Traffic fatalities are down in Shawano County and across Wisconsin, officials reported this week. As of Tuesday, the county had five traffic fatalities, way down from the 13 reported at the same time last year. Mike Panosh of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation told the county Highway Safety Commission that the state reported 431 fatalities, 80 fewer than the same time period in 2012. “Last year was just one of those years,” Panosh said.

Green Bay Packers Ball hawk With the Minnesota Vikings playing musical chairs at their quarterback spot, as of early Thursday it wasn’t clear who would get the starting nod on Sunday. Newly acquired Josh Freeman was expected to be the starter but was suffering from concussion-like symptoms early in the week. If Freeman can’t play, expect them to start Christian Ponder, who lost his starting job this season.

One last dance in the Hubert Horatio Humphrey Metrodome. On Sunday the Green Bay Packers will bid adieu to the Metrodome, as the Minnesota Vikings play their last season in the stadium that has been their home since 1982. “There’s been a lot of great games there, I’ll say that,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “There’s so many good memories, there’s some tough ones, too.

Gresham: 3-6 p.m. Oct. 26 Clintonville: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 27 Bonduel: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31 Bowler: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31 Cecil: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31 Gillett: 4-6 p.m. Oct. 31 Keshena: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 31 Marion: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31 Menominee Reservation: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 31 Neopit: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 31 Shawano: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31 Pulaski: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 31 Tigerton: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31 Wittenberg: 4-7 p.m. Oct.

Dorothy Anne Mohr, of Shawano, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013, on her 99th birthday. Born in Dodge County, she was the oldest of four children born to the late Maxamillion and Regina (Rake) Maier. She was raised on the family farm just south of Beaver Dam. After graduating from high school at the age of 16, she attended a county normal school and began her teaching career at the age of 17.

Gregory J. Gauthier Sr., Maec Enaemakim – Big Thunderbird, 55, of Neopit, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born on Jan. 27, 1958, in Shawano, he was the son of Theodore and Cynthia (Winneshiek) Gauthier Sr. After attending college, Gregory worked for Menominee Tribal Enterprise.

Doris Lavon Rugalski, 94, passed away at her home on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013. Born on Aug. 14, 1919, in Freeport, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Gordon and Mirium (Musser) Marle. She married Edward Rugalski in 1939. He preceded her in death in 1973. Doris was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano. Doris is survived by her daughter, Diane Rugalski; her brother, Dr.

The Shawano County Board, by a 25-2 vote Wednesday, withdrew its objection to a Ho-Chunk application to convert 25 acres to trust land. The Ho-Chunk Tribal Council is offering a one-time gift of $4,800 to go to the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District in order to improve its athletic facilities, especially the football stadium, in exchange for the Radke property, located in the town of Birnamwood, coming off the tax rolls. The total tax bill for

The Shawano County Board signed off on its budget for 2014, including a lower tax levy and a slightly lower tax rate. The board voted 24-2 to approve a $57.8 million budget, a 4.4 percent decrease from the $60.5 million budget the board approved last year. The tax rate will drop about 0.87 percent, or 4.5 cents, from $5.167 per $1,000 of equalized value this year to $5.122 next year.