Speakers at the second listening session Feb. 2 regarding Shawano School District’s intentions to trim $1.6 million from its operating budget for next year continued to support keeping programs off the chopping block, but they also questioned the accelerated timetable to make those cuts happen.

Ronald W. Uttecht, 80, of Birnamwood, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at Rennes Health and Rehab, Weston, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice.

Ron was born Oct. 10, 1945, in Wausau, the son of William and Sarah (Diestler) Uttecht.

Friday, Jan. 30

Wittenberg-Birnamwood 93, Shiocton 32

The Chargers erupted right out of the gate, scoring 60 points in the first half as they trounced Shiocton 93-32.

“We came out on fire tonight,” coach Nick Mechelke said. “It was a great team win. We moved the ball well, made the extra pass and knocked down the shot.”

She’s only 19 years old, but Charli Ritter has already made some big decisions in her life.

One of them included purchasing a building and opening her own business.

Three months after she first opened the doors to Mountain Ground at 13960 State Highway 32 in Mountain, Ritter is convinced she made the right move and is looking forward to a busy summer with plenty of tourists.

Consultants put forth a plan for a new two-story courthouse when they addressed the Shawano County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 28, with costs and tax impacts yet to be determined.

Shouts of “This is what democracy looks like!” were head along East Green Bay Street and South Main Street on Jan. 31, as marchers made their way to the Shawano County Courthouse to protest the tactics used by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis and other communities.

The Gillett School Board will seek permission through an operational referendum on April 7 to exceed state-mandated budget limits.

Voters will be asked to authorize an increase to the district’s revenue limit to maintain staffing and educational opportunities at the schools. Polling the district conducted with 400 randomly selected citizens indicated 61% support for an operational referendum larger than the board’s proposal.

Fellowship Church of Shawano members have chosen the First Presbyterian Church as its new permanent site.

Congregations at First Presbyterian Church and Peace United Church of Christ merged into the new church effective Jan. 1. All office operations, as of Feb. 1, and all ministry services, beginning March 1, will be held at 100 W. Presbyterian St, Shawano.

Rep. Elijah Behnke believes the state should be chipping in to the Trump Accounts, which are currently expected to provide $1,000 to children born from 2025 through 2028, and he has introduced a bill that would make it a reality.