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Fees waived at Wisconsin State Parks

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Managers of Wisconsin’s state parks are suggesting that people get their social distancing groove on in the great outdoors. The Department of Natural Resources is dropping all fees at any state park that’s still open.

Most parks, lakes, and hiking trails are still open under Governor Evers’ “Safer at Home” order. Park offices and campgrounds, however, are closed.

Be sure you don’t get ripped off looking for a gym this New Year’s

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New Year’s resolutions often include losing weight and getting in shape, but be sure you’re not about to get ripped off at the gym.

State consumer protection director Lara Sutherlin says there’s specific rules that gyms have to follow when they sell memberships. 

“And the membership cannot be sold for more than two years. So if anyone’s trying to get you to sign up for more than two years, that’s illegal, they’re not allowed to do that.” 

A gym also has to give you three days to back out of a membership contract. Sutherlin says the best thing to do is to ask for a trial and make sure the place is a good fit for you, before you commit. 

“You don’t obviously want to sign up for a membership and then not be able to do the kind of workout you were looking forward to doing.”

As always, make sure to read the fine print and be comfortable before you sign that contract.

Consider Something Special From Wisconsin in your holiday shopping this season

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If you’re still looking for holiday gifts this season, why not find Something Special from Wisconsin?

It’s a program sponsored by the state Department of Agriculture that showcases Wisconsin made products.

Alice in Dairyland Abigail Martin says it’s important to shop local in a time when farmers are hurting.

“Your dollars are staying right here in our state. They’re supporting communities and local economies as well as farmers and processors who are working hard.”

Martin says one very important something is getting a natural Christmas Tree from a local grower. 

“They smell wonderful in your house, one of my favorite smells, but also trees that are real are recyclable and will decompose after the holiday season.”

Also noted on this year’s list of products are specialty soaps and lotions made from sheep’s milk that you can get from Maple Hill Farm in Ladysmith, packed cheese spreads and gourmet cheeses from Chalet Cheese Cooperative and Pine River Cheese, and ready made dessert with New York Style cheesecakes from Suzy’s Cream Cheesecakes.

You can find out more online at http://somethingspecialwi.com. 

 

Capitol rotunda Holiday Tree is lit

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – or the Holidays, if you will – at the Wisconsin Capitol. Over the noon hour on Friday, Governor Tony Evers flipped the switch to illuminate the Capitol Holiday tree.

The Medford High School choir sang a variety of Christmas carols, including “O Christmas Tree.” The rotunda evergreen was was officially called a Holiday Tree beginning in 1985, before Governor Scott Walker called it a Christmas tree in 2011.

This year’s 30′ tree comes from the Medford area and celebrates science, with ornaments made by Wisconsin school kids.
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Deer kills decline for 2019 hunting season

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The number deer harvested during the just-concluded gun-deer season is down sharply compared to a year ago. A preliminary report from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says hunters killed 90,286 deer in 2019, down from 123,090 in 2018. That’s a decrease of 26.7%.

The DNR’s Jeff Pritzl said the drop can likely be attributed to the late start to the season.

“Because of the calendar shift, having the latest possible season opener, that does have an effect when we look at that phenomenon from previous years,” Pritzl told WTAQ.

Hunters have told the DNR the deer have been hard to find. “Deer activity and observations of deer certainly appeared to be depressed and slow compared to what we’re accustomed to or what expectations were,” said Pritzl.

There were no counties in the state that reported increases from a year ago.

More snow coming to Wisconsin this weekend

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You’re not going to escape it – there is at least a chance of snow for just about everyone in the state over the next few days.  

The National Weather Service says you should enjoy the nice holiday weather today because Friday, Saturday and Sunday figure to include snowfall throughout Wisconsin.  

Western Wisconsin could be covered by another six inches of snow, while Madison and Milwaukee can expect about an inch.

Check your hunting cabin for carbon monoxide, says WPS

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While most people have updated their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at home, a Wisconsin Public Service spokesperson says you should also check your hunting shack as well.

Spokesperson Matt Cullen tells WXPR Radio to be safe, check the detectors at the shack. “No matter if you are one of the tens of thousands of deer hunters planning to take part in the opening of the gun deer hunting season, or anyone else, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide.

“Just like in your home or apartment, every hunting cabin should have a carbon monoxide and a smoke detector installed. That way you will be aware of the presence of carbon monoxide if it does appear inside your hunting cabin.”

Cullen says a heating safety inspection should be performed at the cabin. He says that’s just as important as the other safety precautions you are implementing. “Making sure the area around the heating system is clear.

“You should check the vents and flues to make sure they are clear of animal nests or debris that could block them and cause carbon monoxide to be trapped indoors. You may want to check the flame on your furnace. You should have a blue flame coming out. If you have a yellow flame, it might need professional adjustment

Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless. Warning signs of poisoning include sudden flu-like symptoms, dizziness, headaches or sleeplessness, pale complexion, and cherry red lips, nausea or vomiting, fluttering heartbeat. It could lead to unconsciousness and death.

On a separate point, Cullen also cautions hunters to be aware of power lines and electric distribution equipment.

WXPR

Another Wisconsin city opens up deer hunting inside city limits

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Another Wisconsin city is opening up a deer hunt inside its borders.

The Richland Center Common Council finalized plans Tuesday night to allow bow hunting on city-owned property.

Hunters will have to wait until after the nine-day gun season to try out the new hunt. Only allow bow hunting is allowed, no guns. Hunters must stay more than 300 feet away from any walking paths.

Richland Center has seen an uptick in problems like car-deer crashes and Lyme disease within city limits.

DNR offers ice advice to hunters

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Deer hunters will be dealing with some challenging conditions when they hit the fields as the gun season opens Saturday. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wardens are urging them to watch out for the ice, especially if they aren’t familiar with the area.

It has been unusually cold, but the ice on ponds and marsh areas may not be thick enough and that could be dangerous. Hunters are being urged to take a “spud bar” with them to tap the ice. If it’s thick enough to walk on, it won’t crack when the hunter taps it with the metal.

We Energies Cookie Book 2019 edition now available

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The We Energies cookie book is back for 2019.

Spokeswoman Amy Jahns says the books track all the way back to 1928 when the Wisconsin Electric Company was just starting to hook up customers to electric appliances. 

“We needed to teach our customers how to use those electric appliances, and what better way to do that than show them how to bake cookies?”

Jahns says this year’s book honors the 91 years of the Cookie Book’s history. 

“We asked our customers to send in recipes and memories of baking with their grandmas over the years, and we got some really great submissions.”

500 recipes were sent in and over 30 of them made it to the print edition. You can request a copy or get a digital version of the book online at their website.