Kevin Zimmermann

The Sheboygan Police Department is inviting you to a delicious way to help raise funds for their Police Lights of Christmas Program. Officers from the Sheboygan Police Department will be at Culver’s both at Taylor Heights and also on Washington Avenue for Cops at Culver’s Day.

It resembled a foggy early Thursday morning with visibility under a mile not uncommon, but that wasn’t fog. It was wildfire smoke from both Minnesota and Ontario, creating some of the most unhealthy conditions ever experienced to date in east central Wisconsin. An Air Quality Alert is in effect for Sheboygan County and much of Wisconsin until at least noon, and experts warn that it could be extended.

The artists, food trucks, entertainment, volunteers and other workers needed to pull off one of Sheboygan’s signature summer events are all in place; all that’s needed now is cooperation from the weather for the John Michael Kohler Arts Center’s Midsummer Festival of the Arts scheduled for this Saturday from 10 AM until 5 PM.

The Wisconsin DNR has upped its air quality advisory level to a Statewide Air Quality Alert as Canadian and Minnesota wildfires have smothered much of the country in a stifling blanket of smoke. Early morning levels that were already unhealthy for all groups of people have remained high or even increased in some cases, and all persons regardless of age or health are advised to avoid all outdoor physical activity until the alert expires at noon Friday.

The City of Sheboygan has suspended all outdoor work today due to unhealthy air quality. Officials say some duties, like garbage collection will still be performed as scheduled, and the recycling center will remain open, but other duties, such as those performed by workers with the Sheboygan Public Works Department, will be suspended. Officials say they do not expect any interruptions to other city departments and services.

Crispy lawns and struggling crops are becoming more common as drought has returned to Sheboygan County. 43 percent, or roughly the northern half of Sheboygan County along with adjacent areas of surrounding counties are included in the moderate drought, while the remainder is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

National Weather Service forecasters say that we may get a break from the horrible air quality later today, but until then all persons are advised to limit outdoor activity and spend most of the time indoors as the air quality advisory remains in effect until noon.

Sheboygan Police will be gone fishing on Saturday, but they’re not skipping work. The SPD is hosting their Cops and Bobbers event for a group of 7 to 13-year-olds as a way to break the ice between the public and law enforcement and engage with the community.

Air quality remains at unhealthy levels in most of eastern Wisconsin, and the Department of Natural Resources has extended the Air Quality Alert to 6 PM. Due to wildfire smoke, the quality was considered “Hazardous” for southeast Wisconsin including Sheboygan County, “Very Unhealthy” for for south central Wisconsin, and “Unhealthy” for southwestern Wisconsin as of 10 AM. A similar breakdown existed for areas to our north, and counties included in the 6 PM extension include Manitowoc, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Washington and Ozaukee. Most Wisconsin counties were relieved of the alert at noon.

The uninvited guest has returned after a brief respite of easy breathing on Saturday morning.