Shawano Leader News

Any staff reduction would be felt across programsBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

A proposed $300 million budget cut for the state university system could mean the loss of at least one extension agent in each county, including Shawano, if the cut is equally distributed.

“It’s a little hard to tell right now exactly how things will shake out,” said Joe Stellato, 4-H youth development agent in the Shawano County University of Wisconsin-Extension office. “But if the full budget cut were to go through as proposed — and it depends on how it’s divvied up, it works out to an average of one extension agent per county, or close to that.”

The decision of which agent would go would likely be based on several factors, he said.

“It would be prioritized based on county needs, probably total population, and counties would have a lot of input in that decision, too,” Stellato said.

The county pays for the UW-Extension office and all expenses, including support staff, equipment and travel, and 40 percent of each agent’s salary and benefits.

The cuts being proposed by Gov. Scott Walker would affect the 60 percent of agent salaries paid by the state.

“Let’s say the state came along and said, ‘we have to cut one position in each county,” Stellato said. “The county would have the option to maintain that if they want to fully fund the position, but counties are taking budget cuts as well so that would probably be very difficult.”

Programs offered by the extension system vary by county. The Shawano County office has four agents, which include 4-H, community resource development, family living and agriculture.

Stellato said the loss of any one would impact more than the area covered by that agent because many of the programs are interrelated.

“We all work together, so it really messes up the program,” he said.

According to the Shawano County office’s mission statement, the goal of the office “is to deliver University resources and research data to educate county residents and apply problem-solving assistance on issues relating to agriculture, family living, youth development, community development, economic development and natural resources.”

Jay Moynihan, community resource development agent with the Shawano County office, said the impact the cuts might have in Shawano County is still speculative.

“How the cuts would be allocated and how much would be the extension’s share is not really terribly clear at this point in time,” he said. “If it would go through and if it would be evenly distributed, which I’m not saying it would be, it’s about 80 to 90 county educators.”

Moynihan noted there are also cuts proposed in other programs that interact with the UW-Extension, including the DNR and programs promoting recycling and alternative fuels.

“What they do is specifically mentioned in the budget for very large cuts,” he said.

“The whole ‘cut’ thing is in itself interesting,” Moynihan said. “We’re so integrated in a lot of stuff going on in the communities, especially the rural communities, that it seems not to be a logical thing to do to cut the university system when many states and the rest of the world as a whole is actually going in the opposite direction in funding.”

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

May 13

Police logged 24 incidents, including the following:

Trespass — Police responded to a trespassing complaint in the 400 block of West Division Street.

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

Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident at Main and Richmond streets.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 900 block of South Lincoln Street.

Warrant — A 47-year-old man was taken into custody on outstanding warrants after a traffic stop in the 400 block of South Main Street.

Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident at Main Street and Lieg Avenue.

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint at Walgreen’s, 401 E. Green Bay St.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

May 13

Deputies logged 30 incidents, including the following:

Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary complaint on Cecil Street in Bonduel.

Theft — A radio was reported stolen out of a vehicle on Country Lane in the town of Washington.

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Valley Road in Waukechon.

Theft — A picnic table was reported stolen on Webb Street in Wittenberg.

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Carlson Lane in Green Valley.

Clintonville Police Department

May 13

Police logged 11 incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at the middle school.

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Brix Street.

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

Disturbance — Warnings were issued for a family disturbance on Flora Circle.

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

Kugel farm receives county’s 300th quiltBy: 

Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski The quilt Patchwork Stars sits next to the barn on the Kugel farm Wednesday morning as a crowd of almost 30 people gather to celebrate the newest milestone of the Shawano County Barn Quilt Project. Patchwork Stars was the 300th quilt created and placed on a barn, but the project could be reaching its climax, according to founder Jim Leuenberger.
Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski Mary Lou Kugel talks to some visitors about the barn and the new quilt about to be installed as she serves up breakfast pastries. Kugel has been an ardent supporter of the barn quilt project through her appraisal business and the Waukechon Wildcats 4-H program.

The Shawano County Barn Quilt Project was envisioned as a maximum of 25 quilt pieces to help celebrate the county’s rich dairy history.

That number has increased 12-fold, as the 300th barn quilt in the project was installed Wednesday at the Chuck and Mary Lou Kugel farm in the town of Waukechon. The quilt is called Patchwork Stars, with three different star patterns mixed in with earth tones.

“This is awesome, just awesome,” Mary Lou Kugel said after Raddant Electric installed the quilt on the barn before a crowd of almost 30. “I love the view of this quilt.”

The Kugels have helped contribute to the barn quilt project in a number of ways; Mary Lou more so than Chuck, the husband admitted.

“When Mary Lou came to me five years ago and said a barn quilt, I said, ‘Well, why would anyone ever want to do something like that?’” Chuck Kugel said. “There are an awful lot of barns that are falling apart, but people are putting them up on some of these old barns and are maintaining them now. There will be 300 barns in Shawano County that will be maintained for years and years to come because of that quilt. I think it’s a neat idea.”

Mary Lou Kugel works with the Waukechon Wildcats 4-H, which put up two quilts, and has sponsored two personally, along with helping with a quilt for the county’s dairy promotions program.

“The first time I painted one and saw how it all came together, it’s kind of addicting to see all those colors come together and meld to make this beautiful picture,” Mary Lou Kugel said. “I spent hours and hours looking for a pattern.”

The local quilt project has been spearheaded by Shawano photographer Jim Leuenberger, who initially designated a select few barns in 2010 for potential quilts, which are made of plywood and painted with various quilt patterns. However, the popularity spread like wildfire.

“The whole community has supported this project from the very beginning,” Leuenberger said. “I never would have imagined there would be so many.”

Leuenberger and his wife, Irene, have spent “thousands of hours” painting the quilts, getting the materials to craft them, arrange to have them installed, and spread the word via the media about the individual quilts and the farms that host them.

“There’s a lot more involved than just putting up a quilt,” Leuenberger said.

As a result, the local barn quilt program has gained immense popularity. Shawano County has been designated the unofficial barn quilt capital of Wisconsin, bus tours regularly come through the area specifically to showcase the barn quilts, and an annual fall bike ride started in 2013 with routes designed to showcase a number of quilts.

The barn quilts have helped to boost local tourism, according to Patti Peterson, tourism manager for the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce.

“We had no idea it would ever get to this point, but we’re certainly happy it did,” Peterson said. “It has brought a great amount of attention to our area. It attracts visitors, but residents enjoy them as well. We have gotten attention from all over the state — and the country, for that matter.”

The chamber hopes to continue promoting the barn quilts as a tourism draw. Peterson said that some fall color tours involving the barn quilts are in the works.

Besides showing off pretty quilt patterns, the project has helped breathe new life into the county’s rich farming heritage, Leuenberger said. Part of the project includes chronicling the history of the farm where each quilt dwells.

“It’s really a nice history of Shawano County when you think about it,” Leuenberger said. “There are 300 farms that we now know a little more about.”

About 80 percent of the farms that Leuenberger has provided a barn quilt for were completely unknown to him, so the experience has also allowed he and his wife to make some new friends. He noted there was one recipient who broke down in tears when she saw the quilt he had made in honor of her late husband.

The barn quilt project has reached a plateau, with only a few more quilts in the works. While Leuenberger, who has been retired for many years, plans to always accommodate anyone interested in having a quilt on their barn, he does not plan to actively solicit farms like he has done the last few years, so it is uncertain whether the quilt project could reach 400.

Of course, there are still plenty of barns in the county that could host a quilt or two, Leuenberger said, adding that there is also no shortage of potential quilt patterns.

“At the start of this, I learned there are literally thousands and thousands of patterns,” Leuenberger said.”We have one book that we found at the Shawano library … and it has 5,500 patterns. It’s just amazing the number of patterns out there. Every one is different, which is neat.”

Leuenberger is also working on a book with all of the barn quilts created to date, and that book is due to be released in June.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Shawano County’s 300th barn quilt

WHO: Chuck and Mary Lou Kugel

WHERE: Kugel family farm, W5924 Porter Road, Shawano

ONLINE: Find out more about the Kugels’ barn quilt and the other 299 county quilts at www.shawanocountry.com.

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

City officials seek more informationBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

A majority of the Shawano Common Council on Wednesday felt there were still too many unanswered questions to grant a conditional use permit that would have allowed a local nonprofit group to operate an emergency homeless shelter.

Shawano Area Matthew 25 had been looking to lease a vacant building at 213 E. Green Bay St. for the shelter. The building is owned by Shawano Municipal Utilities.

“There’s no doubt in my mind and hopefully anyone else’s that poverty is all around us in our area,” said Muffy Culhane, board president of SAM 25.

The Shawano Plan Commission last week recommended approval of the permit, but the commission’s recommendation came with several conditions, including a review of the shelter’s admission policies and procedures once they are drafted.

Some city officials Wednesday balked at approving the permit without those policies and procedures already drafted.

“I would feel more comfortable knowing what the policies are and the procedures that you have,” Alderman Bob Kurkiewicz said. “It’s a very noble cause, no question about it, but am I ready to make a decision? No. The amount of information you’re able to give right now isn’t totally put together.”

Though the policies are expected to include a zero tolerance for drug use, Kurkiewicz wondered whether that would apply to prescription medication.

He said he was also bothered by the building’s lack of shower facilities.

“I’d like to see provisions for a shower,” he said.

Culhane said it was hoped shower facilities could be provided elsewhere.

Kurkiewicz also questioned who would provide supervision and said he hoped it would not be the group’s typical volunteers.

“I’d like to have your volunteers be 6-4 and 240 pounds,” he said.

Alderman Fred Ponschok said he was concerned about the size of the building and whether it could accommodate what the group has planned.

He also questioned the urgency of approving the permit now.

Culhane said the group wanted to get the shelter into operation before winter.

“We’re trying to move quickly because the last two winters have been beastly cold,” she said.

Deb Noffke, owner of the neighboring Radio Shack, told the council she was concerned about transient homeless who could be attracted to Shawano because of the shelter.

“It’s a noble goal to try to take care of people that have been down on their luck, but I don’t think this group is prepared to deal with the true homeless, the transients, where this is a form of life. It’s a chosen form of life,” she said. “We don’t necessarily have that here now because we don’t have a shelter. Build it and you will.”

Noffke said she also had numerous questions that had not been answered by the group.

“What are you going to do to police those people during the time you’re closed? Where do you expect them to go?” she said. “What are you thinking, looking at a building that has no bathing facilities, no cooking facilities, run by volunteers? I know you mean well, but I don’t need transient homeless people right next door.”

Alderwoman Rhonda Strebel spoke in favor of the shelter, suggesting the council was overstepping itself to request as much information as was being asked.

“I don’t know that it’s the job of the planning committee or all of us to ask them to have a business plan,” she said.

Strebel said the planning commission, of which she is a member, had already added conditions that were intended to address some of the concerns raised.

Strebel and council President Woody Davis voted in favor of the conditional use permit.

Council members Kurkiewicz, Ponschok, Sandy Steinke and John Hoeffs voted against.

The group was encouraged to return in another month or two with another conditional use permit request that addresses the questions city officials raised Wednesday.

SAM 25 formed in 2013 with goals that included establishing an emergency homeless shelter and a free or low-cost clinic, both of which would be offered at the site.

The group’s plan calls for providing overnight shelter and sustenance to the homeless between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m., and health care for the uninsured on weekdays and possibly Saturday mornings.

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

Bonduel facility underutilizedBy: 

Leader Staff

Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Barb Laux, of Bonduel, trains with instructor Todd Edwards at the Bonduel Fitness Center on Wednesday. The fitness center at Bonduel High School offers a variety of free exercise opportunities to the community.
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Bonduel High School wrestling coach Chris Rank exercises at the Bonduel Fitness Center following school Wednesday. The fitness center in Bonduel High School is open to the public for free.

When Patrick Rau, Bonduel School District superintendent, listened to the discussion at last week’s “Connecting the Dots” workshop, he couldn’t help but think about the Bonduel Fitness Center.

Workshop participants from across the county were discussing the need for better communication so that everyone better understands what resources are available throughout the area to address issues such as poor health, poverty and community development.

Rau noted that the fitness center is underutilized, and that some people were unaware that membership is free and open to the public.

The facility located at Bonduel High School serves 30 to 60 area residents, but is capable of helping many more.

“Daily participation is a good amount for a community this small, but I also know there are people out there that are not exercising, and we are trying to figure out what is holding them back,” said Liza Margelofsky, director of the Bonduel Community Health Initiative.

The initiative was developed in 2009 in conjunction with a referendum to add 30,438 square feet to the elementary school and 5,920 square feet to the high school. The initiative’s goal was to create opportunities for students, staff and area residents to become healthier in their daily lives.

Community fundraisers, a $365,000 grant, and a donation from Greg and Raquel Strayer helped finance the plan.

The result was a state-of-the-art cardio and strength training facility.

“It was about making an opportunity available to our community and expose themselves to exercise equipment and the services we provide,” Margelofsky said. “I think it has met that goal, but there is an ongoing challenge of getting new people in the community familiar with the place.”

One of the center’s issues might be that some area residents still think it is just for students.

Margelofsky also noted that the facility is not limited to Bonduel residents. It also has members from Shawano and Pulaski, and as far away as Michigan.

Yoga, Zumba and basic toning courses are offered twice weekly. The cost is $4 per session.

“We have a morning fitness class that has about 22 senior citizens involved, which is a good number for our community,” Margelofsky said.

One of the newest initiatives is a “fear-free” training program geared toward assisting people who might be unsure or apprehensive about starting an exercise program.

“It is about exposing people to what we have available,” Margelofsky said. “We encourage anyone to check us out and see what we can do to help to put fitness into their life.”

The facility contains stationary equipment such as spin bikes, treadmills, arc trainers and a machine for people undergoing physical rehabilitation.

Strength and free-motion training equipment also is available, including free weights, jump ropes, weighted bars, stability balls, yoga mats and blocks. Free-motion equipment provides resistance training to boost overall strength and improve cardiovascular health.

“The one comment we hear the most from people is that our equipment is nice, clean and stable,” Margelofsky said.

FYI

WHAT: Bonduel Fitness Center

WHERE: Bonduel High School, 400 W. Green Bay St., Entrance E

WHEN: 5-7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, 3:30-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7-10 a.m. Saturdays

COST: Free after 45-minute tour with staff, $4 for classes

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

By: 

Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent

The Clintonville Finance Committee will consider a town of Matteson request to repair Airport Road.

Duwayne Federwitz, town chairman, recently sent a letter to Toby Kersten, Clintonville’s public works manager, asking that the city consider prioritizing the road’s repair.

Airport Road runs from County Road I to Seventh Street in Clintonville and is about a mile long. The north half of the road is maintained by the township; the city is responsible for the south half of the road.

The estimate to apply gravel, grind the aggregate and repave the road would be about $60,000, Kersten told the city’s street committee.

“To cold patch it is like throwing money out the window,” said Kersten, who agreed the highly traveled road is in terrible need of repair.

However, there is no money in his budget to fix the road, which at least should be graveled, Kersten said.

“This is a safety issue. You can travel 25 miles per hour at best on the road,” Alderman Jim Krause said.

The street committee voted to refer the issue to the finance committee.

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

May 12

Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious man complaint in the 600 block of West Stevens Street.

Accident — Police responded to a minor traffic accident involving a Menominee Regional Transit bus in the parking lot of Four Seasons, 201 N. Airport Drive. No injuries were reported.

Probation — Police investigated a 22-year-old man for a probation violation.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem involving a riding lawn mower in the 900 block of South Cleveland Street.

Welfare — A missing persons report was filed on an 18-year-old woman in the 400 block of Humphrey Circle.

Domestic — Police investigated a domestic disturbance involving an intoxicated woman in the 700 block of South Franklin Street.

Fraud — Police investigated a woman for fraudulently signing a vehicle title in the 200 block of East Green Bay Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

May 12

Deputies logged 33 incidents, including the following:

Animal — Authorities logged two complaints of stray horses.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on County Road Z in the town of Aniwa.

Vandalism — Authorities responded to a vandalism complaint involving a gas tank on County Road A in Bowler.

Littering — Authorities responded to a complaint of debris on a property on County Road U in the town of Herman.

Animal — Authorities responded to a report of horse neglect on Lone Maple Road in the town of Fairbanks.

Threatening — Authorities investigated a threatening voice mail at a residence on County Road M in the town of Grant.

Theft — Items were reported stolen from a residence on Lyons Road in Birnamwood.

Accident — Authorities investigated a two-vehicle accident on Morgan Road and County Road A in the town of Red Springs. Victim requested ambulance citing back pain.

Fraud — Authorities investigated a report of credit card fraud on state Highway 22 in the town of Green Valley.

Warrant — Authorities investigated a warrant violation for threatening behavior at Homme Home Support Center, W18105 Hemlock Road, Wittenberg.

Accident — Authorities logged a deer-related crash on Leopolis Road and Butternut Lane in Seneca.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of West Main Street in Bowler.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to an alleged drug transaction in the 1100 block of Park Street in Gresham.

Clintonville Police Department

May 12

Police logged seven incidents, including the following:

Welfare — Police conducted a welfare check on 10th Street.

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

Corn planting ahead of 5-year averageBy: 

The Associated Press

The government says farmers are expected to grow 13.6 billion bushels of corn this year, about 4 percent less than last year’s record crop.

The estimate released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture assumes an average per-acre yield of nearly 167 bushels an acre, down from last year’s record 171 bushels.

Soybean farmers are expected to grow nearly 3.85 billion bushels, down 3 percent from last year’s record crop. The soybean per-acre yield is projected at 46 bushels per acre, down 1.8 bushels from last year’s record.

The USDA says farmers have started well this growing season with 75 percent of the corn crop planted, ahead of the five-year average of 57 percent.

Soybean farmers have planted nearly one-third of the crop, ahead of the average of 20 percent.

Total year-end supplies of both crops will climb when added to part of last year’s record crop still in the grain bins.

U.S. farmers are expected to harvest soybeans on 83.7 million acres.

Supplies are projected at 4.23 billion bushels, up 3.4 percent from last year’s estimate, with increased beginning stocks more than offsetting lower production, the USDA said.

Soybean exports are projected at 1.76 billion bushels, down 25 million bushels from last year despite record supplies. Competition from record supplies in South America is expected to limit U.S. exports during the first half of the marketing year.

With larger supplies and lower use, U.S. ending stocks this year are projected at 500 million bushels, up 150 million from last year.

The U.S. season-average soybean price this year will decline to $8.25 to $9.75 per bushel compared with $10.05 last year.

Corn production is projected to be down 586 million bushels from the last year’s record with a lower forecast area and yield, the USDA said.

The U.S. corn yield is projected at 166.8 bushels per acre, down 4.2 bushels from the last year’s record, based on a weather adjusted yield trend that assumes normal summer weather.

The 2015 yield outlook has not been raised, despite the rapid pace of planting. For example, Iowa farmers had planted 83 percent of their corn acres through Sunday, a week ahead of last year and the five-year average.

Corn supplies are projected at a record 15.5 billion bushels, up just slightly from last year. U.S. corn use is projected at a record 13.8 billion bushels.

Exports are projected at 1.9 billion bushels, 75 million bushels higher than last year’s projections. More competitive prices and growth in world demand support gains in U.S. exports, but large foreign supplies limit growth in the U.S. share of global trade, the USDA said.

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

SCHS Class of 2014 money shifted to continuing education fundBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Shawano Dollars for Scholars President Michael Sleeper, center, facilitates the annual group’s meeting Monday in the Shawano Community High School library. He is flanked by treasurer Adam Gafner, left, and board member Marisa Rycroft.

Area residents seeking financial help to continue their education will get a boost from unclaimed scholarship money originally allocated for the Shawano Community High School Class of 2014.

Shawano Dollars for Scholars reported at the group’s annual meeting Monday at SCHS that approximately 40 new graduates did not claim their 2014 scholarship awards.

The group responded by voting unanimously to modify language in its bylaws and to redistribute about $47,000 to applicants seeking continuing education scholarships.

The deadline to apply for the continuing education scholarships is June 1.

Dollars for Scholars President Michael Sleeper said high school funds had gone unclaimed in previous years as well, but this was the first time the 20-year-old organization addressed it.

“We have known that it was a chronic issue, but this is the first time that we have actually quantified the actual dollars that were unclaimed, and took action on it,” he said. “It is not a new issue, but it is something we did not address until now.”

Continuing education scholarships are for students in an undergraduate program who might need a boost to continue their education. Applicants must be a Shawano graduate or have resided in the boundaries of the district for the three years prior to college. They also need to complete a profile on the Dollars for Scholars website.

Dollars for Scholars earlier this year extended the application deadline for the scholarships from May 1 to June 1.

“We adjusted our policies to more effectively award all scholarship dollars to students that will be using it in the current year,” Sleeper said.

Three continuing education scholarships went unclaimed last year; one will be deferred until next year.

Dollars for Scholars also voted Monday to award a $6,500 Impact and Outreach Scholarship to Shawano School District’s Destination Imagination program, which will send two teams to the DI Global Finals later this month.

The outreach scholarship provides financial support for programs and activities that promoted academic achievement, help students identify career interests and potential career paths, and encourage students to continue education beyond SCHS.

Destination Imagination’s goal is to teach students creative processes, including imagination and innovation, and how to apply those skills toward challenges in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and the arts.

It will cost approximately $15,000 for the six students from Olga Brener Intermediate School and seven from Shawano Community Middle School to participate in the finals in Knoxville, Tennessee. The group also is raising money through community events such as craft and bake sales.

The DI teams will split the costs of bus transportation with three other area schools involved in the Global Finals.

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

By: 

Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent

Jerald Schoenike

Former Clintonville Public School District Superintendent Jerald Schoenike has been selected as this year’s recipient of the district’s Alumnus Honoris Award.

The award, given to graduates of Clintonville or Bear Creek high schools who have excelled in their chosen fields on a national or worldwide level, will be presented at the Clintonville High School commencement ceremony in June.

Schoenike graduated from Clintonville High School in 1953 in a class of 100 students. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. After teaching in Park Falls for three years, he returned to Stout and earned a Master of Science degree in industrial education in 1960.

He taught industrial education at Sheboygan South High School until 1965, when he was given the responsibility of administrating all vocational technical programs in the Sheboygan district. He was awarded a national congressional scholarship to attend the University of Illinois-Champaign, where he earned a doctorate in vocational technical education in 1974. He returned to the Sheboygan School District as director of administrative services and served in that capacity until 1983, when he accepted the superintendent position in Clintonville.

Schoenike remained as superintendent until his retirement in 1996.

Other highlights of Schoenike’s career include the following:

- He was instrumental in establishing the first fiber-optic distance learning network in Wisconsin and served as its first president.

- He was elected to the Fox Valley Technical College board of trustees and served for more than 10 years, including two years as chairman.

- He was named Technical College Trustee of the Year in Wisconsin and also Board Trustee of the Year in the Central region of the U.S.

- In 2002 he co-authored a book on the history of the Technical College Boards Association in Wisconsin.

- He served on numerous state education committees and commissions for the Wisconsin Department of Instruction and was recognized by former State Superintendent Herbert Grover for work in negotiating agreements with the University of Wisconsin System on advance placement credits and in development of aspiring school superintendents in Wisconsin schools.

- In 1994 he was instrumental in the organization of the Clintonville Area Foundation and was its president for many years.

- He is president of the Clintonville Public Library board of trustees and has been a member of the board for 31 years.

- He is a member of the Clintonville Rotary Club and received the Rotarian of the Year Award on two occasions.

Schoenike and his wife, Julie, have been married 59 years. They live in Clintonville and have three children, Jenny, James and Jonathan, and four grandchildren.

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

May 11

Police logged 26 incidents, including the following:

Vandalism — A vehicle was reported vandalized at Randall and Union streets.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem at Shawano Community Middle School, 1050 S. Union St.

Theft — Shawano Municipal Utilities reported a theft of power in the 300 block of East Maurer Street.

Vandalism — Police investigated a vandalism complaint at Shawano Community Middle School, 1050 S. Union St.

Fraud — Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St., reported a counterfeit $100 bill.

Fraud — Police investigated an identity theft complaint in the 500 block of East Lieg Avenue.

Accident — Police responded to a property damage accident in the 300 block of Madison Way.

Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle injury accident at County Road B and Airport Drive.

Theft — Money was reported stolen in the 700 block of South Maiden Lane.

Theft — A gun was reported stolen from a residence in the 400 block of West Eagle Street.

Juvenile — Police responded to a complaint of juveniles shooting at passing cars with toy guns in the 1100 block of Waukechon Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

May 11

Deputies logged 35 incidents, including the following:

Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a juvenile drug complaint at Main and Alpine streets in Shawano.

OAR — A 52-year-old man was cited for operating after revocation at Lincoln and Schurz streets in Shawano.

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

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Hickory Road in Richmond.

Fire — Authorities responded to an oven fire on Ellms Street in Wittenberg.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Lulu Lake Drive in Wescott.

Theft — A tablet was reported stolen out of a vehicle at Shawano County Park, W5785 Lake Drive, Wescott.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on Cattau Beach Drive in Wescott.

Clintonville Police Department

May 11

Police logged 12 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — A domestic disturbance was reported on South Clinton Avenue.

Disorderly — Disorderly conduct was reported at Clintonville Middle School, 255 N. Main St.

Assault — A sexual assault complaint was under investigation.

Disorderly — A warning for disorderly conduct was issued in WA Olen Park.

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

May 10

Police logged 15 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — A 26-year-old woman was arrested on charges of domestic abuse and battery in the 1200 block of South Bartlett Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint in the 1100 block of South River Street.

Threatening — Police responded to a threatening complaint in the 500 block of South Cleveland Street.

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 200 block of West Lieg Avenue.

May 9

Police logged 19 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 400 block of Fairview Way.

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 400 block of South Lincoln Street.

Theft — A bag of food put out for a food drive donation was reported stolen in the 1400 block of Prospect Street.

Fraud — A scam complaint at Picnic and Bartlett streets was determined to be a civil matter.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 100 block of Prairie Street.

May 8

Police logged 32 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 800 block of East Richmond Street.

OWI — A 26-year-old Shawano woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated in the 500 block of Lakeland Road.

Theft — A stereo and tablet were reported stolen from a vehicle in the 900 block of South Weed Street.

Theft — A necklace was reported stolen in the 800 block of East Richmond.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 800 block of East Richmond Street.

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

OWI — A 54-year-old man was arrested for operating while intoxicated in the 1200 block of East Green Bay Street.

Theft — A camera and other items were reported stolen from a vehicle in the 1100 block of South River Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a report of a fight in progress in the 300 block of East Maurer Street. The report was determined to be unfounded.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

May 10

Deputies logged 32 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem at Main Street and River Drive in Gresham.

Disturbance — Charges of disorderly conduct, battery and resisting an officer were referred against a 21-year-old Tigerton man after a disturbance on County Road M in Tigerton.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Lake Crest Lane in Wescott.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Oakcrest Drive in the town of Waukechon.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Riverview Road in Waukechon.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Elm Road in Angelica.

May 9

Deputies logged 46 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Warrington Avenue in Cecil.

Juvenile — Authorities investigated a juvenile alcohol complaint at Main and Mills streets in Shawano.

Disturbance — A 26-year-old Bowler man was referred to probation and parole after a disturbance on U.S. Highway 45 in Tigerton.

Assault — Authorities investigated an assault complaint on Webb Street in Wittenberg.

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on Springbrook Road in the town of Waukechon.

Fire — Authorities responded to a stove fire on Lake Drive in Wescott.

Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run accident in the 900 block of East Green Bay Street in Shawano.

May 8

Deputies logged 46 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Cecil Street in Bonduel.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Robin Road in Wittenberg.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Birch Drive in Maple Grove.

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on Ellms Street in Wittenberg.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Old Lake Road in Wescott.

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

Police were called to Christus Church in Clintonville on Sunday morning after a call alerting them to a distraught and possibly suicidal parishioner with a gun.

Pastor Brian Crocker told police about 10:30 a.m. that the man had made a threatening comment in the presence of another parishioner while armed with a .357 revolver and extra ammunition. Police secured the church and surrounding area, with help from Waupaca County sheriff’s deputies and Marion police, and searched the suspect’s nearby home. Parishioners were released from the church once the area was secured.

The 27-year-old Clintonville man was taken into custody about 1 p.m. after he was located in the parking lot of a retail business on the south edge of the city.

Officials say the man was reacting to bad news that he received. He was placed in emergency detention pending a medical and psychological evaluation.

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

Residents needed for workgroups

Shawano and Menominee counties are working together to create a plan to prepare for potential disasters in the area.

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires all states and local governments to create hazard mitigation plans in order to qualify for federal grants.

Shawano and Menominee each have plans in place, developed with the help of Federal Emergency Management Agency grants. Now the counties are partnering to create a Shawano-Menominee Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The plan will look at the risks and vulnerabilities that the counties face from natural disasters, and develop strategies that might reduce future losses. The strategies can be as simple as promoting the use of weather radios or as comprehensive as strengthening critical facilities to prevent wind damage.

The counties have once again obtained FEMA funding to create a plan that will update and replace each of the county’s plans.

As part of the process, each county is assembling a workgroup to review and guide the planning activities. The workgroups will review the current plans and will begin identifying new information and hazard mitigation strategies for the update. Easterday said.

“I am very excited about this part of the planning process,” said Natalie Easterday, emergency management director for Shawano County. “The input from the workgroup can have long-lasting impacts, making Shawano County safer and more disaster-resistant.”

“The benefits of hazard mitigation planning have been proved to harden communities against disaster damages in a cost-beneficial way,” said Shelley Williams, emergency management director for Menominee County.

Area residents are needed to join the workgroups. To volunteer or obtain more information, call Easterday at 715-526-6774 or Williams at 715-799-5074.

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

Meeting planned June 6

A possible cooperative grocery store that would serve Clintonville and surrounding area will be discussed at a meeting June 6.

District 4 Alderwoman Mary Beth Kuester said constituents had been asking her to look into bringing a second grocery store to town since she first ran for office a year ago.

“The idea of a co-op is one possible solution,” Kuester said. “I have several leads for traditional stores, but the idea of a co-op should be explored, as well.”

Organizers of the Green Leaf Grocery cooperative store planned for Green Bay will be on hand to share their experience and answer questions. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. at City Hall, 50 10th St., Clintonville.

The co-op is a nonprofit organization with members, similar to a credit union. Green Leaf Grocery already has more than 800 members, Kuester said.

Kuester said she has met with local Econofoods representatives to discuss market share. She said she learned about 30 percent of the local residents go elsewhere to shop.

“It’s these people who are already driving to Appleton, Shawano and New London to shop that are looking for another source,” Kuester said.

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

Defense attorney says ‘something snapped’By: 

Leader Staff

Calvin K. Ossmann

A Leopolis man who stole two semi-trucks and a car during a weekend crime spree in August was sentenced Friday to 4½ years in prison.

Calvin K. Ossmann, 27, pleaded guilty in March to three felony counts of taking and operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent, one felony count of fleeing from authorities and several misdemeanor counts.

Ossmann was accused of stealing two semi-tractors, one of which he abandoned, and a car that he drove around on a property, causing some damage during the series of events that started Aug. 1.

Ossmann then led authorities on a high-speed chase in one of the stolen semi-tractors Aug. 3. He backed the vehicle into a Shawano County sheriff’s squad twice before eventually crashing the semi and escaping on foot.

Ossmann subsequently avoided authorities for nearly three weeks while hiding in a barn in the town of Richmond.

Assistant District Attorney Catharine White said Ossman’s crimes were “an aggravated set of circumstances,” but that Ossmann was also “somebody that can be considered the object of some pity and compassion.”

She noted that the victims in the case had all tried to help Ossmann at some point.

Both the prosecution and defense agreed on a recommendation of a seven-year sentence, with 4½ years in prison and 2½ years on extended supervision, which the court followed.

Defense attorney Steven Weerts called it “a fair recommendation under the circumstances.”

Weerts said Ossmann had a good work record and a fascination with trucks, but that “something snapped here.”

Judge James Habeck said Ossmann’s work ethic and the series of incidents he engaged in were a strange combination.

“I don’t often see adults with work ethics that are so willing to destroy other people’s property,” he said.

Ossmann had nothing to to say to the court when asked for a statement.

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

The Shawano County Highway Department, Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin are scheduled to begin reconstructing the intersection of County Road G and state Highway 47 next week in the town of Red Springs.

County G intersects Highway 47 at a sharp angle. There are also curves on Highway 47 that limit visibility down the road. Furthermore, a large triangular gravel area within the legs of the intersection confuses drivers, according to local highway officials.

The project will correct the deficiencies by realigning and shifting the intersection southeast along Highway 47. A new lane for westbound Highway 47 traffic will allow vehicles to bypass vehicles turning left at the intersection. Tapers for eastbound Highway 47 traffic will allow vehicles turning right onto County G to get out of the main traffic flow.

In addition, new signage and pavement markings will better delineate the roadway.

Work on the north, or westbound, side of Highway 47 will take about a week. During this time when construction operations are occurring, traffic will be down to one lane, with flagging operations in affect. County G will remain open.

Work on the south, or eastbound, side of Highway 47 will take about two weeks. County G will be closed during the work, with a detour provided on Highway 47 and County Road VV.

Work on County G will take about 30 days, during which Highway 47 will remain open to two lanes of traffic, but some shoulder closures might occur. County G will remain closed, with the detour on Highway 47 and County VV.

All work is scheduled to be completed by July 2.

Access to all properties will be maintained at all times.

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

Three people were taken to hospitals, and a section of state Highway 47 was closed for more than an hour Thursday after a three-vehicle crash in the town of Lessor.

Shawano County sheriff’s deputies responded to the crash on Highway 47 at Shady Road shortly after 6 p.m., according to a sheriff’s department news release.

A 2003 Dodge Neon was stopped in the northbound lane of traffic on Highway 47, waiting to make a left turn, when a 2014 Dodge truck hit the Neon from behind, forcing it into the southbound lane of traffic, according to the release. A 2010 Chevrolet Equinox going south then hit the Neon.

The release indicated three people were taken to area hospitals: the driver of the Neon, an 18-year-old Bonduel woman; the driver of the Equinox, a 55-year-old Pulaski man; and his passenger, a 53-year-old Pulaski woman.

Deputies cited the driver of the pickup, a 31-year-old man from Hamilton, Texas, for following too closely.

No information was being released Friday on the names of the people involved or the extent of their injuries.

Debris on the road caused authorities to close Highway 47, from County Road F in Outagamie County to state Highway 156 in Shawano County, until 7:41 p.m.

The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department, Bonduel Police Department, Navarino Fire Department, NEW Ambulance and Black Creek Ambulance responded to the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

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

May 7

Police logged 31 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 200 block of North Bartlett Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a report of a fight in progress at Elizabeth and Waukechon streets. Police said two males were involved in a road rage incident. There was a verbal argument and no arrests were made.

Fire — Police and fire responded to a small cooking fire in the 700 block of South Main Street.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 700 block of South Hamlin Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 800 block of East Richmond Street. A 35-year-old Shawano man, 26-year-old Shawano woman and 16-year-old Shawano boy were cited for disorderly conduct.

Disturbance — Police responded to a report of a fight in progress in the 800 block of East Richmond Street. The disturbance involved parties from the earlier incident and no fight was found. The parties were sent on their way.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

May 7

Deputies logged 48 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a report of a fight in progress on Lake Drive in Wescott.

Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on state Highway 22 in Cecil.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on U.S. Highway 45 in Birnamwood.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Webb Street in Wittenberg.

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Almon Street in Bowler.

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

Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on Marsh Road in Aniwa.

Disturbance — Authorities assisted at a disturbance in the 800 block of East Richmond Street in Shawano.

Accident — Authorities responded to a three-vehicle injury accident on state Highway 47 at Shady Road in the town of Lessor.

Clintonville Police Department

May 7

Police logged seven incidents, including the following:

ATV Violation — A juvenile was warned for an ATV violation on Green Tree Road at Walnut Street.

Theft — A theft of cigarettes and cash from a vehicle on South Clinton Avenue was reported.

Warrant — A 38-year-old woman was taken into custody on a warrant.

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

Prescription medications often misusedBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Facilitator Kathleen Franklin interacts with area employers during an alcohol and drug abuse workshop Thursday at Boarders Inn and Suites in Belle Plaine.
Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Wellness educator Stephanie Bellin discusses identifying drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace Thursday at a workshop at Boarders Inn and Suites in Belle Plaine

Shawano area employers learned some disturbing lessons about the variety and prevalence of drugs and alcohol in their workplaces Thursday.

A presentation from Brad Dunlap, special agent with the Lake Winnebago drug unit, highlighted the vast number of new designer drugs making headway into the communities, as well as the higher potency of modern marijuana.

Prescription drug abuse is among the biggest problems, he told the nearly four dozen employers and human resource managers in attendance.

“I guarantee you’ve got employees that are addicted to or are abusing their prescription medications,” he said.

Dunlap said over-prescription by doctors is part of the reason for that.

The U.S. has 5 percent of the world’s population and is consuming 80 percent of the world’s prescription drugs, he said.

Thursday’s drug and alcohol abuse workshop was the second of four geared to employers as part of a joint effort between ThedaCare’s Community Health Action Team and Shawano County Economic Progress Inc.

The workshops are funded by grants from ThedaCare and Shawano Country Vision 2017.

“We were hearing from employers that they were having issues with attendance and workforce production type activities, and they started to question drug and alcohol use in the workplace,” said Dennis Heling, SCEPI chief economic development officer. “We put together a work group which helped us understand what (human resources) managers were facing, and look at how do we identify (drug and alcohol abuse), what steps do we take and how do we change that activity in our workplaces.”

The workshop, held at Boarders Inn and Suites in Belle Plaine, was facilitated by Kathy Franklin.

Franklin is retired from ThedaCare but has remained active in community efforts such as CHAT.

“When we looked at the impact of drugs and alcohol in our workplaces, there were economic concerns, productivity, safety concerns, social concerns, policy concerns,” Franklin said. “You can look at multiple facets and see the impact this has.”

Reactions from the audience to Dunlap’s presentation were a mix of shock and amazement at how small and easy to conceal some of the new drugs are and their sheer variety.

Mark Stahl, a counselor, and Stephanie Bellin, a wellness educator/specialist, both with ThedaCare, identified some of the telltale signs that an employee might be abusing drugs and alcohol, and how to address the problem.

Addressing the problem once it’s identified will be a more in-depth topic at the next workshop, scheduled for Oct. 8, when the development of workplace policies and procedures is discussed.

Franklin said there are some employers in Shawano County that have a zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol, and some that don’t bother checking.

While no one policy will fit all employers, she said, the workshops hope to come up with a “best practices” option that employers can use.

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