Springtime in Wisconsin means the first sightings of robins and sandhill cranes, emerging spring flowers — and statewide DNR/Conservation Congress public hearings. On April 14, the Department of Natural Resources and the grassroots Wisconsin Conservation Congress hearings in every county give sportsmen and other wildlife lovers the chance to weigh in on hunting, fishing and other conservation management questions. All meetings start at 6 p.m.

Elementary students in the Shawano School District are discovering a new way to improve their reading skills through a district-wide technology initiative this year. Using Keynote, an Apple presentation app, students recorded themselves reading lessons in digital journals.

I’ve been a fan of Carl Hiaasen ever since I read his hilarious “Skinny Dip.” He takes his passion for the ecology of southern Florida and weaves wonderful (and sometimes gruesome) stories of triumph over the bad guys. And his characters are always a great mix of wacky, clueless and grungy.

As far as Dean Hess is concerned, a decision to join the Oconto Falls School District as its superintendent a decade ago has paid off for his family and the district. Hess will retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year after a 31-year career in education that also included stops in Plainfield and Wausau. He will spend much of his time leading up to his retirement helping the district transition to its new superintendent, current Oconto Falls H

Entries are now being accepted for the Oconto Copperfest parade to be held June 7. This year’s theme will be “Disney.” No entry fee is required. Call 920-835-2647 for more information. Nominations are being sought for the parade’s grand marshal. To nominate someone, call or text 920-373-1998.

UW-Whitewater Maddy Heling, from Shawano, who is studying entrepreneurship at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, was a performer in “DanceScapes ’25” under the artistic direction of Barbara Grubel, professor of theater and dance. “DanceScapes ’25” features works from UW-Whitewater student choreographers, faculty members and guest artist Joseph Ravens, a UW-Whitewater alum with a master of fine arts from Chicago’s School of the Art Institute.

Milk production in Wisconsin during February totaled 2.48 billion pounds, down 4% from the previous February, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. However, production was down less than 1% when adjusted for the leap year. The average number of milk cows during February, at 1.27 million head, was unchanged from the previous month but down 5,000 from February 2024.

April 1 Shawano 0, Hortonville 0 The Hawks had their season opener relocated to Hortonville, and after battling back and forth for 80 minutes, the Hawks came out with a 0-0 tie. Senior goalkeeper Lily Glysch had 16 saves and earned her first shutout of the year. The Hawks are back in action at home April 3 and take on Peshtigo.

William “Bill” John Fisher, 83, Gillett, passed away Thursday, March 27, 2025, with his family by his side after a battle with dementia. Bill was born Dec. 13, 1941, in Kohler to the late John and Alma (Siech) Fisher. Bill attended Valley Line School and graduated with the class of 1960 at Gillett High School. When he was young, they lived in Sheboygan, while his dad worked at Kohler Co.