News

District pulls back curtain on school plans

Published by LPulaski on Thu, 05/11/2023 - 7:00pm

Residents in the Oconto Falls School District received details on the new Washington Middle School and other projects funded through a $37.6 million referendum during a community meeting May 9.

“We are all about trying to put together a plan that will best benefit the students in our community,” Superintendent Dean Hess said.

Hess noted that the middle school will be unlike any of the other schools in the district, and that’s because the methods of teaching have changed drastically from the old days when you just needed chairs, desks and a chalkboard.

Fifth grade learns about conservation

Published by admin on Thu, 05/11/2023 - 3:16pm

Fifth grade students on the west side of Shawano County took a little different approach to learning on May 11.

The Shawano County Land Conservation Department hosted its 2023 Youth Conservation Field Day, where fifth grade classes from Marion, Wittenberg, Birnamwood and Tigerton were given the opportunity to learn about different aspects of conservation from professional presenters at Wilson Creek Orchard, W16836 Wilson Creek Lane, Wittenberg. This is the second year that the orchard has hosted this event.

Oconto County Health and Safety Fair returns

Published by admin on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 12:36pm

The Eagle III rescue helicopter settled on the Oconto Falls Elementary School parking lot not far from the Oconto County Sheriff’s Department military-style command vehicle, the Oconto Falls Ambulance Service’s new ambulance and an interactive smokehouse that simulates a burning building.

Panther Greenhouse opens for season

Published by admin on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 12:30pm

The Panther Greenhouse is open for the season at Oconto Falls High School, selling thousands of flowers and other garden plants prepared by students in the Greenhouse Management class.

Teacher Walter Taylor said 16 students raised 17,000 plants that arrived at the school as plugs. The school orders the plants through four different brokers, who supply the class from local growers as nearby as Denmark.

Oconto Falls School Board picks 2023-24 officers

Published by admin on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 12:27pm

Clint Gardebrecht will spend a second year as president of the Oconto Falls School Board after the board’s reorganization meeting May 8.

Gardebrecht, who took over after longtime president Ron Leja was defeated in the 2022 election, was nominated by board member Ken Harter. New board member Carrie Hill nominated Bryan Baumler, and Gardebrecht was re-elected 4-3.

Prison term for allowing child sex assault

Published by admin on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 12:26pm

An Oconto woman has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for turning a blind eye to sexual abuse of children under her care.

During an appearance May 5 in Oconto County Circuit Court, Sarah L. Alberts, 41, received the 12-year prison term, followed by 10 years of extended supervision, for chronic neglect of a child with the consequence that a sexual offense was committed. She pleaded no contest to the charge Feb. 23. Marinette County Judge James A. Morrison gave Alberts credit for 988 days already served in the Oconto County Jail.

Oconto County Circuit Court proceedings

Published by admin on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 11:58am

Proceedings of May 5

Oconto County Sheriff's Department dispatch logs

Published by admin on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 11:51am

May 7

Deputies responded to 51 incidents, including a disturbance on Menominee Line Road in the Town of Underhill, fire on Klaus Lake Road in the Town of Gillett, a death investigation in the Town of Spruce, a disturbance on Duame Road in the Town of Stiles, illegal burning on state Highway 32-64 in the Town of Mountain, harassment on Parkway Road in the Town of Spruce, six traffic stops, five traffic offenses, two citizen assists, one miscellaneous traffic incident, one welfare check; three 911 hangups and 10 open lines; two ambulance calls.

Larock waiting for attorney in stabbing case

Published by admin on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 10:54am

A Shawano man charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide was in court May 10 for his preliminary hearing.

On May 1, Royce E. Larock was charged with one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, one count of aggravated battery, one misdemeanor count of resisting or obstructing an officer and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. These charges come after Larock allegedly stabbed a victim in the abdomen following a disturbance in Shawano.

Mattoon smelt fry raises thousands for area youth

Published by admin on Tue, 05/09/2023 - 4:22pm

Smelt was all the rage in Mattoon over the past weekend, as a popular fundraiser once again took place at the Mattoon Village Hall.

The Mattoon Sportsman’s Club’s 57th smelt fry took place May 6 to allow visitors from Mattoon and surrounding communities to enjoy a lunch of smelt and french fries, catch up with friends and support the community.