He didn’t know it at the time, but a roofing project 40 years ago pointed Dave Vander Velden in a totally different direction.

That direction — owning and operating Christmas tree farms in Door and Oconto counties — has paid off over the years, and the fruits of his labor will soon be on display in Madison.

The Shawano Common Council approved its 2026 budget Nov. 18, which comes with an increase in the property tax rate and the likelihood of a property revaluation next year.

Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court Judge William Kussel Jr. ordered a $1 million bond Nov. 18 for a homicide suspect from the Town of Belle Plaine.

A New Jersey man who operated Atrium skilled care centers in Shawano and Oconto Falls while defrauding employees, residents, Medicare and Medicaid out of $146 million, was sentenced Monday to 7 1/2 years in prison and ordered to make restitution.

Cold, rain, snow or shine — community members across Oconto County are invited to join a new free indoor walking program hosted by Healthy Oconto County in partnership with Oconto County UW-Extension and Oconto County Health and Human Services.

“Walk & Talk” offers residents of all ages and abilities a warm, safe and welcoming place to keep moving all season long.

The Shawano School Board signed off Nov. 17 on additional referendum work to the tune of more than $2.7 million after it was reported that most of the bids for projects approved by voters one year ago came in under budget.