COVID-19

Talking to children makes it easier to don masks

Published by admin on Thu, 07/30/2020 - 5:29pm

Donning a face mask when venturing outside your home is the new norm. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says face coverings help slow the transmission of COVID-19 by people who unknowingly have the virus.

“When they breathe, speak, cough or sneeze, virus particles will be trapped in their mask, protecting other people from being infected,” said Dr. Jennifer Frank, chief medical officer at ThedaCare. “Respiratory droplets can spread the virus that causes COVID-19.”

The CDC recommends those over the age of 2 wear a mask when outside of the home.

Oconto Falls school board approves 4-day week in person

Published by admin on Thu, 07/30/2020 - 4:54pm

The Oconto Falls School Board has asked administrators to move forward with a four-day in-person class schedule for all students this academic year.

Board members also voted July 29 to require face masks for staff, students and visitors in school buildings and buses, with exceptions considered for medically certified conditions and certain other situations.

A new appreciation for sports

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2020 - 7:43pm

The coronavirus pandemic has taught people a multitude of things. One of the biggest takeaways for me so far is to try and enjoy the moments I can and not worry so much about what is to come.

In past sports seasons, while covering or watching regular-season games or competitions, there was always a part of me that also was thinking about the playoffs. My attention was focused on the present, but the thought of the future was also intriguing.

The pandemic has completely changed my view, and it’s really helped me appreciate sports even more than I used to.

Menominee tribal offices closed for 2 weeks

Published by admin on Tue, 07/28/2020 - 12:23pm

Citing the continued rise in tribal and local community COVID-19 cases, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin is temporarily closing its tribal government offices and facilities for a two-week period, starting Tuesday until Aug. 11.

According to data, the Menominee Reservation COVID-19 positive cases have nearly doubled within a week’s time. The reservation, which shares boundaries with Menominee County, has 17 positive cases with 8 being active cases as of Monday.

WIAC among four conferences that alter sports seasons

Published by admin on Mon, 07/27/2020 - 6:53pm

Updated: Aug. 3, 11:30 a.m.

Four conferences that include colleges from within the state announced changes to athletics July 27.

The biggest news came in the evening, when the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced it was canceling the conference seasons and championships for several fall sports — football, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s cross-country. It was also announced that women’s golf and women’s tennis competitions were moving from the fall to the spring.

Positive COVID-19 tests on upswing in Oconto County

Published by admin on Mon, 07/27/2020 - 1:37pm

The Oconto County Board has extended the local COVID-19 emergency declaration through Sept. 24, ratifying its chairman’s action with a unanimous vote July 23.

The original emergency proclamation was set to expire July 17.

Work begins on 2021 Oconto County budget

Published by admin on Mon, 07/27/2020 - 1:34pm

Oconto County officials have formally begun work on their 2021 budget with the annual approval of a budget guidance letter to department heads.

Every year, the County Board chairman and finance committee are asked to provide guidance and recommendations to the full board regarding the next year’s budget in June or July. The document serves as a road map for administrators as they draft the tax-and-spending plan, which is adopted in November.

MISD reopening schools with hybrid learning

Published by admin on Mon, 07/27/2020 - 1:10pm

Menominee Indian School District announced last week the details for a school reopening plan where students will be attending schools two days a week and learning virtually during the other three.

Beginning Sept. 21, students living in Keshena will be attending school on Mondays and Tuesdays, while students living on the rest of the reservation and in Shawano will attend Thursdays and Fridays. The school buildings will be closed Wednesdays, when schools will do deep cleaning to further prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Packers expect no more than 10,000-12,000 fans at home games

Published by admin on Fri, 07/24/2020 - 2:58pm

Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy says he expects the team’s home games this season will have no more than 10,000-12,000 fans, if spectators are allowed at all.

The Packers had announced two weeks ago that their 81,441-seat Lambeau Field would have a “significantly reduced” capacity this season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Murphy revealed Tuesday the magnitude of that reduction while expressing optimism a season would be played.

WIAA sports set to return, but start dates amended

Published by admin on Thu, 07/23/2020 - 3:45pm

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control voted 8-3 to amend the start dates for fall sports at a special meeting on Thursday.

The sports that are considered lower risk — girls golf, girls tennis, girls swim and boys and girls cross-country — will begin practice Aug. 17 under the amendment. The higher risk sports — football, boys soccer and boys and girls volleyball — will have to wait until Sept. 7 to begin practice.