Oconto County Times Herald

Work to begin at future child care center

Published by admin on Fri, 12/08/2023 - 10:56am

Work has begun in earnest in converting a former engineering office in Oconto Falls into the newest Encompass Early Education Center.

The Green Bay-based child care organization staged a “groundbreaking” ceremony Dec. 7 at the old Kaempfer and Associates building at 650 E. Jackson St., which has been vacant for a number of years.

Missy Schmeling, executive director of Encompass Early Education and Care Inc., acknowledged that they’re not actually building a new building, but the structure will be undergoing extensive renovations and “demolition starts next week.”

Plea agreement near in Pulaski bonfire explosion

Published by admin on Fri, 12/08/2023 - 10:52am

A plea agreement is apparently close in the case of the teen charged with injuring at least 13 people during a bonfire incident in the Town of Maple Grove that took place during Pulaski High School’s homecoming week in October 2022.

Samuel J. Armstrong, 18, has been charged with 13 felony counts of injury by negligent handling of explosives or fire in connection with an explosion Oct. 14, 2022, during a bonfire at a home on Cedar Drive.

Townsend Fire Department auxiliary changes name

Published by admin on Thu, 12/07/2023 - 2:08pm

The Townsend Firemen’s Wives was originally established as an auxiliary organization to provide financial support for the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department.

For decades, this group of devoted members played an outsized roll in bolstering firefighting capabilities. However, TFW recently embraced the idea that all community members, not just firefighters’ families, should be included.

Rehearsals underway for Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’

Published by admin on Thu, 12/07/2023 - 2:04pm

Rehearsals for the second offering of the Machickanee Players’ 40th season, Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” are proceeding. The play, an original script by Greg “Captain” Holbus, deals with themes of alienation, abandonment and becoming how others perceive you.

‘Mary Shelley’s novel is, in my opinion, one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written,” Holbus said. “I’ve seen a lot of adaptations on television and film, but none have been faithful to the novel. I felt that it was important to produce a version of the story as close to the original as possible.

‘Oklahoma’ auditions will be Dec. 26-27 in Abrams

Published by admin on Thu, 12/07/2023 - 2:02pm

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. (ASPI) will hold auditions Dec. 26-27 for its spring musical, “Oklahoma!” to be presented March 14-17 and 21-24.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical tells the love story of Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a beautiful farm girl. This musical, directed by Ali Carlson, calls for a cast of 20 actors, age 12 and older. No stage experience is necessary to try out.

Individuals will have two opportunities to audition: 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 26 or Dec. 27 at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams.

Prevea welcomes family nurse practitioner

Published by admin on Thu, 12/07/2023 - 1:57pm

Prevea Health welcomes Krista Radish to the team of primary care physicians and providers at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center.

As a family nurse practitioner, Radish specializes in routine care for adults and children, yearly and sports physicals, well-child exams, women’s care, chronic disease management, medication management and minor office procedures.

She earned a master of science in nursing from Concordia University and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Former state rep honored by farm bureau

Published by admin on Thu, 12/07/2023 - 1:54pm

Former state Rep. Gary Tauchen received the Distinguished Service to Wisconsin Agriculture award for his outstanding contributions to Wisconsin’s agriculture industry during the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s 104th Annual Meeting in Wisconsin Dells on Dec. 3.

Tauchen’s dedication to serving Wisconsin agriculture has been a theme for the entirety of his life. He earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from UW-River Falls and went on to found Tauchen’s Harmony Valley Farm near Bonduel in 1976 with his father, brother and nephew.

Salvation Army of Oconto County in need of bell ringers

Published by admin on Thu, 12/07/2023 - 1:52pm

The Salvation Army of Oconto County is in need of volunteers to ring bells during the Red Kettle Campaign now through Dec. 23. Bell ringers are needed at Thompson’s County Market in Oconto Monday through Saturday during the season.

Donations made in Oconto County stay in the community to help families in need with financial assistance such as rent, utility bills, transportation needs, medical bills, etc. Individuals meet with a representative of the Salvation Army to discuss their options.

Give blood or platelets with Red Cross

Published by admin on Thu, 12/07/2023 - 1:50pm

As people make travel plans to celebrate with family and friends this year, the American Red Cross asks donors to set aside time to give blood or platelets for patients waiting for care over the holidays.

From a record number of people expected to travel to seasonal illnesses and the potential for hazardous winter weather, it can be difficult for the Red Cross to collect enough blood for patients during the winter months.

When donors give a blood or platelet donation in December, the Red Cross will say thank you with several opportunities:

Trial postponed in officer shooting

Published by admin on Mon, 12/04/2023 - 3:51pm

The second part of the trial has been postponed for the woman who shot an Oconto Falls police officer during a struggle at her apartment.

Alisha M. Kocken, 31, Oconto Falls, pleaded no contest Aug. 25 to charges of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, resisting an officer with a dangerous weapon with the result of substantial bodily harm, battery to a law enforcement officer and disarming a peace officer, in connection with an incident that occurred Aug. 6, 2021.