Federal Marketplace Health Insurance Open Enrollment Through Jan. 15 – More Options Available

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the office of the governor.
 
Gov. Tony Evers, together with Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Mark Afable, and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake, on November 1 urged Wisconsin residents to sign up for high-quality, affordable health coverage during open enrollment. 

On Mon., Nov. 1, 2021, open enrollment launched and will continue through Jan. 15, 2022. During this limited time, all Wisconsinites are eligible to get enrolled in one of the health plans available on the federal marketplace. Those who already have insurance through the marketplace can also renew, change, or update their plans during this period.  Enroll by December 15, 2021 for coverage that starts January 1, 2022.

“This pandemic has only underscored that we should be working to make sure everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare,” said Gov. Evers. “I urge folks to shop around on the marketplace and take advantage of the new, lower insurance rates that are available right now. Thanks to President Biden, this period lasts a few weeks longer than last year, but don’t wait—get enrolled today.” 

In 2020, the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) and Gov. Evers launched WisCovered.com as an accessible resource for Wisconsinites. By visiting WisCovered.com or calling 2-1-1, those looking for coverage can get connected with free, expert help with services available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. These experts at WisCovered.com can help Wisconsinites understand their coverage options and determine if they qualify for subsidized health insurance premiums through the marketplace or free coverage through BadgerCare Plus.

“Join the thousands of Wisconsinites who qualified for free or low-cost health insurance coverage last year,” said Commissioner Afable. “If you need health insurance, there are great plans available that cover doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital stays, and more. If you need help finding a plan that fits your budget, free assistance is available. Just call 2-1-1 or visit WisCovered.com for more information today.” 

“Signing up for high-quality, affordable health insurance is about more than having access to comprehensive medical care. By getting insured, you are investing in your health, and the health of those around you,” said DHS Secretary-designee Timberlake. “Here at the state’s health department, we want each and every Wisconsinite to have the ability to have the insurance coverage they need to prevent, treat, or recover from illness or injury. That is why I am urging all residents to take advantage of these resources during the open enrollment period so that every Wisconsinite can get signed up for health insurance.” 

Many Wisconsinites will benefit from lower rates and more insurance options in 2022. Rates on the individual market, which include plans available on Healthcare.gov, will be 0.3 percent lower in 2022 on average than rates in 2021. Many Wisconsinites can also find more insurer options than ever before.  

Facing Addiction at Roberta’s Art Gallery

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Roberta’s Art Gallery.

This November, Roberta’s Art Gallery is hosting one of their most powerful exhibits yet: “Facing Addiction.” The exhibit will feature portraits of individuals who have struggled with addiction created by late artist, Paul Smith, of the Madison area. The exhibit also features a memorial to Sam Moermond, a young adult who was accepted to attend UW-Whitewater, and would have graduated in the class of 2023. Sam struggled with addiction and recovered, but ultimately died during a relapse. “Facing Addiction” will be at Roberta’s Art Gallery from November 3-26.

Paul Smith was a Wisconsin artist who created illustrations, digital, fine art, and portraits. The idea behind his “Facing Addiction” collection/exhibit of portraits was to remove the stigma that can lie behind addiction, as he faced addiction first hand. Paul wanted to paint the picture that addiction is something that can happen to anyone, “dedicating the show to raising awareness about addiction in our culture, in an effort to reduce the deadly stigma attached to that word,” he says on his website. Paul also served as a Patient Services Assistant at Tellurian, Inc., a rehabilitation and detoxification center in Madison. There, he created a Creative Art Program where he taught painting and sketching as a form of therapy to individuals who were in recovery. He passed away in June 2021. To view Paul’s website, click here

Sam Moermond was a wonderfully gifted and kind soul who engaged his life with sympathy, empathy, and a smile. Sam also had to overcome many different health issues in his short life.  Following high school graduation, Sam took classes at MATC and was accepted to attend UW-Whitewater. After injuring his foot more than once, he was introduced to heroin, which began his struggle with addiction. Sam successfully overcame his addiction and helped many other individuals in their road to recovery, but ultimately lost his life during a relapse due to the unknown addition of fentanyl. Sam was 21 years old when he died. The exhibit features a portrait of Sam in memorial. To read more about Sam, click here.

Moermond’s family and friends endowed a scholarship with the UW-Whitewater Foundation to support students facing the same type of hurdles: The Sam Moermond Second Chance Scholarship. This scholarship will be available for the first time in the 2022-23 academic year and is intended to help students who may have struggled with addiction, have recovered from, or otherwise could use assistance. Student scholarship applications open in December. Any donations to Sam’s scholarship will go directly into the Sam Moermond Second Chance Scholarship. For more information about UW-W Foundation scholarships, click here

Roberta’s Art Gallery will host a virtual panel discussion, featuring speakers from multiple professions, discussing the topics of addiction and recovery at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 10 via the University Center’s Facebook Live. Afterward, there will be an in-person reception at Roberta’s Art Gallery.

Those facing addiction or other health challenges can reach out for help 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s  (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). UW-Whitewater’s on campus resources include: University Health & Counseling Services at (262) 472-1305, located at the Ambrose Health Center, open from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Winther Counseling Services is also available via (262) 472-2842, or at Winther Hall room number 3004, Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Roberta’s Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center (UC) at UW-Whitewater. The gallery hosts multiple exhibits each semester by collaborating with the artists–both locally and regionally. Many of our events will be held virtually and/or in person this semester. Our hours are Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Roberta’s Art Gallery prides itself on all of their exhibits being free and open to the public. This means anyone: whether you’re a student, a Whitewater community member, or someone wanting to support the artist or pay their respects, please stop by. For questions or further information, contact Roberta’s Art Gallery at (262) 472-3193 or ucart@uww.edu or visit our website

Healthy Snack Hack! at the Library

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library.

Registration required! Register at whitewaterlibrary.org
Presented by Walworth County WIC Program and UW-Madison Extension
Join us in-person in the Whitewater Public Library’s Community Room.

Walworth County Veterans Service Office Helps Veterans Recoup Millions in Benefits

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Walworth County Veterans Service Office.

The Walworth County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) is continuing its 76-year history of championing the veterans of Walworth County and their families. In 2020, the CVSO helped 743 veterans and/or family members. The latest federal report shows that Walworth County veterans and their beneficiaries received $22.4 million in disability compensation and pension benefits, $22.6 million in health care benefits, $2.3 million in education benefits, and $88,000 in memorial benefits. Additionally, the CVSO helped veterans and their family members secure $1.1 million in state benefits.

“We work tirelessly on behalf of our veterans and their loved ones,” says Veterans Service Officer Nathan Bond. “While our veteran population has decreased significantly over the last two decades, our post-9/11 veterans have a significantly higher chance of having service-connected disabilities, and continue to experience homelessness, financial distress, and mental health challenges. It’s our mission to make sure that the veterans who come to us receive the help they need and deserve.”

The Walworth CVSO is a free resource independent of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Its staff—many military veterans themselves— helps veterans and their beneficiaries navigate the often-complex VA benefits programs. This can include appealing previously denied disability compensation claims; applying for Wisconsin G.I. Bill education benefits; enrolling in VA health care; or providing referrals for employment or financial assistance, mental health counseling, or drug and alcohol treatment.

If you or a veteran you know need assistance, schedule an appointment with the Walworth CVSO by calling (262) 741-4222 or emailing veterans@co.walworth.wi.us. Learn more about their services at www.co.walworth.wi.us or by following the CVSO on Facebook at facebook.com/WalworthCVSO.

Banner note: The image on the homepage, “Veterans Day” by The U.S. Army is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

This Week’s City Meetings (UPDATED with Landmarks Commission)

City of Whitewater Equal Opportunities Commission – Monday @ 5:00 p.m.
Virtual meeting agenda

Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/588508429
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (786) 535-3211
Access Code: 588-508-429

Downtown Whitewater Board of Directors – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Virtual meeting
Agenda
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85730505854?pwd=eCtRZy84OVlOZzNvYndHTllqeEhr
UT09

Meeting ID: 857 3050 5854
Passcode: 814522
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,85730505854#,,,,*814522# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 857 3050 5854
Passcode: 814522

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes new aldermanic districts, prohibition on feeding wild animals, second reading of ordinance to permit ATVs/UTVs on certain streets within Jefferson County portion of the city, and use of TID funds for expansion of new private driveway to a public street (Arch Development on Tratt St.)
This will be an IN PERSON MEETING as well as a VIRTUAL MEETING
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us in person, or via computer, smart phone,
or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89739981654?pwd=VXg1N240NW10QnRLWmtPdVRHeEZIUT
09

Passcode: 224631
Or Telephone:
Dial1 312 626 6799 orr 1 877 853 5257 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 897 3998 1654
Passcode: 224631

City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
City Manager’s Conference Room
312 Whitewater Street
Agenda includes Consideration of Ordinance Change Regarding the Birge Fountain Committee and
Citizen Concerns Regarding Starin Park Water Tower

Fairhaven Fall Lecture Series: Science & Society – Connecting Research to Real Life

Interested in full schedule for the fall series? View, print and share the flier with others!

Lectures in the Fall 2021 series will be held virtually. Lectures may be held live via WebEx or pre-recorded, and videos of all lectures will be posted to our website. Videos of lectures can be accessed for free any time after they are posted online.

Looking for more lectures?  Presentations on everything from Shakespeare to the Milky Way Galaxy, Spring Training to Harriet Beecher Stow and much more can be found in our video library.  Find faculty lectures from the last decade and learn something new! Check out our website and follow us on social media for updates and how to access each lecture. For videos of past series, click here

Over 1000 Veterans Honored by DAR with Roses of Remembrance on Graves

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Eli Pierce-Fort Atkinson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Eli Pierce-Fort Atkinson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored over 1000 veterans during three days of placing Roses of Remembrance on graves in Jefferson, Whitewater, and Fort Atkinson. This was part of a DAR Day of Service project held each October.

The Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. Members are direct descendants of American Revolution patriots. To learn more about the DAR, you may contact the local DAR Chapter Regent Nancy Olson at FTAEPDAR1992@gmail.com, or check out the DAR website at www.DAR.org.

Pictured, left to right, DAR members Nancy Olson, Jane Klopcic, Penny White, Valerie Cole, Mary Narkis and Vickie Schicker at the Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Atkinson.

Photo by Nancy Olson

One Killed in Rear-End Crash Near STH 26 & CTH N


Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.


On Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 3:32 p.m., deputies from the Rock County Sheriff’s
Office, Milton Police Department and the Milton Fire Department responded to a two
vehicle crash with injuries occurring on N STH 26, north of N CTH N, in Milton Township.
Investigation showed a 1990 Dodge W250 truck with a trailer being driven by a 30 year
old male from Elkhorn, WI was northbound on N STH 26 and began to turn into a
driveway. A 2019 Hino 238 Commercial Box Truck being driven a 37 year old male from
Fort Atkinson, WI was also northbound and struck the rear end of the trailer being towed
by the Dodge truck. As a result of the collision, a 35 year old male from Fort Atkinson,
WI that was riding passenger in the 2019 Hino 238 Commercial Box Truck was pronounced
deceased at the scene.

The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification and will be released
at a later time by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

N STH 26 was closed for approximately 5.5 hours for investigation and towing and
recovery operations and was re-opened shortly before 9:00 P.M.

The Rock County Sherriff’s Office was assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol, MD1,
Janesville Fire/EMS, Clinton Fire/EMS, Rock County Highway Department, and the
Medical Examiner’s Office.