by Kevin Zimmermann
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) – One less active case of COVID-19 was noted in Sheboygan County by the Division of Public Health in its daily report. The county total positive tests remain at 48, while 41 have now recovered, leaving 5 active cases and no hospitalizations. Another 36 persons were tested since Monday – all negative – resulting in a 7.3% positive return in Sheboygan County. One standard that needs to be met in order for Governor Evers’ “Badger Bounce Back” plan to put the first stage of reopening in play is 14 consecutive days of a downward trend in the percentage of positive test results. While Sheboygan County is doing well in that regard, state stats took a step backwards in the last 24 hours with around 9.9% positive returns as of Tuesday. Another 208 persons tested positive for a Badger total of 6,289.
Even as the state struggled to achieve benchmark trends, the Governor today ordered the opening of most state parks on Friday, May 1st. Some, like Harrington Beach State Park in Belgium, will impose restrictions on visitor numbers. Once reached, anyone wishing to enter the park will have to wait for another to leave. Kohler-Andrae State Park in Sheboygan is not subject to those restrictions, however limits may be imposed should numbers require it.
While the Dairy industry has struggled even without a pandemic to interrupt business, the coronavirus outbreak has put many farms on the brink of survival. To provide some relief, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Sheboygan has announced the creation of the Sheboygan County Dairy Farmer Fund. Financial grants up to $5,000, made possible by a local foundation, will be awarded to Sheboygan County dairy farmers who have been struggling to make ends meet. Wayne Griesbach, Executive Director of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Sheboygan, said: “I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the compassion and generosity of this foundation to provide these funds. The dairy farmers are more than deserving of this assistance.”
The foundation was not named and remains anonymous. Applications for the Sheboygan County Dairy Farmer Fund can be found on the Consumer Credit Counseling website – www.cccsonline.org, or by calling 920-783-6857. Funds can be used by farmers for paying expenses ranging from medical bills to farm/home mortgages, and the deadline to apply is May 13th.
