The Shawano County Public Safety Committee on April 3 favored the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to update the generators at two communication towers and a highway department shop. The matter was expected to be approved by the Executive Committee at its April 10 meeting. Chris Madle, emergency management director, reminded the committee of the failure of the Gresham tower generator to kick in during a storm in summer 2023, which lef

Shawano County Republican Party Chairman Richard Kucksdorf and a few other members were on stage with former President Donald Trump during his April 2 rally in Green Bay. Trump spoke beside an empty podium that read, “Anytime. Anywhere. Anyplace.” Trump said it was meant for President Joe Biden, whose campaign has not committed to participating in debates. “My guess is about 3,000-plus at the rally,” Kucksdorf said.

For several years, the No. 1 call to Shawano County dispatchers has been reports of reckless drivers. Last month, that changed to welfare checks, Sheriff George Lenzner told the Shawano County Public Safety Committee on April 3. Welfare checks include calls for suicide, people not showing up for work, Alzheimer’s and dementia cases or other mental health issues. “They’re really time consuming for our officers to check,” he said.

Glen A. Hudson, age 62, of Gillett, passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2024. Glen was born Jan. 23, 1962, to Gary and Betty (Krause) Hudson in Oconto Falls. He was raised on the family farm with 12 siblings. Glen graduated from Gillett High School with the class of 1980. On May 26, 1984, Glen married Barbara Jensen. The couple raised four children and spent 37 loving years together until Barb’s passing on July 3, 2021.

Technically, spring is here, but as I write this, it sure doesn’t feel like it. This month, I would like to extend a few reminders that might be helpful as we approach the end of the school year and prepare for 2024-25. Spring sports schedules will be taking off here in extremely busy fashion.

To the editor: Remember our lives exactly four years ago? For many, it’s very hard to do. Hospitals were overrun, lacking the equipment and medicines to prevent people from dying. Make-shift triage centers were set up in parking lots, warehouses and sports stadiums. Refrigerated trucks were used as mobile morgues. Kids were out of school, and their parents were out of work.

To the editor: Many are left wondering whether it’s worth going through the arduous planning and referendum process again. The harsh reality is that the reasons for pursuing a referendum in the first place haven’t gone away. On the contrary, the need for facility repairs and upgrades will compound as time goes on. Learning from this experience as a district and as a community is the key to moving forward.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is reminding farmers and manure applicators to check the runoff risk advisory forecast before spreading manure on fields. This tool helps determine the potential for manure runoff from a field depending on weather conditions and soil temperature. The runoff risk advisory forecast ​includes maps showing short-term runoff risk for manure application.

Alliant Energy encourages residents and contractors to call 811 before any digging projects. A quick call to 811 or click on call811.com prior to planting trees or shrubs, fencing a yard or building a playset can prevent a fine or a potentially dangerous accident with gas or electric lines. The announcement coincides with National Safe Digging Month.