Newbriefs

Chickenpox in county

Grant County Health District is warning it has identified cases of chickenpox in county schools.

“Chickenpox is a contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that can have serious complications (including death), especially for those who are immune compromised or have other health conditions,” a press release from the district states.

Park Orchard Elementary, North Elementary and Longview Elementary have “confirmed and probable” cases, and the spread to other schools is highly likely.

There was also an exposure on Sept. 7 at the Source of Life church.

GCHD is advising individuals to check their children’s and their own vaccination status and to verify that they are up-to-date with the varicella vaccine.

Bodies found in burned home

Two bodies were found Tuesday in a house that burned in Bridgeport on Saturday.

Douglas County Sheriff Kevin Morris said deputies and firefighters answered dispatch to the 700 block of Old Highland Orchard Road just before 10 p.m. Saturday.

The structure burned to the ground. Two people escaped the fire, Morris said, but two were missing.

Investigators found two bodies Tuesday, believed to be the bodies of 53-year-old Paul S. Desjardins and his wife, Sandra L. Desjardins, 57.

An investigation into the cause and circumstances of the fire is still underway.

Cable company gets go ahead

Coulee Dam’s town council OK’d a franchise agreement with Charter Communications Sept. 12 to operate a cable TV network in town. It will pay the town a five-percent franchise fee on billings. The company is buying the assets of Customized Cable Service Inc.

School zones set

At the request of its police chief, Coulee Dam’s council passed an ordinance last week setting school zones on Crest Drive, Central Drive and Civic Way. The speed limit on town streets is 20 mph anyway, but fines double in school zones, he said.

Electric City adopts new dress policy

Electric City has adopted a change in their employee conduct policy, requiring employees for public works and at the Delano Transfer Station to wear shirts and hats provided by the city, with the Electric City logo, as well as to wear other appropriate clothing.

City Clerk Russ Powers told the city council at a recent meeting that transfer station workers wore marijuana hats, torn clothing, and a shirt with a naked lady giving the finger.

City in the running for grants

Electric City is ranked 15th out of 93 applicants for a $255,000 park grant through the state’s Recreation Conservation Office. Last year the top 20 applicants were awarded the grant. The city would match the grant for a total cost of $510,000 for the proposed Ice Age Park, according to City Clerk Russ Powers.

The city is also in the running for a $672,000 Department of Transportation grant for a proposed pedestrian pathway from Coulee Playland to Banks Lake Park. The city’s match would be $35,000.

Tourism marketing members re-appointed

Electric City Lodging Tax Advisory Committee members Rich McGuire and Lonna Bussert were re-appointed to the the LTAC which reviews applications for use of hotel/motel tax money and makes recommendations to the council for its use.