The AbbyBank Foundation Inc. recently awarded a total of $5,000 to three organizations serving communities throughout Shawano County. These grants support projects that enhance community gathering spaces, expand child care availability for working families and create more flexible learning environments for students.

Funding was awarded to:

Close to 1,200 eighth grade students from Shawano, Waupaca, Oconto and Outagamie counties recently had a special opportunity to delve into the world of work at the annual Eighth Grade Career Exploration career fair.

The event, held April 21 at Clintonville High School, brought together 52 businesses and organizations from various sectors, offering students a firsthand look at potential career paths.

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, in partnership with Shawano Community High School and ThedaCare, recently collaborated to provide students with hands-on health care career exploration opportunities as part of the high school’s career day.

Shawano Area United Way spent April hosting a series of Techquity WI device distribution events aimed at expanding digital access across its service area, working with partners SAM25, Safe Haven and the Shawano County Library.

They were also joined by staff from Capital Credit Union who talked to clients about financial literacy resources in the area.

Tom Kautza will serve another term as chairman of the Shawano County Board and Randy Young will be the vice chairman once again.

Selection of the two supervisors by their peers occurred April 20 at the board’s reorganizational meeting.

The choice was not made without controversy.

Richard Kucksdorf, Bonduel, urged supervisors to choose others, declaring Kautza and Young unfit for the role.

Historic flooding along the Wolf River in Shawano, Outagamie and Waupaca counties this spring has put a damper on opportunities to watch the annual ritual of Winnebago System lake sturgeon spawning in the river.

However, the high water is not expected to have a long-term effect on the fishery, and the fish are dealing with the situation, according to DNR sturgeon biologist Margaret Stadig.