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Around 12:43PM today, a call was relayed to the Chippewa Falls Fire Department that smoke was coming from a commercial building near 18 West Willow Street. “Caller did not believe that it was occupied.” By 12:48, Engine 1 was responding to the structure fire with the subsequent comment, “this could be the welding shop. We’ve had a call there before for the wood stove.” 4 officers were on scene with video as well. This was now a 3 alarm fire and would be upgraded to 4 alarm at 12:53. Flames were visible in the back of the building.

All firefighting resources were being called in and additional personnel needed time to organize. Also police needed to expand the restricted area from one block of West Willow to Bridge Street near Holiday as a second hydrant was deployed. Water demands were high.

Many spectators gathered across the street near Jimmy John’s and the former Pam’s Quick Wash and took videos with their mobile phones. The building was, in fact, attached to Krueger’s Welding Shop, though it appeared to be used for housing vehicles as shown on Google’s August 2019 street view. The fire’s origin was not reported as of this evening and no injuries were reported either.

Contrary to WEAU-TV’s reporting, the fire did not affect Main Street across town, but Bay Street along with West Willow Street and North Bridge Street. Also, contrary to WQOW-TV’s reporting, the fire was called in prior to 1PM. Flames were visible; however, when the above photos were taken at 1:06PM.

Around 8:30PM, only a single fire engine and one official with a vest remained, who appeared to be investigating the scene. The alley behind is blocked and the building is taped off. This is private property and should not be intruded upon by the public.

References:

https://www.weau.com/2021/02/27/ongoing-fire-in-chippewa-falls/

https://wqow.com/2021/02/27/chippewa-fire-department-stay-clear-of-area/

https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/31670

https://www.google.com/maps/place/18+W+Willow+St,+Chippewa+Falls,+WI+54729/@44.9380172,-91.3955791,14z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x87f8a65cd12f328f:0xa9485d4587ec7d7c!8m2!3d44.9381556!4d-91.3956083?hl=en

https://wordpress.com/post/chippewaphotos.wordpress.com/1179

Feb 22 – Mar 7, 2021                                                      M O N 22 1 T U E 23 🌔 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 10-Noon | Food Pantry Cook Chiropractic | 10:30A | Slow Flow Yoga 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 5-7P | Open Door Clinic Bye The Willow | 6-9P | Chunky Knit Blanket Workshop Sandbar & Grill | 7:30P | DJ Trivia 2 🌖 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 10-Noon | Food Pantry Cook Chiropractic | 10:30A | Slow Flow Yoga 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 5-7P | Open Door Clinic Sandbar & Grill | 7:30P | DJ Trivia W E D 24 Rumor Mill | 7P | DJ Trivia Eagles Club | 7-9P | B-I-N-G-O 3 Rumor Mill | 7P | DJ Trivia T H U 25 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 10-Noon | Food Pantry Anson Town Hall | 4-8P | Spaghetti Playground Fundraiser Chippewa River Distillery | 7P | Trivia Sandbar & Grill | 7:30P | DJ Trivia Rookie’s Pub | 9P | Karaoke Contest 4 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 10-Noon | Food Pantry Chippewa River Distillery | 7P | Trivia Sandbar & Grill | 7:30P | DJ Trivia Rookie’s Pub | 9P | Karaoke Contest F R I 26 Bye The Willow | 6P $50 | Truffle Dinner Leinie Lodge | 8-10P | Summer Shandy Event w Music by Shirts & Skins 5 🌓 S A T 27 🌕 Eagle’s Club | 10-5 $5 | Metaphysical Fair The Edge Pub | 12P | Polar Plunge CVCA Heyde Center | 7:30P $12 | Sterling & The 85 Silver Band 6 Loopy’s Saloon | 12-4P | 6th Annual Beersbee Tournament S U N 28 Bye The Willow | 11-2 | Kids Brunch Brass Lantern | 3P | DJ Trivia Sandbar & Grill | 3-6P | Music by Mark Healey & Jim Schuh Duo 7 Brass Lantern | 3P | DJ Trivia

Family Fare Downtown posted, after weeks of sub-zero lows and single digit highs, these “Out of Order” signs with icicle drawings on their pop machines. But seeing them turned on, this intrepid reported put in four bits, received a sticky Dr. Pepper can, rinsed it off and found it was perfect. While these machines cool beverages in the summer, they also contain heaters for winter. Apparently they couldn’t keep up, resulting in what I can only guess is a sticky mess within. Warmer weather is predicted for the near future – almost refrigerator temperature, in fact.

As one drives West down Spruce Street, the vintage of houses become increasingly modern and more uniform until Bluff View Circle seemingly traps the traveler in a loop with no outlet. It is through a wooded area near Hwy 53 that new roads have been cut and houses are going up.

Excavation and construction has been ongoing since mid-2020. There was discussion of a continuation of Mansfield St westward but the location of new houses now make the logistics unlikely.

References:

http://www.chippewafalls-wi.gov/your-government/boards-commissions-committees/plan-commission/-folder-507

Voting is once again happening at polling places in Chippewa Falls. The library has moved their operation to the children’s room with the usual meeting room taken up by hold pickups. The only race in Chippewa is a primary for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction, though Cadott also has a School Board race.

The courthouse reopened this week having been appointment only so far in 2021. Check myvote.wi.gov for your polling place.

References:

https://www.co.chippewa.wi.us/government/county-clerk/elections/election-results

https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/

https://www.leadertelegram.com/news/local/chippewa-county-courthouse-to-reopen-feb-15/article_8d88faf0-a99d-59e6-b6b0-f340822a1259.htmlhttps://www.leadertelegram.com/news/local/chippewa-county-courthouse-to-reopen-feb-15/article_8d88faf0-a99d-59e6-b6b0-f340822a1259.html

Alexander Wiley Park is named for the local attorney and United States Senator. In 1926, Alexander Wiley is listed in Wright’s City Directory in the Union Block on North Bridge Street as a lawyer. He would later be elected to the US Senate in 1938, serving for 24 years and chairing the Committee on the Judiciary (1947-1949) and the Committee on Foreign Relations (1953-1955).

The park sits on .4 acres of land on High Street, East of the Rainbow Bridge. A stand of small trees was recently cleared, giving this humble park a view of the town below. The park was dedicated in 1984 and is the site of a time capsule moved due to road work on Bridge Street.

References:

http://www.chippewafalls-wi.gov/your-government/parks-recreation-forestry/parks-facilities/neighborhood-parks

https://www.senate.gov/states/WI/timeline.htm

https://chippewa.com/special-section/icons/icons-alexander-wiley-begins-political-career-here/article_5587b734-505a-5bcd-abff-c741fbfe7b51.html

Feb 8 – Feb 21, 2020                                                      M O N 8 15 Bye The Willow | 6P $50 | Wine Dinner T U E 9 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 10-Noon | Food Pantry Cook Chiropractic | 10:30A | Slow Flow Yoga 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 5-7P | Open Door Clinic Sandbar & Grill | 7:30P | DJ Trivia 16 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 10-Noon | Food Pantry Cook Chiropractic | 10:30A | Slow Flow Yoga 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 5-7P | Open Door Clinic Sandbar & Grill | 7:30P | DJ Trivia W E D 10 Leinie Lodge | 6P | Beers & Bouquets Rumor Mill | 7P | DJ Trivia 17 Rumor Mill | 7P | DJ Trivia T H U 11 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 10-Noon | Food Pantry Chippewa River Distillery | 7P | Trivia Sandbar & Grill | 7:30P | DJ Trivia Rookie’s Pub | 9P | Karaoke Contest 18 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 10-Noon | Food Pantry Bye The Willow | 6-8P $40 | Paint & Sip Night Chippewa River Distillery | 7P | Trivia Sandbar & Grill | 7:30P | DJ Trivia Sandbar & Grill | 8P | Live Music by Adam Pearse Rookie’s Pub | 9P | Karaoke Contest F R I 12 19 Leinie Lodge | 5-8P | Music by Sean Jordan S A T 13 Eagle’s Club | 10-5 $5 | Metaphysical Fair Bye The Willow | 12-2P $20 | Crafter’s Workshop Bye The Willow | 7P $45 | Valentine’s Dinner 20 Lake Altoona | 8-1 $25 | Ice Fishing for Freedom S U N 14 Sandbar & Grill | 11A | 6th Annual Chili Contest Residence on Miles Street | 1-3P | Bake Sale Brass Lantern | 3P | DJ Trivia Bye The Willow | 4P | Local Artist Gala Bye The Willow | 6P $45 | Romantic Dinner 21 Brass Lantern | 3P | DJ Trivia Bye The Willow | 4P | Local Artist Gala

2020 was a difficult year for the Fair with mostly scaled-down events. Interestingly enough, similar disruptions happened during the 1930s due to a fire in 1931 and an economic downturn for the company. Therefore 4-H put on free fairs in 1932 and 1933 and after Fair ownership changed, the Northern Wisconsin State Fair was back to regular business in 1934.

The Fair has been soliciting for 2021 tickets and event sponsors since last summer, no doubt bringing in necessary cash flow for upcoming events. A recent addition to the grounds is Cobblestone Suites’ glowing sign on the Grandstand.

2021 events listed on the website include Lion’s Club Easter Egg Hunt on March 27, Clean Sweep and Athletic Booster Club Extravaganza on April 17, Chippewa County Conservation Tree Pickup on May 6, Special Kids Day on May 7, Indianhead Gun Show on May 14, 4-H Horse Schooling Day on May 15, Parkview-Circle of Friends Walk-a-Thon on May 19, Springfest on May 21, ALS Walk and Wheel-a-Thon on June 13, Good Sams RV Rally on June 15, June Dairy Day on June 23 and Air Stream RV Rally on June 24-26.

This year’s Northern Wisconsin State Fair which was cancelled in 2020 is scheduled to start on July 7. The Grandstand’s entertainment lineup is the same as last year’s plan with Trace Adkins on Wednesday, Hairball on Thursday, LANCO on Friday, with Grand Funk Railroad and Blue Oyster Cult on Saturday night.

Other annual events like OneFest, Indianhead Car Show, The Big Rig Truck Show and Oktoberfest are once again on the schedule. Better luck this year!

References:

https://www.nwsfa.com/events

https://www.co.chippewa.wi.us/government/land-conservation-forest-management/land-water-conservation/conservation-tree-program-2016

Donna Bourget & Anne Keller. Northern Wisconsin State Fair: A Fair to Remember. The Chippewa County Historical Society. Chippewa Falls, 2020.

All photographs, unless noted, are copyrighted by the author of this website and licensed as CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0. Commercial inquiries can be addressed to the mail page.

Jan 25 – Feb 7, 2020                                                      M O N 25 1 Bye The Willow | 6P $50 | Beer Dinner T U E 26 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 10-Noon | Food Pantry Cook Chiropractic | 10:30A | Slow Flow Yoga 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 5-7P | Open Door Clinic Sandbar & Grill | 7:30P | DJ Trivia 2 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 10-Noon | Food Pantry Cook Chiropractic | 10:30A | Slow Flow Yoga 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 5-7P | Open Door Clinic Sandbar & Grill | 7:30P | DJ Trivia W E D 27 Rumor Mill | 7P | DJ Trivia 3 Rumor Mill | 7P | DJ Trivia T H U 28 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 10-Noon | Food Pantry Sandbar & Grill | 7:30P | DJ Trivia Rookie’s Pub | 9P | Karaoke Contest 4 1st Prebsbyterian Church | 10-Noon | Food Pantry Chippewa River Distillery | 7P | Trivia Sandbar & Grill | 7:30P | DJ Trivia Rookie’s Pub | 9P | Karaoke Contest F R I 29 5 Leinie Lodge | 5-8P | Music by Sean Jordan S A T 30 Loopy’s | Boogie & The Yo-Yoz 6 Wissota View | 7-2 | Jig’s Up Contest Micon Cinemas | 10A $5 | NYFO Kickoff Event Craft Fair | 4 Corners S U N 31 Sandbar & Grill | 11A | 6th Annual Chili Contest Brass Lantern | 3P | DJ Trivia Bye The Willow | 4P | Local Artist Gala 7 Brass Lantern | 3P | DJ Trivia Bye The Willow | 4P | Local Artist Gala Local Sports Bars | 5:30P | Superbowl Game

Segments of the new Area History Center on Bridgewater Avenue are stored in Marshall Park across the street from the job site and placed with a crane.

All photographs, unless noted, are copyrighted by the author of this website and licensed as CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0. Commercial inquiries can be addressed to the mail page.