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Anyone who’s been out to eat in the past six months already knows what a new study into the state’s bars and restaurants says. Restaurants across Wisconsin are busier but have fewer people working. The Wisconsin Policy Forum released the report last week. It says sales are up almost seven-percent compared to July of 2019, before the coronavirus. But employment in bars and restaurants is down almost nine-percent compared to the same summer. That means more customers and fewer people to wait on them.

It’s flu season, and Wisconsin’s public health managers are talking about flu shots. The state’s Department of Health Services says even with the coronavirus people should get their flu shot. Flu season typically starts in October and runs through the spring. Unlike the coronavirus, the flu is deadly for children and the elderly. Wisconsin essentially didn’t have a flu season last year, most cases were classified as part of the coronavirus outbreak.

If you want to see a show at the Grand Theater in Wausau, you’ll need your coronavirus shot or a negative test. Theater managers last week said they will require proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test in order to get in. The theater already requires its workers to be fully vaccinated. The theater is opening this month, for the first time in 18 months. The first performance at The Grand is Thursday.

“Snail mail” is getting slower.  On Friday, the U.S. Postal Service started what it calls “new service standards for First Class Mail and Periodicals.”  The slowdown will affect mail traveling long distances, such as between the East Coast and the West Coast.  Single-piece first class mail within the same region will still have a delivery time of two days. 

Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz is out of the hospital after getting injured during yesterday’s 17-38 loss against Michigan.  Mertz took a hit to the ribs and left the game in the third quarter.  Last night school officials confirmed Mertz was seen by doctors and released.  Team officials have as yet to say whether Mertz will play against Illinois this coming Saturday.

Demonstrators in favor and against abortion rally in Madison.  Yesterday, a rally and march were held along State Street in support of a woman’s right to choose.  The Womens March protest tied-in with similar events held across the country in protest of restrictions on abortion such as those recently passed in Texas.  A counter rally was also held at the state capitol where demonstrators called for protections of personhood be granted to the unborn.

Boomfest raises funds for military veteran suicide awareness and prevention in Edgerton.  Yesterday community members gathered at Old Racetrack Park for the fourth year in a row for the motorcycle, car and fireworks show.  Organizer and U.S. Navy veteran Chad Green says it’s important to have everyone aware of the challenges military veterans face and to stand with them.

Thousands of gallons of manure spill from an overturned tanker truck in the Town of Decatur.  The wreck took place after the driver missed a curve and the truck ran off of County Highway SS on Friday afternoon.  Green County Sheriff’s investigators say around 55-hundred gallons of manure spilled from the overturned tanker.  Deputies say the 61-year old truck driver suffered minor injuries.  The Department of Natural Resources helped with clean-up at the scene.

On Friday, October 1, 2021, at approximately 1:24 am, Lake Hallie Police Officers responded to the Holiday Inn Express Hotel, 12858 26th Avenue, Lake Hallie, for a report of a suspicious vehicle parked by the dumpsters. Upon arrival, Officers observed a male, identified as Dustin Baskin (36 years old) of Eau Claire, passed out in the driver’s seat. Officers contacted Baskin and had him exit the vehicle to be detained upon observing suspected marijuana on the front passenger seat. Officers

On Saturday October 2, 2021 at 13:33, The Eau Claire Fire Department responded to 512 Hobart Street for a residential structure fire. An Eau Claire Fire medic unit, staffed with 3 firefighters, happened to be in the area and was first on scene within seconds of the dispatch. The firefighters were able to quickly locate the fire and force entry into the smoke-filled apartment where they found an unconscious male. The male was rescued from the structure and transported to