(Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series about the supernatural goings-on in northern Oconto County.) Following up on my column about the Holt and Balcom Logging Camp in Lakewood, I begin by saying I used to be agnostic about ghosts, goblins, witches and such. Maybe they existed; maybe they didn’t. Truth be told, haunted houses and horror movies have always creeped me out, though I love the ghost scene in the George C.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and it’s a crime that can be very underreported, according to Mindy Lohff, executive director for Safe Haven in Shawano. In 2024, Safe Haven’s shelter housed 58 adults and 63 children, but its outreach went much further, helping a total of 462 people with almost 7,500 services, Lohff said.

Too much or not enough water and never when your garden needs it. This is a common complaint of gardeners no matter where they live. Make a few changes in your plant selection and garden care to help manage water use while growing healthy plants. All plants need sufficient moisture after planting and for several months to a year or two to develop a robust root system.

The message of the 2025 tribal college gathering resonated far beyond America’s northern Great Plains. Last month, the American Indian Higher Education Consortium’s Student Conference was held in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Measuring liquid medications with household spoons might seem convenient, but it can lead to serious dosing mistakes, area health officials said. Using milliliter (mL)-only dosing helps ensure safer and more accurate medication measurements for children and families. “Using milliliters for dosing liquid medications is important because it ensures we’re getting the patient the correct dose,” said Olivia Bishop, an Aspirus Pharmacy resident.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds anglers that 2024-25 fishing licenses expired March 31. As of April 1, all residents and non-residents 16 and older must possess a valid 2025-26 general fishing license to fish in Wisconsin’s inland waters.

I’ve been a fan of Carl Hiaasen ever since I read his hilarious “Skinny Dip.” He takes his passion for the ecology of southern Florida and weaves wonderful (and sometimes gruesome) stories of triumph over the bad guys. And his characters are always a great mix of wacky, clueless and grungy.

A $1.5 million project to improve recreational facilities at Zippel Park in Gillett received two important endorsements last week. The Oconto County Land and Water Resources Committee on April 1 approved adding the project to the county’s comprehensive recreation plan, a key requirement for a state stewardship grant.