News

News from Public Health Sauk County

Sauk County, Wis. —  Public Health Sauk County, in partnership with Central Wisconsin Community Action Council and O’Connell Pharmacy, will host a vaccine clinic on Friday, April 5th. The clinic will run from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM and will be held at 230 4th Ave in Baraboo (Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library). This is not a library-sponsored event.

Sauk County, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced that Sauk City Waterworks has been awarded a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in drinking water to a level that is effective for preventing tooth decay. The award recognizes those communities that achieved excellence in community water fluoridation by maintaining a consistent level of fluoride in drinking water throughout 2022.

Sauk County, Wis. — In the coming years, Sauk County will receive at least $2 million in Opioid Settlement funds as a result of national lawsuits against opioid-related corporations. In the fall of 2023, Public Health Sauk County surveyed the community to gather suggestions on how to use these funds locally to address the opioid crisis.

236 people completed the survey, most of whom work, live, and/or serve people in Sauk County. Respondents were mainly people who worked professionally and/or personally to support people impacted by substance use.

Reedsburg, Wisconsin -- Do local stores and bars sell alcohol to youth under age 21? To find out, the Sauk County Partnership for Prevention coalition worked jointly with Reedsburg Police Department. They conducted compliance checks in January 2024 at licensed alcohol retailers across Reedsburg. In these checks, underage buyers use their own Wisconsin ID to attempt to purchase alcohol.  

Sauk County, Wis -- Public Health Sauk County and local hospitals have launched a Community Health Survey of area residents ages 13 and older. The 5-minute survey asks what is going well in the health of our communities and what needs improvement. The survey is available online and on paper in both English and Spanish. Everyone who completes it has a chance to win 1 of 10 $100 gift cards.

Sauk County, Wis -- Public Health Sauk County and SSM Health are excited to announce a potentially life-saving tool in the Baraboo community: a free public health vending machine. The machine has Narcan Nasal Spray, Deterra medication disposal kits, and listings of local mental health and substance use resources. It is in the front entrance of the SSM Health St. Clare Hospital – Baraboo Emergency Room. The free supplies are available to all community members and visitors 24/7/365.

Sauk County, Wis -- Every year about 11,500 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States. Anyone that has a cervix is at risk for cervical cancer, but almost all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a virus that spreads from one person to another through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It often causes no symptoms, so a person may not even know that they have the virus.

Sauk County, Wis -- Many people find that the holidays are a warm and happy time of year. However, those living with mental health or substance use issues, as well as people feeling grief, may have a hard time around the holiday season. To create a safe place for visitors and youth, Public Health Sauk County encourages safely storing alcohol, guns, and medicines at home.

Sauk County, Wis. — Public Health Sauk County has a new free e-learning Narcan® training available. This online training is self-paced and available anytime. It is for all community members, businesses, and organizations in our area. In this training, you will learn the signs of overdose and how to use Narcan® Nasal Spray. Narcan® is a harmless, life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose and save a life.

Sauk County, Wis. — The Sauk County Partnership for Prevention coalition is inviting parents/caregivers and community members to attend a free online educational webinar, Let’s Talk Vapes and Alcohol, on November 28th from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.