Shawano Leader News

Opinions gathered at SummerfestBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Several dozen people stopped in to visit with planning officials Saturday during the downtown Shawano Summerfest to give their input on long-range development plans for three of the city’s major corridors.

The city and regional planning officials set up shop at 153 S. Main St. — formerly known as the Qualheim building — for what was billed as a “public visioning open house/workshop.”

City Administrator Brian Knapp said about 30 people signed in for the session and at least 15 more participated without marking the sign-in sheets.

“We were happy with the turnout,” he said. “Of course, we’d always like to have more.”

Knapp said traffic of visitors during the roughly 2½ hour session was fairly constant and input was positive.

The city hosted the workshop with the assistance of the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, which will compile and organize the feedback before presenting a final report to the city.

Before that happens, however, several city committees will have a chance to provide the same kind of input using the same brain-storming exercises, interactive maps and other tools the public used on Saturday.

The feedback sought focuses on how to improve the city’s major commercial and retail areas, including Main Street, East Green Bay Street and County Road B.

Knapp said the city hopes to get input that will improve the image and aesthetics of those areas, and help prioritize infrastructure improvements, building renovation and redevelopment opportunities, as well as address concerns about traffic safety and accessibility.

A final report is expected by the end of the summer.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Shawano Police Department

June 13

Police logged 33 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 800 block of East Richmond Street.

Theft — A patio set was reported stolen in the 900 block of South Evergreen Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of West Danks Street.

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 400 block of East Green Bay Street.

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint in the 1400 block of East Green Bay Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

June 13

Deputies logged 46 incidents, including the following:

Burglary — Authorities investigated a report of a burglary on Murphys Road in Bowler.

Auto Theft — A vehicle was reported stolen on County Road E in the town of Green Valley.

Theft — Authorities investigated a property theft complaint on Sabrowsky Road in the town of Fairbanks.

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Old Shawano Road in the town of Pella.

Theft — Cigarettes and CDs were reported stolen from a vehicle on Cloverleaf Lake Road in the town of Belle Plaine.

Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on Harrison Street in Wittenberg.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Elm Grove Road in the town of Pella.

Clintonville Police Department

June 13

Police logged eight incidents, including the following:

Theft — Tires were reported stolen on West Madison Street.

Fraud — Police investigated a fraud complaint on North Main Street.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

The public is invited to a candlelight vigil Wednesday in downtown Shawano for victims of the Orlando, Florida, nightclub mass shooting.

The event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 100 Presbyterian St., at the intersection with Main Street. The list of guest speakers was still being assembled, although organizers were inviting representatives from a diverse range of community groups.

Pastor Susan Phillips said organizers want to strengthen a sense of community togetherness in the wake of Sunday’s incident that left 50 people dead in Orlando, in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.

“We often heal and live through our grief best when we do it together,” Phillips said.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

By: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

A Mattoon woman initially charged with attempted homicide after a shooting incident in the village in March pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser count of reckless injury under a plea agreement.

Rebecca L. Malueg, 32, was accused of firing a .243 caliber hunting rifle at a 24-year-old man at their home on Marble Avenue during a domestic dispute in what the criminal complaint alleged was an intentional attempt to kill him.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department Special Response Team was called to the incident around 12:45 a.m. March 20 and found the man with what were described as significant injuries as a result of a gun shot.

He was treated by emergency responders from Mattoon Ambulance and taken to a Wausau hospital.

According to the criminal complaint, the incident followed a night of drinking by the couple before returning home where an argument escalated.

Malueg went into a bedroom where two hunting rifles and a shotgun were kept.

The man told authorities that when he entered the bedroom he saw Malueg standing on the bed with one of the rifles pointed at him.

He backed out of the room and Malueg fired a shot through the door, striking him in the arm, according to his statement in the criminal complaint.

Malueg told authorities she didn’t know the gun was loaded.

Authorities found two rifles on the bedroom mattress, along with a box of ammunition, according to the complaint.

Malueg is being held on a $50,000 cash bond. It was reduced at Monday’s plea hearing from $100,000.

Sentencing was set for Aug. 4.

First-degree reckless injury carries a maximum possible penalty of 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Malueg could have faced a maximum 60 years in prison if found guilty of attempted homicide.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Shawano Police Department

June 12

Police logged 15 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Police investigated a juvenile alcohol complaint at Lieg Avenue and Lincoln Street.

Noise — Police responded to a noise complaint in the 400 block of West Third Street.

June 11

Police logged 30 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of South Main Street.

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 100 block of South Washington Street.

Fleeing — A driver fled on foot from a traffic stop at Maurer and Main streets. Vehicle passengers would not provide the driver’s name and he could not be located.

Theft — Medication was reported stolen in the 100 block of South Smalley Street.

Theft — A computer tablet was reported stolen in the 900 block of East Fifth Street.

OWI — A 58-year-old woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated at Main and Division streets.

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint in the 500 block of East Green Bay Street.

June 10

Police logged 20 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 500 block of East Green Bay Street.

Warrant — A 30-year-old woman was taken into custody on a warrant at Waukechon Street and Teddington Lane.

Warrant — A 46-year-old man was taken into custody on a warrant in the 3100 block of East Richmond Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

June 12

Deputies logged 46 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Pine Road in the town of Birnamwood.

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Old Lake Road in the town of Wescott.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Derby Lane in the town of Washington.

Arrest — A 21-year-old Mosinee man was taken into custody for a probation and parole violation on state Highway 29 in Bonduel.

OWI — A 22-year-old Birnamwood man was arrested for operating while intoxicated on state Highway 29 in the town of Wittenberg.

OAR — A 44-year-old Kaukauna man was cited for operating after revocation on County Road C in the town of Angelica.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Hemlock Road in the town of Wittenberg.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Phoebe Road in the town of Birnamwood.

June 11

Deputies logged 59 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a report of a fight in progress on Warrington Avenue in Cecil.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Fourth Street in the town of Herman.

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Hemlock Road in the town of Wittenberg.

OWI — A 32-year-old Green Bay man was arrested for operating while intoxicated on state Highway 47 in the town of Lessor.

Juvenile — Authorities investigated a juvenile alcohol complaint on Old Shawano Road in the town of Pella.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Murphys Road in Bowler.

June 10

Deputies logged 58 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Authorities investigated a juvenile alcohol complaint on Grand Street in Tigerton.

Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint in Funk Road in the town of Green Valley.

Fraud — Authorities investigated a mail scam complaint on Moh He Con Nuck Road in Bowler.

Threatening — Authorities responded to a threatening complaint on Old 47 Road in the town of Lessor.

Accidents — Authorities logged six deer-related crashes.

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Hemlock Road in the town of Wittenberg.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Operation linked to Green Valley DairyBy: 

Scott Williams, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Scott Williams Paul Jacobs of Jacobs Brothers explains the system used to manage and store manure from a herd currently estimated at nearly 3,000 calves at the town of Washington farm.
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Calves raised at the Jacobs Brothers farm either wind up as cows at Green Valley Dairy or as steers sent to a meat-processing plant.

The family behind Green Valley Dairy, one of Shawano County’s largest dairy operations, is embarking on a major expansion on a farm near White Clay Lake.

Used exclusively to raise calves, the town of Washington farm could grow to include four new barns and could expand its herd by 2,000 calves, to nearly 5,000.

County and local officials have approved the project, which they applaud as a positive sign of growth within the local farming industry.

“It’s a win-win,” town chairman James Schneider said. “We’re more than happy with the farmers who are trying to build something decent.”

The young stock raised on the Jacobs Brothers farm at W3171 Lodge Road generally wind up as cows producing milk at Green Valley Dairy or as steer shipped to a meat-processing plant in Kansas.

Construction has started on a barn to house another 660 calves, and long-range plans include three more new barns large enough for about 450 calves each.

Paul Jacobs, manager of the calf operation, said he and his family members are excited about the expansion. But they are moving cautiously, he said, to ensure that each phase of the project makes sense from the perspective of business, animal welfare and environmental protection.

“It’s a way to continue to grow,” Jacobs said. “We really want to do it, but we want to be responsible about it.”

Located north of County Road E, the 400-acre farm is about a half-mile south of White Clay Lake.

Before approving the expansion, Shawano County planners considered the Jacobs Brothers’ existing system of livestock waste management. With manure diverted to underground concrete storage tanks, officials determined that the farm’s growth plan presented no environmental risks.

The chairman of the White Clay Lake Protective & Rehabilitation District assured county officials that the lake community supported the farm expansion.

“Green Valley has been real good to all the neighbors,” lake district chairman Dennis Muck said.

Green Valley Dairy, located about 5 miles to the east, includes some 7,000 acres and is permitted by the state to maintain about 4,000 animals, which ranks among the largest dairy operations in Shawano County.

In addition to Paul Jacobs, the business includes his father, uncle and two other brothers.

The family purchased the Lodge Road property about 10 years ago from Tom Brunner and his family. The traditional dairy farm was transformed into the current calf operation, with five large barns filled with calves born at Green Valley Dairy or purchased elsewhere.

Brunner, who lives across the road, said he is impressed with what Jacobs Brothers has built, and he is pleased to see the business growing.

“It’s state-of-the-art,” he said. “I’m glad to see them making good use of the land.”

The calves are raised at the farm until they are 160 days old, at which point heifers are shipped to Iowa and then transferred about 16 months later to Green Valley Dairy, just in time to deliver calves and begin producing milk. The steer, at 160 days old, are shipped to the Kansas processing plant.

Jacobs Brothers, which owns the calf operation separately from Green Valley Dairy, has boosted its purchasing of steer calves. In fact, the first new 660-foot-long barn constructed in the expansion is designed to be populated entirely with young steer.

Jacobs said the diversification has been successful.

“It’s a significant portion of the business,” he said.

After the first phase of expansion is completed in September, officials will evaluate and decide whether to go ahead with three other new barns, each 480 feet long.

Jacobs would not discuss the investment involved in the project, although he said the family has spent much developing its manure management system. The current expansion, he said, would not deviate from that same commitment to protecting the environment and keeping a healthy place for the animals.

“We want to maintain that clean, environmentally responsible track record,” he said. “It’s pretty important to us.”

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 Average: 1.4 (18 votes)

Shawano Police Department

June 10

Police logged 25 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint in the 800 block of Fifth Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of East Maurer Street.

Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported a female shoplifter in custody.

Drug Offense — Police investigated a drug complaint in the 400 block of Humphrey Circle.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 500 block of South Smalley Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

June 10

Deputies logged 36 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Blueberry Road in the town of Herman.

Vandalism — Authorities responded to a vandalism complaint on Washington Street in Bonduel.

Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a drug complaint on Fourth Street in Mattoon.

Threatening — Authorities responded to a threatening complaint Weasel Dam Road in the town of Seneca.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Lake Drive in the town of Wescott.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on Highway 156 in the town of Maple Grove.

Clintonville Police Department

June 10

Police logged 12 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — A suspicious incident was checked on South Main Street.

Fraud — Identity theft was reported on East Madison Street.

Trespass — Warnings were issued for trespassing on North 12th Street.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Sexual assault of a child

An arrest warrant was issued Friday for a Pulaski man accused of multiple counts of sexual assault of a child that allegedly began when she was 11 and continued until she was 15.

Pedro Noriega-Avila, 33, is accused of multiple instances of child sex assault that authorities say took place between 2009 and 2015 in the towns of Lessor and Maple Grove.

He could face a maximum possible penalty of 60 years in prison on the charge of first-degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 if convicted, and 40 years and a $100,000 five if found guilty on each of two counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 16 and two counts of incest with a child by stepparent.

Sexual assault of a child

A Cecil man is facing a felony charge of sexual assault of a child under the age of 16.

Luther V. Arndt, 24, is accused of having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl in the city of Shawano in April. He could face a maximum 40 years in prison and a $100,000 fine if found guilty.

He was ordered held on a $5,000 cash bond after a court appearance Thursday.

He is scheduled for an adjourned initial appearance on Monday.

Suffocation and strangulation

A Shawano man entered a plea of not guilty this week to two counts of domestic abuse-related strangulation and suffocation and one count of domestic abuse-related false imprisonment in connection with an incident in the city last month.

Mario A. Tourtillott, 49, is accused of choking a woman and placing a pillow over her face during a domestic altercation on May 6. He is also accused of restraining her and preventing her from leaving during the incident.

Tourtillott could face a maximum six years in prison and $10,000 fine on each of the felony counts if found guilty. He is also charged with misdemeanor counts of battery and intimidating a victim.

He is free on a $1,500 cash bond and scheduled for a pre-trial conference on Aug. 19.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Author visits Shawano to tell her adventuresBy: 

Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski Dan and Mary Clausen traveled from New Holstein to meet barn quilt author Suzi Parron on Friday at The Gathering. Parron sold and signed copies of her latest book “Following the Barn Quilt Trail” and gave a presentation on barn quilts all over the country.
Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski A barn quilt hangs behind audience members reading barn quilt books authored by Suzi Parron prior to her presentation Friday at The Gathering.

Much of Suzi Parron’s life over the last eight years has centered around barn quilts, and the author of two books on the subject shared her knowledge during a presentation Friday at The Gathering in Shawano.

Parron, who lives in Stone Mountain, Georgia, said she was pleased at the turnout, noting that “I expected nothing less from Shawano, because they do everything in a big way here.”

Shawano County’s barn quilt project is part of her latest book, “Following the Barn Quilt Trail,” and the largest in the country.

Parron saw her first barn quilt in 2008 during a trip to Yellowstone National Park. She said she was on the “wrong road” in Kentucky when she saw a barn quilt with trees on it and realized it was a quilt pattern.

She talked with the farm owner and found out the barn quilt was part of a trail in the state. After seeing a number of quilts that day, she decided to go online and find a book on the subject, but she discovered there wasn’t one.

That prompted her to write her first book, and once she got the bug, she went out of her way to find barn quilts, even getting stuck in ditches a couple of times during her travels.

“If I see something in the distance — it could be a little rusted barn that everybody would pass by and not even notice — I have to go and find it and take a picture of it,” Parron said.

Her research found that the idea of a barn quilt trail originated in Ohio with what was called a “clothesline of quilts,” according to Parron. The first quilts were actually painted on the barn by artists, but concerns over stormy weather led to quilts being painted on wood panels and then put on the barns.

The barn quilt movement has exploded over the last 20 years, with 9,000 quilts installed on barns in every state except Nevada and Rhode Island, she said. Parron also found a trail in Canada, “First Nations Trail,” dedicated to the country’s indigenous people.

Parron shared a number of stories showing the hidden meaning behind barn quilts across the country, noting she’s found them on gas stations, floral shops and covered bridges.

One quilt trail in western Iowa was started by a 4-H member looking for “the 4-H project to end all 4-H projects,” according to Parron. His efforts netted him a national 4-H award and a full college scholarship.

Parron uncovered another story in the mountains of North Carolina. She found a barn with a blue flower pattern on it called “Texas Blue Bonnets” and learned the farm owner wanted it in honor of first lady Lady Bird Johnson, who was an advocate for wildflower preservation in Texas.

Wisconsin became part of the barn quilt movement in 2005, Parron said, with most of them in southern counties.

Parron was in awe when she saw Shawano County’s barn quilt program, now at 314 and counting. She said she went around the county for two days and “barely made a dent” in seeing all of them.

“Shawano County is America’s largest barn quilt trail — actually the world’s largest,” Parron said. “I’m not sure how many days it would take to see them all.”

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Bricks from the recently demolished Shawano Medical Center are being made available to the public as keepsakes.

“Residents of Shawano have been asking for bricks as mementos of the old Shawano Medical Center,” said John Gijsen, director of facilities management-system locations for ThedaCare. “It was a place that meant a lot to the people of this community, so we’ve come up with a plan to give them away.”

The bricks will be available to Shawano residents until Wednesday at the south parking lot near the old hospital site just off Fifth Street. The bricks will be placed in piles, and residents can come choose their own.

People are asked to exercise caution when sorting through the bricks and to wear appropriate closed-toe footwear and gloves.

Bricks will not necessarily be cleaned of mortar, but mortar can be easily removed at home with a hammer.

People are asked to limit themselves to a single brick.

The new ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano opened in September 2015 at 100 County Road B, at which time the 10-acre Shawano Medical Center riverside campus was closed. The Shawano Common Council approved the ThedaCare plan in March to demolish the old structure at ThedaCare’s expense after multiple redevelopment efforts for the existing building fell through. Statewide Razing of Combined Locks is doing the demolition.

ThedaCare serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 7,000 health care professionals throughout the region. ThedaCare has hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose, as well as 34 clinics in 14 counties.

ThedaCare is a nonprofit health care organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service.

For information about the brick giveaway, call Gijsen at 920-450-4701.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 Average: 5 (1 vote)

Local law enforcement officers support Special OlympicsBy: 

Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski Local law enforcement officers, from left, Craig Rekoske, Jeff Buettner and Kyle Betzner ride along Main Street in Shawano on Thursday, the first leg of a 54-mile torch run to benefit Special Olympics.
Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski Kyle Betzner, with the Pulaski Police Department, airs up a tire on a colleague’s bicycle Thursday morning outside the Shawano County Jail prior to the annual torch run from Shawano to Waupaca.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the state converged on Stevens Point on Thursday for the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics Wisconsin State Summer Games.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 as a means to raise funds and awareness for the Special Olympics and educate the community about the gifts, talents, and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities.

More than 30 communities in Wisconsin coordinated torch runs this year, and Shawano was among them. A small but determined local delegation pumped up the tires on their bicycles Thursday morning and set out on state Highway 22 for a 54-mile ride to Waupaca, where officers and Special Olympians took part in a cookout before continuing to Stevens Point.

Craig Rekoske from the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department was the first to arrive Thursday for the local ride. Rekoske has participated in the local torch run for eight of the last nine years, but the missed year was for a good reason — it conflicted with his wedding plans.

Rekoske participates each year in recognition of two sisters who participate in Special Olympics.

“They’re competing athletes in various sports from basketball to swimming. I have a sister who is competing in state track,” Rekoske said. “I’ve volunteered with Special Olympics and other things involving cognitive disabilities since I was young, and I decided to continue riding bike and fundraising up here.”

Police officers are expected to maintain a certain level of fitness, but participating in the torch run by bicycle requires a little more discipline, Rekoske said.

“A lot of our fitness regimen doesn’t have to do much with bikes. It has to do with how you hold yourself,” Rekoske said. “It does take a little more to get on a bike and ride for an extended period of time. I’ve competed in other bike races, as well.”

Kyle Betzner drove from Pulaski to Shawano to participate in the torch run. Betzner said he enjoys supporting the Special Olympics.

“Everything goes to a better cause, and I enjoy biking, so that’s another plus,” Betzner said, “but helping the Special Olympics athletes is my main motivation.”

Also participating in the local torch run were Jesse Sperberg and Paige Lehman from the sheriff’s department and Jeff Buettner with the Stockbridge-Munsee Police Department.

In Wisconsin, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised more than $30 million since 1986. Every year, nearly 1,000 volunteers representing 170 state law enforcement agencies throughout the state participate in the event.

DID YOU KNOW?

The law enforcement torch run for Special Olympics is the movement’s largest grassroots fundraiser. Officers and athletes run the Flame of Hope to the opening ceremonies of local Special Olympics competitions, state and national games. Annually, more than 85,000 officers participate in the torch run throughout 46 nations, 12 Canadian provinces and 50 U.S. states, raising more than $51 million for local Special Olympics programs in 2014 and over $560 million since its inception in 1981.

Source: Special Olympics

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Public can offer suggestions about key areasBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Among the activities that Shawano residents and visitors will be table to take part in at Shawano Summerfest on Saturday will be an opportunity to provide input to the city on long-range development plans for three of the city’s major corridors.

The city and various economic development partners will set up shop at 153 S. Main St. — formerly known as the Qualheim building — from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a “public visioning open house/workshop,” according to City Administrator Brian Knapp.

The city will host the workshop with the assistance of the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.

They will be looking for ideas and thoughts from residents, business owners and visitors on how to improve the city’s major commercial and retail areas, including Main Street, East Green Bay Street and County Road B.

Knapp said this will be the public’s only direct opportunity to provide input to the regional planning commission, which is working on the long-range plan at no cost to the city.

The event is being held during the Summerfest celebration to make it easy for attendees to participate in the public input activity, Knapp said.

“The open house will have a number of quick, thought-provoking, visual exercises that will allow people to share their thoughts and concerns about how the downtown, Green Bay Street corridor and other commercial/retail areas of the community look, feel and function,” he said.

Knapp said the city hopes to get input that will improve the image and aesthetics of those areas.

“Furthermore,” he said. “The community’s thoughts about where and how the city and private sector business should invest will give us the ability to better budget for infrastructure improvements, building renovation and redevelopment opportunities, as well as any concerns about traffic safety and accessibility. This initial input will provide great meaning as we formulate a vision for Shawano’s future.”

The input gathered from the open house will be compiled, organized, and interpreted for the city so that it can be used to generate an overall vision and goals for how to keep the existing corridors vibrant and successful, Knapp said.

For information, call Knapp at City Hall, 715-526-6138.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 Average: 5 (1 vote)

By: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

The Shawano Water and Sewer Utility is asking the state Public Service Commission for a 12 percent overall increase in sewer rates, though that percentage will vary depending on the type of customer.

The city has requested an overall increase in annual revenue of $219,140, or an increase of 12 percent over present revenue, according to a PSC notice of proceeding.

According to City Administrator Brian Knapp, the current average sewer charge, based on the city average of 500 cubic feet of water used per month, is currently $30.37.

A 12 percent increase, if approved by the PSC, will raise the monthly sewer charge by $3.64 to $34.01.

However, Knapp noted, that will vary depending on classes of customers, which are broken into residential, commercial and industrial.

The PSC will determine the actual level of the revenue requirement after reviewing the application and holding a hearing. The hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

If the commission authorizes an increase, it will also authorize the ultimate rates individual classes of customers pay.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Shawano Police Department

June 8

Police logged 20 incidents, including the following:

Fraud — Police investigated a telephone scam complaint in the 300 block of East Center Street.

Drug Offense — Police investigated a drug complaint in the 100 block of South Andrews Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 200 block of North Airport Drive.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

June 8

Deputies logged 47 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on County Road E in the town of Green Valley.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Koo Yi Kun Lane in the town of Bartelme.

OAR — A 42-year-old Clintonville woman was cited for operating after revocation on Cloverleaf Lake Road in the town of Belle Plaine.

Threatening — Authorities responded to a threatening complaint on County Road P in the town of Germania.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on County Road Y in the town of Belle Plaine.

Disturbance — A disorderly conduct charge was referred against a 28-year-old Shawano woman after authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on Old Lake Lane in the town of Wescott.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on state Highway 29 in the town of Angelica.

Clintonville Police Department

June 8

Police logged eight incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 41-year-old Clintonville man was arrested on a Shawano County warrant on South Clinton Avenue.

Accident — A two-vehicle property damage accident was reported in a parking lot on East Morning Glory Drive.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Big top due to arrive Aug. 19By: 

Scott Williams, [email protected]

Contributed Photo Although there are no elephants, the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus features other animal acts, including a lion and tigers.
Contributed Photo The 90-minute show offered by Culpepper & Merriweather Circus includes acrobats, animals, clowns and other performances.

The big top is back.

A traveling circus that prides itself on upholding tradition and quality is planning a grand entrance and multiple performances this summer in Shawano.

Culpepper & Merriweather Circus will entertain crowds Aug. 19-20 in old-fashioned style by erecting a big top tent near the center of town.

Organizers have approached the city about using an open field across from Memorial Park, just north of Elizabeth Street. If city officials approve, the circus would invite the general public to a traditional tent-raising event in the style of the golden days of traveling circuses.

Culpepper & Merriweather spokesman Jim Royal said that, rather than holding performances inside oversized auditoriums, the company tries to recapture the mystique of erecting a big top and energizing a community like Shawano.

“There is a certain magic,” he said. “It’s a big event in a small town.”

The Oklahoma-based company last brought its circus to Shawano in 2007, although that was at a different location that generated poor attendance. Coincidentally, it is returning in a year when the Beja Shrine Circus is taking a break from its annual performances at the Crawford Center in Shawano.

Stepping forward to sponsor the Culpepper & Merriweather visit is the Rotary Club of Shawano, whose members will assist with marketing and ticket sales.

Advance tickets are $10, $7 for children under 13 or seniors over 65, and free for children under 2.

Rotary Club President-elect Chris Marcks said she is impressed by the Culpepper & Merriweather company, which she described as well-run organization. Marcks voiced excitement about the Rotary Club playing a part in bringing such a major attraction to town.

A circus of this size and quality, Marcks said, is something that residents typically would not find without driving to Green Bay or Appleton.

The proposed site along Elizabeth Street, she noted, is within walking distance for many people.

“We don’t have that many big things come to Shawano,” Marcks said. “It’s definitely something different.”

Culpepper & Merriweather has been in business for 30 years and generally visits about 200 cities over the course of an eight-month season.

The 90-minute show, led by a ringmaster, includes performances with a lion and tigers, horses and ponies, performing dogs, acrobats, jugglers, clowns and more. The adjoining Midway features pony rides, face painting, a bounce house and a giant slide.

The tentative schedule in Shawano calls for a free public tent-raising event about 9 a.m. Aug. 19, followed by free public tours of the circus grounds. Shows are scheduled for 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19 and 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Aug. 20.

Promotion and ticket sales are expected to begin once city officials decide on authorizing the Elizabeth Street location.

About a week before the circus arrives, Culpepper & Merriweather typically dispatches a clown in advance to visit local businesses, libraries and such.

Royal said the overall experience is intended to recreate the traditional traveling circus atmosphere, which he acknowledged takes a little more effort and investment.

“There’s not many of us left who can do it like that,” he said.

FYI

For information, go to www.cmcircus.com.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 Average: 4.5 (4 votes)

Little information available about company, plansBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

A limited liability company listed as the plaintiff in a foreclosure suit against the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology purchased the former Ponderosa restaurant in Shawano at a sheriff’s sale Wednesday.

A representative of VDG LLC offered $330,000 for the property at 1247 E. Green Bay St. to win a bidding war that broke out with another party represented by Shawano attorney Paul Black.

VDG opened with a bid of $100,000 before the bidding escalated at the auction held at the Shawano County Courthouse.

According to the Shawano County Register of Deeds office, the assessed value of the property is $322,600, with a fair market value of $317,500.

SIST also owes “in excess of $10,500” in back taxes on the property, including $7,612 in 2015 property taxes and a portion of taxes still owed from 2014, according to the register of deeds office.

The property originally was one of 15 included in a sweeping, half-million dollar foreclosure suit against SIST.

The action was dismissed after VDG reached an apparent agreement with the creditor, Wells Fargo Bank of Dallas. Details were not disclosed and are not filed in the court record.

The Ponderosa was carved out of that agreement and set aside for a separate sheriff’s sale last August, but the sale was called off shortly before taking place.

VDG was incorporated in July 2015, according to the state Department of Financial Institutions, shortly before the suit was dismissed.

Its registered agent is Jeffery Phillips, an attorney with the law firm of Fuhrman and Dodge in Middleton.

No other information about VDG is available.

Phillips said Wednesday he could not comment on VDG, the sheriff’s sale or plans for the property without the permission of his clients.

Black said he could not divulge who the clients were that he was representing, but said they are still interested in the property. He said his clients had not yet decided what they would do with the property if they had gotten it.

SIST purchased the Ponderosa Steak House in 2003. The restaurant closed its door in 2008 and the property has been sitting vacant since then.

According to the civil suit originally filed in December 2014, a number of mortgages and land contracts on the SIST properties, including the Ponderosa, were bundled into a single consolidated loan agreement with M&I Bank in 2008 and were backed by a promissory note signed by SIST founder R.C. Samanta Roy, who has since changed his name to Avraham Cohen.

The debts were eventually acquired by Wells Fargo, which claimed in the suit that SIST and Cohen defaulted on the agreement.

The suit maintained that $526,388, including interest and fees, was still remaining on the debt.

In addition to the former Ponderosa, the targeted properties in the foreclosure action included the Midwest Gift and Fudge House, 104 Old Lake Road; vacant properties at 201 N. Main St. and 202 N. Washington St.; the former Subway at 951 E. Green Bay St.; the former Taco John’s restaurant at 1214 E. Green Bay St.; a property at 143 S. Main St., being rented to Hunan’s Chinese Restaurant, and 145 S. Main St., a vacant property next door; vacant properties at 128 E. Green Bay St. and at 311 E. Green Bay St.; an apartment complex at 117 Mills St.; and three other Wescott properties, N5654, N5660 and N5670 State Highway 47-55.

SIST has nearly lost several properties over the years to foreclosure actions that were settled at the 11th hour.

However, SIST and its subsidiaries also have lost a number of properties to successful foreclosure suits over the last several years, including the following: an apartment building at 463 Humphrey Circle and 1024 E. Fifth St. in Shawano; the USA International Raceway in Wescott; Kiryat Hotel, now the Four Seasons Resort, 201 N. Airport Drive; El Mariachi Cantina and Grill, 635 S. Main St.; former Family Dollar property at 229 E. Green Bay St.; former Qualheim’s building at 153 S. Main St.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 Average: 2 (2 votes)

By: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

The Shawano Common Council on Wednesday approved a development agreement with FLEX II LLC, a recently established subsidiary of a still-unnamed manufacturing firm that plans to formally announce its plans to move into the city.

The Shawano project previously went by the code name Dorothy II. Officials have said they cannot divulge the name of the firm because of confidentiality agreements.

The business would occupy 15 acres of city-owned property in an undeveloped area north of County Road B, east of Waukechon Street and west of Industrial Drive. The development agreement calls on the city to extend Engel Drive to the new facility.

The council Wednesday also approved the creation of a new Tax Incremental Finance District that would include the 15-acre parcel and nearly 100 acres more to accommodate the possibility of future business development.

City Administrator Brian Knapp said there has already been some interest from other businesses in some of that additional TIF acreage.

According to the development agreement, FLEX II plans to develop “a light manufacturing, paper products related facility.”

The company is acquiring the property from the city at no cost and intends to construct an approximately 120,000-square-foot, $12 million manufacturing facility on the property and install approximately $24 million in related equipment, according to the development agreement.

The city will also offer the company a $5.26 million municipal revenue obligation as an incentive that will be paid to the company over the next 20 years using the increase in property tax revenue expected to be generated by improvements to the existing property.

The company hopes to build up to a work force of around 120 employees over five years. It plans to begin construction next spring and occupy the facility in January 2018, with full production commencing by April 2018.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

City hasn’t yet secured DNR fundingBy: 

Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent

Photo by Grace Kirchner The city of Clintonville will hire Ayres Associates of Eau Claire to do the engineering on repairs to the Pigeon River dam.

The Clintonville Common Council recently hired Ayres Associates of Eau Claire to do the engineering on repairs to the Pigeon River dam. Four firms bid on the project, with Ayres submitting the low bid of $38,100.

Ayres did the most recent dam inspection, in 2012, for the city and the Department of Natural Resources. City Administrator Chuck Kell also said the company’s project manager and structural engineer are experienced in the type of work needed, and the Ayres proposal includes significant on-site coordination with city staff and contractors. A minimum of five on-site project meetings with the city are part of the proposal.

Although the city has not heard from the DNR regarding funding for the project, Kell said the city will proceed with the design and engineering plans to submit to the DNR.

Kell said Ayres plans to use cofferdams to divert water during construction. A cofferdam is a temporary structure designed to keep water and/or soil out of the excavation in which a bridge pier or other structure is built. When construction must take place below the water level, a cofferdam is built to give workers a dry work environment.

One of the firms that bid on the project suggested that a drawdown would be made to make the repairs to the dam. The plan concerned the Pigeon Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District, which Kell said will work with the city on the project.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

By: 

Leader Staff

A Shawano woman convicted of targeting elderly motorists in a pair of purse snatchings in December was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in prison on a felony count of robbery for one of the incidents.

Yvonne M. Pyawasay, 49, was also sentenced to a concurrent year in jail on a misdemeanor count of theft and will have to serve an additional five years of extended supervision after her prison sentence.

Pyawasay was charged with felony robbery with the use of force for a purse theft in Shawano on Dec. 18. She was charged with theft for stealing a purse in the town of Herman on Dec. 16.

In the Herman incident, Pyawasay drove up behind an 86-year-old woman’s vehicle as she was arriving home and told the woman her tail light was out, according to the criminal complaint. As the woman went to the back of the car to check the tail light, Pyawasay stole the woman’s purse from the vehicle, along with $700 in cash inside the purse.

In the Shawano incident, a 93-year-old woman had just parked her car in her garage, according to the police report, when Pyawasay pulled up and told her that her tail light was out.

The woman thanked her and then went to her mailbox, according to the report. Meanwhile, Pyawasay went into the woman’s garage and came out with her purse.

There was a struggle between Pyawasay and the 93-year-old woman before Pyawasay fled in her vehicle with the purse, according to the complaint.

Pyawasay pleaded guilty to the theft charge and no contest to the charge of robbery with the use of force.

She apologized at her sentencing to the court and to the victims.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 Average: 4 (2 votes)

Shawano Police Department

June 7

Police logged 25 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 200 block of Teddington Lane.

Auto Theft — A vehicle reportedly left running with the key in the ignition at Family Dollar, 413 S. Main St., was reported stolen.

Burglary — Police investigated a reported burglary in the 200 block of Hamlin Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

June 7

Deputies logged 54 incidents, including the following:

Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a drug complaint at the Ho-Chunk Casino, N7198 U.S. Highway 45, in the town of Wittenberg.

Warrant — A 21-year-old Antigo woman was taken into custody on a warrant after an accident on U.S. Highway 45 in the town of Birnamwood.

OAR — A 29-year-old Clintonville man was cited for operating after revocation on U.S. Highway 45 in the town of Wittenberg.

Reckless Driving — A 23-year-old Keshena woman was cited for operating after revocation and taken into custody on a warrant after authorities responded to a reckless driving complaint on state Highway 47 in the town of Lessor.

Warrant — A 32-year-old Shawano woman was taken into custody on a warrant on Smalley Street in the town of Wescott.

Fraud — Authorities investigated a telephone scam complaint on Cattau Beach Drive in the town of Wescott.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Willow Road in the town of Wittenberg.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on Ebert Street in Gresham.

Accidents — Authorities logged three deer-related crashes, a vehicle versus cow and a vehicle versus raccoon.

Clintonville Police Department

June 7

Police logged 14 incidents, including the following:

Vandalism — Damage to property was reported on South Main Street.

Harassment — A harassment complaint on Flora Way was being investigated.

Disturbance — Warnings were issued for a family disturbance on Eighth Street.

Theft — A license plate was reported stolen on Industrial Avenue.

Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet