A View of the Valley

by Linda Schwanke Today, November 11, is Veterans Day. A day when normally veterans all over the area would be attending programs at the schools and giving children a chance to thank them for serving our country. This year, sadly, that isn’t possible.  In last week’s Home News, we featured a message to our veterans from our youngest learners at River Valley Early Learning Center and River Valley Elementary School. The kids outdid themselves. Principal Carla Peterson did, too. My thanks to them all. In years past running from program to program on Veterans Day never got old. The kids were always happy to have something new and different to learn – and get out of class perhaps. The veterans were always so patient and kind and generous of their time. It’s just one more thing that the pandemic has taken away from us. One more thing that isn’t safe for us to do. It is for the best but it’s not easy. I hope everyone enjoyed the Veterans Day tribute as much as I did. I am deeply grateful to the men and women veterans who have served our country and to those who now serve and are not yet veterans. It’s an important thing to do. I think they could teach us all a thing or two about honor and selflessness.  Speaking of things we should learn, ReadyWisconsin has announced that this week is Winter Awareness Week. Apparently November didn’t get the memo but sooner or later winter will arrive. Here is what ReadyWisconsin is telling us: Wisconsin winters can bring beautiful snowfalls and great opportunities for outdoor recreation. They can also result in dangerously cold temperatures and icy conditions. To help encourage everyone to be prepared for the months ahead, Governor Tony Evers has declared November 9 through 13 Winter Awareness Week in Wisconsin.  “While Wisconsin typically experiences most of its winter weather from late November through April, this season got off to an early start with several parts of the state receiving a late-October blast of snow,” said Dr. Darrell L. Williams, Wisconsin Emergency Management administrator. “It’s an important reminder that winter weather can be unpredictable, so you need to be prepared early on for what Mother Nature may throw at us.” During Winter Awareness Week, ReadyWisconsin encourages everyone to learn about risks common to winter months. Be prepared for snow and icy conditions that could impact travel on roadways, make sure you have emergency kits in your vehicle and at home, and ensure your home and vehicle are prepared for the extreme cold temperatures the state often experiences. “Take time during Winter Awareness Week to make sure your emergency kits have fresh supplies, schedule a tune-up for your furnace, and winterize your vehicle,” Williams advised. “Don’t wait until dangerous winter weather is in the forecast to get you and your family ready.” Winter emergency kits should include items such as food, water, a flashlight and batteries, and blankets. In your vehicle, include a snow shovel, extra gloves and hats, face masks, and kitty litter or sand to help give your wheels traction on icy roads in case you get stuck. According to the National Weather Service, Wisconsin experiences an average of three to six winter storms during the season. Last winter, the city of Bayfield in Bayfield County received the highest one-day snowfall of 25.0 inches on December 1, 2019. Upson in Iron County recorded 143.2 inches of snow last winter, giving it the highest seasonal snowfall total in the state. The coldest temperature recorded in Wisconsin was -39 degrees Fahrenheit on February 15, 2020 in Mather, located in Jackson County. Winter driving can be extremely hazardous. Between 2015-2019, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation says an average of 43 people were killed and 4,138 were injured each year in crashes on icy or snow-covered roads in the state. On average, there are about 18,000 vehicle crashes in the state each year caused by poor winter driving conditions. “During the winter months, it’s important to check current road conditions before you head out,” Williams said. “Consider cancelling travel plans, if you don’t need to be on the roads. If you can’t avoid driving, make sure you have an emergency kit in your vehicle, slow down, and make sure someone knows where you’re going and that you have arrived safely.” You can check travel conditions for most major roadways in the state by using 511 Wisconsin, a state Department of Transportation service updated regularly with the latest traffic and road conditions on major routes throughout the state. This information, along with live traffic cameras and traffic alerts, can be accessed through the free 511 Wisconsin mobile app, @511WI on Twitter, or the mobile-friendly site www.511wi.gov. You may also find updates through local government websites and social media accounts. View ReadyWisconsin’s full Winter Awareness Week information at https://tinyurl.com/y2pwqxx3. Find more tips on getting ready for winter at http://www.readywisconsin.wi.gov. Follow ReadyWisconsin on Twitter (http://twitter.com/ReadyWisconsin) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ReadyWisconsin) for daily safety tips and severe weather updates.  Stay in safe today and always. Please wear a mask and stay home whenever possible. Don’t gather in groups large or small. Keep your social distance with everyone except those you live with. The coronavirus is sweeping our area. Too many people are very, very sick. We’ve lost too many people to this horrible disease. Stay in touch. My number is 574-3159. Email me at homenewseditor@newspubinc.com or write to me at the Home News, P.O. Box 39, Spring Green WI 53588.   The news deadline is 12 noon on Mondays.  Get in touch with Gwen for sports or features at homenewssports@newspubinc.com. If you need a display ad, Dave Pronold can be reached at homenewssales@newspubinc.com or by calling him on his cell at 588-4777. Display ads, or ads that are in boxes, are due by 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. The classified ad deadline is noon Thursdays the week prior to publication for both the Buyer’s Guide and Home News. Classified rates are $13 for the first 10 words, then 30¢ per word for each additional word. Call (608) 767-3655 or email classifieds@newspubinc.com  Legal notices are due by 2 p.m. on Fridays, email them to legals@newspubinc.com Call the NewsPub central office at (608) 767-3655 for subscriptions and all other information Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, although afternoon hours can vary. Closed Fridays.