LITTLE GEMS

Governor Tony Evers signed SB 35 into law, creating Wisconsin Act 57, according to a press release from Senator Jesse James.
According to the release, the legislation creates an opt-in emergency contact feature with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Soon, Wisconsin residents will be able to provide an emergency contact assigned to their driver’s license or ID card, enabling first responders to connect with loved ones more easily. The bill text provides the Department of Transportation a six-month window to develop and implement the program, the release says.

This legislation has been implemented in other states, including Florida, where Milwaukee native Christine Olson worked hard to see it put into place after a tragic family loss. In 2005, Christine Olson, a Milwaukee native who now lives in Florida, lost her daughter Tiffany in a motorcycle crash. She wasn’t notified about the crash for six and a half hours. It wasn’t until 1:30 a.m. that she found out her daughter had died. The incident inspired Olson to start a petition to add emergency contact information to driver’s licenses.  It’s a great idea.

Place of the Week

The Opal Man on Broad Street is a great shop for unique and one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts.