Oconto Falls High School will celebrate homecoming on Friday, Sept. 26, after a week of school spirit events. Over the weekend, students decorated the halls of the high school. Student Council painted windows in the downtown area in the traditional themes of the homecoming celebration. Each day during the week, students have opportunities to show their school spirit with the traditional dress-up days.

For those who travel the path around the Falls using an internal GPS, Monday morning was the appointment for the semiannual recalibration. Some travelers are clueless to the points of a compass. Maybe familiarity comes with orienteering activities in the Scouting program.

Marilyn and I spend the bulk of our entertainment budget on live theater. We see some movies and go to some concerts also, but theater is our passion. We have season tickets at the Milwaukee Rep and at American Players Theatre in Spring Green. We see some shows in Madison and at the Fox Cities PAC.

At the start of the school year, three new teachers were on hand at Oconto Falls Elementary to welcome students. Angela Parkansky moved into the guidance office to take on a number of roles with students in several classrooms. Brittany Schaden is an Oconto Falls High School graduate who will teach third grade.

The staff at Oconto Falls High School used a Hawaiian theme to welcome students on the first day of classes. Six new teachers joined the staff. There was 100 percent turnover in the OFHS agriculture department. Rachel Kroeplien got a head start on the school year by teaching a number of summer school classes.

An Oconto County sheriff’s deputy with 16 years of law enforcement experience has been named police chief in Oconto Falls. The City Council on Sept. 23 unanimously approved the hire of Brad Olsen, of Bonduel, subject to a satisfactory psychological evaluation. He replaces Mike Roberts, who retired June 3 after 35 years with the department. Olsen, 38, is scheduled to begin his new job Oct. 20. Olsen grew up in Shawano.

Shawano Police Department Sept. 22 Police logged 26 incidents, including the following: Theft — Police investigated a theft complaint in the 700 block of South Smalley Street. Drug Offense — Police investigated a drug complaint at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St. Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E.

A $12.97 million tax levy passed without debate Monday night during a special annual meeting of the Shawano School District. About 50 people voted unanimously to set the levy $41,434 higher than the 2013 levy. The levy will cover about 36 percent of the school’s overall budget.

Martin “Mike” J. Hess Sr., 77, of Shawano, formerly of Des Plaines, Illinois, passed away on Sept. 21, 2014, in Shawano. Born on Jan. 24, 1937, in Des Plaines, he was the son of the late Joseph and Johanna (Drenth) Hess. In 1957, Mike enlisted in the United States Army and served during the Korean War until he was honorably discharged in 1959. On Aug. 15 of the same year, Mike was united in marriage to Arlene H. White in Elmhurst, Illinois.