🌱 How long are Shawano families waiting for autism help—and what can start now?
Hello Shawano! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How long are Shawano families waiting for autism help—and what can start now?
- What Shawano’s new finance director means for your city budget
- Why officials are more hopeful about the dam north of Shawano
Also on today's calendar: Drift Test & Tune.
Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: A gusty t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 73 and low of 37 degrees.
- Saturday: Cloudy, windy and cooler, temps: high: 46, low: 30.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny and chilly, with a high of 45 and low of 26 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Families face long waits for autism diagnoses as demand grows, providers lag (wbay.com) — Families in Shawano are facing months- or years-long waits for autism diagnoses as more children are identified and local providers struggle to keep up. Area experts and programs like Bridge the Gap urge parents to seek support early, even before a formal diagnosis, emphasizing social skills, independence, and belonging for teens and young adults on the spectrum. 
2. City's new finance director eager to begin (newmedia-wi.com) — Shawano’s new finance director, Isaac Patterson, is stepping in to guide the city’s budget, audits, and long-term financial planning after years of auditing Wisconsin municipalities. He’s impressed by Shawano’s close-knit, growth-minded community and will spend the coming months working with department heads to balance city needs with state funding and the local tax levy.
3. Shawano County expresses cautious optimism for Balsam Row Road Dam (fox11online.com) — Officials say water levels at the Balsam Row Road Dam on the Wolf River north of Shawano have dropped significantly, easing immediate fears of failure. Crews are clearing debris to keep water moving as recent heavy rains continue to stress the system, and the sheriff’s office reports feeling more comfortable but still cautious about the situation.
4. Police Report- April 16 (tchdailynews.com) — Shawano County deputies and Clintonville police logged a busy April 15, handling crashes, domestic incidents, welfare checks, storm damage, and several 911 calls across local highways and neighborhoods. While some low-hazard dams briefly overtopped after recent rain, officials reported no danger to people or property.
5. Multiple road closures due to flooding in northeast Wisconsin (newmedia-wi.com) — Flooding has shut down multiple highways in Shawano County and nearby counties, including Highway 187 between Highway 156 in Shawano County and Highway 54 in Outagamie County. Drivers are urged to avoid water-covered roads, follow posted detours, and check 511wi.gov before traveling as river levels remain high and reopening timelines are still uncertain.
📸 Around Shawano
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Shawano
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
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Duel It for The Kids 2026
Shawano County Park, W5791 Lake Dr, Shawano
5:30 pm
Friday April 24
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Drift Test & Tune
USAIR Motorsports Raceway , W5901 County Hwy BE , Shawano
9:00 am -
Shawano Downtown Derby Day
Shawano Downtown , 127 S Sawyer St , Shawano
10:00 am
Friday May 1
Saturday May 2
📣 Shawano Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Aster Vendor Fair
Aster Assisted Living of Clintonville , 38 N Main St , Clintonville
9:00 am -
Track and Field: Boys and Girls Varsity/JV1
Clintonville Hi Clintonville, WI 54929
9:30 am -
Track and Field: MS
Clintonville Mid Clintonville, WI 54929
4:15 pm -
Soccer: Girls Varsity vs Seymour
Clintonville Hi Clintonville, WI 54929
4:30 pm -
Golf: Boys Varsity
Clintonville Hi Clintonville, WI 54929
10:00 am -
Soccer: MS
Clintonville Mid Clintonville, WI 54929
4:15 pm -
Baseball: Varsity Game vs Denmark (Away)
Clintonville Hi Clintonville, WI 54929
4:30 pm -
Softball: Varsity Game vs Amherst (Away)
Clintonville Hi Clintonville, WI 54929
4:30 pm -
Softball: Varsity Doubleheader vs Little Chute (Home)
Clintonville Hi Clintonville, WI 54929
4:00 pm
Saturday April 18
Monday April 20
Tuesday April 21
Thursday April 23
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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Ok Shawano! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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