For most of my life, I was a runner. I use the term loosely, of course, because I wasn’t much good. I was certainly never a competitive runner, at least not until I was in my 60s. Then I won a couple of road races, mostly because there were very few other runners in my age category. But winning, or even being very good, was not what running was about for me. For me, running was sort of therapeutic.

Anton Joseph Rabas Jr., “Tony,” 79, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on Nov. 30, 2015, at Manatee RV park in Ruskin, Florida. He was born on April 17, 1936, in Ogdensberg to Anna (Schmidt) and Anton Rabas Sr. He was a 1955 graduate of Oconto Falls High School. In 1956 he enlisted in the United States Army and served until his honorable discharge in 1962. On June 25, 1960, he married his sweetheart, Nancy (Hansen).

Emeline J. Cabunac, 79, of Mountain, passed away on Dec. 6, 2015. Emeline was born in Black River Falls on Nov.

A former candidate for Gillett City Council pleaded not guilty to election fraud charges on Friday in Oconto County Circuit Court. Mark R. Bloemers, 59, entered not guilty pleas to two felony counts for allegedly declaring his candidacy on Jan. 5 for the April 7, 2014, election, despite being convicted of a felony drug offense.

Dec. 2 Deputies logged 22 incidents, including the following: Traffic Miscellaneous - Authorities assisted with a report of a person dressed in all dark clothing walking on U.S. Highway 41 near County Road J in Brookside. Criminal Damage - Authorities investigated a report of a glass window broken overnight on County Road D in Abrams.

Proceedings from Dec. 4 A final pretrial conference/plea hearing was held for Richard L. Comins Jr., 42, Oconto Falls. He pleaded no contest to felony charges of OWI, fifth or sixth offense, which occurred on May 6 in Stiles, and requested the charges of operating with prohibited alcohol concentration, fifth or sixth offense, and a misdemeanor charge be dismissed. A $20,000 cash bond continues. Sentencing is Feb.

The town of Oconto Falls plans to purchase a new water tender for the fire department and add $65 to property tax bills for the next five years to pay for it. Five town residents attending a special meeting on Dec. 2 and Town Board members unanimously approved the purchase of the tender, which will replace a failing 1993 Ford truck in use by the Oconto Falls Fire Department. The Town Board will formalize the purchase at its meeting Dec.

The city of Gillett plans to purchase a squad car for the Police Department and lawn mower for public works in 2016, yet keep taxes stable. The City Council adopted its 2016 budget and set the tax levy on Nov. 30, after holding a budget hearing that no one from the public attended. The city budgeted $12,000 for the down payment of a squad car and plans to secure a loan for the remaining half of the purchase.

Emergency personnel in Oconto County will gather under one roof Wednesday to learn from experts the best way to deal with an active shooter. The meeting will bring together representatives from the county’s fire departments, ambulance services and law enforcement offices. School superintendents and principals also plan to attend.