Around Town
VILLAGE OF IOLA MEETING: The Village of Iola Community Development Authority will also meet on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 5:30 p.m. in the Clerk’s office. It will go into closed session to consider financial, medical, social, or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems, or the investigation of charges against specific persons.
STARRY NIGHT: Bill Wendlandt makes a presentation on the constellations at the Iola Village Library on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 5:30 p.m. The program is free and open to all.
CONCERT UPDATE: Due to school being closed on Wednesday, Dec. 10, the elementary musical program is rescheduled for Thursday, Dec. 11.
Job Opportunities
IOLA-SCANDINAVIA SCHOOL DISTRICT: Currently looking for dedicated individuals to join our team as substitute teachers! Flexible hours! Competitive daily rates! Apply here.
Around the County
WAUPACA AND THE CHRISTMAS STAMP: The residents of the small Wisconsin town are quite proud of their role in initiating the first U.S. Christmas stamp. Read the interesting story here.
Around the State
GOVERNMENT POWERS LIMITED: Wisconsin Senate Bill 310, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 61, limits emergency proclamations by local executives to 60 days, after which extensions require approval from the local governing body. The law also clarifies who the chief local executive is. “If the COVID pandemic taught us anything, it taught us that governments can and will use emergencies to abuse their authority,” said Rep. Brent Jacobson (R–Mosinee), who authored the bill. State-level emergencies already have a similar 60-day limit, requiring legislative approval for extensions.
MOVE OVER LAW EXPANDED: Drivers in Wisconsin are now required to move over or slow down when approaching disabled vehicles on the side of the road. Gov. Tony Evers signed the law today, giving motorists added protection. The law also includes emergency or roadside service vehicles.
NEW AND RETRO LICENSE PLATES: Wisconsin drivers will soon have two new license plate options to choose from. The state has introduced a retro “America’s Dairyland” plate, featuring a yellow background and bold black lettering, reminiscent of designs from the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, Wisconsin is joining a growing list of states now offering the trendy Blackout plate — a striking all-black design with white letters and numbers. Both new plates are set to be available for order starting in January.
16-YEAR OLDS VACCINATE WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT: Democratic state lawmakers are backing a bill that would allow 16-year-olds to get vaccinated without parental consent. This proposal is seeking co-sponsors until December 18. The next step would be a discussion in the Assembly Committee on Health, Aging, and Long-Term Care, though a meeting has not been scheduled. Read the WAOW story here.
Because
SCAM ALERT: The FBI warns smartphone users to avoid searching for bank contact numbers online, as scammers posing as banks are draining accounts — over $260 million stolen in 2025 alone. Instead, the bureau urges monitoring your accounts and using only the phone number or website listed on the back of your card for bank contact, not search engine results.