As I grow older, I find myself drawn to earlier and simpler times. Cell phones are everywhere, and we can now make calls anywhere, including our cars or even the bathroom. I remember the old Ma Bell phones that were built like anvils and almost as heavy. We paid high prices for long-distance calls, but local calls were almost free. You didn’t have a choice of carriers. It was AT&T or nothing. Are cell phones better?

Injury in the line of duty is always a risk for law enforcement, but local officers are feeling it more frequently, according to Shawano Police Chief Mike Musolff. Musolff told the Shawano Common Council on June 11 that there has been an increase in attacks on his officers.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will host a live, online public involvement meeting to discuss proposed improvements on state Highway 64 from the state Highway 32 South Junction in Mountain to County Road S in Pound. The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. June 24 via Microsoft Teams.

Efforts are underway in the Shawano School District to improve its attention to shifts in the school landscape, including better ways to evaluate Superintendent Kurt Krizan’s leadership. Part of the push, which Krizan said is greatly needed, comes from Tim Renard, the new Shawano School Board president.

The Waterways Association of Menominee and Shawano Counties is holding its fourth annual Where’s WAMSCO event. The scavenger hunt began June 15 and continues through July 20. This is a family friendly scavenger hunt within the borders of Shawano County.

The carnival is back along with plenty of fun for the whole family this weekend, June 20-22, at Wittenberg Community Days. On June 20, the carnival rides go from 5-10 p.m.

Looking for a fun-filled way to kick off summer with the whole family? Mark your calendar for June 22 and head to Olson Dairy Farms Inc., N9124 Butternut Road, Birnamwood, for the 2025 Shawano County Brunch on the Farm. From 8:30 a.m.

UW-La Crosse The following area students have been named to the dean’s list at UW-La Crosse for the spring semester of the 2024-25 academic year. To be eligible, students must have earned at least a 3.5 semester GPA and carried a minimum of 12 credits. Abrams: Jamesen Engel, elementary/middle education and special education; Griffin Geiken, exercise and sport science. Oconto Falls: Tucker Bouche, elementary/middle education and special education;

Shawano High School officials announced the 2024-25 second semester honor roll. Highest Honors 4.0 Grade 12: Parker R. Beyer, Makenna R. Bubolz, Bailey L. DeFere, Vivian Duong, Tyler J. Kuhn, Ava M. Lyles, Trinity M. Popelka, Elias H. Popp, Layden M. Stemper, Alanna R. Wallace, Rosella J. Wegner. Grade 11: Lily A. Bubolz, Olivia Dobratz, Anna L. Dreier, Dylan J. Gartner, Jillian E. Guenther, Andrew R. Hanssen, Ayanna R. O’Kimosh, Mason C.