Around Town
PERSONNEL, POLICE & FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING: The Village of Iola’s Personnel, Police & Finance Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 9 a.m. in the Iola Village Hall Community Room. The committee will enter closed session to review patrolmen position applications submitted to Chief of Police Zierler, to discuss interview scheduling, and to address additional matters related to the positions and protocol. Following the closed session, the committee will reconvene in open session to take any necessary action concerning these topics.
OPEN JAM: There will be an open jam at Lessons from the Art in Iola on Saturday, Jan. 10, starting at 5 p.m. It is being held on the second Saturday monthly in 2026. According to the announcement, “What sets this jam apart is that we live stream it on the Lessons from the Art Facebook page (possibly YouTube in the future) so people all over the world can hear the music we make! You can bring your own equipment or use any of the supplied instruments. BYOB only. No food or drinks for sale.”
Around the State
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT REPORTING: Wisconsin schools must now inform the parents by the end of the day if they receive a credible report that their child was the victim or target of sexual misconduct by a member of school staff. Gov. Tony Evers signed the bill into law earlier this month. The law applies to private, public and charter schools. Read The Center Square article here.
US WOMEN’S HOCKEY TEAM: The U.S. women’s hockey team heading to the winter Olympics has deep ties to Wisconsin, with four current and two former Badgers on the roster and a Fox Valley native serving as head coach. Read the Wisconsin Public Radio story here.
Around the County
DA REPRIMANDED: A Waupaca County judge reprimanded the district attorney after learning the jury’s confidential notes were seen after Tony Haase’s double-murder trial. Read the WBAY story here.
Interesting Facts
In the daily surfing of the internet, some interesting facts arise that are worth sharing. These are a few recently seen.
ENERGY SUBSIDIES: In fiscal year 2025, explicit government subsidies in the form of tax expenditures for the energy sector total $64.1 billion. Those going to renewable energy, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient equipment accounted for 90 percent of that total, according to Just the News.
CANDY FOR WWII: M&Ms were initially made specifically for the U.S. military, providing an ideal way for soldiers to carry energy-rich chocolate in tropical climates without it melting.
DOG AT CABINET MEETINGS: Warren G. Harding’s dog sat in on Cabinet meetings. Laddie Boy, who’s been called the White House’s first celebrity dog, was an Airedale terrier whom the 29th president of the United States deeply adored. In addition to fetching the newspaper and joining the first lady at fundraisers, he had his own seat at Cabinet meetings.
SHIRT COLLARS: Shirt collars first appeared in Western fashion during the 15th century, introduced by men of faith rather than nobility. By the 16th century, elaborate ruffs became popular among aristocrats, later evolving into simpler falling and standing bands in the 17th century. Collars originally served as decorative and status symbols, eventually becoming a standard element of everyday clothing, shaping the modern shirt collar we recognize today.
