Shawano Leader News

Shawano Police Department

Jan. 11

Police logged 14 incidents, including the following:

Arrest — A male subject was taken into custody for a probation and parole violation in the 100 block of East Fifth Street.

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

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of 800 block of Richmond Street.

Jan. 10

Police logged 17 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 500 block of West First Street.

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

Disturbance — Police responded to a report of a fight in progress in the 100 block of South Main Street.

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

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 500 block of West Sawyer Street.

Shoplifting — Police investigated a shoplifting complaint at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 200 block of East Green Bay Street.

OWI — A 25-year-old woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated at Washington Street and Lieg Avenue.

Jan. 9

Police logged 12 incidents, including the following:

Fraud — Police investigated a fraud complaint in the 100 block of Woodlawn Drive.

Juvenile — Police logged two truancy complaints from the Shawano School District.

Shoplifting — Police investigated a shoplifting complaint at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Accident — Police investigated a property damage accident at Richmond Street and Airport Drive.

Accident — Police investigated a property damage accident at Main and Oshkosh streets.

Accident — Police investigated a property damage accident at Richmond Street and Richmond streets.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Jan. 11

Deputies logged 39 incidents, including the following:

Drug Offense — A drug complaint was under investigation in the parking lot at the Shawano County Jail, 405 N. Main St., Shawano.

Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on Poplar Road in Richmond.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a report of a fight in progress at the Kwik Trip, 102 Express Way, Bonduel.

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

Accidents — Authorities logged five deer-related crashes.

Jan. 10

Deputies logged 30 incidents, including the following:

Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on Airport Drive in Richmond.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Brisa Sur Court in Angelica.

Warrant — A 30-year-old woman was taken into custody on a warrant on state Highway 47-55 in Wescott.

Accidents — Authorities logged an injury accident on Malueg Road in Tigerton and four deer-related crashes.

Jan. 9

Deputies logged 39 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Authorities logged two truancy complaints from the Bonduel School District, 400 W. Green Bay St., Bonduel.

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Sunset Drive in the town of Herman.

Theft — Authorities investigated a property theft complaint on Pine Drive in Red Springs.

Accidents — Authorities logged an injury accident on state Highway 29 in Herman and two deer-related crashes.

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Menominee spokesman praises decisionBy: 

The Associated Press

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has rejected a deal that called for Wisconsin to reimburse the Forest County Potawatomi for any losses the tribe suffers at its casino in Milwaukee if the Menominee Nation opens a casino less than 50 miles away in Kenosha, state and tribal officials announced Friday.

The federal agency’s decision is not the final word, however. Gov. Scott Walker has until Feb. 19 to approve or deny the proposed off-reservation casino.

The Menominee said the Bureau of Indian Affairs removed a large financial obstacle to getting the governor’s approval, while the Potawatomi vowed to sue and said they’re confident the courts will reinstate the agreement, which they’ve said could require the state to pay them $100 million if the project moves forward.

Walker’s administration was noncommittal, however.

“The rejection of this compact amendment should not be interpreted as a step toward Governor Walker rejecting or approving the proposed Kenosha casino,” Cullen Werwie, the administration’s spokesman on the casino, said in a statement. “As we review BIA’s decision, we will continue to gather information about the overall economic and financial impact of the proposed Kenosha casino. Moving forward, we will continue to have discussions and negotiations with interested parties.”

In a letter to Walker, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn said the bureau was troubled that the agreement would “shift to the Menominee the significant financial burden of preserving all of the Potawatomi monopoly profits” because the deal would have allowed the state to shift its payment obligations to the Menominee, one of the poorest tribes in the state.

The Menominee Nation has been pushing the proposal for more than two decades, hoping that a facility on the Wisconsin-Illinois border would draw gamblers from both the Milwaukee and Chicago areas and help pull the tribe out of poverty.

The Potawatomi tribe wants to protect its revenues from its own lucrative casino in Milwaukee, the only casino in the area. Its 2005 gaming compact required the state to reimburse it for losses linked to a Kenosha casino, but the details of how that would happen were murky. Arbitrators came up with a compact amendment in November that formally held the state responsible for making sure the Potawatomi got paid, and that was the deal the bureau rejected Friday.

Menominee spokesman Michael Beightol said in an interview that the decision is “really terrific news for all of the state as well as the Menominee because … it removes this attempt to extort $100 million from the taxpayers of the state and clears the way for Gov. Walker to negotiate a new compact with the Menominee that addresses any of the budget concerns the state might have.”

The Kenosha casino would be run by Hard Rock International, which is owned by the Florida-based Seminole tribe, and the Potawatomi contends that means dollars spent at it would flow out of Wisconsin.

“The Potawatomi remain confident that Governor Walker will not find it in the best interest of Wisconsin to approve a project that could simultaneously cost the State hundreds of millions of dollars over multiple years and send hundreds of millions of dollars to Florida,” Forest County Potawatomi Attorney General Jeff Crawford said in a statement.

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Shawano steps up for Law Enforcement Appreciation DayBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Tim Ryan From left, Shawano police officers, from left, Noah Bunt and Tyler Thornborrow and Lt. Dan Maul hold up some of the cards and posters created by area schoolchildren in honor of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
Contributed Photo This photo shows a small sampling of the cards, letters and posters from area school children delivered Friday to the Shawano Police Department on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

The first Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was celebrated nationwide Friday, and officials here say the level of support and appreciation shown by the Shawano community would be hard to match anywhere else.

“I will challenge anyone to find another community that has shown their support as Shawano has,” Police Chief Mark Kohl said.

The department was flooded Friday with handmade cards, letters and posters from area schoolchildren. Some of the letters were written to specific officers, including School Resource Officer Jody Johnson.

“Some of the comments the younger students made were really refreshing to see,” Kohl said. “Really heartfelt and appreciative. They look at us as leaders in the community and more importantly people that can help them.

“They’ve said thanks in many ways in those cards and letters and posters. That is probably the best thing that really made our day today.”

Snacks and treats were brought in for officers from Walmart, St. James Lutheran School, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Safe Haven and elsewhere.

Area businesses displayed marquee messages and put up posters in their windows showing support for law enforcement.

One local restaurant kicked in some free beverages with food the department purchased.

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was promoted by FBI National Academy Associates Inc. in partnership with other agencies.

Shawano Mayor Lorna Marquardt issued a proclamation in honor of the day and invited the community to show its support.

The result has been humbling, Kohl said.

“It’s nice to be recognized for our involvement and contribution to the community and their safety,” he said.

On the other hand, it’s not really a surprise, according to Kohl.

“It’s something that I noticed when I started here May 1 and when I was here before,” he said. “There’s something unique about the city of Shawano and the Shawano area. They’ve always been supportive of public safety. I’ve worked in many places over 30 years and I’ve never seen this.”

Kohl said the feeling was mutual for the department’s officers.

“We’re very proud to serve the community,” he said.

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Numerical grading system provides more detailsBy: 

Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

Parents of elementary-grade students will see a new grading system when the Shawano School District sends home report cards later this month.

Officials announced this week that report cards for grades K-5 will be moving away from a plus/minus grading system in favor of a numerical system from 1 to 4. Also, report cards will provide more details on what students are doing well, as well as areas where they are not meeting standards.

Under the former system, a plus indicated a passing grade and a minus did not.

Kelley Swartz, the district’s curriculum, instruction and assessment director, said Friday that the old system did not provide parents with enough information.

“A minus could mean they have no idea, or it could mean they’re almost there (on the standards),” she said. “It wasn’t giving as much feedback as we could.”

With new state curriculum and academic standards taking effect for all grades, district officials decided now would be a good time to implement a new grading system.

“I think we heard enough feedback from teachers and parents … that they were wanting more information,” Swartz said. “The other thing was, with the new standards, we needed to make some changes and updates, as well. A revision was needed anyway, and we felt giving more information than that plus or minus, it was a good thing.”

Students will receive grades for academic subjects and behavior. The report cards will show if students are behaving in class or if they are hindering their own learning and the learning of others.

On the numerical grading system, a 3 indicates that students are learning at the grade level, equivalent to an A. Swartz noted that parents should not be concerned if their children do not have 4s across the board.

“A 4 means they are exceeding the grade-level standards and can do that independently and consistently. A 3 is they are meeting the grade-level standards, and that’s great,” Swartz said.

The old report cards provided one comment box for teachers to provide feedback. The new cards will allow teachers to give detailed information on each subject.

The report cards will be distributed at the end of each semester — January and June. Fall parent-teacher conferences will provide parents with a progress report on how children are doing, Swartz said.

“We don’t have a fall report card, but what we do is provide a checklist explaining that this is what we’re seeing so far,” she said.

District officials will be providing parents with full details on the new report cards throughout January. More information on grading will be presented later this month at www.shawanoschools.com.

AT A GLANCE

Academic grades for K-5:

4: Exceeding the grade-level standard. Produces quality work consistently and independently. Typically, few students perform at this level.

3: Meeting the grade-level standard. Produces quality work independently. This is the goal for the grade level.

2: Progressing toward the grade-level standard. Producing the required level work with teacher direction and assistance. Indicates ongoing growth.

1: Does not yet meet the grade-level standard. Not able to produce grade-level work. Intervention is needed from teachers and parents.

Behavioral grades for K-5:

4: Consistently demonstrates age/grade appropriate behavior. Assumes leadership responsibilities in the classroom, and encourages and supports other classmates.

3: Consistently demonstrates age/grade appropriate social and academic behaviors. Meets the expected standard without teacher reminders.

2: Inconsistently demonstrates or needs reminders to meet expectations as communicated by the teacher.

1: These behaviors are interfering with their learning and possibly the learning of others.

Source: Shawano School District

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Shawano Police Department

Jan. 8

Police logged 20 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 600 block of East Schurz Street.

Theft — A vehicle was reported broken into in the 400 block of Humphrey Circle.

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

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem at Hillcrest Primary School, 1410 S. Waukechon St.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 500 block of West Second Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Jan. 8

Deputies logged 35 incidents, including the following:

Fire — Authorities responded to a barn fire on Hatchery Road in Seneca.

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

Warrant — A male subject was taken into custody on a warrant on County Road M in Pella.

Fraud — North Star Casino, W12180 County Road A, Bowler, reported a $20 counterfeit bill.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Elm Road in Richmond.

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

Clintonville Police Department

Jan. 8

Police logged seven incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — A suspicious incident was reported on South Main Street.

Disorderly — A warning was issued for disorderly conduct on South Main Street.

Welfare — A welfare check was completed on Stewart Street, and a mental health commitment was subsequently completed.

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Cellcom is warning local residents about people who are posing as representatives for the wireless provider to gain access to homes.

A New London customer called Cellcom earlier this week to report that two men in an unmarked truck arrived at his home and stated they needed to go inside to check on something that was causing interference with one of the cell site towers. The homeowner refused to let the individuals inside and called the police department.

Cellcom immediately checked vehicle GPS logs for Cellcom and its sister company, Nsight Telservices, and determined no company vehicles were in the New London area. Cellcom contacted the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Department, and an incident report has been filed.

Cellcom advises customers to be wary of any one who attempts to gain access to their home and is not clearly identified as a company representative. All technicians for Cellcom and Nsight Telservices carry identification and will present an ID to a customer before asking to enter a residence. The technicians drive vans that display the Cellcom or Nsight Telservices logo.

Cellcom encourages people to call the company’s customer care team at 800-236-0055 to report any suspicious requests or to call the police if they feel threatened or unsafe.

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Last day will be in AprilBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. store at Shawano Plaza will shut down in April, affecting about 25 employees.

A spokesperson for the retail chain confirmed Thursday that the store would close on or about April 4.

“We continually evaluate our store portfolio to determine whether there’s a need to close or relocate underperforming stores,” said Sarah Holland, media relations manager for JCPenney Communications, in an email.

“While it’s never an easy decision to close stores, especially due to the impact on our valued associates and customers, we feel this is a necessary business decision,” Holland said.

Holland said eligible associates who do not remain with the company will receive separation benefits. She said the company would assist employees in finding other job opportunities at nearby JCPenney stores, if possible.

“Additionally, we’re offering all associates an on-site career training class,” Holland said. “The class will assist associates in writing resumes, filling out applications, answering interview questions and more.”

Dennis Heling, chief economic development officer of Shawano County Economic Progress Inc., said the Department of Workforce Development would organize a “rapid response team” to assist employees, as it did with the Kmart situation.

The team would include representatives from the Shawano County Job Center, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and job counselors to provide help in enhancing resumes and finding other job alternatives, as well as providing information on health care options, Heling said.

The J.C. Penney Co. also said Thursday that about 40 of its 1,060 stores nationwide would be closed this year, affecting about 2,250 employees. Most are slated to close on April 4.

Shawano Mayor Lorna Marquardt said she was saddened to hear that the Shawano store was among them.

“Obviously that is devastating to the employees and their families as well to the community as a whole,” she said. “We never want to hear of businesses closing. We will do everything we can to support those who have lost their job.

“We will continue to try to bring new businesses into our community and retain and support those who are already here.”

The JCPenney store at 128 Woodlawn Drive opened in 1990.

Kmart, which was located in the same plaza, closed in July. That closure affected 55 employees.

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New uniforms among early changesBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

After four days on the job, Shawano County’s new sheriff hasn’t had time to decorate the walls of his office, but he expects most of the space will be taken up with family photos.

“I like seeing my family,” Adam Bieber said.

There will be photos from coaching youth wrestling; something he was headed out to do at the end of his workday Thursday after sitting down with a Leader reporter for an interview.

“It feels good to finally get in here and meet the guys I’ll be working with every day,” Bieber said. “It’s been busy, and that’s what I’ve been looking for. It seems challenging, and it’s interesting to me, and that’s what I like.”

Bieber, formerly a Shawano police officer, defeated Sheriff Randy Wright in the August primary and again in the November election when Wright ran as a write-in.

Bieber said he has met with several deputies who have asked him what his vision is for the department.

“Quite frankly, I don’t know,” Bieber said. “Right now, I like the way the sheriff’s department is set up. I had no plans during the campaign or anything to make drastic changes or fire anybody or do anything crazy. I have high respect for the sheriff’s department and how they operate.”

Bieber said there had been rumors of what he had planned during the campaign.

“People have started rumors of what I’m going to do when I come in here, and I’m glad they’re coming in to ask me what my vision is,” he said.

Bieber said he sent an email to department staff outlining his expectations of them and said those expectations were short and simple.

“Treat people how you’d like to be treated, and an honest day’s work type mentality,” he said.

Bieber said he has always had a positive image of the sheriff’s department and how it was run.

“I disagreed with a few things,” he said. “But I have a high respect for how they operate. They do a great job over here. They know their thing.”

Bieber has already implemented one change, however. New uniforms that will be adopted over the next year.

“If we’re going to move forward, it seems like public perception of law enforcement, of the sheriff’s department is not 100 percent positive,” Bieber said. “I would just want to move forward with my deputies. One way to do that, that togetherness, is to have new uniforms. It can help with morale; it can help with moving forward and putting things in the past.”

The new design trades the brown shirts for tan and allows for less expensive black pants. It also prominently displays an American flag patch on the chest, with county patches on the shoulders.

“Our uniform will be unique,” Bieber said. “I don’t know if there’s another department in state that has the tan over black with the black epaulettes. So we will be very unique and that’s what I’m looking for. I think Shawano County is unique and I want us to be unique. I want us to look professional.”

Bieber said he also likes the flag being displayed.

“I think it looks sharp; it’s unique,” he said.

Deputies get an annual allowance for uniform purchases and will have until April 2016 to transition to the new design, Bieber said.

Bieber is also giving up the sheriff’s personal squad car, as he promised in his campaign.

That squad will go to another deputy currently driving an older model, and Capt. Tom Tuma will keep his squad a little longer rather than trading it in this year.

“That’s saving us from buying two new cars,” Bieber said, cutting about $24,000 from the county budget.

“I’m not sure what we’ll do with the extra money,” Bieber said, but he plans to talk with the finance department and see if there’s a way to shift those savings to the department’s K-9 program.

Other things on Bieber’s plate include an ordinance that would allow for a fine for possession of small amounts of marijuana rather than a criminal charge.

“There’s people that walk around with a dime bag or a joint. We take that seriously, but I don’t want to make criminals out of people if that’s their lifestyle choice and they choose to do that,” Bieber said. “I really want to go after the people that are growing it illegally, the distributors of it.”

The idea has been floated in the past and was met with some opposition from department staff.

“I know some detectives and officers might be against that,” Bieber said, adding that he personally disagrees with marijuana use and doesn’t condone it.

Bieber said the city of Shawano already has an ordinance violation for small amounts of marijuana that has been working well.

“We want to keep the use of marijuana in the shadows,” he said. “We don’t want people doing it out in the open. Do it in your own house; don’t be bringing it out and don’t be pushing it on anybody. We don’t condone drug use, but we don’t want to tie up the court system either.”

One area Bieber said he would like to crack down on, however, is welfare fraud.

“That’s something I really want to focus on,” he said.

One of the most contentious issues in the sheriff’s campaign was evidence storage needs.

As of Thursday, Bieber had not looked at the department’s evidence storage room.

“I don’t need to look at it,” Bieber said.

“I’ve talked to (County Board Chairman) Jerry Erdmann and some of the other committee members,” he said. “There’s no emergency. There’s no need to build anything right now. Everything is working fine.”

Bieber said the issue is how to save money on how the county stores evidence for the long term, rather than renting space for such things as vehicles that need to be held for possible trial.

“That’s why you’d want to build a building,” he said. “Right now we’re renting space.”

In the meantime, he said, he doesn’t see a problem.

“Nobody’s being released from jail because of evidence storage issues or because evidence is disappearing,” he said.

The contentious campaign for sheriff was marked by an incident at the Republican Party picnic that included a dispute between Bieber and three of the department’s detectives.

That incident is under investigation by the county’s administrative committee. He said he has been briefed on that investigation but could not discuss it.

Bieber said he is willing to put the incident behind him.

“I’m just coming here doing my job and I’ll work with anybody,” he said. “On their end, I don’t know.”

Bieber said he has already made amends with one of the detectives involved.

“The other two guys, I haven’t talked to,” he said. “I’m going about my business and they’re going about their business. As long as they do their job, I’m going to do my job. I don’t hold any grudges. I don’t wish them ill. I wish them the best. I’ll work with them.”

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Shawano Police Department

Jan. 7

Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 300 block of South Washington Street.

Disturbance — Police investigated a report of a domestic disturbance in the 700 block of South Union Street.

Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run at Main and Richmond streets.

Theft — Police responded to a theft complaint in the 1300 block of South Lincoln Street.

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

Accident — Police responded to a property damage accident in the 900 block of East Green Bay Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Jan. 7

Deputies logged 35 incidents, including the following:

Reckless Driving — Authorities responded to as reckless driving complaint on state Highway 29 in Maple Grove.

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

Shoplifting — Authorities investigated a shoplifting complaint at the Dollar General, 243 S. Cecil St., Bonduel.

Suspicious — Authorities investigated a suspicious vehicle complaint on Cecil Street in Bonduel.

Suspicious — Authorities investigated a suspicious vehicle complaint on County Road D in Aniwa.

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

Clintonville Police Department

Jan. 7

Police logged eight incidents, including the following:

Accident — An accident report was completed for a property damage accident on Fifth Street.

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

Hit and Run — A hit-and-run property damage accident was reported on South Main Street.

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Last day will be in AprilBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. store at Shawano Plaza will shut down in April, affecting about 25 employees.

A spokesperson for the retail chain confirmed Thursday that the store would close on or about April 4.

“We continually evaluate our store portfolio to determine whether there’s a need to close or relocate underperforming stores,” said Sarah Holland, media relations manager for JCPenney Communications, in an email.

“While it’s never an easy decision to close stores, especially due to the impact on our valued associates and customers, we feel this is a necessary business decision,” Holland said.

Holland said eligible associates who do not remain with the company will receive separation benefits. She said the company would assist employees in finding other job opportunities at nearby JCPenney stores, if possible.

“Additionally, we’re offering all associates an on-site career training class,” Holland said. “The class will assist associates in writing resumes, filling out applications, answering interview questions and more.”

The store at 128 Woodlawn Drive opened in 1990.

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Community also showing supportBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Shawano police and Shawano County sheriff’s deputies crowded into the council chambers at City Hall on Wednesday to be recognized by the mayor and Common Council for their service. The recognition came ahead of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on Friday. Area schools and businesses are also participating in the national salute.
Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Shawano police and Shawano County sheriff’s deputies crowded into the council chambers at City Hall on Wednesday to be recognized by the mayor and Common Council for their service. The recognition came ahead of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on Friday. Area schools and businesses are also participating in the national salute.

Dozens of Shawano police and county sheriff’s deputies were on scene at City Hall on Wednesday, but not because there was anything wrong.

They were there to be recognized by the Common Council and hear a mayor’s proclamation ahead of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on Friday.

The event announced only last week has already become a communitywide celebration of those serving in public safety.

“As we talked to the community, it was so heart-warming to hear all the support that is out there for all of you,” Mayor Lorna Marquardt told the officers in attendance.

All area schools are participating, Marquardt said, with a number of law enforcement-related projects planned in many of the classrooms. Students on Friday are also being invited to wear either brown (the color of Sheriff’s Department uniforms) or blue in honor of city police.

Council members also wore blue at Wednesday’s meeting.

The business community is also stepping up with posters being put up in their windows expressing support for law enforcement.

The city also has decals showing support for law enforcement that will be available to residents free of charge at City Hall and the Police Department on Friday.

“I’m amazed at the phone calls saying, ‘How many stickers can I get?’” Marquardt said.

The city is limiting it to one sticker per person given the limited number on hand.

“It’s great to have so many people in the community want to display this sticker,” she said.

Marquardt’s proclamation acknowledged “the recent negativity directed toward law enforcement nationally,” which has been fostered by incidents where African-Americans died at the hands of police in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York.

“This isn’t of course just for Shawano law enforcement,” she said. “We’re recognizing law enforcement nationwide. We think they need our support and we hope other communities are doing the same thing because we think it’s very important.”

Police Chief Mark Kohl called the city’s recognition “very humbling” and said it displayed a show of solidarity from city officials not seen in most other communities.

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is being promoted by FBI National Academy Associates Inc. in partnership with other agencies.

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Fuel on buses a factor in decisionBy: 

Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

Bells rang Wednesday at schools in the Shawano School District, but there were no students hurrying to class.

The Shawano School District, along with Wittenberg-Birnamwood, Menominee Tribal School, Sacred Heart Catholic School and Wolf River Lutheran High School, cancelled school for the day when wind chills were expected to reach dangerous subzero levels.

Other area school districts, including Bonduel, Gresham, Menominee Indian, Bowler and Clintonville, decided to delay the start of school by two hours Wednesday.

Shawano’s decision to close was influenced by information gleaned Monday, when school officials opted to delay the start of school by two hours due to the cold weather and dangerous wind chills.

“On Monday, I was talking with the bus garage supervisor,” Superintendent Gary Cumberland said. “He indicated there were a couple of buses that, when they were going into the wind, their fuel was starting to gel a little bit.”

Cumberland said he wanted to give the officials with Johnson Bus Company, which provides bus service to the school district, time to solve the fuel gelling issue.

The gelling wasn’t causing any buses to stall, but they needed to travel at slower speeds, and Cumberland was uncomfortable having kids stand out in subzero weather longer than necessary while waiting for buses.

When the problem wasn’t completely figured out Tuesday, Cumberland made the decision around 10 p.m. to cancel classes.

“My main concern was the safety of the students,” he said.

Cumberland also said he checked weather reports and saw that the 5 a.m. wind chill was predicted to be minus 28 degrees, six degrees lower than on Monday. Two hours later, the forecast was for minus 34 at 7 a.m.

“I was concerned that we were already colder than we were Monday morning,” Cumberland said. “I saw the temperature actually getting worse, not better, so it didn’t make sense for me to have a two-hour delay.”

Bonduel School District Superintendent Patrick Rau said the wind chill was only a minor factor in his decision to order a two-hour delay. He said the air temperature, which was below zero, was more of a factor.

“I looked back at last year’s winter low temps,” Rau said. “Last year, we had school on 17 days that had a lower (air) temperature than today. We always take it day by day and by situation.”

There have been no problems with bus performance this week, Rau said, and all students have made it to school safely.

Rau and Cumberland both said that there is no firm threshold for wind chill or temperatures to trigger school delays or cancellations. Wind chill advisories both days expected the wind temps to be below minus 25 degrees at the time buses would be picking up students.

A wind chill advisory is in effect until noon Thursday.

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9 people hospitalized this monthBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Personnel at Shawano Medical Center are among the health care workers at facilities across the U.S. battling a flu epidemic.

According to clinic officials, SMC staff have seen 126 patients with symptoms related to the flu this season. Nine people were admitted for a combined total of 26 days since the start of 2015.

“That is when we started keeping track of the numbers, after noticing a spike in cases,” said Carol Ryczek, community relations manager for ThedaCare.

The Centers for Disease Control declared a nationwide flu epidemic Dec. 30. The deaths of 15 children have been linked to the flu.

None of the confirmed cases in Shawano County have been children.

Cases of the flu typically peak at the end of January and early February. The elevated activity might be a result of a drift in the flu strain, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control, meaning the vaccine issued for the flu season isn’t quite covering this year’s strain.

“The flu is particularly nasty this year,” said Jaime Bodden, public health officer for the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department.

Bodden said the four flu strains have been stronger this year. According to the CDC, the H3N2 influenza A strain is the most common this year. Other strains are the H1N1 and two B-viruses, which originated in Massachusetts and Brisbane, Australia.

People at higher risk for flu complications are those over 65, young children and individuals with chronic disease, such as asthma or heart problems.

“It is most common in the elderly, but the general population has seen it,” Bodden said.

So far this flu season, 1,155 influenza-associated hospitalizations of children, adolescents and adults have been reported in Wisconsin, according to information provided by the Oconto County Health Department. Sixty-nine percent of the patients were age 65 or older.

The flu comes on suddenly, and its symptoms are headache, sore throat, cough, fever, extreme fatigue and weakness, and severe body aches.

“We encourage anybody with symptoms to see their providers,” Bodden said, “and it is not too late to get a flu vaccine.”

Bodden said vaccines can be found at local pharmacies, including Walgreens, the health department and offices of primary care providers.

Bodden said people can take some basic precautions to help reduce the potential of spreading the virus to others.

“It is about doing basic things, like washing your hands frequently, covering your cough and avoiding contact with people who have symptoms,” Bodden said.

AT A GLANCE

Health officials recommend the following actions as a way to protect against the flu and its potential complications:

• Get a flu shot.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with your upper sleeve, and try to avoid touching your face with your hand. If you use a tissue, throw it away after one use.

• Use your own drinking cups and straws.

• Avoid being exposed to people who are sick with flu-like symptoms.

• Eat nutritious meals, get plenty of rest and do not smoke.

• Frequently clean commonly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, refrigerator handles, telephones and faucets.

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Grandma Sofie’s replaces Max’sBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Owner Harry Abdiu reviews a menu at the former Max’s Restaurant on River Bend Road in Shawano. The restaurant has been renamed Grandma Sofie’s in honor of Abdiu’s business partner and sister-in-law, Sofie Abdiu.

If residents have not noticed already, the Max’s Restaurant sign has been removed to make way for a new name and owners.

The restaurant, at W7389 River Bend Road, Shawano, will be renamed Grandma Sofie’s, a namesake of one of the new owners.

Sofie Abdiu and her brother-in-law, Harry, purchased the business from Max and Buki Shabani last week. The Shabanis operated Max’s Restaurant, which previously had been known as Amicos, for about a year.

Harry and Sofie Abdiu arrived in Shawano following 10 years of operating the Highway 21/13 Cafe in Friendship.

“I like it here and I liked this place and the town, too,” Harry Abdiu said. “I was a customer and passed by a few times when I visited here.”

Harry Abdiu said he was unsure why the Shabanis opted to sell. All 15 of their employees are still with the restaurant.

“Yeah, sure, absolutely, I would love to have them stay,” he said. “So far no one has made any decisions.”

Abdiu said there will some minor adjustments to the menu, but nothing significant.

The new owners expect the Grandma Sofie’s sign to be in place by the end of the week, but Sofie Abdiu said the transition will take time.

“Right now, there have not been many changes,” she said. “Yesterday we just opened. We are still not set up entirely. It will take a few weeks.”

The layout includes a bar, two dining areas — with one equipped for meetings — and a kitchen that was updated.

Sofie and Harry Abdiu are originally from Albania and spent their last 20 years residing in the town of Rome in Adams County.

The Shabanis had 40 years of experience in the restaurant business, most recently in Illinois before taking over Amicos. Originally from Macedonia (Yugoslavia), they cited family connections in northern Wisconsin when they purchased the property.

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Downtown property formerly owned by SISTBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

A long vacant downtown building could be open for business again by the end of summer with the adoption Wednesday of a developer’s agreement between the city and an investment group looking to breathe new life into the property.

Todd Schultz, representing the investment group, told the Shawano Common Council the time line will depend on securing tenants for the building at 153 S. Main St. He said meetings with potential tenants have already begun.

The property was purchased in 2001 by the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology and languished vacant for years. The building was put into receivership last year to help pay the debts of another SIST subsidiary.

The investment group, which incorporated for the project as 153 SMS, LLC, after the building’s address, purchased the property last month.

The developer’s agreement calls for 153 SMS to get a $140,000 low-interest, 10-year loan from the city to begin work on what will be a major renovation of the interior. The group will then get a $60,000 grant from tax incremental finance district funds once the property is ready for occupancy.

As currently proposed, the upstairs portion of the building would likely be office space, while the main floor could encompass multiple businesses in an “open-concept, shared business space,” Schultz said.

He said the idea would be for new start-ups to eventually outgrow the space and move into a permanent location elsewhere in the city and open up room for a new entrepreneur to take that space.

City Administrator Brian Knapp said it was an exciting project for the city.

“I think it’s an opportunity to demonstrate what can be done on Main Street with an old building that’s been vacant and unused for many years,” he said.

Knapp said the investment group plans to spend nearly $600,000 in acquiring, updating and remodeling the property.

However, Knapp said, the property is likely to be assessed for tax purposes at about $400,000.

Because the investors would not be able to get commercial financing for more than the property is worth, the city is stepping in to bridge the gap, Knapp said.

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Blaze destroyed Anello’s restaurantBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Authorities said Wednesday a compressor malfunction was likely responsible for the Dec. 30 fire that destroyed the landmark Anello’s Torch Lite Restaurant in Shawano.

Shawano Area Fire Department captain and fire investigator Jeff Zimmerman said the fire started in the basement compressor room.

Though the exact cause cannot be pinpointed, he said, the blaze was apparently the result of a malfunction.

The probe included viewing video of the fire captured by Anello’s interior surveillance cameras, Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman said insurance company investigators have concurred with the findings.

Owner Rita Mondus said Wednesday she and her husband, John, were still considering what’s next for them, but that it was still too soon to commit to anything.

One of the ideas they have been toying with is an expansion of the petting zoo and putting up a new building that might house a cafe or small restaurant, Mondus said.

However, she added, even that option isn’t certain at this point.

“I have no idea,” she said. “It’s too soon.”

The building, at 1276 E. Green Bay St., dates back to 1897, though it has seen numerous reconstructions and additions since then.

The property has always been a restaurant since 1897, when it was the Continental.

According to the Anello’s website, it also had “a house of ill repute” upstairs during the Roaring ’20s and was frequented by the likes of Al Capone and John Dillinger.

The Continental later became Club Continental, and operated under that name until 1969 when it became the Bavarian Inn. It became Anello’s Torch Lite in 1981.

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By: 

Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent

Three Clintonville Common Council seats will be decided in the April 7 spring election.

Former Mayor Robert Gay has filed papers as a candidate for alderman in District 1. He will face opposition from newcomer Julie Stumbris. Alderman Bill Zeinert decided not to seek re-election.

In District 3, incumbent Amy Steenbock, who was appointed to the position when Jerry Jorgenson resigned, will face opposition from Steve Kettenhoven, a former alderman.

In District 5, where incumbent Mark Doornink filed noncandidacy papers, newcomers Maggie Hintz-Polzin and Brad Rokus have filed papers.

In District 4, Lois Bressette, who defeated former Alderman Greg Rose in a recall election in November, will run unopposed.

No one has filed as a candidate in District 2, where incumbent Phil Rath filed a declaration of noncandidacy.

The deadline to file nomination papers to get on the April ballot was 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Council members who are not up for re-election this year are Jim Krause, District 1; Gloria Dunlavy, District 2; John Wilson, District 3; Mary Beth Kuester, District 4; and Jeannie Schley, District 5.

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Shawano Police Department

Jan. 6

Police logged 23 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile - Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 1000 block of South Union Street.

Assist - Police assisted Shawano Area Fire Department with an industrial fire in the 1400 block of East Green Bay Street. No damages noted.

Snow - Police issued a notice of snow removal policy violation at a residence in the 900 block of South Union Street.

Welfare - Police conducted a welfare check on a juvenile in the 1400 block of South Evergreen Street.

Theft - Money was reported stolen in the 100 block of Prairie Street.

Disturbance - Police responded to a disturbance between neighbors in the 500 block of South Sawyer Street.

Warrant - Police took a man into custody on a probation and parole hold in the 1300 block of East Green Bay Street.

Failure to Register - Police investigated a man for failure to register as a sex offender in the 1100 block of South Lafayette Street.

Drug - Police investigated a drug complaint in the 200 block of South Sawyer Street.

Juvenile - Police investigated a 16-year-old juvenile runaway in the 700 block of South Union Street.

Drug - Police investigated discovery of a bag of marijuana on the floor of Kwik Trip, 1241 E. Green Bay St.

Suspicious - Police investigated a suspicious vehicle at Qualheim’s True Value, 1345 E. Green Bay St.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Jan. 6

Deputies logged 34 incidents, including the following:

Animal - Authorities logged an animal bite incident at the Shawano County Health Department, 311 N. Main St.

Animal - Authorities responded to a neglected animal left outdoors on state Highway 117 in the town of Hartland.

Animal - Authorities conducted a welfare check on a horse on Moh He Con Nuck Road in Gresham.

Suspicious - Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle on County Road BE in the town of Wescott.

Disabled - Five disabled vehicles involving blown or flat tires were logged.

Accident - Deputies logged four deer-related crashes and a two-car accident at Kolpack and Blueberry roads in the town of Angelica.

Clintonville Police Department

Jan. 6

Police logged two incidents, including the following:

Truancy - Two truancies were reported at Clintonville High School, 64 W. Green Tree Road.

Disorderly - Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Clintonville Middle School, 255 N. Main St.

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Plan Commission recommends developer’s agreementBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

The Shawano Plan Commission on Tuesday recommended approval of a developer’s agreement between the city and an investors’ group looking to breathe new life into a long-dormant downtown building.

The group incorporated for the project as 153 SMS, LLC, after the building’s address of 153 S. Main St.

The property was purchased in 2001 by the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology and languished vacant for years in spite of a sign in the window that promised a fabric store was “coming soon.” The building was put into receivership last year to help pay the debts of another SIST subsidiary.

The developer’s agreement, which goes before the Common Council for approval Wednesday, calls for 153 SMS to get a $100,000 low-interest, 10-year loan from the city to begin work on what will be a major renovation of the interior. The group will then get a $60,000 grant from tax incremental finance district funds once the property is ready for occupancy.

“The building is in pretty dire shape,” said Dennis Heling, chief economic development officer of Shawano County Economic Progress Inc., which worked with the investors’ group to put the deal together. “The roof leaks; has leaked for a number of years. The floors are buckled. The walls have been stripped down to the studs.”

In addition, he said, heating, plumbing and electrical work will all need to be redone.

“There’s going to be a substantial renovation,” he said.

Renovation to the exterior is also planned with the goal of capturing some of the building’s historic flavor. That would include restoring windows that had been bricked up by the previous owner, said Todd Schultz, representing the investors’ group.

Schultz said the building could provide for “a new economic model for business development that doesn’t exist up here.”

Schultz said no commercial bank was willing to loan “the exorbitant amount of money” that would be needed to make the property viable again, which made a partnership with the city necessary.

The property is located in a downtown TIF district.

“It’s a blighted building,” Heling said. “That’s what the TIF district was set up for.”

Schultz said he was impressed with downtown Shawano, despite the handful of vacant buildings.

“There’s a reason why there’s a handful of buildings that are vacant with common ownership, but everything else is vibrant downtown,” he said.

Schultz said many communities have unintentionally destroyed their downtowns by approving strip malls at the edge of town that ended up cannibalizing downtown businesses.

“You guys have managed to keep a very vibrant downtown,” he told the commission.

Schultz said he has already been in discussions with potential tenants, which include new business start-ups or business expansions.

“Part of the driver of this was to help spur some economic development and business mentoring in the area with the business service activities that we’re going to propose,” he said.

Schultz said renovation will have to begin before tenants are nailed down.

“It’s not in a condition that you can even take anyone into the building,” he said. “They would run out screaming.”

As currently proposed, the upstairs portion of the building would likely be office space, while the main floor could encompass multiple businesses in an “open-concept, shared business space.”

He said the idea would be for new start-ups to eventually outgrow the space and move into a permanent location elsewhere in the city and open up room for a new entrepreneur to take that space.

“We want to really create this dynamic of interaction with all of these new business activities, from video-chatting, videoconferencing, Internet cafe,” Schultz said.

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Shawano Police Department

Jan. 5

Police logged 35 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 200 block of Mountain Bay Trail Drive.

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

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 100 block of South Lincoln Street.

Juvenile — Police logged two truancy complaints from the Shawano School District.

Theft — A wallet was reported stolen in the 500 block of South Sawyer Street.

Code Violations — Police logged nine complaints of unshoveled snow and ice on sidewalks.

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

Drug Offense — Police investigated a drug complaint in the 200 block of South Sawyer Street.

Bail Jumping — A 17-year-old male was arrested for bail jumping in the 1000 block of South Lutz Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Jan. 5

Deputies logged 32 incidents, including the following:

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

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on North Shore Drive in Wescott.

Theft — A trailer was reported broken into on Golfview Road in Cecil.

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

Fire — Authorities responded to a residential fire on Fourth Street in Mattoon.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on First Street in Aniwa.

Fire — Authorities responded to a chimney fire on Greenwood Lane in Hartland.

Accidents — Authorities logged seven accidents, including an injury accident on County Road Z in the town of Herman and four deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

Jan. 2

Police logged 11 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 20-year-old male was arrested on a warrant through probation and parole and transported to Waupaca County Jail.

Suspicious — A suspicious incident on Anne Street was reported.

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