Shawano Leader News

Shawano Police Department

Feb. 2

Police logged 25 incidents, including the following:

Burglary — Police investigated a burglary in the 900 block of South Bartlett Street.

Transient — A 28-year-old man who came to the Police Department seeking a voucher for a night’s lodging was arrested on a Clark County warrant for nonpayment of traffic fines and was transported to the county jail.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 600 block of East Schurz Street.

Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle injury accident at Oshkosh and Bartlett streets after one of the vehicles failed to yield at the intersection.

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

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Feb. 2

A complete incident list was not available, but the Sheriff’s Department said deputies logged 42 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 41-year-old Krakow man was taken into custody on a warrant in Angelica.

Accident — A 24-year-old Clintonville man was cited for operating after suspension, failure to notify authorities of an accident and failure to maintain control of his vehicle after striking some mailboxes on County Road D in Pella.

Clintonville Police Department

Feb. 2

Police logged 10 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Officers responded to the area of Auto Street for the report of a suspicious incident.

Disturbance — Officers responded to the report of an uncontrollable juvenile on Sixth Street. The juvenile was taken in for a mental health commitment.

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

Shawano Police Department

Feb. 1

Police logged 12 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint at Airport Drive and Green Bay Street.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 1200 block of South Bartlett Street.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 100 East Randall Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 200 block of North Humphrey Circle.

Jan. 31

Police logged 22 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a report of a fight in progress in the 800 block of East Richmond Street.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile alcohol complaint at Richmond Street and Lakeland Road.

Drug Offense — A 26-year-old man was cited for possession of marijuana at Oshkosh and Main streets.

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

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at the Wisconsin House, 216 E. Green Bay St.

Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run in the 200 block of South Sawyer Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint in the 1200 block of East Green Bay Street.

Jan. 30

Police logged 38 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint in the 200 block of West Stevens Street.

Juvenile — Police logged five truancy complaints from Olga Brener Intermediate School, 1300 S. Union St.

Code Violations — Police logged seven complaints of snow and ice not removed from sidewalks.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 200 block of South Sawyer Street.

Fraud — Police investigated a fraud complaint at Qualheim’s True Value, 1345 E. Green Bay St.

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

Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run in the 600 block of East Green Bay Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Feb. 1

Deputies logged 30 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 24-year-old Green Bay man was arrested on a warrant on County Road G in Red Springs.

OWI — A 22-year-old Shawano man was arrested for operating while intoxicated on Willow Creek Road in Richmond.

Disturbance — A charge of disorderly conduct was referred against 45-year-old Tigerton man who was also taken into custody on a probation and parole hold after a disturbance on Daffodil Lane in Tigerton.

Assault — Authorities investigated an assault complaint at the North Star Casino, W12180 County Road A, Gresham.

Jan. 31

Deputies logged 51 incidents, including the following:

Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on County Road A in Bowler.

Warrant — A 34-year-old Mattoon man was taken into custody on a warrant on Park Avenue in Mattoon.

Burglary — Authorities investigated two burglaries on Lake Drive in Wescott.

Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on Larson Lane in Eland.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Mountain Bay Trail in Bowler.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at the North Star Casino, W12180 County Road A, Gresham.

OAR — A 28-year-old Cecil man was cited for operating after revocation on Lake Drive in the town of Washington.

Accidents — Authorities logged five deer-related crashes.

Jan. 30

Deputies logged 38 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 46-year-old Keshena man was arrested on a warrant on state Highway 47 in the town of Lessor.

Warrant — A 21-year-old Shawano man was taken into custody on a warrant on Willow Creek Road in the town of Herman.

Auto Theft — A vehicle reported stolen in Mosinee was recovered on Tamarack Road in Aniwa.

Traffic Violation — A charge of interfering with an interlock ignition device was referred against a 34-year-old Shawano man on state Highway 29 in Angelica.

Warrant — A 33-year-old Manitowoc man was taken into custody on a warrant on state Highway 47-55 in Wescott.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on state Highway 29 in Richmond.

Accidents — Authorities logged six deer-related crashes.

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

Shawano Police Department

Jan. 29

Police logged 19 incidents, including the following:

Auto Theft — A vehicle was reported stolen in the 600 block of South Maiden Lane.

Drug Offense — A drug complaint was under investigation at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint at County Road B and Lincoln Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Jan. 29

Deputies logged 39 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 37-year-old Shawano woman was taken into custody on a warrant on Huntington Court in Wescott.

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

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Bowler School, 500 S. Almon St., Bowler.

Warrant — A 28-year-old Bowler man was taken into custody on a warrant on County Road D in Seneca.

Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on County Road S in Angelica.

OWI — A 35-year-old Wittenberg man was arrested for operating while intoxicated and a 31-year-old Wittenberg woman was taken into custody on a probation and parole hold after authorities responded to a reckless driving complaint on County Road Q in Wittenberg.

Disturbance — Authorities investigated a report of a domestic incident on County Road D in Aniwa.

Accidents — Authorities logged eight accidents, including a two-vehicle crash on state Highway 29 near Bonduel that closed westbound traffic for about an hour but caused no injuries; an injury accident on County Road E in the town of Washington; and one deer-related crash.

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

USDA pushing for more dairy purchasesBy: 

The Associated Press and Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

Wisconsin’s school districts buy plenty of local fruits and vegetables for their lunchrooms, according to federal agriculture officials.

A survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows the districts could do better in purchasing dairy products from local farmers. Thirty-two percent of schools involved in the Farm to School program are buying milk from local sources, and 22 percent of schools are purchasing other dairy products, such as cheese, locally.

Farm to School is a national program that aims to bring locally sourced foods into school cafeterias, while also educating students about the origins of their sustenance.

The USDA census shows 59 percent of 315 Wisconsin school districts that responded to a survey are involved in the Farm to School program. Eighty percent are buying local fruits and vegetables for their students.

The state’s schools have “hit it out of the ballpark” with the amount of locally sourced fruits and vegetables they provide for their students, said Deborah Kane, the national director of the USDA program.

“Schools probably got started by bringing fruits and vegetables into their salad bars or into their lunches, but it’s probably time for Wisconsin to go a little further,” Kane said.

The dairy industry is an important component of Wisconsin’s economy. Wisconsin produced 27.6 billion pounds of milk and 2.9 billion pounds of cheese in 2013, the Daily Tribune Media reported, citing figures from the state Department of Agriculture.

Sarah Moesch, director of Shawano School District’s food service program through Taher Inc., said Friday she would eagerly embrace purchasing her dairy products locally, as long as she was able to keep within the USDA’s stringent nutritional requirements.

The district already purchases many of its fruits and vegetables through vendors in Bonduel and Black Creek, she said.

“I’ve never dabbled in the dairy, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it,” Moesch said. “I know some other schools that have brought in goats and had creameries come in and talk about goat cheese. Obviously, we’re a dairy state.”

Kane, who spoke Thursday at the Wisconsin Farm to School Summit, said the cafeteria should be an extension of the school’s education, not just a place where students rush through.

“What if the kinds of foods that the kids are eating in the cafeteria are then used in science class or discussed in math class?” Kane said, adding, “What if school lunch looked, and felt a little more like, family meal time?”

Shawano has participated in the Farm to School program for four years, and the district also provides meals for the Gresham School District. Besides providing good food to the students, Farm to School offers a learning experience for the students, according to Moesch.

“Some of the students are not raised in a rural setting. Some of them may not be familiar, if they’re not farmers, where their food comes from, especially younger children,” Moesch said. “It’s more of an educational piece.”

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

Kotter taking post in IllinoisBy: 

Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent

Former Clintonville City Administrator Lisa (Kuss) Kotter has accepted a similar position in Geneseo, Illinois.

Kotter said she will move to Geneseo and begin her duties in mid-February. Geneseo, a city with a population of about 6,600, is in McHenry County.

Interim City Administrator Chuck Kell, meanwhile, has completed a job description for Kotter’s successor in Clintonville. The council has approved the description, which calls for a salary range of $73,000 to $80,000.

Kell said the proposed salary is a little lower than for administrators in some communities similar in size to Clintonville, but it would be appropriate for a less experienced administrator.

Kotter earned $80,200 annually as Clintonville’s administrator. She will make $90,000 in Geneseo.

Kotter resigned in September after two suspensions and months of controversy. Her resignation took effect just eight days after her 17-year anniversary as the city administrator.

After weeks of negotiations, the city agreed to pay Kotter through May 15, 2015, and Kotter agreed not to file any complaints against the city.

Her departure, according to a joint news release issued by Kotter and the city, was not based on any misconduct but rather on “philosophical and stylistic differences.”

Kotter was initially suspended May 13 by the Common Council after members raised undisclosed allegations against her.

The council voted 6-4 on May 27 to extend Kotter’s suspension and refer allegations of misconduct to the city’s labor attorney. Mayor Judith Magee vetoed that vote June 2, and Kotter returned to work.

On June 10, the council, with a 6-4 vote, failed to override Magee’s veto, falling one vote short of the required supermajority. Many city residents spoke in support of Kotter and Magee at the June meeting, which had to be moved from City Hall to the Community Center because of the overflow crowd.

The council then voted 7-3 in July to indefinitely place Kotter on administrative leave while continuing its investigation.

Although the council never discussed its concerns about Kotter in open session, area media reported the allegations involved misuse of city funds for family vacations while on work trips. Kotter said she did nothing wrong.

The controversy, at least in part, prompted resident William VanDaalwyk to launch a successful recall effort against District 4 Alderman Greg Rose.

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

Shawano Police Department

Jan. 28

Police logged 41 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 26-year-old woman was taken into custody on a warrant after a traffic stop in the 1000 block of East Green Bay Street.

Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident at Lakeland and Green Bay streets.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint at Green Bay and Andrews streets.

Code Violations — Police logged nine complaints of snow and ice not cleared from sidewalks.

Juvenile — Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B, reported two students left the school without permission.

Juvenile — Police logged two truancy complaints from Olga Brener Intermediate School, 1300 S. Union St.

Assist — Police assisted Shawano County authorities in looking for a missing 79-year-old woman. She was later located at Main and Division streets..

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint in the 500 block of South Sawyer Street.

Accident — Police responded to a car versus deer accident in the 1300 block of East Green Bay Street.

Drug Offense — A charge of abuse of a hazardous substance was referred against a 15-year-old boy after police responded to a report that he was huffing an inhalant in one of the bathrooms at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Jan. 28

Deputies logged 36 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — A 20-year-old man who was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over at Waukechon and Green Bay streets in Shawano was cited for underage drinking.

Auto Theft — A truck was reported stolen outside the Leaky Roof Tavern in Gresham, 1276 Main St.

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

Missing Person — A 79-year-old woman reported missing from Campfire Road in Waukechon was found safe at Main and Division streets in Shawano after a search by sheriff’s deputies and Shawano police.

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

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

Warrant — A 30-year-old man was taken into custody on a warrant on Willow Road in Angelica.

Accidents — Authorities logged five accidents, including four deer-related crashes.

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

Food pantry needs additional storage spaceBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Resale Store assistant Percy Schwerke cleans an item prepared for sale Thursday. The store, located behind the Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center, is closing to provide more space for the food pantry.
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Resale Store manager Shirley Ebelt waits to check out customers Thursday. The store, located behind the Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center, is closing to provide more space for the food pantry.

The Resale Store behind the Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center will close its doors to make room for more storage space for the pantry.

The SAFPARC board of directors decided Thursday to close the store, which opened 11 years ago, when its inventory is depleted.

The store sells a variety of items, including furniture, televisions, books and seasonal decor. Proceeds from the sale of donated household items all go to the food pantry, 218 E. Richmond St., Shawano.

“It was a joint decision,” said Flo Withers, coordinator of SAFPARC. “At the food pantry, we had storage problems.”

“The pantry has grown to great numbers, and they are going to need the space,” agreed Shirley Ebelt, who helped open the Resale Store.

Ebelt said the store will no longer accept donations and is liquidating its inventory for the eventual closure.

“Right now we are keeping this open until we have no customers or no merchandise,” Ebelt said.

Ebelt said she and store assistant Percy Schwerke began discussing the closure about two months ago.

“Percy and I are both going to be 82 years old in the spring, and we feel that this was the right time,” Ebelt said.

Schwerke previously ran a food pantry at Shawano United Methodist Church, and opted to join SAFPARC when he learned of the opportunity.

The positive experience he had at the Resale Store led him to join the board of directors and remain as a volunteer.

“When I decided to get involved with this, I knew this was going to be a wonderful thing and it has,” Schwerke said.

Schwerke said there has been a steady decrease of donations since the store opened.

However, both have been grateful to the community support for more than a decade.

“We would like to thank them for their commitment over the last 11 years … and I hope to see them at the pantry,” Ebelt said.

Proceeds from the Resale Store have helped the food pantry pay expenses, purchase food and maintain the property, Withers said.

Withers said the food pantry remains strong, courtesy of a generous community.

“We got the best donors out there that support us,” Withers said. “The community is behind us.”

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

Menominee could file lawsuitBy: 

The Associated Press

The Associated Press Menominee Tribe Vice Chair Crystal Chapman-Chevalier joins with union workers and a bipartisan group of state lawmakers to urge Gov. Scott Walker to reconsider his rejection of a Kenosha casino on Thursday in Madison.

Members of the Menominee Tribe, southeastern Wisconsin union workers and a bipartisan group of state lawmakers came together Thursday to urge Gov. Scott Walker to reconsider his rejection of a proposed new casino in Kenosha.

Walker turned down the tribe’s proposal last week and reiterated on Wednesday that he would not change his mind. Even so, those who have worked years on the $800 million casino project said are not willing to give up until the Feb. 19 deadline set by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs for a decision.

“It is not too late,” said Crystal Chapman-Chevalier, vice chair of the poverty-stricken Menominee Tribe. She said the opportunity to create more than 10,000 new jobs presented a “once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunity” for the tribe and the state that Walker couldn’t walk away from in good faith.

Chapman-Chevalier hinted that the tribe may file a lawsuit over Walker’s decision, saying that it was exploring all of its legal options.

Walker, who is considering running for president in 2016 and faces a $2 billion state budget shortfall, said approving the casino put Wisconsin at risk of losing hundreds of millions of dollars if the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe successfully withheld payments. That tribe vehemently opposed the project out of fears it would cut into profits of its lucrative Milwaukee casino, the state’s largest, and last year withheld a $25 million payment to the state when it appeared the Kenosha casino may be approved.

“I can’t in good faith look at the people of the state and say that I can put $100 million out of the budget now and over the next few months and even more in the future,” Walker said Wednesday.

Walker said after nearly a year and a half of working to reach a deal, he couldn’t find one that wouldn’t put hundreds of millions of dollars at risk.

Casino advocates renewed their argument Thursday that there was no risk of losing any money because the Menominee promised to cover any Potawatomi losses and even put up a $250 million bond to protect the state.

Republican Rep. Samantha Kerkman, of Salem, joined with four Democrats from the region to ask Walker to change his mind. Ten lawmakers, including Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, sent Walker a letter this week urging approval of the project.

Local union workers who stood to work on building the casino and entertainment complex, which was to include a Hard Rock Cafe, joined with the politicians and tribal members at the news conference.

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

She faces charges of auto theft, burglaryBy: 

Leader Staff

A Green Bay woman reported missing last month is due in Shawano County court Monday after being located in Wittenberg with a stolen vehicle.

Christina L. McDaniel-Rose, 38, has been charged in Shawano County with a felony count of operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent.

According to the criminal complaint, the vehicle was stolen in Minnesota, and McDaniel-Rose was also wanted for an alleged burglary in Three Lakes.

Shawano County sheriff’s deputies attempted to locate McDaniel-Rose on Dec. 20, after being informed she had been reported missing and was believed to be at the Best Western in Wittenberg.

A Best Western desk clerk told deputies a woman matching McDaniel-Rose’s description had registered as “Sam Miller” and was driving a vehicle that authorities later learned had been reported stolen out of Bloomington, Minnesota, Dec. 17.

Meanwhile, deputies also learned that McDaniel-Rose was a suspect in the Three Lakes burglary, according to the criminal complaint.

According to the complaint, McDaniel-Rose told authorities she left her home in Green Bay because she was no longer wanted there and drove to Minnesota, where she stole a vehicle after finding the key on the ground outside the vehicle.

She said she drove the vehicle to Three Lakes, where she took money and other belongings from the residence of her ex.

McDaniel-Rose was bound over for trial Jan. 16 in Oneida County on charges of burglary and felony theft. She is free on a $1,000 cash bond and is scheduled for a pre-trial conference there March 10.

McDaniel-Rose is due to appear in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court on Monday for an initial appearance on her charges here.

She could face a maximum 3½ years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of operating a motor vehicle without the owners consent. She is also charged with misdemeanor theft, for allegedly stealing a Best Western employee’s cell phone while staying there, and obstructing an officer for giving a false name.

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

By: 

Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent

The Clintonville School Board on Monday approved the school calendar for 2015-2016.

The new calendar calls for 179 student days, one parent/teacher conference day and 12 teacher in-service/professional development days.

The first day of instruction for students will be Sept. 1. The last day of instruction will be June 2, 2016.

There will be no school the day before Thanksgiving. Graduation is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. May 28, 2016.

The discussion centered mainly on the teachers.

“We keep dumping on teachers. They are absolutely overworked,” board member Jim Schultz said.

“These people have families, too,” board member Pat Schley said.

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

Area residents will be able to vote April 7 on Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s proposed expansion.

The NWTC board on Monday voted in favor of placing the issue before the voters.

“We’re at capacity,” said H. Jeffrey Rafn, NWTC president. “We need to make changes to support industries that need more trained workers and Wisconsin residents who need more economic opportunities.”

NWTC is requesting $66.5 million for improving its campuses in Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay and Marinette. The increased space — 160,000 square feet of new space and 240,000 square feet of renovated space — will increase capacity by an additional 1,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) students.

The referendum will increase the tax levy by $7.50 per year for a $150,000 house for 15 years.

The proposed expansions and upgrades focus on relieving critical workforce shortages in trades and engineering, but it also would include expansions in business, IT, public safety and rural health education.

Board members said the expansion will help NWTC support the region with 900 more skilled workers per year in technologically advanced jobs.

The college’s most recent referendum, in 2001, enabled NWTC to accommodate 5,000 FTE students. The college is currently serving more than 7,000 students.

Community College Week, a national education publication, recently analyzed U.S. Department of Education data and listed NWTC as the 14th fastest-growing large two-year college in the United States.

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

Ban extended to human services buildingsBy: 

Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

The Shawano County Board amended its weapons policy Wednesday by a 24-3 vote, removing the fairgrounds from the list of prohibited county-owned areas and adding the two buildings where the Human Services Department operates.

The fairgrounds had originally been removed from one paragraph of the original ordinance passed in 2012 listing prohibited places, but language remained in two other paragraphs, which made the fairgrounds a prohibited zone.

The Fellman Center and the Lakeland Center were not part of the 2012 debate, but employees in those buildings have expressed concern about someone unstable carrying firearms into the buildings and trying to harm or kill people.

Signs are up in those buildings, just as they are in other places where weapons are prohibited — courthouse, jail, work release center and sheriff’s office. However, they were not officially listed in the county ordinance.

“Weapons do not belong in those buildings. It’s that simple,” said Rick Kane, human services director. “We have a very fragile group of people that come in, and I want some sign up there that says ‘No guns allowed.’ That might make the difference between someone carrying a gun and somebody not.”

Supervisor Bonnie Olson was the lone no vote when the ordinance amendment came before the Human Services Board. She proposed an amendment at the County Board meeting to eliminate the Lakeland and Fellman centers from the prohibited areas; the amendment failed.

Olson said that no one really knows how many people are carrying weapons into any building, due to the state’s concealed carry firearms laws. She feared that any signs prohibiting weapons would only stop law-abiding citizens.

“To me, when you restrict law-abiding citizens from carrying in those buildings, it makes no sense,” Olson said.

Supervisor Richard Ferfecki, who also sits on the Human Services Board, said the ban was necessary. He spoke with some employees who feared for their lives or the lives of their clients if the buildings were not off-limits to weapons.

“We’re dealing with a different situation,” Ferfecki said. “What happens if an unstable person grabs hold of a weapon and starts shooting, and two minutes before the police get there, he can do away with a lot of people. It’s just common sense that these buildings should be posted (off limits to weapons).”

Supervisor Deb Noffke argued that signs prohibiting weapons would give unstable scofflaws an idea of where to go to cause harm.

“What kind of sign would you like? ‘Attention, nutcases. The law abiding citizens have been disarmed for your convenience,’” Noffke said.

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

11 incidents reported since FridayBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Shawano County authorities logged five new burglary complaints Tuesday, bringing the total to 11 since reports started coming on Friday.

“They seem to be on the rise,” Sheriff’s Department Capt. Tom Tuma said.

Though the crimes are still under investigation, Tuma said, there is a likelihood the break-ins are related. Most were reported in the town of Wescott, but one was also reported Tuesday in the town of Washington.

“Chances are they’re tied together when you see a pattern develop like this,” Tuma said.

Though most of the burglaries have been to sheds and garages, Tuesday’s reports included a trailer broken into on a construction site on Woods Road.

Other break-ins Tuesday included two on Balsam Row Road and one on Balsam Lane.

A residence was also reported burglarized on County Road E in the town of Washington.

The string of burglary complaints started coming in Friday. The weekend break-ins were reported mostly to sheds and garages on Stark Road and Pine Court, but also to a mobile home on Pioneer Drive. An ice shack on the lake was also reported broken into.

An attempted burglary was also reported on Curt Black Road.

The incidents are all still under investigation.

Tuma said there were a number of steps property owners could take to deter burglars, including installing exterior lights and making sure homes, garages and sheds are properly secured.

“Every exterior door should have quality deadbolts,” he said.

Tuma said property owners should make their properties a harder target for thieves, helping ensure that, if they do get in, they will be more likely to leave evidence behind.

“In today’s world of DNA, if you force a burglar to break a window and crawl through jagged glass, that’s a good thing, because they’re going to leave DNA behind,” he said.

Also important, Tuma said, is knowing your neighbors and being alert to suspicious behavior.

Tuma said residents shouldn’t be shy about calling in a report of a suspicious person or vehicle.

“We’ll check it out,” he said.

AT A GLANCE

Sheriff Adam Bieber posted the following tips on Facebook in light of recent burglaries:

• Meet with your neighbors and talk about how you can make your neighborhood safe.

• Stay up past your normal bedtime to see what activity is occurring in your neighborhood.

• Activate or install motion lights on out buildings.

• Install cameras.

• Consider security companies that can help secure your building.

• Look over your buildings and property to see how you can secure windows and doors to make it difficult for burglars to enter.

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

By: 

The Associated Press

Gov. Scott Walker says he is not going to reconsider his decision to reject a new casino in Kenosha.

Walker commented Wednesday after a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, urged Walker to change his mind.

Walker reiterated that he believed approving the $800 million casino would put the state on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars in losses due to terms of a compact with the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe.

The lawmakers said in their letter that Walker is ignoring terms of the state’s compact with the Menominee requiring the tribe to make up any Potawatomi losses.

The lawmakers said the potential benefit to the state in jobs and economic development offered by the Kenosha casino is too great to pass up.

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

Shawano Police Department

Jan. 27

Police logged 24 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Suspicious — Police responded to a complaint of a suspicious juvenile in the 200 block of South Washington Street. It turned out to be a child who missed his school bus. Police gave him a ride to school.

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Shawano Community Middle School, 1050 S. Union St.

Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run in the 600 block of East Elizabeth Street.

Juvenile — Police logged four truancy complaints from Olga Brener Intermediate School, 1300 S. Union St.

Shoplifting — The Store gas station, 404 E. Green Bay St., reported a shoplifting incident.

Disturbance — Police responded to a verbal dispute in the 500 block of West Picnic Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a verbal dispute in the 1200 block of South Prospect Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Jan. 27

Deputies logged 41 incidents, including the following:

Burglary — Authorities investigated multiple burglary complaints on Woods Road, Balsam Lane and Balsam Row Road in Wescott and County Road E in the town of Washington.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Tigerton Middle/High School, 213 Spaulding St., Tigerton.

Fire — Authorities responded to a residential fire on East Wood Avenue in Wittenberg.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance in the 1200 block of South Prospect Street in Shawano.

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Pathfinder Court in Wescott.

Clintonville Police Department

Jan. 27

Police logged 10 incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — A citation for disorderly conduct was issued on North Clinton Avenue.

Child Neglect — A child neglect complaint was under investigation.

Juvenile — Police logged two truancy complaints and a harassment complaint at the high school.

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

Felony OWI

A Shawano woman has been charged with a felony count of operating while intoxicated after being pulled over early Monday for driving a vehicle with an expired registration.

Odaya N. Nowell, 35, was on probation at the time of the incident and prohibited from consuming alcohol, according to the criminal complaint. The complaint states a preliminary breath test showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.06 percent.

Nowell could face a maximum six years in prison and $10,000 fine if found guilty of fourth-offense OWI.

According to the complaint, she has previous OWI convictions in Shawano, Menominee and Waupaca counties.

Nowell was ordered held on a $2,000 cash bond and is scheduled for an initial court appearance Feb. 9.

Felony retail theft

A Gillett man waived his preliminary hearing and entered a plea of not guilty Monday to a felony charge of retail theft.

Alan D. Waukau, 26, is accused of working in concert with an employee at the Shawano Walmart in a scheme to steal merchandise and large amounts of cash.

The employee, Keleigh M. Isham, 20, of Shawano, was charged earlier this month.

According to the criminal complaint, Isham scanned incorrect amounts into the cash register and passed cash and merchandise to Waukau while working at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay between Nov. 23 and Dec. 17.

The complaint alleges more than $2,000 in merchandise and more than $5,200 in cash were stolen.

Waukau could face 3½ years in prison and a $10,000 fine if found guilty. He and Isham are both scheduled for pre-trial conferences on March 31.

Isham could face a maximum possible penalty of six years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine if found guilty of felony theft in a business setting, and 3½ years and a $10,000 fine for felony retail theft.

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

The Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce recently announced its newly elected directors and officers to serve on the board of directors for 2015.

They include Kathy Hansen, Body Essentials, president; Melissa Moore, KerberRose S.C., president-elect; Char Larsen, Premier Investment Services, treasurer; Mary White, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats, immediate past president.

John Van Ooyen, Frontier Communications, was elected to the board, and Melissa Moore and Jon Aumann, Edward Jones Investments, were re-elected to serve their second three-year terms.

Keith Marquardt, Shawano County parks manager, was recently re-elected to the position of president of the Shawano Country Tourism Council, a division of the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce, and will fill the tourism representative position on the chamber of commerce board of directors.

Departing board members are Debbie Kaczorowski, Shawano Specialty Papers; Dr. Carrie Verkuilen, Verkuilen Chiropractic & Wellness Center; and Mary Zimanek, ‘Til the Cows Come Home.

The board is comprised of 15 chamber members from throughout Shawano County representing the areas of agriculture, manufacturing, retail/business, tourism, education, government and professionals. Seven additional liaison board members represent Shawano County, Shawano County Economic Progress Inc., Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, city of Shawano, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, Leadership Shawano County and the chamber ambassadors.

The Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce is a 420-member organization that works to advance economic growth by coordinating resources and providing networking, promotion and education to businesses in Shawano and Menominee counties.

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

Pickup taken from service centerBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

A Pulaski man is facing a felony auto theft charge for allegedly stealing a vehicle to help pull his friend out of a ditch.

Jacob B. Vandreel, 20, is accused of taking a Chevy pickup truck from the Green Valley Service Center on Nov. 29.

According to the criminal complaint, the incident started shortly before 2 a.m. on County Road E in Green Valley, when Shawano County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from a homeowner stating that someone had driven through the yard and gotten stuck in a ditch.

The man driving the vehicle left on foot and returned with another man in a truck who was helping him pull the vehicle out, according to the homeowner.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived just as the first vehicle was being pulled out of the ditch. The man who had been driving that vehicle fled on foot when he saw the sheriff’s squad, according to the criminal complaint.

The driver of the truck was identified as Vandreel, who told authorities he was just passing by and helped someone out of a ditch. He was allowed to leave the scene.

The truck Vandreel was driving was later found abandoned on Laney Road in Green Valley with a “blown up engine.”

The truck had been reported stolen from the Green Valley Service Center, where it was in for repairs, according to the complaint.

Vandreel later admitted taking the truck, according to the criminal complaint, telling authorities it was a stupid mistake, but he was just trying to help out a friend.

He also said the incident wouldn’t have happened if the keys hadn’t been left in the truck.

Vandreel could face a maximum six years in prison and $10,000 fine if found guilty of operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. No initial court date has been set.

According to the complaint, the driver of the vehicle who drove into the ditch and fled the scene was a 19-year-old from Oconto Falls. He has been charged with misdemeanor counts of obstructing an officer and operating after revocation.

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

Shawano Police Department

Jan. 26

Police logged 26 incidents, including the following:

OWI — A 35-year-old woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated and operating after revocation at Green Bay Street and Fairview Avenue.

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

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 700 block of East Randall Street.

Warrant — A 36-year-old man was taken into custody on a warrant at the probation and parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.

Fraud — Police investigated a telephone scam complaint in the 100 block of Acorn Street.

Accident — Police responded to a property damage accident at Green Bay and Lincoln streets.

Shoplifting — Police responded to a shoplifting complaint at Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St.

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

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Jan. 26

Deputies logged 45 incidents, including the following:

Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on McDivitt Road in Wittenberg.

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

Theft — A 28-year-old Bowler man was cited for theft on County Road D in Seneca.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Jefferson Street in Bonduel.

Disturbance — Charges of disorderly conduct and battery were referred against a 33-year-old Gresham woman after a domestic disturbance on Main Street in Gresham.

Accidents — Authorities logged 17 accidents, including two deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

Jan. 26

Police logged eight incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Officers checked the area for a report of a suspicious person on Anne Street.

Disturbance — Officers responded for an uncontrollable juvenile complaint on Sixth Street.

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

Shawano Police Department

Jan. 25

Police logged 15 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Police investigated a juvenile alcohol complaint at the Wisconsin House, 216 E. Green Bay St.

Animal — Police took a stray cat to the Shawano County Humane Society, 1290 Jaycee Court.

Juvenile — Police responded to a complaint of juveniles blocking traffic riding their bikes in the middle of Main and Green Bay streets.

Jan. 24

Police logged 18 incidents, including the following:

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

Juvenile — Police performed a welfare check on juveniles playing on the ice in the 900 block of Water Street and cleared them off the ice for their safety.

Restraining Order — Police investigated a restraining order violation at Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St.

Jan. 23

Police logged 23 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — A report of a fight in progress in the 100 block of South Main Street turned out to be a scuffle between family members. One party was cited for disorderly conduct.

Suspicious Person — Police responding to a complaint at Lincoln and Center streets arrested a 30-year-old Shawano man on an outstanding warrant.

Reckless Driving — Police responded to a reckless driving complaint at Waukechon and Lieg streets.

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

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Jan. 25

Deputies logged 35 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a report of a fight in progress on Cedar Street in Wescott.

Burglary — Authorities investigated an attempted burglary on Curt Black Road in Wescott.

Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a drug complaint on County Road MM in Richmond.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Micks Road in Bowler.

Accidents — Authorities logged three accidents, including one deer-related crash.

Jan. 24

Deputies logged 20 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Authorities investigated a juvenile alcohol complaint on Cedar Street in Wescott.

Assault — Authorities investigated an assault on Potch Ha Chee Road in Birnamwood.

Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary on Stark Road in Wescott.

Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a drug complaint on state Highway 32 in Angelica.

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

Jan. 23

Deputies logged 45 incidents, including the following:

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Grand Avenue in Wittenberg.

Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary on Quartz Avenue in Mattoon.

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

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

Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary on Stark Road in Wescott.

Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary on Pine Court in Wescott.

Assault — Authorities investigated an assault on state Highway 117 in the town of Washington.

Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary on Pioneer Drive in Wescott.

Theft — Authorities responded to a theft complaint on state Highway 22 in the town of Washington.

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

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