network that has resulted in thousands of in-need veterans receiving vital assistance and resources.

This year’s Non-profit Grant recipients are: 

C.O.T.S., Inc., (Appleton) is awarded $25,000 for supporting and providing veterans experiencing homelessness with a safe and affordable place to live, food, household needs, and training on basic living skills.

Family Health Center of Marshfield, Inc., (Marshfield) is awarded $25,000 to establish a fund for the provision of additional financial assistance to veterans for dental care, effectively reducing or eliminating all out-of-pocket dental expenses for many veterans in need.

Fox Valley Veterans Council, Inc., (Appleton) is awarded $25,000 to provide for basic needs and to continue two vocational programs in collaboration with the Fox Valley Technical College. The program helps veterans by providing the necessary tools for employment and purchasing books for veteran students through the Veterans Book Assistance Fund. The grant funds will provide limited monthly rent payments enabling veterans and their families to obtain housing. In addition, the grant funds will assist with the costs associated with veterans moving into the Wisconsin Veteran's Village.

Heroes for Healthcare, Inc., (West Allis) is awarded $25,000 to continue to provide free services for veterans who have or are transitioning from military medical fields and seeking healthcare employment in Wisconsin. This grant will allow Heroes for Healthcare to lay the groundwork to create a program based on the foundation of Virginia’s Military Medics and Corpsmen Program. In addition, grant funds will assist in the hiring of an administrative coordinator, marketing, and reduce veterans’ costs not covered by the GI Bill.

HorseSense, Inc., (La Crosse) is awarded $25,000 for their HorseSense for Heroes program, which provides therapeutic equine services to veterans and their families. The grant will be used to support the program through the continued employment of a Veterans Program coordinator and supervisor and to provide care for horses, supplies, and equipment for lessons.

Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative (West Allis) is awarded $25,000 to be used for general operating expenses and to support numerous programs for veterans and their families. Those programs include Crisis Management, the Emergency Food Pantry, and the Women Veterans Initiative.

New Community Shelter, Inc., (Green Bay) is awarded $5,000 to support programs including the Emergency Shelter Program for Veterans and the Transitional Living Program for Veterans. Both programs provide veterans with shelter, case management, case management services, employment, education, and life skills services.

Rock Valley Community Programs, Inc., (Janesville) is awarded $5,000 to support the rehabilitation and repair of 12 veterans transitional housing service apartments. Rock Valley Community Programs provides transitional housing to veterans with studio style apartments; case management; educational groups for emotional regulation; life skills training; sobriety maintenance; health, wellness, and addiction therapy; and substance abuse recovery services.

Trinity Equestrian Center Kids Kamp, Inc., (Eau Claire) is awarded $25,000 to support their pilot program, Forgotten Veterans, which is a collaboration between Trinity Equestrian Center and Stanly Correctional Institution. Trinity Equestrian Center will conduct Equine Assisted Psychotherapy for incarcerated veterans battling PTSD, depression, anger, and anti-social behavior.

United Service Organizations (USO) Wisconsin (Milwaukee) is awarded $25,000 to continue the support for and expansion of programs at Fort McCoy to include mobile centers, food, new staff, expansion of storage, event supplies, and technology.

Wisconsin Veterans Chamber Foundation, Inc., (Milwaukee) is awarded $25,000 to support the creation of the Veterans Economic Wellness Report. The Wisconsin Veterans Chamber Foundation will engage with researchers at UW-Milwaukee to compile available data and research, and create an annual report providing accurate information on issues impacting the quality of life of Wisconsin veterans and their dependents to identify and monitor the critical needs of Wisconsin’s veteran population.

Wisconsin Veterans Network, Inc., (West Allis) is awarded $15,000 to support the Intake, Assessment, and Advocacy Programs, including salaries for their Navigators and emergency funds used to assist veterans in crisis situations.

This year’s Entrepreneurship Grant recipients are:

Fox Valley Technical College Foundation, Inc., (Appleton) is awarded $99,940 to conduct two Innovation Accelerator for Veterans cohorts, which provide entrepreneurial training and technical support, networking opportunities, one-on-one mentoring, and seed funds for startup/growth expenses.

Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc., (Green Bay) is awarded $75,000 to support a new connecting point for veterans through coordination with their Startup Hub and Urban Hub entrepreneurial spaces. The initiative will work to assist transitioning service members and spouses and connect them to veteran-ready employers prior to separation.

Wisconsin Hero Outdoors (Pewaukee) is awarded $96,000 to support and expand the Veteran Internship Program. The program allows veteran-students, particularly those in underserved populations, to obtain firsthand experience on how to start a nonprofit organization and how to operate and grow the organization. The grant funds will allow the program to increase the number of veteran-student participants by hiring a development director to oversee the program and allow WHO to increase advertising.

Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce, Inc., (Milwaukee) is awarded $100,000.00 to support the Veteran Business Initiative program. The grant funds will be used to support education, networking, and promotional programming dedicated to supporting veteran-own businesses across Wisconsin. By coordinating existing resources, offering educational programming for veterans, and organizing a new market of consumers, the program aims to create opportunities for sustainable growth of veteran-owned business.

More than 5,000 ornaments created by Wisconsin kids sent to veterans’ homes, hospitals, long-term care facilities across the state. Wisconsin Executive Residence holiday decorations adapted to be enjoyed outdoors and virtually.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and First Lady Kathy Evers today announced that more than 5,000 “Hope” themed handmade ornaments crafted by students across Wisconsin were sent to more than 50 hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, service providers for people with disabilities, and veterans homes and housing centers to help spread hope across the state this holiday season. Students sent in nearly double the number of ornaments typically received in previous years. A full list of hope ornament recipients is available here.

The governor previously announced “Hope” would be the 2020 theme for holiday ornaments created by Wisconsin students to celebrate and reflect on what hope means to them, their families, and their communities. Ornaments created by students in Wisconsin are traditionally displayed on a tree in the Wisconsin State Capitol Rotunda. As the Capitol remains closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Evers announced ornaments would instead be sent across the state to share hope with frontline healthcare workers and Wisconsinites who might not be able to see their loved ones this holiday season.

“We were frankly blown away by the number of ornaments we received to send statewide, which speaks to not only the creativity of our students, but the overwhelming hope and resilience you'll find across our state,” said Gov. Evers. “These ornaments are a true act of kindness that will bring holiday joy and hope to many of our frontline healthcare workers, essential workers, and the vulnerable folks they care for.”

Gov. Evers and First Lady Evers have also adapted Executive Residence holiday decorations to ensure Wisconsinites can enjoy the residence safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the Executive Residence's holiday decorations have been moved outside this holiday season for Wisconsinites to enjoy safely as they drive, bike, or walk past. Wisconsinites can also virtually tour featured decorations in the interior of the Residence here, including the “Hope” tree, which is decorated with a collection of “Hope” ornaments from students across Wisconsin.

“Many families across the state have had to adjust or change their holiday traditions in order to keep everyone healthy and safe, and here at the Executive Residence it is no different,” said First Lady Evers. “I am glad that we were able to continue this holiday tradition of honoring our service members and sharing the stories of Wisconsinites through the decorations at the Residence.”

The interior decorations also include the “Tribute to our Troops” tree honoring Gold Star families, which features cabin-themed ornaments, created and donated by Linda Hughes and Joan Johnson, that represent a new cabin to be built in Northern Wisconsin for use by past and present service members and their families. Additionally, the tree features ornaments contributed by the family members and loved ones of those who have served or are currently serving our country, and representation from each branch of the armed forces. Wisconsinites can enjoy the “Tribute to our Troops” tree virtually here.

In addition to the “Hope” tree and “Tribute to our Troops” tree, the living room features Alzheimer's and Dementia Awareness Trees and purple holiday décor, which is the recognized color of the Alzheimer's awareness movement.

A more complete description of both the interior and exterior decorations at the Executive Residence is available here.

First Lady Evers and the Wisconsin Executive Residence Foundation (WERF) are once again conducting holiday book and food drives throughout the holiday season. Both drives will be conducted virtually this year. True to the First Lady's work in this area, the book drive focuses on social and emotional wellness books for kids. More information can be found and donations made at https://www.mysterytomebooks.com/. Food drive monetary donations can be made at https://www.secondharvestmadison.org/ and https://www.waukeshafoodpantry.org/.