• Cory M. Branch, 38, Townsend, was charged Jan. 12 with felony bail jumping. Judge Jay Conley set a $750 cash bond and adjourned his initial appearance until Jan. 15.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Jan. 18

A former Oconto Falls High School teacher faces 11 felony counts relating to sexual misconduct, child enticement and exposing intimate parts from his interactions with seven students over several years.

Gayle A. Gander, 60, made an initial appearance in Oconto County Circuit Court on Jan. 15. A preliminary hearing is set for 1 p.m. Feb. 13. He remains free on a $75,000 cash bond.

A 15-year-old boy from Lena died as the result of a snowmobile accident Jan. 13, according to a news release from the Oconto County Sheriff’s Department.

The victim has been identified as Kyler Cook.

Sheriff Todd Skarban said law enforcement was notified of the single-vehicle crash at 7:32 p.m.

A Wittenberg woman is among the 10 finalists for the next Packers FAN Hall of Fame induction.

Lorraine Mueller, who died Dec. 27, 2025, at age 102, was nominated by her family.

The Green Bay Packers are the only NFL franchise that is owned by individuals. Back in 1998, officials decided to honor that distinction by establishing the Packers FAN Hall of Fame whose sole purpose is to celebrate those who truly love the Packers.

Security concerns for staff led the county’s public property committee to agree Jan. 15 to lock the south doors of the courthouse three hours earlier each evening.

Currently, doors on the east and north sides of the buildings are locked at the end of the business day (4:30 p.m.), and the doors on the south end are locked at 9 p.m. Now, those southern doors will be locked at 6 p.m.