Shawano Leader News

By: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

For Shawano School District staff who knew them, the memories of Cody Borsche and Tyler Welch are as closely knit in the wake of their tragic deaths as their friendship was in life.

“They were both good friends and good guys,” Shawano Community High School Principal Scott Zwirschitz said.

“They loved tech ed and they took a lot of courses,” he said. “They were looking forward to graduating and working in the trades.”

Welch, 18, and Borsche, 17, were pronounced dead Tuesday night at the scene of an accident on state Highway 22 that also claimed the life of Paige Brunette, 15, of Bonduel.

The students were part of a tight-knit group of friends that also included fellow Shawano student Ryan Swadner, 17, who was driving at the time of the crash.

School officials said Swadner was listed in critical condition Wednesday.

Zwirschitz said Welch and Borsche, both seniors, were close and did a lot together.

“Teachers enjoyed having them,” he said. “They were good students.”

They shared a wide variety of interests in the tech ed area, Zwirschitz said, taking courses that included welding, graphic arts, woodworking and construction.

“They took everything,” he said.

Kelley Swartz, district director of curriculum, said Borsche was also active in 4-H.

“He won a number of awards that he and his mom were proud of,” she said.

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By: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

The Bonduel community is mourning the loss of a 15-year-old high school sophomore.

Paige Brunette was killed along with two Shawano Community High School students in a two-car accident on state Highway 22 in the town of Belle Plaine on Tuesday evening.

“We would like to send out our prayers and thoughts to the Brunette family as well as the families, students and staff of Shawano High School who are also dealing with this tragedy,” said Patrick Rau, Bonduel School District superintendent. “Words cannot express how difficult it is when a child of our school family leaves us at such a young age.”

Rau described Brunette, the daughter of Matthew and Leann Brunette, as an outgoing, friendly student who desired to make her family proud. Two younger brothers, Quintin and Rome, are students at Bonduel Middle School.

“She was a good student and really cared about her friends and her family, and wanted to do well for herself and her family,” Rau said. “One student that is a part of a high school in a small community is an extended family, and we wanted to make sure the parents knew that.”

In her two years as a Bonduel High School student, Brunette developed a passion for art, Rau said.

While some students learned about the accident on social media platforms Tuesday, the loss did not sink in for many until Wednesday.

“For a lot of the students, it became real when they arrived at school, when they did not see that familiar face,” Rau said. “When grief hits, nobody knows. For some students, it was right away when they came to school. Some students may have had a class or have seen her at a later point in the day, and that is when it hit them.”

Rau, who asked reporters not to speak to students, said many of the youngsters were coping with the tragedy by sharing their thoughts with others and speaking with counselors at the school.

“They are dealing with it as well you would expect. Sometimes we short students on their resiliency and their ability to handle situations like this,” Rau said. “It is a great reflection on their friendships in school.”

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Budget includes implementation of wage studyBy: 

Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

The Shawano County Board approved a 1.52 percent increase in the 2015 property tax rate Wednesday as it finalized the 2015 budget.

The proposed levy of $14,887,788 — the most allowed by the state — is $127,660 more than the 2014 levy. If the plan is approved, property owners will pay $5.20 per $1,000 of equalized valuation, up from $5.122 last year, in county taxes.

The owner of a $100,000 home, who paid $512 in county property taxes last year, would pay $520 this year.

Property values dropped 0.69 percent across the county over the last year, according to finance director Diane Rusch. The county can raise its levy limit, she said, because of a 0.44 percent increase in new construction.

Property taxes cover about 31 percent of the county’s $59.27 million budget. State aid, which decreased by $1 million this year, accounts for another 37 percent, and the remainder is covered by county sales tax, licenses and permits, charges to the public and other government agencies, and fines and penalties.

Rusch said county officials trimmed $800,000 during the budget planning process to come in under the levy limit.

Included in the proposed $59.3 million budget is the implementation of a wage and classification study, which was also on the board’s agenda Wednesday. The recommendations will cost $202,723 to implement.

The county expects to use up almost all of the environmental impact fees it received from the state. There is $61,043 in the fund, according to Rusch, and $61,039 has been earmarked to help pay for capital projects in 2015.

The capital projects, which will cost the county $815,580, include a multifunctional tractor for the courthouse, a mower for the parks and utility areas, replacing temperature controls at the jail, paving the Mielke Park parking lot, new playground equipment at Oconto River Park, new equipment at the Shawano Lake County Park snack shop, a new vehicle for the human services department, a new paver for the highway department and aerial photography.

After the budget was approved, County Board Chairman Jerry Erdmann, who sits on the Finance Committee, said the belt-tightening was not as difficult as in previous years.

“We didn’t have to cut out as much as we did last year,” Erdmann said. “Hopefully, down the road, it will get easier yet.”

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Shawano Police Department

Oct. 21

Police logged 41 incidents, including the following:

Curfew — Police investigated two juveniles violating curfew at Sturgeon Park, 811 S. Water St.

Animal — Police responded to a neglected dog in the 700 block of East Maurer Street.

Truancy — Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B, reported 14 truant students. Olga Brener Intermediate School, 1300 S. Union St., reported one truant student.

Burglary — Police investigated a burglary on Anderson Avenue in Shawano. Alcohol was reported stolen.

Suspicious — Police investigated a suspicious vehicle in the 700 block of East Lieg Avenue.

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

Accidents — Police investigated a two-vehicle fatal accident on state Highway 22, a two-vehicle accident in the 1100 block of Lieg Avenue, and a complaint about a tree being struck by a Shawano Municipal Utilities vehicle in the 1000 block of South Main Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Oct. 21

Deputies logged 28 incidents, including the following:

Theft — Prescription medications were stolen on Sportsmans Drive in Aniwa.

Suspicious — Authorities investigated a suspicious man wandering through private property on Old Lake Road in the town of Wescott.

Harassment — Authorities cited a man for disorderly conduct/harassing behavior on Hiawatha Court in the town of Wescott.

Threatening — Authorities responded to a man exhibiting threatening behavior on East Chic-a-watha Circle in the town of Wescott.

Assist — Authorities investigated an intoxicated man who fell on County Road S in the town of Maple Grove.

Accidents — Authorities investigated an injury accident at state Highway 29 and County Road MM in the town of Waukechon and three deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

Oct. 21

Police logged five incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on South Clinton Avenue.

Vandalism — A report of vandalism was made on Seventh Street.

Accident — Police assisted the Waupaca County Sheriff Department on a car and deer accident state Highway 156 and Dobbs Road.

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Strangulation

A Shawano man is facing a felony charge of strangulation and suffocation after an alleged domestic disturbance in the city last month.

Cory L. Lohman, 33, could face a maximum six years in prison and $10,000 fine if found guilty. He is also charged with three counts of felony bail jumping, each of which carries the same possible penalty, as well as two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct.

Lohman is accused of choking a woman during a domestic incident Sept. 10. He is scheduled for an initial court appearance on Monday.

Possession of marijuana, narcotics

A Green Bay man is facing felony drug charges after Stockbridge-Munsee Police responded to a tip in the town of Bartelme last week.

Vincent J. Oviedo, 34, has been charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana and possession of narcotic drugs. Each of the charges carries a maximum possible penalty of 3½ years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Police on Oct. 15 responded to a call alerting them that drugs were being used in an apartment in town.

Oviedo was seen leaving the apartment when police arrived, according to the complaint, which states 4.3 grams of marijuana and other drugs were found in the vehicle.

Oviedo was being held on a $2,500 cash bond and was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Friday.

Felony OWI

A Gillett man has been charged with fifth-offense operating while intoxicated after being caught Sunday driving the wrong way on state Highway 29.

Chris A. Hoffman, 49, was arrested after a Shawano County sheriff’s deputy spotted him traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Highway 29 in the town of Seneca, according to the criminal complaint. A preliminary breath test showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.10 percent.

Hoffman is not permitted to have more than a 0.02 BAC because of previous convictions, according to the complaint.

Hoffman could face a maximum six years in prison and $10,000 fine if convicted. He was being held on a $2,500 cash bond and is due in court for an adjourned initial appearance Monday.

Felony OWI

A Clintonville man allegedly driving the wrong way on state Highway 29 at high speed Monday is facing a felony charge of fifth-offense operating while intoxicated.

James W. Lyons, Jr., 35, could face a maximum six years in prison and $10,000 fine if convicted.

Shawano County sheriff’s deputies were alerted to a vehicle traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Highway 29 near Bonduel at 80 mph, according to the criminal complaint. Deputies pulled the vehicle over in the town of Hartland.

Lyons was ordered held on a $5,000 cash bond and is scheduled for an adjourned initial appearance Monday.

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Contributed Photo Area residents joined village leaders and federal, state and local officials for an open house Friday celebrating the completion of Gresham’s new treatment facility.

Area residents joined village leaders and federal, state and local officials for an open house Friday celebrating the completion of Gresham’s new treatment facility.

The village operates a continuous discharge aerated lagoon treatment facility, which previously was incapable of meeting water quality standards set by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The upgrades will ensure that the wastewater treatment facility is in compliance with the new permit standards and enable future growth within the community.

USDA Rural Development approved two loans totaling $371,000 to modify the treatment facility with additional treatment processes to meet the effluent limit requirements. Two grants provided an additional $295,860.

“Improving our utility to meet the regulatory requirements and the needs of our customers is a priority,” said Art Bahr, Gresham Municipal Utilities manager. “Without the assistance of grants and loans from organizations like the USDA, projects like ours would not be attainable.”

Gresham Municipal Utilities is the first municipality in the Midwest to apply the “bio-dome” technology. Bio-dome systems are capable of enhancing the efficiency and capacity of existing systems without dramatically increasing capital or operating costs.

Lagoon treatment sites typically lose the ability to remove ammonia when water temperatures drop over the winter. The bio-dome system continues reducing ammonia discharge levels from lagoon operated wastewater ponds over the cold weather months.

Prior to the project’s construction, the village completed a pilot study using the process.

“The village deserves a lot of credit,” said Brian Deaner, USDA Rural Development Wisconsin community program director. “Developing and maintaining a modern infrastructure is essential for the sustainability of our communities. People choose to live in rural Wisconsin for the quality of life it offers, and reliable infrastructure plays a big part.

“This project exemplifies a continued effort on behalf of USDA Rural Development’s mission to be a partner in helping rural communities by providing the assistance needed to build a foundation for a thriving community. We are pleased to have been a part of the project.”

Gresham Municipal Utilities was recognized in Treatment Plant Operator, a national magazine, for its white paper on the pilot bio-dome project. Village officials also did an interview about the project on NPR radio out of Boston.

In the next year the utility plans to make a presentation at the Wisconsin Wastewater Operators Conference and to present the project at a national American Public Works Association conference.

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By: 

By Leader Staff

Officials on Wednesday released the names of three teenagers who died Tuesday evening in a two-vehicle crash in Belle Plaine.

Two Shawano high school students, 17-year-old Cody Borsche and 18-year-old Tyler Welch, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A Bonduel High School student, 15-year-old Paige Brunette, was transported for medical attention and later died, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department said.

Another Shawano student, 17-year-old Ryan Swadner, of Clintonville, is hospitalized. His condition is unknown at this time.

The teens were in a Ford Mustang being driven by Swadner. The investigation so far indicates the vehicle was northbound on state Highway 22 near Friendship Road and swerved to avoid a vehicle stopped to make a left turn into a driveway, according to authorities.

Swadner of lost control of the car on the gravel shoulder. The Mustang then crossed into the path of an oncoming sport utility vehicle and was hit broadside, the Sheriff’s Department said.

The accident, which is still under investigation, occurred about 5:2o p.m.

Counselors were available at both high schools Wednesday to help students through the grieving process. They were expected to be available through the week.

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Speed believed to be factorBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

The Shawano and Bonduel communities are reeling in the aftermath of a two-vehicle crash late Tuesday afternoon that claimed three young lives — two Shawano Community High School students and one from Bonduel.

The accident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. on state Highway 22 near Friendship Road in Belle Plaine.

The preliminary investigation indicated a white passenger vehicle was northbound on Highway 22 when the driver lost control and the vehicle crossed into the southbound lane, according to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department. The passenger car was struck by a southbound SUV.

Two people were pronounced dead at the scene. Two people were transported to Shawano Medical Center, where one of them later died of their injuries.

The deceased individuals are an 18-year-old male from Shawano, 17-year-old male from Shawano and a 15-year-old female from Bonduel, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Their names were not released.

A crisis team was already gathering at the high school Tuesday night to help students through the grieving process, according to district Superintendent Gary Cumberland.

“We will work hard to meet the emotional needs of students,” he said. “This will be a difficult next few days.”

Cumberland said the district was also seeking crisis counselors from other districts to assist.

“Obviously, this is a huge tragedy,” he said.

Several SCHS students were tweeting about the crash Tuesday using #prayersforcrew22, urging prayers for the students involved and their families.

Cumberland said students would not be the only ones affected.

“We may have some staff that have a tough time with this,” he said.

The cause of the crash remained under investigation late into the night, but officials said that speed appeared to be a factor.

The crash closed the highway for several hours. The Wisconsin State Patrol was contacted to reconstruct the crash scene.

Assisting on the crash were Belle Plaine EMS, Shawano Area Fire Department, Shawano Ambulance, Shawano Police Department and Wisconsin State Patrol.

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Pesta says students have become ‘guinea pigs’By: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

An opponent of the new Common Core education standards is slated to speak at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Bonduel High School.

Duke Pesta is an assistant professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and academic director of FreedomProject Education, which is an online school that offers a “Common Core-free education built on Judeo-Christian values.”

Pesta has made more than 100 presentations on the Common Core standards. Prior to his Bonduel visit, his most recent presentations were in Huntington Beach and San Diego, California.

Pesta said Common Core can lead to more negative outcomes due to the strain it puts on students in the classroom.

“There is no evidence it works. It is not tried and true,” Pesta said. “The kids have become guinea pigs in the classroom.”

Common Core is a set of national standards that attempt to define the knowledge and skills that students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade need to master each year to be prepared for the next grade and, ultimately, college or work.

Parents can expect students to be doing more writing and reading in all subjects, even classes such as math and physical education that do not traditionally require it.

In addition to establishing benchmark scores in mathematics and English, the Common Core State Standards include rigorous and more frequent testing.

“These standards are aligned with college and career expectations, will ensure academic consistency throughout the state and across other states that adopt them, and have been benchmarked against international standards from high-performing countries,” said Tony Evers, state superintendent of schools, when Wisconsin formally adopted the standards in 2010.

Critics, however, argue the new standards create additional costs for school districts, leave parents and local school boards out of the process, are being dictated by test companies and federal agendas, and place too great an emphasis on tests.

There also concerns that, because of the emphasis on writing in all subjects, struggling learners and English as Second Language students will fall further behind.

Wisconsin is one of the 44 states that have adopted the standards. Wisconsin is also participating in a multi-state project to develop new common standards for science.

“People will be blown away by how fast (Common Core) is moving,” said Dave Drake, director of development and outreach for FreedomProject Education.

As part of the move to Common Core, the state Department of Instruction replaced the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination with Smarter Balanced Assessment, which utilizes computer-based exams.

Drake said it could be difficult for rural schools to pay for technology upgrades required by the new computer-based tests.

“There will be schools upgrading, but we don’t know how much it could cost,” Drake said. “Our further out schools could have a tough time.”

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Oshkosh man was aware of operationBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

A fourth suspect has been arrested following a recent Internet sex sting operation after he continued making contact with undercover investigators after the operation was over.

Nathan C. Zwicky, 24, of Oshkosh, was charged Tuesday with a felony count of using a computer to facilitate a sex crime, which carries a maximum possible penalty of 40 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

He was arrested Monday night in Wescott at a rendezvous he allegedly set up with what he believed was a 15-year-old girl, according to the criminal complaint, in spite of the fact that he was apparently aware of the widely publicized Internet sex sting less than two weeks ago.

According to text messages included in the criminal complaint, Zwicky refers to news reports that followed the operation, texting at one point, “did u hear about that big sting” and “hearing about that sting made me scared a little bit.”

It was the fifth regional sting operation in the past two years. They have resulted in 83 arrests, including 10 in Shawano County.

The operations originated with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force and involved undercover investigators making online contact with suspected offenders.

Detectives posing as juveniles on the Internet were contacted by the suspects who arranged to meet them for a sexual rendezvous. The suspects were arrested when they arrived.

This latest sting effort was dubbed Operation Aegis and was conducted from Oct. 9-11.

Zwicky allegedly made contact with a detective posing as a child during that operation, but the message exchanges never reached the point of setting up a meeting.

However, after the operation wrapped up, Zwicky continued making contact, according to the criminal complaint, finally arranging what he allegedly believed would be a sexual encounter Monday.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Gordon Kowaleski said the arrest of Zwicky, even after Operation Aegis was made public, shows the extent of the problem that exists of Internet predators.

“This is a prime example of the problem we face,” he said. “These people are out there and I don’t see any end to it.”

Kowaleski noted that the number of arrests has gone up with each operation over the past two years, in spite of the publicity that followed those operations.

“It’s not like we’re hiding this,” he said. “What is it going to take to put this to a stop? What more can we do? You would think people would realize that coming to Shawano to meet a 15-year-old girl is not a good idea.”

Kowaleski said the fact that there have been so many arrests during sting operations suggests the likelihood that there are predators who are also meeting with real juveniles as well.

“How will we know how many have been contacted and victimized?” he said.

Zwicky posted a $5,000 cash bond Tuesday after an initial appearance in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court before Judge William Kussel Jr. He is due back in court for an adjourned initial appearance on Monday.

Zwicky brings to 10 the number of people arrested in Shawano County as part of sex sting operations over the last two years.

Three others were arrested during Operation Aegis, each charged with using a computer to facilitate a sex crime.

Jeremy J. Davies, 23, listed as homeless, was bound over for trial after a preliminary hearing Tuesday. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday.

Troy I. Webster, 35, of Neopit, is free on a $3,000 cash bond and is due back in court for an adjourned initial appearance Nov. 3.

Orlando A. Brown, 24, of Green Bay, is being held on a $5,000 cash bond and is scheduled for an adjourned initial appearance on Monday.

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Official expects larger tax hike in 2015By: 

Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

The Shawano School Board unanimously approved its 2014-15 budget Monday, but it came with a warning that a larger tax hike could be looming next year.

The budget kept the 2014 tax rate at $10.34 per $1,000 of equalized valuation, 3 cents higher than last year. The owner of a home worth $100,000 will pay $1,034 in school taxes this year, compared to $1,031 last year.

The total levy for 2014 will be $12,980,551.

The budget presentation included the news that the official enrollment counted taken on the third Friday in September, which is used to calculate state aid for school districts, showed Shawano has 101 fewer students this year than it did a year ago.

The decline in enrollment means less per-pupil aid from the state in 2015, which means the district might have to turn to taxpayers to make up the difference. The district expects to receive $13,595,471 in state aid this school year.

Business manager Louise Fischer did not have an estimate on how much state aid would be lost in 2015.

“We’re not going to spend as much money this year as we did last year, so that’s going to affect our equalized aid, depending on who is governor and what the Legislature decides to appropriate for equalization money,” Fischer said. “With all those factors in mind, and we’re going to communicate this with the public as much as possible, there’s going to be definite increase in the mill rate, possibly a substantial one.”

With enrollment lower than expected, the district adjusted its budget to maintain the $10.34 tax rate. Earlier this summer, the district planned to levy about $600,000 below the maximum the state would allow, but with Monday’s decision the district is levying about $207,000 less than its state-imposed limit.

The September enrollment also showed the district was attracting 198 students this year through open enrollment, while 157 students living in the district opted to attend school elsewhere. A few years, Shawano schools enjoyed an almost 2-to-1 ratio of students coming in versus going out.

The number of students leaving the district is almost 50 more than a year ago. Superintendent Gary Cumberland told the board that he could not explain the increase, but a survey has gone out to the families to find out the cause.

Planned expenditures for 2014-15 total $37,145,064. Fischer said there is a deficit of about $211,000 in the budget, down from $400,000 earlier in the budget planning cycle.

“This is a tight budget,” Fischer said.

The budget includes $17,000 to purchase a used truck for maintenance, $50,000 to cover substitute teacher costs after the board increased the pay from $90 daily to $120, $5,000 for a mandatory actuarial study and $10,000 to set up a data warehouse.

In addition to property taxes and general state aid, the district anticipates receiving about $11 million from local fees, open enrollment dollars from the state, other state sources and federal grants.

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A 22-year-old Birnamwood man was killed early Saturday after his vehicle crashed into a house on U.S. Highway 45 in the town of Aniwa, according to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department.

Tony M. Modrzejewski was pronounced dead at the scene. A 21-year-old Wittenberg man, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was airlifted from the crash.

Sheriff’s deputies, along with Birnamwood Fire and Ambulance, were called to the scene shortly before 3 a.m. According to the initial report, Modrzejewski’s pickup truck had been southbound on Highway 45, leaving the roadway to the east side of the highway.

The truck struck the north side of the residence, entering the attached garage, and continued into the living room area of the house. Three people were in the home at the time of the crash, but no one was injured inside.

The Jaws of Life were used to extricate the occupants.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Shawano Police Department

Oct. 19

Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — A 24-year-old Keshena man was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after a fight at Hensel’s, 134 S. Washington St.

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at the Four Seasons Resort, 201 N. Airport Drive.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 200 block of South Washington Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 200 block of South Franklin Street.

Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint at Kwik Trip, 1241 E. Green Bay St.

Oct. 18

Police logged 23 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of South Andrews Street.

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

Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 1500 block of Industrial Drive.

Fire — Police and firefighters responded to a vehicle fire in the 700 block of South Union Street.

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

Oct. 17

Police logged 22 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — A 17-year-old male was taken into custody on charges of disorderly conduct and bail jumping after a fight at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.

Juvenile — Police logged four truancy complaints from Hillcrest Primary School, 1410 Waukechon St.

Accident — Police responded to a property damage accident in the 1300 block of East Green Bay Street.

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

Disturbance — An 18-year-old Bowler female was arrested for disorderly conduct and domestic violence after a disturbance in the 600 block of West Eagle Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Oct. 19

Deputies logged 42 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Plum Lane in Richmond.

OWI — A 35-year-old Shawano man was arrested for third-offense operating while intoxicated on Lake Drive in Wescott.

Warrant — A 40-year-old Edgar man was arrested on a warrant on state Highway 29 in Seneca.

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

OWI — A 41-year-old Cecil man was arrested for operating while intoxicated on County Road R in the town of Washington.

OWI — A 49-year-old Gillett man was arrested for fifth-offense operating while intoxicated on state Highway 29 in Seneca after he was spotted driving westbound in the eastbound lanes.

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

Accidents — Authorities logged seven deer-related crashes.

Oct. 18

Deputies logged 36 incidents, including the following:

Fraud — Authorities investigated a scam complaint at the Best Western in Wittenberg, W17267 Red Oak Lane.

Fraud — John’s One-Stop, N5847 Highway 47-55 in Wescott, reported a bogus check.

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

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Butternut Road in the town of Herman.

Accidents — Authorities logged two deer-related crashes.

Oct. 17

Deputies logged 36 incidents, including the following:

OWI — A 44-year-old Shawano man was arrested for operating while intoxicated after an accident on Maple Avenue in Richmond.

Threatening — Authorities responded to a threatening complaint on Alder Street in Tigerton.

Reckless Driving — Authorities responded to a reckless driving complaint on U.S. Highway 45 in Aniwa.

Accidents — Authorities logged an injury accident on U.s. Highway 45 in the town of Grant, six deer-related crashes and a vehicle versus bear on County Road D in Aniwa.

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By: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

City officials are mulling the possibility of adding a detective’s position to the Shawano Police Department as work continues on the 2015 budget.

The Finance Committee held its first meeting on the budget Monday and will resume in another closed session meeting at 7 a.m. Monday at City Hall, 127 S. Sawyer St.

Though it’s still early in the budgeting process, City Administrator Brian Knapp said things are in pretty good shape for 2015.

“We’re on pretty solid footing,” he said.

Projections for state revenue are in line with what the city received this year, Knapp said, and there will be no increase in insurance rates for 2015.

“That was a big break,” he said.

Budget and tax levy projections were not yet available but, Knapp said, the final product will be “a reasonable budget.”

This year’s tax levy went up roughly 1.52 percent, to $4.5 million, from $4.43 million in 2013.

The tax rate rose to $8.76 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2014; a 16-cent increase over 2013.

The city is discussing a number of capital improvement projects for next year, which would be paid for through debt financing, with some general fund balance applied and some general purpose revenue.

Knapp said officials are comfortable with the operating budget, but decisions still need to be made about staffing at the Police Department.

He said the department, both under Chief Mark Kohl and former Chief Ed Whealon, has asked for investigative support.

“It’s been identified as a need in the past and would help the Police Department in their mission,” Knapp said.

The department has no detectives.

Knapp also said the department might need a little more money or manpower put into code enforcement, with the department’s renewed focus on zoning and quality of life issues.

“They could use a few more hours,” Knapp said.

The Finance Committee expects to have a draft budget for the Common Council by the end of the month.

A public hearing would be held, tentatively scheduled for Nov. 19.

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By: 

Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

Shawano County Board supervisors will vote Wednesday on a plan that includes a 1.52 percent increase in the 2015 property tax rate.

The proposed levy of $14,887,788 — the most allowed by the state — is $127,660 more than the 2014 levy. If the plan is approved, property owners will pay $5.20 per $1,000 of equalized valuation, up from $5.122 last year, in county taxes.

The owner of a $100,000 home, who paid $512 in county property taxes last year, would pay $520 this year.

Property values dropped 0.69 percent across the county over the last year, according to Finance Director Diane Rusch. The county can raise its levy limit, she said, because of a 0.44 percent increase in new construction.

Rusch said county officials trimmed $800,000 during the budget planning process to come in under the levy limit.

Included in the proposed $59.3 million budget is the implementation of a wage and classification study, which is also on the board’s agenda Wednesday. The recommendations will cost $202,723 to implement.

An estimated $1 million decrease in state aid also affected the county’s plans.

“What stands out to me, as an old department head, is that our intergovernmental money went down,” said Tom Madsen, county administrative coordinator. “That’s what hurts us. They keep whittling away at it.”

The highway and sheriff’s departments took big hits in their budgets, but all departments are seeing cuts. Madsen pointed out that, with years of decreased state aid and few ways to increase budgets under state law, there is little to no fat in departmental budgets anymore.

Rusch and Madsen agreed that continued cuts could impact county services.

“Some of our departments are so small that, when the Finance Committee looked at (their budgets), they said, ‘There’s not much more we can do here,’” Rusch said.

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Shawano Police Department

Oct. 16

Police logged 51 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responding to a domestic disturbance in the 700 block of West Picnic Street arrested a 26-year-old Shawano woman for domestic violence and disorderly conduct and a 27-year-old Shawano man on a Probation and Parole hold.

Arrest — A 40-year-old woman was taken into custody for a violation at the Probation and Parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.

Juvenile — Police logged 14 truancy complaints from Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.

Arrest — An 18-year-old male was taken into custody for a violation at the Probation and Parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.

Theft — Suitcases were reported stolen in the 300 block of East Richmond Street.

Theft — Items were reported stolen from a portable shed at the Shawano County Fairgrounds, 990 E. Green Bay St.

Juvenile — A juvenile was cited for tobacco possession at Memorial Park, 909 S. Lincoln St.

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

Shoplifting — A 25-year-old woman was cited for shoplifting at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Oct. 16

Deputies logged 46 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — A 31-year-old Gresham man was arrested for disorderly conduct after a domestic disturbance in the 900 block of South Bartelt Street in Gresham.

Disturbance — A charge of disorderly conduct was referred against an 18-year-old Bonduel male after disturbance in the 100 block of South Jefferson Street in Bonduel.

Disturbance — A 14-year-old female was referred to Social Services for disorderly conduct and battery after a disturbance on County Road B in Waukechon.

Theft — An 18-year-old Rhinelander male was taken into custody on a warrant after authorities responded to a property theft complaint on Nauman Road in Green Valley.

Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a drug complaint at the Huber Center, 1240 Engel Drive, Shawano.

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

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

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on County Road C in Angelica.

Accidents — Authorities logged seven deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

Oct. 16

Police logged six incidents, including the following:

Auto Theft — A stolen vehicle complaint on West Madison Street was unfounded.

Theft — A theft was reported on 16th Street.

Accident — Officers responded to a vehicle in the ditch on SSGT Warren Hansen Drive.

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No debate planned in sheriff raceBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Absentee and in-person voting begins Monday for the Nov. 4 election.

While the governor’s race dominates attention statewide, it’s the sheriff’s race that has been getting the most buzz in Shawano County.

Republican candidate Adam Bieber, a Shawano police officer, and Independent candidate Lucas Christenson will be on the ballot. Incumbent Randy Wright is running as a write-in.

Bieber defeated Wright in the Aug. 12 Republican primary race, 2,688-2,459.

Christenson’s campaign has been very low-key, while supporters of Bieber and Wright have been lighting up social media pages for weeks.

One of the questions swirling in social media has been why there has been no debate between the candidates.

Bieber said he would have been willing to debate prior to the primary, and an independent party tried to arrange one. Bieber said Wright declined.

Wright said the debate that was proposed would have been held on Facebook rather than a traditional setting.

Wright said he was open to a traditional debate with a moderator. After Wright announced his write-in campaign, the Leader attempted to arrange a debate at City Hall. Wright agreed to the debate, but Bieber declined.

“At this point a debate would be detrimental to forming good relationships with employees of the Sheriff’s Department,” Bieber wrote in an email.

He also said his and Wright’s stances on the issues are well-known by the public after numerous newspaper and radio interviews and social media postings.

“A debate at this point would only create a larger divide amongst our community and departments,” Bieber wrote.

Wright made his experience a staple of the sheriff’s race. He started out at the sheriff’s office in 1976, then spent 25 years at the Shawano Police Department before successfully running for sheriff in 2006.

Bieber has worked in law enforcement for 14 years and has been with the Shawano Police Department since 2003.

Bieber made cooperation between other law enforcement agencies and government entities a key issue in the primary campaign, while Wright maintained that much of the cooperation Bieber was calling for was already taking place.

Bieber also hit at Wright’s often difficult relationship with the County Board, saying he would do a better job of working with county supervisors.

Other contentious issues have included funding for the Sheriff’s Department’s K-9 unit, differences over evidence storage needs and Wright’s efforts to obtain a mine resistant armored personnel carrier. Bieber opposes the vehicle.

Other key contests on the ballot include the race for governor between incumbent Scott Walker and Democratic challenger Mary Burke; the attorney general race between Republican Brad Schimel and Democrat Susan Happ; and the 8th Congressional District race between incumbent Republican Reid Ribble and Democrat Ron Gruett.

Shawano County Clerk Rosemary Rueckert noted that voters will not have to provide a photo ID to cast a ballot in the Nov. 4 election, thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court order on Oct. 9.

Voters who might have received a letter prior to that telling them to provide a photocopy of their ID with their absentee ballot can disregard the letter, Rueckert said.

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By: 

Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent

The Clintonville School Board voted this week to continue busing parochial school students in 3-year-old kindergarten at least until the end of the school year.

The administration recommended ending the service, effective Nov. 1, to save money. The district is not required to provide the service.

“We advertised transportation to our 3K parents in good faith, trusting that proper procedure had been followed to allow for our 3K students on the bus,” said Jennifer Wood, principal of St. Rose and St. Mary. “We believe that both St. Rose/St. Mary’s and the Clintonville Board of Education share responsibility for current practice.

“While the district is certainly not obligated by law to continue our 3K busing, we hope you will do so for the remainder of this school year. Terminating it prior to the end of the school year will only hurt our students who are counting on us for this service.”

Board members Judith Magee and Jim Schultz said they wanted more information regarding the cost of the bus service before they could make a decision.

“Without having specific dollar numbers we should not pull the trigger at the end of the month,” Schultz said.

Board member Jim Dins said he didn’t think the district should provide transportation for 3K.

“My main concern is with safety,” board member Pat Schley said. “It is not the cost but the safety. … I want the students to be safe.”

The board ultimately tabled the matter for further study and to continue the busing through this school year. Board members said they would continue discussions and have a decision next spring regarding the 2015-16 school year.

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Restitution already included in Shawano County casesBy: 

Leader Staff

The state attorney general’s office on Wednesday announced it is joining a push for federal legislation that would allow full restitution to victims of child pornography.

Efforts to gain restitution have already been included in a number of cases prosecuted in Shawano County.

“We have cases where we have successfully argued for restitution in child pornography cases,” Shawano-Menominee County District Attorney Greg Parker said.

Shawano County has seen an increase in such cases over the past couple of years, with the Sheriff’s Department taking proactive efforts to identify those who trade or download child porn by monitoring peer-to-peer networks online.

The district attorney’s office is required to make attempts to contact victims of child porn when possible, even in cases where the videos and images seized might be decades old.

The proposed federal legislation is named after two children who have become so well-known on the child porn trafficking circuit that a series of videos have been named for them.

The proposed bill is the Amy and Vicky Child Pornography Victim Restitution Improvement Act of 2014. The National Association of Attorneys General has urged the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and a House Judiciary Subcommittee to bring the bill to a vote.

In several of the prosecutions in Shawano County, the child in the Vicky series, who is now grown, submitted a victim impact statement describing how she has been made to feel re-victimized every time someone downloads one of the videos or images.

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced he has joined 43 other state and territorial attorneys general in support of federal legislation that would allow full restitution to victims of child pornography to pay for needed resources including therapy, medical care, lost wages and other services.

In April, a U.S. Supreme Court decision affirmed that victims of child pornography should receive restitution.

“One of my top priorities as attorney general has been protecting our most vulnerable, our children, by aggressively pursuing those who prey upon them,” Van Hollen said. “This federal bill is an important step toward addressing the needs of America’s youngest crime victims.”

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MoneyPak cards used to trick consumersBy: 

Leader Staff

Shawano police are warning that a scam originating in Milwaukee early this year is starting to show up in the Shawano area.

The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau issued a warning to consumers in May to beware of scammers using the Green Dot MoneyPak prepaid cards to scam. The reloadable debit cards are widely available nationwide and can be purchased at many local stores.

MoneyPaks can be used for funding PayPal accounts and to pay phone, cable or credit card bills. But the BBB warns that criminals are also using them to con consumers.

Fraudsters will call or email you saying that you won a lottery or sweepstakes, or offering a product or service at a discount price. Then, they say you need to pay fees to get your prize, or pre-pay for the merchandise via MoneyPak. Next, they ask for the 14-digit code found on the back of the card. Once you’ve given them that code, you’ve given them instant access, and the crooks can transfer your MoneyPak funds to their own prepaid cards.

Shawano Police Chief Mark Kohl said the scam has been occurring in the community.

To avoid falling for MoneyPak scams, the Better Business Bureau suggests the following:

• Never give their MoneyPak number to someone they don’t know.

• Use your MoneyPak only to reload your prepaid cards or accounts that you control.

• Refuse offers that ask you to buy a MoneyPak and share the number or receipt information by email or phone.

• Avoid websites or advertisements specifically requesting payment via MoneyPak.

• Don’t use the MoneyPak to pay taxes or fees to claim “winnings” on a foreign lottery or prize promotion. Foreign lotteries are illegal, and you shouldn’t have to pay to receive a prize. Unless it’s an approved MoneyPak partner, don’t use MoneyPak for any offer that requires you to pay before you get an item.

• Remember that advance-fee loan offers are illegal and targeted at customers struggling with debt and poor credit.

• If you’re told you have to pay a fee — via MoneyPak or wire transfer — to collect a prize or sweepstakes winnings, you’re being scammed.

• Avoid offers that don’t accept credit card payments and require you to purchase a MoneyPak and provide the card number via e-mail or phone.

• Treat MoneyPak cards like cash. Unlike credit cards, MoneyPak transactions can never be reversed.

• Check MoneyPak’s list of approved partners before you use your MoneyPak to pay.

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