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Dane County Emergency Management Encourages Winter Preparedness: Dane County Emergency Management Encourages Winter PreparednessNovember 18, 2024Andrew Beckett, (608) 628-8075Emergency Management MADISON – Winter weather can be unpredictable, with freezing cold temperatures, heavy snow, and icy conditions all possible in the months ahead. Nov. 18-22 is Winter Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin and Dane County Emergency Management encourages everyone to plan ahead for the upcoming season. “Winter storms can make it difficult to travel, keep people in their homes, and cause power outages,” said Dane County Emergency Management Director Charles Tubbs. “The best time to prepare for winter weather is before snow and cold temperatures are even in the forecast. Making sure you have a plan and a stocked emergency kit can help keep you and your loved ones safe.” According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Dane County’s highest single day snowfall total during the 2023-2024 winter season was 13.2” measured in Deerfield on Jan. 13. The coldest temperature in the county last winter was minus 14 F, recorded in Madison and Stoughton on Jan. 15. The first step to being prepared for winter is staying weather aware. Check the forecast daily through the NWS, local media, or a trusted weather app on your smart phone. If snow or cold conditions are expected, be ready to react and change plans if needed. “Staying weather aware can help you make smart decisions about whether to spend time outdoors, update travel plans, or stock up on essential supplies in case you are stuck at home for a few days because of snowy or icy conditions,” said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard. “Check in with trusted sources of information regularly so you can stay up to date on what to expect.” The NWS recently simplified their cold weather terminology to make it easier for people to recognize the types of hazards associated with dangerously cold temperatures:  Wind Chill Watches have been renamed to an Extreme Cold WatchWind Chill Warnings have been renamed to an Extreme Cold WarningWind Chill Advisory haven been renamed a Cold Weather AdvisoryExtreme cold temperatures can be dangerous, leading to cold-related illnesses and injuries. If spending time outdoors, dress for the weather by putting on several layers of loose-fitting clothing, instead of a single heavy layer. Cover exposed skin to reduce your risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Be sure to keep the safety of pets in mind as well by limiting their time outdoors in cold conditions. When traveling during the winter months, ensure your vehicle is prepared for ice and snow. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle with essentials like food, a flashlight and batteries, cell phone charger, snow shovel, blankets, extra warm clothing, and kitty litter to help give your wheels traction if you get stuck in the snow. Remember to bring fresh water along whenever you travel. When snow plows are out on the road, give them space to work. Stay at least 300’ back from plows and never pass them. Be aware of changing road conditions and remember that bridges often freeze up first. Reduce your speed and do not use the cruise control on your vehicle. Prepare your home for the colder months ahead by scheduling a furnace tune-up and checking to see if caulk and weather stripping are in need of repairs. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors installed in your home and regularly test the batteries in those devices. Update home emergency kits and replace supplies that may have expired or run out, such as food, medications, first aid kits, and batteries. Winter storms can cause power outages. Having alternative power sources at home available can be important if you rely on medical devices that require electricity. Whether you are using batteries, a power bank, or a gas-powered generator, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations closely and keep safety in mind. Generators should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages. For more information on preparing for winter weather, visit our state partners at ReadyWisconsin. You can also follow Dane County Emergency Management on Facebook for updates on weather conditions and safety tips throughout the season. https://readywisconsin.wi.gov/be-informed/winter-storms/ Sign-Up https://em.countyofdane.com/emergency-alerts Additional Information https://em.countyofdane.com/   

TEST TW WEATHER

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1/13/16 Notice of Spring Primary and Sample Ballot

Notice of Spring Primary and Sample Ballots 

February 16, 2016 

OFFICE OF THE DANE COUNTY CLERK 

TO THE VOTERS OF DANE COUNTY: 

Notice is hereby given of a spring primary election to be held in Dane County on February 16, 2016 at which the officers named below shall be nominated.  The names of the candidates for each office, whose nominations have been certified to or filed in this office, are given under the title of the office, each in its proper column, together with the questions submitted to a vote, for a referendum, if any, in the sample ballot below. 

INFORMATION TO ELECTORS 

Upon entering the polling place, a voter shall state his or her name and address, show an acceptable form of photo identification and sign the poll book and show acceptable proof of identification before being permitted to vote.  If a voter is not registered to vote, a voter may register to vote at the polling place serving his or her residence, if the voter presents proof of residence in a form specified by law.  Where ballots are distributed to electors, the initials of two inspectors must appear on the ballot.  Upon being permitted to vote, the voter shall retire alone to a voting booth and cast his or her ballot except that a voter who is a parent or guardian may be accompanied by the voter’s minor child or minor ward.  An election official may inform the voter of the proper manner for casting a vote, but the official may not in any manner advise or indicate a particular voting choice. 

Where Optical Scan Voting is Used

The voter shall fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to the name of the candidate of his or her choice for each office for which he or she intends to vote.  To vote for a person whose name does not appear on the ballot, the voter shall write in the name of the person of his or her choice in the space provided for a write-in vote, and fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to the write-in line.  On referendum questions, the voter shall fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to “yes” if in favor of the question, or the voter shall fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to “no” if opposed to the question. 

When using an electronic ballot marking device (“Automark”) to mark an optical scan ballot, the voter shall touch the screen at the name of the candidate of his or her choice for each office for which he or she intends to vote.  To vote for a person whose name does not appear on the ballot, the voter shall type in the name of the person of his or her choice in the space provided for a write-in vote.  On referendum questions, the voter shall touch the screen at “yes” if in favor of the question, or the voter shall touch the screen at “no” if opposed to the question. 

After Voting the Ballot

After an official optical scan ballot is marked, it shall be inserted in the security sleeve so the marks do not show.  The voter shall insert the ballot in the voting device and discard the sleeve, or deliver the ballot to an inspector for deposit.  The voter shall leave the polling place promptly. 

A voter may select an individual to assist in casting his or her vote if the voter declares to the presiding official that he or she is unable to read, has difficulty reading, writing or understanding English or that due to disability is unable to cast his or her ballot. The selected individual rendering assistance may not be the voter’s employer or an agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a labor organization which represents the voter. 

The following is a sample of the official ballot:  Sample Ballot 

Scott McDonell, County Clerk