Until 1845, Potosi was called Snake Hollow but has a strong brewing heritage. Potosi Brewery was founded in 1852 before the Potosi Brewing Company was founded in 1906 and at its peak was the fifth largest brewery in Wisconsin. In 1972 the brewery ceased operations and closed its doors but, after extensive renovation, is brewing beer and is home to the National Brewery Museum. Population: 849 County: Grant … [Read more...] about 30 small Wisconsin communities you may never have heard of
Wisconsin
Fewer than half of Wisconsin school districts have certified teachers unions
Six years after Gov. Scott Walker and state Republicans made labor unions’ ability to retain members much more difficult, fewer than half of the state’s 422 school districts have certified unions. In the latest certification election — held in November and required by Walker’s signature 2011 legislation known as Act 10 — staff and teachers in 199 school districts voted to remain in a bargaining unit, or 47 percent, according to the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission. To remain certified, 51 percent of the bargaining unit’s members must vote in favor of keeping the union. If an eligible member doesn’t vote, that person is counted as voting against remaining certified. This year, maintenance workers in the La Crosse School District, teachers in the Mishicot and Mosinee districts and support staff in Tomahawk and Minocqua lost state certification because not enough members voted to keep the union. In Madison, four bargaining units … [Read more...] about Fewer than half of Wisconsin school districts have certified teachers unions
Man dies in house fire in western Wisconsin
TOWN OF GRANT, Wis. (AP) — Authorities say a man is dead after a house fire in western Wisconsin. Crews were called to the home in the Town of Grant just before 5 p.m. Saturday. Firefighters found the man who lived at the home inside the house and removed him. The Dunn County Sheriff's Office says the man was dead. No one else lived at the home. The name of the victim was being withheld until family members were notified. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. … [Read more...] about Man dies in house fire in western Wisconsin
Wisconsin to end pesticide spraying program
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin is reducing its efforts to slow the spread of the leaf-eating gypsy moth by preparing to end a program that helps fight localized outbreaks in already infested parts of the state. The state Department of Natural Resources is ending the aerial pesticide spraying program because of a decline in requests from local communities and because of growing private-sector alternatives to federally subsidized spraying. The program was available in 50 infested eastern counties, the Wisconsin State Journal reported . Just two counties requested spraying under the department's program this year. The department doesn't specify when the program would end but said the state could continue the program to suppress gypsy moths on state land. "We expect that business opportunities for local aerial applicators and arborists may increase with the deactivation of the state gypsy moth suppression program," the department said. Ending the gypsy moth program will also allow … [Read more...] about Wisconsin to end pesticide spraying program
Legend Dick Trickle’s death shocks Wisconsin auto racing world
Dick Trickle, a larger-than-life race car driver who created his legend on the short tracks of Wisconsin, died Thursday of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in North Carolina, authorities said. He was 71.Trickle competed at stock car racing’s highest level but found his greatest success on the smaller tracks of his home state. The Wisconsin Rapids native won more than 1,200 short-track races, many in places such as the Slinger Super Speedway and Madison International Speedway.“He was just a legend,” said Matt Kenseth, the two-time Daytona 500 champion from Cambridge who raced against Trickle. “Every short-track racer either knew Dick Trickle or knew of him.”The Lincoln County (N.C.) Sheriff’s Office received a call believed to be from Trickle on Thursday saying that “there would be a dead body and it would be his.” Authorities tried to call the number back, but no one answered. His body was found near his pickup truck at Forest … [Read more...] about Legend Dick Trickle’s death shocks Wisconsin auto racing world
Wisconsin Historical Society gifted 100 WWI posters
Staff at the Wisconsin Historical Society never know what will come through the door on any given day. On a day in early November, a family heirloom came in. A collection of 100 World War I posters, passed down from a grandmother, made their way from a Madison basement to the Historical Society archive. “The offers we get through the door, they’re things no one would expect,” said Historical Society conservator Christopher Brown. “That’s one of the great things about working here.” The Historical Society already had a fairly substantial collection of WWI posters, about 375; it’s now well over 400, including the new batch. Of the 100 donated posters, 50 were additions not already found in the society’s collection. Quantifying the society’s collection compared to others around the country is difficult because there were so many propaganda posters printed during WWI, said Simone Munson, collection development coordinator. … [Read more...] about Wisconsin Historical Society gifted 100 WWI posters
Wisconsin football players catch 450-pound shark days before Orange Bowl win
You can’t do this at every bowl destination. Wisconsin’s football team landed in Miami for the Orange Bowl earlier in the week, and between practices and team outings, a few teammates had the chance to schedule some deep-sea fishing. Members of Wisconsin’s football team went fishing somewhere near Miami this week and caught a 450-pound hammerhead shark. The Badgers’ Twitter account posted a photo of the impressive catch Wednesday. Make the trip to Miami ❄️✈️☀️@OrangeBowl 🍊✔️pic.twitter.com/tIYgOZfs5g— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 27, 2017 The Badgers’ Orange Bowl gift bag included a PlayStation 4, wireless headphones, a 39-inch television and more, but none of the gadgets compare to a huge hammerhead. Wisconsin went on to defeat Miami 34-24 on Saturday night. … [Read more...] about Wisconsin football players catch 450-pound shark days before Orange Bowl win
Join group hikes at 17 Wisconsin state park properties on New Year’s Day
Wisconsin state parks will once again ring in the new year with First Day Hikes at the following parks and trails Jan. 1.Buckhorn State Park, Necedah: Snowshoe or hike the 1.4-mile Central Sands Nature Trail, then enjoy hot chocolate, coffee and treats at the south picnic shelter. Snowshoes available to borrow. 1-3 p.m.Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo: Join a guided hike and warm up around a campfire. Snowshoes available to borrow. 3:30-5:30 p.m.Harrington Beach State Park, Belgium: Hike any of the park's trails and stop by the Ansay Welcome Center for a fire, hot beverages and treats. 1-3 p.m.Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls: Meet at the group camp to hike or snowshoe the Silverbrook and Quarry trails. 9-11 a.m., guided hike at 10 a.m.Lapham Peak, Delafield: Hike the Ice Age and other trails, or ski on the man-made snow loop, then enjoy hot drinks and snacks at the nature center. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.Mirror Lake State Park, Baraboo: Hike 2 miles along the Echo … [Read more...] about Join group hikes at 17 Wisconsin state park properties on New Year’s Day
Patricia Randolph’s Madravenspeak: The trapper and the coyote – a Wisconsin love story
“Knowing him changes you.” ~ Larry, a Wisconsin trapper who adopted a coyote pup It was June of 2016. I had a call from a Wisconsin trapper – and it was déjà vu all over again. Larry, a Wisconsin trapper and cattle rancher, had adopted an orphan coyote pup, then 4 years old. A DNR warden had shown up at their door to tell Larry’s wife, Cheryl, “We will be back to pick up your coyote to kill him.” In February 2013 I wrote about a similar situation. Rick Hanestad and his two children had sought and found a coyote den after the mother was killed by a turkey hunter. She had been nursing, so they knew she died close to her den. A year later, with his then 7-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son bonded to the coyote as a family pet, a boundary dispute brought a warden to the door. When he saw the coyote, he said he would return to kill him. Rick went into full-time rescue of his family, calling his state representative and the local media, … [Read more...] about Patricia Randolph’s Madravenspeak: The trapper and the coyote – a Wisconsin love story
Wisconsin trips Miami; Big Ten 7-0 in bowls
Miami Gardens, Fla. — Alex Hornibrook's first pass of the night was a wobbler, one that seemed to slip out of his hand.Nearly everything else he threw was just about perfect.Hornibrook threw four touchdown passes, three to Danny Davis, and No. 6 Wisconsin capped off the winningest season in school history by topping No. 11 Miami 34-24 in the Orange Bowl on Saturday night."We were pretty relaxed," Hornibrook said. "We knew we had what it takes to win this game."Everyone does now.And the Big Ten — shut out of the College Football Playoff after Wisconsin lost to Ohio State in the conference title game — moved to 7-0 in bowls this season. More: Saturday’s college football: Penn State tops Washington"You play the whole season and you earn what you get and I'm proud of this team," Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said. "They can call themselves Orange Bowl champions. That's pretty big."Jonathan Taylor ran for 130 yards on 26 carries for the Badgers (13-1), who … [Read more...] about Wisconsin trips Miami; Big Ten 7-0 in bowls