A four-day Memorial Day celebration in Oconto Falls will feature the customary favorites, such as carnival rides, fireworks, a softball tournament and parade, but behind the scenes, change is brewing. The Oconto Falls Booster Club, longtime sponsors of the holiday tradition, will coordinate the celebration for the last time. According to booster club member Chad Trudell, the organization will transition into Panther Pride over the next year.

Saying it’s time for young faces and young ideas, Oconto Falls Police Chief Mike Roberts will retire June 3 after a 35-year career with the city. Roberts, 59, was hired by the Police Department in February 1979 to his first full-time law enforcement position and was promoted to chief on June 1, 2002. Roberts said he approached his role with fairness and honesty, knowing there are three sides to every story—theirs, theirs and the truth somewhere i

American Transmission Co. wants the state to approve construction of two high-voltage power lines through Shawano and Oconto counties, between substations near Appleton and Morgan.

Shawano Police Department May 18 Police logged 10 incidents, including the following: Juvenile — A young girl reported missing in the 600 block of South Union Street was found by her mother before police arrived. Disturbance — A 23-year-old man was arrested for domestic violence-related disorderly conduct after police responded to a report of a fight in progress at Lincoln Street and County Road B. May 17 Police logged 19 incidents, including the

The Shawano Community High School track and field teams won conference championships in two events at the Bay Conference meet Saturday in Denmark. The Hawks finished fifth in the boys meet and eighth in the girls meet but won both the 4x200-meter relays. Seymour won the girls and boys titles. “With the (low) numbers (on the team), we were not really going to be able to compete as a team,” Shawano coach Scott Smurawa said.

Shawano 6, Cecil 1 The Shawano Lobos defeated Cecil 6-1 in Dairyland League baseball action Sunday at Martzke Sports Complex in Shawano. Jimmy Lacy struck out six, walked two and scattered four hits in seven innings to pick up the win. Eric Stenson finished the game with one strikeout and gave up one hit. Grant Bystol led the Lobos (4-0) with two hits.

East Division Clintonville 19, Shawano 3 Jared Westphal and Aaron Everts had three hits and three RBIs each to lead Clintonville. Jeremy Schoenike had two hits and four RBIs. Riley Knapp picked up the win, and Ben Scheidermayer took the loss. Rob Umland and Bobby Brunker each had two hits for Shawano. Gresham 22, Menominee 16 Gresham scored seven times in the eighth to get the win. Adam Carroll earned the win on the mound for Gresham.

Donna Marie Vanden Busch, 70, died peacefully on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at Appleton Health Care Nursing Center in Appleton. She was born on June 13, 1943, in Appleton, daughter of the late Louis and Velma (Lemke) Buman. Donna was a 1961 Hortonville High School graduate. She was formerly employed with Tuttle Press of Appleton for many years. She was united in marriage to Harry Vanden Busch Jr. on Sept. 20, 1969.

Harry Edward Thimke died May 12 at Region’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., with his family at his side. He was born on Dec. 14, 1924, in Shawano to William and Emma (Engel) Thimke. Harry attended the University of Wisconsin Medical School, and it was during his residency in Duluth, Minn., that he met his wife, Marjorie Jean Tiffany.