Shawano Leader News

2 injured by masked intrudersBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Shawano police were releasing few details Tuesday about a reported home invasion in the city early Saturday, saying the incident remains under investigation.

Two people were assaulted by masked intruders and were treated at Shawano Medical Center for “noncritical injuries,” according to a news release issued Saturday morning.

Capt. Jeff Heffernon said Tuesday police do not have an exact count of the intruders. Interviews with persons connected to the incident were continuing, he said.

According to the daily police log from Saturday, dispatchers received a call at 2:50 a.m. from someone reporting that “seven people with guns and bats have broken into the house” at a residence in the 800 block of Olson Street.

The caller stated the intruders were wearing masks and hung up the phone without providing a name.

The residence was occupied by adults and children. Police declined to reveal how many children or their ages.

Police responded with the assistance of the Shawano County Sheriff’s Special Response Team.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Department’s Bearcat armored personnel carrier was also called out.

It took roughly 45 minutes for the vehicle to arrive, during which time authorities gathered manpower and set up a perimeter around the home, Heffernon said.

Entry was made eventually into the occupied residence. No suspects were discovered.

“Shawano police believe this is an isolated incident, but residents should remain vigilant by locking their doors at night and reporting all suspicious activity,” Chief Mark Kohl said in Saturday’s news release.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to call the department at 715-524-4545.

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By: 

Leader Staff

Shawano County authorities Tuesday released a sketch of a suspect believed to be connected to an attempted abduction of a 14-year-old girl in the town of Birnamwood last month.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department received a report just after 1 p.m. Aug. 27 that a girl was walking along a road between cornfields when a male subject attempted to grab her. The girl was able to break free and went to a nearby home, where authorities were called.

The male was described as being in his mid to late teens, Caucasian, and approximately 6 feet, 2 inches tall, wearing a black sweatshirt or long sleeve T-shirt, blue jeans with holes and white tennis shoes.

The day after the incident, the Sheriff’s Department said there had been a person of interest identified and that officers were trying to locate that person.

Detective Troy Ugoretz said Tuesday the investigation is continuing and there was no new information regarding the suspect to accompany the sketch, which is a composite and not an exact likeness.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department at 715-526-3111.

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Consecration of new altar completes renovationBy: 

Carol Wagner, Leader Correspondent

Photo by Jim Leuenberger The Rev. Luke Ferris, pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano, stands by the new altar and reredos in the renovated church.

After a summer of Masses in the school gym, parishioners of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano got their first look this week at the extensively renovated church.

“I think it’s going to bring more warmth to the church,” said the Rev. Luke Ferris, the parish’s pastor.

The old altar will be used for the final time this weekend, at the 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 a.m. Sunday services. Then it will be removed for the new altar. The new altar will be consecrated by Bishop Robert Banks of the Green Bay Diocese at the 10:45 a.m. Mass on Sunday.

Michael Smith of Smith Renovations LLC, Janesville, did the redesign that has transformed the church, which was built in 1951-52.

“You get a feel for the church and for what’s possible,” Smith said. “When you enter a church you should sense spirituality immediately.”

Steve David of Oakridge, Oregon, was the restoration artist and appreciated working with Smith.

“He understands liturgical placements and what to do and what not to do,” David said. “Mike and I both worked on what to do. I came in and offered a lot of ideas. It’s going back to more traditional Catholic roots.”

They both consulted with Ferris and a renovation committee.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with Father Luke,” David said. “He understands art and design.”

A new altar and reredos (back altar) were built by Dave Myers, of New London. It has been described by those who got a sneak peek as impressive and welcoming.

Behind the reredos is the Blessed Sacrament Chapel for private meditation.

The slope of the baptismal font has been changed to cut down on splashing and accents added to coordinate with those on the altar. The statues and stations of the cross have been retouched.

The pews and other wood in the church have all been stained a dark brown cherry with newly padded seats and new kneelers. Porcelain tile is under the pews and new carpeting in the aisles.

“We had to deal with every surface,” David said. “It was a lot.”

A few things were changed in the gathering space, which now holds Resurrection Jesus above the entry doors. A picture of the Sacred Heart was crafted from the mosaic pieces that were in the sanctuary. The gathering space windows were replaced with stained glass windows removed during the 2004 renovation.

A system for the hearing impaired was in the plans, but there was too much interference from materials in the floor. A radio system will broadcast the services. More energy efficient air conditioning and boiler systems have been installed.

Ferris is very pleased with all that has been accomplished and said the finished design is even more beautiful than what was drawn up.

“We were able to keep the original art work, design and integrity of the church, and bring a fresh look at the same time,” Ferris said.

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Kotter also being paid through May 15By: 

Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent

The city of Clintonville has spent more than $17,000 on its investigation of former City Administrator Lisa Kotter, who resigned earlier this month after 17 years in the position.

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

In addition to the legal fees, the city also has to pay Kotter’s salary through May 15, 2015. In return, Kotter agreed not to file any complaints against the city.

Mayor Judith Magee released the attorney costs in response to a question from resident Brad Rokus during a citizens forum at a recent Common Council meeting.

The city’s legal fees for the investigation and subsequent negotiations with Kotter, through the end of August totaled $17,432.56.

Attorney Warren Kraft of the Murphy Desmond Law submitted an invoice for $5,937 on July 2. He was hired to investigate the undisclosed allegations raised by Common Council members about Kotter in May.

Attorneys Robert Burns and James Macy of the Davis/Kuelthau law firm had billed the city $11,495, through the end of August, for their work following Kraft’s initial investigation.

The council initially voted not to exceed $10,000 for the investigation, which was paid for from the city’s contingency fund.

“I agree it is a lot of money, but in previous years we have also exceeded our legal fees that we have set aside for outside counsel,” council President Jeannie Schley said. “It happens. It just hasn’t been as public.”

After initially suspending Kotter on May 13, the council voted 6-4 on May 27 to extend her suspension and refer allegations of misconduct to the city’s labor attorney. Magee vetoed that vote on June 2, and Kotter returned to work.

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

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

The council earlier this month met in closed session for two hours with Burns. After the session, Magee announced that the council was making progress and an anticipated resolution was expected in the near future.

The council never discussed its concerns about Kotter in open session, and Kotter maintained throughout that she did nothing wrong.

Kotter resigned, effective Sept. 10.

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Learning center will be based in new hospitalBy: 

Leader Staff

Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Shawano Medical Center CEO Dorothy Erdmann talks about the hospital’s collaboration with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College on a student nursing program during a news conference Tuesday at ThedaCare Physicians, while ThedaCare Senior Vice President Bill Mann and NWTC President Jeffrey Rafn look on.

Training for Shawano area nursing students will move out of the classroom and into the workplace starting in the fall of next year.

The new ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano and Northwest Wisconsin Technical College on Tuesday announced an agreement to offer Shawano’s NWTC nursing programs on site at the new medical center in 2015.

Hospital and NWTC officials said it is the first such collaboration in the state.

“This project really benefits ThedaCare, NWTC and our community,” said Dorothy Erdmann, CEO of Shawano Medical Center. “It will be a very big benefit to our hospital staff to have a simulation lab on site where interdisciplinary teams of nurses, physicians and their assistants can learn more about caring for complex patient cases.

“It’s an opportunity like never before to keep our skills sharp and current, teaching and learning right here in Shawano’s own hospital.”

Erdmann said the collaboration with NWTC has the community at heart.

“This is what it means to be a small community hospital that stays true to its roots,” she said. “Our hope is that these student nurses will ultimately help fill vacancies at the same hospital where they learned to be nurses.”

The concept of a nursing school within a small rural hospital was first championed by Erdmann, who said she saw an opportunity to “grow our own” nurses and allied health professionals to meet future staffing needs at ThedaCare’s new hospital, which is under construction.

At the same time, NWTC was looking to relieve space constraints at its crowded Shawano campus, according to Jeffrey Rafn, president of the technical college.

“These are the kind of relationships that technical colleges and employers must work hard to create,” Rafn said. “We are uniquely positioned to work together toward a common goal — to train nurses exactly where they will be needed, in a small community health care setting.”

A 5,000-square foot learning center is being constructed within the larger medical center to house both classroom and laboratory teaching equipment.

“This is a complete collaboration between ThedaCare and the college,” said Kay Tupala, NWTC dean of health sciences. “The learning center will be used by nursing students and current ThedaCare staff for orientations and continuing education.”

In particular, it will be equipped with a high fidelity simulator in the simulation lab and an exact replica of a ThedaCare patient room.

Nursing students will complete their first round of clinicals, or hands-on patient care, at TCMC-Shawano while in their second semester.

Between 55 and 60 certified nursing assistants are trained at NWTC-Shawano each year. Ten associate degreed nurses and 10 practical nurses, plus students pursuing degrees in health care business services, will also start their studies on site at TCMC-Shawano this year.

Tupala said the college is prepared to respond to market demand and poised to expand the number of programs available at its TCMC-Shawano site.

ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano will replace the 81-year-old Shawano Medical Center. The new facility is under construction adjacent to ThedaCare Physicians-Shawano at County Road B and state Highway 22. The center will also house ThedaCare At Home-Shawano and ThedaCare At Work-Shawano.

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Board to approve final budget in OctoberBy: 

Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

A $12.97 million tax levy passed without debate Monday night during a special annual meeting of the Shawano School District.

About 50 people voted unanimously to set the levy $41,434 higher than the 2013 levy.

The levy will cover about 36 percent of the school’s overall budget. State aid will cover 51 percent of the budget, with the remainder coming from local fees, open enrollment, federal grants and other state sources.

Taxpayers can expect to pay $10.34 per $1,000 of equalized valuation if property values within the district remain the same. The tax rate was $10.31 per $1,000 in 2013. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 who paid $1,031 in school taxes last year will pay $1,034 this year.

District business manager Louise Fischer said she received some preliminary estimates from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue that county property values will drop 1 percent. Statewide property values are expected to increase 2 percent.

Communities within the Shawano School District are showing some fluctuations, she said, with city of Shawano property values estimated to drop 3 percent while the towns of Belle Plaine and Wescott are estimated to grow 3 percent.

“Normally, when the value increases, the tax rate decreases,” Fischer said.

The district will be levying about $600,000 less than the maximum allowed by the state.

Fischer estimated state aid would be 5 percent higher than what the district received in the 2013-14 school year. However, that amount could change once official enrollment counts, taken statewide on the third Friday in September, are officially certified in mid-October, about the same time the property values are publicly released.

“Right now, we’re estimating state aid at about $13.4 million,” Fischer said.

The district’s budget, which is slated to be approved by the School Board at the end of October, includes a number of proposed projects, including a districtwide server upgrade, making the middle and high school exterior doors keyless entry to improve security, a study of the middle school’s HVAC system, and a study of asphalt conditions at all district parking lots.

The server upgrades are estimated to cost $287,000. The money will come from the district’s fund balance.

BY THE NUMBERS

Shawano School District tax rates

Per $1,000 of equalized value

2005-06: $7.25

2006-07: $7.29

2007-08: $6.78

2008-09: $8.06

2009-10: $8.66

2010-11: $9.20

2011-12: $8.98

2012-13: $9.95

2013-14: $10.31

2014-15: $10.34

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Shawano Police Department

Sept. 22

Police logged 26 incidents, including the following:

Theft — Police investigated a theft complaint in the 700 block of South Smalley Street.

Drug Offense — Police investigated a drug complaint at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported a female shoplifter in custody.

Drug Offense — Police investigated a drug complaint in the 1300 block of East Lieg Avenue.

Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported another female shoplifter in custody.

Sept. 21

Police logged 26 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance at Slackers, 146 S. Main St.

Accident — Police responded to an injury accident at Main Street and Lieg Avenue.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 400 block of Humphrey Circle.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance at the Wisconsin House, 216 E. Green Bay St.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint on Richmond Court.

Warrant — A 27-year-old man was taken into custody on a warrant in the 600 block of East Green Bay Street.

Drug Offense — Police investigated a drug complaint in the 900 block of East Green Bay Street.

Sept. 20

Police logged 10 incidents, including the following:

Burglary — Police, assisted by Shawano County sheriff’s deputies, responded to a break-in in the 800 block of Olson Street involving a report of masked intruders who assaulted two people. The incident was under investigation.

Disturbance — Police responded to a domestic disturbance in the 1000 block of South Franklin Street.

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 100 block of East Richmond Street.

Drug Offense — Police investigated a drug complaint in the 1200 block of South Franklin Street.

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint in the 1100 block of South Smalley Street.

Theft — A phone was reported stolen in the 800 block of South Smalley Street.

Sept. 19

Police logged 30 incidents, including the following:

OWI — A 39-year-old man was arrested for operating while intoxicated at Main and Alpine streets.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 100 block of Acorn Street.

Assault — Police investigated an assault at Memorial Park, 909 S. Lincoln St.

Juvenile — Police responded to a loitering complaint at the Shawano Recreation Center, 220 E. Division St.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 400 block of West Second Street.

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

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Sept. 22

Deputies logged 38 incidents, including the following:

Reckless Driving — Authorities responded to a reckless driving complaint on state Highway 29 in Bonduel.

Assault — Authorities investigated an assault on state Highway 22 in Belle Plaine.

Vandalism — A mailbox was reported vandalized on Hill Drive in Angelica.

Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a drug complaint on Country Lane in the town of Washington.

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

Accidents — Police logged two deer-related crashes.

Sept. 21

Deputies logged 37 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on state Highway 22 in Cecil.

Warrant — A 36-year-old Birnamwood man was arrested on a warrant after authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Oak Street in Tigerton.

Disturbance — A 51-year-old homeless man was arrested after a disturbance on Warrington Avenue in Cecil.

Juvenile — Authorities investigated a juvenile alcohol complaint on state Highway 187 in Navarino.

Theft — A lawn mower was reported stolen on state Highway 22 in Belle Plaine.

Theft — Tools were reported stolen on Landstad Road in Lessor.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on County Road M in the town of Grant.

Accidents — Authorities logged two deer-related crashes and a vehicle versus bear in the town of Seneca.

Sept. 20

Deputies logged 43 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Authorities investigated a juvenile alcohol complaint on White Clay Lake Drive in the town of Washington.

OWI — A 19-year-old Cecil male was arrested for operating while intoxicated on Freeborn Street in Cecil.

OWI — A 19-year-old Shawano male was arrested for operating while intoxicated on White Clay Lake Drive in the town of Washington. A 20-year-old male passenger from Bonduel was cited for underage drinking.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Big Lake Road in Red Springs.

Warrant — A 42-year-old man was arrested on a warrant on state Highway 47-55 in Wescott.

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

Sept. 19

Deputies logged 52 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Rollman Street in Bowler.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a report of a fight in progress at the Best Western, W17267 Red Oak Lane, Wittenberg.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on County Road A in Bowler.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Camp 14 Road in Bartelme.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on Golfview Road in Cecil.

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Marble Avenue in Mattoon.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on County Road T in Waukechon.

Accidents — Authorities logged Seven accidents, including an injury accident on U.S. Highway 45 in Wittenberg and three deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

Sept. 22

Police logged nine incidents, including the following:

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint on South Main Street.

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

Harassment — A harassment and disorderly conduct complaint was under investigation on South Clinton Avenue.

Sept. 21

Police logged five incidents, including the following:

OAR — A driver was arrested for operating after revocation and taken onto custody on a Probation and Parole hold.

Theft — A theft was reported on South Main Street.

Sept. 20

Police logged eight incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — A suspicious incident at County Road I and Main Street was investigated.

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

Suspicious — A suspicious incident was investigated on Seventh Street.

Sept. 19

Police logged 11 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — A suspicious incident was reported on South Clinton Avenue.

Theft — A theft was reported on Eighth Street.

Disorderly — A disorderly conduct complaint was reported at the middle school.

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2 injured by masked intrudersBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Two people were assaulted by masked intruders during a home invasion in the city early Saturday, according to the Shawano Police Department.

Police responded shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday to a report of masked individuals carrying weapons breaking into a residence in the 800 block of Olson Street. The residence was occupied by adults and children residing in the home.

Officers responded and surrounded the home. With the assistance of the Shawano County Sheriff’s Special Response Team and equipment from the Brown County Sheriff’s Department, entry was made into the residence.

No suspects were discovered. The suspects were described as wearing masks and gloves. Two adults inside the residence were assaulted by the intruders and received noncritical injuries, according to police. Both victims were transported to Shawano Medical Center.

“Shawano police believe this is an isolated incident, but residents should remain vigilant by locking their doors at night and reporting all suspicious activity,” Chief Mark Kohl said in a news release. "Shawano police are actively investigating this incident and following up on leads.”

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to call the department at 715-524-4545.

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Drivers get warnings this timeBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Shawano Community Service Officer Chris Eggerts makes his way into the crosswalk on East Green Bay Street on Friday to see whether traffic will stop for him during an enforcement effort aimed at getting motorists to be aware of pedestrians.
Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Shawano Police Lt. Mike Musolff displays a copy of the state statute handed out to motorists during a traffic enforcement effort Friday mandating that drivers stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

Shawano police pulled over 13 motorists over the course of about 90 minutes Friday morning during an enhanced enforcement effort at two of the city’s pedestrian crosswalks.

The drivers got off with warnings this time around, but most were apparently surprised to learn they’d broken the law. They failed to stop for a pedestrian entering the crosswalk.

“Most drivers were under the impression they did not need to stop at a crosswalk for a pedestrian,” said Lt. Mike Musolff, who worked the detail with Officer Kurt Kitzman.

Drivers either ignoring pedestrians in crosswalks or simply not realizing they’re supposed to stop for them has long been a safety concern for Shawano police.

“Going forward, we’re going to be enforcing things more than we have been,” Musolff said. “We’re trying to get the word out there prior to that.”

State statutes require motorists to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and uncontrolled intersections. They must also yield to a person riding a bicycle or electric personal assistant mobility device.

Friday’s enforcement effort focused on two crosswalks along the Mountain Bay Trail; one on East Green Bay Street just west of Lakeland Road near Woodlawn Cemetery, and one on Main Street at Oshkosh Street.

There are also two other spots in town where the trail crosses Airport Drive and where it crosses Lincoln Street that concern police.

“Those crosswalks are probably the places where we have most of the trouble,” Musolff said.

“We need people to pay attention to people that are in the crosswalk, so they stop,” he said. “Drivers need to take some extra time to make sure that they have allowed those people to get through.”

Musolff and Kitzman, who handed out copies of the law to motorists they pulled over Friday, stationed their squads out of sight near the crosswalks while Community Service Officer Chris Eggert, dressed in civilian garb, braved the flow of traffic.

Eggert had a number of crossings Friday where he did manage to get traffic in both directions to come to a stop, even on the busy, four-lane Green Bay Street.

Musolff said it often takes just one motorist to clue in fellow drivers that they need to stop.

“Chances are if one person stops the people coming the other way are going to stop also,” he said.

There were exceptions, however.

On one of Eggert’s first attempted forays across the four lanes of East Green Bay Street, a vehicle in an outer lane stopped for him, while a vehicle in the lane closest to him continued to plow through the crosswalk.

“People get confused as drivers about when they need to stop,” Musolff said. “When somebody’s in a crosswalk, you need to stop. If they’re standing there waiting to cross and they look like they’re going to cross, you need to stop and allow them to cross. That is your duty as a driver.”

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Rise Together presenting 3 sessionsBy: 

Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

Shawano County residents will get to hear first-hand accounts of the devastating effects of heroin from two recovering addicts next week.

Rise Together, a recovery advocacy group, will make presentations at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at North Star Casino, W12180 County Road A, Bowler; 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Boarders Inn and Suites, W7393 River Bend Road, Shawano; and Thursday at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B, Shawano. The SCHS session is open only to students.

Leadership Shawano County is sponsoring the programs with the help the Shawano Area Community Foundation and ThedaCare.

Wednesday’s session is almost at capacity, said Wendy Crawford, Leadership Shawano County coordinator, but there are plenty of seats available for the Bowler presentation. Car pooling to Bowler is available at 4:30 p.m. at the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce, 1263 S. Main St., Shawano.

Rise Together was started last year by Anthony Alvarado and Douglas Darby, two former heroin users in long-term recovery, to support others struggling to conquer their addiction. One of the key goals is preventing children and teens from getting hooked.

“It’s different because it’s a story from the perspective of the user,” Crawford said. “They talk about warning signs, and they talk about the reality of being addicted to heroin — what drugs came first and what order.”

Rise Together made a presentation to Leadership Shawano County in 2013, and Crawford said she came away from it with a newfound understanding of how prevalent heroin is in communities everywhere.

Crawford said the presentation made it clear that believing heroin problems do not exist in small towns is a fantasy.

“A couple of years ago, I could not name a person who had used heroin or identify a family who was affected by it. Today I can,” Crawford said.

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Health Department holding community meetingBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Area residents are invited to share their thoughts about the major health concerns facing Shawano and Menominee counties at a meeting Tuesday with public health officials.

The Community Health Improvement Plan meeting is part of a community health assessment conducted every five years. A session also was held Monday in Tigerton.

“CHIP is the next step in the health prioritization planning process,” said Jaime Bodden, director of public health for the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department.

Residents should have plenty to discuss. In the 2014 County Health Rankings released in March, Shawano County ranked 60th and Menominee County 72nd of the state’s 72 counties.

The rankings consider 29 factors that influence health, including tobacco and alcohol use, education, unemployment rates, obesity and physical activity, and housing conditions.

Megan Suehring, a community health educator with the health department, will present data from the 2014 assessment and lead the discussion.

“Shawano County’s health ranks 60th of 72 counties. Let’s see how much we can improve,” she said.

Local health officials say the rankings and community health assessment reveal similar needs for the area, including mental and oral health services, alcohol and drug services, more physical activity and better nutrition.

Bodden said there needs to be cooperation between residents and government agencies to move forward.

“Health issues are a huge undertaking, from promoting individual behaviors and choices, changing community environments and adopting local, state and federal policies,” Bodden said. “Collective action is vital for success, and this is just one way for the public to get involved.”

Bodden hopes residents come to the meeting with a new vision for the community.

“We are looking for public input into what they feel the big health concerns are in our area and what a healthy community looks like in their eyes,” Bodden said.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Community Health Improvement Plan meeting with area residents

WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: Rooms A and B, Shawano County Courthouse, 311 N. Main St., Shawano

FYI: For information, call 715-526-4808.

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Shawano Police Department

Sept. 18

Police logged 25 incidents, including the following:

Theft — Medication was reported stolen at the Settle Inn, 104 N. Airport Drive.

Warrant — A 36-year-old man was taken into custody on a warrant at Lincoln and Richmond streets.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 1300 block of South Andrews Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 1200 block of South Lafayette Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Sept. 18

Deputies logged 33 incidents, including the following:

Bail Jumping — A female subject was taken into custody for bail jumping on Bartelt Street in Gresham.

Assault — Authorities investigated an assault at the Shawano County Jail, 405 N. Main St., Shawano.

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

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on County Road M in Richmond.

Accidents — Authorities logged one deer-related crash and a semi versus cow.

Clintonville Police Department

Sept. 18

Police logged nine incidents, including the following:

Theft — A theft was reported on Industrial Avenue.

Theft — A theft was reported on West Campus Drive.

Accident — Police responded to a three-vehicle property damage accident at Main and First streets.

Theft — A 25-year-old Appleton woman was arrested for retail theft and bail jumping on South Main Street.

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Policy provides emergency response optionsBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

The Shawano School District will go public Tuesday with its new options-based plan for lockdown procedures at an informational meeting geared to parents, guardians and community members.

The district recently adopted a policy that would change the way schools respond to emergency situations such as an armed intruder entering a school building.

Previous lockdown procedures involved the staff locking their doors, moving the students to a part of the room where they could not be seen, and quietly remaining there until an “all clear” announcement was given.

Officials say that response is too limited.

“We have the ability to use different options to be safe,” Shawano Community High School Principal Scott Zwirschitz said.

The new policy relies on a program known as ALICE, which is an acronym for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate.

Lockdown is still an option, but with the added initiative of barricading the door if there’s no way out.

In cases where evacuation isn’t possible, the ALICE model promotes the “counter” option, which could include anything from distracting the shooter by throwing things at him to swarming over him and taking him down.

ALICE will be implemented in all Shawano School District buildings this year.

All Shawano School District staff have received training on the concepts. School principals will guide their staff in providing the training and implementation of the plan to students with the assistance of Shawano Resource Officer Jody Johnson and other members of the Shawano Police Department.

Zwirschitz said those concepts would be shared with students in an appropriate way depending on their age.

“Ultimately, informing the students is where it gets tricky,” he said, noting there would obviously have to be a difference in how high school students are informed versus those in the lower elementary grades.

The district wants parents and guardians to be aware of the policy first.

“We want the community to be aware; then we’ll go to the students,” Zwirschitz said.

The meeting Tuesday will include an overview and presentation of the ALICE procedures and time for parental and community questions and input.

A letter to parents and guardians about the meeting went out earlier this month.

“Our students need to be reminded of safe practices in order for them to make good decisions related to personal safety,” the letter stated. “Children need to know that there are many solutions and options when faced with a problem. Empowering our children to have options is an important key to a safe and positive outcome when facing a crisis.”

School officials will meet with Shawano police Oct. 3 at a safety committee meeting to discuss a plan for informing students about the ALICE program.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Public meeting discussing ALICE emergency response program with Shawano School District residents

WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: Large Group Instruction Room, Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B, Shawano.

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Neighbors, businesses reporting code violationsBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

A new push on enforcing quality of life issues in the city has been has been yielding good results, according to Shawano Police Chief Mark Kohl.

Kohl said there has been a lot of cooperation from residents and business owners who have been calling in calling in code violations involving such things as weeds and uncut grass, and vehicles and debris in yards and vacant lots.

“We’re getting a good response from the community,” Kohl told the Shawano Common Council last week.

“We’ve had a lot of success with help from our neighbors and businesses on code issues,” he said.

Earlier this year, the Police Department adopted a more aggressive stance on public nuisances that disrupt the aesthetic quality of life in the city, targeting everything from graffiti to unkempt lawns.

“We continue to make progress on that,” Kohl said. “I’m happy to say it’s because of the hard work and influence as well as commitment of our city residents and businesses to make this a great city to live, work and play.”

The city has various ordinances covering such things as grass height, junked vehicles and the condition of abandoned buildings, but little had been done previously to enforce those ordinances unless someone complained.

In addition to partnering with the community to encourage reports of nuisances, the department’s community service officers are now actively on the lookout for ordinance violations.

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Shawano Police Department

Sept. 17

Police logged 22 incidents, including the following:

Burglary — Police investigated a burglary in the 1100 block of South Bartlett Street.

Arrest — Police took a man into custody at the New Era House, 105 E. Richmond St., for a Probation and Parole violation.

OAR — A 30-year-old man was cited for operating after revocation in the 400 block of South Lincoln Street.

Trespass — Police responded to a trespassing complaint in the 1100 block of South Smalley Street.

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

Burglary — Police investigated a burglary in the 500 block of South Union Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Sept. 17

Deputies logged 46 incidents, including the following:

Fire — Authorities responded to a vehicle fire on Marsh Road in Aniwa.

Theft — Medication was reported stolen on Old 29 Road in Bowler.

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Dodge Farm Road in Bowler.

Prostitution — A 25-year-old Milwaukee woman was arrested for prostitution at the Best Western, W17267 Red Oak Lane, Wittenberg.

Warrant — A 23-year-old Aniwa man was arrested on a warrant and a 23-year-old Aniwa woman was arrested on a Probation and Parole violation on Lake Street in Aniwa.

OAR — A 51-year-old Shawano woman was cited for operating after revocation and taken into custody on a warrant on Cecil Street in Bonduel.

Prowler — Authorities investigated a report of a prowler on Lake Drive in Wescott.

Warrant — A 39-year-old Birnamwood woman was arrested on a warrant on Red River Road in the town of Herman.

Clintonville Police Department

Sept. 17

Police logged nine incidents, including the following:

Assault — A sexual assault complaint was under investigation.

Harassment — A warning for harassment was issued on East Second Street.

Accidents — Police responded to a one-vehicle property damage accident on West Madison Street and a two-vehicle property damage accident on South Main Street.

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Bowler, Menominee Indian fall short of expectationsBy: 

Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

First-year Bonduel School District Superintendent Patrick Rau said Wednesday that he was pleased with how his schools did on their state report cards released this week, especially the elementary school, which was ranked in the exceeding expectations category.

“We’re definitely excited about our elementary school,” Rau said. “We’ve made a number of curriculum changes and implemented some response to intervention strategies that we’ve been doing the last couple of years.

“It’s great to see the impact, that those students are achieving more.”

The annual data from the Department of Public Instruction shows how well students, schools and districts are performing in four main areas; student achievement in reading and math on statewide assessments, student growth in those assessments, closing achievement and graduation gaps, and readiness for college or careers.

Schools and districts receive scores of 0-100 in each category. No area district received the highest rating, significantly exceeded expectations, and none failed to meet expectations. Bowler and Menominee Indian, however, fell into the “meets few expectations” category.

Most Shawano County schools met or exceeded standards. However, Pulaski, with a score of 73, was the only district overall to exceed expectations.

Four Pulaski schools — Lannoye Elementary, Pulaski High, Pulaski Middle and Pulaski Elementary — exceeded expectations, as did Wittenberg-Birnamwood High, Bonduel Elementary, Gresham Elementary and Marion Elementary.

Shawano School District Superintendent Gary Cumberland was pleased district schools met expectations, but he said the district can still find room for improvement. Each of the schools is putting together plans to address some of the weaker links found in the state report card.

“Out of 424 school districts in Wisconsin, and Shawano is one of them, 98 percent meets or exceeds expectations,” Cumberland said. “We feel good about being part of that group, but we know we have work to do.”

Faith Gagnon, Bowler School District superintendent, said that while she and other school officials are disappointed in the results, she noted they are reflective of what was learned in the 2012-13 school year, with testing done in fall 2013.

“I believe in transparency, and I believe in accountability,” Gagnon said. “Instead of being defensive about it, we’re being more proactive and saying, ‘OK, this is what it is, and OK, this is what we need to do to turn this around.’”

Since the last test, the Bowler schools have adopted a new reading curriculum that Gagnon hopes will boost test scores. The district also is looking for a different math curriculum.

“The first thing we wanted to really make sure we did well was the reading, because the reading is going to be a heavy component in the new math assessments coming out,” Gagnon said.

More changes are on the way as part of the Common Core curriculum being implemented statewide. Next year students in grades 3 through 8 will take new reading and math tests called Smarter Balanced, while high school students will take the ACT and affiliated tests.

Rau said the ACT scores, which high school students could opt not to take before this year, have always been a factor in determining whether high schools meet state standards. It is the Smarter Balanced tests that are a mystery for schools, he said.

“It’s going to be interesting to see,” Rau said. “I don’t know what to expect.”

“I believe it’s going to be hard to compare what you see now (in the 2014 report cards) and these new tests. It’s going to be two different worlds,” Cumberland said.

AT A GLANCE

Exceeds Expectations

Districts: Pulaski (73)

Schools: Lannoye Elementary (80.2), Pulaski High (77), Wittenberg-Birnamwood High (76.8), Bonduel Elementary (75.4), Gresham Elementary (75), Pulaski Elementary (74.5), Pulaski Community Middle (74.4), Marion Elementary (74)

Meets Expectations

Districts: Gresham (71.9), Bonduel (70.2), Marion (69.7), Wittenberg-Birnamwood (68.7), Shawano (68), Tigerton (66.9), Clintonville (66.5)

Schools: Glenbrook Elementary (72.9), Gresham High (71.5) Sunnyside Elementary (71.3), Bonduel High (71), Fairview Elementary (70.5), Birnamwood Elementary (70.4), Longfellow Elementary (70.4), Shawano High (69.8), Hillcrest Primary (69.4), Olga Brener Intermediate (69.3), Tigerton Elementary (69.3), Wittenberg Elementary (68.2), Clintonville Middle (67.8), Shawano Middle (67.1), Marion High (67.1), Bonduel Middle (66.6), Keshena Primary (63.7), Tigerton High (63.6)

Meets Few Expectations

Districts: Menominee Indian (61.5), Bowler (58.4),

Schools: Bowler High (62), Menominee Indian High (58.4), Menominee Indian Middle (57.7), Bowler Elementary (57.1)

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Program provides about $30K annually to nonprofitsBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Contributed Photo Bonduel Emergency Medical Service utilized a $5,000 grant from the Shawano Area Community Foundation to purchase a Life Pak 15 Cardiac Monitor. Members of Bonduel EMS include, clockwise, Carol Winsand, Matt Bunker, Jeremy Desjarlais, Jim Welcing, Bill Winsand, Rodney Hoppe and Doug Bartels.

Nonprofit organizations have until Oct. 1 to apply for 2014 Shawano Area Community Foundation grants.

The foundation, founded in 1990, awarded nearly $35,000 from its Shawano Area Fund to 12 organizations in 2013.

Bonduel Emergency Medical Service used its $5,000 SACF grant toward the purchase of a $30,000 cardiac monitor, which measures cardiac rhythms and transmits them to an emergency room physician prior to the patient’s arrival. Through continuous communication, medical service personnel are able to receive instructions from emergency room personnel to save time and potentially a life.

“We were really excited because we wanted that piece of equipment,” said Bonduel EMS President Rodney Hoppe, who noted it has been used multiple times this year.

“We didn’t use any taxpayer money, so it was pretty awesome,” Hoppe said.

SACF’s funding comes primarily from individual donations and an annual golf outing.

The annual grant program helps multiple organizations with multiple needs in the areas of arts and culture, health, human services, community development, education and environment.

Priority is given to proposals for which a moderate amount of grant money can make a significant impact on an area of need.

“Grant preference is given to one-time projects, not to routine ongoing operating expenses,” said Gail Bartz, chairwoman of the SACF grants committee.

When organizations apply for a grant, they need to provide proof of nonprofit status, organization mission statement, number of board members, a clear objective with a cost estimate, and an estimated date of project completion. Projects also need to directly benefit Shawano County residents.

“Grant applications need to be concise and demonstrate commitment to their request, possibly by showing in-kind contributions,” Bartz said.

Hoppe said filling out the online application at shawanofoundation.org was an efficient and quick process.

“It was fairly simple. It took me about two hours get documents together for the foundation,” Hoppe said. “All I can say is it is a nicely streamlined application process.”

Bartz said the foundation distributes about $30,000 annually, depending on the funds available, to local nonprofits. Grants typically range from $500 to $5,000.

Organizations that are not public charities may apply through a fiscal sponsor.

The 2014 recipients will be announced toward the end of December.

FYI

The Shawano Area Community Foundation was established by community volunteers to preserve and improve the quality of life in Shawano and the surrounding area. It is an affiliate of the Appleton-based Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, the second-largest community foundation in Wisconsin. More information about the SACF is available online at www.ShawanoFoundation.org, by calling 715-524-6627 or by e-mailing [email protected].

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Residents can put their name on steel

Area residents have until Friday to sign one of the uppermost steel beams of the new ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano before they are hoisted into place.

Plates that will be affixed to the uppermost steel beams, along with markers, are available in the main lobbies at Shawano Medical Center and ThedaCare Physicians-Shawano through Friday. The beams, with the signed plates attached, will be raised into position Wednesday morning.

This topping off ceremony is traced back to ancient Scandinavians, who placed a tree atop a new building to appease tree-dwelling spirits displaced in its construction.

Although the new hospital is constructed with steel beams, the modern custom marks a milestone for major construction projects.

“Putting those top beams in place is always a big moment, and we like to stop and celebrate the achievement with our crew and our customers,” said Matt Peterson, project manager at The Boldt Co. of Appleton, the project’s general contractor and construction management firm. “Our goal is to fully enclose the building before the cold weather so the medical center’s interior finish and most mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems can be installed during the winter.”

Dorothy Erdmann, CEO of Shawano Medical Center, sees the milestone as an opportunity to invite the public into the process in a tangible way.

“This is your chance to attach your name, quite literally, to Shawano’s new hospital. After so much discussion and planning, it feels good to pause and appreciate all the hard work that’s been completed thus far. We are both grateful and re-energized for the exciting year ahead.”

ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano will replace the 81-year-old Shawano Medical Center and is slated to open in fall 2015. It is under construction adjacent to ThedaCare Physicians-Shawano at County Road B and state Highway 22.

The center will also house ThedaCare At Home-Shawano and ThedaCare At Work-Shawano.

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By: 

Leader Staff

The Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department sent alerts to schools last week to be on the lookout for possible cases of enterovirus 68.

Doctors suspect there are at least nine Wisconsin cases of the respiratory and stomach virus that has hospitalized hundreds of children around the country.

Samples of nine suspected cases in the Madison area were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week. Test results should be back in about one week.

Enterovirus 68 is an uncommon strain of a very common family of viruses that typically hit from summertime through autumn. It mainly affects infants, children and teenagers.

Common symptoms include a low-grade fever in addition to a cough, runny nose, sneezing and body/muscle aches. The more severe symptoms include wheezing, difficulty breathing and a high heart rate.

Children with weakened immune systems or asthma are most at risk.

The virus is spread through saliva, nasal mucus or sputum, and is spread from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes or touches surfaces.

Deb Zernicke, assistant public health director for the area health department, said letters were sent Friday to area schools with information about the virus.

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Maintaining a drug trafficking place

A Bowler man was charged in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court on Tuesday with running a marijuana operation out of his home.

Cody A. Miller, 26, is facing felony counts of manufacture and delivery of marijuana and maintaining a drug trafficking place. Each count carries a maximum possible penalty of 3½ years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Stockbridge-Munsee police and Shawano County sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at Miller’s residence in March after a drug buy with a confidential informant, according to the criminal complaint. Authorities seized several baggies of marijuana, as well as synthetic marijuana, digital scales and other drug paraphernalia, according to the criminal complaint.

Miller was released on a $2,500 signature bond Tuesday and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Oct. 10.

Substantial battery

A Shawano woman arrested after a domestic disturbance in the city Sunday has been charged with a felony count of substantial battery.

Sophia M. Miller, 44, was taken into custody after a disturbance at the Wisconsin House, 216 E. Green Bay St.

According to the criminal complaint, she struck a 41-year-old man with a rock during the incident. The victim sustained several wounds that required stitches and a brain bleed, the complaint states.

Miller could face a maximum 3½ years in prison and $10,000 fine if convicted. She was ordered held on a $1,500 cash bond Monday and is due back in court for a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Auto theft

A Clintonville woman is accused of stealing a pickup truck in the town of Grant on Sunday.

Margaret J. Boyd, 30, could face a maximum 3½ years in prison and $10,000 fine if convicted of operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent. She is also charged with two misdemeanor counts of bail jumping.

According to the criminal complaint, a town of Grant couple noticed their truck missing Sunday afternoon and saw a strange car parked on their property. They then saw a woman later identified as Boyd drive the truck around to the back to the property and walk back to the unoccupied car. When they attempted to confront her, she sped off in the car, according to the criminal complaint.

The car was traced to a family member of Boyd’s who told authorities Boyd had been using it.

Boyd was ordered held on a $1,500 cash bond Monday and is due back in court for a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Identity theft

A Cecil man has been charged with felony counts of theft and identity theft for allegedly using his father’s name to steal $25,000 from his parents’ savings account.

Jeramy Gschwind, 43, could face a maximum 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if convicted of the felony theft count, and six years and a $10,000 fine for identity theft.

Gschwind allegedly used his father’s personal information at a town of Washington bank to have money orders made out to him and forwarded to a bank in Antigo, according to the criminal complaint.

Gschwind was being held on a $25,000 cash bond and is scheduled for an adjourned initial court appearance Monday.

Felony OWI

A Tigerton woman is facing a felony count of fourth offense operating while intoxicated with a child in the vehicle.

Kimberly A. Romualdo, 52, could face a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $4,000 fine if convicted.

Romualdo was arrested in the town of Wittenberg on Aug. 27 after authorities responded to a reckless driving complaint on Oriole Road, according to the criminal complaint.

Romualdo waived a preliminary hearing on the charge in court last week and is scheduled for arraignment Monday. She was freed on a $2,000 signature bond.

Felony theft

A homeless man has been charged with a felony count of theft for allegedly stealing a 12-gauge shotgun from a residence in Bonduel last month.

Kenneth J. Eder, 29, could face a maximum six years in prison and $10,000 fine if found guilty. He is accused of stealing the gun from his brother’s residence and selling it, according to the criminal complaint.

Eder is scheduled for a pre-trial conference on Sept. 30.

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