The Lena Lions Club honored Cole Huberty, son of Kristan and Michael Huberty, of rural Lena, as the Lions Student of the Month. Cole is a senior at Lena High School and was nominated based on his academic record and school activities. He is a member of the golf team, L-Club and FFA. His hobbies are snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, four-wheeling and trap shooting.

Programs aimed at reducing underage alcohol and drug use typically focus on young people themselves.

A career in ministry begins as a personal calling for most people. For the Rev. Benjamin and Joel Sember though, it was also a family affair. The twin brothers, who are both ordained priests in the Roman Catholic Church, serve four churches in Oconto County and one in Forest County. Joel has led three parishes since September 2010. Benjamin relocated to the area in July to oversee two parishes. “It was a semi-coincidence,” Benjamin said.

Roberta Knutson, 71, Gillett, entered into rest on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. She was born on April 3, 1942, to the late Robert and Merlin (Coey) Maddox. Roberta is survived by four children, Bob Thompson, Scott Thompson, Bruce Thompson and Mary Hagood.

At 9:35 p.m. Jan. 11, an Oconto Falls woman lost control of her car while driving north on Fireside Road north of South Porcupine Road in the town of Lena. Her vehicle skidded on the icy road, entered a ditch and struck a tree. The vehicle sustained severe damage. She was not injured. At 6:45 a.m. Jan. 10, a woman from Coleman sustained minor injuries after the car she was driving south on U.S.

Proceedings from Jan. 9 A preliminary hearing will be held Jan. 28 for Keith A. Manecke, 51, Gillett. He is accused of strangulation and suffocation, battery and disorderly conduct, which allegedly took place Dec. 20 in the town of Underhill. A $500 cash bond was posted. A pretrial conference will take place Feb. 13 for Dennis P. Arendt, 18, Oconto.

Farmers and other agricultural producers in Oconto and Marinette counties are encouraged to vote in FSA county committee elections by Friday, Jan. 17. “FSA county committees provide producers with the opportunity to help implement federal farm programs in their communities,” said Nancy Swenty, director of USDA’s Oconto-Marinette County Farm Service Agency.

The appeal process hits full swing this week for 73 county employees—triple the number anticipated—who are dissatisfied with a pay scale adopted by the County Board in November. At the time of the plan’s adoption, Administrative Coordinator Kevin Hamann estimated about 10 percent of the 250 employees affected by the plan, which took effect with the Dec.

A hearing is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, at the Oconto County Courthouse on several lawsuits filed against the Oconto County Drainage Board concerning the operation of the Lena/Stiles Drainage District. Lawsuits have been filed by Paul M. Murphy; the John J. Murphy Revocable Trust, by Rosalie A. Murphy, trustee; and the Jerome P. Murphy Revocable Trust, by Rosalie A.