A View of the Valley

by Linda Schwanke I have a couple things I want to remind you of. First, the forecast is currently calling for an extended period of cold - ! – weather. I looked to ReadyWisconsin to see what they had to say about preparing for cold weather and staying safe. The Winter Weather Toolkit put together by the Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health, part of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, is pretty fascinating and I want to share some stuff that I didn’t know: Climate Trends  University of Wisconsin climate scientists have completed studies demonstrating that the state’s climate is becoming wetter and more variable. According to the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI), a 14 percent increase in wintertime precipitation occurred statewide from 1950 to 2006. Climate scientists suggest this trend will continue, with wintertime precipitation increasing into the mid 21st century. Trends also indicate that winter temperatures in Wisconsin are warming, increasing the likelihood that winter precipitation occurs as freezing rain rather than snow, making travel conditions more hazardous. Winter Weather Alerts  Freezing Rain Advisory  Any accumulation of freezing rain is expected in the next 12 to 36 hours (but will remain below a half inch) for at least 50 percent of the zone or encompassing most of the population.  Wind Chill Advisory  Wind chill is expected to exceed local wind chill advisory criteria in the next 12 to 36 hours.  Wind chill temperatures may reach or exceed 15 degrees Fahrenheit.   Winter Weather Advisory  A winter storm event (sleet, snow, freezing rain, snow and blowing snow, or a combination of events) is expected to meet or exceed local winter weather advisory criteria in the next 12 to 36 hours but stay below warning criteria. Criteria for snow is four inches or more in 12 hours or less covering at least 50 percent of the zone or encompassing most of the population. Use midpoint of snowfall range to trigger advisory (i.e., two to five inches of snow  advisory). Criteria for ice is any ice accumulation less than half an inch over at least 50 percent of the zone or encompassing most of the population. Winter Weather Advisory can also be issued for black ice. This is optional.   Blizzard Watch  Conditions are favorable for a blizzard event in the next 24 to 72 hours. Sustained wind or frequent gusts greater than or equal to 35 mph will accompany falling and/or blowing snow to frequently reduce visibility to less than a quarter mile for three or more hours.  Wind Chill Watch  Conditions are favorable for wind chill temperatures to meet or exceed local wind chill warning criteria in the next 24 to 72 hours. Wind chill temperatures may reach or exceed   There is lots more about preparedness, which we all need to keep in mind. I’ll share more as space allows. Second: You should know that if you want to absentee vote, you can. You don’t need a reason. You don’t need to make up an excuse. Say one of the poll workers is your son’s ex-wife’s mother-in-law by her latest husband. You know she’ll be perfectly polite and professional but you don’t want to see her. Vote absentee. It doesn’t matter why. If you’re uncomfortable with the pandemic, by all means make the request to vote absentee.  Here’s how: the easiest way is to go to  https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/VoteAbsentee You don’t have internet? That’s ok – you don’t have to have the internet for any reason, either.) Although there are lots of people out here that want it and can’t get it. But that’s being worked on.) You can call your municipal clerk:  The Village of Arena clerk is Danean Naeger, phone (608) 753-2133. The Village of Lone Rock clerk is Tammy Christianson, phone (608) 583-0088. The Village of Plain clerk is Sheila Carver, phone (608) 546-2047. The Village of Spring Green clerk is Wendy Crary, phone (608) 588-2335. The Town of Arena clerk is Joni Johnson-Kropp, phone (608) 588-5477. The Town of Bear Creek clerk is Sheila Carver, phone (608) 588-5554. The Town of Buena Vista clerk is Van Nelson, phone (608) 583-2406. The Town of Clyde clerk is Deanna Brennum, phone (608) 487-0795. The Town of Franklin clerk is Christine Elliott, phone (608) 415-8516. The Town of Honey Creek clerk is Crystal Fahrenkampf, phone (608) 477-0304. The Town of Spring Green clerk is Vicky Terpstra, phone (608) 588-3235. The Town of Troy clerk is Mary Zins, phone (608) 544-3549. The Town of Wyoming clerk is Mary Lloyd Jones, phone (608) 588-9000. Elections this year, listed on the Wisconsin Elections Commission website, are: Spring Election: April 5 (voting for all Wisconsinites) Fall Primary: August 9 (voting for all Wisconsinites) Fall General Election: November 8 (voting for all Wisconsinites) Stay in touch. My phone number is (608) 574-3159 – call or text me anytime. You can also email me at homenewseditor@newspubinc.com or write to me at the Home News, P.O. Box 39, Spring Green WI 53588.  Visit our website at homenewsrv.com 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  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.