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Good News Waupaca 9.16.26

The Waupaca Senior Center is celebrating a major milestone during National Senior Center Month. The center, which serves adults age 50 and older with wellness, education, recreation, and social opportunities, has reached 800 members. Center leaders say the achievement reflects the growing value of the organization as a community resource, helping older adults stay active, connected, and independent. The Waupaca Library board meets this afternoon at 4:30pm in the Council Chambers lower level of Waupaca City Hall.  The meeting which is open to the public will review department reports and statistics, and host a discussion and approval of the library’s 2027-2030 Long Range Plan.  The meeting is open to the public and the agenda is posted online at Waupaca Library dot org. In other library news, tomorrow, the Waupaca Area Public Library’s Thursday Film Series returns with a screening of the 1939 classic The Cat and the Canary. The presentation begins at 1 p.m. and includes an introduction from the late Dr. Jack Rhodes, a classic cartoon selected by Maggie Thompson, and additional commentary from Steve Imm. A light lunch will also be provided. The City of Waupaca reminds the community about the new Telehealth Rooms available at the Waupaca Recreation Center.  The free, private rooms feature internet access, a computer with teleconferencing software, and medical equipment available upon request, offering residents a convenient option for virtual healthcare visits. Located at 407 School Street, the service provides a secure space for online appointments while helping expand access to healthcare when unable to do so from home.  Call the Recreation Center for details 715-258-4435.

Local Waupaca News

Local Waupaca News

Local Waupaca News

With your local Waupaca news for this Thursday, September 10th, I'm Durant Popple. Construction season continues, but this time, it's a new lift station.  To help in this process, South Bailey Street and Smith Street will be closed through Friday, September 18th; that's the street that runs behind the Goodwill.  The closure is only in effect between the hours of 6am and 6pm; though the actual hours of construction will vary.  The Waupaca County Law Enforcement Administrators Association, speaking for the county sheriff, the police for every city in the county, and the village of Iola; has announced the suspension of their use of Automated License Plate Reader cameras provided by Flock Safety.  The decision followed a review of its data sharing practices, privacy considerations, and their ability to maintain control over information after leaving their respective agencies, among other concerns.  Protecting sensitive information from unauthorized or unintended disclosure can compromise investigations, victims, witnesses, and create additional public safety concerns.  The suspension is not a result of misconduct or misuse, and participating agencies will continue to monitor changes in law, privacy protections, accountability standards, and best practices involving license plate readers and similar technologies.  To read the full document, it is posted to the Waupaca county sheriff and Waupaca police department facebook pages. The Waupaca arts hub is holding several more art classes this fall.  Some of the offerings include a Maker of Dance for ages 8 to 12, Mini Makers & Me for toddlers and their caregivers, Homeschool art explorers for homeschool students, Art Fun Fall for 4k to 7, Kids Clay for 10 to 16 years old, Robotics for ages 10 to 14, Visual arts for ages 8 to 16, pastel art, Intro to handbuilding, digital art, fused glass wine charms, jewelry workshop, and a storytelling workshop.  And these are just the ones with classes starting in September!  A full list of classes as well as information on their tuition assistance program can be found on their website, Waupaca arts hub dot org. That's your local news update, you can always get your news on air or online with your favorite podcast platform.  Get started at Waupaca dot Podbean dot com.

Waupaca’s Halloween on Main Street returns Friday, October 30th, from 4 to 6 p.m. This family event will feature business trick-or-treating, Pumpkin Time on Main, a petting zoo, Touch-a-Truck, fire dancers, live music, food vendors, and more. Waupaca-area businesses and organizations interested in participating can find sign-up details under the event tab on the Waupaca Area Public Library Facebook page. Fall-O-Rama returns to Waupaca’s Upper South Park on Saturday, September 19th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature 10 food trucks and stands, live music from Still Kickin, magician Don Vort, Kruzickis’ alpacas, Senior Line Dancers, the Waupaca Fire Department, and, new this year, a GO Riteway bus exploration. With food, entertainment, and activities for all ages, Fall-O-Rama promises a full day of fall fun in Waupaca! Lastly, the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office is recognizing Sergeants Tony Amundson and Matt Stotzheim for 20 years of dedicated service. The Sheriff’s Office is also remembering Sergeant Russ Bytell, who began his career alongside them and whose service remains part of the Sheriff’s Office legacy. Congratulations to Tony and Matt on this milestone.

Waupaca Area Public Library will host its next Lunch and Learn program tomorrow at noon. Kennedy Carlson will speak about CAP Services and the organization's Family Crisis Center, highlighting resources and support available in the community. The event runs from noon until 1 p.m. and is part of the library's monthly Lunch and Learn series featuring local experts and community leaders.  Registration is requested at WaupacaLibrary.org. The Waupaca Police and Fire Commission meets this afternoon at 4:30pm at the Waupaca Police Department.  On the agenda are department reports, review of community engagement efforts and a closed session to discuss a personnel matter.  The meeting is open to the public and the agenda is posted online at CityOfWaupaca.org. The Waupaca Area Chamber and Visitor Bureau is accepting nominations for its Prism Awards through September 25th. The awards recognize young professionals between the ages of 18 and 30 who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and community involvement in the Waupaca area. Nominees may live, work, or make a measurable impact locally, and candidates from all industries and backgrounds are eligible. Both self-nominations and nominations from others are being accepted. Details online at WaupacaChamber.com. Lastly, the Waupaca School Board of Education meets this afternoon at 5:15pm in the Community Room at the Waupaca High School.  The meeting is open to the public and the agenda is posted online at WaupacaSchools.org.

Good News Waupaca 9.2.26

Good News Waupaca 9.2.26

Good News Waupaca 9.2.26

Good News Waupaca 9.2.26

With your local Waupaca news for this Friday, September 4th, I'm Durant Popple. This coming Monday is Labor Day, and observance of the holiday, some city services will have adjusted hours.  The Waupaca Public Library will be closed tomorrow.  Closures on Monday will include City Hall, the Rec Center, Senior Center, Recycling Center, the Library, and the Police Department's front office.  City offices and services will return to normal operating hours on Tuesday the 8th.  This information is also posted to the city's website, city of Waupaca dot org. The Waupaca Rotary club's annual Rocktoberfest is taking place this evening next to the Waupaca Library.  Doors open at 5 this evening, and will feature live music with CJB Classics, german food from Schueller's, craft beers and wines, Hammerschlagen, 50/50 raffle, Arts Hub crafts, and a Hansel and Gretel costume contest.  Tickets are available at the door or in advance from the Waupaca area chamber of commerce, Office Outfitters, or any rotary member.  This information can be found on the Waupaca rotary's facebook page. The third annual Ogdensburg St. Lawrence car show and corn roast is taking place tomorrow.  Starting at 9 at the Ogdensburg St. Lawrence Memorial Park, you can bring your car to show, partake in roast corn, visit local vendors, and enjoy trophies, raffles, 50/50, corn hole tournament, music, and plenty of family fun.  More details, including a schedule of events can be found on the Ogdensburg St. Lawrence facebook page. Through the end of September, the teen volunteer agents at the Waupaca library will be holding a peanut butter drive.  Donations to this drive will benefit the library's little free pantry.  The goal is to collect at least 50 jars; if you wish to donate, you can drop off your peanut butter in the teen room in the library's lower level. If you have questions, you can visit their facebook page for more information, or call the library at 715 258 4414. That's your local news update, you can always get your news on air or online with your favorite podcast platform.  Get started at Waupaca dot Podbean dot com.

The Community Blood Center will hold a blood drive at the Waupaca Rec Center tomorrow. Donors can give blood from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the facility located at 407 School Street. Organizers say blood donations help save lives and support patients in need throughout the region. The drive is part of the Community Blood Center’s ongoing effort to maintain a stable local blood supply.  Appointments are preferred by calling 800-280-4102. Parking restrictions will be in place in downtown Waupaca beginning Thursday, September 3rd at 4 p.m. as crews prepare for the Waupaca Rotary Rocktoberfest event. Contractors will erect a large tent on the 100 block of East Fulton Street, with barricades set up at Main Street and Jefferson Street. Officials say the area will remain closed to traffic through Saturday, and businesses have been asked to keep employee and customer vehicles out of the affected block during that time. The Veterans Backyard Bash will return to the Waupaca County Fairgrounds in Weyauwega tomorrow and Saturday, raising support for local veterans. The two-day event features live music, food vendors, raffles, a silent auction, family activities, an ATV side-by-side parade, and a cornhole tournament. A special veterans ceremony is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, with the weekend culminating in a professional fireworks show Saturday night. Organizers say proceeds will benefit veterans and their families.  Music kicks off at 6pm Friday and events begin at 9am Saturday. Lastly, the City of Waupaca Parks and Recreation board meets this afternoon at 5:15pm in the City Council Chambers lower level of Waupaca City Hall.  On the agenda is a review of department reports, recreation program update and a 2027 Personnel Request.  The meeting is open to the public and the agenda may be viewed online at CityOfWaupaca.org.

The City of Waupaca Plan Commission meets this afternoon at 5:15 p.m. in the council chambers in the lower level of Waupaca City Hall. On the agenda this afternoon is a rezoning request for property on Bowling Lane. The meeting is open to the public, and the agenda is posted online at cityofwaupaca.org. The City of Waupaca Parks and Recreation Department is offering a four-week technology series with Diane Doersch of Women in Technology Wisconsin, beginning Tuesday, September 8th at 1 p.m. in the new Waupaca Business Center. The first session will cover artificial intelligence, social media, and online scams. Registration is available at waupacarec.com under Programs, then Education. The Waupaca Area Public Library’s Teen Volunteer Agents are holding a peanut butter drive throughout the month of September to support the library’s Little Free Pantry. Community members can donate new, unopened jars of peanut butter of any brand. Donations will be accepted through September 30th in the Teen Room at the Waupaca Area Public Library.

Local Waupaca News

Local Waupaca News

Victoria Houston is coming to the Waupaca Public Library! The Holy Land, Marcie living with the Dinosaurs, and Linda's name on the Statue of Liberty?!

We Energies service replacement work is scheduled to begin sometime this week or next week. Motorists should expect: • A one-day closure of Berlin St. between Park Ave. and Demarest Ave. • A lane shift from Shadow Woods Ln. to Lake St. • Temporary sidewalk panel removals in work areas. These measures are needed to locate shallow water mains before construction proceeds. Please see the attached traffic control plan and use caution when traveling through the area. Thank you!   The City of Waupaca Business Center will host Technology: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, beginning September 8th at 1 p.m. The interactive series will cover topics including artificial intelligence, social media, online scams, cloud storage, digital photos, free apps, QR codes, and health care tools such as Epic and MyThedaCare. The opening session, AI, Social Media, and Scams, Oh My!, will focus on recognizing online threats, protecting personal information, and understanding how AI is shaping everyday life. The series continues September 15th, 22nd, and 29th.  Register at www.waupacarec.com under Programs: Education.   Earlier this week, the South Park beach was closed after testing found elevated levels of E. coli and coliform bacteria. New testing has since been completed, and water quality has improved to advisory levels. As a result, South Park Beach is now open to the public, although officials continue to encourage swimmers to use caution.   The Waupaca Farmers Market returns tomorrow, bringing fresh local products and community connections to downtown Waupaca.  Shoppers can browse a variety of vendor offerings, including fresh produce, baked goods, handcrafted items, and more. The weekly market continues to highlight local growers, makers, and small businesses while providing a gathering place for residents and visitors throughout the season. The market is scheduled for tomorrow 9am-1pm on Union Street next to City Hall.

  Waupaca Online is increasing internet speeds for customers across its service area without raising monthly rates. The City of Waupaca utility says the upgrades are the result of ongoing investments in network improvements and newer Wi-Fi 6 technology. Under the changes, Gold Tier customers will see speeds increase to up to 100 megabits per second download and 20 upload, while Silver and Bronze customers will also receive faster service. City officials say the upgrades reflect a major milestone in the network’s modernization efforts and aligns with updated federal broadband benchmarks.     The Waupaca Police Department’s second annual Community Engagement Trap Shoot Fundraiser is set for Sunday, September 13th at the Waupaca Conservation League. The family-friendly event features trap shooting, raffle prizes, bucket raffles, food, refreshments, and added purse money for shooters. Organizers say raffle tickets are available now at the Waupaca Police Department, with additional prize baskets continuing to be added. Proceeds from the event support the department’s Community Engagement Committee and its efforts to strengthen local connections.     Finally, the Waupaca Arts Hub is offering free admission through August 31st to its Create and Grow intergenerational play and makerspace at 515 School Street. The hands-on space brings together children and caregivers for creative art activities, sensory play, building projects, and open-ended discovery. Organizers say the welcoming environment is designed to encourage creativity, connection, and lifelong learning for all ages. Create and Grow is open Monday through Saturday with a variety of hours throughout the week.  Details online Waupaca Arts Hub dot Org.  

For those affected by flooding earlier this year, this is the final week for in-person FEMA assistance applications at the Disaster Recovery Center inside the New London Public Museum. The center is set to close Friday, August 28th, and the deadline for FEMA Individual Assistance applications is August 31st. Recovery officials say assistance will no longer be available after that date. Registration is now open for the Waupaca Area Public Library’s Lunch and Learn program featuring CAP Services. The event will take place Wednesday, September 9th, from noon to 1 p.m. and will feature information about CAP Services and its Family Crisis Center programs. A free lunch will be served, and registration is required online at [waupacalibrary.org] Lastly, the City of Waupaca has a number of employment opportunities available.  The city is seeking a Community and Economic Development Director, Streets Laborer and an Internet, Customer Service, Media & Marketing Specialist.  Details are available on the employment page at City of Waupaca dot org.  Completed applications may be emailed to [email protected]. 

Local Waupaca News

Local Waupaca News

Good News Waupaca 8.19.26

With your local Waupaca news for this Friday, August 21st, I'm Durant Popple. Today marks the final day this year that South Park beach will have lifeguard coverage.  Starting tomorrow, the beach house will be closed and lifeguards will no longer be on duty.  You are still able to swim, but it will now be at your own risk.  Staff will be completing seasonal closing activities and will still be able to respond if a situation arises.  These updates can also be found online at Waupaca park n rec dot com. The Waupaca library has a monthly first look book sale on the 4th Saturday of the month, which happens to be tomorrow.  From 9am until 1 in the lobby between the library and city hall, this sale features all new additions of books, movies, puzzles, and some large print items before they are placed in the book sale room.  These details are also available on the library's website, Waupaca library dot org. Sunday is the Waupaca Christian Church's annual corn roast.  This event is at no cost and is open to everyone.  In addition to the corn, there will also be other foods, music and some all ages fun.  This all takes place at the church at E2249 King Road, and runs from 11:30am until 2.  You can find out more about them on their website, Waupaca Christian church dot org. That's your local news update, you can always get your news on air or online with your favorite podcast platform.  Get started at Waupaca dot Podbean dot com.

Good News Waupaca 8.19.26

Good News Waupaca 8.19.26

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.

Good News Waupaca 8.19.26

A new catalog system is now live at the Waupaca Area Public Library. The updated platform features improved search and browsing tools, along with enhanced account management features for patrons. Library officials say users can once again place holds, renew materials, manage their accounts, and use the library app following the completion of the transition. Existing holds, reading histories, and current library cards have carried over to the new system. More information is available at waupacalibrary.org.   In other library news, the Waupaca Library Board meets this afternoon at 4:30pm in the Council Chambers lower level of Waupaca City Hall.  On the agenda this afternoon is a review of the budget, department reports and approval of a number of revised policies.  The meeting is open to the public and the agenda is posted online at Waupaca Library dot Org.   Grow Solar Central Wisconsin has surpassed 150 kilowatts of installed solar energy, reaching its second benchmark and triggering another reduction in pricing for participants. The group purchasing program, administered by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, helps property owners across six central Wisconsin counties secure discounted solar installations through bulk buying. Organizers say prices could drop further if the program reaches its next goal of 250 kilowatts. More information, including a schedule of upcoming Solar Power Hour presentations, is available at cw.growsolar.org.   Lastly, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is looking for volunteer instructors to help teach hunting skills across the state. Opportunities are available for experienced hunters to lead outdoor skills programs, assist with mentored Learn to Hunt events, and help new hunters gain confidence in the field. The DNR is also seeking landowners willing to host educational hunting opportunities on private property. All volunteer instructors must pass a background check. For more information, contact DNR Hunting and Shooting Sports Program Specialist Emily Iehl [email protected].

Local Waupaca News

Local Waupaca News

Local Waupaca News

Fox Valley Technical College's Waupaca campus is welcoming new students with a special Welcome Day event Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is open exclusively to Waupaca County residents attending FVTC this fall. Participants can meet admissions specialists and counselors, tour the campus, receive FVTC giveaways, and enter for a chance to win a tuition gift card. The Whale Tail Coffee Trailer will also be on site. The event takes place at the FVTC Waupaca campus on Godfrey Drive.   ARTicipation Week continues in Waupaca with a pair of community arts events Thursday and Friday. Thursday evening features Poetry on Demand outside the Waupaca Public Library, where local poets will create personalized poems for visitors, followed by live  music with Electric Sheep at 7pm at HH Hinder. On Friday, the celebration wraps up with the annual Friday Night Street Dance featuring award-winning blues and roots band The Jimmys under the main tent at The Arts Hub. Food vendors, beverages, and the drawing for a summer-long e-bike raffle are also planned as part of the evening festivities.  Full details are found online at Waupaca Arts dot org.   The Waupaca County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about a phone scam involving callers who falsely claim to be sheriff's deputies. Officials say scammers are spoofing the department's phone number and using names such as "Deputy Smith" to appear legitimate. The Sheriff's Office emphasizes it will never call and demand payment over the phone. Residents are urged to be cautious, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and report suspected scams to law enforcement.   A new playground is coming to Waupaca Learning Center and thanks to a generous donation that fully funded the project. School officials say construction is now underway on the new primary playground. For safety reasons, the existing playground area is closed and should not be used until construction is complete.

Local Waupaca News

Local Waupaca News

Local Waupaca News.

Good News Waupaca 8.5.26