Shawano Leader News

Contributed Photo Jenny Ballwahn, broker and owner of Full House Realty, receives a reward from Dennis Heling, chief economic development officer of Shawano County Economic Progress Inc.

Full House Realty in Shawano has received a Shawano Country Vision 2017 interior improvement grant totaling $5,000.

The grant was awarded to owner Jenny Ballwahn to help cover costs to renovate a vacant commercial building at 204 S. Main St. in downtown Shawano. Renovations included new flooring, lighting, ceiling tiles, paint and electrical.

“The building was in need of lots of love. Anything that I thought might last a couple of years needed replacing right away,” Ballwahn said.

Ballwahn operated her real estate brokerage out of her home since 2007 before recently moving into the new office. The new store-front location will give her more visibility.

“Having an office on Main Street to meet with buyers and sellers is already giving us a lot more exposure and helping us grow even more,” Ballwahn said. “The Vision 2017 grant program is an excellent resource for small business owners. I am so appreciative for the leaders in our community who had the vision to make this program available.”

According to Dennis Heling, chief economic development officer for Shawano County Economic Progress Inc., one of the goals of Shawano Country Vision 2017 is to assist business owners in renovating and occupying vacant commercial space.

“This project is a positive move not only for Jenny, but also for the community,” he said. “This building has been renovated and is now occupied. That will contribute to the vitality of downtown and to the tax base.”

The move from a home-based business to a commercial office setting helped Ballwahn convert to full-time with her realty company.

“It’s always rewarding to be able to help a business owner fulfill their dream of making that leap into full-time,” said Nancy Smith, executive director of the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce. “Jenny has worked very hard to make that happen.”

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Shawano Country Vision 2017 grants

WHO: Any employer or entrepreneur operating in Shawano or Menominee counties may apply.

FYI: For information, contact Dennis Heling at 715-526-5839 or [email protected], or Nancy Smith at 715-524-2139 or [email protected].

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Shawano Police Department

Aug. 24

Police logged 18 incidents, including the following:

Assault — Police investigated an assault complaint in the 100 block of South Main Street.

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

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 800 block of South Park Street.

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

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

Aug. 23

Police logged 27 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Several juveniles were warned for curfew at Oshkosh and Lafayette streets.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 700 block of East Fifth Street.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 700 block of South Union Street.

Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run in the 1100 block of South Main Street.

Accident — Police responded to a deer-related crash on Airport Drive.

Warrant — A 34-year-old woman was taken into custody on a warrant after a traffic stop at Main and Third streets.

Aug. 22

Police logged 34 incidents, including the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OAR — A 31-year-old woman was cited for operating after revocation at Lincoln and Richmond streets.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Aug. 24

Deputies logged 53 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on Warrington Avenue in Cecil.

Bail Jumping — A 28-year-old male was taken into custody for violating a no-drink condition of bond on First Street in Aniwa.

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

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

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Country Lane in the town of Washington.

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on Ah Toh Wuk Road in Bowler.

Fire — Authorities responded to a fire at Kersten Lumber, 295 U.S. Highway 45, Birnamwood.

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

Aug. 23

Deputies logged 41 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on Green Bay Street in Bonduel.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Rollman Street in Bowler.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Cherry Road in Aniwa.

Vandalism — Authorities responded to a vandalism complaint on Wilson Creek Lane in Morris.

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on Red River Road in Herman.

Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a drug complaint on State Street in Bonduel.

Accidents — Authorities logged three accidents, including an injury accident on state Highway 29 in Hartland and one deer-related crash.

Aug. 22

Deputies logged 48 incidents, including the following:

Burglary — Authorities investigated an attempted burglary on Webers Point Road in Wescott.

Vandalism — Authorities responded to a vandalism complaint on Moh He Con Nuck Road in Bowler.

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on Lake Drive in the town of Herman.

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on Airport Drive in Wescott.

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

Accidents — Authorities logged six accidents, including injury accidents on state Highway 29 in Morris and state Highway 52 in Aniwa.

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By: 

By Leader Staff

An elderly Tigerton man who went missing Sunday night was found alive and well Monday afternoon in a wooded area in the town of Morris.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department received a call shortly before 8:30 p.m. Sunday that an 89-year-old man had left his residence in Tigerton about 6:30 p.m. and had not returned.

Numerous agencies and volunteers were involved in trying to locate the man.

His truck was found unoccupied near Fink and Berg roads, several miles from home, and the man was found a few hundred yards from the vehicle shortly after 3 p.m.

He was described as conscious and alert.

Detective Sgt. Gordon Kowaleski said he was pleased the incident ended well and appreciative of the help provided.

Sheriff’s deputies were assisted by Stockbridge, Tigerton and Shawano police, the Wisconsin State Patrol, Department of Natural Resources wardens and a DNR plane, K-9 units from the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, Shawano Police Department and Brown County Sheriff’s Department, and ground search support by the Morris Sportsman’s Club.

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By: 

Leader Staff

Authorities responded to a fire at Kersten Lumber in Birnamwood on Sunday night.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department said an alarm system alerted authorities to the fire in the back of a building at the lumber yard, 295 U.S. Highway 45, at 9:45 pm.

Authorities said an electrical issue led to the fire. There were no reports of injuries. No damage estimate was available Monday morning.

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Leopolis man was fugitive for 3 weeksBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Calvin K. Ossmann

A Leopolis man who went on a weekend crime spree and evaded authorities for nearly three weeks made an initial court appearance Friday after being captured the night before.

Calvin K. Ossmann, 26, was found Thursday in a town of Richmond barn where he had apparently been hiding since eluding authorities in a high-speed chase and escaping on foot Aug. 3.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department received a call shortly after 6 p.m. from someone who spotted Ossmann on a bicycle turning onto to the farm property.

Authorities said there was no farm house or anyone living on the property, but the downstairs portion of the two-level dairy barn was used for a couple of hours daily, during which time it’s assumed Ossmann hid in the upper portion.

Authorities also said Ossmann was found with supplies that he was living on.

Shawano-Menominee County Assistant District Attorney Catharine White told the court Friday that Ossmann had been hiding in the barn for several weeks and had a history of failing to appear for court dates in prior cases. She also noted previous criminal convictions for trespassing, criminal damage to property, resisting arrest and theft by false representation.

White asked the court for a cash bond equal to the amounts of the multiple warrants issued for his arrest. That came to $11,500, which is what Judge James Habeck ultimately imposed.

Defense attorney Ron Haacke unsuccessfully argued for a $1,000 bond, saying Ossmann didn’t leave the area while he was in hiding.

“I don’t think he would want to go anyplace else,” Haacke said.

Ossmann is scheduled for an adjourned initial court appearance Sept. 2.

He is facing numerous felony charges in a string of crimes allegedly committed over the course of Aug. 1-3, including burglary, three counts of vehicle theft and fleeing an officer.

Ossmann is accused of stealing two semi-tractors, one of which he allegedly abandoned, and a car that he allegedly drove around on a property, causing some damage.

He is also accused of breaking into a residence in Pella and stealing a pair of pants that had car keys, a wallet and $40 in its pockets.

Ossmann led authorities on a high speed chase in one of the stolen semi-tractors on Aug. 3, according to a criminal complaint. He backed the vehicle into a Shawano County sheriff’s squad twice before eventually crashing the semi and escaping on foot.

An aerial search and a ground search with multiple K-9 units was interrupted by rain and failed to locate him.

Ossmann could face a maximum 12 1/2 years in prison and $25,000 fine if found guilty of the burglary charge.

The three felony counts of operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent each normally carries a maximum possible penalty of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine, but the penalty could be enhanced because of previous convictions.

Ossmann also faces a possible maximum of 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of fleeing an officer.

He is also charged with five misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property, as well as resisting an officer and disorderly conduct.

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PEDv does not deter swine show interestBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Gary Retzlaff

Raising livestock for the Shawano County Fair takes months of preparation and dedication.

Approximately 150 young people will display their pigs, lambs and cattle at this year’s junior livestock show and auction. The youngest participants are third-graders; the oldest have been out of high school for a year.

Gary Retzlaff, of Shawano, who has been a livestock key committee member for 25 years, estimates 66 percent of the animals are pigs.

“Swine are relatively easy, beef are the challenge,” Retzlaff said. “(Beef) takes the most effort and the most time. Their projects last a year and a half to get to the weight.”

According to Retzlaff, the ideal weight for steer is 1,300 to 1,500 pounds. Swine weigh in up to 280 pounds, while lambs reach up to 150 pounds by the time they are sold at the livestock auction.

“When I started 25 years ago, the ideal weight of pigs was at 225, then it went up to 270-280,” said Retzlaff. “It’s the genetics.”

The Retzlaff family has raised swine for generations. Retzlaff passed on his animals to his 36-year-old son, Nathan, to raise. Gary Retzlaff’s 4-year-old grandson, Ray, will enter a pig in this year’s open livestock show.

Concerns that the spread of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) might endanger swine shows at county fairs this year have not materialized.

The livestock committee in April outlined new rules affecting swine shows because of PEDv. The state veterinarian with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, for example, banned any return trips back to the farm for swine; they instead will head to the slaughterhouse.

Pre-fair weigh-ins for swine, as well as for sheep due to concerns of cross-contamination, were also banned. There will also be no breeding swine or feeder pig show at this year’s fair.

Retzlaff, however, said he could count on one hand the number of exhibitors who backed out because of the PEDv concerns.

The livestock auction begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Retzlaff, in addition to supervising the livestock entries and pitching in where needed, is the announcer.

Children are educated at an early age that livestock are raised for slaughter, Retzlaff said, but occasionally it is difficult for a youngster to accept that when it comes time to sell their animal.

“There are a lot of times when children raise an animal their whole life that it gets to them,” Retzlaff said. “There is a quite a bond between an animal and child.”

A few years ago, he recalled, a girl elected to keep a steer she raised due to the strong bond.

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Shawano Police Department

Aug. 21

Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:

OWI — A 37-year-old man was arrested for operating while intoxicated in the 600 block of East Green Bay Street.

Disturbance — A 19-year-old female was arrested on charges of domestic violence and disorderly conduct after a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of Prospect Circle.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 700 block of South Union Street.

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

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem at the Recreation Center, 220 E. Division St.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Aug. 21

Deputies logged 45 incidents, including the following:

Auto Theft — A vehicle reported stolen in Cecil was recovered after an accident in Menominee County. The incident was still under investigation.

Warrant — A 32-year-old Keshena man who was being treated after a crash in Menominee County was taken into custody on a warrant at Shawano Medical Center, 309 N. Bartlett St., Shawano. The crash was still being investigated.

OAR — A 39-year-old Wittenberg man was arrested for third offense operating after revocation and bail jumping on Prouty Street in Wittenberg.

OWL — A 20-year-old Keshena man was cited for operating without a license and taken into custody on a warrant at Main and Sawyer streets in Shawano.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on County Road R in the town of Washington.

Theft — A saddle was reported stolen on Valley Road in the town of Waukechon.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Country Lane in the town of Washington.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on Warrington Avenue in Cecil.

Disturbance — A 17-year-old Birnamwood female was taken into custody on a battery charge and a 14-year-old Milwaukee female was cited for criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct on Hemlock Road in Wittenberg.

Clintonville Police Department

Aug. 21

Police logged five incidents, including the following:

Theft — A theft was reported on West Street.

Disturbance — Police assisted Waupaca County sheriff’s deputies with a domestic disturbance on Lakeshore Road.

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Leopolis man was fugitive for 3 weeksBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

A Leopolis man who evaded authorities for nearly three weeks after a weekend crime spree earlier this month was arrested Thursday night in the town of Richmond.

Calvin K. Ossmann, 26, was taken into custody around 6:30 p.m. after authorities got a tip that he was hiding in a barn.

Ossmann has been charged in a string of alleged crimes over the course of Aug. 1-3 , including three counts of vehicle theft and fleeing an officer. Ossmann is accused of stealing two semi-tractors, one of which he allegedly abandoned, and a car that he allegedly drove around on a property, causing some damage.

He also led authorities on a high speed chase in one of the stolen semi-tractors on Aug. 3. He backed the vehicle into a Shawano County sheriff’s squad twice before eventually crashing the semi and escaping on foot.

An aerial search and a ground search with multiple K-9 units was interrupted by rain and failed to locate him.

Hours before he was arrested Thursday, Ossmann was also charged with a new count of burglary that allegedly occurred Aug. 1. He is accused of breaking into a residence in Pella and stealing a pair of pants that had car keys, a wallet and $40 in its pockets.

Ossmann could face a maximum 12 1/2 years in prison and $25,000 fine if found guilty of the burglary charge.

He was previously charged with three felony counts of operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. Each of the charges normally carries a maximum possible penalty of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine, but the penalty could be enhanced because of previous convictions.

Ossmann also faces a possible maximum of 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of fleeing an officer.

He is also charged with five misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property, as well as resisting an officer and disorderly conduct.

He was expected to make an initial appearance in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court on Friday.

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Leopolis man also charged with burglaryBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Calvin Ossmann

A Leopolis man still on the run after a weekend crime spree earlier this month is facing a new charge of burglary.

Calvin K. Ossmann, 26, is accused of breaking into a residence in Pella during the early morning hours of Aug. 1 and stealing a pair of pants that had car keys, a wallet and $40 in its pockets.

The homeowner said he believed Ossmann had stolen the pants because he had lived at the residence in the past and had a history of stealing the homeowner’s belongings, according to the criminal complaint.

The felony charge was filed Thursday, but the incident would appear to be the first in a string of other alleged crimes over the course of Aug. 1-3 that Ossmann has already been charged with, including three counts of vehicle theft.

Ossmann is accused of stealing two semi-tractors, one of which he allegedly abandoned, and a car that he allegedly drove around on a property, causing some damage.

Authorities spotted Ossmann in the second stolen semi-tractor in the afternoon of Aug. 3 heading into Shawano County on northbound U.S. Highway 45, according to the original criminal complaint.

The driver ignored an attempted traffic stop and a chase ensued reaching speeds of about 80 mph, according to the complaint.

Spike strips failed to stop the vehicle as the chase continued through a corn field and into a hay field where it came to a stop.

As officers drew their handguns and attempted to arrest the driver, the semi went into reverse and backed into a sheriff’s squad, then pulled forward and backed into the squad a second time. The deputy was out of the vehicle at the time and not injured.

Deputies fired about 15 shots at the rear tires of the semi, according to the complaint. The semi started to drive off again, but at least one of the rear tires was starting to come off the rim.

The semi drove back through the corn field and finally came to rest against a tree. The driver fled on foot.

An aerial search and a ground search with multiple K-9 units was interrupted by rain and failed to locate him.

Ossmann could face a maximum 12 1/2 years in prison and $25,000 fine if found guilty of the burglary charge.

He was previously charged with three felony counts of operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. Each of the charges normally carries a maximum possible penalty of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine, but the penalty could be enhanced because of previous convictions.

Ossmann also faces a possible maximum of 3½ years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of fleeing an officer.

He is also charged with five misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property, as well as resisting an officer and disorderly conduct.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department describes Ossmann as approximately 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 170 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. Authorities issued a mug shot of Ossmann taken at his booking in a previous case, but they said he has since cut his hair shorter and was clean-shaven at the time of that weekend’s incidents.

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City seeks help in dealing with weed and grass complaintsBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

A new push on enforcing quality of life issues in the city has been getting a good response from the community, according to city officials, but it is also creating a need for additional manpower.

The Shawano Department of Public Works has been dealing with complaints of noxious weeds and uncut grass in cases where property owners are not complying with warnings to address the problems themselves. But the DPW doesn’t have the staff available to act on those complaints as quickly as the city would like.

“Right now city staff is having to do it and that’s holding us up a little bit,” Alderman Bob Kurkiewicz said at a recent Common Council meeting. “By the time they get around to it, it’s not as fast as we would like to see it happen.”

Public Works Director Eddie Sheppard said the DPW is looking to contract with a list of area businesses willing to step in and take on those duties.

“Our plan is to have some pre-qualified vendors we can contact for quick action,” Sheppard said. “We’re looking for potential vendors to be on an on-call list for dealing with those issues.”

Sheppard said the city is also looking for vendors to help with snow removal this winter.

Police Chief Mark Kohl said there has been a lot of cooperation from residents and business owners who have been calling in complaints.

“We’re getting calls to check out residents, businesses and vacant lots and we get to those as soon as we can,” he said.

In addition, the department has two community service officers actively out looking for grass and weed violations.

“We affectionately call them the weed police,” Kohl said.

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Shawano Police Department

Aug. 20

Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Police responded to a lewd and lascivious behavior complaint in the 700 block of South Main Street.

Trespass — Police responded to a trespassing complaint in the 200 block of East Division Street.

Disorderly — Police responded to a lewd and lascivious behavior complaint in the 800 block of East Richmond Street.

Theft — Money was reported stolen at Lizzie’s Kitchen, 108 S. Main St.

Juvenile — Police investigated an underage drinking complaint at Sawyer and Stevens streets.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Aug. 20

Deputies logged 46 incidents, including the following:

Theft — Liquor was reported stolen at the 22 Shell, N4543 Sate Highway 22, Belle Plaine.

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Dent Creek Road in the town of Morris.

Disturbance — Disorderly conduct charges were referred against a 14-year-old Birnamwood girl and a 28-year-old Birnamwood woman after a disturbance on U.S. Highway 45 in Birnamwood.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Friendship Road in Belle Plaine.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Honeysuckle Lane in Tigerton

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Rollman Street in Bowler.

Accidents — Authorities logged two deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

Aug. 20

Police logged nine incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — A curfew violation was reported at 12th Street and Clinton Avenue.

Fraud — Police investigated a fraud complaint on Eighth Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a family disturbance on North 12th Street.

Theft — A theft was reported on South Main Street.

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Annual meeting is MondayBy: 

Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent

The Clintonville School District will hold a budget hearing at 6:30 p.m. Monday and its annual meeting at 6:45 p.m. Monday at Clintonville Middle School, 255 N. Main St.

The tax levy is projected to decrease from last year’s $6.22 million to $6.20 million this year. The projected tax rate is $11.31 per $1,000 of equalized valuation, compared to $11.37 per $1,000 last year.

District residents can vote on the levy at the annual meeting.

The proposed 2014-15 budget for the combined general fund and special education fund is $18.34 million. The debt service retirement budget will be $1.5 million.

Superintendent Tom O’Toole said the tax rate decrease was attributable largely to a decrease in the district’s debt service levy.

State aid, O’Toole said, is projected to drop for the upcoming year. State aid funded 58.9 percent of the budget last year, but is projected to cover 56.6 percent for the 2014-15 school year.

District enrollment, a key factor in determining state aid, has dropped in recent years, from 1,533 in 2009-2010 to 1,381 in 2013-2014.

The final budget and levy will not be finalized until October, after the official enrollment count on the third Friday in September and the final equalized valuation of district property is provided by the state.

The annual meeting booklets are available at school offices, area financial institutions and the public library.

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Wright lost GOP primary by 229 votesBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Incumbent Shawano County Sheriff Randy Wright is planning a write-in campaign in hopes of keeping his office in the November election.

Wright was defeated in the Aug. 12 Republican primary race by Shawano police officer Adam Bieber.

The official vote tally certified by the board of canvass shows Bieber garnered 2,688 votes to 2,459 for Wright.

Sheriff’s Department Capt. Tom Tuma, who dropped out of the race too late to keep his name off the ballot, received 86 votes.

Bieber faces Independent challenger Lucas Christenson on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

Wright said he was encouraged by supporters to run as a write-in.

“My phone has been ringing constantly,” he said.

Wright supporter David Cohen last week organized the Friends of Sheriff Randy Wright, which Cohen said will do most of the campaigning on Wright’s behalf, including going door-to-door and distributing new and modified campaign signs.

The group launched a Facebook page seeking to gauge support for Wright to keep running.

“The response has been overwhelming,” Cohen said.

He also said numerous people have offered to help.

Cohen said there was an expectation that Wright was going to easily win the primary.

“A lot of people didn’t vote because they assumed Wright was going to win in a landslide,” Cohen said.

Wright said the rules covering partisan primaries also contributed to his loss, preventing voters in the Democratic primary from crossing over and picking a preference in the sheriff’s race.

According to the certified primary results, 1,070 voters cast ballots in the Democratic primary for governor.

Wright said he will meet with his supporters this weekend and file his write-in papers with the Shawano County Clerk’s office next week.

“I wish him the best,” Bieber said, when asked for a reaction Wednesday afternoon.

Christenson could not be reached for a comment by deadline.

According to the county clerk’s office, there has so far never been a successful countywide write-in campaign.

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Officials still taking residents' inputBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Residents review drafts of concept plans for the development of Franklin Park and redesign of Spirit of Shawano Park at a public information meeting at City Hall on Wednesday.
Leader Photo by Tim Ryan John Kneer, of Rettler Corp., and Shawano Park and Recreation Director Matt Hendricks answer questions at a public information meeting Wednesday on design proposals for Franklin Park and the Spirit of Shawano Park.

Music concerts, outdoor movies and other attractions could some day join the farmers market at Franklin Park in downtown Shawano.

Proposals for the future development of Franklin Park and Spirit of Shawano Park, located on the northeast and southeast corners of Green Bay and Main streets, were presented to the public Wednesday at an informational meeting at City Hall.

The planning is still in the draft stage as the city seeks further input.

“Your thoughts are the most important piece of this,” Park and Recreation Director Matt Hendricks told the crowd of more than 30 people who attended the meeting.

The city and consulting firm Rettler Corp., of Stevens Point, will continue soliciting community feedback until a finalized plan goes before the Park and Recreation Commission, possibly in October, and then to the Common Council.

John Kneer, landscape architect with Rettler Corp., presented three variations on a concept plan for Franklin Park that included such possible amenities as an interactive water fountain, multi-purpose stage area, playground, veterans memorial and a promenade along which farmers market vendors could be located.

“These are concepts. None of these are set in stone,” he said.

Residents seemed to like most of those ideas and offered a few more of their own, including a botanical garden, an area for local artists to display their works and an ice skating rink.

Finding some way to link the 3-acre park with Main Street, just a block away, was also discussed.

Proposals for Spirit of Shawano Park, meanwhile, focused on opening up the quarter-acre site and making it more noticeable for travelers passing through the city’s busiest intersection.

The enhancements could include an archway crossing above Green Bay Street welcoming motorists to Shawano.

Other ideas included additional native landscaping, background fencing to highlight the existing sculptures at the site, and a shallow creek that could run through it.

“It would be someplace to come to if you work downtown, live around there,” Kneer said. “A destination place in downtown Shawano and a place for the drive-through traffic to really appreciate where they are.”

Kneer said after the meeting he is enjoying the challenge of redesigning the Spirit of Shawano Park.

“It’s a small space, so detail is much more important at that scale,” he said. “It’s quite a fun exercise.”

Kneer said he felt Wednesday’s public input session was successful.

“We wanted to provide a variety of options here to have reaction to,” he said.

Hendricks said he was impressed with the turnout.

“There were a lot of positive comments, good feedback,” he said. “People obviously care about the community and are thinking about what they want to see in there.”

Hendricks and Kneer will be at the Shawano Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 6 to take further input.

People can also contact Hendricks at 715-526-6171 or [email protected], or comment on the Park and Recreation Department’s Facebook page.

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Children’s ride joins other popular returneesBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Contributed Photo Puppy Roll, a children’s ride, will make its debut at the 2014 Shawano County Fair this year.

The Puppy Roll spin ride will make its debut and a popular “spectacular” ride will return to the Shawano County Fair next week.

Rainbow Valley Rides’ owner Chip Kedrowicz said Puppy Roll, the company’s newest ride produced by Goldstar Manufacturing, is a variation of the spin ride, where children are seated and spin around a turntable foundation.

Started by Kedrowicz’s father in 1973, Rainbow Valley Rides is based out of Almond and will be providing rides and attractions for the fair for the 23rd year.

“The most rewarding is the people and friendships I’ve made over the years,” Kedrowicz said. “The young kids that light up when they come off a ride.”

In addition to Puppy Roll, the kiddie rides this year also include the Lolli Swing, Orient Express (roller coaster) and Rio Grande (train).

“All rides have height requirements that are designated by each manufacturer,” Kedrowicz said.

For the more adventurous fairgoers, Kedrowicz said this year’s lineup also will include the popular Freak Out—one of the company’s five “spectacular” rides. The company purchased the high-swinging and spinning ride from a firm in the Netherlands.

The company’s other spectacular rides are Cuckoo Haus, Genesis, Pharaoh’s Fury and Zipper, although not all appear at every venue.

Other major rides returning to the fair midway include the Ferris wheel, Superslide, Tilt-a-Whirl and the carousel.

Kedrowicz said it is difficult to gauge ridership on any single attraction.

“One patron could ride his or her favorite ride 10 or more times,” he said.

The amusement company, whose motto is “We’re not the biggest, but we’re one of the best,” will arrive to set up and assemble at the county fairgrounds following the completion of the Manitowoc County Fair this week.

“It is a very busy time of the year for us. We left the Sun Prairie Corn Festival Monday, and now we are in Manitowoc,” said Kedrowicz, who had three rides at the Wisconsin State Fair earlier this month.

Kedrowicz said his company provides the power for its rides.

“We are completely self-contained regarding rides,” Kedrowicz said. “We have three generators that power all of the rides and games.”

The rides will be open from 6 p.m. Aug. 27 to 6 p.m. Sept. 1. Various wristband specials, allowing access to rides for a single price, will be offered throughout the fair.

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Shawano Police Department

Aug. 19

Police logged 22 incidents, including the following:

Accident - Police responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident in the 1200 block of East Green Bay Street.

Welfare - Police responded to a male sleeping under a tree, appearing to be ill, at Lieg and Weed streets. Male departed prior to police arrival.

Assault - Police investigated an assault complaint in the 400 block of South Franklin Street.

Theft - CDs were reported stolen at a residence in the 800 block of South Park Street.

Shoplifting - Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported two male shoplifters in custody.

OAR - Police cited a 22-year-old male for operating after revocation at Madison Way and East Green Bay Street.

Drug - Police investigated two males, 20- and 18-years-old, for drug possession at Washington and Fourth streets.

Intoxicated - Police investigated a complaint of an intoxicated female in the 200 block of South Washington Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Aug. 19

Deputies logged 37 incidents, including the following:

Animal - Authorities investigated neglect of two horses on Sunrise Road in the town of Waukechon.

Burglary - Authorities responded to a burglary in the 600 block of South Webb Street in Wittenberg.

Theft - A utility car and trailer was reported stolen on Webers Point Road in the town of Wescott.

Suspicious - Authorities investigated a complaint of a suspicious person taking pictures of children at Mattoon Elementary School, 507 Stone Ave.

Theft - Prescription medications were reported stolen on Roosevelt Road in the town of Seneca.

Fraud - A report of potential unemployment fraud was made on Robin Road in the town of Wittenberg.

Juvenile - Authorities responded to a disorderly juvenile on Hemlock Road in the town of Wittenberg.

Assault - Authorities responded to two female inmates fighting at the Shawano County Jail, 405 N. Main St.

Suspicious - Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle at Cherry and Vinal streets in Wittenberg.

Drug - Authorities investigated both a 20-year-old and 18-year-old male for drug offense at Washington and Fourth streets in Shawano.

Accident - Authorities responded to a one-car accident with minor injuries at Old Lake Road and River Pine Drive in Shawano, and a two-vehicle property damage accident involving a 14-year-old driver striking another vehicle on Old W Road in the town of Lessor.

Clintonville Police Department

Aug. 19

Police logged 10 incidents, including the following:

Abandoned - A report of an abandoned boat was made on North 12th Street.

Assist - Police assisted the Department of Corrections on South Clinton Avenue.

Threatening - A complaint of threats toward officers was made on South Clinton Avenue.

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By: 

Tom Beschta, [email protected]

About 30 residents of the Bonduel School District on Monday reviewed financial estimates for the 2014-15 school year, including a projected tax levy increase of $264,204.

Superintendent Patrick Rau said a $200,000 reduction in state funding has created the need for the projected tax increase, but he expects the proposed levy will decrease when the board has final enrollment numbers and statewide equalization valuation results in October.

“These numbers are estimates as far as our state aid and local property tax levy, because three of the things they are based on we have to wait for,” Rau said.

According to the budget, last year’s property tax levy was $4,410,642. With the proposed increase, it would climb 6 percent, to $4,674,846.

The tax rate is projected to increase from $9.93 per $1,000 of equalized valuation to $10.52 per $1,000. The owner of a $100,000 home who paid $993 in school taxes last year would pay $1,052 this year, according to the projections.

The proposed budget is based on a zero increase in equalized property value. Property values increased 2.35 percent from 2012-13 to 2013-14. If property values increase more than expected, it would mean a lower tax rate. If values decrease, the tax rate could go higher.

Rau said the district is facing a $275,000 deficit. Alternatives to a tax increase to offset the deficit would require the district to cut programs and positions, he said.

“If we are faced with the situation where we have to reduce our programming with NWTC (Northeast Wisconsin Technical College) or our sports offerings, one of our fears is that (the district’s) open enrollment deficit would get larger as students leave to go elsewhere,” Rau said.

The district’s projected enrollment is 863, about 20 students fewer than last year. With open enrollment, Rau said he expects the district to have a deficit of 35-40 students at the start of the school year, which has been consistent over the last five years.

He said around 111 students have applied out of Bonduel and 75 have applied in this year, but he expects those numbers to reduce as students and parents change their minds about where they will attend school.

Rau said the estimated cost per pupil, which excludes food service and transportation costs, is estimated at $10,148. Bonduel’s spending is the third highest per pupil, compared with the eight other districts in the county, but in CESA 8, Bonduel is 21st out of 26 in spending.

Board member Dale Bergsbaken said the district needs to offer quality programs and teachers to stay competitive with other schools and to maintain a healthy enrollment.

“You have to look at it business-wise,” Bergsbaken said. “When kids graduate, that is our final product, and without good employees and without good staff, you don’t do that. You can’t always go top quality, but you have to give them good things that work.”

Rau said 75-85 percent of the budget goes toward salaries and benefits every year.

Also included in the budget is a debt service of $830,116 and a technology referendum of $150,000.

Residents expressed concerns over whether the Common Core Standards implemented by statewide will help improve scores in the low-scoring math department. They said some districts are moving away from the standards because they feel they are not effective.

Curriculum Director Peggy Jones said the Common Core Standards, which define expectations for scores in mathematics and English/language arts, will help the district, because they lay out specific expectations for each grade level, help the schools determine what educational materials they will buy and give teachers a sense of direction.

“As far as the staff goes and the curriculum committee, what we have found with studying those standards is they are very helpful to us in what we teach to our students as far as content,” Jones said.

Besides approving the tax levy, the audience also adopted a pay rate for board members. After a motion to lower the rate to $80 failed, individuals voted to keep the rate at $85, which has been in effect since 2008.

Other successfully passed resolutions authorized the board to engage in legal counsel, sell or dispose of used surplus property and set a date for the 2015 annual meeting.

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Residents can vote on levy in SeptemberBy: 

Leader Staff

The Shawano School District held an abbreviated annual meeting Monday that included some routine business, but no discussion or vote on the traditional agenda items of the budget or tax levy.

The district was locked into Monday’s meeting date for the annual meeting, which was officially set at the annual meeting last year.

The district’s new business manager, Louise Fischer, already had previous commitments for this week when she was hired in April, District Administrator Gary Cumberland said.

A special annual meeting, at which voters will approve the tax levy for the coming school year, will be held at 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at Shawano Community High School.

Cumberland said the delay will give the district the advantage of being able to present more detailed and firmer budget figures than could have been provided Monday.

The latest budget proposal from the school district calls for a tax levy of just over $12.9 million.

The tax rate would be projected to increase from $10.31 per $1,000 of equalized value in 2013-14 to $10.34 in 2014-15. That estimate is based on no increase in district property values, which won’t be known until October.

Fewer than a dozen residents attended the meeting, outnumbered by School Board members and district staff.

Kelley Swartz, director of curriculum, instruction and assessment, presented highlights of the past year, and voters approved allowing the school district to sell off any surplus property.

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1st 100 Shoe Sensation customers get gifts

A ribbon cutting will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday for the grand opening of the new Shoe Sensation in the Shawano Plaza, 180 Woodlawn Drive, Shawano.

The first 100 customers will receive free gifts. Customers also can register to win free shoes, and there will be promotional prizes for the celebration.

Ashleigh Christensen, a native of Shawano, is the manager of the new store. She has a background in retail management, and said she is excited about what Shoe Sensation brings to the community.

“The biggest benefit is the convenience of having a shoe store in our area that is able to fulfill the needs of customers, by offering quality brands with affordable prices,” Christensen said. “We are here to be a part of and give back to the community.”

Jim Quiggins, vice president of marketing for Shoe Sensation, said the company’s stores focus on the local community.

“I think the people of Shawano will embrace Shoe Sensation,” he said. “Although we are a regional chain, we strive to maintain a fundamentally local focus and we are looking forward to being a part of the local community.”

The store’s selection of name brand shoes and prices at will be a great addition to the retail landscape, Quiggins said.

Shoe Sensation will showcase over 10,000 pairs of shoes as well as a large assortment of fashion accessories and shoe care products. National brands such as Clarks, Sperry and Crocs will be available for women. The junior collection includes shoes from Justin Boots, Vans, Rocket Dog, Skechers, Real Tree Girl and Fergalicious.

Children’s shoes will be available starting in crib sizes from popular brands, including K-Swiss, Skechers and Nike. Prominent men’s brands include Dockers, Dr. Martens, Skechers, Lugz and Durango.

Shoe Sensation will also carry a wide range of athletic lifestyle shoes from Nike, New Balance, Asics, Puma, Converse, and others as well as skate shoes from DC and Osiris.

Store services include layaway, special order and other programs.

The parent company of Shoe Sensation, Shoe Sensation Inc., is a privately held corporation based in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and operates 98 retail stores in 15 states.

“We are very excited about the addition of Shawano to our family of store locations,” Quiggins said. “Our commitment to offering famous name-brand shoes at great prices is a proven winner, and we look forward to a long partnership with the community.”

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Cost is about $22,000By: 

Leader Staff

Shawano School District support staff and mid-management staff will get 1 percent raises in the upcoming school year.

The Shawano School Board approved the increases after coming out of a closed session discussion Monday.

Support staff, which includes positions such as aides, secretaries and custodians, will see their paychecks go up anywhere from 11 cents to 22 cents an hour, District Administrator Gary Cumberland said.

The total impact on the budget will be about $22,000, he said.

Support staff and teachers received a 2.3 percent pay hike last year.

Cumberland said the initial intent was a “flat increase” for support staff this year, but the 1 percent increase was arrived at after discussions.

Teachers are also getting a 1 percent increase this school year.

The 1 percent increase for mid-management staff includes only five positions in the district and will total about $2,900, Cumberland said.

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