Wisconsin had 1.7 days suitable for fieldwork statewide for the week ending April 5, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The week started with temperatures well above normal, allowing farmers in the southern part of the state to seed oats and alfalfa and spread manure. Heavy precipitation later in the week, however, left fields water-logged across the state.

The first day for the trial of Michael Ingold, who stands accused of murdering his girlfriend in June 2022, was cut short April 8 after attorneys met in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court Judge William Kussel’s chambers over concerns brought up by Albert Moustakis, one of Ingold’s attorneys.

Referenda for the Lena and Gillett school districts fell short on Election Day on April 7 as efforts to exceed the state-mandated revenue limits failed.

Lena’s referendum fell short by only 14 votes, 354-340, while Gillett’s referendum failed by an almost 2:1 margin with a vote tally of 944-482.

Four Shawano County Board supervisors turned back challengers in the April 7 election.

District 9 incumbent Ken Capelle defeated challenger Charles Fritsch 187-157.

In District 14, incumbent Matt Pleshek defeated challenger Timothy Novitski 188-109.

District 20 incumbent Rick Giese beat back a challenge from Roy Martin, 277-87.

Also, District 25 incumbent Dennis Knaak defeated challenger Steven Steinke 184-97.

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.