Around Town
RJ OPPERMAN EXCELS: Iola-Scandinavia High School senior RJ Opperman received impressive coverage for basketball in the Waupaca County News, and he has netted over 13 points per game. Read the story here.
Around the County
THREATENING STATEMENTS: An Amherst Junction man was jailed on suspicion of alleged felony stalking and making terroristic threats towards an employee at the Tomorrow River School District, prompting an increased police presence at the school on Monday, Feb. 16. Read the WSAU story here.
SCHOOL DRUG BUST: Police arrested a School District of New London employee after a drug search in an elementary school parking lot turned up cocaine. Read the FOX 11 story here.
COURTHOUSE UPGRADE PROJECT: Waupaca County Courthouse’s $35 million, two-year project will modernize electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, enhance security and accessibility, remodel 142,000 square feet, and add 22,000 square feet of new space to improve the interior layout for taxpayers. Read the Waupaca County News story here.
Around the State
FARM BANKRUPTCIES: Farm bankruptcies are on the rise in Wisconsin, following a national trend. In Wisconsin, there were 16 bankruptcy filings in 2025. By comparison, there were two filings in both 2023 and 2024. Read the Wisconsin Public Radio story here.
EVERS FINAL STATE OF THE STATE: Gov. Tony Evers delivered his final State of the State address on Tuesday, Feb. 17. He touched on the nonpartisan redistricting process, property taxes and school funding, and US immigration enforcement. Read the Wisconsin Public Radio story here.
Interesting Facts
While browsing the internet, some interesting facts emerge that are worth sharing. These are a few recently seen.
SQUIRREL SOUP PRESIDENT: With people who grew up hunting, squirrel soup was part of their menu. It was in The Original White House Cook Book in 1887. Doctors suggested squirrel soup to revive James Garfield’s appetite after he was shot in 1881.
MOST EXPENSIVE SPICE: Today, saffron costs between $2,000 and $10,000 per pound! Modern estimates suggest that producing (2.2 pounds) of dried saffron requires 70,000 to 200,000 flowers and 370 to 470 hours of labor, which helps explain why the spice has historically fetched astonishing sums.
