Around Town
ODIN & FREJA’S PLACE in Scandinavia just received a grant as one of only 29 live-music venues nationwide to qualify. Congratulations! Live Music Society is proud to announce the 29 recipients of our 2026 Music in Action Grants, awarding $844,000 to independent venues across 19 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
PROPERTY DISPUTE TO TRIAL: A jury will hear a dispute between the Village of Iola and business owner Mark McCoy over a condemned downtown property. The village says McCoy bought the building at a discount after the previous owner surrendered it, then failed to raze or repair it to satisfactory condition by Nov. 1, 2023. Read the Waupaca County Post article here.
NEW BUSINESS IN SCANDINAVIA: Njord’s Merkantil will showcase local artisans and handcrafted goods, giving visitors a chance to meet the makers behind locally created products and learn the stories that inspire their work. The offerings will highlight one-of-a-kind, high-quality items made with care in the community.
TOWN OF IOLA: The regular monthly meeting on June 29 will begin at 6 p.m. in the town hall. Among the agenda items are a town Facebook page and the Honken Certified Survey Map. Other discussions will involve roads and bridges, approval of the town books, and checks.
COMMUNITY SURVEY DEADLINE NEARS: The Iola-Scandinavia School District’s community survey closes June 29. Residents are encouraged to provide feedback via the district office or online.
STRAWBERRY FEST REMINDER: Iola Historical Society’s annual Strawberry Fest is set for Sunday, June 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the historical campus. Features include strawberry shortcake, pulled pork, hot dogs, and an antiques appraisal fair. Goodwill donations accepted.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING: The Iola Historical Society board meets Monday, June 29, at 5:30 p.m. at the Machine Shed, followed by a membership meeting at 6:30 p.m. The agenda includes a review of Strawberry Fest and the Lake Iola development.
Around the County
MANAWA ADDS LICENSE PLATE CAMERAS: Manawa became the latest Waupaca County community to install Flock automatic license plate readers to aid law enforcement. The Common Council unanimously approved the cameras. (Source: Waupaca County Post)
WAUPACA EASES SHED PERMIT RULES: Waupaca city officials eliminated building permits for small garden sheds to reduce red tape and save homeowners money. The change was approved on June 16. (Source: Waupaca County Post)
WEYAUWEGA SEEKS LAKE WEED HARVESTER: Advocates in Weyauwega are pursuing a $121,000 weed harvester and a state grant for Weyauwega Lake cleanup to address aquatic vegetation. (Source: Waupaca County Post)
Around the State
Here are the top overnight news stories from across Wisconsin:
MILWAUKEE OVERNIGHT SHOOTING: One person was critically injured in a shooting on Milwaukee’s Lower East Side early Friday morning. Police are investigating. (Source: FOX6)
MILWAUKEE WEDDING PARTY SHOOTING: Two people were injured in a shooting at a wedding party. An arrest warrant has been issued. (Source: FOX6)
GREEN BAY MAN DIES IN CRASH: A Green Bay man died after his pickup truck crashed into a water-filled ditch in Oconto County on Thursday. (Source: WBAY)
RABID BAT CONFIRMED: Health officials confirmed a rabid bat with human exposure in Shawano County. Residents are urged to take precautions. (Source: WBAY)
MADISON PRIEST REMOVED: A Madison priest accused of child sex crimes has been released from ministry duties, the Diocese of Madison announced. (Source: WBAY)
Today in History
Here are 10 notable moments from Today in History:
U.S. SUPREME COURT LEGALIZES SAME-SEX MARRIAGE. In 2015, the court ruled 5-4 in Obergefell v. Hodges that states cannot ban same-sex marriage, establishing it as a constitutional right nationwide.
BERLIN AIRLIFT BEGINS. In 1948, the United States and Britain began supplying West Berlin by air after the Soviet Union imposed a land and water blockade, sustaining 2.5 million residents for 11 months during the Cold War.
U.N. CHARTER SIGNED. In 1945, representatives of 50 nations signed the United Nations Charter in San Francisco, creating the international organization to promote peace and cooperation after World War II.
KENNEDY DECLARES SOLIDARITY IN BERLIN. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy told West Berlin crowds “Ich bin ein Berliner,” affirming U.S. support against communism at the Berlin Wall.
FIRST GRAND PRIX HELD. In 1906, the inaugural Grand Prix motor race took place at Le Mans, France. Hungarian driver Ferenc Szisz won driving a Renault in the two-day event.
CHARLIE CHAPLIN RELEASES “THE GOLD RUSH.” In 1925, Charlie Chaplin’s silent comedy “The Gold Rush” premiered. The film, featuring his Tramp character, became one of the highest-grossing silent films.
HARRY POTTER BOOK DEBUTS. In 1997, J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” was published in the U.K., launching the bestselling fantasy series.
FIRST PRACTICAL HELICOPTER FLIES. In 1936, German engineer Heinrich Focke’s Fw 61, the world’s first practical helicopter, made its maiden flight.
ELVIS PRESLEY’S FINAL CONCERT. In 1977, Elvis Presley performed his last concert at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis before his death in August.
CYCLONE ROLLER COASTER OPENS. In 1927, the iconic wooden Cyclone roller coaster opened on Coney Island in New York, becoming a landmark of American amusement parks.
