One Person Died After Running a Stop Sign. Honor Flight #50 Lands Monday and More Local News.

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – A 34-year-old man is dead after a car and semi collided on Friday morning in Adams County. The initial investigation shows 34 year old Glenn Tosh of Grand Marsh failed to yield at a stop sign while traveling on County Highway B in the Township of Dell Prairie. Tosh’s vehicle collided with a semi heading eastbound on State Highway 23. Life-saving attempts were made by first responders, however Glenn Tosh died from his injuries. He was the only person in the vehicle. The semi truck driver was transported to the local hospital with minor injuries. The crash remains under investigation and no further information will be released at this time.

Gas Prices Continue to Drop

The average gas prices in Wisconsin fell 6.7 cents during the last week. The average across the state today is $2.87 per gallon. This is over 21 cents lower than a month ago and more than 31 cents lower than this time last year. Gas is at its lowest level since January which some Americans attribute to the upcoming election. Officials at GasBuddy say politicians have little influence over gasoline prices. The switch to winter gasoline and the drop in demand is pushing gas prices down. Officials say these drops will continue into and even beyond the election as colder weather arrives. Gas prices in central Wisconsin today range from $2.57 to $2.77 per gallon.

Charter Schools Have a High Closure Rate

When a new charter school opens in Wisconsin, there’s about a 50/50 chance that it closes within the next five years. Wisconsin has one of the higher closure rates in the US for charter schools. A new report from the Center for Charter School Accountability shows nationally, 25% of charter schools close within the first five years. 

Here in Wisconsin it’s over 45%. Charter schools get public funding but are usually run by private entities. They’re often billed as alternatives for families who want more options. But what do you do when that school you hand-picked it set to close?

Jenni Hofschulte of the Wisconsin Public Education Network says, “That’s 45% of those families put into a lurch, and having to make pivots and new choices for their children.”

She says traditional public schools are happy to welcome these students back, but adds local districts often have to move quickly to place them. Wisconsin currently has more than 200 registered charter schools.

Trick or Treat Hours

Trick or Treat hours in Wisconsin Rapids are 5 to 7 on Thursday. You can stop in and Trick or Treat at the Library from 4:30 to 7:30 to show off your costumes. The Henry Girls will be entertaining in the Fine Arts Center beginning at 7.

Johnson Hopes to Accept Outcome of November Election

U-S Senator Ron Johnson appeared to hedge on Friday whether he or Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would accept the outcome of the November election. When asked, Sen. Johnson replied, “I sure hope so, “Unfortunately, you know, here in the state of Wisconsin that we have a governor who vetoed the types of bills that would restore confidence in our election system. So, you’re asking me a hypothetical question that I really can’t answer because I don’t know how many different ways Democrats are gonna want to cheat.”

Despite a statewide inquiry in 2021, there has been no credible evidence of systemic voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.Johnson, widely seen as a staunch ally of Trump, defended the former president’s campaign and his proposals during an appearance on “The Earl Ingram Show” on Friday morning. You can listen to the full interview on “The Earl Ingram Show” on the Civic Media website, app, social platforms or podcast apps.

Honor Flight #50 Flies Monday

Veterans from our area flew out of the Central Wisconsin Airport early this morning on Honor Flight #50. They’re headed to Washington DC to spend the day visiting memorials dedicated to their service as well as Arlington National Cemetery. This is a memorable day for these honored veterans. If you want to help give them the Welcome Home they never received when they returned from war, you can head to the Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee between 8 and 9 PM for their return between 10 and 11 PM tonight. You may want to bring a chair as CWA doesn’t provide them. If you’re interested in applying to join an Honor Flight or to be a guardian on a flight, you can visit their website for more information.

Coat Donations Until November 8th

There’s still time to donate coats to the Kiwanis Coats for Kids Drive. There are drop off sites at the Wood County Sheriff’s Department, KeySavings Bank, Lowell Center, Immanuel Lutheran School, and Members’ Advantage until November 8th.

Blood Drives Back in Full Swing

Blood donors are needed ahead of the holiday season. The Red Cross has worked this month to recover from cancelled blood collections because of the recent hurricanes. These disruptions to blood drives can lead to an impact on routine and lifesaving medical care. If you’re eligible to donate, especially if you have type O blood and or can give platelets, you’re encouraged to make a donation. As a thank you, if you donate with the Red Cross by October 31st, you’ll receive a $10 Amazon gift card. Those who donate between November 1st through the 17th will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of your choice.

You can donate at Nekoosa High School on October 30th and there are many dates and times available for donation at the Stevens Point Blood Donation Center. You can find more info at the Red Cross website. The Community Blood Center is accepting donations on Monday, October 28th at the Former East Junior High School from 2:00 to 7:00 PM.

Historic Point Basse – Spirit Walk

Historic Point Basse held their second weekend of the annual Spirit Walk on Saturday Night. Visitors gathered to be led on a lantern guided tour around the grounds. Spirits regaled them with stories of the past as they entered several buildings during the tour. The next event at Historic Point Basse will be their Heritage Hollyday on December 7th. You’ll be able to watch and help the locals with their holiday preparations.

Tailspin Author at Crossview Church Monday

The author of the book Tailspin will be at Crossview Church in Wisconsin Rapids tonight at 6:30. John Armbruster’s book Tailspin recounts the story of Gene Moran who was a tail gunner in World War II. Moran’s plane was hit and he fell four miles to the ground while in the tail of the plane. Moran was a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany, and survived a 600-mile death march across central Europe. You can meet the author John Armbruster at Crossview Church at 6:30PM on Monday and get a signed copy of the book.