The village of Lena has reached an agreement with Saputo Cheese, its largest water customer, to fund 90 percent of the estimated $3.2 million cost of a radium reduction plant now under construction, according to village officials. “Saputo has historically used about 90 percent of the water consumed in the village and will contribute that amount toward the construction costs based on its level of consumption,” said Jon Cameron, an adviser with Ehl

In the social networking world, “BFF” stands for “best friend forever,” but I think it gets thrown around pretty carelessly. Forever friendships are pretty hard to come by in the transient world in which we live, but Marilyn and I have been lucky in that regard.

No one keeps the statistics, but we are certain that each week there are a few people who are new to the area and take their first steps on a portion of the path around the Falls. Some may be just passing through on the way to another destination. Others may have stopped to ask for directions, with all the detours signs.

A group of 305 musicians took a 16-day trip, from June 26-July 12, as part of Wisconsin’s Ambassadors of Music European Tour. The vocalists and instrumentalists performed and toured throughout Europe, in London, England; Paris, France; Crans-Montana, Switzerland; Vaduz, Liechtenstein; Seefeld, Austria; Venice, Italy; and Rothenburg, Germany. Participants were selected through nominations by their high school and college music directors.

Ashley Baeten, a member of the Oconto Falls FFA chapter, has been selected as one of 80 choir students from throughout the United States to perform in the National FFA Choir. She will perform at the 2014 National FFA Convention & Expo, Oct. 29-Nov. 1 in Louisville, Kentucky.

SURING HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Coach: Mitch Taylor Career Record: 84-61 Assistant Coaches: Nick School, Scott VanBellinger, Mark Fisher Last Season: 3-6 overall, 2-5 Marinette and Oconto Conference Number of Players: 27 Key Returners: Creo VanBellinger, senior, running back/linebacker; Josh Vollmar, senior, outside linebacker; Grant Fischer, senior, wide receiver/defensive back; Bob Mahoney, junior, running back/linebacker; Eli School, junior, offen

GIRLS GOLF Oconto Falls take 5th in conference meet Oconto Falls was two strokes shy of tying fourth place Seymour during a Bay Conference meet Thursday at River Island Golf Course in Oconto Falls. Junior Brittany Russell was the leading Panther with a score of 52. Teams: 1. Marinette (187), 1. Denmark (187), 3. West De Pere (201), 4. Seymour (219), 5. Oconto Falls (221), 6. Shawano (231), 6. Luxemburg-Casco (231). Oconto Falls: 1.

It wasn’t the start the Oconto Falls High School football team had hoped for, falling 49-0 at West De Pere on Thursday. Before the Panthers’ offense got its sixth snap of the game, it was already down three touchdowns. Oconto Falls got down 28-0 in the first 8 minutes, 32 seconds and had an uphill climb the rest of the way. “It was a band of brothers out there and they just kept fighting together,” OFHS coach Jeff Trochil said.

After a trip to the state cross-country meet in 2013, the Oconto Falls High School boys team is on course for another great season. The Panthers return four of their top runners, including senior Mike Friedman, and are experienced up and down the roster. The girls team also brings back its best runner, Bailey Wolf, and graduated just three seniors.