Appleton Health Department

09/02/2026

September is Emergency Preparedness Month. 🧰

The recent EF-3 tornado was a powerful reminder that emergencies can happen quickly and change our daily lives in an instant. And with more storms in the forecast, there’s no better time to take a few simple steps to prepare.

One of the easiest places to start? Build an emergency kit. Having essential supplies ready for a power outage, severe weather, or another emergency can help you and your family feel more prepared when you need them most. Don’t forget to keep a kit in your vehicle, too!

What should you include? The CDC has a helpful guide for building an emergency kit: https://www.cdc.gov/disability-emergency-preparedness/people-with-disabilities/build-a-kit.html

A little preparation today can make a big difference when the unexpected happens.

08/31/2026

Need a reason to get out of the house with your little one? Come play, learn, and connect with us at Baby’s Night Out! 🧸✨

Our Public Health staff will be there sharing information and resources to help families reduce asthma triggers at home and learn more about lead-based paint safety.

We can’t wait to see you and your kiddos there!

Are you looking for a fun night out with your little one? Our next Baby’s Night Out at the BFK, sponsored by Wisconsin Swim Academy, is Wednesday, September 9 from 4:30 – 6pm! Join us for age-appropriate activities for babies and their families, including hand and footprint art, a sensory bin experience, storytimes, and more. There will also be opportunities to connect with other new families, listen to parenting presentations, and access resources from local community partners.

To learn more and register, visit https://www.buildingforkids.org/upcoming-events

08/27/2026

The beginning of a new school year means more time in the classroom, new friendships, and playdates in homes outside your own. It’s also a good time to talk about firearm safety and make sure children are protected by practicing secure gun storage.

August 24–28, 2026 marks the third annual SMART Week, a time to raise awareness about the critical importance of secure firearm storage and its role in preventing gun violence.

Fi****ms are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. Parents and caregivers can help keep children safe by remembering to:

•Secure all guns in homes and vehicles
•Model responsible behavior around guns
•Ask about the presence of unsecured fi****ms in other homes your
child visits
•Recognize the role of guns in su***de
•Tell your peers to Be SMART

Learn more about SMART Week and secure firearm storage: https://besmartforkids.org/smart-week/

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and safe school year! 🎒

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day! 🐾

Your dog may not want to bite Mom… but the parasites have other plans.

Wisconsin has seen high levels of tick activity this year, and ticks are typically active through November. That means tick season isn’t over just because summer is winding down.

Keep your best friend protected by checking for ticks after outdoor adventures and talking with your veterinarian about the best tick prevention for your pet. To learn more, visit https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/prevention/preventing-ticks-on-pets.html

Don’t let the parasites win. 🕷️

08/25/2026

August is National Breastfeeding Month, a time to recognize the importance of support for families throughout their feeding journey. 🤱🏽

Whether you’re preparing to chestfeed, navigating challenges, returning to work or school, or simply looking for someone to talk through your questions with, support is available.

The City of Appleton Health Department offers lactation support from trained Public Health Nurses, including a board-certified lactation consultant. Our team can provide guidance, answer questions, and connect families with additional resources to help meet their feeding goals.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 920-832-6429, Option 1, or visit the City’s Lactation Support website https://appletonwi.gov/government/departments/health/public_health_nursing/lactation_support.php

08/25/2026

We’re so proud to see Emergency Management Coordinator Cassidy Walsh recognized by the Post-Crescent for her dedication following the EF-3 tornado. Cassidy led the City’s Emergency Operations Center, helped coordinate the setup of Multi-Agency Resource Centers, and worked tirelessly to connect residents with the support they needed during an incredibly difficult time.

After working 230 hours in the three weeks following the tornado, Cassidy summed up her commitment simply: “It’s what needed to be done because people were struggling, and I don’t like that our citizens are struggling.”

We’re grateful for Cassidy and for the many City employees and community partners who showed up, stepped in, and kept moving forward when our community needed them most. 💙

Four municipal employees, among others, went above and beyond following the EF-3 tornado. Here are their stories. See link below ⬇️

📸 Dan Powers/Appleton Post-Crescent

08/22/2026

What does increased enforcement mean for how the City uses limited resources?💲

The increase in noise enforcement this year reflects several intentional changes in how the City responds to vehicular noise concerns. Changes to traffic patterns, K9 officer scheduling, internal education and expectations, updates to noise and towing ordinances, and grant-funded officer presence have all contributed to increased enforcement activity.

These changes allowed the City to respond to concerns identified by community members without investing in costly, invasive equipment dedicated solely to noise enforcement. Equipping officers with the tools and discretion to identify unlawful or intentionally disruptive behavior also helps focus enforcement on unsafe or willful violations.

At the same time, vehicular noise is only one of many factors residents identify as affecting their health and quality of life. In both the City's Community Health Assessment and the Tri-County Community Health Improvement Plan, residents identified mental health, housing affordability, childcare access, food security, and social isolation among their top priorities.

The full Community Health Assessment is available here: https://appletonwi.gov/government/departments/health/community_health/community_health_assessment.php

These priorities provide important context for conversations about how limited public resources are allocated. The City will continue responding to vehicular noise concerns while also considering how resources can address the range of issues residents identify as important to their health, safety, and quality of life.

The conversation does not stop here. A special joint meeting between the Board of Health and Safety and Licensing will take place this coming Wednesday to discuss Resolution 8-R-26 on the matter.

08/21/2026

Looking at both community concerns and enforcement activity can help provide a fuller picture of how vehicular noise is being addressed. Data shows that noise complaints in Appleton have remained stable for five consecutive years. What has changed is the City's approach to enforcement. 🔊

Appleton Police Department has expanded its use of enforcement tools and officer discretion to address issues including modified exhaust systems, unsafe behavior, and disruptive driving. This has resulted in increased enforcement activity related to vehicular noise, even while the number of noise complaints has remained relatively stable.

Looking at both the level of community concern and the resources being used to address it helps provide context for conversations about how enforcement priorities are established.

This is one part of the broader analysis. Follow along as we continue looking at the data, current practices, resource considerations, and community priorities related to vehicular noise.

Next, we'll look at how enforcement has increased without draining additional community resources.

For additional context and information, the supporting analysis is available here:
https://www.appletonwi.gov/police/community_resources.php

08/20/2026

Over the next three posts, we're taking a closer look at vehicular noise enforcement in Appleton. 🚓

Community concerns help inform conversations about public safety and quality of life, and understanding how enforcement works is an important part of that conversation. This five-part series will share data, current enforcement efforts, and some of the considerations that shape how the City approaches vehicular noise.

Appleton Police Department has increased noise-related enforcement by 43% this year, with 306 enforcement actions from January through May, compared with an average of 214 during previous years. The increase reflects additional enforcement activity without a corresponding increase in resident complaints.

Interested in learning more? The full data brief outlining the City's analysis of vehicular noise enforcement is available here: https://www.appletonwi.gov/police/community_resources.php

Follow along as we take a closer look at the data and the work already underway.

08/19/2026

Yesterday morning, our Public Health Department team took a little time away from the office for some team building and a tour of Goodwill NCW!

We enjoyed learning more about Goodwill’s mission to elevate people by eliminating barriers to employment and discovering the many services they offer beyond their retail locations. From job skills training and job placement support to financial wellness services, Goodwill provides valuable opportunities that help community members work toward purposeful and sustainable employment. 🩺🛠️🛍️

When people have access to meaningful employment, financial stability, and the ability to shape their own futures, our entire community benefits. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from our community partners and better understand the resources available to help residents overcome barriers and thrive.