Fire Danger Still High With Record Breaking Warm Temps. More Local and State News

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – Fire danger is still high with the warm weather and dry conditions. The Town of Rome is reminding people of the dangerous wildfire potential. The entire state is in high fire danger with many counties, including Wood, Portage, and Adams in High Fire Danger. There are options to dispose of your yard debris safely, but fire departments are asking that you please do not burn it.

Gas Is Not Recyclable

Portage County Solid Waste is reminding folks that gas is not recyclable. They encountered a serious safety issue when three gas cans, with liquid fuel still inside, were improperly disposed of. Fortunately no one was hurt, but the recyclables were soaked in gasoline which presented a significant fire risk. Please remember that household hazardous materials cannot be put with the regular recyclables. You need to schedule an appointment with Portage County Recycles to properly dispose of those types of hazardous waste.

Public Sighting-In Days for Hunters

If you need your rifle sighted before hunting season begins, you can have that done for free in Port Edwards. The Public Sighting-in days will be November 9th, 16th, and 17th all from 9 to 3. It’ll be at 3350 Range Road in Port Edwards. They’ll have targets and shooting benches available and coaches to assist you. The sight-in is safe, fast and phone equipped.

State Cross Country Meet November 2nd

The State Cross Country Meet is happening this weekend in Wisconsin Rapids. This will be the 112th running of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Boys Cross Country Championships and the 50th Annual Girls Cross Country Championships. It’ll happen at Ridges Golf Course beginning at Noon on Saturday, November 2nd.

Record Breaking Warm Temperatures Meteorologist Brittney Merlot

Most of the state just went through 24 hours of record breaking warmth. This morning record warm overnight lows were felt across Wisconsin. Many left the house with no coat, which is a rarity for the end of October. At 6 AM temperatures statewide were in the upper 60s to low 70s. The entire state can now display 2024 as the warmest October 30th morning, ever. It blew the old records out of the water by 5 to 10 degrees in some spots. This after record high temperatures were reached statewide on Tuesday, as we spiked into the low 80s. But of course there was a good base to jump off of as Tuesday morning’s lows were also making history warmth!

Now, a potent cold front approaches, which will drag temperatures down a good 30 degrees or more. With such a sharp difference ahead, expect storms to spark up tonight, some could even be severe, especially in the southwest. The system will bring much needed rain, heavy at times, especially into areas of central Wisconsin, where 2” of rain isn’t out of the question. That could create some flooding.

Meanwhile, northwest parts of the state are prepping for a wintry mix overnight and potentially snow flying across many northern counties throughout Halloween. Kids dressing up and trick-or-treating can expect blustery colder winds whipping and temperatures crashing bone chilling at night. In fact, the entire state falls below freezing overnight and remains seasonal and much cooler to close the week.

Gamers Helping Sick Kids

Gamers are gearing up to raise money for kids at Marshfield Children’s Hospital. Saturday, November 2nd is Game Day when gamers will fundraise for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals that benefits Marshfield Children’s Hospital patients. Game Day is Extra Life’s main fundraising day of the year. Thousands of gamers will hop online for 25 hours of nonstop gaming with all proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital of the streamer’s choice. Last year, gamers in and around Wisconsin raised over $9,000 for kids at Marshfield Children’s Hospital. They hope to raise even more this year.

Get Ready For Colder Temps

With colder weather starting to settle into the area, heating experts are sharing tips with residents on how to winterize their homes properly. Experts say residents should begin with starting their heaters or furnaces now to reduce the risk of fire later. If they have a chimney in their home they should get it checked for signs of deterioration, which could also cause a fire hazard. Experts also say it’s a good time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they’re working while checking your home for other heating-related fire dangers.

New Efforts To Retain Teachers

Wisconsin has a hard time retaining teachers. Data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s 2022 Education Preparation Program and Workforce Analysis Report found that four out of every 10 first-year educators either leave the state or the profession altogether within their first six years of teaching. State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly proposed $59.5 million in new investments aimed at recruiting and retaining Wisconsin educators. Under the proposal, stipends would be provided to eligible student teachers to help cover expenses and reduce debt, a new state-funded grow-your-own grant program would help grow the workforce, a support program for new educators would expand, and barriers to licensure would be carefully examined and reformed as necessary.

Early Voting Numbers are High

Wisconsin has seen a massive increase in early voting since the last presidential election. Wisconsin elections officials are reporting a nearly 40% increase for early in-person absentee voting over 2020.  Early voting began on October 22nd. On October 25th, the Wisconsin Election Commission announced that over 292-thousand people had voted early in-person, compared to the 209-thousand people around the same time in 2020. 

Wisconsin is one of the most important swing states in this election cycle. The Wisconsin Elections Commission produces two spreadsheets daily, one by county and one by municipality. These spreadsheets show the numbers for all absentee ballots. Early voting continues in the state through Sunday, November 3rd. In Wisconsin Rapids, you’ll need to complete your early in-person absentee vote before noon on Friday, November 1st when the City Clerk’s office closes. After that, you can vote on election day, Tuesday, November 5th. You can register same-day at the polls by bringing your registration materials. Visit our website for links to more voting information.

World Stroke Day Bring Awareness

World Stroke Day happens this week. It’s a day to underscore the serious nature and high rates of stroke. The day helps raise awareness of stroke prevention and treatment and ensure better care and support for survivors.

Dr. Fareed Suri is Aspirus St. Luke’s Stroke Program Medical Director. He said strokes happen because of clogging in the blood vessels. He said, “The risk factors for those clogging up of blood vessels are high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and smoking.”

When a stroke happens, it’s important to act quickly to stop the damage to the brain.

Dr. Freed Suri said, “When a blood vessel gets clogged up in the brain, the part of the brain is not dead right away. It stops functioning, but it is gradually dying over time.”

This is why it’s so important to be fast when someone is having a stroke. Hence the symptom acronym BE FAST. It stands for balance, eyes, face, arm, speech, terrible headache. When someone is having these symptoms, call 911 right away. The sooner they get the care they need, the better their brain will recover.