A proposal that would have taken gray wolves in the western Great Lakes region and Wyoming off the endangered list did not make it into a massive year-end congressional tax and spending package, an omission welcomed Wednesday by groups that support maintaining federal protections for the predators. Some lawmakers from the affected states had hoped to attach a rider to return management of wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Wyoming to th

When you’re in a hole and trying to get out, the first rule is to stop digging. Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy might have kept some variation of that theme in mind last week as his team took a giant stride toward securing an NFC North title when it drummed the Dallas Cowboys 28-7. The last time the Packers played in a deluge, they stuck with a pass-heavy offensive game plan, throwing 43 times and calling just 24 running plays.

Every Christmas Eve, Marilyn sings a song she taught to elementary school kids back in the early 1960s when we first came to Beaver Dam. The song begins, “Tomorrow will be Christmas, and we will carols sing, and early in the morning, the sweet church bells will ring, ring-a-ling.” And if our kids are not going to be with us on Christmas Eve, as sometimes happens, she’ll call and sing to them.

In loving memory of Marilyn Beth (Stoerrle) Russell, of Oconto Falls, and Santa Maria, California, who died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015. Marilyn graduated high school in Oconto Falls, Class of ’53. She was active in band, French, glee and many other clubs, and of course, playing the oboe. She served honorably in the Air Force, married, had a baby girl, settled in Southern California.

Floyd J. Talley, of Silver City, New Mexico, entered into eternal life on Dec. 8, 2015. He was born on Jan.

St. John’s Lutheran Church will present its eighth annual Christmas cantata, “An Invitation to Christmas: O Come, All Ye Faithful,” in four performances this holiday season. A cantata is a play with music that incorporates a narrator or narrators, other than characters. This year’s cantata features an original script by local resident Gary Kopitzke, who has written a nostalgic piece anticipating the centennial celebration of St.

Everyone recognizes the bright red kettles and volunteers ringing bells during the Salvation Army’s Christmas campaign.

Dec.

Proceedings from Dec. 11 A plea hearing was held for Gregory M. Anders, 55, Oconto, on felony charges of possession of child pornography (10 counts) on Nov. 13, 2014, in Oconto. He pleaded no contest to four charges, which were amended to contribute to delinquency, acts or omissions. The court revoked his $150,000 cash bond. Sentencing is Feb. 9. A plea hearing was held for Esequiel G. Garcia, 46, Oconto.