Shawano Leader News
Public Record
Shawano Police Department
Sept. 16
Police logged 20 incidents, including the following:
Debris — Police responded to complaints of nails strewn about at Division and Main streets.
Warrant — Police took a male subject into custody on an outstanding warrant in the 900 block of South Lafayette Street.
Disturbance — Police investigated a domestic disturbance complaint from a female in the 100 block of South Main Street.
Juvenile — Police investigated a male student for possession of a vaping device at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.
Juvenile — Police investigated a disturbance between two students at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.
Truancy — There were five truancy reports at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.
Accident — Police responded to a minor accident in the parking lot of Torborg’s, 1351 E. Green Bay St.
Drug — Police investigated a missing prescription at Evergreen Health Care Center, 1250 S. Evergreen St.
Drug — Police issued a citations for drug possession to 19- and 16-year-olds at Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St.
Shoplifting — Police issued a male a citation for shoplifting at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.
Disturbance — Police issued a woman a verbal warning for obscene language in the 700 block of South Union Street.
Pornography — Police investigated a complaint a female juvenile received pornography through picture messaging on her cellular phone in the 500 block of South Sawyer Street.
Suspicious — Police investigated a suspicious male wandering a private residence in the 500 block of South Sawyer Street.
Burglary — Police investigated a burglary in progress in the 1100 block of South Bartlett Street. Suspect fled after being chased by dog.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
Sept. 16
Deputies logged 30 incidents, including the following:
Noise — A noise complaint was made on Cedar Road in the town of Birnamwood.
Criminal Damage — Authorities issued a citation for criminal damage to property at the Shawano County Jail, 405 N. Main St. A 29-year-old inmate flooded his cell.
Assist — Authorities assisted Shawano Police Department with a woman reporting she was being abused in the 100 block of South Main Street.
Juvenile — Authorities logged a report of a female juvenile being struck in the back by a peer in the 800 block of Bartelt Street in Gresham.
Theft — Electrical wire was reported stolen at Murphys and River roads in Bowler.
Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile runaway at Homme Youth and Family, W18105 Hemlock Road, Wittenberg. The girl was later located and returned to facility.
Clintonville Police Department
Sept. 16
Police responded to 14 incidents, including the following:
Harassment — Police investigated a harassment complaint on West 13th Street.
Accident — A property damage accident was reported on West Madison Street.
Disorderly — A disorderly conduct complaint was made at Rexford-Longfellow Elementary School, 105 S. Clinton Ave.
Harassment — Police investigated a harassment complaint on River Lane.
OAR — Police cited an 18-year-old female for operating without a driver’s license on North Clinton Avenue.
Domestic — Police assisted Marion Police Department with a domestic abuse incident.
Domestic — Police responded to a domestic abuse and disorderly conduct complaint on East Morning Glory Drive. Charges were referred to the district attorney for a 35-year-old man.
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetAppeals court overturns OWI conviction
Kevin Murphy, Leader Correspondent
A state appeals court Tuesday reversed a Shawano man’s sixth OWI conviction and three-year prison sentence, finding that the game warden who arrested him lacked probable cause.
Conservation warden James Horne arrested Thomas J. Anker, 46, after responding to a call in November 2012 about a man involved in a vehicle injury accident who had run into a woods behind the Shawano Walmart. Horne found Anker, barefoot and bleeding from a head injury, near the store’s parking lot and arrested him.
Circuit Court Judge James Habeck found that Horne had probable cause to arrest Anker, and Anker subsequently pleaded no contest to operating while intoxicated-sixth offense and causing injury to another person by operation of a vehicle while intoxicated. He was sentenced in February 2014.
On appeal, Anker’s attorney successfully argued that Horne lacked probable cause to arrest Anker. The state claimed that Horne did not arrest Anker but was merely detaining him while other authorities were investigating the incident.
Detention requires the lower standard of reasonable suspicion and Horne had that, the state contended.
However, the facts did not support the state’s arguments, the District III Court of Appeals ruled.
Horne ordered Anker to stop, told him he was under arrest, forcibly handcuffed and turned him over to local authorities. The state argued that Horne took those steps to assert his authority over someone he believed would flee the scene.
To lawfully detain someone during an investigation, law enforcement must identify themselves as such. Horne was driving an unmarked vehicle and did not initially tell Anker that he was a law enforcement official, the court noted.
Also, Habeck did not officially find that Horne was wearing his uniform at the time, according to the opinion.
“(U)nder the totality of the circumstances, a reasonable person would believe that he or she was being placed under arrest by Horne,” Judge Thomas Crane wrote in the 12-page opinion. “Accordingly, we conclude probable cause was the appropriate standard. Because the state concedes there was not probable cause for the arrest, we reverse the judgment of conviction.”
The appeals decision allows the Shawano County district attorney to try to convince Habeck that it would have discovered the evidence obtained after Anker’s arrest through other sources. The court did not identify what evidence it contends is admissible or explain how it would have been discovered without Anker’s arrest.
Dana Brueck, a spokesperson for the attorney general’s office, which handled the appeal, had no comment on the opinion.
District Attorney Gregory Parker was not available for comment Tuesday.
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetMost state schools meet, exceed expectations
The Associated Press
Most Wisconsin public schools and school districts met or exceeded expectations for student achievement last school year, numbers that are comparable with 2012, data released by the state Department of Public Instruction on Tuesday showed.
The information was released in the annual school report cards. This is the third year report cards have been issued for all 2,113 public and 23 independent charter schools. It’s the second year that report cards for all 424 districts have been released.
Statewide, 88.3 percent of schools and 98.1 percent of districts met or exceeded expectations. In the 2012 school year, 88.1 percent of schools and 97.1 percent of districts met or exceeded expectations. The year before that, when only schools were in the report card, 85.8 percent met or exceeded expectations.
The data 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.
The report cards also include demographic information about each school and larger district.
Milwaukee Public Schools was the only district that failed to meet expectations. Sixty-six schools, all but nine of them in Milwaukee, failed to meet expectations. In 2012, the Milwaukee district along with 58 schools, most of them in Milwaukee, failed to meet expectations.
Nine districts, and 116 schools, significantly exceeded expectations, the highest rating. The districts were Swallow, Mequon-Thiensville, North Lake, Whitefish Bay, Elmbrook, Fox Point J2, Cedarburg, Waterford UHS and Hamilton.
State Superintendent Tony Evers also warned that the report cards measure a “narrow band of what makes a school a vibrant place to learn.”
“The science, art, music, career and technical education, and extracurricular activities that schools offer are truly important to helping students get a well-rounded education that prepares them for college and careers,” Evers said in a statement.
More changes are on the way. 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.
Changing the report cards, and forcing private schools that accept taxpayer-funded voucher students to be included, continues to be a topic of debate in the Legislature. Both Republicans and Democrats have said they want to bolster the reporting, but they’ve been unable to agree on the details of how to get it done.
One of the main areas of disagreement has been whether to assign letter grades to schools and impose sanctions on those that fail to measure up, including forcing failing public schools to reopen as charters and barring private schools from accepting new voucher students.
The Legislature did pass a bill this year requiring private schools accepting voucher students to submit a variety of data to the state that they don’t currently provide starting with the 2015 academic year. That includes a host of demographic data, enrollment numbers and graduation rates.
The information, along with performance on state tests, will eventually be included on school report cards just like those released Tuesday for public schools.
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)
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetLocal officials express concerns about shared revenue
A representative of Gov. Scott Walker’s office visiting Shawano last week downplayed a Legislative Fiscal Bureau budget projection of a $1.8 billion structural deficit, but local officials are still worried the state might use that projection to hamstring shared revenue.
“The governor came in complaining about this huge structural deficit, in that he was going to tackle it,” Shawano City Administrator Brian Knapp said.
Knapp said the structural deficit was used as an excuse to cut the level of revenue shared with local governments four years ago, and he was concerned the same reasoning would be used again.
“We’ve been hit with that hammer for many years,” Knapp said.
Cindy Polzin, the governor’s senior director of legislative and local affairs, said the fiscal bureau’s budget projection is skewed because it doesn’t include projections of growth.
“If there was no economic growth in the state of Wisconsin, that would be the deficit,” she said. “There always is economic growth.”
Polzin did not have any projections for growth available but said it would “easily wipe out the deficit.”
She called media reports about the structural deficit “political campaign fodder” in an election year. Walker is running for re-election against Democrat Mary Burke in the November election.
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau does not typically include revenue growth in its structural deficit projections, and did not include it four years ago in projecting the structural deficit that Walker campaigned against.
Polzin made her comments Friday during a meeting with city and county officials at City Hall. The meeting was attended by several city officials and staff and several county department heads.
The deficit question aside, local officials still had questions about what to expect in terms of shared revenue.
Polzin said those discussions won’t take place until work on the budget starts in October.
“That’s one of the things we’ll be talking about,” she said. “We haven’t started yet. It’s a big puzzle piece that depends on how everything is going to fit together.”
Knapp said local governments are increasingly reliant on shared revenue, particularly given local levy limits imposed by the state.
Polzin said local governments have the power to exceed the levy limits if they get voter approval.
“If you wanted to, you could run a referendum to go over that levy limit,” she said.
Polzin’s stop in Shawano was the latest in a tour of Wisconsin counties to solicit comments ahead of the state budgeting process.
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Authorities have released the name of the man killed Thursday after a sport utility vehicle and a minivan collided on state Highway 29 in the town of Seneca.
Albert Voelz, 79, of Tigerton, was the driver of a minivan that was apparently attempting to cross the lanes of eastbound Highway 29 to get to Old 29 Road shortly after 4:30 p.m. when it was struck by the SUV.
Voelz was pronounced dead at the scene.
The SUV driver — Deborah Stillwell, 54, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota — and a passenger were transported to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, according to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department.
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetPublic Record
Shawano Police Department
Sept. 15
Police logged 23 incidents, including the following:
Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.
Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint at Center and Cleveland streets.
Warrant — A 24-year-old man was taken into custody on a Probation and Parole warrant at the New Era House, 105 E. Richmond St.
Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 1100 block of South Lafayette Street.
Trespass — Police responded to a trespassing complaint at the former Lincoln School building, 237 S. Sawyer St.
Sept. 14
Police logged 19 incidents, including the following:
Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 200 block of South Lincoln Street.
Theft — A boat motor was reported stolen in the 300 block of South Bartlett Street.
Shoplifting — Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St., reported a shoplifting incident.
Disturbance — A 41-year-old Shawano man and a 44-year-old Shawano woman were arrested on charges of domestic violence and disorderly conduct at the Wisconsin House, 216 E. Green Bay St.
Sept. 13
Police logged 33 incidents, including the following:
Theft — A wallet was reported stolen at Shawano Community Middle School, 1050 S. Union St.
Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint at Shawano Medical Center, 309 N. Bartlett St.
Disturbance — A 25-year-old Shawano man and a 23-year-old Keshena man were arrested on Probation and Parole violations after a fight at Flamingo’s, 1017 E. Green Bay St.
Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Shawano Medical Center, 309 N. Bartlett St.
Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint at Kuckuk Park, 500 Oak Drive.
Theft — A purse was reported stolen in the 700 block of South Main Street.
Fire — Police and Shawano Area Fire Department responded to a grease fire in the 300 block of Fairview Way.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 1900 block of Estate Lane.
Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported a shoplifting incident.
Theft — A TV was reported stolen at the Wisconsin House, 216 E. Green Bay St.
Burglary — Police investigated a burglary to a residence in the 700 block of South Evergreen Street.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of River Heights.
Sept. 12
Police logged 33 incidents, including the following:
Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint at Shawano Medical Center, 309 N. Bartlett St.
Juvenile — Police responded to a tobacco complaint at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.
Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.
Trespass — Police responded to a trespassing complaint at the Recreation Center, 220 E. Division St.
Drug Offense — Police investigated a drug complaint in the 1100 block of South Main Street.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
Sept. 15
Deputies logged 30 incidents, including the following:
OAR — A 24-year-old man was cited for operating after revocation on U.S. Highway 45 in Tigerton.
Hit and Run — Authorities responded to a property damage hit-and-run at Kwik Trip, 102 Express Way, Bonduel.
Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint at Bonduel Middle/High School, 400 W. Green Bay St., Bonduel.
Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a drug offense at the Shawano County Work Release Center, 1240 Engel Drive, Shawano.
Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on County Road BE in Waukechon.
Vandalism — A trailer was reported vandalized on Oak Ridge Lane in Red Springs.
Sept. 14
Deputies logged 31 incidents, including the following:
Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Oriole Road in Wittenberg.
Vandalism — Landscaping was reported vandalized on Roosevelt Road in Gresham.
Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on Lake Sandia Drive in Angelica.
Auto Theft — A vehicle was reported stolen on Range Line Road in the town of Grant.
OWI — A 29-year-old Wausau man was arrested for operating while intoxicated on County Road K in Waukechon.
Accidents — Authorities logged nine deer-related crashes.
Sept. 13
Deputies logged 53 incidents, including the following:
Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Warrington Avenue in Cecil.
Bail Jumping — A charge of bail jumping was referred against an 18-year-old Oconto Falls male on Green Valley Road in Green Valley.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Warrington Avenue in Cecil.
Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on Frailing Lane in Wescott.
Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Anderson Road in Bowler.
Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Frailing Road in Wescott.
Accidents — Authorities logged four deer-related crashes.
Sept. 12
Deputies logged 44 incidents, including the following:
Arrest — A 23-year-old Clintonville woman was taken into custody on a Probation and Parole violation on Butternut Road in Richmond.
Theft — Medication was reported stolen on U.S. Highway 45 in Tigerton.
OAR — A 56-year-old Shawano man was cited for operating after revocation at Main Street and County Road B in Shawano.
Theft — Authorities investigated an attempted theft on Curt Black Road in Wescott.
Vandalism — A house was reported egged on Grand Street in Tigerton.
Theft — A pontoon trailer was reported stolen on Moonlight Lane in Hartland.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on West Green Bay Street in Bonduel.
Accidents — Authorities logged an injury accident on state Highway 22 in Green Valley and three deer-related crashes.
Clintonville Police Department
Sept. 15
Police logged seven incidents, including the following:
Child Abuse — A child abuse complaint was under investigation.
Juvenile — Three juveniles were warned for malicious mischief on South Main Street.
Sept. 14
Police logged 14 incidents, including the following:
Fraud — Three worthless check complaints were under investigation.
OWI — A 56-year-old man was arrested for operating while intoxicated on Wilson Street.
OWL — A male driver was cited for operating without a license on North 12th Street.
Sept. 13
Police logged 15 incidents, including the following:
Theft — A theft was reported on Franklin Street.
Harassment — Police investigated a harassment complaint on South Main Street.
Theft — A cell phone was reported stolen on West Madison Street.
Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on South Main Street.
Sept. 12
Police logged 10 incidents, including the following:
Accident — A 20-year-old man was cited for numerous violations, including hit and run and possession of drug paraphernalia after a one-vehicle accident on Larkspur Way.
Fraud — A worthless check complaint was under investigation.
Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at the middle school.
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetLearning to carry safely
Jason Arndt, [email protected]
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Participants of a concealed-carry class held Saturday at Shawano’s City Hall receive answers to questions from Shawano Police Chief Mark Kohl.
Nearly 30 people attended the city's first concealed-carry class Saturday at Shawano City Hall.
The four-hour class about the state concealed-carry law, which took effect in 2011, was taught by Police Chief Mark Kohl.
“I am very gratified that we can do it in a safe way and to help them learn and educate them," Kohl said. "A lot of them came with a lot of anxiety.”
The city will offer another class in December.
Roger Genke, 51, of Shawano, said he was uncertain about the concealed carry law before the class and unsure whether he would apply for a license.
“I found the information interesting and I probably will based on what I learned,” Genke said.
Genke said the class made it clear that concealed-carry permits do not allow people to bring their firearms into government buildings, mental health complexes and school property.
Additionally, Kohl noted, people are prohibited from carrying a weapon while consuming alcohol in a tavern. Anyone under the influence of alcohol while carrying a firearm is subject to a $10,000 fine, nine months jail or both.
Private business owners also have the right to the ban weapons in their establishments.
“I think the areas where you cannot carry a concealed weapon is a very good idea,” Genke said.
Hal Atkinson and his wife, Debb, came from Appleton to take the course.
“I have always been interested in the ability to carry, but not necessarily the need for it at all times,” Hal Atkinson said.
He said he was surprised by some of the restrictions.
“A little bit. There are actually quite a few restrictions as far as where you could carry. … Perhaps more than I think it should," he said. "I understand that is their right. So be it.”
Class participants took a written exam and had to score 80 percent or higher to qualify for a concealed-carry permit.
“We want them to be well-informed and well-educated and comfortable. … So when they leave here, it is going to be a win-win,” Kohl said.
Following successful completion of the course, people may apply for a concealed-carry permit through the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Concealed-carry class
WHEN: 8 a.m. to noon, Dec. 6.
WHERE: City Hall, 127 S. Sawyer St., Shawano.
FYI: Class fee is $10. Following successful completion of the course, people may apply for a concealed-carry permit through the Wisconsin Department of Justice for $40.
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetCitizen police academy starts Monday
Tim Ryan, [email protected]
The Shawano Police Department is still looking for residents interested in being part of the citizen police academy that starts Monday night.
The five-week program, meeting from 6-9 p.m. Mondays, will introduce the public to all aspects of the department and how it functions.
“If we get more people who understand what we can do, what we can’t do, what they can do and can’t do, there’s a tendency to reduce crime,” Chief Mark Kohl said. “People are more apt to say something, to point it out or call us.”
Only five people had signed up for the program as of Thursday, but there is room for up to 24, Kohl said.
Participants must be over 18, because handling firearms will be involved at some point, Kohl said, including a possible trip to the shooting range and firing off a few rounds “under strict and safe guidelines.”
Kohl offered the same program when he was chief here in 2001, and he said it was well-received.
“We want people to know what we do,” he said. “Their tax dollars pay for this service. We want them to be informed and question why and how we do things and be part of it.”
Topics that will be covered over the course of the five weeks include the department’s budget, the role of the Common Council and Police and Fire Commission, the court system and collaborative efforts with other law enforcement agencies.
Participants will learn about defensive tactics, see how traffic stops and OWI arrests are made, and get a hands-on look at the department’s squads, tools and technology.
They will also see what the dive team does, and learn about the K-9 unit and school resource officer.
“My hope is that the people that leave this become ambassadors and advocates of good crime prevention tactics and techniques, be willing to report things, work with officers and work with their neighbors in neighborhood watch programs,” Kohl said.
The free program will be run on Sept. 15, 22 and 29, and on Oct. 6 and 20 at City Hall. Those interested can call the department at 715-524-4545 to register, or just show up at City Hall, 127 S. Sawyer St.. at 6 p.m. Monday.
Police are asking participants to attend all five weeks of the program.
Participants will will receive a T-shirt and certificate at a graduation ceremony Oct. 20.
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetLocal machine shop gets national recognition
Contract manufacturer J&R Machine Inc., of Shawano, has been named an honors program winner in Modern Machine Shop magazine’s 2014 Top Shops survey.
Modern Machine Shop, published by Gardner Business Media, of Ohio, provides the annual survey to enable its readers to compare their operations’ performance and practices against industry leaders. The survey, this year taken by 407 North American machine shops, is divided into four sections: machining technology, shopfloor practices, business strategy and human resources.
Honors program winners were chosen for each of the categories, and J&R Machine was named 2014 honors program winner for shopfloor practices.
“Beyond advanced machining capability, J&R Machine’s efforts with respect to lean manufacturing, lights-out operations, project management, Kanban material release and various value-adding services made it a great choice for this year’s shopfloor practices Honors Program winner,” said Derek Korn, Modern Machine Shop’s senior editor.
J&R Machine was founded in 1992 as a small manufacturer of pins and bushings. As the company grew, it shifted to producing more complex parts and adopted lean manufacturing principles as well as value-added services. The company has consolidated equipment, made room for new technology and reduced labor costs from 18 to 10 percent in recent years.
“We do more than what is expected because we believe it builds long-term relationships,” explained Tim Tumanic, president of J&R Machine. “J&R Machine is essentially a service company that just happens to be a machine shop, and it is truly an honor to be recognized by our peers through Modern Machine Shop’s 2014 Top Shops survey for our commitment to providing world-class products and services.”
Results from this year’s survey will be presented at the IMTS 2014 Conference on Sept. 8 in Chicago. Representatives from J&R Machine will participate.
Services offered by J&R Machine include CNC machining, multi-spindle machining, thread rolling, robotic welding, fabrication and assembly, project management, Kanban material release, bar coding, reusable containers and lights out operations.
More information can be found at www.jrmachine.com
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetCity adds another piece to future walking trail
Tim Ryan, [email protected]
Shawano officials this week approved the purchase of another property along the future Wolf River Sturgeon Trail.
The trail will eventually link Sturgeon Park and Kuckuk Park. The city has been purchasing properties for the trail, which would run along the Wolf River, as they have become available for about 10 years.
The trail is part of a long-range plan that could take years to complete, according to the city.
The Common Council voted 5-1 Wednesday to purchase the property at 1129 S. Water St. at a cost of $162,500. The amount was arrived at by splitting the difference of two appraisals on the property.
The city will apply for a Department of Natural Resources grant to help pay the cost.
Alderperson Sandy Steinke cast the sole no vote.
The city will continue to rent out the property, City Administrator Brian Knapp said.
“Until we have all the properties that we’d like to have available to us, it’s going to be difficult to plan for any significant development” of the trail, he said.
However, Knapp said, “we’re looking forward to being able to start planning for what should be a very nice amenity for the city.”
The purchase will still leave five properties needed to complete the trail between the two parks.
The city is also open to getting easements from other properties along the Wolf River for the trail, which wouldn’t require purchasing the entire properties. Much of the waterfront along those properties is wooded and apparently unused by the property owners.
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetLocal tractor-trailer driver in national competition
Carol Wagner, Leader Correspondent
Photo by Carol Wagner Kalvin Boettcher, of Shawano, stands by the tractor he drives for Reinhart Food Service out of Shawano. He will be competing in a national driving contest this month in Orlando after getting first place in a local competition.
After passing the local tests, Kalvin Boettcher, of Shawano, will be on his way to Orlando, Florida, this month to compete in a national driving contest at the Disney Yacht and Beach Club Resort.
He will be representing and sponsored by Reinhart Food Service of Shawano. The International Foodservice Distributors Association Truck Driving Championship will be held from Sept. 19-21.
“I always liked operating big equipment,” said Boettcher, who worked for Komatsu before it went out of business.
Boettcher has been driving for Reinhart for 4½ years. He said he enjoys his job.
“I like being outside,” he said.
The local contest started in May with 12 drivers taking a written exam. Then they had to find problems in a pre-trip vehicle inspection. They next had to drive their rigs through a course that included cones topped with tennis balls.
“My score had to be high enough to qualify,” said Boettcher, who found out three weeks ago he was among the 150 drivers who advanced to the national competition.
Boettcher and his wife, Cheryl, will fly to Florida, where the drivers will be separated into two groups—three axle and straight truck, and five axle trucks up to 48 feet. He will be driving in the latter category.
The first day includes a new written test about safety rules and operational procedures. On Saturday, the drivers take the pre-trip inspection test and then drive the course. Awards will be presented at a gala on Sunday. There is time Saturday and Sunday for sight-seeing, as well.
First prize is $1,500, a championship jacket and a magnetic door sign heralding the accomplishment.
“I’m excited,” Boettcher said.
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Tim Ryan, [email protected]
A Shawano County man is facing numerous charges of possessing child pornography and related felony counts after investigators allegedly caught him having sexual communications with a 14-year-old Arizona girl.
Luke W. Hennigan, 31, was charged Friday with six counts of child porn possession, three counts of child sexual exploitation, five counts of causing a child to view sexual activity and 11 counts of exposing a child to harmful materials.
According to the criminal complaint, police in Gilbert, Arizona, learned from a counselor in February that a 14-year-old girl had been in an online relationship with an older male since June 2013.
Their communications included explicit images of genitals sent between the parties and discussion of sexual acts, according to the complaint, which states the communications were exchanged over Facebook, Skype and and an online chat room.
Gilbert police identified Hennigan through an IP address, according to the criminal complaint, and contacted the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, which took over the investigation in May.
A sheriff’s detective contacted Hennigan online and continued communicating with him posing as the girl, according to the complaint.
Authorities executed a search warrant at Hennigan’s residence on June 23 and seized a cell phone and tablet computer belonging to the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe.
According to information from Hennigan’s bail hearing in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court on Friday, he had been a hydrologist for the tribe.
Hennigan could face a maximum 40 years in prison and $100,000 on each count of child sexual exploitation; 25 years and a $100,000 on each count of child porn possession; six years and a $10,000 fine on each count of causing a child to view sexual activity; and 3 1/2 years and a $10,000 fine on each count of exposing a child to harmful materials.
Judge James Habeck imposed a $10,000 signature bond at Friday’s hearing.
Hennigan is due back in court for a preliminary hearing Sept. 26.
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Shawano Police Department
Sept. 11
Police logged 19 incidents, including the following:
Vandalism — Vehicles were reported vandalized in the 500 block of East Fifth Street.
Fraud — Police investigated a credit card fraud complaint in the 300 block of South Washington Street.
Elderly Abuse — Police investigated an elderly abuse complaint at the Wisconsin House, 216 E. Green Bay St.
Reckless Driving — Police responded to a reckless driving complaint on Richmond Street.
Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint at the Department of Community Programs, 504 Lakeland Road.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
Sept. 11
Deputies logged 49 incidents, including the following:
OAR — A 37-year-old woman was cited for operating after revocation on Old Keshena Road in Wescott.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Bluebird Road in Birnamwood.
Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Mader Hill Road in Red Springs.
Theft — Authorities investigated a property theft complaint on Deer Road in Angelica.
Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on Oak Park Circle in Wescott.
Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on Hillside Drive in Belle Plaine.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Elm Street in Bowler.
Accidents — Authorities logged three deer-related crashes.
Clintonville Police Department
Sept. 11
Police logged eight incidents, including the following:
Suspicious — Police investigated a suspicious incident on Ninth Street.
Accident — Police issued a citation for unsafe lane deviation after a two-vehicle property damage accident at Main and Carmelia streets.
Trespass — Juveniles were warned for trespassing on Anne Street.
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Tim Ryan, [email protected]
The city, in partnership with ThedaCare, has engaged a marketing firm to find a developer for the Shawano Medical Center property, but there is still no answer from heirs to the property who would have to agree to scrap a century-old deed restriction.
SMC will move to a new location adjacent to ThedaCare Physicians sometime next year.
The city appointed an ad hoc task force to look at possibilities for future use of the existing property, with help from consulting firm Vandewalle & Associates, which was contracted by ThedaCare.
For now, any future use is in limbo.
The property now home to SMC was originally part of a larger property owned by Andrew Smalley. It later belonged to his widow, Susan, who donated a three-acre parcel to the city in 1901, according to a news article in the April 30, 1931, edition of the Shawano County Journal about plans for a hospital on the site.
The donation included a deed restriction saying the property had to be used as a park and would revert back to the heirs if used for anything else.
Officials have no explanation for why a hospital was allowed to locate on the property, and there is nothing in the record that shows the deed restriction was ever waived.
SMC purchased additional land over the years, and the hospital campus now occupies about 10 acres. The deed restriction applies only to the original three acres.
The city hired the law firm of Davis and Kuelthau in December 2012 to track down the heirs and get their approval to strike the park restriction from the original deed.
The agreement called for the city to pay Davis and Kuelthau $245 an hour, plus whatever expenses the law firm incurs. Should this turn into a court fight for some reason, the firm anticipates referring the case to another attorney at a rate of $300 an hour, according to the agreement.
It took until February to identify and contact the 11 heirs, including two daughters from a previous marriage of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
Seven months later, the city has no response from the heirs.
According to City Administrator Brian Knapp, a group of the heirs hired an attorney months ago, but there has not been any response from the attorney, either.
“We’re getting close to where we’re going to have to do something to initiate some action,” Knapp said at a Common Council meeting Wednesday.
The council at that meeting approved an agreement with ThedaCare and Bottom Line Marketing and Public Relations Inc., of Milwaukee, to market the SMC hospital campus for reuse or redevelopment. The city and ThedaCare will each pay half of the firm’s $45,000 fee for one year of marketing efforts.
The resolution also stated those marketing efforts should be toward redevelopment of the property consistent with the recommendations of the city’s ad hoc task force.
The task force offered two proposals, both of which would be anchored by a waterfront supper club and lodge south of the property the task force was asked to examine. That proposal would require obtaining five properties south of SMC.
Under one proposal, the existing SMC building would become a mix of senior housing, wellness center and community center, with a row of residential town houses to the north.
The alternate plan would raze the hospital building to make way for condominiums and town homes, along with additional green space and a park shelter. Two single-family residential lots would also be created in the far northwest corner, along Second Street.
The alternative plan also envisions a public path along the river, but Wolf River Beach would be discontinued.
Officials stress, however, that both plans are only concepts for the type of development the city would like to see.
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Leader Staff
One person died Thursday afternoon after a sport utility vehicle and a minivan collided on state Highway 29 in the town of Seneca.
The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department reported that the minivan was apparently attempting to cross the lanes of eastbound Highway 29 to get to Old 29 Road when it was struck by the SUV. The minivan driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the SUV driver and a passenger were transported to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
The Sheriff’s Department did not release names of those involved Thursday.
Assisting law enforcement at the scene were ambulance services from Shawano, Tigerton and Wittenberg, and the Bowler Fire Department.
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Tim Ryan, [email protected]
There appears to be a lot of interest in carrying a concealed weapon in Shawano, judging by the response to the Police Department training being offered Saturday.
The four-hour course, which starts at 8 a.m., is filled, with 30 people signed up, but Chief Mark Kohl said another course will probably be offered next month.
“Obviously, it’s something that the citizens of Shawano and the Shawano area want,” he said.
Kohl, who took over the Shawano department in April, previously taught similar courses in Calumet, Waupaca and Waushara counties.
Carrying a concealed weapon requires a permit, and getting that permit requires some training.
Wearing a weapon openly requires no permit and no training, and is a state constitutional right, Kohl said.
“You could strap on your pistol and carry around your shotgun or rifle if it’s out in the open,” Kohl said. “But in some parts of the state, it may tend to shock the consciousness of the neighborhood and its citizens. People may not normally see that, so they call the police.”
The requirement for a concealed carry permit is mainly because, “if you can hide it, you can go places where they shouldn’t be (carried),” Kohl said.
Kohl said his goal in offering the class is to ensure that concealed weapons carriers are properly informed about the law, which doesn’t happen at some other training opportunities, such as some hunter safety classes or “some hourlong program where they blessed them that they had some firearms training.”
The course that Kohl will lead Saturday includes information from the Department of Justice.
“I want to give them exactly what the attorney general wants them to be informed about, what the laws are, those type of things,” Kohl said.
That will include a lesson on the state’s so-called Castle Doctrine, which differs in some respects from Stand Your Ground laws in other states.
Using a weapon under the Castle Doctrine requires a belief that death or great bodily harm is imminent and no other recourse, such as fleeing, is available.
“It’s not automatic that someone walks in and you just shoot them,” Kohl said. “If you can flee and get out of there and report it, do that.”
Kohl also said deadly force cannot be used in situations where only property is at stake.
Kohl conceded that he initially was against the concealed carry law, mainly because at first there were no guidelines for training. He said he is now an advocate “if they indeed take the training.”
Kohl said he likes the training required in Utah and Nevada, which involves eight-hour courses that include showing proficiency on a shooting range.
“In Wisconsin, you just have to show you can unload it and make it safe,” he said. “There are no weapon handling skills.”
“I’m not so sure that everyone should possess a weapon,” Kohl said. “Some people aren’t capable emotionally or physically to possess that weapon. Some are so shocked by the explosion and the recoil. They’re in fear of the weapon.”
Kohl said he recommended those people get a weapon that would be a little more manageable for them, such as a .22 caliber pistol.
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Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
After two suspensions and months of controversy, Clintonville City Administrator Lisa Kotter has resigned.
The resignation took effect Wednesday, just eight days after her 17-year anniversary as the city administrator.
After weeks of negotiations, the city agreed to pay Kotter through next May 15, and Kotter agreed not to file any complaints against the city.
Her departure, according to a joint news release issued by Kotter and the city, was not based on any misconduct but rather on “philosophical and stylistic differences.”
“I will always be appreciative of the elected officials, staff, business leaders, and community members who have been supportive of me and my position,” Kotter wrote in her letter of resignation. “It has been a difficult decision as Clintonville has been my family’s home for 17 years. However, at this time it is clear that it is best for me, my family and the community to part ways and each move in a new direction.”
Mayor Judith Magee responded with the following statement: “I will always be appreciative of the positive impact Kotter had on Clintonville city government for the past 17 years. I am incredibly disappointed to see her leave but fully understand her reason for the resignation.”
Kotter was initially suspended by the council on May 13. Attorney Warren Kraft was hired to investigate the undisclosed allegations raised by Common Council members following the suspension and later presented his findings to the council in closed session.
The council voted 6-4 on May 27 to extend Kotter’s 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 last week met in closed session for two hours with labor attorney Robert Burns. After the session, Magee announced that the council was making progress and an anticipated resolution was expected in the near future.
Although the council never discussed its concerns about Kotter in open session, Fox 11 reported the allegations involved misuse of city funds for family vacations while on work trips. Kotter said she did nothing wrong.
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Leader Staff
A dead crow found Aug. 28 tested positive for the West Nile virus, according to the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department.
It is the first Shawano County case of a dead bird carrying the virus since 2004. The last human case was reported in 2006.
West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes get the virus by feeding on infected birds.
The state Department of Health Services monitors the virus annually from May 1 through the end of mosquito season. There have been 25 confirmed cases of West Nile virus in Wisconsin this year.
Other area counties with confirmed cases of West Nile include Marathon, Langlade, Waupaca and Oconto.
County health department officials said area residents need to take precautions to reduce exposure and mosquito breeding grounds.
“The positive bird means that residents of Shawano and Menominee counties need to be more vigilant in their personal protective measures to prevent mosquito bites,” health officer Jaime Bodden said.
Health officials recommend the following:
• Limit time spent outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Apply insect repellent to exposed skin as well as clothing, as since mosquitoes may bite through clothing.
• Make sure window and door screens are in good repair to prevent mosquito entry.
• Properly dispose of items that hold water, such as tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or discarded tires.
• Clean roof gutters and downspouts for proper drainage.
• Turn over wheelbarrows, wading pools, boats and canoes when not in use.
• Change the water in birdbaths and pet dishes at least every three days.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs; drain water from pool covers.
• Trim tall grass, weeds and vines, since mosquitoes use these areas to rest during hot daylight hours.
• Landscape to prevent water from pooling in low-lying areas.
Health officials warn the disease will remain around the area for an indefinite time period.
The majority of people who are infected with West Nile virus do not get sick. Mild symptoms include fever, headache, muscle ache, rash and fatigue.
Less than 1 percent of people infected with the virus get seriously ill with symptoms that include high fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, disorientation, mental confusion, tremors, confusion, paralysis and coma.
Older adults and people with compromised immune system are at greater risk of developing a central nervous system illness, which can be fatal.
The Wisconsin Division of Public Health will continue surveillance for West Nile virus until the end of the mosquito season.
WHAT TO DO
To report a sick or dead crow, blue jay or raven, call the state dead bird reporting hotline at 800-433-1610.
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Shawano Police Department
Sept. 10
Police logged 31 incidents, including the following:
Theft — Police logged a theft complaint from the Shawano City-County Library, 128 S. Sawyer St., for unreturned library materials.
Juvenile — Police logged two truancy complaints from Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.
Arrest — A 22-year-old woman was taken into custody at the probation and parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.
Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident in the 1200 block of East Green bay Street.
Juvenile —Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 500 block of South Washington Street.
Theft — A wallet was reported stolen at Taco Bell, 1266 E. Green Bay St.
Warrant — A male subject was taken into custody on a warrant in the 500 block of South Main Street.
Juvenile — Police responded to a complaint of juveniles loitering at the Recreation Center, 220 E. Division St.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
Deputies logged 31 incidents, including the following:
Theft — Authorities investigated a theft attempt on state Highway 47-55 in Wescott.
Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on U.S. Highway 45 in Birnamwood.
Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Webb Street in Wittenberg.
Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Summer Street in Aniwa.
Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Tower Road in Tigerton.
Vandalism — A mailbox was reported vandalized on Deer Road in Angelica.
Accidents — Authorities logged two deer-related crashes.
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Tim Ryan, [email protected]
City officials Wednesday approved a special exception to the zoning code to allow a major redevelopment of the United Cooperative feed mill.
Common Council members also attached conditions to the exception to ensure that several concerns are addressed before the project goes forward.
The cooperative plans to tear down and replace some of the buildings; remodel office, warehouse and fertilizer storage space; and add grain bins and a feed manufacturing facility.
The facility at 660 E. Seward St. borders East Green Bay Street on the north and extends south about four blocks to Center Street.
“The site has been very well used over the years and is in need of replacement for the most part,” Steve Cramer, United president and chief executive officer, told the council.
The city’s planning consultant, Mike Slavney, of Vandewalle and Associates, recommended approval of the special exception, saying the property has limited alternative uses given the railroad line that runs through it.
“If some other business were to go in there, it would almost have to be a business that was really interested in access to the rail,” he said.
The redevelopment will also remove 14 blighted structures on the site.
“If the business goes away, the blight remains,” Slavney said. “The property is not a peach of a property in terms of getting future development or redevelopment on it.”
The Plan Commission recommended approval of the special exception Monday, with conditions that addressed concerns raised by residential neighbors.
The Common Council added another condition Wednesday — a developer’s agreement between the city and United Cooperative that would guarantee all those conditions are met.
“I think that would be some peace of mind to those of us who have to make a decision today,” Alderman Bob Kurkiewicz said.
The city will also have to approve a site plan, which would have to include all the conditions being met, before any work goes forward.
The cooperative’s plan includes closing East Schurz Street and East Division Street at the points where those streets enter the United Cooperative property.
One of the conditions is that the cooperative ensure residential neighbors still have access to their properties and that a cul-de-sac or some other turnaround is included at the end of the dead-end streets.
Other conditions include requiring United Cooperative to submit water drainage and landscaping plans, ensuring access to fire hydrants, and locating electrical truck-warming hook-ups away from nearby residents to minimize noise.
The cooperative also plans to bring truck traffic onto the property off Green Bay Street and have them exit on Center Street, where they will be required to turn left to avoid the residential neighborhood.
The trucks will still have to go past a park area on Center Street, which was a safety concern for council members, albeit not a new one.
“The park has always been a concern,” Alderwoman Sandy Steinke said. “There are trucks coming out of there already.”
City Administrator Brian Knapp said there are still a number of logistical issues to be worked out, including possible widening of the street to give trucks a wider berth when turning past the park.
There are also questions about where the streets United Cooperative wants to close end and the cooperative property begins, as well as whether fire hydrants that serve the residential properties would be cut off by the security fence the cooperative wants to erect.
“We’ve got a lot of hurdles to pass,” Knapp said.
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