Oconto County

More breathing room celebrated in Lakewood

Published by admin on Mon, 07/29/2024 - 5:24pm

Members of four communities in northern Oconto County joined together July 27 to celebrate a hard-fought and long-anticipated expansion of the Lakes Country Public Library in the Town of Lakewood.

Oconto County 4-H members go to summer academy

Published by admin on Mon, 07/29/2024 - 5:12pm

In June, youths from across Wisconsin gathered at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus for the annual Summer Academy event, hosted by UW-Madison Extension’s Positive Youth Development Institute and 4-H.

Youths had the opportunity to build and learn skills to reach goals and plan for the future. Youth participants explored careers, college and other topics of interest through interactive workshops. They developed connections with other youths and adults through small and large groups activities.

Oconto County starts work on 2025 budget

Published by admin on Mon, 07/29/2024 - 5:07pm

Work has begun in earnest on the Oconto County budget for 2025, with the county board’s approval July 18 of the annual budget guidance letter.

The county is working its way through a 2024 budget that features $50,157,268 in expenditures and a county property tax levy of $22,061,436. In addition to the local property tax, other revenues include state aid, state and federal grants, license fees and charges for services.

NFL draft means opportunity for local business

Published by admin on Mon, 07/22/2024 - 2:17pm

The director of the Tourism and Economic Development Corporation for the Oconto Region says an NFL Draft task force has been formed to bring as many dollars as possible into Oconto County.

Jayme Sellen, TEDCOR executive director, reported to the county board July 18 that the task force planned to meet for the first time this week.

The Green Bay Packers will host the 2025 NFL Draft next April, an event expected to bring thousands of visitors and millions of dollars to the region.

Governor declares state of emergency following storms

Published by admin on Tue, 07/02/2024 - 11:06am

Menominee and Oconto counties are among the 10 counties impacted by Gov. Tony Evers’ executive order declaring a state of emergency following strong storms that produced damaging tornadoes, high winds, hail, heavy rain and thunderstorms across Wisconsin.

Evers signed the order June 28.

Tornado touches down in Menominee, Oconto counties

Published by admin on Fri, 06/28/2024 - 12:10pm

A tornado touched down near Keshena and stayed on the ground for nearly 9 miles when severe thunderstorms swept across much of northeast Wisconsin late June 24 into the early morning hours of June 25.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Green Bay office determined the EF1 tornado was on the ground for five minutes starting at 2:27 a.m. June 25. Estimated peak winds were 98 miles per hour.

Officials said the tornado was on the ground for 8.9 miles from Keshena in Menominee County to Berry Lake in Oconto County. The maximum width of the tornado was 90 yards.

Oconto charges dropped against convicted killer

Published by admin on Mon, 06/24/2024 - 2:36pm

Oconto County has chosen not to pursue further charges against a Green Bay man found guilty March 11 of two counts of first-degree intentional homicide.

Richard Sotka, 49, was out on bail from an Oconto County stalking case when he stabbed Rhonda Cegelski, 53, and Paula O’Connor, 58, to death on Jan. 29, 2023. He was arrested in Arkansas the day after the murders, having cut off and discarded an ankle bracelet he was ordered to wear while out on bail in the Oconto County case.

Oconto sheriff’s app now available

Published by admin on Mon, 06/24/2024 - 2:04pm

The Oconto County Sheriff’s Office now has its own app.

Smartphone users can use the app to sign up for Code Red alerts, see the latest news releases or browse mug shots of inmates at the Oconto County Jail, Sheriff Todd Skarban told the county board June 20.

Skarban said the app, customized for the local department from The Sheriff App, a product of OCV LLC, represents an innovative approach to information sharing.

“I truly believe that in order to build and maintain trust in county government and in government at all levels is through transparency,” he said.

Oconto County Girls Scouts receive $3,500

Published by admin on Wed, 06/19/2024 - 12:41pm

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes (GSNWGL) has received a $1,500 grant from the Leon H. and Clymene M. Bond Foundation to further the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in Oconto County.

The foundation is an endowed foundation committed to the growth and improvement of Oconto County and its surrounding areas, with over 5 million dollars given to support the local community to date.

Encompass ready to serve Oconto County families

Published by admin on Wed, 06/05/2024 - 12:47pm

The head of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) dropped by the ribbon cutting at the Encompass child care center in Oconto Falls on June 4 to announce a $250,000 grant for the new facility.

“In a state where, you know, sometimes not everybody agrees on everything, there really does seem to be a coalescing around the idea that supporting child care is economic development,” WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes said in announcing the Community Development Investment Grant.