Aug. 17, 2021 10:10p; Updated at 10:30p with incentives details
From WGTD News:
The latest Racine homicide victim is a 41-year-old woman whose body found in a residence on Edgewood Ave. Friday. Police said Rebecca Rannow died of multiple gunshot wounds. They were called to the home for a welfare check early in the evening. In a social media post, Rannow's brother describes his sister as the "sweetest, happiest and kindest" person he's ever known. In a news release, police said that Crime Stoppers of Racine is offering a reward for any information that leads to an arrest. The number is 636-9330. It's unclear whether the victim lived in the home where her body was found, but a 2020 court file indicates that Rannow at least at one time had lived at a location on Edgewood Ave.
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It's a go for unvaccinated City of Racine residents to get paid to receive the shots. The Racine City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to authorize the administration to come up with a plan as a means of boosting the city's lagging vaccination rate. The city is planning on offering $50 gift cards to city residents for each shot they receive. Another incentive would be available for vaccinated city residents who bring in friends and relatives. $600,000 will be set aside for the program--it's money that's coming from federal COVID recovery dollars. The only debate was whether residents should receive an incentive to get booster shots. The amendment was defeated on an 8-4 vote. City Council President John Tate called the proposal premature, since details of any booster shot program have yet to be announced.
Shortly after the council authorized funding for the program, the city came out with details of the offer. Unvaccinated but vaccine-eligible residents will qualify for one $50 gift card per dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or a pair of $50 gift cards per dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. The latter only requires one dose. In addition, vaccinated people who bring in friends and relatives for shots will qualify for a $50 gift card per person. There is no cap. The gift card incentive program is available at clinics run at city hall, Regency Mall or at city or AMI Health supported pop-up clinics.
The gift card program goes into effective immediately and will be in place until the gift card supply runs out.
The program is only open to City of Racine residents. Residents will be asked to verify their addresses.
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Racine is losing a city council member but gaining a transit director. Mayor Cory Mason has appointed Trevor Jung to the position of Transit Manager, filling a vacancy created by a retirement. Jung, who's in his second term as alder of the 9th district, currently serves as chair of the Transit Commission. Jung is a 2017 graduate of UW-Milwaukee, where he majored in urban studies. He's currently employed as a career specialist at Carthage College. Jung said at Tuesday's city council meeting that his new position is a "dream job" and he thanks his constituents and his council colleagues.
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