Oconto County gave up its debt-free status Thursday when the County Board agreed to borrow $10 million to help pay for a law enforcement center. The county has been debt-free for five years but has relied heavily on its reserve funds to retain the level of services it provides. Supervisors authorized the issuance of $10 million in promissory notes at an interest rate of 2.32 percent for 10 years.

The Oconto Falls City Council on June 9 gave special recognition to three firefighters for their lengthy and dedicated service to the Oconto Falls Fire Department. Jim Moynihan was honored for 50 years of service, and Bart Schindel and Fire Chief Tim Magnin were honored for 30 years. Moynihan received a ring with his name on it and the number 50.

A hometown bus company lost its bid to transport students in the Gillett School District for the 2015-16 school year and beyond. The Gillett School Board on May 27 selected the low bid of Lamers Bus Lines Inc., of Green Bay, over a proposal by Gary James Transport, of Gillett, who provided bus service in the district since 1979, and Johnson Bus Service, based in West Bend. Gillett Superintendent Todd Carlson said the district was looking for cost

Garrison Keillor’s “Writer’s Almanac” on June 15 noted the birthday of Ilene Beckman. I’d never heard of her before.

Even though the temperatures had to be similar, the comment heard Saturday, some distance to the south of the path around the Falls, brought a chuckle: “This is the hottest Packer game I have ever been to.” Actually, it wasn’t a Packers game, but the venue was Lambeau Field and the event was the concert featuring Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival Tour and Jason Aldean’s Burn It Down Tour. This is the third time in recent memory the stadium was conv

Amy Thiel, choral director at Oconto Falls High School, recently received the Educator of Excellence Award presented by the Nicolet Oconto Retired Teachers Association.

Oconto Falls 5 Shawano 1 Riley Gruetzmacher struck out 12 hitters en route to a complete game victory against visiting Shawano on June 17. Chase Henning managed Shawano’s only hit. His single scored Kasey Kristof, who advanced to first on a passed ball on a third strike. Oconto Falls responded in the bottom of the first with a sacrifice fly by Brett Ash to score leadoff hitter Sam Shroyer, who walked.

Oconto Falls High School graduate Mike Nompleggi put the time in, and it has paid off. Seeking a starting role on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team, the sophomore pitcher worked hard in the weight room, dedicated himself to conditioning, and tried to perfect his mechanics. Midway through the season, Nompleggi secured the No. 4 starter role. “The season went according to my plan,” said Nompleggi, a 2012 OFHS graduate.

Evan Sigmund pitched a near-flawless game for the Oconto Falls American Legion team Friday against visiting Marinette. Three runs in the first inning, courtesy of a bases-clearing single by Dalton Curl, made it easier for Sigmund as Oconto Falls won 7-1 in the Fox River Valley-North match-up at Memorial Field. Sigmund allowed one run on seven hits and held Marinette (4-2, 1-1 FRV-North) scoreless through the first six innings.