As we approach Easter, I truly feel it is the most important day of the year. Our Father God in His great agape love and unmerited grace and mercy, paved a way for us to escape our sinful nature and sure death. He set a plan in place for His Son to pay a penalty we deserved. Jesus did not warrant it but took it upon Himself to pay.

Shawano County supervisors voted unanimously March 25 to authorize the borrowing of up to $121 million for a new courthouse and jail housing pod.

The proposal includes constructing and equipping a new courthouse, a secure connection to the existing jail, a vehicle sally port, jail intake and support areas, and a new 150-bed inmate housing unit, as well as acquiring land and related furnishings, fixtures and equipment.

Twig’s Beverage is known far and wide for its Sun Drop soda and glass bottles. Now, the Shawano-based company is making international news after being featured in a story for the London-based BBC media network.

Freelance journalist Gemma Handy wrote the article for the BBC. It was published online in February.

Shawano County supervisors agreed to a change in the makeup of its ethics committee in hopes of avoiding any future conflicts of interest.

Members agreed March 25 that the makeup of the committee will be five residents and one alternate resident. The inclusion of county board supervisors was eliminated.

Members will be appointed by the county board chairman and approved by the county board.

The 2026 Shawano County Land Conservation Poster Contest drew 133 entries from six schools, with the winners recognized at the March 25 meeting of the Shawano County Board.

“Soil. Where it all Begins” was the theme.

Much of West Green Bay Street in Shawano is zoned as residential, but there are enough businesses moving into the neighborhood that the city is looking at potentially changing the zoning.

Michael Ingold earned himself a contempt ruling March 25 after he left the library at the Shawano County Jail during his initial appearance for facing 10 counts of threatening law enforcement and attorneys and refused to return to the hearing.

The Shawano School Board received an update on the benefits package the school district offers employees March 23, which is expected to cost more in some places and provide savings elsewhere.

Medical plans are expected to increase 6% next year, about $186,000 more for the district. Currently, employees pay 10% while the district covers the rest.

Shawano County Supervisor Jeremy Gretzinger has changed his mind and will now be a candidate for the District 7 seat on the county board.

Gretzinger decided in fall 2025 he would not seek another term on the board due to his wife, Melanie’s, cancer diagnosis.

“I needed to focus more on family as it was a very stressful and uncertain time,” he said.