News

Fall art show focuses on local artists, artisans

Published by kjpasson on Mon, 09/30/2024 - 10:00am

Shawano’s annual fall art show Miles of Art features work from the northeastern Wisconsin community’s fine artists and artisans, shown at various sites around the county.

For 13 years, Miles of Art has aimed to focus on fine art and elevated craft, to share the area’s talent with attendees. The Oct. 6 event is free and open to the public.

Bonduel orchard everflowing with apples

Published by kjpasson on Mon, 09/30/2024 - 7:30am

“Something for everyone” isn’t an exaggeration for visitors to Everflow Farm and Orchard at W3945 Landstad Road south of Bonduel, especially at this time of year.

Visitors can pick their own apples or buy prepicked in the farm store. Raspberries are available to self-pick, and the owner doesn’t mind if visitors toss a few raspberries into their mouths.

People are welcome to just stroll through the orchard of more than 2,000 apple trees. Hay rides and a corn maze will be open soon. Apples are available to hand-feed to the cattle behind the farm store.

State’s potato crop value up 8% from 2022 to 2023

Published by kjpasson on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 10:22am

Wisconsin potato production in 2023 totaled 28.4 million hundredweight (cwt), up 8% from 2022, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service Potatoes 2023 Summary.

The state’s potato growers planted 68,000 acres, up 2,000 acres from 2022.

Harvested acres in 2023 were reported at 67,500, up 2,000 acres from the previous year. Average yield per acre, at 420 cwt, was up 5% from the previous year.

Price per cwt, at $15.50, was 10 cents below 2022. Total value of production of the state’s potato crop was $439 million in 2023, up 8% from 2022.

Watch for snakes, lizards, salamanders and frogs on Wisconsin roads

Published by kjpasson on Fri, 09/27/2024 - 10:58am

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages the public to report when and where they see frogs, salamanders, lizards or snakes, known collectively as herptiles, crossing the road during the late summer and early fall.

Fentanyl, meth mixed together major threat

Published by kjpasson on Fri, 09/27/2024 - 10:55am

Fentanyl continues to be a dangerous and deadly drug in America, but now it is being mixed in with other illegal substances and increasing the risk that the first foray into drug abuse could be the last for users.

Richard Rawson, retired director for UCLA’s integrated substance abuse programs, highlighted a conference Sept. 25 at the Menominee Casino Resort. He discussed how stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine are being laced with fentanyl in what Rawson described as the fourth wave of deadly drugs.

Library toured by ad hoc building committee

Published by kjpasson on Fri, 09/27/2024 - 7:51am

Mold and water damage, a leaking roof, cracks in the foundation and other physical issues with the Shawano County Library were discussed as the county’s ad hoc building committee gathered there Sept. 25.

“We started in the conference room in the northeast corner of the building,” said Grant Bystol, Shawano County highway commissioner and a member of the committee. “We removed all the interior insulation, drywall, tongue and groove paneling, and then we injected the cracks with a waterproofing urethane and poly sealer from the inside. That was still in winter.”

Wisconsin egg production dips from last year

Published by kjpasson on Fri, 09/27/2024 - 7:48am

Wisconsin egg production during August was 205 million eggs, down 5% from the previous August, according to the latest chickens and eggs report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The average number of all layers on hand during August was 7.64 million, down 5% from last year. Eggs per 100 layers

for August was 2,686, up slightly from a year ago. United States egg production totaled 9.08 billion during August, down 3% from last year.

Farmers make progress harvesting corn silage, cutting hay and seeding winter wheat

Published by kjpasson on Fri, 09/27/2024 - 7:48am

Wisconsin had 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork statewide for the week ending Sept. 22, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Above normal temperatures sped advancement in corn and soybean maturity. Mostly dry weather helped farmers make progress harvesting corn silage, cutting hay and seeding winter wheat. Other field activities included harvesting potatoes, spreading manure and fall tillage.

Harvest of soybeans and corn for grain was underway in portions of the state.

Lifeguard shortage at pool an emergency

Published by kjpasson on Fri, 09/27/2024 - 7:44am

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District recently completed some upgrades to its Darwin E. Smith Aquatic Center, but now it’s lacking the sufficient number of lifeguards needed to run it.

John Rudeen, aquatic center director, told the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School Board on Sept. 23 the center is experiencing its worst lifeguard shortage ever, with only a couple of lifeguards available when at least three times that number is needed to keep the center open for normal hours.

“I’m in an extreme lifeguard drought,” Rudeen said.

Strive land deal gets OK from plan commission

Published by kjpasson on Fri, 09/27/2024 - 7:42am

Strive Behavioral Solutions is planning a move from its current location on County Road B to Engel Drive, behind the new dental clinic.

The Shawano Plan Commission offered its recommendation for approval Sept. 25 of a land transaction between Strive and the city. The building is expected to take up the 4.3 acres left on the parcel where the future Wolf River Dental Clinic is going.

Strive has two clinics, one in Shawano and the other in Schofield. The company provides behavioral analysis services, therapy and support for families.