February is Career and Technical Education Month, and Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly spent part of her day Feb. 12 looking at what Suring School is doing to make sure students have the skills they need when they become part of the state’s workforce.

A 32-year-old man who viciously assaulted his aunt and uncle shortly after the three of them moved into a home in the Town of Belle Plaine was sentenced Feb. 9 to eight years in prison for his crimes.

Conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol often go unnoticed because they typically do not cause immediate symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, many without knowing it. That silent risk is why medications and regular monitoring play such an important role in prevention.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources invites library patrons to use the Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library program to check out a free day pass to state parks, forests and recreation areas.

The Shawano Common Council signed off on a new policy Feb. 11 for the Shawano Police Department when it comes to automated license plate readers.

The plate readers are used by law enforcement to support investigative work, as well as help to recover stolen vehicles. However, the readers have raised some concerns by public officials when it comes to data retention, privacy protections, public transparency and access controls.

More than 40 local veterans and active duty personnel have been honored through Shawano’s Hometown Heroes program, and organizers expecting to double that amount before the next application period comes to a close next month.