Two new faces will be welcomed to the Oconto County Board following the April 7 election.

In District 9, Joseph Porior, of the Town of Morgan, defeated Carl Blahnik, of Abrams, 192-135. Porior will replace Jolene Barkhaus, who opted not to run again.

In District 29, Brenda Carey-Mielke beat Cody Schaal, both of Mountain, 197-157. The seat was previously held by David Van Zeeland, who resigned from his seat in October.

An Oconto Falls teacher named in a federal lawsuit alleging rampant sexual misconduct among staff in the district has surrendered his teaching license with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

David Heisel, a technology education teacher, voluntarily surrendered his license March 31.

With Disparti Law Group leading the case, six plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the Oconto Falls School Board in March.

Workplace allegations continue to dog Jim Davel, former Shawano County administrative coordinator.

Kronenwetter officials announced on the village Facebook page March 31 that an outside investigator cleared Davel of any wrongdoing based on a workplace allegation there. No details were provided.

Inmates at the Shawano County Jail are now paying less for communicating with friends and family members.

Rates were decreased April 1 in accordance with the federal Martha Wright-Reed Act. While the news may be good for inmates, Shawano County officials said the local inmate welfare fund will take a substantial hit because of the lower rates.

The case of a missing Marion man continues to be investigated by the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, but officials are not having any luck with new leads.

“The Jason Bell case is still very much active,” said Detective Brad Schultz. “As of right now, I do not have any new leads to share.”

Bell was 48 when he was reported missing by family members on the evening of Oct. 22, 2024.

When people talk about the Artemis II mission around the moon, they invariably will note the names of astronauts Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), Christina Koch (mission specialist) and Jeremy Hansen (mission specialist).