The city of Shawano is looking at reviving its dormant Redevelopment Authority to target long-vacant downtown buildings with tough measures that could go as far as invoking eminent domain. The Common Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a feasibility study to research what tools might be available to the Redevelopment Authority to address those buildings and whether it would be worthwhile to put that board back in place. The city disbanded i

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL SCHS places 3rd at Portage meet Shawano defeated Madison West, Portage and Green Bay Preble at the Portage Invitational on Saturday en route to a third-place finish. Shawano lost in the first match of the day to River Valley. After losing to River Falls, the Hawks rebounded to defeat Preble in straight sets in the round-robin tournament. Erika Dunnam again led the way for the Hawks with 46 kills, eight solo blocks and 22 digs.

The Gresham Community School girls volleyball team was able to hang with tough competition Tuesday night. Fighting for second place in the Central Wisconsin Conference-10, the Wildcats lost a back-and-forth battle with Rosholt, 25-23, 21-25, 25-13, 25-9. “We worked hard. We gave it all we had,” Gresham head coach Tim Wild said. “We were getting touches in the front row and slowing their hitters down.

On Sept. 22, 111 pilgrims from the Diocese of Green Bay embarked on a six-day journey to Philadelphia that coincided with Pope Francis’ visit to the city. Among the group were local residents Kathy Schroeder from Holy Trinity, Oconto, Ann Van Hoof, Diane and Lee Roy Kruse from St. Anthony, Oconto Falls, and Rosemary Marifke from St. Michael, Suring, a teacher and former principal at St.

Loraine M. Dittman, 82, Appleton, died Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton. She was born May 14, 1933, in Colby to the late Eugene and Flora Thistle. Loraine was a 1950 graduate of Stratford High School. She earned her nursing diploma from Deaconess Hospital, Milwaukee, and furthered her education to become a nurse anesthetist. She practiced her profession for many years in Illinois and Wisconsin. Loraine married Kenneth C.

Farm boys and their toys When I walk by the farm toys at Fleet Farm, I always slow down a little. Those little metal tractors, Ertl farm sets and plastic animals send me racing back into my memory vault to my days growing up on the farm. If you were to ask me what has had the most influence in shaping my life and personality, I’m convinced that growing up on the farm would be very high on the list.

The Machickanee Players announce the first comedy of their 33rd season, “Dearly Beloved,” directed by Kay Johnson and Chris Weis and written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten. Laughs abound as Frankie Futrelle is throwing a wedding for her daughter with the help of her sister Twink, who wants to marry her boyfriend of 15 years, and her other sister Honey Raye, whose numerous trips down the aisle have been a topic of gossip for years

The Celtic/folk/world music duo Four Shillings Short is coming to Stiles, bringing an ensemble of over 30 instruments for a dinner concert. The performance, sponsored by the Oconto Falls Community Library, will take place Thursday, Oct. 22, at Jo Jo’s Diner, 5774 Duame Road, Lena. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m.

Springside Cheese employee Michael McAlhany is among the 2015 class of American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professionals. McAlhany is part of an elite group of 187 individuals from 51 different companies who passed the fourth annual ACS Certified Cheese Professional Exam on July 29 in Providence, Rhode Island.