The recent replacement of Taher Inc. as Shawano School District’s food service provider has given some employees and parents volcano-grade indigestion. Supporters of the food service company, which is based in Minnetonka, Minn., packed the board room at Wednesday’s School Board meeting and presented board members with copies of an online petition started July 4.

Rocky DeLorme was in great physical shape when he made his mark on the wrestling mat and in the mixed martial arts ring. That’s what made his fight against cancer so hard to watch for those closest to him. Sixteen months ago, while DeLorme was attending Arizona State University to study molecular biology, he found a lump on his side.

Sacred Heart Catholic School Sacred Heart Catholic School is in the process of applying for its 18th year of accreditation. We file annually. This means that we must prove our excellence through reporting and documentation each year. There are 12 categories of standards including school climate, leadership, resources, standards and assessment, instructional media and technology, and religious identity, among others.

Battery of a peace officer A Hartford man accused of trying to shoplift at Walmart in Shawano is facing a felony count of battery to a peace officer for allegedly grabbing an officer’s genitals during his arrest. Ping Chen, 21, was detained by Walmart personnel July 1 after he allegedly tried to steal anti-virus software by taping it to the bottom of a shopping cart. When police arrived, he allegedly refused to show an ID and resisted officers.

The community is invited to participate in a unique groundbreaking event for the new ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano from 12:30-3 p.m. today. The event is called The Big Dig, and kids and adults will have the chance to crawl right into the seat of a crane, backhoe or digger. “We want to include our friends and neighbors in a memorable and fun way,” said Dorothy Erdmann, CEO of Shawano Medical Center.

Stanley J. Ratner, 98, of Shawano, passed away Monday, July 8, 2013, at a local nursing home. Born on May 25, 1915, in Chicago, he was the son of the late Dave and Sophie (Lipsky) Ratner. After graduating from high school in Chicago, Stanley furthered his education at Northwestern University. On Nov. 18, 1938, he was united in marriage to Dorothy E. Mahy in Chicago.

Janet L. Hacker, 78, of Tavares, Fla., formerly of Wisconsin, journeyed into the arms of the Lord on Monday, July 8, 2013, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born July 4, 1935, in Scandinavia, Wis., to the late Richard and Emma (Swenson) Kitzman and graduated from Marion High School in 1952. Janet was united in marriage to Robert L. Hacker on July 3, 1954, and recently celebrated their 59th anniversary.

Shawano Community High School students might be inconvenienced for a week this fall due to construction work. Other than that, things are going smoothly for the expansion that is expected to triple space for agriculture and technical education classes, Shawano School District Superintendent Todd Carlson reported to the School Board on Wednesday. “They are really starting to move, especially this week,” he said.

Ralph L. Smith Sr., who was better known as Butch by family and close friends, 73, of Wittenberg, died on Tuesday, July 9, 2013. Born on Oct. 28, 1939, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, he is the son of the late Ralph B. and Ruth M. (Fowler) Smith. Ralph graduated from Gambier High School in Gambier, Ohio. He attended Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts as well as the Kenyon College in Gambier and was in the Army Reserves. On Oct.