Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is working to ease the transition from high school to college for high school graduates by offering an innovative learning option. Last fall, the Oconto Falls Regional Learning Center began enrolling recent high school graduates in the 4X4 general studies program, which focuses on learning one general study subject over a four-week period.

The town of Spruce has agreed to pay $57,000 to the attorney who filed an open records lawsuit to obtain documents regarding use of Holt Park, according to Town Clerk Barb Baugnet. After winning his lawsuit against the town, attorney James Webster originally sought $72,548.11 for his legal costs. The town offered $47,215. Webster sought $57,000 in a counter-offer, which the town accepted, according to Baugnet. The settlement became final Feb.

Gail Yatso has been selected to receive the 2014 Harold P. Heckendorf Community Service Award. The award, sponsored by N.E.W. Credit Union for the 12th year, pays tribute to Harold P.

Sixteen years ago, the mother of a 19-year-old entered the Green Bay Police Department, frantic over the disappearance of her son. On Thursday, exactly 16 years to that day, the man responsible for taking her son’s life was sentenced for the crime. Peter Hanson, 53, was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder, as party to a crime, for the death of Chad McLean.

For those enjoying the beautiful weather on the path around the Falls, March Madness can come in a number of forms. This year’s madness includes Old Man Winter refusing to retreat to the land with the maple leaf flag. Seriously, the days are getting longer.

Do you hate grammar? I was an English teacher for 37 years, and I always hated having to teach grammar. At least, I hated teaching what most people seem to think grammar is. You know, parts of speech, subjects and predicates, direct and indirect objects, punctuation, all that stuff. I much preferred to work that stuff into teaching composition. That is not to say I dislike grammar. I don’t.

Panthers girls drop regular season finale The Oconto Falls High School girls basketball team lost its regular season finale 56-51 Friday to Seymour. The Thunder were able to build a 17-12 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 44-35 by the end of the third quarter. Oconto Falls outscored Seymour 16-12 in the fourth quarter. McKenna Larsen led the Panthers (16-6, 13-3 Bay) with 21 points.

Tigers fall in regional semifinal The Gillett Secondary School boys basketball team was bounced from the WIAA Division 5 regional tournament Friday by Marinette & Oconto Conference foe St. Thomas Aquinas, 56-34, in Marinette. Jake Kasten scored nine points to lead third-seeded Gillett (7-17, 5-11 M&O). Dan Torres and Dylan Roberts each scored six. Kiefer Powers led No. 2 STAA (19-6, 11-5) with 20 points.

Wrestler Dewey Krueger lost only three matches this year. The two that hurt the Oconto Falls High School junior the most came in his most important matches and at the hands of the same person: Southern Door senior Jacob Englebert. Krueger (41-3), who won a state title a year ago at 138, fell to Englebert (49-1) 2-1 in the WIAA Division 2 145-pound state championship match Saturday night in Madison. It was a rematch of the sectional championship w