The players who were on the Oconto Falls High School football team a season ago got a taste of what it’s like to be in some games with a chance to win. Despite going 0-8, the Panthers gained confidence in a couple of close losses. “We were able to compete in a couple of games last year,” Oconto Falls coach Jeff Trochil said.

There hasn’t been this much excitement for Gillett High School football in quite some time. After graduating just six seniors from last year’s team, which finished 4-5, expectations are pretty high going into the 2014 campaign. “We’re pretty confident this year that we’ve got a team at Gillett that we can finally legitimately say, ‘Hey, we’re going to be very competitive in our league,’” eighth-year head coach Rick Kamps said. The Tigers started

Shawano Police Department Aug. 17 Police logged 17 incidents, including the following: Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run at Elizabeth and Olson streets. Theft — A cell phone was reported stolen in the 100 block of South Main Street. Warrant — A 23-year-old woman was taken into custody on a warrant in the 500 block of South Main Street. Theft — A vehicle was reported broken into at Aarrowcast, 2900 E.

A Tigerton man was killed Friday after his motorcycle hit a deer Friday on Hirt Road in Tigerton, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department said. Trevor R.

Racing, like any other sport, is full of highs and lows. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat is evident every Saturday night at the Shawano Speedway. As the season nears its end, the highs and lows become much greater as the intensity ramps up in August. Last week at the historic half mile was a prime example.

Kenny Britt had a quiet game in the St. Louis Rams’ preseason opener. He played just 17 snaps before the backups took over, with no catches and nothing even thrown his way. The wide receiver has been making plenty of noise at practice, with production to match the trash-talking. “He loves the game,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “He’s not afraid to voice his opinion and he’s pulling the young guys along with him.

The Shawano/Bonduel high school girls swim team will look to once again return to the top of the Bay Conference this season, after finishing second to Sturgeon Bay last season. “Sturgeon Bay has been the main competition,” said Clare Martell, a Bonduel High School junior.

At times, life seems to be humming along, and at others, it seems to be hopping with frustration. Since sometime in March, my computer has been acting up. It didn’t actually die, but sometimes it had to be revived. I kept putting it off, hoping that I could get caught up on my bills and afford to get it fixed. On the way home from picking up the computer, my tire hit something in the road.

Rita Trinko volunteers at the Senior Gift Shop and several other places. She was born in Wausau and grew up in Shawano County in the town of Herman. In 1961, she graduated from Shawano High School and shortly after began working at Skelgas, which became Ferrell Gas in 1996. She did accounting and customer service for 50 years. Trinko retired two years ago. She was married to Lee for 46 years before his death five years ago.