Up North
Superior animal shelter sought $200,000 grant, but city balked
The Humane Society of Douglas County is seeking another $200,000 grant from the City of Superior to support the animal care services the organization provides at the city-owned animal shelter. But, as the Superior Telegram reports, the city’s Finance Committee on Sept. 25 recommended that the organization received $5,000. The recommendation was made after a discussion of the organization’s financial health and successful fundraising efforts. Citing about three years of operating expenses sitting in the bank, committee members didn’t see the need to award another $200,000 grant when other nonprofit organizations might need the funding. Committee Chair Jack Sweeney asked why the humane society needed the money when it has roughly $1.5 million in savings. “You’ve done a great job so I’m just hard-pressed to know why we should give you that kind of money,” Sweeney said. Mayor Jim Paine said if the humane society found itself in financial straits, the city would be willing to lend a hand to keep the organization afloat, however, he agreed the organization should draw down its reserves. The Superior City Council will consider the grant when it meets Tuesday, Oct. 7.
Northeast
N.E.W Pride Fest moves celebration to November at new venue
N.E.W. Pride Fest will go ahead with its annual festival, at a later date and location, organizers have announced. According to the Green Bay Press Gazette and a N.E.W. Pride news release. The event is now scheduled to take place Nov. 2 at the Oneida Casino Hotel, 2020 Airport Drive, Green Bay. The festival was initially planned for Sept. 19 and 20 at the Brown County Fairgrounds, but the organization postponed it due to “the increasingly charged political climate,” according to the Press Gazette. “We’ve been working hard to find a venue that offers the welcoming and secure environment our community deserves for this year’s celebration, and we’re thrilled to gather at this new location,” N.E.W. Pride said in a news release. See https://www.yournewpride.org/ for additional information
Dodge County communities draft preliminary emergency services deal
The city of Waupun and surrounding towns have drafted and presented a preliminary shared service agreement for fire and emergency protection services, according to the FDL Reporter. A Sept. 30 news release from the city said the agreement would allow the city to provide fire protection and prevention services to the town of Chester and designated portions of the towns of Trenton and Waupun. Waupun Fire Department and the towns’ Community Department have both operated out of the city’s public safety building, and they face rising call volumes, increased equipment costs and other challenges, according to the release. The draft of the agreement will be presented to the Waupun Common Council and town boards throughout October, seeking review and public input. If approved by each community, it would go into effect Jan. 1.
Central
Hunters, hikers asked to submit tick samples
Hunters and hikers are being asked to mail in ticks found on kills or clothing. The tick samples are being collected to study disease spread, according to a report in the Marshfield News Herald. The Marshfield Clinic Research Institute’s Tick Inventory via Citizen Science (TICS) has identified more than 5,400 ticks sent by Wisconsin residents this year, according an announcement, and researchers are still seeking contributions. Of the ticks collected, about 3,500, or more than 65%, are the American dog (wood) tick. The majority of the remainder are the deer (blacklegged) tick. The larger wood ticks are easier to spot than the smaller deer ticks. Hunters can check their kills for ticks and contribute those as well. Ticks are likely to be found near the eyes or ears, and it’s best to check as soon as possible as the ticks will start detaching as the body cools. Boxes of kits are available at Rib Mountain State Park, the George Mead Wildlife Area Education Center, Castlerock Veterinary in Marshfield and many Marshfield Clinic locations. For more information, or to request a collection kit, contact tics@marshfieldclinic.org, or 715-389-7796 extension 16462.
$3 million capital works project set for Green Lake opera house
Thrasher Opera House will be renovating its adjacent office building in Green Lake as part of a $3 million capital works project, the Oshkosh Northwestern reports. Called “Creating an Entrance,” the 12-month renovation project is slated to start in spring 2026, transforming the 5,000-square-foot space and current eight-stall parking lot into an outdoor area with a sculpture garden, mural, interactive outdoor instruments, covered seating and a patio space. The inside is set to feature a reception area, art gallery, gift shop and movable gallery walls for further programming. Sound panels, enhanced lighting and ADA-accessible restrooms will also be included. The project is being funded by public and private donations, with the Thrasher House raising more than $2 million in funds and committed gifts. “Many rural towns have lost their historic opera houses, so we feel incredibly fortunate that ours has not only survived but truly thrived and gets this chance to add another chapter to its story,” Thrasher Opera House Executive Director Rachael Avery wrote in a news release.
Driftless
Capital
Dane County executive announces hiring freeze plan
Dane County Executive Melissa Agard has announced she is planning to institute a hiring freeze for non-essential positions in the county’s government. Agard, according to WKOW.com, said because the county is facing a $31 million dollar structural deficit for its 2026 budget and there is additional funding uncertainty due to the federal government shutdown, planning for county services is more complicated. “Even before this shutdown, we were staring down difficult fiscal realities,” she said in a statement. “Costs for services and infrastructure continue to climb, while revenues remain flat. Now, with federal dysfunction creating additional uncertainty, it would be reckless to continue with business as usual.” Because of that risk, Agard said she will go the the Dane County Board meeting on Oct. 23 and lay out her hiring freeze plan.
Southeast
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The Waelderhaus in Kohler will host a rescheduled performance by the Irish music trio áthas at 2 p.m. Oct. 12, the Sheboygan Press reports. The concert, originally set for June, was postponed because of a heat advisory. áthas, which means “joy” in Irish, is known for its blend of traditional Irish tunes and engaging performances. The event is family-friendly and free to the public. If weather permits, the concert will be held outdoors on the Waelderhaus lawn. Guests are encouraged to take chairs or blankets for seating. In case of poor weather, the performance will move indoors. The Waelderhaus, 1100 Riverside Drive, Kohler, is an Austrian house museum managed by the Kohler Foundation. It is open daily for guided tours, except on holidays.
— Compiled by D.L. Davis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, USA TODAY NETWORK — Wisconsin
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Around the state
Reporting by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
