Wood County Parks close this week. Cabbage brings more jobs to Wisconsin. More local and state news.

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – Several Wood County Parks will close for the season on October 31st. South Wood and North Wood County Park campgrounds will close on Thursday this week. Dexter County Park Campground will remain open until December 2nd. Dump stations are still available, but all water filling stations have been shut down for the season. The heated shower building will stay open until Dexter closes on December 2nd. The ATV Intensive Use Area and Nepco Lake County Park shelter buildings are both available to rent throughout the year. You can make reservations on the Wood County Parks and Forestry Department online portal up to one year in advance.

Snowmobile Safety Courses are Available

If you need to take a Snowmobile Safety Class this year, you can register now for classes with the Portage County Sheriff’s Office. This is an official DNR training program taught by certified sheriff’s deputies and other highly skilled volunteers in December. It gives the fundamentals on safe and legal operations of snowmobiles. Classes are scheduled for December 9th, 10th and 12th. They’re held at the Portage County Sheriff’s Office Training Room on Strongs Avenue from 4 to 7 PM. Space is limited and you’ll need to register here.

Watch Out For Text Scams About Voting

Some folks aren’t even looking at the political text messages anymore, but those who are should read carefully. Voters are being warned by the state’s elections commission to be wary of text messages claiming issues with their voter registration. The texts, which have been reported to the commission, may not be outright scams but could contain erroneous information that might confuse voters. To ensure accurate voting information, people are encouraged to check with their local clerk or use the official my vote system.

You Can Still Get an ID to Vote

If you don’t have an ID to show at the polls, you can still obtain one from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. In Wisconsin, we’re required to show identification to cast our ballot, but there’s no special voter ID and we don’t need a federally compliant REAL ID to vote. You can check the Wisconsin Election Commission website to see what forms of IDs are accepted at the polls. If you don’t have a driver’s license or a state ID yet, the place to start is the DMV website. U.S. citizens are able to obtain an identification card to show at the polls for free if you don’t have one. You can find a list of required documents needed here.

Brett Favre Speaking at Trump Rally

Former President Donald Trump enlists the help of a Green Bay Packer legend to drum up support this week. Packer Legend Brett Favre is scheduled to speak at a rally for Former President Donald Trump in Green Bay on Wednesday, October 30th. The rally will be at the Resch Center. Trump is scheduled to address the crowd at 6 pm. The former president will rally at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on November 1st. Both parties are courting voters in Wisconsin where polls show Trump and his opponent Kamala Harris virtually tied.

Kwik Trip is Building a New Distribution Center

Wisconsin Village DeForest received a $1.5 million Transportation Economic Assistance grant on Monday to help serve a new Kwik Trip Inc. distribution center. The announcement comes from Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The grant will help with the village’s road construction needed for the KTI distribution center as well as supporting 398 jobs in South Central Wisconsin. There is only one other KTI distribution center in the state, located in La Crosse. The center not only supports a large number of jobs but will also reduce distribution costs and lower prices for consumers.

Sauerkraut Producer Bringing More Jobs To Wisconsin

Sauerkraut, anyone? While the discussion of hot or cold varies depending on if your traditions are German or Polish, most everyone agrees sauerkraut is a popular topping for brats. One of the world’s leading producers of sauerkraut is moving its headquarters to Wisconsin. Fermented Food Holdings, Inc. is investing $13 million to expand local production in Bear Creek and relocate their corporate headquarters to Madison. This will create 60 new full-time jobs, with 41 of them being in the small community of Bear Creek. It will also bring production closer to local farms. Wisconsin is the fourth largest producer of cabbage in the United States. This move will help the company direct source organic, fresh ingredients from our Wisconsin farmers.

Proposed Free Meals for All Students

State superintendent Dr. Jill Underly is proposing free meals for all students. She announced the proposal on Friday. With the universal free meals proposal, all Wisconsin students would have access to a nutritious breakfast and lunch – for free. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction says, one in four Wisconsin high school students reported hunger due to a lack of food in their home. The proposal is part of Dr. Underly’s 2025-27 biennial budget. It would also fully fund the School Day Milk Program, and it would create a new program encouraging school districts to buy directly from local farmers and producers.

Hunting and Trapping Seasons Open Soon

Hunters and trappers prepare! November is just around the corner and the start of multiple hunting and trapping seasons. The DNR says there are three important dates to remember throughout November when these different seasons open. November 2nd is for beaver, mink, muskrat, and otter trapping only, and raccoon for non-residents. November 11th is trapping only for mink and muskrat in the Mississippi River Zone, and November 23rd is opening season for crow and the beginning of deer gun season. It’s the hunter and trapper’s responsibility to double-check regulations and confirm that you have all the necessary licenses before heading into the field. You can find more information at the DNR website. If you’re a first-time hunter, you’ll need to complete an approved trapper education course, except in special circumstances.

International Bat Week October 23-31

This week is International Bat Week and the Wisconsin DNR wants you to help the flying mammals. International Bat Week continues through the 31st, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages Wisconsinites to help the bats this week. Bats are vital to the ecosystem and save farmers and foresters billions of dollars every year by consuming bugs – up to 1000 mosquito-sized insects an HOUR. Four of the eight species in Wisconsin are threatened.

Insurance for Pets

We know the importance of having health insurance for ourselves and our children, but did you know you can also get insurance for your pets? The Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin is advising pet owners to know what they’re agreeing to before signing up. Pet insurance policies can vary greatly in price and coverage. The BBB says to get to know the different plan types. Decide how much coverage you need. Compare prices and plans, and read the fine print. You’ll want to check if there’s a waiting period and insure your pet when they’re young and healthy. You can potentially get the best deal if you ask about discounts for multiple pets or annual payments instead of paying monthly. You should also plan for premium increases as your pet ages. If pet insurance doesn’t seem feasible, consider setting up an emergency fund for your pet instead and start saving. You can find out more at the Better Business Bureau website.