The push to build a law enforcement center in the town of Little River cleared another hurdle last week, as the Oconto City Council approved an amendment to its annexation agreement that drops the reference to a referendum. The Little River Town Board will discuss the amendment today. The original annexation agreement, which gives the city right-of-way access to the proposed center’s site, required the passage of a referendum before Little River

Lisa Mae Cortez, 35, Milwaukee, formerly of Oconto Falls, died suddenly Saturday afternoon, July 13, 2013, at a Milwaukee hospital. She was born July 17, 1977, in Alamo, Texas, to Antonio Cortez Jr. and Mary Meyer. Lisa moved with her mother back to Oconto Falls in 1982 where she attended public schools, graduating from high school with the Class of 1995.

Thursday marked the House passage of the Farm Bill. Wait a minute, actually it only passed the agricultural portion of the Farm Bill, which is the smaller part of it.

The city of Gillett needs a place to store its salt this winter, following the collapse of a partnership with the town of Gillett to build a new shed. The city tore down its salt shed because of inadequate size, poor condition and location. The shed was located on the site of Nicolet Trail Campground, now under development by the Community Development Authority.

By the end of 2013, the city of Gillett plans to dump its costly garbage-collection service in favor of a private contractor. Nanette Mohr, chairwoman of the Public Works Committee, said two companies have submitted bids to take over, beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

David R. St. Louis, “Bimms,” 58, of Suring (Kelly Lake), passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 10, 2013. David was born July 26, 1954, to Robert and Helen (Houska) St. Louis. He was a milk truck driver for Springside Cheese Factory for all of his life. He was a board member of the Kelly Lake Sanitary District. David is survived by his mother, Helen St. Louis; two brothers, Wayne (Jean) St. Louis, Greg (Chris) St.

Proceedings from July 12 John F. Benser, 48, Pound, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while intoxicated, eighth offense. He was arrested March 11 in the town of Brazeau. A presentence investigation was ordered, with sentencing set for Sept. 4. His $10,000 cash bond continues, and he is not to drive without a valid license and have no alcohol. Matthew R.

The development of Gillett’s new campground, already slowed by the weather, experienced another delay recently when the excavator uncovered two, 300-gallon underground tanks at the site. Although the tanks were empty, the Department of Natural Resources took samples of the soil nearby.

The historical connection between logging and the railroad industry is the subject of a presentation at the newly restored Holt & Balcom Logging Camp Museum. Brad Pagels, a logging railroad expert, will present Tracks in the Timber at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at the museum, located off County Road F, just east of Lakewood. Pagels will tell how railroads, introduced to the Northwoods by W.A. Holt in 1903, changed the way logging was done.