Chain to Main Local News - Thursday, August 20, 2026

At the Waupaca City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 18, the City Council and Mayor met in closed session to discuss the City Administrator position. Upon returning to open session, the Council approved the appointment of Laura Colbert as Waupaca’s next City Administrator.  Colbert succeeds former City Administrator Josh Finch, whose employment with the City ended in March. She has served as the City of Waupaca’s Parks and Recreation Director since 2022. Prior to joining the City, Colbert worked in education, including serving as Principal of Waupaca Middle School.  The City extends its appreciation to Public Works Director Justin Berrens for serving as Interim City Administrator during the transition. Colbert will officially begin her new role as City Administrator on September 1.   The Waupaca Common Council has approved a new Sex Offender Residency and Child Safety Zone ordinance aimed at enhancing public safety and protecting children. The ordinance prohibits designated sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of schools, daycare centers, parks, playgrounds, recreational trails, churches, and similar child-centered locations. It also restricts loitering within 500 feet of those areas. City officials say the measure provides a local tool to address residency concerns while including exemptions, grandfather provisions, and an appeals process. The ordinance was reviewed by the City Attorney and supported by the Police and Fire Commission before council approval.   The Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office is joining law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign ahead of the Labor Day holiday. Officers will increase patrols as impaired-driving crashes typically rise during the holiday period. Authorities are reminding drivers to plan ahead, choose a sober driver, use a rideshare service, or find another safe way home.