Oconto County Times Herald

Gillett TID OK’d, contract awarded

Published by admin on Tue, 08/30/2022 - 2:09pm

The Gillett Planning Commission on Aug. 29 recommended approval of a fourth tax increment financing district (TID), which would include the new Dollar General store and a planned new storage building among its parcels.

The commission forwarded the proposal to the city council, which is expected to consider TID 4 when it meets Sept. 15.

Program helps students get ready for school

Published by admin on Tue, 08/30/2022 - 2:07pm

Public schools are opening this week for the start of the 2022-23 academic year, and nearly 400 Oconto County students are heading to class with new school supplies, thanks to the generosity of dozens of businesses and individuals.

The Oconto County School Supply Drive held its third annual — and most successful — distribution event on Aug. 13, with about 385 young people going home with new backpacks, clothes and bags full of supplies their families otherwise might not have been able to afford.

Callie Smith named Suring Labor Day Parade grand marshal

Published by admin on Tue, 08/30/2022 - 2:04pm

Callie Smith will ride as grand marshal in the 92nd annual Suring Labor Day Parade on Sept. 5.

Born 86 years ago to Jim and Alice Flynn in a cottage at Anderson Lake, she and her family moved to Breed and lived on a little farm. At the age of 4, her parents bought the tavern in downtown Breed.

“I have lived in Breed all my life, except for the time my father went into the service,” Smith said. “Then my mother, brother and I lived with my grandparents in Mountain. I went to Suring High School, graduating in May 1954.”

Oconto County Sheriff's Department dispatch logs

Published by admin on Tue, 08/30/2022 - 2:00pm

Aug. 28

Deputies responded to 41 incidents, including intoxication on Duame Road in the Town of Stiles, a drug investigation at an undisclosed address, harassment on Ball Park Road in the Town of Little Suamico, an ATV accident on Rugg Road in the Town of Lakewood, harassment on Ball Park Road in the Town of Little Suamico, two traffic stops, one traffic hazard, one traffic offense, four miscellaneous traffic incidents, two welfare checks; one 911 hangup and four open lines; one ambulance call; five crashes, three involving deer.

Aug. 27

Gillett schools to ask for $600,000 for next three years

Published by admin on Fri, 08/26/2022 - 4:21pm

The Gillett School District is going back to referendum, in order to ask for $600,000 a year for the next three years in a non-recurring referendum.

“The overarching goal is to continue the services and programs that we currently have that our students and community deserve,” said Gillett Superintendent Todd Hencsik. “It isn’t to build something shiny or something new. It is just to continue offering our services and programs.”

The official voting date for the referendum is Election Day, Nov. 8.

Oconto County estuaries passed over for national research reserve

Published by admin on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 2:14pm

UPDATE

Oconto County officials were surprised to learn Aug. 23 that estuaries in the county have not been recommended as part of a new National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) in the Green Bay coastal area of Lake Michigan.

The announcement had been expected following an Oconto County Board resolution Aug. 18 in support of locating a NERR in the county.

“I thought we made a strong case,” Oconto Mayor John Panetti said. “This is very disappointing.”

Paul Orlich hired as Suring superintendent

Published by admin on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 2:07pm

The Suring School District has announced that Dr. Paul Orlich will serve as the new superintendent beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.

The announcement said Orlich brings a wealth of experience to the district. Most recently, he served as the high school principal and superintendent for the Mishicot School District.

$37.63M referendum goes to Oconto Falls voters

Published by admin on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 2:03pm

The Oconto Falls School Board on Aug. 22 gave final approval to placing a scaled-back referendum question on the Nov. 8 ballot to build a new middle school and bolster security at the entrances to all school district buildings.

The $37.63 million question also includes overdue roof repairs, especially at Oconto Falls Elementary School, a 30-year-old building that still has its original roof.

Oconto Falls approves Main Street redevelopment district

Published by admin on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 2:01pm

The Oconto Falls Main Street Committee got down to business Aug. 23 after the City Council approved the boundaries of a zone where the public and private sectors plan to work together on downtown revitalization.

The council also accepted a draft redevelopment plan for the zone, which covers an area of North Main Street roughly from just north of Caldwell Avenue to just south of Central Avenue.

Oconto Falls fire station proposal moves forward

Published by admin on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 1:48pm

The Oconto Falls City Council approved rezoning Aug. 22 that will permit construction of a new fire station on the south end of Memorial Park after a public hearing.

The state Department of Administration earlier this summer allocated $7 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars under a short timetable that required return of a signed grant agreement by Aug. 25.