Three school districts in Oconto County will receive a sparsity aid payment of $300 per student for the 2015-16 school year that can be used to support school programs.

The city of Oconto Falls will consult with a forester to manage the wooded area at River Island Golf Course and at four other city-owned parcels. Speaking at the City Council meeting Aug.

The Oconto Hospital Citizens’ Foundation on Aug. 11 celebrated reaching its $1.5 million fundraising goal for the Oconto Hospital expansion project. The board of directors set the goal in 2011. Dr. John Honish, president of the foundation, thanked all who contributed to the campaign and expressed his gratitude for every level of gift given. “We surpassed our goal and are truly grateful for our community’s support,” he said.

Opening streets to all-terrain vehicles and utility-terrain vehicles is under review in the city of Oconto Falls. Police Chief Brad Olsen suggested issuing permits to ATV/UTV riders who want to travel on city streets to the Oconto Falls pond for ice fishing or sport riding in the winter. Riders would pay a fee — amount to be determined — for a permit, similar to the two-year registration fee of $20 paid by snowmobilers who drive on city streets t

Aug.

A state panel on Thursday gave the final approval to replace the Department of Natural Resources’ aging and crowded ranger station in Oconto Falls next year with a $1.93 million facility. The current station, located on East Highland Drive, was built in 1978 for the offices of two rangers and an equipment operator.

Proceedings from Aug. 13 An adjourned initial appearance was held for Brody J. Tappa, 21, Oconto, on charges of battery, repeater, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse, repeater and criminal damage to property, repeater, which allegedly occurred July 9 in the town of Oconto. The court set a cash bond of $20,000. A continued initial appearance is Aug. 20. An adjourned initial appearance was held for Bowe D.L.

A social studies teacher from the Marinette School District has been hired as the Suring School principal for the 2015-16 school year. The School Board on Aug. 12 interviewed two candidates before offering a contract to Pamela Berg. Berg has been an educator for 21 years, including the past 20 years as high school social studies teacher in Marinette.

If you’re a regular reader of this column, you know that I have a thing for Garrison Kiellor. I think he’s a brilliant talent. He writes a 90-minute radio show 38 weeks a year; he sings; he tells stories; he writes poetry, most of it very funny.