Andrea Olson - District 4 Alderperson, Stevens Point

10/21/2026

Stage 2 of Business 51 reconstruction, the Fourth Ave Intersection, begins next week.

Business 51 / Division Street Reconstruction Stage 2 Begins Oct. 26: Stage two of the Business 51 reconstruction begins Monday, October 26. Work includes a single-lane roundabout and a full closure from Franklin St. to 400 ft north of Fourth Ave. All businesses along the corridor will remain open and accessible.

https://stevenspoint.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=7146&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

10/21/2026

Volunteer opportunities for community members at Central Wisconsin Children's Museum (CWCM) on October 23! Please consider giving a few hours of time that could have a lifelong impact on the children in our community.

CWCM is in need of a couple of haunts to volunteer at this year's Healthy Halloween Hoopla!

Check out available opportunities and sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4FA5A62EAAF94-66582292-healthy #/

Hoopla tickets are available here: https://givebutter.com/CWCM_HHH2026
Ticket prices go up day-of.

10/21/2026

This is long but important.🌲 Oct. 18–24 is Forest Products Week! Here in Stevens Point and Central Wisconsin, forestry is part of our local identity, economy, and future.

UW-Stevens Point’s School of Forestry and Natural Resources is a valuable local connection to the science and stewardship of Wisconsin’s forests.

I’ve experienced the forest products industry firsthand. I previously worked for Universal Forest Products in its hardwoods division, working with local mills. For the past 10 years, I’ve also owned a business creating custom engraved products from scratch using local lumber, partnering primarily with women-owned businesses. I’ve shipped products around the world and collaborated with incredible companies, all while building a business rooted right here in Central Wisconsin.

🌳 Our region’s climate and soils support hardwood species such as maple, oak, and cherry. Our forests, local mills, and skilled craftspeople create opportunities that reach far beyond our community.

This is also why sustainability needs to be part of how Stevens Point makes decisions. Our Sustainability Commission has an important role to play, but sustainability needs to be more fully integrated into the City’s decision-making processes. From infrastructure and development to natural resource management and long-term budgeting, we should be considering environmental impacts and long-term resilience before decisions are made—not as an afterthought.

Our forests demonstrate how natural resources, responsible stewardship, and economic opportunity can work together. We should bring that same forward-thinking approach to how we plan for Stevens Point’s future.

Wisconsin’s forest products industry contributes $42 billion in total economic value to our state and supports more than 123,000 related jobs. Protecting our natural resources and supporting our local economy can go hand in hand.

Learn more from the Wisconsin DNR: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/ForestBusinesses

10/19/2026

As a heads up, the Parks Restrooms are now closed until around May 1, 2027.

All parks restroom facilities will be closing for the season on Thursday. Restrooms will re-open no later than May 1 next spring.

10/18/2026

A wonderful example of repurposing natural resources and bringing new life to our community!

10/17/2026

This year’s tour was amazing. If you’d like to be an artist on the tour in 2027 please apply!

Selection considers quality, studio fit, available openings, and a balanced variety of mediums. Not being selected may simply mean your medium is already well represented.

10/17/2026

City of Stevens Point Government has five City meetings this week, starting with the Common Council on Monday, Oct. 19 at 6:00 PM in the Community Room at the Police Station, 933 Michigan Ave. The Council takes up the mayor's and alderpersons' salaries, the 2027 Capital Budget, utility rate adjustments for water, wastewater and stormwater, the bid award for Well 12 and Water Treatment Plant upgrades, and several zoning changes. Zoom is available. I'll write more on this meeting soon. I'm chin deep in local and international data/research.

At the start of every Common Council meeting, anyone can address the Mayor and Council for up to three minutes on any topic, including things that aren't on the agenda. It's your chance to be heard by the whole Council and have your comments documented in the public record. People use this time to raise concerns about Flock cameras, propose new policies, announce special events, push for a new park, work to save a building, or even announce they're running for office. What you say does make a difference. BUT beware you might get asked to run for council or submit an application for a board/committee/commission like I did... So, speak up! You'll find a link to apply for positions. Even if an opening doesn't exist apply. Sometimes like this year applications get pulled from a few years back. I've been told applicants typically do not receive a response after applying. So, I encourage you to send the mayor a follow-up email to show how interested you are in serving your community. Be part of the change: https://www.stevenspoint.com/82/Boards-Commissions

On Monday at midday, the Board of Water & Sewerage Commissioners and the Airport Commission meet at 300 Bliss Ave. The Water & Sewerage agenda includes the same utility rate adjustments for water, wastewater and stormwater and the same bid award for Well 12 and Water Treatment Plant upgrades that go to the Council that evening.

On Tuesday morning, the Business Park Business Improvement District Board meets at the Transit Center on Week St. This meeting has no Zoom option.

On Tuesday evening, the Personnel Committee holds a special meeting on an employee grievance. Under the City's grievance procedure (Administrative Policy 2.10(3)(B)), this step of a grievance goes to the Personnel Committee. Wisconsin's Open Meetings Law, Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(b), allows matters involving an employee's discipline or dismissal to be discussed in closed session. The Committee then returns to open session to take any action.

You're welcome to attend any of these meetings in person or by Zoom where it's offered. Times, locations and Zoom availability are in the graphic. This list is from the City's agenda portal as of Oct. 16, and meetings can be added or changed. For the latest agendas and Zoom links:
stevenspointwi.portal.civicclerk.com

Andrea Olson
District 4 Alderperson, City of Stevens Point

10/16/2026

Kids Costume Fun Run Dash, Saturday, Oct. 24 at 8:45 AM at the Stevens Point Area YMCA, followed by the Y’s biggest event of the year, the FREE Annual Fall Festival, from 10 AM–1 PM! 🎃

The Fun Run is $5 per child and now has an obstacle course with a bouncy slide, tunnels, hurdles and more. The Fall Festival needs no registration and includes open swim, bouncy houses, live music, face painting, pumpkins and more than $2,500 in giveaways.

I grew up at the Y as a swimmer, swim instructor and lifeguard, and I took my Red Cross Babysitting course there too. The Y taught me leadership, responsibility, living a healthy active lifestyle and how to care for others, all while having a lot of fun. That’s what it still gives kids today!

See the Y’s post below for details.