Two Rivers detective lieutenant is department's first woman to graduate from FBI National Academy — plus more news in weekly dose
MANITOWOC - Melissa Wiesner, a detective lieutenant with the Two Rivers Police Department, recently graduated as a member of the 283rd session of the FBI National Academy.
At least six officers from the Two Rivers Police Department have completed the program. Wiesner is the first woman to do so.
Nationally, fewer than 1% of officers have the chance to attend the program, which offers 10 weeks of advanced communication, leadership and fitness training.
Wiesner has been with the Two Rivers department for 20 years. She oversees the detective bureau, school resource officers, death investigators and evidence technicians.
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► Ice Age Trail Alliance opens Mammoth Hike Challenge registration: The Ice Age Trail Alliance is gearing up for its third Mammoth Hike Challenge and people can register for free at iceagetrail.org/mammoth-hike-challenge.
Participants are challenged to walk, hike, run or backpack 42 miles on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and visit three designated trail communities.
The mileage corresponds with this year marking the 42nd anniversary of the Ice Age Trail becoming a National Scenic Trail.
The challenge is open to all ages and ability levels. The reward for completing the Mammoth Hike Challenge is a 2022 limited-edition challenge patch and certificate. Participants can accumulate miles individually or as part of a team.
The alliance is also offering ways for challenge participants to earn “bonus” miles without hiking. They can attend challenge-related events to earn 10 miles or visit a fourth Trail Community to earn 10 miles.
The Ice Age Trail goes through or near many Wisconsin communities. Seventeen of those are designated Ice Age Trail Communities. These communities are spread along the 1,200-mile trail.
To encourage participants to seek out new areas they’ve never hiked before, the Ice Age Trail Alliance curated challenge itineraries that are available at iceagetrail.com/mammoth-hike-challenge.
The itineraries provide trail maps and showcase restaurants, attractions and historical landmarks in the 17 official Ice Age Trail Communities, which include Antigo, Cornell, Cross Plains, Delafield, Hartland, Janesville, Lodi, Manitowoc-Two Rivers, Merrill, Milton, Rib Lake, Slinger, St. Croix Falls, Sturgeon Bay, Verona, West Bend and Whitewater.
► Two Rivers to host first-ever Lakeshore Fall Festival: The first-ever Lakeshore Fall Festival is set for Oct. 21-22 in Two Rivers.
Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at Whisky D’s, 1215 26th St., where there will be live music and New Belgium drink specials. At 7 p.m., the haunted attraction Scare USA, 1206 25th St., will open for the night.
Events on Oct. 22 start with a maker’s market from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. That will include live music, dog adoption, kids’ activities, a pet costume contest and more. 6 p.m. will turn things into “haunt mode,” bringing New Belgium drink specials and giveaways with an adults-only costume contest being held as Scare USA opens.
The haunted attraction Scare USA will be open every Friday and Saturday from Sept. 30 until Oct. 29. People can buy tickets and learn more about the attraction by visiting https://www.scareusa.com/.
► Apple Fest is Oct. 8 in Two Rivers: Two Rivers’ Apple Fest will be from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Oct. 8 in the city's downtown. Admission is free.
The festival will feature bushels of different apples, caramel apples and apple cider available for purchase.
Also included are food stands, arts, crafts and other vendors, live entertainment, and games for kids.
Activities will be in Central Park and inside the J.E. Hamilton Community House. For more information or to apply to be a volunteer or vendor, contact Erin at 920-973-3302 or email erin.gonnerman@gmail.com.
► All Hallows’ Eve Oct. 15 at Historical Society: Manitowoc County Historical Society, 924 Pinecrest Road in Manitowoc, will hold on old-fashioned trick-or-treating program, All Hallows’ Eve, from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 15.
Guests can enjoy an evening of 1890s-style family fun at All Hallows’ Eve, with a retelling of legendary Halloween stories by the bonfire, activities and Victorian-era entertainment.
Guests are encouraged to dress in costume and trick-or-treat among the historic structures of Pinecrest Village.
Cost is $10 for adults, $7 for children ages 4-17, and free for children younger than 4 and museum members.
► Breakfast in the Park planned at Point Beach State Park: A Breakfast in the Park to support youth activities in Two Rivers is scheduled for 8 a.m.-noon Oct. 15 at the main lodge at Point Beach State Park, 9400 County Road O, Two Rivers.
A buffet breakfast with beverages will be served and a basket raffle will also be available for purchase.
Cost is $10 in advance or $12 the day of for adults, or $6 for kids younger than 10.
Advance tickets can be purchased at the Point Beach State Park registration building or concession stand or at Domnitz Flowers, 1714 11th St., Two Rivers.
► Maritime Metro Transit trims services because of staffing shortages: Starting Sept. 26, Manitowoc’s Maritime Metro Transit will temporarily be going to an hourly schedule on bus routes 2, 3, 4 and 6 in the city as a result of staffing shortages.
The city said in a news release Sept. 16 it was unknown when full services would resume.
People can check www.manitowoc.org/maritimemetro or use the Maritime Metro Transit app to find the latest updates.
Anyone interested in applying for a transit driver position can do so here. The city said applicants may qualify for a $1,000 sign-on bonus.
► At-home COVID-19 tests available at Health Department: Rapid COVID-19 at-home tests are now available to the public at the Manitowoc County Health Department, 1028 S. Ninth St., after a donation of 900 tests from Alliance Laundry Systems.
The tests are available on a first come, first served basis with a limit of four per person.
The Health Department is asking people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who are living with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms to remain in their vehicle (or outside if they don’t have a vehicle) and call the Health Department. Staff will then take the tests outside to them.
The department can be reached at 920-683-4155.
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This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Two Rivers police lieutenant Melissa Wiesner graduates FBI Academy
