News

DNR finds ‘no impact’ from year-round higher water levels

Published by admin on Thu, 05/13/2021 - 2:16pm

“Biologically, we’ve come to terms with the year-round water level and there is no impact at all,” Jean Romback-Bartels, secretary’s director for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said May 12.

Romback-Bartels’ comment referred to the proposal to maintain the water level at the Shawano paper mill dam at 802.9 feet above mean sea level year-round. She is the agency administrator with water issue responsibilities for northeastern counties.

Withers retires as manager for SAFPARC

Published by admin on Thu, 05/13/2021 - 1:09pm

One local resident has called it a career in regards to managing the Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center.

Gillett resident Flo Withers retired from her position as manager of the pantry on April 30. The pantry provides food to low-income families who live in Shawano County.

The food pantry started as a collection of smaller food pantries from churches within the Shawano community. In 2004, Withers helped to combine those smaller food pantries into one larger entity.

Council signs Canadian geese’s death warrant

Published by admin on Thu, 05/13/2021 - 10:02am

The Shawano Common Council signed off May 12 on a plan recommended by the city parks and recreation commission that could euthanize some of the geese that have clung to Smalley Park and Huckleberry Harbor and refused to let go.

During summer months, geese have frequented the two recreational facilities and left behind their fecal matter. For the last couple of years, the city has attempted harassment techniques and other ideas to humanely get the geese to leave, but they have not.

Prison sentence ordered for child care neglect conviction

Published by admin on Wed, 05/12/2021 - 1:51pm

A Pulaski area woman has been sentenced to spend nine years in prison, followed by 18 years of extended supervision, in connection with harm that befell children at her unlicensed home child-care service.

Nicole M. Brewer, 37, pleaded no contest and was convicted Feb. 26 to two counts of child neglect resulting in great bodily harm, one count of child neglect causing bodily harm, and one count of child neglect causing emotional damage, in connection with incidents that occurred from 2018 to 2020. Four other counts were dismissed but read into the record.

‘Clock Church’ to install new pastor

Published by admin on Wed, 05/12/2021 - 11:50am

St. John’s Lutheran Church, (the “Clock Church”), 101 W. Main St., Gillett, plans to install the Rev. Chris Byars as their new pastor at their 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday, May 23.

Byars was called to the congregation last fall and started his ministry in Gillett on Oct. 1. He and his wife, Dawn, have six children and make their home in the church parsonage.

Born and raised in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Byars graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, in May 2007. He has previously served congregations in Florida and Indiana.

Oconto Falls school mask mandate stays

Published by admin on Tue, 05/11/2021 - 2:40pm

Faced with an emotional live and virtual audience, the Oconto Falls School Board voted May 10 to continue the district’s mask mandate through the last three weeks of the school year but to make face coverings optional during summer school and the upcoming 2021-22 academic year.

The vote was 6-1 after a lengthy discussion, with the newest board member, Brian Baumler, casting the only dissenting vote.

Navy veteran receives Harley from Hogs for Heroes

Published by admin on Tue, 05/11/2021 - 2:34pm

Shannon Flynn, of Oconto Falls, decided to enlist in the Navy after his sophomore year in high school. After getting out, he decided to join the reserves, figuring he could serve a couple of weekends a month and earn some extra beer money.

Three months later, the events of Sept. 11, 2001, changed everything for the nation’s military reserves, and he ended up with 20 years of service to his country — including three deployments to combat zones, once in Iraq and twice in Afghanistan.

The heart of a helper

Published by admin on Tue, 05/11/2021 - 2:28pm

“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

This quote comes from the late Mister Rogers, who once shared that his mother would tell him this as a boy if he became frightened by what he saw on the news. All things considered, these words of wisdom couldn’t come at a better time.

Packerland Websites announces new hires

Published by admin on Tue, 05/11/2021 - 2:23pm

Packerland Websites has announced the hiring of website developer Adam Jeanquart and account manager Mike Folk.

Jeanquart interned with the company in 2020 and now rejoined the team as a full-time website developer after graduating from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College graduate with associate degrees in software development and website development.

Oconto County Circuit Court proceedings

Published by admin on Tue, 05/11/2021 - 2:19pm

Proceedings of May 7

Bond was set at $5,000 cash for Christopher E. Kilgore, 42, Chicago, after he was charged with bail jumping, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred May 6. His initial appearance was adjourned until May 13.

Proceedings of May 4