Shawano Leader News

Felony OWI

A Green Bay woman arrested in Shawano last month for her alleged eighth drunken-driving offense will be back in court Tuesday for a pre-trial conference.

Jamie L. Franklin, 44, could face a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if convicted.

Shawano police responding to a reckless driving complaint on April 3 found Franklin asleep inside her vehicle, which was parked on the front lawn of the BMO Harris drive-through at 214 W. Fifth St., according to the criminal complaint.

Franklin is also charged with a felony count of identity theft for allegedly initially giving police a false name. That charge carries a possible maximum of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, Franklin has three previous OWI convictions in Brown County and one each in Outagamie, Shawano, Forest and Kenosha counties. She also has a conviction in Brown County for operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent, according to the complaint.

She is being held on a $10,000 cash bond.

Forgery

Two people are facing felony forgery charges in connection checks reported stolen in Wausau and allegedly cashed in Shawano County.

Joshua D. Masters, 24, and Amber L. Roehl, 23, both of Wittenberg, could each face a maximum six years in prison and a $10,000 fine on each of five counts of uttering a forgery. They also each face five misdemeanor counts of theft.

According to the criminal complaint, the stolen checks were passed at a Birnamwood food store and an area restaurant in January and February and totaled $1,038.

Roehl and Masters are free on $1,000 signature bonds and are due back in court Monday for an adjourned initial appearance.

Felony OWI

A Bowler man is due in court Tuesday for a pre-trial conference on a felony drunken driving charge and bail jumping.

Anthony C. Azzolina, 39, was arrested in Shawano on April 2 after police responded to a disturbance call on Lieg Avenue.

Azzolina was allegedly intoxicated when he drove away from the scene of the disturbance prior to police arriving, according to the criminal complaint.

Police spotted the vehicle a short time later parked in the westbound lane of Lieg Avenue. Azzolina was still behind the wheel, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, a preliminary breath test showed Azzolina had a blood-alcohol level of 0.2 percent, more than twice the legal limit.

Azzolina could face a maximum six years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of fifth-offense operating while intoxicated. He also faces two counts of felony bail jumping, which carries the same possible penalty.

He is being held on a $3,000 cash bond.

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Former restaurant property consideredBy: 

Scott Williams, [email protected]

A hotly competitive marketplace of health care services in Shawano could be about to heat up even more.

Green Bay-based Prevea Health has unveiled plans for a new clinic on Shawano’s east side, near an Aurora Health Care facility that opened six years ago.

Prevea hopes to redevelop the former location of Anello’s Torch Lite restaurant, 1276 E. Green Bay St., which was destroyed by fire in 2014 and then was rebuilt on an adjacent site.

Plans submitted to state environmental regulators show that Prevea’s clinic would be 18,000 square feet — comparable to the Aurora facility — and would have parking for about 80 vehicles. The site would extend south from Green Bay Street and cover about 5 acres.

Prevea President and CEO Ashok Rai said customers now commute to Green Bay, and many have urged the health care provider to consider opening a facility in the Shawano area.

“Everybody would love to see care closer to home,” Rai said.

Prevea, which operates more than 40 locations in Wisconsin, is working with environmental regulators to overcome issues associated with possible wetlands on the proposed site.

Plans have been submitted or discussed with the state Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Todd Vesperman, a regional section chief with the Corps of Engineers, said federal officials believe the presence of wetlands is relatively minor on the former restaurant site.

“It looks pretty good,” he said.

State DNR zoning specialist Dale Rezabek said state officials could give the green light, too, if Prevea demonstrates that no other suitable site exists for the clinic, and if the development plans show efforts to minimize the impact on wetlands.

Rezabek said Prevea representatives have met with state regulators but have not yet submitted detailed plans.

DNR records show that Prevea thus far has dismissed potential alternative locations for the Shawano clinic because they did not offer the same high visibility and easy access for customers as the former Anello’s site.

The would-be clinic developer, Rodac Development and Construction of Green Bay, is the same firm that built the new Anello’s Torch Lite directly west of where the previous restaurant burned down. The new restaurant officially opened its doors this week.

DNR records indicate that the new restaurant and the health care clinic were planned simultaneously to maximize the “highest and best use” of the land.

“This land meets all of our needs,” Rai said. “It would be an ideal site.”

Shawano City Administrator Brian Knapp said city officials have participated in preliminary discussions about the wetlands issue associated with the former restaurant property. Knapp said he also was aware that Prevea Health was interested in the location for a new clinic.
“They’ve shown an interest in Shawano,” Knapp said. “They’re trying to find the right site.”
Rai said no decisions have been made about exactly what sort of clinic would be established in Shawano or what services would be offered.

Prevea’s interest comes eight month after ThedaCare opened its new $50 million hospital in Shawano. The opening of the 128,000-square-foot ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano coincided with the closing of Shawano Medical Center, located near downtown Shawano.

Aurora Health also made a significant investment not long ago in its clinic at 1364 E. Green Bay St. The building was expanded in 2012 from 10,000 to 20,000 square feet, and the addition of new services resulting in the facility’s upgrading from clinic to health center.

Officials at ThedaCare and Aurora both declined to comment about Prevea’s plan.

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Records could clear way for saleBy: 

Scott Williams, [email protected]

Leader File Photo Motorists heading north on state Highway 117 pass the Mud Lake Wildlife Area, and Cecil village officials think the site would be good for new business development.

Handwritten records from 50 years ago could affect whether Shawano County can sell part of the Mud Lake Wildlife Area for redevelopment near Cecil.

Officials from the state Department of Natural Resources say their agency has veto authority wherever the county used state funding to purchase land for the wildlife area starting in the 1960s.

So state officials are reviewing records of grants issued to Shawano County long ago — some less than $100 — to determine exactly when and where money helped the county to assemble the Mud Lake property.

Doug Haag, the DNR’s deputy director of facilities and lands, said that although record-keeping was not sophisticated years ago, the agency has found handwritten records of about 25 grants to Shawano County dating back to 1966.

“It’s the best information we have,” Haag said.

Mud Lake Wildlife Area is an estimated 320-acre conservation site owned by the county, located on the southern edge of Cecil. Village leaders are urging the county to sell about 15 acres bordering state Highway 117 so that the property can be developed with businesses.

The village would like to annex the development site to bring in new commercial growth.

County officials initially sounded open to the idea, but they also acknowledged that DNR approval might be needed because of past state funding associated with Mud Lake on the condition that the property remain a protected conservation site.

County officials recently passed a policy requiring closer consideration of such long-term conditions whenever accepting state grants or other outside funding.

Cecil Village President Jeff Nolan declined to comment on the Mud Lake issue, citing the uncertainty on whether there will be state intervention.

“I just want to see what happens,” he said.

Shawano County officials could not be reached for comment.

Some conservation advocates have voiced concerns about the proposed sale of Mud Lake property, which is used for hunting and other public recreation purposes.

Bob Bohardt, a Shawano County delegate to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, said he is remaining neutral on the Cecil plan, but he is concerned about other protected sites being offered up for sale if the Mud Lake proposal goes through.

“That’s how this stuff starts,” he said. “Where to do you draw the line?”

To some, the source of funding used to purchase the wildlife area is not even relevant.

John Hoeffs, chairman of the local delegation to the Conservation Congress, said the county should refuse to sell any part of the Mud Lake site, regardless of whether the DNR has veto authority. Hoeffs said the property is an important site for wildlife protection and conservation.

“The county owns it, and I don’t think they should sell it,” he said.

Haag said the DNR has asked Shawano County to provide information indicating when the county acquired different sections of the Mud Lake Wildlife Area, so that those purchases can be compared with when the state allocated grants to the county. State records indicate about 25 different allocations between 1966 and 1987, ranging from as little as $42 to more than $2,000.

Haag would not speculate what would happen if no clear correlation could be established with the Mud Lake property. But if it appears state funds helped acquire the 15 acres being considered for sale, state officials would invoke their authority to decide whether the site should be sold or whether it should continue to be protected for public recreation purposes, he said.

“The goal would be to try to make sure that the public remains whole as far as the recreational investments were made,” he said.

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Shane Stange, Bill Uelman recognizedBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

The Shawano Optimist Club on Wednesday honored two area officers as part of its annual observance of Respect for Law Enforcement Week.

Shawano Police Officer Shane Stange and Shawano County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Uelman were recognized as this year’s Officers of the Year.

Both were chosen for their honors by their respective department heads.

“Shane is recognized for his leadership on the night shift and the many duties he has volunteered for over the last few years,” Police Chief Mark Kohl said.

Stange’s assignments have included Shawano County’s Special Response Team, County Dive Team, field training 0fficer and forensic computer technician.

He is also a department defensive tactics instructor and has been certified by the FBI to train officers in active threat response situations.

“His combined efforts with Officer (Heidi) Cartwright for the radKids program was very successful,” Kohl said.

Stange has also given his time to the “Fill the Squad” food drive campaign and the 2015 Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign.

Sheriff Adam Bieber said Uelman has a great working relationship with his fellow deputies and with the public.

“Bill is even-tempered and handles stressful situations in a calm and collected manner,” Bieber said. “He has been recognized by the public on at least three occasions for the service he provided.”

Bieber said Uelman goes above and beyond what is expected of him.

“Deputy Uelman is well above the shift averages leading in citations issued, traffic stops, traffic warnings, etc. It is easy to see through Bill’s work ethic that he cares for the citizens of Shawano County and their well-being,” Bieber said.

Uelman volunteers for Bonduel youth teams throughout the year, coaches two youth baseball teams and multiple youth basketball teams, and is also league president for youth football; often taking comp or vacation time to coach and mentor youth in Bonduel, Bieber said.

“Bill is a shining example of what the sheriff’s office looks for in a deputy,” Bieber said. “Bill’s work ethic, community involvement, and being a family man is an example to all.”

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Area dairy farmers have until May 25 to vote in the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board District 9 election.

Nominees in District 9, which includes Shawano and Waupaca counties, are Donald Robaidek, of Pulaski, and Jeff Strassburg, of Wittenberg.

Elections are also being held in seven other districts across the state. Elected producers will serve three-year terms beginning July 1.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has mailed ballots to eligible dairy producers. If you have not received a ballot by May 10 and are an eligible producer, call 608-224-5116 to request a ballot.

Completed ballots must be signed and sent to WI DATCP, Marketing Order Program, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911. The ballots must be postmarked on or before May 25. Unsigned ballots will not be counted.

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Shawano Police Department

May 3

Police logged 27 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 36-year-old man was taken into custody at ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano, 100 County Road B.

Theft — A vehicle break-in was reported in the 600 block of South Maiden Lane.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint at Main and Presbyterian streets.

Assault — An assault complaint was under investigation at ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano, 100 County Road B.

OWI — A 49-year-old man was arrested for operating while intoxicated at Hamlin and Seward streets.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

May 3

Deputies logged 30 incidents, including the following:

Theft — A tip box was reported stolen from the Ho-Chunk Casino, N7198 U.S. Highway 45, in the town of Wittenberg.

Fire — A grass fire was reported on state Highway 29 in the town of Herman.

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on County Road D-M in the town of Pella.

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Honeysuckle Lane in Tigerton.

Accidents — Authorities logged two deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

May 3

Police logged seven incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Disorderly conduct was reported in Olsen Park.

Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle accident at Eighth Street and Clinton Avenue.

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Members stress importance of educating communityBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

The Shawano School Board on Monday heard details about the city’s new bullying ordinance, which carries possible penalties for parents who allow their children to continue bullying after they’ve been made aware of the behavior.

Police Chief Mark Kohl said the department is looking for help not just from parents but also from the school district and other agencies in addressing the problem.

The new ordinance garnered a lot of media attention from outlets across the country after it was first reported in the Leader, even though several other communities in the state have already passed similar ordinances.

Kohl said Shawano’s ordinance followed conversations with Police Chief Dan Ault, of Plover, where a bullying ordinance is already on the books. He said the response to the Plover ordinance has been mostly positive.

That conversation also followed a presentation about the effects of bullying that had been hosted by the Shawano School District, Kohl noted.

“The school was one step ahead of us,” Kohl said, adding that the district also already has a policy discouraging bullying and harassment.

However, he said, police had no way of dealing with bullying or harassment that takes place off school grounds.

“A lot of these complaints happen outside of the school day,” he said.

Kohl also said communities that have passed similar ordinances have never gotten to the point of actually having to assess fines or forfeitures against parents, because parents have been cooperative.

“Many parents don’t know that they have a child who is a bully. The emphasis is to work closer with the parents.,” Kohl said. “We cannot arrest our way out of the bullying issue.”

Kohl said the department would like to see parents taking a closer look at what their children do, including social media interactions, and how they act with friends and outside of the household.

“What behaviors have they noticed about their child if they believe they might be bullied?” he said.

School Board members were generally supportive of the ordinance and its intent but wanted to ensure there would be an educational component that would make parents and others aware of the seriousness of the problem.

“I think it’s great what you’re doing; I really do,” board member Marcia Yeager said. “I think it is a problem and I think it is getting worse. I think it all comes down to education, of how to make them aware of bullying, how to handle bullying.”

Yeager said the problem can start as early as preschool, as soon as one student tells another, “You can’t play with me.”

Kohl said his department is looking to address the issue in stages with the help of parents and the community.

He said part of that will involve trying to break down stereotypes dealing with gender, race, and cultural and economic issues.

Board members Michael Sleeper and Diane Hoffman said raising awareness and getting the word out to the community about the problem would be important factors.

Hoffman added that the problem of bullying goes beyond children and can also be seen in the workplace.

Board member Derek Johnson questioned whether the district’s policy on reporting bullying was streamlined and comfortable enough for victims.

Superintendent Gary Cumberland said there are opportunities for students to report such incidents directly to guidance counselors and others.

Kohl said many instances of bullying are not reported by the victims but by friends or others who have witnessed the behavior.

The ordinance calls for a fine of $366 for the first offense and $681 for the second offense for parents who are aware of and allow their children to engage in bullying or harassment.

The fine would only apply, however, if the parent had already been informed by police within the previous 90 days that their child had been engaging in bullying or harassment.

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Borlace named Knope’s successorBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Shawn Borlace

Shawano Fire Chief Doug Knope will step down from the job as of June 1 after more than 24 years overseeing the Shawano Area Fire Department.

Knope was a firefighter with the department for 30 years prior to becoming chief.

The Shawano Police and Fire Commission formally accepted Knope’s retirement letter Tuesday and appointed Shawn Borlace as the new chief, also effective June 1.

“You’re sorely going to be missed,” commission President Tony Zielinski told Knope.

Mayor Jeanne Cronce thanked Knope for his many years of service to the community.

Borlace was recommended for the chief’s post by Knope.

Borlace, who also works as a lineman for Shawano Municipal Utilities, has lived in Shawano for 17 years and has been part of the fire department for 16.

“It’s been a great experience,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot from the chief. We’ve just got a great team down there and things work really well.”

Borlace said the department also has a great relationship with Shawano police and the county sheriff’s department.

“That’s something we don’t plan on changing at all,” he said. “We work really good together, so that’s something we plan on keeping up.”

Borlace said after the meeting that he doesn’t expect any other changes in the department.

“We’ll continue on what we’re doing. It will be business as usual for us,” he said.

Borlace also had high praise for Knope.

“He’s been a great chief,” he said, “for what he’s done for this community and did for this fire department. He’s just been a great guy. He’s taught me so much personally and he’s taught the whole department how to move forward and just everything; his training, his professionalism. He’s just a great guy.”

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Shawano Police Department

May 2

Police logged 34 incidents, including the following:

Arrest — A female subject was taken into custody at the probation and parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.

Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported a shoplifting incident.

Truancy — Police logged eight truancy complaints from Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.

Fraud — Police investigated a fraud complaint at CoVantage Credit Union, 911 E. Green Bay St.

Warrant — A 51-year-old man was arrested on a warrant at Cleveland and Maurer streets.

Arrest — A 29-year-old man was taken into custody for a probation and parole violation in the 300 block of Madison Way.

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint in the 1200 block of East Green Bay Street.

May 1

Police logged 16 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 700 block of South Union Street.

Theft — A GPS unit was reported stolen from a vehicle in the 200 block of Schrader Avenue.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 1000 block of South Bartlett Street.

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

April 30

Police logged 17 incidents, including the following:

Arrest — A 39-year-old man was arrested for a probation and parole violation in the 100 block of West Division Street.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem at Hamlin and Randall streets.

Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported a shoplifting incident.

Disturbance — Police responded to a report of a fight in progress at Division and Main streets.

April 29

Police logged 24 incidents, including the following:

OWI — A 35-year-old Shawano woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated in the 1000 block of East Green Bay Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 300 block of West Wescott Avenue.

Warrant — A 32-year-old woman was taken into custody on a warrant at Main Street and Alpine Drive.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 100 block of East Maurer Street.

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint in the 1000 block of South Sawyer Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

May 2

Deputies logged 31 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Main Street in Birnamwood.

Fire — Authorities responded to a grass fire on Pioneer Drive in the town of Wescott.

Fraud — Authorities investigated an identity theft complaint on Main Street in Birnamwood.

Accident — Authorities responded to an injury accident on County Road G in the town of Herman.

May 1

Deputies logged 33 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Red Oak Lane in the town of Wittenberg.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a report of a fight in progress on County Road S in the town of Maple Grove.

Arrest — A 31-year-old Eland man was arrested for a probation and parole violation on U.S. Highway 45 in Birnamwood.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Hemlock Road in Wittenberg.

Disturbance — A 46-year-old Shawano man was arrested for disorderly conduct and a probation and parole violation after a domestic disturbance on Main Street in the town of Angelica.

OWI — A 36-year-old Gillett man was arrested for operating while intoxicated on state Highway 29 in the town of Morris.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Prouty Street in Wittenberg.

April 30

Deputies logged 31 incidents, including the following:

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

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on Webers Point Road in the town of Wescott.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on County Road J in the town of Morris.

Accidents — Authorities responded to an injury accident on state Highway 156 in the town of Lessor and logged four deer-related crashes.

April 29

Deputies logged 56 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Nichols Drive in the town of Angelica.

OAR — A 36-year-old man was cited for operating after revocation on County Road Z in the town of Herman.

Warrant — A 31-year-old woman was arrested on a warrant on Washington Street in the town of Wescott.

Vandalism — Authorities responded to a vandalism complaint on College Avenue in the town of Wittenberg.

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on U.S. Highway 45 in Birnamwood.

Fraud — Authorities investigated an Internet scam complaint on County Road F in the town of Hartland.

Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on state Highway 29 in Bonduel.

Assault — Authorities investigated a reported assault on County Road D in the town of Aniwa.

Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on Warrington Avenue in Cecil.

OWI — A 51-year-old man was arrested for operating while intoxicated on Bluebird Road in the town of Birnamwood.

Clintonville Police Department

May 2

Police logged 15 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a family disturbance on North Clinton Avenue.

Juvenile — A disruptive student was reported on North Main Street.

Juvenile — A disruptive student was reported on South Clinton Avenue.

Disorderly — Disorderly conduct was reported on South Main Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a family disturbance on 10th Street.

April 30

Police logged five incidents, including the following:

Theft — A theft was reported on 20th Street.

Trespass — Trespassing was reported on East 12th Street.

April 29

Police logged seven incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — A neighbor dispute was reported on Dodge Street.

Harassment — Harassment was reported on North Main Street.

Theft — A theft was reported on South Main Street.

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Shawano County sheriff’s deputies logged 64 incidents over the weekend, including the arrest of a 36-year-old Gillett man for operating while intoxicated on state Highway 29 in the town of Morris. A 25-year-old female passenger from Green Bay was also taken into custody on a warrant.

Other incidents included a 46-year-old Shawano man arrested for disorderly conduct and a probation violation after a domestic disturbance in the town of Angelica; disturbances in the towns of Morris and Maple Grove; a juvenile alcohol complaint in the town of Herman; disorderly conduct in Wittenberg; a property theft complaint in the town of Wescott; injury accidents in Bonduel and the town of Lessor; and five deer-related crashes.

Shawano police logged 35 incidents over the weekend, including a report of a fight in progress at Division and Main streets; disturbances in the 700 block of South Union Street and 100 block of North Main Street; a GPS unit reported stolen from a vehicle in the 200 block of Schrader Avenue; a shoplifting complaint at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.; a 38-year-old man arrested for a probation violation in the 100 block of West Division Street; a two-vehicle property damage accident in the 1300 block of East Green Bay Street; and juvenile problems at Hamlin and Randall streets and in the 1000 block of South Bartlett Street.

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Shawano program has awarded $1.9M in scholarshipsBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Tim Ryan The Shawano Community High School Jazz I band, under the direction of Christopher Kent, provides pre-dinner entertainment at Friday’s Shawano Dollars for Scholars Gala at The Gathering.

A quote from Walt Disney seemed appropriate for the setting Friday night, as community members and supporters of Shawano Dollars for Scholars gathered in the Enchanted Forest.

The dreamlike decor at The Gathering had been provided by the Shawano Community High School Class of 2017 for the high school prom, which was to be held at the same location Saturday night.

“Walt Disney once said, ‘all dreams come true if you have the courage to pursue them,’” said Troy Edwards, this year’s Dollars for Scholars president. “I want to thank everyone for joining us this evening so we can help others pursue their dream of post-secondary education.”

Dollars for Scholars is in its 23rd year in Shawano.

“What was started with business leaders to provide scholarships to a few students has grown into an organization with hundreds of individual donors and businesses providing scholarships to every graduating high school senior who applies,” Edwards said.

The organization has awarded $1.9 million to more than 1,600 students in its first 22 years.

Edwards said the numbers speak to how important the Shawano community views post-secondary education.

Board member Amy te Plate-Church, who took on master of ceremonies duties for Friday’s gala, said there was more bringing the attendees together than the great atmosphere, the fun and fellowship of the event.

“It’s about helping youth and helping dreams to come true,” she said.

She also said on a personal level it was an opportunity for her to give back to the community, “because I was so grateful for the scholarships that helped me to achieve my college dreams.”

Past President Michael Sleeper told the Leader that the annual spring event is a great evening for the community to come together for fun and fellowship, but also to generate additional revenue for the endowment fund.

He said the event typically raises about $20,000.

At the senior awards event at the high school Monday, Dollars for Scholars awarded $205,000 to graduating seniors.

Another roughly $250,000 will be awarded later this summer to Shawano Community High School graduates now in college.

“Initially this gala was the sole source of funds,” Sleeper said. “We worked really hard, invested the money wisely and grew to about $1 million in the endowment fund.”

Sleeper said much of the organization’s financial success can be attributed to the estate of Judge Michael Eberlein and his wife, Joanne, who left about $7.5 million to Dollars for Scholars.

“That enabled us to step up the number of scholarships and the value of scholarships to a level that we never imagined was possible,” he said.

“Judge Eberlein was a Shawano judge. He spent a lot of his time in juvenile court and he saw through his career that the students that had a good clear path of educational goals and objectives weren’t in his courtroom very often,” Sleeper said.

Local businesses and individual donors provided 14 different raffle packages for Friday’s event, with values ranging from $250 to $1,100.

There were also special drawings for endowment members and a live auction of floral planters and sports memorabilia.

Attendees were also able to view art displays created by Shawano high school students.

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Program is 1st of its kind in state

In response to increased demand for training and assistance in schools and communities across the country, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is set to launch an autism technician technical diploma for the summer and fall semesters.

NWTC is the first college in Wisconsin to have a program dedicated to autism education.

“We are really excited about starting the autism technician technical diploma program at NWTC,” said Kay Tupala, NWTC dean of health sciences. “We know that it will not only expand the knowledge of future education leaders, but also to help bring awareness and understanding about autism to the community.

“We take great pride in setting the pace for a future that creates strong communities and quality of life for everyone in northeast Wisconsin.”

Students enrolled in the 28-credit program will be trained to work directly with persons with autism in a variety of settings, including child care, home and school.

Autism is a developmental disorder that disconnects children from their environment and other people. Currently, autism cannot be cured, but it can be treated. One in 68 8-year-old children are identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The new NWTC program is designed for behavior technicians, child care teachers, paraeducators, teachers, teaching assistants, parents, relatives and caregivers.

“This new technical diploma can appeal to those already working in the field or those who want to support people in the community with autism,” said Tracy Blahnik, NWTC health sciences and education instructor.

The program is a mix of both early childhood education and paraeducator courses and includes hours in a practicum placement directly working with persons with autism. Course work will include teaching methods, applied behavior analysis and managing behavior, communication systems and technology, supporting teachers’ and following senior behavior technicians’ learning plans at school or in a home setting, supporting individual personal hygiene needs, and transitioning beyond school.

For information, visit https://www.nwtc.edu/Programs/Pathways/Human-Services-and-Education/Fami....

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Market opening by Shawano LakeBy: 

Scott Williams, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Scott Williams Contractor Rod Clauss works Friday on remodeling inside the former ice cream shop and mini-mart at 5858 N. Lake Drive in the town of Wescott.
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Formerly known as Twisterz Market, the future meat and sausage shop is located north of Shawano Municipal Airport and across from Brothers’ Pub bar and grill.

Finding quality meats and sausages to throw on the backyard grill is about to get a whole lot easier in the Shawano area.

The longtime operator of Backes Food Mart in Birnamwood has purchased a vacant storefront to open a new meat market on the western shore of Shawano Lake.

Scheduled to open around Memorial Day, Backes Brat Haus & Meat Market will offer a variety of homemade bratwurst and other sausages, along with custom cuts of beef, pork and other grill-ables.

The retail outlet will operate at 5858 N. Lake Drive, a town of Wescott storefront that closed about three years ago as an ice cream shop and mini-mart known as Twisterz Market.

Birnamwood business owner Dan Backes said he looks forward to serving Shawano-area residents and tourists who are eager to find quality products for their summertime cookouts.

“You won’t be getting Johnsonville in this place — let’s put it that way,” Backes said.

The market brings renewed activity to a commercial corner on the lakeshore, and it also fills a void left with the 2014 closure of Pingel’s Old Time Sausage Shop near downtown Shawano.

Located north of Shawano Municipal Airport, the new retail outlet will be next door to the Spinning Wheel Inn supper club and across the street from the Brothers’ Pub bar and grill.

Spinning Wheel owner Steve Lemhouse said he was pleased to see new activity in the vacant storefront, and he suspects that a retail meat and sausage market will do well in the area.

“My customers are all talking about it,” Lemhouse said. “We’re all looking forward to it.”

Backes Food Mart is a Birnamwood grocery store started 40 years ago by Backes’ father, Bernard Backes. The store now is operated by Dan Backes and his wife, Chris, along with their children.

The store began making its own homemade sausages in the 1980s, and now features more than 25 varieties of fresh bratwurst.

When the Pingel’s shop closed its doors at 528 S. Main St. in Shawano, Backes said, he recognized the opportunity to expand.

“I was watching since then,” he said. “That is a niche that I think Shawano is ready to support.”

The location on Lake Street will make Backes Brat Haus & Meat Market conveniently located for lakefront property owners and vacationers, as well as others at nearby campgrounds, while still being easily accessible for those closer to downtown Shawano.

Backes purchased the property in March and hired a contractor to complete interior remodeling work on the building.

Construction contractor Rod Clauss said the eight- or nine-year-old building is in good shape and needs only minor remodeling before it will be ready. Clauss said he expects to be finished with the remodeling work well before Memorial Day weekend.

Many passersby have shown a curiosity about the storefront project, Clauss said.

“Everybody stops and says, ‘I hope he does well,’” Clauss said.

Backes said he intends to open for business seven days a week, at least initially, and then gauge the operating hours most convenient for customers.

The business owner said he has been encouraged by the positive response shown so far.

“We’re excited to be in the community,” he said. “We’re thinking it’s going to turn out very nice.”

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Sparky’s owner announces closureBy: 

Scott Williams, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Scott Williams As one of the area’s few true waterfront bars, Sparky’s Sunset Grill, W5884 Cedar Court, Wescott, hosted fishing tournaments and other popular events.
Leader Photo by Scott Williams A handwritten sign and locked doors greeted customers Friday at Sparky’s Sunset Grill, located on the southern shore of Shawano Lake.

Sparky’s Sunset Grill is no more.

The popular Shawano County waterfront tavern has abruptly closed its doors without explanation on the verge of another summer tourist season.

Located on the southern shore of Shawano Lake, the establishment was among the few nightspots in the area where customers could sip a beer or enjoy a burger while directly overlooking the water.

Owner Sparky Steichen, who operated the tavern for about five years, declined to comment Friday except to say that the closure involved personal issues he would not discuss. A handwritten sign on the tavern’s front door read: “Sorry. Bar is closed until further notice.”

On his Facebook page, Steichen posted a message to customers that read in part: “I have decided it’s time to move on to new things.”

The message indicated that Sparky’s Sunset Grill was closing its doors effective at midnight Friday.

Landlord Rick Heyrman said he was trying to sell the waterfront property and that he had a prospective buyer who intended to maintain the tavern, perhaps reopening the business within a month.

Asked why the tavern would close during sale negotiations, Heyrman declined to comment.

“It’s nobody’s business what’s going on,” he said. “No one needs to know.”

Formerly known as the Bamboo Bar, the establishment at W5884 Cedar Court in the town of Wescott has been a popular nightspot, a lunchtime favorite and the scene of fishing tournaments, dart league competitions and music concerts.

Wescott town supervisor Duffy Schultz estimated that the tavern has existed under different names since the 1970s at least.

Schultz and other local officials said they were not aware of any reason why the place would shut down so suddenly.

Said town police officer Mike Vreeke: “I have no idea — not a clue.”

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Shawano Police Department

April 28

Police logged 25 incidents, including the following:

Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported a shoplifting incident.

Suspicious — A suspicious vehicle was reported in the 600 block of West Pine Street.

Arrest — A 40-year-old woman was taken into custody at the probation and parole office, 1340 E. Green Bay St.

Theft — Police investigated a theft complaint at Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St.

Arrest — A 21-year-old woman was taken into custody at the probation and parole office, 1340 E. Green Bay St.

OAR — A 53-year-old man was cited for operating after revocation in the 1300 block of East Green Bay Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

April 28

Deputies logged 34 incidents, including the following:

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on Stony Curve Road in the town of Bartelme.

Truancy — Authorities logged truancy complaints from the Bowler, Bonduel and Wittenberg-Birnamwood school districts.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Main Street in the town of Green Valley.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on U.S. Highway 45 in the town of Grant.

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

Accidents — Authorities logged three accidents, including two deer-related crashes.

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Cooperative Resources International recently welcomed two new employees in Shawano.

Shiheng (Tobby) Pan, originally of Zhengzhou, China, joins CRI as the international product and service specialist. In this role, Pan coordinates marketing of the cooperative’s cattle products and services through wholesale distributors and international retail outlets in more than 60 countries.

Pan holds an undergraduate degree in international logistics from Sias International University and a master’s in agribusiness from Texas A&M University. He will be relocating to the Green Bay area.

Amber Riesenberg, of Shawano, accepted the position of distribution specialist for CRI’s Genex Cooperative Inc. subsidiary. She prepares Genex cattle genetics shipments for distribution to members and customers throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Riesenberg received an associate degree in farm operations from Fox Valley Technical College.

CRI, headquartered in Shawano, and its subsidiaries — AgSource Cooperative Services, Genex Cooperative, Inc. and MOFA Global — employ more than 1,500 people dedicated to meeting the needs of individuals linked to the land through plant and animal production.

For information, visit www.crinet.com.

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Manufacturer expected to bring dozens of jobsBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Dorothy?

That is apparently the code name that has been attached to the mystery company said to be moving into Shawano in the near future, bringing with it 35 to 40 manufacturing jobs at first but working its way up to a force of 100 to 115 within five years, according to city officials.

Last month, the Shawano Common Council approved creation of a new tax incremental finance district that will make way for the manufacturing firm, or “Project Dorothy,” to locate in the city.

A public hearing will also be held on May 11 on an amendment to the city’s comprehensive plan that will also be needed to allow the company to locate in the proposed location.

During an update at a Common Council meeting last week, City Administrator Brian Knapp referred to the company’s planned move to Shawano as “Project Dorothy.” More specifically, he called it “Dorothy 2.”

Knapp said soil borings and site evaluation of the “Dorothy 2” site have been completed.

He said it will be up to the business to decide when they want to make a formal announcement, but that could happen in May or early June.

Knapp also said the “Dorothy 2” moniker was a name chosen by the site selection locator.

“It was chosen by private consultants hired to find a site,” he said.

Project Dorothy was a name chosen for one of the initiatives launched by the SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) Institute, while Dorothy 2 was a name given to a tornado tracking device in the movie “Twister.” Neither of which apparently has anything to do with Shawano’s Dorothy project.

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, but the city is considering putting up to 100 acres into the new TIF district to accommodate the possibility of future business development.

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Students urged to avoid distracted drivingBy: 

Scott Williams, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Scott Williams Teacher Kim Bodoh juggles a cellphone with a steering wheel Thursday at a simulator to demonstrate the hazards of distracted driving during an assembly at Bonduel High School.
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Students at Bonduel High School react to projected images of careless driving while classmates use a simulator to test their ability at operating a car and using a cellphone simultaneously.

They swerved, they drifted, they crashed.

Fortunately, it was all a simulation Thursday designed to show Bonduel High School students the dangers of using cellphones behind the wheel of a car.

The simulator allowed students to try navigating city streets in a moving vehicle while also using their cellphones to message friends, surf the Internet or take a selfie picture.

In each case, the students took their eyes off the road — and their driving quickly turned sloppy and hazardous.

“You simply can’t do both of those things at the same time without making mistakes,” said Nick Jarmusz, public affairs director for AAA Wisconsin, which presented the program along with AT&T and the Wisconsin State Patrol.

The group known as Leadership Shawano County organized the presentation as part of a monthlong effort to raise public awareness about distracted driving.

Students and faculty members filled the cafeteria at BHS for two different assemblies, each including a video that showed twisted wreckage and grieving family members of young drivers killed in accidents that resulted from distracted driving.

“Please give your driving your undivided attention,” said Trooper Erik Heinz of the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Heinz urged students to turn off their cellphones whenever getting behind the wheel, or at least pull over and park if they must use a phone while on the road.

Also in attendance during the program were representatives of the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, the Bonduel Police Department and the Bonduel School District.

AT&T and its partners have presented the “It Can Wait” campaign and simulation at schools throughout Wisconsin in recent years to combat the hazardous trends associated with cellphones in moving vehicles.

Bonduel students giggled during the simulation, but the message remained serious.

Robyn Gruner, director of external affairs for AT&T, said the risk of cellphones in cars once was focused strictly on texting and driving. But drivers nowadays also take chances by driving while using their phones for emailing, chatting and engaging in social media.

Gruner noted that texting and driving already is against the law in Wisconsin.

“We know that many of you are still doing it anyway,” she said. “And your parents might be, too.”

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Trail crossing marked with flagsBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

As the warmer weather approaches, more pedestrians and bicyclists can be expected to be using city streets and trails for exercise and sight-seeing.

It’s also the time of year Shawano police say they see an increase in complaints and concerns about pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Police Chief Mark Kohl said pedestrians and motorists have rules and responsibilities to follow.

At intersections and marked crosswalks, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian or bicyclist who has started to cross the roadway. It is recommended that drivers reduce their speed when approaching crosswalks where pedestrians are waiting to cross.

Once the pedestrian enters the roadway, vehicle traffic must yield to the pedestrian.

Whenever any vehicle is stopped at an intersection or crosswalk to permit a pedestrian or bicyclist to cross the roadway, the operator of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.

“We have received complaints that some vehicles have passed those that are stopped for pedestrians, coming close to striking pedestrians in the crosswalk,” Kohl said. “This includes four lane-roadways, such as the Mountain Bay Trail crossing on Green Bay Street.

“In order for the motorist to have a duty to yield, the pedestrian must be crossing within the crosswalk and should not have entered in such a manner as to make it difficult for the motorist to yield.”

The city has added bright orange flags to help identify pedestrian movement in the crosswalk at the Mountain Bay Trail crossing on Green Bay Street.

Motorists should also be aware that blind pedestrians have additional rights when crossing a roadway. An operator of a vehicle shall stop the vehicle before approaching closer than 10 feet to a pedestrian who is carrying a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white trimmed with red and which is held in an extended or raised position or who is using a service animal.

If a pedestrian has started to cross the roadway in a crosswalk or intersection, all vehicles must yield to the pedestrian in that crosswalk. All vehicles must stop in both directions and you cannot pass a vehicle that has stopped in traffic to allow a pedestrian to pass.

“The fact that the pedestrian may be violating any of the laws applicable to pedestrians does not relieve the operator of a vehicle from the duties imposed by this requirement,” Kohl said.

Fines for violating a pedestrian crosswalk law can range from $100 to $250 per violation and points will be assessed to the offender’s driver’s license.

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Shawano Police Department

April 27

Police logged 30 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint in the 300 block of South Sawyer Street.

Shoplifting — Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St., reported a shoplifting incident.

Reckless Driving — Police responded to a complaint of a reckless driver on state Highway 47-55.

Child Abuse — A child abuse complaint was under investigation.

Reckless Driving — Police responded to a complaint on Anderson Avenue.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

April 27

Deputies logged 47 incidents, including the following:

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Witt-Birn Town Line Road in the town of Wittenberg.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Town Line Road in the town of Green Valley.

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

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

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint River Bend Road in the town of Belle Plaine.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Swamp Road in the town of Pella.

Accidents — Authorities logged four deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

April 27

Police logged seven incidents, including the following:

Harassment — Harassment was reported on North Main Street.

Disorderly — A disorderly subject was reported on Second Street.

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