Shawano Leader News
Former tribal prosecutor pleads to child porn charge
Tim Ryan, [email protected]
A former Menominee chief justice and tribal prosecutor is scheduled for sentencing in federal court in May on a child pornography charge.
Joseph H. Martin, 54, pleaded guilty last month to one count of receiving child pornography as part of a plea agreement in U.S. District Court in Green Bay.
According to court records, the count itemized child porn in Martin’s possession that included a 23-minute video showing a prepubescent female performing a sexual act.
Authorities launched an investigation in January of last year after an area IP address was found to be using a peer-to-peer file sharing network known to traffic in child pornography, according to court documents.
Over the next several months, undercover officers downloaded numerous files being shared by that IP address, including videos that featured minors identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The IP address was eventually traced to Martin at his home address in Keshena, according to court records. Authorities executed a search warrant at his residence Oct. 14, seizing three laptops, five thumb drives and one tablet containing about 100 child pornography videos, the records state.
Martin was originally charged in November with two counts of transporting child pornography. One count was dropped as part of the plea agreement.
Martin could have faced a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and supervised release of anywhere from five years to life.
The plea agreement calls for the government to recommend a five-year prison sentence, which is the minimum under the law. Martin would also have to register as a sex offender.
Martin is scheduled for sentencing May 11.
Martin served as chief justice for the tribe in the early 2000s and later as tribal prosecutor.
Calls to the tribal chairman’s office and Tribal Court for comment and information regarding how long he served in those positions were not returned Wednesday afternoon.
Martin also served as chief legislative counsel for the Little River Band of the Ottawa Indians in Michigan before becoming Menominee tribal prosecutor.
According to information in the search warrant request, Martin was employed with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections at the time the warrant was executed.
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Leader Staff
City officials Wednesday added a few new rules to its yard waste collection policy and revised its fee schedule for property owners who fail to cut their grass or shovel their snow.
Shawano residents will now have a limit on the yard waste they can put out for collection.
The Shawano Common Council unanimously approved an ordinance rewrite that limits properties to six cans or containers of yard waste per week.
Each of those cans or containers should have no more than 50 pounds of waste in them, under the new rules.
Public Works Coordinator Eddie Sheppard said some properties were putting out as many as 20 bags of yard waste per week.
The rules only apply outside of designated spring and fall cleanup times.
The city will continue to pick up yard waste and grass clippings at no cost.
Yard waste should be placed at the curb in biodegradable bags or in garbage cans or containers with a yard waste sticker affixed. Garbage cans or containers may not be larger than 25 gallons in size.
In related business, the Common Council lowered the fees that can be assessed when the city is forced to cut grass or shovel sidewalks on properties where the owners fail to take care of those chores.
The city will charge a fee of $50 for the first offense and $75 for each subsequent offense. Previously the city was charging a $150 fee for each occurrence.
Sheppard said the new fee schedule is more reasonable.
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Shawano Police Department
March 10
Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:
Burglary — Police investigated a burglary in the 300 block of South Andrews Street.
Threatening — Police investigated an incident involving threatening behavior at the Shawano City-County Library, 128 S. Sawyer St.
Juvenile Alcohol — Police investigated a juvenile alcohol problem in the 300 block of East Maurer Street.
Juvenile — Police investigated a juvenile problem in the 700 block of East Maurer Street.
Disturbance — Police investigated a disturbance involving an intoxicated man in the 800 block of East Richmond Street.
Truancy — Two truancies were reported at Shawano Community Middle School, 1050 S. Union St.
Assist — Police assisted school officials at Shawano Community Middle School, 1050 S. Union St., and Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B, with juvenile problems.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
March 10
Deputies logged 26 incidents, including the following:
Assault — Authorities responded to an assault complaint in the 200 block of Spaulding Street in Tiverton.
Accident — Authorities logged a car-versus-bald eagle crash on U.S. Highway 45 and Wegner Road in the town of Grant.
Animal — Authorities responded to a complaint of animal neglect on River Road in the town of Aniwa.
Animal — Authorities responded to a complaint of stray cows on County Road J in the town of Fairbanks.
Disorderly — Authorities investigated a disorderly juvenile at Bonduel Middle School, 400 W. Green Bay St., Bonduel.
Theft — Identity theft involving tax filings was reported on state Highway 22 in the town of Washington.
Assault — Authorities investigated an assault involving three juveniles at Homme Youth and Family, W18105 Hemlock Road, town of Wittenberg.
Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle on Grass Lake Road in the town of Belle Plaine.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Mork Road in the town of Wescott.
Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a hit-and-run complaint at Club 22, N3925 Friendship Circle, town of Belle Plaine.
Welfare — Authorities responded to a child wandering around Riverside Park, County Road G and Lake Drive, Gresham.
Accidents — Authorities logged two deer-related crashes.
Clintonville Police Department
March 10
Police logged eight incidents, including the following:
Domestic — Police took a 35-year-old man into custody on a domestic abuse battery complaint on Memorial Circle. Police also charged the man with resisting an officer and violating a probation hold. He was transported to the Waupaca County Jail.
Animal bite — A dog bite complaint was made on 16th Street.
Disorderly — Police logged a complaint of disorderly conduct on South Main Street.
Disturbance — Police responded to an unwanted subject on River Lane.
Suspicious — Police received a report of a suspicious incident on Flora Way.
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetLocal schools bracing for deepest cuts yet
Lee Pulaski, [email protected]
Rural school administrators claim Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed 2015-17 biennial budget if passed as is could severely cripple their ability to educate children.
Walker’s two-year spending plan essentially calls for holding public schools’ funding flat. It also would eliminate a $150-per-student payment to schools in the first year of the budget and the cap on private voucher school enrollment.
A freeze on school revenue established in the 2013-15 budget would remain in force.
If the budget passes, Bonduel School District will lose $130,000 from the elimination of the $150-per-pupil aid, according to Superintendent Patrick Rau. The school revenue cap will cost the district an additional $130,000 to $150,000 next school year.
“With the cap being frozen, we don’t have the ability to make that up with the local property taxes,” Rau said.
Declining enrollment will also hurt Bonduel, as much of the state aid schools receive is based on the number of students. Rau said the district has 870 students this year but projects 830 to 835 next year.
“Since 2012, we’ve been experiencing a decrease at our elementary school,” Rau said. “There are just less students in the district to draw from.”
Bonduel is just starting to explore cost-cutting measures, Rau said. He and other officials will look at transportation, the school calendar and other options.
Rau met with parents at a community forum Tuesday night to discuss the budget challenges.
Gresham School District also expects severe cuts, according to Superintendent Keary Mattson, although officials don’t know how much those cuts will be.
“This is going to be the toughest hit we’ve taken, that all the schools have taken,” Mattson said. “I don’t know how we’re all going to overcome this yet.”
Preliminary estimates show the district will lose $45,000 in state aid if Walker’s proposed budget passes.
The district would have to come up with another $100,000 to cover school expenses, Mattson said.
“It’s a concern. It’s a tremendous concern,” Mattson said. “Generally, we get a little bit of an increase.”
Gresham Community School has 305 children in kindergarten through grade 12.
Shawano School District Superintendent Gary Cumberland was out of town for the past week and could not be reached for comment.
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Shawano Police Department
March 9
Police logged 27 incidents, including the following:
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 900 block of East Randall Street.
Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run in 600 block of East Elizabeth Street.
Theft — A stainless steel hood was reported stolen in the 700 block of South Prospect Street.
Disturbance — A 33-year-old woman was arrested on charges of domestic violence and disorderly conduct after a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of Prospect Circle.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 600 block of East Schurz Street.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
March 9
Deputies logged 27 incidents, including the following:
Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on North Shore Lane in Wescott.
Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on Hilltop Road in Hartland.
Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on U.S. Highway 45 in Wittenberg.
Accidents — Authorities logged five accidents, including an injury accident in Belle Plaine and three deer-related crashes.
Clintonville Police Department
March 9
Police logged six incidents, including the following:
Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at the high school, 64 Green Tree Road.
Disturbance — Police removed an unwanted subject on River Lane.
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Felony OWI
A Suring man has been charged with fifth-offense operating while intoxicated after being pulled over Friday in the town of Wescott.
Travis J. Hawpetoss, 43, could face a maximum six years in prison and a $10,000 fine if found guilty.
According to court records, Hawpetoss has three prior convictions for OWI in Shawano County and one in Brown County.
Hawpetoss was ordered held on a $2,500 cash bond and is due in court for an adjourned initial appearance Monday.
Substantial battery
A Shawano woman is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Thursday on a felony charge of substantial battery.
Kasandra J. Leslie, 20, is accused of striking a woman in the face several times and breaking her nose during an altercation in the city Sunday. She could face a maximum 3½ years in prison and $10,000 fine if found guilty. She also faces a misdemeanor count of domestic abuse-related disorderly conduct.
Leslie is free on a $750 signature bond.
Felony intimidation
A Green Bay man is facing a felony charge of intimidating a victim after a disturbance Saturday in the town of Almon.
Doyle J. Dreisow, 50, is accused of threatening a woman to keep her from reporting the incident to law enforcement.
Shawano County sheriff’s deputies responded to the disturbance after a 911 hang-up call, according to the criminal complaint.
Dreisow is also charged with two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct. He is scheduled for an initial court appearance March 30.
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Shawano Police Department
March 8
Police logged 18 incidents, including the following:
Assault — Police investigated an assault complaint in the 200 block of Teddington Lane.
Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 500 block of South Cleveland Street.
Assault — Police investigated an assault complaint in the 500 block of South Cleveland Street.
Harassment — Police investigated a harassment complaint that occurred at Hillcrest Primary School, 1410 Waukechon St.
March 7
Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:
Disturbance — Charges of disorderly conduct and domestic violence were referred against a 46-year-old man after police responded to a disturbance in the 1300 block of East Lieg Avenue.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance at Division and Main streets.
Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint in the 700 block of South Main Street.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 900 block of East Randall Street.
Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 800 block of East Richmond Street.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 1200 block of South Prospect Street.
Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported a shoplifting incident.
Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 100 block of South Main Street.
March 6
Police logged 28 incidents, including the following:
Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run in the 900 block of South Lincoln Street.
Warrant — A man was taken into custody at the probation and parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.
Shoplifting — Police responded to a shoplifting complaint at Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance at Taco Bell, 1266 E. Green Bay St.
Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.
Drug Offense — A 55-year-old woman was arrested for abuse of a hazardous substance after inhaling aerosol in the bathroom at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.
Burglary — Police investigated a burglary in the 400 block of South Smalley.
Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 1300 block of East Lieg Avenue.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
March 8
Deputies logged 25 incidents, including the following:
Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Juniper Road in Richmond.
Fire — Authorities responded to a machine shed fire on Kielblock Road in Fairbanks.
Accidents — Authorities logged four accidents, including two deer-related crashes.
March 7
Deputies logged 30 incidents, including the following:
Fleeing — A fleeing/pursuit incident on Lake Drive in the town of Washington was under investigation.
Theft — A vehicle was reported stolen on state Highway 156 in Maple Grove and recovered in a ditch in Brown County.
Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Lake View Drive in Aniwa.
Juvenile — Authorities investigated an underage drinking complaint on Hillside Drive in Angelica.
OAR — A 27-year-old woman was cited for operating after revocation on state Highway 22 in the town of Washington.
March 6
Deputies logged incidents, including the following:
OWI — A 43-year-old Suring man was arrested for operating while intoxicated on state Highway 47-55 in Wescott.
Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Bowler School, 500 S. Almon St.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance at Gresham School, 501 Schabow St.
Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a drug complaint on Ebert Street in Gresham.
Fire — Authorities responded to a chimney fire on Town Hall Road in Gresham.
Accidents — Authorities logged nine accidents, including injury accidents in Belle Plaine and Lessor, and three deer-related crashes.
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Leader Staff
A Gillett woman accused of robbing a Shawano grocery store at knifepoint is seeking a new attorney ahead of her jury trial later this month.
Brenda S. Webster, 57, could face a maximum 40 years in prison and $100,000 fine if found guilty of armed robbery. She is also charged with using force to intimidate a victim, and misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct.
Webster appeared for a final pre-trial conference in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court on Friday during which her attorney, David Rashid, filed a motion to withdraw from the case.
Rashid said Webster’s family is seeking private counsel.
Webster is being held on a $15,000 bond and is scheduled for a jury trial starting March 25.
Webster allegedly entered the Guerrero Grocery, 520 S. Main St., shortly before 6 p.m. June 27 wearing a black ski mask and threatened the store owner with a steak knife.
The complaint alleges Webster took a money bag containing about $4,000 from behind the counter and started to leave the store. Webster dropped the money bag on her way out of the store, according to the complaint, and the store owner tried picking it up, but Webster allegedly pushed her over and fled with the bag.
According to the complaint, Webster made a quick change as part of her attempted getaway but was spotted dumping her clothes into the garbage.
Moments after police got the call about an armed robbery, another call came in reporting a suspicious person behind the 400 block of West Sawyer Street.
A witness told police she saw a woman come into her yard. The woman took off her socks and crawled in and out of a garbage bin. Then she fled, running north.
Webster was arrested moments later on East Randall Street, four blocks away from the crime scene.
Police later found dark-colored clothing, shoes, a pair of white socks and a blue glove in the garbage bin, according to the complaint.
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Leader Staff
The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department is reviving a CPR course that had been previously cancelled due to a lack of participants.
Sheriff Adam Bieber said some initial miscommunication when the class was first announced caused some people who would otherwise have taken the class to believe it was more of a time commitment than it was.
The one-time class will be offered from 5-9 p.m. April 9 in the training room at the Sheriff’s Office, 405 N. Main St.
It is one of three safety courses the department has been offering. The others are a concealed-carry class and self-defense training.
Bieber said the CPR course was the one he most wanted to see people attend. He said people are more likely to find themselves in a situation where CPR is needed.
“Chances are greater of saving someone’s life with CPR or the Heimlich Maneuver or a defibrillator than of saving someone’s life with a gun,” he said.
The four-hour course will provide students with a two-year Red Cross certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, the use of automatic external defibrillators and offer guidance to provide initial response in choking situations.
There will be a $30 fee to cover the cost of the certification. To register or to ask any questions, contact office manager Kathy Sumnicht at 715-526-7925 from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Meanwhile, the department has had strong response to its other two courses, including the concealed-carry class taking place Saturday at the Shawano Lake County Park Pavilion.
Bieber said more than 40 people are expected to attend the class.
The department also offered the first of three self-defense classes Tuesday at Shawano Community Middle School.
Fifteen people attended Tuesday’s class, and Bieber said he expects the number to rise for the next two classes, which take place from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and March 17.
Bieber said the courses were being offered in the interest of promoting community preparedness.
“We want people to be prepared to protect themselves, their loved ones and their neighbors,” he said. “We want you to call 911, but be prepared to save a life also. Be able to take action along with law enforcement.”
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Child sexual assault
A Shawano man is facing a felony charges of having sexual contact with a minor and intimidating her to keep her from reporting the alleged offense to police.
Matthew C. Malone, 31, is accused of having sexual contact with a 10-year-old girl in December. The criminal complaint also alleges Malone threatened the girl if she told anyone about it.
Malone could face a maximum 60 years in prison if convicted of child sexual assault and a maximum 10 years in prison and $25,000 fine of found guilty of felony intimidation of a victim.
Malone was ordered held on a $5,000 cash bond and is scheduled for an adjourned initial appearance Monday.
Felony marijuana possession
An Antigo man is due in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing on a felony charge of marijuana possession and three felony counts of bail jumping.
Justin J. Hipke, 30, was pulled over in the town of Seneca on Sunday after a Shawano County sheriff’s deputy spotted him driving erratically, according to the criminal complaint.
The complaint states Hipke had a backpack in the vehicle that contained 17.7 grams of marijuana. The complaint also states Hipke was out on bond at the time for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in Outagamie County.
Hipke could face a maximum six years in prison and $10,000 fine if found guilty on each of the three bail jumping counts, and a maximum 3½ years and a $10,000 fine if convicted of second or subsequent offense possession of marijuana.
Felony marijuana possession
A Keshena man is due in court March 13 for a preliminary hearing on a felony charge of second or subsequent possession of marijuana.
Mitchell M. Dixon, 28, is accused of possessing 4.1 ounces of marijuana allegedly found Monday in a lunchbox cooler belonging to him where he worked at Aarrowcast, 2900 E. Richmond St., Shawano, according to the criminal complaint.
Dixon could face a maximum 3½ years and a $10,000 fine if convicted.
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetOutdoor pool, armory could be on chopping block in Clintonville
Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
Closing the city’s outdoor pool and recreation center would help give Clintonville the savings it needs to balance this year’s budget, according to Interim City Administrator Chuck Kell.
Kell this week presented to the finance committee three budget scenarios to address the $176,000 needed to fund the budget without tapping the city’s fund balance. None of the scenarios produced all the savings needed, but the committee voted to recommend Kell’s preferred option to the Common Council.
The plan recommended by Kell would save about $47,000 this year, however, which means the city would still need to move $129,000 from the fund balance.
Without major cuts to the Police Department, closing the pool and recreation center seem to be the city’s best options to generate additional savings, Kell said.
Committee members directed Park and Recreation Director Justin McCuly to form an ad hoc pool committee, to be approved by the council, to study the pool options and present a recommendation to the council by June.
McCuly was also told to gather information on the recreation center, housed in the former armory. The committee wants to know what it would take to keep the building usable, what would it cost to close it and other options.
“We have to start doing something with the pool and the armory or it will keep coming back up again,” Alderman John Wilson said.
Mark Doornink, finance committee chairman, said there are strong feelings on both sides of the debate whether to close the pool and the armory, and he wants data to back up his decision.
“I won’t make a decision until we have data on the pool,” he said.
McCuly has said the pool could probably operate for one more year without major updates, but he won’t know for sure until it opens this year. He is going to be hiring his staff in early April.
Under one budget scenario presented by Kell, the city would reduce the city clerk’s administrative assistant position from full time to 22.5 hours per week, eliminate some park and recreation programs and reduce departmental overtime.
Kell said, however, the clerk’s office needs a full-time administrative assistant and reducing overtime would be difficult because the city is assuming operation of Graceland Cemetery this year.
Under another scenario — the one recommended by the committee, all of the departments would make cuts, bringing the savings to $47,000. The plan included increasing city revenue by implementing a new crop lease and generating logging revenue at the airport. The fire department would reduce its equipment and training budgets.
The third scenario included the other plans’ cuts as well as $72,343 from the Police Department budget, for total savings of $112,343. Department officials indicated that they would lose all of their part-time staff, including the crossing guards and dispatchers, and would not have what they believe to be adequate coverage for the city.
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Shawano Police Department
March 5
Police logged 25 incidents, including the following:
OWI — A 30-year-old man was arrested for operating while intoxicated at County Road B and Waukechon Street.
Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 800 block of South Park Street.
OWI — A 64-year-old woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated after a hit-and-run property damage accident in the 500 block of South Main Street.
Fraud — A 30-year-old woman was cited for petty theft at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., after taking an item off the shelf and attempting to return it.
Threatening — Police responded to a threatening complaint in the 100 block of Prairie Street.
Code Violation — Police logged four complaints of snow not cleared from sidewalks.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
March 5
Deputies logged 26 incidents, including the following:
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance involving a juvenile on Lake View Drive in Aniwa.
Fraud — Authorities investigated an identity theft complaint on Two Creek Road in Lessor.
Disturbance — A charge of disorderly conduct was referred against a 31-year-old Shawano man after a disturbance on Sandy Drive in the town of Waukechon.
Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Lake Road in Aniwa.
Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Moh He Con Nuck Road in Bowler.
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Tim Ryan, [email protected]
Contributed Photo Shawano police provided this photo of the toy gun brought to Hillcrest Primary School by a student Feb. 27.
Shawano police reported this week they were still getting a few questions and concerns from residents about reports that a Hillcrest Primary School student brought a gun to school Feb. 27.
Police confirmed that a 7-year-old student did bring a toy gun to school.
School officials said the plastic gun was something the student evidently brought as a kind of “show and tell” for his friends, but that there was no intent to use it to bully or intimidate anyone.
A photo provided by the Police Department shows the gun was small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, has an orange cap and measures less in diameter than an ink pen.
The incident was first reported to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, which received a call from someone who said the student brought a pistol to school and several other students claimed to have seen it.
Because the student resides in the city, that information was passed along to city officers, who went to the student’s home to investigate.
According to the police report, the student’s father took exception to the visit and claimed he was being harassed over a bogus complaint.
The report states the father continued to shout and use abusive language toward the officers and refused to calm down despite repeated warnings. He was ultimately taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct.
Authorities then spoke to the student, who handed over what turned out to be a toy gun.
Prior to that time, neither sheriff’s deputies nor police had seen the gun that had sparked the complaint.
“We had a report that a gun was brought to school and obviously we take these things very seriously,” Police Lt. Dan Mauel said.
Hillcrest Primary School Principal Troy Edwards said the incident was primarily a police matter and was not handled at the school.
However, he said, school officials did subsequently address the incident with the student, who explained why he brought the gun to school.
Edwards said the gun wasn’t intended to intimidate or bully anyone.
“It had orange on it, and you could tell it was a toy gun,” he said.
Edwards said the school’s policy on responding to such incidents depends on various factors, including whether a gun is real or fake, the age and grade level of the student and the intent involved.
Bringing a real gun to school would have had different implications for the student, he said, “than bringing a plastic gun to show off to his friends.”
Edwards said it was made clear to the student that even a fake gun was inappropriate. He said the school has had the same conversation with students about Halloween costumes that might include toy weapons, such as plastic swords and guns.
He said students at that age might not realize that “people take that seriously.”
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Jason Arndt, [email protected]
About 20 people have applied for the vacant community health educator position with the Shawano County Health Department.
The position was officially posted by Shawano County on Feb. 2 with a Feb. 27 application deadline.
“We are in process of reviewing applications, and in two weeks, at the latest, we hope to conduct interviews,” said Judy Rank, Shawano County human resources coordinator.
The position has been vacant since Megan Suehring left in November to take a 4-H program adviser position in Marathon County. Suehring worked for Shawano County for about two years.
Rank said the wage study approved by the County Board last year and took effect Jan. 1 caused a delay in posting the position. Starting pay for the position is $33,111 to $35,938, based on experience.
The community health educator is responsible for monitoring the health of county residents and the health issues facing the community. The person conducts educational programs in group settings or one-on-one, acts as a community resource on community health, provides information to the community in making healthy choices, and actively engages the community in identifying and solving health problems.
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Shawano Police Department
March 4
Police logged 24 incidents, including the following:
Juvenile — Police logged four truancy complaints from Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.
Code Violation — Police logged 11 complaints of snow and ice not cleared from sidewalks.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 500 block of South Andrews Street.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
March 4
Deputies logged 22 incidents, including the following:
OAR — A 29-year-old Shawano man was cited for operating after revocation on state Highway 47 in the town of Lessor.
Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Prouty Street in Wittenberg.
Sex Offense — Authorities investigated a sexual misconduct complaint at the Shawano County Jail, 405 N. Main St.
Clintonville Police Department
March 4
Police logged seven incidents, including the following:
Accident — A state accident report was completed for a two-vehicle property damage accident on South Main Street at Madison Street. Ambulance and fire department were dispatched, but there were no injuries upon officers’ arrival.
Harassment — A warning for harassment was issued on East 15th Street.
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Leader Staff
Contributed Photo Surveillance video captured this image of the person who robbed the Schroeder Shell Station in Clintonville on Feb. 4.
Authorities put out another call to the public Wednesday for any help that might lead to the arrest of a man suspected of an armed robbery in Clintonville and an attempted robbery in Shawano.
The Schroeder Shell convenience store, 325 S. Main St., Clintonville, was robbed at gunpoint Feb. 4. Two days later, there was an attempted robbery at the People’s Express East, 1206 E. Green Bay St., Shawano.
Shawano and Clintonville police have been coordinating their efforts in the investigation.
“At this point, we have no leads,” Shawano Police Chief Mark Kohl said.
In the Shawano incident, a man entered the People’s Express convenience store about 8:14 p.m. carrying a 4-inch folding knife. He was described as 5 feet, 6 inches tall, wearing a black pullover sweatshirt with the hood pulled up over his head, gloves, black pants and a white cloth mask pulled up over his nose.
Two employees were inside the store at the time, according to the report.
The police report states the man walked behind the counter and demanded money from the register, but then fled the scene without taking anything.
Police have not released information about why they believe the man fled empty-handed.
The Police Department’s K-9 unit was brought in to track the suspect but was unsuccessful.
“The suspect is similar to the suspect that robbed the gas station in Clintonville earlier that week,” Kohl said.
In that incident, a man wearing a face mask entered the Schroeder Shell convenience store shortly after 1 a.m., displayed a large hand gun and demanded money from the clerk. He made off with an undisclosed amount of money.
Police described that suspect as a white male, wearing a green hooded winter jacket, gloves and a camouflage face mask.
Anyone with information is asked to call Shawano police at 715-524-4545 or Clintonville police at 715-823-3117.
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetPublic invited to join Citizens Police Academy
Tim Ryan, [email protected]
The Shawano Police Department is looking to give residents an inside view of its operations with the 2015 Citizens Police Academy scheduled to kick off on March 16.
The academy is open to people who live or work in Shawano and want to learn more about Police Department operations, issues and challenges.
Chief Mark Kohl said the academy will help provide a better understanding of how the Shawano Police Department functions on a daily basis.
“There are a lot of questions about how we operate and why we do what we do,” he said.
Participants will gain knowledge in patrol operations, investigations, use of force, community policing and much more.
Each of the five sessions runs from 6-9 p.m. Mondays from March 16 through April 13 at City Hall, 127 S. Sawyer St.
The department previously scheduled an academy last September but cancelled it after only five participants registered in advance.
Kohl said that ended up being a little premature, because on the night the academy was to have started another half dozen or so people turned out for it.
This time, to avoid any confusion, the department has set a registration deadline of Wednesday.
Kohl offered the same program when he was chief here in 2001, and he said it was well-received.
“It’s a good partnership builder,” he said.
John White was one of the participants when Kohl offered the academy in 2001.
“I learned the workings of how the department runs, and — not that I didn’t have respect before, but — it gave me a brand new respect for what we have out here,” White said.
“These guys put their lives on the line every day,” he said. “It opens your eyes to exactly what’s going on and to things I never knew were part of it.”
For White, the sessions also served to add a more human dimension to those in uniform.
“These guys are just as crazy as we are,” he said. “They like to laugh, too.”
White said he would encourage anyone to take part in the academy, particularly young adults who might have a skewed view of law enforcement.
“It might change their minds,” he said.
The first session will cover agency operations and crime prevention, and will give participants a chance to ask Kohl any burning questions they might have.
In subsequent weeks, participants will also see what it’s like to investigate a crime scene and learn about the role DNA and the State Crime Lab plays in the investigation.
“We want to dispel the belief that it’s like CSI on TV where they can solve anything in an hour,” Kohl said.
Participants will visit the shooting range to learn about firearms, defense and arrest tactics and use of force, and take a trip to the recreation center to see the dive team in action.
Participants will also learn about OWI and drug enforcement; see how high-risk traffic stops and arrests are made; and get a hands-on look at the department’s squads, tools and technology.
The academy is free of charge. It is open to all citizens who either live or work in the city of Shawano. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Background checks will be completed, prior to applicants being accepted into the academy.
Information is available at the Shawano Police Department, 125 S. Sawyer St., and online at www.shawanowi.govoffice2.com.
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Kevin Murphy, Leader Correspondent
The northern half of the town of Aniwa will be able to heat and cook with natural gas, as the Wisconsin Public Service Commission this week approved City Gas of Antigo’s service request for that portion of the town.
City Gas was authorized to serve the village of Aniwa in May 2011 by extending a pipeline east from Marathon County. Within a year, City Gas was getting requests for service in the town, said George Bornemann, the utility’s executive vice president.
The utility could not serve customers outside of the village because Wisconsin Public Service Corp. had the authority to serve the town since 1969. However, WPS had signed up only a handful of customers near Birnamwood in the southern part of the town, Bornemann said.
WPS also informed residents outside of the village of Aniwa that it would not serve them, according to information City Gas filed with the PSC.
City Gas filed a request with the PSC in September 2012 to serve a portion of the town, but while the request was pending, it asked the PSC to shelve the request until it completed a major gas main project in downtown Antigo during the summer of 2013.
Meanwhile, City Gas and WPS negotiated a territorial agreement to permit City Gas to serve the northern half of the town while WPS retained the southern half.
City Gas then petitioned the PSC to divide the town between it and WPS. The PSC approved the arrangement Monday.
City Gas will extend a two-inch gas main from state Highway 52 and County Road HH in Marathon County east along Highway 52 to the intersection of Highway 52 and U.S. Highway 45.
The utility estimates the cost to construct the 6,705-foot line at about $24,000.
The initial extension will serve only six residential and one commercial customers, Bornemann said, but he expects more to sign up over time and the main to extend farther east.
City Gas does not charge customers to extend the gas line for the first 60 feet into a property. Thereafter it bills at $2.24 per linear foot, which is the utility’s actual cost, Bornemann said.
The cost might increase slightly May 1. There is also a one-time $20 meter and connection fee.
City Gas rates are regulated by the PSC and can change as the cost of gas from City Gas’ supplier changes. The same principle applies to electric utilities.
City Gas did not conduct any research to gauge anticipate demand for its service, Bornemann said.
Asked if natural gas is a cheaper fuel to use than propane, Bornemann quickly said, “yes.”
The average residential customer uses about 1,000 therms of natural gas annually; the current charge is about $726, he said.
Given the price difference between natural gas and other fuels, “we don’t have a huge problem to convert customers,” he said.
The utility will send postcards to residents along and ahead of the pipeline inviting them to inquire about service costs and fuel prices, he said.
Construction of the gas main into the town will begin this spring and the line should be operational this summer, Bornemann said.
Efforts to contact Dan Lex, Aniwa town chairman, and Tammy Resch, town clerk, about the gas service were unsuccessful.
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Shawano Police Department
March 3
Police logged 19 incidents, including the following:
Warrant — Police arrested a 28-year-old man on a probation and parole warrant.
Warrant — Police arrested a 29-year-old man on a probation and parole warrant.
Disturbance — Police investigated a disturbance in the 500 block of South Andrews Street.
School — Police responded to student concerns at Hillcrest Primary School, 1410 S. Waukechon St., and Shawano Community Middle School, 1050 S. Union St.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
March 3
Deputies logged 25 incidents, including the following:
Theft — Authorities investigated a fuel drive off at Little Star Convenience Store, 1129 Main St., Gresham.
Theft — Money was reported stolen from a residence in the 100 block of East Wall Street in Bowler.
Theft — A report of identity theft was made on Burma Road in the town of Grant.
Accident — Authorities responded to a vehicle rollover on County Road M and Capitol Drive in the town of Belle Plaine. No injuries reported.
Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious male on First Street in Aniwa.
Warrant — Authorities took a 31-year-old man into custody on a Waupaca County warrant on U.S. Highway 45 in Tigerton.
Accidents — Authorities logged three accidents involving vehicles in ditches and three deer-related crashes.
Clintonville Police Department
Police logged seven incidents, including the following:
Disorderly — Police responded to disorderly conduct complaint at Clintonville Middle School, 255 N. Main St.
Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious incident at Clintonville Middle School, 255 N. Main St.
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetClintonville alderperson plans listening sessions
Clintonville Alderperson Mary-Beth Kuester will hold listening sessions at 7 p.m. March 12 and 2 p.m. March 14 at City Hall, 35 S. Clinton Ave.
“This will be an opportunity for residents to share ideas, ask questions and find out about ongoing issues in our city,” Kuester said.
The sessions are planned for residents of District 4. Other people may attend, Kuester said, but priority will be given to district residents to speak and ask questions.
Kuester noted that the city faces several important issues, including electric rates, a major upgrade in city sewer and water system, and ways to deal with the $150,000 budget deficit, which was filled temporarily by moving money from the city surplus fund.
Kuester said the committees she works on are looking into a city garbage collection service and billboards to encourage business for the city during the Main Street reconstruction project.
“I also look forward to reporting progress on the search for another grocery store and the work on the city housing special committee looking into needs to upgrade housing for workers in the industrial park and condominiums to keep retirees in the community,” she said.
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