Shawano Leader News

Deputy helps stop delivery of packageBy: 

Leader Staff

Shawano County authorities were able to intervene in time to save an 82-year-old Birnamwood woman from a $50,000 scam Thursday.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department reported the woman had been contacted by a man identifying himself as a law enforcement official from another state. He claimed her grandson had been arrested and a $50,000 cash bond needed to be forwarded to a specific address.

The woman realized what was likely going on and contacted authorities, but not before she had already sent the money through a private delivery vendor.

“Deputy Spencer Russ quickly identified what had occurred, collected the relevant evidence, and coordinated his actions with the delivery service and enlisted the help of a relative of the victim. As a result of the early intervention in the event and excellent police work of Deputy Russ, the package was stopped in transit and is being returned to the owner,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.

The case remains under investigation, including communications with the legitimate law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the package was to be delivered.

“This type of scam is meant to create shock and imply that immediate action is required. These criminals only want their victims to act immediately out of a sense of urgency and not stop and think,” Sheriff Adam Bieber said.

“If anyone receives a call, email, text or other message indicating action is required now, you need to take the time to calm down, consider what is being asked of you, and talk with others that might be involved,” he said. “Taking the time to consider the credibility of the request and method requested will save both money and a lot of emotional pain.”

Bieber noted that while this case ended well, most do not, and he commended Russ for his response.

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No qualified write-ins in Shawano votingBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

The Shawano School District is still seeking a board member for a vacant seat, while an incumbent on the Bonduel School Board who chose not to run again won a write-in for another term.

In Shawano, incumbent Jay Jones decided not to run for another two-year term to fill the Shawano School Board seat representing the town of Herman, and no candidates came forward to vie for his seat.

There were no write-ins from the town in Tuesday’s spring election.

That means the vacancy will go back to the School Board to solicit names and hold interviews.

Whoever is appointed will serve one year, until the 2016 spring election.

Jones was elected to the board in 2009, replacing Wendy Gueths, who chose not to run.

In the Bonduel School District, incumbent Greg Rank also chose not to run again, but voters wrote him in anyway.

District Administrator Patrick Rau said the board will find out at its April 20 meeting whether Rank plans on accepting the seat for another term.

Rank received 40 write-in votes. Nate Burton was the second-place write-in choice with 30 votes.

Results from several other area races were not available earlier in the week and include the following:

GRESHAM SCHOOL BOARD (2 seats)

Andy Schmidt (I) - 194

Grace Schwefel (I) - 131

Jeremy Bennett - 120

Daniel Boucher - 116

WITTENBERG-BIRNAMWOOD SCHOOL BOARD - AREA 5

Tammy Wendler - 744

Rose Tryba - 413

TIGERTON VILLAGE TRUSTEE (3 seats)

Holly Weatherwax (I) - 84

Andrea Graham - 77

Angela Beyersdorf (I) - 73

Joey Gauthier - 72

Rick Weller - 51

TOWN OF PELLA TOWN BOARD SUPERVISOR 1

Kenneth Genskow (I) - 111

Fred M. Zimmerman - 88

TOWN OF SENECA

SUPERVISOR 1

Harvey Stefl - 80

Chuck Zimdars - 56

CLERK

R.Raymond Rigsby - 71

Kiley Pingel (I) 69

TOWN OF WASHINGTON

Town Clerk

James Mitchell (I) - 144

Kara Skarlupka - 97

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Shawano Police Department

April 9

Police logged 29 incidents, including the following:

Threatening — Police responded to a threatening complaint in the 400 block of West Lieg Avenue.

Fire — Police assisted at the scene of a fire call in the 100 block of South Main Street. Smoke was reported due to a pellet stove fire. There was no damage.

Suspicious — Police investigated a report of a suspicious item in the 100 block of South Franklin Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 1100 block of South Smalley Street.

Fire — Police responded to a false fire alarm at Reinhart Foods, 2655 E. Richmond St.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

April 9

Deputies logged 37 incidents, including the following:

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

Disturbance — A 25-year-old Lily man was arrested for domestic violence-related disorderly conduct, criminal damage to property and a probation and parole violation on First Avenue in Birnamwood.

Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on River Road in the town of Morris.

Disturbance — A 35-year-old man was arrested for domestic violence-related disorderly conduct and a probation and paroleviolation on Beauleau Lake Road in Red Springs.

Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on Maple Street in Birnamwood.

Threatening — Authorities responded to a threatening complaint on Old Keshena Road in Wescott.

Accidents — Authorities logged two deer-related crashes and a turkey that flew into the side of a squad car.

Clintonville Police Department

April 9

Police logged 11 incidents, including the following:

Threatening — A complaint was reported regarding threats and is under investigation on Lincoln Avenue.

Fraud — Three worthless check complaints were under investigation on South Main Street.

Harassment — A harassment complaint was under investigation on West 14th Street.

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By: 

Leader Staff

A Cecil man was arrested Friday after a nearly four-hour standoff in the town of Washington.

Authorities responded to a call of a disturbance at the Country Lane Estates mobile home park just after 2 p.m., the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department said.

The initial report indicated that a 44-year-old Cecil man had been involved in a disturbance and subsequently barricaded himself inside one of the manufactured housing units.

Authorities were advised to use caution, as the individual was suspected to be armed with one or more edged weapons.

Attempts by the first responding deputies to establish a verbal dialogue with the suspect went unanswered.

The Shawano County Special Response Team was dispatched to contain the area and assist in gaining the individual’s compliance.

To help ensure the safety of those in the immediate vicinity, the area residents were notified and secured away from any potential threat.

At approximately 5:56 p.m. Shawano County sheriff’s deputies took the subject into custody on charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and criminal damage to property.

“I am extremely proud of how my deputies and members of the Special Response Team performed tactically to take this subject into custody without harm to himself or others,” Sheriff Adam Bieber said in a statement.

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Wussow moving into president’s chairBy: 

Leader Staff

Grant Staszak, who lost a bid to return to the president’s post in Bonduel this week, has put his name in to fill the trustee’s position that will be left vacant by the candidate who defeated him.

Staszak lost the race in Tuesday’s spring election to Trustee Sharon Wussow, 146-117.

Wussow and Staszak finished in a virtual tie in the February primary to defeat incumbent Melvin Wendland, who has served as president for six years and as trustee for more than 30 years.

Wussow had a couple of stretches on the Village Board totaling 12 years; she has served for six years this time around.

Staszak served two terms as president before leaving for a term on the Shawano County Board six years ago, then went on to run the Amico’s restaurant in Belle Plaine.

If approved by the Village Board, Staszak would fill out the remaining year left in Wussow’s term as trustee.

Staszak said he had gotten a lot of phone calls after Tuesday’s election from people saying they hoped he would consider helping the village move forward by filling Wussow’s trustee seat.

Staszak said he looks forward to the opportunity if approved by the board.

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Sue Dionne: People working together can make a differenceBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Photo by Curt Knoke Sue Dionne is the recipient of the Shawano Area Community Foundation’s Shawano Community Service Award.

Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of articles profiling winners of the Celebration of Giving awards presented annually by Shawano Area Community Foundation Inc. for outstanding volunteerism. The winners will be honored at a gala Tuesday.

Sue Dionne joined her first volunteer organization right out of high school in 1978.

“I joined it to meet people,” she said. “I didn’t know a lot of people in Shawano.”

Dionne, who graduated from Bonduel High School, thought the Jaycee Women organization would be a way of getting to know people in the area.

She would later realize what an impact volunteering would have on her life.

“It was a real eye-opener,” she said. “I saw what these organizations do and the impact they can have.”

Dionne is the winner of this year’s Shawano Community Service Award, presented annually by Shawano Area Community Foundation Inc. as part of its Celebration of Giving awards.

“I was honored and surprised,” Dionne said about receiving the award. “I didn’t expect it. There are a lot of people in the community who do a lot of projects and programs.”

Dionne was very active in the Jaycee Women and held positions from local president to state chaplain. But in 1985, the organization was dissolved.

However, Dionne and some of the others in the national group were not ready to let go.

During the Jaycee Women’s last convention in Indianapolis, she and others talked about forming a new organization even though many said starting a new organization could not be done.

Dionne and 11 others from Wisconsin joined the newly formed Minnesota Women of Today, then voted to form a Wisconsin chapter.

The Shawano/Wisconsin Women of Today has since become a nationally recognized organization.

Since founding the program, Dionne has been very active, serving as local and state president many times, local vice president and chairman of the board. She has also been very active at the national level, serving as programming vice president, parliamentarian and program manager.

In 2009-2010, she reached the pinnacle of her association with the group, serving as the 25th national president of U.S. Women of Today.

“It was a 25-year dream,” she said.

Dionne traveled to all 12 states affiliated with the national organization to meet with members and promote her theme, “Together we can make a difference.”

That has been the theme of Dionne’s volunteer career; the idea that if people work together, they can make a huge difference in the lives of those in need and can work to build a better world.

“I’ve carried that theme with me all the time,” she said.

With that theme in mind, Shawano Women of Today has supported numerous national and local charities, including March of Dimes, Breast Cancer Awareness, Autism and Domestic Violence Awareness.

Locally, the group has supported organizations such as Safe Haven — where Dionne works as shelter supervisor, Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center, Backpack Project, and scholarships for high school students and families in need.

The organization also makes and sends valentines to four VA hospitals so each veteran can receive a card on Valentines Day, and supplies support group suppers for Safe Haven bimonthly. The group also supplies Buckets of Sunshine, which are buckets full of cleaning supplies, for the clients who move into their new homes.

Dionne began serving on the Salvation Army board in 2008 and has served as secretary of the board since 2012.

In 2011, it came to the board’s attention there was no Red Kettle Campaign coordinator, and the campaign was in danger of not taking place in Shawano County.

Dionne took the project to Shawano Women of Today, which took it on.

The group organized volunteers, scheduled locations, picked up and sorted the funds, and maintained the buckets throughout the five-week campaign.

Dionne took on the daunting task of scheduling the volunteers, which involved 300 shifts at four locations.

The first year the group took on the project, donations more than doubled from the previous year. The campaign collected $11,351 in 2010 and $23,091 in 2011.

Since Women of Today took over, the donations have increased every year.

The campaign took in $26,507 in 2012, $32,134 in 2013 and $34,833 in 2014.

Dionne put in more than 100 hours each November and December. The group also put in an additional average of 80 hours each campaign to ring bells, promote the event, distribute and pick up kettles, and manage associated events.

In 2014, 168 individuals and 12 groups/organizations made up the volunteer bell ringers.

“It takes a whole community to make that project a success,” Dionne said.

She also recognized the importance of the Red Kettle Campaign because of her 13 years working at Safe Haven.

“Our clients use that money,” she said. “I know how important it is for there to be money in that pot.”

Dionne will split her Celebration of Giving $1,000 cash award between Safe Haven and the Salvation Army.

The award is being sponsored by a fund holder within SACF who was not named.

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Break-ins were part of 3-county crime spreeBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Shawano County authorities have completed their investigation into dozens of burglaries that took place in Wescott earlier this year. The burglaries are believed to be connected to similar crimes in Oconto and Menominee counties.

As many as 30 burglaries were reported in the Wescott area in January and February, mostly to sheds and garages. Break-ins were also reported to trailers, mobile homes and an ice shack.

Authorities got a break in the case when the Menominee County Sheriff’s Department contacted Shawano County with information that two suspects had been taken into custody after a burglary there on Feb. 21.

The department said that “a lot of stolen property” was found as a result of a search warrant, and it was suspected some of the property might have come from the Shawano County break-ins.

Some of the property stolen in Wescott was eventually recovered at a local pawn shop and on the Menominee Indian Reservation, Shawano County Sheriff’s Department Detective Sgt. Gordon Kowaleski said.

“There were three people involved in the actual burglaries,” Kowaleski said. “Another two were involved in getting rid of the property.”

Kowaleski has referred the results of the Shawano County investigation to the FBI, which is heading up the case with Menominee Tribal Police.

Any charges would eventually be filed in federal court.

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By: 

By Leader Staff

A Clintonville man already facing charges in Marathon County for a high-speed chase last month was also charged in Shawano County this week for the portion of the chase that took place here.

Randall G. Wilson, 58, was found competent to stand trial in Marathon County Circuit Court after a hearing Thursday.

He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Marathon County on April 15 on felony charges of fleeing an officer in a vehicle, recklessly endangering safety and operating a vehicle without consent.

He is charged in Shawano County with one count of fleeing an officer in a vehicle.

The March 17 incident began when Clintonville police received a call about 9:30 a.m. of a vehicle stolen from Steinke Auto on West Street in the city.

The vehicle was later spotted by Marion police, who tried pulling it over.

Instead, the SUV sped off and a chase ensued going north on U.S. Highway 45 into Shawano County, then west on state Highway 29 into Marathon County.

Officers attempted several times to deploy stop-stick deflation devices, but the fleeing driver drove around the sticks as well as through the median area between eastbound and westbound lanes of Highway 29, according to a Marathon County report of the incident.

The fleeing driver crossed over the median area several times and began traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes, then would cross back over through the median area and continue fleeing in the westbound lanes, according to the report.

The vehicle struck three squad cars trying to contain it at one point during the chase.

The chase reached speeds of 80 mph and finally ended in Rib Mountain after the damaged vehicle went into an embankment along U.S. Highway 51.

Wilson was taken into custody without incident.

Wilson could face a maximum 12½ years in prison and $25,000 fine for recklessly endangering safety if convicted; six years and a $10,000 fine for operating a vehicle without consent; and 3½ years and a $10,000 fine for fleeing an officer.

There is no court date set yet in the Shawano County case.

Numerous agencies were involved in the chase, including Clintonville and Marion police, sheriff’s deputies from Waupaca, Shawano and Marathon counties, along with the Everest Metro Police Department, Rothschild Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol and Wausau Police Department.

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Residents can meet officers in informal setting

Area residents are invited to meet with Shawano Police Department officers at “Coffee with a Cop” on April 22.

Police Chief Mark Kohl said the program will give community members a chance to meet with officers in an informal setting to discuss community issues, build relationships and drink coffee.

Coffee with a Cop begins at 8 a.m. April 22 at McDonald’s, 1202 E. Green Bay St.

“We hope that community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns or simply get to know our officers,” Kohl said. “These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships. We’ll have these events several times a year at different coffee locations around the city.”

He said the program provides a unique opportunity for residents to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in their neighborhoods.

The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations, Kohl noted, which often are not the most effective times to build relationships with the community.

Also, some community members might feel that officers are unapproachable on the street, he said.

“Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction,” Kohl noted.

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the country, as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.

The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.

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Wildfire season starts early this year

The state Department of Natural Resources this week issued a reminder that burning permits are now required in all of Menominee County and parts of Shawano County.

DNR Forest Ranger Chrissy Carney, of Keshena, said this year’s traditional wildland fire season got an early start due to the March surge in warmer temperatures.

“The fire season could be more active this year because Wisconsin did not get a lot of snow this past winter, which means less water going into the ground resulting in dry conditions,” she said.

Burning permits are required in DNR protection areas, which include all of Menominee County and the following areas of Shawano County: towns of Almon, Aniwa, Bartelme, Birnamwood, Fairbanks, Germania, Grant, Hutchins, Morris, Red Springs, Seneca, Wescott (north of Curt Black Road, east of state Highway 47 and west to County Road H) and Wittenberg.

Many people are eager to get outside and work hard to clear their properties of leaf litter, brush and pine needles so it looks good and is ready for the growing season.

Warmer temperatures, lower humidity and wind are bad conditions for outdoor burning. Debris burning is Wisconsin’s top cause of wildfires because of weather conditions, according to the DNR.

More than 60 percent of all Wisconsin wildfires each year occur in March, April and May.

According to the DNR, many responsible debris burners obtain permits but neglect to make certain their fire is out before leaving – and fail to return to make sure the ashes are cold. All it takes to spark a wildfire is one hot ember from a property owner’s debris pile to go airborne in the spring breeze.

Instead of burning debris, residents are encouraged to consider composting yard waste or hauling it to a transfer site.

Burning permits are available for free online at dnr.wi.gov (keyword “burn permit”) or by calling 888-947-2876 to have them mailed or emailed. Permits also are available from a local DNR office or designated emergency fire warden.

Penalties exist for anyone found responsible for causing a wildland fire. You could be liable for the costs it takes to suppress a wildland fire and potentially any damages.

DID YOU KNOW?

- The daily burn restrictions can be found by calling 888-947-2876 or online at dnr.wi.gov (keyword “fire”).

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Shawano Police Department

April 8

Police logged 23 incidents, including the following:

Theft — A purse was reported stolen from a vehicle at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Restraining Order — A man was charged with a restraining order violation in the 400 block of East Division Street.

Arrest — A 35-year-old man was taken into custody for a violation at the probation and parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint on Mountain Bay Trail Drive.

Disturbance — Police responded to a report of a fight in progress in the 200 block of South Sawyer Street.

Warrant — A 24-year-old Shawano woman was arrested on outstanding warrants in the 100 block of Acorn Street after her son inadvertently dialed 911 while playing with the phone.

Fire — Authorities responded to a fire alarm in the 700 block of South Main Street after a burnt pizza set off smoke detectors in one of the apartments.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

April 8

Deputies logged 30 incidents, including the following:

Reckless Driving — Authorities responded to a reckless driving complaint on County Road R in the town of Washington.

Fraud — Authorities responded to a telephone scam complaint on County Road D in Seneca.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Bonduel Middle/High School, 400 W. Green Bay St., Bonduel.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Cloverleaf Lake Road in Belle Plaine.

OWI — Authorities responding to a reckless driving complaint on state Highway 29 in Seneca arrested a 72-year-old Wausau man for operating while intoxicated.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Fischer Street in Gresham.

Accidents — Authorities logged five deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

April 8

Police logged 16 incidents, including the following:

Fraud — Three worthless checks were reported on South Main Street.

Disorderly — Disorderly conduct was reported on South Clinton Avenue.

Truancy — Police logged seven truancy complaints from Clintonville High School.

Theft — A theft was reported on 19th Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a domestic disturbance on Lincoln Avenue.

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Heather Szekeres disappeared in June 2013By: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Heather Szekeres

The body of a woman discovered in Shawano County nearly a year ago has been officially identified as Heather Szekeres, of Shawano, who was last seen in a tavern in the city in June 2013.

The badly decomposed remains were discovered on Mother’s Day weekend in May 2014 by a group of young adults along the south side of Peach Road near County Road MMM in Richmond.

Szekeres, who was 32 at the time of her disappearance, was last confirmed to have been at the former Final Lap Sports Bar and Grill in downtown Shawano at 11 p.m. June 21, not far from the apartment she shared with her husband, Robert, their 11-month-old daughter and Heather’s mother.

Shawano County Sheriff Adam Bieber said the cause of death has not been determined.

“We’re treating it as a murder case,” he said, “only because we don’t know.”

The investigation is being led by the state Department of Criminal Investigations.

Speculation about the identity had run rampant in social media since the remains were found, along with criticism that the identification was taking so long.

The remains were initially sent to the State Crime Lab in Madison but tests failed to produce a positive ID.

They were subsequently sent to a lab in Texas, where more specialized testing could be done, Bieber said.

The lab was able to extract a DNA sample that was compared with DNA taken from family members, he said.

In the months following Szekeres’ June 2013 disappearance, police followed numerous leads.

Various reports placed Szekeres on the Menominee Indian Reservation, in Michigan and in Texas, but none of those reports turned out to be accurate.

“We continued to follow all leads and all reports,” Shawano Police Chief Mark Kohl said.

Police contacted other law enforcement agencies regarding any unidentified bodies recovered across the U.S. to make sure they weren’t Szekeres, he said.

By the time the remains were found in Shawano County, the missing person case “wasn’t closed, but was stagnant,” Kohl said.

“There was very little going on,” he said. “We exhausted all of our leads.”

Kohl said the investigation never determined Szekeres’ whereabouts after she was last seen at the Final Lap.

The missing person case remained open after the remains were found, even though authorities suspected from the outset that the remains were of Szekeres.

“We had some indication, but not 100 percent confirmation,” Kohl said.

Kohl said he was sympathetic to community concerns over the lack of information being released about the remains.

“To maintain the integrity of the investigation, we couldn’t release updates or progress reports, because that could corrupt our leads,” he said.

“There were a lot of high-tech investigative strategies being used and many law enforcement agencies involved,” Kohl said.

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Susan Hanson: Community roots run deepBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Photo by Curt Knoke Dr. Susan Hanson is the recipient of the Shawano Area Community Foundation’s Wittenberg Community Service Award.

Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of articles profiling winners of the Celebration of Giving awards presented annually by Shawano Area Community Foundation Inc. for outstanding volunteerism. The winners will be honored at a gala Tuesday.

Hometown pride led Dr. Susan Hanson back to Wittenberg 10 years ago after spending more than 40 years as a practicing psychiatrist in upstate New York.

Hanson, who lives in the home her parents built, has spent much of the last decade helping local civic organizations make Wittenberg a source of pride for others, as well.

The Shawano Area Community Foundation recognized her efforts by selecting Hanson as the recipient of the 2015 Wittenberg Community Service Award.

“I wanted to come back to where I grew up,” Hanson said. “I am living in what has been a part of my family for 66 years.”

She was nominated for the award by Miriam Nelson and Elaine Diffor.

Both women knew Hanson’s community roots run deep.

“One of her fondest childhood memories is her first job helping her mom and dad maintaining the beauty of the Forest Home Cemetery,” Nelson said. “With clippers in hand, she clipped around the tombstones, saw her first Indigo bunting and created many happy memories with her parents by honoring those who had passed.”

“She has focused her time and energy on organizations that promote cultural and artistic enhancement, historical preservation and economic development of the Wittenberg area,” Nelson said.

Hanson, 78, was among the first members of Walls of Wittenberg in 2005, a nonprofit organization working to revitalize downtown Wittenberg. She played an integral role in bringing free art shows, theater productions and other events to the community, and she worked with artists creating murals for Wittenberg as a member of the artist committee.

“WOW gave me the ability to create and pull off four art shows a year and expand on it, which is what I am most proud of,” Hanson said.

Additionally, she has given her time and skills as a gardener to the Wittenberg Community Center, where she has improved the landscape and created a vibrant entrance.

She picked up where her mother left off, maintaining the garden at the family home.

“I enjoy gardening and love working in the same garden that my mother built more than 50 years ago,” Hanson said.

Hanson also worked with the local historical society, served on the village’s plan commission and as a board member of the Wittenberg Area Development Corporation.

Hanson will donate her $1,000 award to the Wittenberg Historical Society “because our furnace needs to be repaired,” she said.

Hanson remains optimistic about the economic future of Wittenberg.

“It is the challenge of attracting businesses that are viable to the community that can bring in money,” said Hanson. “But we are on a growth pattern.”

She pointed to Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats, the award’s sponsor, as a business that has gained more exposure within the last decade.

“Nueske’s has grown from a hometown business to a nationally known business,” Hanson said.

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Wrong button pushed after fire alarm callBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Next week is Severe Weather Awareness Week, but Shawano residents got an early and accidental reminder about severe weather preparedness Wednesday.

Sirens in the city were set off by Shawano County Sheriff’s Department dispatch around 5 a.m., according to Natalie Easterday, the county’s emergency management director.

‘There was a human error that found a system malfunction,” she said.

Apparently a wrong button was pushed after a call came in regarding a fire at Charlie’s County Market.

The fire turned out to be a false alarm, but the button, which should have alerted the fire department, instead set off the severe weather warning sirens.

“There was a programming error that led to the issue,” Easterday said.

She said the issue was being corrected.

“The county is actively working with its vendor to correct the programming error so this doesn’t occur again,” Sheriff Adam Bieber said in a Facebook post.

On the plus side, the unscheduled test of the system indicates the sirens are ready for tornado season.

Wisconsin Emergency Management, ReadyWisconsin, the National Weather Service and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association are teaming up for Wisconsin’s Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week, which starts Monday.

Residents will hear the sirens sound again during a statewide tornado drill April 16.

However, those sirens will sound at a much more reasonable hour, sometime from 1-2 p.m.

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Up to 20 county jobs being eliminatedBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Up to 20 Shawano County Department of Human Services employees are expected to lose their jobs as the state expands its Family Care program into Shawano and Menominee counties.

However, many, if not all, of those workers could be hired by the two managed care organizations selected by the state to oversee Family Care locally or Include, Respect, I-Self Direct, a state program that is available to the elderly and adults with physical, intellectual or developmental disabilities with long-term care needs.

“There will be 18 to 20 positions that will be lost, and most of these people will be hired the MCOs to be case managers and social workers within their organization,” said Rick Kane, director of the Shawano County Department of Human Services.

Kane estimated 14 of the workers have already been hired by the MCOs.

The two MCOs taking over long-term support in Shawano County on Sept. 1 are Fond du Lac-based Lakeland Care District and Madison-based Care Wisconsin.

Each Family Care participant will be supported by a team that consists of, at least, a social worker/care manager and a registered nurse. Other professionals will participate as needed.

Lakeland Care District is expected to hire at least seven care managers and nurses, who will be based at the Human Services Department, 607 E. Elizabeth St.

“Right now we are working on projections and we committed with the county to interview each person,” said Katie Mnuk, chief executive officer of LCD. “We have extended job offers to some of those applicants based on these projections.

“This is a projection based on current enrollment estimates. We may need to adjust that number once we know how many people actually enroll in the Lakeland Care District.”

Care managers and nurses hired by LCD will begin training in July while continuing to serve their current caseload, Mnuk said.

Mnuk declined to say whether the county workers would be paid their current wage, saying only that pay is based on experience.

Susan Crowley, senior vice president of government affairs for Care Wisconsin, said her organization has hired three Shawano County care managers.

“As enrollment goes forward in Northeast Wisconsin, we can see additional hires,” Crowley said. “A lot will depend on enrollment figures.”

Crowley indicated the three initial hires had their first orientation session Monday. She said she did not know whether the pay is comparable to what they were making with the county.

“I can only say that our pay is competitive,” she said.

Care Wisconsin has offices in Green Bay, Marinette and Sturgeon Bay, and is seeking office space in Shawano, Crowley said.

Kane was unsure how much the county will save with the transition to Family Care, and County Finance Director Diane Rusch did not return a call for comment.

Gov. Scott Walker announced in 2014 the Family Care program would expand this year to Shawano, Menominee, Oconto, Marinette, Brown, Door and Kewaunee counties. About 4,000 people are expected to qualify. His goal is to expand the program to the state’s remaining eight counties by 2017.

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ADRC providing pre-enrollment counselingBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Jody Brassfield, left, manager of Include, Respect, I-Self Direct, explains the benefits of joining IRIS at a Family Care community forum held at the Shawano Lake County Park pavilion Tuesday. Carrie Molke, right, aging and disability director of the state Department of Health Services, also participated in the forum.

More than 100 people affected by the Family Care expansion into Shawano and Menominee counties learned more about the program Tuesday night.

Family Care offers a variety of programs through Medicaid for long-term care for the disabled and elderly, helping to keep them out of nursing homes and institutions by providing care in their homes and communities.

Residents’ questions at the community forum at the Shawano Lake County Park pavilion included how Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed biennial budget will affect the Family Care program and the managed care organizations that help its participants.

“Many of the same questions that came at this forum were the same as those around the state,” said Jody Brassfield, manager of Include, Respect, I-Self Direct, a state program facing elimination under Walker’s proposal.

Walker’s plan would change the way services are delivered through Family Care and abolish county-run aging and disability resource centers and IRIS, which has been credited with saving millions of federal Medicaid dollars each year.

The proposal, which Walker says would save millions in state and federal money, eventually would shift ADRCs from county supervision to private agencies and eliminate managed-care organizations in favor of large private insurers.

Margaret Kristan, Family Care bureau director for state Department of Health Services, noted the Legislature is not slated to pass the budget until July. There appear to be bipartisan concerns about at least the Family Care portion of the plan.

“The governor’s budget has not gone before the legislators yet,” Kristan said. “About whether some managed care organizations will dissolve, we just don’t know yet.”

Walker announced in 2014 the Family Care program would expand to Shawano, Menominee, Oconto, Marinette, Brown, Door and Kewaunee counties. About 4,000 people are expected to qualify.

The program currently serves about 48,000 people in 57 counties. Walker’s goal is to bring the program to all 72 counties by 2017.

In Shawano County, 436 people receive long-term support from the county Human Services Department; 58 of them reside in community-based residential facilities. Under the Family Care program, care for those people will transition to two managed care organizations: Madison-based Care Wisconsin and Fond du Lac-based Lakeland Care District.

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Wolf River Region will provide pre-enrollment counseling to residents from May until Sept. 1, when both organizations will begin accepting applicants.

Residents also asked on Tuesday whether they would have to change health care providers and care managers under Family Care.

“In a short answer, maybe,” said Carrie Molke, aging and disability director of the state Department of Health Services. “Sometimes you can have the same case manager, but there is no guarantee.”

After a person enrolls in Family Care, a social worker/care manager and a registered nurse will conduct an onsite health assessment and prepare a six-month treatment plan.

IRIS is a self-directed support program for older adults and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. TMG Wisconsin administers the program.

“They are going to help you navigate based on your intentions and desires,” Brassfield said. “They don’t make decisions about your supports and services.”

TMG representative Ann Miller Holman stressed that the consultants are not care managers.

“They have similar credentials, but we like to call them partners, because they are a self-directed model,” she said.

People residing in skilled nursing facilities interested in joining IRIS are required to live in an adult family home, community-based residential facility or their own residence, Brassfield said.

Molke said participants can switch programs at any time if they are not pleased with services of either Family Care or IRIS.

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Shawano Police Department

April 7

Police logged 16 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 42-year-old man turned himself into the probation and parole office, 1340 E. Green Bay St., on an outstanding warrant.

Criminal Damage — Police investigated unauthorized entry into a vehicle in the parking lot of Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St.

Probation — A 24-year-old man was taken into custody at the probation and parole office, 1340 E. Green Bay St., after violating terms of his probation.

Accident — Police investigated a vehicle that was struck in the parking lot of Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.

Parking — Police investigated an ongoing parking issue at a residence in the 500 block of South Sawyer Street.

Theft — A purse was stolen from from a vehicle at the Walmart parking lot, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Welfare — Police checked on the welfare of a woman in the 100 block of Acorn Street.

Animal — Police logged a report of two dogs running from a property in the 1200 block of South Prospect Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

April 7

Authorities logged 34 incidents, including the following:

Fight — Authorities responded to a fight in progress between a man and woman on Oak Street in Bowler.

Suspicious — Authorities investigated a potential break-in the 300 block of South Warrington Avenue in Cecil. It was later determined the complainant’s son was kicking his bedroom door.

Debris — Authorities responded to a report of a manure spill on Belle Plaine Avenue in the town of Belle Plaine. The owner of the farm removed the debris.

Debris — Authorities responded to a report of two hay bales laying near U.S. Highway 45 and state Highway 52 in the town of Aniwa.

Animal — A stray cow was reported on U.S. Highway 45 and Hirt Road in Fairbanks.

Domestic — Authorities received a report of a domestic incident involving a girl being struck on Schabow Street in Gresham.

Animal — Authorities logged an animal bite incident at ThedaCare, 110 Cedar St., town of Morris.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a discovery of suspicious items, including a pipe and container with white substance inside, on County Road D and Pioneer Lane in the town of Pella.

Fraud — Authorities investigated a scam on Blueberry Road in the town of Aniwa.

Custodial — Authorities responded to a complaint of custodial interference of a minor on Cherry Street in Bowler.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle in the 400 block of Forest Street in Birnamwood.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious circumstance at a property on County Road Y in the town of Belle Plaine.

Accident — Authorities logged one deer-related crash on County Road BE in the town of Wescott.

Clintonville Police Department

April 7

Police logged 15 incidents, including the following:

Noise — Police responded to a noise complaint on Morning Glory Drive.

Domestic — Police responded to a domestic situation on 13th Street.

Assault — Police investigated a sexual assault on East 12th Street.

Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle accident on South Main Street.

Theft — A report of identity theft was made on Brent Street.

Assist — Police assisted the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Department in locating a vehicle involved in a property hit and run.

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Heather Szekeres disappeared in June 2013By: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Heather Szekeres

The body of a woman discovered in Shawano County nearly a year ago has been officially identified as Heather Szekeres, of Shawano, who was last seen in a tavern in the city in June 2013.

The badly decomposed remains were discovered on Mother’s Day weekend in May 2014 by a group of young adults along the south side of Peach Road near County Road MMM in Richmond.

Szekeres, who was 32 at the time of her disappearance, was last confirmed to have been at the former Final Lap Sports Bar and Grill in downtown Shawano at 11 p.m. June 21, not far from the apartment she shared with her husband, Robert, their 11-month-old daughter and Heather’s mother.

Shawano County Sheriff Adam Bieber said the cause of death has not been determined.

“We’re treating it as a murder case,” he said, “only because we don’t know.”

The investigation is being led by the state Department of Criminal Investigations.

Speculation about the identity had run rampant in social media since the remains were found, along with criticism that the identification was taking so long.

The remains were initially sent to the State Crime Lab in Madison but tests failed to produce a positive ID.

They were subsequently sent to a lab in Texas, where more specialized testing could be done, Bieber said.

The lab was able to extract a DNA sample that was compared with DNA taken from family members, he said.

In the months following Szekeres’ June 2013 disappearance, police followed numerous leads.

Various reports placed Szekeres on the Menominee Indian Reservation, in Michigan and in Texas, but none of those reports turned out to be accurate.

“We continued to follow all leads and all reports,” Shawano Police Chief Mark Kohl said.

Police contacted other law enforcement agencies regarding any unidentified bodies recovered across the U.S. to make sure they weren’t Szekeres, he said.

By the time the remains were found in Shawano County, the missing person case “wasn’t closed, but was stagnant,” Kohl said.

“There was very little going on,” he said. “We exhausted all of our leads.”

Kohl said the investigation never determined Szekeres’ whereabouts after she was last seen at the Final Lap.

The missing person case remained open after the remains were found, even though authorities suspected from the outset that the remains were of Szekeres.

“We had some indication, but not 100 percent confirmation,” Kohl said.

Kohl said he was sympathetic to community concerns over the lack of information being released about the remains.

“To maintain the integrity of the investigation, we couldn’t release updates or progress reports, because that could corrupt our leads,” he said.

“There were a lot of high-tech investigative strategies being used and many law enforcement agencies involved,” Kohl said.

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Kathryn Kugel: Forming strong base for the futureBy: 

Carol Wagner, Leader Correspondent

Photo by Curt Knoke Kathryn Kugel is the recipient of the Shawano Area Community Foundation’s Youth Volunteer Award.

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of articles profiling winners of the Celebration of Giving awards presented annually by Shawano Area Community Foundation Inc. for outstanding volunteerism. The winners will be honored at a gala Tuesday.

At 17 years old, Kathryn Kugel has a ton of poise, no doubt helped by her extensive volunteer activities, which earned her the Shawano Area Community Foundation’s Youth Volunteer of the Year Award.

Kugel puts most of her volunteer energy into 4-H, St. Martin Catholic Church in Cecil and Shawano Community High School, where she is a junior.

“Kathryn is a great volunteer, one who doesn’t have to get ‘chased down’ to volunteer,” wrote Terri Brunner, 4-H program assistant, in her nomination of Kugel for the award. “And she looks for more ways to contribute.”

She will split her $1,000 award between St. Martin to help update its music and Shawano County 4-H.

“I feel it’s an honor to receive such a prestigious award and be nominated for it,” Kugel said.

A member of the Waukechon Wildcats 4-H Club, Kugel two years ago was elected to serve on the Wisconsin State 4-H Youth Leader’s Council.

The council strengthens 4-H youth development programs by addressing youth issues, promoting 4-H and providing leadership at the Wisconsin 4-H and Youth Conference.

She is in her third year as secretary of the YLC, which includes members representing geographical districts throughout Wisconsin.

Kugel helps plan the state 4-H and Youth Conference held on the third week of June on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. She serves as tour guide to more than 600 delegates, introduces speakers and makes sure the event runs smoothly.

“I like doing everything and helping people grow in their lives through their 4-H projects,” Kugel said.

She is active with the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, Wisconsin State Fair Youth Exhibits Committee, North Central Volunteer Leader Forum Steering Committee and other statewide committees and events.

When Wisconsin 4-H celebrated its centennial year last year, she spoke at 4-H Day at the Capitol in Madison, was instrumental in planning the days events in Shawano, and spoke at 4-H Day at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Kugel was on a committee that created the centennial Shawano County 4-H Celebration at the county fair.

Kugel has been a Shawano County 4-H camp counselor for four years, beginning as a counselor in training and now responsible for the campers in her group, with the help of one or two other counselors.

“There are many long hours and Kathryn always has a smile on her face and offers her help readily to her campers and co-staff,” Brunner said. “She has learned the art of teamwork very well, listening to others, yet is not afraid to speak her mind when asked.”

Kugel is president of the 4-H Older Youth Group in Shawano County. She leads the meetings, keeps the discussion on track and encourages members to participate in community service activities.

“4-H has helped me succeed in numerous situations throughout my life,” Kugel said. “I can apply my knowledge from 4-H to everything I do throughout everyday life.”

While a lot of her time is devoted to 4-H, Kugel also puts the same energy into her time at Shawano Community High School, where she is a top student and involved in TRI-M, National Honor Society, SADD, student council, Bridge to Success, FBLA, band council and math club.

“I find it important to be involved in as many different extracurricular activities as possible during high school to form a strong base for the future,” Kugel said.

She is a member of St. Martin Catholic Church in Cecil, where she plays music before Mass and sometimes during Mass.

“I like helping others and seeing them grow,” Kugel said.

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2 Hartland incumbents defeatedBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Bonduel Trustee Sharon Wussow defeated past President Grant Staszak for the post of village president in Tuesday’s spring election.

Unofficial results that still need to be certified by the Board of Canvass were as follows:

Wussow 146

Staszak 117

“I want to thank the village residents for their votes,” Wussow said. “I will do my best for the village.”

Wussow said the fact that she is on the Village Board and already involved in village operations probably played a part in the outcome.

“I’m probably seen as one of the leaders on the board,” she said. “I always try to do what’s best for the village.”

She suggested that Staszak having been president before might have worked more in her favor than his.

“He has been village president and I have not been,” she said.

Staszak said the race had been close, but congratulated Wussow and said he wished her the best.

“I’m excited about the village’s future,” he said.

Staszak said Wussow’s involvement in village government probably helped her.

“She’s been very active in the community,” he said.

Wussow and Staszak finished in a virtual tie in the February primary to defeat incumbent Melvin Wendland, who has served as president for six years and as trustee for more than 30 years.

Wussow had a couple of stretches on the Village Board totaling 12 years; she has served for six years this time around.

Staszak served two terms as president before leaving for a term on the Shawano County Board six years ago, then went on to run the Amico’s restaurant in Belle Plaine.

Wussow’s move up to the president’s seat means someone will have to be appointed to fill her trustee post.

Staszak said he was asked by Wussow after the results came in Tuesday if he would be interested.

He said he wasn’t sure.

“I’d have to think about that,” he said.

There were several contested races around the county Tuesday. Not all results were available Tuesday night. Results available at press time included the following:

TOWN OF HARTLAND

Chairman

Robert Woldt (I) 161

Peter Schmidt 49

Clerk

Susan Krull 133

Marlin Noffke (I) 78

Supervisor (2 seats)

Wade Wudtke 107

Mark Mitchell 95

Jay Krull 88

Frank Heller (I) 87

WITTENBERG VILLAGE PRESIDENT

William J. Switalla (I) 115

Paul Yaeger 71

ANGELICA TOWN SUPERVISOR (2 SEATS)

Greg Van Asten (I) 283

Wilbert Lewis (I) 237

Elmer Kraning 221

BOWLER VILLAGE TREASURER

Colleen Cortright (I) 42

Kerry Breitrick 24

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