97.5 W F H R and 105.5 W I R I. Your Wisconsin Rapids Home or locally grown radio. Here's
your Daily News Roundup.
From the Wisconsin Rapids Local Newsroom, I'm Melissa K. Today marks one year since the
shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, Savannah Tome Olsen reports. Today Madison
remembers 14-year-old Ruby Vergara and 42-year-old Aaron West who were killed in the shooting. Six
others were shot, many were released from the hospital soon after. One student stayed in
the hospital for about six weeks, and another, Sammy Garduno Martinez, spent about nine
months at American Family Children's Hospital. He was shot at least four times. There was
a big celebration at the hospital in October, as Sammy was discharged and sent to a specialty
rehab in Illinois. Abundant Life Principal Jennifer Ray knows today is difficult for their
whole community. Each individual has a journey and we continue to press into that journey
of trauma and healing. We know it's an individual basis and we as a team, we lean into each individual
need and we press into what we value instead of avoiding this hard.
Former Principal Doug Butler got emotional as he talked about all the people who sent
messages, prayers and donations. We also reflect on the tremendous outpouring of support that we
received, not just from our church community, but from Madison and Dean Kelly around the state
and even across the nation and the world. We were well loved and cared for. The shooter died
by suicide. Her father has been charged with three felonies for allegedly allowing his daughter
to access guns. The Abundant Life Tragedy is the most deadly school shooting in Wisconsin history.
For Civic Media News, I'm Savannah Tome Olsen. The hepatitis B vaccine at birth for all newborns
is still being recommended in Wisconsin. This guidance from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
comes after the Center for Disease Control Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
voted to change the recommendation for when children should get the vaccine.
Wisconsin DHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ryan Westergaard says the Department
continually reviews high-quality research and data to make sure recommendations are based
on up-to-date and quality evidence. Dr. Westergaard continues that decades of data
support administering the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours after birth and the routine
three dose hepatitis B vaccine series within 18 months. Nearly 50 percent of people who have
hepatitis B don't know that they have it. The virus can damage the liver and lead to lifelong
health problems. Newborns can get the virus even if the parent receives a negative test during
pregnancy. When a newborn is exposed and infected, 90 percent of cases lead to chronic disease
according to the Wisconsin DHS. The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program is again available
for people in need of help paying their heating bills. Federal funding was delayed to the state
because of the federal shutdown, but it has now been received. Wisconsin Department of Administration
Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld says if you waited to apply because of the shutdown, you should apply
now. Eligibility is based on household income, household size, and the home's energy costs.
If approved, benefits are paid directly to utilities and fuel suppliers. You can find more
information and apply at energyandhousing.wi.gov. The Portage County Sheriff's Office and other
law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin have launched their holiday traffic safety campaign.
They're reminding you this holiday season to drive sober. Law enforcement will increase
patrols working longer hours to watch for impaired drivers now through new years. There were nearly
5,000 alcohol-related crashes last year statewide, with 153 deaths.
Average gas prices fell 5.3 cents per gallon last week. The average across the state on Monday
landed at 251. This is 26.5 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and over 25 cents lower than
this time last year. According to gas body officials, this is the third straight week of the
National Gas Price Average falling. It was at 285 on Monday, which is the lowest level we've
seen the national average since March 12, 2021. They say the downward trend may continue as we close
out the year. Wood County parks are being prepped for winter activities. Powers bluff tube and
ski hills will open for the season this Saturday. The multi-use trails there are already open for
cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat tire biking. The NEPCO Lake Park Nordic ski trail is
open for cross-country skiing only, and the Richfield 360 County Forest multi-use trails are open
for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat tire biking. The city of Wisconsin Rapids is
conducting a survey on public relations and communication tactics. You can complete it online at the
city website www.rapids.gov. Printed copies can also be picked up at the Mayor's Office in City Hall,
the Lowell Center, and McMillan Memorial Library. The survey closes on January 15.
Local news at the top and bottom of every hour throughout the day or on demand any time at
wfhr.com and wiri.fm. From the Wisconsin Rapids Local Newsroom, I'm Melissa K.
It's the Packers and the Bears. Hi, I'm I Clemens with sports. When the Packers play the Bears
Saturday night in Chicago, it'll be to regain the lead in the NSE North. The Bears now back in
first place after beating the Browns, the Packers losing to the Broncos and losing Micah Parsons.
On MRI confirmed, he suffered a torn ACL. Parsons likely won't be back until October,
missing the first four games of next season. Cheese quarterback Patrick Mahomes had his ACL
surgery last night. Doctors say they also had to repair a torn LCL as well. Women's College volleyball,
Wisconsin Badgers headed to Kansas City, where they'll play number one rank Kentucky. In the NSE
AA final four Thursday night, APM coverage on ESPN. You got a credible talent, great coaching
staffs. We played together and wanted to help us environments and in the game. I'm excited for
them to experience what's next because it's pretty cool. That's Badgers volleyball coach Kelly
Sheffield with sports on Mike Clemens. It is going to be mostly cloudy today with a high in the
mid to upper 30s this afternoon and basically just a light breeze here across the region. Tonight
partly to mostly cloudy, we're going to drop into the teens tomorrow, mostly sunny, with a high in
the mid 30s. I'm meteorologist Sean Cable. That's your Wisconsin Rapids News Roundup from WIRI
and WFHR, locally grown radio. Find more news anytime at WFHR.com and WIRI.FM.
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