The nightmare is just about over for the city of Gillett, and officials plan to celebrate the reopening of Highway 22 through the community.

Ashley Reuter is the new tourism and marketing specialist with the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce.

She replaces Michelle Eron, who left in June after serving in the role for about 4 1/2 years.

“My family is originally from Suring, but we moved to Shawano when I was 5, so I really grew up in the area,” Reuter said.

Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School’s lunch ladies decided to get Lois Anderson, dressed as a Colby Hornet, out of the kitchen with bug swatters as part of their homecoming parade entry Oct. 2. Despite the lunch ladies’ effort, the Chargers did not fare as well on the football field, losing 28-6. 

The final 2026-27 budget for the Shawano School District will get its approval Oct. 26, but the Shawano School Board got a look at the latest numbers Sept. 28. They showed the tax rate could go up, even as property values also increase.

A 59-year-old man from Mountain was killed Oct. 4 when his utility vehicle collided with a car in the Town of Gillett.

According to a news release from Oconto County Sheriff Todd Skarban, deputies were called just after 11 a.m. to Klaus Lake Road at the Nicolet Recreation Trail.

Residents in Gillett are seeing their first water rate increase in over a decade as the Gillett Common Council voted unanimously Oct. 1 on a 40.5% increase.

Shawano County Veterans Service Officer Zak Zuehlsdorf knows there are veterans not collecting the benefits to which they are due. He intends to do something about that.

Rep. Elijah Behnke is running for his fourth term in the Wisconsin Assembly, facing a challenge from Shirley Hinze.

Behnke, a Republican who is moving into a home in the Town of Angelica after two years in the Town of Chase, is looking for a second two-year term representing the 6th Assembly District, which includes most of Shawano County, all of Menominee County, and segments of Oconto, Waupaca and Outagamie counties.

• Cory L. Lohman, 45, Shawano, pleaded guilty Sept. 29 to possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony. Judge William Kussel Jr. levied fines and court costs totaling $906.