As the percentage of positive cases continues to drop, drive-in movies and Glorioso's are back -- but State Fair might not be

The Wisconsin State Fair may be canceled for the first time in 75 years.

The State Fair has been on Wisconsinites' summer calendars for more than a century — Abraham Lincoln visited while campaigning for the White House — but on Tuesday the fair moved a step closer to skipping the event amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The State Fair board of directors voted unanimously Tuesday to give Chairman John Yingling the power to cancel State Fair and other events scheduled at State Fair Park. 

The board did not decide to cancel but gave the chairman the authority to do so with the goal of announcing the decision by the end of May.

State Fair board members could either not be reached for comment, declined to talk or did not return messages.

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State Fair has been canceled only five years — three of them during the Civil War. The last cancellation was in 1945, as troops were fighting in the Pacific during World War II.

This year's 11-day Wisconsin State Fair is currently scheduled for Aug. 6-16.

As people seek summer activities that allow for social distancing, drive-in movie theaters seem to be making a comeback.

The Town of Brookfield has now approved plans for a drive-in movie theater at Marcus Majestic Cinema. 

The outdoor theater, at 770 N. Springdale Road, will open at 7:30 p.m. Fridaywith a double feature of "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" and "Jurassic Park." 

The move comes after the Milky Way Drive-In recently opened at Ballpark Commons in Franklin. 

Tickets will be made available online and on the Marcus Theatres app. 

Marcus Theatres said it plans to ensure social distancing with security that will patrol the lot. The company is asking that people remain in their vehicles, or immediately in front of them. Guests will be required to wear face coverings whenever they are outside their vehicles.

Coronavirus test numbers show percentage of positive cases continues to drop

Wisconsin reported 279 new coronavirus cases in the state Tuesday, the first time in seven days that the daily increase in positive tests has been below 300. 

The numbers come after coronavirus testing over the Memorial Day holiday weekend was limited to sites in Milwaukee and Madison on Saturday.

Still, the percentage of tests that were positive was 3.6%, following a downward trajectory since a peak Saturday of 6.8% positive. 

After the weekend lull, labs across the state ran 7,774 tests Monday and Tuesday, the results of which will be released in the coming days.

More than 216,000 residents so far have been tested for COVID-19. Of the 15,863 total positive cases as of Tuesday, the state reports that nearly 6 in 10 have recovered, leaving nearly 6,000 "active" cases in the state — meaning the case was diagnosed in the last 30 days and the person remains in isolation with persisting symptoms. 

On Tuesday, 517 people in the state had died, an increase of three from Monday. 

Landlords start evictions and MCTS will soon collect fares

Nearly 50 eviction actions, including three in Milwaukee County, were filed in Wisconsin courts Tuesday even though the statewide ban on evictions and foreclosure actions was still in effect and did not expire until the end of Tuesday.

Some landlords stood in line at the Milwaukee County Clerk of Courts office to file in person and avoid the $20 fee to file electronically, said Anna Hodges, chief deputy to Clerk of Courts John Barrett. 

Barrett staffers told landlords who insisted on filing Tuesday that they could do so. But, he warned, it is unknown whether the courts would accept the early filings. He also did not know if the courts would allow his office to refund the filing fees if the suits are thrown out by the court.

The Milwaukee County Transit System will begin collecting fares again at 4 a.m. Monday, and will also resume front-door boarding on all buses and paratransit vehicles that provide Transit Plus rides. 

The fares are needed because of increased costs and lost revenue caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the county.

MCTS has asked that riders wear masks that cover their noses and mouths, if possible, to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. 

Riders are asked to enter through the front door, pay their fares and move away from the driver and farebox. They’re also encouraged to use forms of fare payment that require no contact, like the M-CARD and Ride MCTS app.

The limit of 10 riders per bus will continue.

A Milwaukee institution plans to reopen

A longtime east side institution, Glorioso's Italian Market, is scheduled to reopen for pickup and delivery starting June  2. 

The market at 1011 E. Brady St. will take curbside pickup and delivery at shop.gloriosos.com from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The market has been shuttered since March. It will not be open to the public. 

Glorioso's Express will also open at 1016 E. Brady St., across the street from the market. The new "touchless" market has top-selling items and essentials for quick shopping. It will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, starting June 2.

"As the effects of coronavirus continue to evolve and change daily, Glorioso’s is continuing to make the necessary changes to our operation to provide the safest possible environment for our team members and customers," general manager Michael Glorioso wrote in a blog post about the reopening. "Our community remains our top priority and we will continue to work to ensure our store is safe for all who come through the doors upon our “in store” opening, which is to be determined."

When the store reopens, Glorioso's is asking customers to wear a face mask, limit time spent shopping, follow one-way floor markings and social distancing guidelines. The store will have an occupancy limit. 

Evan Casey, Alison Dirr, Bill Glauber, Sarah Hauer, Meg Jones and Cary Spivak of the Journal Sentinel, and Madeline Heim of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin contributed to this report.

Contact Mary Spicuzza at (414) 224-2324 or mary.spicuzza@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MSpicuzzaMJS.