Recalling the family’s patriarch and storyteller

Six strong young Barth men carried him to his grave. He rests beside my mother, who has been waiting eight years. They lie together on the wind-swept Illinois prairie, overlooking now barren fields that in a few weeks will bloom green with the crops that feed America and the world.

Evers addresses PFAS in budget plan

Gov. Tony Evers’ biennial budget includes about $11 million more in newly announced proposals to address PFAS and other hazardous contaminants in the state, but it’s unclear whether the measures will garner enough support in the Republican-led Legislature. 

Squirrels taking their revenge

A home should be a peaceful sanctuary for its inhabitants, a quiet place of comfort and solitude. But when you live in the country, sometimes your abode is sought after by critters other than humans.

Former newspaper reporter, communications professional Richard Heine dies at 73

Richard Craig Heine, 73, of Delavan, died on Monday, Jan. 30, at Vintage on the Ponds in Delavan. A native of New London, Heine became a small-town newspaper reporter and photographer before transitioning to corporate communications at Rexnord Corporation. He later moved onto a role in employee communications and promotions at the Milwaukee Journal.

Former Fond du Lac sales employee Joyce Pattee dies at 90

Joyce Pattee, a former sales employee for The (Fond du Lac) Reporter, died on Thursday, Feb. 9, at Prairie Ridge in Waupun at the age of 90.

Pattee was born on May 16, 1932, in Fond du Lac, to Warren and Frances Bentley Balson. She was a graduate of Goodrich High School in Fond du Lac. Following graduation, she was employed in the advertising department of The Reporter

De Laruelle, Bergstrom join O’Rourke Media Group

Scott De Laruelle, who has worked for Unified Newspaper Group as a reporter and opinion editor since 2013, has been promoted to managing editor. De Laruelle succeeds Tara Jones.

The news group also announced the hiring of reporter Maddie Bergstrom, who earned bachelor’s degrees in journalism and psychology from UW-Madison in December 2022. She will cover government and community news for The Verona Press.

Ross Pattermann joins Thorp Courier

Ross Pattermann, of Hayward, has joined the Thorp Courier as a news, sports and feature writer. An Orlando native, Pattermann began his journalism career writing for his high school newspaper and, later, for The Daily Cardinal while attending UW-Madison, where he earned his bachelor's degree in history.

Prior to joining the Courier, he worked as a sports reports for the Sawyer County Gazette and TP Printing Co., which publishes the (Abbotsford) Tribune Phonograph, The (Edgar) Record Review and the (Loyal) Tribune Record Gleaner.

Wisconsin Newspaper Association