News

Community garden plots available in Suring

Published by admin on Mon, 05/11/2020 - 11:37am

Suring Community Garden is now offering free garden plots, tilled and ready to plant.

Located in the 400 block of Main Street, Suring, the fertile plots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sign up at local businesses or the bulletin board at the garden. Garden plots are offered through the generosity of Jim Kohlwey, the land owner.

Music by the River still on schedule

Published by admin on Mon, 05/11/2020 - 11:34am

OCONTO FALLS — This summer’s Music by the River events are still on the schedule, Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce President Gail Yatso said last week.

“Because of the rapid changing policies, we are waiting to see how this next month goes,” Yatso said in an email message to members.

The chamber has extended the deadline for sponsorship to June 1. If the events are canceled, the organization will refund donations if the sponsors choose.

Prevea, HSHS, Bellin opening back up

Published by admin on Mon, 05/11/2020 - 11:24am

OCONTO FALLS — Hospitals in Oconto Falls and Oconto are among facilities that announced last week they are resuming some non-COVID-19-related services and procedures that were placed on hold beginning in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prevea Health, Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) hospitals, and Bellin Health announced they are welcoming patients back to healthcare with the resumption of procedures and non-urgent appointments that were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Village of Wittenberg reduces beer and liquor license fees

Published by admin on Mon, 05/11/2020 - 10:02am

WITTENBERG — Three bars affected by the Safer at Home order will have their beer and liquor license fees refunded. At the Village of Wittenberg board meeting May 5, it was decided to reduce the fees to state minimums for all businesses required to pay the beer and liquor license fees and to refund the fees for the three bars that have been closed under the order.

Some taverns reportedly violating stay-at-home order

Published by admin on Sat, 05/09/2020 - 1:29pm

A number of Shawano County bars and taverns were reportedly open for business over the last several days, in spite of the statewide Safer at Home order aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

While some were open only for food take-out, in compliance with the order, others reportedly had patrons inside eating and drinking, according to complaints received by the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff Adam Bieber posted an open letter to Gov. Tony Evers on his Facebook page last month implying he would not enforce the order.

Evers seeks applicants for Habeck’s seat

Published by admin on Fri, 05/08/2020 - 4:19pm

MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers has announced that he is seeking applicants for the Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court Branch 1 judge.

The appointment will fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge James Habeck, effective July 31. The new judge will complete a term ending July 31, 2021.

The application to apply can be found on Evers’ website at www.evers.wi.gov by clicking “Apply to Serve.”

COVID-19 cases reach 22 in Shawano

Published by admin on Fri, 05/08/2020 - 4:15pm

SHAWANO — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services now lists 22 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Shawano County and two confirmed cases in Menominee County. Oconto County reports 27 cases.

No deaths from COVID-19 have been reported in those three counties.

As of May 10, the State of Wisconsin saw 105,163 negative test results; 10,219 positive test results; 1,820 hospitalizations (18%) and 400 deaths due to COVID-19.

 Information current as of May 10, 6:30 p.m.

More confirmed coronavirus cases in area

Published by admin on Fri, 05/08/2020 - 3:49pm

SHAWANO — The number of COVID-19 cases rose to 26 in Oconto County, 18 in Shawano County, and two in Menominee County, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department confirmed a total of 18 cases in Shawano County.

No deaths have been reported from COVID-19 in the three-county area.

The Menominee Indian Tribe reported a tribal member positive case of COVID-19 within the jurisdiction of the Menominee Indian Reservation. The individual’s positive test result was confirmed May 6.

DNR warns of wildfire danger this weekend

Published by admin on Fri, 05/08/2020 - 3:45pm

LAKEWOOD — Northern Oconto County is especially vulnerable to the danger of wildfires this weekend, a Department of Natural Resources cooperative fire specialist told reporters Friday morning.

Ron Schneider said many downed trees remain from the macroburst windstorm last July 19.

Shawano man faces 18 counts of child porn possession

Published by admin on Thu, 05/07/2020 - 4:28pm

SHAWANO — A Shawano man was charged Thursday with 18 counts of possession of child pornography as a result of a search warrant executed at his residence in the city earlier this year.

Henry M. Hobscheid, 64, could face a maximum possible penalty of 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine on each of the counts if found guilty.

According to the criminal complaint, Shawano police received a tip in February from the Internet Crimes Against Children data system that an image of a prepubescent minor was uploaded from an IP address in the city.