COVID-19

Evers extends mask mandate, declares new emergency

Published by admin on Thu, 09/24/2020 - 6:38am

Gov. Tony Evers Tuesday declared a new public health emergency in Wisconsin due to recent surge in COVID-19 cases among young people and issued a new mask mandate effective immediately.

The previous mandate was set to expire Sept. 28. The new order extends that until at least Nov. 21.

In Shawano County, confirmed cases of the coronavirus jumped by 220 over the course of a week, from 410 on Sept. 15 to 630 on Sept. 22, with 100 new cases reported over the course of the weekend.

Menominee County cases rose to 59 on Sept. 22 from 36 on Sept. 15.

Shawano County courthouse re-opens Monday after COVID-19 closure

Published by admin on Mon, 09/21/2020 - 12:19pm

The Shawano County Courthouse has been closed until Oct. 5 due to an outbreak of COVID-19, but essential offices will keep operating, according to county officials.

This week’s Shawano County Board meeting, which was slated to take place at the County Park Pavilion and include a vote on a proposal to make the county a Second Amendment sanctuary, has also been canceled.

The decision to close the courthouse effective Monday was made late Friday, according to County Clerk Pam Schmidt.

WIAC suspends winter sports through end of 2020

Published by admin on Mon, 09/21/2020 - 9:35am

Following a thorough evaluation of all COVID-19 risks and safety protocols, and numerous meetings involving various Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference governance groups, the WIAC Council of Chancellors voted unanimously to suspend all winter sports competition through Dec. 31.

The suspension includes the conference sports of men’s and women’s basketball, women’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s ice hockey, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s swimming and diving and wrestling.

42 Badger football players, staff test positive for coronavirus

Published by admin on Sat, 09/19/2020 - 5:45pm

Forty-two players and staff with the Wisconsin football team have tested positive for COVID-19 as the Big Ten makes plans to get the season started.

Public Health Madison & Dane County says the 42 people tested positive since June when athletes and staff returned to campus. Twenty-nine of the positive tests were from Sept. 1 through Sept. 15.

Health officials in Madison and Dane County are urging fans not to gather to watch football games when the Badgers begin their season in October.

COVID-19 shutters two county offices

Published by admin on Sat, 09/19/2020 - 9:09am

Two offices at the Shawano County Courthouse were temporarily closed on due to an outbreak of COVID-19, according to County Board Chairman Tom Kautza.

The county clerk’s office and maintenance department were closed after employees tested positive for the coronavirus.

“They’re working with the health department so all the rules and guidelines are followed,” Kautza said.

There has been no widespread testing of other employees in other departments as a result.

“That wasn’t what the health department recommended,” Kautza said.

Oconto County Historical Society cancels Fall Speaker Series

Published by admin on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 4:34pm

Oconto County Historical Society is canceling its speaker series programs for the rest of the year, as a result of ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

The programs are usually held on the first Thursday of each month during the fall and winter.

A statement issued by the Officers and Members of the Board of Directors of the Society reads:

Oconto Falls reinstates middle school sports

Published by admin on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 4:30pm

Student athletes from Washington Middle School in Oconto Falls will compete in sports this fall after all, after the school board reconsidered its decision to suspend fall sports until further notice.

During a special meeting Sept. 2, the board reversed its decision and OK’d fall sports and extracurricular groups to meet on a 6-1 vote.

The board had accepted the recommendation of its middle school staff on Aug. 17 but reconsidered after hearing from coaches and parents who said students could be safe with the proper safety protocols to contain COVID-19.

Shawano cancels National Night Out due to COVID-19

Published by admin on Sun, 09/06/2020 - 9:59pm

The Shawano Police Department has canceled this year’s National Night Out event due to COVID-19 concerns.

The event was initially postponed from its original date of Aug. 4 to Oct. 6 in hopes that COVID-19 health risks would have eased by then, the department wrote in a Facebook post.

“We were looking forward to gathering with our community, however we could not guarantee that our event could be held in a manner to keep people safe,” the department wrote.

Oconto County authorities issue Covid 'call to action'

Published by admin on Sat, 09/05/2020 - 12:31pm

In the wake of a dramatic increase in positive tests for COVID-19 since late July, the Oconto County Public Health Department issued a “call to action” before the Labor Day holiday weekend urging people to avoid large crowds and otherwise take precautions against infection.

County authorities on Saturday reported a third death in three weeks related to the pandemic.

COVID-19 in your community

Published by admin on Fri, 08/28/2020 - 12:05am

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