Leader Staff
Area officials are emphasizing a three-pronged approach for residents battling the dangerously cold temperatures that have so far marked this winter season.
“The message we’re pushing is to check on your neighbors, conserve propane and have a backup plan — someplace to go if you run out,” Shawano County Emergency Management Director Natalie Easterday said.
Temperatures were expected to rise Wednesday, loosening the grip of recent subzero wind chills, but there are no predictions of getting anywhere above freezing in the near-term forecast.
The cold forced area school districts to cancel classes Tuesday, while the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department announced warming shelters would be available through Wednesday.
The centers and their hours for Wednesday are Shawano County Courthouse, 311 N. Main St., Shawano, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Village of Wittenberg Community Center, 208 W. Vinal St., Wittenberg, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Any public government places will be open,” said Jaime Bodden, Shawano County public health director.
Unfortunately, Bodden said, the county has no resources for assisting residents when those public places are closed.
“We have no capacity or capabilities for overnight stays,” she said.
Bodden said the county can refer people in need to facilities in Outagamie, Marathon and Portage counties.
Sarah Bartz, economic support supervisor for Shawano County Social Services, said there are energy assistance and weatherization programs available to area residents.
Households with incomes at or below 60 percent of the state median income ($47,485 annually for a family of four) may qualify for assistance under the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program to pay for home heating and electric costs.
WHEAP services are provided locally through Shawano County Social Services, Menominee County Health and Human Services, tribal governments and other agencies.
NEWCAP Inc. offers weatherization programs in seven counties, including Shawano and Menominee. The program is funded through the state of Wisconsin with funds from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program.
To qualify, residents must have an annual income at or below 60 percent of the state median income guidelines and have applied for WHEAP assistance.
“They’ll go in and determine any need for an upgrade,” Bartz said.
In the event homeowners have to leave their homes because they’ve run out of propane or are unable to afford to keep it heated, help is also available in how to fortify the residence against the cold, so homeowners don’t return to problems like broken or frozen pipes.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program to pay for home heating and electric costs.
WHOM TO CALL: Shawano County Social Services, 715-526-4700; Menominee County Health and Human Services, 715-799-3861; WHEAP, 866-432-8947 or www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov.
WHERE: In Shawano, applications for energy assistance can be picked up at the Shawano County Job Center, 707 E. Elizabeth St.; Shawano Municipal Utilities, 122 N. Sawyer St.; and Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St.
WHAT: Applications for weatherization assistance.
WHERE: NEWCAP, 1201 Main St., Oconto.
WHEN: Office hours are 7 a.m. to noon and 12:30- 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
FYI: Applications also are available online at www.newcap.org.