Editor’s note: This information is being compiled by NEW Media staff on an ongoing basis to help readers in Menominee, Oconto and Shawano counties navigate the COVID-19 crisis. If you have a resource to share, please send it to news@newmedia-wi.com. Please include the type of service offered and contact information, including a website and phone number.

Editor's note: This information is provided free as a community service, made possible by the support of our subscribers and advertisers.

If you aren't already a subscriber, please consider becoming one!

Pandemic information

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

COVID-19 information including a link to distribution by county — https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

Health resources

Public health departments

Shawano, Menominee and Oconto counties have created COVID-19 pages on their websites to provide public health information about symptoms of COVID-19 and how to get treatment, as well as links to local actions and advisories.

Shawano – https://www.co.shawano.wi.us, then click on the red bar under the top banner.

Menominee – https://www.co.menominee.wi.us, then click “Read More” in the red bar.

Oconto – https://www.co.oconto.wi.us, then click COVID-19 under “Quick Links.”

Phone numbers for public health departments: Shawano and Menominee counties 715-526-4808, Oconto County 920-834-7000

Hotline

ThedaCare has launched a COVID-19 hotline. Community members can call 920-830-6877 to speak with resource representatives and nurses who will answer medically related COVID-19 questions or direct patients to the appropriate locations for care.

State government

Emergency Order 36 details how some retail operations can open for business: https://evers.wi.gov/Documents/COVID19/EMO36-SAHDialTurn2.pdf

Badger Bounce Back (Emergency Order 31): https://evers.wi.gov/Documents/COVID19/EMO31-BadgerBounceBack.pdf

Business resources

Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration has federal disaster loans available for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters.

Link – https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#

Oconto County Economic Development

The Oconto County Economic Development Corp. has created a website to anchor important information for businesses amid quickly changing conditions and unprecedented measures put into place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Link – https://www.ocontocounty.org/grow-here/covid-19-relief

Shawano County Economic Development, Inc.

SCEPI has set up a web page with links to COVID-19 business resources, including SBA Disaster Relief Loans, financial advice, tax relief, changes to unemployment benefits and more.

Link — http://www.shawanoecondev.org/reference/covid-19-business-resources

Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce
The chamber has a COVID-19 Small Businesses Resources web page that also offers links to the governor’s Safer-at-Home executive order, financial assistance and small business resources.

https://www.shawanocountry.com/covid-19-resources-for-businesses

Agriculture

Wisconsin Farm Center

Wisconsin Farm Center offers financial and business consultation, succession planning, legal and financial mediation, counseling vouchers and production challenges. Contact a consultant by phone at 800-942-2474. For information, go to: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Growing_WI/FarmCenterOverview.aspx

Unemployment compensation

The state Department of Workforce Development has a page of information about filing for unemployment compensation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are made online; they ask that people seeking information do NOT call unless instructed to during the application process.

Link – https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/covid19/public/ui.htm

Restaurants

The Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce lists restaurants offering a takeout menu. https://www.shawanocountry.com/restaurants-offering-takeout.

Food pantries

Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center, 218 E. Richmond St., Shawano, 9-11 a.m. Monday-Friday. 715-524-5863.

Kingdom Come Food Pantry, 520 Locust Ave., Oconto Falls, is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays as a drive-through only. See their Facebook page for details. 920-604-2729.

The Divine Savior Food Pantry is closed but will reopen May 7, 1-3 p.m. with drive-through service in the Divine Savior Lutheran Church parking lot, 102 Northridge Drive, Shawano.

Wittenberg Food Pantry, 607 S. Webb St., Wittenberg, open third Wednesday 5-6:30 p.m. and third Thursday 9:30-11 a.m. 715-253-2414 or 715-253-2576. May 20 and May 21 only relocated to School Street, north side of Wittenberg Elementary due to construction on Webb St.

U.S. post office

Most postal products and services can be obtained from the convenience and safety of home with or without a computer.

Stamps, free Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express boxes or other package supplies can be ordered at usps.com and can be purchased on the computer. USPS will deliver them. At usps.com, using Click-N-Ship, a mailing label with the appropriate postage can be printed from a home computer.

Those with no computer can call the local post office for a Stamps by Mail order form. Leave completed form in mailbox, and the postal carrier can bring it, usually the next day.

SHAWANO COUNTY: Aniwa 715-449-2313, Birnamwood 715-449-3133, Bonduel 715-758-2260, Bowler 715-793-4256, Caroline 715-754-2450, Cecil 715-745-6284, Eland 715-253-2929, Krakow 715-899-3691, Leopolis 715-787-4160, Shawano 715-524-3764, Tigerton 715-535-2152, Tilleda 715-787-4297, Wittenberg 715-253-2639

MENOMINEE COUNTY: Keshena 715-799-3202, Neopit 715-756-2400

OCONTO COUNTY: Abrams 920-826-5251, Gillett 920-855-2812, Lakewood 715-276-7667, Lena 920-829-5940, Little Suamico 920-826-7432, Mountain 715-276-7301, Oconto 920-834-3844, Oconto Falls 920-846-0439, Suring 920-842-2556, Townsend 715-276-6857

Outdoors

State parks, trails and forests

All state trails are open at this time, with 34 state parks that had been closed in the southern portion of the state now reopened. An annual park sticker and/or trail pass will be required to visit state parks and trails.

State parks and forests will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, a change from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Properties will be closed to the public every Wednesday for maintenance and upkeep.

Hunting and fishing will be allowed on all open properties in accordance with legal season structure and hours. Access to some areas may be limited to walk-in or water access only.

For more information, visit https://dnr.wi.gov/news/releases/article/?id=5109.

Boat launches

DNR boat launches are open at open state properties.

All anglers and recreational boaters should practice social distancing and keep travel to a minimum.

If individuals can lawfully access Wisconsin’s rivers and lakes, they are free to navigate upon them while engaging in outdoor recreation.

Other trails

All linear/rail trails are open to the public, which includes ATV trails.

An annual state trail pass is required for anyone age 16 or older biking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding or in-line skating on certain trails. A state trail pass is not required for walking or hiking. The annual trail passes are valid through Dec. 31 of the year they are issued.

Restrooms and buildings

Restrooms at all state properties will be closed. This includes the closure of restrooms on properties currently open to the public.

All other facilities will remain closed, including towers, shelters, playgrounds, nature centers, headquarters, contact stations and concession buildings.

Attractions where social distancing cannot be achieved will be closed as needed at various properties.

Hunting and fishing

Wisconsin’s waters are open. You can fish if you have a license. Normal season regulations apply.

All current regulations apply for hunting, trapping and fishing seasons.

Camping and other events

Camping, group camps and shelters on state lands will remain closed until May 26. Refunds will be issued to all customers.

Volunteer activities remain suspended at DNR properties.

All events and special event permits are canceled until May 26.

Housing

SAM25

Although the SAM’s House emergency shelter is closed, services continue to be available. Shawano Area Matthew 25 offers alternative emergency shelter and resources to help clients connect with state and federal programs. It also offers programs to enhance life skills to prevent future homelessness. For information, call 715-851-7252 or go to www.sam25.org.

Groceries — senior citizen hours

Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St., Shawano. Senior citizen hours, 7-8 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays.

Aldi, 1253 E. Green Bay St., Shawano. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m., for senior citizens, expectant mothers and those with underlying health concerns. Home delivery available; $35 minimum order, delivery charge and service fee starts at $6.33; tips accepted. Order online at https://shop.aldi.us/store/aldi/storefront

Save A Lot, W2818 Warrington Road, Keshena. Senior citizen hours, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Curbside pickup available, 715-994-1115.

Witt’s Piggly Wiggly, 409 E. Highland Ave., Oconto Falls. Open 8-9 a.m. daily for senior citizens and those with underlying health concerns. Online ordering with curbside pickup 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, additional details on their Facebook page.

Libraries

Shawano County Library system

Phone: 715-526-3829, Shawano; 715-449-3120, Birnamwood; 715-758-2267, Bonduel; 715-489-3333, Mattoon; 715-535-2194, Tigerton; 715-253-2936, Wittenberg

Email: sha@shawanolibrary.org, Shawano; bir@shawanolibrary.org, Birnamwood; bon@shawanolibrary.org, Bonduel; mat@shawanolibrary.org, Mattoon; tig@shawanolibrary.org, Tigerton; wit@shawanolibrary.org, Wittenberg

Website: https://www.shawanolibrary.org

Oconto County libraries

Gillett Public Library: 920-855-6224, www.gillettpubliclibrary.com

Lakes Country Public Library, Lakewood: 715-276-9020, www.lakescountrylibrary.org

Lena Public Library: 920-829-5335, www.lenalibrary.org

Oconto (Farnsworth Public Library): 920-834-7730, www.ocontolibrary.org

Oconto Falls Community Library: 920-846-2673, www.ocontofallslibrary.org

Suring Area Public Library: 920-842-4451, www.suringpubliclibrary.org

Masks

Wisconsin Face Mask Warriors: To participate in this multi-county project, text a message to Liz Benecke, 715-851-0882. Please use text messaging only; do not call. The project collects and distributes homemade medical grade facemasks to individuals and businesses in northeast Wisconsin.