For Isle Municipal Liquor Store manager Shannon Schminkey, a handful of her close family and family-friends have survived breast cancer.

The list includes her mother's best friend, who Schminkey said is like a second mother to her, as well as a good friend she rides motorcycle with who has an aggressive form of the cancer.

Two of Schminkey's aunts were also diagnosed; one of them passed away when Schminkey was young.

She believes that her surviving aunt may have been able to detect the cancer sooner if she had better resources.

"It is a real rollercoaster of health related issues that goes with the radiation and chemotherapy.

It's a rollercoaster of emotions as well," Schminkey said.

 "Thank God they're all survivors and have a positive story to tell.

It's important to have the exams done."

It has always been a dream of Schminkey's to throw a benefit in the name of breast cancer awareness.

Her new management position with the muni gave her the platform to do that.

The first annual Raise Your Mugs for the Jugs event will take place on Oct. 24, beginning with a live auction at 6 p.m.

Item donations will be accepted for the auction up until Oct. 23.

Schminkey hopes local businesses will pitch in for the cause to gather some larger donations, and maybe even some ice fishing gear.

Then at 9 p.m. the band Lake Effect will play some classic rock. 

Isle Lion's Club will sponsor a raffle, and large beer mugs will be for sale as a souvenir.

In addition, Noblewear of Onamia will have T-shirts for sale.

Attendees should "Dress to Save the Breast" because the event will also host a costume contest.

There will be a prize for the winner.

"One gentleman is coming as a mammogram doctor," she said with a laugh.

"We're trying to make this a lot of fun so people will come year after year.

I'd like this to be the first annual and continue to grow the benefit to raise awareness, money and funding."

Many people don't get their exam because of a lack in finances and resources.

With her goal to raise $1,200 to $1,500 for Mille Lacs Area Health Foundation, Schminkey hopes to help educate and encourage others to be proactive by getting their exam done.

Catching breast cancer early on is essential to decreasing mortality rates.

Each year it is estimated that over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die, as stated by the National Breast Cancer Organization.

Wisconsin is getting some national shaming today for its refusal to make drunk driving a crime when it's someone's first offense.

The Badger State, which holds the distinction of being the No. 1 binge-drinking state, is also the only state that gives a free pass to drunks on the road, CBS News says.

State Sen. Tim Carpenter has authored four of the six bills that toughened sanctions against drunk drivers this year. Not a one made it to the Senate floor.

Why not?

Because too many Wisconsinites are hammered when they drive.

"If you had everyone appear before the judge, it would be very difficult I think for the system to deal with that right now," Scott Fitzgerald, majority leader of the Senate, said.

A new bill has been introduced that takes another shot at stopping the carnage on the state's highways.

It would strip a drunk driver of his/her license to drive. After five DUIs.