Around Town
LAKE IOLA hosts paddling witches this week. Organizers invite community members to grab their brooms, paddles, and coven costumes for the Witches & Wizards Paddle gathering on Lake Iola. The seasonal event highlights a busy weekend schedule centered at the historic, hydro-powered Iola Mills venue.
IOLA-SCANDINAVIA AREA FALL FOLIAGE: The Iola-Scandinavia Chamber showcased seasonal imagery captured by Chamber Vice President Vicky Koss of Scandinavia. Residents are encouraged to document peak autumn colors by contributing photos to the community portal.
Around the County
INSURANCE COMPANY MUST COVER HAASE LAWSUIT: An Outagamie County judge ruled Thursday that Maple Valley Mutual Insurance Company must provide coverage to Tony Haase in an active $17 million civil wrongful death lawsuit. The family of Tanna Togstad filed the suit following Haase’s acquittal last year for the 1992 murders of Togstad and Timothy Mumbrue. (Source: FOX 11 News)
HORTONVILLE DOWNTOWN REOPENS WITH FESTIVAL: The newly reconstructed downtown district of neighboring Hortonville officially reopened to the public Thursday with a communitywide festival. Municipal organizers hosted the Halloween on Main event to celebrate the completion of the major infrastructure project, drawing hundreds of families from across the regional area. (Source: Waupaca County Post)
WEYAUWEGA-FREMONT ADVANCES TO FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS: The Weyauwega-Fremont high school football team secured a narrow 31-29 victory over Colby to earn a spot in the WIAA Division 6 postseason. Special teams execution proved decisive, and the Warhawks are now scheduled to face Randolph/Cambria-Friesland tonight in Level 1 regional playoff action. (Source: Waupaca County Post)
DRUG TAKE BACK DAY SCHEDULED: The Waupaca Police Department announced it will participate in the statewide Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24. Local residents are encouraged to drop off unneeded or expired medications at designated collection sites to prevent accidental drug misuse and protect regional water supplies. (Source: Waupaca County Post)
Around the State
Here are the top overnight news stories from across Wisconsin:
SCHOOL FINANCING: Wisconsin voters in 72 school districts will consider referenda this fall seeking more than $1.6 billion in additional property taxes. With statewide spending averaging nearly $18,750 per student, taxpayers face questions about need and oversight. Fewer districts are voting than in the previous major fall cycle, but stakes remain high. Read the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty article here.
TWO PEOPLE died Thursday night in the Town of Peshtigo after a driver fleeing a Marinette County sheriff’s deputy crashed into their vehicle. The state Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the probe into the police pursuit and subsequent double-fatal wreck. (Source: WBAY)
A CUMBERLAND man, 77, was killed Thursday afternoon in Barron County when an ATV collided with his motorcycle on U.S. Highway 63. State troopers are investigating the two-vehicle crash. The 25-year-old ATV driver was not injured. (Source: WEAU 13)
A SUSPECT was jailed in Holmen after throwing an object that struck and damaged a police squad car’s windshield on Sand Lake Road Thursday night. (Source: WEAU 13)
NO CRIMINAL charges will be filed against a Shawano County sheriff’s deputy involved in a fatal shooting last March. Officials announced the decision Friday morning after reviewing newly released body camera video. (Source: WSAW 7)
COLUMBIA COUNTY Sheriff Roger Brandner and his wife required Med Flight transport to a hospital following a serious deer-motorcycle crash on a local highway. (Source: Channel 3000 / WISC-TV)
Today in History
Here are notable moments from Today in History:
1812—A MALICIOUS FRENCH general, Claude François de Malet, began a conspiracy to overthrow Emperor Napoleon I. Malet, who falsely claimed Napoleon died in Russia, forged documents to seize control of Paris. He was arrested, tried, and executed by a firing squad within a week.
1942—THE FIRST MAJOR Allied offensive in North Africa commenced with the Second Battle of El Alamein in Egypt. British and Commonwealth forces under Lt. Gen. Bernard Montgomery launched a massive artillery bombardment against Axis lines, marking a major turning point in World War II.
1956—A SPONTANEOUS NATIONWIDE revolt against the Soviet-backed government began in Budapest, Hungary. Thousands of students marched through the capital, demanding freedom and the withdrawal of Soviet troops. The peaceful demonstration quickly escalated into an armed uprising nationwide.
1958—THE BELGIAN CARTOONIST Peyo introduced the Smurfs, a race of small, blue humanoids, in the comic magazine Spirou. Appearing initially as supporting characters in the series “Johan and Pirlouit,” the creatures became an international pop culture phenomenon and media franchise.
1970—THE AMERICAN DRAGSTERS Gary Gabelich drove the rocket-powered Blue Flame to a new land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Gabelich averaged 622.407 mph, a milestone in automotive engineering that stood for 13 years.
1976—THE CHICAGO BAND entered the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “If You Leave Me Now.” Written by bassist Peter Cetera, the ballad became the group’s first No. 1 hit in the United States and later won two Grammy Awards.
1983—A DEVASTATING SUICIDE truck bombing targeted the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 241 American servicemen. A simultaneous attack killed 58 French paratroopers. The bombings, executed by Islamic Jihad during the Lebanese Civil War, led to the withdrawal of Western forces.
1998—THE POP STAR Britney Spears released her debut single, “…Baby One More Time,” in the United States. Written by Max Martin, the track became a global commercial success, topped the charts in every country it entered, and redefined late-1990s teen pop.
2001—THE APPLE CEO Steve Jobs introduced the original iPod at a small press event in Cupertino, California. The pocket-sized media player featured a 5GB hard drive that could hold 1,000 songs, revolutionizing the consumer electronics and digital music industries.
2002—A FACTION OF armed Chechen rebels seized the Dubrovka Theater in Moscow, taking more than 850 hostages during a performance. The militants demanded the withdrawal of Russian forces from Chechnya, initiating a tense three-day standoff that ended in a tragic rescue operation.
