News

Johnson gets awards from state, Safe Haven

Published by LPulaski on Sat, 10/16/2021 - 7:36pm

Jody Johnson of Shawano retired from the Shawano Police Department last month, completing a successful career as a law enforcement officer that began in 1995.

This month, she is the recipient of two awards that honor her law enforcement experience as a school resource officer and her many accomplishments as a volunteer working with domestic abuse victims at Safe Haven Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault of Shawano.

Menominee legislator tells her story to help women

Published by LPulaski on Sat, 10/16/2021 - 12:28pm

Rachel Fernandez, a Menominee tribal legislator, spoke her truth Oct. 16 at the Menominee Casino Resort in the hopes of empowering other women and breaking a code of silence dating back several generations.

Shawano acquires several downtown properties

Published by LPulaski on Fri, 10/15/2021 - 1:36pm

The city of Shawano has completed the acquisition of four properties that have been eyesores to the community for years. Now begins the discussion on what can be done with the properties.

Four buildings that make up most of the 200 block of North Main Street can be renovated and used for future development, even though they have sat empty for years. City Administrator Eddie Sheppard said the buildings have been inspected and at least three need not be demolished for any future downtown businesses to set up shop.

Dogs now welcome in Shawano parks

Published by LPulaski on Fri, 10/15/2021 - 12:28pm

Man’s best friend is now welcome in all of Shawano’s parks, city officials announced Oct. 13.

The Shawano Common Council voted unanimously to amend its parks and cemeteries policy to allow dogs in more than two dozen city parks. Dogs were already allowed in certain parks — including Smalley, Kuckuk and Sturgeon, along with Huckleberry Harbor — after the council voted in 2018 to allow them in as part of an effort to clear those parks of unwanted Canada geese. Before that, dogs were not welcome at any of the city’s green spaces.

Gillett City Council OKs bridge study

Published by admin on Thu, 10/14/2021 - 2:23pm

The Gillett City Council is moving forward with the process for a new bridge.

The city recently received a grant for $325,000 for replacing the bridge on Washington Street.

“In order to do the right process on it, we have to do a bridge study on it to find out if it is a box culvert or an arched bridge,” said Gillett Public Works and Utility Head Ron Anderson.

Craig Schuh, a manager of engineering services for Ayers Associates, said that there would have to be a hydraulic modeling.

Annual meeting attendees approve 2021-22 Gillett schools budget

Published by admin on Thu, 10/14/2021 - 2:21pm

The Gillett Board of Education held its annual meeting to present its proposed budget to the public.

Treasurer Cliff Gerbers presented the 2021-22 budget to members of the audience, which included a budget of $10,069,342 — a 6.58% increase from last year.

“This is an increase from last year,” said Gerbers. “Part of that is from receiving ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) money, and we have to spend it.”

Oconto County Circuit Court proceedings

Published by admin on Thu, 10/14/2021 - 2:18pm

Proceedings of Oct. 11

Tami Graves, 33, Suring, pleaded no contest to knowingly trafficking in food stamps, in connection with an incident that occurred April 1, 2019. Judge Michael T. Judge scheduled sentencing for Dec. 13 and ordered a pre-sentence investigation.

Proceedings of Oct. 8

Oconto County Sheriff's Department dispatch logs

Published by admin on Thu, 10/14/2021 - 2:14pm

Oct. 7

Wisconsin DOT completes a J-turn lane

Published by admin on Thu, 10/14/2021 - 1:03pm

The Wisconsin DOT has just completed a new J-turn on state Highway 29 near Gresham.

The J-turn will be located at the intersection of state Highway 29 and County Road U in the Town of Herman.

“The intersection of state Highway 29 at County Road U was identified as having a right-angle crash trend and has been the site of multiple severe and fatal crashes,” said Tegan Griffith, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Region Communications Manager.

Winning the battle after the battle

Published by LPulaski on Wed, 10/13/2021 - 11:44am

Oconto Falls Police Officer Nicole Blaskowski has found a way to cheat death, not by one bullet, but by two.

At around 10 a.m. Aug. 8, Blaskowski was shot twice — once in the head and another time in the back. A third bullet was fired at Blaskowski but never hit her.

Alisha Kocken, 29, was charged with nine counts including attempted first-degree intentional homicide. Her next scheduled court date is Nov. 19.

Two months after, Blaskowski is improving, but the incident has changed her as a person not only physically, but mentally.