Armstrong Creek
Armstrong Creek, WI · Events
History Snob
The Deadliest Wildfire in American History
On October 8, 1871, a devastating wildfire swept through northeastern Wisconsin—so devastating, in fact, that the disaster remains the deadliest wildfire in American history. It would later be known as the Peshtigo Fire, with a death toll ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 fatalities. Even with these jarring numbers, the tragedy is largely overshadowed by another event that occurred on the very same night : the Great Chicago Fire. The destruction unfolding around Peshtigo, however, was considerably deadlier. Within hours, homes, businesses, and vast stretches of forest had been consumed, leaving survivors struggling to comprehend what had happened. More than 150 years later, the catastrophe remains a disturbing example of how dangerous wildfires can truly get. A Disaster Years in the Making But how did such a deadly fire even erupt in Peshtigo? The story actually starts way back: long before the fire, Peshtigo had developed into a prosperous lumber town. Sawmills, woodworking factories, and railroad operations supported the local economy. However, it's not difficult to see that these industries also created dangerous conditions —case in point, that it would eventually lead to the most horrific fire in American history. It, of course, didn't help either that northeastern Wisconsin was experiencing
Eagle Herald
Menominee grants three conditional marijuana licenses
MENOMINEE — The City of Menominee has granted conditional marijuana retail licenses to three businesses that are built out and prepared to open. “We have started moving forward and have issued a retail license to the following: Highwire Wire Farms, Per I/Urb and Per II/Puff,” City Manager Brett Botbyl stated in an email. He said the licenses are contingent on the businesses passing all state and local inspections, codes, rules and full payment of application fees and/or past due/current taxes. This action comes as the result of a Nov. 3 ballot initiative that saw about 60% of voters approve increasing the number of marijuana licenses from nine to 13. There currently are eight licensed marijuana retailers in the city. All three of the businesses granted conditional licenses took different paths to get to this point. Highwire Farms, 1015 10th St. (corner of 10th Street and 10th Avenue), was part of a 2023 settlement agreement. Puff Cannabis, 2305 10th St. (the former Family Video location), was built out and ready to open last summer but could not get approval from the city. Urb, 1015 26th Ave. (the corner of 10th Street), has been ready to open for more than a year.
Upper Michigans Source
DNR looking to buy 60 miles of railroads
WJFW-TV
WLUC
Retired Kingsford coach publishes book on 51 years of UP high school football playoffs
KINGSFORD, Mich. (WLUC) - Andy Wiltzius, a retired Kingsford football coach and teacher, has published his second book, “Headed Down State.” The book chronicles 51 years of Upper Peninsula high school football teams and their runs through the Michigan High School Athletic Association playoffs. Each chapter covers one...
explorerhinelander.com
WJFW-TV
Antigo Daily Journal
Smith named to Antigo School Board
ANTIGO — The Antigo School Board welcomed a new member during Monday night’s special meeting. After two rounds of voting, Donna Smith was chosen as the new seated board member after about 45 minutes of interview questions of three candidates. Smith is taking over for Danny Pyeatt, the previous school board president, who resigned from his position at a special school board meeting held on Oct. 15. The three individuals who were interviewed included: Bob Wilson, a veteran; Smith, long-time educator and administrator; and Rebecca Rank, Langlade County chief deputy county clerk. The board took two rounds of voting in order to seat the new board member. Ultimately, a majority had to be reached for the new member to be chosen. During round one the board members voted as follows: Treasurer Danny Nicholson, Rank; Angi Schreiber, Rank; Vice President Jean Adams, Wilson; President Mike Parizek, Smith; Clerk Melissa Cornelius, Smith and Randy Myers, Smith. Kristen Mattmiller and Jill Mattek Nelson were not at the meeting. Votes for round two included: Nicholson, Rank; Schreiber, Rank; Adams, Smith; Parizek, Smith; Cornelius, Smith and Myers, Smith. In the last year, seven of the nine school board positions have been vacated and needed to