News

UPDATE: Nelson gets two life sentences for murders

Published by admin on Fri, 09/30/2022 - 4:52pm

A Missouri man pleaded guilty Friday to the murders of two Shawano County brothers and was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison.

According to court records, Garland J. Nelson, 24, of rural Braymer, Missouri, was a business partner of Nicholas and Justin Diemel, of Bonduel and Pulaski, respectively, and defrauded the brothers out of approximately $215,000.

Nelson to plead guilty in Diemel brothers’ murders

Published by LPulaski on Fri, 09/30/2022 - 8:08am

A Missouri man has agreed to plead guilty in connection with the 2019 murders of two Shawano County area brothers, according to court documents.

Documents filed Sept. 27 in federal court in St. Joseph, Missouri, by the U.S. Attorney requested that the court release Garland J. Nelson to plead guilty in state court where he was been charged with murder of Nicholas Diemel, 35 and Justin Diemel, 24, of Bonduel and Pulaski, respectively.

ELECTION 2022: Neubert hopes to keep integrity in Assembly seat

Published by LPulaski on Fri, 09/30/2022 - 8:05am

Dean Neubert finished second in the GOP primary for the Sixth Assembly District race, which normally would have ended his journey for state office.

ELECTION 2022: Schmidt stands alone in local Assembly race

Published by LPulaski on Fri, 09/30/2022 - 8:03am

Peter Schmidt was the close winner of the GOP primary for the Sixth Assembly District election, but he’s finding himself standing alone as he faces two competitors, including a write-in who has the backing of the Shawano County Republican Party.

ELECTION 2022: Switalla hopes 3rd Assembly attempt the charm

Published by LPulaski on Fri, 09/30/2022 - 7:59am

William Switalla serves his village as its board president, he serves his county on the Shawano County Board of Supervisors, and now he’s hoping to represent the Sixth Assembly District in the Wisconsin Legislature.

Switalla’s also hoping the third time’s the charm, as he has tried twice before to represent Shawano County and neighboring communities at the Capitol. The previous two attempts were against entrenched Rep. Gary Tauchen, but since Tauchen is retiring from the legislature, Switalla believes this is his chance to be a bigger civil servant.

Bug Tussel aims to finish Oconto County projects in 2023

Published by admin on Thu, 09/29/2022 - 4:23pm

Rural internet provider Bug Tussel hopes to install 119 miles of “middle-line fiber” by the end of 2023, the company’s chief operating officer told the Oconto County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 22.

Jason Wied spent several years as corporate counsel for the Green Bay Packers and left the NFL team in 2011 to go into private practice. He said he thought he’d never work for a company again until he met Steve Schneider, Bug Tussel’s president and CEO.

Two apply for open Oconto County district attorney position

Published by admin on Thu, 09/29/2022 - 4:19pm

Two attorneys have submitted applications to serve as the next Oconto County district attorney, Gov. Tony Evers’ press office said Sept. 26.

Edward Burke Jr., who had been district attorney since 2012, retired Sept. 1 after spending most of the summer on medical leave. Evers accepted applications through Sept. 21.

A statement from the governor’s press office confirmed two applications were received.

Oconto Falls School Board reviews staff survey results

Published by admin on Thu, 09/29/2022 - 4:18pm

A survey of teachers and staff in the Oconto Falls School District showed concerns about discipline, pay practices, and a decline in morale, the school board learned Sept. 19.

Rob DeMeuse, research director with the consulting firm School Perceptions, gave a 15-minute review of the survey results from last spring. A total of 197 people responded, or two-thirds of the staff, he said.

The survey was comprised of a series of statements, with staff asked to agree or disagree on a five-point scale ranging from “strongly agree” (5) to “strongly disagree (1).”

Oconto Falls schedules tour of old middle school

Published by admin on Thu, 09/29/2022 - 4:16pm

People who want a firsthand look at why the Oconto Falls School District wants to build a new middle school have an opportunity to tour aging Washington Middle School next week.

The district has scheduled a tour of the school, 102 S. Washington St., at 6 p.m. Oct. 5.

Replacing the school and tearing down the old structure are the centerpiece of a $37.63 million referendum question that goes to voters Nov. 8.

Not guilty plea entered in OWI homicide case

Published by admin on Thu, 09/29/2022 - 4:15pm

An Oconto Falls man pleaded not guilty in Oconto County Circuit Court on Sept. 26 to a charge of homicide by the intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.

Thomas Edward Wolf, 56, Oconto Falls, is charged in connection with a crash Aug. 3 that claimed the life of Bart Erdman, 60, also of Oconto Falls. He also is charged with a third offense of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, a misdemeanor.