Shawano Police Department Oct.

The town of Little Suamico, in its search for a new clerk/treasurer, looks to replace more than 70 years of experience. Eileen Bardouche, treasurer for 33 years, and Sandy Pagel, clerk for 39 years, will retire at the end of 2013. The Town Board voted to combine the positions and plans to hire one individual to do both jobs. “It’s lots easier for one person to take care of it all,” Town Chairman Elmer Ragen said.

Residents in the Gillett School District will be asked to dig a little deeper to support their schools, to compensate for waning state assistance. Individuals at Thursday’s annual meeting will be asked to support a 16 percent jump in taxes — a proposed levy of $3.039 million, up from $2.610 million last year. The tax rate is calculated at $11 per $1,000 of equalized value, meaning residents with $100,000 of property will pay $1,100 for the school

Oconto Falls consumers are spending just a little more at the grocery store than other state residents. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Marketbasket Survey showed that customers locally are spending $50.59 on 16 basic food items.

At 7:51 a.m. Oct. 16, a car driven by a man from Oconto Falls was traveling west on County Road I, west of Machickanee Lane, town of Stiles. His vehicle crossed the center line and struck an eastbound car driven by a woman from Oconto Falls. The woman suffered injuries and was transported to a medical facility. Severe damage was reported to each vehicle.

Proceedings from Oct. 16 Christopher L. Harris, 22, Oconto Falls, made an initial appearance on two counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 16 which allegedly occurred between June 1 and Aug. 1 in Oconto Falls. His appearance will continue Nov. 12, and a $2,500 cash bond was set.

One would not have to wander too far off the path around the Falls to understand that public schools in Wisconsin have many different features. Even so, the Wisconsin Constitution requires that “The legislature shall provide by law for the establishment of district schools, which shall be as nearly uniform as practicable…” Even with requirements for uniformity, Wisconsin has always prided itself on local control.

“Late one night, when we were all in bed, Mrs. O’Leary lit a lantern in the shed. Her cow kicked it over, then winked her eye and said, ‘There’ll be a hot time in the old town tonight!’ ” Those are lyrics of an old song referring to the famous Chicago fire of Oct. 8, 1871. Interestingly, that was also the date of the Great Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin.

Jeanne Lawniczak, 87, Krakow, died peacefully Friday evening, Oct. 18, 2013. The daughter of Percy and Lillian (Wilson) Hudson was born Dec. 21, 1925, in Oconto Falls. On Sept. 9, 1950, she married Leonard Lawniczak. The couple raised their family and farmed in the town of Green Valley. Jeanne was a good mom and a fun-loving woman.