N.E.W. Credit Union has joined a campaign to assist sick or injured children. The Chain of Hearts campaign is a statewide effort by Wisconsin’s credit unions to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. This fundraiser is for the local, nonprofit hospitals of Wisconsin.

The Oconto Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its seventh annual Business Expo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the Bond Community Center. Space will be available in the gym and in a hallway. The cost for a 10- by 10-foot booth is $25 for 2014 Oconto Area Chamber of Commerce members, $50 for members of other chambers and $100 for nonmembers. Electricity is an additional $10 fee. One table with skirting will be provided.

A couple who unlawfully claimed an insured loss when a town of Bagley bar burned each were sentenced Thursday in federal court to five years in prison and ordered to repay the insurer $93,127. Jessica A.

One year after learning 46 ways to improve the city’s Fire Department, Oconto Falls officials are slowly addressing issues that may lead to lower insurance rates for residents. While the Fire Department regularly undergoes procedural inspection by the state, this was the first time the department was evaluated by a third party. A 200-page analysis of the department included 46 recommendations the consultant said could improve the department’s Ins

As if local residents needed another reason to hunger for spring. According to local propane vendors, warm weather is the only way to reverse skyrocketing propane costs and allow reserves to build again. “We’re just basically trying to hang on until the weather warms up,” said Joe Bukowski, owner of Countrystyle Propane of Oconto Falls. Chad Hodgins, of Stiles, paid less than $2 a gallon in 2013 to fill his tank.

This will not be news to anyone in our part of the state: This has been a crummy winter. Instead of the much-beloved “snow days,” a day off from school because of snow accumulation or drifting snow road conditions, schools were closed for several days because of the severe cold.

Exactly what the ground hogs whose burrows border the path around the Falls may have seen Saturday was not reported in the local media. Perhaps the snow depth prevented any sunlight from meeting the entrance to the ground hog’s den. On Sunday night we had a report from one part-time resident from the north shore of Kelly Lake. After he parked in a neighbor’s drive, he walked to his house in snow up to his (bleep) to get to his front door.

A special agent who investigates crimes against children will present “The Dark Side of Internet Technology” from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Falls Area Performing Arts Center at Oconto Falls High School. Eric Szatkowski will discuss the latest trends in digital exploitation of children.

Panthers defeat Marinette The Oconto Falls High School boys basketball team won 59-49 over Marinette in a Bay Conference game Friday in Oconto Falls. James Salscheider led Oconto Falls (2-12, 2-9 Bay) with 13 points.