Chain to Main Podcast

With your local Waupaca news for this Friday, October 30th, I'm Durant Popple.
Today is the last day for absentee voting in the general election.    In order to qualify for absentee voting, you must reside in the ward or municipality for at least 28 consecutive days before the election, and be registered to vote.  If you wish to absentee vote, can do so by requesting a ballot at city hall before 5pm tonight.  If you have questions, you can visit the city's website at city of Waupaca dot org, or call them at 715 258 4411.
Also this evening is the City's Halloween on Main Street.  Between 4 and 6pm, there will be a petting zoo, Jim Miller's pumpkin time, business trick or treating, food vendors, cloud 9 fire dancers, UWSP Jazz Band, mad science lab, and so much more. More complete information, including a list of food trucks, and a map of attractions, parking, and most importantly candy stops, can all be found on the city's website, city of Waupaca dot org.  The city's official hours for the non-Halloween-on-Main Trick or Treating, is tomorrow, between 5 and 7pm.
Tomorrow is the last day for the Waupaca Farmer's Market.  They will have a fundraising Halloween brat fry with hot beverages.  This takes place between 9am and 1 on Union Street next to City Hall.  To learn more about the Farmer's Market, such as when they'll start up again, or even to become a vendor, you can visit their Facebook page or website, Waupaca W I farmers market dot org.
The Waupaca Area Woodcarvers are holding an Artistry in Wood Show, Competition, and Sale.  Taking place this Sunday, 9 until 4 at the Rec Center, there will be a lot of wooden art and people to talk to about their craft.  There will also be demonstrations all day and food available on site.  More information about the Waupaca Area Woodcarvers can be found on their public Facebook group with the same name.
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.

Meet library volunteer Margaret! Coming up at the library: tattooing from a local artist and gettting prepared before the holidays with scam awareness and prevention. And yes, Linda, we know you like the audiobook version of the Andy Carpenter series!

A section of Smith Street and Bailey Street in Waupaca remains closed as utility upgrades continue. The closed stretch, located behind Neuville Motors, is expected to remain shut down through the winter and into early spring of 2027. City officials say a confirmed reopening date has not yet been set and motorists should continue using alternate routes while crews complete the project.
City of Waupaca voters are being reminded that tomorrow is the final day for in-person absentee voting ahead of the November 3 General Election. Absentee ballot requests must be submitted by 5 p.m. tomorrow. Polls for the General Election will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, at the Waupaca Recreation Center. Completed absentee ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Park Vista Retirement Living is hosting a Halloween Spook-tacular event in Waupaca this afternoon. The free, family-friendly celebration runs from 3 to 5 p.m. at Park Vista on County Highway QQ and will feature trick-or-treating, costumes, candy, and seasonal activities for all ages. Organizers say the event is designed to bring families, friends, and neighbors together for an afternoon of Halloween fun and community spirit.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will host a free open house at the Wild Rose Fish Hatchery Education Center this Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. The event celebrates the annual fall salmon migration and will feature hands-on activities, games, fish identification programs, casting demonstrations, and hatchery tours. Visitors can also learn about the facility’s role in raising species including salmon, trout, walleye, muskellunge, and lake sturgeon.
Lastly, a reminder that Halloween on Main Street takes place tomorrow afternoon 4pm to 6pm downtown Waupaca.  Details are found online at City of Waupaca dot org.

The Waupaca Historical Society is inviting residents to experience a taste of railroad history at its annual Dinner at the Depot, set for Friday, November 13, at the historic Waupaca Railroad Depot. The menu, prepared by Sal from the Green Fountain Inn, is inspired by vintage railroad dining car menus preserved in the Society’s collection. Attendees can choose from appetizer, dinner, or combination ticket options, with proceeds supporting local history preservation efforts through the Waupaca Historical Society.  Tickets are available now at the Holly History Center during normal hours. 
 
Waupaca's holiday season will begin December 3 with the annual Yuletide Celebration Parade stepping off on Main Street at 6:30 p.m. The parade will be followed by the community tree lighting at Danes Hall Plaza. Registration is now open for the Yuletide Parade with the deadline to register November 25th @ Noon.  Register online at Waupaca Area Chamber dot Com.
 
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Bat Conservation Network are marking International Bat Week by highlighting the importance of bats and ongoing conservation efforts across the state. Four of Wisconsin’s eight bat species are listed as threatened, with populations impacted largely by white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that affects hibernating bats. State wildlife officials say recent surveys have shown encouraging signs of recovery among little brown bats at some Wisconsin hibernation sites. Conservation groups are also encouraging residents to help bats by installing bat houses, planting native vegetation, reducing pesticide use, and taking other steps to create bat-friendly habitats.

Local Waupaca News

Local Waupaca News

Good News Waupaca 10.21.26

With your local Waupaca news for this Friday, October 23rd, I'm Durant Popple.
The Waupaca Police Department is holding a Drug Take Back Day to be taking place tomorrow.  In an effort to keep unused and expired medications out of the wrong hands or the local water supply, you can instead bring them to the police department front office between 10am and 2 for a safe and secure no-questions-asked disposal.  Accepted items include: capsules, creams, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, ointments, patches, pills, vials, liquids in their original container, pet medications, and e-cigarette devices with batteries removed.  Some items not accepted include: aerosols, hazardous waste or biohazards, illegal drugs, iodine, mercury, and sharps.  This information and more can be found on the city's website, city of Waupaca dot org.
As a part of the Wisconsin Science Festival, the Waupaca Library is holding Bio Blitz at Upper South Park.  This event is open to all ages, and will provide an opportunity to learn and have fun observing, identifying, and recording as many different non-domesticated species as possible.  These observations will be part of the state science festival and will assist research groups to know what flora and fauna is in the area.  This all takes place at Upper South Park between 10am and 11 tomorrow morning.  You can also find these details online, at Waupaca library dot org.
The Waupaca library also 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, and puzzles before they are placed in the book sale room.  These details are also available on the library's website, Waupaca library 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 10.21.26

Good News Waupaca 10.21.26

Waupaca City Council Tuesday evening appointed Cat Valdez Doyle as the city’s next Community & Economic Development Director. Valdez Doyle replaces Julianna Stohs who left for a different job opportunity in May. Presently she serves as the Director of Housing for Comprehensive Community Solutions, Inc. in Rockford, IL. Valdez Doyle will start with the city in a part-time basis in November, officially joining full-time January 4th in her new role. The Community & Economic Development Department oversees building permits; code enforcement; planning and zoning along with working with area businesses.
 
After nearly a decade of studies, system reviews, and coordination with between the city and state, the Waupaca City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding and entered into an agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs to connect the King campus to Waupaca’s water system with the State of Wisconsin responsible for engineering, permitting, and construction. The King campus will be treated as any other water system customer with the state responsible for the line beyond the city’s border. Once in place, this new method of providing water to the campus will replace the home’s aging water system.
 
Friends of Waupaca Parks is partnering with the Filling Station and Amoco on Fulton Street today for a fundraiser. Twenty percent of sales from the Filling Station and 10 cents per gallon from Amoco will be donated to Friends of Waupaca Parks to support local parks and recreation efforts.
 
Lastly, the Waupaca City Council got a first look at the proposed 2027 General Fund budget during a budget workshop Tuesday night. The draft budget is balanced at just over $9.2 million and does not rely on reserve funds to cover operations. City officials say the proposal includes a 3.5 percent cost-of-living increase for employees while maintaining current staffing levels and municipal services. Revenue growth is projected at about 2.5 percent, helped by higher state transportation aids and investment earnings. Finance Director Greg Grohman noted Waupaca's fund balance remains well above policy targets, supporting the city's strong financial position.

Good News Waupaca 10.21.26